Promoting his book, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight,” Karl Rove, former political strategist for the George W. Bush presidency appeared on the Today Show. There he defended his record, saying the tricks attributed to him were either media distortions or the work of others. Rove claims that his reputation as a ‘down and dirty’ political campaigner is undeserved.

Rove has been accused of smear tactics against John McCain during the presidential race of 2000. He defends himself, saying the story in question, McCain’s fathering of an illegitimate child, originated with a professor at Bob Jones University. He then went on the criticize McCain’s handling of the allegations.

In the 516 page book, Rove defends Bush, saying he did not lie about Iraq. He acknowledges and supports the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding.

Karl Rove’s book focuses extensively on his family and painful memories of his mother’s suicide. When asked by Matt Lauer of the Today Show why he had shared such intimate details, Rove said he would have preferred to leave his personal life out of the book, but felt an obligation to visit subjects that are painful for him to discuss.