Karl Rove would have you believe that he’s been a lifelong Rand Paul supporter. Rove recently opined that the party needs “fewer Christine O’Donnells and more Rand Pauls.” I distinctly remember Karl Rove’s dislike of Rand Paul during Kentucky’s senate primary. My emphasis:

Republicans have also recruited good candidates for their open seats. New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte is competitive, as are Ohio’s Rob Portman and Missouri’s Roy Blunt. Republicans in Florida have to get through a primary fight, but either Gov. Charlie Crist or former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio will likely hold the seat. (I’ve donated to Messrs. Blunt and Rubio.) Only Kentucky’s open seat vacated by Jim Bunning causes the GOP squeamishness.

If Karl Rove is now finally admitting that grassroots was right in the Kentucky race, I’m more than happy to accept that concession. Perhaps Rove should listen more to grassroots and alienate less.