Ron Reagan has me worried. We have to be prepared for this!

[Quixote1818]

As Ron Reagan said:

Reagan is quietly hopeful of a Kerry comeback , but is realistic about the impact the media has on the campaign. "Kerry has made a slight comeback in the polls, but it doesn't really matter how many people watch the debates. When Gore and Bush debated four years ago, Gore did a better job, but the press focused on his mannerisms and his make-up and ignored Bush's lies. The American media is not healthy.

The Kerry campaign needs to rip the media on that NOW so the media will be afraid to do it again this year. They are afraid of the Republicans because the Republicans are more vocal. If we start hammering the media on the mannerisms over substance thing they may be afraid to do it again this year and feel they better focus on how the candidates handled the issues. This is a presidential debate dam it not a Mr. Congeniality contest!

I think this is extremely important! Can someone tell the Kerry campaign to start ripping the media now on how they handled Gore while their is still time? It's time for a preemptive strike on the media. Lets drop the A bomb and jolt them into looking at reality and substance in their analysis of the debates before it's too late. This election is too important not to look at substance! We need to drive that home.

[oasis]

1. Don't leave it up to the Kerry campaign. Make use of the DU media blaster.

:think:

[WiseMen]

3. How does that work? Can a campaign be organized so as to be effective?

[ClassWarrior]

9. Is the blaster up and running?

How does one use it?

23.

[oasis]

11. Make use of the many addresses already up on the national media list

pinned at the top of the page.

[Quixote1818]

14. Here is a media contact list!

http://www.fair.org/media-contact-list.html

[WiseMen]

2. Dead right. Best thing Dems could do now is to PROTEST Media failure to

cover the ISSUES.

[oasis]

7. Dems have to make the media aware that we are on to them. This time we

will raise a stink.

[Fuzzy LaRue]

8. Regardless of who wins on the issues,

the viewers of the debate are going to rate the candidates on what they see. Whatever points are scored can be lost if the audience percieves that one or the other involved are acting like an asshole.

This is what happened to Gore. People saw his sighing and eye rolling as condescending. Whatever points he scored were lost.

Issues or not, alot of people (more than enough people to matter) are going to vote for the guy they "like."

Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton won the debates more because of their charm than anything else.

Kerry does not have to be likeable, but he should be careful not to show what not to like.

[kcwayne]

4. The media is not afraid of Republicans because they are more vocal

They are afraid of losing their highly paid positions in Republican owned enterprises. They are doing the bidding of their bosses.

[blm]

5. Bush's mannerisms SHOULD matter. He clenches his jaw like all coke addicts

do...it's really obvious this man abused coke for years. The tremble, twitch and clench to his jaw is a common, telltake sign.

[chimpymustgo]

12. We need to have our talking points ready to blast the media after

the debates. Put C-SPAN on your speed-dial. We should have our own DU concise, cutting talking points - ready to go.

[Doosh]

6. exactly right

And I think we've seen some signs of the Dems attacking the media, you saw Biden go after the FOX news scum, Devin went after Woodruff today, albeit not on the subject of the debates. I hope we have a big media blitz ready just in case the networks try and "Gore" Kerry on his performance.

just look at who the networks have lined up to dissect the debates after they finish. Matthews and Scarborough on MSNBC, and you'll know they'll throw in another repug. FOX will have Hume, Barnes, Hannity, Krauthammer, Gingrich, possibly Coulter, just tear into Kerry like lions going after a lame gazelle. CNN will probably cut right away to commentary by Ralph Reed, Ed Gillespie, Novak, Carlson and Candy Crowley. But at least CNN might put on Carville or Begala.

[Shopaholic]

10. I never cease to be amazed that Ron Reagan and Keith Olbermann

have managed to keep their jobs at MSNBC. My guess is that the worse happens and * is reelected, these two will be out the door around there and fast--they speak the truth and you know we can't have that in this country anymore in so far as the press (or anyone else) is concerned!

[Demi_Babe]

13. Does someone have a general form letter to send to the media

I am not good with words but will spend all night blitzing the media.

[Quixote1818]

16. I wrote this one for you. Thanks for your help!

Dear Sir or Madam,
Ron Reagan the son of president Reagan had the following words about the presidential debate between George Bush and Al Gore:

"Kerry has made a slight comeback in the polls, but it doesn't really matter how many people watch the debates. When Gore and Bush debated four years ago, Gore did a better job, but the press focused on his mannerisms and his make-up and ignored Bush's mistakes. The American media is not healthy.”

As a concerned citizen I sure hope this wont happen again. Because of these kinds of things have basically lost all my confidence in the competence of the media. This coming election very well may be the most important election we have for quite some time. Lives are in the balance and the presidential debates are not a popularity contest! It is imperative that the media focus entirely on the substance of the debates and the content of what the candidates have to say rather than how they looked, how they came across and how funny they were or were not. My blood absolutely boils when the media decides to focus all their energy on these ridiculous things. That is the job of cosmopolitan magazine not the national media for God sake! I hope your reporters will make an honest attempt to stick to substance rather than image and other shallow things when reporting on the very important upcoming debates. Thank You!

Your Name

[Quixote1818]

15. Here is a media contact list

http://www.fair.org/media-contact-list.html

[demokatgurrl]

17. Is Reagan doing any campaigning or speaking? n/t

[Flubadubya]

18. Try stopping a pack of pirrhana in a feeding frenzy...

I certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from carrying out a media blitz campaign, but I don't think anything will sway them from their intent. I don't wish to be the negative nabob here, but after what I have witnessed from the RW Media Machine, I just can't see them doing anything BUT playing the debate outcome in Bush's favor.

The run up to this election has seen the media become ever more aggressive and blatant in its attacks on Kerry and altogether transparent in its support of Bush.

Like I say, they have worked themselves into a feeding frenzy over this, and I'm afraid nothing will stop them. What could possibly influence them to change their ways here at the last minute. Got some good leopard spot remover? Better get it to work fast!

[BootinUp]

19. Ron is a smart one ain't he?

Yes we need to pre-emptively attack!!!

[mzmolly]

20. Call the campaign.

1-202-712-3000

It's a great point! :hi: