Question: Who was Karl Rove's counterpart in the Clinton admin.?

[FlashHarry]

I keep hearing Rove referred to as Bush's "Chief Political Advisor." Is that his official title? If so, who held that post under Clinton?

I always thought that the WH Chief of Staff was supposed to be the president's closest confidante and advisor. (Which would be Andy Card, no?) Although, maybe I get that impression from watching too much West Wing!

[StopTheMorans]

1. for the 2nd term, maybe Sidney Blumethal?

n/t

[dodger501]

11. I believe Sid was Communications Director

or Assistant.

[AP]

2. Clinton put policy before spin. Dick Morris is probably the closest...

...because his ONLY function was advice on spin and politics. Sid Blumenthal performed some of the same functions, but neither had the total control Rove has.

[FlashHarry]

3. Is it an unofficial position or an official one?

I mean, obviously Rove's got top clearance, right? Is he an appointed WH official?

[Dudley_DUright]

4. If Rove is Bush's brain

then Clinton's brain plays the same role that Rove does now.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

5. Podesta?...Dick Morris?

[Hamlette]

6. Hillary comes closest

If you're not talking titles. If it's a matter of power or influence my guess is Hillary had the most.

There can be no comparison because Rove is a political hack AND is Bush's brain.

Clinton was his own Rove.

Early on they hired Gergen. He was a sort of Rove figure but he didn't have as much power over policy decisions (I like to think.)

[annak110]

7. Clinton had his own brain...

Bush does not.

[joanski01]

8. As I understand it,

this is the first time a political adviser was headquartered in the White House. James Carville was Clinton's political adviser. When Clinton won the election, Carville's work was done. That's why I thing that everything this WH does is politically motivated. That's also why there's no domestic policies.

[diplomats]

10. Yes

Carville would be the closest, but he never worked in the WH.

[izzie]

9. Is not Karl called Bush's brain? I think Clinton had a brain.

Granted he failed Sunday school but that is another story. We all have things we wish to hide.

[stevedeshazer]

12. Vernon Jordan early on n/t

[Snellius]

13. There was no real counterpart

If Clinton had a major political henchman, (note: POLITICAL - someone like Carville or even Morris) within the White House, in an official position as a high level presidential advisor (note: WITHIN WHITE HOUSE & OFFICIAL) the proverbial Clinton poopoo would have hit the proverbial Republican fan. This was a scandal of hypocrisy from the word go, which the press didn't even bother to point out.

[jonnyblitz]

14. Dick Morris, a loyal DEM (cough), who brought us triangulation was it

for awhile.

[Kahuna]

15. Dick Morris.

nt

[FlashHarry]

16. Grr.

Not just after I ate lunch, please! :puke: