White House Stands Behind Rove Comments

Associated Press ^ | June 24, 2005 | Jim Abrams

[NewMediaFan]

I'd love to see Durbin come out on the Senate floor and demand an apology

...now that would be the height of lunacy.

[Soul Seeker]

WASHINGTON - A White House official said Friday the administration finds it "somewhat puzzling" that Democrats are demanding presidential adviser Karl Rove's apology or resignation for implying that liberals are soft on terrorism.

"I think Karl was very specific, very accurate, in who he was pointing out," communications director Dan Bartlett said. "It's touched a chord with these Democrats. I'm not sure why."

HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Bartlett, appearing on morning news shows Friday, said that Rove was referring in his talk to Moveon.org, a liberal group that has been identified with movie producer Michael Moore.

"It's somewhat puzzling why all these Democrats ... who responded forcefully after 9-11, who voted to support President Bush's pursuit of the war on terror, are now rallying to the defense of Moveon.org, this liberal organization who put out a petition in the days after 9-11 and said that we ought not use military force in responding to 9-11," Bartlett said on NBC's "Today" show. "That is who Karl Rove cited in that speech ... There is no need to apologize."

Yeah, it is puzzling. {snicker] Ah, I love our Administration.

So, tell us Chuckie. Hillary. Kerry. Why ARE you rallying to defend moveon.org? Why DOES Michael Moore sit next to Jimmy at your convention? If you are such strong supporters of the troops, why would you associate with these people? Accept money from them? Accept their political services?

[plangent]

It's because these dysfunctional people think of themselves
first as liberals (oh, it hit home) and only secondarily as
Democrats....but they can't discern any distance between the two.

[JustaCowgirl]

LOL! PLEASE don't go in that briar patch, Brer Wolf, PLEASE don't.

[FlipWilson]

It was absolutely hysterical to watch Plastic Face Pelosi yesterday. "They (referring to Republicans) are desperate and have their backs against the wall", is what she kept repeating during a press conference. I love it. The next election is over a year away, the Republicans control the House, Senate and Presidency and they are desperate. Just great stuff from the leader of a self-deluded bunch.

[FlipWilson]

The point being, however, is that democrats try to have it both ways. They undermine our war effort. Yet, the second you point that out to them, they say things like "you are questioning our patriotism" or "you can't group us with moveon.org and other groups, we are not liberals." Well, Rove did say liberals and the democrats did react. I love the White House approach here, stretched a bit it might be, but nonetheless, the dems instantly lept when Rove said "liberal." Oh, and if you hear Rove's speech, I do believe he did mention moveon.org.

[NC28203]

>>>Oh, and if you hear Rove's speech, I do believe he did mention moveon.org.

He did mention it, but even most of the well informed folks here at FR failed to pick up on that fact. If one reviews the posts in these Rove threads one gets the impression that they believe he is referring to Democrats in general and not just Moveon.org.

[ZULU]

O.K. "DICK" Turban.

[texan75010]

When you tell the truth about a liberal they simply cannot handle it. This is another in a long line of examples where they put all their eggs in one basket, thinking that they have a fool proof plan to embarrass the President, only to end up with another humiliating defeat. The more they cry foul the more irrelevant the become. They are their own worst enemy and the MSM, under the assumption that they are going to put the screws to the administration, puts it out on full display so the world sees how idiotic these people are.

It's kind of like a horrible car wreck that you want to turn away from, but morbid curiosity makes you look.

[kenth]

I'm sure Pelosi learned the phrase "grotesque mistake" at an early age, having heard her parents mumble it under their breath any time she was around.

[Neville72]

THANK YOU KARL ROVE!!! HIT' EM AGAIN, HIT 'EM AGAIN, HARDER, HARDER!!!!!

[TGOGary]

That's the line of today as far as I am concerned. You just help polish off a great week, thanks.

[Cultural Jihad]

Well said.

Funny that Mr. Rove talked about 'liberals,' and the Democratic leadership rose up to squeal about it. He might as well have said '5th columnists, sunshine patriots, and carpetbagger demagogues,' and the same crowd would have stomped their self-identifying feet.

[FlipWilson]

I think, perhaps, I did not make my point clearly. Most of the well imformed people here at freerepublic know damn well that Moveon.org and Michael Moore speak for the democrats. To a freeper, when Rove mentions moveon.org, we instantly associate it with the dems.

But, the dems want to perserve an illusion. Namely, they want Dean and Moveon.org to put forth their wild views on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the democrats try to maintain plausible deniability by claiming they have nothing to do with Moveon.org or Michael Moore, something that is patently absurd. Look at Hillary, for example.

Along came Rove and made the absolutely correct statement about how "liberals (moveon.org)" are approaching the war on terror. What happens? The democrats react faster than you can count to three. But wait, I thought the democrats were different from moveon.org and Michael Moore. Today, the White House spokesman takes the same approach, only highlighting what we already know. Ther is NO difference.

The illusion is gone. Rove's approach was artful and genius. The democrats have no more cover. They are firmly associated with moveon.org, even the ever careful Hillary Clinton.

[FormerACLUmember]

Karl Rove, American Hero and Savior of the Nation.

[Stultis]

Dan Bartlett said. "It's touched a chord with these Democrats. I'm not sure why."

Hehehe. No, that should be "rope," Dan, not "chord". It rhymes with "dope".

[cubreporter]

Way ta go White House. Karl was right, right, right. As for the whiny dem/libs they are all bellyaching right now because if I may borrow a line from some movie..."They can't HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!"

[Chances Are]

"Nattering nabobs of negativism..."

"An effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals..."

"Limousine Liberals..."

Ahhh, the beauty of it. All things old are new again!

CA....

[Stultis]

He did mention it, but even most of the well informed folks here at FR failed to pick up on that fact. If one reviews the posts in these Rove threads one gets the impression that they believe he is referring to Democrats in general and not just Moveon.org.

So what? I mean what follows from your whine? If Rove's remarks were clear, correct and cogent -- as they were -- why should he be responsible for any delay, inadequacy or (in the case of 'Rats) unwillingness to understand them? Why should the 'Rats be exonerated, even partially, from blame for their baseless attacks just because a few others made similar (if less intentional) mistakes.

Furthermore a coordinated attack, such as the 'Rats are mounting, is the result of considered strategic decisions by professional politicians. And their attack has been prosecuted on the floor of congress and in comments and questions during official hearings. This is hardly comparable to off-the cuff comments by bloggers and bulletin board users.