The Right-Wing Smear Machine Cranks Up
I know people are sick and tired of these kinds of attacks, but it’s up to us, the activists and public servants on the other side, to fight against them. I’m just starting — just gearing up for the battle — there’s no way I’m going to stand by while Democrats are mugged by the hired thugs of the right-wing smear machine.
From Linda Greenstein to our eventual Presidential nominee, if the right-wing thinks they can slime their way through another election, they’ve got another think coming.
They have damaged our country with their ideology, they are throwing up roadblocks in DC to our getting about the business of fixing their damage, and they are going to pay for it at the ballot box — and that starts now.
Update: I’ve noticed a lot of online discussion around what we should do about this problem over the next year. It’s good discussion, and I don’t claim to have all the answers. But there are some things I know I will do. Like speak out at every opportunity to show everyone what the Republican Party has become. We are all hungry for a new direction. But the Republican Party is stuck in the tear-it-down tactics of the past, offering no hope, no solutions to anything. Nothing but fear and smear. I have a pretty big megaphone, and I intend on using it.
As activists, you can’t be everywhere. So my suggestion is to try to focus on races in your region and dedicate some time to countering the smears in those races. And focus on a few national media outlets and dedicate some time to writing them to point out whenever they follow a right-wing story-line. But I think a big point is to make sure you don’t spread yourself thin and look to make a difference with what you do.
We’ve made progress in the last few years, which has forced the smear machine to get nastier and sneakier. But with the great work done by local blogs (like Blue Jersey in NJ, or BlueMassGroup in my state), you can keep up with things locally, as well as nationally at places like Daily Kos. We have the facts, we have great bloggers putting those facts out there, and it’s up to all of us to make sure those facts are heard.
In this case, if you’re in NJ, help out in the fight there. But what this story did to me — and why I came to post it online — was it reminded me once again how much the Republican Party has come to depend on tactics like this, and how hard I’m going to work over the next year to fight against it.
For more information on Common Sense America’s right-wing smear campaign against Linda Greenstein:
NJ Star-Ledger: Assemblywoman’s critic is tied to writer on Bush payroll
North Brunswick Sentinel: State grants Greenstein funds to fight attack ads
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I am so sick of these people! We all know that these days, except in truly red areas, the Republicans don’t have a prayer of winning any elections. Even there, they are having to put up much more of an effort.
So do they reevaluate their agendas, adapt their positions to better suit the voters’ needs and wants? Of course not! They ‘hire’ shady dealers like this group run by Dobson to slime and malign their opposition.
Works so much better that way, doesn’t it? Who needs to clean one’s own backyard when one can simply trash the neighbor’s yard even worse?
You’re absolutely correct, Senator Kerry: No more of this! It’s time these front groups AND those they serve were put in their place.
I agree this has to stop! The Swift Boat attacks were downright criminal.Lies and deciet is what the right wing uses. Rush Limbaugh is their mouthpiece.Fox Noise runs 24 hours a day with the likes of Sean Hannity,Ann Coulter and Bill Kristol to name a few. The people that listen to this garbage should be real proud of George Bush and his
neo-cons. We could have had John Kerry as President.
That would have been great for America and the world.
It’s not just Linda Greenstein who is under attack by the right-wing smear mongers. I posted this afternoon at Blue Jersey ( http://www.bluejersey.com )on this very topic: “GOP Playbook: When In Doubt, Scream Terrorism.” These candidates need some help fighting back in New Jersey. Only one of the candidates, Joe Ariyan, can take in online contributions, but the more we get people e-mailing and calling friends and family in Jersey to let them know what’s really going on, the better. We cannot let these people hijack our election through fear and smear.
A few thoughts for activism to fight against the smear machine:
In 2003, when I first decided to do more than vote to protect our democracy, I volunteered for the Kerry/Edwards campaign. After election day on November 2, 2004, I decided that the only way the American public could have chosen Bush was if they voted based on wrong information or a lack of information. So my activism took a turn...I researched the news (missing from TV) and e-mailed it to my family and friends. They sort of worried about me
but now they pay attention. They are more aware of the REAL issues than ever. So, Senator Kerry, when you say to focus on more local races...I think that’s true...but also try to affect people you are close to by giving them information they may not have.
I always appreciate what you, Senator Kerry (and others, such as Senators Boxer, Feingold, Durbin and others) are doing out front, to lead the fight against these tactics. Today I again watched your speech on ‘Faith and Politics’ from Pepperdine University in California. (I was in the audience that day.) I think that’s how you fight this...make it a moral issue, a values issue...and make it LOUDLY. That speech was a stroke of GENIUS. Our party wins when we rise above the pettiness and nastiness spewed forth by people like Karl Rove.
Finally, you said this:
“ Unfortunately, the term “Swift-boating” which should apply only to the boats and sailors we knew and loved, has taken on a whole new meaning today. It pains my crewmates.”
My Dad was a sailor on the USS Iowa during WWII. For all of his life, he treasured the bond created with his shipmates during that time. Anything that would have tarnished his memories of his time on the Iowa was painful to him.
I’m sorry for the pain this term “Swift-boating” has caused to you and your crewmates. I hope it will come to be known as the event which marked the point when our nation decided to turn away from these negative political tactics and moved toward the truth.
Many thanks Senator Kerry for staying involved in fighting the right wing this election season. We’ve watched our democracy being shredded by these callous, ignorant people with a feeling of impotence.
Your voice is a very important one; your leadership sends a message that we just won’t take it anymore! We will write our letters - challenge their lies and continue to hound the media to counteract their misrepresentation but it would really help if you would inform your colleagues in the Senate that they are letting us down.
At every turn we hear that they have “caved again”. We need all our Senators and Representatives to be principled and fearless in fighting for our democracy. Right now, our weakest link is within our own party. What’s needed, I believe, is a retreat for the Democratic Party and key aids and force them to read the Constitution and Bill of Rights. If that doesn’t do it then we are truly in trouble.
Thank you so much, Senator Kerry! In order to reclaim democracy in our country, your help will be invaluable.
When you have no policy, no new ideas you attack to try and shift the attention off of you. This is all the Republicans can do, when you your party is dying you try and bring down everyone else. Keep the fight up JK I will always have your back !
Kentucky Senator McConnell Below 50% in Re-election Bid
http://news.yahoo.com/s/rasmussen/20071104/pl_rasmussen/kentuckysenate2007110120071104
Now this poll was done by Rasmussen so in a way that tells us that his numbers could be even lower. Also the poll reports that 56% view him favorably but.....59% want our troops out of Iraq in a year.
I think Senator Kerry it’s time for another Roadblock Republican radio ad
. Just give the nod and we’ll do whatever it takes.
NO SURRENDER!
NGU!
Thanks for standing up for other Democrats.
Thank you, Senator Kerry. The other Dems should really appreciate someone like you in their corner.
I’m still praying you will eventually decide to run for President again so I will once more be able to vote FOR a candidate instead of just for the least stupid and the least obviously corrupt.