Rove: Off the Hook, Back to Battle

By Mike Allen

Top White House aide Karl Rove, who generally won't approve any flight that costs more than $500, was waiting for his Southwest Airlines flight from Baltimore to Manchester, N.H., to take off last week when he got a stunning BlackBerry message from his lawyer, Robert Luskin: "Fitzgerald Called. Case Over." Patrick Fitzgerald, the special counsel investigating the leak of former CIA officer Valerie Plame's identity, had sent a fax saying that absent any unexpected developments, he did not anticipate any criminal charges against Rove. The message to Luskin from Fitzgerald--who said nothing publicly--was an unrequired, if welcome, courtesy. Rove had been in suspense since at least February 2004, when he made the first of five grand jury appearances. Luskin said the case, which continues with charges against former White House official I. Lewis (Scooter) Libby, had taken "an enormous toll" and that his client was relieved.

While in legal limbo, Rove, President Bush's senior adviser and deputy chief of staff, had remained a puckish but lower-profile warrior. But he marked his victory by telling Republicans in Manchester that Democrats favor "cutting and running" from Iraq--bold words to show that "the Architect," as Bush has called him, is back to battle unencumbered at a time when the White House needs his strategic instincts more than ever. Bush said he "took a sigh of relief" at Fitzgerald's decision and declared, "I trust Karl Rove." White House chief of staff Josh Bolten endorses Rove's renewed zeal, especially ahead of November's midterm elections. "The tone that I want to set here is not one that shies away from partisanship where it's appropriate," Bolten said. "I believe it is very important that this White House be focused on success in the '06 elections--not for success's sake, but because that's how we can better ensure that the President is effective in pursuing his agenda."