Just saw that "body-piercing latte drinkers" ad on CNN

[Zomby Woof]

And all I can say is :wtf:

What a piece of _____. :hurts: Plus, seeing Paula Zahn's ignorant smirk afterwards just made me :puke:.

Now, my opinions of Howard Dean are well-known. Also, I have warned more than once that he needs to prepare for this kind of ugliness from the criminal Bush-leaguers and their sympathizers, and this ad is a prime example.

Many Dean supporters argue that Dean has the money to counter this kind of dung, but I don't think money alone is going to save his butt. Since he has so much money, he better start spending it on some counterpunches, and spend it soon. Surely Dean, who has a vaunted staff and creative talent at the ready, can fight back. But how soon? To what effect?

I'd like to think most Americans, even the conservatives targeted in this ad, would have more sense than to fall for the crass ignorance celebrated in that ad, but alas, I am a cynical misanthrope who knows better. We have a populace more receptive to propaganda than ever. Blame the culture of fear, blame consumerism, blame Wal-Mart or your Aunt Fanny for all I know, but this ad may just solidify some negative perceptions about Dean that even I don't subscribe to, and you all know how pungent and direct some of those perceptions are.

Nonsense, you say? Think the ad will have no effect? Anyone remember Willie Horton in 1988? How about Harry and Louise and their derailment of the Clinton Health Plan in 1993? There are many more examples, going back decades and more, but those are the two that first came to mind, because they worked, and they too, were equally slimy, vile, and pernicious.

Folks, Dean supporters and non-Dean people alike, we have seen the first shot across the bow from the opposition. After all the hand-wringing we have done about in-fighting, this has been due for some time.

My opinions about Dean, my doubts about his qualifications for office, my questions about his potential to beat Bush, and my misgivings about his character and his platform remain intact.

But if you despised the ad as much as I did, you have my complete agreement and solidarity. It wasn't just anti-Dean, it was anti-American, and the worst kind of insidious propaganda.

Peace.

[Lobo_13]

1. I agree

And it may very well cause a whiplash against the Repubs. That commercial insults all of us.

What Club for Growth hasn't figure out yet is that Dems are waking up and beginning to fight back. There were some local interviews that were disgusted with it.

[Printer70]

19. I have to agree...this is a stupid ad

I can't even put it into words. It is so unprofessional and it cheapens political dialogue. It's not funny. It's not effective.

[chimpymustgo]

47. I DISAGREE. The ad is so stupid it's funny!

I'm no fan of Howard Dean, but if they want to play us vs. them - I'm on the latte drinking, Volvo driving, care about whether people have jobs and health care side.

I think the ad is hilarious - and actually helpful to Dean at this point in the race.

[Cha]

2. Thanks for that!

Dean should get a bunch of People up there countering that ad including body pierced, latte drinking punx!

[pacifictiger]

4. the ad is so out of touch

I really think it helps Dean. Its like tongue in cheek comic relief.

[KittyWampus]

12. That Was My Take Too!

It was so unbelievable it seemed like I was watching the Daily Show...

Steve Colbert couldn't get any more ridiculous.

[Carni]

16. That ad blew chunks-

Big ones! I agree something that lame will only HELP Dean!
How freaking stupid and corn poned can the bush supporters be?
(Forget it, lol don't answer that...)

[Eric J in MN]

27. Wouldn't you say that about the Willie Horton ad?

Wouldn't you say that about the Willie Horton ad?

No one would buy it?

Well, Dukakis lost.

Dean should respond directly to the ad ASAP.

[Carni]

31. Respond?

What should he do? Claim his followers only drink maxwell house without cream and sugar and dine at Arthur Treachers exclusively?

[Eric J in MN]

36. I started a new thread to highlight the proposed response I like best

I started a new thread to highlight the proposed response I like best:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=92701

[DoctorMyEyes]

3. I've seen it a dozen times

this week, on so-called *news* programs - but I found out on Judy Woodruffs show on CNN today that the organization sponsoring the ad has only paid $2,000 for ONE airing so far!

Talk about getting your freakin' money's worth!

[Carni]

18. They should have used old horse face Judy...

In the commercial! She would have fit right in!

[quaker bill]

5. It's expected

Every time some BS like this or the Osama ad is run, it is posted on the site and people donate more to combat it.

One of the better quotes today: "Volvo has only sold 250,000 cars in the US over the last two years. As Dean supporters number well over 500,000 they must either be driving old ones or something else"

The appearance of an ad like this suggests the repugs actually don't savor running against Dean.

[rumguy]

6. that ad was a travesty against all humanity - not to mention bigoted

as all get-out...

Imagine if we ran a similar ad about Bush and his "Texas roots" - fuck we'd be eviscerated by the media...

Yes, this is a new form of fascist garbage the pukes are handing out...

And I for one, say fuck 'em...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. I won't guarantee the election but I'll guarantee

counter-punching.

[librechik]

8. we should do an identical spot but one demanding that Bush take

his flag-wavin', environment-pollutin', job-exportin', cheap-foreign-labor-exploitin', tax-evadin', oil-burnin', Iraqi-killin', Constitution-shreddin', fear-mongering right wing freak show out of Washington and take it back to Texas where it came from.

[Zomby Woof]

10. or take it to the moon

Since he is so fixated on that lately.

[KaraokeKarlton]

20. LMAO

that was just plain hilarious. Good thing I put my "latte" down before reading that or I would have spit it all over the screen! :D

[Carni]

22. You forgot tabacco chewin

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

52. It's pronounced "terbacky"

and "chawin'". We must get our terminology right!

[Eric J in MN]

28. Great. I think you should drop the words

Great. I think you should drop the words "flag-wavin'" but otherwise you've got the ad.

Phone the Dean campaign.

[Shananigans]

9. I missed it...

What did this ad exactly say/imply?

[Zomby Woof]

14. Take all the dittohead Gingrichian stereotypes...

...and have a pair of "retirees" (acting school rejects who aren't fit to greet you at Wal-Mart) spew them in rapid-fire succession, as if they had bad gas while doing it.

The shitty thing is, lots of fascist middle Americans believe those stereotypes, and it further demonizes not just the Left, but just about everyone else who doesn't share their far-right views across the board. It's provincial and anti-intellectual...

Oh hell, it just sucks rotten filth from a vacuum cleaner bag full of maggots and toenails.

[dweller]

11. He should counter with radio spots...

Get Dennis to supply some charts...

:eyes:

dp

disclaimer: i didn't see the ad, but usually couldn't get a thread response even if drowning, so what the hell.

[KaraokeKarlton]

13. Is CNN also airing those Dean tapes from the Candian show?

Because frankly, anyone who sees both is going to take the ad for what it is...rank foolishness.

How will Dean counter these kinds of ads? He'll work his tail off talking to people and running his own ads that tell the truth. Once the primaries are behind us, you can expect a slew of ads that point out what's wrong with Bush and how Dean will be different.

Dean has weathered far, far worse than this, believe me. Anyone who doubts Dean's staying power should do some research on "Take Back Vermont"...a hate campaign run against Dean in 2000. If he beat that he can beat anything.

Bush is done for.

[Zomby Woof]

23. hey, I WANT to believe that

I want to believe people will see through the ad, as someone said above - as some kind of comic relief that can't be taken seriously.

I would welcome that.

But then I remember thinking the same thing about Harry and Louise 11 years ago. People WANTED the Clinton reform, or SOME kind of reform. Then after being bludgeoned with those clowns, the support wavered and fell.

Now, you say Dean has encountered far worse - but NOT on the national scale. I know it drives you nuts when people say "he only ran Vermont", but it is true - a national onslaught of crap like this is unprecedented in his career. That doesn't mean he can't fight it, but it remains unprecedented at this point.

I do think far worse ads, and less amateurish, slicker ones are to come.

Just wait. It will be a new world of hurt if he doesn't counter them quickly and effectively.

[KaraokeKarlton]

35. Well, the usual national Religious Right suspects did come to Vermont

It was seriously the ugliest thing I've ever witnessed in my life. Dean had to wear a bullet proof vest to campaign. He was spit on, called a "fag", "child molestor", got death threats, had his vehicle vandalized, got crank calls at home. You really have NO idea. You should really do some deep research on the "Take Back Vermont" vs Howard Dean race of 2000. You will gain a whole new respect for Howard Dean's endurance and determination. I'll see what I can find for you. Rove and Bush can't throw out anything worse than what Dean has already faced. And God help the GOP if they try to use Civil Unions to hurt Dean. He'll win that one easy and make them all look like petty assholes. No one can fight that fight like Dean. He's already had to fight it.

[Clark4Prez]

15. Response from the Dean Blog

There is a great response on the Blog for America:


Caricatures, Shmaricatures
You've heard about the new Club for Growth ad -- the one that calls you and the campaign you've built a

tax-hiking,
government-expanding,
latte-drinking,
sushi-eating,
Volvo-driving,
New York Times-reading,
body-piercing,
Hollywood-loving,
left-wing freak show
A lot of folks have commented in the threads that the campaign ought to respond to this ad -- and they're right. But we at HQ are not "the campaign" -- you're the campaign.

Many of you have responded by contributing to the bat. But can you respond in other ways? Can you use photos, audio, or video to make your statement?

I know it's always risky to ask for an on-topic thread here, but what's your response?

Post in the comments below, or email media files to [e-mail]. Be creative -- make a response ad, write an ad script, make a flyer, record a song.

Take their ridiculous ad and have some fun with it. Show that there's simply no way to pigeonhole or caricature the largest grassroots movement presidential politics has ever seen.

For instance, Volvo has only sold about 245,000 vehicles in the United States in the last two years. With more than 560,000 Dean supporters out there, we must be driving a lot of used Volvos (full disclosure: I drive a 1994 Chevy Corsica, borrowed from my brother).

Or what about those lattes? A report by the Christian Science Monitor (not the New York Times, mind you) notes that Michael Gerson, the president's speechwriter, does his writing in Starbucks. The words coming out of George Bush's mouth at any moment may have been written over a latte!

(Howard Dean's speechwriter and my next-desk neighbor at HQ, Joe Drymala, doesn't have time for lattes these days -- he decided to take off for Iowa this week to bang on doors and help get out the vote.)

And Hollywood-loving? Dean supporters love a good movie, to be sure (anything by Rob Reiner, chair of the California campaign, will do) but the Club for Growth's beloved Republican Party was the one that ran the Last Action Hero on its ticket last year.

We've known from day one that the corporate-backed special interests -- who represent a tiny minority of Americans -- would use their money to try to define us, because only be dividing and misrepresenting us can they defeat us.

With its clumsy stereotypes, the Club for Growth would have you believe that there is no common ground between an Iowa farmer and an urban dot-commer. But that's the miracle of this campaign -- it's based on the premise that we're all in this together.

Show the diversity of the coalition you've built. Show who you are. And have some fun, because really -- it's just hilarious that they're spending all their special interest money on this stuff

[Zomby Woof]

24. that is why it is insidious

It takes innocuous things that are non-ideological, and makes them part of the Evil Left. It reminds me of Rush or Newt.

It plays to the hatreds and fears of "simple Americans" with stereotypes of urban elites who read big-city "liberal" (ha!) papers like the NYT, or drink fancy coffee, who are out to tax them out of their shorts.

[Eric J in MN]

26. so Dean campaign won't respond,at least until they receive videos by mail?

Why doesn't the Dean campaign run a tv ad right away?

Just show Howard Dean talking saying that it's the Republicans who are overflowing with anger and who have the indecency to call their fellow Americans a "freak show."

[Clark4Prez]

37. Dean is running a smart campaign

And he has used the attack ad to raise more money and support.

Gosh, if we could just go back in time and trade Al Gore for Dr. Dean and we would be having our fourth term in the WH.

[snoochie]

38. Smart idea

The Dean campaign probably shouldn't respond directly, since IMO that would legitimize the tabloid nature of the ad. It was funded by an interest group, so similarly an interest group should respond.

Very good points in that -- we should really make sure every repug knows their President, incapable of speaking off the cuff, has his oh so persuasive speeches written by a 'latte drinking freak'. :)

I think the ad shows their desperation, and so it actually kind of pleases me.

I can't see how it can really be compared with Horton (actual issue there) or Harry and Louise (again, there's an issue addressed, however stupidly). This ad doesn't address a single issue, not one. Well, they kind of mention a 'tax hike', but I think Dean's softened his stance on that a bit. Either way the overblown nature of the verbage in the ad is revealing. The GOP is terrified, and they have good reason to be.

[stopbush]

17. I'd LOVE to see the Dean campaign do a "behind the scenes" parody

of that TV ad.

Show the film crew running around Iowa looking for people to interview that will say something bad about Dean. They can't find anyone, so they import a couple of Hollywood actors types to play the 2 seniors from Iowa. Show the cattle call in Hollywood - "Sorry, you don't look mid-western enough; sorry, you're a little too articulate; can you say it with just a little more contempt? It's Dean, D-E-A-N, Dean. Not, Dan! Got it? Good...you're hired."

Then they film it in a blue screen studio "don't worry, we'll add the Iowa background later. Hey, Joe. What's the weather like in Iowa this time of year anyway? Hey, get Steve on his cell phone (pres of the Club for Growth) and ask him if he's up for dinner at Lutece after we're done filming. And no, I'm not putting it on my expense account. I don't care if he's at his country club...I need to talk to him...NOW!"

Close the commercial with the two older type actors and the director of the commercial: "OK, that's a wrap. Who wants a latte?" and the words:

"Political commercials - You can't even believe them with your own eyes"

[snoochie]

39. Great idea!

Hope you sent that to the Dean campaign! :D

:thumbsup:

[Mike Niendorff]

21. An appeal to Republicans who hate their fellow Americans, nothing more.

And it's really ripe for a "rejoinder" ad that first points this ugly little subtext out and then attacks it directly.

For example:

-----

<fade in>

elderly woman: "I am an American."
middle aged farmer: "I am an American."
young skate-punk: "I am an American."
steelworker: "I am an American."
girl with guitar: "I am an American."

(... etc ...)

voice over : "This has been a friendly reminder to the Republican Party, from the other 98% of America."

<fade out>

-----

Or something like that, anyway :)


MDN

[Zomby Woof]

25. that's a damn good idea

You should promote it. WE are America, all of us, with so many backgrounds and interests.

[PBinOregon]

29. I Love This Idea

We need to say who we are, over and over again.

Great stuff, thanks for posting it. Hey--send it to the Dean campaign, what do you say?

[Mike Niendorff]

34. thanks :)

just sent it :)


MDN

[aquart]

42. I love that ad idea. Love it.

[lovedems]

30. Geez, bu$h doesn't need to spend a dime on political ads.

It appears CNN will take care of business for him. I gave up cable a long time ago. I resort to watching PBS and I love it. They strike me as a left leaning news group. Probably becasue they rely on contributions and aren't owned.

[Lisa0825]

32. Club for Growth Ad Revised

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/003045.html#more

You can watch the new version exclusively here. Windows Media Player required.

A spokesman was not available for comment.

Thanks to a great Generation Dean volunteer for the parody.

If you can't view the video file above, here's a transcript of the original ad attacking Howard Dean:
Announcer off-screen: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOWARD DEAN’S PLANS TO RAISE TAXES ON FAMILIES BY NINETEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR?

Husband: WHAT DO I THINK? WELL, I THINK HOWARD DEAN SHOULD TAKE HIS TAX HIKING, GOVERNMENT-EXPANDING, LATTE-DRINKING, SUSHI-eATING, VOLVO-DRIVING, NEW YORK TIMES-READING . . .

Wife: . . . BODY PIERCING, HOLLYWOOD-LOVING, LEFT-WING FREAK SHOW BACK TO VERMONT, WHERE IT BELONGS.

Husband: GOT IT?

Announcer: CLUB FOR GROWTH PAC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT OF THIS ADVERTISING.

And here's the transcript of a Generation Dean volunteer's parody:
Announcer off-screen: What do you think of Howard Dean's campaign that inspires and empowers people to take back their country?

Husband: What do I think? Well, I think Howard Dean has brilliant ideas for foreign policy, health care, the economy, education, civil rights, the environment, labor issues,...

Wife: ...National security, women's issues, agriculture and I'm going to caucus for him on January 19th.

Husband: Got it?

[snoochie]

33. I saw that on Bill Moyers NOW

I thought it was almost funny in it's glaring stupidity.

[Capn Sunshine]

40. WE screened that ad for like 25 people

on the West Coast, and the room erupted into guffaws and gales of laughter.

I think this may backfire Zomby. Besides, we have plenty of $ to run counter ads but it's not necessary to spend it in IA. Or NH.

In the General,we'd have a response ad up pointing straight at W and mocking his "uniter not divider" speech, so fast even your head would be spun. And that takes a LOT.:)

[KoKo]

41. But........who watches Paula Zahn.....who's even engaged with the

candidates at this point out there. I'm not trashing you for watching Paula.....but really who takes her seriously. If Democrats are watching her and thinking Dean is a Latte drinking lie-ber-al, who needs that kind of Dem? So, it's only the Repugs and they aren't going to vote Democratic anyway.

I think the commerical is a wash.

[ozone_man]

43. I think an attack like this will only strengthen Dean.

You don't have to be a Latte drinking, left wing, NYT reader to be insulted by this ad and many will feel pulled towards Dean now. Just like when he was attacked by the Osama ad. These two ads went way over the line. The strange thing is that they were put out by secretive organizations with no clear connections to campaigns, so they're hard to fight directly, but you know the connections exist at some level.

[billbuckhead]

44. Republicans like to kick the weak,they want Dean but can't help themselves

RepuKKKes are like animals that can't control themselves.

[TexasSissy]

45. I saw a clip of it a while back. I think it's a stupid ad that will only

appeal to the far right. And they're thinking those thoughts already. It's very different from the Willie Horton ad, which was specific and appealed to middle America (I, too, waited for a response that never came from Dukakis).

[the populist]

46. When I saw this ad...

I thought it was a Dean ad that mocked Bush's supporters.

When I found out that it was a Republican ad, I was shocked. I think this will hurt Bush's image.

It's a mean-spirited ad that is more patronizing to working class Americans than Dean's Confederate flag remark.

Thanks, Mr. President, for making America look like a nation of idiots

[Ramsey]

48. I agree in principle

But that particular ad is soooooooooo bad, so insulting to such a wide swath of people, I could easily see it backfiring. It's really quite embarrassing to those who made it.

However, there will be other, better ads and they will have an impact. One of the reasons I support Dean is that I don't think he will sit back and let this kind of shit percolate. However, this ad won't sway any Democratic primary voters, because it is totally insulting to them.

Dean may want to save his cash to counter lies coming out after he is the nominee, or in that presumptive period if he does well int he primaries by March.

Personally, I'd love to see a funny parody of this ad put out, but not by the Dean campaign. I think it is so over the top, a humorous response is the only one warranted.

[Zomby Woof]

53. I allowed for that

I think better produced, more professional ads will surface, and they will come directly from Bush or the GOP. This one was made by a group that has even criticized Bush for his deficit spending - they are anti-tax in ALL forms.

So Dean probably won't have to do too much to counter this, for I posted this in the immediate heat I felt after just seeing it.

Some people regret posting drunk - I make the mistake posting after watching CNN. :-) (and I was stone cold sober)

Still, we're smart people on here - WE see what an utter joke this ad is, but I adhere to the Menckian axiom about the American public on this and prepare myself for the worst.

Let us hope it does backfire, because fewer things are more satisfying than watching conservatives give themselves enough rope.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

49. I think Dems should run an ad with Robertson/Falwell blaming 9/11

on abortionists and with Roberston pronouncing God TOLD him.

Most Christians think these guys are nuts...give the Repubs a taste of their own medicine.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

50. I saw it for the first time last night

and it really, really got to me. The ad is about more than just attacking a single candidate, in my opinion. I felt like it was the opening shot in the war to establish the upcoming election as a war between the "red states" and the "blue states".

I knew that Bush was full of shit right off the bat when he campaigned as "a uniter not a divider" but this ad shows the extent to which that was untrue. You can't run as a "uniter" while demonizing half of the population. The last time I checked, Vermont was part of the United States, people with body piercings pay taxes, and people who drive Volvos and read the New York Times were entitled to the same protections under the constitution as everyone else. Apparently the "Club for Growth" doesn't see it that way.

This is going to be the most evil, dirtiest, most fucked up election ever in American history. It will make the 2000 election look positively dignified by comparison.

[rucky]

51. What if they were drinking Zomby Coffee?