Karl Rove's book is as disliked as he is
By Gary Reese
March 15, 2010 — We at the Southern Political Report haven’t yet read the new autobiography by Karl Rove, who served as former President George W. Bush’s senior advisor and deputy chief of staff. The book is “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight.” It's likely an entertaining read, whatever your politics. But it’s hard to imagine it’s as entertaining as some of the online newspaper and political website headlines about it on Monday. Dallas Morning News: “Karl Rove pins the blame for Bush White House troubles on others.” … newsday.com: “Rove: I never said 'permanent' Republican majority.” …Alternet: “Rove Lies, But That’s Not The Point.” … Politico: “Karl Rove’s Sunday Best.” Hmmm. Could it be the guy isn’t very popular? (Or maybe reviewers and editors are afraid of getting fired if they so much as praise Rove's diction.) The most intriguing of the reviews we saw was from the online English edition of Pravda. (“Karl Rove Justifies Torture And Lies.”) What's most interesting about Moscow's take on Bush and Rove is that its tone is more contemptuous than that of many Western reviewers only by a matter of degree. --The future of the Alabama Gov. Bob Riley’s gambling task force is now in the hands of the Alabama Supreme Court. The court is considering arguments over whether the task force's commander, Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson, Jr., has legal authority in the post. --When Mississippi state Auditor Stacey Pickering took office in January 2008, there were 184 open cases. Since then, the agency has opened 189 more. Apparently there is a lot of corruption in public office, said Tougaloo College political science professor Steve Rozman. During these tough economic times, people may be more prone to misuse taxpayer money, Rozman said. Once they do it once or twice, it may become addictive, he said, and if the oversight isn't there, they will be tempted to continue. --Congress is headed toward a showdown vote on health care, and Louisiana US Rep. Charlie Melancone is at odds with his party and his president. He’s hoping to avoid suffering collateral damage to his uphill senatorial campaign. Melancon, who was one of 39 Democrats to vote against the House health care bill when it barely won passage in November, 220-215, will find himself once again among a minority of Democrats – most of them more conservative Blue Dogs like himself – who will vote against whatever health care overhaul package House Democrats are ultimately asked to approve this month. |
