Posted on 04/03/2010 9:14:23 AM PDT by Zakeet
From William F. Buckley Jr. to Barry Goldwater to Ronald Reagan, the creators of the modern conservative movement always taught that excessive concentration of power in government leads inevitably to corruption and the diminution of personal freedoms. But while Rove credits these leaders for shaping his early political views -- ... he did not pursue their values while in the White House. To the contrary, as the chief political architect of the Bush presidency, Rove was instrumental in directing an administration most notable for its enormous expansion of national government.
[Snip]
The truly unique aspects of Bush and Rove's compassionate conservatism were in the arenas of education and entitlements. The goals of Bush's No Child Left Behind education initiative were certainly worthy, but its trampling of states' rights sounded early alarms for traditional conservatives. And Bush's market-oriented proposals for Social Security reform notwithstanding, the Medicare prescription drug benefit the president signed into law in 2003 has created an unfunded liability of $9.4 trillion over the next 75 years, according to the 2009 report from the Medicare trustees. This is far beyond what the White House estimated would be saved with Social Security reform, and the first new major entitlement since the days of Lyndon Johnson.
[Snip]
In his memoir, Rove defends the Bush record as a truly conservative one. ... "Just look at his tax cuts, pro-life and pro-family stands; his support of free trade and reducing regulation; his belief that competition improves health care, the environment and Social Security; and his insistence on education results."
But the results speak otherwise. In total, Bush increased federal spending on domestic programs more than any president since Richard Nixon, easily surpassing Bill Clinton, Carter and his own father, so much so that by 2008, America had two big-government parties.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
As I always used to tell my left-wing friends:
“I don’t know what you all are whining about. Bush is the best Democrat the Republicans ever elected!”
I really enjoyed listening to Rove’s recent interview with Rush Limbaugh. Rush did not interrupt or talk over Rove, kept all questions on point and focused, and in about 10 minutes I knew why we were left with nothing of the Reagan revolution at the end of the Bush-Clinton-Bush years of complacency.
The ‘architect’. Heh. More like the ‘arsonist’.
You mean to tell me the WAPO knows what a conservative is? They still do not get the tea pary movement.
I think the first “neo-conservatives” were responsible for the Tower of Babel.
I agree with your sentiments, but would point out that Ford never, ever pretended to be a conservative.
Republicans have to have a positive plan and mean it. The Roves of the world don't stand for anything but their own viability. He was a horrible adviser, and contributed to Bush being absolutely tone deaf. Like you said, neither of those elections should have been as close as they were, and Bush had next to zero credibility by the end of his presidency.
Hannity calls Rove, “the architect.” He's certainly that. He built this political outhouse we live in right now.
Rove’s next book should be about how he and W managed to move Republican’s from arguably their strongest position of power in anyone’s memory in 2004, to one of their weakest positions in memory by 2008.
“Hannity calls Rove, “the architect.” He’s certainly that. He built this political outhouse we live in right now. “
Karl Rove is the “Architect”? Rove and GWB were a two man GOP Wrecking Crew. Some Architect. Tom Delay (dancing with the stars) was another one.
You are completely right. Just about a year ago it was considered “heresy” to say anything critical about George W. Bush. Hannity and Limbaugh were also roped into the defend Bush club.
Fortunately, people are starting to wake up to what hit us in the last decade, and how we came to have a marxist in the White House now.
Response: Probably true but one gives him a hearing anyway. We are not mind numbed robots; Mr. Rove's statements can be checked in most instances.
Look up “Karl Rove Religion”. He was raised as a Mormon, but some say he is agnostic or atheist.
I don’t know, possibly some misguided perception somewhere.
I agree with the criticisms in the article, but am less sure that Karl gave them out of personal conviction than out of a belief that these actions would grow the GOP. For ex, we are all familiar with Karl’s belief that the GOP is the natural place for Hispanics because of their family values. He still believes this despite years of contrary election results.
My best guess is that Karl is more conservative personally than the advice he gave Dubya but thought some of these hare-brained ideas would bring more people into the GOP. I do enjoy his appearances on FOX.
Karl Rove is a political tactitian. I’ve never heard him referred to as a conservative.
I guarantee that none of them have, nor will read Rove's book.
He can't continue to be the antiChrist (as he is, coincidentally, to the radical left), if they actually know what he thinks.
.Before 2008...during 2007 when the illegal immigration salvo hit me smack in the head, I, as well as many here, overlooked & overlooked & overlooked many red flags...
...once I was gobsmacked, there was no turning back...my eyes were open.
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