As presidency wanes, Bush pals move on

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Two of U.S. President George Bush’s most trusted strategists are now on divergent paths.

Matthew Dowd and Mark McKinnon, two former Democratic advisers and longtime friends of the Republican president, helped orchestrate both of his successful campaigns. But now that they've left the administration, they are pursuing different courses.

Matthew Dowd -- who is now openly critical of Bush -- plans a pilgrimage to some of the world’s most significant religious sites in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, the Austin (Tex.) American-Statesman reported Sunday.

Meanwhile, McKinnon, who says he would rather voice his objections to Bush’s actions privately, is an unpaid adviser to Arizona Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign.

Not everything is different about the two, however. Both say they are intrigued by the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.