"Attack their strength" is the signature - it's been the core of Rovian strategy through the W years. Kerry didn't see it coming, never came up with an effective response - his campaign considered his credentials as a principled war veteran as unassailable. Kerry's 2004 defeat is probably the best illustration of the "Attack their Strength" tactic, but Rove put it in play repeatedly during the W presidency.
I don't think that Rove was very active during the 2008 campaign, when Republicans were trying to get some distance from the W brand. But I know Rove's going to be politically active in 2012 - Romney's probably keeping the W cabal at arm's length, but Rove's got the Crossroads SuperPac TM.
So when I see a strong pushback from Republicans on the "war on women" meme, that's entirely based on insubstantial frothery, my first thought is that this is another Rovian "Attack their strength" campaign...