From Deseret News archives:
Bush woes pulling Rove down
Republican candidates ignoring top Bush aide
Rove remains a dominant adviser to President Bush, administration officials say. But outside the White House, as President Bush's popularity has waned, and as questions have arisen among Republicans about the White House's political acumen, the party's candidates are going their own way in this difficult election season far more than they have in any other campaign Rove has overseen.
Some are disregarding Rove's advice, despite his reputation as the nation's premier strategist. They are criticizing Bush or his policies. They are avoiding public events with the president and Rove.
Influential conservative commentators have openly broken with the White House, calling into question the continued enthusiasm of evangelicals, economic conservatives and other groups that Rove has counted on to win elections. Some Republicans are ignoring Rove's efforts to hold the party together on issues like immigration and Iraq.
In Michigan last week, Dick DeVos, a Republican candidate for governor and a longtime contributor to Bush, startled national Republican Party leaders with a searing attack on the president for failing to meet with the leaders of the Big Three automakers. "We're being ignored here in Michigan by the White House, and it has got to stop," DeVos said.
His communications director, John Truscott, said the attack was timed to coincide with Rove's visit to Michigan for a fund-raiser, in an effort to goad Bush into a response. Asked if the DeVos campaign was worried about angering Rove, Truscott said, "That never even crossed our mind."
Rep. Thomas M. Davis 3rd of Virginia, who was chairman of the congressional Republican campaign committee in 2002, said Rove and the White House seemed measurably less involved this year.
"It's been more of a bunker mentality, don't you think?" Davis said. "They have been good in terms of raising the money. The problem is, you have a president with a 38 percent approval rating, and it just changes the dynamics of what they can do."
Comments
- Full gas tanks may stop plane crashes 12:13 p.m.
- Giving heart to women who exercise 11:55 a.m.
- 4 police officers shot dead in Wash. 11:50 a.m.
- Leno losing his audience to DVR 11:43 a.m.
- Northeast scallopers decry cuts 11:29 a.m.
- $ needed to ease U.N. climate deal 11:17 a.m.
- Sen.: Troop hike must help forces 11:12 a.m.
- 'New Moon' keeps top box office spot 11:05 a.m.
- Filipino clan claims innocence 10:51 a.m.
- 'Saddam Channel' hits Iraq TV 10:36 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Man dies in dirt bike crash
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
434 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
365 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
116 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
89 - BYU is champion of the state
81 - Hall's legacy measured today
76 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I find it quite interesting. Utah fans and players can say and do anything...
If Max hates EVERYONE associated with Utah and ALL their fans, I can only...
Well done Utah! I couldn't believe how well your d played. Max had a hard...
1984 NC has an asterisk attached. BYU beat a 6-5 mediocre Michigan team to...
Max's comments were pretty stupid. Yes, I would be very mad if some Ute fans...
really BYU fans? No one cares about BYU anywhere...period. The only people...
TCU 4th, 4th BYU 16th, 14th Utah n/a, 25th. Win your bowl games fella's,...
Mulan is my favorite Disney animation flick. I'm looking forward to this...
Just in case we did not hear it enough. George is Wide...
So sorry for your loss. May God watch over all of you at this time. He...




You can be the first to comment on this story.