On the day that Patrick Fitzgerald is meeting with a grand jury, the
Phillipine News is reporting that Karl Rove's assistant, Susan Ralston, is leaving the White House and joining the Commerce Department.
SUSAN BONZON RALSTON, presumably the most influential Filipino American in the Bush Administration has reportedly left the White House.
The former Special Assistant to President Bush and deputy to presidential adviser Karl Rove has reportedly moved to the Department of Commerce, Philippine News learned from a source close to Ralston.
Asked for the reason for the transfer, the source quoted Ralston as saying, "Too much pressure (on the job)."
The media office of the Commerce department said they are not making any statement. A White House operator says Ralston remains in the White House roster.
As Rove's deputy, Ralston is responsible for managing the activities of the Office of the Senior Adviser, including areas related to policy, strategic planning, political affairs, public liaison, and intergovernmental efforts of the White House. Her bio says she is also responsible for the development and production of presidential and major surrogate events.
<cut>
The Valerie Plame case has put Ralston in the spotlight only because of her position as Rove's assistant. Rove's role is believed to be critical to the investigation on the outing of the CIA agent, a criminal offense. Ralston had patched a call from a reporter to Rove prior to the media leak.
"Too much pressure" sounds like "spending more time with family" to me. I've never believed in coincidences before and I still don't. This rat knows something is about to happen and she is jumping ship