If Republicans fight dirty, liberals should, too

[Robbien]

I saw something very clever in an online news brief last December. The GOP released a "White Flag" campaign: a series of Web advertisements featuring Democratic leaders speaking against the Iraq war while a giant white flag waved in the foreground. The goal was, obviously, to paint liberals as surrendering cowards who are demeaning the integrity and morale of our boys overseas. The symbolism is clear, the imagery is distinct and the take-home message is full of strong, red-blooded American values. Quite frankly, in terms of form, it's brilliant.

Never mind all of the subtle truths that might make the ad blatantly wrong, immoral or bordering on libel. The campaign demonstrates the dirtiest of political bickering and the most inane of the finger-pointing wars, but in the end, the ultimate message is this: it's strong, it's convincing and it works.

Liberals can go one of two ways in this situation. They can go about it he usual way, by pointing out the mistruths and holding countering press conferences and re-aligning their stance and tweaking the numbers a little more. New York Times columnists will lament the fallacies of the Republican Party and hash through the laundry list of anti-war arguments once again. Left-of-center political commentators will feel bad for the Democrats, and the rest of the world will collectively roll their eyes at us.

Alternatively, Democrats can come back with something just as brazen, gritty, wrong and powerful as the "White Flag" campaign. A fight isn't really a fight unless each side is armed with some equality, and its time for liberals to beef up. Even in the high political circles of Washington D.C., the inner city proverb holds true: Never bring a stick to a knife fight, and never bring a knife to a gunfight.

more:
http://www.jhunewsletter.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/05/05/445bb664d751e

[Redstone]

1. It doesn't have to be "brazen, gritty, WRONG, and powerful."

We can leave the "wrong" out of it and just tell the truth. And not be ashamed to.

I know I'm not.

Redstone

[LiberalPartisan]

2. I'm all in favor of

bringing 'a gun to a knife fight'.

[NightOwwl]

3. They are just now figuring this out?

Kerry could have won in a landslide if he had used the Pet Goat video during his campaign. (Sorry, I know that is over and done with, but I still get riled up whenever I hear Bush getting credit for being a strong leader.) You know Rove would have done it if the shoe were on the other foot.

[MrModerate]

4. You're really just talking imagery and effective commercials . . .

The truth doesn't prevent you from producing compelling spots. TIMIDITY and an overdependence on triangulation prevent you from crafting a compelling message.

How about a collage of car bombs in Baghdad, gasping sea lions, shots of gas prices going up and up and up, and regular people being dragged off the street by jackbooted thugs and tossed in paddywagons.

We already have all the ammo we need: 6 year of Bush and 12 years of a 'Lican congress. All we have to do is put the ammo in the guns.

[Paranoid Pessimist]

11. Right you are. That's how Clinton won.

They should go back and watch "The War Room" again.

[texastoast]

5. You bet they should

or the pukes will Swift Boat every time.

We should take a lesson from Kerry--you can't have manners with these people.

They are nothing but a bunch of playground bullies. I'm not the least intimidated. Though it would be best if everyone could act like grownups, we have to go to their level. And wash well when we leave it.

[Robbie Michaels]

6. That's why I'm an Independent

I hated how the DNC let these punks bully them. The only way you beat a bully is to stand up to them. Just like on the playground.

[Robbien]

7. The DNC is so scared of the GOP media machine

it does nothing.

It keeps me wondering if they really want to win.

[Robbie Michaels]

9. I know why I'm frustrated

I used to play hockey in one of those midnight "beer leagues" and if anyone pushed me around, I'd drop the gloves and take care of business. Why the DNC doesn't, I'd like to know.

[mac56]

8. True dat.

I'm waiting for the first pink tutu wearer to tell us "we shouldn't become the thing we hate". Snarf.

[depakid]

10. A white flag campaign?

LOL.

I guess if the shoe fits.

[cyr330]

12. Forget about it

It's not going to happen. Too many Dems are like Hillary Clinton, trying to be "Republican Lite." I don't know who they're trying to cater to-- no Republican will ever vote for any Dem, and they're alienating they're true base. . .