The National Journal outlines the close ties of Karl Rove to John McCain, and the 527 group Freedom's Watch.

But away from the spotlight, Rove has been busy pitching in by giving informal advice to McCain's team and spending a considerable amount of time as an outside adviser to Freedom's Watch, the conservative political group that is expected to spend tens of millions of dollars to help elect House GOP candidates. William Weidner, a Freedom's Watch board member, recently told National Journal that Rove has offered strategic advice to both the group and its major financial backer, Las Vegas casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson. Weidner, president of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., which Adelson chairs, called Rove "an invaluable asset" to the group.

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This McCain adviser noted that Rove talks periodically to Black and a few other top campaign aides on several key matters. "It can be policy ideas, messaging ideas, fundraising prospects, or people who need calls from someone in the campaign." Rove is "part of the information network that the campaign has," this adviser said, adding that Rove talks fairly regularly to such key people as Wayne Berman, a major fundraiser for McCain; Nicolle Wallace, a communications adviser; and Steve Schmidt, a senior aide.

It's ironic that John McCain claims that he's not George W. Bush's third term. What could be more emblematic of a Bush third term than the continued reliance on Karl Rove for political strategy, advice, and polling?

One GOP strategist points out the troublesome perception of Karl Rove working with the McCain campaign, even in an informal advisory position:

"Karl is an advantage and a disadvantage," one strategist said. "If Karl can give quiet counsel, that's helpful. But the more public he is, the more you feed the Democratic fodder that this is the third coming of George W. Bush. Karl has a lot of baggage."

Another prominent GOP consultant dubbed Rove a "two-edged sword. Don't forget, he's the architect who got us in this mess."

Oh, yes. The troubles of the Republican party can be directly tied to the troubles of the George W. Bush administration. The same goes for John McCain, and his continued dependence on the same people from the Bush administration. The more he depends on Karl Rove, the more trouble he gets in. It's as simple as that. Relying on Karl shows that you'd be the third George W. Bush third term that everyone's talking about.

Rove's making a lot of money off Freedom's Watch and he's also talking about starting other 527s to influence the presidential election:

Two GOP strategists said they have heard that Rove has worked out a private consulting deal with Adelson; this arrangement, one strategist reported, pays Rove in the mid-six figures for giving speeches and providing assistance to Freedom's Watch on labor union issues, a top priority of the group.

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This source added that Rove has been "up to his eyeballs" this year in discussions about creating other independent political groups aimed at influencing the presidential race as well as Senate contests. Rove periodically talks about such groups not only with Adelson but also with other mega-donors, such as billionaire Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, the source said.

Fasten your seatbelts, MyDDers. This is going to be a really ugly ride to the White House, thanks to Karl Rove and John McCain.

Juggling these multiple consulting gigs, GOP sources say, requires Rove to stay out of the public eye and to avoid any potential problems relating to possible illegal coordination among independent political groups and presidential or other campaigns.

The Republicans want Karl Rove to stay out of the public eye. That isn't going to happen, because you guys know what you have to do :-) We make Karl Rove stay in the public eye.