Rove: Palin A "Campaign Decision" Not "Governing Decision" (VIDEO)

In a Washington Post interview, Karl Rove admits that the Sarah Palin pick was "not a governing decision but a campaign decision." Of course, he says Joe Biden was too.

They (Democrats) over played this from the first moment. When they put out that statement bashing her. This is everyone. This is mom, the successful small business operator, union member, outdoors woman, coach, mom of five, active in her community and takes on the big boys and becomes Governor. And they run a real risk of looking condescending, just as they did, the same crowd played these cards against Hillary Clinton, and it was a mistake.

...

This is a positive thing for McCain. It's a bold move, but it's also a smart political move. Now, it's a different kind of decision. ... Both candidates this year, ironically enough made not a governing decision but a campaign decision.

Watch the whole interview:

Comments

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

As usual the Republicans make a decision on a candidate based on image, and nothing more.

[kevenhusseinseven]

So Rove admits that McCain puts the campaign before the country?

[drumz]

I think you can paint that with a broader brush, the republicant party puts campaigning before country.

[speakyourmind]

Guess what happens if you campaign successful­ly....THEN YOU HAVE TO GOVERN. Once again, Rove is an embarassment to the human race.

[hchriste]

This is coming from the liar and traitor Rove, he needs to be gone. This VP candidate
proves McCains does not have the ability to lead. Every single action or statement he has made has been impulsive. Signing Bomb Bomb Iran, saying terriorists are sneaking across the border from Pakistan to Iraq,can't figure out who is the emeny in Iraq one day Sunnis the next Shia, making statements like Russia needs to be punished, level Iran, and now this choice for VP, she has a two year record of graft and working toward the sucession of Alaska from the U.S. She believes we are on a divine mission in Iraq, God told her and George Bush that it would be OK if a few million Iraqi civilians were mortally wounded in the name of oil. If these two get elected we deserve them.

[nodonjuan]

Why does anyone listen to a thing this man says?

[ZsaZsa]

If this is a "campaign decision," and not a "governing decision," what the hell do you think she's going to do after she wins the election? Ever think of that, Einstein? What, do you think she's going to win the election, and then just keep on campaigning?

What an idiot.

[drumz]

They never govern only campaign. It's about maintaining power and controlling people for the benefit of corporations. And the controlling people fits right in with the religious overtones or should I call it the artery?

[fetchezlavache]

Repubs are good at campaigning and hopeless at governing. And they openly admit to it sometimes, as Rove just did. Anyone out there who has heard or read anything about the Palin choice and who still votes for this ticket is also hopeless.

[ladyv]

"What, do you think she's going to win the election, and then just keep on campaigning?"

Of course. It worked for Rove and Bush. Why would Rove want anything different this time?

[thepathforward]

Quoting Rove, “This is everyone. This is mom, the successful small business operator, union member, outdoors woman, coach, mom of five, active in her community and takes on the big boys and becomes Governor”. Can we add to this list all of the controversies and contradictions noted on this HuffPo headline article?

And if this is supposed to be some type of comparison between Gov. Palin and Sen. Obama that we Dems (laughingly) keep hearing some Republicans trying to make, that is a side by side leadership and relevant experience comparison we are more than happy to have. It is blatantly obvious that Gov. Palin truly was (sadly) only a “campaign decision”- IMO a Republican created perception ploy purely formed to attempt to sway an election and the voters but not what is best for the nation-party before nation again.

And others can talk all around the tangential issues of Gov. Palin all they want, but the central focus is the frightening decision (and IMO lack of sound judgment) that Sen. McCain and the Republican party made with respect to Gov. Palin’s lack of preparedness as a potential VPUSA, and being only one heartbeat away from the Presidency of the USA.

If it comes to tough talk with many of the world’s forceful leaders, how has this list of mom, union member, outdoors woman, coach, etc. prepared her for that world stage and the strong global leadership she would be called upon to assert?

[YouDisgustMe]

karl rove = satan

[Grunty1]

Naw, he is just one of Cheney's minions.

[Egalitare]

No, he's not that clever. And soon he won't relevant.

[Budokan]

why isn't Rove in jail for treason?

[collprof]

Good things come to those who wait. Soon. Rove is another indicted man walking along with Cheney.

[NavyMom]

From your keyboard to God/dess's monitor.

[danelle1]

Not about issues? Seriously, the economy is tanking, military personnel are being killed in an unjust war, civil liberties being trashed, elected official who are not accounted for, the idea of teaching Creationism as fact, reducing or eliminating sexual education/­prevention programs (Then publicizin­g/celebert­izing teen pregnancy)­….. Do I need to go on?

McCain has proven he is best at utilizing a noun, a verb and then his P.O.W. status with regards to any question about issues. I guess Palin will just utilize her daughter’s pregnancy as justification for issue questions.

Wow, how could this happen?

[walk0nwalls]

Also worth mentioning: how is Karl Rove in any position to be saying who is and who isn't fit to govern?

[Rendon76]

That's whats been wrong with the last 8 years. Permanent campaigning instead of real governing.

[leftLibertarian]

The criminal Rove laffs at the spineless Democrats

[walk0nwalls]

I think it's much too serious a topic to use the word laff

[marike1]

Stop, Mr. Rove, I'm getting dizzy from all the spinning. Why is he trying to convince us that she was McCain's pick, when we now know otherwise?

[riggedelection]

I have been saying all along that John McCain,s VP will be the next president. Karl Rove and his chronies will have her in their pockets.

[beforeal]

Meant to say does not understand diplomacy.­..Gaft!