The repudiation of Karl Rove

By JOHN P. AVLON | 11/2/08 7:38 AM EST   

We don't know yet who will win or by what margin, but we know one thing for certain: This election represents the repudiation of Karl Rove and his play-to-the-base strategy.

There was always something dicey about stoking the fires of hyperpartisanship as a campaign and governing strategy, treating 51-49 victories as ideological mandates instead of an obligation to form broader and more durable coalitions.

Now we have the data to judge the results: a president who tried to unite his party at the expense of uniting the nation and failed to do both, repudiated by both candidates running to succeed him. Even John McCain admits to visitors at his Web site homepage, "the last eight years haven't worked very well, have they?"

It's an unprecedented condemnation of the president's politics as well as the effectiveness of his governance.

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