NYT: A Tough Road Ahead for Rove (Durbin Hopes Rove "Got Religion")

New York Times ^ | 11/19/06

[Mr. Brightside]

A Tough Road Ahead for Rove

By JIM RUTENBERG and ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: November 19, 2006

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 — Karl Rove, the top White House political strategist, is coming off the worst election defeat of his career to face a daunting task: saving the president’s agenda with a Congress not only controlled by Democrats, but also filled with Republican members resentful of the way he and the White House conducted the losing campaign.

Things have not gotten off to a great start since the election. Democrats are taking Mr. Rove’s continued influence at the White House — as well as some of its recent moves, like nominating conservative judges for the federal bench — as a sign that Mr. Bush’s conciliatory pledges of bipartisanship will prove to be fleeting.

“Karl’s role has not been to serve as a bridge over troubled waters; he has tried to stir the waters as often as possible,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who will be the second-most powerful person in the Senate next year. “Maybe he got religion on Nov. 7, but we’ll see.”

[rj45mis]

Count me out as a supporter, thanks

Bye..Bye!

[Mr. Brightside]

Personally, I am offended that someone like Richard Durbin uses the phrase "got religion."

It's like David Duke using the phrase "mighty white of you."

[JerseyJohn61]

My three main gripes with Bush and Rove over the past
6 years have been: Spending, Immigration and their
insistence in not confronting the vicious Democratic
LIE machine, head on.

Rove and Bush, seem to have an approach of over-
gentrfication. As if, by staying "above the fray",
they somehow will appear more pure in intention,
motive and action.

With the constant onslaught from the radical left,
it took the Administration far too long to realize
that they were losing the middle-ground of American
opinion, particularly with Iraq, and the WOT.

Even a Gentleman most realize that after enough
low blows have been thrown, that it is DAMN well
time to "take the gloves off".

Recognizing this took the administration far too long.
Tony Snow, who is an excellent Press Sec., was a move
in that right direction, but that in itself was too little
too late.

Now that the Bush/Rove team finds itself in a defensive
legislative position, it will be interesting too see
what type of counteroffensive capabilities Mr Rove
can procure. Before term's end, we may be referring
to Karl as a TRULY magnificent bastard yet.....JJ61

[oceanview]

they voted to empower an ultra-left party, these "blue dogs" aren't going to stand up for anything.

[petkus]

Turbin Durbin the Catholic Pro Abortion Senator and good friend of the Sisters of St. Casmir in Chicago and the Cardinal George of Chicago.

[Phlap]

Be the director of political activity in the most political place on the planet without any political power has got to suck.

[B4Ranch]

Just where was this republican majority with courage supposed to come from? By reelecting the incumbents who for the past 6 years have given us the middle finger? Don't make me laugh. This isn't a comedy.

[Finalapproach29er]

Government IS religion to the left.

God-mocking punks.

[demkicker]

....and don't forget the clown of the Senate