"New Rules" for Mary Matalin, John McCain and the Rest of Us

As we approach the Democratic and Republican Conventions, the Presidential race of 2008 enters a new phase. We need "New Rules"*.

For Republicans:

New Rule: Marty Matalin, it is no longer acceptable for a respected operative like yourself to hide behind the trash you published in Jerome Corsi's book and not be called out on it. As the publisher you are responsible for the work and even more so when you defend it as a "work of scholarship..." and pretend ignorance when informed of the author's intention to use his profits in a smear campaign against Barack Obama. Your reputation is badly tarnished and it should be a lesson to your colleagues.

New Rule: John McCain, it is no longer acceptable to question Barack Obama's patriotism and then deny that you have done so such as when you proclaimed that he would rather lose a war and win the election. When you fail to act with the honor you espouse your face twitches and your credibility disintegrates.

New Rule: Steve Schmidt, it is no longer acceptable to ridicule Barack Obama's national appeal by denouncing twentysomething celebrities. Their responses are more clever and they are more popular than your guy.

New Rule: Republicans, it is no longer acceptable to try and win a presidential campaign by scaring Americans about terrorists, smearing a candidate's background, demonizing gay people or lying about your candidate's record.

For Democrats:

New Rule: it is no longer acceptable to assume that John McCain will run a different kind of campaign - one that is issues based and honor bound.

New Rule: it is no longer acceptable to whine about what could have been or the candidates we might have had.

New Rule: it is no longer acceptable to be lulled into confidence by favorable summer polling or exhilaration generated in Denver.

New Rule: is it no longer acceptable to wring hands about campaign strategy without turning anxiety into productive action.

New Rule: We must close ranks, work harder and want change more.

*Hat tip to Bill Maher

Comments

[Jezreel]

Hillary, you go girl. I'm with you 100% on this. You nailed it.

[rcwblessed]

Hilary,

This is one of the best articles I've seen this entire campaign season. You really nailed it!

[tel8034]

I see where Hilary Rosen tipped her hat to Bill Maher for "NEW RULES", but his are funnier and at the same time still manage to get the "sober" message out.

I hope Rosen got "permission" to do NEW RULES ................. Don't want the Repubs to call out the plagarism card .................... We know how SILLY they can get at times.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

kudos to you Ms Rosen,
I admired you for coming out against the Hillary hate after she lost the battle with BO. My idol Bill Maher could use your new rules acumen on politically incorrect. You are a class act and right on point about our need to be proactive. This is the most important moment in modern history. We all have to get busy or get out of the way!

[bethinCary]

I'm in Hilary!

[RamonBackwards]

LOL @ anyone who thinks Mary Matalin cares about ANYTHING or ANYONE but herself.

Shame on you, Hillary Rosen, for implying it.

[Paxhope]

Re: Mary Matalin: How can her husband, James Carville, insulate himself (and his children) from the taint of her large income from this immoral act of hers? Separate checking accounts, separate grocery lists, separate vacations? Maybe he gives the same amount of money she made, in turn, to Move-On.org - sort of like buying carbon usage credits. That's it! I'm confident that this is how he justifies sharing the infernal lucre of her publishing crimes against truth and civic decency. Still, I will boycott him as well as her with my TV's remote control.

[truthyguy]

Matalin and Carvelle are simply opposite sides of the same coin. As you point out, it would be impossible for two people who honestly held such diametrically opposing views of politics and the world - especially two people who both make their livings expressing such views - to live together as a cohesive family unit. But that is just the point - they do not in fact hold opposing views. Their commonality is that they each will say and do whatever is necessary to gain money and influence and ingratiate themselves to those who have money and influence. That is the glue of their relationship. Neither truly believes the BS they each spout to their minions and, in fact, probably laugh over it at martini time each evening (and when going to the bank).

It takes all kinds. Even people like them.

[Jamchinadian]

For Democrats:

New Rule - Stop prefacing every remark about McCain by the tiresome reverence to his being a "genuine American hero". Whether or not crashing 5 times, being shot down, and being held captive makes one a hero is neither here nor there.

It is most decidedly is not qualification to be president. And if it is, then why the heck are you running? Stop talking up his record for Chrissakes - why are you doing his job for him!!!
New Rule - Stop defending McCain whenever a supporter challenges the record. It is unnecessary and tiresome and makes you sound too deferential. It's more than enough that you yourself are not being disrespectful.

New Rule - Stop throwing supporters under the bus. Quit the unseemly rush to denounce and reject. Do you see McCain doing that for you? Has he denounced Corsi? No, it's wink wink - don't know what you're talking about.

New Rule - Stop throwing in the towel so quickly. Put spokespeople out there with some spine. The whole thing with Warren stinks to high heaven. Why has the campaign gone into reverse on that one.

[UsofA]

New Rule: Reread Jamchinadian's post above. Learn it, be it, know it.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

You said it Quite well. now join Off The Bus and make a difference. Read my post there
called Obama Nation an Abomination. Let's quit preaching to the choir and get those lost sheep!

[Elderlady]

'Bout time somebody called out Jame Carville's wife on this piece of crap that Corsi wrote.

My respect is given to people who earn it. The Carvilles are not on my "a" list.

Thanks for the comments, Ms. Rosen, and the rules.

I suspect one side might take them to heart, and one side will totally ignore them.

You have already ascertained which is which.

[RENREVARD]

The Carville,s are setting the stage for Hillary to be McCain.s running mate.

[Paxhope]

I know all I need to know now about Ms. Matalin. If she is on TV, I will switch the channel and reconsider watching that source anymore ( MSNBC, you're on notice). She is beneath consideration, credibility and contempt. Publishing this book was blatant mud-slinging of the worst sort. She's a Smear Queen, plain and simple. Mary Smear Queen Matalin, have you no shame? Mary Smear Queen Matalin, have you no shame?

[klosskid]

Although I've rarely agreed with anything Mary Matalin has spoken, I've always respected her. Until now.

[hrayovac]

I suggest a group photo-op in front of CNN and FOX headquarters with every major with available reputable news veteran of the stature of Bill Moyers and Cronkite, every available Democratic congressperson, actor or professional athelete to publicly correct the record on Barack Obama. Call it, the "Tell the truth" squad.

[Ifeomamn]

I agree with this article 100%.

[JulianJons]

What do you expect from Mary Matalin? She is a republican, and on an election year any sense of decency or fairness goes out the window. They fight to win at all costs. Gosh how do I wish Tim Russert was alive. I think he is upset in his grave.

[moda31]

new rule: being a pow doesn't excuse every single thing that you do, nor does it exempt you from questioning. and democrats need to stop accepting this, if he can't explain how his military experience provided him with skills that directly impact the job of president, then democrats need to stop lining up to kiss his butt for having served in the military.

[bossmechanic]

New rule: Ignore inexperience and inneptitude. Give the kid with a learners permit the keys to the Jag. Trust the professionals for backup - Dean, pelosi, reid - they've done such a fine job so far.

[Mikecoatl]

Give the kid keys to the Jag? Just like the Supreme Court did in 2000?