Rove arriving at an airfield in Waco, Texas, delivering President Bush for a week of vacation at his ranch near Crawford. (AP Photo by Rod Aydelotte.)
by Mark Silva
President Bush flew home to Texas today with Karl Rove, the man who engineered his election campaigns and now plans to leave the White House at the end of August.
Rove spent some time aboard Air Force One en route to Texas with reporters, and answered some of their questions about his resignation.
Rove said he and and the president first talked about his departure "over a year ago" and that they "mutually reinforced" each other's "bad behavior" by finding reasons to put it off:
"We would say 'let's talk about this again after the State of the Union Address, let's talk about it again after the surge,''' Rove said.
Rove said both wanted to be in a place where Rove would "follow him out the door.''
But, "I've got a family,'' said Rove, and "as time went on it became clear it was time for us to think about the next chapter."
If he stayed, he said, "I wouldn't be doing the right thing by family and it really is time for me to do this."
Asked about the 2008 campaigns, Rove said, "I don't anticipate taking any formal role," though he added, "I've got friends in all of the campaigns."
He dismissed the title bestowed on him as "Bush's brain,'' saying it was dreamed up by journalists as a way to diminish Bush himself.
Rove, who has been a vociferous supporter of the president's stalled immigration reforms, cautioned his party against alienating Hispanic immigrants, saying it should not put itself out of line with "a vital part of the electorate that fundamentally shares our values and dreams."
Rove maintains that his vision of a lasting Republican majority is still within reach, and reiterated his arguments for the midterm election loss, maintaining that the vote was closer than people think. Rove maintains that fewer than 100,000 votes cast among all the House and Senate districts in which the GOP lost control last year made the difference in the election.
And Rove says he will continue to help Bush develop his presidential library in Texas -- where opponents of the research center attached to the library proposed at Southern Methodist University fear it will become a campus-based forum for the politics of Karl Rove.
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Comments
"KARL ROVE GETS LAST FREE SPACE RIDE IN AMERICA"
WE ALL KNOW THE LAST TIME OUR SPURIOUS ARGUMENTIVE KATRINA CEO KARL ROVE WAS ON THE WHITE HOUSE PIMP MOBILE, WE AWOKE TO A NEW DRUG PRESCRIPTION BILL CALLED "$2000 COPAY MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY"
BY THE WAY, HOW ARE EFFORTS GOING KARL IN LOUISIANA? HAVEN'T SEEN TOO MUCH RECONSTRUCTION GOING ON. HOW IS THAT MEXICAN IMMIGRATION CAMP GOING IN FLORIDA. 250 MILLION DOLLARS ENOUGH?
NOW THAT THE POLK ACT IS GONE IS THAT HELPING YOU AND THE BOYS OUT.
BY THE WAY, WE ALL KNOW THE LAST TIME GEORGY PORGY LET KARL ON HIS PIMP MOBILE HE WAS ALL IN COLIN POWELLS KOOLAID WHEN HE WAS BACKTRACKING AS TO THOSE SO CALLED WMD'S SADAAM HAD SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM. COLIN ASLEEP YET? HMMMM VALERIE PLAME, IS THIS HIS SECRET GFF, HUH!
OH BOB, OH MR. NOVAK, OH SCOOTER, DOES DICK KNOW ABOU THIS.....?
KARL GOT HIS AIR FORCE ONE'S ON AND IT APPEARS TO BE AUTOGRAPHED BY 50 CENT BECAUSE KARL GOTS FRIENDS ALL OVER THE CAMPAINE TRAIL.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY.
ONE SECTION FULL OF PRISONERS, AND I DON'T MEAN THE ONES AT GITMO.
HEY KARL, BOB NEYS PICTURE BELONGS TO ME GOOD BUDDIE!
WELL I WANT ARI FLEISCHER, AND MIKE MCCELLANS, THEY WAS GOOD OL BOYS. ALWAYS KNEW WHAT NOT TO SAY.
ONE YEAR AGO
AMERICA IN DENIAL. NOW
BUSH IN DENIAL.
Posted by: Roger Morris | August 13, 2007 3:31 PM
Waco?
Hope Janet Reno still isn't there.
Posted by: Terry | August 13, 2007 5:03 PM
Look at all the Rovebots defending this swine on the Swamp. Suddenly hundreds of dead ender Republics have something to talk about.
Posted by: jethro | August 13, 2007 5:05 PM
Rove makes an interesting point about a lasting Republican majority. That truly is the mark of a great president - when he brings the nation together under his party.
That hasn't really happened since Roosevelt. Not likely to happpen under Bush - especially not when elections have been so close the last 4 times.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 13, 2007 5:31 PM
Waco?
Hope Janet Reno still isn't there.
Posted by: Terry | August 13, 2007 5:03 PM
Terry, if the Branch Dividians had been Islamic extremists rather than Christian extremists who fired on Federal officers serving a warrant, you's have been cheering at the outcome.
Posted by: Tony | August 13, 2007 6:00 PM
"I've got a family."
(and now it's time to $$$cash in$$$)
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 13, 2007 6:08 PM
The biggest rat of all leaves the sinking ship.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | August 13, 2007 6:20 PM
I'm amazed he didn't wipe his hard drive(s) and high tail it out of town before anyone knew he was gone.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 13, 2007 6:39 PM
Tony,
You said it best.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 13, 2007 7:29 PM
Yea for Karl. Don't be gone long, buddy.
Start counting the chads for '08.
Posted by: Walton | August 13, 2007 7:41 PM
Funny how the Loony Left comes the defense of murderous Muslims, yet rails against so-called Christians. Earth to Doug and Tony, the Branch Davidians WERE NOT CHRISTIAN. But then you folks never to rarely ever let the facts get in their way of your disturbed behavior and thinking process. It's also another reason why the Left will not win in the U.S.
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 9:16 PM
Tony,
Probably would be cheering more if it was foriegn Islamic exstremist whose goal is the destruction of western civilization over the branch dividians.
I just wish Janet Reno had been in charge of taking out bin Laden in the 90's, she didn't care about the lives of the children.
PS - what is it you do to better our society and economy?
Posted by: Terry | August 13, 2007 9:27 PM
John D. is confused. This thread is not about the Branch Davidians. It is about his good buddy Karl Rove who wants to spend time with his family.
Good old Karl "the family man"!
My guess would be that there is something rotten in Denmark that is about ready to come to fruition. Did Nancy P. make a deal like: No sure fire impeachment procedure, if you get rid of Rummy, Karl and who know what else yet?
Can John D. Who's thoughts are usually about as deep as petri dish enlighten us as to who will be next to bite the dust???
Posted by: B Doggle | August 13, 2007 10:03 PM
John D - But then you folks never to rarely ever let the facts get in their way of your disturbed behavior and thinking process. It's also another reason why the Left will not win in the U.S.
In another post today you said that Bush eliminated taxes for the poor. The poor pay no taxes. Why does Bush never talk up this "fact" up? Too modest? Or is this one of your totally ridculous lies? You also posted that illegal aliens are raping and pillaging and JUDGES ARE JUST LETTING THEM WALK. Wonton anarchy we were not aware of. No one minds a good constructive difference of opionion, but you left that island a long time ago.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 13, 2007 10:06 PM
John D - But then you folks never to rarely ever let the facts get in their way of your disturbed behavior and thinking process. It's also another reason why the Left will not win in the U.S.
In another post today you said that Bush eliminated taxes for the poor. The poor pay no taxes. Why does Bush or any other conservative flack never talk up this "fact" up? Too modest? Or is this one of your totally ridculous lies? You also posted that illegal aliens are raping and pillaging and JUDGES ARE JUST LETTING THEM WALK. Wonton anarchy we were not aware of. No one minds a good constructive difference of opionion, but you left that island a long time ago.
Posted by: kb | August 13, 2007 10:07 PM
"the Branch Davidians WERE NOT CHRISTIAN."
Umm, tell them that Johnny.
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/bran.html
Wrong again. Don't you get sick of it?
Posted by: Tony | August 13, 2007 10:28 PM
Oh please, Terry. Like you give a s*@t about about the thousands of innocent Iraqi children killed and maimed in Bush's war.
Posted by: dt | August 13, 2007 11:48 PM
Something tells me this guy is like a summertime cold- He just won't go away. Rove is completely protected by the Bush Adm. He'll be back. Viruses always mutate and get stronger.
Rove maintains that his vision of a lasting Republican majority is still within reach.
Am I the only one that this scares? How is that a democracy?
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 14, 2007 1:41 AM
dt,
And your hero FDR, like he gave a rats behind about all those German and Japanese children?
How about Clinton and all those children in the former Yugoslovia that died as he conducted a war from 30,000 feet?
Posted by: Terry | August 14, 2007 8:52 AM
Tony, one can claim to be Christian, but it doesn't make them Christian. The Branch Davidians did not follow the teachings of the Bible. For instance, Mormons like to call themselves Christian but they are not.
KB, I did not say Bush eliminated taxes for the poor, I said Bush eliminated the FEDERAL INCOME TAX on the poor.
Bush lowered the tax rate of the poor from 15 percent to 10 percent. Now, you're gonna say, "Well how is 10 percent not paying federal income taxes?" Easy, via deductions, most in the lowest no longer pay a federal income tax. Bush also DOUBLED the child tax credit from $500 per child to $1,000. Anyway, from Fidelity is a chart on taxes:
http://www.moneychimp.com/features/tax_brackets.htm
As far as judges freeing illegal aliens, here are just a couple of examples:
http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_225180916.html
http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=6307948
And what is worse about these stories about illegal aliens who have committed crime after crime after crime, only to be out on bail or released, is that to find out about them, too often one has to dig and dig because our mainstream media WILL NOT report it.
Another story, KB, is a judge recently threw out a case against an illegal alien from Africa who repeatedly raped children. Why? Because the judge claimed the prosecution failed to produce a translater quick enough. However, three different translators were on the case and the alleged child rapist speaks ENGLISH anyway. So, thanks to this judge in Maryland, a child predator is free at large. Is that something you folks on the Left are in favor of? Child predators running rampant to rape more children????
Posted by: John D | August 14, 2007 9:09 AM
"Tony, one can claim to be Christian, but it doesn't make them Christian. The Branch Davidians did not follow the teachings of the Bible. For instance, Mormons like to call themselves Christian but they are not."
Johnny Torture, are you the arbiter of who is a Christian and who is not?
I think that falls to a higher power than you to judge.
Posted by: Tony | August 14, 2007 10:14 AM
John D.,
If the media didn't report it, how do you know about it?
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 14, 2007 10:25 AM
Posted by: John D | August 13, 2007 9:16 PM
"Funny how the Loony Left comes the defense of murderous Muslims"
-- Got ANY PROOF of that John D? You know, links to stories on the Internet that show examples to confirm this allegation?
"the Branch Davidians WERE NOT CHRISTIAN"
-- Koresh claimed to be Christ and called his followers "christians", just as they called themselves before they broke away from the Adventist branch of organized religion. See http://www.rosado.net/pdf/Lessons_from_Waco.pdf
"But then you folks never to rarely ever let the facts get in their way of your disturbed behavior and thinking process."
-- John D, you're Exhibit A of that kind of thinking. Keep it up; I need the daily laughs that you provide.
Posted by: BC | August 14, 2007 10:53 AM
Johnny D seems wackier than usual lately, good job all...
Posted by: kb | August 14, 2007 12:15 PM
Little Liar Johnny D,
How are poor, mostly uneducated people getting Federal income tax deductions when they cannot affored a CPA? Are you suggesting they are reading the IRS tax codes to find loopholes and deductions for which they qualify?
Posted by: janet | August 14, 2007 1:13 PM
Janet,dear, one needs not a CPA to do their taxes. All tax forms provide places for deducations right on the form, they even tell you what to do.
BC, so since David Koresh said he was Christ that makes him and his followers Christians? Real nice thinking there, dufus.
I do not decide who a Christian is, but this I do know: The practices and philosophies of the Branch Davidians and Mormons, for that matter, do not follow the teachings and writing as found in the Bible and in particular the New Testament. Religious scholars, religious educators and clergy from Catholic to Lutheran to Baptist to Methodist and on, all will tell you that the Branch Davidians were not Christian and that Mormonism is not Christianity either. I have family who are Mormon, so I am not slamming Mormons or putting them down, but the fact is Mormonism has nothing to do with Christianity.
And Doug, in regard to illegal aliens commiting crimes, while most mainstream media do not report such events, there are other outlets. I'll tell you what: google the murder of four high school students in Newark. This horrible crime occurred recently. You will find a very muted google response in the coverage of the mainstream media and in particular that the main alleged murderer was an illegal alien.
Posted by: John D | August 14, 2007 3:12 PM
Mormons aren't Christians? That sounds like a Southern Baptist position. Johnny boy, are you a true Campbellite like rnc bruce? Don't you guy's know that the Catholic Church proclaimed you guys "the heresy"?
To answer the question, Are Mormons Christian?, I went to beliefnet (Mitt was busy). "Blogalogue", (debates with the spirit), invites you to join the discussion:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/blogalogue/mormondebate/
Personally, Dyslin, I think you'd be better served by this site:
THE MORMONS
View 1000's of Pictures & Videos of Beautiful LDS Singles-Join Free Now
www.LDSPlanet.com
It will be most interesting to see what the Baptist do if Mitt Romney gets the Republican nomination. Do they vote Democratic?, do they vote for the apostate Mitt?, do they write-in Mike Huckabee?, do they stay hope and watch Jesus Camp on DVD?
Should it really matter what faith the candidates posses, or if they are of any faith? Well, inasmuch as Baptist and Mormons are convinced they are the only true church, and that their candidates get divine inspiration on how to run the country, I guess it does.
Posted by: dt | August 15, 2007 3:10 AM
"I have family who are Mormon, so I am not slamming Mormons or putting them down, but the fact is Mormonism has nothing to do with Christianity".
So, I guess what John D. is saying, is that "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" just calls themselves of Christ in order to pull one over on us. Sort of like how George Bush eases environmental controls on coal emissions and calls it the "Blue Skies Initiative". Is that it?
Or are the Mormons a "cult" like David Koresh and his followers were often labeled? That would make it a pretty big cult, if that were the case.
I guess I'm kind of like Doops Momber, what do you suppose they put on my dog tag?
Posted by: dt | August 15, 2007 3:29 AM
Why has this thread changed to Mormons and Gristians? Because John D. used a red herring to get the discussion away from his good old buddy Karl Rove. What is his opinion about Rove baby? Does he believe Karl 'left' to spend more time with his family? Even in his circles Karlo is seen as a predatory politician. Who wants to win; ethics and the bourgeoisie be damned. Come on John D. enlighten us on that
Posted by: B Doggle | August 15, 2007 10:02 PM