Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush, will speak at Blowout 2011, the Texas Energy Museum's annual fund raising dinner. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 17, 2011, at the Beaumont Civic Center.
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Rove has been described by author and columnist Michael Barone in US News & World Report as "unique...no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon."
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He served as senior advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000 to 2007 and as deputy chief of staff from 2004 to 2007.
At the White House he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was deputy chief of staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process.
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According to Washington Post columnist David Broder, Rove is a master political strategist whose "game has always been long term... and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match."
Fred Barnes, executive director of The Weekly Standard called Rove "the greatest political mind of his generation and probably of any generation.... He knows history, understands the moods of the public, and is a visionary on matters of public policy."
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As a Fox News contributor, Rove provides a "genuine feel of inside knowledge," says David Zurawik, Baltimore Sun television critic. Megan Garber, of the Columbia Journalism Review, says Rove has "focused his punditry on what he knows best � strategy."
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Before he became known as "The Architect" of President Bush's 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was president of Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm that worked for Republican party candidates, non-partisan causes, and non-profit groups.
Today, he writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, is a Newsweek columnist, and is the author of the book, Courage and Consequence.
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ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery Plant Manager Daniel Risso, Blowout chairman, stated, "We are extremely pleased to be presenting Karl Rove as this year's Blowout speaker.� Mr. Rove is a well-known and respected political commentator who will address what he considers to be our country's most pressing issues."����
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The annual Blowout event raises funds for the Texas Energy Museum's exhibitions and public education programs focusing on science, history and energy. Previous speakers have included Laura W. Bush, Newt Gingrich, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani, and James Baker.
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Seating for the Blowout is available by reservation only. Table contribution levels are $1,000; $2,500; $5,000, and $10,000. Individual seats are $100. Persons and companies interested in securing reservations should contact the Texas Energy Museum at 409-833-5100.
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