On what base does Rove have this huge reputation?
He managed to win 2 elections by the skin of his teeth in 2000 and 2004 that he should of won handily. He managed the utterly disastrous showing of the GOP in 2006 and 2008. And the election in 2002 had way more to do with the Post 09-11 election environment then anything Rove managed.
Rove's reputation is vastly overblown.
Great minds think alike.