The College Fix

As divisive as he may be, conservative political adviser Karl Rove is still an attraction to those interested in the upcoming elections.

On Monday, Rove spoke to an audience of about 100 attendees at the National Constitution Center, in Philadelphia, regarding his newly released autobiography and the midterm elections.

Among Rove’s opinions on the current political landscape was the unlikelihood of young voter turnout.

“Younger voters … are not really engaged in a bunch of old people,” Rove said, recalling that the “hip, inspirational African-American candidate in 2008” did get them to turn out in record numbers.

“Those people inspired by Obama’s presence on the ballot in ’08 will not be inspired by his absence,” he said. “And it’s a shame because the issues of excess and debt will affect our children and our grandchildren,” he added, citing government-backed student loans and health care legislation.

According to College Republicans President and Engineering junior Peter Terpeluk, Rove is “probably accurate” about youth voter turnout. “Young folks are easily sensationalized … and in an election that isn’t sensationalized, you aren’t going to attract as many young people to vote,” Terpeluk said.

However, Rove also espoused a greater effort on the part of candidates to take “the battle onto the campuses as much as they can.”

“I know I’m not the most popular guy on campus. I got onto UC Santa Barbara — it took about two police cars, but I did it,” Rove said.

Read the full story at the Daily Pennsylvanian.

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