A burgeoning genre: the White House tell-all

Throughout the modern publishing era, nearly every administration has had its "turncoats" - high-level officials who leave and write tell-all books criticizing their former bosses.

But lately, it seems the Bush administration is becoming a virtual factory for malcontented memoirists.

From former counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke's harsh account of President Bush's handling of the war on terror to ex-Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill's blunt rendering of cabinet meetings to an upcoming book by former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who blew the whistle on White House claims that Iraq tried to purchase uranium from Africa, an unusual chorus of condemnation is emerging from presidential aides and allies. Along with a soon-to-be-released book by journalist Bob Woodward, rumored to contain more internal sniping, and criticism by officials such as former UN weapons inspector Hans Blix, it's creating a mini-library of ammunition for the Kerry campaign - and a new challenge for the president.

Although Bush is hardly the first sitting president to face kiss-and-tell tomes, analysts say it's rare to see so many in the first term of an administration, before the president runs for reelection. Even more unusual is the seniority of the authors - aides such as a cabinet secretary, and the administration's top terrorism official.

Moreover, many say the 24-hour news cycle makes these books more potent, with authors giving wall-to-wall interviews, and adding fuel to an incendiary campaign discourse. "These aren't just book releases - they've become media extravaganzas," says historian Douglas Brinkley. "There's never been such an apparent avalanche in such a condensed period of time."

To be sure, the White House has its own weapons in the book wars: Karen Hughes, one of Bush's closest advisers, who left the White House to spend more time with her family, has a new memoir as well - painting a glowing portrait of Bush. Ms. Hughes, who is ramping up her involvement with the Bush campaign, is embarking on a six-week book tour, and expects to join the campaign full-time in August.

And so far, the books seem to be having only a negligible impact on Bush's standing. Although some polls show approval for his handling of the war on terror dipping slightly in the past week, as media furor surrounding Clarke escalated, Bush's overall ratings have remained firm - and the president has moved ahead of rival John Kerry in head-to-head matchups.

Still, the danger for Bush may lie in the cumulative effect of all these treatises. The books raise serious - and similar - questions about his Iraq policy, for example, portraying him as fixated on ousting Saddam Hussein nearly from the outset of his administration. Depending on how events in Iraq unfold, that portrayal could undermine support for the war.

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