Bush's changing administration (Part 1, Long post)

Firstly, the bulk of this is from the bbc news website.

Karl Rove, the man widely seen as the mastermind behind US President George W Bush's two election wins, is to leave the White House at the end of August.
His decision to step down is the latest by a key member of Mr Bush's inner circle.

JOHN ASHCROFT, FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL

The appointment of the staunchly religious, anti-abortion John Ashcroft as attorney general, in charge of the Department of Justice, was an early sign that the Bush White House would be keen to reward the religious right for its electoral support.

Ashcroft was widely disliked by liberals for his package of security measures after 9/11, perceived as an attack on civil liberties.

However, this opposition turned to grudging admiration when it later emerged that Mr Ashcroft - whilst ill in hospital in 2004 - had rejected a White House request to authorise a scheme to allow the warrantless wire-tapping of US citizens.

After his departure in 2005, Mr Ashcroft set up a lobbying company advising clients involved in the homeland security

ANDREW CARD, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF

Although he was one of the longest-serving chiefs of staff in over 40 years, Andrew Card was never a particularly high-profile member of the president's team.

Mr Bush valued him for his loyalty and dedication. His wife is said to have asked once: "Are you married to me or George W Bush?"

Mr Card resigned in March 2006, a move reportedly prompted by concern that the Iraq War would be perceived as another Vietnam. He now sits on the board of directors at Union Pacific Railroad.

DICK CHENEY, VICE-PRESIDENT

When Mr Bush chose Mr Cheney as his running mate in 2000 the decision was seen as an attempt to reassure voters that the young Bush would be able to draw on Mr Cheney's wisdom and experience.

A long-standing political operator, Mr Cheney had served in Congress and in the administrations of a number of former presidents.

After the election, Mr Cheney used his knowledge of the mechanics of government to become one of the most powerful vice-presidents in US history, seen by some as the "power behind the throne".

With the president's approval, Mr Cheney has had a great deal of influence over a number of policy areas, in particular energy and foreign affairs.

He has also developed a reputation for secrecy, refusing to allow congressional oversight of some of his activities.

Health-permitting, he will remain in office until the end of the administration's second term.

KARL ROVE, SENIOR ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT

Mr Rove managed Mr Bush's two successful Texas gubernatorial campaigns in the 1990s as well as the 2000 presidential campaign.

He has been described variously as "Bush's Brain", "evil Rasputin" and - by the president himself - "Turd Blossom", a reference to a Texan flower which blooms on manure.

His success in producing Republican electoral victories and the often cunning, partisan way in which the victories have been achieved has made him unpopular with the president's political opponents.

His resignation came amid calls for him to testify in the Senate about his role in the sacking of a number of US attorneys and the launch of a probe into political briefings to government officials by him and his team.

ARI FLEISCHER, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY

Mr Fleischer was the public face of the administration from 2001 until 2003.

His primary job was to answer journalists' questions at daily White House press conferences, and he was seen as a safe pair of hands in the role.

He later became a key player in the "Scooter" Libby trial, after his testimony to a grand jury showed that Mr Libby had in fact known the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame weeks before he claimed to have been informed of it by journalists.

Mr Fleischer now works in the private sector as a communications consultant, and has denied reports that he is seeking to run for Congress in his home district in New York.

ALBERTO GONZALES, CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL

Alberto Gonzales served as Mr Bush's counsel during his time as Texas governor and followed him to the White House in 2001.


Alberto Gonzales has resisted all calls to resign as attorney general
As White House counsel he was one of the officials who went to John Ashcroft's hospital bed in 2004 to persuade him to approve the warrantless wiretap programme.

He went on replace Mr Ashcroft as attorney general in 2005, and later became embroiled in the row over the sacking of a number of US attorneys.

Despite calls for his resignation from senior Republicans, Mr Gonzales remains in post.

KAREN HUGHES, FORMER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Ms Hughes worked for Mr Bush as director of communications for five years when he was Texas governor and then became one of his closest advisers when he first arrived in the White House.

After a two-year spell back in Texas from 2002-04, she rejoined Mr Bush's team, first as an election planner and then - from 2005 - as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy, charged with improving the image of the US abroad.

HARRIET MIERS, FORMER WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL

Harriet Miers was another of George W Bush's Texan inner circle to follow him to Washington when he became president.

She replaced another Texan - Alberto Gonzales - as counsel to the president when Mr Gonzales became attorney general.

She shot to prominence in October 2005 when Mr Bush announced her as his nominee for the vacancy on the Supreme Court after the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor.

But she withdrew her nomination after critics from both parties complained that she was not sufficiently qualified.

She remained as White House counsel until January 2007, when she resigned, reportedly at the instigation of the White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten.

Well ill send the next post up soon.

Take Care, Vix

[edit on 14-8-2007 by Vixion]