Bush's Campaign More Aggressive in Coming Weeks

[UpInArms]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/15/politics/campaign/15REPU.html?ex=1077426000&?en=2c41eed965ace062&?ei=5062&?partner=GOOGLE

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 — President Bush's political advisers are completing plans for a more aggressive stage of his re-election campaign, seeking to discredit Senator John Kerry and promote Mr. Bush's record and character with television advertisements and a more visible role for the president himself, aides and Republican officials said.

With Mr. Kerry having emerged as the almost certain Democratic nominee, Mr. Bush has told associates he wants to get more assertive in drawing sharp distinctions with Democrats and defending his tenure as he travels the nation.

The planned shift in Republican strategy, to be executed in coming weeks, comes amid anxiety among Republicans about the president's declining poll numbers, uncharacteristic missteps by a usually assured White House and the torrent of criticism of Mr. Bush from an energized Democratic Party that appears to be unifying around Mr. Kerry.

" `Get going' is the operative term," said Thomas Rath, a New Hampshire Republican leader who is close to the White House. "You've had a couple of weeks where the free media has not been what it should be. There's a need for an antidote."

...more...

question: what is the "antidote" for a "free media"?

[cornermouse]

1. Time to break out the DVDs and VHS tapes.

With Bush's outrageous $200,000,000 its gonna be a very long season.

[flamingyouth]

2. A bought and sold media?

I think we have that already.

[JohnyCanuck]

3. These people are beyond help. I can only shake my head in wonder.

You've had a couple of weeks where the free media has not been what it should be. There's a need for an antidote.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Promoting Mr. Bush's record and character: once these issues are

on the table, then Kerry or whoever can expend time discrediting them.

The record need not be interpreted as per Bush, in the best possible light. The deficits, the 2+ million jobs never to return, the remaining jobs subject to import, lying to manipulate Congress and the public to approve military action in a foreign country, etc. Yes, let the record speak for itself.
As for the character, in a trial when a witness allows his/her good character to be put into testimony, the adversary will try to contradict that testimony with the introduction of evidence demonstrating just the opposite, e.g., the witness has a propensity for lying, stealing, being dishonest, etc.

Go ahead George. We can always use another volunteer . . .

[madrchsod]

5. this is going to be real interesting

the economy is really going to tank if the price of gasoline goes up,refiancing of mortgages for cash purchase is just about run out. unless there is a huge demand for goods that we produce here what hiring there is will stop. highway building funds have to be passed if not constrution will stall. there are very few new constrution projects due to the empty buildings in every major city in the usa. he can spend all the money he wants but the thing that`s going to haunt him is the question
"are we better off than we were 4 yrs ago?"

[JPace]

6. AWOL's swaggering and anger served him well

when people were still reeling from 9-11,
but now people are hurting from debt and
job losses....AWOL's anger will make him
seem insensitive and out of touch

People will want change!

[IndianaGreen]

7. It is time to buy a pair of rubber boots

The shit is going to get so high that we are going to have a hard time wading through it.

No matter how good the Rovian PR machine is, they cannot change facts: the war in Iraq was a mistake, and we are paying for it.

[fearnobush]

8. Time to plaster ENRON's Billion dollar Pension fund

money, stolen from workers. While Ken Lay paid $800,000.00 to support the Chimp. So much for special intrest adds against Kerry.

[54anickel]

9. Think we need a separate daily Bush Lies Watch Thread

[NJCher]

10. should be interesting to see what their "solution" is

Sometimes "aggressive" isn't the way to go but no point telling that to a junkyard dog.

The phrase "you have to know when to hold them and when to fold them" comes to mind.


Cher

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. Promote Mr. Bush's record and character? LOL

That's the best joke I've heard all day.

What record? Terror, 9-11, Lied, War, Terror, War, Lied, More Terror, Orange Alert, WMD's, Lied Again, Terror.....

and character? Don't let me get started on that one.

[drscm]

12. What "should" the "free media" be?

I don't get this.

Does this mean that they expect the "free media" to continue pandering to their failed leader?

[snippy]

13. I think it is a reference to the news coverage the democratic primaries

and the AWOL story have received compared to the coverage of the MTP interview and the Steroids of the Union speech.

[otohara]

14. "Get Going"

going, going.........gone is the operative from us on the left.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

15. Check Out This New Weird Bush Photo - Priceless!

Georgie giving the "V" for victory sign with a weird Chimp look on his face. (I wish I knew how to cut and paste photos into these messages)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040213/480/saw10802132023

[Star]

16. Here you go

Try this:

Right click on the picture, and click on properties. then, copy the URL and paste it to your message.

[NJCher]

17. Looks like he's about to drool

and that's the wimpiest "peace" sign I've ever seen.


Cher

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. I thought he was trying

to count to two?

[yellowcanine]

19. Good. It is when they get agressive that they screw up.

Stand by to be entertained. Anyway, I think we saw a sign of their "aggressiveness" this week. Does anyone think the Drudge "exclusive" was not a Carl Rove setup?

[Walt Starr]

20. Ruh Roh!

Sounds to me like Bush thinks he's actually the one in charge and has decided to start running the campaign!

This is FABULOUS news!

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

21. Antidote for "free media" = Faux & Freaks a.m. Show n/t

Puke