Karl Rove's Advice For Barack Obama

Four months ago, you took the political world by storm in Iowa. The media were agog. They called your words "gorgeous," your victory "a message to the world." You "made history" and Americans could "look at ourselves with pride" in "a moment to marvel."

Times change. The six weeks leading into Pennsylvania were difficult. You excelled at raising money and gaining endorsements, but got weaker as big problems emerged. Before you can fix them, you must understand them. In Pennsylvania, you won only 30 percent among Catholics and 29 percent among white working-class voters. Defections like this elect Republicans.

Even liberal commentators who adore you warn you can't win with a McGovern coalition of college students and white-wine sippers from the party's left wing. Saying small-town voters cling to guns, faith and xenophobia because of economic bitterness hurt you; it reinforced the growing sense you don't share Middle America's values. So did asking about the price of arugula in Iowa, dismissing the "true" patriotism of people who wear a flag lapel pin, being "friendly" (as your chief strategist, David Axelrod, put it) with a violent, unrepentant '60s radical and having a close relationship with an angry pastor who expressed anti-American sentiments.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[suekzoo]

Two points that Rove makes are legit. The stump speech is getting threadbare. Time to refresh it.

Getting a couple of Republicans to agree to serve in the administration would send a powerful message, and probably attract some cross-over and independent votes in the general. I'd be working on that now and announce it soon after getting the nomination. Hagel comes to mind immediately. The Repubs shouldn't mind that, since he's retiring anyway.

[PioneerKing]

Rove giving Obama advice what a joke; Rove needs to get over his fat self.
30% of PA republicans voted against McCain; nearly 200,000 PA republicans switched party affiliation to vote for a democratic candidate.
Rove the revolt against McCain in Nevada reflects a large faction of republicans who won"t vote for McCain.
Rove and the republicans have a greater problem than acknowledged.
Republicans keep pretending that low voter turn out by republicans during this caucus/primary season does not matter. This year " for this republican nominee - it matters!
Media bias and glossing over McCain"s foibles to cast him as a straight talking maverick won"t wash.
Millions of Americans - democrats and republicans are not impressed! Americans will not be fooled by reinvention/reintroduction tours.
Rush, the riots that you call for may end up being riots of republicans at their convention.
Rove's MSM buddies who are sucking up to McCain can buy McCain"s BS but millions of Americans, including republicans, will not vote for McCain.
MSM you all should be ashamed " your misinformation and sucking up to the Bush/Cheney administration on Iraq got us into this morass of a war.
Rove and MSM for shame on you all for perpetuating lies that enabled the war to be sold to thousands of mothers and fathers whose son"s and daughters have died in Iraq.
MSM you are now helping the Clintons destroy Obama so that your horrible, little weasel friend John McCain can become president; how reprehensible.

[w&cheneysuck]

ROVE SHOULD GO BACK TO SHOE SHINING....NICE SPIT SHINE ON BUSHIE'S SHOES....SPEAKING OF SHOES; HE COULDN'T SHINE OBAMA'S SHOES!

[stoneworks]

He's just listing off the same hollow accusations we've heard for weeks. Nothing new here. Go ahead Karl and try to cover up your party's paranoia over the new wave of American thinking. No one expects a candidate to be squeaky clean anymore after all the mind-bending scandals and the kind of cover-ups you yourself have become so expert at instigating. No, instead what we're looking for is someone with real sincerity, who represents a break from true elitism (ie. 90% of our national elected officials), and who is dedicated to uncovering the pure, untainted truth of our national identity: an inherently, if subtly, racist empire.

[alm123]

If Obama had some EXPERIENCE, he would have a spine. When he debates Hillary, he truly shows what little knowledge he has to lead this country. When will people realize that we need a person with the experience and wisdom to lead our country in the right direction? Obama has no concern for us. It is all about him and becoming President. He has suckered youth into believing he is a leader when his background defines his true character; Bitter-gate and Rev. Wright. If this information had been available at the beginning, Obama would never had made it this far. He will buy the Presidency and continually outspend Clinton. He needs to debate now to prove he deserves the nomination. Any delay"s signifies he is too weak to go against McCain. Pennsylvania was not fooled by the sly and insincere lecturer, and his campaign money did not buy the votes either with his false propaganda. I hope Indiana, North Carolina, the future Primaries, as well as Super Delegates to able to see through to "Smokescreen of Words" Obama speaks. Please vote for Hillary Clinton as the nominee. Hillary Clinton has proven her loyalty in the past through her "Fight" for Americans. Obama needs to come in from fog and clear the air. Obama needs to stop hiding behind excuses why he won"t debate. I"d hire "The Experienced" vs. "The Talker" (aka BS"er).

Vote for Hillary Clinton for Real Solutions needed in America.

[Benmyoho]

AMEN. AMEN. AMEN. And can I say more AMEN, AMEN.

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

If Sen. Obama wanted assistance and support from Karl Rove he'd chalk out a veve and sacrifice a goat, a chicken and a rabbit to Mammon - just like the rest of Karl's 'clients'.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

I'm a passionate Obama supporter and have to admit Karl Rove makes sense in some of his advice. Yes, I agree with some of things he said. Be positive, focus on general election. Should have used speech in Indiana to show confidence and present new ideas. He desperately need new stump speeches targeting different areas of weakness, etc. I believe Karl Rove, a potlitical beast, is enamored by the Obama phenomenon, how could he not? And possible despises the Clintons. Take his advice with a grain of salt but there is good stuff in there.

[atlfemdem]

I agree as well. My first thought was that it seemed almost...stern and fatherly? Maybe something Daddy Bush might have said to Baby W during his elections.

I almost (and please, let me stress the almost) want to suggest that he's actually *fond* of Obama. Am I delusional or is our country in such sh*t that one of the star Repubs is attempting to lessen the GE blow for a Dem because he knows his own candidate won't be able to cut it?

I always thought I was open-minded, but not enough to objectively read something written by Rove...so goes another curve ball in this strange land...

[RobinL]

Actually, I agree with you. I read this expecting the usual evil crap---but there are nuggets of truth in here---even if they're coming from a disgusting human being.

[ohiodem250]

I hate to say it but I agree with you. I am an Edwards supporter who leans Obama's way and I must admit I found myself nodding a bit to what Rove had to say (damn, did I really just type that?). I read the whole article very skeptically and tried to see if I could divine any left-handed advice - advice that would actually undermine Obama. I didn't find much of that. If there was any than Karl Rove is a genius because it is very subversive. The only way I can see this piece as sinister or left-handed is that it gives credence to the claim that Obama is an elitist. Part of me thinks Obama should stand by his remarks and hope that the average American doesn't buy the pundits' rants and that we are truly in a post-partisan age. Unfortunately, after seeing the reaction to Rev. Wright and the so-called "bitter" comments, I think Karl Rove may actually have the right read on, as he calls them, Middle Americans.

[suekzoo]

And me to the list as agreeing that Rove's advice sounds reasonable. (I hate saying that!) His stump speech is stale, no doubt about it. I also think that getting a few Repubs to agree to serve in his administration would send a powerful message, and might attract some cross-over votes. Hagel comes to mind immediately. The Repubs would lose nothing since Hagel is going to retire anyway.

[Harbinger08]

The stars will go out before I'm influenced by any opinion of Karl Rove. One of the NeoCon architects of modern dirty politics, the savaging of the Constitution and the attack on Liberty. An evil, repulsive man, with a twisted, diabolical mind. I'm sure Obama will ignore him. I wish ALL of our elected representatives felt the same.

[POINT84]

HEAR HEAR!

[GaiasChild]

O Good Grief!!!

I want a president who WILL NOT do what Karl Rover does.

So, too bad for Clinton, she's evidently caught the win-at-any-cost sickness.

Of course, Obama listens to everybody. But I hope his immunity is in excellent shape.

[Stillhere29]

Lil' Hitler has advice for Obama? Ha!

[Kishadawn]

The only advice to Obama should be "continue to campaign like you are running for POTUS" and not Democratice Nominee. Continue to do voter registration drives, continue to attack McCain, continue to tell American people you can be POTUS and how you are different from McCain.

Respond to McCain attacks with specific facts. Buy airtime ads against McCain. Stop wasting your money against HRC. Respond to her attacks in speeches, but don't spend another dime AGAINST her.

[sebocd]

In Pennsylvania, you won only 30 percent among
among Catholics..

This is Karl Rove the magician-illutionist at his best. . Won the Catholic vote? Based on what? Oh I forgot, Pennsyvanian Catholics must have gotten wind of Hillary's accusations that Senator Obama was a whimp on abortion rights when he was in the Illinois senate and voted "present" at crucial abortion votes. Or maybe Catholics in Pennsyvania know Hillary doesn't really support abortion rights. Remember all those pictures of Hillary tagging along with Mother Teresa in helicopters flying from state to state when Hillary was first lady? Or maybe when Pope Benedict declared his admiration of Americans as a people of hope, Pennsylvanians took that as the pope's endorsement of Hillary Clinton campaign theme. Pehaps the bishops forgot to remind Catholisc that two of the candidates voted for a war, that Pope John-Paul called immoral.
The most one could say is that such and such per centage of Clinton voters just happened to be Catholic. But crafty Rove would have us believe Catholics are for Clinton and against Senator Obama. Again I ask Mr. Rove, "Based on what?" Catholics voted for Clinton for personal reasons (they were women, or menupausal, or meatheads, or too old to remember who the other candidate was ect.) none of which reasons are relevant to to being Catholic, unless Rove is using "catholic" as a euphemism for "racist"

[lthuedk_1]

A man awaiting indictment should take great care in choosing his words, or even speaking at all. Besides, from a position of extreme nationalistic socialism, Mr. Rove is hardly equipped to give advice to a Constitutionalist.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/Freedom_of_Choice.html

Karl and the Korporation fear Sen. Obama very, very much and it shows. Please vote accordingly.

[TNT2008]

Obama is open to listening to whatever people have to say, even Karl Rove.

If there is anything of substance to what Rove sights in this piece, there is no doubt that Obama will find it and give it consideration.

[CriticalThinker2008]

Rove is dead on (and I just threw up in mouth a bit saying that).

[Gould123]

Rove is not dead on! The state's Hillary won, and white votes were simply from over 20 years of astablished base's for over twenty years! If some one knows you for twenty years, and a new comer comes in witch one would you listen to or truest first? There is a Simple way to explain this and a more realistic way and truethfull way! pennsylvania was Hillary's Base for over 20 years, She had family there and Bill set up Presidential base their to feed off of! That means she should have won Pennsylvania by 69% easy! But, Obama had only six weeks campaired to her 20 year base there and family there, and he eat into her base so bad she couldn't even hang on to it! She won it by 9% down from a 27% . And he did it in 6 short weeks! Look at texas where her Husband strong hold was! Obama furtugaly tied her there with margin of error. than he took almost a alll white state like Nebraska by 69% over all! Given time, Obama Takes the Popular vote, and his name wasn't even known a year ago by most people in most states! while Hillary Clinton is a house Hold name that every one knows! The face obama has showen the global world has brought him admiration and chances to work peace like no other in a long time! This is what Rove doesn't want you to see/hear!

[Whinger]

The Rovian Horse, full of good advice it's not!

[NeoAmerican]

Karl, you old devil. It takes a real pro to make an ad hominem attack under the guise of friendly advice. Still seeking to discredit Obama in the hopes that Hillary wins the nomination so you can pull out the big guns, aren't you?

[StephenJK]

You don't even know what "ad-hominem" means. Obviously.

[NeoAmerican]

Your comment is a good example of one. You attacked me rather than the argument.

[SmellyOne]

You're wrong. It seems like you just learned the phrase and are overly eager to use it.

Attacking your knowledge of the term does speak to the argument, because without proper knowledge of what it means, your conclusion becomes skewed.

An ad hominem response would have been "What do you know, you toothless inbred?".

[elbram]

We need to get BUSH IMPEACHED before Karl Rove all the BUSH CRONIES get PARDONs and won't have to answer for ANY CRIME...

[backwoodsintellect]

Let's wait until after Obama is president to put them all on trial. No chance of pardons that way.

[Chiang]

You should call Pelosi. Repeatedly if necessary.

And fill out some online petitions. Those always work.

[BlackmaninAmerica]

Karl Rove giving a dem advice? Interesting advice....but I wouldn't take it. The Republicans still want to run against Hillary because she cannot get Republicans and Independents like Barack can. The latter group is what elects a President 9/10 times. I think it was a smart move to go on Fox because Chris Wallace has some cred with Fox News watchers, besides with that interview, they can't do much clipping because Obama's campaign can sue them. Plus, Obama has to show he is willing to appeal to those who just might decide later this year to vote for him if he is the nominee, because many Republicans are not happy with John McCain

[wingman1]

Barack Obama's advice to Karl Rove (*if only)

* You are in large degree responsible for the election of the worst US president of all time. You should apologise to the American people.

* You have contributed greatly to public cynicism about the political process. You should apologise to the American people.

* You are complicit in policies and actions that have caused the deaths of thousands of US servicemen. You should apologise to the American people.

* You are complicit in policies and actions that have fostered a culture of torture. You should apologise to the American people.

* You are complicit in policies and actions that have deeply damaged this country's standing in the world. You should apologise to the American people.

* You have magnified, invoked and played on all that is worst in the American psyche. You should apologise to the American people.

* In addition you should retire immediately from political life and spend what years remain to you in humble and obscure community service that seeks to compensate in some small degree for the great damage you have caused. And whatever your faith, Karl, you should seek atonement.

[EugeneWright]

Barack Obama's entry into this race was Karl's dream come true. I wouldn't be surprised if he somehow engineered it. In deference to the questionable likemindedness of the posts on this site, I've never seen the democratic party more divided. If this was Rove's brainchild, it's his most brilliant move to date.

[StephenJK]

Good comment and point. In Karl Roves piece he seems to be licking his chops at the prospect of an Obama nomination. He recognizes what many objective observers are recognizing in droves now; Barack Obama and his coalition of lemmings can't win the General. Obama has managed to somehow alienate, discriminate and anger the most important demographic to the democratic party; working class whites and women.

Please, lord, forgive Barack Obama for he knows not what he does.

[atlfemdem]

Why are working class whites and women the most important? The educated, the youth, the AA's, and poor folks are step below, eh? I'm a white working class woman and don't feel alienated at all...

If I'm not mistaken, ALL people in this country are important. If we start singling out one demographic as more important than any other, we're setting ourselves back big time...

[stillfresh]

Let me see. Hillary Clinton brags she's got the votes of the working class? So, that's Dumfuckistan. Can't we ONCE elect a president who gets elected by the rest of us?

[BlackmaninAmerica]

If this was Rove's brainchild, then they underestimated Obama's appeal because in spite of all this - he still has appeal and is on his way to facing John McCain.

[EugeneWright]

I hope you're right.

[MiddleRoad1]

Oh no, you can blame your gal Hillary for that