Rove Notes Palin Never Campaigned For O'Donnell

Last night, Karl Rove -- who last week told The Daily Telegraph, “With all due candour, appearing on your own reality show on the Discovery Channel, I am not certain how that fits in the American calculus of ‘that helps me see you in the Oval Office’” – added another wrinkle to his critique of Palin’s recent activities. Responding to question from sometime Palin handler Greta Van Sustern, Rove noted that Palin never found time to actually campaign for Christine O’Donnell despite endorsing her in the GOP primary.

Rove:

She had to take time often campaign trail to do this ‘travelogue’ about Alaska. … She hasn't even been able to find time in her schedule to campaign for Christine O’Donnell, who I suspect would greatly welcome her attention. And that was my point. I just didn't see how this helped as much as other things and positioned herself to run for president. And I'm sorry she took offense. I hope she doesn't take offense at every analyst comment about her campaign if she decides to run because then it will be an awfully long two years. Having been through a couple of these campaigns, I know how precious these months are to a candidate who is thinking about running for president.”

At this point Rove is barely hiding his obvious contempt for Palin.  He wouldn't be so cavalier if he didn't have the implicit blessing of Romney and Haley Barbour.  I predict Palin will be forced to offer some sort of half-hearted apology within the week over her Delaware meddling.  She may just acknowledge failing to vet O'Donnell thoroughly, and then argue that the Delaware loss was a small price to pay for the national gains made thanks to tea party supporters like herself.  But even Sarah Palin can't get away with giving away a Senate seat, with an assist from Jim DeMint, without making some kind of amends to GOP donors.