I don't think they'd call an Oval Office event for Rove. His profile isn't that high, and he's already given up the policy portfolio, so he's purely a political advisor. He'd probably quietly leave the White House to head up the RSCC.
Given the level of attention, I think it's likely to be someone cabinet-level, and of those, Snow seems most likely. Rumsfeld isn't out of the question, but isn't the way I'd bet.
In either case, don't be surprised if Bush reaches across the aisle for a replacement; it's a fairly common second-term move (see Clinton and Cohen). Picking Lieberman for a cabinet post would put another Dem-held seat in play, and don't rule out Sam Nunn for defense. I can't think of any retired Dems who stand out as a pick for Treasury.
Grrrr. Snow has done a GOOD JOB (see Don Luskin column on him). Rumsfeld has done a GOOD JOB. It would be a travesty to get rid of either of them.
Here's what we need:
- Norm Minetta out. Gordon Gekko in.
- Meg Spellings out. Bill Bennett in.
- Tom Tancredo heading up INS enforcement division.
(oops, hijack alert!)
etc.