While Rouse said he is “very close friends” with Daschle, the two men spend so much time together at work that they rarely socialize outside of the office.
“I suspect when he leaves the Senate, when I stop working for him, we will probably see more of each other in a social setting,” he said. But when that is remains anybody’s guess, including Rouse’s.
As for future career paths, lobbying is one avenue he doesn’t expect to pursue in the future.
“It has been a series of challenges,” he said, explaining why he has remained as Daschle’s top aide for nearly 20 years. In fact, Rouse said he doesn’t think he would be a good fit as a lobbyist, citing a gruff exterior and the fact that “my strongest asset is not my sunny personality.”
Regardless of what is the right personality fit for his future job prospects, Rouse expects a Daschle victory in November, which would keep him firmly planted in the leader’s second-floor office just off the Senate chamber for years to come.
“I like what I am doing and I love the people I am working with,” he said. “I agree with what Daschle is trying to do and I don’t have any intentions of quitting at the moment.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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