A successful case of ‘political divorce’
Published: 24 Oct. 2024, 19:35
PARK HYEON-JUN
The author is an international news reporter of the JoongAng Ilbo.
If they fail, they are brokers. If they succeed, they become aides. They are the “political consultants.” It is similar in other countries. The most notable one is U.S. President George W. Bush’s soulmate, Karl Rove. He dropped out of college in 1971 and entered politics. After establishing a relationship with the Bush family, he drafted a campaign strategy for George W. Bush. His life was at its peak when Bush was successfully re-elected.
But he had no choice but to pack up and leave the White House after a series of scandals involving him were exposed. The Bush administration itself could have been shaken if he hadn’t stop working as a political advisor at the time. Even the Republicans condemned him for doing the dirty work.
One of his most notorious election methods he employed was the “push poll” against Republican rival John McCain before the 2000 presidential election. A “push poll” is a fake opinion poll aimed at spreading rumors about an opponent. He conducted a poll asking respondents if they would vote for McCain if they learned that he had a Black child out of wedlock. It was an ungrounded fake news, but voters changed their minds and chose Bush because of the meticulously designed questions.
There’s no evidence that Bush knew or approved of Rove’s vicious campaign tactic. But it’s hard to say that he is not responsible, as Bush kept Rove around for decades. Rove was the dark and sinister side of Bush’s political character. Nevertheless, personal attacks were only directed at Rove, and Bush remained a president who didn’t know much about politics but had human charms. Rove took criticism all by himself and didn’t resent his boss for abandoning him. He said that he was with ordinary Americans praying for Bush.
There is a side story about Rove. While everyone thinks Rove’s career ended, he actually turned into a big shot Republican. He played a behind-the-scenes role of raising political funds using his networks with the wealthy. He contributed columns to major conservative media, and his net wealth — mostly income from campaign consulting and lectures — is estimated at $12 million.
Perhaps it may be a good example that a successful “political divorce” can benefit not only the involved parties — Bush and Rove — but also the nation and the people.
The author is an international news reporter of the JoongAng Ilbo.
If they fail, they are brokers. If they succeed, they become aides. They are the “political consultants.” It is similar in other countries. The most notable one is U.S. President George W. Bush’s soulmate, Karl Rove. He dropped out of college in 1971 and entered politics. After establishing a relationship with the Bush family, he drafted a campaign strategy for George W. Bush. His life was at its peak when Bush was successfully re-elected.
But he had no choice but to pack up and leave the White House after a series of scandals involving him were exposed. The Bush administration itself could have been shaken if he hadn’t stop working as a political advisor at the time. Even the Republicans condemned him for doing the dirty work.
One of his most notorious election methods he employed was the “push poll” against Republican rival John McCain before the 2000 presidential election. A “push poll” is a fake opinion poll aimed at spreading rumors about an opponent. He conducted a poll asking respondents if they would vote for McCain if they learned that he had a Black child out of wedlock. It was an ungrounded fake news, but voters changed their minds and chose Bush because of the meticulously designed questions.
There’s no evidence that Bush knew or approved of Rove’s vicious campaign tactic. But it’s hard to say that he is not responsible, as Bush kept Rove around for decades. Rove was the dark and sinister side of Bush’s political character. Nevertheless, personal attacks were only directed at Rove, and Bush remained a president who didn’t know much about politics but had human charms. Rove took criticism all by himself and didn’t resent his boss for abandoning him. He said that he was with ordinary Americans praying for Bush.
There is a side story about Rove. While everyone thinks Rove’s career ended, he actually turned into a big shot Republican. He played a behind-the-scenes role of raising political funds using his networks with the wealthy. He contributed columns to major conservative media, and his net wealth — mostly income from campaign consulting and lectures — is estimated at $12 million.
Perhaps it may be a good example that a successful “political divorce” can benefit not only the involved parties — Bush and Rove — but also the nation and the people.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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