Rove to keynote Nevada think tank dinner

Karl Rove, the Bush administration political mastermind who's now a conservative commentator, is scheduled to keynote the annual dinner of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, the think tank announced today.

Rove has Nevada roots: He grew up in Sparks. The dinner is scheduled for Sept. 23 at The Venetian in Las Vegas.

Reviled by the left and admired by the right for his role as the "architect" of George W. Bush's campaigns, Rove these days is a Fox News commentator and, according to NPRI's news release, has a book coming out in January.

"Karl Rove has used his insider's experience and perspective to become one of today's most interesting and insightful commentators on politics and public policy. We at NPRI are honored to have him deliver the keynote speech at our annual dinner," NPRI President Sharon Rossie said in the news release. "I know our dinner attendees will enjoy and appreciate learning his thoughts on current events."

The "free-market" think tank has scored big-name notables in the past, featuring former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at its dinner two years ago and hosting then-President Bush for a speech in January 2008.