(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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They are scraping the bottom of the barrel – and finding Karl. Have fun!
Well, it certainly helped John McCain become president so the Democrats should be worried....wait, oh, that's right, John McCain's presidential run was a dismal failure. Enjoy your speech Mr. Rove.
Just another move that makes me embarassed to be a South Carolinian.
Enough to make you puke up your dinner!
i can see why your wife dump u karl .u r a lying and a snake n the grass.this is mr family values himself!i guess they cant do any better.his wife left him good 4 her.get on a diet karl and then maybe u can get marry again loser!
Oh, you mean Karl "rerun" Rove? We've seen this jerk before . . . he was terrible for the country from 2000-2008 and he's WORSE for the country now!
It seems like the republicans will listen to any idiot that comes along. Karl Rove is a self-righteous little twit that should be ignored.
For some reason, the GOP is still choosing the divisive politics of Karl Rove instead of approaching solutions to work together for all Americans. How sad.
All of the hate mongers from the Republican Party will start to come out of their holes, preaching death to the Democrats. I think we are witnessing the death and burial of the Republican Party, as we knew it. The wacko far right of the GOP, which is less than 15% of the party, is taking over, and that is not good for conservatives who track closer to the middle.
Karl would be far and away better than the current occupant of the White House, face it, anyone would be better than obama.
Rove is a political mastermind. He is interesting because he studies political movements and knows them better than all the network pundits, as well as because he spent eight years in the White House under President Bush. Liberals may not understand that he is a brilliant hero to conservatives.
of course, IT IS SOUTH CAROLINA.....and demented and sanford will also be in attendance......sure he fits with them
Porky Pig !!!
Another one of the PARTY OF HATE to promote more HATE and ANGER........he is a has been and a want to be all wrapped up in one "FULL OF HIMSELF" man
Him and Limbaugh are two pigs in the same sty.They even look like brothers.
I hope he brings his bricks and pipe cutters.
If anything happen to those democrats threatened by republicans, John Boehner and Sarah Palin you will be held responsible. It is a shame that republicans has resulted to violence, I thought they portrayed themselves as conservative christians who should condemn such behaviors.
Rove what a waste of air
Due to all the welfare slime that helped get the healthcare bill passed I will NO LONGER donate ANY money to charity. All You lazy liberals out there can go cry to Obama for your handouts.
Better Mr. Rove than Palin!!!
A heart attack waiting to happen or just constipated?
Please use this as your jump off point and run in 2012 Karl. And Sarah could be your running mate!
How appropriate. Karl Rove is speaking @ the "Silver Elephant Banquet". Of course, it's in So. Carolina to boot. Gotta love that.
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that he will recommend scare tactics. Maybe a smattering of hate.
I love how the GOP's keynote speaker is an ex bush aide who never even attended college and ran one of the most negative campaigns ever, the GOP the party of NO! ....this message is approved by Libertarians.