"We are now approaching a long presidential election campaign, in the course of which issues on which I have strong views will be widely discussed and debated," Perle wrote. "I would not wish those views to be attributed to you or the President at any time, and especially not during a presidential campaign."

—Richard Perle

NOTE: This has to be counted as a victory for the forces of PNAC opposition. Richard Perle is a central figure in the modern neo-conservative movement, and he now feels that his presence in the administration would be a political detriment to Bush’s re-election. Neo-cons have gone from being unheard of to being unpopular in the span of just about a year. It was about 11 months ago that the slide began—in fact, on the 3rd day of this site’s existence, I posted this entry discussing Perle’s then-resignation as Chairman of the board from which he has now resigned completely.

Here’s hoping that the rest of the PNACers in the administration come to similar conclusions.

Richard Perle Resigns From Advisory Panel

Controversial Figure Quits Advisory Panel Post

W A S H I N G T O N, Feb. 25� A controversial associate of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has resigned from his seat on a key Pentagon advisory panel, ABCNEWS has learned.

Richard Perle, a lightning rod for critics of the Bush administration’s national security policies, informed Rumsfeld more than two weeks ago he was quitting the Defense Policy Board. He confirmed the decision in a letter to the defense chief last Wednesday.

"We are now approaching a long presidential election campaign, in the course of which issues on which I have strong views will be widely discussed and debated," Perle wrote. "I would not wish those views to be attributed to you or the President at any time, and especially not during a presidential campaign."

An Outspoken Figure

Perle is a leading figure of the "neo-conservative" ideological school…

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