Close to Tears, Bush's Right-hand Man Bids Farewell

Karl Rove, President George Bush's closest political friend for the last 34 years and the man behind his two presidential election victories, announced his resignation from the White House yesterday.

Mr Rove, 56, is the latest and most important in a long line of confidants who formed the original Bush team to have left. Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, is about the only remaining member of a team that included Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, John Bolton, Dan Bartlett and Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Standing beside the president, Mr Rove, who had a reputation as one of the most cynical and ruthless operators in US politics, was overcome by emotion. He repeatedly struggled to read a prepared statement. At times close to tears, he extolled Mr Bush as a visionary, a reformer and great war leader.

He made no mention of the near-record poll lows or the failures in Iraq.

His voice quivering, Mr Rove said: "I'm grateful to have been a witness to history. It has been the joy and the honor of a lifetime. But now is the time."

He would call on God to help Mr Bush in his remaining time in office. "I will join those whom you meet in your travels, the ordinary Americans who tell you they are praying for you."

Mr Bush, less emotional, praised the man who helped him not just to two White House victories but started his political career by winning the governorship of Texas in 1994. Mr Bush, who nicknamed him the Architect, said: "We've been friends for a long time and we're still going to be friends." Alluding to his own departure from the White House in 18 months, Mr Bush said: "I'll be on the road behind you here ... in a bit."

They took no questions from the press, hugged one another and headed for a helicopter behind them that took them to Air Force One and onwards to Mr Bush's Texas ranch where they will spend a few days.

Mr Rove claimed he was leaving to spend more time with his family. He had been expected, at least by US commentators, to leave office with Mr Bush. But there is little left for Mr Rove, given that Mr Bush is now a lame duck president, facing a Democratic-controlled Congress and an increasingly disgruntled Republican party. Mr Bush's final attempt to secure a legacy, immigration reform, fell just before the summer.

Mr Rove found himself under siege for much of this year, facing investigation over a CIA outing scandal and a separate row over the sacking of eight US attorneys.

The Democrats may continue to pursue him after he leaves office at the end of the month. "There is a cloud over this White House, and a gathering storm," said Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the judiciary committee. "A similar cloud envelopes Mr Rove, even as he leaves the White House."