2008 Woodie Awards
A roving visit from 'The Architect'
Protesters, vocal audience welcome Rove to UI
Kelsey Beltramea - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Metro
As the president's most trusted political strategist, Rove was ensconced in the White House before his August 2007 resignation with a indisputable influence over Oval Office policy - an influence that generated allegations of misdeed in his final year.
Rove resigned while under fire for his alleged involvement in what some see as political terminations of several U.S. attorneys, which was a controversy that also fueled calls for then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. The UI College of Law had invited Gonzales to give last year's commencement address, but officials said scheduling conflicts prevented his appearance.
Rove left the Bush administration after federal prosecutors decided they would not charge Rove with any crimes for his link to the outing for former CIA agent Valerie Plame.
Additionally, critics have lambasted Rove for his role in crafting communications leading up the invasion of Iraq - which was the first item on the agenda for moderator Frank Durham, a UI associate professor of journalism tasked with conducted the on-stage interview.
Durham asked how the former aide would have helped him answer a phone call he received from a woman grieving the death of a soldier, a woman who also blamed Durham for sponsoring Rove's appearance.
Rove told him he's handled plenty of situations like that - getting flags for mothers and stepmothers of those killed in combat.
"Have you ever shed a tear?" a member of the audience yelled.
"I've shed lots of tears, but I've also been inspired because most moms and dads believe their son or daughter did not die in vain," Rove responded. He later added that he has seen great passion and commitment for the mission from loved ones of fallen soldiers - to which the audience booed.
They applauded, however, when Rove said Iraq "had nothing to do with 9/11."
"What it had to do was change the circumstances in the 20th century of transatlantic terrorism," Rove said.
Rove resigned while under fire for his alleged involvement in what some see as political terminations of several U.S. attorneys, which was a controversy that also fueled calls for then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign. The UI College of Law had invited Gonzales to give last year's commencement address, but officials said scheduling conflicts prevented his appearance.
Rove left the Bush administration after federal prosecutors decided they would not charge Rove with any crimes for his link to the outing for former CIA agent Valerie Plame.
Additionally, critics have lambasted Rove for his role in crafting communications leading up the invasion of Iraq - which was the first item on the agenda for moderator Frank Durham, a UI associate professor of journalism tasked with conducted the on-stage interview.
Durham asked how the former aide would have helped him answer a phone call he received from a woman grieving the death of a soldier, a woman who also blamed Durham for sponsoring Rove's appearance.
Rove told him he's handled plenty of situations like that - getting flags for mothers and stepmothers of those killed in combat.
"Have you ever shed a tear?" a member of the audience yelled.
"I've shed lots of tears, but I've also been inspired because most moms and dads believe their son or daughter did not die in vain," Rove responded. He later added that he has seen great passion and commitment for the mission from loved ones of fallen soldiers - to which the audience booed.
They applauded, however, when Rove said Iraq "had nothing to do with 9/11."
"What it had to do was change the circumstances in the 20th century of transatlantic terrorism," Rove said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 38
David Goodner
posted 3/10/08 @ 6:25 AM CST
The Karl Rove story the media didn't get
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=c93e5f51e57d4a1696a5e44246b6eb53&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3ac93e5f51e57d4a1696a5e44246b6eb53Post%3abd8fae27-92e3-426b-a23c-d5df55e2f80a&sid=sitelife. (Continued…)
willtopower
posted 3/10/08 @ 6:50 AM CST
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/17/magazine/17BUSH.html
In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. (Continued…)
Tom J
posted 3/10/08 @ 7:01 AM CST
Did anyone ask Rove how it felt to know he was almost single-handedly responsible for the destruction of the Republican Party? Or how he felt about Hastert's seat being picked up by Democrat Foster?
Julia
posted 3/10/08 @ 7:42 AM CST
If Rove has any good faith at all, he should donate his fee to help homeless vets in this area.
factoid
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:27 AM CST
"Look, you've had a chance to make your chants and protests and statements, and I want to have mine," Rove told the audience."
Well actually, traitor, you've had your say for years and never once listened to the American people. (Continued…)
jukin
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:47 AM CST
More peace, love, and tolerance from the left.
Scratch a liberal, find a fascist.
Bob
posted 3/10/08 @ 8:56 AM CST
The people's republic of Iowa City have spoken.
What a bunch of pampered spoiled people.
I hate this town.
This is not Iowa
An attendant
posted 3/10/08 @ 9:10 AM CST
1) I am not a kneejerk liberal.
2) I was not one of the people who kept shouting at the event.
3) I was not opposed to Mr. Rove's visit.
4) I think Rove is a pretty good debater, for whatever it's worth. (Continued…)
Reykr
Gerald Baker
posted 3/10/08 @ 9:16 AM CST
Someone should compose a song about Rove, to the tune of "The Maid Of Amsterdam," and call it "The Knave Of Washington." It might go like this:
"A-Roving!
A-Roving!
For Roving is my ru-u-in!
I'll go no more a Ro-o-ving,
With you, Foul Knave!"
David Goodner
posted 3/10/08 @ 9:44 AM CST
CNN coverage:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/10/rove-taunted-at-university-of-iowa/
ABC coverage:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/the-belly-of-th. (Continued…)
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