MEMO TO THE GOP

A Way Out of the Wilderness

We've been walloped in consecutive elections, but we can't just dwell on the past. The future is already here.

By Karl Rove | NEWSWEEK
Published Nov 15, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Nov 24, 2008

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  • Posted By: ajon1600 @ 12/16/2008 12:30:11 PM

    The GOP is fast becoming the part of Limbaugh & Rove. If this is the way they want to be viewed by the American public, they will be a non-factor for years to come. They put the same tired people out there everyday with the same tired message, and most of the people who vote for them are dying. The party of tomorow is he party that knows how to effectively recruit and maintain a wide range of voters and ideas.

    The party of Limbaugh & Rove will keep the rolls of the Dems and Independents growing.

  • Posted By: Broncho @ 12/13/2008 10:16:58 AM

    The funniest thing ever was Rove's face when Obama won Ohio. I hope the Republicans continue to follow the advice of Karl Rove. it's pretty unbelievable this guy still has any voice in the party all. History is already beginning to settle in around Bush and he looks a lot more like Hoover than Truman.

  • Posted By: Mtom @ 11/21/2008 4:51:15 PM

    What's this? Karl Rove, the master of gutter politics and slime, refuser to obey supoenas to disclose his role in the CIA case, urging the GOP to appear morally serious? His hypocritcal comment belongs on the Dignity Index, not here! You blew, it Newsweek.

  • Posted By: Marcus CA @ 11/20/2008 11:30:39 PM

    Any predictions about when Karl Rove will publicly take some responsibility for his party's current stay in the wilderness?

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 11/20/2008 10:07:03 PM

    11. Ditch the Religious Right.

    On the "Culture Matters" point: "Culture matters. Suggestions that we abandon social conservatism, including our pro-life agenda, should be ignored." I beg to disagree for the following reasons:

    Roe v. Wade will never be overturned. Give it up. Get over it. It's not gonna happen, Carl, and you know that damn well. What is going to happen is that politicians will continue to use this issue as a divisive force to drvie voters to one side or the other - Democrate or Republican. In the end, nothing will change. Ever. So all you Bible Thumpers can just fuhgettaboutit. America will never retreat back to the pre-Choice days of coat hangers, back alleys, fampant infections and deaths, to allow the right of life for the unborn fetus to RULE THE LAND. In my wildest dreams, I cannot imagine the GOP ever voting for a candidate who would take a stand on what happens to these unborns once they're born - they are against social welfare programs of any kind, and so we'd have a major problem with orphans, unwanted children, mothers too poor to raise their own kids, etc. and the GOP, once again, would turn its blind old eye.

    Keep religion out of the political arena. I know it's very tempting, Carl, to attract the mass of anti-intellectual, psuedo-Christian bigots across pockets of this great land, but in the end the GOP will lose out if they focus on this as their base. Stupid, uneducated people need to be helped and educated - why don't you make that part of the new GOP platform - help the bigots get "re-educated" - ship 'em to the big cities and immerse them in social service work or something - community service - how 'bout that?

    Don't think that Sarah Palin has a chance in hell. She needs an education. She is probably very nice and earthy, but she's also an ego-maniac who can't complete a proper sentence in plain, graamatically correct English. We've had enough of that from the Bush family, thanks.

  • Posted By: YashBudini @ 11/20/2008 1:09:30 PM

    Setting a new standard for a total lack of ethics, someone in the press gives Karl Rove, the 2nd most unethical human on the planet, the poster child for dirty rotten politics, the master of pure propaganda, a job as any kind of a writer? You must be joking. Now Newsweek is at the same level as Faux News.

  • Posted By: wckcabernet @ 11/20/2008 12:22:05 PM

    It is interesting to note that Rove's prescriptions for the GOP do not include a single new policy initiative; what he suggests is that the Republicans adhere to the same tired ideas that have led America to the brink of catastrophe. Perhaps he's failed to notice that these policies have now been thoroughly repudiated by the American people -- or perhaps he believes that if he pretends not to notice, the electoral calamaties that have befallen the GOP will simply go away. Moreover, to hear Mr. Rove refer to the GOP as "the party of Lincoln" is a nauseating farce. Today's Republican party bears no relation whatsoever to the party led with such distinction by Abraham Lincoln. Rove, his boss and his minions have spent most of their adult lives pouring poison into the well of American democracy; for him to invoke Lincoln in an attempt to cover his sins is an altogether vain enterprise. Newsweek and the rest of the media should not provide a platform for a man who is nothing more than a vile fear-monger.

  • Posted By: Mtom @ 11/20/2008 12:26:28 AM


    Comment: What's this? Karl Rove, the master of gutter politics and slime, lecturing the GOP on morality? What a charade! As John McEnroe would put it, "You can't be SERIOUS!"

  • Posted By: joelpalmer @ 11/19/2008 6:34:45 PM

    Why would anyone listen to this man? He is responsible for ,much of the damage wrought by the Bushies over tha last 8 years and is patently a criminal.

  • Posted By: nickgr @ 11/19/2008 12:01:55 PM

    The talk radio guys are doing their job,galvanising their electorate.

    The centrist Reps & Dems must find a way of understanding & cooperation.

    If not,the only "change " the new Congress will bring will be the tax raise on the rich. ..

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 2:39:48 PM

      You're being funny right? Right?

  • Posted By: marley07 @ 11/19/2008 1:28:48 PM

    http://www.breitbart.tv/html/223033.html

  • Posted By: nickgr @ 11/19/2008 7:41:51 AM

    Bighappy predicts a possible future.

    The current mess has no easy way out & it will hurt the Dems.

    Obi may be a single term Prez...,a black Carter.

    Unfortunately,I see no new Reagun around,unless they change the Constitution for Arnold.

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 7:55:28 AM

      When you say you don't see another Reagan around, maybe you're not looking in the right direction. Before a Reagan type could emerge in the Republican Party, a serious purging of those that have destroyed it must begin. When a moderate Republican dares critize the party. Fox news and conservative talk radio goes on the attack. As long as those KGB types are running the show the party is in for more grief. i don't see the Republicans making a comeback as long as the quid pro quo remains unchanged and we Democrats don't view them as anything more than a nuisance.

  • Posted By: bighappy @ 11/18/2008 9:32:06 PM

    The best way - do nothing. Thanks to Obama and ultra-liberal Congress leadership, Democrats will be already unpopular in 2 years, even still may keep Congress majority. In 4 years, after 4 years of depression (their program, such as bailing out unions or greedy homeouners, will make current crisis much worse) Democrats will be the hated party and lose both Congress and White House.

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 7:41:06 AM

      Just keep whistling in the dark and tell yourself everything going to be fine.

  • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/19/2008 7:39:08 AM

    Will Chuck Hagel be the just the first or the last to identify what's been pulling the Republican party downward? What other Senators, Congressmen and Governors will have the stones to follow up and rid the party of those like Limbaugh. I don't expect much out of them to tell you the truth.

  • Posted By: Dave from Illinois @ 11/19/2008 5:12:48 AM

    So,Karl, you really believe we can buy insurance from a lizard. And we should believe a column written by a weasel? Previous posters rightly point out the scorched earth tactics of Republicans when in power and the Bush administration's refusal to admit to any mistakes for years. Good luck returning to power. And for godness sakes, run Palin in four years, if she's not too busy shooting wolves from airplanes, chanting drill baby drill, being a pit bull attack dog, or dismissing global warning. You betcha!

  • Posted By: pieta @ 11/18/2008 7:04:54 PM

    You know, Mr. Rove, you and your 51% plan are primarily responsible for the destruction of the Republican party by focusing it on issues that matter only to "The base". When you actually take responsibility and admit where you went wrong in taking Bush from 92% approval to 23% approval, then maybe people will listen to you. Now you're widely regarded as the biggest loser in the country. I don't know why Newsweek pays you.

    • Posted By: Marcus CA @ 11/19/2008 12:57:47 AM

      "When you actually take responsibility..." That phrase is not in the neocons' lexicon.

      Mr. Rove and his cohorts have spent the past seven years denying their responsibility for anything that troubles America, even though they held bicameral control for six of those seven years. As the electorate told them again this November, they are responsible, and they insult the American people by trying to convince us that they are not. Fortunately for them, they can try to return from the wilderness in two years, rather than forty.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 11/18/2008 9:58:37 PM


      Spot on Pieta.

  • Posted By: richardcheese @ 11/18/2008 5:59:18 PM

    Family values, as in we're cool with you if you're white and straight. And Christian. Otherwise, we'll slander your name, heritage, patriotism, values, identity and culture. Even if we're totally lying.
    Fiscally responsible as in sure, start a war. Unilaterally. One that will last years, with no foreseeable end, clear objective, or even clear enemy. If it costs billions every month, just add it to the deficit. No problem. Just make sure and spout venom about pork and earmarks, and especially taxes. We don't want to give handouts, especially to any baby killers. As long as our rich buddies continue to profit and our own hidden ties to companies "rebuilding" Iraq don't surface, then hey, we're cool.
    Go Republicans!! Yay!!

    • Posted By: Marcus CA @ 11/19/2008 12:48:50 AM

      Family values.

      Ronald Reagan, Newt Gingrich, John McCain, and Rudy Giuliani all left their first wives for second, and sometimes third wives. One told his wife in the hospital. Another told his wife at a press conference.

      The delegates to the 2008 GOP convention enthusiastically cheered for an unwed pregnant teenager.

      Family values.

  • Posted By: bighappy @ 11/18/2008 9:42:46 PM

    5 years ago, when President company started, Bush popularity was 60-70%, so no serious Democrat wanted to compete. If they knew that before elections Bush popularity would be 35%. Even against Kerry Bush needed luck to win.
    1 years ago leading Republicans considered their chances against Hillary close to zero, so they eliminated themselves from contention (like Juliany, who had good vacation in Florida). If they knew...

  • Posted By: kolmogorov @ 11/18/2008 7:51:34 PM

    War on terror a matter of national survival? Please, don't insult us Rove. It's important to stop terrorists, they can obviously do a lot of damage after all, but the idea that they threaten our national survival is pure hyperbole.

  • Posted By: 4astrongamerica @ 11/18/2008 2:12:46 PM

    Carl Rove, not my favorite Republican, makes some very good points. Republicans have much work to do, but if Democrats continue to think that this election is a mandate for them and a signal of approval of liberal values, their reign will be short lived. This election had many extenuating factors and quite frankly was a vote against the current administration which many Republicans also reject. Republicans will not and should not abandon social or fiscal conservative values. There is room for compromise in both areas, but shying away from our core values will not win elections. In case you liberals didn't notice, even in states where Obama won handily, Americans still voted in favor of protecting conservative family values. If the Republican party will simply return to their roots and stand strong on their convictions, the party will rise again. Republicans must become more inclusive, but not by caving to pressure from the left. Many black and Latino voters are very protective of traditional family values, respect a strong military and simply want to be included and valued. If Republicans will reach out to this group of voters by reaching acceptable compromise on issues such as immigration reform & social programs, they will have a loyal and diverse party. I think that beginning to bring prominent minority Republicans to the forefront of the party is a great move in the right direction. This country still has a Center - Right majority and this will continue to make the Republican party relevant.

    • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/18/2008 3:53:16 PM

      Before you put out the welcome mat to minorities, might I suggest a little house cleaning might be prudent? Purging you closets of those Ultra-Right Wing Militant and Racist groups may improve your chances.

      • Posted By: 4astrongamerica @ 11/18/2008 4:33:05 PM

        It is quite ridiculous to assume that Republicans have any more control over the bigots that vote with us than you do the bigots that vote with you. In this country, we all have freedoms that are guaranteed by our constitution and must be protected even if we don't agree with them. Do you really think that it is any more acceptable for the left wing liberals to be spewing hate toward Christians than it is for some nut cases to spew hate toward minorities? It is ALL unacceptable, but nevertheless a protected right as an American. By your logic, Democrats should not embrace Christians until the liberal haters have been purged from your party. Until crazy left wing liberals stop stomping crosses, protesting churches & disrupting peaceful church congregations. You're a bit hypocritical.

        • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/18/2008 5:33:18 PM

          Hypocritical? How so? I'm just making the point that the Republican Party wouldn't appeal to minorities as long as they are affiliated with those groups. They already vote Democratic by a large margin, so it follows that they don't hold the Republicans in the same esteem. What do you think the problems are?

          • Posted By: 4astrongamerica @ 11/18/2008 6:03:11 PM

            Typically, minority groups tend to favor more government programs which the Democrats have used like a carrot on a stick. Democrats have led minorities to believe that they cannot succeed without government assistance. I think that the election of Barack Obama proves otherwise. If minorities want to be treated as equals, as I believe that they do, they must stop embracing this ideology. There are numerous minorities in the Republican party that are often not acknowledged by Democrats. Michael Steele may very well be the next leader of the Republican party and would be a positive attribute to our party. He is a minority, but fully embraces his conservative values.

            Again to address your hypocritical comments...what is the difference between Republicans and minorities compared to Democrats and Christians? Christians are being attached by liberals within your party, but you can't win elections without Christians. Christians have before and are again being persecuted because of their beliefs. Engaging in this practice may alienate Christians just as radical bigots have alienated minorities. Dems should really take notice and realize that this is self defeating.

            • Posted By: Repubssuck @ 11/18/2008 6:45:46 PM

              So does that mean you're offering more programs to minorities that won't help themselves/ that's a crass attitude to take. Christians? I'm a Christian, I'm not feeling persecuted. That's is so old school to use that line to avoid dealing with you party's affiliation with radical and racist groups.

              I give up on you buy just one last word. If Michael Steele was a Democrat his name would be on an endless list of those african-Americans to hold high profile positions in our party.

    • Posted By: klebrun @ 11/18/2008 2:50:51 PM

      The Republican party never gave a damn about social or fiscal conservatism. It was all a smoke screen behind which they brought back the spoils sytem with a vengeance. We added $5 trillion to our national debt with nothing to show for but a country on the verge of bankruptcy.

      It is all about the money.

      And, why would we want to give these thieves another shot at destroying our country?

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