Republicans Upset Over Bush Plan to Use Reagan Images, Speeches in Ads

[Dems Will Win]

Republicans Upset Over Bush Plan to Use Reagan Images, Speeches in Campaign Ads
By TERESA HAMPTON
Capitol Hill Blue Staff Writer
Jun 10, 2004, 08:15


As the nation prepares to bury former President Ronald Reagan, Republican insiders fight among themselves over plans by the political team of President George W. Bush to use images of and speeches by Reagan in new television ads aimed at jump-starting a faltering campaign.

“They’re disgusting,” says one long-time Republican who participated in a focus group to preview the new television ads. “They dishonor the memory of Ronald Reagan and if President Bush allows these ads on the air I, for one, will not vote for him in November.”

The ads, ordered up by Bush political advisor Karl Rove immediately after Reagan’s death last Saturday, use images of Reagan and excerpts from his speeches in what one angry GOP conservative describes as a “callous attempt to tie George W. Bush to the legacy of Ronald Wilson Reagan.”

One proposed ad even goes so far as to show Reagan saying “George, go out and win one for the Gipper.” The clip comes from Reagan’s speech to the 1988 Republican National Convention where the former President’s request was to Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, in his successful 1988 run for President.

-snip-

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_4667.shtml

How dare they use a dead guy to promote their candidate (Note my avatar)!

Hope we see these on the air. Nothing could kill his campaign more, other than reinstating the draft this June instead of next June.

[Richardo]

1. Karl Rove: Soooooper Genius...

Do it, Karl! Do it, you pathetic transparent ghoul!

[Born Free]

30. It's all about politics

Everything these hypocrites do is all about politics, but infortunately too many people are started to see through it all. As they say, you can't fool all the people all the time...

[samhonk]

39. It's not even that.

It's not politics, it's marketing. They're now pushing Reagan(tm) as an icon of America(tm) and "branding" the Republican(tm) party with his image.

[jokerman93]

56. Bingo.

They are on complete automatic with this. Marketing indeed. Very astute.

[MallRat]

2. BRING. IT. ON.

Rove isn't THAT stupid, is he?

Oh, wait...
http://www.georgewbush.com

Maybe he is that stupid.

-MR

[koopie57]

69. Yes he is!

He is that stupid and if there is a god please let these them run these ads. This republican in-fighting is the most fun I've had in three years. They are not sad Reagan died, they are exhilerated over their good fortune. Shined down on by the face of god.

[Mokito]

75. Hmmm, LIHOP or MIHOP ?

:evilgrin:

[goforit]

90. Yah and they all deserve each other.Kick up your feet n pass the beer

LOL!!!!

[Triana]

3. if they're disgusting to a Repug...

...just imagine how they'll affect a normal person!

;)

[trumad]

4. I hate it when pundits use anonymous folks to get their quotes

and I hate it in this piece..... Gives us names of the repukes who are against this and add some credibility to the piece....

[lancdem]

10. Capitol Hill Blue rarely has sources named

But the mainstream media often doesn't either. Repukes are afraid of retribution from the WH, frankly.

[rawstory]

17. And they seem like they make stuff up

I don't really trust this source, but I wouldn't put it past Karl Rove. Actually, I honestly think they may have made the whole thing up, tho. Some of their other articles have seemed really dubious.

[wryter2000]

26. Sounds like they're quoting ordinary folks

Focus groups, etc. The names wouldn't mean anything.

Frankly, I find the whole site a little hard to believe.

[Deb]

28. Trumad, I kid you not

I heard this stuff coming out of Conservatives' mouths last weekend. When they started comparing Reagan to bush, the conversation went in total disgust of bush... and that was on Saturday.

The most encouraging Conservative conversation I've heard. It was a way for them to save face, they could diss bush w/o turning on their party.

[ElectroPrincess]

49. It's a classic case of pride before the big fall ...

The Right Wing Republican leader's arrogance is clouding their intelligence and common sense. I've know a number of very intelligent people blinded by rhetoric. The more "moderate" Republicans and swing voters will find this gratuitous at best. These people have shielded themselves from the common folk so long, they are beginning to believe their own propaganda. Remember the "team" is everything and disagreement is equivalent to being labeled a traitor to DA Par-Ty. :P Damn, that's beautiful! Karl baby, bring um on! <eg>

[Momof1]

59. I am good friends with a republican

And he has told me a few times in the last week, that * better not do this.

The thing that my friend keeps telling me over & over again.

"Reagan took responsibility for his actions, and George W. Bush is no Reagan"

And my friend is a hardcore republican. Let them try this... the only thing Kerry has to do is show clips from every time that Reagan took responsibility.

[I Lean Left]

86. Exactly!

There's one clip where Reagan comes out after the Marine barracks bombing and says that he's not going to place blame with the men and women wearing the uniform. It's his fault and he takes full responsibility.

Contrast that with Bush's actions regarding, well... everything!

[SOS]

32. It's like reading a Judith Miller

front page article in the New York Times!

[goforit]

91. I would say more like Elisabeth Bemuller's

She loves the Bushies!!!

[lancdem]

5. I know it's Capitol Hill Blue

but it is an interesting article and confirms what other media sources have said: Some Repukes think Chimpy's campaign is making a major mistake. I agree completely. I'm almost certain this will backfire.

[gratuitous]

6. Shhhhhhhh!

Most of us seem to have caught on (okay, we have working brains), but let's not tip off Stupidhead's campaign that this is a dumb move. Never interrupt your adversary when he's making a mistake.

[rumguy]

7. Hey boy monster, please please please run these ads!

[Joanne98]

8. They're soooooo shameless.......

I hope they air the "George go out and win one for the Gipper" one. That's so transparent even the hicks will figure it out. Thanks for posting this. I didn't know there were any Republicans with a conscious left. Maybe there's some hope after all.

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. my guess....they don't use them

I'd be shocked if these ads hit tv. I really would.

[Dems Will Win]

14. I agree. We must spread the word over the Web and in LTEs to protest

even the thought of them. Then it won't matter if they run the OR NOT!

[colonel odis]

11. pleeeeeeeze! oh please please please please please

campaign with reagan's image. refer to reagan every single chance you get, w. dig the sumbitch up out of the ground and tote him around with you.

cause see, every time you take the podium people are reminded that no matter how dim reagan was, you're dimmer. no matter how crass reagan was, you're crasser. no matter how the reagan administration screwed regular folks, you're screwing 'em harder.

[aquart]

38. Reagan wasn't dim. He was a crypto-fascist but it was HIS idea.

This is from a friend's email:

"I was sometimes put on the phone with the President or called into the
Cabinet meetings, to give them a slice of 'real life' in the mkts, which Don
Regan insisted on. Reagan was def. alive and kicking and following; he would
make fun of the whole thing, once asking me if the Fed easing in summer '82
was "good." He then followed with a series of questions about housing and
how far rates would fall that showed he knew exactly what we were talking
about."

Reagan was an intelligent opportunist with an Aww, Shucks charm until the Alzheimers struck. He was entirely responsible for the heartless policies he instituted. People talk about how he would scribble in longhand the outlines of his policy positions. He dictated the policies. He didn't mouth what others presented to him.

[apnu]

46. oh yeah he was...

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0607-12.htm

[Beetwasher]

12. Yes!! Best Thing EVER!!!

Hahahahaa! I can't wait!!!

Rove is a Jeeeenyus!!!

[DenverDem]

13. publicans don't want bushler destroying the raygun mythology.

When bushlerco is discredited as the most corrupt cabal of war profiteers and constitutional scofflaws in American history, the publicans want to be able to trot out the absurd mythology of raygunesqe pseudo-populism as a cover for their ultra rich elitist corporate globalist realities.

[apnu]

47. "scofflaws!" Great word!

Nice usage too... :)

[LiberalFighter]

76. So two birds can be killed with one slap??

[PROGRESSIVE1]

15. KKKarl is desperate. If they use these ads, Bushler will have....

HELL from Nancy and the kids!!!

[Dems Will Win]

16. Won what Ron Jr. would say? Hoo boy!!!

[Snellius]

27. They think it's a sign from their GOP GOD

Reagan has arisen in the body of Bush.

[loudsue]

18. Rove is O.D.-ing on the kool-aid....

That's O.K. with me!!!

Here, Rove! Have another hit, baby!

:kick::kick::kick:

[never cry wolf]

19. Anyone want to checkto see the freeptards take on this?

I just took a shower and don't feel like soiling myself.

[liberalitch]

20. Yea, but your dead guy is cooler than their dead guy....

so there!

[DinahMoeHum]

21. Great pleasure in seeing the 'Pukes piddle their pants. . .

They know in their hearts that W and Co. are such a bunch of vulgar lying mofos.


:evilgrin:

[bleedingheart]

22. snort snort snort!...

pop is coming out of my nose.....
hahahahahahahaha

[Snellius]

23. Everyone seen the Bush campaign website?

http://www.georgewbush.com/

You would think the Gipper had risen like Jesus to run for prez again.

[Tellurian]

24. WAIT! The Reagan must be FURIOUS...She and Ron Jr. must be jumping

out of their skin with the unmitigated GALL of Rove and Bush to attempt to fly on Ronnie's coat tails before he is even cold...

Bush has a knack for pissing people off!

Just another example of how desperate the Bush campaign really are.

Kerry doesn't have to do a thing to go negative against Bush. Except pull up a chair, pop some corn, and watch the self-destruction of George walker Bush.

[charlyvi]

79. Maybe they will....

...piss Nancy off so much she'll be at our convention--sort of a female Zell.

[Tellurian]

92. hahahaha! cute! nt

[Justice]

25. CHB - Third Article that is negative on Bush

This is the third Capitol Hill Blue article that has been really harsh on Bush. I thought this was a pro-republican publication?

I am a little suspicious - because you don't see the substance of the articles picked up by others.

Don't get me wrong, I personally think everything they have said is well within the realm of possiblity -- I just want to see some confirmation from other sources.

[slinkerwink]

29. PLEASE USE THIS! IT WILL BACKFIRE DELICIOUSLY!

YES! THEY ARE SO FUCKING DUMB!

[baldguy]

31. I can see John Kerry to *:

"I knew Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was a friend of mine.

You, sir, are no Ronald Reagan!"

[Tellurian]

36. kick it up a notch...

"I knew Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was a friend of mine."

"You, sir, are no "friend" of Ronald Reagans!"

...with Nancy's permission of course!

[ElectroPrincess]

52. Beyond that ...

Bush is so indebted to the fundamentalist religious right he can't even recognize Nancy Reagan's plea for stem cell research. Although this research may not help Alzheimer's disease near as much as other diseases, the many in Congress have also requested that Bush reconsider this "religious" based decision.

Cracked me up that Bush was so seemingly afraid of Nancy's response, he ordered "Pickles" to carry the blunt message, "In your dreams Nan-Cee! We are #1 in morality. No questions! Ask Falwell to explain to you little people? :P "

Methinks Nancy can and will raise "Holy Hell" if Bush runs as the reincarnation of "the Gipper."

[alarcojon]

37. Now THAT would be great!

eom

[LiberalFighter]

77. Didn't the Reagans leave the WH on bad terms with the Bush family?

Especially Nancy. I seem to recall that Nancy Reagan and Barb Bush really hated each other.

[klook]

33. Makes perfect sense to me

First, they create ads bragging about 9/11, complete with images of flag-draped coffins. Now they want to use footage of Reagan, who not only died a slow, agonizing death, but was himself responsible for mass killings in Central America. These people just love death and destruction, don't they?

[Malva Zebrina]

34. they should be asking why it is that Bush's campaign is " faltering"

and that using anything or anyone, including his dumb lump in a bed, and two of his dumb, talentless children, is desperation.

After all those millions and millions he bragged about,after all that money spent on traveling around on AFI using our money to go raise those millions at endless luncheons, why is it that his campaign is "faltering"?

This is what conservative GOP should be asking and may they then be persuaded to impeach the jerk.

[aquart]

35. Huge grin on my face. Huge.

Can we finally bury the idiotic mantra that Karl Rove is a genius?

[democracy eh]

40. Bizarro world

First thought is this can't be real no way

but one word

BACKLASH
this will blow up in their face SSOOOOOOOOOOOOO Bad

so yeah
don't wait for polling on this
Get them on the air as ads during the funeral

remeber those pictures that where posted a while ago with Abe Lincoln, George Washington praying with or looking over Junior's shoulder? the the classic ones with Junior and Jesus? I can't wait to see the ones with Reagan. Maybe they can electonically airbrush in a CGI Reagan into the Bush ads. like those 'duets' with dead singers.

[The empressof all]

41. I think it may work for them

Although I think it is crass and in extremely poor taste to exploit Reagan's memory like this-the vast majority of Americans I think will view this as validation of Bush's place as heir apparent of the Reagan legacy. Those who are not politically savy will embrace this connection and run with it straight to the polls.

Now those who know me -know that I am extrememly cynical when it comes to the judgement of the American people. I hope I am wrong but I am fearful that in this case I am not. I'm astounded enough that the throngs are lining up for 4 hours or more just to see his casket.

[tranche]

42. Using the dead

they've already used the 3000+ from 911 and 800+ from Iraq to promote their candidate, so I'm sure Rove doesn't think much of one more.

plus, i'd love to see them use the "George, go out and win one for the Gipper" clip. it would do much more harm than good.

[bushisanidiot]

43. Pfft! It's a trial balloon. They just want to guage public reaction before

they do it. They (Bushes) don't give a shit about Raygun anymore than we do.

[Politicub]

44. Bush looks small compared to Reagan

Love him or hate him, Reagan was larger than life during his era. Bush looks like a tiny nothing when compared to him. I welcome these ads.

It only makes Kerry's presidential-ness more apparent.

[Gin]

45. How embarrassing!!!!!!!! I hope they do use these ads....Imagine

having to ride the coattails of a dead man..even using his speaking voice...this is too good to be true....and Rove has been wrong on everything he touches.

Bring em on!

[snippy]

80. True. And Reagan never let a pretzel kick his ass. n/t

[FleshCartoon]

48. I think Nancy and Ron Jr.....

...just might throw a series of public bitch-fits if they try this.

In fact, I'm sure of it. I have a huge grin on my face, too!

[tom_paine]

50. Another reason to think they hastened his death, CIA-style.

Just a coinkydink, I'm sure.

[Just Me]

51. Oh, oh, oh,.....that would be just fabulous!!!!

I strongly encourage they do so!!! :bounce:

[sampsonblk]

53. What will Nancy say?

Shrub is opposed to the very research that could have helped Reagan lead a longer and more productive life. Will Nancy allow this without a fight? A very public fight?

We shall see.

[narcjen]

54. I'm George W. Bush, and I approved this corpse-raping

[John_H]

55. If the Dems allow this, it's their fault.

[apnu]

57. yup...

... the Dems in office have to find their voices.

[The Backlash Cometh]

58. COATTAILS.

Bush has nothing of his own. He must ride on Reagan's coattails, and since he's dead, Reagan can't complain.

[Generator]

60. Here's my .02

Reagan(and lord knows I will never in a zillion years understand why, because just the sound of his voice bothers me big time-much worse than * & I think more poorly of Shrubscum now)made people feel okay about themselves.

* scares the shit out of them. Somewhere in thier deep little not too wiley brains they are getting it. Shrubscum & all his neo-con fantatic friends are a danger to us all.

The ad just brings it up, hah! * is no Reagan.

[playahata1]

61. Nancy and Ron, Jr. and Patti need to stand up

and JUST SAY NO to this bullshit.

[yellowcanine]

62. No class, no shame, no sense of decorum. I hope they do this. Everytime

this ad runs, Bush will lose votes. Can anyone imagine Harry Truman doing this in 1948 with FDR's memory?

[Disturbed]

63. Shrub will sound more like Raygoon...

in the coming months. He has already starting voicing, "I don't recall." We will be hearing that a lot from Shrub.

[renegade000]

64. they can't be that stupid...can they?

maybe this is a dumb question.

[LiberalFighter]

78. Better them to be stupid and sleazy instead of intelligent and sleazy

[Piperay]

65. GOD!!! This is even lower

than I thought they would ever sink! :puke: The guy is going down and can't even show any dignity on his way out, that's pitiful.

[Blue Gardener]

66. First a dead firefighter

Now a dead president. Classy.

[truthisfreedom]

67. it's like i say... there's always this curious similarity between the word

idiotic and ideologic.

[radfringe]

68. I hope bush* inc. goes ahead and blantently does it

because it's going to backfire big time

my concern over using Reagan as a prop was that it would be used in a stealth mode, i.e. the bush chorus out there on the talkshows and interviews doing the comparison

but if bush* actually puts this into a commercial with the "i approve this message" blurb -- it's going to be sooooo painfully obvious that he's using Reagan as a campaign prop that it will back fire

meanwhile, he has rebuffed Nancy on her request to reconsider the stemcell issue -- how is she going to feel about her late husband being a prop? I was never under the impression that Nancy was one to just sit down and take one for the party....

meanwhile, talk about 'compassionate' conservative -- Reagan isn't even in the ground and the bush team is already working on how to exploit him...

[Lorien]

70. Karl and Smirky probably cheered Reagan's death

more than a lot of DUers did! Using it to advance themselves politically is disgusting beyond belief. Hell, I hated Reagan, and even I'm sickened by their cheap misuse of death!

[Darranar]

71. They should be. n/t

[Gloria]

72. Ha! Ha! All Kerry has to do is play Clark's commentary on NPR today...

in which he clearly details how Bushco is totally different than Reagan on certain very key details....

I'm telling you, the Dems won't have to waste a cent if they just repeat clips from this over and over..............

His final line about about how he didn't walk just a straight line (or whatever it was) was totally brilliant, a very clear and stark description of Reagan that could be used very effectively against Bush...

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

74. Thanks for posting this; I posted the story on Kerry's website. online

forum.

[Mokito]

73. I would almost encourage * to run with them.

“They’re disgusting,” says one long-time Republican who participated in a focus group to preview the new television ads. “They dishonor the memory of Ronald Reagan and if President Bush allows these ads on the air I, for one, will not vote for him in November.”

[Leilani]

81. The Reaganites will go nuts!!!!

And it will backfire ...I hope they do it...it will show how tacky Shrub & Co. really are.

There is a reason the Bushes were NEVER invited to the White House family quarters for 8 years.

[hippiegranny]

82. oh but the republicans would NEVER do something

so crass like using the death of one of their own for political gain. Not after the stink they made about Wellstone's memorial service. Now would they? They are the party of all that is true and moral and good. Aren't they?

[wabeewoman]

83. Uh huh, and what about the election??

"Some GOP consultants, however, defend the ads as a necessary tool in what is becoming an increasingly tough campaign.

“A Presidential campaign is war,” says one, “and in a war you do whatever it takes to win.”"

[Imalittleteapot]

84. This will backfire.

Go Karl.

[csw77]

85. My lord these people are animals

At least they had the decency to wait 2 years to exploit the deaths of the thousands that died on 9/11. Reagan has been dead for what, 5 days, and they are already planning crap like this.

I hope it backfires but the repukes will probably just love it. :puke:

Has this been on any other news sites today?

[crossroads]

87. The old... "counting on the dead to spark new life" trick!

It's gonna backfire... everybody's on to that one!
:kick::crazy:

[steely]

88. Think * will break out the ouija board and tarot cards next?

Or maybe call Nancy's astrologer?

[Zorro]

89. George W. Reagan

What are they going to say when he changes his name to honor his hero?

[jackstraw45]

93. Reagansploitation!

Call it for what it is....

Typical.

They are getting desperate.

What do you expect with a WAR CRIMINAL as a candidate?