Sigh -- Facts and Truth just aren't enough anymore...

[acroyear]

On the radio today, some commentator was saying how "weak" and "lightweight" the Democratic responces were, particularly because they didn't come from people of "Presidential Stature" compared to Bush (gee, maybe that's because those of Presidential Stature are either already in the campaign and can't give the speech because of election and legal issues, or because they ran for president in the past and are already seen as has-beens like Kennedy).

Well, I realized what is wrong. To that particular commentator's mind, the facts don't matter. The truth doesn't matter. Only emotional appeals matter. Negative campaigns and declarations can't be bothered with the truth; it'll only make it too complex. You can't be harsh against the President without pulling the "not patriotic, doesn't support the troops" label, so you try to just convince by facts and honesty, and then get labeled weak.

So what the hell can we do? Why the hell is this jackass in the White House so unassailable?

Truth is, we need a whip. We need someone willing to be harsh against Bush yet who is NOT a Presidential or Congressional candidate. The Democrats need a spokesperson willing to end their political career for a few years by being harsh against the President and sewing the seeds of distrust and distress, all the while taking the "you're not patriotic because you're saying Bush is Bad" heat so that the real candidates can ride the election without the problems of doing the negative campaign.

Comments

[thewhitedragon.livejournal.com]

maybe I'll run for some office. [grin] 'elf already said she'd be vice president. A government by the rennies and for the rennies!
bribery happily accepted

[dglenn.livejournal.com]

Hmm. A few times lately I've been reminded of the function of extremists in social movements, civil rights, etc.; how having some people shouting extreme views makes the moderate crusaders actually look moderate. Without the extremists, the moderates look like extremists because they define one end of the spectrum.

Now I feel foolish for not having seen -- until you pointed it out just now -- that the same applies within conventional mainstream politics such as a session of Congress, or a presidential election campaign.

We need somebody foaming at the mouth -- but somebody with inside-the-Beltway-cred -- to redefine the center by illustrating the extreme. Unfortunately most of the people willing to froth are already perceived as flakes. We need somebody who still has something to lose and is willing to put it on the line.

[thatliardiego.livejournal.com]

Having a "Whip" so to speak wouldn't help.

Like I commented in [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com]'s post, the GOP wants to put any Dem nominee in an unwinnable position. The only person who is "of presidential stature" is the president (Let's not even get into the firestorm we'd see if Bill Clinton made any comments, despite his being an ex-president).

So it is a rhetorical trick to demean any of the possible challengers. But you're right, facts and truth don't matter: it is all about how to make any challenger look smaller in the eyes of the electorate.

[faireraven.livejournal.com]

Hey buddy, I just happen to have this wonderful sword... I'll just leave it right here...

Oh, and if you could just happen to swing the political spectrum back my way, that'd be highly appreciated.

But of course, I'm not bribing you or anything. That would be illegal.

[thewhitedragon.livejournal.com]

What amuses me is the trend to insult the other candidates, question their motives and stands on issues...without ever mentioning your's. The voters might not know your stance, but they know the other candidate's downfalls.

Mudslinging...ain't it just a wonderful way to show you're clearly better than the other candidates. [sigh]