(CNN) - The man largely credited for organizing a campaign to defeat John McCain in 2000 now has some advice for the Arizona senator: Stop being so private.
Writing in the Wall Street Journal, former top Bush adviser Karl Rove called McCain "one of the most private individuals to run for president in history," and said the presumptive Republican nominee must reveal more about his unique life story in order to win the presidency.
"Private people like Mr. McCain are rare in politics for a reason," Rove writes. "Candidates who are uncomfortable sharing their interior lives limit their appeal. But if Mr. McCain is to win the election this fall, he has to open up."
Specifically, Rove says McCain should reveal more about his wartime heroics and days as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He also says McCain should spend more time highlighting the fact he and his wife took in a sick Bangladeshi child in 1991, their adopted daughter Bridget.
"Mr. McCain cannot make this a biography-only campaign – but he can't afford to make it a biography-free campaign either," Rove writes. "Unless he opens up more, many voters will never know the experiences of his life that show his character, integrity and essential decency.
“There is something admirable in his resilience, but he needs to overcome it."
From CNN Politics
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Blast Rove all you want. Fact is he beat the snot out of the Democrats in not 1 but 2 Presidential elections.
Who cares? I hate this man...he will completely destroy this country even more than his clone Bush.
Thank you, CNN, for your step-by-step reporting of every single word that comes out of Karl Rove's mouth. You give this man credit b/c he "engineered" two White House wins–the first of which was highly contested in terms of legality, the second of which was hardly a landslide victory gained by maligning the record of a veteran. Additionally, the entirety of the administration has been an unmitigated failure, so, I'm not sure why we are suppose to care at all about what this divisive, overrated man has to say.
As much as I do not like the guy, he has a point!
McCain is not only too private but also more importantly too OLD!!
Good O'l Karl.....He's just like Dick Chenney hit em and run.
In response to Michael......what makes you so sure that the negative comments are from "Bush hating Democrats"....there are PLENTY of "Bush hating Republicans" out there!
Maybe McCain needs a distraction like Obama has Wright So that we can a pity party for him now and feel sorry for him. The more I see John the more i am beginning to like him I am just bout ready to switch parties..............
Don't be so private, says the man responsible for covering up a lot of the bad deals in washington.
It is best if Mr. Rove keep his opinions to himself and let the candidates do what is best for them.
I'm curious as to why anyone cares what a man living in an ethical vacuum such as Karl Rove thinks. CNN should try to elevate the conversation.
There is a reason why McBush doesn't want to disclose all his private life. That'll mean he also needs to come clean with the fact that he likes chasing lobbyist skirts.
I thought this scumbag Rove said he was going to go away and live some kind of private life when he resigned from the White House. I wish he would!!!
This guy is as corrupt and scummy as they come. I wouldn't believe anything he had to say even if his hand was on a Bible.
Why he never got indicted in the Valerie Plume thing is an absolute travesty to American justice. Same goes for Dick Cheney.
ooooooooooh, so many jealous bitter mean Dems out. there. lol
Why dont you yell at this do nothing dem congress and tell them to let us drill our own oil and gas. They promised an energy plan to get the votes in 06 and haven't even brought it up. Where is the PLAN!?
Besides just raising taxes on every one and thing.
McCain08
was he not helping obama. enough said
Will he include his cheating affairs?
hey who cares about rove advice look he got g.w bush in the white house and where we at now gloom and doom.and we all are headed for the poor house we can thank g.w.bush and rove for putting us there. CLINTON 08 only hope we have
SINCE WHEN DOES CNN GIVE ROVE A FORUM ON THIS PAGE?
I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE CARE WHAT HE HAS TO SAY!!!!!
WE NEED TO GET OVER ALL THIS DRAMA AND GET TO THE FACTS OF WHO CAN WIN IN NOVEMBER!!!!!
HILLARY HAS DISPLAYED GREAT LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
SHE HAS ROLLED OUT A NEW GAS TAX RELIEF PLAN!
SHE HAS SOLUTIONS RIGHT NOW!
I THINK SHE WILL WIN THE NOMINATION, BECAUSE SHE IS PROVING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT SHE IS ABLE AND READY TO LEAD US IN A NEW DIRECTION!!!!!
SHE HAS MY SUPPORT!!!! GO HILLARY!!!!!!!!
Even if the liberals knew the good truth about McCain they wouldn't vote for him because they don't understand the value of goodness and truth. They prefer liars and will vote for liars.
I am not a McCain supporter, but I have so much respect for McCain as a man. I like that he is not public and that he only discusses that which is pertaining to the issues.
Honestly, if he were to run with Huckabee...I will vote for him if Hillary steals this election.
Obama O-8!
It is best if Mr. Rove keeps his opinions to himself and let the candidates do what is best for them.
Don't bet your life on it, McCain doesnt need to get in the getteos with the other running contenders. Sometimes less is more, so I give him my vote and dont care about what he has or hasnt done, if it takes slander and being nasty to win, then he is doing what is right, keeping it all to himself and his family and friends. Fussing and arguing as to see who is the smartest is just so ignorant as none of the two others running are not making big marks for themselves, just giving people something to talk about. I am sure McCain is doing what he thinks is right, and I believe most people think the same who are giving him their support.
ILL Take McCain OVER Hillary any day.
Interesting to see that Obama followed Rove's advice regarding Rev. Wright –but too little and too late. Wonder what McCain will do.