Bush adviser Karl Rove to quit this month

WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) Karl Rove, who set the political strategy for US President George W Bush's two White House victories and became a favorite target for critics, said today he was resigning.

Rove, the White House deputy chief of staff known as ''The Architect'' for guiding Bush from governor of Texas to two terms as president, is the latest senior aide to quit as the clock ticks toward the end of Bush's presidency.

Dubbed ''Bush's brain'' by critics, the fiercely partisan Rove is known for his command of political machinery and his drive for an enduring Republican dominance of government.

''I just think it's time,'' Rove, 56, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal announcing his Aug 31 departure.

''There's always something that can keep you here and, as much as I'd like to be here, I've got to do this for the sake of my family.'' Rove's departure could complicate Bush's agenda for his remaining 17 months. Some critics have pointed to troubles with the Iraq war as well as legislative failures to reform Social Security and immigration as part of Rove's legacy.

Rove has been a controversial figure throughout Bush's presidency and was investigated by a special prosecutor searching for who leaked the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame. He was never charged.

Bush, who prides himself on his loyalty to aides, supported Rove throughout. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino called his departure a ''big loss.'' Democrats in Congress have had Rove in their sights as they look into why nine US prosecutors were fired. The Senate Judiciary Committee subpoenaed him over the issue, but Bush cited executive privilege to reject it.

Democrats suspect the firings were intended to influence investigations of Democratic or Republican lawmakers. Bush has said they were justified but mishandled.

Rove acknowledged Democrats may argue he was leaving to avoid scrutiny, but told the Journal: ''I'm not going to stay or leave based on whether it pleases the mob.'' He helped Republicans expand their majorities in Congress after Bush won the White House in a contested 2000 race, but Bush and Rove suffered a major setback in 2006 when Democrats won control of the US Senate and House of Representatives.

THINKING ABOUT LEAVING Rove's departure leaves just a handful of senior advisors who have been with Bush since his presidency began, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The resignation comes as Bush's job approval rating has hovered near historic lows, in large part due to the Iraq war. Rove predicted ''He will move back up in the polls.'' Rove told the Wall Street Journal that he had been thinking of leaving a year ago but decided against departing right after the election losses last November. He was also pulled into issues including Iraq and immigration reform.

''There's always a big project to work on, and his strategic abilities -- and our need for his support -- kept him here,'' Perino said.

Rove finally decided to leave after White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten told senior aides that if they remained past early September, they would be obliged to stay until the end of Bush's second term in January 2009, the paper said.

Bush has lost several key aides over the last several months. One of his most trusted advisors, Dan Bartlett, left in July after 13 years in Bush's inner circle.

Rove was planning to return to Texas, instead of hitting the already hot 2008 presidential campaign trail, the Journal said. He and his wife have a home in Ingram and a son attending college in San Antonio.

He also plans to write a book about the Bush presidency, the newspaper.

Reuters PD DB2106