Karl Rove: Beekeeper

Let's hope the next U.S. President doesn't have a bee allergy.

Karl Rove - recognized by the White House kitchen staff for having the sweetest, sweet tooth (and manners) in the West Wing – has a unique way of getting his daily sugar high.

Within months of taking office with the Bush administration, Rove – a long time Beekeeper and Bee enthusiast – set up no less than 43 bee farms in the White House Rose Garden. (The number of farms appears to be a nod to the 43rd administration in U.S. history.)

Soon after his farms were up and running Rove’s homegrown honeycomb was as recognizable in Washington circles as his classic comb-over. While most in the administration enjoy “Rove’s Raw Nectar” (as he’s taken to calling it) there are a few detractors.

“That’s why nobody ever wants to shake his hand. It’s either sticky from the honey or slippery from his constant finger licking,” explained Assistant Press Secretary, John Oliveri. "He's gone through 194 computer keyboards in eight years," he added.


Never one to pass up a nickname opportunity, Bush himself has taken to calling Rove “Pooh-head.” No one is quite sure however, if that’s in reference to the famous Disney character or Rove’s reputation for leaving the heaviest bathroom aroma. “The Rove stench is legendary,” Oliveri said.