Rove Gets Demoted

jillian

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Apr 4, 2006
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The Other Side of Paradise
Rove's job pared, Bush press secretary quits
Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:40pm ET

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush's senior adviser Karl Rove surrendered his role overseeing policy on Wednesday and White House spokesman Scott McClellan resigned in a shake-up aimed at salvaging Bush's second-term agenda.

The moves were part of a rapid restructuring of White House operations by new Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, who started work last weekend and is trying to help Bush rebound from sagging polls and bolster American confidence in his leadership. More staff changes are anticipated, but no more decisions appeared likely this week.

Bush's job-approval ratings are hovering around the high 30s, the lowest of his presidency, pushed down in part by growing public unease with the Iraq war. Bush has lurched from crisis to crisis in recent months and Republicans have voiced concern about their prospects in November mid-term elections.


Rove has been Bush's political adviser and a lightning rod for Democratic critics. He added policy development to his portfolio at the start of Bush's second term, which has been marked by lack of progress on major initiatives including a Social Security overhaul.

Rove will give up the policy part of his job to Joel Kaplan, who was deputy budget director under Bolten. But Rove will remain a deputy White House chief of staff and focus on trying to help Republicans keep control of Congress.

His job change meant that he has survived the shake-up, although with a shrunken portfolio.

"This lifts a burden off of Karl," a top White House official said. "This will free up Karl to focus on a very broad portfolio. He will still be a key voice and trusted adviser on policy matters."

Republicans said Bolten wanted to bring in his own person and return policy development to the system he had in place when he was deputy White House chief staff.

[MORE]

http://today.reuters.com/news/artic...055Z_01_N17202425_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-STAFF.xml
 
How is focusing your main-brain-power on the upcoming elections construed as being demoted? If you’re defending your fort and one wall is being attacked more than another - you shift your power.

That’s just prioritising - and it’s very smart.

The canning of other, not-so-important folks, projecting an image that the White House is willing to do something and change - and it makes Rummy’s retention palatable.

I think it’s all brilliant.
 
Darwins Friend said:
How is focusing your main-brain-power on the upcoming elections construed as being demoted? If you’re defending your fort and one wall is being attacked more than another - you shift your power.

That’s just prioritising - and it’s very smart.

The canning of other, not-so-important folks, projecting an image that the White House is willing to do something and change - and it makes Rummy’s retention palatable.

I think it’s all brilliant.

It's the policy part of his portfolio that gave Rove power over the agenda. No one gives up that kind of influence willingly. Every analysis I've seen/read says it's absolutely a slap.

But it does seem like all the changes in the white house are an effort to change the messengers without changing the message.
 
Jillian, if nothing else, you have an unswerving insistence to take manure from your garden and try to make roses. Kind of a waste of time here, but if it makes you feel better...
 
Bonnie said:
Finally Rove is back to doing what he does best campaign strategy and winning :)
I was thinking the same thing, the democrats should be careful what they wish for. Karl now focuses exclusively on 2008.
 
Jimmyeatworld said:
Jillian, if nothing else, you have an unswerving insistence to take manure from your garden and try to make roses. Kind of a waste of time here, but if it makes you feel better...

Heh! I try. :halo:

Still won't make Rove any less of an animal on the campaign trail... can't wait to see the next push polls he comes up with.
 
jillian said:
Heh! I try. :halo:

Still won't make Rove any less of an animal on the campaign trail... can't wait to see the next push polls he comes up with.

Maybe a Texan one! Say "What if Bush fathered an illegitimate Mexican/black baby that turned out to be a lesbian! Would you vote for him?"... :sausage:
 
Dr Grump said:
Maybe a Texan one! Say "What if Bush fathered an illegitimate Mexican/black baby that turned out to be a lesbian! Would you vote for him?"... :sausage:

They already used that one for Jesse Jackson.
 
Dr Grump said:
Maybe a Texan one! Say "What if Bush fathered an illegitimate Mexican/black baby that turned out to be a lesbian! Would you vote for him?"... :sausage:

Y'all are gonna miss ole Carl aren't ya? :D
 

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