In this White House Pool Report, Karl Rove lays it all on the line:

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[Bush] helicoptered back to Air Force One, and began walking up the steps he paused and turned around a couple of times to talk to Karl Rove and other aides who were standing at the bottom of the stairs. Their conversation, apparently jocular, could not be heard. Whereupon Mr. Rove, court jester, walked over to the big wheels under the wing of AF1, put down his briefcase, and lay down directly in front of the wheels. (He must have heard about the latest polls.)

     In the end, Karl decided that it wasn't worth it, and that his legacy for this campaign should not be a stain on the runway. So he got up, returned the President's customary wave to the pool, and boarded the plane.

Quite the cut-up, Karl. . .

Full report after the jump.

From: Press.Releases@WhiteHouse.Gov [mailto:Press.Releases@WhiteHouse.Gov]

Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 5:47 PM

Subject: POOL REPORT #2, 10/18/04

Pool Report #2   Oct. 18, 2004

Marlton,  New Jersey to Boca Raton, Fla.

     POTUS left the event site and strode briskly across the grass outside the recreation center, to the crowd waiting outside. He greeted the enthusiastic crowd, telling them they must be wondering why a Republican candidate for president was in New Jersey so close to the election. "With your help we can carry New Jersey on Nov. the 2nd,'' he said. Later he added:  "Make sure your neighbors go to the polls.''

     He helicoptered back to Air Force One, and began walking up the steps he paused and turned around a couple of times to talk to Karl Rove and other aides who were standing at the bottom of the stairs. Their conversation, apparently jocular, could not be heard. Whereupon Mr. Rove, court jester, walked over to the big wheels under the wing of AF1, put down his briefcase, and lay down directly in front of the wheels. (He must have heard about the latest polls.)

     In the end, Karl decided that it wasn't worth it, and that his legacy for this campaign should not be a stain on the runway. So he got up, returned the President's customary wave to the pool, and boarded the plane.

     No officials, senior, junior, or otherwise were seen in the press cabin. This freed the press to watch "The Manchurian Candidate.'' Read into that whatever you will. We landed by 4:15 and headed to the fundraiser. More later.

David E. Sanger

New York Times

Tamara Lipper

Newsweek