How to defeat lies

[Onlooker]

For those of us who would rather win a thoughtful campaign than a sleazy one, the lies of the Republicans have been discouraging. It seems like the Republicans can make whatever claims they want, and many people will regard them as credible.

This might be a way to change the dynamic: Each time the Republicans put out a negative ad, counter with an ad that looks and sounds exactly like it, but is negative towards Bush. This could create a dilemma for Independents: If they believe one ad, do they have to believe the other? If they doubt one ad, do they have to doubt the other? Their only recourse would be to listen to the facts.

[The empressof all]

1. Taking the Gloves Off

I have come to the opinion that it is high time, now and forever more that we just need to stop taking it. The GOP has gotten away with their bullying tactics for far too long. What did we all learn in grade school? STAND UP to the Bullies. We need to have some strong surrogates, pundits and spokespeople out there who are not afraid to confront the tube journalists not only on their own deceptive questions but their tone and gestures as well. Wouldn't you just love to have had Diane Sawyer called out on her smirking, condescending questioning of Kerry on GMA? Why the hell is anyone even answering the question of "Isn't the world a better place without Saddam?

We need to stop the media madness. Holbrooke was a great start on Tweety yesterday. If you didn't see it you missed something great. But knowing how "nice" our guys are-I don't expect to see anything like that again in the near future.

[bryant69]

2. We need a tough but fair strategy

I don't think we can win by getting in the mud with them, but we can win by having guys like Holbrook or Carville (some times) slam back. Whenever President Bush is attacked, the story quickly becomes his accuser. Thats what we need. Guys who go out and turn the story back the other way.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[maxsolomon]

3. Screw "Fair"

fire with fire.

i want lies, i want distortions, i want commercials that push the boundaries of our libel laws. and i want them 2 months ago. moore is showing the democrats the way, but they won't walk the path.

if the democrats can't do it this time, when exactly are they going to do it?

what a time for the big dog to have had heart surgery.

[Bandit]

4. Stand up to the bullies

That sounds very good but the fact is that when you are in school and confronted by a gang of bad kids you can go to authorities for help. We are up against the authorities and they are very much bullies. There is no place to turn for help. If enough people can be convinced to vote and to vote for their interests and not "the Party" we may turn things around a bit. If we lose this election I fear we will have lost the war. All that was ever good and nobel about America will be gone. We will be living under a fascist government who's interest will be them and not the people. This truly is a battle for the soul of the nation. Pray for good to win out. I know it does in the movies but this ain't no movie.

[The empressof all]

5. There is no authority here.

Even a stronger incentive to fight our own battles. We can't expect the media to defend both sides fairly any longer. They need to be called on their inappropriate behavior and if need be we must be as ruthless and conniving as the "enemy". We are in the fight of our lives here to protect all that we have come to love and expect from our country.

[PATRICK]

6. That dynamic can be self-defeating too

Both ads might be irritating people. The second mosquito gets the hardest slap even if it drew no blood. The second one is like trying to retell an off-color joke. irritating, perhaps not as keen.

THEN they feel insulted now that BOTH campaigns are treating them like "idiots". Any way that goes is bad for Kerry. Need something a lot smarter and more respectful of the voter. People convinced it is close and hard to decide are more dangerous to leave to the tender mercies of dirt. they want respectful substance, a clear difference all wrapped in a sound bite so they don't miss any of the football game. But if it looks like a sound bite they will also dismiss the facts.

Sound frustrating? Such is the advantage of striking first and hardest. Those who know Bush think the fun videos that allude to substance denied to the TV and radio crowd are the cat's meow. Look, the entire world has been laughing or made nauseous by America for years now to no effect. Cassandra irony is not enough no matter how effective WE think it is. John Stewart does it daily and better. Likewise those Madison Avenue DLC planners who want to coax the sleepwalking undecided voters by select stimuli and neatly phrased "issues" have set their sights limbo low.

Worse, cobbling together an issue debate via ad blips is disastrous for anything but a simplistic black or white polarization. I am grateful that the unseen(no national TV and radio media) outreach IS being conducted well on the local level- Iowa style. The national punditry, even if they are not being blindsided- and they will be- have no choice or inclination to recognize their fire has been stolen.

Local dialog IS more effective and we do have the people and organization to do it, especially since the media credibility has taken a body blow. They ill served Bush by trashing Dean and ignoring Kerry. Trashing CBS has merely dragged down the whole crew, cable, radio and all into the same dung heap. it takes time for this to show up as will other pro-Kerry strengths.

Tonight they want to kill the catalyst, because the pot is simmering for change NOT for four more years of fear, danger and grinding insecurity. If ever, tonight is the night the disreputable corporate Pravda has to be shouted down.