I finally watched the DVD of Bush's Brain, the documentary about Karl Rove which hits theaters nationwide August 27th.
I never read the book - it took me this long to see the DVD - but I had heard the legend of Rove through the many channels we have here on the web. As in Fahrenheit 9/11, you discover the dribs and drabs of info you get through scattershot stories pale when you have the story laid out in a concentrated cohesive form like this.
Unlike F911, Bush's Brain depends more on recollections by acquaintances, ex-partners and adversaries of Rove than actual footage, which takes an early toll on your attention. But stick with it.
Rove's first major media diversion occurs during the 1986 Texas gubernatorial campaign when his candidate, Bill Clements, was trailing Mark White by a huge margin. Just before the two were to debate, Rove "discovered" a small transmitter device in his office, claiming the White camp planted it there. Even though the battery of that device had a mere 15 minutes of use when it was "discovered," the ploy delivered the results Rove dreamed of: the debates were overshadowed, and the insinuation put White's lead into freefall.
Thus begins Rove's addiction: win at any cost and use the media as your conduit for casting doubt on your opposition - no matter who suffers the consequences.
That M.O. comes into sharp focus when the story segues into Rove's involvement in the overthrow of Jim Hightower in the 1990 Texas agriculture commissioner race - this time, actually resulting in prison sentences for Hightower employees. Pete McRae, who was one of those convicted, breaks down during his interview with the filmmakers when he talks about his parents who buckled under the stress of their son's ordeal.
It's a sad and powerful moment - and one which sets the gears in motion for your blood to begin to simmer.
Deception disguised as "information dissemination" becomes the number one mission of Rove, and it takes him all the way to the West Wing as the de facto decision- and policy-maker of this administration. Rove takes the human trait of doubt and exploits it almost beyond comprehension. It's almost humorous how over-the-top he is, and we'd be laughing if it wasn't working so effectively.
Today, we see the Rove machine in full throttle against John Kerry with a much clearer understanding, thanks to Bush's Brain. The sad truth is, understanding it doesn't make it go away, and too many people are still buying into the package.
Instead of real hope, you realize that a cesspool this deep and this dirty will take several years to clean out of our political process, even if it turns around this second. Bush's Brain might begin the turnaround, but only if America is willing to open its mind to its message as it did to Rove's.
That might be asking too much. Bush's Brain requires accepting the truth in a society where rumor and insinuating scandal reign supreme. And in that respect, Karl Rove knows his market all too well.
"Bush's Brain" in theaters nationwide starting August 27th. The DVD will be available October 12th, and can be pre-ordered via Hoffmania right now.
