09/04/2008
Frightened Republicans Use Best Weapon for Their Base:
Mockery, Mean-Spiritedness, Fear, Sarcasm, and Lies
What else to do in the absence of any respectable record for the last eight years?
Here's Rudy Giuliani (if you can stomach him) and pit-bull-in-lipstick VP pick Sarah Palin who can deliver a speech, despite its pandering excesses.
Did Giuliani actually say, "Sarah Palin has more experience than the entire Democratic ticket combined?"
The mockery of "community organizing" is despicable, as if somehow serving one's country instead of one's self-interest is something to be looked down upon.
Here's an article from the AP on the ways in which the truth was stretched last night.
And here's a bit on Giuliani's "Islamic terrorism" throwdown from Think Progress.
And a flashback on Palin for you, recorded just weeks ago:
"As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?"
Huckabee and Romney, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 8:00 AM EST by Andy Towle in John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, News, Republican Party, Sarah Palin | Permalink
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I only could watch a few minutes of all this - the cynicism is almost unbearable. Have they no shame (the answer of course is NO). So we once again have to endure endless lies and distortions which the media will dutifully report... So the republicans once again take a page from the Goebbels/Rove playbook - if you repeat something often enough, the masses will believe it to be true... However the one glimmer of hope is the Obama machine... they have shown during the primary battle they are no slouches in getting the facts reported... I just hope America finally wakes up and sees the current Republican party for the train wreak they have become...
Posted by: Mike | Sep 4, 2008 9:50:13 AM
Jake, you were making some good points and then you threw it down the toilet with your Mecca reference. I really think it's a stretch to say that Obama is a Muslim. What convinces you, other than his middle name? Is there something he's done?
I would honestly like to know, because I think a lot of people in this country feel the same way you do and I want to understand that perspective.
CK - Statesmanship is long dead. Dignified speeches and thoughtful policies are not going to win this election. Sharp tongues, dirt, and adrenaline will, and last night the Republicans had it in far more supply than the democrats ever have. Hopefully they'll get a grip and play a more visceral game. We'll see.
Posted by: Yeek | Sep 4, 2008 9:51:23 AM
"there is a women's movement going on right now and the women's votes are going to be a huge deciding factor"
I know, right. Women are so silly, just voting for whoever has a vagina... not even bothering to think about the issues.
Posted by: crispy | Sep 4, 2008 9:51:28 AM
What's the difference between Sarah Palin and Osama Bin Ladin?
Lipstick.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Sep 4, 2008 10:06:11 AM
well i must say that me and the hubby saw her speech and we were both impressed with her commanding presence and speaking power. (we both voted for hillary by the way) and she spoke the truth. obama does want to raise taxes and believe me nobody wants that. and he does not have the experience to run this country that was true also. she got some good barbs in i have to admit. now her politics are not my politics but i still respect her and admire her. so all in all as i've said before she is a force to be reckoned with and emerged from the all the ridicule dumping done on her this week with dignity and poise. she proudly presented her family for the nation to see and showed them love, compassion and respect and believe me that is something that resonates with many people and will count for much. i for one certainly believe that should she be president we have nothing to fear and that she will be able to execute the duties of office quite capabably and confidently. so don't underestimate her my dears. a lot can happen before nov 11. we will still probably vote for obama but will not be surprised if mccain and palin win so hold on to your tampons it's going to be an exciting ride.
Posted by: the queen | Sep 4, 2008 10:08:18 AM
I know the vote comes in two months so the focus need be on this election...
BUT, to put it in historical context, in my opinion we just witnessed the rebirth of the Republican party. Sarah Palin can be to the Repubs what Barack Obama has been to the Dems. She really went balls to the wall last night and went after it, not pandering to Clinton voters, and even independents. She went straight for her base.
So that's what scared me. She really is going to be a major force in our political future. We need to take stock of that now and prepare for the "new" Republicans.
Posted by: David | Sep 4, 2008 10:08:22 AM
I was moved by Palin's speech last night.
Moved to send money to Obama!
Posted by: Tralfaz | Sep 4, 2008 10:09:49 AM
Watching the Democratic convention, I felt uplifted, enlightened, like the future was bright. Watching the GOP convention, I feel sick, that these people only want power for powers sake.
I also noticed that during the Dem convention, every speaker was supported with cheering crowds, signs and banners with their names on it. Hillary, Biden, etc... In the GOP convention, every speaker had MCCAIN thrust in their face. I got the feeling that the GOP convention oranizers wanted to ensure that the speakers KNEW who they were suppose to support.
Andy, by chance did you catch Jon Stewart last evening. I put him on when I absolutely could not stomach Palin any more. The show royally lampooned and nailed the GOP, from the Minniapolis airport mens room (1st segment) to the contradictory statements by the GOP (2nd segment). Worthy of posting!
Posted by: Rad | Sep 4, 2008 10:12:44 AM
The Mecca reference was a low-blow yes, but, if we all too soon forget, Obama lived under the viseral glow of that wackjob church run by Reverend Wright. That is the very definition of religious extremism, which is similar to what we have seen in the Muslim faith. But you have to really get to the core of what the American majority thinks, and when they ask themselves in November, does this Obama even go to church they will remember Wright and how he embarrassingly severed ties at the 59th minute (or so we think) to get to where he is now.
How about Joe Lieberman, a confirmed Jew, switching to the Republican party. While there aren't many Jews in the United States, that gesture must be reviewed for be significantly major. Lieberman knows that that the Republican party supports the Jewish religion too, and that looks very emcompassing. Never discount the power of religion when it comes to how people vote.
My favorite line last night was when Palin said...this is a man who has already written two memories but hasn't written one single shed of constitutional law.
That was the home run for me to hear.
Posted by: Jake | Sep 4, 2008 10:13:47 AM
From an internet poll on AOL, out of 279,000 people (if it's accurate), 58 percent of them now think Palin is qualified to take over the presidency if need be, and 68 percent out of 102,000 say their opinion of her has changed for the better since she gave that speech - that scares me.
http://news.aol.com/elections/conventions/republicans/article/palin-jabs-at-obama-touts-experience/158107?icid=100214839x1208469243x1200483806
Posted by: JP | Sep 4, 2008 10:14:19 AM
Guys, she hit one out of the park. I know it kills some of you, but just deal with it.
Some commentators say the best advice is to STOP attacking her, and make the contest about MCCAIN. She is a net plus for him so stop hitting him on a strength! Every time you do, more people end up hating Obama and the Dems.
The sooner we learn this, the more likely we'll win.
Posted by: Mark | Sep 4, 2008 10:27:45 AM
Wag the Pitbull. And vote for Obama.
Posted by: Brian | Sep 4, 2008 10:28:24 AM
The Queen, I'm sorry, but you've lost your mind. "...nothing to fear"? This woman is to the right of Atilla the Hun. Just because she's a she, and she's cute and smiles a lot doesn't mean jack shit. Please wake up!
Posted by: Jason (A) | Sep 4, 2008 10:31:01 AM
JP
AOL accounts allow each account to have up to 7 separate sign on names. 1 person with 1 aol account can technically vote 7 times via having 7 aol e-mails under 1 account.
AOL is considered the most unscientific polling schtick out there.
gallup daily tracker has Obama at 6% above mccain today. since Friday he has been running between 6-10% more than mccain.
Posted by: Jimmyboyo | Sep 4, 2008 10:38:40 AM
JIMMYBOYO - I figured it wasn't accurate, but I did not have to sign in to vote so I'm sure a lot of other people didn't either.
MARK - I agree!
Posted by: JP | Sep 4, 2008 10:47:48 AM
Two issues (I know this thread is getting long):
Jon Stewart nailed it last night asking Newt Gingrich "If Palin is anti-abortion, why did she say that Bristol carrying a baby was "her own decision"? What is the age of consent in Alaska? If Palin were a Democrat, the GOP would be going after Levi, insiting underage rape.
And why is it the GOP is free to say anything they want (Swiftboats, anyone?), but scream "FOUL!" when the spotlight even HITS in their direction?
Posted by: Rad | Sep 4, 2008 10:52:40 AM
Jake, cheap shots about Obama = Muslim are the least dignified, most blatant misrepresentation (at best) and fucked up lie (at worst) and STILL you trot them out, knowing that it's false? Well, I guess that kind of thing is what your party (strangely 'happy word for such a misreable, uptight bunch) are all about. Trash the opponent in the worst way then just say 'kidding'! Sorry, that doesn't cut it. I can't WAIT till the GOP get their asses whipped in November. Sweep them aside and get the country back on a decent track!
Posted by: CK | Sep 4, 2008 10:56:24 AM
I stated in the comments yesterday that this election is now all about experience. I thought she would stack up as a light weight against Obama, but I must admit she took it to him last night. Obama is vulnerable on this issue. It is all the GOP is going to talk about. This race just got viciously ugly. However, the face is not! VERY SCARY! VERY SCARY! I am now worried about global events playing into McCain's hands. Remember Regan negotiated the release of the hostages to take place on his inauguration day! I am most afraid that Palin is such a game changer that election day will be here before we have a chance to really take her to task.
Posted by: John | Sep 4, 2008 11:02:16 AM
Just to clarify a point, I have absolutely nothing against Muslims at all, they are a part of our society as much as the rest of us, but the way the GOP uses 9/11 = Muslim = Obama (those are the ties they intentionally make with these references) is nasty pandering to the masses in their midst that hate Muslims, are scared of them or that find anyone non-Christian a terrible threat to them. So it's just base-speak. We need to remember, there are law abiding, peace loving Muslims as well as radicalized terrorist Muslims, and lumping them all together in one hate-bag just makes for small-minded Xenophopbia!
Posted by: CK | Sep 4, 2008 11:03:39 AM
Anyone else notice the stricken look on Track (or Field or Shot Put's) face when his mom started talking about his upcoming deployment? It struck me like "Fuck, now I really have to go fight God's War. Can't my mom get me out of this?"
Of course, in the darkest narrative, he gets sent over, has his nuts blown off in Falujah, and mom wins the election in a walk with the sympathy vote. Hell, maybe they'll ship Bristol's (or Meyer's or Squibb's) sperm donor off too--make it a hat-trick (they love that in hockey talk).
Posted by: hill_w | Sep 4, 2008 11:08:55 AM
enjoy:
http://www.thatminoritything.com/?p=53193
:)
Posted by: Alex | Sep 4, 2008 11:19:18 AM
I'm not afraid to say that Palin spoke very well. She had a good presence, and though her words were often snide, sarcastic, and attacks that rarely offered anything concrete or positive, she certainly did the job. Many working-class women who don't follow the issues (who would logically vote for Obama if they did) will say, "Yeah, I like her, she's what I want to be/like women I know and respect." Biden and she going head-to-head is going to be the most knock-down drag-out debate of the fall.
Right now, she's caught a good wave and managed to push all the negative questions about Troopergate, her pushing of abstinence education (sure helped Bristol...), book censorship, flip-flops, relative lack of experience, etc. off the radar. However, she's going to get another round of it over the next few days--maybe worse, now that she and McCain have basically thrown down the gauntlet to the "elite" media and said it's war. But for now, we must acknowledge that she's definitely fired up the base, and done it well. (Certainly more so than Guiliani, who was not only partisan but grossly inaccurate in his facts.) Hey, they have no good ideas for the future, so all they're going to offer is nasty anti-Obama stings. (Notice the "zero" chant, like the anti-Kerry "flip flop" chant of '04?)
Levi's been taken by the pod people--all his adorable, scruffy individuality (and his Facebook page) nuked and replaced with a glossy, shiny surface. Move along, nothing to see here...don't ask questions...just chant "USA! USA!..."
Posted by: Dback | Sep 4, 2008 11:22:25 AM
Palin will soon turn into a liability for the McCain ticket. She's becoming the darling of the tabloid press and stand up comics everywhere. It was said that Obama was having trouble because he represented a big change in status quo, his color. Obama has, to the irritation of some progressives, moved a little more center. He's becoming less and less of a radical change for the country. Looking at the polls, especially in key states, he's beginning to track up.
Palin is an extremist. The more the average American learns about her, the more of a radical change she will become. Palin is too extreme for the average American. Men will start to view her (due to Trooper-gate) and her sarcasm and pitbull attitude as a bitch. Remember, white males percieve tough women that way. How many labeled Hillary "a bitch"? Woman will realize she is not like them at all, but some extreme characture of a evangelical, anti-feminist they'll learn to resent and then fear.
Obama will take Pennsylvania, he's been ahead there since mid-April, once he, Biden and Hillary spend some time and money there, that lead will grow. Obama's now ahead in Ohio and trending up. In Florida, McCain is trending down and Obama up. I don't think Palin will play well in Florida once they get to know her, especially in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, very populous, vote rich areas. Obama is also ahead and trending up in Nevada and although still behind McCain by 3 points in North Carolina, he's trending up and McCain down. Obama has a good shot at Virginia, too.
Now there's a National Enquirer report on Palin having had an extra-marital affair with her husband's business partner. The McCain campaign has threatened to sue, but the NE sticks by it's report. As Drudge would say, "developing...". It appears for McCain/Palin the hits just keep on coming.
The Obama camp is reserving it's money and forces until after the GOP Convention bump, if the is one, subsides. McCain is attacking the press (the hand that has fed him for so many years) and screaming "sexism" with any questioning of Palin's record. Don't give up, I really think the GOP is going down and Palin is only going to speed that demise. Any way, work hard, donate and make sure you vote. Perhaps this long 8 year nightmare will soon be over.
Posted by: Bob R | Sep 4, 2008 11:32:56 AM
Governor Palin didn't show any sign of knowing about anything about the world outside of her wilderness of Alaska. It is up to the Democrats (and the Press)to go after her without any hesitation. Don't go easy on her because of her sex. Right-wing, conservative women like her have never supported the Women's Movement; therefore, they don't have the right to use arguments of sexism & misogyny against any man. They've supported sexist, right-wing husbands, fathers, adulterous lovers & and fornicating future son-in-laws all their lives--never on the side of the feminist cause.
She's a tough girl, right? ...good. Then the press (that the Republicans bashed all last night) should whup her ass.
We had gentlemen as Democratic nominees in 2000 & 2004. It didn't work. SlimJim move aside--let your surrogates out of their cages. This is going to be an ugly election...let it be.
And please remind Jewish voters that fundamentalist Protestants haven't been their friends in 350 years of American history. Don't trust 'em now.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 4, 2008 11:35:56 AM
Derrick,
I think you make some excellent points, but I'm scared that it's that sort of attitude that will end up backfiring on the Democrats.
Palin may be a tough fighter, but, in this race, she'll never not be the underdog, and the more people pummel a small town girl that many believe may be in over her head, the more you give undecided voters a reason to sympathize with, and worse, identify with a woman that lives the same sort of life they do.
My answer to the Palin situation? Ignore her. Ignore her like a gnat and eventually she'll go away. Focus the energy where it needs to be focused: not on the VP, on McCain. Obama's strength was and is his fresh perspective and his ability to usher in a new wave of politics. Palin negates that: she's younger, from a state so far out of the influence of Washington that while her policies may be old school, her presence is something this country has never seen. She makes Obama look too established.
So forget her. Go after McCain, make her look petty as she continues to attack and doesn't get the reaction. Because what you're proposing is EXACTLY what she wants. She wants the heat, because she knows she can take it. And it distances McCain from the three of them (assuming Biden will jump in too), makes him look like the champion, makes him look like the leader, while the three of them squabble in the background.
Posted by: David | Sep 4, 2008 12:02:18 PM