March 9, 2007

Rove: Obama "Articulate" But Inexperienced

Bush Political Adviser Is Latest To Use "A" Word To Describe Democratic Candidate

    • Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Martin and Coretta King Beloved Community Unity Breakfast, Sunday March 4, 2007 in Selma, Ala. Photo

      Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaks at the Martin and Coretta King Beloved Community Unity Breakfast, Sunday March 4, 2007 in Selma, Ala.  (AP)

    • White House political adviser Karl Rove Photo

      White House political adviser Karl Rove  (AP)

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  • Photo Essay Barack Obama

    The junior senator from Illinois is making his name known.

(AP)  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama just can't escape the word articulate.

"He's charismatic, he's articulate, he's a very strong figure on the national stage," White House political adviser Karl Rove told an Arkansas crowd. "But something tells me that people are going to say (they want) experience and depth. As a result it's going to be, 'Can he live up to the standards?"'

Rove spoke at an event arranged by the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, a Democratic presidential hopeful, described Obama to the New York Observer in January as, among presidential candidates, "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." Biden later apologized for his remarks.

After Biden's remarks, the Illinois senator cautioned that they could be taken as disparaging towards previous black presidential candidates, including Carol Moseley Braun, Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

President Bush also referred to Obama as "an attractive guy, he's articulate" during a January interview on Fox News Channel.


© MMVII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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by rafterman1 March 9, 2007 9:21 AM PST
Even though I think Karl Rove is pure evil, who's "talent" is being a political scumbag, I don't think "articulate" is a racist term if that's what the article is implying. Anyone, regardless of race, can be (or not be) articulate. What got Biden in trouble IMO is the "clean guy" comments, not "articulate".
Reply to this comment
by tuckerndfw March 9, 2007 9:28 AM PST
The primary reason "articulate" is so unusual & amazing is because for the past six plus years we have had a president who is anything but articulate.

It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with the fact George Bush is illiterate and the worst president in US history.
Reply to this comment
by perception5 March 9, 2007 9:39 AM PST
CBS do you have any other anti-GOP stories to post today?????? Why haven't you posted the newest JOB's report showing unemployment dropping to 4.5% and wages surging??
We can't wait to see the "headlines" that you will use to describe this good news? If you report it at all.
Reply to this comment
by jirizu March 9, 2007 9:40 AM PST
I think Obama is very articulate and represent a a future generation of America, ready to change the way things have been done in the past, I just love Obama
Reply to this comment
by migrainegram March 9, 2007 9:41 AM PST
And on a scale of -10 to 10, with -10 being as low as one can be, where do Rove, Bush, & Cheney fall?

What an inane comment to make. Rove must be feeling particulary haughty since the "Scooter" was found guilty.
Reply to this comment
by davek455 March 9, 2007 9:48 AM PST
Karl Rove has done more damage to this country than any one terrorist could ever dream to do. He has pitted one American against another using bogus social wedge issues, merely to get the Coruplicans in positions of power. Rove is a despicable abomination. A traitor in the truest sense of the word. He cares not for his country. And if this Bush's brain, what does it say about the man who hired him? Who still has him advising him?
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy March 9, 2007 9:52 AM PST
"CBS do you have any other anti-GOP stories to post today??????"
You see preceptions, that's the problem... it's all about your preceptions. What exactly makes this an anit-GOP story? Is it because Rove just might be wrong? If you agree with him then... not a problem heh? Stand up for what you believe man. As for me, I love watching you righties squirm as you defend Bush, the inarticulate but experienced monkey, and criticize Obama, the articulate, scary black man.
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad March 9, 2007 9:53 AM PST
ROVE HE KNOWS THE MATH! NO CREDIBILITY WITH HIM ANYWHERE! HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! ASK THEM WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARIES? The NEOCONS are bragging in their advertisements read below. Follow the money do not take my word for it see how many Congressmen are influenced by AIPAC money and how they are voting on Iraq!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
Reply to this comment
by adventurepa March 9, 2007 10:05 AM PST
I'll take inexperience to corrupt old boys club anyday.
We need a new government.
Vote these lying, thevies out.
Reply to this comment
by jeffstersf March 9, 2007 10:10 AM PST
Hey Perception5, the GOP has hosed our nation so badly in the last 12 years that yeah, there are going to be a lot of anti-GOP stories in the press. Way overdue, actually, since the press spent the first 4 disasterous years of the Iraq debacle kissing Bush B*U*T*T. The Nazi's got some bad press too once the world figured out what they were up to.
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy March 9, 2007 10:10 AM PST
Think about Carl Rove's brain for a minute... Suddenly Rove and Bush are referring to Obama as "articulate?" Since when has Rove uttered one sentence that wasn't thoroughy calculated? Could this be a backhand reminder that Obama does not fit the verbal stereotype but, he is black after all so...?
Reply to this comment
by johntarkenso March 9, 2007 10:17 AM PST
Truly, does anyone care what Rove has to say any longer?

When you know the speaker has a problem with the truth, why waste time listening.
Reply to this comment
by palms29cal March 9, 2007 10:23 AM PST
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, a Democratic presidential hopeful, described Obama to the New York Observer in January as, among presidential candidates, "the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." Biden later apologized for his remarks.

This is JUST what Ann Coulter was trying to get over to you dumbies who get your feelings hurt all the time. Should Joe Biden go into Re-hab' now for these remarks??????
Reply to this comment
by rohink-2009 March 9, 2007 10:32 AM PST
What got Biden in trouble (if you want to call it that) was using the term "first" as if to impy that no black leader before him had those attributes,
Reply to this comment
by serenity9k March 9, 2007 10:32 AM PST
For those who don't know, calling a Black person "articulate" is viewed by many as a racist term because it implies (whether you intend to or not) that the person being referred to is unique because he/she speaks better than other Black people. As a Black woman who has been called "articulate" for years, hearing this term used over and over to describe intelligent and accomplished Blacks, like Barack Obama, is like hearing chalk screeching on a black board (not to make a pun). A truly articulate person would be able to come up with other relevant adjectives.
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 March 9, 2007 10:43 AM PST
This is JUST what Ann Coulter was trying to get over to you dumbies who get your feelings hurt all the time. Should Joe Biden go into Re-hab' now for these remarks??????

Posted by Palms29Cal

Yeah, yuz rite, us dumbies shore ain't smart nuff ta ketch on tah wut thet genis Ann Coulter sez. Hek man shez auh mentel giant an weer jus dumbies. Som day I hope to get smarter so I can be a gumbie... like you.
Reply to this comment
by huskerarmy March 9, 2007 10:47 AM PST
"This is JUST what Ann Coulter was trying to get over to you dumbies who get your feelings hurt all the time."
No Palms29cal, not all hateful language is O.K. and should be defended. Stop protecting hate under the "political correctness" ruse. Coulter was trying to get over that it was O.K. to hate Edwards and "*******." Trying to defend her makes you a leming and a dummy.
Reply to this comment
by March 9, 2007 10:48 AM PST
"Can he live up to the standards?"

Is Rove losing it or was he just honing his stand up routine? Live UP to what standards? He couldn't possibly mean Dubya's, since if memory serves me right this is the same Rove pupil who has single handedly lowered the standards of the highest office of the land into the nether regions of ineptitude. Thanks to him, Practically any lifted inexperienced invertebrate much less articulate human being would find it a breeze to exceed the standards he set.
Reply to this comment
by dallison7 March 9, 2007 10:51 AM PST
Karl Rove commenting on the democratic candidates?? Could that mean he intends to have an active roll in the next election??

Wake up the fat guys!! Fire up the swiftboats!!
Reply to this comment
by pishdead1 March 9, 2007 10:59 AM PST
I just wish that Bush Could run again so i could hear you deadhead libs cry for another 4 years. go bush go rove
From the Neocon,Facist,evil,republican
Reply to this comment
by bks59 March 9, 2007 11:08 AM PST
Let's see Bush's elected office experience was Gov of TX, and prior to that was an inebriated lost soul! Certainly Obama is more well versed in government and politics than Bush was or is.
Reply to this comment
by oleander8 March 9, 2007 11:18 AM PST
Crawl back into your hole, Mr Rove - no body wants to hear from you.
Reply to this comment
by us_infidel March 9, 2007 11:20 AM PST
Ohhhh noooooo......guess Jackson and Sharpton are going to want apologies for Rove using the "A" word.
Reply to this comment
by us_infidel March 9, 2007 11:23 AM PST
Som day I hope to get smarter so I can be a gumbie... like you.
Posted by dallison7 at 10:43 AM : Mar 09, 2007

Better give up now......it will NEVER happen! You'll ALWAYS be a Pokie, so get used to it! :)
Reply to this comment
by feedback3-2009 March 9, 2007 11:25 AM PST
Pisshead, instead of making a meaningless statement, let's actually examine what Bush, Rove and the Neocon philosophers have done for (to) us while your pals have been "go-ing":

(1) Total distabilization of the Middle East to place it in the worst, and most dangerous, condition it's ever been in.
(2) Total alientation of the European community, with the exception of the UK, which can barely hold on to the pretense that they support this mess.
(3) Almost total loss of our relationships and influence in South and Central America.
(4) Unchecked genocide in Africa.
(5) Deficits and debt so dangerously out of control that your grandchildren will live in a very different and difficult world.
(6) A global climate melt down that is well beyond control already and can only be reacted to for the next 100 years or so (if we actually were to do something signifcant starting today) - Of course this isn't Bush and Companies fault since the "deadhead liberals" have been talking about this problem since the early 60s, but they do seem to be the most adamantly and intentionally ignorant on the subject.
(7) The most dramatic attack on civil liberties ever, based on the Bush and company culture of fear (which is always the last resort of politicians incapable of actually addressing root causes; assuming they are not just intentionally evil).

THANK GOD Bush and crew can't be reelected. It will already take us decades to unwind the damage they have done in the eight years they've had.
Reply to this comment
by maenj March 9, 2007 11:26 AM PST
When Biden said that Obama was "CLEAN"; I believe he
was referring to his political record. Meaning, that since he has not been in Washington DC as long as the other candidates running, he therefore has a clean record and has not been publicly tainted by the lobbyists and campaign financiers that traditionally make politics in America, ostensibly "A Dirty Business."

The comment about him being "ARTICULATE" was referring to the juxtaposition of our current "IN-ARTICULATE" President (Bush, 43rd).

The comment about being "GOOD-LOOKING"; well let's be honest! Looks are VERY important in this country outside politics and especially IN POLITICS! The fact that Obama is a "handsome" guy is integral to his campaign! Look at how important "looks" were in JFK/NIXON debates, and that was 50 years ago! Today, "looks" and "appearance" are integral to the game of politics, and a telegenic candidate, such as Obama, has a REAL advantage (despite the color of his skin)!
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 11:28 AM PST
They should add "articulate" to the hate crimes bill that Sheila Jackson-Lee is trying to pass through the house. At least Rove didn't say he was "clean" whatever that meant. Well that should be catagorized under the above as well. Hell, why don't we all just shut the hell up.
Reply to this comment
by us_infidel March 9, 2007 11:31 AM PST
THANK GOD Bush and crew can't be reelected. It will already take us decades to unwind the damage they have done in the eight years they've had.

Posted by feedback3 at 11:25 AM : Mar 09, 2007

Wow. You really carry around a LOT of baggage, don't you? Maybe you should lighten up a little bit......your outlook on life will probably improve exponentially!
Reply to this comment
by briannorwood March 9, 2007 11:32 AM PST
So, Obama is articulate but inexperienced, Mr. Rove?

Well may we remind you that your boss was inexperienced as well. But nobody would accuse our President as being articulate!
Reply to this comment
by frankly6 March 9, 2007 11:34 AM PST
Let's actually examine what Bush, Rove and the Neocon philosophers have done for (to) us while your pals have been "go-ing":

(1) Total distabilization of the Middle East to place it in the worst, and most dangerous, condition it's ever been in.
(2) Total alientation of the European community, with the exception of the UK, which can barely hold on to the pretense that they support this mess.
(3) Almost total loss of our relationships and influence in South and Central America.
(4) Unchecked genocide in Africa.
(5) Deficits and debt so dangerously out of control that your grandchildren will live in a very different and difficult world.
(6) A global climate melt down that is well beyond control already and can only be reacted to for the next 100 years or so (if we actually were to do something signifcant starting today) - Of course this isn't Bush and Companies fault since the "deadhead liberals" have been talking about this problem since the early 60s, but they do seem to be the most adamantly and intentionally ignorant on the subject.
(7) The most dramatic attack on civil liberties ever, based on the Bush and company culture of fear (which is always the last resort of politicians incapable of actually addressing root causes; assuming they are not just intentionally evil).


Posted by feedback3 at 11:25 AM : Mar 09, 2007


So true it deserves a repost.


Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 11:36 AM PST
Bush never said he was articulate. And "clean" referring to his record. Sorry, he had $$$$ parking tickets from his Harvard days. It starts someplace.
Reply to this comment
by luvny-2009 March 9, 2007 11:45 AM PST
WOW how funny is that, Bush is about as unexperienced as they come and dumb as a bag of rocks and Rove loves him
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 11:49 AM PST
Feedback, I can refute just about every one of your statements. Please don't "articulate" such nonsense.
Reply to this comment
by janicepv8763 March 9, 2007 11:50 AM PST
Who cares what Carl Rove has to say about Obama or anything for that matter? The man should be in jail. Obviously Bush's lack of experience didn't stop Rove from supporting him. I would like the republicans to tell us democrats what experience Obama is lacking that George Bush had. Again, who cares what Carl Rove has to say about anything?
Reply to this comment
by motherjones-2009 March 9, 2007 11:56 AM PST
Karl Rove is a pig...a festering boil on the *** of humanity. Whatever he says, the opposite is true.
Reply to this comment
by j4401 March 9, 2007 11:56 AM PST
I for one, will take articulate over some idiots (Rove) view of experienced. Put the experienced ones in jail where they belong.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 11:58 AM PST
Let's be real, what experience does Obama have? Two years in the Senate and how many years served in his home state? He's handsome, knows how to attract an audience and his book has a lot of holes in it re his Daddy. Look really closely at what he represents. Experience, well, we don't have any good record to track him, now do we? I would rather see a person think a situation through before he supports a candidate and know full well what that candidate's record is and what sort of political/social philosophy that candidate represents before I support him/her.
Reply to this comment
by chazatlas March 9, 2007 12:07 PM PST
This Bush-Cheney Corporation has more "experience" than any other presidential administration ever! Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz have been in government since pre-Nixon days. Decades of "experience" that has literally wrecked a nation at home and abroad. I'm supporting Obama because like many of us, he wasn't gullible enough to buy the WMD marketing scheme. I will go with common sense and conviction over "experience" any election.
Chaz Atlas
Greenville, SC
Reply to this comment
by chazatlas March 9, 2007 12:11 PM PST
This Bush-Cheney Corporation has more "experience" than any other presidential administration ever! Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz have been in government since pre-Nixon days. Decades of "experience" that has literally wrecked a nation at home and abroad. I'm supporting Obama because like many of us, he wasn't gullible enough to buy the WMD marketing scheme. I will go with common sense and conviction over "experience" any election.
Chaz Atlas
Greenville, SC
Reply to this comment
by chazatlas March 9, 2007 12:20 PM PST
This Bush-Cheney Corporation has more "experience" than any other presidential administration ever! Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz have been in government since pre-Nixon days. Decades of "experience" that has literally wrecked a nation at home and abroad. I'm supporting Obama because like many of us, he wasn't gullible enough to buy the WMD marketing scheme. I will go with common sense and conviction over "experience" any election.
Chaz Atlas
Greenville, SC
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 12:23 PM PST
Chatzatlas, Obama isn't gullible, but are you? One issue does not make a great candidate. Maybe the guy's a wuss and just doesn't like to fight, like the Europeans. They believe in cultural relativism that even if they could muster up enough courage to fight, they couldn't tell you what issue was morally sound. But going with your convictions is a good thing. Having convictions to begin with is great.
Reply to this comment
by homespunlady March 9, 2007 12:24 PM PST
Yep, Experience. The hard drinking, Harkin Oil Bankrupting, Skip from the Guard to HIDE at Harvard son of a CIA chief/President daddy that had more sense about IRAQ! SPOILED RICH KID. He had more experience with the BIN LADENS. He had more experience being bought - see Harkin Oil. He had more experience profiting with a sports team. If that's the kind of experience this nation needs God help us.
Of course there'll be every low down dirty trick in the book tried on Obama. It's already started with the Neocons leading the way. We've already seen crazy accusations about his elementary years, parking tickets, these BACKHANDED COMMENTS, etc. The dirty tricks squad is already in full swing. Forget substance, forget platform, forget clean politics. All that was completely abolished in the last 6 years by our Vietnam skipping, voting machine rigging, fearless leaders.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 12:28 PM PST
Homespun, you're a purist and an idealist. Wait - Hillary hasn't even begun to swing at him.
Reply to this comment
by basilobo March 9, 2007 12:30 PM PST
At least they concede that he is articulate. For that matter, the present incumbent is so inarticulate that he can't finish a sentence without stumbling around. After five years he still can't pronounce nuclear. Nobody has experience being president until he becomes president and then his advisers steer him though the rocks and shoals. To me he is already head and shoulders over that imbecile, spoiled rich boy, ex coke head and drunken bum who spews out ignorance over the T.V. He and his cohorts should all be impeached. Let him get the *** so we can do it. Surely, there has to be an intern willing to do that, be it male or female.
Reply to this comment
by scottroyer1 March 9, 2007 12:42 PM PST
Amazing. Carl Rove calls Obama articulate and the only thing you bafoons take it to mean is that Rove must be evil.

It must be nice to live in a world where you never have to assemble a serious thought and treated as insightful.
Reply to this comment
by mudrose-2009 March 9, 2007 12:44 PM PST
Dear Scott, our audience on this sight is not articulate. Don't be too hard on them.
Reply to this comment
by chazatlas March 9, 2007 12:47 PM PST
This Bush-Cheney Corporation has more "experience" than any other presidential administration ever! Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz have been in government since pre-Nixon days. Decades of "experience" that has literally wrecked a nation at home and abroad. I'm supporting Obama because like many of us, he wasn't gullible enough to buy the WMD marketing scheme. I will go with common sense and conviction over "experience" any election.
Chaz Atlas
Greenville, SC
Reply to this comment
by blackspeak-2009 March 9, 2007 1:22 PM PST
Too bad, the same cannot be said for Rove's boss. He's about as "articulate" as a bagpiper with black lung disease.
Reply to this comment
by chazatlas March 9, 2007 1:24 PM PST
This Bush-Cheney Corporation has more "experience" than any other presidential administration ever! Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz have been in government since pre-Nixon days. Decades of "experience" that has literally wrecked a nation at home and abroad. I'm supporting Obama because like many of us, he wasn't gullible enough to buy the WMD marketing scheme. I will go with common sense and conviction over "experience" any election.
Chaz Atlas
Greenville, SC
Reply to this comment
by blackspeak-2009 March 9, 2007 1:32 PM PST
Bush is probably the only person who can put two "articulate" thoughts together to utter one "inarticulate" statement.
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