Rove warns Republicans: Shutdown could boost Obama

CNN ^ | 04/08/2011 | Alexander Mooney

[Responsibility2nd]

Washington (CNN) – Furloughed jobs, interrupted services, and the potential economic ramifications aside, top Republican strategist Karl Rove is warning a government shutdown is likely to strengthen President Obama's hand as he heads into his reelection campaign.

In his weekly polling memo, Rove notes the 1995 government shutdown bolstered President Clinton's image in the eyes of voters as a strong leader, positioning him for a relatively easy reelection victory one year later.

"The shutdowns helped improve Clinton's political standing, boosting both his approval rating and perceptions of him as a strong leader," writes Rove. "At the time, poll watchers noted that, 'the only time Clinton's ratings have improved substantially the past year as a result of his actions has been when he adopted a strategy of confrontation.'"

Rove reports Clinton's approval rating saw nearly a double-digit jump during the 1995 government shutdown and continued to climb as the reelection campaign began in earnest.

[Robert Lomax]

Only in America.

[steve86]

I don’t know which side decided to hinge this whole government shutdown possibility over abortion - but God Bless whoever did it.

I'll second that!

[fwdude]

And the Republicans blame Democrats for making politically-based decisions....

Go away, Rove. Your day has come and long gone.

[prairiebreeze]

The republicans are going to blink. Being basically reported on Fox, it’s the republicans that are whispering about an “agreement”.

As usual.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

There are two people for whom I will not vote in the 2012 Presidential election: (1) the Rat candidate and (2) the person Rove supports in the GOP primaries.

[Howie66]

Hell....I just wish that he would go away.

[Randy Larsen]

Rove has been the anchor holding back the Republican party for the last twelve years!

Time for him to go back to Texas.

[Cheerio]

Hey Rove - The reason why we have Obozo in the WH is because of you and your ex-boss.

[ColdOne]

If the Republicans do not give in I will be surprised. I am so over them! Tea Party baby!

[silverleaf]

to Karl Rove

nuts

great job you did for GWB during his past 4 years, btw
sarc

[Rocky]

Rove should stick to working on his weather machine.

[vox_freedom]

“Seriously” indeed.
I’ve lost all patience with Rove and the horse he rode in on...

[TCH]

DITTO!

STFU, you RINO Rumpswab!

[JPG]

Dear Tokyo Rove, Zakenna!!

[org.whodat]

Rove “pig boy” Rove is such an A-hole.

[Gaffer]

I heard Sean Hannity on the radio sucking up sychophantically to Rove and today with Lieberman , by the way......he calls Rove the "Architect".....this architect had major influence over a supposedly Republican administration for at least 6 years with a Trifecta of Power (legislature, executive, and judicial)...they didn't do shit! They squandered our money, pissed away our rights, and facilitated the incumbancy of the absolute worst, evil administration this country has ever seen!

If I were to meet Karl in person, this old man would bust his hand punching this bastard into next Wednesday.

[bert]

like it or not, he is right more than he is wrong.

He is a pragmatist rather than an ego driven radical

[cornfedcowboy]

5$ gas is gonna be Obama’s undoing. Government sut or not.

[petitfour]

I heard Juan Williams talking about how the Tea Party was very influential prior to the November elections but that they are down in public opinion polls. I guess he thinks the Tea Party needs to come out of the woodwork again if we want the government to make the cuts that need to be made. Does the public really believe that the federal government needs to be sending money to Planned Parenthood? I honestly do not know where a Planned Parenthood clinic is in any of the places we’ve lived. Do they really exist? Do they do anything valuable? I vaguely recall that we met someone in the last few years who mentioned that HE got a vasectomy via PP. But he could have done that any number of places.

[HungarianGypsy]

1995: No matter what you think of Clinton, those were near boom years. Government shutdown sucked, but Clinton was charismatic and most people weren't already hurting.

2011: Unemployment rate is skyrocketing, just like the gas prices. We are in a number of wars. Obama doesn't even PRETEND to care about anyone other than his next high priced meal or social engagement.

Completely different scenario.