Rove Blasts Bloggers
Karl Rove ripped into liberal bloggers at a web politics conference this week, assailing the "angry kooks" on the "nutty fringe of political life" who have seized "inexpensive and easily accessible" platforms to upend public debate. Ever the strategist, Rove also emphasized that he is a "fan of many blogs." So how does he know which ones are good? Apparently blogs affiliated with the liberal netroots are the problem:
My point is not that liberals swear publicly more often than conservatives. That may be true, but that's not my point [...] It is that the netroots often argue from anger rather than reason, and too often, their object is personal release, not political persuasion.
Several people have pointed out the blatant hypocrisy here. Rove is famous for a political career built on the most vitriolic, angry and immoral approach to public affairs. He is an equal opportunity slander operative, smearing John Kerry and Ann Richards with the same intensity as he sabotaged conservative "allies" like John McCain and John DiIulio. But dealing with Rove, there's a political lesson here too.
Karl Rove poses with bloggers at Yahoo's "The Rise of Citizen 2.0" conference on Thursday.
Photo credit: Clay Johnson.
Rove's attack fits with the Republicans' long-term strategy to discredit the netroots, marginalize bloggers and pressure Democratic politicians to avoid their own web activists. The idea is to blunt the obvious fundraising, organizing and energizing benefits of liberal web activism by isolating it from Democratic leadership and the progressive establishment in general. That is why Republicans aim to morph liberal Internet activism into a "scandal" whenever possible, from random blog comments to the MoveOn Petraus ad to the feigned outrage over John Edwards' campaign bloggers. In fact, the Edwards dust-up in February traces Rove's new attack quite closely. A Republican operative famous for unethical hardball (Bill Donahue) hypocritically attacks the "vitriol" of bloggers, focusing exclusively on liberals in order to pressure naive Democrats -- not improve public discourse. Then important people grow very "concerned" about an outbreak of "dirty politics" on the left. In February, the bloggers resigned from the campaign; this week, Rove is pushing a broader narrative for the media, not trying to actually get a specific person fired. (For more details, see the Nation comment I wrote about the incident at the time.)
But the real question is whether any Democrats (or reporters) will naively take another self-interested Republican attack at face value. Rove is simply attacking liberal bloggers because they are effective. Deep down, he might even admire their aggressive approach to politics. Ironically, that would be another thing he does not have in common with many Democratic leaders.
UPDATE: Washingtonian reports that during the conference Rove also IM'd with MoveOn.org Washington Director Tom Matzzie, whom he criticized during his remarks: "This is rove and I did take your name in vain [...] Have enjoyed listening to your calls!"
It's not clear if Rove was joking about domestic surveillance, referring to MoveOn's political autocalls, or something else.
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Ari Melber writes for The Nation, where this post first appeared. Check out The Nation's Campaign Blog for more news and commentary.
Follow Ari Melber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AriMelber
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There's no denying the power of bloggers, from both the left and right of the political spectrum. If Rove attacks the left bloggers its only showing that they are gaining a voice significantly louder than their conservative counterpoints. What we really need is a forum for a discourse between the left, right and all those in between where we don't feel the need to flame each other the second we disagree.
Also, I think it's clear Rove can appreciate the typically younger political class of bloggers. Indeed, it was that very youth base he aimed for while working for the Nixon campaign. (Video link below) http://www
Rove has nothing left to say. The boy genius underestimated the 2006 electorate and ran screaming from a White House sinking in its own mire. Now he's just a sociopath without a stage or a voice, left only with his little Blackberry.
I am amazed that Karl Rove can sleep at night knowing the death and destruction he has engineered by his arrogance.
Time and experience in life (or God if you prefer) has a way of bringing us to our knees whether we like it or not. It is there, that everyone faces the truth of who they are and what they have done with their life.
There is such a thing as redemption but it tends to follow humility. I hope he finds both some day.
Got your home in Paraguay yet Karl? There coming for you.
I love when this hatemongers say that liberals like to argue. One thing about it is this. most people who think for themselves are broadminded people(liberal), and most conservative people cant think for themselves, that is why they are so coldblooded and heartless. He needs to attack boggers because he can do it from the hole that fe lives in.
There is no god. Its all part of political mind control. heh heh.
As old Bush points out Saddam's crime was a brutal dictator. Then, the destruction in Iraq is a crime of warmonger. Pro troop must not send more GIs to Iraq. Do Karl Rove and that 27% supporters agree with Bush that he is going to put a label of destruction, torture, and war attached to his family name? What is Rove's usefulness?
Karl Rove is nothing but a point man for Bush's team to do cheating on election. Bush spent huge money to build his world image, but failed completely. Bush's majority votes in both elections are questionable. Bush can not cheat the world. But he cheats Americans so well Rove should be remember for such accomplishment.
The only difference between the Psycholocially Abusive kArovE and Manson is that Manson is in jail where he belongs. While the former was allowed to run our country and destroy it, while the juvenile delinquent (who hates policy, likes only politics) was sent out to do expensive daily infomercials.
Dear Karl, I just can't wait to see what the CIA has lined up for you. SMOOCH!
Mr. Melber, this whole thing has me smiling ear-to-ear ... heh heh heh
The gnats of the left have become ticks burrowing into his overpampered, rouged skin, and Mr Rove don't like it ... not one bit ... no sir!
I guess a Culture War isn't as enjoyable to Mr Rove once the opposing army decides to join the battle ... pity.
Rove's complaints about the left transmutates into a progressive "Spanish Fly" that urges on his opponents. You want more, Karl? You got it. From our "inexpensive and easily accessible platforms" we intend on merrily desecrating everything you cherish and stand for. You are very "Special" to us, Karl, and we appreciate the inspiration you provide us ... Thank you!
I know that Mr Rove and his elitest breathren live by Mr. Crowley's motto:
"Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be the Whole of the Law"
But Mr. Rove should meditate upon the Beast's words ... and contemplate what he has unleashed.
And although we know Mr Rove never reads the Liberal Blogs, Ari, I feel like saying "Have a Nice Day" to him anyway.
Karl Rove can go blow it out his ass, for all
I care, he's definitely part of the problem
of our representation being outsourced over the
years, who would've dreamed that we'd end
up paying rent and taxes to billionaires in
other countries? Nice one, Karl, way to stay
on the ball, there, tubby, I look forward to
the day that Pvt. Rove, Pvt. Limbaugh, and
Pvt. Coulter report for the front lines...no
really, I'll hold my breath...
CCR said it all about these guys a long time
ago...I'd still like to see em complete just
a 1-mile run, just a 5-mile roadmarch, keep
it together for 2 hours during many of the
various and sundry other duties required of
our servicemembers without crying for room
service etc. Bring the camcorder for THAT...
that's a reality show we'd watch! Woohoo!
Pvt. Rove! Count how many shovels are in that
box! Park that truck! Take care of your uniform
Pvt. Rove! You look like the Pillsbury Doughboy!
The MSM is all about rebooting discredited and disgraced Repug pols and economists
Thank Bill Clinton for the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
His whining is music to my ears.
"Angry kooks?" Karl, you cut us to the quick, you sly old coot! I love it when you play nasty with us, ... Anyway, the anger thing is a bit overstated, but there is a thread of truth to it. Perhaps we can remain focused, adjust our medications, and take your advice.
Persuasion is, in the end, achieved through a selective and timely application of truth, and a dash of selection, ... and a bit of fear, or humor, or pathos. Kind of depends on what we are trying to sell. By my count your hundred year reich fell about 93 years short, ... so perhaps we have not been as ineffective as you claim. Or maybe that is just your inimitable sense of humor!
Hey, stop in any time! Wipe your shoes when coming here, ... We progressives spout a bit of profanity on occasion, ... but try not to wallow in the stuff of which we speak. Showers are in the back, ... as you come in the delivery dock in the rear. We prefer you hose yourself down if that's okay. Nothing personal, ... Well, that's not totally true. You've made it very personal, truth be known.
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