Karl Rove "was less involved than he is in most major decisions" in picking Harriet Miers for the Supreme Court, "a presidential adviser who has been briefed on the chronology of the decision" tells Time magazine. "Some conservatives speculate that Rove was distracted or out of the loop because of his possible legal jeopardy in the CIA leak case, but White House officials reject that notion."
Instread, the driving force was chief of staff Andrew Card Jr., "who took over the vetting role." Said the adviser: ìThis is something that Andy and the President cooked up. Andy knew it would appeal to the President because he loves appointing his own people and being supersecret and stealthy about it.î
"Relations between Rove and Card have always been strained, and this adviser said the nomination has reignited the tension."