Liberal Repercussion

Rove, Small Circle Lead Bush Campaign

By TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) entrusts adviser Karl Rove to oversee his bare-knuckle bid for a second term.

Yet Rove is but one of a small group of counselors helping to guide the most expensive, and possibly the most corporate-like, presidential campaign in history.

Aides emphasize Bush's hands-on role in the $170 million campaign. For instance, it was his decision to mount an early attack on his presumptive Democratic rival, John Kerry (news - web sites), and to air television commercials naming Kerry. The president also keeps close tabs on fund raising.

Bush and Rove talk daily about the campaign and stay in close touch with those running the Bush-Cheney effort from a nondescript office building across the Potomac River in Arlington, Va. There, Bush seeks political advice from campaign chairman Marc Racicot, a former Montana governor who served as Republican National Committee (news - web sites) chairman, and campaign manager Ken Mehlman, Bush's former White House political director.

posted by Rei Toei @ 6:15 p.m.