April 09, 2008 11:36 pm

Cut and paste version of story Photos Karl Rove, a former top adviser in the Bush administration, chats Wednesday evening with Jeanne Gleason (left) and Ann Wilson during a GOP fundraiser at Johnstown’s Holiday Inn-Downtown. The Tribune-Democrat

Rove predicts Dems’ primary rivalry could aid McCain

The divisive Democratic presidential primary could help presumptive GOP nominee John McCain win Pennsylvania and the White House in November, prominent campaign strategist Karl Rove said Wednesday.

By MIKE FAHER
CNHI News Service

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — The divisive Democratic presidential primary could help presumptive GOP nominee John McCain win Pennsylvania and the White House in November, prominent campaign strategist Karl Rove said.
Rove, in Johnstown recently to speak at a GOP fundraiser, said the ongoing battle between Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama means McCain could pluck voters from the Democratic ranks.
“I think this primary’s going to leave some scars,” Rove said in an interview at The Tribune-Democrat. “Regardless of who wins, there are going to be some disaffected Democrats who McCain can reach out to.”
Rove is a controversial figure widely known as the architect of President George W. Bush’s victories in 2000 and 2004. He served as Bush’s deputy chief of staff and senior adviser before resigning in August.
Rove, while acknowledging some interaction with McCain’s staff, pledged that he will not take a role with the Arizona senator’s campaign – not even informally.
“Occasionally we chit-chat. But I’m not certain my interaction would rise to the level of an informal adviser,” Rove said.
Even Rove could not have scripted this year’s developments in the presidential race, including the flameout of prominent GOP candidates Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney.
Rove noted that McCain’s candidacy was thought to be finished last summer.
“Who would’ve, last July, said McCain’s going to be the nominee of the Republican Party? Nobody,” he said. “I’m not even certain Mrs. McCain thought he was likely to be the nominee.”
Rove also said he has been surprised by the length of the campaign, a race that stretches back to late 2006.
“We’re going to have two candidates fighting it out in the general election who have been running at Mach 1 speed for nearly two years,” he said.
“And about the time they finish, they’re going to have to assemble a government and raise their right hand. And they’re going to be completely and utterly exhausted.”

Mike Faher writes for The Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.