Living in DC has its interesting moments. Coming into town from Atlanta Sunday night, I happened to bump into former White House adviser Karl Rove. In the process I learned two things: Karl Rove flies coach class now that he's left the White House and that he also is a fan of NewsBusters.
The story:
My girlfriend and I had gone down to Atlanta to visit some friends for the weekend. On our way back Sunday night, we flew into Reagan National in coach class. After the plane landed, I realized that we'd been sitting not too far away from Rove. I only realized this, however, after some guy (a short, reporterish-looking fellow) started accosting Rove on the plane badgering him with questions about his post-White House career.
As a national figure, I'm sure Rove's gotten used to strangers coming up to him on the street but it's got to get annoying. He seemed irritated but was being nice to the guy--not answering the questions and hinting that he'd just like to be left alone.
Finally, the guy blurted out "Can't you at least give me your email address? I promise I won't give it to anyone."
I'd had enough of the idiocy at that point and interjected: "Because it's not like anyone else is overhearing this conversation. I'm sure your address would be completely confidential."
That provided enough distraction for Rove to blow the guy off--he left soon after. As we exited the plane, I mentioned that I ran NewsBusters.
"Thanks for doing that," Rove said. "You guys do great work there." He also said he was a fan of MRC president and NB publisher Brent Bozell.
After that, I left Rove to his Sunday evening.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Comments Policy
Wondering if he .
October 16, 2007 - 14:04 ET by FastEdloves Leon, like the rest of us?!? Wonder too, if he'd rate the ShrubReport - can send you a PM with the answer!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Great story - that flying coach thing
October 16, 2007 - 14:09 ET by Dee Bunksignificantly takes away from the diabolical world dominator image that the MSM have portrayed doesn't it?
It looks like Rove does more to combat Global Warming than Gore
Hmmmm.... Makes one
October 16, 2007 - 14:12 ET by bigtimerHmmmm....
Makes one wonder if that was really Karl Rove that was posting here as....Karl Rove!
Too much fun...haven't seen him for awhile either...lol!
Now that he is on to us ...
October 16, 2007 - 14:54 ET by KC MulvilleMakes me nervous ... I'm not sure I want powerful people to take me seriously ... they might think I know what I'm talking about.
Of course, we all may be an unintended source of amusement ...
Why KC...you do know what
October 16, 2007 - 15:16 ET by bigtimerWhy KC...you do know what you're talking about.
I love your posts and have learned from them too.
As for all of us being a source of unintended amusement....turn about is fair play I would say...heheheee
all right, i will admit
October 16, 2007 - 20:03 ET by TruthMongerall right, i will admit it
i was the second gunman on the grassy knoll
dear karl, where is my fax...?
A service of the new NB respect police
HA! They fell for it again ...
October 16, 2007 - 20:18 ET by KC MulvilleNow if I could only get my children to think I know anything about anything, I might make some progress!
Matthew, Just as a side
October 16, 2007 - 14:26 ET by msh1973Matthew,
Just as a side note; I was in Atlanta over this past weekend my self, small world. We love that part of NW Georgia, beautiful, was hoping for cooler weather as I live in Florida. The nights were wonderful, even had a fire in the fireplace.
Yeah, but Matt, did you get
October 16, 2007 - 14:31 ET by Michael ChapmanYeah, but Matt, did you get his e-mail address?!?!?!?
Lol!
October 16, 2007 - 14:33 ET by Matthew SheffieldNope. I really couldn't after that incident!
Hey Karl, give us the
October 16, 2007 - 14:44 ET by Airforce_5_OHey Karl, give us the secret to controling the weather. I want to finish off California.
JUST KIDDING!!!!!!
Great stuff Mat.
The only thing you should feel when shooting insurgents is the rifle recoil.
Not a bad idea
October 16, 2007 - 15:02 ET by FastEdMaybe just the parts around SF - can't lose the port of San Diego or the high desert!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Fast... I agree...plus I
October 16, 2007 - 15:20 ET by bigtimerFast...
I agree...plus I have to throw in little spots up North too...
SF can go....
Oooops wait a second...Noel lives in the area I think...I take it back. (maybe we could get him to move....lol) just kiddin' Noel.
Great story Matthew! That
October 16, 2007 - 14:47 ET by TheGingermanGreat story Matthew! That is amazing that you just happened to run into him.
Anyone else find it interesting that Rove flies coach? Seems like it would a major nusiance for him, such as Matthew's example. I would think someone of his stature would require a little more privacy.
Matt, did you slip him your
October 16, 2007 - 14:54 ET by dscottMatt, did you slip him your card? What a great interview that would make. I have some burning questions and more importantly did he consider the points we made about various issues, did it help clarify things?
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity
I'm not promising anything
October 16, 2007 - 14:55 ET by Matthew SheffieldBut it's possible that might happen.
Personally, I would like to
October 16, 2007 - 15:26 ET by dscottPersonally, I would like to know what he considered (our comments) helped him and which ones hindered him. I am going to assume he was subtle enough to have one of his minions posting on various conservative sites to see our responses in an unofficial focus group. And I would like to know if he read his emails... and Whitehouse emails... and did it factor into his advice.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity
Karl Rove ... a NB
October 16, 2007 - 15:03 ET by drillanwrKarl Rove ... a NB fan/reader ...
Yunz know what that means, don't ya?
He got all that diabolical stuff/ideas from US!
Muhuahahaha!
October 16, 2007 - 15:21 ET by dscottMuhuahahaha!
I know I cannot take credit
October 16, 2007 - 16:54 ET by Roger the ShrubberI know I cannot take credit for the Karl Rove Weather Machine, but I still have dibs on the Time Machine....
Okay, I confess. Rove
October 16, 2007 - 19:08 ET by tracheostomyOkay, I confess.
Rove paid me to mug Randi Rhodes.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Trac, the quote of the year
October 16, 2007 - 20:16 ET by Roger the ShrubberTrac, the quote of the year is your sig, haha!
Matt..you learned 3 things....
October 16, 2007 - 15:31 ET by JayTeeIf you have a good looking Girl with you, important Men will talk to you.......and if your Girlfriend was better looking than your Great looking Sister, the Whole Plane followed you to the baggage section.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
JT... Okay who is
October 16, 2007 - 15:34 ET by bigtimerJT...
Okay who is Matthew's great looking sister...this inquiring mind is really really curious.
The NB anniversary happy hour....in DC..you missed it
October 16, 2007 - 15:42 ET by JayTeeAt least I hope that was Matt and his Sister that showed up......
I would NOT bring her to a bar, without a Military Escort.... unfortunately, I was the Oldest NB'er there, and ....in the Bar, and.... within 5.8 miles of the Bar.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Thanks JT...got the
October 16, 2007 - 15:51 ET by bigtimerThanks JT...got the picture...lol.
JayTee = Chris
October 16, 2007 - 19:06 ET by tracheostomyJayTee = Chris Matthews?
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Nice Try Tracheostomy......but I'm better lookin than Chris
October 16, 2007 - 20:13 ET by JayTeeBesides, I gave a rather Quiet observation of the opposite sex compared to Chris Matthead's normal drivel......
Sheffield........Write a part for your Sister in the NB WEBCAST Video's......and watch the NB HITS break new records....Chris Matthead might even log on.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Quote: Plus, I doubt that
October 16, 2007 - 22:38 ET by tracheostomyQuote: Plus, I doubt that a non-reporter would have been as rude.
It's obvious the offended party has found your comments offensive. Later on you pushed it with this most recent post.
Why don't you just come right out and ask, "Hey, how much for your seester, eh?"
Valid compliments lose their sincerity when repeated to the level of eyeballing the meat section.
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
Yes
October 16, 2007 - 15:56 ET by Matthew Sheffieldthat was my sister. GF had to work.
Matthew, do you know what
October 16, 2007 - 16:14 ET by rimskyMatthew, do you know what organization the heckler is from?
I don't
October 16, 2007 - 16:22 ET by Matthew SheffieldBut he definitely seemed like a reporter as he seemed to know a number of people's names who worked in the Bush WH. Plus, I doubt that a non-reporter would have been as rude.
Great story Matthew
October 16, 2007 - 18:53 ET by acumenI heard there was a big rapper convention in Atlanta this past weekend. I guess that explains what Rove was up to.
But I wonder why Rove has to fly coach after making all that money in the "war for oil"?
Sounds like my Daschle Story
October 16, 2007 - 19:45 ET by Lame CherryI always think when you meet someone national that something big should happen, but your meeting Rove was about like my meeting Tom Daschle.......although it was Daschle who was pestering me.
I was at a rodeo and Tom was making the way through the crowd looking "common" when he came up to me and kept trying to shake my hand.........I wanted to watch the rodeo, but he just kept standing there talking away and finally to send him along to bother others I cringed and shook his hand.
Of course, I have had the pleasure of more intense exchanges with being threatened and yelled at but that was just by second level talking heads.
I hope if I ever meet Karl Rove at least it will be sloshing down a few boiler makers where he accidentally tosses a dart that hits Henry Waxman in his butt..........that would be a fun story.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Matthew, you could have stayed over for the Falcon's game.
October 16, 2007 - 21:30 ET by Dave RJust kidding, of course.
-But there were plenty of seats available. LOL.
Meeting Karl Rove was no-doubt far more interesting than watching the "Disaster in the Dome" that took place here on Monday night.
When I'm president, privatization is off the table because it's not the answer to anything.-Hillary Rodham, September 3, 2007 AARP Legislative Conference.