Feud between Karl Rove and Rick Perry
Encyclopedia
Top George W. Bush
consultant Karl Rove
and Texas
Governor
Rick Perry
have a widely-reported and longstanding feud that originated in 1998 and has extended to open hostility among top campaign operatives in both camps, and even resulted in top Bush allies openly campaigning against Perry in his re-election for Governor of Texas in 2010
. While both sides downplay the importance of any remaining tension between Bush and Perry camps, if the rivalry continues it could play an important role in Perry's 2012 presidential campaign
and in Rove's ongoing role as a top Republican
fundraiser and strategist.
Rove "played an integral role" in Perry's switch to the Republican Party in the 1980s, and helped shape Perry's political career in his next two elections. Rove is credited with persuading Perry to run for Agriculture Commissioner
, and then consulted on his successful bid for Lieutenant Governor
.
Rove also helped bring Dave Carney, Perry's strategist for his Lieutenant Governor campaign, to Texas
and linked him with Rick Perry.
-- and that Perry would have lost the race had his campaign followed Rove's advice.
Rove's key goal was to drive up Hispanic turnout for Bush, and thought a negative campaign
would polarize the electorate. As Carney put it, “Their goal was to get 70 percent of the Hispanic vote and have a good talking point for their national campaign, and our objective was to get [Perry] elected. It was sort of counterproductive to our effort.”
Many observers have echoed the sense that the Rove's advice was part of what made the election so close.
At the conclusion of the election, Perry and his aides felt that Rove had been willing to throw him under the bus to help Bush's future political ambitions:
After one particularly contentious phone call, one Perry campaign operative punched a hole in a wall in Arnold’s office. Perry’s campaign eventually went up with negative ads, and squeaked out a narrow victory. Rove offered a “most memorable” election night apology, Perry pollster Mike Baselice told the Houston Chronicle
in 2006.
While Dave Carney stayed with Perry for subsequent elections and is now the key strategist of Perry's presidential campaign,
Rove has not since consulted for Perry.
and resigned as governor in 2000, then-Lieutenant Governor Perry automatically succeeded him as Governor. Many observers have described a quiet hostility between Perry and the Bush White House, saying White House operatives scoffed at Perry, mocked his syntax, and saw him as lacking intellectual prowess.
The disdain was described as "visceral."
During the later years of the Bush presidency, the hostility burst into the open, as Rick Perry openly criticized Bush on government spending, immigration, education
and the TARP bank bailouts,
and a number of other signature policy initiatives.
Perry described No Child Left Behind
as a "monstrous intrusion into our affairs" and said "Medicare Part D
was not good public policy."
He called Bush out on immigration, saying, "If Washington won't protect our border, Texas will."
His harsh criticisms were not limited to specific policies, but also at Bush's underlying philosophy. He saw Bush's trademark "Compassionate Conservatism
" as another form of big government,
saying "we made an error with that phrase ‘compassionate conservative’"
He hammered Bush over spending, saying "Let me share something with you. George Bush was never a fiscal conservative
. Never was. Wasn't when he was in Texas."
Just as the Bush camp disdained Perry, Perry saw them as elitist. Perry recently described the difference between Bush and himself by saying "He's a Yale
graduate; I'm a Texas A&M
grad."
Some of this criticism is a natural part of the political process. Bush left office with a 22% approval rating -- one of the most unpopular presidents in history -- and so at the time Perry had a natural desire to distance himself. Additionally, highlighting differences helped to establish his own legacy in Texas by distancing himself from his predecessor.
But Perry's comments were nevertheless noted as unusually harsh criticism of not only a president from his own party but also a former home-state governor.
, this hostility became open warfare. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
challenged Perry in the Republican primary with widespread support of Bush allies and administration officials, including Rove, actively campaigning for her and against Perry.
Hutchison is typically ranked as among the more liberal
Republican senators,
and Bush-affiliated politicos judged Hutchison more electable.
In the end, Perry easily won both the primary and the general election. The race was seen as a battle between "establishment" and more conservative Republicans
, or as a "maverick versus establishment showdown."
Former President George H. W. Bush
endorsed Hutchison
as did George W. Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney
, Secretary of Education
Margaret Spellings
, and longtime Bush family insider James Baker
.
Perry fired back at the Bush-linked Hutchison supporters, but his criticism also extended to the Bush administration. Perry said, “Let’s be frank: Washington Republicans got us in the mess.” Perry spokesman Mark Miner derided Cheney's support: “It’s not surprising, considering [Cheney and Hutchison] both worked together in Washington for so long. The Washington establishment usually sticks together.”
Carney described the Bush-affiliated supporters of Hutchison as “country club Republicans.” and a close Perry ally said that “The Bushes are out of touch with grassroots, Texas politics.”
It's not clear how much of the campaign against Perry stemmed a philosophical or cultural difference between Bush and Perry and their respective allies, or whether this too was Rove's influence at work, recruiting his allies in support of Hutchison's bid. Friends of both say the animosity is stronger between the two camps' aides than it is between Bush and Perry themselves.
Some commentators see Rove as the leader behind this episode of the Bush-Perry rivalry, saying that he "lassoed the entire Bush family in on" his feud.
, all of the parties have denied or downplayed any ongoing hostility. Friends have described the reporting of the feud as "way overblown."
According to Carney, “the Rove-Perry deal is simply a staff issue and it’s become a huge overblown almost urban myth. Much to do about nothing.”
Perry has always disclaimed hostility to George W. Bush, saying, "I love George Bush. I think he's a great President and I support him."
, there was some evidence of Rove-Perry tension simmering below the surface.
Early on, Rove critiqued Perry as "unpresidential," and was quickly echoed by a series of close allies in what was seen as an orchestrated campaign.
In response to Perry's remarks, Rove also said that "Governor Perry is going to have to fight the impression that he's a cowboy
from Texas. This simply added to it."
Some of Rove's statements amount to defending Bush's record in office as Perry claims credit for Texas' success. While giving much credit to Perry, Rove also highlighted Bush's role in job creation in Texas, saying, "Texas has become a magnet for jobs. And you're right, it existed before Gov. Perry... [Perry's policies] have helped keep the Texas progress going. What we've got in Texas is not the result of one man or one administration."
Perhaps more importantly than televised remarks, Perry backers are concerned that Rove and his allies are steering money to support other presidential candidates. Although Rove has insisted that he and his Super PAC American Crossroads
are neutral in the 2012 Republican primary, Carl Forti, American Crossroads' political director, launched a pro-Romney super PAC called Restore our Honor. Perry backers also believe that the pro-Romney
PAC was initiated with Rove's blessing and influence.
If Perry becomes the nominee or wins the presidency, he will almost certainly have more sway over the donors than his rival Karl Rove. “If Perry wins and he has the sense that Rove was somehow undermining him in the process, then there could be payback” said R.G. Ratcliffe, a reporter working on a book about Perry.
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
consultant Karl Rove
Karl Rove
Karl Christian Rove was Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to former President George W. Bush until Rove's resignation on August 31, 2007. He has headed the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Public Liaison, and the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
Governor
Governor of Texas
The governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texas's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature, and to convene the legislature...
Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
have a widely-reported and longstanding feud that originated in 1998 and has extended to open hostility among top campaign operatives in both camps, and even resulted in top Bush allies openly campaigning against Perry in his re-election for Governor of Texas in 2010
Texas gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Texas gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the Governor of Texas, who will serve a four-year term beginning on January 18, 2011, and ending on January 20, 2015. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry ran successfully for re-election to a third term. He...
. While both sides downplay the importance of any remaining tension between Bush and Perry camps, if the rivalry continues it could play an important role in Perry's 2012 presidential campaign
Rick Perry presidential campaign, 2012
Rick Perry, the four-term Governor of Texas, announced via a spokesman on August 11, 2011, that he will be running for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for president of the United States...
and in Rove's ongoing role as a top Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
fundraiser and strategist.
Early alliance between Rove and Perry
Rick Perry was initially a protege of Karl Rove, who was already a high-powered Texas political consultant when Perry arrived on the Texas political scene.Rove "played an integral role" in Perry's switch to the Republican Party in the 1980s, and helped shape Perry's political career in his next two elections. Rove is credited with persuading Perry to run for Agriculture Commissioner
Texas Department of Agriculture
The Texas Department of Agriculture is a state agency within the state of Texas, which is responsible for matters pertaining to agriculture, rural community affairs, and related matters.TDA was established by the 13th Texas Legislature in 1907...
, and then consulted on his successful bid for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U.S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate and controls the budgeting process as a leader of the...
.
Rove also helped bring Dave Carney, Perry's strategist for his Lieutenant Governor campaign, to Texas
and linked him with Rick Perry.
Falling out during Perry's 1998 Lieutenant Governor's Race
The falling-out between Rove and Perry occurred during Perry's 1998 race for Lieutenant Governor, which he barely won, 50.0% to 48.2%. Perry strategists, including Carney, believed that Rove gave them bad political advice in order to help his other client, then-Governor George W. BushGeorge W. Bush as Governor of Texas
George W. Bush served as the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 until 2000, when he resigned as governor following his election as the 43rd President of the United States. As governor, Bush successfully sponsored legislation for tort reform, increased education funding, set higher standards for...
-- and that Perry would have lost the race had his campaign followed Rove's advice.
In 1998, Rove’s star client, then Texas Gov. George Bush, was coasting into a second term when Perry and his team wanted to wage a negative campaign against Perry’s Democratic opponent, John Sharp. Rove talked Perry and Carney out of it. The most logical reason being that Rove wanted to keep the peace in Texas as best he could knowing that Bush would be running for president in the very near future. Perry went on to win, but only by a narrow margin.
Rove's key goal was to drive up Hispanic turnout for Bush, and thought a negative campaign
Negative campaigning
Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as "mudslinging", is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one's own positive attributes or preferred policies...
would polarize the electorate. As Carney put it, “Their goal was to get 70 percent of the Hispanic vote and have a good talking point for their national campaign, and our objective was to get [Perry] elected. It was sort of counterproductive to our effort.”
Many observers have echoed the sense that the Rove's advice was part of what made the election so close.
At the conclusion of the election, Perry and his aides felt that Rove had been willing to throw him under the bus to help Bush's future political ambitions:
The feeling in Perry’s camp was that Rove’s real motivation was concern that negative ads would cut into Bush’s margin of victory, particularly among Hispanic voters, and undermine his efforts to build momentum for Bush’s planned 2000 presidential campaign.
After one particularly contentious phone call, one Perry campaign operative punched a hole in a wall in Arnold’s office. Perry’s campaign eventually went up with negative ads, and squeaked out a narrow victory. Rove offered a “most memorable” election night apology, Perry pollster Mike Baselice told the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
in 2006.
While Dave Carney stayed with Perry for subsequent elections and is now the key strategist of Perry's presidential campaign,
Rove has not since consulted for Perry.
Rivalry Develops During Bush's White House Years
When Bush was elected PresidentUnited States presidential election, 2000
The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
and resigned as governor in 2000, then-Lieutenant Governor Perry automatically succeeded him as Governor. Many observers have described a quiet hostility between Perry and the Bush White House, saying White House operatives scoffed at Perry, mocked his syntax, and saw him as lacking intellectual prowess.
The disdain was described as "visceral."
During the later years of the Bush presidency, the hostility burst into the open, as Rick Perry openly criticized Bush on government spending, immigration, education
and the TARP bank bailouts,
and a number of other signature policy initiatives.
Perry described No Child Left Behind
No Child Left Behind Act
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a United States Act of Congress concerning the education of children in public schools.NCLB was originally proposed by the administration of George W. Bush immediately after he took office...
as a "monstrous intrusion into our affairs" and said "Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is a federal program to subsidize the costs of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. It was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and went into effect on January 1, 2006.- Eligibility and...
was not good public policy."
He called Bush out on immigration, saying, "If Washington won't protect our border, Texas will."
His harsh criticisms were not limited to specific policies, but also at Bush's underlying philosophy. He saw Bush's trademark "Compassionate Conservatism
Compassionate conservatism
Compassionate Conservatism is a political philosophy that stresses using traditionally conservative techniques and concepts in order to improve the general welfare of society. The term itself is often credited to U.S. historian and politician Doug Wead who used it as the title of a speech in 1979....
" as another form of big government,
saying "we made an error with that phrase ‘compassionate conservative’"
He hammered Bush over spending, saying "Let me share something with you. George Bush was never a fiscal conservative
Fiscal conservatism
Fiscal conservatism is a political term used to describe a fiscal policy that advocates avoiding deficit spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider reduction of overall government spending and national debt as well as ensuring balanced budget of paramount importance...
. Never was. Wasn't when he was in Texas."
Just as the Bush camp disdained Perry, Perry saw them as elitist. Perry recently described the difference between Bush and himself by saying "He's a Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
graduate; I'm a Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
grad."
Some of this criticism is a natural part of the political process. Bush left office with a 22% approval rating -- one of the most unpopular presidents in history -- and so at the time Perry had a natural desire to distance himself. Additionally, highlighting differences helped to establish his own legacy in Texas by distancing himself from his predecessor.
But Perry's comments were nevertheless noted as unusually harsh criticism of not only a president from his own party but also a former home-state governor.
Open Hostility During the 2010 Hutchison-Perry Gubernatorial Race
In the 2010 Texas gubernatorial raceTexas gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Texas gubernatorial election was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, to elect the Governor of Texas, who will serve a four-year term beginning on January 18, 2011, and ending on January 20, 2015. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry ran successfully for re-election to a third term. He...
, this hostility became open warfare. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
challenged Perry in the Republican primary with widespread support of Bush allies and administration officials, including Rove, actively campaigning for her and against Perry.
Hutchison is typically ranked as among the more liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Republican senators,
and Bush-affiliated politicos judged Hutchison more electable.
In the end, Perry easily won both the primary and the general election. The race was seen as a battle between "establishment" and more conservative Republicans
, or as a "maverick versus establishment showdown."
Former President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
endorsed Hutchison
as did George W. Bush's Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
, Secretary of Education
United States Secretary of Education
The United States Secretary of Education is the head of the Department of Education. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet, and 16th in line of United States presidential line of succession...
Margaret Spellings
Margaret Spellings
Margaret Spellings was the Secretary of Education from 2005-2009 under the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush and previously served as White House Domestic Policy Adviser to President George W. Bush....
, and longtime Bush family insider James Baker
James Baker
James Addison Baker, III is an American attorney, politician and political advisor.Baker served as the Chief of Staff in President Ronald Reagan's first administration and in the final year of the administration of President George H. W. Bush...
.
Perry fired back at the Bush-linked Hutchison supporters, but his criticism also extended to the Bush administration. Perry said, “Let’s be frank: Washington Republicans got us in the mess.” Perry spokesman Mark Miner derided Cheney's support: “It’s not surprising, considering [Cheney and Hutchison] both worked together in Washington for so long. The Washington establishment usually sticks together.”
Carney described the Bush-affiliated supporters of Hutchison as “country club Republicans.” and a close Perry ally said that “The Bushes are out of touch with grassroots, Texas politics.”
It's not clear how much of the campaign against Perry stemmed a philosophical or cultural difference between Bush and Perry and their respective allies, or whether this too was Rove's influence at work, recruiting his allies in support of Hutchison's bid. Friends of both say the animosity is stronger between the two camps' aides than it is between Bush and Perry themselves.
Some commentators see Rove as the leader behind this episode of the Bush-Perry rivalry, saying that he "lassoed the entire Bush family in on" his feud.
Denial of feud
In the context of the 2012 Republican presidential primaryRepublican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012
The 2012 Republican presidential primaries are the selection processes in which voters of the Republican Party will choose their nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election. The primary contest began with a fairly wide field, and is the first presidential primary...
, all of the parties have denied or downplayed any ongoing hostility. Friends have described the reporting of the feud as "way overblown."
According to Carney, “the Rove-Perry deal is simply a staff issue and it’s become a huge overblown almost urban myth. Much to do about nothing.”
Perry has always disclaimed hostility to George W. Bush, saying, "I love George Bush. I think he's a great President and I support him."
Early evidence of feud surfacing
However, as Perry was exploring and launching his 2012 Presidential bidRick Perry presidential campaign, 2012
Rick Perry, the four-term Governor of Texas, announced via a spokesman on August 11, 2011, that he will be running for the 2012 Republican Party nomination for president of the United States...
, there was some evidence of Rove-Perry tension simmering below the surface.
Early on, Rove critiqued Perry as "unpresidential," and was quickly echoed by a series of close allies in what was seen as an orchestrated campaign.
In response to Perry's remarks, Rove also said that "Governor Perry is going to have to fight the impression that he's a cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
from Texas. This simply added to it."
Some of Rove's statements amount to defending Bush's record in office as Perry claims credit for Texas' success. While giving much credit to Perry, Rove also highlighted Bush's role in job creation in Texas, saying, "Texas has become a magnet for jobs. And you're right, it existed before Gov. Perry... [Perry's policies] have helped keep the Texas progress going. What we've got in Texas is not the result of one man or one administration."
Perhaps more importantly than televised remarks, Perry backers are concerned that Rove and his allies are steering money to support other presidential candidates. Although Rove has insisted that he and his Super PAC American Crossroads
American Crossroads
American Crossroads is a 527 organization that has raised and spent tens of millions of dollars to defend and elect Republican candidates to federal office, and was very active in the 2010 U.S. midterm elections. Its president is Steven J. Law, a former United States Deputy Secretary of Labor for...
are neutral in the 2012 Republican primary, Carl Forti, American Crossroads' political director, launched a pro-Romney super PAC called Restore our Honor. Perry backers also believe that the pro-Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
PAC was initiated with Rove's blessing and influence.
Feud could be dangerous for both Perry and Rove
Going forward, the feud could be dangerous for both, because each depends on and influences the same group of major Republican donors, especially donors from Texas.If Perry becomes the nominee or wins the presidency, he will almost certainly have more sway over the donors than his rival Karl Rove. “If Perry wins and he has the sense that Rove was somehow undermining him in the process, then there could be payback” said R.G. Ratcliffe, a reporter working on a book about Perry.
One person who has sent checks to both American Crossroads and Perry’s campaigns predicted that if Perry wins the nomination, his donors will cut off the spigot to Rove. “Perry winning would be a deathblow for Rove,” said this person, who did not want to be identified talking about political contribution strategies.
In the meantime, though, because of Rove's sway with big donors, Perry "has nothing to gain by stoking an intraparty war," remaining silent about Rove and disclaiming any hostility between the two camps.