FearWatch '08: Keeping an Eye Out for GOP Fear-Mongering

Last week, as expected, the GOP, unable to run on its disastrous record, pulled out its 2004 playbook and opened it to "Scare Tactics," offering up fear-mongering hatchet men Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, and John Bolton to deliver the message that we should all be afraid -- very, very afraid -- of what an Obama presidency could lead to. Little things like the obliteration of a U.S. city (Gingrich) and more terrorist attacks (Bolton).

This fright-fest came in the wake of McCain telling us that al Qaeda will increase its violent attacks to try to defeat him, and that Hamas wants Obama to win.

In case we didn't get the message, up popped McCain's chief campaign advisor Charlie Black with his considered opinion that another terrorist attack on U.S. soil "certainly would be a big advantage" for McCain.

McCain quickly disavowed the comment and claimed, "I cannot imagine why he would say it." Really, Senator, you cannot imagine why your top advisor would follow in the footsteps of Karl Rove, who made scaring the bejesus out of the American people the centerpiece of GOP strategy for the last six years?

Let me break it down for you: fear is a frighteningly effective sales pitch -- one that has worked like a charm for Republicans since the days of the Cold War Red Scares, and especially since 9/11.

It proved less effective in 2006 -- not that the Republicans didn't give it everything they had, including a right-before-Election-Day TV ad featuring Osama bin Laden saying 9/11 was "nothing compared to what you will see next," and Dick Cheney repeatedly mentioning the possibility of "mass death in the United States."

As we've seen, the McCain campaign has little else to fall back on. The latest USA Today/Gallup poll showed that people feel Obama would do a better job on health care, energy policy, economy, taxes, and moral values (the candidates were tied on Iraq). The issue on which McCain was viewed most favorably was terrorism. So as we head into the dog days of summer leading to the conventions, we can expect more efforts to appeal to our collective lizard brain.

But things are always less scary when the lights are on -- so throughout the campaign HuffPost will be conducting a FearWatch, keeping our eyes peeled for the lowest, most base attempts to scare voters into voting their fears, and collecting them on a FearWatch08 page.

And we'd like your help. So be on the lookout for examples of fear-mongering in speeches, in press releases, in local TV spots, and in direct mail come-ons -- and send any you come across to [e-mail] so we can add them to our collection.

And use the comments section below to let me know whether you think the fear card will work in 2008. Will McCain and the GOP be able to appeal to voters' fears by raising the specter of pre-election terror attacks, madrassa schools, foreign sounding middle names, missing lapel pins, fulminating preachers, or terrorists celebrating over the election of a specific candidate?

Or will Democrats be able to make the case that the war in Iraq -- a war McCain is passionately, almost perversely, committed to continuing -- has made us less safe by taking our eye off the real terrorist threats, depleting our military, and draining resources from our infrastructure and homeland security?

Comments

[jimmy2001]

fear will only work on the uninformed, which describes a lot of us Americans. so the best way to combat fear is with factual knowledge... therefore, good idea!

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

Whatever happened to scaring old people to vote De mo by scaring them into losing their SS check. My dad still thinks Dumbya is going to take his away. He hasn't missed a check in the last eight years.

[insanityfollows]

Bush was well on his way to doing exactly what your Dad feared when 9/11 happened if you will remember. He had just wrapped up that nationwide tour with all of those town hall meetings about SS reform. 9/11 and Iraq proved to be more tempting fare.

[hannitysux]

Strange we haven't been subjected to the color coded terror warnings for awhile...does that mean the terrorist have given up? Or is it supposed to mean the "surge" is working? I'll bet they pop up again this fall...or right after the Democratic convention.

[AzRealProgressive]

Not true. Probably will pop up again next time someone chats about killing a bunch of Americans.

[GrainOSand]

This program (Fear Watch 08) of engaging the public to combat smear is a good idea and a good trend for serious media outlets. Public trust is a cornerstone of journalism and any journalistic organization that shows a commitment to insuring the public is not being misled -- one that polices itself and the broader industry is an organization worthy of trust, commitment, and support.

As for the list of fear mongering tactics featured in the article and the brief history of the use of those tactics by the GOP, one is left to say, I like the way you break it down Ms. Huffington. I always have a problem with any foot stuck in an orifice that is attached to a human being flapping their lips and making pitiful sometimes indiscernible utterances about being against kicking people. Gibberish is what it is, pure gibberish!

[lm945]

Reminding the people the Republicans are trying to scare us into voting for them isn't enough. The Democrats need to hammer home the fact that fear is the ONLY thing the Republicans have to offer.

All the Republicans care about is power, and they've proven time again they're willing to do whatever it takes to get it and keep it. They'd obliterate the lot of us and gladly, except they need the "serf class" to do the dirty jobs they won't touch with their lily white hands.

A great man once said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." We need to remember that.

[Azmom]

We don't have to worry about GOP fear mongering when your own website posts headlines about B.O undercutting his brand. That was right out of the GOP spin book.

Come on.

[Okieborn]

Azmom,
One of many great things about Arianna and the Huffington Post they tell it like it IS !!
I feel Sen. Obama gave his word on the Bush/Mccain Fisa legislation and then LIED !!
I was raised that your word is your bond !!
Shame on You Sen. Obama !!!

[Alwaysrightneverwrong]

If one is intellectually honest it's clear that both parties play the fear card. The GOP uses terror and the dems use global warming.

[hannitysux]

Alwayswrongneverright, global warming is not a partisan prediction...many scientist from both parties say it's happening. Just happens that the scientists that say it's not true are coming from the right wing and oil companies.

[sjeanf]

I'm became afraid today reading an article on Huffpo. It's very scary stuff. I don't know what Bill wants! YIKES! This is big. He might be sulking. His feelings may be hurt. This scary important story brings me to my senses and makes me realize what utter havoc Bill Clinton might create in the world. Keep that eagle out for the Clinton machine that may chew us ALL up if he can't control is baseless feelings. HIs selfishness helping aids victims in Africa has the prospect of being a scary ruse. Why would such a selfish man help anyone. Only to promote is legacy, I am sure. If his legacy is threatened he may blow! Yikes again!!! I'll rest better knowing I can come here for some Huffington style perspective and sanity regarding when my fear centers are being duped. Thanks a bunch! Yes we can!

[SwiftTiger]

Come on -- you've GOT to be a Republican trouble-maker -- you can't really believe that nonsense...

[presto]

Hey Tiger....it's satire.

[zephyr1964]

Dear Arianna,
Publishing and refuting the obvious "fear mongering" comments by various Republicans is an excellent idea. I am amazed at how many people are poorly informed on most issues and are easily influenced by these comments. The Democrats have not done a good job in this area and can use all the help they can get.
The main task of the Obama team and the DNC will be refuting these comments and educating people on the facts of the key issues, such as Iraq, Off-shore drilling, Health Care, the Economy, which is a Herculean but necessary task.

[BartLA]

What could be more terrifying than 4 more years of Bush, which is what McCain promises to deliver. Anything the Repugs throw at Obama pales in comparison. The American people are tired of being terrorized - by our own government!

[OgreDaddy]

Once again attempting to stay "On Message" about Obama's experience. Good try.

All the kings men with all their supposed wisdom and experience are the one's who got us into
this mess in the first place.

All that "experience" so deeply rooted in corruption, fraud waste and abuse of power.

This is NOT the kind of "experience" I want running this country.

The Old Guard is protecting the Old Guard.

[HappinessHacker]

The integrity, safety and security of our national telephone and internet communications systems must become a major concern as we approach the elections.
Private government contractors are monitoring our national telephone and internet communications systems.
60 - 70% of the National Security Administration and CIA National Clandestine Services budgets are paid to private contracting firms. See http://HappinessHacker.com for links to NYTimes articles documenting and exploring this.
The war on terror is a $100+ billion industry, the people and organizations profiting from it will not let go easily.
We desperately need fair and free elections in November. Can this happen if our national communications systems are compromised? Please give this issue some attention.

[leftLibertarian]

No Business as Usual.

Impeach the criminals Bush and Cheney!

[AzRealProgressive]

For what ? 99% of elected Democrats believe they committed no crime, otherwise they would have been impeached 5 years ago. What unadulterated drivel.

My god man, this is what will elect McCain this year. Grow up.

[ianrthorpe]

I don't know about GOP fearmongering Ari but Obama's ignorance of world politics and global economics scares me shitless.

http://boggartblog.wordpress.com/2008/06/27/obama-closet-republican-or-stupid-you-decide/

[BigJake]

So tell us "shitless", other than maybe Eisenhower, how many of these politicians have ever had the credentials you're looking for? Please, don't even mention 5 years in a concentration camp as part of the resume!

[Cookie100]

Oh yha'll well vote for McSame, and hopefully you're young enough to be DRAFTED WHEN HE STARTS WORLD WAR 3, he's gonna need your help. Males and females!
Have fun I'm 54, way too old to bother with. See ya', wouldn't want to be ya'

[nightwind928]

More than any other issue right now, this campaign seems driven by economics. The price of gas is at the forefront although food housing and others are all part of the equasion. The biggest issue that the Republicans have right now is the opening of enviornmentally sensitive areas to drilling. It is a real divider too and they know it becuase both sides have valid arguments for their side of the issue. Watch them use this to glean voters away from the Obama camp as prices continue to rise across the board. They will say "If your for higher oil prices and the problems they cause then vote Democrat but if you want to see the prices fall vote for us". Don't be fooled...It's a load...no new oil will be produced for years wether new exploration in these areas is iniatiated or not. They have NO TANGIBLE PLAN to deal with the economic crisis and will result to smoke and mirrors on this issue to divide and conquer people who are being hit hard by these bad days and the worse ones that wait ahead.

[OnceProudAmerican]

It seems the Repubicans are trying the old adage:
If you can't dazzel them with BRILLANCE then BAFFUL them with Bullshit.
Lets pray that Americans are tired of swallowing this swill!