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I've never fully understood how Karl Rove developed a reputation as a strategic genius.
In 2000, it was Rove's idea to keep George W. Bush in California in the campaign's waning days, instead of stumping in key battleground states. Bush lost California by a wide margin, and Rove's strategy practically cost his candidate the election.
In 2006, after nearly getting indicted, Rove's sole responsibility was overseeing the Republican Party's 2006 election strategy. He told NPR in late October that he'd found a secret math that gives him insights that mere mortals can't comprehend, and soon after, Democrats won back both chambers of Congress in a historic victory.
And then there's this year, when Rove's Republican attack operation spent nearly $400 million and lost just about every race it contested -- not to mention Rove's on-air tantrum that's already become the stuff of legend.
I think it's safe to say the bloom is off the rose.
"The billionaire donors I hear are livid," one Republican operative told The Huffington Post. "There is some holy hell to pay. Karl Rove has a lot of explaining to do ... I don't know how you tell your donors that we spent $390 million and got nothing."
Rove's operation is holding a phone call for its big donors today "to sum up the race." That ought to be fun, right?
There's also the question of Rove's future. Conservative activist Richard Viguerie said in a statement yesterday that "in any logical universe," Rove "would never be hired to run or consult on a national campaign again."
Media organizations will, however, apparently keep paying him. Rove, who inexplicably maintains a role as a media professional analyzing races he's directly involved in, still has his Wall Street Journal column -- he says today Obama is "lucky" Hurricane Sandy hit -- and seems unlikely to leave Fox News anytime soon.
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Just bat@!$%# crazy.
Bloom is off the rose, or the turd is off the blossom?
Nope - just the turd left now, if there ever was a blossom.
I'm going to go with the bloom is off the turd blossom.
The blossoms off the turd?
His name says it all...
A couple of four-letter words...
He does keep his nickname as per George W. Bush "Turd Blossom"!!
I think it's safe to say the bloom is off the
roseturd.Let me translate Just bat@!$%# crazy for the uninitiated: Just bat@!$%#! crazy! Well...that didn't work, but you get the idea. ;)
I think the Republicans would be smart to have Karl Rove manage their 2016 campaign. It would ensure another democratic win.
I have no love for the Party or Rove,but his dirty tricks got Bush elected to the governorship of Texas and then the Presidency.Obviously,there is still the question of Florida,but he more or less did win twice.I think Rove is more than a little smart.
Crafty, and sly, and evil are the words I would use. He's not smart enough to figure out he doesn't really know a damn thing about statistical reality.
America wised up to Rove and he can't pull off his dirty politics anymore. Plain and simple his goose is cooked.
Really, you are so right.
Don't count Rove quite as far down as you may hope, people - he has a cockroach-like ability to rise from the dead and wreak suffering and destruction.
Honestly, I say we should take off and nuke him from orbit - it's the only way to be sure....
Let's not be premature in naming this election, Rove's swan song. This man does not relinquish power willingly ever. We will hear a lot of how upset billionaires are with him today, but what about six months from now? Who are Rove's assistants, equals, and fellow travelers? Frank Luntz has a lot of influence - look at how he's manipulated the language we use to discuss issues and his focus groups, etc. after each debate. What about Grover and the Koch Brothers and the others? Do you think they won't be meeting regularly to make sure they don't lose again? Sorry, as glad as I am the President won, I don't think Democrats and our ideals are in a protected zone. I think there are already dinners scheduled for those who have power and influence, be they in the Congress or out, all set to continue to thwart this President and the will of the people. Let's not be too cocky, please.
I believe the Democrats need to identify what the older-white male vote (OWM) is looking to accomplish. Democrats will have to get by OWM biases and see if they can address their concerns. When this happens, the Republicans will surely be in a dire situation. I honest cannot say that Democrats cannot appease OWMs. They just need to find that 'carrot'. A few OWMs went Obama because of the retoric of the far right. Without the far right retoric it would have been a different result I believe.
I second that....
2016:Maybe a Bachmann/Palin ticket with Rove managing their campaign. That would show us Democrats. :-)
As a former writer of horror movies, you have to drive a stake through his heart and then leave the body out for the sun to reach it. Then he'll be gone.
It would be unbelievable that anyone would hire him in the future but then the Repubs live in a parallel universe.
I do hope this sends Rove into retirement! I blame him for the tone of politics the past 14 years!
They need to keep him... He is the best insurance policy the Democrats have.
It has been longer than that Jill. He started with George H.W. Bush when he was running a long time ago. Carl is the father of mudslinging to get elected.
You know, the tea party has ruined the republican party. the comments that the tea party general public have been making--- yes, they have the right to think and speak as they wish. but the content speaks volumes of the inner self of those people.
They do not (emphatically not!) have the right to commit Sedition, Insurrection or Treason, Beth-6850840 - all of which they've done since their foul inception four years ago.
"Free Speech" - Hell, Yes! But I remember the Hell I caught for taking a picture of a road sign that said "Bushkill" (it's a town in Pennsylvania) and captioning it "Good idea" during The War Criminal Bush Regime - from my fellow Progressives and Liberals! That is a lot less violent than anything Ted Nugent, Donald Trump or Chuck Norris has said about Obama - and the Right just smirks on, encouraging talk of assassinating Our First Non-White President....
Not just the tone, the agenda. The only way he ever got it thru is propaganda. When people slipped and told the truth about that agenda, including $omney himself a couple of times, enough people finally saw thru them.
How did Karl Rove develop a reputation as a strategic genius?
He said he was a strategic genius. That is factual evidence enough for Republicans.
Agreed, but they are delusional if they think it's just the tone and the word gaffes why they lost.
This is so much fun to watch. Pass the popcorn, please.
We must not enjoy ourselves too much just yet, because Karl is safe and will be around for a long time. In 2010, Rove was the "architect" behind getting 550 Republicans elected to state-wide office in the "heartland." This time, he managed to maintain control of state governments -- 30 states now have Republican governors, up one from last election. The Koch Brothers' Americans for Prosperity "smaller, smarter" agenda is still alive. Boehner has it as "smaller, simpler, smarter." Even in Wisconsin, the governor and legislature are now Republican, even though Obama won Wisconsin. So, before we celebrate too much, watch what is happening in the red states. The Koch Brothers love to work on the state levels.
Why would he leave Faux Snooze? What relationship do THEY have with ability, integrity or accuracy?
I've actually watched some Faux Snooze just for kicks to see the reactions to the election. I freely admit I can only take it for a few minutes at a time. The amazing thing is, they STILL can't accept the fact they LOST. They think it was the 'libral' media bias that STOLE the election from them, or funnier still Democratic dirty tricks. This coming from the people that believe votor fraud is a big problem. They also want to know just where was the President during the: A. Bengazi incident and B. Fast and Furious.
@ogrover - It is surprising that people try to find an excuse for losing. The reason is performance and mentality, just like sports. The mentality, it seems like, let's find reasons to not vote for the opponent than let's promote and convince the electorate of what our candidate can do. Romney's performance (disregarding the right's assistance) was really subpar. The breaks that he took during the campaign to 'rest up'. The statements he made not only in public, but in private. Really those were the losing efforts that Romney made. I do agree there were some positives that Romney did, but the negatives outweights the positives. You can have a 1000 atta boys, but the one OH SH!T is what people remember most of the time. The Democrats & Obama didn't let the electorate forget that huge 47% comment.
The best advice I can give the GOP...throw away the both Bush's Rolodexes and start anew.
The best advice I can give the GOP...throw away the Bush's Rolodex and start anew.
God No! Think of who they would get, Scott Brown, Alan West, and Joe Walsh...then again...ok nevermind Great Idea
Karl Rove seen leaving fox building with a bag of MONEY yelling " A Sucker born everyday "
Precisely. I'd love to know how many millions Rove personally made off of this election regardless of whether his candidates won.
Rove is an example of that old adage: "If you tell somebody something enough times, they will believe you"! It's why a lot of politicians get elected!!
Rove has been blowing his own horn long an loud and maximizing any successes he did have until he had those old white men believing he could do anything!
Now we will see if they believe their own eyes and ears or if they are still under his spell!!!
Obviously he has "special" photos that people would not want leaked out. How else could tweedle-turd get anywhere?
Karl is crying all the way to the bank.
No he can't go anywhere near a bank..or wall street...or Vegas...and I bet he has a call into Dick Cheney to see if he has a secret undisclosed location for rent
Friendly note to Karl Rove: You've just pissed away nearly half a billion bucks collected from conservative bigwigs who will not be happy that you gave them absolutely nothing in return. You might want to have someone else start up your car tomorrow. Perhaps Donald Trump?
(Proving Karl Rove is an idiot who cannot be trusted with money) In some strange way you can say -- it was big money who lost the Republicans this election.
I think so too! Big money and the behavior of those who think they should lead this country after we figured out who they took that money from. Bunches of it from the Government.
Karl Rove is Public Enema #1.
I can only hope that the GOP and the Right Wing media will continue to support Rove. Heck, it would probably be a good idea for the DNC to send him a few bucks too just to help so he can continue to 'give the good fight'. . . . . . Keep spinning, Mr. Rove, please.
There is a very good reason that George Dubya referred to KKKarl Rove as "Turd Blossom"
Has the mathematical abilities of a Clydesdale.
and the warmth of a wood chipper
Hey now let's not insult the Clydesdales, at least they can use their hoof to count correctly!
Hey, Clydesdales must be really smart. Have you seen the way the Budweiser Clydesdales live? People to groom them, fawn over them, and cater to their every need. What a life!
mpguy, funny, you missed the parallel you made. Rove HAS been groomed, fawned over and catered to his own needs! The rich are so stupid, he is the exact person the rich want to destroy! Ineffective, lying, manipulating, money-grubbing, no return on investment loser!
The exact person that Mitt Romney was talking about when he said... "I like to fire people that don't deliver the services I need"!
The only commonality between Rove and Clydesdales is the production of horse manure.
LOL......there are some things money can't buy, and this election was one of them. Interesting how they have all the religion in the world, but lack an understanding of the will of God. Obama is anointed for such a time as this, and what they fail to realize, is that what God has for you, no man can take.
Those high dollar donors should have saved their money, or put it to good use, by giving it to programs that are changing peoples' lives for the better (i.e., education, job training, children early intervention programs).
No, no, no.....your are wrong....no president deserved to get kicked out of office more than W. in 2004. It was pure genius getting W. re-elected. Given, technically, Rove did cost Bush the election as Gore won it, but that does not diminish what what Rove did in 2004. Even a piece of dog do-do deserves his props.
We, as Democrats, blew our collective foot off with that, by nominating John Kerry. We practically handed it to Dubya and Rove when we did THAT! Howard Dean was the perfect candidate but we let the whole "Dean Scream" nonsense scare us off. Kerry was a weak candidate who couldn't campaign to save his soul. It was ours for the taking and we sent in a lightweight. Kerry was completely unlikable and unwatchable with no charisma. You don't win elections with those kind of candidates.
Rove didn't get W re-elected in 2004. (We can argue about whether he was ever "elected" in the first place in 2000, but that's another issue.) Ken Blackwell, the Ohio Secretary of State, did. Blackwell suppressed enough votes by purging voter rolls and by providing far too few voting machines in Cleveland. That allowed Bush to eke out a win in Ohio.
I wonder if Rove will go the way of Jimmy Hoffa??
There isn't a building that could hold his contaminated carcass.
You would squeeze all of the excrement out of him, then Rove would fit in a shoebox!
tie karl rowe to one of the rocket an send him to the moon colony to keep newt an he can keep newt company on newt colony
I, in my own little way, am having a benefit concert for the all the agrieved billionaires whose Election "investments" were swirled way in that abrupt flushing sound you could plainly hear in the background of Mitt's concession speech...
Just as soon as I can manage to get my forefinger and thumb together...
RG Johnson
San Jose CA
I love the sound of Right-Wing Plutocrats' heads exploding in the morning...it sounds like...VICTORY…
There is no one in this world more vile than this man. I was listening to him the other day on Fox News (who lied on their own Polls to make Romney and Ryan to look good) and he was saying:-- . . . It was not the votes from women, blacks, hispanics and young people who put Obama back into the office of the President. Then he said. . . What Republicans need to do is get more white people to vote. Well I have news for Mister Rove, "There are no more white people!". Someone needs to ask Mister Rove
"How does he feels after wasting tens of millions of dollars of other people's money on his old timey ideals that did not work". Everyone he counted on and spent money on lost! ha ha
Well, I could tell Mr. Rove that I am white and I did vote-for Obama. His assumptions about me are just as vile as his assumptions about everyone else.
Agreed - Rove is a disgusting, treasonous worthless piece of slime, and deserves to be punished...right along with the rest of the War Criminal Bush Regime.
Dawn Christenson - You nailed it! Thanks.
My husband and I are white Ohioans and we voted for Obama. There's a number of issues we don't agree with him on, but feel the Republican party has went off the deep end. We are independents, not diehard Democrats. If they make friends with reality we might consider the Repubican candidate in 2016...however, there's such a distance between the 2012 platform and anything we could support I'm doubt that's going to happen. I would like to see a new party emerge out of this mess.
And then O'Reilly said we can't rely on only whites we need to get the latinos and women. No mention of African Americans. Not about to go there. Racist pigs.
Karl Rove should watch the Obama victory speech video, with the sound off if he can't swallow the positive message. The evidence is very much...in evidence.
Obama was surrounded by white people, white people clapping, white people in tears, white people waving their little flags. Obama was surrounded by people of all colors, laughing and clapping and cheering that excellent speech.
That such a positive message could be ignored and excused away by Rove and his elite party, is exactly what happened to Rove and his elite party.
We can only hope that this 'person' and his most extreme party are gone.
The reason that people think that he is a genius is that he is a master of double talk... he used it for the rant against the Ohio call on election night, it just didn't make any difference. He was never a genius, he just tapped into the anger of the Christian right, and the rest of the electorate were just not prepared for it.
Jamison Foser did a pretty brilliant rundown about this very subject back in 2009, and I've never forgotten it. Anyone interested in how a bumbling dufus got a reputation as a political heavyweight, I'm afraid this article has the opposite of the answers.
Wish I could tap into that call. I'd love to hear him spin this one!
The rich shoud sue Mister Rove and demand their money back?
the koch want their money back or he will get new shoes made out of cement