Did the Dems outfox the media and Repubs last nite?

[Armstead]

I must admit I was filled with trepidation before last nite that this would be a V-Chip Convention. With all the talk about a "positive" message, no Bush-bashing, etc. it looked like it was going to be an "issue free zone" with a bunch of nice DLCers saying innocuous crap.

But last nite, was like the One-Two punch delivered out of the blue. Al Gore was gracious but pointed about 2000. Jimmy Carter took the Farenheit 9-11 message and put it in a credible package. And Bill Clinton delivered the knock-out blow. Clinton spelled it all out in a way that any "swing voter" with half a brain would have to rethink the Bush years.

I don't know if it was deliberate or just a happy accident. But either way, they caught all those moronic pundits with their pants down. "What? I thought they promised there'd be no Bush bashing."

If the Kerry campaign continues to play it this way, there might be hope of ousting Bush big time.

[DenverDem]

1. No accident.

We plan to win in November.

[Walt Starr]

2. I think they did

I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised out how well the leadership has approached this thing.

I think the RNC is going to end up looking amateurish in comparison.

[jpgray]

3. We managed to get in digs without looking petty

We're lucky in having talent like Gore, Carter and Clinton to bring out--the other side has nothing comparable.

[Beam Me Up]

19. Not TOO difficult when you're running against THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER

The TRICK is OUT SMARTING THE INTENTIONAL MEDIA BIAS. I no longer watch TV -- even for this convention -- but from what I've read here and the transcript of the speeches, it looks to me like the Democrats really have their shit together for this one. This was NO ACCIDENT. THANK HEAVENS!!

Edit to add: Actually THANK YOU DEMOCRATS for working tirelessly to rescue this nation from a headlong drive to fascism. I swear, politically this has been THE WORST four years of my life--and given I've lived through Nixon and Regan and Bush1, that is saying something!

[cthrumatrix]

4. you can tell BTW the right wing media is "searching" for a comeback

the "shove it" line is old...

[vi5]

5. I posted more or less the same thing (you phrased it better)...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=586946&mesg_id=586946

Your thoughts were my own. The thing that shocked me is that all the news and pundits today (even right wing ones like sullivan) were praising the positive message and continue to say there was no bush bashing. Like I mentioned in my post, I think that once the media gets on a roll repeating something, it becomes impossible for them to deviate from that too quickly. It's like a 10 ton truck of stupidity barrelling down a highway. It can't turn or brake too quickly without destroying itself and everything in it's path.

[Arugula Latte]

13. or like the Titanic.

They tried to turn the ship, but it wasn't quite enough.

[Renew Deal]

6. I was wondering the same thing.

They were not really holding back last night.

[KurtNYC]

7. And nice wedge issue introduced last night will go centerstage

tonight.

We got us some Reagans and a wedge issue that will peel righties off of Bush like paint off a barn. Can't wait for the attempts to spin tonight's show.

[blm]

8. Kerry's been suckering them for months now.

He's pointing out their LACK of credibility.

First he had Drudge saying Hillary was the VP.

Then he had the NYPost via MURDOCH, himself, announce that Gephardt was the VP choice.

He had the press thinking he was going to Florida when he planned an appearance at the Red Sox game, thereby the RNC had no time to counter ruin his appearance.

[readmylips]

9. That was quite an Ali Rope-a-dope....

Funny. I was out shopping and my republican hub called me to remind me that the convention was about to begin. I watched it in our bedroom alone. I kept sneaking back and forth into his study/library and caught him watching the convention. He hit the muted button when he saw me. Later, he commented, 'that Clinton is quite a speaker, can't take that away from him.' My hub prides himself as a public speaker, and he will not listen to bush speak on TV. He reads what's printed on the net.

Last night the Democrats did an Ali kick ass to all those nasty pundits. That guy Scarfaceboro was the worse. Larry king was an idiot, allowing that Mo jerk and bowstupid Carson to make a laughing stock of democracy. Ben (actor) was great and looked pissed at that jerk Mo. Sharpton, like always put bowstupid in his place. I don't know about the other channels, I'm sure they were also trashing democracy.

[democratreformed]

10. I was pleasantly surprised - even ecstatic!

I could hardly believe what I saw after reading all the "no Bush bashing" crap on here. Yes, I was definitely ecstatic to see all of them lay it out straight. Like I said, they didn't have to mention *his name for people to know who they were talking about. It was GREAT!

[FlaGranny]

12. What you saw last night

was NOT * bashing - it was the truth, as we've all been screaming it for nearly 4 years. No need for bashing. No need to mention names either. :D Wasn't it wonderful?

[democratreformed]

16. You're absolutely right.

And, yes, it was wonderful. I love it!

[maxpower]

11. They played it well

They never mentioned smirk by name. Brilliant. I hope they keep it up for the rest of the campaign.

[Selwynn]

14. No I think they did exactly what they said - no personal attacks of Bush,

and a positive, ISSUE ORIENTED night - that's exactly what it was. Keeping positve and staying issue oriented, NEVER MEANT not sayign why your take on the issues is better than someone else's take on the issues. But it also didn't feel like bullying or bashing.

Right not the Bush campaign come off like a bunch of bullies with no plan and nothing but ad hominem attacks. The Kerry campaign is brilliantly not doing that. :)

[DemBones DemBones]

15. No need to mention the name * again.

Just don't say *.

[AlCzervik]

17. I thought they planned it brilliantly

They know exactly what the country wants to hear and they delivered it. Can you actually imagine the GOP pulling that off? I can't think of one of their speakers that could give half as good as what we saw last night. I'm starting to believe that we are somewhat organized this election.

[Generic Other]

18. They undercut the inevitable rightwing whiners who would have said

"They have no message except their hatred of Bush."

[jeanmarc]

20. Yeah, but did any of those 'swing' voters watch?

The big 3 didn't televise last night's convention. Sons of bitcheds! :argh: