How bloated is Bush's presidential staff I wonder.

It seems odd that the American public blithely accepts that some "White House Officials" are paid from public funds, but they are there not as public servants, only to represent the interests of the Republican Party, and give political advice to the White House.

When did this kind of thing start, and is it possible to know how many of Bush's staff are really political operatives, and the cost of keeping them on the public payroll?

I agree that the public shouldn't pay for political advisors, but

A. I don't know that Rove's salary is paid by the taxpayers

and

B. I doubt that the practice started with bush.

Hi DG - Rove is paid by the taxpayers. He gets $261,000.00 a year, one of 19 White House staff members making this top salary.

I know the practice didn't start with Bush, but I'm sure Bush has taken cronyism to new levels.