Karl Rove Works His Magic

By Scott Horton

Karl Rove promised to transform the American political scene for a generation, locking in a majority that would provide a basis for Republican government for decades. But as they say, be careful what you wish for. The latest poll by AP-Ipsos is in and it contains some shockers. Indeed, Rove’s political magic has worked an amazing transformation of the American electoral landscape—but it’s for the Democrats. If we count both those who identify themselves directly with a party and those who “lean” to it, then America is now happily in the bosom of the Democratic Party. 54% of all Americans now call themselves “Democrats,” against 36% who view themselves as “Republicans”—an 18-point difference. If this trend holds into the 2008 elections and is translated into preference votes for Congressional seats (two enormous “ifs”), the radical transformation of Congress begun in 2006 will continue, with the Republicans moved to an increasingly marginal position. The Democrats are, as Will Rogers said, “no organized political party,” but now it seems they have a powerful ally: Karl Rove.