Scott Jennings: Most of Karl Rove’s events are open to the press

Click to hear: Karl Rove's appearance

The Tennessee Republican Party is barring media coverage of its annual fundraising assembly here July 26, 2008 where former White House policy advisor Karl Rove is the keynote speaker - in contrast to previous years when party leaders encouraged press coverage.---Rick Locker, Commercial Appeal


Scott Jennings, former White House deputy to Karl Rove, asked about the closed event, said:

"I am actually a little surprised because typically most of Karl’s events are open to the press. Typically that decision is made by the local organizers

"I don’t know. Those things are usually set by host for event, so I’d take it up with Tennessee Republican Party.

"I’ll tell you I don’t typically do things not open to the media. I do a lot of in Kentucky. I prefer it when they are there because who doesn’t want to send clippings home to their grandmother?

"I don’t know. They open and close fundraisers for various reasons. Sometimes they are for security related, sometimes not. I’d call the state party and ask them if you want a real answer."---Scott Jennings,Peritus Public Relations, formerly Karl Rove's deputy at the White House

Former White House political advisor Jennings,who has been called the "dirty tricks operator" and "a cancer on American Democracy",spoke about his White House experiences at a Nashville Kiwanis Club luncheon on July 28.

He said politicians should "shed their fears, tell the truth, stop worrying about Washington and start worrying about the middle of the country."

A Kentucky public relations executive, Scott Jennings is now associated with the Peritus firm which has a Nashville branch.