I can’t speak about Rove’s intentions, only my own.
I am personally pissed when a conservative politician allows himself to be baited, so he’s thrown off message and puts his seat, as well as others in jeopardy. It’s not as though he’s a greenhorn. He’s a veteran politician who knows the media are not his friends and that they are actively looking for opportunity for stupid comments.
I know this issue shouldn’t have done that and voters should be bigger than that, but voters aren’t. Voters will vote against politicians over the smallest issues.
If that's the case, Obama has already lost by a super, super historical landslide. Game over. No need to campaign anymore. :-)