Over the past 18 months, I have had the chance to do a number of spots on MSNBC as a Democratic strategist, and have heard some pretty funny things in my ear from my colleagues on the right, but with the presidential campaign heating up, the talking points from the right have gone from odd to downright bizarre.
Here are a few 'facts' you might not be aware of that the Right is proudly touting, and let me be clear -- they got nothing to run on, nada, zip, zilch, less than nothing so here's what they were saying last week.
BILL CLINTON WAS A WORSE PRESIDENT THAN GEORGE BUSH BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO TERRORIST ATTACKS DURING HIS TIME IN OFFICE AND GEORGE BUSH 'ONLY HAD 9/11.'
I kid you not. I heard this twice last week and the first time, I really didn't catch it, my fault. Sometimes when you are sitting there staring in the camera in a dark room with the lights blinding you, I admit, it's kind of hard to actually take everything in, but I checked the tape and I also got a couple of calls from people who were watching.
Another good point is that the folks behind the Oklahoma City Bombing and the first World Trade Center attack were caught, prosecuted and in the case of Timothy McVeigh, executed. And then there's Osama.....
JOHN MCCAIN IS ACTUALLY THE INDEPENDENT NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT.
Evidently, his weakness in the polls and the fact that even with noses closed so many Republicans can't see their way to supporting him, it's okay because if you take Barr and Nader out of polls of Independents, John McCain is winning over Barack Obama with Independents.
It's the new new politics I guess.
It goes on and on, but take heart Democrats, if this is all they've got, we're looking just fine.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the
comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the
comment you replied to
I hope you are right. After two very questionable and disasterous presidential elections these pseudo-politicians (crooks) managed to pull the same damned rabbit out of their hats. Bush! As a result, so many of our kids have perished in wars that didn't have to be waged. McCain would be the last straw.
James, I regularly enjoy your writing. But with all due respect (and you deserve much!), I have a general issue with the title "[party] Strategist." Can you - or anyone who has been bestowed such a title - explain what it is that you (or other similarly titled persons) do as a "Strategist?" Do you have a role at the DNC? Do you work for federal or other campaigns? Do you lecture to any groups or campaigns? Do you have a resume that goes beyond what is posted to your HuffPo bio?
I'm curious because there are many people with those titles who get on tv to represent the Dems and they aren't nearly as strong as you are. In fact, many are just punching bags (accidentally or by design) for the neocon talking heads.
The repug "strategists" are always bats--t insane, so they may be part of some coven. But there seems to be no cohesive group or message coming from "Dem Strategists." I'd like to learn how these titles are anointed.
Actually here is my "Democratic Strategist" credentials :) I was a Senior Advisor On Kerry Campaign and spent a full year out on that. I was New Media Consultant to Richardson's Campaign. I have helped with Yearly Kos, Netroots Nation and Democracy Alliance. I have worked with Al Gore on global warming issues and with many other Democratic and Progressive groups.
The question is correct though, but I do usually believe I have more actual campaign experience than many of the other 'strategists'
James, I appreciate the response! If I may, I suggest you add some of that to your bio at HuffPo. It's only boosts credibility!
Follow-on questions while I got you here ( :-D ), do the folks at these "news" channels attribute those labels? Do they vet the guests? For example, do you know what the hack in the above clip had done to rise to a strategist? I sense there would be some other potential fodder for butt-whooping if you knew some of the background information on the "repuglican strategists" whom they pit against you.
There's a funny post elsewhere on this site explaining how people recieve the title 'political strategist' for TV purposes. Stratigizing apparently has nothing to do with it. It's a euphemism. Like if some reality gameshow features a buxom stripper from LA as a contestant eating live cockroaches for cash they invariably describe her as a 'cocktail waitress'.
It's been awhile since I've dropped in on you hope you are well. I too have taken notice of the latest "WRONG (right) Wing" ludicrous talking points, but I have to disagree with your *conclusion*, as the "Wrong Wing" has a following and they keep hammering away (No matter how foolish, and, or, ridiculous these ideas are) and for many people it makes sense and is logical, these ideas play well to the *ignorance is bliss crowd* ( the Rights base ).
Never underestimate the American Peoples ability to be in total denial, and unaware.
One this is sure, we (You and I) are picking up on the same ol'Republican ludicrous talking points.
Go figure? Agape.
Yeah, I think there needs to be a more aggressive debunking campaign. These twerps need to be "pantsed" every time they conjure up this crap. We all know the foremost play in the rove playbook is that a lie, when repeated enough, will become the truth. This nascent effort needs to be exposed continuously.
I love that during the 2004 presidential campaign I had several people point out to me that it had been three years since the last terrorist attack, and then I pointed out that the US under Bill Clinton went longer than bush could have without Osama attacking us, since he attacked in Feb 93, and then not again until Sep 01. Of course they tried to bring up Oklahoma City, which I pointed out was NOT done by the "islamofascists". Then they tried to bring up the Cole, and I pointed out that we were fighting them "over there so we don't have to fight them over here". I was able to open a few minds that year, but obviously not enough.....
Loading comments…
Posted June 30, 2008 | 09:51 AM (EST)