Karl Rove

The Obama Ad Blitz Isn't Working

'If you've got a business—you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen."

Despite President Obama's effort to walk back these remarks, the damage they've caused to him remains. And that's because what he said in Roanoke, Va., on July 13 came across as a true expression of his worldview.

Obama and the Economic Blame Game

This week brought bad news for President Barack Obama's attempts to blame someone else—anyone else—for America's economic problems.

A poll released Monday by the Hill, a newspaper that covers Congress, found that 66% of voters believe the weak economy is Washington's fault. And who is most to blame? A third—34%—said Mr. Obama. Congress was named the culprit by 23%, while 20% chose Wall Street and 18% fingered former President George W. Bush.

Obama Gets Down and Dirty

Since mid-May, President Barack Obama and his campaign have been attacking Mitt Romney for "shipping U.S. jobs overseas." They've suggested he made false filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission. And they've hit him for having "Swiss bank accounts and offshore investment funds in the Caymans." Before considering their political impact, let's review each of these charges.

Obama's Shrinking Majority

Elections are about numbers, and right now the president's are bad. To understand why, consider 2008 as a reference point. That year, Barack Obama received 69,456,897 votes to John McCain's 59,934,814.

Helping Veterans for Love of Country

The great 19th-century French observer of our country, Alexis de Tocqueville, was amazed at how "Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all dispositions constantly form associations . . . proposing a common object for the exertions of a great many men and . . . inducing them voluntarily to pursue it."

Obama's Campaign Whoppers

In a 54-minute stemwinder in Cleveland two weeks ago—billed as a major "reframing" address—President Obama did what has become second nature for him. He ignored his opponent's actual views to focus on make-believe.

Romney Shrinks the Campaign Money Gap

It's a good bet that there was an air of smug satisfaction in President Barack Obama's Chicago headquarters last month when both sides in the White House race posted their end-of-April cash-on-hand numbers.

Obama's Health Care Opportunity

As the Supreme Court gets ready to announce whether President Barack Obama's heath-care reform is constitutional, some Democrats hope it strikes down the law. They believe bad news for ObamaCare is good political news for Mr. Obama.

Wisconsin and the GOP Ground Game

We'll be talking about Tuesday's Wisconsin recall election for a long time to come.

The results were a historic setback for organized labor, which failed to oust Gov. Scott Walker in a citadel of modern progressivism. And how it must have stung that 38% of union households voted for Mr. Walker, up a point from 2010 when he was first elected.

Why 2012 Is Not 2004

President Barack Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney may be dead even in the polls, but some pundits insist the president will prevail on Election Day because 2012 is the new 2004.