If I were intent on discrediting a president from the opposition party, one tactic would be . . . .

[Stinky The Clown]

. . . . to get whatever is left of his base pissed off at him for the perceived abridgment of their fundamental rights.

This could be done easily if I had control of the media. I'd have the media run stories trumpeting each anomalous transgression, real or imagined. I'd play every cell phone video.

I would then do followup stories showing the common ground based on outrage at these incidents between the normally opposed political parties. I would report how one side is turning up the volume, only to be matched, then outdone, by the other party. Repeat repeat, repeat.

Soon enough, the target, the incumbent first term president, would be hanging out to dry on the clotheslines of *both* parties, all alone.

















The foil to this sort of tactic is very simple: don't do shit that pisses off your base and smacks of the sort of thing that moron you replaced would do.

[hlthe2b]

1. true... sad that Obama and his admin are not seeing this.

[enlightenment]

2. Easy enough to counteract that sort of thing, though.

Just make a public statement that you (and we're talking about the President, correct?) think that this 'perceived abridgment of fundamental rights' needs to be reevaluated because you (the President) understand that the citizens of this nation don't like being treated like criminals without just cause and due process.

Problem is - that didn't happen; instead, you (the Pres) told us to suck it up like good little sheep. Poorly played, that.

This isn't media spin, Stinky. This is a valid complaint. The idea that Dems should roll over and accept it because complaining about it makes the President look bad is disgusting.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

3. Whew! What a relief!

For a minute there I was afraid there really was indefinite detentions, TSA pat downs, wars without end, expanded Patriot Act intrusions, drone strikes, assassinations, Gitmo staying open and whatnot.

But those are only RW ruses so I feel better now.

[pscot]

4. If your object were to privatize TSA's functions

you could use the same techniques. Two birds with one stone, so to speak.

[leveymg]

5. You mean, "Don't touch my junk?" For instance?

Prime example of a tempest-in-teapot that's obscured the fact we're so distracted that nothing of any consequence is getting done during the Lame Duck Congress.

[w4rma]

6. Then I suppose he had better start defending himself. We can't make him do that. (nt)