White House says Rove's departure 'big loss'

WASHINGTON - The White House said early Monday that political strategist Karl Rove's planned departure was "a big loss."
"Obviously it's a big loss to us," White House spokesman Robert Saliterman said in a statement. "He's a great colleague, a good friend, and a brilliant mind."
Rove, who has often been called the mastermind behind President George W. Bush's electoral victories and linked to the most controversial decisions of his presidency, announced his impending departure said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal earlier Monday.
His resignation will take effect on August 31.
"He will be greatly missed, but we know he wouldn't be going if he wasn't sure this was the right time to be giving more to his family, his wife Darby and their son," Saliterman said.

08/13/2007 11:05 GMT