KARL ROVE

Former President George W. Bush is undoubtedly "deeply upset" over the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, according to a onetime top aide.

Former Vice President Mike Pence and other potential GOP presidential contenders plan to attend a private donor meeting next week in Texas hosted by Karl Rove.

CNBC had asked which Republicans Trump intended to target during midterm primaries after the former president said he plans to back several primary contenders who support his Make America Great Again agenda. Advisors have told Trump that many Republican voters, who have been polled by the former president's strategists, do not want to see an all-out war in the GOP. Instead, they would rather see Trump focus his attacks on Biden and top Democrats. Gaetz has called for the ouster of Republican House leader Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., after she voted to impeach Trump. The South Dakota Republican voted with Trump over 90% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight data.

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)LOS ANGELES – California Republicans eager to recall Democratic Gov. The head of the state Republican Party, Jessica Millan Patterson, is being challenged at a GOP convention this weekend by longtime conservative activist Steve Frank, who says the state party is attempting to silence conservative voices. Ad“This is California’s version of the national battle for the soul and the future of the Republican Party,” said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego. But “just when the Republican Party in California is showing signs of life, it’s deciding to cannibalize itself,” Kousser added. For long-suffering California Republicans, party infighting could divide their ranks and make it more challenging to oust Newsom.

Violent protesters, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK – Media outlets that appeal to conservatives offered condemnations, explanations and deflections following the U.S. Capitol riot by President Donald Trump's supporters, but little introspection. Several figures in conservative media suggested liberal politicians and mainstream media outlets are more outraged when Trump supporters are violent than they were about civil rights demonstrations last summer. “Were left-wing provocateurs leading the way into the Capitol?” questioned Thomas Lifson of American Thinker. Many conservative media figures have sold themselves as truth-tellers and admitting error isn't good for business, said Brian Rosenwald, author of “Talk Radio America” and a scholar in residence at the University of Pennsylvania.

Fix It.’ I’ve liked the day-in, day-out challenges of governance.”President Ronald Reagan appointed Thornburgh attorney general in the waning months of his administration. He was asked to stay on as attorney general when George H.W. When Thornburgh left the U.S. attorney general post in 1991, he made a run for U.S. Senate, losing to Harris Wofford in the general election. In 2002, the Justice Department tapped Thornburgh to help investigate WorldCom for mismanagement, irregularities and fraud. Three years later, Thornburgh married Ginny Judson, who raised his three sons and bore another, William.

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)ATLANTA – The Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs don't take place until Jan. 5. And President Donald Trump has complicated the contest by claiming baselessly that the November election in Georgia was beset by fraud. Already, $329 million in advertising has been spent or reserved in the state since Election Day, according to data from the ad tracking firm Kantar/CMAG. While Biden’s campaign ran operations in Georgia until the Nov. 3 election, Senate Democrats’ campaign arm is in charge now. “People are very inspired by the Stacey Abrams magic,” said Michael Smith, a Los Angeles donor who has given to several groups raising money for the Georgia Democrats.

Bess and a colleague were going door-to-door to encourage people to vote for the conservative candidates in Georgias Jan. 5 runoff elections for U.S. Senate. The two Georgia races will decide which party controls the Senate, and that has infused voter turnout efforts by the parties and outside groups with new urgency. “Everyone in Georgia knows the candidates,” said Janae Stracke, a colleague of Bess’ who also canvassed the subdivision. She raised millions of dollars to organize and register hundreds of thousands of voters in the state — efforts credited with helping Democrat Joe Biden win Georgia. The Republican candidate has beaten the Democrat in seven out of eight runoff elections since 1992, including two U.S. Senate races.

“I told her, ‘I’m looking at you and I can tell you want to do the right thing,’” recalled Barram, who declined to reveal any details of what Murphy told him. But Murphy has yet to certify Biden as the winner, stalling the launch of the official transition process. Trump administration officials also say they will not give Biden the classified presidential daily briefing on intelligence matters until the GSA makes the ascertainment official. It doesn’t appear to be the case.”Barram, the Bush-Gore-era GSA administrator, said he felt sympathy for Murphy. But they could make it easier if five or 10 of them come out and say: ‘Biden’s won.

The GOP governor acknowledged Thursday that Biden's lead is getting "bigger and bigger by the day” and Trump’s legal options are dissipating. Many Trump allies in Washington see no path to a Trump victory but remain wary of crossing the outgoing Republican president — or his supporters — especially with control of the Senate still uncertain. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Thursday that Biden doesn’t need intelligence briefings because Trump might remain president in the new year. Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter, citing the significant number of Democrats who doubted the legitimacy of Trump's 2016 election victory. “Joe Biden is the president-elect.”George W. Bush, the only living former Republican president, acknowledged Biden's victory on Sunday.

The GOP governor acknowledged that Biden's lead is getting "bigger and bigger by the day” and Trump’s legal options are dissipating. Many Trump allies in Washington see no path to a Trump victory but remain wary of crossing the outgoing Republican president — or his supporters — especially with control of the Senate still uncertain. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested Thursday that Biden doesn’t need intelligence briefings because Trump might remain president in the new year. Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter, citing the significant number of Democrats who doubted the legitimacy of Trump's 2016 election victory. “Joe Biden is the president-elect.”George W. Bush, the only living former Republican president, acknowledged Biden's victory on Sunday.

This year alone, state supreme courts have been thrust into the spotlight to decide politically charged cases over voting rights, race and governors' coronavirus orders. State supreme court races have become similarly partisan and often attract millions of dollars in campaign spending, much of it from groups outside the state. Among other hot button issues, the coming year could see state high courts decide matters on eviction moratoriums, private school vouchers, abortion and redistricting. In Ohio, a 5-2 Republican majority is at stake on the state high court in two races that are attracting outside money. Millions of dollars are being spent in Texas, where all nine state supreme court justices are Republicans and the high court has not had a Democratic justice since 1998.

LOS ANGELES The Democratic and Republican conventions will lack for crowds but not television coverage. The Democratic meeting will be virtual, with Biden planning to make his acceptance speech from Wilmington, Delaware. Broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC plan an hour of nightly coverage of the conventions at 10 p.m. EDT. CNN's commentators for the Democratic meeting include Van Jones, Jennifer Granholm, Andrew Yang, and Scott Jennings. Commentary for the Republican convention will be handled by Rick Santorum, David Urban, Amanda Carpenter and Granholm.

(AP Photo/Dan Sewell)CINCINNATI During a background briefing with reporters in December, President Donald Trump's reelection campaign team gave only passing mention of Ohio. Trump's campaign has budgeted $18.4 million in television advertising in Ohio for this fall, second only to Florida, according to campaign advertising tracking data. Trump won Ohio by 8 percentage points four years ago. In nearby Hilliard, Democrats won their first seat on the City Council in three decades. Even as Trumps standing began to fall after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio was not seen as a concern, campaign officials said.

Joseph Wilson, the former ambassador who set off a political firestorm by disputing U.S. intelligence used to justify the 2003 Iraq invasion, died Friday, according to his ex-wife. Plame and Wilson moved to Santa Fe in 2007 to raise twin children and divorced in 2017. Wilson drew intense criticism from Republican lawmakers over his statements regarding Iraq in the lead-up to the U.S. invasion. "The national security objective for the United States was clear; it was disarmament of Saddam Hussein," he said. We did not need to engage in an invasion, conquest and occupation of Iraq in order to achieve that objective."

On CBS' "Face the Nation," authors Doris Kearns Goodwin, Karl Rove, Jon Meacham, and Edward Larson discuss their newly released biographies on former U.S. presidents who have left their mark on history

Authors Doris Kearns Goodwin, Karl Rove, Jon Meacham, and Edward Larson discuss their recently released books on historic presidents with lessons for modern-day politicians. The experts discuss how the actions of our former commanders in chief inform America’s largest challenges in the 21st century.

Political strategist Karl Rove led both of President George W. Bush's White House bids. He is looking deeper into history to a possible guide for today's presidential candidates. Rove joins “CBS This Morning” to discuss the 2016 race and his new book, "The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters."

Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post, Ron Brownstein of Atlantic Media, and former Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush Karl Rove discuss the state of the 2016 race on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Michael Bloomberg: Karl Rove’s Hillary Clinton’s comments “outrageous” The former New York City mayor on the opening of the 9/11 memorial and political strategist Karl Rove’s remark that Hillary Clinton may have brain damage.

Bill Clinton defends Hillary Clinton against health questions Former President Bill Clinton is defending his wife, Hillary Clinton, against Karl Rove questioning her health. CBS News political director John Dickerson discusses Bill Clinton's comments and what it means for Hillary Clinton's potential presidential run.

Sign Up For NewslettersVaccines drive optimism about containing COVID pandemic — CBS News pollFirst baby born with COVID antibodies to vaccinated motherTeens try to cope after both parents die from COVIDIRS to delay tax filing deadline until May 17Trump urges people to get COVID vaccine, saying it's safe and worksSome teachers uneasy about returning before getting vaccineU.S. looking to loan AstraZeneca vaccine to other countriesNational Guard member takes selfies with all 100 senatorsPrince Harry pens emotional message to bereaved children in new bookSpectators from abroad to be barred from Tokyo Olympics48% of U.S. health workers still haven't received COVID-19 vaccineGoFundMe page raises over $2 million for sons of Atlanta shooting victimThe White House spokesman wouldn’t lend credence to a question about former George W. Bush strategist Karl Rove’s remarks about Hillary Clinton’s health. Jay Carney mocks “Doctor” Karl Rove’s Hillary Clinton diagnosis The White House spokesman wouldn’t lend credence to a question about former George W. Bush strategist Karl Rove’s remarks about Hillary Clinton’s health. Be the first to knowGet browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not NowTurn On