LAT on Rove

On the front page today, the LAT calls Karl Rove's political strategy "a unique combination of inovative campaign techniques and polarizing hardball tactics." It seems to be a theme: Liberals think Rove is polarizing and plays hardball.

The LAT reporters go on to identify some of what they think are polarizing or hardball tactics. Bush's plan to create private accounts in Social Security is one example, they say. Another was the proposed immigration overhaul, which many Democrats supported. They seem to suggest that the Plame affair was Rove's fault, although they don't refer specifically to Plame. They specifically refer to "scrutiny of federal investigators" and "fodder for congressional investigations."

The LAT reporters say Rove used "powerful computer systems" and "modern marketing tools" to target supporters and get out the vote. Rove was able to "scour even the most heavily Democratic precincts" for potential Republican votes. Rove opened a "technology gap" between the parties, the reporters say.

Finally, Rove pushed wedge issues like "abortion, same-sex marriage and gun rights to maximize support from the GOP's conservative base." Rove drew into the Republican fold "single-issue voters who might otherwise have voted for Democrats or have stayed home." This was the key, the LAT says: Rove's overall strategy was to build slender but committed majorities. This "was the most controversial weapon in Rove's arsenal, and the one critics say may spoil his dream of a long term Republican majority."

If these are the prosecution's best arguments then case dismissed.