When Republicans lose Karl Rove, you know the party is in trouble.

Rove, an architect of George W. Bush’s two presidential election victories, recently wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal in which he announced he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Republican Bo French for Texas railroad commissioner.

Granted, even if everything is bigger in Texas, a vote in a secondary state race isn’t usually national news. It is, however, in this case for two reasons.

One, Rove is as dyed in Republican red as they come. Two, Rove’s support for a Democrat is prompted by Republican French’s vile comments about Asian students at the University of Texas. 

Other establishment Republicans, including Texas Sen. John Cornyn, have rightly denounced French. I’m glad to see them take that stand.

But don’t be fooled into thinking their disappointment, frustration and simmering anger end with a third-rate candidate for an obscure office.

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