Karl Rove isn't as smart as we thought he was

[CatWoman]

Pleasant Surprise of the Week
Karl Rove isn't as smart as we thought he was.
By Timothy Noah
Posted Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at 1:09 PM PT


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It's been rumored that the Republicans may invite Ron Reagan's more conservative half-brother, Michael, who opposes stem-cell research, to counter with a speech of his own at the Republican National Convention in New York. I'll bet John Kerry would love to be thrown into that briar patch. But it's hard to believe the GOP would be stupid enough to do it.
—Chatterbox, "Party of Stem Cells," Aug. 3.

According to a new poll done exclusively for American Demographics by Zogby International, if Kerry were to announce a major initiative in stem cell research to cure diseases such as Alzheimer's, which killed Reagan, Parkinson's, diabetes and spinal injuries, Kerry would gain a whopping 11 percent of Bush's voters. What's more, another 9 percent of Bush supporters say they'd switch to a third party, not vote, or be undecided.

<…>

Meanwhile, John Zogby, himself, has been asked by Republicans what Bush might do to keep moderates happy, and Zogby has found that stem cell research is a surprisingly attractive issue. Zogby says that while Kerry mulls it over, he should worry that Bush will wake up, suddenly embrace Nancy Reagan publicly and warm to her cause.
—Alicia Mundy, "Bush vs. Kerry: What Influences Swing Voters," on American Demographics' Web site, Aug. 9.

Republicans announced yesterday that Michael Reagan, who calls embryonic stem cell research "junk science," will speak at the national convention in New York.
—Ceci Connolly, "2 GOP Senators Defends Bush on Stem Cell Research," Washington Post, Aug. 13.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2105143/

[cliss]

1. Right. This administration has had me perplexed

for a long time. I see the astounding success they've had at elbowing their way in and smashing many structures that were set up for the good of the people.

And at the same time, I see incredible stupidity. People give Karl Rove far too much credit for being Bush's Brain. He's really nothing more than a petty thug who got lucky.

[yellowcanine]

2. I have never thought Rove was that smart. He basically has been lucky -

Remember - Bush LOST to Gore AND no one will ever convince me that Rove was not behind the pilfered debate video in 2000 - Rove was just lucky it was not pinned on him.

[LostInAnomie]

3. I read something on The Washington Monthly about bush on stem cell...

... research. Apparently, he has been looking at the polls and has been trying to float the idea that he is a champion of stem cell research, because he was the first pres. to sign a bill funding stem cell research. I guess he is hoping that we don't remember that his funding was for only 8 stem cell lines and he outlawed federal funding for anything else.

That would be a gift from god if Michael would get up there and go on an all out assault on stem cell research. Surely he isn't that stupid.

[CatWoman]

4. ....

[wicket]

5. The S-factor

That would be a gift from god if Michael would get up there and go on an all out assault on stem cell research. Surely he isn't that stupid.

Well, this is Michael Reagan we're talking about ;)

Check out his grotesque article written a little over 2 weeks after his father died: http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=4286

He's claiming to "know" how his dad felt about stem cells. I think Nancy knows a lot better than he.

[Cha]

11. They already had sour pickles out there "bashing Kerry"

for his position of stem cell research. How dumb was that?

[Bandit]

6. Maybe they can find someone to speak on Creationism also.

When it comes to Science matters the Republicans are bankrupt.

[Tight_rope]

7. Karl Rove is a "Punkass" who hides behind the majic curtain.

[bushwakker]

8. Rove is evil - but he's not a genius

It's pretty easy to win when you've got a sycophantic, pliant press corps at your feet and thousands of little local yokel Limbuagh wannabees on talk radio reading your script 24 hours a day. If the Fairness Doctrine still existed Al Gore would be president and the Dems would control both houses of congress. the problem isn't money -it's the media.

[Batgirl]

9. "I'm the Stem Cell President!"

not smart, just shameless

[Cha]

12. Right! Can you imagine how much smarter rove would

have to be if he didn't have the propoganda machine behind him 110%?

[bushwakker]

14. and they still didn't win. sometimes i wonder

how democrats win at all given the 24/7 gop propagnda that cascades through the nation's airwaves.

[Cha]

10. I guess the author of this piece didn' catch

pickles out there castigating Kerry on stem cell research..besides the bushes were on larry king not so live, saying what a bad idea it was.

So it's all Kerry's issue and I don't see why this writer thinks that it's a "surprisingly attractive issue" when who doesn't know someone who could be helped by it?

This is Huge!

[Mandate My Ass]

13. He has one move and one move only

the full frontal assault.

He's no Machiavelli, just a thug who is lucky enough to have people covering his back. If the playing field ever became more level, he'd be working the counter at a dry cleaner store.