Rove to GOP: Here's How to Top Dems in '08

Karl Rove weighed in yesterday on Republican strategies for the 2008 election, with pointers on how to slam Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the Hill reports. President Bush's former guru took shots at Clinton's "$800 billion in new spending" less than halfway through the campaign, and her wish to repeal Bush tax cuts; Obama, he said, should be attacked for inexperience.

Rove emphasized Clinton’s votes against “troop funding,” and said “likeability” was a weak point for her, pointing to Michigan, where 40% voted “uncommitted.” “She’s running against nobody, and nobody got 40 percent of the vote,” he said. Rove highlighted Obama’s frequent noncommittal votes of “present” as a state legislator. He added that Republicans should describe the Democrats' nominee as “defeatist” regarding Iraq. (More Karl Rove stories.)