The Right-Wing Smear Machine Cranks Up-by John Kerry

[kpete]

The Right-Wing Smear Machine Cranks Up

by John Kerry on November 2nd, 2007

I think we all know it — next year the Republican Party is going to run as dirty an election campaign as we’ve ever seen in this country. I’ve seen it first hand, and their shadowy front-groups are going to be out in force.

And it won’t just be the Presidential race, but the entire apparatus of the Republican Party will use the same right wing “Swift-Boat” style attack tactics in every race at every level.

And in the run-up to 08, it’s already happening in a state legislative race in New Jersey.

Unfortunately, the term “Swift-Boating” which should apply only to the boats and sailors we knew and loved, has taken on a whole new meaning today. It pains my crewmates.

But the best way to reclaim the real meaning of the word is to stamp out the ugly politics it’s now associated with on the Republican side: the use of outside, shadowy groups with lots of money to spread smears and lies about someone.

Which brings us to Common Sense America. This group, run by a James Dobson acolyte, has smeared a number of New Jersey Democrats who have supported clean elections and civil rights in New Jersey. They are spending more than a quarter of a million dollars just to defeat Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, a key fighter for clean elections in New Jersey, in the 14th Legislative district.

These right-wing front groups are trying to infiltrate elections on every level, trying to turn their weapons of fear and smear against Democrats no matter the time or place.

I know people are sick and tired of these kinds of attacks, but it’s up to us, the activists and public servants on the other side, to fight against them. I’m just starting — just gearing up for the battle — there’s no way I’m going to stand by while Democrats are mugged by the hired thugs of the right-wing smear machine.

From Linda Greenstein to our eventual Presidential nominee, if the right-wing thinks they can slime their way through another election, they’ve got another think coming.

They have damaged our country with their ideology, they are throwing up roadblocks in DC to our getting about the business of fixing their damage, and they are going to pay for it at the ballot box — and that starts now.

http://www.johnkerry.com/2007/11/2/the-right-wing-smear-machine-cranks-up

[BOSSHOG]

1. If it weren't for the ignorance of so many Americans the smear machine would die in it tracks

The trash in this country who blather on about their values, who line up to get their welfare entitlement, who trash the highways, who put bush bumper stickers on their old cars are so very malleable and those who run right wing attack machines thank god each and every day that such trash exists.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. It's not just ignorance.

All the smear-boaters are doing is using a time-honored tactic: false gossip. They invent it, spread it and it gets accepted. We are a people who loves good dish, true or not.

[BOSSHOG]

4. YESBUT!!

You or I might read some of that false-gossip (in the political world) activate our healthy skepticism, research and dismiss. Sheeples do not take those extra steps they just bow at the altar that provides the host which contains their conservative values.

[malaise]

6. and MSM repeats it as gospel n/t

[rox63]

3. Kerry know a whole lot about how the Republican Smear Machine works

K&R for exposing the GOP scumbags.

[struggle4progress]

5. Unfortunately, the corporate media is now part and parcel of the rightwing smear machine