Karl Rove, President Bush's longtime political adviser, is resigning as White House deputy chief of staff effective Aug. 31, and returning to Texas, marking a turning point for the Bush presidency...

President Bush made a formal announcement Monday morning. "Karl Rove is moving on down the road," Mr. Bush said, appearing grim-faced on the White House's South Lawn with Mr. Rove at his side. "We've been friends for a long time and we're still going to be friends... I'll be on the road behind you here in a bit," he said.

"I'm grateful to have been a witness to history. It has been the joy and the honor of a lifetime," said Mr. Rove, his voice quivering at times. "But now is the time... At month's end," Mr. Rove said, "I will join those whom you meet in your travels, the ordinary Americans who tell you they are praying for you."

...

...