Rove's car gets punked

Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 1:39 PM by Jen Brown

by Les Kretman, NBC News producer, White House

The four door silver sports sedan is parked on West Executive Drive between the White House and the Executive Office Building. This where it usually is, but why is it attracting so much attention today? White House staffers have been going up to it -- scratching their heads, laughing and some have even taken pictures of it with their cell phones.

The Jaguar belongs to Karl Rove, and somehow some staffers or someone else decided to preserve the car by enveloping it in Saran Wrap and topping off the Saran Wrap with two faux bald eagles sitting on the trunk (video).

Rove, who finishes as the president’s senior advisor this Friday, has been traveling with Mr. Bush today through New Orleans and Mississippi. He returns to the White House later today.

Perhaps there’s some symbolism in the prank -- after all on Friday it will be a wrap.

UPDATE: Rove returned, saw his car, and the secret service staged a mock arrest with one of the perpetrators -- Al Hubbard, director of the president’s economic council. The car has been cleaned up; it’s no longer “under wraps.”

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Comments

The plastic wrap and Rove should be boiled down and converted into bio-fuel.Then at least some good would come from it.

Frank (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:30 PM)

First Rumsfeld, then Gonzalas, now Rove....... Like
rats from a sinking ship. We can only hope that
Cheney will be next.
This adminstration could almost make one nostalgic
for Nixon's.

James, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:32 PM)

Hahaha. Karma is no match for anyone. That is what he gets for humiliating our country over and over and over and over... I'm anxious to see what karma has in store for Bush as well.

Eros Barakiel, Tulsa, OK (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:35 PM)

So much hatred and disrespect - scary stuff.

Winters, Little Rock, AR (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:38 PM)

That plastic wrap is as much personal armor that this Bush administration has given to our brave young men and women upon sending them to war.

patrick , immokalee, FL (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:43 PM)

I love all these angry liberals that hate Rove for simply beating their candidates in two presidential elections.

Mark, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:44 PM)

Look, it's nice to see the White House press corps put aside for just a moment, for a little levity, its pit bull determination to find the truth -- oh wait. I'm thinking of the White press corps thirty years ago. These guys are boot licking lackeys.

Joel Keenan, York, Maine (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:45 PM)

It's important because Rove is a unlawful, and unscrupulous political 'mephisto' type in the eyes of the American public, puppeteering the Bush administration and the average American John Doe with impunity. This is the closest we'll ever get of Justice on this crooked, though brilliant, man. It's pessimistically poetic, and very real that his tenure in the limelight should end this way.

So don't tell us how unimportant this is, or how we should 'let off' on him; this equates to a political O.J. Simpson ripoff--America being the victim. (see what I did there? Lol)

Ron, Irvine, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:46 PM)

I am SO sick of all the left-wing, no nothing, anti-Bush and everyone associated with him idiots who continue to post their never-ending drivel on any media-approved crusade against any on-liberal democrat. Rove for all his faults has more brains in his hemmoroids that most of you have in your entire skulls and has achieved more in HIS life than most of you will in 3 lifetimes. GET A LIFE! If he had stayed in the private sector he would be driving a Rolls or Mercedes like - duh - the Kerry's!

JP (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:47 PM)

As long as we vitriolize others, our reasoning is fogged. The comments above show that the contributors have bought back whatever they have tried to sell.

Jo K. Sterling, VA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:48 PM)

The reason the rest of the world hates the US right now is because of how this administration has treated them. The reason so many people cannot stand the current administration is because of how they've treated those who do not agree with them. The vitriol and the anger is at an all time high, but it is given back in the same measure that it was given. Good riddance to Karl, Gonzales, Rummie, Wolfowitz and all the rest of them. This is the worst administration this country has ever had, so far. I'm not bitter - just completely disgusted.

td3k, arlington, TX (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 6:43 PM)

'Where is the "tolerance" preached by so many of you folks?'

Many of us support tolerance of ideas and opinions, not 'swift-boating' PR smears based on falsehoods, and criminal behavior like outing CIA agents. Rove engaged in more of the latter than the former and that is why he is largely and widely despised. And deservedly so.

US Army Veteran, Santa Clara CA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 6:58 PM)

I can't stand Rove or any of the folks in the Bush administration, either, and I'm glad to see that one-by-one, they're dropping off into oblivion.

But they ARE people, and just like you and I might pull a similar prank on people we work with as they're leaving, the folks are having some harmless fun. Chill out already, people!

Michael Todd, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 6:59 PM)

I HOPE AND PRAY THAT MR.KARL ROVE AND THE REST OF THIER STAFF COME CLEAN AND GIVE INFORMATION OF ALL THE WRONG THINGS THAT THEY TOOK PART IN.

I HOPE THAT THE CONGRESS WILL BRING THEM ALL TO JUSTICE.THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS LOST TRUST IN OUR PRESIDENT AND ALL HIS STAFF.

I HOPE THAT KARL ROVE AND ALL HIS STAFF WILL NOT BE ABOVE THE LAW AND GET AWAY WITH ALL THE WRONG THINGS THEY HAVE DONE TO AMERICA AND ALL AMERICANS.

THIER PARTY HAVE BROKEN ALL THE TRUST AND FAITH WE AS AMERICANS HAD AT THE START OF THIER LEADERSHIP ROLE.FOR THE CONGRESS DO NOT LET THEM GET AWAY WITHOUT ANY ACCOUNABLILITY.BRING TRUST,AND JUSTICE BACK FOR THE AMREICAN PEOPLE.

FLORENTINO CAMACHO JR. (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:22 PM)

Cars and stunts notwithstanding, Rove's resignation is a wonderful thing. Now he's free to get another Republican elected to the White House. The thought of hillary, or any other democrat is just too scary, and way too dangerous.

Art, San Clemente, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:46 PM)

Jaguar is owned by FORD Motor Co.; which was one of the biggest supporters of the last Bush re-election campaign.....the entire administration disgusts me and deserves a hell of a lot worse than a "punked" car.......

BChristine, Wilmington, DE (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 7:48 PM)

I'm glad the people who did this didnt get caught.

mrfinke (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:00 PM)

I've seen the WH parking lot and you won't find too many of the staffers driving American cars. So Karl driving a Jaguar is no surprise to me.

Billy Boy, Yorkville, IL (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:07 PM)

This is our tax dollars at work.

Bill Slowsky (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:07 PM)

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON OUR BRAVE WOMEN & MEN IN UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE, POLITICIANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE RUNNING IN 2008 MUST ADDRESS OUR AMERICAN NEEDS DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. OUR NEXT PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO FOCUS ON AMERICA NOT ON IDIOTS.

F. MATOS KISSIMMEE FL USA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:52 PM)

Where'd a public servant get the money for a Jaguar?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:13 PM)

This was a pretty funny prank, and everyone has to turn it into attacks on so many other people. Makes me sick that people just can not see this as a funny story, and not one one where there is focus on all the negatives in the world.

For all of you who posted mean and negative comments, show what you wrote here to your kids and even to your parents (no matter your age) or even to coworkers, to see what kind of person you are.

There are simply too many negatives in the world, take this story as a fun story, like it was intended to be. There should be more stories like this.

Flip Fisher, Kearney, Ne. (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:26 PM)

D. Reghart. I suppose you wanted us to apologise for parking the Pentagon and WTC in the way of those jet liners--what were we thinking? There IS a God--he have us the good sense to take the fight to the enemy. The brave men and women of the armed forces are doing a difficult and honorable job despite sabbotage inflicted from home from people like Kerry, Edwards, Schumer, Pelosi and yourself. Long live George Bush! God Save Karl Rove - woot!

Brian J, Northridge, CA (Sent Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:00 PM)

More tax dollars wasted.You know the people that did this didn't buy the plastic wrap.It came from our tax dollars.The real question is WHO CARES? It don't matter which side of politic you are for both sides look out for their partys.They don't care about the american people only what they can get from us.Lets raise the taxes so we can give ourselves a big raise.Lets raise the min wage a dollar over the next 3 years and give ourselves a bigger raise.They don't care about our country.The only thing the GOP or the DEMS care about is themselves people.ITS TIME TO WAKE UP AMERICA.

PAPPY Sandwich,Il. (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:14 AM)

Rove is a crook and liar....who could possibly be interested in anything they have to say let alone this so-called "prank" - oh, he's so funny. How many families of all those killed by the war are laughing....As for the mean-spirited hate in this country associated with politics now - this was started by Rove the puppet master to "divide and conquer"....all the GOP following dopes believed their lies.

Joanne Smith, New York, NY (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:14 AM)

I am of the opinion that the people charged with duty of protecting and preserving this nation should keep this nation's best interest as their own. How can we continue to elect or appoint people into positions of power who do not support this country's economy? All government employees should drove nothing but American brand automobiles or take the taxi. It's like when Pres. Carter sent Amy to public schools to show his support and faith in our education system. The current breed should show their faith in corporate America!

Jeff S, Kokomo, IN (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:16 AM)

Stop complaining about the political parties and start complaining about "politics as usual". I have found few politicians that are honest and even fewer voters who are smart. Educate yourself about the candidates and someone like Karl Rove will be ineffective. Obama in 2008!!!

Susan Wright, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:52 AM)

It is kinda funny, and not without precedent. Remember when Bush took office and all of the "W"'s were missing off of all the keyboards? It's nice to have a sense of humor. With all thats going on, you have to.

John, Chattanooga, TN (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:06 AM)

Let me think here...the last time I checked, we didnt have a draft and each and every person who signed their name on the dotted line to enter the armed services knew the risks when they entered. Their job is to defend our country and if that means dying then so be it. THEY knew that. Does it make the war any less tragic or sad?? No, but it is the cost of freedom and no one forced them to join. Another thing, I am so sick of everyone blaming this war on one person. What about all the people in congress, Republicans AND Democrats that voted to go?? You narrow minded people that want to blame all the problems in this country on one man crack me up. He is ONE MAN, by the nature of our system, one man alone cannot run this country. And apparently the MAJORITY of the country backed him or he wouldnt be in office. While all of you whiny complainers are organizing protests and thinking up new ways to cause trouble, the real backbone of America is getting up, going to work,earning and then spending our money..supporting the economy instead of draining it!!

C. Hankins, South Webster, Ohio (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:41 AM)

it doesnt matter who is in power. the gop and dems are the same thing. corrupt millionaires. its the system. its broken and beyond repair.greed corruption injustice. it needs to be dismantled and thrown away. nothing will change unless the quaint ideals of the founding fathers is re-discoverd.

wt katz (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:41 AM)

Jaguars are made by Ford now, an American Company, so it is OK for him to drive a Jag; I'd like to drive one!!

Joe, Miami, FL (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 9:14 AM)

Yup. There has got to be a security camera nearby to show who did it. Bet it was staged by the Rovester himself. Look...at....the....film.

fred heisler, St. Paul, minnesota (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:37 AM)

I am proud to be a bitter angry LIBERAL!!!

If you had to live under a leader you know you are smarter than wouldn't you be angry?!

Being a bitter, angry LIBERAL is so much more fun than being an ignorant CONSERVATIVE!

Windy City Girl, Chicago IL (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 12:16 PM)

Rove is not really gone. He's just moving his office. His goal has not changed, it continues to be making the GOP the permanent dominating party that rules this nation excluding all other parties.

And, Mr William Keenesaw, the dirty politics with the name calling and misrepresented facts is always started by the right. It happens every election. The GOP club has become a group of unethical, immoral, disreputable, scandalous low lifes.

J Porker, Wastewater, FL (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 2:05 PM)

Heh. You guys have no idea.. I mean why do you think he resigned? Because he -wanted- to? Think about why Rove, of all people, would resign during the last 1.5 years of a lame duck presidency.

Someone has something on him that -will- stick and he either knows about it, or it was waved in his face and he was told to step off. End of story. In fact, I'm guessing whatever it is it also involved a few other folks.

Jack Palance (Sent Thursday, August 30, 2007 9:54 PM)

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