Bush had openly discussed eliminating the trade representative from the Cabinet.

FORBES: People

But on the other hand, Mr. Bush has openly criticized his predecessor, Bill Clinton, for precisely such involvement and may not want to leave himself vulnerable to the same criticism if the negotiations falter.

CNN: Bush's goal: Balancing a host of opposing forces

For Mr Bush, who has openly campaigned to defend the interests of the oil industry, to go suddenly weak at the knees about high oil prices is bizarre.

ECONOMIST: Pump fiction | The

And Friday night former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who lately has openly discussed 2016, will keynote a CPAC dinner.

CNN: Possible 2016 candidates make CPAC pilgrimage

President Bush, for his part, is openly disgusted with Hamas and its US-based supporters.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: mueller6

For all the reasons Bush has given for keeping his embattled attorney general, one not openly spoken of is the odds of getting a Democratic Senate to confirm a successor.

NPR: Alberto Gonzales and the Politics of 2008