The Political Inquirer

You know you’ve made it in “big time politics” when Karl Rove goes out of his way to bash you. Such is the case with Barack Obama. Thanks for the bashing Karl. Obama is happy to be a member of the “big time politics” club.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — On the sidelines during presidential campaign season for the first time this decade, former presidential adviser Karl Rove couldn’t resist taking shots at Democratic frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama.

Rove focused his firepower on the Illinois senator at a speech to the Young America’s Foundation in Washington, D.C. Friday night, barely mentioning his Democratic rival, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

President Bush’s former chief strategist, who left the White House in 2007, pegged Obama as a do-nothing senator who talked big and achieved little. “What bills has he sponsored?” Rove asked.

Thanks again Karl. What a compliment. Well, funny you should ask Karl but he has sponsored a whole mess of legislation, and some even his former boss signed. My favorite piece of legislation was the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. Oh and Karl. You were still working in the White House then, although you might have been distracted working on avoiding getting indicted. Oh and please note that Barack Obama is standing behind Senator Collins who is standing behind the President’s right shoulder. (that would be your left Karl).

THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated — except for you all. (Laughter.) Welcome. Every April, Americans sit down and fill out their tax returns, and they find out how much of their hard-earned money is coming here to Washington. Once the tax dollars arrive here, most Americans have little idea of where the money goes. And today, our government is taking steps to change that. We believe that the more we inform our American citizens, the better our government will be.

And so in a few moments, I’ll sign the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. This bill is going to create a website that will list the federal government’s grants and contracts. It’s going to be a website that the average citizen can access and use. It will allow Americans to log onto the Internet just to see how your money is being spent. This bill will increase accountability and reduce incentives for wasteful spending. I am proud to sign it into law and I am proud to be with members of both political parties who worked hard to get this bill to my desk.

This has been a good effort by concerned members of the House and the Senate to say to the American people, we want to earn your trust; when we spend your money, we want you to be able to watch us.

I want to thank Rob Portman, who is in my Cabinet, he’s the Director of the OMB, and my good friend, Clay Johnson, is the Deputy Director, for insisting on accountability when it comes to taxpayers’ money. I know this has been a particular project — a fond project of Clay, and I’m glad that members of Congress got it here.

I want to thank Susan Collins, who is the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. I want to thank the bill sponsors, Tom Coburn from Oklahoma, Tom Carper from Delaware, and Barack Obama from Illinois.

Did you get the name Karl? The President mentioned Senator Barack Obama in thanking these legislators for this bill. Oh there is so much more that he accomplished. He has inspired and brought enthusiasm back to the voting booth.

Karl Rove is on a career slide. Soon (if it hasn’t already happened) people will say, “Didn’t you used to be Karl Rove?” And Karl, before you say anything else about Obama, please check your facts so you don’t embarrass yourself once again. Reading on Walden Bookstore.