White House's Roving Eye for Politics

Washington Post ^ | 3/10/03 | Thomas B. Edsall and Dana Milbank

[Maigret]

White House's Roving Eye for Politics President's Most Powerful Adviser May Also Be the Most Connected

By Thomas B. Edsall and Dana Milbank
Washington Post Staff Writers

Karl Rove, the most powerful adviser in the White House, serves as President Bush's eyes and ears. But who serves as Rove's eyes and ears while he toils in the bubble of the West Wing?

Methodically and ambitiously, Rove has developed a web of contacts in Washington and across the country to give him the latest intelligence on politics and policy -- which he then synthesizes and forwards to the president in private meetings.

From California to New Hampshire and from think tanks to Wall Street, Rove's network of 150 politicians, lobbyists, strategists, academics and executives -- the most influential among the many Rove speaks with, according to those familiar with his thinking -- have so far helped him to help Bush exceed expectations about his political power. In an administration that is highly centralized and highly secretive, Rove's network of informal advisers explains much about how the White House decides on politics and policy.

[Maigret]

A most interesting read.

[billorites]

"More than once, Ledeen has seen his ideas, faxed to Rove, become official policy or rhetoric."

Very interesting indeed.

Read This Article by Michael Ledeen?

Is thinking like this guiding the adminstration's actions?

[Maigret]

It seemed to me that there were many others than just Ledeen listed, weren't there? And I'd doubt that Ledeen has never had a good idea.

[billorites]

I'm very interested in everything Ledeen has to say. He's a very cogent analyst, IMHO.

His current article in NRO is quite thought provoking.