Karl Rove (b. 1950)

Talk to Karl Rove

Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI

Biography

Karl Christian Rove is an American Republican political consultant, policy advisor, and lobbyist. He was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration until his resignation on August 31, 2007. He has also headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives. Rove was one of the architects of the Iraq War.

In Their Own Words (5)

Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers.

New York Times (June 23, 2005) , 2005

We will fuck him. Do you hear me? We will fuck him. We will ruin him. Like no one has ever fucked him!

Ron Suskind, Esquire, January 2003 , 2003

Once again the powers of light and good have triumphed over the media!

Journeys with George documentary on unspecified date during 2000 Bush Campaign , 2000

I think it was Osama bin Laden’s [idea to start a pre-emptive war in Iraq].

Mount Union Theater, Ohio, April 18, 2007 , 2007

Just get me a fucking faith-based thing. Got it?

Rove to then second-in-command of President Bush’s Office on Faith-Based Initiatives David Kuo, as reported in Kuo's book "Tempting Faith"

Timeline

The story of Karl Rove, told in moments.

1950 Birth

Born on Christmas Day in Denver, Colorado. Raised in Utah and Nevada. Found politics as a teenager. At 19 he sneaked into an opponent's campaign office using a fake identity to steal letterhead.

Did sneaking into an opponent's office at 19 foreshadow everything? Was politics always a game to you? What did growing up in Denver teach you about strategy?

1993 Life

Began advising George W. Bush. Engineered his Texas gubernatorial win in 1994 and his presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004. The press called Rove "Bush's Brain."

What made the relationship with George W. Bush work for so long? Did being called 'Bush's Brain' feel like a compliment? Was engineering two presidential wins your masterwork?

2001 Event

Served as Senior Advisor to the President in the Bush White House. Shaped domestic policy and Republican electoral strategy. Pursued a "permanent Republican majority" through targeted demographics and wedge issues.

Did pursuing a 'permanent Republican majority' feel achievable? What does shaping domestic policy from behind the scenes feel like? Were wedge issues strategy or cynicism?

2007 Event

Resigned from the White House amid the Plame affair investigation and Congressional subpoenas over the firing of U.S. Attorneys. Never charged. Became a Fox News analyst and Wall Street Journal columnist.

Did resigning amid subpoenas feel like retreat? Was never being charged vindication or luck? Is a Fox News analyst the right next chapter for Bush's Brain?