DUer's, I need your help fighting back on this one!

[Joe Fields]

Whether Al Gore runs for president, or doesn't, we cannot allow the "swift boating" of a decent man and possibly the only person with an opportunity and desire to undo the mess that has been created by the Bush administration.

And whether you support Al Gore, or prefer another potential choice for Democratic nominee for President, in the interest of all that is fair and just, I ask your attention, and to take a few moments of your time to stand with me and not sit idly by, while the media scurrilously attacks Senator Gore.

It appears that the media, and a few talking heads are already trying to torpedo Sen. Gor's chances, before he even steps foot into the water. The "swift boating" has begun.

As Media Matters for America noted yesterday, on "Scarbrough Country," in an exchange between Joe Scarbrough and Chris Matthews, the "Hardball" host suggested that Al Gore had some "psychological problems" and "grew a beard and got wierd," after the 2000 elections.

Here is a sample from "Scarbrough Country."

From the May 4 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country:

SCARBOROUGH: And Al Gore actually started attacking George W. Bush before most of the Democratic Party establishment did, right?

MATTHEWS: Well, freedom is just another word for nothing else to lose, right?



MATTHEWS: You know it's true. I think the problem with Al Gore is, for whatever psychological reason, he took that loss as a personal rejection. Even though he defeated George Bush in the popular vote, he took it as some real failure, and he went off and grew that beard and got weird, and I think that really hurt him in his chance of coming back in 2004. I think if he had stayed in the action, given speeches, toured the country as a guy that did really well, who got more votes than George W. Bush, and acted like the most popular kid on campus, which he was, instead of acting like a man who'd been marooned, or cast away, or banished. I think that was a psychological problem he had. I wish he had some brothers or friends who would have gone up to him and said, "Al Gore, you just got more votes than anybody else ever got for president. You got more votes than the next president. Act like you're proud. Be a good American. Smile, and you can come back again someday."

Guys and gals, if Sen. Gore does decide to run, you can bet that the media has just handed over to the Republicans the despicable "talking points" that they will use to hammer home to the public that Al Gore was, and may still be an unstable person, not to be trusted. I can see this type of attack gaining momentum, and I ask your indulgence.

Please, let's band together and start an e-mail campaign to ANYONE in the media who uses these provocative talking points. I would really like to see us band together on this.

Here are the links below, to voice your concern, displeasure, disgust with this type of irresponsible political commentary.

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]


Thanks for your support, and kick it, if you would.

[helderheid]

1. recommended

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. I just love Chris on the days when his medications sorta went

up in smoke as it were..... there should be a sign on his desk while he bloviates his prejudiced "news" program. "Open mouth, insert feet."

[Joe Fields]

4. Guys like Matthews, Scarbrough, John McLaughlin, et al, .....

they all view politics as a game. These are extremely dangerous times we are living in. We have seriously insane people running this country right into the ground. Much is at stake here, and I highly resent media types viewing what is going on as "fun and games." Their "commentary," if you can call it that, are, I believe, not their personal views as Washington veterans and insiders, but are strictly designed to achieve and maintain ratings. I'm sick of it. I wonder if they realize the impact and damage they do to our democracy. If they do, then they have certainly displayed to the public that they simply don't give a damn.

[IndyOp]

9. Joe - This reply of yours that I am reponding too --

Kicks ass! Send it to them, if you haven't already!

:kick: :kick:

[Joe Fields]

10. I've sent my letters already, and warned that they can expect...

an avalanche of mail, if they don't put a stop to this type of irresponsible commentary.

[acmejack]

16. Joe, it is much more involved than that, it is designed to an end alright

We are talking about marketing psychology here, ratings are of interest for profits of course. But-and this is huge-they are interested in establishing the playing field for the electoral contests in the coming days, the people generating these points have a very specific strategy and they know precisely the harm they do to potential contenders images.

They have floated the idea that Mr Gore is an unbalanced loser with personality issues defining him before he can define himself. The GOP machine is nothing if not masterful at advertising and marketing. They understand the psychology of selling.

[Joe Fields]

17. Hammer, meet nail!

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. "psychological problems"? "wierd"? Hah. Look who's....

talking.

Ahhh.... projection.

However: the exchange is a good window into the mindset of the punditry ( and for this we should be grateful) which.... for some reason I've never fully understood... detests Gore like no other.

Also suggests that they are more frightened of Gore as nominee, at this point anyway, than any other.

[Joe Fields]

6. I would love to see this stopped, before it grows legs.

[IndyOp]

11. They are terrified of Gore as a nominee -

He knows too much. He knows where the corruption is and he has the guts to deal with it.

I cannot think of any more brave person in this nation today than Gore - I am just in awe of him when I think back to how hard, and how alone, he fought for OUR victory in 2000. And I had no idea what was going on... :cry:

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[bobbieinok]

23. after 2000 election it was said that media people hated Gore b/c

it was obvious he is smarter than they are. W is/was OK b/c media people could feel superior and that they rather than the candidate were in control.

(I think some media people admitted that many felt uneasy with Gore b/c it was so obvious he is so smart.)

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

5. K & R. nt.

[LA lady]

7. Some bad photos

Unfortunately the media took some pictures which emphasized his greif and anger over having the Presidency stolen and those show up FAR too often.

[IndyOp]

8. Re: Stop character assassination of Al Gore. You are lousy mind-readers.

You are fired.

On MSNBC's "Scarbrough Country" an exchange between Joe Scarbrough and Chris Matthews included the following: Al Gore, after the 2000 election, "grew that beard and got weird." You said that feeling like a "failure" was a "psychological problem he had." I think your comments are offensive.

I am very, very disappointed with your recent commentary about Al Gore - disappointed as I often am when you provide "analysis" of current events and when you purport to "speak for the American people".

You do not speak for me and your "analysis" of Al Gore's psyche is an insult to Senator Gore and to everyone in this nation.

I am angered by the role that political pundits such as yourselves are playing in our nation. You have no right, with your biased "analyses", to influence who the next candidates will be.

Your shows do a disservice to this nation. You are fired. Cancel your programs. Go back to reporting the news.

IndyOp

[Joe Fields]

13. Awesome! Thanks, Indy

[Jade Fox]

12. Thanks. Very observant....

of you. I think you're right on the money. Since Gore has such a clean past, they are forced to use another swift-boating technique: questioning his stability.

Thanks for the links. Matthews is gonna hear from me right now.

[bobbieinok]

22. attacks on Gore

Some DUers may not remember that in the 88 democratic presidential primaries Gore was THE conservative candidate. His wife Tipper also had 'good conservative' credentials b/c of her attempt to label record albums on the basis of the lyrics.

So I really wondered how Gore would be demonized by the right in 92 when he was veep candidate. It took a while, but by late August/early September I was hearing from my students at a conservative christian college that their preachers/churches/radio minsiters were saying Gore was a 'pagan Gaia worshipper.' Why? you probably wonder. To them it was very clear: Gore wrote a book about protecting the environment; therefore, he was clearly unchristian and a goddess earth worshipper. This was especially weird b/c both Gore and Clinton were raised in SoBapt churches; they and Carter were the only presidential candidates ever who knew from childhood what 'born again' means. So these 3 have been the most villified by the christofascists..... who praised Reagan (who was divorced and, I heard, rarely if ever attended church).

[Joe Fields]

35. Their's is a "win at all costs" strategy.

They have no ideology. Whatever suits them at the time, and then they descend like a pack of wolves, with very short and convenient memories. Much like how Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz armed Hussein years ago to fight Iran, and then want to invade Iraq because of "weapons of mass destruction."

[immoderate]

14. Joe, I send Matthews notes frequently...

...pointing out what a fucking idiot he is. (Politely though.) I've never had any acknowledgment. I will continue to do this and am glad to know others are doing the same. I sent several taking him to task for criticizing Gore's pant, etc. Will do on this one.

--IMM

[rainy]

15. Here's my letter to Joe and Chris, just changed the names

Chris,
How dare you dis Al Gore. If Gore decides to run again he could be the great knight hope we all need. He is brilliant but now ever so wise to the mechanisms of our present corporate/government system. It should be evident to all who are paying attention that Corporations own our country and all laws made favor them and to hell with the little guy. Gore is our only hope out of the status quo. He will lead us to a brighter future of hope for the planet and all of its inhabitants.

You should be ashamed at how you play their game and spew out such nonsense that Gore is mental. You should be so lucky to be half the person he is. You couldn’t carry his water, yet, you would tell the world he is mental. How do you sleep at night when you see the fall of our great nation and you do nothing to save it?

Please do some reading so you can be as smart as Al Gore and then maybe you’ll give a damn about this world and its future.

Al Gore is a great man and he should lead us to a better world where we are not fight and dying for the natural resources of other nations.

I wish people like you would stop choosing our leaders for us. Just look what your allowing the swift boating of Kerry has done for us. When you see lies you should point them out. You are a coward because you would keep your cushy job while people die because you will not seek the truth. You really are hurting America, as John would say.

War is a racket, just ask someone who’s been there. Smedley Buttler comes to mind.

Sharon Bivens
Vriginia Beach VA

[Joe Fields]

18. Great letter, rainy.

[calmblueocean]

19. Talking about it plays right into their hands. STOP IT!

Haven't we learned yet that it's setting the topic of discussion that counts, not who wins it? Every time you speak up and say "Candidate X doesn't have psychological problems!" or "Candidate Y isn't too liberal to be president!" you help them move the ball down the field.

You want to help Gore? Start writing about Bush's psychological problems. Write about Republican corruption. Write about how the South hates Giuliani or how McCain is selling out to the Religious Right.

That's how you win this game. By making others talk about what you want to talk about.

Quit swallowing the bait!

[hfojvt]

20. I think Tweety is right.

If Gore had only done something like host the season opening SNL and given policy speeches through/with moveon.org then the MSM would have forgotten all about 9/11 and would have ended their war on Gore to annoint him as the #1 contender in 2004. If only he had, he coulda been somebody. He coulda been a contenda.
http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh041906.shtml

[Joe Fields]

21. LOL

[Random_Australian]

24. You say kick, I kick. Have an R too.

[Canuckistanian]

25. My letter to tweety

Gore "Grew a beard and got weird"??

Chris,

Maybe growing a beard in your world equates to some kind of mental imbalance. I'll spare you the lecture on great men throughout history who wore beards and managed to become great despite this debilitating handicap.

And maybe a man who deeply cares about the destructive way we've been treating this world of ours is some kind of a nutcase to you.The environment is an issue that over 70% of the American people think needs more attention. The rest of the world's governments have accepted Global Warming as fact and are taking steps to avert the serious consequences of doing absolutely nothing. Not so with this current President.

Senator Gore has been serving the people since 1976 as a Representative of the House, a Senator from 1984 to 1993 and as Vice-President for two full terms.

He is currently a founding member and President of the television channel Current, serves on the board of Apple computer and is an advisor to Google.

Now, does this sound like a man with a"psychological problem"?

Of course the loss of the presidency was a disappointment to him. Indeed, the jury is still out as to whether he actually lost the election in a fair process and that's got to hurt a little.

So, Chris, unless you actually have some facts at hand that prove beyond a doubt that Al Gore is some kind of raving loonie, I think you owe him and your viewers an apology.

Canuckistanian

[Peggy Day]

27. your letter is better than mine I'm kinda new at this nt

[Canuckistanian]

34. Thanks, I do get inspired sometimes.

This is too far, even for Tweety. This was a nationally syndicated lynching and I had to say something.

Welcome to DU and keep sending those emails, they do listen.

Although doing something about it is another matter.

:hi:

[Joe Fields]

30. Excellent letter, Canuck....

Beautiful way with words.

[Canuckistanian]

33. Thanks

Actually, thanks alot. I had the email all composed and sent, but it didn't send properly. I saw your messgae and realized that it was still in my "compose" box".

It's sent now.

[Peggy Day]

26. Do they even care?

This is what I emailed. What do you think? Is it too impolite or unprofessional? Sometimes I just don't care anymore.



Recently you spoke of Al Gore in a demeaning manner. Al Gore has more class in his little fingernail than the whole of Republican "elected" Representatives. The only one that "got weird" is our current "president". Bush is speaking of WW III, and you think Gore has problems? Your show just parrots the rest of the corporate media daily spin. I don't know why I even email you.

Al Gore won, (if the votes were to be counted properly) and responded appropriately after no one would stand up against the powers that be, and didn't fight it. He should have-we would have been 100 times better off. Hopefully Gore will run in 2008-we need him. He is smart and not corrupt. He probably wouldn't win with these unauditable voting machines that keep "miraculously" electing Republicans.

By the way, I thought Republicans stood for less government interference, conservative money handling, and strict laws? Why don't you talk about how the right wing has taken our country into the poorhouse? Interfering with our daily lives by spying on us-and probably their political enemies. The budget doesn't even include the war costs. What about that Embassy in Iraq that is bigger than the Vatican-no permanent bases? Meanwhile our soldiers are drinking tainted water, and not even eating 3 meals a day, being charged for hospitalizations not to even mention their lack of body armor and the closing of VA hospitals while Halliburton et al are getting rich. Isn't that pipeline complete yet? Support our troops-no problem just put a made in China support our troops bumper sticker on your SUV, and that takes care of that.

The congress might as well hold picnics instead of passing laws-Bush writes his signing statements that say he is King. Where are you? Aren't you doing journalism?

There are so many things that are wrong these days, I can't even keep up with all the evils of this administration. Every day it just gets worse and worse. This isn't even discussing the moral fiber of the current administration. It's disgusting that they use religion like this. Just ask, who ISN'T a criminal in this administration?

I want my country back. You know the great one that cares about people. Why don't you help instead of hinder?

[faithnotgreed]

28. peggy day - whatever is in your heart to say

is a great thing

thanks for writing and sending what you feel
and i think its good that you included how "weird" (to use matthews term) bush and congress are

take good care and keep on fighting

[Peggy Day]

29. Thanks FaithNotGreed

[Joe Fields]

31. Great letter, Peggy, and thank you.

[Peggy Day]

32. Sounds pretty angry though-I am angry

I always wanted to be independant in my old age. It feels like I'm being robbed of that-even before I'm old. But thanks for reading it. I don't really exprsss my appreciation for this site, but I really am glad that I can leave a comment, and someone may read it.

Side issue:

I love horse races. If you didn't get to watch the Kentucky Derby (I try to watch every year).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB9_HKBZ7SQ&search=kentucky%20derby

hope that it works, because it is great-I love great things!!!!
www.youtube.com it is great!!!!