James Carville, Karl Rove, and American Political Parties

Carville recently made comments on the Obama administrations handling of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.  His comments were not directed so much at the actions involved as in the public relations handling.  He said Obama should have gone to the site immediately.  I intended to criticise his view but I realized Karl Rove would have advised similar actions if it were a Republican in the same position..
None of these actions are aimed at handling the problem itself but only influencing public opinion.  If the purpose of political parties is only to take votes to hold office, then it is time for a radical change in the way the government is selected.