Karl Rove, embattled chief strategist and advisor to President Bush, was a guest yesterday at a Washington, D.C. fundraiser for 8th Congressional District hopeful and state Rep. John Gard, R-Peshtigo.
The Valente Associates, a conservative-supporting lobbying firm, sponsored the $2000 per-person fundraiser. The support of Karl Rove and other members of Bush administration for Gard's campaign could bolster his war chest and, to a lesser extent, support among Bush supporters.
However, some political analysts feel Rove's polarizing presence and the president's low poll numbers could also tip the scales in favor of his challenger, Democrat Steve Kagen.
According to Jay Heck, executive director of the non-partisan reform advocacy group Common Cause in Wisconsin, Gard's alignment with Karl Rove could backfire.
""There are some Republicans throughout the nation who are attempting to distance themselves because of Bush's decline in the polls. Gard has absolutely no problem with identifying himself with Bush and that may or may not be wise politically,"" Heck said.
The race for the 8th District is the only competitive congressional race in the state and is considered one of 15 seats in the nation that the Democrats need to take control of the United States House of Representatives, according to Heck.
Gard's campaign declined to comment on the fundraiser.
Donald Downs, a UW-Madison professor of political science, notes Rove's support may improve Gard's chances in the Republican-leaning 8th District.
""He wouldn't have done it unless he thought it would help. To the extent that [District 8] is conservative might help him even though conservatives are upset with Bush too,"" Downs said. ""The candidates in other congressional districts are not having Bush and Rove come because they figure it might hurt them.""
The Democratic party of Wisconsin has denounced Gard's fundraiser with Rove as an indication of Gard's allegiance with the Bush administration.
The chair of the College Democrats, Elijiah Lewien, said he is not surprised by Rove's support of the Gard campaign.
""John Gard has a record of standing with special interests instead of representing his constituents,"" Lewien said. ""This is another case in point where Republicans in the state of Wisconsin with their extreme right-wing agenda are out of touch with the average Wisconsinite.""
