(CNN) - The keynote speaking slot at the South Carolina Republican Party's annual Silver Elephant Banquet is usually given to an up-and-coming voice in the party – often someone looking down the road to a possible presidential bid and eager to meet activists in a key primary state.
GOP heavyweights like Ronald Reagan, John McCain, Newt Gingrich, George Allen and Mike Pence have spoken at the event over the last two decades. The dinner, the party's biggest fundraiser of the year, also hosted two Republican presidential primary debates in 1996 and 2000.
This year's speaker though is someone who likely won't be on the ballot in 2012: Karl Rove.
The former adviser to President George W. Bush, who is currently promoting his new memoir, will headline the dinner on April 24 in Columbia.
"The South Carolina Republican Party is incredibly excited about having Karl Rove speak at our Silver Elephant dinner," South Carolina GOP chairwoman Karen Floyd said in a statement. "Karl knows what it takes for Republicans to win, and our activists are anxious to hear what he has to say."
"We've received enormously positive feedback on having him here for this, and we're looking forward to a great event," Floyd said.
From CNN Politics
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Shame he is not speaking at a prison dinner, where he belongs.
Interesting that Mr. Rove has always found himself in a prominent role in the Republican Party. Maybe he should run for president in 2012, im sure all Republicans are fired up after health care legisaltion passed.
South Carolina and Rove – made for each other.
I think the way the opponents of health care reform have conducted themselves is immature, disrespectful, and irresponsible. Their conduct is so very "UnAmerican." Sarah Palin, some of the Republicans, some Tea Party members, Stephen Baldwin, and the like should be ashamed of themselves. They are setting a horrible example for young Americans and people of conscience worldwide.
I am praying for peace and healing and that God will shield President Obama and the Democrats from harm.
Palin is bad news. I am not sure where they got her from but this woman does nothing but causes division amongst people and incites violence. It started with her on the presidential campaign with her saying that the only "real" Americans were those in middle America and small towns. This chick is scary and is a loose cannon that may end up getting people hurt or killed. The worst thing that could have happened is her leaving Alaska. Lord have mercy on us.
I was watching this criminal on one of the Sunday talk shows and it kills me how this man has so much criticism of this administration but doesn't think they did anything wrong in the Bush administration. The man lies so much, he actually begins to believe his lies. Throw him in jail!
Yes, allow a traitor to this country headline the GOP jihadist dinner.
Sure, Rove knew what it took for Republicans to win. He/Bush were able to win the White House by hijacking the American Christian churches, turning them into houses of politics rather than houses of God, under the guise of being good Christians. And look what that has done to many church bodies. So many of these churches have so turned off people by preaching politics that many people no longer turn to Christian churches to find God. That is what Rove and the GOP do (look at Boehner's recent comments on other issues) – they will do anything, stop at nothing, to make sure their Republican party has power – even if it means gutting the churches. We should be afraid, be very afraid.
Lets make Rove stay there and turn the whole state into a prison and mental hospital.
Just another reason why she isn't a leader. The left of center shouldn't be intimidated. Maybe they should give her a dose of her own medicine.
Great headliner. A ham with a pair of glasses, just as Colbert depicted him on his show.
Do any black folks attend that dinner (and I don't mean as waiters and cooks)? Do any Jews? Do any real Gays or Lesbians (and I don't mean toe-tapping closet cases)? Do any Spanish speaking folks attend? Any immigrants at all? Do any women who are not "in tow" with their husband attend?
My perception of the GOP at this point leads me to believe the answer to all is "No."
Hope they are serving pork.
Hopefully we will see Mr. Rove in prison , where he belongs for all his illegal dealings when he was in the white house
Karl knows what it takes for Republicans to win..Of course, lie often enough, spread progaganda and use scare tatics with no boundaries. The old formula will no longer work because we as Americans have seen the republicans true colors and its scary.
How will the troll see over the podium?
Karl Rove is precisely face we need on the Republican Party.
Time for him to step out of the shadows and into the limelight.
We don't need anymore actors and mouthpieces. The only way the GOP is going to comeback is to yield the stage to a newcommer that can voice the fundamentals behind their thoughts.
That's Rove, not Palin, Huckabee, Romney, Jindal, Pawlenty, or Pence.
"Karl knows what it takes for Republicans to win... " Yeah, dirty tricks and fear-mongering. He's the man who wrote the textbook. Because when you don't have truth or realistic policies on your side, you can always count on playing the fears and ignorance of the "real Americans." What an evil man. If there really is a hell (there's not: the bible is ancient folklore mixed with medieval superstition, but an interesting read, none the less), he will burn there right next to Ronny Rayguns. Have a nice day!
If having Carl Rove a keynote speaker for the South Carolina Republican Party's annual Silver Elephant Banquet is any indication of the southern GOP direction they are in deep, deep trouble.
And the far right continues to meander off into the sunset. Apparently, this bunch of bozos couldn't find anybody with a legitimate hope of ever becoming president, so they gave the speaker's slot to someone who should be in another kind of institution, i.e., federal prison.
Since the Repugnant Party continues to crank out corporate clones, war criminals, and closet Nazis without a break, we can expect them to finally lie down on the ash heap of history very soon. The sane Americans are looking forward to that fondly.
Rove is one of the biggest tugs in the Republican trash bin.
You Bet u
That's right, Republicans.
Just keep reminding me why I will never vote Republican while I'm in my
right mind.
The reason they chose him is the cureent crop of visable Republicans are an embarrassment more so than even Rove.
When politicans are vocally disrupting Congress, calling names, threatening opponents, who do you select to speak at a dinner?
Listening to Rove will give anyone indigestion.