The Rove 2-Step?

Matt Lewis | August 17, 2007 8:06 AM

Michael Gerson writes in today's WaPost:

When I asked Karl Rove this week to summarize his approach to politics, he quoted from memory a 167-year-old letter by Abraham Lincoln to his Whig campaign committee: "Keep a constant watch on the doubtful voters, and from time to time have them talked to by those in whom they have the most confidence."

... Actually, what he's referring to (and what is included in nearly every campaign seminar and GOP training manual) has come to be known as the Lincoln 4-Step. And while he quoted it accurately, he unfortunately left out steps 1 and 4.

First, you must "obtain a list of quialified voters."

And the last (and arguably most important) step (after having the undecideds spoken to by those in whom they have the most confidence) is: "On Election Day, get every Whig to the polls!"