POLITICO: Karl Rove’s Karl Rove

Forti, who last year told National Journal “I spend all my time trying to avoid the spotlight,” declined to comment for this story. And, unlike many political figures who turn down interviews, he also largely resisted the temptation to try to shape reporters’ narrative behind the scenes.

Just one old friend called, unprompted on his behalf, to echo others who stressed how unusual it is that Forti never appears on cable television to promote himself, despite having more political chops than most of those who are featured regularly as “strategists.”