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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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Until the media stops doing interviews with him, he will continue to be relevant.
If genius is the ability to behave immorally or amorally, then Rove is a genius. If so, I've been to the primate display at the zoo and seen the chimps throwing their genius around their cage.
Everyone thinks they just legalized pot, they should have check with Rove. He is certainly smoking something
Does this mean Colbert will finally be able to eat his "Karl Rove" stand in? And I was wondering why they spell Karl with a European "K" instead of an American "C"? Just sayin'
"Lucky" that Sandy hit? Was he dropped on his head as a child? Do you think all the displaced people in NJ,NY,Del,MD, and The Vurginian Eastern SHore think thier Lucky? This IDIOT should be treated like the insect he is...
Well we knew it was bound to happen...now they're using "Sandy" as the excuse Obama won. OK so they say a woman who gets pregnant from rape - "it's God's Will". Then does that mean "Sandy" and an "Obama win" is also "God's Will"?
Giving a million dollars only gets you a conference call??
Gee, my mom made me write thank you notes for every little gift!
Karl would rather have a conference call. Doesn't want to spend money on metal detectors.
"The bloom is off the rose." Or, the blossom is off the turd?
Does this mean that the bloom is off the rove???
I think that Karl's days must be numbered. His only hope for career would be for him, Trump, and Palin to start some sort of game show, or reality show. Or maybe they could become televangelists..
People like Rove and Morris will try to do anything they can to justify their position. What will it take to get the Republicans and people at Fox to see that all people want is an equal opportunity. For days they have been hammering that Democrats want things. Yes we do, equality. Sure some need more help than others but trust me nobody chooses to live in public housing, to have to live off of foodstamps, to have help paying for childcare. All i hear about is how it was the minorities that won the election. Well I dont think Obama would have won had not a lot of whites voted for him as well. I think that the events that have been happening at Ole Miss is a great example of what the Republican party stands for. People say Obama is unwilling to reach across the isle to work out differences but what about the other side? I dont see their hands reaching out. It takes both sides. The only time Obama has been able to really accomplish anything is when Democrats had both houses is first two years. I really wish that an average white guy like myself had the chance to express how we feel. Ever notice how anybody on Fox that had a differnt opinion than the one they had was always cutoff and interupted?
This is beautiful, finally the republicans are getting what they deserve. They think they own this country, they think that whatever they say everyone should do. It is time for the democrats finish cleaning up the mess the republicans started. (again)
Wealthy republican donors: "I'm enraged that we were not able to buy the election! Somebody needs to explain this to us. Get Karl Rove, he'll tell it to us straight!"
Does this mean that the bloom is off the Rove?
I think you meant to say, "The bloom is off the ROVE."
Once again...time to sit back, relax and watch the Republicans eat their young. Enjoy!
Karl Rove is actually the perfect example of recent Republican thought. Conservative thought today is so wrapped up in a kind of narcissitic conviction -- that because I see it this way it is true -- that they assume the whole world has the same perspective. No matter the facts, the math, the research, or the pragmatics -- they can never be wrong and someone else has to be blamed.
I agree Don, Brings to mind another "Karl". Mr. Rove, Written any good books lately?
Oh ummmmmm ------ NOT
The billionaires are as culpable as Rove himself. They signed off on the strategy, in some cases commissioned it. But don't forget that, although it seems as if they failed on the national front, they elected many far-right candidates to state legislatures, and to the degree that the state bodies shape state law and provide the national candidates of the future, those are wins.
This is pretty close to what I said a few days before the election. Why is it that the GOP see Rove as some great strategist for elections? He pretty much failed. Florida, like we always do and I apologize on behalf of the smart people here, is horrible with elections. Due to that, Bush wins. Not because of Rove, because this state I am sorry I live in can't handle what should be a simple process.
In 2004, it was pretty weird but I don't see that being Karl's planning. Now we have this, so much money they spent on Romney and for what? Gotta say, what is going on now is going to be the most expensive comedy I have ever witnessed and the best part is it was paid by the extremely rich and greedy.
So...
Chris Matthews said he was glad Hurricane Sandy hit - and he apologized profusely for his comments. He took the high road and asked forgiveness for such an ignorant comment. He was forgiven by everyone except FOX news.
Karl Rove says President Obama is "lucky that Hurricane Sandy happened" - and yet no apology. Rove believes that the misfortune of others benefits President Obama.
I am sick and tired of Neo-Cons trying to flip the script with their lies. It is people like Romney that attempts to benefit off the misfortune of others, not President Obama.
Neither corporations or billionares can buy elections...........The American people are sick of these TOP 1% WHO do not want to give even 1 cent more for their taxes , although they pay so little taxes compaired to the earnings of the middleclass workers....The Supreme Court did so much damage when they said, Corporations are people, They need to look it up in the Dictionary..Corporations are not people..Billions , with a B have been spent on this election...MY GOD, what that money could have done, even help out with these people who are suffering from these horrible hurricanes...........
Luckily for Turdblossom (if not so much for the rest of the country), right-wingers don't operate in "any logical universe".
Got Enraged and Engaged:
Mooched the Vote 2012!
;-)
His ability to win elections could be debated for days. What is not in question is that he accelerated the decline of politics into a vile bloodsport. If he finally gets booted out of the political sphere, we will all be better off.
Hey he can't live forever. One or maybe two more presidential campaigns tops. Same with Cheney. I believe this was his last hurrah. Although, with his money he probably has a never ending supply of transplantable hearts. Better make it a head shot. (did I just say that!!)