GOP Aims to Pull a 'Dukakis' on Kerry (most biased AP article ever?)

[Democat]

By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer

Republicans ridiculed Democrat John Kerry (news - web sites)'s primary campaign contortions about the war on Iraq (news - web sites) on Tuesday and handed out pictures of Kerry clad in a hooded blue anti-contamination suit as he climbed out of a NASA (news - web sites) space shuttle orbiter.

The GOP effort to pull a "Dukakis" on Kerry is shifting into high gear.

In 1988, Republicans were able to turn Michael Dukakis from a Democratic presidential front-runner into a caricature soundly beaten by President Bush (news - web sites)'s father.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20040727/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_loyal_opposition_12

This article is on the front of Yahoo.com right now.

They manage to get in every right wing talking point without any response from the Democrats. When has the AP ever allowed Democrats to spew talking points without giving the Republicans at least equal time to respond?

[Cha]

1. Ain't gonna work!

Do your damnest you creepy gop crawlers..cause you scared!

[cthrumatrix]

27. message to AP --- "shove it"

[rocktivity]

53. There are just the tiniest little flaws in their strategy

1. "Liberal" isn't a bad word anymore
2. Either through deliberate lying, incompetence or gullibility, Bush CREATED the war Kerry voted on.
3. Michael Moore is $100 million dollars richer.
4. If Kerry is a caricature, Bush is graffitti.
5. Mission Accomplished.

:headbang:
rocknation

[shoelace414]

2. At least they're talking about the RW's effort.

[Iris]

9. What is this picture from?

[jean]

13. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - that would be Harry in the

background and Voldemort in the foreground.

[Josh]

71. You know the book and movie was "Philosopher's Stone"

everywhere except the USA.

Josh
Sydney, Australia

[jean]

80. didn't know - thanks - the dustjacket artwork was also different, yes?

[shoelace414]

14. It's Voldemort from

the first harry potter movie

[westhollywooddem]

51. The president elected before Dukakis was actually elected.

There is no analogy between Dukakis and this election.

Bush stole the fucking election. We are pissed and we will vote in strong numbers.

I cannot wait until Kerry debates Bush. Bush is a stupid lazy ass vacation taking mofo and the debates will clinch an election win for the Democrats.

[notadmblnd]

64. Watch for them to steal Kerrys notes

They did it once before in 1980.

It involved the apparent theft of Carter's briefing papers by Republicans before the October 1980 presidential debates.

source: House of Bush House of Saud by Craig Unger pg. 51

[cynthia]

15. he who must not be named

that photo is from the first Harry Potter movie and shows the face of Lord Voldemort who had taken over the body of the professor with the turban. At the very end of the movie we get to see Voldemort's face.

The reference is to a conversation last night about how the speakers were not supposed to be bashing Bush* but they actually had a lot of negative things to say about him, they just didn't say his name......he who must not be named .........or Voldemort.....is *'s latest nickname

[Iris]

17. oh, that's great! but

I don't remember him from the first movie!

But I am familiar with "he who will not be named" because a friend's child LOVES the term!

[shoelace414]

18. I started calling him Voldemort a month or so ago.

[PatGund]

25. (laugh)

Reminds me of the "Republicans for Voldemort" t-shirt that "Goats" is selling...

http://goats.com/store/tshirts.html

[Stew225]

3. So, don't you think we ought to write/email/call these

dickwads?

[Emboldened Chimp]

4. Do these morons really want to go there?

Smirk looks like a complete doofus in EVERY picture of him taken.

[democrat_patriot]

43. But the Bush pics never

see the light of day.

At least on CNN, MSNBC and others.

Hell he fell off his bike AGAIN, and the AP article portrayed him as this reckless athletic tough guy.

This is why we are behind. We all bitch and moan here on the DU, when we should be organized:

1. When this crap comes out we need to counter it immediately. Email every address on the internet with pics of * doing his everyday stuff. Create a hotmail account if you want to be anonymous,and send to everyone you know. Make a list- media-congress-friends-family-businesses. You only need to create it once. Keep addin to it. SPAM them. I know it's 'wrong', but they do it. And it's working. How many LIEING emails do we debunk daily here? Need help ask me.

2. Email write and phone EVERY time they show this full-on partisan crap. Use the word boycott like an anthem, put it in the subject line. Use Outlook? Mozilla? Or Microsoft express? Any client can be set up with a pre-written template, and an address group. Takes 10 seconds - open - edit if necessary - click send. Need help ask me.

3. Go on a 'guerilla' media blitz. Leave DNC talking points in restrooms, reataurants, taxis. Put bumper stickers (and there are plenty that do a great job of putting * in his place) on any surface that we can.

4. Wear democratic talking point t-shirts.

5. Put a sign in your car window.

We are the MAJORITY folks. We have matched Bush with small donations - 10X as many as from his 'base' Don't forget it! Be proud knowing you are doing the right thing.

We are an intelligent, caring group of people. We raised more money, we can raise more awareness.

[REVOLT823]

54. I like your email/letter/phone campaign to the media

You should put an outline together and present it to the commentators here, maybe they can set up a separate area for people to volunteer and congregate at, a base to work out of. Count me in if it goes forward

[democrat_patriot]

62. I have no idea

how to do something like that.

But I would love to see a DU war room scenario. We have so many bright articulate people - those who can respond quickly - to the lies from the right.

To defeat the main RNC talking points:

1. Democrats are unpatriotic, or worse hate America.

2. Any slander against Kerry, should be debunked. Obviously we can't deny he has great hair...

3. We're weak on terror - or 'the terrorist want Kerry" crap.

To start on offensive:

1. Proactively emailing/writing etc. We could easily get an address directory for congress - someone can write a letter - I can print and mail to congress / the House. I can set up an address book through Yahoo, Hotmail, googlemail etc and email the media / government daily. Even hourly. Imagine if 10 of us did the same.

2. People can donate their graphic art abilities - create banners, printable leaflets whatever. Some of us would have no problem borrowing the company copier, even mailing boxes of leaflets to those that can use them. I could send $50 to the DNC or use it for postage.

3. I have a faxing program that can send from my email - all I need is a list of fax numbers for media members etc. This is where step #2 and the graphics come in handy.

Only thing I don't know how to start, should I start a post or something? Can someone with more time/leverage help?

I'll check back later.

[calico1]

5. Kerry is not Dukakis

Anyone with any common sense knows that that suit was necessary because of the sterile environment. The suit is a must. This really shows some desperation on the part of the GOP.

[Trajan]

40. I used to work in clean rooms ...

The Shuttle is a Clean Room Environment while in hangar ... Bunny suits are REQUIRED garments ...

Kerry looked perfectly fine in that suit, and hopefully the american people can see just how petty the GOP really are ...

[Iris]

46. Yeah, but the GOP has to pander to their base, which is

made up of society's lowest common demnominator.

[rocketdem]

55. Not all parts of the Shuttles require bunny suits

Many do, including, obviously, the portion that President Kerry visited.

All portions are FOD (foreign object debris)-free, but to differing levels of control.

To fail to be FOD-conscious would be grossly irresponsible. Bravo for Mr. Kerry for doing that which is necessary to protect the safety of our astronauts.

[Democat]

6. Look at the bullshit first line in the article

"Republicans ridiculed Democrat John Kerry's primary campaign contortions about the war on Iraq..."

Where does it say "alleged" in that line? The AP writer states his opinion that Kerry had "primary campaign contortions about the war" as a fact. That is a Republican talking point interpretation, not a fact, yet the AP writer states it as fact in the first sentence of the article.

Again, this article has not one quote from a Democrat in response - all right wing talking points, some of them delivered directly by the AP writer.

[tom_paine]

8. Sure, this reads like Gingrichs Psycholinguists wrote it

And they probably did...

[tom_paine]

7. There si nothing left but to FIGHT these Kinder and Gentler Nazis

They will not rest until America is 100% dead and buried into their Imperiasl Wet Dream.

What are their plans for us? Unknown, but previous Totalitarian Empires suggest it will be something bad.

Even if it is "kinder and gentler".

[Iris]

10. I don't know - "Bush rides mountain bike HARD and

shrugs off a crash" is pretty bad as well.

[Catfight]

11. Bring 'em On! We have lots of things to talk about Bush...AWOL!!!

[Catfight]

12. Anyone want to talk about Cheney and Bush have to testify together?

[liveoaktx]

16. I like this photo of Kerry!

Surely the Bushies are not trying to diss NASA

[Richardo]

19. Go ahead, Karl. You're ridiculing American hero John Glenn, too

Oh that's right - he's a Democrat and therefore can NOT be an American hero.

[Gin]

20. NO.........the "Mission Accomplished" photo is the best response..

trust me..

[Richardo]

21. Bingo!

:thumbsup:

[Hobarticus]

28. YEAH! Drag that photo out again!

Always good for a laugh!

[obietiger]

49. I agree

don't even need any words with it! But "Mission Accomplished" as a title should get the message of a failed administration across to anyone able to read.

[noonwitch]

78. That or the nose-picking footage

That's good, too.

[Judi Lynn]

22. I agree. How does he look any different from anyone

wearing one of those suits?

How do they think their ape would look? Nothing could look more foolish, and desperate than this:

[CO Liberal]

45. Anyone HAve The Version Of This Where Dubya's Wearing a Bunny Suit?

:shrug:

[The Shadow]

36. Me Too!

Only the repugs would stoop to anything like this, considering it insults one of our own federally funded organizations, NASA.
Only a moron would consider this picture of John Kerry as one that would or should embarrass him. Duh!!

Only idiots would mock the cleanliness requirements necessary in the shuttle program in order to attempt to ridicule John Kerry. It shows me that they have no regard for established protocols or anything else. Just a big fucking joke to these yahoos isn't it.

Bill Nelson is also an expert on the subject matter considering he has flown on the shuttle, unlike this monkey who thinks he is president. You know, the idiot who wants to go to Mars before we have enough data to determine whether it will be worthwhile or not (trying to play JFK, you know!). Good old chimp boy, fuck the Hubble and the space station, lets go to Mars. Duh! With whose money you Fucking Asshole!

On edit: bushhole would demand to wear a spacesuit for his photo op, being the fucking phony that he is.

[evworldeditor]

61. Then there's the infamous binocular photo

[fujiyama]

73. I like that engrossed look

He actually looks GENUINELY INTERESTED in something scientific. Of course, people are not bright enough to understand that.

But of course, Bush looks soooo damn sexy in his flight suit.

[Piperay]

23. Pathetic

they better be careful, the Democrats can match them picture for picture of chimp looking like a morAn. :silly:

[Magleetis]

24. Go ahead and open

this can of worms. There are soooo many pics of Bush* looking like the idiot that he is. We will win this one.

[TEXASYANKEE]

26. Can you say .... Segway

Or the latest mountain bike incident, or the famous pretzel gag. Is the GOP sure it wants to go there??

[Autobot77]

31. How about

The photo of * picking his nose?

[obietiger]

50. How about

the picture of him dropping his dog?

[Keirsey]

32. poll just went down a little more

We should have a thread, or even a separate DU forum, just for posting stupid pictures of GW. Then we could post the URL on other forums, and even email it to media members when necessary.

[evworldeditor]

60. One of the world's easiest to ride vehicles....

http://www.mikesnewsquips.freeservers.com/ph6,12,3bush,segway.jpg

[Rebellious Republican]

29. Don't forget to rate it.........

You have given the news article GOP Aims to Pull a 'Dukakis' on Kerry a rating of 1.
Its current average rating is 2.89 with 814 vote(s). :thumbsdown:

[MallRat]

30. This is GOOD: saying the GOP is trying to "pull a Dukakis on Kerry."

Game, set, match. If THIS becomes the story, and not the photos themselves, Kerry is immunized.

-MR

[Disturbed]

34. Goat story pretend reading.

While Amerika is under attack GW pretends to read a children's book but it is upside down. Damn, I should have copied that photo.

[The_Casual_Observer]

33. As I recall , the Dukakis one was a long film

of him riding along bumping up and down in a silly helmet and goggles with pale complexion and five-o'clock shadow. He had already screwed himself on a number of defense and law and order stands also. The Dukakis one was much more akin to the "mission accomplished" one.

[AnnInLa]

35. Carville

Just saw Carville post the pics of Bu$h in his cheerleading costume, outfit, uh, sissy-suit, when Carter tried making fun. In this war of making the other candidate look stupid, the Repugs are out weaponed.

[schultzee]

37. We should have a "Shove It" bumper sticker. Shove it rePIGs

[DoYouEverWonder]

38. Here's the one they released today of W on his bicycle

I think this picture is a whole lot sillier, than Kerry at NASA.

[LibDemAlways]

41. That bike isn't even in motion.

Chimp just posed on there, probably telling the photographer to hurry up and snap the picture before he falls off again. Lance Armstrong he ain't.

[returnable]

42. They obviously photo-shopped that one...

They took out the training wheels :hi:

[WinterStorm]

66. It looks like the kickstand is down on the other side of the bike

Aww...Look he is riding by a flag pole.

:puke:

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

67. Why's he riding a mountain bike on the pavement?

Their whole appeal is their ability to go off road.

Did he have his fall on the pavement? He's even more uncoordinated than I thought.

[Cronus Protagonist]

72. Either that's a giant bike or Bush is tiny

Probably both.

SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[aquart]

39. That was before they'd seen Senior in action.

We've seen George in action. Mostly inaction. But whenever he gets busy, we suffer.

And we have swift boat images. George has the Lincoln.

[demgrrrll]

44. I would turn this around and say that the Republicans look down on

people who have to wear uniforms or certain garments to perform their job duties. I would hammer away at them for being the party of the
haves and have mores who do not understand that many honorable occupations in our society require uniforms or special standardized clothing.

[The Night Owl]

47. Send unflattering images of Smirk to Mr. Lester at [e-mail]

Since Will Lester wrote an article about GOP efforts to
publicize unflattering photos of Kerry, then perhaps Will
Lester or some other assface at AP could write an article
about our efforts to publicize unflattering photos of Smirk.
Of course, I will not hold my breath waiting for that article.


Lester's email:

[e-mail]

[Spiffarino]

57. Done. I sent him the picture in #56. n/t

[The Night Owl]

58. Good. I am glad to see people not limiting their activism to posting here!

We have to fight every day.

[Zorra]

48. Not gonna work. Not this time. We are determined and united.

They have no idea what they are up against.

[rocktivity]

52. Are you SURE you want to go THERE, Mr. Gillespie?

If so, I have two words for you:

Mission. Accomplished.





:headbang:
rocknation

[Spiffarino]

56. All I can say is...

...go for it, assholes.

[ncteechur]

59. Kerry need the clean suit..

to wade throught all the bulls**t spewed by the Bush. Perhaps we can show the pictures of Bush with his bicycle injuries.

[GaryL]

63. Lester is a GOP shill.

'nuff said.

[BattyDem]

65. Let's see ...

the economy sucks and people can't afford to pay their bills; we can't afford healthcare; we can't afford college tuition; we got suckered into an unnecessary (and very expensive) war in Iraq and now we're stuck there; our friends and allies hate us; our foreign policy has succeeded in creating even more terrorists; our civil liberties are being eliminated one by one; the separation of church and state is being completely eroded; civil rights that were won after long, difficult struggles are being rolled back; our environment is being destroyed; we are on the verge of an all-out dictatorship ...

but I won't vote for John Kerry because he looks stupid in a sterile suit! :eyes:

Actually, I think this is a good sign. They've got nothing, folks. Nada. Zip. So they're focusing on all the petty, childish stuff like "shove it" and Kerry looking silly. They are "misunderestimating" how fed up the American people truly are. Who would you rather have for President: A guy who looks silly in a sterile suit, or a guy who looks silly without one?

[TankLV]

68. AWOL bush* vs.Kerry's 3 PURPLE HEARTS.

nuff said.

Where was bunkerboy? Where are bunkerboy's medals.

Oh, right, he doesn't have any because he was AWOL!

They say he wasn't? THEN PROVE IT!

[GoldenOldie]

70. Show film of NASA workers wearing same gear

It's a requirement to keep foreign objects from the rocket equipment. Show workers in sites manufacturing arms and rockets wearing gear to protect contamination of equipment. Show medical personnel and family members and vistors entering contaminiated or quaranteen areas wearing protection gear. Show politicians entering areas that require hard hats because it's a requirement of EPA.

Dukakis wore a helmit because he entered a tank that consisted of close quarters and the danger of hitting the head was obvious. Kerry wore gear required to enter an area that had to be secured from foreign objects. The media spun both cases to fill in their unobjective and uniformed spin for the day.

The Dems now have the opportunity to show how thinks are in the real world.

[bpilgrim]

69. ------------------------------------------- Bush Images

BUSH IMAGES

it'll keep ya busy all night ;->

peace

[pinniped]

74. KTVU evening news did a story about the repuke war room...

in Boston. The asshole repuke was showing the reporter all the sleaze the jerks are generating. A picture of John Kerry in that NASA outfit was on the wall with tank commander Dukakis right below it.

The first thought that came to mind was asshole * in the flight outfit that the asshole doesn't deserve to wear.

[moondust]

75. GOP ridiculed tank drivers.

That's how one looks when one drives or rides in a tank.

Let the bastard chickenhawks man those fucking tanks themselves!

[tabasco]

76. Mr. "Let's Go To Mars" Bush

never visited the space facility in Houston the entire time he was governor of Texas. It's nice to see a leader that actually shows some real interest in the space program, and isn't too lazy to do an on-site tour. Bush is a lazy twit who isn't fit to shine John Kerry's shoes.

[Barkley]

77. So who's playing the part of "Willie Horton"? - nt

[PATRICK]

79. As Bush sails over the handlebars...

Better stay off that road fellas. Free ride or no free ride, Bush still bleeds more freely than Kerry in this campaign.

Besides, since Kerry is not making a fool of himself but Junior is, this is a stupid hope and bound to backfire against the mannered optimism of the Democratic Convention. They also are admitting that Kerry is thus far ahead of Bush, by strong implication.

The best they can do is their worst! What a GOP fiasco.

[tom_paine]

81. AP is a corrupted Bushevik organization, like most of Imperial Pravda

The rwetched remnants of the Free Press in Imperial Amerika could all meet together in a small intimate cabaret, there are so few untainted "real jounralists" left.