McCain Embraces Rove

Karl Rove last week announced that he had given $2300 to the presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain.

Asked over the weekend about the donation, McCain said he has "always respected Karl Rove as one of the smart great political minds I think in American politics," and specifically refused to condemn Rove's hyper-partisan campaign tactics (including his smears against McCain in the 2000 South Carolina race).

Watch it:

Transcript:

QUESTION: Are there other signs you see that are encouraging to you...

MCCAIN: Oh yeah. A lot of the fundraisers from other camps are coming on board. And yeah we're seeing that coming together really well. We're seeing it.

[Inaudible]

MCCAIN: Who?

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QUESTION: Karl Rove?

MCCAIN: Oh I, listen, he ah. Nobody denies he's one of the smartest political minds in America. I'd be glad to get his advice. I get advice from a lot of people. I'd be happy to have his advice.

QUESTION: I was wondering about that, right....

MCCAIN: He beat me. I certainly would be glad to get his advice. I don't think I'd want to revisit how he did it. And I mean that. Not about South Carolina. I mean I don't feel like reliving my defeat.

QUESTION: Are you worried about, he uses very aggressive tactics is that something that--

MCCAIN: I've always respected Karl Rove as one of the smart great political minds I think in American politics. I've always respected him. We never had any ill will after the initial South Carolina thing. After we had the meeting with President Bush we moved on. I've seen Karl Rove many times when I've been over at the White House. We've always had pleasant conversations.

QUESTION: His tactics don't, you don't disapprove of them? They don't make you nervous?

MCCAIN: It's not so much whether I approve of his tactics or not. It's that he has a very good, great political mind. Any information or advice and council he can give us, I'd be glad to have. I don't think anybody denies his talents. So I'd be glad to get any advice and council. We would obviously decide whether to accept it or not.

Comments

[AxelDC]

McCain just doesn't want to win, does he?

What could alienate "McCain Democrats" and independents more than Turd Blossom? If McCain adopts Rove's scorch and burn politics, he will alienate everyone who doesn't think George Bush is the best president we've ever had. In the process, he will not appease those in his base who think he is a turncoat and a flip-flopper. In fact, he will just reinforce the stereotype.

The Republicans just made a huge mistake in picking this guy, but then again, they didn't have much of a choice this year.

[raptor]

Fraternal twins separated at birth? Must have been a long delivery.

[raptor]

I was going to comment, but the thought of Rove is too sickening. As for the Republicans as a group, they seem to be in meltdown.

[nunzia]

Maybe this really is the deal he made with Bushco when he sold them his soul.

[nevergiveup]

McCain continues to prove himself a wimp and dumber than a bag of hair. You'd think if the guy is so honorable, he'd keep Rove out of his campaign to keep it clean.

Not so much with KKKKarl's help. KKKarl--here to screw Americans and the USA whenever he can.

[Gatormouth]

Before, I was just disappointed in McCain and disapproved of his politics. Now I get to dislike him as well. He really has sold his soul on this one.

[NotGuilty]

Let's see.......­..

Rove was fired by Daddybush.­...

Rove was fired by Tardbusj..­...

Rove outted a CIA operative.­...

Seems the re-thuglicans can't get enough of these Traitors to back them.

[ICantBeBothered]

mclame's a liar.

He can't stand rove but will gladly kiss his butt if it'll help him get elected.

mclame is barely more coherent than doofus boy bush.

[moda31]

wow he really will say anything to try and win over super conservatives. "you mean the man who had a field day smearing me last time around, yeah i love him!" you say you respect him but seriously where's your self respect?

[ultomatt]

I'd suggest a shower after one "embraces Rove".

[philistine]

McCain has to at least dry-clean his suit.

[fredamae]

well, not too surprising, really, when you consider the "close, huggable, even cheeky kissable" relationship with bush...
all in all a perfect match....c­onsidering­.

[randyw]

Everyone seems to think Mcaine is insane and this may be the final straw to prove that! How can anyone embrace that fat traitorous pig!
Instead of getting hired for the MSM he should be getting tarred and feathered at the least!

[Meah]

So much for the independents, Senator McCain. Kiss them goodbye!

[Sneaky]

No kidding.

[fetchezlavache]

Bwahahahahaha!

[Nanotyrnns]

BLECCCHHHHH!

[illinoisan]

Rove would be highly useful, even essential, to any candidate running against Clinton.

However, as Rove has all but admitted himself, nobody knows how to run against Obama and Rovian tricks against him consistently backfire.

If you want to end the era of Karl Rove, vote Obama.

[azyuwish]

God, I've been saying essentially this for months. The Repubs will have to tread ever so lightly against Obama, as they will be seen as racist, anti-youth, anti-hope, anti-change etc.

With Clinton, they will pull out the same dog and pony show they played in the 90's. Whitewater, Lewinsky, "what "is", is", dead bodies, you name it.

KKKarl Rove is the king of THAT kind of politicking.