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.
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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.politicalbase.com/people/richard-milhous-nixon/3203/videos/&videoId=995
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.
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.
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!
Thank Bill Clinton for the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
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.