Karl who? White House downplays Rove's role

[sabra]

Source: LA Times

WASHINGTON -- Not to be "ungenerous or self-centered," said White House Counselor Ed Gillespie, but he thinks some people overestimate Karl Rove's importance. After all, Gillespie pointed out, during the 2004 presidential campaign he headed the Republican National Committee, the heart of the party's operations. And he talked to Rove only "from time to time"

Another White House official, asked what it would mean to lose the legendary strategist, whose departure was announced Monday, recalled that Rove had started the staff's "ice-cream Fridays."

As one of the most powerful and controversial presidential advisors in modern history heads out the door, the White House is engaged in an unusual game of double spin: While President Bush bear-hugged Rove and showered him with praise in a South Lawn ceremony, officials like Gillespie quietly began to whittle down Rove's image as the man who played a key role in almost every major decision of the Bush era.

If all that sounds contradictory, it's just politics:

Praising such a prominent member of the administration as he prepares to leave office at the end of the month is almost obligatory, especially since Rove remains an admired figure and longtime friend to many in the GOP's conservative base. At the same time, downplaying Rove puts some distance between Bush and a man who, for all his service to president and party, has become a lightning rod for Democratic attacks.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-bush15aug15,0,3354991.story

[MidwestTransplant]

1. See, we were right. Bush never had a brain!

[Beetwasher]

2. Really, He Was An Overzealous Aide

Nothing more. So anything illegal he's about to be busted for, I'm in no way connected to or responsible for.

[yardwork]

7. Bingo. Karl who? Did what? We didn't know!!

Don't look at us!!

[tabasco]

8. Wow, I think you're right!

They are starting to "disappear" Rove!

[MODemocrat]

3. Carl Rove was The Wizard of Oz,

All dry ice vapors coming from behind a screen; nothing else. :+ :+ :+ :+ The differene was that
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was meant to be fictional.

[anachro1]

4. NowwHAT?

You know, something frightening HAS just occurred to me.

Now, who will be around to 'reel the village idiot back in' from starting another insane ill-thought out adventure? From having another 'Harriet Meiers' moment?

Bush; unfiltered?

Sends a fucking CHILL down my spine just thinking about it...

[madrchsod]

5. so karl and friends are throwing bush under the bus?

"smiling faces sometimes they do`t tell the truth"

[weezy2736]

6. He ran out his usefulness, that's all

Bush has been given a blank check for the last year and a half of his presidency. Letting Rove go really has no consequence as long as Alberto is still there.

[underpants]

11. He was the excuse for the fawning coverage by the press

Weclome to DU

Early and often when most people laughed at the idea of Bush being considered for more than in a joking way all the press guffawed about how brilliant Rove was AND how intimdating he was (Rove planted rumor) and so on....all of which gave them cover to promote Bush as "in the realm of possibility" and then as the Republican nominee.

[lisa58]

9. That's what they said about Abramoff too...

and Ken Lay...and anyone else in trouble.

[AnneD]

10. I bet Rove...

will get the next Medal of Freedom.:puke: Might as well put the damn things in Cracker Jacks boxes.