Karl Rove: Colin Powell Ordered Me To 'Drop And Give Him Twenty Push-Ups'

In Karl Rove's new book, "Courage and Consequences: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight," the former Bush adviser explains that then-Secretary of State Colin Powell often told Rove to "drop and give him twenty push-ups."

According to a picture in the book, Rove once obliged, dropping to the floor outside the oval office and performing the exercise while other Bush officials looked on.

"I dropped and gave him twenty push-ups. Right at the entrance of the Oval Office. I could tell it had unsettled him as he nervously encouraged me to stop and get up. But I finished, then jumped to attention and saluted. Powell was rattled. He had an awkward smile. Mine was real. It was the last time Powell ever asked me to drop and give him twenty."

Though the photograph clearly shows what appears to be Rove in the up position of a push-up with Colin Powell bending down close to him, no reports have confirmed Rove's claim that he was able to complete all 20 push-ups.