Karl Rove: McCain Couldn't Compete With Obama's [Crooked] Money

The Wall Street Journal ^ | DECEMBER 3, 2008, 11:28 P.M. ET | Karl Rove

[Dionysius]

Please add “Pandemic voter fraud”.

[Duke Nukum]

True, the comparison is only valid in that both led terrible campaigns. Except McCainez actually gave us something to be excited about with Governor Palin as his VP nominee. Jack Kemp was terrible and the VP debate was just so non-eventish.

But both candidates point to problems in the RNC machinery.

[Night Hides Not]

McCain was the worst candidate since Bob Dole.

At least Bob Dole has a sense of humor...

There was never a consistent message coming from McCain. It drove me batty at times. Obama kept teeing it up for him during the debates, but McCain rarely, if ever, took advantage of Obama's blunders.

I'd also like to point a finger at the weasels that ran McCain's campaign. Any candidate that hires these folks in future campaigns will be hard-pressed to get my vote. And I want to see the names of those that anonymously trashed Sarah.

To be sure, the big finger is pointed directly at the candidate, but we knew what we were getting when he outlasted the other candidates.

[ANGGAPO]

There is one thing for sure, someone owns Obama from the feet up. George Sores? (Bet I spelled that wrong)

[DuncanWaring]

He obviously didn’t want to be.

[nathanbedford]

I had forgotten the first and did not know your second point. Thanks for laying out the facts.

[Dionysius]

Not my POTUS. Barfsack is not constitutionally qualified and was elected by massive voter fraud and illegal fund raising. He is not due the respect of the office.

[ruthles]

I adored Dole, but why didn’t a media expert train in him communication? He spoke over people’s heads. Mc Cain did the same thing. Dole had charm, personality, etc. This is a problem in the RNC. They need to learn to translate their thoughts for the lesser informed. My God, Obama speaks at about the third grade level, and it works. People understand him. It’s frustrating.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”You think Barack Obama reflects the values of the average American voter?”

That's called a rhetorical question. I was commenting on a statement you made about McCain. But, here's a rhetorical answer, : McCain/GWB gave us Obama Pelosi and now he will cross sides again to help them.

Obama obviously did a better campaign job selling himself as ' best reflects the values of the average American voter' thanMcCain, national review points out why in “Why McCain Lost”. His campaign was crappy.

[tommix2]

Anyone who thinks that is delusional. McCain lost precisely because he was a lousy candidate. He was relieved when he lost.

Right. McCain's performance was like as if he had been blackmailed to throw the election to Obama. His performance was that bad. He is an old man and spoke like he had two marbles in his mouth.

[Cyber Liberty]

I agree with that. I think Rove knows it, and he’s talking about it now because he wants to convince the next candidate in 2012 to forgo public financing.

[GVnana]

WE know of our disputes with McCain’s positions on any number of issues, but I still believe that, as a candidate to the broader public, McCain was much closer in sentiments to the majority of Americans than Obama was or ever will be.

[ANGGAPO]

Not necessarily so. If someone has an unpopular agenda and can buy an American President, he is well on his way to make it happen.

[sickoflibs]

RE Jack Kemp was terrible

I forgot all about him. That’s why I stayed home 1996. What a wimpy jerk! and in 1993 many were selling Kemp as next candidate. Pro-government, pro-quota’s, pro-welfare with capital gains tax cuts.

[GVnana]

Not my POTUS. Barfsack is not constitutionally qualified and was elected by massive voter fraud and illegal fund raising. He is not due the respect of the office.

Shades of Gore supporters in 2000!

[Ceoman]

I agree. What also happened was the media...print, TV, etc. Magazine covers all about Obama. No negative press coverage.

[ANGGAPO]

You Got It Right.

[mkjessup]

McCain?... I never want to hear his name again, thanks.

You and me both FRiend, I gritted my teeth, took a deep breath, and I voted for the sonuvabitch NOT because he was my favorite for the Presidency, but because the prospect of a Communist-Muslim radical like 0bama in the White House was more disgusting and appalling.

McRINO ran a classic Bob Dole campaign, and like President Dole, he lost.

Now he needs to just STFU and go away.

[tommix2]

Most of the money probably came from Arab sheikhs and the Saudis, is my guess.

Isn't that against the law?

[Deb]

“If the FEC follows up...” Hahahahahahahahahahahaha...I’m sorry, what?