Posted on 07/09/2013 6:21:18 AM PDT by DarkSavant
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Video has surfaced of GOP strategist Karl Rove calling U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, the "most liberal Republican."
Speaking during the Aspen Ideas Festival in late June, Rove criticized Amash's reputed staunch libertarian stances on legislation as antithetical to tackling issues in Washington.
The swipe came during a June 27 panel discussion about whether to include some libertarian tenets in Republican policy, which Rove cautiously advocated.
"The most liberal Republican is Justin Amash of Michigan. Far more liberal than any other Republican," said Rove, who was senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush.
"And why? Because he is a 100 percent, purist libertarian," Rove said, "and if it's not entirely perfect, 'I'm voting with (Democratic House minority leader) Nancy Pelosi."
Amash, who has racked up various accolades from conservative think-tanks and nonprofits for being among Congress' more conservative members, subtly shot back on Twitter.
"Which House Republican votes least often with Nancy Pelosi?" he tweeted Sunday night, linking to an OpenCongress.org scoresheet showing Pelosi votes least often with him.
An Amash spokesman declined further comment.
In any case, Rove might have been mistaken altogether, having cited National Journal magazine rankings as his source.
Each year the publication ranks what could be termed as the most "liberal" Republicans.
This year, Amash was ranked as the fifth most liberal GOP congressman. The top spot actually went to Rep. Chris Gibson, R-N.Y.
Another National Journal piece from this year said that among Republicans, Amash voted least often with his own party.
Amash is known for voting against legislation he deems unconstitutional, regardless of which party is pushing a certain bill.
That propensity has drawn the ire of critics who accuse Amash of being needlessly obtuse on issues like providing aid after Superstorm Sandy ravaged the East Coast in 2012.
Supporters fiercely defend his libertarian approach to legislating, and he has garnered substantial political celebrity among more conservative elements of the GOP.
Libertarian news site Reason.com posted the Rove video Monday. The site appeared to take umbrage with his characterization of Amash.
Only someone as clueless as Rove would equate libertarian with liberal.
Of Michigan congressional republicans, Fred Upton is the one I would vote off the island first.
I'm tired of the two headed Beast's good politician/bad politician kabuki play they keep snookering US with, to keep us sleeping and not pay attention to what they're building.
If Rove doesn't like U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, then that sounds like a dog whistle to send him a donation.
Upton is the lightbulb guy, right?
Yeah he needs a CFL screwed up his ass then yanked out quickly.
Rove got really stupid about the time he divorced...what, his second or third wife?
....and now I’ll need six months of therapy to get over that visual!!!!! (hope Obama Care will cover it)
Amash is so liberal he was booted off committees when RINO BONER clensed all the TeaParty/Conservatives from Committee positions a little over a year ago.
Hey Karl, tell us again how much Money you wasted on RINOs in the 2012 Campaign cycle.
He has been a total disaster so far as Republican projects are concerned.
See Karl Rove--Dysron, Quack or Mole, and some of the linked pieces that analyze Rove's behavior and "achievements."
William Flax
the Bush School - Big powerful government doing good.
They are the anti-Reagans - Government isn’t the problem, it’s the answer.
Amash is no tea party conservative...he just pretends to be.
His position on abortion is gross.
Be careful of the libertarians...they are far from conservative on several important issues.
Riiiiight. I’d just listen to the Bald Faced Liar Karl Rove for advice on candidates. /s
Rove is a washed up has been, that spent his political career screwing over Conservatives and is now wasting Millions on the Promotion of Open Border RINOS.
Look at Amash's record. He's no conservative.
I gave up supporting the Turds in the punch bowl. Just because Karl Rove says they taste great doesn’t mean I am gonna give it a try.
Jorge Delano Arbusto
Juan McAmnesty
Wilt Romney
They all had one thing in common. They tried to kiss the Left’s ass and got kicked for the effort. Millions try to tell them the ass they were kissing was attached to a donkey that will kick em in the head. So the party Leaders suffering from repeated head trama slaps on more lipstick and goes chasing after the Donkey.
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