'Architect' Builds Bush Policies, Legacy (WSJ on Rove)

[MADem]

They seem a bit...nervous!!! Heh, heh.

Some Republicans Are Worried by Idea
Of a White House Without Adviser Rove
By JOHN D. MCKINNON
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
October 10, 2005; Page A4 http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB112889767793063991.html?mod=todays_free_feature

WASHINGTON -- Among the problems besetting the White House, the CIA leak investigation appears most threatening. That is because one of those under scrutiny, deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, is far more than merely the strategist...Mr. Rove is the administration's indispensable man, the connective tissue between the policies and constituencies needed to win elections and govern. Some Republicans even link the administration's recent setbacks on Hurricane Katrina and Harriet Miers to Mr. Rove's legal distractions -- and say they fear worse if he were forced to leave the White House over the investigation. The inquiry centers on whether Bush administration officials leaked the name of Central Intelligence Agency operative Valerie Plame in retaliation for criticism of the war in Iraq by her husband, former diplomat Joseph Wilson....

Critics say Mr. Rove has a win-at-any-cost philosophy. Aside from accusing him of leaking Ms. Plame's identity, they link him to the 2004 presidential campaign's "Swift Boat" ads challenging decorated Vietnam veteran John Kerry; Mr. Rove has denied involvement in the spots. One longtime antagonist, former Texas Republican Chairman Tom Pauken, calls Mr. Rove a "Nixonesque" figure without an "ethical compass." Backers respond by citing his commitment to policy rather than cashing in. "Karl ... rightfully believes we are in a time of great historical significance," Gov. Bush said in an email interview. "He wants to be part of it, rather than pontificating about it charging a large fee."

Lately Mr. Rove has helped lead the effort to recover from initial struggles over Hurricane Katrina by rebuilding the Gulf Coast -- and Mr. Bush's image. Mr. Rove solicited policy proposals from conservative think tanks to shape the president's prime-time speech from the New Orleans French Quarter. That effort has yielded few public-opinion dividends.

Mr. Rove's attempts to build support during the past week for Supreme Court nominee Miers have been similarly unavailing. He backed her selection in White House deliberations, believing she could satisfy conservatives while avoiding a battle with Senate Democrats....

[beingthere]

1. Let's get the indictment done before we all

expire from suspense - i can't take the waiting!!

[opihimoimoi]

2. Yeah, I been partying since last week. Only thing missing is the fireworks

[katty]

4. me either! let's get on with this! still think first hit comes Oct 14

[Catfight]

3. Wow, I'm amazed repugs don't want a traitor in the WH. You mean

repugs have a soupcon of ethics? WOW!