Bob Shrum Helps Chris Matthews Peddle Pro-Bush Talking Points

[Presstitutes]

http://www.presstitutes.com/presstitutes/2005/10/bob_shrum_helps.html

A couple of days ago we wrote that "one of the ways reporters intentionally or unintentionally support Bush is by repeating long-standing fictional narratives about him. One of the great strategic failures of Democrats is not to appreciate the power of this kind of repetition by the traditional media. "Flip-flop" didn't get attached to John Kerry because Republicans called Kerry a flip-flopper. It was the insidious insertion of the meme into the national bloodstream by 'legitimate' reporters (otherwise known as Pre$$titutes), whose relationship of trust with the public allows them to shape views more readily than partisans like Fox, etc. If Pre$$titutes didn't reinforce rightwing talking points, those talking points would be far less ubiquitous."

As if to prove our point about Democrats not getting it, Bob Shrum appeared on Hardball (10/26) and engaged in this exchange with Chris Matthews... MATTHEWS: Bush is capable of "such grand, grand moments." SHRUM (agreeing): Bush led the nation "in such a brilliant way" after the 9/11 attacks.

You might ask yourself why a senior Democratic strategist would repeat a fictional narrative designed to bolster Bush's image. One answer is that many establishment Democrats - amazingly - don't understand the centrality of Pre$$titute-driven storylines when it comes to shaping favorable impressions of Bush. If they did, they wouldn't glibly parrot those storylines.

And speaking of Democrats being chronically incapable of understanding the new communications landscape, read Arianna Huffington's latest: "With Plamegate dominating the day, the table is set for the Democratic Party to seize the moment. The scandal has reignited a national debate about the White House lies and deceptions that led us to war in Iraq, public support for the president’s handling of the war has hit an all-time low, and the 2,000th soldier killed in action has put the human cost of the war back on page one. So how have the Democrats reacted? You be the grand jury (Warning: have some Xanax or other suitable anti-depressant handy)..."

[Birthmark]

1. I doubt any amount of spin...

...will save Bush and Co. from the Grand Jury. It's a complete waste of time. This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process. They'd better come to grips with that fact real fast. Of course, I'll also be pleased if they don't! :evilgrin:

[Gabi Hayes]

2. I turned it off the moment I heard Shrum say that BS about *'s leadershit

why to they feel they have to DO that?

to seem nonpartisan, or what?

did pugs EVER say anything positive about WJC....ANYthing?

and to sit there, and NOT contravene the LIES being spewed by their counterparts, and to be apparently ignorant about the addendum to the Senate Intel Committee's report, AFA Wilson's Niger trip is beyond pathetic

bleeaaahhhh

[Jim Sagle]

3. Bob Shrum is a Republican mole. He's lost 8 straight Presdential

elections for the Dems, so he's just doing what he's paid to do.

Tweety likes to have him on: it cements the meme of Democrats as losers. That's also why Shrum likes to BE on.

[charlie]

4. Of course Shrum is anxious to agree

the Shrubbery was "brilliant". Inflating Bush into a formidable pol gets him off the hook for his 8th lost presidential race. The Kerry campaign paid him $5 million for the privelege of adding to his unbroken streak.

[JJackFlash]

5. Yep, it's awfully disheartening

How despicably spineless the Dems appear. Our "best and brightest" just met in LA and came up with the slogan, “America Can Do Better” ... oh, brother. They could have asked us at DU to come up with a better slogan than that. Bob Shrum PLEASE GO AWAY! DNC, for the love of God, STOP PAYING BOB SHRUM!!
At least we're rid of those worthless invertebrates Gephardt and Daschle.
Bartcop has been railing against our pink-tutu "leadership" for years.
http://www.bartcop.com/

I'm perfectly willing to play realpolitik and understand that sometimes it's necessary to move to the middle, but the party leadership just doesn't get it, that they don't have to repeat konservative talking points - they need to show and articulate real convictions. The last several years the only things they've shown they're good at are avoiding offending the fascist republikans, rolling over for Dear Leader, and losing elections.
Sadly, Arianna's last line put it very well: When it comes to having an opposition party willing to actually be in opposition, “America Can Do Better”.

[chaz4jazz]

6. Bob Schrum was Bush speechifier

He worked for Bush writing speeches including the 9/11 speech. ANother cool aid server/

[charlie]

7. That was David Frum

Shrum's a worthless shit, but he's a Democratic worthless shit.