(CNN) – Former Bush adviser Karl Rove suggested Sunday that John McCain had gone “one step too far” in some of his recent ads attacking Barack Obama.
Rove has leveled similar criticism against Obama. “McCain has gone in some of his ads - similarly gone one step too far,” he told Fox News, “and sort of attributing to Obama things that are, you know, beyond the ‘100 percent truth’ test.”
Watch: The campaign ad wars heat up
The Obama campaign immediately leaped on the quote. "In case anyone was still wondering whether John McCain is running the sleaziest, most dishonest campaign in history, today Karl Rove - the man who held the previous record - said McCain's ads have gone too far," said campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor, in a statement sent to reporters minutes after Rove’s on-air comments.
Listen: the Obama camp slams McCain in Sunday conference call
Rove masterminded both of President Bush’s successful White House bids, including a tough primary season battle with John McCain in 2000.
UPDATE: Rove said Sunday Democrats e-mailing around his quote without noting that he levels similar criticism against Obama were distorting his meaning. “Of course, they fail to say anything about the fact I said they were even more misleading,” he told Politico.
From CNN Politics
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Who cares. It's working and Obama is on the way down for the count.
McCain/Palin 08'
OK what's up Rove's sleeve now? Or has he finally realized that he could fool enough of the people twice and that this time around we realize that the country is in too much trouble to fall for it again? Or does he know something about Palin that the rest of us don't yet?
100% truth test? When was he even worried about 25% of the truth being told? Geez.
Rove, honey, you can't do the job of the Main Stream Media. Everyone knows McCain is not telling the truth, but its just a case of not voting for someone who looks a little different than the other presidents. We can pretend to be progressive all we want, but we know what this is about.
Me thinks Darth Vader feels upstaged by McCain's team of pit bulls. This is laughable given that Rove was one of the most eregious deceit spinners to come along. What, did he find religion?
You KNOW it is sleazy if Felon Rove thinks it is! McCain=Slezeball tactics!
LOL There is no honor among thieves LOL
OMG, pigs do fly!!!!!!
McCain may be fanning the flames, but Rove is the one who started the fire. We wouldn't be facing a potential Palin/McCain nightmare if it weren't for him.
Ya Think !! No wonder they say Rove is a genius.
LIES LIES LIES LIES LIES
GOP is nothing but LIES
NIXON BUSH BUSH REAGAN CHENEY RICE ROVE PALIN McCAIN and on and on and on
"Since naming Gov. Palin as their vice presidential nominee, the McCain campaign has distorted, distracted and outright lied to the American people about her record in a desperate attempt to hide the fact that a McCain/Palin administration would be nothing more than a continuation of the failed Bush policies of the last eight years," the memo read.
Among other things, the memo cited the Iraq-visit dispute, as well as Palin's claims to be a fiscal conservative despite significant growth in the Alaska state budget
Even Rove had awakened.
Who is to talk? I am surprised he is even speaking about it. He is the sleaziest of all, so he should know.
The Karl Rove photo diet. Was just going to have breakfast when I saw that close up of Rove's face. My appetite disappeared.
Would somebody please tell that pig to put on some lipstick?
This is strange...Why is Rove speaking the truth? What's the strategy now?
When 'Rove' says McBush has gone to far and is dishonest. That pretty much settles it.
Wow....that tells you something when even Rove is criticizing McCain's ads
This man, Karl Rove, is going to have to answer some day for his words and actions and he may be starting to realize the gravity of what he has done. God have mercy on his soul for the way he has misled this country.
Apparently, the Straight Talk Express just drove off the end of the Bridge to Nowhere.
The Liar's Liar is calling McCain & Palin a liar.
Getting sillier and sillier.
It appears that the snakes of the rupub propaganda machine are beginning to bite each other !!! How delightful .. .. ... Rove either has a guilty concious or has suddenly decided to tell the truth
The republicans are saying that the negative ads are Obama's fault for not agreeing to do the town hall meetings. #1. Obama respectively turned down the meetings. #2. McCain does not get to set Obama's campaign strategy.
As far as negative ads and who is at fault, Obama did not mention McCain's name in any ad until after month long of name slinging by McCain in August. More lies, more of the same.
obama should run ads about nafta because mccain supports nafta 100%,here is an example in lowa people know mccain is against ethenol in mccain is not even close in that state,but peple in Ohio in Mich in Penn have no clue mccain is 100% for nafta,if obama just run ads like crazy about nafta in those states mccain wont come close to winning those either,what is obama doing his ads are dead as hell,he have to start running ads about how mccain supports nafta how simple is that,gosh.what the hell is he waiting for.
I guess that sums it all...
Wake up America for the sake of our country
if even rove is saying it, then mccain KNOWS he's way out of line...
ROVE! of all people
If Mccain going to tell lies to win, how is he going to address issues tuthfully?
I can't admit on the view that his campaign is lying about Obama children ad and He Mccain at the end said i approve this message.
Mccain can't tell lies and call himself maverick.
Or is that how to be marverick to lies, or smear, destort Obama recond to win an elction?
I thought he said he is putting American first, why is Mccain putting America first when he lies against his compatriot?
The old Mccain just want to win at all cost!!!!
Are you fool to believe Mccain is putting his country first?