Karl Rove: Shining a Light in the Wilderness
by Seth MitchellLast Tuesday evening I was privileged to attend a dinner at which Karl Rove was the keynote speaker. The event was put on by the Heritage Foundation, the premiere conservative think tank of Washington, DC, of which I am proud to be a supporting member. While Mr. Rove’s speech covered numerous topics, one point that he made has stuck with me and, I believe, should serve as a light for conservatives as we travel through the political wilderness.
While Mr. Rove has been defined by the media and Hollywood elite as a partisan attack dog and nicknamed forebodingly as “The Architect,” he came off as anything but and emphasized that conservatives should be careful to work with our current president in a respectful manner. When he mentioned President Obama’s name, a few overzealous members of the audience shouted out their less than positive feelings about the man; and Mr. Rove quickly and gently reminded them that our president has made some decisions that conservatives should applaud. From the surge in Afghanistan to military tribunals, Mr. Rove explained that President Obama has taken the right steps in regards to some very important issues that face our nation.
As Mr. Rove stated, “We have to love our country enough that when [President Obama] is right, we are his best and strongest defenders.” After eight years of BDS, conservatives should know better than to reflexively disagree with our current President on every issues just because he has a (D) in front of his name. This does not mean that we must ignore the President when he is wrong, which is his tendency, but rather that we must also, as Rove explained, “disagree with him thoughtfully and carefully.”
The point is that whether or not we agree with those on the other side of the aisle, we must respect our nation enough to treat every issue that we face with careful reasoning, and intelligent discourse. Too often, we forget that these debates are not about political victories but instead, are about finding the best way forward for our nation. As Mr. Rove said, “our country exists and prospers because of values…that have meaning.” By tearing a man down solely because of his political affiliations, win or lose the battle, we are degrading these values and thus our nation. We should honor our past and the fact that the United States was founded by men who put “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” before ego and power.
Americans are exhausted by the continual battles between Republicans and Democrats; as these two parties continue to sling mud back and forth. This is not to say that Americans are looking for bi-partisanship, which usually results in wishy-washy legislation that only panders to voters’ short term happiness. Instead, I believe, that Americans are desperately seeking leaders who will remind them of what makes our country great: the audacity of the human spirit to accomplish great things when released from the grip of oppressive government; the need to sacrifice in order to protect our great tradition of liberty, and the duty we have to help our neighbor instead of relying on our government to do so. If we, as conservatives, base our message on these values, we will give Americans a true message of hope that is based in the values of our past, but that will also lead us to our future.
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181 Comments
Just to show we can play nice with PBHO… (and to prove Karl right).. here's an Obama policy I _do_ agree with:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM...
The Obama administration launched investigations of hundreds of businesses around the country Wednesday as part of its strategy to focus immigration enforcement on the employers who hire illegal workers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has begun notifying businesses of plans to audit their I-9 forms — employment eligibility documents that employers fill out for every worker — the agency told members of Congress in an e-mail Wednesday."
(Last few paragraphs have something I disagree with {guest worker program increase})…. see all hail Darth Rove, who knowest what he speaks!
If anyone wants to know what makes a man like Rove tick, (and myself also) this is a good link.
http://www.intp.org/intprofile.html
enter the 'Architect'…
Or, until Ms Palin entered the stage the person the Left loved to hate the most. Rove, an intellectual but genial sort is not 'Bush's Brain' as one lefty documentary called him, but a passionate spokeman for conservatism much in the mold of Newt Gingrich.
That he has found a following by his appearances on FOX news or even his surprising acceptance by the loons at NEWSWEEK (staffers were surprised by how 'nice' and 'smart' he was- surprise, surprise) comes as no shock to us. He is a towering intellect that the Democrats enviously copied in 2008, right down to the door to door neighbor canvassing in targeted districts…
Just ask Rahm Emanuel how smart Rove is…
I like Carl, he's affable – I'm just not quite so sure of his conservatism. As a pivitol player in most of GW's terms, there was some questionable decisions – no child, immigration, and the tacit agreement that the President should remain silent, above the fray, when the media & congress came attacking. I understand the glass half full approach, but after all the damage now done, I am amazed that he isn't more forceful, like Cheyney – now there's no gray there. Unfortunately, under this current climate, nice guys can't win.
i would only add: I believe that Americans are seeking leadership. Period.
Most conservatives don't need to be reminded of what makes the country great. Most rationale-thinking people already know the answer to that. What conservatives need are leaders who stick to their principles and don't back down or apologize for those principles as soon as the going gets a little rough. Good communication skills would be a bonus too.
Excellent post. As the loyal opposition, we conservatives need to show we can debate the issues, not just spam hate and ad hominum as our opposition seems to do.
We must be a better alternative than the BDS we put up with for 8 years.
I would love to pick Karl Rove's considerable brain on his true thoughts on Sarah Palin. I suspect he's miles ahead of the conventional wisdom expounded by intellectual conservatives when it comes to her.
Rove has been a breath of fresh air on Fox as an analyst. If we are honest, conservatism has suffered from a dearth of political figures who are able to articulate well what we instinctively know. While we ultimately need an electable politician able to do that, in many respects, a guy like Rove is perfectly placed, because he reaches so many more people. This may be extremely helpful to others who are attempting to find their own voice.
“…we must respect our nation enough to treat every issue that we face with careful reasoning, and intelligent discourse…..”
Karl Rove better be careful with what he says or else he could get Limbaugh after him and Rush does not tolerate any breach from his “scorched earth” strategy.
I’m sorry folks, but 40 years of conservatives playing patty cake “bipartisanship” with the left has gotten us into this decline of our country in the first place.
IMHO it’s time to fight back from these “progressives” as if your very lives depend on it.
Step up and get real close to them, look them in their bloodshot, moon glow eyes, grab them tightly by their collective belt buckles, and don’t let go until they say “uncle.”
During this next year, (until the next election), it will be our very last chance to make this distinction.
After that, if we lose it all, it can ONLY get worse.
Stop listening to the appeasers on ALL sides, or you’re NOT going to have a liberty loving nation in our lifetime.
It is the life and death of our 233 year Republic.
Don’t give in.
Fight for it now!
Republicans…grow a spine.
Semper Fi
Not Over.
The general silence of conservatives when it comes to Afghanistan and Iraq are proof that we agree with what Obama is doing there. If the left attacks them, we defend them, but since the left isn't attacking Obama, we don't have much work to cover those fronts unless we're talking CIA pictures, and then, we're not blasting Obama over it because he doesn't want the photoes released or at least isn't moving to get them released.
We also tend to oppose policies on an ideas front more than simply spewing hate at Obama. Although we have labeled socialized health care as Obamacare because he is shilling for it so very desparately by holding one-sided propoganda ops in the White House and loaded Town Halls. And we do criticize him directly for those.
If liberals could actually listen to Carl Rove and consider his wisdom instead of demeaning him they just might learn something positive. But alas, I don't think that is possible in the light of the continued BDS syndrome that they still cling to as a ploy to answer any disagreement with President Obama.
Limbaugh is, of course, an entertainer and Rove a serious policy analyst. Surely you can see the difference?
Tell you what Mr. Rove, when the left ceases it's unending assault on Sarah Palin and her family, and apologizes for their disgusting behavior towards the Palins, THEN I'll cut Obama some slack.
Says someone who obviously hasn't listened to Rush more than a handful of times, tops, and has understood what he's said even fewer times.
Daddy.. i think you've got to remember though.. that sometimes there isn't partisanship on the good ideas (which is Karl's implication). Again, I-9's.. .I agree with. Following/tracking that North Korean ship (who blinked there?)..
even President Obama can get them right on occasion… does that mean not to fight back? Of course not.. if he wants something screwy (Stimulus, C&T, UHC). then we fight back with both barrels blazing..
That makes you a much better man than me Hank Scorpio. There is nothing Obama, or his ilk, can every do that will cause me to "cut him some slack". He's always going to be a Chicago Democrat Sleazebag to me……..End of story.
I'll add this: If he "Cures Cancer" I'll consider it…………..
The problem, in my opinion, is that while conservatives and republicans have and are totally capable of playing nice with those on the left, they in turn, do not compromise. Over the last election our republicans campaigned to be more "bipartisan" (a term I could go the rest of my life without hearing), which in turn moved their policies closer the middle and middle/left. The democrats, on the other hand, moved more to the left than they usually do. The result of all of this garbage is that the people we elected have compomised their constituents' values and beliefs while the left have compromised nothing. And why should they? We basically hand them everything they want to pass and smile while we're doing it. The most frustrating thing to me is that we're clearly right and democrats are clearly wrong on basically every level…why not defend that? And if you don't, why stay in this party?
Mr Rove…Enough is enough. No more namby pamby BS!!! I'm trying to understand your rational…. but, I'm not buying it. No more pu**y footing around these freaking commie pinkos attempting to steal my Country. Your way HAS NOT WORKED Sir!!! You can't fight off a ferocious Tiger with plastic forks. You need WEAPONS! Weapons that will HURT that animal coming after you. That Tiger with it's BIG sharp teeth is the commie,pinko leftist, democrats. They have to be put down just like a vicious animal. Politically speaking, off course. This Mr Nice Guy BS is overrated. We have been smashed in the mouth, time and time again by it. NO MORE!!! Take off the kid gloves and let these jagg offs have it. The American people despise weak, linguine spined, brainwashed, individuals. This Country was built on STRENGTH!!!! NOT WEAKNESS, and Oh.. I'm sorry I offended you, please,please forgive me. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I'm so sick of it. Hey Repubes….GROW A SET!!!
He only reads the cliff notes at Huffpo and kos, he's never actually heard an entire sentence from Rush.
I agree with you and GooDDaddy, Hank. No more Mr. Nice guy. We either come out swinging soon, or continue to watch helplessly as this country gets flushed down the sewer. If our "leaders" would start showing some spine, and stand up for true conservatism instead of constantly compromising, voters would show up in droves to get Republicans elected in 2010 & 12. We desperately need statesmen who aren't afraid to call things as they are.
I can't blame you, there isn't much Obama has done throughout his life that I agree with.
My point was that if the left refuses to give an inch, and if the left continues their disgusting behavior, then there is no motivation to be civil. You see it from some of the posters right here. They can't put away their insanity for one minute. They lash out like petulant children while acting like intellectuals.
I've noticed (as I'm sure some of you may have as well) that Democrats are wishy-washy when in comes to dealing with external threats such as Iran or North Korea or terrorists, but stand up to a point of brutality when it comes to dealing with "the loyal opposition." Republicans are the reverse. They stand up strongly to the external threats in a very hawkish way, but cower when dealing with the Democrats.
If there's something I'd like to see the same from both parties it's treating our external threats strongly, and being able to disagree with and stand up to each other without the threat of personal, and even political, destruction.
I agree that we need to support good ideas no matter where they come from. But there is also political way to do this. Unfortunately, our leaders tend to think this means groveling and surrendering.
Reagan was the master of good ideas.
Clinton was the master of seeing good ideas and stealing all of the credit for them.
Our current leaders have been neither.
P.S. And don't get me started on a guy like McCain — has he ever stood up to the other side? No. Has he ever NOT showered praise on the other side? No! Has he ever started a debate without conceding that the democrats are smarter and morally superior? NO! Arrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhh.
*head explodes*
Right you are, I'll add this: We can't sit around and wait for this administration to crash and burn (which it's doing already), we have to come up with true leaders to stand for us.
Any thoughts on who those leaders might be?
Funny that works with the left isn't it?
Rove = Satan . . . oooh look, Dick Cheney!
Cheney = Satan . . . oooh look, Palin!
Palin = Satan. . . oooh look ____!
Isn't it strange that a group that doesn't believe in God can believe so strongly in the devil?
Nation dividing wisdom like:
"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers."
Rove June 22, 2005
Rove has only taken this tone because it might work politically. Don't take the bait conservatives. Keep doing what you are doing.
Haha, totally true. I've got $10 that says his reply would be that he "listens to Rush regularly" or "listened to him enough to know" that Rush is a total hatemonger/bigot, blah blah blah "he wants the president to fail" blah blah.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard that tired reply, Bawwwwney Fwank would probably find a way to audit me because I'd be the richest man alive.
and as to the very very few things he has done that I can agree with, well even a blind monkey is lucky enough every now and then to find a banana.
Great- they're holding my posts again for some reason. I wrote a few minutes ago that speaking of good ideas, I wish Cheney would get back on his soap box about now. We need him to keep hammering away with the truth.
Yup, McCain brings on those scanners moments with me too. While I can respect him and what he's sacrificed, I have to call it as I see it. He came back damaged goods.
ergo the mcCain 'staffers' saying terrible things about a candidate who made the election at least competitive… and even though McCain is our brother he has always been a horse's rear end…
careful, you might be labeled a racist for that……LOL
I vote we figure out a way to bring the founding fathers back from the dead. I'll take zombie Washington over Obama any day. That and zombies are in right now, so he'll be a big hit with the kids!
I can count them on one hand, and some of those are questionable.
Thaddeus McCotter?
That's one. Geez- I'll have to think hard to come up with any others…or am I being too harsh?
Saying McCain is a conservative is like saying Bill Clinton had self control…..
Hank Scorpio
I'm guilty of lashing out here myself. I'll admit that readily. I'm definitely not proud of it.
The problem I have though is that our President has chose to align himself with the scum of his party and see's nothing wrong with that..
These are the ones who have no problem ripping Sarah Palin and her children, applauding when Tony Snow died, calling the Bush twins skanks and tramps or saying vile things about Nancy Reagan when she was ill recently.
I am very forgiving of many things, but stupidity is not one of those things……..And our President has a "lock on stupid"………….
that would be the least of things I get labeled as during the average day.
Not in the least. If Obama were as white as the Queen I would still hate his guts and hope he dies.
Slowly and painfully.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
You and I my friend are cut from the same cloth……
Very true, but the whitehouse kicthen will need to stock up on brains. Not alot of that in DC.
But how do you REALLY feel??
Stop holding back, just let it out…..LOL
At the rate they're all rolling over in their graves right now, they might start coming out without any help from us.
The BS that goes on politically, out weighs playing NICE….. Rove, has done a really good job at repescting the current president… but, we need more things done then just playing nice…
Some interesting thoughts, Jack. There is no question Rove was a key player, but I sometimes think W. himself was primarily responsible for the "above the fray & don't fight back" style." That seems to be a trait of the Bush family, and while one I personally found admirable, not necessarily effective when the White House Press Corp and drive by media considered it their solemn duty to destroy him every day.
As far as some of his questionable decisions, I think W. actually felt his mandate was to govern from the center on domestic policy. I don't understand his stance on immigration other than, like McCain, he is from a border state. The whole illegal Latino thing kind of became a political third rail keeping many politicians from doing the right thing for fear of the pc consequences. To that extent, I was surprised since Bush usually did what he thought was right regardless of political consequence.
I've had the same problem. I couple of mind vanished. . . never to return.
Right now, Cheney is one of the few guys actually standing up to Obama. I wish him well, and I wish the rest of the party would listen to him.
Rove is a true conservative, with many great ideas. But he was also a "good soldier" and assisted Bush in advancing his programs. That meant that Rove, always the gentleman, bit his tongue and supported Bush's unfortunate expansion into "big government conservatism" (a term that must make Rove very nauseated). I wish Rove had stood up to Bush on that issue, but how long he would have had any influence after pointing out that "compassionate conservatism" is neither is a question mark. Rove probably felt that he couldn't stop the juggernaut, so his major duty was at least to slow it down.
I agree. I respect what he did, but he's been a horrid politician. I cringed during the debates. He even whiffed on the softballs.
Oh me too, some posts just push my buttons. (actually it's fun sometimes to go on the attack)
You're spot on about Obama's "allies". They have always been the worst of the worst. Starting with Bill Ayers and his slag wife. Now he's continuing that trend with his support of the Honduran dictator and bwing to the Arabs.
As for the ones you described, a long walk off a short pier is in order…..
Did you see that reared its ugly head again the other day? They still can't stop the in-fighting and there ain't even no "in" there anymore.
No way I'm taken that bet…..There so predictable aren't they? He's currently looking for You Tube links to the "Hateful" things Rush has said.
A little snip here, a little snip there and I'll have you believing Kanye West hates black people!
It's so much fun teasing the lesser life forms isn't it?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Except the liberals will still be the ones moaning for BRAAAAAIIIINS……….
He's what the MSM trotts out as conservative. I think I should get to pick the liberal representative. I'm thinking Al Sharpon or Krusty the Clown.
McCotter is good, Jindal is another. I still think Palin has a lot to offer in regards to leadership.
There aren't many that don't fall into the Libertarian trap.
I agree. The President was absolutely correct to employ the surge strategy in Afghanistan, though I still think the commanding American general was canned for no other reason than Obama had to do something to give the illusion of change over Bush.
I also applaud the line in his Cairo speech where he bitch slapped Holocaust deniers. That was long over due, and it was broad cast to a large regional audience making it harder for dictators to edit it out.
And I also support his decision on gay marriage, for one very important reason, I believe its a matter best left to the people to decide at the ballot box. I'm convinced the main reason abortion is such a hot button issue is because the Supreme Court specifically took control of the issue away from voters, and look how well that turned out? Given enough time, I'm sure a majority of Americans will comes around, and vote it in on their own.
As for the rest? Not so much.
Ha! Obama and Queen in the same sentence. Feel free to make your own jokes………….
indeed. Though my cloth needs a lot more laundering lately.
By the way, you mentioned the Monte Cristo the other day. . . greatest sandwich ever!
someone, I forget who, put it so perfectly the other day:
"they ran a 100 yard dash inside a 90 yard gym"
I couldn't watch. Even with the uhhs and the umms from Obama, McCain looked feeble.
Well Krusty is a capitalist swine, he even had Krusty the Clown toilet paper. So he's out….
I'd pick Ingrid Newkirk from PETA……yeah, she's stable…..
It sure is.. Batter fried heaven!
Right up there with those batter fried twinkies I once got at a state fair in Nebraska while visited the in-laws.
Amen to that
both very Krusty choices for sure.
Well, by Queen I was referring to Liz Windsor, not our very own Michelle Antoinette.
Actually, I prefer to imagine the Ogabes like the Ceaucescus… huddled at the base of a bullet -pocked wall.
And mine needs some patchwork….
That would be me…..
Hi all. I agree with Rove up to a point. If a good idea is birthed by Obama and/or his staff then there is nothing wrong with acknowledging it. This doesn't mean that you bow and scrap (like some, just acknowedge it.
I also think that the republicans need to repair the damage done over the last 8 years where the democrats had a free ride in hammering the republicans without hint of defense by Bush or his administration. I think this shows that in todays' politics no one can't stay above the fray. The more the Whitehouse declined to address the critics (supported by the MSM) the more the people began to believe the lies and half-truths. This was evident when the Republicans lost first the Congress, then the Whitehouse and now any ability to filibuster bad bills (at least until 2010).
The Republicans (not the McCain types) really need to get back to the basics of small government, low taxes (although this may be too late for awhile) and personal freedom. This as well as being outspoken and firm critics of Obamas ruinous policies should start true Republicans back on the road to government.
I hope there's more cloth left over. If not to patch us up, but to make more.
Now if they just wrapped those in bacon it would be the perfect food….
Batter fried twinkies? OMG!
It had your ring about it indeed.
It was painful.
I would take the getting hit with rattan sticks at the tournaments I participate in any day over watching that again.
ok, getting hungr now.. only had PB&J sandwich for lunch.
How about Sharpon/Frank — the dream ticket. Joe Biden would write their speeches?
The ultimate in batter fried sin!
mmmm people eating tasty animals… yeah, getting hungry indeed.
Sorry…they can't ask for something with which they are unfamiliar. My guess they will moan for some other appendage….of the male variety
LOL! Did you see Bro Al on the dance floor, grinding with some woman? He's happenin' baby!
Now you're talkin!!!
Personally, I dont blame Pres. Bush. He was focused on very difficult tasks and was willing to take whatever stones where thrown at him to keep from being distracted by it. Defending him from those stones was the task of others, many of whom were not up to said task.
I have an idea for a t-shirt. It has a pic of a big pot with a tucan, a koala bear and a couple other animals in it and the caption says, "For every animal you don't eat I'm going to eat 3"
ZING!!!!
That means all the wives will be opening their purses in congress…..
How about you get back with me on this right after Andrew Sullivan and his fellaci…er…fellow travelers take back all their lies about Palin?
Just a bad attempt at humor by myself, at the expense of our metro-sexual president…
"I prefer to imagine the Ogabes like the Ceaucescus… huddled at the base of a bullet -pocked wall"……………I could live with that!
Does this include Barney Frank?
actually, Joe Biden can plagerize speeches for them.
That's a valid question….
Just be careful if one of them's a polar bear. Their livers are toxic.
BWAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
You so owe me…..
I saw that. He's a playa!
No something cute and cuddly like a monkey or something. I'm going for maximum offensiveness…..
Polar bear tastes too fishy, actually, because of their diet. I prefer Black Bear meat.
Jindal has a definite up side.
I've got relatives down in New Orlean's and they say the guy is very well liked across the political parties. He seems to be doing well straightening out the cluster ***k that is Louisiana, which is no small feat……..
oooh! can I be the devil next? I can get these neat little business cards and have 666 as my phone extension.
[...] Big Hollywood: Conservatives Need to Fire the Marketing Department Seth Mitchell, Big Hollywood: Karl Rove: Shining a Light in the Wilderness Clinging to G & G: Putting Out All the Forest Fires CBS News, Econwatch: It’s A Good [...]
ok.. not hungry anymore..
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