Does Karl Rove play a role in John McCain's campaign?

Ever wonder how much of a role Bush political guru Karl Rove is playing in John McCain's campaign?

Rove, who steered George W. Bush through two successful presidential elections, has insisted that he has no formal role in the McCain camp. He's a commentator now -- writing for the Wall Street Journal, opining for Fox News. As he told George Stephanopoulos recently when the ABC anchor called him an informal advisor, "I wouldn't even go that far -- informal advisor, no way." Rove called his interaction with McCain staffers "chitchat."

The McCain campaign also has tried to douse rumors that Rove, whom Bush calls "the Architect" for helping him win reelection in 2004, is an advisor. Asked whether he has access to inside information, campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds said, "He doesn't. He's a Fox analyst."

But this morning the Hill quotes a Republican operative as saying that "Rove has had a consistent, medium-sized role with the McCain campaign." And the newspaper notes that Rove has appeared as an analyst on Fox News with what appears to be inside information.

Amid the media frenzy on the pregnancy of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin's teenage daughter, Rove appeared on Fox ... He said the campaign "carefully vetted" Palin, claiming it was aware of all the revelations that have come out since she was announced as the running mate. "They knew all of it ... They weren't bothered by it," Rove said.

ThinkProgress speculates that Rove wants to keep his distance now so that he can help "outside groups" promote McCain's candidacy in the fall. Thanks to the landmark McCain-Feingold campaign reform legislation, outside groups are not allowed to coordinate with the campaigns they seek to help.

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: Karin Cooper / Associated Press

Comments

[Sergio]

Who else but Karl Rove would have come up with, such a strategy? Fogging the perception of "Change" as a difference between anti corruption/pro-bipartisanship or a Democratic agenda is more than brilliant, it's Rovian.

Attack your opponents strengths, has always been Rove's mantra and now one day the Democrats are going to find themselves explaining; there are good changes and bad changes, changes that are known and changes that are unknown, and so on. And before they know it, the blue-collar mantel of change will have been taken off their backs.

How can anyone doubt Karl Rove will not continue to influence the Republican party and its leaders. Even Sarah Palin is reminiscent of the Bush White House. Like a nuclear fuel rod, she only needs to look hot before the final decision is made.

[Susan]

Frankly, when Rove "chats" on Fox, he frequently gives advice to both parties. I guess they can take it or leave it. I have always thought after hearing Rove talk many times that the media/pundits give him way too much credit. I have never gotten the impression that Rove is that friendly or particularly fond of McCain. After all, McCain is not the fond of Bush.

[AuH20]

I don't think that Rove is directly involved in McCain’s campaign, but clearly folks who sat at the right hand of the father are now running the show. This became clear with the quick, effective, allegation of Obama playing the race card with his ill conceived "Dollar difference" quip. The McCain campaign has been off and running ever since and has the Obama campaign totally befuddled! Folks need to remember that Obama has never won a real campaign. He lost in the primary, in the only real race that he has been in, when he first he ran for congress. He became state senator, only by having all the other democrat primary opponents disqualified on technicalities He won the senate seat in a route, when a credible GOP candidate withdrew because the democrat surrogate liberal media destroyed the guy for taking his wife to some kind of strip joint to fire up their sex life and the IL GOP put in carpetbagger, Alan Keyes. Mr. Obama is now, for the first time, in a real horse race and facing the best political operatives on the planet. Welcome to the NFL. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[Guru Grant Singh]

Hi Guys,
We in our country "Guru" means very revered teacher, with noble motivation to teach. Calling Karl Rove a Guru, not only offends that pious and reverence of the job, it degrades this nation, which learns from trash talker and lie masters.
I wish really God Bless America.

[Jim Johnson]

Of course Mr Rove is running the campaign for McCain-only a sleeze like him could come up with the lies that are carrying McCain just now. When you can disclose a CIA member, just because her husband disagreed with the very BRIGHT Mr. Bush[don't laugh too long at me calling him Bright] and then have the president smooth everything over and have some one else take the hit, how low can you go. Mr. Rove in a cell until his last breath is taken would be light punishment for what he has done to ruin peoples lifes for the last 20 years. I hope he sleeps well at night. Jim Johnson

[Deborah J.]

Karl Rove should be charged with sedition. His tactics have undermined the integrity of the American political process, through lies, distortion, and voter suppression. He repeatedly has demonstrated contempt for American voters. He also has generated toxic air(waves) pollution.

He should be swooped up, sent to Gitmo, and subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques. Nothing but the best for Karl.