Rove issues call for action to GOP conservatives

Boston Globe ^ | 2-19-05 | Nina J. Easton

[FlyLow]

WASHINGTON -- White House political strategist Karl Rove, the architect behind President Bush's reelection, told a cheering crowd of conservatives yesterday that the Republican Party had seized the mantle of idealism and reform from the Democrats, and should now move aggressively to implement its agenda.

Providing a glimpse into the GOP's line of attack for the 2006 midterm elections, Rove described Democrats as obstructionist and wedded to the past. "And that's not a good place to be in American politics," he told the Conservative Political Action Committee's annual convention.

About 4,000 activists from the political right gathered in a sprawling federal building named after conservative icon Ronald Reagan to celebrate Bush's victory and charge that the mainstream media is biased toward the left. Speakers during the first day of this three-day convention filled the hall with praise for bloggers, talk radio, and gun advocates -- and disdain for journalists, academics, and "snobs from Boston who are contemptuous of Sioux City," as Kayne Robinson of the National Rifle Association put it in a speech.

But Rove, who described the 2004 presidential race as a "steep mountain to climb," was the man of the hour as he stepped to the podium to proclaim conservatism "the dominant political creed in America." Another conservative political analyst, journalist Michael Barone, argued that the 2004 elections left "the most Republican electorate that we've had since polling was invented in 1935."

"I'm not saying there has to be a Republican majority" as long-lasting as the Democrats' post-FDR hold on power, said Barone, author of "The Almanac of American Politics."

"A lot will depend on the success or failure of President Bush and his proposals in Congress," he added. "But the numbers are there."

[demkicker]

God, please bless Karl Rove.

[kcvl]

[FlyLow]

Much better looking than most "Globers"

[NordP]

....God even gave him a Christmas birthday!

We're so blessed to have people in power, and making decisions --that are interested in power for the Countries' best interest, instead of their own (Dems).

[KenmcG414]

Dear Karl, Let the president know that conservatives will not stand idly by as the president relaxes standards for illegal aliens.

[ImpotentRage]

"Dear Karl, Let the president know that conservatives will not stand idly by as the president relaxes standards for illegal aliens."


Thank you! It is so interesting to me how Mr. Rove calls out to conservative Republicans when he and President Bush need them, but then kicks sand in our faces after the fact.

[Liz]

A recent Gallup poll said that while 70% of the DNC think the DNC needs an overhaul to change the way they are doing things (to try and emulate Republicans' successful grassroots approach) but only 7% thought the DNC should change their positions on issues. Even more chilling for Dims, is that 2004 Election polls indicate 34% called themselves conservative, 21% liberal

This is what DNC Howie and the Christian-haters are up against.

Conservative pro-life Christian voters made monumental contributions to GWB's 2004 vote totals. Pres Bush won with 63 Million Votes (13 million more than 2000).

The map, though impressive, conveys the misleading impression that blue state Catholics voted for Kerry (a CINO).

According to EWTN "The World Over Live" analysts, with the exception of VA, where Catholics spit 70/30 in favor of Bush, the majority of Catholic voters split 55/45 for Bush.....a whopping number of votes since Catholics number about 52 million Americans.

According to CNN exit polls, Bush voters included 38% of union members, 40% of those with union members in their households, 42% of those earning $15,000-$30,000, 44% of those who earn under $50,000 and 44% of Latinos, 45% of youth (aged 18-29), 13% of liberals—even 11% of Democrats voted for Bush.

If you look closely, the map appears to place the insignificant "Other Voters" in the ocean.....that's

[Smartaleck]

Dear Karl,

How about starting with a policy of getting back to more Conservative ideals like less spending and less gov't..

While the events of 911 have certainly changed priorities, it might be a good idea to go back and look at Newt's Contract with America. Worked pretty good as a blueprint for better gov't.

Thanks

[Cicero]

You can't trust a liberal source to quote Rove accurately, but I'm a bit wondering about his lack of mention of the importance of religion and the pro-life vote.

Rove has always been weak on those issues, but I would hope he learned something from the last two or three elections.

It used to be that Republicans were cautious about raising the issue of abortion, for fear of calling down the press on their heads. But recent elections have shown that a publicly articulated pro-life position is a political winner.

Hillary evidently understands that. I hope Rove does too. Because protection of the right to life is the bottom line for millions of those extra voters who came out in 2004. And they are in no mood for another bait and switch. Bush is sincerely pro-life. I hope Rove also gets the clue.

[politicalwit]

Isn't is amazing that Karl and Company can come up with massive spending, new entitlements, amnesty for illegals, CFR, continued funding for NEA and other trash programs then ask "conservatives" for their support.

Sorry Karl...a lot of us "conservatives" are tired of your type of "conservatism."

[Stopislamnow]

Ditto.
Takes alot of cojones for him to issue a call to conservatives after "No child", illegal immigration, drug plan, etc.

Hey! They've done alot of good, but being on the FRINGE, I consider Bush and Co, conservative light.