Rove says Obama is missing chances to knock Clinton off stride.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former top Bush aide Karl Rove said Thursday he thinks Sen. Barack Obama has missed key opportunities to knock rival Hillary Clinton off track.
In an interview with CSPAN, the man behind President Bush's two White House wins cited a recent debate in Philadelphia when Clinton was asked why more of her records as first lady have not yet been made public.
"He missed the opportunity," Rove explained. "If he had stood there and said, 'Senator, with all due respect, it is entirely within the power of you and your husband to immediately order the release of those documents. And your failure to do so reveals legitimate questions in the minds of the American people about what you might be hiding and it's not going to be good for the Democratic party or for you if you allow those questions to persist,' it would have been a moment, it would have been a big moment."
"Instead it was a vague and wandering around, and weak, and insipid," Rove continued. "There have been a number of occasions like that where a sharp and clear and respectful contrast would have created a moment."
Rove also said the Republicans will lose in 2008 unless they "articulate a positive agenda and a positive vision."
"Otherwise," Rove said, "The American people will say, 'You know what? I have got my doubts I have got my concerns and you haven't given me the confidence that I will do better with you.'"
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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The contrast between Hillary and Obama on open government is clear enough without getting all Rovian. Hillary's health care task force was a model for cheney's energy task force. Obama got the fist ethics reform in 20+ years through in IL and also passed open government reforms in the US Senate. He's also got the best reform package of any of the candidates.
who really cares what Karl Rove thinks?
Why does the media even give this almost-treasonous viper a outlet for his opinions? Enough Karl Rove already!
Ah, the irony. To think that the last guy Rove advised now has a 30% approval rating. Why should Obama take his advice?
with all "do" respect, that's with all due respect.
Karl, why should you give advice to these liberals. You can see all rotten comments here on CNN. World has become evil. Nobody wants to listen to a good advice. In any case Barack has no chance. He has no experience at all.
Hello?? Obama supporters? Do you know why he is saying that? He knows that the Repubs will walk all over Obama should he get the nomination. Hillary is s threat to them. Wake up ppl. Hillary in 08!
Although I cannot stand Rove, he understands how to spin, reminiscent of James Carville. It would have been interesting to see them go head to head in a campaign. Unfortunatley, they missed each other by one election.
Please quote people correctly. It's "with all due respect" not "with all do respect". What journalism school did the reporter go to?
Guess What! Rove would like Obama to be nominated, since he knows he will not be elected.
Do people actually let him even speak? Either his mouth should be taped or everytime he tries to speak, he needs to be slapped. What a loser? Dividing the democrats? yo, we might be supporting different candidates but we are still democrats, you disgraceful human!
That's what we Democrats need - like a hole in the head - advice from the reptilian Rove.
"With all do respect".. should have been spelled "due". Quite often, words on the crawl and headlines on screens behind anchors are misspelled. You should take more care with that – you look dumb.
But on to the point of the post: please Barack, take Rove's or anybody's advice to get Clinton out of the picture or the Republicans will win again in '08.
BRAVO! From the icon of our political future!
He has taught us that dishonesty, sneakiness, falsification, mislead, deception, and lying is the way to campaign and run a Presidency.
God help this country!
The Butterball came out just in time for Thanksgiving!
Rove lost the house and senate. Keep talking big man.
Apparently, most of you would prefer a slimy weasel like James Carville, who got slick Willy to promise us everything and ended up a failure.
Which one of the candidates is the least worst, again?
The repubs are in this predicament because of Karl Rove's failed policies.
Look who's talking-the man behind the most secretive White House in history. He has no credibility in my book!
Hey Obama,
You better take his advice.
Karl Rove needs to keep his trap shut and mind his own business. What a jerk!
Actually, I think the last thing Obama – or any serious candidate – would want is to be associated with Rove in any way, shape or form. And come on – are we really to believe that rove has any interest at all in 'helping' a Democrat – or even a moderate Republican (if any still exist and are willing to admit to it)?
oh im sorry i thought he resigned..why is he talking he helped bush screw up
Republicans which are known well by rove knows they can beat a black man but have not gto a chance agianist clintion. so i uderstand why he would say that.
Now a day after the debatte that blitzer and the camera team lost for Clinton CNN has to bring Rove into the ticker for another negative spin on Obama – that Obama serves the people while the clinton machine is geared to get into power and (ab)using it for special interest as exhibited by Rove.