Karl Rove just left the White House, and he was saluted by 100 to 200 White House staffers who stood and cheered, some holding signs, as he got into his car and departed.

New York Times photographer Doug Mills was walking by the driveway between the West Wing and the Executive Office Building when he saw the departure, which had not been announced by the White House.

Today was Mr. Rove's last day at the White House, after having worked for President Bush for 14 years.

Some of the signs read "We'll miss you," said Mr. Mills, adding that Mr. Rove got into the passenger seat of his Jaguar, which was driven by an unidentified person.

-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times