MINNEAPOLIS -- Maine's Republican delegation got a surprise visit from former White House political operative Karl Rove at its convention breakfast this morning.

During his speech, he talked up John McCain's Republican presidential bid and criticized Democratic nominee Barack Obama for his inexperience.

When the topic of running mates came up, he referred to U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as a "big, blowhard doofus."

Later, a questioner asked about the economy in the context that the Democrats paint the country as being in a great depression. Before Rove answered, he asked: "Is there press in the room?"

Rove said that the housing values are dropping because they were artificially inflated during the housing boom. The economy is growing, he said, with a pattern of job creation.

The current problems came up because of risky behavior by private industry under an implied promise that the government would bail them out.

"It was brought on by risky behavior where government made a promise to private individuals who went out and made themselves very, very rich by risky practices that have put our economy at risk."

Rove played up McCain's candidacy in his speech, telling the story about him being a prisoner of war in Vietnam. McCain was told to go early because he was the son of an admiral, but he chose to stay because there were others in line in front of him to get out.

He also told a story of Cindy McCain adopting a child with health problems from Mother Teresa's orphanage.

He said Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) was a risky choice for vice president for the Republicans, but she will help McCain in certain geographic areas.

He touched on Obama's inexperience, and said his speeches are a result of targeted polling and focus groups.

"Barack Obama has spent four years in the Senate, and he spent two of those running for president," Rove said.

The McCain campaign will work hard in Maine and expend resources in the state, he said. Rove acknowledged that the Republicans do have trouble in the Northeast.

He said that the problems were slow in coming and will take time to solve. The first step is re-electing U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor).

"It strikes me that having an outdoors woman who is willing to take on the good ol' boys is something that might be well received in the Northeast," Rove said.

He said they campaigned hard in 2000 and 2004 in the Northeast and will continue to do so this year.

"I want to go out and fight for things in places that Republicans don't always win," Rove said.