stunhsif

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 10:57 a.m.

Your "war crimes" rant is so far off base it doesn't need or deserve a response. Obama lectures about civility but does not practice what he preaches as pointed out by Mr. Rove.

Edward R. Murrow's ghost

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.

@stunshif: You asked the question. Don't, then, complain about the answer unless you are prepared to refute.

Edward R. Murrow's ghost

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 9:44 a.m.

stunshif: What crimes? How about the conduct of an illegal war for starters. The entire Bush regime should be put before the International Court of Justice in the Hague. What basis, you ask? The Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) made aggressive war illegal. The United States was a signatory of that pact, as were Germany and Japan. The Nuremberg and Tokyo War Crime Trials convicted the leaders of Germany and Japan for the prosecution of an aggressive war. The K-B Pact was incorporated into and remains a vital part of the United Nations Charter, of which we are also a signatory. This is why the Bush regime tried so hard to get UN approval of its little adventure in Iraq: it knew that, without that approval, its intervention would be illegal under international law and that the Bush regime should then be prosecuted under the Nuremberg precedent. So, indeed, the nation's political and military leadership in 2003 appear to be guilty of war crimes. And they appear to think they are, too. Bush, Cheney, et. al., have not visited Europe since they left office--apparent recognition that they will be arrested and shipped off to the Hague.

Diagenes

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.

Many peole here have missed the main point. You want to kill the messanger because he dared to criticize President Obama. Karl Rove is not the issue. Barack Obama is President of the United States of America. He should demonstrate leadership through words and actions. He has a tendency to belittle and scold people who either criticize his policies or disagrees with his big government philosophy. When Pres. Obama practices what he preaches, we will all be better off.

bedrog

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:59 a.m.

anyone who harps on obama's middle name ( or plays to that crowd, like rove--who's also eggs on the 'death panels', 'he's not a citizen', ' he's a socialist' yawping ) and then dares to critique obama's excellent speech on civility has what is technically known in political science circles as "chutzpah"...classically defined as ' killing your parents and then pleading for mercy because you're an orphan". same goes for the like minded on this thread.

stunhsif

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:44 a.m.

@JimRue, How on God's green earth is Karl Rove a criminal as you state? Looks like you lefty libs have been hanging out at the daig too much lately, way too much fuzzy headed thinking! God Bless Karl Rove. The man is a patriot and will help bring down the dems this coming fall. I cannot wait to hunker down in my Archie Bunker chair the night of the elections and watch Fox News with the results. It will be a blessed day for the good old USA!!

David Briegel

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 5:12 a.m.

Sorry Diagenes, wrong again. We were called "Merica hatin', terrist luvin' defeatists" who "wanted our soldiers dead". We didn't "support the troops". We were either "with us or agin us". Again, you should read the speech. Suffer through it. Read it again. If you think the tone of that speech is negative and partisan, I don't believe you can be convinced of anything rational.

Ray D. Aider

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 1:45 a.m.

A good example of civility in the public discourse is former president G.W. Bush. However, for all of you who wished he would just shut up have certainly gotten their wish. How's that for civility?

stephanie

Sat, May 8, 2010 : 1:17 a.m.

Diagenes: It was all over the news last week. Pick your source and look it up yourself. I can't help you if you don't read the news. Not having a news source in Ann Arbor any more isn't an excuse.

Snarf Oscar Boondoggle

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.

or, translating al of the above as wel as 'the speech':... "do what we say not what we do." i;ll take that break now, too.

Jim Rue

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.

Hey, Mick, there's plenty of things about Michigan to apologize for but its treatment of Shrub isn't one of them. Bush brought every word of criticism on himself for being a lackey, an embarrassment and a damned fool. He's still all of those but he's a mercifully quiet public citizen now and he doesn't matter any more. Rove owes the US at least that, and much more.

Carl Duncan

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.

Obama couldn't read a speech extolling a robust economy and prosperous economy May 1st because he knows it would be a big lie. November is getting closer by the day.

Dan Rubenstein

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.

It's OK to urge the President to exercise his party leadership to encourage civility, but it is scarcely realistic or practical for him to run around commenting on every faux pas of some angry congressperson or party hack. Rove's only complaints against Obama's actual utterances involve words like "lie" and "cynical." (And things he never said publicly.) That is a far cry from the kinds of speech Obama cited in his speech, and, in the very specific contexts in which Obama said them, they were appropriate. Civility does not mean refraining from calling a lie a lie. Doing so is not equivalent to labeling people socialist, communist, fascist, racist, etc... regardless of party. Then, on TV, Rove is equating Gibbs's "boot on the throat" remark with Trent Lott wishing a segregationist had triumphed (Bush called Lott out). No one should fall for Rove's false equation. In short, Obama does a fine job walking his talk. Some democrats and republicans and members of the media should heed his speech, and his deeds.

Jim Rue

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.

Karl Rove is a subversive, a criminal and a traitor and should be treated as such. He belongs, rather than in the pages of the WSJ or on graduation daises, in federal prison for his crimes.

clownfish

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 11:02 a.m.

"President Obama receives no where near the abuse directed at President Bush."-MICK52 Really? did any state legislatures pass laws demanding Bush supply a birth certificate before he can run again? Did "lefty" protesters show up to town hall meetings with guns? Was there a website that asked people to "pray for Bush's death"? Did any lefty hold a sign saying "lynch Ashcroft"? Sure Bush got some flack, he was called fascist and his policies were linked to those of the Nazi regime, but that could be because he used terms like "homeland", created a gulag in Cuba, rendered Canadians to Syria for torture, held Americans without charges and spied on Americans in violation of the 4th Amendment. Obama has faced much harsher treatment, from DAY ONE! He never even got a chance! Bush was granted HUGE room after 9/11, but he chose to go hard right, to eschew the laws of the land (he was slapped by the Supreme Court multiple times) and to divide to conquer. So far FOX has told us : Obama is not a US citizen Health care will require gun taxes A national health care data base will be formed Obama is taking our guns Obama will have death panels Obama is an evil Muslim Obama created the "czar" potions within govt Obama sabotaged the oil rig! FEMA has concentration camps So, gimme a break Mick. President Obama has faced a much more vitriolic environment than Bush ever did. The right wing media is not doing this country any favors or much good these days. If you want a little reality ask your self why, after 8 years of Bush and almost 10 of republican control, along with millions of viewers and listeners daily (for hours a day) abortion is still legal, the budget was not balanced and the govt grew. Why is that? Because the right wing media talks a big game, but they need you to be afraid of something, need you to hate somebody but will never actually want to succeed at what they claim needs changing. In closing....BOO! Be afraid, it sells air time.

Anonymous Due to Bigotry

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.

Here's an article from the Columbia Journalism Review on Obama's press office: http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/obama_press_office_johnston_sa.php One quote: The access is much poorer than the Bush administration, one national newspaper who regularly covers the White House said. This is wider than just the White House. I feel like the political appointees in a variety of agencies are more difficult to get to. There are peopleyou could reach in the Bush administration that now they say That position does not speak to the press. We do not give background. We do not give anything.

uawisok

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 10:21 a.m.

Who care what Rove says....if you are judged by the company you keep he isn't worth the bytes taken for this story!

Anonymous Due to Bigotry

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.

@racerx : I don't want to get too off topic into what Obama has or hasn't accomplished, so in and attempt to be as brief as possible: The stimulus plan so far has arguably done nothing and it also originated in the bush administration; he did get some sort of health care passed which is something regardless of whether it's the right sort of reform or not; reading/listening to middle-eastern sources, I've essentially heard that Obama is all talk and hasn't done anything as far as they're concerned; Obama is doing exactly the same thing in Iraq and Afghanistan that Bush was; other countries stopped hating us simply because Bush is gone and our government is more leftist now like their governments. Anyway, more importantly and on topic... I don't hate Obama. I disagree with him politically and have concerns about his refusal to release important information about himself and also his dubious political affiliations. I think the whole "pay more attention to other peoples' views" speech was good, but unfortunately it was also hypocritical since his press department has attempted to be very controlling of the media and very intimidating toward any major media outlet that isn't actively cheerleading for him. He has actually been compared to Nixon in this respect. So he's essentially waged war against anyone in the media who doesn't say what he likes, but then he's trying to tell people to pay attention to other views?

itisso

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

When the predidental election began I began receiving emails about the Democrats. I didn't count them but there must have been at least 40 up to now. Of those 40 ONE was true. There is a concentrated effort to spread lies about anything and everything this party does. Not that they are perfect, but we do need to return to the issues instead of the Nazi like propaganda that is being spread by the internet and talk radio. Carl Rove is a master of propaganda, and that is why he said what he did, to deflect who is doing what. The best defense is a good offense. And what has been going on is offensive. When ever anyone gets one of these emails, check it out before sending it on. There are various sites, like factcheck.org,or Snops.com. There are others, but these are the ones that in my opinion, do the most thorough investagating, and have the least bias.

Patrick Hunt

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.

Diagenes wrote"Jon Saalberg, the Willie Horton ad ran during the democrat primary in Mass. It was used by then Gov. Dukakis' opponent. Who was not George Bush." I'm afraid your sentence structure is faulty, and so is your memory. While weekend furloughs were part of the primary's discussion, the Willie Horton add was run during the general election.

David Briegel

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.

Let's examine the high standards for decency that Mr Rove has demonstrated in his past performances. John McCain = Metally unstable due to brainwashing. Illegitimate Black Child CIA Agent Outing Max Cleland wasn't fit to be Senator because he must have caused his own limb losses! Fine Republican Family Values. Civility? From Republicans? Surely you jest. I agree with Top Cat, Jay Jay and db. And you all should read the speech. Then read it again. The tone was positive and bipartisan. If you don't believe that you won't be convinced of anything.

Jay Jay

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.

Let's give credit where it is due. It was a great speech as signaled by the standing ovation Obama received from the students. That Karl Rove wouldn't like it is not the least bit surprising. Rove has done everything he can to undermine Obama. I do not like Rove's America anymore than he likes Obama's America. But it is the ability to allow for dissent that in great part makes us a great country.

dlb

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 8:17 a.m.

I strongly support the president's call for more civility. Rush Limbagh and company started leading us down a path of childish insults and inflammatory speech back in the Clinton years. Let's focus on policy differences not name calling. We can have an honest debate about things like health care or the economy without calling people "socialist". If we disagree on an issue let's stick to the point and not make up "death panel" type comments. If someone does not agree, make suggestions for alternatives.

Diagenes

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.

The over exagerated unsubstantiated claims by many people writing here is funny to read. I just wish people would stick with the facts, but then Pres. Obama often has trouble with facts as well. Stephanie, please site your source that 1 mil. republicans signed a facebook page calling for the death of President Obama? Jon Saalberg, the Willie Horton ad ran during the democrat primary in Mass. It was used by then Gov. Dukakis' opponent. Who was not George Bush. Racerx is it not a great country when we have at least one news organization that is not bought and paid for by the administration of either party. Pres. Obama would be better served if he would reach out to Fox and send his message directly to its viewers. Lastly, Karl Rove is a political stratigist, not President of the U.S. His trade is image and message, not policy, or leadership. President Obama has never missed an opportunity to take cheap shots at his opponents. You may not have agreed with Pres. Bush's policies but he never called a policeman stupid. He did not call state legislatures misguided. And he did not publically criticize President Clinton.

The Picker

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.

The presidents speech at the commencment was completely toned down after he heard the groans when Jennifer Grandholm, tried to work up the crowd with her tired political bashing. The students didn't want that, and they expressed that, but the Prez just couldn't resist. Afterall he is running for office!

Blackhorse2

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.

I guess if you believe Barrack Hussein Obama you will believe anything.

Top Cat

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.

Take a look at what is happening in Greece. Do you think we are immune from that? There is a total lack of civility in our political process. Both sides of the aisle are guilty. Tougher times are coming. Our economic problems are no where near behind us. We are increasingly in the cross hairs of terrorists. Americans need to band together as a people so we can successfully ride this out. Let's start by being more civil and polite.

Judy

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:11 a.m.

As far as I am concern Matthew Johns the only way for to see a better tomorrow is to say GOOD-BYE to both the Democrats and Republicans in Washington. Both parties spend more time on campaigns and name calling then helping real Americans, or un-American or anti-American who are out of work, loosing their homes, paying taxes so every Tom, Dick and Harry can be on disability because they do not want to work and paying 20% + on charge card debt so Wall Street fat cats can screw us all again, ect. WHY because once you are Democrat or Republican in Washington you are set, no time clocks, unlimited expense accounts and you do not have to use the government Health Care Reform that is so go for the rest of us. By the way did anyone read the story about were American Mothers at risk? If not maybe you should because American is no ware near the top. This Great Country needs to wakeup if we want to stay GREAT!

Jay Jay

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:03 a.m.

Karl Rove is an absolute hypocrite. It is too bad that someone as intelligent as he is only uses that intelligence to further his own ego. He is one of the most dangerous people in America because of the lies he uses to further his own agenda. But I still defend his right to say what he wants even if the fringe embraces much of it without understanding any of it, and of which Rove takes such advantage. If Rove isn't enough reason to vote against the Republican right, I do not know what is!

E

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:46 a.m.

Why did Gov. Granholm feel the need to make a political rally out of this commencement event? She has a history of making comments that are beyond the pale and this was no exception. Was she campaigning for a job with the Obama administration?

psaume23

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:38 a.m.

Karl Rove: "Even if you believe, as the president does, that the concerns of his critics are wrong, why use such sulfuric rhetoric? This is not the kind of thing the president's predecessor, his predecessor's father or President Ronald Reagan did or would allow their staff to routinely do." No, Reagan and GHW Bush would not lower themselves to engage in using "sulfuric rhetoric," they had others do it for them and tried unsuccessfully to appear to be above it all. (Recall Lee Atwater, Willie Horton, "welfare queen," etc.) For Rove to criticize President Obama in this instance is pathetic. The GW Bush administration and/or its proxies (Beck, Limbaugh, etc.) brought the use of sulfuric rhetoric against opponents to an art form (the 2000 primary campaign against McCain, the attempted exploitation of the Christian right, the relentless negativism regarding Obama, etc.).

Think!

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:34 a.m.

@ rulieg I hear you I posted some quotas of Mr. Rove and they were taken down. I didn't say those words he did. My point is in the worst case we have the pot calling the kettle black. Mick52, your right there were some very nasty things said about President Bush, I am not aware of of people praying for his death. The point of the speech is we need to stop this type of talk so we can have a decent discussion. AS the president pointed out this type of talk has been going on since day one. It did ramp up a bit in the Clinton years when some people were bringing his daughter into the nasty comments.

Wolverine3660

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:31 a.m.

@ racer-x: what do you mean when you say that Fox News superimposed Tea party rallies? Are you implying that are fake, where no one shows up?

racerx

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 4:34 a.m.

@anonymous due to bigotry-ok, you're a Obama hater. We get that. If you had listened to Obama's speech he asked that both sides of the political spectrum to have respect for each other's opinion and not trash one another. Sounds like leadership to me, instead of the Bush/Rove politics that only said either you're with us or against us. Oh, but I'm sure after eight years of that one tends to forget about this. And by the way, most of the world has a better opinion of the United States since Obama has become president and that the world view of the US has changed dramatically since his election. Guess those crowds that gathered in Germany were just superimposed like the Tea Party rallies as shown on Faux, err..Fox News. Let's see: improved the worlds view of the US, provided healthcare to more Americans (30M plus), stablized the financial system due to the stimulus package, unemployment claims have slowed, four quarters of GNP growth, home sales are beginning to grow again...yup all talk and no action. But gee what did we have before? Two wars, one needlessly, financial collapse of the financial system, a president of did a flew by on AF-1 while a US city literally drowned, a tax cut during two wars, escalation of the deficeit, a tax cut for the upper income set (those who make over $250K). Sure, give me talk, oh, and it's expected that today's job report will show close to 100-200K jobs created. Hate all you want, but in Obama's short tenure as our nations leader, he's done more in one year than someone else had in eight.

stephanie

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 4:20 a.m.

I don't think there is any comparison to what the Democrats say to what the Republicans have been saying. The fact that over a million republicans have signed a facebook page calling for the presidents death is just the worst thing I have ever seen. I saw it posted from a recent graduate of a local catholic high school. They should all be so ashamed! I'm not aware of any democrats praying for anyone's death.

stephanie

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 4:19 a.m.

I don't think there is any comparison to what the Democrats say to what the Republicans have been saying. The fact that over a million republicans have signed a facebook page calling for the presidents death is just the worst thing I have ever seen. I saw it posted from a recent graduate of a local catholic high school. They should all be so ashamed! I'm not aware of any democrats praying for anyone's death.

stephanie

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 4:19 a.m.

I don't think there is any comparison to what the Democrats say to what the Republicans have been saying. The fact that over a million republicans have signed a facebook page calling for the presidents death is just the worst thing I have ever seen. I saw it posted from a recent graduate of a local catholic high school. They should all be so ashamed! I'm not aware of any democrats praying for anyone's death.

FreedomLover

Fri, May 7, 2010 : 12:47 a.m.

No one can deny that President Obama is a great speech reader. However, his off the cuff comments are the ones which alienate people like me. I think the politicing should end once the election is over. President Obama is the president of all of the people, not just those who agree with his ideas. When he runs down the Teapartyers and Fox news he is running down millions of Americans just because they don't agree with his ideas. President Obama needs to start acting like the President of the greatest country on earth and not a school yard bully.

Smiley

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 11:39 p.m.

I should clarify that I am friends with, and have interviewed, many who were there -- and I think it's an extremely under-recognized event.

Smiley

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 11:27 p.m.

I thoroughly respect liberal views, but I held them most strongly before I entered the world of having a job. I will be the first to say that corporate america is not 100% fun. You can get some fun out of it, but it's definitely not Grizzly Adams' idea of freedom. And therein lies the question - are you more grizzly adams than you are bill gates? Of course there's no simple answer - you may be Howard Zinn-ish, or some infinite derivation thereof. I want to hear from people who actually experienced Haight-Ashbury, and have lived a rewarding life between then and now...

David Briegel

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 11:17 p.m.

Mick, if you were called an "America hatin', terrist luvin' defeatist that wanted our soldiers dead" for disagreeing with the totally discredited Bush-Cheney regime, you might have a different perspective on the situation. rulieg, there is nothing inconsistent about hate for haters!

David Briegel

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 11:04 p.m.

You should all read the speech. Then read it again. You are sadly mistaken if you don't realize and understand the sanity of his words. Right here on AnnArbor.com we have a poster comparing liberals to Stalin, Nazis and Pol Pot. How do you respond to someone with that level of intelligence? (or lack thereof?)

Mick52

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 10:30 p.m.

Any democrat asking for civil discourse in political commentary reminds me of how President Bush was treated. President Obama receives no where near the abuse directed at President Bush. Voiceofreason raises a good point. When I heard Senator Levin's repeatedly bleeped out rant during an official hearing, I was embarrassed and wanted to apologize to the country for the state of Michigan. Levin's outburst was atrocious and there is no place for that in govt.

rulieg

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 10:25 p.m.

my comment was posted and then disappeared. I'm new around here: does annarbor.com censor content they don't like? I heard they did but I want to believe this isn't true. and I made sure not to use any naughty words. anyway: the gist of my post was that there are many people on this board applauding Obama for his lecture about how we should be "civil." but the people posting are saying extremely un-civil things, include one who proclaimed his "hate" for certain TV newscasters. my point was that it is rather hypocritical to expect other people to be civil but exempt yourself. there...is that bland enough to pass the Censors?

Jon Saalberg

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 9:09 p.m.

It's beyond the pale for Rove to talk about "civility". This is a guy whose party thought nothing of using race in the Willie Horton ads, and is supported by people who call the President all sorts of nasty, racist names. I think the President only enhances his standing by asking for civil discourse, leaving the hysterical and plainly false rhetoric to the FOX propaganda network and the Tea Party people.

DiverDown

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 8:47 p.m.

Too bad Obama couldn't address the graduates and just them on their day about what awaits them 'out there'! Oh noooooo..... he's got to turn it into another 'made for TV political ad.' I think if he's on TV 2 more times he will tie the Glorious Leader Kim Jong-il of North Korea for TV appearances this year. It's gonna be tough BO beating Kim, Kim's on every evening pushing the Communist agenda. You gotta chance tho. I say quit wasting your time preparing for TV and put it toward finding this country jobs. I'm tired of seeing your face, all talk with no action. Speeches arent paying our bills,. go to work.

miatamich

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 8:20 p.m.

Your break has been granted.

Edward R. Murrow's ghost

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 7:52 p.m.

Yeah, the graduates looked REALLY disappointed by the speech. Give me a break

voiceofreason

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 7:41 p.m.

anarbor1, You are right, he never expressly said the words, "Fox News". However, he did say, "There is one cable news network that says bad things about me." Regardless, this was a University commencement that Pres. Obama and Jennifer Granholm turned into somewhat of a political rally. As someone who attended the speech, I felt sorry for the graduates.

annarbor1

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.

"Presidential leadership matters as much as presidential words, perhaps more. Mr. Obama should back up his inspiring call to civility with action." How can Karl Rove have the audacity to even say this? After the last Administrations leadership, or lack thereof. Does waterboarding count as civility? Never once in President Obamas speech was Fox News mentioned.

Matthew Johns

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 6:23 p.m.

I'm pretty sure, that being televised on national networks, President Obama was sending the message of civility in political discourse to the entire nation. Pelosi, Reid, and all other democrats are part of this nation, last time I checked. Obama was genius to send the message he did, where he did, in that Ann Arbor's political values rest more toward the left. He chose the right location to call out all politicians, and never once made himself the exception. Is there a greater voice to speak out than the leader of our elected government? If by stating what he did makes him the exception, then perhaps we should have someone not yet of voting age state the same message? Would that have made it clear Mr. Rove? The speech was to all of America. If anyone believes that Obama is so naive to think he was only speaking to the graduates, then they have most likely no faith in the government, liberal, conservative or in between, and thus can identify with no American, as it is our right as American citizens under our government to choose political affiliation. Sometimes we are blind to see what's right in front of our faces. Listen to the message, think about it, then react. It was not a jab, it was some solid advice for everyone, and anyone who wishes to see a better tomorrow. When Obama said, "We could use some new faces in Washington," he didn't say anything about political affiliation. I have to believe he means those who can't take his much needed advice.

voiceofreason

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.

I actually agree with Rove here. Anyone who watched Carl Levin's questioning of Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein last week knows that this is empty rhetoric by Pres. Obama. How can the U.S. President plead for civil discourse when his own party is conducting McCarthy-esque "Q&A" sessions with Wall Street CEO's? Especially while shuffling people around behind the camera holding signs saying, "Criminal"? Obama's graduation speech was way more of a "Made for TV" event than any of the past Commencement speeches done by a sitting President. Combined with the groan-inducing lead-in by Jennifer Granholm, it was closer to a campaign rally while wearing a funny gown than it was to being a motivating speech for the graduates. Did Obama really have to bring up Fox News at a Commencement speech? Really? At the very least, voters need to bring a balance of power back to Washington. As we've seen in the early 2000's and from 2006-today, single party rule is terribly destructive to this country. End of rant.

Edward R. Murrow's ghost

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 6:07 p.m.

Rove complaining about Democrats' incivility? Isn't that kinda like Nazis complaining about the bombing of their cities by the Allies?

Graz

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 5:21 p.m.

Although I think it's sad that we have to even have a conversation calling for civility in the tone of our political discourse, I must say that it's quite amazing that Mr. Rove has the audacity to speak out as he did. He was one of the main instigators of the contentiousness that has taken the place of debate over the past 15 years and honed the art of attack politics while in the White House. Anonymous, although I'm not happy with the progress of many of the promises that President Obama was elected on, if you are honest, you can't reasonably say that he hasn't taken any action. There has been change in the past year in many things, including where we are in Iraq, in Afghanistan and on the health care reform. And there has been a push for financial reform in the way that Wall Street does business. I'm just not sure where the evidence is to show these "people as far away as the middle east" and how they are saying that he's all talk and no action.

Anonymous Due to Bigotry

Thu, May 6, 2010 : 5:05 p.m.

Take his own advice? That's exactly what I thought especially with the white house's juvenile campaign against Fox News. Actions speak louder than words, but even people as far away as the middle east have observed that Obama is all talk and no action.