Rove won't attract Illinois independents

The picture and the message are quite clear. Joe Birkett, DuPage State's Attorney, proudly and courteously shakes the hand of Karl Rove, the "political brain trust."

The message directed to the independent voters of Illinois is to expect Rove-type tactics in future elections. Andy McKenna, Illinois GOP Chairman, goes on to say that Rove's presence in Illinois will attract independent voters to the Republican cause. Our local Republican leaders must hope that we forget Rove, past and present, if they believe he has a role to play. And by the way Mr. McKenna, what is the Republican cause?

It is tactical advice that Rove provides regarding a race for governor when he says, "You better not claw yourselves up and bloody yourselves up and cut yourselves up in a primary." Rove knows this first hand and can show past success with this tactic. He is credited with destroying the McCain campaign of 2000 and handing the victory to George W. Bush. In that primary it was only Senator John McCain that was clawed, cut and bloodied by a whispering Rove who attacked McCain on a personal level.

Take note Mr. McKenna, McCain was attractive to independent voters in 2000 and again in 2008.

But you, Mr. McKenna and Illinois Republicans, hope that Karl Rove can do it again.

No doubt the Illinois Republicans are anxious to share the cash bounty derived from donors named on the Rove hard drive. And they must believe they can benefit from his direct mail approach, his dogged determination, as well as his clever innuendo and negative adds directed at the opponent.

As for myself, I will remain a registered voter, I will vote independently without concern for party labels, and I will be very weary of any involvement by the opportunist, Rove. Mr. McKenna is wrong, Karl Rove will not attract independent voters to the Republican Party - Rove is one big reason why they left.

Dennis Garde

Mount Prospect