Another attack of the bullies: the Van Jones Story

[Nancy Waterman]

The latest attack of the bullies has led to the resignation of Van Jones. The idea behind the bullies' actions is to derail the Democrats or the White House with their attacks, whether death panels or killing grandma or Van Jones' petition signing, etc. Unfortunately, the Democrats always respond to the CONTENT of the attacks. "It is not a death panel." "We don't want to kill grandma." "Obama is only telling children to get an education." "We must fire the naughty Van Jones." What they should say is more like: "We are not going to be pulled into false claims and over-exaggerated attacks. We have work to do." Under no circumstances, should they repeat the words of the attack. It only strengthens it.

The Republican faux outrage, like that of all bullies, is really about PROCESS, about keeping the Dems off balance and on the defensive, unable to focus on their real goals. The Dems end up talking endlessly about the CONTENT, i.e. the false or exaggerated claims, and that is all that is talked about. Witness health care in August. All that talk about GOP drivel and no one has a clue, weeks later, what health care is about.

Instead, the Dems should define the PROCESS, not get defensive. "We are not going to be pulled into false claims and over- exaggerated attacks. We have work to do."

[flvegan]

1. The Dems are always on defense.

Frankly, I'm sick of it as it gets us nowhere.

[polichick]

2. Absolutely! nt

[ruggerson]

3. We must befriend the bullies

we must be bipartisan.

[Cleita]

4. You are right Nancy. It's time to stop playing defensive and

play offensive instead. I have gotten to where I won't argue RW talking points anymore when they are presented to me. I ignore them, change the conversation, and then get back to them in my way and my words in a way they least expect it. For instance health care. I get back to them with a question, "How do you want to be taken care of when you are about to die?" They answer. I keep questioning and we eventually get back to the point that Medicare is the best thing in health care in this country and why shouldn't we all have it? A few die hards have yelled at me about not answering their question and I tell them that they need to state it better for me to understand what they are getting at. Of course all their Rush/Bill/Sean/Glenn propaganda doesn't make sense to them at that point.

[Nancy Waterman]

5. Exactly right, Cleita

Playing defense doesn't work, but the GOP attacks make it hard to not get sucked in. The Dems shouldn't dignify the garbage that is thrown at them. Stay on point.