Think Progress

Don’t dare to question Rove.

By Faiz Shakir on Aug 14th, 2007 at 10:19 pm

Don’t dare to question Rove.»

Following President Bush and Karl Rove’s joint appearance yesterday on the White House lawn announcing Rove’s upcoming departure, CBS correspondent Bill Plante shouted, “If he’s so smart, how come you lost Congress?” For having the temerity to disrupt the White House’s scripted performance, Plante said he has been subjected to right-wing abuse:

As the President and Karl Rove walked away from the lectern after their emotional announcement of Rove’s resignation, I yelled a question: “If he’s so smart, why did you lose Congress?”

The President, as usual, didn’t answer. That’s OK — he doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to. But judging by some of the reaction, you’d think I had been shouting obscenities in church!

“Unprofessional;” “Inappropriate;” “Unbecoming;” “Doesn’t show much class;” “you are a total idiot;” “Shill for the liberal Democrats.”




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80 Responses to “Don’t dare to question Rove.”

  1. jd Says:

    http://dyn.politico.com/ members/ forums/ thread.cfm?catid=1&subcatid=2&threadid=95342&currentPage=1

    READ ROVE’S COMMENTS DEMOCRATS - THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS GUY FROM HURTING YOU IS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND HOLD HIM RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS. He’s very slippery. Hasn’t been caught yet. And, Dems, I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t very good at this catch the corruption game. You are getting played while the Fox-Republicans run circles around you to run out the clock. Bush’s Brain Rove is your most important guy at the center of it all - investigate and hold him accountable.


  2. Traitor Ronnie and my Master Satan Says:

    Rove is a TRAITOR, just like Bush.

    The TRUTH hurts LIARS like these WAR CRIMINAL.


  3. Jay Randal Says:

    Sounds like the first reporter to have any guts to ask that question.


  4. Raven Says:

    Yea Bill!
    The rest of you mealy mouthed, mediocre mainstream media mishaps can learn something from Bill Plante about what it’s like to be a real reporter.


  5. barfly Says:

    Waiving their perfumed handkerchiefs, like some group of entitled fops: “Unprofessional;” “Inappropriate;” “Unbecoming;” “Doesn’t show much class;” “you are a total idiot;” “Shill for the liberal Democrats.”

    And shills for the administration.


  6. Uncle Ho Says:

    Boy, I can’t wait til Sept, when I’m there for the next protest, I will shout obscenities at the White House. Heh.


  7. ScrewBush Says:

    As usual, Reality tends to be Liberal.
    For GOPers that really sucks.


  8. Paddy Says:

    I was totally floored by this when I reported it 12 hours ago.
    Australian high-schoolers smack down Bush

    Seems you can try and keep the kids silent, but it doesn’t work.


  9. Raven Says:

    “…partisan mudslingers whose only goal is TO SHAME Bush”

    It’s an unpleasant task, and one which shouldn’t be neccesary, but someone has to tell the emperor he has no clothes…..


  10. Zep Tepi Says:

    #6 Mr P

    Rove himself stated “The media is less liberal than oppositional”


  11. Jay Randal Says:

    Reporters should stage a walkout the next time Bush has a news conference and says something snotty. They should all just get up silently and leave. Dubya might blow a fuse and choke on a pretzel.


  12. Angry One Says:

    Karl Rove’s true legacy? The permanent transformation and debasement of American politics itself.

    For the details, see:
    “The Base Politics of Karl Rove.”


  13. joe cantwell Says:

    karl did turn the press into cowards, you gotta give him that.


  14. AkaDad Says:

    The reporter was clearly a Republican, and he’s upset at how Rove and Bush tainted the Republican party.


  15. Jackson Says:

    I don’t get it. Aren’t we liberals supposed to be the “sensitive” ones? Yet when we ask them legitimate questions they shriek about civility.


  16. ronjazz Says:

    Plante and librul reporters like him are partisan mudslingers whose only goal is TO SHAME Bush.

    Comment by LibReportersAreUnprofessional — August 14, 2007 @ 10:33 pm

    Absolutely unnecessary, as Bush has shamed himself, his family and his country without Bill Plante’s help. And help me out here, moron, what country do you live in? When has the US press ever had to respect the president as if he were some sainted prince? The president should respect the press, as the people’s representative, and answer their questions fully and honestly. This royalist crap is why we liberals tossed king George and his redcoats out on their asses and established a free country. The president works for the people, and the people have a right to know. You sound like you would rather live in North Korea, so get out and go there, traitor. Bush is a loser, and unelected. he deserves the back of our hands, and life in prison, and I’m being very kind. You deserve less.


  17. clipse Says:

    President Bush needs to award the Honorable Karl Rove with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.


  18. ronjazz Says:

    We become less free every time Bush insults the people through his royalist behavior and bad manners. He is a pig, and you know what happens to pigs.


  19. mongo Says:

    Comment by ronjazz — August 14, 2007 @ 10:47 pm

    Well said.


  20. NeoconsNeedNuetering Says:

    Mmmm, I miss the smell of Karl’s crinkly, old, brown-star…


  21. Uncle Ho Says:

    ronjazz; Did you say something about a pig roast? mmmmm, my favorite. Fire up the BBQ.


  22. Zooey Says:

    Comment by LibReportersAreUnprofessional — August 14, 2007 @ 10:33 pm

    Bush is not the KING. He’s our EMPLOYEE.

    Best to remember that — since Bush doesn’t.


  23. barfly Says:

    President Bush needs to award the Honorable Karl Rove with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    Comment by clipse

    Yeah. If there is one award that would fit Rove, it’s the same one given to the two incompetents, Tenet, and Franks.


  24. ronjazz Says:

    President Bush needs to award the Honorable Karl Rove with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

    Comment by clipse — August 14, 2007 @ 10:48 pm

    He may as well, he’s cheapened it down far enough. The medal appears to only go to traitors and sycophants now, so Rove should get two. It’s as meaningless as calling Rove honorable, or Bush president.


  25. UpFromTheSkies Says:

    Maybe Plante should have told Bush to go “F$%# Off”. That would have been defended by Republicans as highly professional, classy, and macho, the way they defended Cheney as being professional and classy when said those words on the Senate floor to Patrick Leahy. And they even defended Cheney when he later said those words were “necessary” and “long overdue”. “F$%# Off”, after all, are now among the acceptable words in polite society for Republicans.


  26. Zooey Says:

    “F$%# Off”, after all, are now among the acceptable words in polite society for Republicans.
    Comment by UpFromTheSkies — August 14, 2007 @ 10:58 pm

    Cool.


  27. gus smith Says:

    No, this does not sound right - Plante hurling an arrogant question/commentary at the backs of the pres and Rove as they are leaving? That is not the journalistic courage we have been seeking since the press caved to Bush.


  28. Frank J Says:

    Looking at all these Rove topics I get the impression that the moonbats don’t like Karl Rove.


  29. Zep Tepi Says:

    Plante should have said it was heartfelt.


  30. Zep Tepi Says:

    Looking at all these Rove topics I get the impression that the moonbats don’t like Karl Rove. Comment by Frank J

    Well he is Godless!! =)

    [Coulter sarcasm on]


  31. Uncle Ho Says:

    F$%# off is now acceptable words in polite society for Republicans-comment by UpFromTheSkies

    Way cool, I can now officially hurl 5-deferment Dick Cheney’s own words back at the White House at the protest there next month.

    Glad to have you back on board Zooey. Time for me to turn in, you have the conn. It’s your shift. Sock-it-to them.


  32. Jay Randal Says:

    gus > at least he yelled the question at them. Most of the White House reporters wet their pants if Bush gives them his evil eye look.


  33. Zooey Says:

    Glad to have you back on board Zooey. Time for me to turn in, you have the conn. It’s your shift. Sock-it-to them.
    Comment by Uncle Ho — August 14, 2007 @ 11:12 pm

    Aye aye, Cap’n. :-)


  34. Zooey Says:

    This country needs more unprofessional, inappropriate, unbecoming, no class, total idiots shilling for the American people.

    We’d all be better off….


  35. Anon Says:

    Sounds like the same kinds of things said of those questioning the invasion of Iraq: “Unprofessional;” “Inappropriate;” “Unbecoming;” “Doesn’t show much class;” “you are a total idiot;” “Shill for the liberal Democrats.”

    The opposition was right before the Invasion; and has not been discredited.


  36. chimpeach Says:

    That was a great question, Bill. I hope some of those pantywaists who sit in the briefing room with you will follow your example and find the gumption to ask a pertinent question themselves every now and then.


  37. Jack Jett Says:

    Bill Plante should be calling the others pussy’s and wimps for not calling Rove out.

    I would love to find out who was doing to name calling.

    The Old Media has made Rove a Superstar.

    The man is dumb as butter or we wouldn’t be in the shape we are in unless that was his intent….and then he belongs in jail.

    jack jett
    http://www.jackejett.com


  38. BARTLEBEE Says:

    he snidely yelled it after the conference was over.

    Comment by LibReportersKickass — August 14, 2007 @ 10:33 pm

    No.

    It wasn’t a press conference.

    Like most illiterate undereducated right wingnuts you don’t know the meaning of the words you toss about.

    A “conference” requires more than one person to speak.

    A “conference” is a meeting where TWO or more parties EXCHANGE views.

    A Press Conference at the White House is where the press asks questions and the President ANSWERS them.

    This was just another speech from the king, nothing more.


  39. pete Says:

    It would be extremely difficult to address this President with the respect he deserves. I mean, it’s just not nice to run around shouting, “Hey Butt Nugget”.


  40. BARTLEBEE Says:

    From Websters

    : con·fer·ence

    Pronunciation: ‘kän-f(&-)r&n(t)s, -f&rn(t)s, for 2 usu k&n-’f&r-&n(t)s
    Function: noun

    1 a : a meeting of two or more persons for discussing matters of common concern

    b : a usually formal interchange of views :


  41. Probus Says:

    Plante’s question tears apart the so called “boy genius” persona of Rove who is no genius. He’s not the political guru neo-cons take him to be. He completely missed the mood of the country in 2006. His “math” failed. His math also failed in 2000. A election Bush lost.


  42. BARTLEBEE Says:

    The press should start boycotting these so called press “conferences” until Bush goes back to honoring our constitutional right to a free press.


  43. Maeven Says:

    The press corps’ response to Bill Plante is like an exclamation mark on what has to have been the squirreliest week of press performances in the entire history of the lousy media coverage of this administration.


  44. ronjazz Says:

    No, this does not sound right - Plante hurling an arrogant question/commentary at the backs of the pres and Rove as they are leaving? That is not the journalistic courage we have been seeking since the press caved to Bush.

    Comment by gus smith — August 14, 2007 @ 11:02 pm

    You mean as they were cutting and running, don’t you? They’re rude, imperious bastards, and deserve the same consideration they show the American people. Plante gave it to them, and good on him.


  45. Arthur C. Says:

    George Bush lied to the American people to gratify his sick Oedipal fantasies, and Americans will eat Bush alive for betraying them. The press senses this.


  46. Jake D. Says:

    Time to pull CBS’s White House press passes.


  47. Suzy Q Says:

    I can’t wait until the Turdblossom writes a book. It should be quite exciting. The title will be…I’m OUT and now I’m going to my boyfriends house”.


  48. Buck Fush Says:

    You mean Bush understood the question but did not answer it? No, he did not understand it, it was outside his bubble.


  49. bilbobaggins Says:

    “Time to pull CBS’s White House press passes.
    Comment by Jake D.”

    How about the only press they allow in to be Faux Noise. That would be their wet dream. Unfortunately the American public expect better from the leader of their country. No matter the fact that Bush has held less press conferences than any other President in modern times.


  50. Devil's Advocate Says:

    The WH Press Corpse at work… Sucking up , llicking boots, and making themselves available for more, less suitable for this site, activities.


  51. paul Says:

    Wow, liberals have finally crossed every line that there is. Doesn’t it sound exactly like something Howard Stern would do (or should I say, send stuttering john out to do, because howard has too much class). What’s funny is; most progressives are proud of what they have become. Better save a few good shots for HW’s funeral, or if Laura Bush gets cancer and announces it, and definitely for the next inauguration…

    Pathetic.


  52. O. Bigfoot Says:

    “You mean as they were cutting and running, don’t you? They’re rude, imperious bastards, and deserve the same consideration they show the American people. Plante gave it to them, and good on him.

    Comment by ronjazz — August 14, 2007 @ 11:56 pm”

    You were talking about the press, correct?

    Plante should revel in the heaps of criticism he’s been getting from his fellow reporters, since he’s obviously oblivious to tastfulness and decorum.

    Hopefully, he has a back up career. I hear he’s been practicing his lines: “Would you like fries with that?”

    Sam Donaldson he ain’t.


  53. OHanlonsHemorrhoid Says:

    Wow, liberals have finally crossed every line that there is. Comment by paul — August 15, 2007 @ 2:19 am

    Such irony, considering the thread is on Rove - the man with NO LINES!

    You wingnuts are such hateful hypocrites!


  54. OHanlonsHemorrhoid Says:

    Sam Donaldson he ain’t.
    Comment by O. Bigfoot — August 15, 2007 @ 2:33 am

    Decent honest human being, you ain’t! You hateful partisan hack!


  55. Probus Says:

    Rove didn’t answer Plante’s question because Rove showed poor lack of judgment and an inability to see the truth something Bush also suffers from in not being able to predict the landslide loss of Congress for the GOP.


  56. SKdeA Says:

    Jeez, Pete, can’t you do better than that?
    Since Karl resigned, looks like the troll wages have been cut to the bone. They are definitely hiring morons now.


  57. troll alert Says:

    …will you please probe my ass?
    Comment by pete

    Pete wants some action.
    Typical right winger. No wonder he’s on here defending Rove.


  58. Exlaxflaxsexwithhismomnley Says:

    > A complex man like the Honorable Karl Rove will
    > keep you Libs guessing for decades! -Malicious

    Hi Daryll,
    Keep in mind that karl shares the title “horonable” with such shining
    example of honor as the Honorable Mark Foley, the Honorable Bob Ney, the Honorable Duke Cunningham, and your local dogcatcher as well.


  59. loretta Says:

    “inability to see the truth something Bush also suffers from in not being able to predict the landslide loss of Congress for the GOP.”

    Comment by Probus — August 15, 2007 @ 2:37 am

    How amazing WAS that? I mean, most of the NATION as well as the rest of the WORLD saw that one coming.


  60. Guido, Lover, OBGYN Says:

    Cameras and questions are light to these vampires.


  61. chris Says:

    has anyone every ask Clinton if he is so popular why did he lose congress?

    Thought not

    The liberal media couldn’t control their hate for Rove.

    Remember Slippery” Shuster?? He said Rove would be indicted!


  62. Suzy Q Says:

    It’s going to be so cool when Cheney is impeached. Imagine it, Bush all alone. Standing there babbling with drool flowing from one side of his mouth, while Nancy Pelosi’s personal belongings are being hauled into the White House.

    A fate worse than impeachment for the Bubbleboy. Our country is going to be fun again!


  63. River Says:

    As a career journalist and a diedhard liberal, I thought the question was way out of line.


  64. the fly-man Says:

    None of them were surprised when Bill grabbed his throat, becoming the first victim of the Evil Sith Lord’s choke hold after his departure from the Emperors death star to exile.


  65. missmolly Says:

    As a career journalist and a diedhard liberal, I thought the question was way out of line.

    Comment by River — August 15, 2007 @ 8:15 am

    The question was phrased as a playground taunt, and that is never very becoming. Bush had every right to ignore it.

    But in Plante’s defense, I’ll say this: Journalists everywhere are writing about Rove’s work — his accomplishments and his failures. If either Bush or Rove had chosen to respond to Plante, they could have provided their own input into what was going to be written anyway. Unfortunately, it went off-script, so any response would have been highly unlikely. Plante probably remembers the days when he had non-stop talker Clinton to work with.


  66. aecelbert Says:

    Plante should provide names of those who hurled the abuse. Wonder if they can take a liberal dose of integrity in return?


  67. kelso Says:

    He’s such a genius that his political strategy made it possible to lose more seats in Congress for the Republican party than in all of electoral history.

    Thanks feces-bloom.


  68. hellinabucket Says:

    I’d like to hear Rove answer the question. Way to go Plante. Bush couldn’t answer because karl hadn’t given him the answer yet and it wouldn’t look good to have Rove whispering in Bush’s ear and then respond to a question about the guy who just whispered in his ear.


  69. Marie Says:

    Most of us are sick and tired of the kid-glove treatment given Bush&Co by the msm. When someone actually has the temerity to challeng them, the Bush lovers become apopleptic.
    It just shows how far removed from the truth is the msm — those that are not brainwashed are paid-for prostitutes.


  70. cage free brown Says:

    can you imagine Bush being hammered by a young hotshot at each and every press conference? remember how Rather hammered Nixon or Sam Donaldson pestered Reagan? can you imagine such a thing in Bush’s America?

    I can’t.


  71. WC Says:

    Bill Plante got balls!

    Those attacking him…eh, not so much.


  72. WC Says:

    Comment by missmolly — August 15, 2007 @ 8:35 am

    Bush would have ignored it even if he had personally pointed out and invited Plante, one of many reporters in the crowd, to submit a question.


  73. Bob Says:

    Libs/moonbats never “got” Rove.

    Rove too smart. Dems too “Dumb and Dumber”.


  74. batbird Says:

    He tried to resign last year, Bush wouldn’t accept it.
    Loosing the Congress landed square on his shoulders.
    He is no genius, evil or saintly.
    Rove was nothing more than a back-room thug, a hatchet man for a crime boss.
    Rove was good at cheating and stealing, that is all.
    He was a chump at the top.


  75. Bob Says:

    CBS correspondent Bill Plante shouted, “If he’s so smart, how come you lost Congress?”

    CBS trusted news ???? “We report you accept”.

    Dan Rather fomer CBS head anchor guys sez:

    “Fake but Accurate” News.


  76. John the Elder Says:

    Finally, one of the WH hacks who are most often content to swallow whatever swill Tony(feel sorry for me) throws out, and pass it on to the rest of us, had the Intestinal Fortitude to ask an unscripted, intelligent question. He knew that, given the nature of the question, it would not get an answer from the ratpack responsible to no one.
    When are the American people going to wake from their slumber and hold these cretins responsible for their lack of meaningful work?


  77. missmolly Says:

    Libs/moonbats never “got” Rove.

    Rove too smart. Dems too “Dumb and Dumber”.

    Comment by Bob — August 15, 2007 @ 12:10 pm

    When you say “got” Rove, what exactly do you mean?

    If you are saying that Rove always bested Democrats, I need only point to the 2006 midterm elections. If you are saying that the Democrats were never able to nail Rove with any criminal acts, it sounds as if you are admitting that Rove COMMITTED criminal acts and the Dems were just too dumb to catch him at it.

    So, which is it?


  78. justme Says:

    Pet peeve.

    Thank you CBS for using the correct term “lectern”, rather than the overly abused “podium”.

    We return to your regularly scheduled programming.

    F#@% Rove. If the world truly had any justice, he’d spend the rest of his days on latrine burning duty for the Marines. Alas, such is not to be.


  79. Lora Says:

    has anyone every(SIC) ask(SIC) Clinton if he is so popular why did he lose congress?
    Thought not
    Comment by chris — August 15, 2007 @ 7:44 am

    Has anyone ever told you that Clinton is no longer president? Has anyone given you an elementary school diploma yet?
    Thought not.


  80. Lora Says:

    LibReportersAreUnprofessional ,
    For your next name change, you ought to consider NeoConsWantJeffGannonforPressSecretary-or-EveningNewsAnchor. It would be one of the few times here that you’ve ever been truthful or spot on.



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