Rove blasts journalists' role in politics

[Ron Burgundy]

Rove blasts journalists' role in politics (AP)

AP - Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the "corrosive role" their own coverage plays in politics and government.

WASHINGTON - Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the "corrosive role" their own coverage plays in politics and government.
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"Some decry the professional role of politics, they would like to see it disappear," Rove told graduating students at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. "Some argue political professionals are ruining American politics — trapping candidates in daily competition for the news cycle instead of long-term strategic thinking in the best interest of the country."

But Rove turned that criticism on journalists.

"It's odd to me that most of these critics are journalists and columnists," he said. "Perhaps they don't like sharing the field of play. Perhaps they want to draw attention away from the corrosive role their coverage has played focusing attention on process and not substance."

Rove told about 100 graduates trained to be political operatives that they should respect the instincts of the American voter.

"There are some in politics who hold that voters are dumb, ill informed and easily misled. that voters can be manipulated by a clever ad or a smart mind," said Rove, who is credited with
President Bush's wins in the 2000 and 2004 election. "I've seen this cynicism over the years from political professionals and journalists. American people are not policy wonks, but they have great instincts and try to do the right thing."

Rove said it is "wrong to underestimate the intelligence of the American voter, but easy to overestimate their interest. Much tugs at their attention."

But he said voters are able to watch campaigns and candidates closely and "this messy and imperfect process has produced great leaders."

[motivez]

As has already been pointed out elswhere, I think there's an interesting contrast between what this Administration and their lackies have to say about the press, and the thoughts of our founding fathers.

Originally Posted by Karl Rove

"It's odd to me that most of these critics are journalists and columnists," he said. "Perhaps they don't like sharing the field of play. Perhaps they want to draw attention away from the corrosive role their coverage has played focusing attention on process and not substance."

Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson

"The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure." --Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 1823.

"I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents." --Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 1799.

"No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions." --Thomas Jefferson to John Tyler, 1804.

[Kytro]

Originally Posted by motivez

Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson.

The idea of him posting makes me

[motivez]

I bet he'd like the speed at which he could communicate and debate with people from long away!

[Scrum]

@ Rove accusing anyone of having a corrosive role in politics.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

@ Rove accusing anyone of having a corrosive role in politics.

No shit, right?

It's amazingly apt and relevant writing by Jefferson though, as it applies directly to much of what we are seeing today.

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by motivez

It's amazingly apt and relevant writing by Jefferson though, as it applies directly to much of what we are seeing today.

It bothers me that many people see accountability as an obstruction to the government doing their job.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

It bothers me that many people see accountability as an obstruction to the government doing their job.

Exactly. Without a free press able to report on what it wants to, things would be significantly worse than they are now.. but of course, that depends on your perspective.

[avsp]

Presidential adviser Karl Rove said Saturday that journalists often criticize political professionals because they want to draw attention away from the "corrosive role" their own coverage plays in politics and government.

do you suppose that stood infront of a mirror when he made these remarks?