Political strategist to participate in Westminster mock convention

Staff report

NEW WILMINGTON, PA.

Last semester, a group of students gathered together to discuss potential speakers for one of the oldest surviving collegiate conventions in the country: Westminster College’s 20th Mock Convention.

“Karl Rove,” one student suggested. So, they made it happen.

At 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in Orr Auditorium, Rove, an iconic political strategist and one of the most sought-after political pundits, will kick off Westminster College’s 2015 Mock Convention with a keynote address.

David Broder, well-remembered writer for the Washington Post, called Rove a “master political strategist whose game has always been long term ...and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match.”

Rove served as senior adviser to President George W. Bush from 2000 to 2007, “The Architect” of Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns and the deputy chief of staff from 2004 to 2007. At the White House, he oversaw the offices of strategic initiatives, political affairs, public liaison and intergovernmental affairs and was deputy chief of staff for policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process.

“[Rove is] ... unique. ... No presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon,” said Michael Barone, author and columnist at U.S. News & World Report.

With Rove’s reflections as recollections in the minds of Mock Convention attendees, Nov. 12, in the afternoon, students, employees and members of the community will gather in Westminster’s Field House gymnasium, or “the convention hall,” as students and candidates debate current political platform issues. In the evening, students will vote on candidates for president and vice president for the party currently out of the White House.

“No matter what political affiliation people identify with, we will all ‘play’ Republican during the 2015 Mock Convention,” said James C. Rhoads, professor of political science.