Democrats need to be ready for Bush League distortions with rapid response

[Jack Rabbit]

Lies and half truths are the order of the day for the Republicans. Today, Republican Congressmen are taking the floor and blaming Democrats for their ties to "environmental extremists" for high oil prices. Expect this kind of thing and worse between now and early November.

With Bush's poll numbers in the tank and their own numbers even worse, Congressional Republicans facing re-election are already desperate. Like a wounded animal, a desperate politician is more dangerous than usual.

The only Democratic candidate in recent years who really knew how to handle the Bush leaguers was Bill Clinton. In 1992, when first running for president, Clinton had a rapid response team ready and put his side of the story out to the media any time the Bush leaguers distorted facts. It was important for the Clinton campaign that distortions from the Bush campaign were nipped in the bud. This strategy proved very effective. Clinton won the election and, since Perot voters in exit polls split as to whom they would have voted had Perot not been on the ballot, we can assume that he would have received 55% of the popular vote against Bush in a two-way race.

Al Gore should have been ready with a rapid response team in 2000 and was not. How many people still think Gore claimed to have invented the Internet? John Kerry should have been ready with this in 2004 and was not. How many people still think the Frat Boy had a better service record in Vietnam than Kerry? The charges were absurd, but they stuck. They were wrong to let them go unchallenged.

Lies, half truths and distortions will be believed if they go unchallenged. The Democrats cannot afford to assume that just because what the Bush leaguers say is utterly ridiculous that it won't be believed. Just ask President Gore and President Kerry.

To simply ignore Republican distortions is a formula for once again snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, as the Democrats have done too often in recent years. American democracy is at stake and we cannot allow this to happen again.

[rodeodance]

1. what to do. i agree.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. This needs to be handled by DNC and DLCC and even the DLC

At least, I hope the DLC is on the same page as the base with this. If not, maybe they really are closet Republicans.

Those who are in contact with national Democratic leaders need to urge them on to coordinate such a strategy. Consult James Carville, for crying out loud. I think the Clinton rapid response inititiative in 1992 was his baby.

The Republican nonsense today can't go unanswered. If it does, too many voters are going to think all Democrats are card carrying members of ELF.

[kentuck]

2. The Democrats in Congress do not seem educated ?

They do not read enough, it seems?

[Jack Rabbit]

4. They read enough

I'm only saying that they don't know how to handle this kind of thing.

[kentuck]

5. Did anyone correct the lady Rep from Tennessee this morning ?

When she was saying the environmentalists shut down the refineries? They should have known that was false. It's been common knowledge about the refineries being shut down by the oil companies...

[Jack Rabbit]

6. If nobody did, we need to ask the DNC, etc., why not

I hope we're all in this fight together. But they are the ones with the resources for fight these distortions.

[AX10]

7. I agree. ALL Democrats need to be on top of this.

[Jack Rabbit]

8. I've sent these remarks to the DNC

Hopefully, they'll take some action.