Posted on 08/13/2004 1:45:50 PM PDT by areafiftyone
WASHINGTON — The most important woman in President Bush's political life is back on the payroll as of today.
Longtime adviser and friend Karen Hughes traveled with Bush on the campaign trail this past week for the first time in the current election cycle.
Since bailing out of Washington and returning to Austin two summers ago, Hughes has been making trips back to the White House at least once a month to offer input and advice. For a year, she worked as a contract employee for the Republican National Committee. More recently, she's been a volunteer.
Now she is on the campaign's paid staff and will be on the campaign trail full-time through Election Day. It's the fourth time — including two gubernatorial races — that Hughes has been a close traveling companion with the campaigning Bush.
"In this case, my role will not be a formal one. We have a communications director, but I will continue to be very involved with communications," she said.
Hughes will work closely with top campaign aides, including Communications Director Nicolle Devenish, Campaign Manager Ken Mehlman and top political adviser Karl Rove.
Hughes sees her niche as sometimes strategist and full-time friend for the president, "someone to be on the road with the president, someone if he wants to talk to he can talk to and if he doesn't want to talk than he doesn't have to."
She also will do television appearances and speaking engagements on the president's behalf.
The Bush-Hughes connection became the stuff of legend as reporters noted her penchant for mouthing words as Bush said them.
"We obviously know each other well," Hughes said during her first back-on-the-road trip with Bush last week. "He trusts my judgment because he knows my only concern is for him. I want to help him to be a good president. I want to help him to be re-elected. That's the only reason I'll take myself away from my family and travel for the next two-and-a-half months."
Hughes is not ruling out an eventual return to the White House if there is a second Bush term. Her son Robert, who spent much of the 2000 campaign on the Bush plane, will be a high school senior this year and the family already has started the college-visit circuit.
Hughes and her husband Jerry prefer Austin – including their friends, church and and what she calls their "newly remodeled home" there – to Washington.
"That said, anytime the president wants to ask you to consider serving in his administration you have to listen and consider," she said.
She's dynamite!! a credit to republican women.
She will help Bush blow Kerry out of the water!
That's funny, I was commenting last night that the President has really hit his stride this week. His town hall type meeting in Virginia, the Phoenix rally and the appearance on Larry King were him at his very best and I thought a notch above the previous weeks.
"HELP IS ON THE WAY", thank you dear Karen, we need you.
This is very good news indeed.
You were right.
Karen Hughes is amazing. What a great addition to the Bush team. The campaign is in great hands with her and Peggy Noonan on the team.
Peggy Noonan? Do you think she will be writing Bush's Convention speech? I hope so - she's terrific!
The Dumbocrats are whining about her coming back, proof of her effectiveness.
noonan's not on the president's team, from what i read, but is volunteering for other candidates. by the way, if you haven't read hughes' book, you should--it is a gem.
I am pretty sure Noonan will have some significant oversight on his convention speech. Her work for Reagan provided some of the most memorable speeches on record. For some reason, I don't see Bush rambling on for 55 minutes about why he is destined to be our president.
totally agree
I'm glad Karen is back.
Now I wish they could get Ari back!!
Thank you, Ms. Hughes... this half of the country is very grateful :-)
I think letting Karen go was George Bushes worst mistake, letting Ari Flisher go was his second....
Bring back Ari and it's all over for Cabana Boy. He knows how to facedown WH press corps.
Maybe there is hope is on the way.
Is Peggy 'officially' on W's Team; or just an ardent supporter? I'd love to see Peggy on the campaign trail for W. She's a crackerjack speaker.
Peggy is taking 3 months of unpaid leave to help the Republican Party. I would like to see her work with Bush.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/
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