Thursday, August 16, 2007

Rove's Exit Delusion



Is it possible that the most consequential American political strategist and presidential adviser of this century (so far) is delusional? Per ThinkProgress:

In his interview with Rush Limbaugh this afternoon, Karl Rove claimed that the people criticizing Bush are "sort of elite, effete snobs who can't hold a candle to this guy. What they don't like about him is that he is common sense, that he is Middle America."...Rove argued Bush is far more intelligent than people give him credit for, and is "one of the best-read people I've ever met" whose "passion is history."


Could it be that Bush critics are annoyed that Bush invaded Iraq and began an elective war without adequately planning for what would come next? Or that his detractors are peeved by Bush's mismanagement of the Hurricane Katrina disaster? Or that they are slightly irritated by his inaction on global warming (which sets him apart from all other Western leaders)? This ain't no culture war. Not anymore. After six and a half years in office, it's all about performance and policy. And on both counts Rove and his president have lost the public. Do two-thirds to three-quarters of Americans disapprove of Bush because they are elitists who hate pork rinds?

Rove's explanation of Bush's opposition is a transparent and pathetic act of self-justification--and a refusal to accept responsibility for the profound errors of the administration he helped to create. BTW, did Bush read any T.E. Lawrence before invading Iraq?

Meanwhile, read what my pal Carl Cannon of the National Journal has to say about Rove's exit. He explains why "Rove's brilliance as a campaign operative did not translate to policy successes," and he notes that "Rove's partisanship was a costly indulgence even when both chambers of Congress were controlled by Republicans." His piece is available here.

Posted by David Corn at August 16, 2007 04:41 PM

4 comments:

capt said...

"Name me an emperor who was ever struck by a cannonball" : Charles V

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Let those who would die for the flag on the field of battle give a better proof of their patriotism and a higher glory to their country by promoting fraternity and justice: Benjamin Harrison, 1889-1893: - Inaugural Address, 1889

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The soul of our country needs to be awakened . . .When leaders act contrary to conscience, we must act contrary to leaders: Veterans Fast for Life

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"These are the days when men of all social disciplines and all political faiths seek the comfortable and the accepted; when the man of controversy is looked upon as a disturbing influence; when originality is taken to be a mark of instability; and when, in minor modification of the original parable, the bland lead the bland." : John Kenneth Galbraith - (1908- ) Canadian-born economist, Harvard professor. Source: The Affluent Society, 1976

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"Freedom... refer[s] to a social relationship among people -- namely, the absence of force as a prospective instrument of decision making. Freedom is reduced whenever a decision is made under threat of force, whether or not force actually materializes or is evident in retrospect."Thomas Sowell - (1930- ) Writer and economist

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Thanks ICH Newsletter!

David B. Benson said...

George XLIII is one of the best-read people Karl Rove has met?

Karl Rove, you must have spent all your life amongst the semi-illerate. Don't you think you college professors were vasstly better read?

Oh, I forgot. You never tell the truth when a lie will do...

capt said...

New Thread

Anonymous said...

Not so Corn, this is Rove starting his new job, first he props up the Bush presidency (way up) and then he slimes democratic oppponents and threatens the base with torrorists if they elect of democrat. All in a days work.

Corn, you ware too reasonable to intepret this gang of thugs accurately.