the raw story: It's time the Dems played hardball

[Raster]

By Michal Lemberger | RAW STORY CONTRIBUTOR

<snip>

We Americans also have the reputation of loving violence. And while it’s true that in big blockbusters, shoot-em-ups do solve most problems, in general, movies tend to reward only certain types of anger, and even then, they show that control is more important to attaining goals. Angelina Jolie can spray bullets all around her and come out on top; most other actors and characters can’t get away with it. They have to find other ways to vent their anger, be they ogre or political progressive.
It is boringly obvious to state that George W. Bush provokes anger in a good portion of the American public. His policies, his smugness, his sense of entitlement all come together in a potent mix of awfulness to elicit true revulsion.

(Incidentally, it is my extreme dislike for Bush that finally made me realize how so many Republicans and conservatives could hate Clinton with the passion that they did. It never made sense to me that a president should elicit that level of dislike. I could not wrap my mind around the idea that anyone would invest so much attention and emotion in an elected official. Disagree with his priorities, sure. Think he’s a slimeball, even. But hate? Well, thanks to W., I now understand it all too well.)

So we hate him. But what are willing to do about it? Bake sales for democracy? Great. Protests at the Republican National Convention? Also good. But what about playing hardball?

During the Democratic National Convention, Republicans put out two anti-Kerry videos to combat his “I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for duty” moment. And let’s not forget about the oxymoronically named “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” media blitz. It would be nice to say that these things had no effect, that voters saw through the lies and smear tactics. But they didn’t, and Kerry’s numbers fell.
Democrats must understand that there is no such thing as being above the fray in politics. We’d all like the political system to be more civil, not to depend upon character-assassination and negative advertising. But that ‘s not the way of the world, at least not right now.

The Republicans have understood the political landscape very well over the last couple of decades. That’s because they created it: the word “liberal,” which undergirds our entire system (we’re all liberals, even W. and Co., since we take things like a democratic system that affords certain rights for granted, even as we argue about the extent of those rights) has been dragged through the mud, Democratic nominees are painted as wimps or liars or “slick.” As if there’s anything other than a slick politician. All this in the service of a greater goal: winning.
But Democrats want to have it both ways. They want to suggest the wrongs of the other guy, without coming out and taking a bite out of his well-padded derriere. This will not do. There is as little place in campaigning for nuance (as Kerry is finding out) as this for civility.

<snip, more>

http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/contributors/time_dems_played_hardball_902.htm

[Skittles]

1. it sickens me to know so many Americans are so gullible and so stupid

unbelieveable

[LibDemAlways]

2. At the Dem convention

a big deal was made about not attacking the chimp personally, which was, IMHO, a huge mistake. By not exposing him for the lying scumbag he is, Dems create the impression that while they disagree with his policies, he's not a bad person.

Kerry's mantra ought to become "Bush lied to you" - backed up with dozens of concrete examples and direct quotes. Taxes, Iraq, environmental policy, education, 9/11 -- just for starters. He needs to put the idiot on the defensive and keep him there.

[seasat]

3. I agree with this editorial

I've been argueing on other bipartisan forums that Kerry was right to stay above the mudslinging and that it would backfire against the Shrub. I now am convinced that I was wrong. The general public that makes reality TV shows popular likes mudslinging. It's time for Kerry go get Carville and Begala. Kerry should throw mud right back. Bush's AWOL. Bush's statement that "We can't win the war on terror". We need to distort, attack, and play dirty. There is honor in being the good guys in the election but that honor will allow the dishonorable GOP to maintain their grip on the country.

[kskiska]

4. Everyone has rolled over for these creeps

Bill Clinton knew what he was up against and refused.

As of today, I can't tell you how many articles I've read since the RNC convention advocating getting down into the mud. I just posted a Joe Klein article in Time saying the same thing.

It's time. Remember Al Gore.

[delete_bush]

5. Hardball is not enough

we need to ramp it up to rollerball. When they do something, hit 'em back twice as hard. When they're not doing anything, kick 'em in the groin and the head and the legs etc etc etc.

Remember what the repukes say about Arabs, that they only understand and respect force? Time to use their playbook against them.

[Raster]

6. I posted this because it echos my thoughts perfectly. The Dark Side...

...will do WHATEVER it takes to stay in power. This is not exaggeration. This is not hyperbole. This is fact. They have far, far too much to loose. The last thing the evil doers would want would be to loose the election AND then have their actions for the past four years examined thoroughly. If they stay in power, they can thwart any and all investigation for as long as necessary. Remember the 9/11 commission. The only reason it ever went forward was because of public outcry. And then it was hamstrung to the 'nth degree and rendered basically politically impotent. Every shred of information that pointed to what really happened and who was responsible was sanitized, and in some cases purposely overlooked and even destroyed.

Remember what this group did to gain power. They will do even worse to stay in power. Now is the time for all good persons to decide what kind of country and world they want to live in and act their conscience.

[Catfight]

8. Yes, why isn't Kerry saying, "Bush was AGAINST the 9/11 commission,

and THEN he was FOR it?" "Bush was after the right guy in the beginning, but then he changed on the wrong course!" Bush SWORE there were WMD in Iraq, then he makes a joke out it not being there!"




Come on...it's time to go on the offense and stop be bunking all this Kerry crap, time to demand answers and accountability from Bush.

Also, Bush PROMISED 5 more Mistate of the Union Addresses, we've got NONE! Goddamn it Kerry, demand the man at least keep his promises. He's just like his father, breaking promises to America.

Like father like son, one term, you're done. Kerry is doing an excellent job, but it's time to eliminate this buffoon.

Kerry should promise to investigate Halliburton in this first 100 days and Cheney's possible connection. He should also state he PROMISES someone will be held accountable for committing treason during a time of war and outing a CIA operative! He should also promise the families of 9/11 survivors, they will have all their questions answered regarding their civil suit against George W. Bush!

[grannylib]

7. Yep, we gotta hit the bastards hard. They play only dirty; we gotta play

twice as dirty. Beat 'em at their own game. It sucks, it's unfortunate, it really pisses me off to say, "Fuck our values; we have to be slimy just like they are" but this election is too damn important.
Gloves off, balls to the wall, let's roll.

[USA_1]

9. DNC Hardball

This is something that I addressed on another thread but got no responses.

It is not enough for politicos to be assertive in reply to GOP crapola.

Each of you DNC members have to do YOUR part as well. I have challenged you to post on reich wing web sites but none of you answered my challenge. I have not gotten any PM's or other news that any of you will post on reich wing sites like www.americaforum.com or RealCities forum in the Kansas City Star. I post on about 10 sites including these two and am often mistaken for a Democrat.

I stand up assertively for the truth.

Will you do your part as well?