Glenn W. Smith: Why the Political Press Loved Karl Rove

[babylonsister]

Glenn W. Smith: Why the Political Press Loved Karl Rove
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Wed, 08/15/2007 - 1:32pm. Guest Contribution

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION
by Glenn W. Smith

Karl Rove is smart enough, but he's no genius. Rove's political depravity put moral Americans at a disadvantage in contests with him. But crediting him with innovation or genius is like crediting Jack the Ripper with the invention of the knife. So why did the political press do it? Why did they love Karl Rove?

I don't think there's a comforting answer to this question. The relationship of Rove to the press really was like something out of an Anne Rice novel. They couldn't escape the erotic appeal of his lust for power, even when it was their blood he sucked, their consciences he corrupted. As they paled, they found it difficult to call him anything but a genius. Could they be so suckered by a dolt?

I was a reporter for the Houston Chronicle when I first met Rove in 1982. His then-client, Republican Texas Gov. Bill Clements, lied about something or other to a gaggle of the Austin press corps. In disgust I whirled around to head out the door. Rove was in my way. "F------ liar," I said to Rove's face, speaking of his boss. He was startled, but he didn't try to talk me out of it. Those were the first words I ever spoke to the guy. In Austin, we exchanged hellos a time or two. He taught a class at the University of Texas with a well-known Texas journalist, Dave McNeely. McNeely asked me to speak to the class one day. Rove sat by me, turned his back on me, and graded papers while I spoke. This was 1999. A student asked if I supported Bush for president. I said, "No." Rove, without looking up or turning to me, said, "I made a note of that."

It's a happy fact of my history that Rove and I never formally opposed one another. Rove didn't work for Clayton Williams, the GOP gubernatorial nominee Ann Richards beat in 1990. I worked for Ann then, but not in 1994, when George W. Bush defeated her with Rove's help.

In any case, I had over the years many occasions to discuss Rove with reporters who had been my colleagues. In Texas, they shared my dislike for him, my suspicions about his character and morality. That changed when he could control their access to Bush during the 2000 campaign. For once, Texas reporters were at the front of the bus. People from around the world sought their opinions of Bush and his team. They were on television. And their insights were important. But Rove controlled the seats on the bus, and if they went too far, they'd lose those seats. These are hard-bitten journalists. I still admire every one of them. But, they are human beings, and they had a job to do. One of my early colleagues, Jim Moore, joined Dallas Morning News reporter Wayne Slater in writing two Rove exposes. Of course, my friend Molly Ivins saw through Rove from the beginning too. Bless them.

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http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/contributors/1240

[Demeter]

1. The Press Likes the Smell of Blood

and Karl was the bloodsucker, the berzerker, spilling it all over. Now he's the victim. They still love him. It's the smell of blood in the water.

Could the press pool be full of sharks, or just wannabe sharks?