Trifles from Anderson brings us a good political history lesson in the wake of Karl Rove’s resignation. Rove’s ambitions apparently were to create a GOP machine that equalled or surpassed Mark Hannah’s at the turn of the 20th century. Trifles points out that Hannah wasn’t necessarily the primary reason for GOP success during the early part of the 20th century but, even so, Rove is no Hannah.
For my part, I don’t think Rove’s resignation means much one way or another. His power and success never had much to do with his official job. He’s still very good at sleazy but successful political campaigns, and all those require are candidates who listen to him. I suspect GOP candidates will continue to listen to Rove’s suggestions. The fundamental problem is that successful campaigns have nothing at all to do with competent governing.
Trifles are often delicious. My wife makes an excellent one with poundcake, vanilla pudding, and lemon curd.
Seriously, though, I’m with you on this one, Doug. I think Rove will turn up again somewhere. We haven’t heard the last from him. I don’t think he’ll start writing books and appearing on talk shows as frequently as Dick Morris, but he’ll be around.
“The fundamental problem is that successful campaigns have nothing at all to do with competent governing”
exactly, and that’s what Rove did best. He’ll be back, of this I have no doubt. We as a nation now care far more about winning than anything else.
I still say that Roe vs. Wade will be over-turned in the next 20 years, and then a lot of activists will be at definite loose ends. What then will the Mormons and Catholics have in common?