The Truth About the Person Behind the Osama Attack Ad (from dailyKos)

[pruner]

by Night Owl
Sat Dec 13th, 2003 at 23:54:17 UTC

Just did an extensive search into the sordid career of the 'Honorable' Edward F. Feighan, President of the Americans for Jobs, Healthcare and Progressive Values. This is the group that ran the attack ad on Howard Dean featuring Osama bin Laden's picture.

Highlights:

Mr. Feighan was Congressman from Ohio (his Chief of Staff was George Stephanopoulos) for ten years before he decided not to run for reelection due to his being named as one of the 22 worst offenders in the House Check Kiting Scandal (397 bad checks).

Mr. Feighan was also implicated in the House Post Office Scandal (which sent Dan Rostenkowski to jail).

Mr. Feighan also sabotaged a probe of Neil Bush during the S&L scandal in the late eighties by withdrawing his name at the last minute from a list of Democrats demanding an investigation.

This and other assorted facts are detailed here

[Cha]

1. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

this will so bite them in their collective ghoulish asses.

[slinkerwink]

2. how come this guy protected Neil Bush?

:shrug:

[dajabr]

3. pruner, I think you know where else to post this.

Nice find!

:yourock:

[mzmolly]

4. Who is he affiliated with I wonder?

Before joining President Clinton's campaign Mr. Stephanopoulos was the Executive Floor Manager to House Majority Leader, Richard A. Gephardt. In 1988 he was Deputy Communications Director for the Dukakis/Bentsen presidential campaign. Previously, he was Administrative Assistant for Representative Edward Feighan of Ohio.

Smells like Gep more than Kerry to me?

[Cha]

5. You mean "gep" of the

"Blond Monica" and this gep.. ?

[mzmolly]

11. That's the one!

;)

[IndianaGreen]

7. I don't smell Kerry at all, but it sure smells like Gephardt

How pathetic! Newt Gingrich was also involved in the check kiting scandal. Newt had been calling for an investigation until the Speaker decided to release the names of the offenders, which included Newt's name, that's when Newt changed his tune and started to speak about privacy rights.

What a sordid bunch of characters, and they had "Ds" and "Rs" after their names!

[kodi]

26. sure does. i thought as much even before this thread's info was posted

the ad sounded too much like his rhetoric against dean.

apparently, for some alleged democrats the rallying cry is not "Anyone But Bush."

[Julien Sorel]

6. Of course, all these crimes pale in comparison to the fact that he

obviously doesn't like Howard Dean. Just as Sharpton became the devil as soon as he called Dean out for his CF mis-adventure, so must anyone be demonized as soon as they stand in opposition to the Great Howard.

I'm sure you people will nail Feighan for his blasphemy in no time. Stick pins in a voodoo doll? Ruin his life with magic thinking? Send him a batch of your special Kool-aid? Hey, he's an insurance executive. Maybe you can get him to move his 'clean' company to Vermont with all the rest of those 'clean' insurance companies Dean used to whore himself out for.

Of course, Feighan could be the devil himself, and it wouldn't change a thing about the accuracy of the ads, or what the ads will look like when the Republicans run them. But I have an idea: when the Republicans start running such ads, just attack Feighan as a defence. Just say something like, 'Hey, those were the exact same type of ads that Edward Feighan ran, and he sucks!' That ought to shut the Republicans up real fast.

[HFishbine]

14. You miss the point entirely

Some of us want a new promise for America, one of hope and optimism. No one doubted that these types of ads would come, but it is the republicans who are the party of fearmongering. They and Gephardt apparently.

[Julien Sorel]

42. Your post has nothing to do with the topic at hand.

But I miss the point?

[mzmolly]

16. This is not about 'liking' Howard Dean, it's about helping the * keep the

OO in 04. Ged it? I have much less of a problem with attacking Dean from the left, as that hurts him with the democratic base, but attacking him like this hurts him in the GE.

[IndianaGreen]

17. How could you defend such a scumbag as Feighan?

Or did you even bothered to read the post? BTW, Clark would not defend Feinghan's conduct.

HEADLINE: CLAY STAYS ON OFFICIAL CHECK LIST ... CONGRESSMAN DEFIANT: 'THIS IS A; TRAVESTY'

Being named on the list of 22 ''abusers'' already has been politically difficult for some House members: Rep. Edward F. Feighan, D-Ohio, announced Wednesday that he was not running for re-election.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri) April 2, 1992

HEADLINE: House Transcripts Describe Favors for Rostenkowski

The interviews, conducted by a congressional task force in its investigation of the House Post Office, describe a patronage haven where member-sponsored workers got away with loafing and ignoring orders from supervisors but jumped to do favors for lawmakers.
Rostenkowski also benefited from a questionable service that post office couriers provided to a handful of members -- picking up campaign checks from post office boxes at Union Station or Brentwood Station in Northeast D.C. and delivering that campaign mail to lawmakers' offices. A federal law prohibits receiving campaign contributions "in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties."

Post office employees identified the campaign mail boxes as belonging to Rostenkowski, Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (R-N.Y.) and five Democrats who are no longer House members: Reps. Jim Moody (Wis.), Nicholas Mavroules (Mass.), Dennis M. Hertel (Mich.), Edward F. Feighan(Ohio) and Mary Rose Oakar (Ohio).

The Washington Post, June 15, 1994

HEADLINE: It's a Family Affair; As Democrats and Republicans scramble to escape blame for the S&L fiasco, the scandal acquires a human face: the President's son

On Friday Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee asked the Justice Department to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the Silverado case; but at least one of the members, Edward F. Feighan of Ohio, abruptly withdrew from the effort after G.O.P. leaders threatened to seek the appointment of another special prosecutor to investigate the actions of former Democratic leaders.

Time Magazine, July 23, 1990

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2003/12/13/235418/54

[Julien Sorel]

38. Who said I was defending Feighan?

I'm laughing and wincing at the utter ineptitude of the Deanites trying to defend Dean. That attacking the messenger is the best they can do is proof positive of how soft Dean is. There simply is no defence against these attacks. They might not be enough during a primary, but in a general election, this stuff is ruinous; it's partially what sunk Dukakis, Mondale, and McGovern.

The Deanites keep claiming that they will 'fight back' against the attacks, and look at their 'fighting.' It's pathetic.

[IndianaGreen]

40. The ad is an attack on all those that opposed the war in Iraq

The ad is repeating the GOP mantra that to oppose Bush's invasion of Iraq is to support terrorism.

If that is going to be the 2004 Democratic platform, then you guys are all sunk because millions of potential supporters will take their votes to a real peace party, the Greens!

[Julien Sorel]

44. I don't think that's the main message.

The main message is that Dean lacks any foreign policy experience, and this is a nation at war. It doesn't matter whether the war was correct or incorrect at this point; it's a problem that needs solving, Dean isn't the guy to do that, and the Republicans will capitalize on it in a general election. That's the message I got from the ad, anyway.

[IndianaGreen]

46. This is a nation at war... a war that Bush created! An unnecessary war!

And a war that became reality partly because people with "foreign policy experienced" gave Bush a blank check to carry it out.

You did miss the point of the ad. I will be happy to remind you of its message when Karl Rove uses a similar imagery against the Democratic nominee. Not even Clark will be safe from the smear that to be against Bush on Iraq is to support terrorism.

[Julien Sorel]

47. I just watched the ad again.

The Iraqi war is not mentioned once.

'Americans want a president who can face the dangers ahead. But Howard Dean has no military or foreign policy experience. And Howard Dean just cannot compete with George Bush on foreign policy. It's time for Democrats to think about that. And think about it now.'

So you can interpret the ad to be about the Iraqi war if you wish, but as it is never mentioned or depicted in the ad, you're indulging in some creative interpretation.

[mzmolly]

51. It doesn't require to much 'creativity'..

;)

[AntiCoup2K4]

Billy, can you put aside your pathological hatred of Dean for 2 seconds ..

...and realize that this guy Feighan is a corrupt and criminal piece of shit. Had he made a negative ad about the General, YOU would be leading the charge against him. However, I would be just as pissed about the ad as I am right now. Just as I'm pissed about ABC pulling coverage from a third of the candidates before a single primary ballot. Actually, this pisses me off more because it's coming from a supposed Democrat with ties to many other supposed Democrats. And by virtue of his ties to the DLC and the Clintons, that would include General Clark. Though I don't believe he personally had anything to do with the ad.

[Cha]

28. If clark were ahead they would be making

ghoulish ads against him, too.

[Julien Sorel]

39. What does his 'corruptness' have to do with the ads?

He could be Satan himself, and the ads would be what they are; Dean would be what he is. You folks are just plain out of it.

[HFishbine]

8. What? No mention of campaign contributions to Gephardt?

http://www.tray.com/cgi-win/indexhtml.exe?MBF=NAME

[mzmolly]

10. Well I'll be damned!

Feighan, Edward
2/5/2003 $2,000.00
Lakewood, OH 44107
Century Insurance Group/Director -
GEPHARDT FOR PRESIDENT INC.
http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/

[blm]

9. Sounds like a dirty GOP operative

who works within the Dem party.

This is SOP. Remember, Lucianne started this way. When Vietnam Vets Against the War became too powerful, operatives infiltrated and began urging violent actions. They wanted the group discredited. SOP.

They pull this crap to undermine from the inside and likely to make it easier for the GOP to do the same in the general election. Some of the people in the Dem group can be good Dems being manipulated by the GOP operative.

[dsc]

20. that is utterly absurd

Let me say I have no love for Mr. Feighan but he is not a Republican operative. He was a Democratic Congressman for several years and had a reasonably progressive record. I have no clue if he has ties to Gephardt or Kerry. But he is a Democrat.

[mzmolly]

22. He gave the max to the Gephardt campaign, and to no one else

This is the work of Dick Gephardt and friends. Makes total sense. Kerry criticized JG for caving to * on the IWR before voting for it. I don't think he's associated with this personally?

Oops I said "John Gephardt" OY!

[SadEagle]

49. Not only Gep

Feighan also gave to the DNC. $2000 this year, $250 in 1999.

[mzmolly]

52. True...

However, he didn't give to any other candidate running for Prez.

[IndianaGreen]

24. The only progressive thing about Feighan

is that he gave himself several interest free loans from the House bank everytime he wrote a rubber check.

This man is sleaze!

[dsc]

29. that is a bit unfair

the bank was utterly mismanaged and often didn't give credit for deposits upon reciept of them like they should have. We had three Congresspeople involved in that 'scandal' Stokes, Feighan, and Ockar. They were clearly living beyond their means to some extent but they didn't knowingly steal money or get no interest loans.

[IndianaGreen]

43. Anyone else would be in jail

but our brave Congressmen are above the law. No thanks!

This is the same as drug addict and peddler Rush Limbaugh. Any lesser mortal would be in jail by now.

BTW, how are ya, dsc?

[dsc]

45. doing fine thanks

and how are you? but they didn't even know the checks had bounced. This really wasn't what it was portrayed as being.

[blm]

30. They could have some dirt on him.

I remember Ed Feighan and that's not an impossibility.

[dsc]

37. that is a different theory

though in this day and age I can't see what they would have. But in any case that would not make him a Republican operative.

[AntiCoup2K4]

35. The guy stopped the investigation of Neil Bush's S&L theft.

That alone is enough to question his party loyalty.

[patricia92243]

23. you are making it too complicated for me

i read the original message twice and still am not sure "who done it".



who did run the ads?

[mzmolly]

25. It's Gephardt gang...

That's who it is.

[SadEagle]

50. A group w/unknown backers.

that will not reveal its funding until February, when it has to do so by law.

[mzmolly]

53. Supporters of Dick Gephardt...

That's what we know.

[janx]

12. There's something very weird going on here.

When we find out who is responsible for this ad, I suspect some very interesting information will be revealed.

That is, I'm willing to bet that some people have some very shady alliances.

[windansea]

13. I smell Soros and the Clintons

Feighan is not the boogeyman...somebody gave him the money.

[pruner]

15. I think you're wrong…

Soros has held several fundraisers on Dean's behalf and contributed the max ($2,000) to his campaign.

[SahaleArm]

21. Yes but that won't stop the tin-foil gang...

:tinfoilhat:

[windansea]

33. $2000 is chump change to Soros

He can afford to hedge his bets...because of CFR the big money will go to finance "independent" attack ads in 2004...expect LOTS of them.

I could be wrong about Soros..just a hunch...but I doubt this money is coming from Kerry or Gephart.

The battle for control of the Democratic Party will be fought in the next few months and there are some very big players removing the gloves now.

[pruner]

36. Soros is financing MoveOn.org…

not groups that attack Dems.

he has referred to getting Bush out of office as a matter of life & death.

he said he'd be willing to spend his entire fortune ($7 billion+) on the effort if someone could guarantee him the outcome (Bush being removed from office).

[Cha]

27. Soros isn't stupid.

[rucky]

41. You're not the only one

there's another post floating around today that connects the dots...

[Military Brat]

18. Is there a dominant-trait scumbag gene in the bush** family?

It seems to surface in every bush** male, giving him the repulsive characteristics of a cockroach. It is also apparently contagious, being transmitted by osmosis to people with money and power. We could call it the Samsa gene, in deference to Kafka.

:wtf:

[Cha]

32. I don't understand the reason for

calling it the "Samsa gene" but it sounds Right Freakin' On!

[mzmolly]

19. oops

Nevermind...

[Ksec]

31. I think this should just

go away. Focus only makes it have more impact and attention. For instance, I didnt see it and with all the hoopla I actually looked it up and wanted to see it. Or you can keep doing PR for the ad....

[pruner]

34. how's discussing this doing PR for the ad…

will NBC Nightly News be covering the discussion at DU?

[Ksec]

48. No , but theres thousands here who are

and then all the sent emails of this etc.

Trust me, keep it up, Im sure the guys who made it are lovin this.

[mzmolly]

54. I doubt they love the fact that they've been figured out...

;)

[Ksec]

55. There is no bad publicity nt

[Cha]

57. Stealthy snakes usually aren't.

[Walt Starr]

56. I have heard of no candidates denouncing the ad

In my opinion, that makes every one of them guilty.

I am now a Deanocrat.