Via Memeorandum, I learn that Karl Rove is sounding a lot like me:
In an address to the Republican National Committee, Karl Rove discussed the differences between the Democratic and Republican candidates running for president…
***
Rove spent the majority of the time speaking about Sen. Clinton and Obama…
***
Regarding Obama, Rove went after his “present” votes while in the Illinois State Senate on controversial votes on abortion, the second amendment and privacy for sex abuse victims. “This is not the kind of change, and this is certainly not the kind of experienced leadership. This is not the kind of political courage that Americans want and deserve in their next chief executive.”
That sounds familiar:
They should work on turning Obama back from a Movement to a man. Clinton is already making a start on arguing that Obama has not been a leader, but is picking the wrong issues, when there are better ones at hand. If Clinton gets there, Obama will likely point to some of his bipartisan accomplishments in the Illinois state legislature. Clinton should then respond that he has no such record of bipartisan coalition-building in the US Senate.
That “better ones” link takes you Taylor Marsh at the HuffPo, mentioning all three of the issues Rove identified. Also, as reported at The Hill:
Rove served notice that Obama and Clinton would be targeted over how they vote on any Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act legislation that comes before the Senate this year.
“Do they or do they not want our intelligence officials to be listening in on terrorists’ conversations in the Middle East who may … be plotting to hurt America?†Rove said.
Again, this has a familiar ring:
The problem for those Democrats is that the GOP will likely block a one-year extension of the law, leaving them in the same position as last month  with a bipartisan majority in favor of amendments including the immunity provision. It is also an issue that Democrats would probably prefer not to discuss on the campaign trail.
Though the Left both feared and demonized Karl Rove, the reality is that this stuff is not rocket science.
Democrats are completely against expanding drilling for domestic oil. I don’t understand why that’s not an issue that’s a huge problem for Hillary and Barack, bigger even than surveillance. I really don’t get it.
Barack would rather we import oil from Africa and let them risk teh environment over there instead of drilling off the coast where a bunch of crackers in Florida live. He’s a traitor to his race. No wonder Hillary and Bill hate him so much.
If Rove didn’t exist, the left would have invented him.
Karl/Rove, you magnificent bastard. And happyfeet too. Somehow, when happyfeet made pho come out my nose, it did not piss me off like when that asshat from NYC did.
Obama’s present votes were part of a strategy worked out with planned parenthood.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/obama-abortion-.html
I love Karl Rove. He’s done more than anyone to undermine the GOP coalition, at the same time reducing its appeal to independents.
Exactly. That would be why Democrats won a majority by running to the left in 2006, and are eager to have a robust FISA debate. Because of the appeal.
Oh and thanks JD. I might could walk that back later but I don’t feel like it at least just yet. Ted Koppel is explaining oil to me right now on teh NPR. He’s sagacious.
Vergil – One hell of a leader. A spine of steel, that man has. I will show them, I just won’t vote. The people are too dumb to know what a present vote means anyway.
Yousay that like it’s a good thing.
Vergil,
The votes Rove identified were not a part of the Planned Parenthood strategy. Might want to dig a little beneath the talking points.
No, they introduced those bill because they wanted to save children’s lives.
For the unborn souls, and the collective soul of teh Nation.
Completely serendipitously, I found this in a book I’m reading:
Cynicism is a useful tool, but it serves poorly as a religion.
Regards,
Ric
Abortion is controversial. I don’t blame Obama for not wanting to tackle it head-on so early in his career.
Yes, it’s a bit early for Obama to have much of a leadership role, I suppose. Best that he votes ‘present’, until he really understands what his vote really means. Otherwise, his vote is a danger to his future chances at…leadership.
Much like voting ‘present’, whether he admits it or not.
I’m reminded of the song ’99 Luftbaloons’ for some reason. Trial baloons, maybe?
good one, happyfeet. I think that a larger number of people than they would expect recognize that voting present shows a complete lack of conviction. But, to the Dems, that may be a feature, rather than a bug.
Cynicism is the hardened heart that refuses religion. Or, cynicism is the religion that logic leaves in it’s wake?
I love that clip of President Bush with Terry Moron, where W says something to the effect of “you want me to go into the fetal position because of one of your polls?”
The votes Rove identified were not a part of the Planned Parenthood strategy.
Yeah, especially that vote on “abortion” Rove identified. Great talking point Karl!
Have fun in November when Romney gets 40% because evangelicals stay home.
If Republicans lose in November I don’t think you really understand that it really wouldn’t even be something we would have to like cope with it would just be news what needed summarizing. I know that’s hard for you to get your head around and I don’t know how to explain it better.
Vergil is yet another drive-by barking moonbat that does not even bother to show enough courtesy or respect to take the time to get to know the people that tend to congregate here. Instead, he is whacking away at dark shadows and random thoughts in his own head, which bear little to no resemblence to our side’s way of thinking in the real world.
BTW – I just love how the loonwaffles feel as though they know the Republicans better than the Republicans know themselves.
Detached bemusement isn’t a pose either of you can pull off.
“Have fun in November when Romney gets 40% because evangelicals stay home.”
Dude, you guys are 0 for 2 against one of the worst politicians in the history of this country, and have managed to come up with an even worse field for this race, so I wouldn’t start counting my chickens just yet.
Oh dude. Detached bemusement is like my whole day.
JD too, except with a sort of midwest insouciance about not being too particular if bemusement get misinterpreted as laughing in your face.
B Moe, I’m reminded of one of the definitions of insanity.
Apparently the Democrats think that if they run enough McGoverns, one will eventually get in.
Regards,
Ric
FWIW, Vergil, happyfeet, you are right on target.
Oh. *gets* – And also I’m not trying to be rude for real I think you really do think that there’s like way more at stake, you know, emotionally come November than is really the case. Mostly I think if it looks like Hillary or Obama are going to get elected I’ll probably reapportion my 401K and I think I might not worry about recycling as much just cause it would feel like I was doing it for her.
Also I think it would help at least motivate me to quit smoking cause she so bad wants to tax that up.
#11 serr8d
Don’t ya know? Republicans never do anything without the most depraved of motives. Not a sincere one in the bunch.
Leftists are all Carnak.
For the record, Obama voted “present” almost 130 times, of which seven are the supposed Planned Parenthood strategy.
Moreover, in 2004, the Illinois NOW PAC did not endorse Obama — because of those abortion votes.
serr8d – I don’t think those are trial baloons, they’re for the fence.
I watched a ‘d’ talking head yesterday say that the way to bring oil prices down was to tax the oil companies higher. Help me with this one, driving up cost will drive down prices?
Detached Bemusement? Didn’t they front for ‘Janes Addiction’ at the Metro?
#31 Karl
You and your well referenced, factually supported Rehuglican talking points. Vergil sees through you, Neocon!
No, you’re think of The Trembling Machotariat.
I don’t think that’s a “D” notion — that’s a public-school-understanding-of-economics notion.
Which, now that I think of it…
“The Trembling Machotariat.”
If Hamsher sees that she is so going to steal it.
I stole it from Cynn.
As if the FISA bill is about anything like Rove suggests. Rove continues to lie…maybe he can mastermind a photo of Hillary turning into Saddam, turning into Max Cleland! That will show everybody. Apparently, he will never see the limit of stooping too low?
In fact, the site’s blind love for him ignores the fact that his actions TWICE lost the Congress for the GOP and in his two “masterful” presidential campaigns, he could only win the popular vote once [Gore by himself won more votes than Bush in 2000, yet this is a triumph? This is not an argument with the result of the election; it is our system and it worked the way it was supposed to]
So, Rove chases Jeffords out of the GOP and loses the Senate. He calls his opponents terrorists, thus politicizing the war of terror, to win in 2002. In 2004 he takes a war time president with a fine economy and wins by a whole 3 points (and does it with one of the most divisive campaigns this country has ever seen). In 2006 he loses 6 of the 7 contested Senate seats and almost 50 seats in the house.
Yet, this is the guy you think knows anything about anything. This President, with Rove’s domestic policy genius, is about to set a record for most months with an approval rating below 40%.
This is success? “Kelly” was right. If Rove didn’t exist, Dems would invent him. Never has one man done more to ensure Democratic landslides into the future than Rove.
blind love? seriously?
The problem with the Vergils and the datadaves is that they do not scout the terrain or the type of forces arrayed against them. They just charge right in, make a series of non-sequitors and off topic insults, then wonder why everyone is laughing at them.
Read I’m Just Saying’s comment. Blind love for Karl Rove? Here? Who ever said that? The man is a political analyst and his statement is read and commented on. So would Michael Barone’s, so would anyone that has proven to have acuity in that field. It doesn’t equate to love, it equates to ‘let’s see what an expert has to say’ and then parse it. And he is an expert as his candidate got to the White House. Twice.
Congress? All politics is local, sayeth the great Tip O’Neill. The House and Senate truly stand or fall on their own merits and have for many years. No president recently has had much of a coattails effect. The fact the Democrats haven’t been able to send much of their agenda up to the White House for a veto is evidence that Republican Representatives and Senators lost their races on their own and without the ‘assistance’ of the President.
Divisive campaigns? Um, it takes two to tango, pally; and if you think the DNC is made up of a bunch of creampuffs you’re more delusional than any other troll that has wandered by.
Again, try scouting the terrain and the forces in front of you before charging in.
I mean, IJS probably thinks people really beleive that Chuck Norris’ tears can cure cancer.
How’s Congress’s approval ratings going? They gotten above 20%?
“Approval” doesn’t mean much, particularly during the second term. It’s nice, but we elect a Chief Executive, not a weather vane.
Obviously, Rove’s been advising Pelosi and Reid too, and they’re taking his advice twice as consistently as Bush.
Rove’s a smart, ruthless political operator. Much like Carville and Hillary are. Because the political chattering class decided to turn Rove into some kind of boogeyman or evil mastermind, and because he didn’t have the means (or perhaps the desire) to counter this characterization that he’s become the cartoon villain of the new century.
But because the Left has learned to hate him and fear him the way the Noldor did Morgoth, it’s automatically assumed that everyone to the right of Phil Donohue is an orc serving at the Dark Lord’s beck and call.
News flash, kids: there’s a whole continent of us watching from afar, who care and take an interest, but limit ourselves to indirect influence. And who will keep on keepin’ on regardless of the outcome.
“(and does it with one of the most divisive campaigns this country has ever seen)”
LOL…Wahoo…Shit that is funny. IJS, you may have been right about everything else you typed but that shit right there just goes to show that the moonbattery is flowing through your veins.
“Never has one man done more to ensure Democratic landslides into the future than Rove.”
Democratic.
Landslides.
The two words written separately represent nothing but innocuousness. When the former modifies the latter? Masturbatory fantasy. Amazing, huh?
Ten thousand clashing
Penises. Did I watch with
Bemuse’d Detachment?
I saw an old war movie about these guys fighting the Nazis. I think they were with the Bemused DET.
#
Comment by Obstreperous Infidel on 1/17 @ 11:43 am #
“(and does it with one of the most divisive campaigns this country has ever seen)â€Â
LOL…Wahoo…Shit that is funny. IJS, you may have been right about everything else you typed but that shit right there just goes to show that the moonbattery is flowing through your veins.”
Yeah, you’re right….that election where veterans were called cowards by both sides, where Vietnam protesting was dredged up to impugn one candidate (while the other’s…let’s say…”low profile” during that same time was ignored), where millions of churches were exhorted to come out and vote against the gay hordes seeking marriage, where one side called the other terrorists and banged flip flops together, while a President stood on a platform and refused to name a single mistake he EVER made, where only partisans of the parties were allowed into rallies, and where the President of the United States is forced to repudiate his own sage words (“I don’t think you can win [the War on Terror]. But I think you can create conditions so that those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world. Let’s put it that way.”), because that was too complicated for the campaign.
That was too far for the Rove’s gays, guns and God strategy.
You’re right “morning in America” occurred right a way and it’s why his second term has been so successful. he’s just able to reach across the partisan lines and get things done. oops
“…that shit right there just goes to show that the moonbattery is flowing through your veins…”
I would wager a complete ignorance of any campaigns before 2000 is the major problem.
JD too, except with a sort of midwest insouciance about not being too particular if bemusement get misinterpreted as laughing in your face.
happyfeet – I am not too bright, but if this means that I was laughing in Vergil’s face, then you are spot on.
and does it with one of the most divisive campaigns this country has ever seen
Introspection is not one of IJS’s strengths, along with rational thought. Oops. I should have read further. That latest rant was full on asshattery.
bingo
I still cannot figure out that midwest insouciance thing. Sounds vaguely French to me.
It’s like devil-may-care but midwest so more like when you laughed in someone’s face it would be less of a provocation and more of a fact.
You are killing me … the folks in the cubicle on the other side of me think I am odd.