The media have been in full Rove Derangement Syndrome since Monday's announcement that the famed White House adviser would be stepping down at the end of the month.
NewsBusters has already reported some fine examples here, here, here, here, and here.
However, I would like to nominate the following opening paragraph from Tuesday's San Francisco Chronicle article entitled "Pundits, Bloggers Go Wild Over Rove's Resignation" as the winner of the best example of RDS yet penned or uttered (emphasis added):
Karl Rove is the most polarizing American political figure outside of the man he serves, President George W. Bush.
What? President Bush is the most polarizing political figure in the nation, and Karl Rove is number two?
C'mon.
Let's analyze the level of derangement on display here, shall we?
First, given Congress' much lower favorability ratings, is Bush more polarizing than House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) or Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada)?
Well, in recent polls, Bush's favorability rating is 33 percent. Yet, Pelosi's is 31 percent, and Reid's is only twelve percent.
Furthermore, lacking poll data on the subject to prove the point, I venture to guess that Republicans are more repulsed by Hillary Clinton than Democrats are by President Bush. As such, one could make the case that the junior senator from New York is the most polarizing political figure in the nation, and is certainly more polarizing than Rove.
*****Update: Time magazine agrees with me (h/t NBer motherbelt, emphasis added):
Hillary Clinton may be the most polarizing figure on the current political landscape. TIME asked respondents about 11 phrases one could use to describe her, from "likable" to "would protect America against terrorism." Democrats and Republicans disagreed by a margin of over 40 points on the applicability of eight of them, and by 50 points on three, including "strong leader" (Republicans 25%, Democrats 77% ), "would protect America against terrorism" (Republicans 17% , Democrats 67% ), and "has strong moral values" (Republicans 16% , Democrats 69% ). Democrats and Republicans come closest in agreement on her intelligence (Republicans 73% , Democrats 91% ) and the likelihood that she "would stand up for issues important to women" (Republicans 60% , Democrats 81% ) — perhaps a sign that, whatever her other problems as a candidate, she is not being held back by gender stereotypes. Or it could mean that Republicans hate her so much they don't care if she's smart.
Of course, as it pertains to Reid, the previously cited polls indicate that many people have never heard of him. That represents point number two concerning Rove: outside of political junkies, how many Americans actually know who he is? Hard to be polarizing if you're unknown.
I mean, think about those man on the street interviews that people like Jay Leno and Sean Hannity regularly do when they ask regular folks questions about political figures, and many people don't even know who the vice president is. Do you think they'd know who Karl Rove is?
Nah, I don't either. As such, stating that Karl Rove is the second most polarizing figure in politics today gets my vote as the ultimate example of Rove Derangement Syndrome.
How 'bout you?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Polls
August 14, 2007 - 11:03 ET by cvgbuckeyeLets see now Noel: What do you reckon a poll question about hatred for President Bush and Karl Rove would result if given to the media only? Do you imagine that it would exceed 90% on the hate scale? What do you think? Huh? Huh? Huh?
Do you think these occupiers of the self created 4th branch of the government, these self-proclaimed torch carriers for truth and openess, unbiased reporting and on and on would be neutral about the President?
These people make Pravda look like a bastion of integrity.
Brilliant!
August 14, 2007 - 11:11 ET by AtillaKahuna"These people make Pravda look like a bastion of integrity."
Best. Analysis. EVER!
Their Last Temper Tantrum
August 14, 2007 - 11:44 ET by CaringwhiteguyTHEY are like little children who can't stay up to watch another TV show or play another video game. Their faces have turned red and they've let out one more uncontrolled temper tantrum, red-faced, kicking, screaming and rolling around on the floor. THEY didn't get him! He stole the 2000 election from THEM. He Swift-Boated THEM in 2004. He helped get Supreme Court justices appointed that frustrated THEM. Then he had the audacity to frustrate THEM by not being indicted by Patrick Fitzgerald. That was the coup-de-grace. All those supremely hopeful moments waiting for the indictment, the perp walk, the trial and the sentence of 3-5 up the river. How could he do this to THEM, the ones that matter, the ones that set the tone, the ones to whom the "masses" must listen and follow? No wonder THEY are angry. To THEM it's all about THEM. To HIM, it wasn't about them at all. And WE are all the better for it.
Rush just got it right "again"
August 14, 2007 - 12:38 ET by cvgbuckeyeI just heard Rush commenting about the Bush/Rove news conference yesterday. Rush recounted that as President Bush was leaving and walking to the helicopter, CBS news ass Bill Plant Yelled out, "Hey Bush. If Karl Rove is so smart, why did you lose both houses in the last election?" Rush said, "what an ingrate; if I'd have been there I would have yelled out, "Hey Plant; if you are so smart, why is Katy Couric doing the 6:30 PM news?"
Isn't this just typical of the kind of children in charge of the media today? Rush had it right; "what a bunch of ingrates".
Hmm Karl Rove runs congressional elections ?
August 19, 2007 - 17:58 ET by SportPoliticsI thought there was an RNC and other various GOP means of persons and organizations for congressional elections.
It's IS Bush derangement syndrome when some blithering idiot leftist reporter spews aloud that Rove is supposed to carry congress for the GOP and his brain failed...
I guess the reporter, is just another- what else is there to conclude - just another smart mouthed liberal retard gone insane.
Frankly, what might work with these idiots is sitting them down with your arm wrapped around their shoulder making sure they are extremely uncomforable, and kindly explaining to them that the White House guy Rove doesn't run congressional elections, he ran, quite instead, 2 Presidential elections...
I really think the smart aleck jerk liberals need to be educated or re-educated, because they are so busy smarming off with their ingrained BDS that they have no idea about even the basics anymore, it totally eludes them, except that if you pointed it out, they'ed have an embarrassing moment of realization about what complete jackasses they had just been, before they smarted off about the next thing their deranged mind has been funnel fed for the last half decade or concocted on it's own warped path.
How do we restore their sanity or is it too late? What percentage of them have any clue at all, as compared to them being just pure smart mouthed brats trying to push buttons while their lips lie out the supidity ?
I get it why they are considered so infantile and juvenile. It's like a schoolyard taunt by the class moron, who doesn't get anything correct. It might even be funny if they had their underlying facts correct, but when they can't even muster that, it's just pathetic.
I am actually shocked and nearly moved to applause when one of these moronic democrats actually states something correctly. It really is that bad.
SDS... Surge Derangement Syndrome is next
August 14, 2007 - 11:18 ET by JayTeeLets face it.....A lot of MSM is De-Ranged, and it's becoming Obvious to the most casual Observer.......Americans are watching, and then they are ignoring the De-Ranged.
Somehow, Carl baby just doesn't seem that awful a figure to the Average American.....compared to the New Jersey Illegal Immigrant, killer of Three....THAT"S the MOST POLARIZING Figure, even if the MSM is pushing it to the Back Page...it's on the Front Page in Iowa, not Rove.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Well, San Fran Chronicle,
August 14, 2007 - 11:36 ET by motherbeltWell, San Fran Chronicle, Time Magazine disagrees with you on both counts (Bush and Rove). They have an article published TODAY (Surprise!!!) entitled "How Americans View Hillary: Popular But Polarizing" with numbers to back it up, and this money quote:
Hillary Clinton may be the most polarizing figure on the current political landscape.
I guess they didn't read your take on things. I'll be watching for their correction.
MB, I think the
August 14, 2007 - 11:41 ET by rob6677MB, I think the "polarizing" they refer to is much like GW advocates trying to make polar bears more cute and cuddly. They are both vicious and deadly but have to be made into lovable creatures worth saving! (even though polar bears don't need to be saved)
"Dear Libs: Please remember that conservatives have guns, they are watching you, and know how to aim. Sincerely - rob6677"
Well rob, Time is basing its
August 14, 2007 - 11:45 ET by motherbeltWell rob, Time is basing its verdict on the opinions of people out in "flyover country", not the sampling of commentators and pundits the Chronicle used to illustrate its conclusion.
Nobby...Polar bears are the only Animal....
August 14, 2007 - 11:52 ET by JayTeePolar Bears are the only Animal that will Stalk, follow, Hunt and Eat Humans. They are NOT cuddly cute man eaters.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
San Fran doesn't agree with 99% of America
August 14, 2007 - 11:49 ET by JayTeeMama...
If you listen to San Fran (not that you do), the 150,000 people who voted for Pelosi was a National Mandate.......... you can lead People to Hillary, but you can't make them eat the B.S.
Pushing Hillary this early, this often, ad nauseum will make Americans think the Republican Nominee is a New Kid ont he Block. BDS will be replace by Hillary Fatigue.....No mas...No mas...
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Who is Rove?
August 14, 2007 - 11:42 ET by exLibWhile it's true that most people probably don't know who Karl Rove is, my guess is that of the people who do know who is only a small percentage have a favorable view of him.
I say this since probably the majority of people who could say, "yeah, i've heard of him, he's Bush's advisor" most only heard about him from negative news stories like the above.
I'll use my own example. I have hard of guys like Jesse Helms and a few other Reagan people. My view of them is ALL negative since I never did any of my own research and only heard MSM news stories on them.
It's to the point exLib,
August 14, 2007 - 11:50 ET by MightyMouthIt's to the point exLib, that if the MSM is bashing someone I am not familiar with, I know I'll have to do some research to get the "real story". The MSM cannot be trusted to relay all the facts. There is usually two sides to every story, and we typically only get one from the MSM propaganda machine.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
The Coulter theory MM
August 14, 2007 - 12:40 ET by exLibAnn Coulter says that if the MSM is bashing someone it's a good bet they solid conservatives!
"What? President Bush is
August 14, 2007 - 12:00 ET by rob6677"What? President Bush is the most polarizing political figure in the nation, and Karl Rove is number two?"
Noel, Rove is number two because he is leaving (less threatening now) and obviously it is President Bush's fault (BDS) that he is stepping down!
If the president could single handedly cure cancer, end hunger, create world peace, and save the environment all by the end of the week, MSM/Libs would start impeachment hearings immediately because he had the information to solve those things but it took 7 years for him to do it!
"Dear Libs: Please remember that conservatives have guns, they are watching you, and know how to aim. Sincerely - rob6677"
Karl Rove is the most
August 14, 2007 - 12:18 ET by MidAmericaKarl Rove is the most polarizing American political figure outside of the man he serves, President George W. Bush.
Hyperbole: A figure of speech which is an exaggeration. Such statements are not literally true, but people make them to sound impressive or to emphasize something, such as a feeling, effort or reaction.
In other words, all the different derangement syndromes are pushing more of what should be a reflective analysis of events by the media into the realm of tabloid sensationalism.
"As we get older we stop making sense."
August 14, 2007 - 12:29 ET by CrashHold on there trigger!
"Karl Rove is the most polarizing American political figure outside of the man he serves, President George W. Bush."
Let me see if I understand this ... by polarizing they mean opposing views? That's like saying, "Tony Dungy is the most polarizing coach in the NFL because he played against and BEAT the other teams for the team owner. Not because he was a better coach, but, because he wanted to win and we don't want the other team to feel bad about loosing."
For further ponderance. My left eye is more polarizing than by right eye because I'm right handed?
WTF!
I rarely hear anyone talk
August 14, 2007 - 12:56 ET by Chidi NwachukhuI rarely hear anyone talk about Clinton Derangement Syndrome. How come?
Clinton Derangement Syndrome
August 14, 2007 - 12:58 ET by vrwc13He was deranged, no syndrome. Simple and plain.
v
Saaaweeeeet! "Dear Libs:
August 14, 2007 - 13:04 ET by rob6677Saaaweeeeet!
"Dear Libs: Please remember that conservatives have guns, they are watching you, and know how to aim. Sincerely - rob6677"
is that threat directed at
August 14, 2007 - 13:45 ET by Chidi Nwachukhuis that threat directed at me?
now that i think of it both
August 14, 2007 - 14:18 ET by rob6677now that i think of it both are awsome comments! lol
"Dear Libs: Please remember that conservatives have guns, they are watching you, and know how to aim. Sincerely - rob6677"
Kos Syndrome
August 14, 2007 - 13:31 ET by Lame CherryWhile I do agree the hatred of Karl Rove is beyond rational, I still notice the biggest scar in liberals were being betrayed by O'Hanlon and Polack (sp) the liberals who found Iraq to be going well.
What I would like Newsbusters to explore in a search is something I noticed time and again on liberals sites.......guess what the ultimate slur and attack was on Rove, Bush etc...????
It was (drum roll please) the slam that they are gays.
No kidding in a party which states to love gays they slap the gay label on Rove to make him the ultimate evil. It is strange to watch the attacks but they were continuous and often.
Apparently in a liberals mind, the worst wound is betrayal by one of their own in saying Iraq is wonderful and Hillary wants to nuke people, but for an enemy the worst wounding they can give is calling them queer.
The continuing saga of liberals exposed, the gay haters, baby butchers and hate America crowd.
I call it the Kos Syndrome as in watching that idiot Kos being exposed as a moron last night (I predicted the media would not like him stealing their tarished crown), Kos made the perfect example of liberals in being for everything and against everything at the same time.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
A similar phenomenon...
August 14, 2007 - 13:48 ET by HelenSI've noticed a similar phenomenon when it comes to people who call Bush "Hitler". Sometimes it even comes from the likes of the little punk in charge of Iran. It's weird that they would call Bush a name that they should (if they're consistent) admire and wish to copy. And if they admire the original Hitler, they should (logically) hesitate to compare Bush (whom they despise) to someone they admire... (had to edit that unfortunate grammatic glitch)
It just seems weird.
...I believe my mistake, or inability to make any sense of this, is that I'm trying to inject concepts like "consistancy" and "logic" to a group of deranged individuals. My bad.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
It just seems weird.
August 14, 2007 - 13:56 ET by vrwc13As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11
Yeah, logic, reason, facts play less of a role now in the way we make decisions in America. – Al Gore
Their Only Argument
August 14, 2007 - 14:19 ET by ConservativeRexThe Libs only argument or defence is...."he's Hitler". You have touched on an interesting perspective on the use of "Hitler" I have not seen before Helen. Of course Amindanjasd..Aminajob..Ineedajob..or however it is spelled, probably has posters of Hitler on his wall. It IS weird. But I reckon we should never expect any response from these libs above a 4th grade level. Name calling, the extent of a Libs discourse.
Righto ole chap! "Dear
August 14, 2007 - 14:42 ET by rob6677Righto ole chap!
"Dear Libs: Please remember that conservatives have guns, they are watching you, and know how to aim. Sincerely - rob6677"
To continue with the
August 14, 2007 - 23:01 ET by Senior ChiefTo continue with the syndrome legacy...I, Senior Chief, respectfully nominate Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney to be the next president of the United States. If I can just donate my heart to the VP's ailing one, I would do so in a heartbeat. Cheney will easily outwit and beat any of the Democrack candidates out there.
Cheney/Rice in '08...
I think this is the
August 15, 2007 - 09:40 ET by USA4freedomI think this is the “perfect” example of media bias. Instead
of asking questions like what will you do now? You get the: are you still
beating your wife question.
I don’t think
that Karl is the one that has been stating: he is Bush’s brain, it’s the news
people and left wing..
I looked at the video and some of the comments from the
tolerant ones, they were beyond shocking. The hate of the left is breath
taking.
Don’t get me wrong I think that Rove (or Bush) had really
messed up immigration as well as the spending..
I find it so amusing the fact that a reporter hits him with,
if you are so smart.. hell he will go on the talk rounds and make more money in
a night then this idiot makes in a year. He headed a campaign that put W. in
the White house twice. Worked at side of the worlds most powerful man. At 57
years old, I’m sure he will go live the life of leisure.
Now let review Bill Plante life: Bill Plante is a veteran
correspondent for CBS New, having joined the network in 1964. (Some 43 years
ago..) He has been the senior White House correspondent for CBS since January
1993 and reports regularly on The Early Show and the CBS Evening News . He
anchored CBS Sunday Night News from June 1988 to August 1995.
Did not get the nightly news gig, and is now 69.. years old.
Yep I think Karl is smarter then you Bill..
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day