Draper: Laura Bush Considers Rove ‘A Necessary Evil,’ ‘Self-Aggrandizing’
Draper: Laura Bush Considers Rove ‘A Necessary Evil,’ ‘Self-Aggrandizing’
In a new book on the Bush presidency, entitled “Dead Certain,” former Texas Monthly senior editor Robert Draper reveals that First Lady Laura Bush refers to her husband’s longtime political adviser, Karl Rove, as “Pigpen,” the perpetually dirty character from Charles Schulz’ “Peanuts” comic strip.
On the Today Show this morning, host Meredith Veira asked Draper about the First Lady’s feelings towards Rove. “Well, I think she recognizes that Karl Rove was a necessary evil,” said Draper. He also said she felt Rove often took more credit than he deserves:
She also felt that Rove was a bit self-aggrandizing, and she would say at times, “let’s see what boy genius has to say about this.” She didn’t like the fact that, in her view, Rove would sometimes be stealing credit for administration policy that, in fact, emanated from her husband.
Watch it:
Draper’s book is not the first report of Laura Bush’s displeasure with Rove. In a 2004 interview with the New York Times, Mrs. Bush said “she gets angry” when Rove is given undue credit:
Laura Bush is so devoted [to her husband] that she gets angry when Karl Rove, Mr. Bush’s chief political adviser, is called ‘Bush’s brain’ or is credited with being the real power in the West Wing. “His input is valued just about, you know, equally with a whole lot of other people and — or maybe less, I should say, than some of the other people over there,” Mrs. Bush said in an interview in February.
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She didn’t like the fact that, in her view, Rove would sometimes be stealing credit for administration policy that, in fact, emanated from her husband.
“Stealing credit”? Have another Percocet, Laura.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:21 amPop another pill sista’.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:25 amIf Rove is “Pigpen”, does that mean that George is “Charlie Brown”, the dork who always fails at everything?
September 4th, 2007 at 11:26 amPoor Pickles, she doesn’t like it when the Turdblossom outshines the Chimp.
Boo Hoo.
-GSD
September 4th, 2007 at 11:28 amCaption:
George: “Do it, Pickles, Karl just promised me a million votes!”
September 4th, 2007 at 11:29 amLaura: “Oh my god, why did I run over my first boyfriend for THIS!”
Karl: “Stupid George, can’t get anything right, I told him I wanted
Larry for a night, not Laura!”
Laura, as Tom Friedman says, SUCK. ON. THIS.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:30 amPIGPEN?
Okay, fine with me.
From now on, he will be known as Pigpen.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:31 amConsider the source:
“No one suffers more than their President and I do.”
September 4th, 2007 at 11:31 amLaura Bush, 4/25/07
i know it’s just a frame shot, but in that pic above, both lala and pigpen look as if they would much rather be anywhere else…
September 4th, 2007 at 11:32 am.
Ok, let’s see how this plays out.
If Rove is Pig Pen…
Bush is Charlie Brown (depressed & cries a lot, ineffectual and poor leader, not too well-liked)
Cheney is Lucy (mean conniving b*tch, probably yanked the Football away from Bush early in the first term)
Condi is Peppermint Patty (tomboy with inexplicable crush on Charlie Brown)
Chertoff is Linus (security blanket)
Gates is Snoopy (quiet, always fighting an invisible Red Baron)
And George Bush senior is the trumpet talking to the kids off-screen.
Many apologies to Chuck “Sparky” Schultz for this…
September 4th, 2007 at 11:34 amAnother piece of evidence that LaLa is on martinis and Prozac 24/7.
She’s concerned about Rover getting credit for GDumbya’s accomplishments when she should be relieved that Rover is getting the blame for GDumbya’s consistent failures.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:39 amBut will LaLa give Rove credit for rewriting history?
LOL, Toasterhead, I could hear the Jazz music in the background as I read your Peanuts analogy.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:41 am“She didn’t like the fact that, in her view, Rove would sometimes be stealing credit for administration policy”
Huh. So whilst we all thought he was a Turdblossom, she thought he was a Turdburglar? Sounds like a perfect marriage.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:43 amPig Pen?
BAWAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA
September 4th, 2007 at 11:52 amNO Indictments yet?
September 4th, 2007 at 11:53 amFor any of you repug idiots that doubt russia and china will use afgans and iraqis to hurt us by being suppliers of arms to the terrists and insurgents read on:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6975934.stm
This is what happens when other nations are not so worried about us after we piss away international good will and our military strength in a war than never needed to happen in iraq and after we essentially abandon the battlefield in afghanistan.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:54 amYou folks really do have an unhealthy infatuation with Karl Rove.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:55 amLaura’s right!
http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org
September 4th, 2007 at 11:57 am“Laura: Rove was a ‘necessary evil’. ”
A perfect illustration that the Bushies have NO integrity or honesty. From the administration that pledged to “restore integrity to the White House.”
September 4th, 2007 at 11:57 amRingo sez:
Projection at its very finest.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:57 amLaura must be so proud of lil Bush.
He’s crossed so many milestones. For example. Before Bush, US presidents usually were greeted by cheering fans in countries like Austrailia and England.
Now the throngs are overwhelming, calling for his head.
What an acheivement for Bush to make us hated in Austrailia.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:58 amRingo they obsess about anything that isn’t leaning towards America being a social collective, and even then they can’t stop blathering, but never do anything about it….this whole netroots thing will appease them for a few years until they realize that someone else isnt leading the charge or doing the work and they’ve gone nowhere once again.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:58 amWho cares what the Stepford wife thinks.
September 4th, 2007 at 11:58 amIn seven years what has La-La done as the First Lady? I am serious. Can anyone name one thing she has championed successfully and made a significant difference?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:01 pmScreen still from the upcoming porno
September 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pm“Lala does Dallas” featuring her first onscreen DP. She gets f#cked both ways to Sunday by Pigpen and the Chimp. A degrading horror that the rest of the nation has been suffering through daily for the last six years.
Ringo they obsess about anything that isn’t leaning towards America being a social collective,
Comment by mako-matic — September 4, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Uhh, newsflash scabomatic.
Its your reich wing that is trying to impose a “get with the program” collective.
Try looking in the mirror next time dickhead.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pmThe images burn my mind.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:03 pmLala does Dallas†featuring her first onscreen DP. She gets f#cked both ways to Sunday by Pigpen and the Chimp. A degrading horror that the rest of the nation has been suffering through daily for the last six years.
Comment by A Patriot Acting — September 4, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
She makes Cheney chicken wings when he comes back from a hard day of shooting caged flightless birds and old men in the face.
Thats gotta count for something.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:04 pm“She makes Cheney chicken wings…”
But never remembers to only serve him the right wings, that’s why he’s always so pissed off…
September 4th, 2007 at 12:09 pmi personally think that is an insult to pigpen… and schultz…
September 4th, 2007 at 12:09 pm…
I heard secretly that she started calling Rove “TurdTapper” after that night she caught him and Georgie “wrestling” in the mural room.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:11 pmProjection at its very finest.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey
—————————————————–
It’s not me that has posted two pointless threads about the guy in less than an hour.
The only time I think about Karl Rove is when I receive my bi-monthly neo-con Troll Check.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:13 pmmust be a slow news day if this is what TP is uncovering
yawn
September 4th, 2007 at 12:15 pmGosh,
September 4th, 2007 at 12:15 pmThis hard hitting research and analysis that I can’t find anywhere, I can find in TP’s tabloid section :) cool
Ringo sez:
Your definition of “pointless” seems to differ from, ours, given the quality of your posts.
And what are you paid in? Bottle return slips?
I seriously doubt anyone would pay money for your posts, seeing as how the majority of us here have difficulty even paying attention to them…
September 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pmKarLaLa
September 4th, 2007 at 12:22 pm“Laura Bush is so devoted [to her husband] that she gets angry when Karl Rove, Mr. Bush’s chief political adviser, is called ‘Bush’s brain’ or is credited with being the real power in the West Wing.”
Tooo bad Hillary can’t morph Bill’s brain….and likeability….
September 4th, 2007 at 12:23 pmToo bad Bush doesn’t have a brain to morph, MA
September 4th, 2007 at 12:24 pm“The only time I think about Karl Rove is when I receive my bi-monthly neo-con Troll Check.”
Comment by Ringo
Pathetic Bingo, reduced to plagiarizing other trolls for his fragile little retorts….
September 4th, 2007 at 12:27 pmAs I read it, that simply means that Laura is boasting that Bush has Out-Rove’d Rove himself, and deserves the credit. Is she that dumb?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:28 pmmust be a slow news day if this is what TP is uncovering
yawn
Comment by Cynicon Implant
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, loser.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:28 pmThe only time I think about Karl Rove is when I receive my bi-monthly neo-con Troll Check.
Comment by Ringo
———————————–
:)
September 4th, 2007 at 12:29 pmWho will Mittuns Romney use in Idaho now that Craig is gone?
-Foley?
-Hasturd?
-DeLay?
-Cunningham?
-Rove?
-Libby?
-Snow?
-Warner?
-Anyone found in a public restroom?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:32 pmPigPen? Turdblossom?
Might we be seeing a hygiene problem here?
It would explain a few things (Like his alarm at people getting close, cf. Sheryl Crow…)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/04/22/karl-rove-vs-sheryl-crow_n_46557.html
A man bent on destroying America because too many people have told him he smells bad?
(And don’t think becuse he’s rich and powerful that it couldn’t be…)
hmmmmmmm…….
September 4th, 2007 at 12:38 pmAnd Bob is our best customer.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pmI’m not sure which is dumber, the fact she is complaining that Rove gets all of Bush’s credit…of the fact that she thinks there are policies out there that DESERVE credit.
September 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pmCaption Contest:
May I cut in?
September 4th, 2007 at 12:59 pmgood one Theresa!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:00 pmlol
I noticed with all this inside information none of the writers said a word about the divorce papers Laura filed in Texas for his 18 month end of her marriage. Look the records are public information in a court, yet we hear how see loves and protects her husband. The writers should have said the truth Laura’s not George’s woman it’s Connie. Laura is well on her way after the idiot leaves office to her new life with her rich Texas boyfriend. Rove is hanging on to Bush so he can keep getting money. I wish people would read Karl’s criminal history from as far back as his teens. One thing Karl did right was suck up to a drunken, idiot rich baby boy name George W. Bush. Karl tells George show smart he is while using him at the same time. Daddy Bush gave his cry baby son three businesses that all failed but baby George’s friends made money off of him. Laura is getting paid very well for her years of service. Check out her new home that was built as an agreement to the divorce.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pmDisgusting that Laura Bush considered Rove a necessary evil! Since when is evil ever necessary in any circumstance and under any condition?! Terrifying time in which to live in America when the first lady considers evil necessary!!!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pmmighty moron; One Bill Clinton is better than 1,000 Bushes.
Bush makes Clinton(either one) look like pure genius. and far more likable too.
Grow up you sick sycophant.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:20 pmFinally Laura has come to her senses—and found she hasn’t any.
It has been my contention all along that DUHbya, despite his dumbness, is smarter than Laura. It is painfully obvious when you look at who they married.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:29 pmLaura dear is no lily,she fits right in with that whole gang.”Rove stole credit from geoge”That’s enough to convict em all,karls’ not responsible for all the terrible things that have happened on earth over the last six years my husband is. And oh yeah tell us about the birthday party in 1963.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:32 pmI’m not sure which is dumber, the fact she is complaining that Rove gets all of Bush’s credit…of the fact that she thinks there are policies out there that DESERVE credit.
Comment by Rosencrantz — September 4, 2007 @ 12:53 pm
Now THATS the most astute comment of the thread.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:37 pmCaption Contest: “I told you TurdTapper he’s mine!”.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:38 pmCaption Contest: “No Karl, you’re not that close to the rotors…. now just step back a few more feet”.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:39 pmCome on, Mrs. B.
Is that anyway to talk about a close family friend like Karl Rove?
He gave a great contribution to America!!!
Comment by GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR OCTAVIANVS — September 4, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
That greatest shift left in political demographics in almost a century? Yep, that is a gift!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:46 pmLaura is behaving like any wife who has to constantly confront her rival. If you think for a minute that GW is straight you better go back and just watch the body language of six years of his tapes. I guess he’s stuck with Laura because he doesn’t believe in gay marriage. And as he has said many times he likes to lead by example…….and look what’s happened to the GOP.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:50 pmHurry Laura!
Pose damnitt, and look happier, or no more endless supply of Oxycontin for you!!!
September 4th, 2007 at 2:22 pmLaura doesn’t like Rove taking credit for w’s ideas? Ha, she’ll sing a different tune when the war crimes tribunals start.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:58 pmLaura doesn’t like Rove taking credit for w’s policies. She’ll sing a different tune when the war crimes tribunals start. Then it will all have been Rove’s fault. W was just an innocent bystander.
September 4th, 2007 at 3:59 pmCaption contest; Laura: OK KKKarl, here’s where I throw you under the bus.”
September 4th, 2007 at 4:07 pm“Pigpen?”
And First lady Bush is might peeved that Rove has been referred to “Bush’s Brain?” And that “Pigpen” has been known to accept credit for some of her husbands ideas?
I think we all would be grateful for a few examples of the President’s more inspired albeit stolen ideas.
Look, Bush has already said that he and he alone is the “decider.” That pretty much cuts “Pig Pen” out of the winner’s circle right there. Frankly, I have an extremely difficult time imagining that even Rove would come up with Iraq. Seriously, losing a war that your father had already won a decade earlier must come under the heading of brilliant. Heck, if the Iraq quagmire had been my idea, I would have insisted that Rove take credit for it.
Maybe Laura has it backwards?
September 4th, 2007 at 5:31 pmWho is Laura’s brain?
September 4th, 2007 at 6:06 pmUncle Ho: “mighty moron; One Bill Clinton is better than 1,000 Bushes.”
Uncle, the royalists will take an incompetent moron of high breeding over a competent administrator of low breeding any day of the week. That’s the way their values work.
September 4th, 2007 at 7:10 pmwho does laura credit for keeping her driving record under wraps until after the election?
September 4th, 2007 at 10:32 pmthere are people dying and being physically and emotionally damaged and all he is thinking about is filling his coffers. why isn’t he being impeached?
September 5th, 2007 at 1:05 am