Karl Rove, the Republican strategist who led George W. Bushs presidential campaigns in 2000 and 2004, will be returning on Tuesday to the state that narrowly put his boss in the White House.
Rove, now an author and Fox News commentator, will be speaking Tuesday night at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach at an event sponsored by the LeMieux Center for Public Policy. The event is free to the public.
Founded by former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., in 2012, the LeMieux Center features an annual lecture series featuring notable speakers on issues of public policy and servant leadership.
Appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist, who he served as his chief of staff, when fellow Republican Mel Martinez resigned his seat, LeMieux served 16 months in the U.S. Senate. After leaving the Senate in 2010, LeMieux ran for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., in 2012 but ended his bid before the primary. LeMieux currently is the chairman of the Gunster law firm.
LeMieux explained why Rove was chosen for the annual lecture.
Karl Rove is one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, LeMieux said on Monday. He is best known for his thought-provoking and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day.
Florida went for Bush in 2000 and 2004. Rove led Bushs efforts both times including during the Florida recounts in 2000 against Democratic nominee then-Vice President Al Gore. Florida is expected to be one of the main battlegrounds of the 2016 presidential election.
Rove joins Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will, noted presidential adviser David Gergen and former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford in taking part in the lecture series.
LeMieux said on Monday that Rove will be able to offer Palm Beach Atlantic students insights into politics and government.
One of the founding principles of the center is to give students opportunities to engage in thoughtful conversations about the challenges facing our state and nation, LeMieux said. Karl Rove is an excellent catalyst to deep discussions about serious issues.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
