Hughes is a longtime Bush adviser.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Long-time Bush adviser Karen Hughes will leave her post as undersecretary of state at the State Department in mid-December, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced Wednesday.
Hughes served as undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs since her appointment to the post in March 2005, and was charged with running the State Department's campaign to "win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world."
In September of that year, Hughes traveled throughout the Middle East as part of what she dubbed a "listening tour" to repair America's image among Muslims. But it was a tough sell, and many Arabs criticized her for what they called her lack of understanding of the region.
– CNN's Elise Labott and Charley Keyes contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
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'although improving the world's view of the United States is a "long-term challenge" that will outlast her.'
No kidding...
she was useless!!!! she should pay back the american people back her salary.
Have you ever heard anything positive about the Bush Administration??
Other than when it comes from the Republican spin doctors. Honestly?
People need to WAKE UP!!! America is broke and alot of people hate you...
"Polls show no improvement in the world's view of the U.S. since Hughes took over." Enough said.
When Hughes says things like: improving the world's view of the United States is a "long-term challenge" that will outlast her &
"This will take a number of years," you have to wonder what makes her realize this NOW! Karen, it will take more than a number of years, it will take decades. Centuries if we happen to make a journey to Iran.
Another bites the dust. Good riddance.
Good riddance.
Did Karen Hughes ever matter? Did she accomplish anything for the country?
it took 7 years to damage our reputation and standing int he world-scenario... OF COURSE it will take a long time to fix it.....
Another one bits the dust...
Isn't that sweet the rest of the criminals are leaving the big criminal behind. Good to see the American Taliban is slowing falling apart and the world's leading terrorist is slowly losing his advisors!
You know how we can improve the US image abroad? Get rid of the man who handpicked her for the job. Every where this president travels he is met with at least 100 screaming protestors. This administration has ruined our image and the only way to improve is to elect a different party other than Republican or Democrat. Enough of this two party rule.
So she's leaving because she doesn't believe in Bush's policies anymore, or she's just tired of her job...?
Rats are leaving a sinking ship.
For someone who wanted to be "home with her family", she sure jumped on the job when offered, of travelling the Muslim world post haste. Is it just me, or shouldn't our ambassador for exploring ways to understand Muslim culture be...oh, I don't know...an American Muslim? Can't wait for Bush to be out of power, evn though the damage has been done...
Obviously it was a very wrong move to put Karen Hughes in charge of repairing America's image to the Muslim world. She's very able, but this one job just does not fit her. This is similar to making Kucinic Secretary of Defense under the Bush administration.
She's been criticized a lot, but she was working with a deck stacked against her. But let's be honest here Condi, "accomplishments in polishing the U.S. image, especially in the Muslim world?" Are you kidding? Any accomplishment a PR person may have made in the Muslim world has been immediately negated by this administration's foreign policy.
Good Riddance to another republican hack.
Hughes was "charged with running the State Department's campaign to "win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world"? Mission Accomplished, Hughes-sie. Can the Presidential Medal of Freedom be far behind?
What? Bush sent someone to do a job that she had no clue or knowledge about. That's hard to imagine.
Bush administration is a joke with deadly repercussions for the middle east region. Our president holds many attributes that can be seen as psychotic from any point on our globe. Iraq, Iran, UAE isn't a Texass, bush seems to believe his minions who frolic around the White House, telling him that his leadership is what our nation needs. I'd rather have Nixon, than gwbush. At least Nixon had a three digit I.Q..
Like rats jumping off of a sinking ship!
To Summarize: KAREN HUGHES BLEW IT! When you enter a country with the cowboy mentality she shares with Boy-Bush, it's hard to bring change.
Karen Hughes is a joke and the U.S. would have been better served if she actually listened more and talked less.
It will take a whole lot more than this Bush shill to repair the damage inflicted by her moronic boss.
Theyre all leaving in droves like the rats leaving the sinking ship. Only thing is they left their king rat aboard still and running the country.
Good Riddance!
THANK GOD! It's about time>
She "left" the administration once before. Who's to say she won't come back a third time? Worse still....she'll probably be on a Bush payroll, office sharing with Rove in his bunker. Or perhaps she's made her money and can now move her family to someplace like Dubai.....
"Heckuva job," Karen - now please be gone and STAY gone.
While Hughes attempted to "repair America's image" Bush continued to destroy it talking about World War III, I would have quit. Instead of Condi thanking Hughes for her "wisdom and advice" Condi should have given Bush wisdom and advice to keep his mouth shut. If Condi were smart, she would quit.
"Rice praised Hughes' accomplishments in polishing the U.S. image, especially in the Muslim world..."
Are you kidding me?!
They just seem to be dropping like flies now days. Now, if the big bug himself will stop down, this country can get back on the right track.
As a Bush cheerleader, I can't understand why she wasn't successful in this endeavor.
Don't be fooled by the portrayal this man or anyone in his administration gives. There is no doubt in my mind, that just like buying a ranch in Texas promoted him as a "local", his portrayal as somewhat dimwitted is nothing more than a sickening cover to allow him to complete all the incredibly dangerous activities he wants, and then plead innocence through ignorance.
This is a cunning, dangerous, and fascist administration, and we will continue to pay for their sick twisted actions for a very long time.
They state that history will prove they were right. I believe history will show that the earth suffered incredibly at their hands. The blood has just begun to flow from our wounds.
Not big news but CNN and the leftwing media will try to make this ALL BUSHS PEOPLE ARE LEAVING HIM....You people are such desperate losers and I know CNN wont put this on cause the truth hurts.
WHAT AN "ADVISOR" – THIS IS WHY WE ARE IN SUCH HORRIBLE SHAPE. AND TO ANN IN DELTONA, FLORIDA IT'S NOT THE "KING RAT RUNNING OUR COUNTRY" IT'S "RUINING OUR COUNTRY".
Impeach Rice for being a do-nothing Sec of State. And mostly for praising this political hack.
Hughes “was charged with running the State Department's campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world." … Translation… sell us more oil cheap and we’ll let you get away with human rights violations. “But it was a tough sell, and many Arabs criticized her for what they called her lack of understanding of the region.” Translation… they could read between our BS and said screw you, we like the Chinese deal better. “Rice praised Hughes' accomplishments in polishing the U.S. image, especially in the Muslim world”… Translation… well you sure screwed that up, not that I (Rice) could do any better, by the way, that’s my job, glad you’re gone.
Here is a suggestion…get someone who is a Muslim, not some high strung white woman from Texas who could probably care less about these people or their issues with us! Polishing our image in the Arab world, they’ve done a fine job of that!
Yeah, send a woman over there who's about as clueless about the middle eastern culture as Dubya himself. She was his advisor, wasn't she?
This is like another one of those snot nosed ideas of this administration that fell flat. Like Clean Air act or john Bolton to the UN or umpteen other things.
Glad to see she's leaving. Good Riddance
Another rat leaving Bush's sinking ship. I'm surprised it's her, though, as she's always been there for 'W' every single time he's screwed up. She was always very adept at lying to cameras and trying to portray each of his screw-ups and lies as a 'blessing' or 'opportunity.' Good riddance to another master manipulator; maybe now we'll get a little more truth out of the White House.
Who cares who is in this administration anymore? I love condi though....
From that photo, the headline should have added, "in a straitjacket".
This administration must think we Americans are idiots! Bush will go down as the single worst president we have ever had!
Another crook bites the dust. Wonder how much Blackwater stock she has?
Good news for Republicans today out of a new national general election poll that tried out 12 match-ups and finds Clinton weakening and the GOP strengthening. Full numbers here.
Another example of a political hack in an important job – she was a reporter in an earlier life, then a political adviser. What in the heck did she ever know about the middle east? And then Rice compliments her on a good job (heck of a job?). Both are idiots.
What "Muslim world" is Condi talking about?!
"On Wednesday, Hughes said she is looking forward to rejoining her family in the Lone Star State."
That's code for, "I'll be taking a job with a high-paying lobbying/defense/oil firm."
Yeah, she and Bush and have really improved our image in the muslim world. REALLY! Where's her Medal of Freedom?
One more rat leaving the sinking ship. Others to follow soon. And Bush grows more desperate as the tides swallow up his failed policies inch by inch.
Karen Highes has done as UNTOLD harm to the United States' reputation abroad. Good riddance to bad rubbish!
This is another example of this administration being in extreme denial, Rice thanking Hughes for wisdom and advice, she did a terrible job, and muslims out there hate us more than ever, so do we have her to thank for that, or her boss
This lady was a Bush wacko supporter from way back. She found out pretty quick that every other country doesn't worship Bush as she thought they would. Her accomplishments-ZERO!!....going on Fox News to berate "liberals"-useless and divisive!!
What wisdom and advice did Hughes give to other countries that became newsworthy????....That's right!...NONE
Where does all these Bush wacko advisors go after quitting before their work is done? Is there some secret compound they go to and watch Bush newsreels...esp...Mission Accomplished....
I will be so glad that this country will be rid of so many divisive people from the Bushie regime.
Did she ever make it to the front lines in Iraq?
Hopefully the person who advised Bush to wave like a Bozo each time he gets on or off a plane will be leaving out the same door before it slams shut!
It is about time we stopped that outflow of salary and expenses to help the budget get balanced and the massive national debt from growing. I know it is minuscule but every little bit helps.
What did she do anyway but draw a salary and run up expenses along with secret service protectin, personal aides, flying around the world, and other support, probably a 4 or 5 million a month.
Ironically, Bush just stated yesterday day that we have "the worst Congress in 20 years" and that "they are not getting the job done." Oh really!? And how does he propose to get his work done with all his advisors leaving him and a 26% approval rating? Worst president ever!
Another Bushey crony bites the dust. While you're at it, Karen, why not take Condi, Dick and W with you. I can assure you it would be greatly appreciated and none of you would even be missed...GUARANTEED!!!
To send her to the Middle East when she had no understanding of the region is par for the Bush Adminstration! It just reiterates the thought process or lack thereof in that adminstration, and gives more light to the fact that Bush appoints positions based on past favors and not on what they person may be able to contribute to that post.
What is the turnover rate at the White House? Over 50%?
So another a republican political hack from Texas, with no qualifications for the state department, goes home.
Imperialism plain and simple.
She is another example of an incompetent Bush staffer. The only thing they were good at (Rove, Hughes, Snow, etc.) were making fun of political opponents.
I recall her final act was helping Peruvians after their powerful earthquake. While this is a noble act, it underlines her inability to impact the Muslim world in any substantive way. That makes her much like her boss, Condi Rice.
If performance is measured by the current thinking of Muslim "hearts and minds", all on the Bush team failed miserably.
Hard working lady devoted to the President and his causes. Loyalty like that is hard to find. Too many 'friends' cut and run at the first sign of trouble. Hats off to her and her service.
You can count her accomplishments on one finger.
Now if her job was to alienate other countries...that would be a different story.
I imagine she will still have the President's ear as long as there are phones and email, as she is one of the Puppeteers. I don't agree with a word she says, but I have to give her props - she's the best "spinmeister" there is!
The writing is on the wall that Bush ship is sinking and that the republican fortune is turning for the worse. These good weather friends of Bush do not want to wait to leave till the bitter end.
Actually, it is normal for political appointees (explicit or implicit) to leave a lame-duck administration about a year before the following election. They do so in order to align with candidates in the upcoming election. This is especially true of those not in the "big" positions. Condoleeza Rice can't leave, because no one wants to borrow from a previous administration's important players, no matter how good the previous administration. But this "medium-sized fish" use the new elections to try and move up the ladder, so to speak. This trend is years old. Don't read too much into it.
It's obvious by her looks,connections and mannerisms that Ms. Hughes is the illegitimate daughter of GHW Bush. These guys should treat their families better. What a surprise she did not seem to understand other cultures: GW and the rest of these clowns don't feel the need to understand those beneath their station.If ignorance is bliss then they are the happiest folks on earth.
This is appropriate for Halloween. I saw Karen Hughes speak in California once. She was pinch-faced, narrow minded, disturbingly referential to the Christian God and wholly condescending.
People like her are the reason I do not own a gun.
Ding Dong the Witch is Gone!!!
Hughes is another example of placing loyalty above competence. She may know a lot about Texas and politics in the U.S., but she had absolutely no background or experience to qualify her for a leading role in U.S. mid-east relations in general or relations with Muslims, in particular. There were so many others Bush could have picked for the role he gave Hughes in 2005, person who might have been able to make some small positive difference.
And another idiot of the Bush administration runs away. Apparently, they never have the courage to admit the failures of Bush and his cronies. Well, of course, if they did, Bush & Company would try to destroy their reputations. What a giant mistake and I blame every person who voted for these miserable human beings. Obviously, they didn't win because smart people voted for them...some kind of lack of empathy, or childhood humilation must make up the bulk of the right wing. Cause they're getting even with the smart people by voting for their own kind.
bushes inner circle has made millions i bet. i would like to see the W-2s of the money the appointees have made since bush and them have been in office since oil is sky high the bush family and the opec have made untold billions. off this war i'am sure his inner circle has benefited tremedously
Another incompetent George Bush buddy takes a hike. Taxpayer money down the drain for another George Bush idea. Rice should be next.
Hallelujah!! There is a God!
What a shame. She seemed like such a nice guy. Buh-bye!
Another example of cronyism in action. This woman is so incompetent but she is a Bushie loyalist, which is the only credentials needed to get a top administration post.
If Condasleaza thinks this woman did such a great job then she needs her butt kicked as well.
HELL'UVA JOB HUGHESY!!!
C'mon...The State Dept is a joke nowadays...
Facelifter of the Dept? more like Quazimoto of the State Dept....
Dear Pm in Long Beach,
I did vote for Bush (twice) and I'm no idiot. But there isn't a day that goes by that I don't kick myself in the ass for voting for that half whit. I've been a republican all my life and thought I should vote with my party. Now, because of Bush, i'm an ex-republican!
GOOD NEWS...NOW IF WE COULD JUST GET GEORGE AND DICK TO LEAVE WITH HER.
I wonder how many people who profess to hate her actually know anything more about the job that she did than what is in the article? Judging from the mindless comments, I would guess not. A good example why politics are in the state they are in today, a mindless electorate who is more interested in saying "Good Riddance to another republican hack" than actually learning any facts.
As a former member of the foreign service who was public affairs officer under Karen Hughes' predecessor, Margaret Tutweiler – who also resigned after the Abu Graib public relations disaster – we now see the departure of Hughes – apparently, the war with Iran is set – and her usefulness to actually attempt at diplomacy toward the Muslim world has failed.
One of the reasons, I and so many others have left the great bastion of diplomacy, the State Department, has been how this organization has been led by neo-cons, and or hand-picked by Dick Cheney in nearly every bureau, where diplomatic channels are being torn apart to allow the war machine to prosper – we are watching the end of greatness for the United States – it saddens me and should every American.
None of the present 'contestants' to be the next occupant of the White House has a clue as to how serious our standing as world leader has been threatened; perhaps, only Ron Paul.
Bush sent two women to connect with the Muslim world?
What a retard! They don't like women, we have to respect that.
2009 can't come fast enough!
When she leaves, she'll steal all the White House furniture.
The Undersecretary Ms Karen Hughes has done all to the ship above water. I think she know the boat is sinking She did the right thing, most all his (bush) members has already jumped
Hughes is going to work for Romney!
Soon they will all be back in Texas snorting coke and drinking booze. Just like the old days.
Karen Hughes needs to pay back her over priced salary for what she didn't accomplish. (She was a waste of our tax dollars)
Report the real news!
Sibel Edmonds has just offered to break state secrets gag orders on her in exchange for an unedited interview. You would think this would be news in a supposedly free society!
FBI translator and whistleblower Sibel Edmonds, the most gagged person in the history of the USA is willing to face charges, and wants to name names of people still in our Congress and government who were involved in corruption and TREASON prior to 9/11.
Stop hiding the real news with fluff like this story!
she is an idiot and always has been.
she had no idea how to talk with people from the mid east. ugly idiot
just like all republicans they never get anything done .
Are we sure that isn't a picture of GWB in drag? Maybe at a party with Rudy.
Good. She's done enough damage.
She just couldn't get those crazy towel-heads to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, so whaddya gonna do?
Bush is probably shining up a Medal of Freedom to mark her exit in December.
Let's see...
In 1994, Hughes got up a speaking engagement in Ft. Worth 3 weeks before the gubernatorial election in Texas and suggested that because then Texas Governor Anne Richards had some lesbian friends that she, Richards, just...might...be?!
Richards went from 10 points up to 8 points down overnight, and the Bush Clown became governor.
There must be a woman running for an important office somewhere soon, and they need Hughes' deft touch again!!!
Friends, Hughes is being paid back with a huge salary for her loyalty to the Bush Cabal.
Bush always makes failed appointments....remember the horsey-show manager that headed up FEMA?!
She is totally irrelevant! Instead of patching relations with hostile countries, people must be scared seeing her and her cowgirl face with an arrogance look. How can USA gain a respect outside when we have such incompetant and worthless people representing this country. Can't wait till we have a democrat in the White House!
What a worthless tool. Buh bye!
Are we sure that isn't a picture of GWB in drag?
Posted By Tom, Austin, Tx. : October 31, 2007 2:53 pm
No – George W. Bush IS a drag. He's been dragging this country down for seven years now.....
I guess posters don't seem to think she did anything positive for the US.
If she was such a loyalist to Bush, why is she bailing out now?
And to think my wife and I voted for Bush twice!
My wife said we should vote for Hillary as our penitance.
I like Ron Paul.
America is losing a good man in Washington.
Wow, she sure did a great job!!! I have noticed how successful she has been in "winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim world." Give her a Congressional Medal of Honor!!
Now that she's gone, the one who should really be leaving is Condi Rice, the most ineffective and arragont Secretary of State in the history of this country. Just like the moron she works for.
She went to Europe to beg countries to send nominal amounts of troops and supplies to Iraq for PR purposes. A total waste of assets and pseudo-diplomacy.
Everyone I've heard who no longer works for her + speaks about her publicly says she's a Ruthless, hateful B.
She's also a poor-poor-poor man's Glenn Close
Patronage jobs are still a bane to the betterment of America. Thanks Karen and Dubya for reminding all of us.
Hughes appointment to improve Americas image among Muslims is consistent with " Your doing a heck of a job Brownie" being in charge of Katrina or Harriet Miers being the "Most qualified" to sit on the Supreme Court or any of a whole bunch of appointments of Bush cronies who have served America poorly.What a pity.
Don't believe the commenters here who seem to hate you, Karen. We love ya!!!Mwah... mwah... mwah...
Wait, I just remembered you during Gore vs. Bush 2000. Phtooh... phtooh... phtooh
She was to "win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world." It would be funny if it weren't soooooo ludicrous and absurd–and deadly. Imperialists all of them. And amateurs at that. Their mantra to win hearts and minds is "Might is right."
Glad to here it...another one bites the dust! Let's hope she takes Rice with her.
Does this really surprise anyone? the entire premise of the Bush 2 presidency was to put people in roles they were entirely unqualified for. Condoliza Rice as NSA, Rumsfield as Sec of Defense, Brown as FEMA director, Snow as Sec of Treasury, ad nauseum.
It's like they think their big money can buy success the world over just because they can use it to divide Americans and win elections here.
Karen is cutting out because she doesn't want to have to serve a forced stint for State Department staffers in Iraq. I'd do the same thing rather than go to Iraq for a tour of duty.
Her accomplishments while in office are on a par with the accomplishments of other members of this Administration. If success is measured by how they managed to enrich their supporters and benefit themselves at the expense of the American public, the y have done an outstanding job. In this Administration, competence is not measured by criteria normally applied through objective standards, it is measured by their own view of the reality they have created for themselves and wish to impose on everyone else. The only legacy this Administration will leave is a mess of global proportions that future generations will have to deal with.
Please don`t show her face again with her double-standards.