Posted on 12/07/2011 11:24:44 AM PST by TitansAFC
Karl Rove isn’t officially affiliated with any of the GOP candidates, but if you listen to him, it’s becoming increasingly clear he has a favorite. We’re not the first to notice, but Karl Rove seems firmly in the Mitt Romney camp. What’s more, he’s goes on TV a lot to lob attacks at just about every other candidate.
Rove has taken a stab at just about every candidate other than Romney, and on Tuesday it was Newt Gingrich’s turn. With multiple polls showing Newt Gingrich surging in Iowa, Rove took to Fox News, to undermined the former speaker:
“If in the polls newt is leading by 10 or 11 or 12 points going into the Iowa caucuses and doesn’t win by that margin people are going to say, well, he didn’t meet his mark. That is a challenge for somebody who has not built organization.”Basically, Rove is framing the Iowa caucuses in such a way that, even if Newt wins, a victory by less than 10 points is interpreted as a loss. Rove’s point is that Gingrich has “momentum” but no “organization,” which means he is likely to underperform relative to his poll numbers, and thus that he’s all fluff. If Newt does win Iowa on January 3, expect Rove back on TV making the same argument.
Add Tuesday’s appearance to a long list of attacks against everyone but Mitt that TPM has been tracking for months now. As each candidate rises and falls, Rove is there to swat them away.
Since Newt’s rise, Rove has dedicated the last week or so to naming Newt’s flaws. Way back in October, and well before the infamous Libya flub, he questioned whether Herman Cain was “up to the task.” And when Rick Perry was considered a serious threat to Romney, Rove was quick to point out that Perry’s position on Social Security, which he called a Ponzi scheme, was politically “toxic.” (Rove would know, seeing as he was an adviser to Bush when he tried to privatize Social Security, but that’s beside the point). Perry was up-and-coming, and Rove tried to scare supporters away.
It’s one thing for Donald Trump to play Republican king-maker, but Rove’s approval comes with a lot of cash. Rove runs the super PAC American Crossroads, which shares a board member with Romney’s own super PAC, Restore Our Future — a connection that both Crossroads and Romney’s camp has denied is meaningful. Either way, the Rove primary is an important one to win, and while Gingrich may be surging in Iowa and South Carolina, it seems he’s got a long way to go on this one.
To prevent Romney from getting the NOMINATION. One shouldn’t type and talk on the phone at the same time.
Taking Newt out of the equation for a moment... As one who worked on a several major Republican campaigns during the Bush-43 years I can say first hand that Rove has nothing but contempt for grassroots conservatives.
I'd hope it could be a referendum on the beltway, but the way the polls are going that ain't going to happen. Newt is an idea man but, he is not about to rock the beltway boat. He'd be hugging Nancy again in a matter of weeks, I fear.
Everytime I see his bloated RINO face, I get sick. Please join your buddy David Gergen and get a job at CNN.
Remember how furious the arrogant, pompous Rove was when O’Connell beat the establishment republican, Castle to run against Coons? the republican party would not give her any funding...she was the Tea Party Candidate and Rove is anti Tea Party.
Rove wants Romney and is shocked at how well Newt is doing without the big bucks Romney has...I am fed up with Fox News
FUKR!
Rove is a hired campaign manager.
If grass roots can be done for free.
who needs “a Rove”, just like the internet exposed the fake reporters of the newspapers, the grassroots have negated the need for “any rove”.
this is a personal turf war
If Rove is so good, how did GWB go from a lead in the polls to losing the popular vote in 2000?
Karl Rove is a damn fool.
Colin Powell, Peggy Noonan, and George Will are saving a seat at the table. They're hoping the architect claims it before Christie shows up and eats all the pie.
ahahah - I am SO enjoying the meltdown of the EILER&F club:
Establishment Ivy League Elitist Republicans & Friends -
Along with Tokyo Rove, there’s Wills, Kraughthammer, Coulter - and even Greta seems to be nervous - et al.
They never envisioned a time they would not be the ruling cabal that decides who our candidates will be.
I love the new look on Romney’s face. The plastic smile in the blank face has turned into a deer-in-the-headlights look with a “But but - it’s MY TURN!” confusion.
They are all staring irrelevancy in the face. The bubble is leaking out of their champagne. Panic is setting in and becoming palpable.
and now, today, the ACU has endorsed the Trump debate AND McCain has endorsed Romney. One-two punch.
I’m buying stock in popcorn.
I’m actually smiling these days.
Rove....you magnificent evil, conniving, clueless bastard! Just STFU and go somewhere by yourself, in fact, take your elitist Rino friends & Romney with you! Just STFU!
Who even listens to that troll anymore?
You should have the Moderator delete that remark. Its not appropriate here! Not cute at all.
Rove is anti-TEA Party. He was always bashing Sarah Palin. He hates independent thinkers and fighters, so naturally Newt is in his cross-hair.
Like Trump said, "Rove is highly overrated and basically a loser."
LOLOLOLOLOL.
Lily white legs!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.