Karl Rove in W.Va.

Former White House deputy chief of staff and longtime Bush advisor Karl Rove was in Charleston on Monday to raise money for the state Republican Party, and Gary Abernathy appears to have an exclusive.

"Rove reminisced about his 30 year friendship with President Bush, and spoke movingly about the visits the president has held with families who have lost sons and daughters in Iraq and Afghanistan," Abernathy writes.

Local GOP activists Larry and Lisa Pack hosted the fundraiser at their home, the post said.

The state part has faced significant debt over the last several years, and has taken several steps to whittle down the amount. Chairman Doug McKinney recently announced that, with the help of Larry Pack and others, "we have been able to erase $52,600 of our debt as reported to the FEC."

The state party's Feb. 5 presidential convention has also offered an opportunity to raise funds, by charging candidates $5,000 and attending delegates $25.

Rove previously appeared at the Kanawha County GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner in February 2006, raising funds there as well.