Democrats Need To Respond To Rove's Latest Empty Spin

[JABBS]

JABBS doesn't often link to opinion pieces -- better to let the facts speak for themselves -- but readers should take a close look at the Jan. 29 piece in the Los Angeles Times, from New Republic Senior Editor Jonathan Chait, about the latest empty conservative spin offered by White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove.

"Republicans have a post-9/11 view of the world and Democrats have a pre-9/11 view of the world," asserted Rove in a Jan. 20 speech.

Chait suggests this will be the "main GOP theme for the 2006 elections." Any Democrat running for re-election this fall, or planning a presidential run in 2008, needs to understand the arsenal Rove and his minions will use, and respond accordingly.

The defense Chait provides is a good place to start.

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This item first appeared at JABBS

[meow2u3]

1. Very easy to reframe that Rove spin

Democrats have a pro-democracy mentality. Repunks have a pro-dictatorship mentality.

[firefox]

Repukes have a pro-Empire mentality and Dems have a ??????

The Repukes want to continue the greatest failure of the twentieth century with the policy of prohibition and the Dems want ???????

[Canuckistanian]

3. That's good

Might be a little too extreme for the six-pack crowd, though.

How about pro-Constitution? Pro checks and balances?

I think that would resonate more.

[Canuckistanian]

2. They're really saturating with this meme

Pre-9/11, post-9/11.

There was even a poster today mentioning about a poll asking if Dems were using pre or post 9/11 thinking.

[BOSSHOG]

4. Was 9/11 that important?

In the scheme of American History?? WWII, D-Day, Pearl Harbor, The Civil War, Kennedy Assasination, Man on the Moon, The American Revolution, and on and on and on. Does 9/11 make the top twenty in important events in our countries history? I think not. However, its all rove and his kind have and they are blessed with an ignorant, fearful base. I do not live in the post-9/11 world republicans have made up.

[JABBS]

9. I think you're mistaken

I would suggest 9/11 ranks at or near the top, just because it marks a point in time when the U.S. was no longer safe because of the oceans surrounding it. I'm not trying to make a political statement, mind you -- just a historical one.

Just off the top of my head, I would rank them:

1) Declaration of Independence/Revolutionary War
2) Civil War/Freeing the Slaves
3) 9/11
4) Dropping the Atomic Bombs on Japan
5) D-Day/Ending WWII/Marshall Plan
6) Westward Expansion/Louisiana Purchase
7) Women earning right to vote
8) Development of the automobile
9) Development of the telephone
10) Watergate

[BOSSHOG]

10. The Oceans surrounding us

did not make us safe from a Cold War Threat. I recall back in the sixties in elementary school doing drills where we had to hide under our desks in case of attack. Nuclear weapons launched from far away could hit our country 50 years ago. The oceans did not protect us. I'm not talking politics either, however between your list and mine and other events we could name I can't find a place in the top twenty for 9/11 relative to importance to our country. "They" are politicizing only because they can.

[TygrBright]

5. Something about...

...."Republicans have a fear-based view of the world, Democrats have a strength-based view."

What, after all, is the willingness to torpedo civil liberties, the economy, civil society, etc., to 'protect ourselves from tera', if not fear?

What is willingness to invest in the economy, to protect civil liberties, and to build a strong civil society if not strength?

helpfully,
Bright

[QC]

6. Republicans have a pre-1776 view of the world.

They favor an absolute monarchy headed by a King George.

[JABBS]

7. Their motto should be:

"Vote For Us, Or Die!"

Sort of like when Cheney in the 2004 campaign suggested that voting for Kerry would increase the chances of an Al Qaeda or nuclear strike against the U.S.

[democrat_patriot]

8. Rove has been saying that for years. Especially last election.

They aren't dumb, they know what 'fear' cards to play.

[Loge23]

11. Is this the pre-indictment Rove?

I suppose it is. I wonder what the post-indictment Rove will try to sell, other than cigarettes and gum.

[applegrove]

12. So if your view of the world did change after 9/11 - you have to vote Rep?

Yeah right. Now I know how to vote. :sarcasm: Thanks Kaa!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

13. 911911911911911911911 terrorterrorterrorterror 911911911

[Dr Fate]

14. Won't people who take polls get mad at us or somthing?

Wont the media be mean to us if we do that? Polls show that swing-voters dont like it when we stand up for ourselves, or somthing.

Maybe we should try being nice to him.