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Rove to GOP: Don't Grow 'Tired or Timid'
Yahoo! News ^ | DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press

Posted on 02/17/2005 11:30:42 AM PST by Tarpaulin

WASHINGTON - Karl Rove, President Bush (news - web sites)'s top political strategist, on Thursday pronounced conservatism the "dominant political creed in America" and coached fellow conservatives on how to support his boss.

"The next time one of your smarty-pants liberal friends says to you, `Well, he didn't have a mandate,' you tell him of this delicious fact: This president got a higher percentage of the vote than any Democratic candidate for president since 1964," Rove said.

In 2004, Bush was re-elected with about 51 percent of the vote. In 1976, Jimmy Carter received just over 50 percent and in the two times Bill Clinton (news - web sites) was elected, he received under 50 percent of the vote; Independent Ross Perot (news - web sites) was on the ballot both times.

Bush is the first president since Franklin Roosevelt to be re-elected while his party gained seats in the House and Senate, Rove continued. But he also cautioned his conservative supporters that they must not become complacent with the 2004 victory.

"Republicans cannot grow tired or timid," he said.

Rove told a gathering at the Conservative Political Action Conference that Bush is committed to the members' ideas of fostering morality and values, including protecting the culture of life for every human person — a goal that generated applause from the crowd at the Ronald Reagan (news - web sites) Building and International Trade Center.

"Conservatism is the dominant political creed in America," Rove said, adding that more needed to be done.

He also said the administration was committed to spreading democracy across the Middle East and reforming and modernizing Social Security (news - web sites), health care, public education and the tax code.

"Those who oppose this agenda are in a difficult position," Rove said. "They're attempting to block reforms to systems that almost every serious-minded person concedes need reform. ... That's not a good place to be in American politics."

Rove was introduced by Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the National Rifle Association, who said Rove — recently given the extra title of deputy chief of staff — was a fan of a former President William McKinley's political guru. Rove said he wasn't a fan of his McKinley counterpart, but of McKinley himself because he was in charge.

"The president reminds me of that all the time," Rove joked.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government
KEYWORDS: bushvictory; cpac; gop; nogutsnoglory; rove; timidtoillegals
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1 posted on 02/17/2005 11:30:47 AM PST by Tarpaulin
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To: Tarpaulin

When Rove talks, people listen. This is good stuff. I have a lot of respect for this guy.


2 posted on 02/17/2005 11:41:20 AM PST by mlbford2 ("Never wrestle with a pig; you can't win, you just get filthy, and the pig loves it...")
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To: Tarpaulin

Karl Rove is not the genius he's made out to be. He is a product of the luck of the times in which he is working. He's a product of the move to the right, not the cause of the shift.


3 posted on 02/17/2005 11:43:32 AM PST by wartman
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To: Tarpaulin
Well, he didn't have a mandate,' you tell him of this delicious fact: This president got a higher percentage of the vote than any Democratic candidate for president since 1964," Rove said.

HUBBA HUBBA!!

4 posted on 02/17/2005 11:43:51 AM PST by JesseJane (KERRY: I have had conversations with leaders, yes, recently.That's not your business, it's mine.)
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To: Tarpaulin

I hope Rove is hired by the next GOP candidate for president.


5 posted on 02/17/2005 11:46:27 AM PST by areafiftyone (The Democrat's Mind: The Hamster's dead but the wheel's still spinning!)
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To: Tarpaulin

Message to Karl Rove:

I'm neither tired nor timid, but I want illegal immigration stopped and rolled back as well.


6 posted on 02/17/2005 12:03:21 PM PST by Pittsburg Phil
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To: Tarpaulin

The bitch is simply unable to spell out percentage that got Clinton (it was 43% in 1992 and I do not remember the number for 1996) elected.


7 posted on 02/17/2005 12:06:31 PM PST by alex
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To: Tarpaulin
Yes, I believe Klinton got a "Mandate for Change" headline in "Time" when he garnered 43% of the vote.

Bush got a strong mandate.

8 posted on 02/17/2005 12:09:15 PM PST by KC_Conspirator (This space outsourced to India)
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To: Tarpaulin

Good for Rove. And this is an AP article which should make the Democrat have nervous breakdowns.


9 posted on 02/17/2005 12:16:14 PM PST by Peach (The Clintons pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured or killed.)
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To: wartman
Karl Rove is not the genius he's made out to be.

Oh you are so right buddy-roe. Look at how Bob Schrum shredded Rove last November, eh? President Kerry doesn't know how lucky he is that Rove was running the GWB campaign eh? Heh.
10 posted on 02/17/2005 1:09:18 PM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: Mad Mammoth

Perhaps if you read my post you could respond with an intelligent answer.

I recognized that Karl Rove has had success, but the rightward shift of the electorate is not a result of his planning....his success is a result of the slightly rightward shift of the people in this country.


11 posted on 02/17/2005 4:19:08 PM PST by wartman
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To: wartman
Karl Rove is not the genius he's made out to be.

Now let's consider this for a minute. Your comments suggest that Rove is nothing but some lucky bum who happened to be in the right place at the right time. That is the same flawed logic employed by the liberal/left unintelligentsia to try and 'prove' that Ronald Reagan wasn't responsible for the West winning the Cold War, oh no, he was 'just in the right place at the right time' according to the revisionists who cannot STAND the idea that Reagan in fact changed the entire equation, politically, socially, economically and strategically on a global scale. Reagan correctly analyzed what was happening at home and abroad, and he not only acted upon his accurate observations, he was able to influence events for a favorable outcome for America, for the world, and for himself politically. George W. Bush (and Karl Rove) are no different. They are master politicians, and even Emperor Billigula admitted that Bush was one helluva politician. But great politicians go nowhere unless they have surrounded themselves with people who not only think as they do, but are capable of 'making things happen'. Rove is a mover and shaker, don't delude yourself otherwise.

He is a product of the luck of the times in which he is working. He's a product of the move to the right, not the cause of the shift.

Rove didn't change his beliefs to adapt to that 'move to the right' you speak of. And nobody has suggested that the political winds shifted all because of Karl Rove. That assertion is just a straw man you constructed. Why, we can only speculate.

Now as for you thinking my answer wasn't 'intelligent' enough for your liking, try this on for size:

I submit to you my illustrious college Freeper, that Karl Rove IS a freakin' genius, because it takes a genius to successfully direct and manage political operations and campaigns that result in your boss (meaning the President in this case) being not only re-elected, but increasing his strength across the board, Senate, House, Governorships, etc. Now one can look at the failure of the '92 Bush-I campaign and point to any number of reasons why GHWB didn't win that second term, but a prime reason which is seldom spoken of is the fact that in that crucial '92 election, a political genius that had guided the Bush/Quayle campaign to it's '88 win died way too soon, in March '91 from cancer. The genius' name?

Lee Atwater (Rest In Peace my friend!)

Believe this my FRiend, Karl Rove IS the second coming of Lee Atwater.

So how do ya like me NOW?!? LOL :)
12 posted on 02/17/2005 5:01:11 PM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: Tarpaulin
"Republicans cannot grow tired or timid," he said.

Message recieved and understood General!

13 posted on 02/17/2005 5:03:42 PM PST by Cold Heat (What are fears but voices awry?Whispering harm where harm is not and deluding the unwary. Wordsworth)
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To: Tarpaulin

'But he also cautioned his conservative supporters that they must not become complacent with the 2004 victory. "Republicans cannot grow tired or timid," he said.'

Let this be our mantra! I, for one, will NOT back down and look forward to grinding a few more Wisconsin socialists into the dust come the 2006 elections!

Time flies, so study up! Be informed about your local, county, state and national candidates from Dog Catcher on up. Make phone calls. Help the Candidates of your choice with money and manpower to get the Conservative message out there.

"We're Square! We're Here! And There's Nothin' You Can Do About It!"


14 posted on 02/17/2005 5:18:59 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Mad Mammoth
Now let's consider this for a minute. Your comments suggest that Rove is nothing but some lucky bum who happened to be in the right place at the right time. That is the same flawed logic employed by the liberal/left unintelligentsia to try and 'prove' that Ronald Reagan wasn't responsible for the West winning the Cold War

The problem with what you're saying is that just because the argument is similar doesn't make my argument invalid. If one was to believe what you are saying here, then they'd have to believe that there is no such thing as "being in the right place at the right time" because sometimes, that argument is used in an incorrect way. What you're saying here makes absolutely no sense and is a poor choice of argument.

Rove didn't change his beliefs to adapt to that 'move to the right' you speak of. And nobody has suggested that the political winds shifted all because of Karl Rove. That assertion is just a straw man you constructed. Why, we can only speculate.

Are you paying attention? Every pundit, whether on the right or on the left, claims this rightward shift of the electorate, in the form of the increasing majorities in the Senate, House, and Governorships, and the re-election of President Bush, is a result of the blueprints of the "architect" Karl Rove.

I submit to you my illustrious college Freeper, that Karl Rove IS a freakin' genius, because it takes a genius to successfully direct and manage political operations and campaigns that result in your boss (meaning the President in this case) being not only re-elected, but increasing his strength across the board, Senate, House, Governorships, etc. Now one can look at the failure of the '92 Bush-I campaign and point to any number of reasons why GHWB didn't win that second term, but a prime reason which is seldom spoken of is the fact that in that crucial '92 election, a political genius that had guided the Bush/Quayle campaign to it's '88 win died way too soon, in March '91 from cancer.

Once again, I believe this to be a mischaracterization of basic history. GHWB ran in '88 against a Kerry-type figure, who had little chance to win over the American public. The loss in '92 has to do with breaking his no new taxes pledge and the fact he ran against one of the most slimy, and frankly effective, politicians of all time.
15 posted on 02/17/2005 5:38:33 PM PST by wartman
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To: wartman
Now let's consider this for a minute. Your comments suggest that Rove is nothing but some lucky bum who happened to be in the right place at the right time. That is the same flawed logic employed by the liberal/left unintelligentsia to try and 'prove' that Ronald Reagan wasn't responsible for the West winning the Cold War
The problem with what you're saying is that just because the argument is similar doesn't make my argument invalid. If one was to believe what you are saying here, then they'd have to believe that there is no such thing as "being in the right place at the right time" because sometimes, that argument is used in an incorrect way. What you're saying here makes absolutely no sense and is a poor choice of argument.


To the contrary, the fact that I have cited an example (Reagan in this case) does not necessarily mean that (as you said) 'there is no such thing as "being in the right place at the right time", in the cases of Reagan (and Rove, the object of your disdain), it was NOT a case of 'being in the right place at the right time', it was a case of two distinct individuals correctly perceiving the changing directions of history, understanding the dynamics, and riding the wave. As fervent as your assertions may be that my 'argument makes no sense', it makes all the sense in the world, and if you wish to point out 'poor choices' in this widdle tit for tat we're having here, it was (*ahem*) a "poor choice" for you to begin by stating that 'Karl Rove is not the genius he's made out to be', and while that may be your opinion, it is unsubstantiated opinion. Rove's results speak for themselves.

Rove didn't change his beliefs to adapt to that 'move to the right' you speak of. And nobody has suggested that the political winds shifted all because of Karl Rove. That assertion is just a straw man you constructed. Why, we can only speculate.
Are you paying attention? Every pundit, whether on the right or on the left, claims this rightward shift of the electorate, in the form of the increasing majorities in the Senate, House, and Governorships, and the re-election of President Bush, is a result of the blueprints of the "architect" Karl Rove.

EVERY pundit you say? Care to elaborate on that?

I submit to you my illustrious college Freeper, that Karl Rove IS a freakin' genius, because it takes a genius to successfully direct and manage political operations and campaigns that result in your boss (meaning the President in this case) being not only re-elected, but increasing his strength across the board, Senate, House, Governorships, etc. Now one can look at the failure of the '92 Bush-I campaign and point to any number of reasons why GHWB didn't win that second term, but a prime reason which is seldom spoken of is the fact that in that crucial '92 election, a political genius that had guided the Bush/Quayle campaign to it's '88 win died way too soon, in March '91 from cancer.
Once again, I believe this to be a mischaracterization of basic history. GHWB ran in '88 against a Kerry-type figure, who had little chance to win over the American public. The loss in '92 has to do with breaking his no new taxes pledge and the fact he ran against one of the most slimy, and frankly effective, politicians of all time.


Just out of curiosity my new FRiend, how old were you in '92?

I was there, and I remember it like yesterday, and I might add, that I had already cast votes for Richard Nixon (twice), Gerald Ford (once while holding my nose), Reagan (twice) and Bush-I (once, '88).

I suggest you re-examine that '88 contest, because Dukakis had a fair shot at winning the presidency, and he failed for a number of reasons, not the least of which was (brace yourself pal) the godawful campaign advice of noneother than Bob Schrum (yes THAT Bob Schrum) himself.

On the other hand, if your mind is already made up about all this, say the word and I won't continue to confuse you with the facts.
16 posted on 02/17/2005 8:47:26 PM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: Mad Mammoth

I can see we're having different opinions on what the facts are, so I'll attempt this a different way...

Was Dick Morris a genius? He ran a re-election campaign for a President who had low approval ratings, lost control of Congress in a disastrous midterm election, attempted a failure with the healthcare plan (All of which were organized without Morris) and ended up winning the election by a respectable margin? Shouldn't he be held in higher esteem on pure strategy than Karl Rove?


17 posted on 02/17/2005 10:21:24 PM PST by wartman
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To: wartman
Was Dick Morris a genius? He ran a re-election campaign for a President who had low approval ratings, lost control of Congress in a disastrous midterm election, attempted a failure with the healthcare plan (All of which were organized without Morris) and ended up winning the election by a respectable margin? Shouldn't he be held in higher esteem on pure strategy than Karl Rove?

You're comparing apples with oranges.

Or as you compare Rove vs. Morris, fingers vs. toes.

For whatever reasons, you appear hellbent to establish that Rove is unworthy of the accolades he has rightly received. Current political discourse would seem to place you in the minority view that Rove was (here we go again) 'just in the right place at the right time'.

Based on that, perhaps you would concede that Bill Clinton was economically 'in the right place at the right time', in that he reaped the political rewards of the economic upturn that was created by the departing Bush 41?

And you might want to recheck that whole 'low approval rating' you cite, as throughout the '96 campaign, Clinton seldom dropped below 50 percent, and in fact Bob Dole seldom got out of the 40's.

But to return to your question of 'Is Morris A Genius'?

Some would say yes, some would say absolutely not. What do YOU say?
18 posted on 02/18/2005 5:04:25 AM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: wartman
I recognized that Karl Rove has had success, but the rightward shift of the electorate is not a result of his planning....his success is a result of the slightly rightward shift of the people in this country.

While there has been a rightward shift of the electorate as a whole, it doesn't mean anything unless you can capitalize on it. Rove is the first Republican strategist in a long time to beat the Democrats in their turn-out-the-vote efforts.

19 posted on 02/18/2005 5:09:34 AM PST by ContraryMary
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To: wartman
Karl Rove is not the genius he's made out to be.

Right. Keep telling yourself that.

20 posted on 02/18/2005 5:13:06 AM PST by Howlin (Free the Eason Jordan Tape!!!)
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