Most political "headliners" pass through the Highline area after landing at Boeing Field or Sea-Tac International Airport on their way to events somewhere else.

But Karl Rove, a chief advisor to President Bush, came to SeaTac on April 14 where he spoke to King County Republicans at their Lincoln Day dinner at the Hilton Seattle Airport Conference Center.

Rove spared no punches in criticizing congressional Democrats on both the war in Iraq and the national economy, and challenged party members to elect a Republican governor next year.

"You've all got a lot of work to do to ensure victory in 2008 ... to turn this state a little more red," he said.

Michael Young, chairman of the King County Republican Party, said last week that Rove's appearance here was significant.

"It shows ... that the party is still very active in terms of bringing a national speaker into the county. It shows that we have a presence in this region and we're not going away," he declared.

"It shows to our donor base that we're still raising money.... It gives us the chance to raise money to help candidates and causes.

"And it energizes the party. Bringing someone like Karl here reinforces grassroots activists and gives them reasons to stay active and work."

Young said Rove's appearance "did all three things .... [Party members are] energized about the need to get back in saddle and talk to voters and get people registered. And that's very good news."

Jim Clingan of Burien, the 34 District Republican Party chairman, agreed.

"Rove's visit helps [party members] get past the November election," Clingan said.

"He reminded us that the U.S. economy is strong and growing despite the 9/11 tragedy, that there has not been another terrorist attack on us soil since 9/11, and that despite the anti-war sentiment of some, we are winning the war in Iraq and will win the war if we have the courage and determination to complete the mission.

"His speech was well received and very motivational," he added.

Rove told about 500 Republicans at the dinner that after 100 days of the Democratic Congress, "It feels like a hundred years. All those promises-unanswered, unfulfilled and ignored."

Defending the war in Iraq, he said "the United States did the right and greatest thing by liberating" that country. "Now the enemy is waiting to see what we will do. Will we stand and prevail, or will we leave and lose?"

Democrats "seem more interested in mandating failure than giving [a] new strategy a chance to work," Rove charged.

"The global war on terror is the defining issue of our generation.... Victory in Iraq is the beginning of the end of the war on terror. Defeat in Iraq is the beginning of the beginning of the global war on terror."

Tax cuts since President Bush took office have caused the American economy to grow by 20 percent, Rove noted.

"No nation ever taxed and spent its way to prosperity," he added, yet the new Democrat majority wants to increase taxes.