Karl Rove speaks on Obama

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Republican political consultant Karl Rove says U.S. President Barack Obama was re-elected by maintaining a "negative campaign."

In an opinion piece for The New York Times Thursday, Rove laid out his complaints about the presidential election, claiming Obama won with a negative campaign about challenger Mitt Romney.

"Mr. Obama was ruthlessly efficient in executing what his campaign manager, Jim Messina, told the New Yorker's Ryan Lizza was 'a grand bet' -- an early negative campaign that started in May and targeted Mr. Romney's character, business ethics and wealth," Rove wrote. "A massive volunteer army armed with these same arguments then worked in the fall to convince family, neighbors and friends to support Mr. Obama."

Rove also claimed that Hurricane Sandy halted the Romney campaign's momentum.

"Hurricane Sandy interrupted Mr. Romney's momentum and allowed Mr. Obama to look presidential and bipartisan," he said.

In an interview with Fox News, Rove said Obama "succeeded by suppressing the vote," but did not explain this sentiment further, The Washington Post reported.