Begala Accuses Rove Of Using "Poltergeist" Tactics

In a new fundraising memo, Democratic strategist Paul Begala says Karl Rove and other GOP operatives are using “dirty tricks” to get Republicans elected next week.

Begala accuses the GOP of attempting to pander to African-American voters in Illinois, while discouraging Latinos from voting for Sen. Harry Reid (D) in Nevada.

“Like a poltergeist returning from the grave, these loathsome Karl Rove-inspired dirty tricks are back just in time for the final week of the campaign, when voter turnout will literally decide the outcome of about 50 make-or-break races.”

Republican candidates, warns Begala, are attempting to enter Congress through the “back door.”

“It’s no coincidence that the Republicans have started their dirty tricks for the final week. They know as well as we do that when voters learn the truth, Democrats win elections.”

Karl Rove ignores subpoena

Four protesters were instructed to remove hats and shirts with political statements under the threat of arrest prior to a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove was subpoenaed to testify before the subcommittee and failed to appear. The women, from the anti-war group Code Pink, said being arrested for wearing a t-shirt violated their constitutional rights and asked what actions would be taken against Rove for failing to answer his subpoena. Committee staff and US Capitol Police told the women it is against committee rules to allow the display of political positions in the hearing room.

Chairwoman Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) expressed disappointment at Rove’s unwillingness to appear before the subcommittee to discuss allegations that he politicized the Department of Justice and to respond to questions concerning his role in the firing of US attorneys. Sanchez said Rove’s claim of executive immunity are unlawful and know no precedent in the Supreme Court. She stated that the White House has not requested immunity for Rove and that Rove’s attorney previously said Rove would appear before Congress if subpoenaed.

Ranking Member Chris Cannon (R-Utah) defended Rove, telling the committee that Rove is out of the country on an engagement that was planned before the subpoena. He told the committee that Rove has offered to conduct personal interviews with committee members and to answer written questions, berating Democrats for failing to accept Rove’s offers. Cannon said the subcommittee called the hearing due to allegations of Rove’s involvement in the conviction of former Alabama governor Don Siegelman on corruption charges and said no evidence exists that supports these allegations. Cannon criticized the committee, saying it is failing to address issues of major concern to Americans like oil prices.

Today at Talk Radio News

Correspondent S. Dawn Jones will be tackling our Pentagon coverage today. 10th Mountain Division Commander Army Maj. Gen. Michael will be briefing reporters to provide an update on ongoing security operations in Iraq. Chief UN Correspondent Dan Patterson reports that the UN Security Council did not vote on the Zimbabwe draft resolution.

The Washington Bureau will cover the House Judiciary Committee as it focuses on “Politicization of the Justice Department.” Subpoenaed to testify is Karl Rove the former White House Political Director. Energy will again be focused on as the House Energy and Commerce Committee takes a look at carbon capture and storage. On the Senate side the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will be focusing on the roots of violent Islamist extremism and the efforts to counter it.