| Karl Rove had not felt that way in years. The | | | | coffee sessions in the Oval Room. |
| Democrat's mid term election victory of 2006 had had | | | | All these thoughts were parading in his memory as he |
| a profound effect on him to the extent that he | | | | sat before the window of his office and idly looked at |
| considered it a personal defeat. For the past several | | | | the distant traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue when none |
| years he had deftly manipulated the strings of the | | | | other than the president entered his office. |
| Bush Administration with such enviable results that | | | | "Karl, I hate to see you sitting in your big chair in front |
| friends and foes alike considered the results he | | | | of your empty desk and spend hours looking out the |
| obtained as the product of exceptional wisdom, | | | | window with that distant look in your beady eyes!" |
| courage and political vision. | | | | "What do you want me to do, Mister President? Even |
| He recalled that famous phrase by Winston Churchill | | | | before the elections I began to notice a sense of |
| that defined how he and President Bush felt about | | | | rejection exhibited toward me by almost everyone. |
| their accomplishments: 'Victory at all costs, victory | | | | Those elections have been my Waterloo! " |
| however long and hard the road may be; for without | | | | Well, you had it coming. You know, our good friend |
| victory there is no survival.' But the election results had | | | | Doctor Phil always says that the fruit of self |
| changed the survival angle; he kept thinking of his | | | | confidence is arrogance but that arrogance is really an |
| sizeable home mortgage and the mounting expenses | | | | expression of pusillanimity, whatever that is. He says |
| of his several homes. | | | | that its unhappy results involve poor digestion and a |
| . | | | | touch of impotence. He also says that plotting and |
| He mentally reviewed the magnificent scenario he | | | | cooking up schemes taxes not only the brain but also |
| developed for the invasion of Iraq. The very term 'War | | | | darkens the soul, whichever comes first. Perhaps you |
| on Terror' was born at that time and profited from the | | | | should see a psychic doctor. |
| country's revulsion and fear caused by the 9-11 attack | | | | "You mean a psychiatrist." |
| on New York by the Al Qaida terrorists. Aided by a | | | | "Whatever. Besides you are running out of brilliant |
| president bent on becoming a heroic statesman he | | | | ideas and clever solutions. Even Tony Snow comes |
| had successfully installed in the American psyche the | | | | up with good lies and beautiful smoke curtains. That kid |
| politics of fear and terror. | | | | is going places. But before the media notices your |
| He had basked in the adulation, recognition and respect | | | | present condition we can perhaps arrange for an |
| of the Administration, the media and the public in | | | | ambassadorship in some quiet place like Andorra, |
| general. He smiled when he recalled the card sent to | | | | Burkina Faso or Belize where you can help the natives |
| him by an admirer where he was portrayed wearing | | | | embrace freedom and democracy. You know, |
| Superman's costume and flying above the White | | | | diplomatic status will probably keep you out of jail. ." |
| House. | | | | Old Karl listened to the Boss with some apprehension. |
| The Mid term elections of the year 2006 put a stop to | | | | He could not help feeling terribly jealous about Tony |
| the aura of invincibility and self confidence that had | | | | and disappointed that his razor sharp inventiveness |
| been supported by victory after victory. All of a | | | | seemed to have deserted him. Worse, he was about |
| sudden he was on the outside looking in. He began to | | | | to be discarded like an old set of false teeth. Tears |
| notice the subtle changes in the adoration of his peers. | | | | were already at the edge of his limpid orbs and he felt |
| Gone were the respectful greetings, the obsequious | | | | that another derogatory comment from the President, |
| comments and congratulations, and the stream of | | | | his idol, would produce an unstoppable flow of tears |
| requests for advice on all matters. | | | | and another wave of heartache and anxiety. In a low |
| Even the president seemed a bit distant. Gone were | | | | voice he said: |
| the effusive greetings and the constantly changing | | | | "Is there anything you can do other than send me |
| nicknames. Also gone were the impromptu lunches on | | | | away?" |
| the private second floor dining room and the informal | | | | "How about a medal, Karl? |