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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Campaign Wizard Karl Rove’s Epic Failure

Karl Rove raised hundreds of millions of dollars this year, mostly from rich Republicans, promising to take back the White House and Senate.  It didn't work, and Rove had a hard time facing reality on election night. When Fox News called Ohio for President Obama, Rove — on set as a commentator — refused to believe it.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Karl Rove raised hundreds of millions of dollars this year, mostly from rich Republicans, promising to take back the White House and Senate. It didn't work, and Rove had a hard time facing reality on election night. When Fox News called Ohio for President Obama, Rove — on set as a commentator — refused to believe it. A camera followed Anchorwoman Megyn Kelly into a room full of number crunchers who said there was not doubt. In the conversation that followed, Rove cautioned that "It's just in terms of public perception, it looks a little odd to be making a call." Wayne Slater is senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News and co-author of Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove Made George W. Bush Presidential.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

  • KCRW placeholder

    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Frances Anderton

    architecture critic and author

  • KCRW placeholder

    Wayne Slater

    journalist and author

    NewsNationalPolitics
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