Rove rage

Washington Monthly, March, 2003 by Jamie Malanowski

The third reason Rove will have trouble holding onto the genius label is that there's no obvious sequel for him. Chairman of the Republican Party? Campaign consultant? Talking head? Head of the George W. Bush Presidential Library? They're all steps down. He could run for office, but the skills don't transfer well, as Kenny O'Donnell, Pierre Salinger, and Hamilton Jordan have demonstrated. No, there's only one test worthy of his time and talent. Condi vs. Hillary in 2008. Rove in Rice's corner, Carville in Clinton's. Genius takes all.

JAMIE MALANOWSKI is a New York writer.