McCain and Duckworth: More in Common Than Just Immigration Policy
From the December 12, 1999 edition of the Dallas Morning News, entitled "Rivals again fault Bush over rumors":
Has Peter Roskam now borrowed the "Smear the Vet" page from the playbook of Karl Rove?The fallout over apparent attempts to smear GOP presidential contender John McCain has prompted comparisons with a similar dispute in Gov. George W. Bush's political past. In recent weeks, the Bush campaign has been accused of - and has denied - spreading rumors that Mr. McCain may be unstable as a result of being tortured while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.
Several Senate Republicans, among them party leaders who favor Mr. Bush for president, have been identified in published reports as being responsible for privately pushing the allegations. Also, James B. Stockdale, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam who ran as Ross Perot's running mate in 1992, said he got a call from a friend close to the Bush campaign soliciting comments on Mr. McCain's 'weakness.'
From Roskam's website:
McCain "Unstable"... Duckworth "Unhinged"...
I'd dismiss it as a coincidence -- if Rove weren't known for his "Attack Their Strengths" campaign strategy.
And the right-wing of the GOP has repeatedly executed Rove's plan as a "Slander Their Service" strategy against combat veterans: first against John McCain, then against Max Cleland, then against John Kerry ... and now, it seems, against Major Duckworth.
The election season must be upon us, because Roskam is apparently launching his Swiftboats.
30 comments:
Seems to me Duckworth and Roskam should find the Vet in DuPage who was ahead of Beverly Ascaridis on that hiring list and forced her to get hired in Whiteside County instead....
...that Vet should be deservedly unhinged by treatment the State of Illinios handed out.
I think we owe that Vet -and I bet Fitzgerald has the name- an apology.
Ok, SCAM. Suggest a better word to use in this situation:
Your party’s congressional campaign committee puts out a series of mail pieces criticizing your opponent’s position on an issue. In these mailers, they state only citable facts and make absolutely no personal attacks. The only thing that could remotely be considered a “lie” is actually the usage of a word with a definition that is open to debate.
In response, your opponent sends out a hysterical (not ha-ha, but rather in the sense of ‘I’m desperate to hammer home this message, but I’m offering no rational argument.’) mail piece that (1) attacks you personal integrity, (2) offers no rebuttal to any part of your mailer other that the debatably definable word, (3) repeatedly calls you a liar, and (4) offers absolutely no substance at all.
How would you respond? What would be better than “unhinged?”
GOP,
Assuming every word you say is true (and it isn't, but we move forward anyway), how about:
"Deceptive";
"Desperate";
"Mistaken."
No, those are not the sort of words that Republicans use against vets or against women.
Republicans believe that all women are hysterical (see the GOP's prior ad in the district) and all vets are psychotic.
And then they wonder about the gender gap.
...and Democrats make a mockery of hire a Vet.
Skeeter,
Explain how any of those words would be any better?
“Deceptive” – you’d rather we called her a liar? An honorable, decorated war veteran? I think it’s more respectful to imply that she simply lost her cool, not that she actively tried to misrepresent the facts – even if that is what she did.
“"Desperate” – might be more appropriate if all her ad did was offer an irrational defense. But it didn’t. It lashed out with bitter, personal attacks.
“Mistaken." – um, are you saying they accidentally called Roskam a liar? Did she just forget to actually discuss what her position is, other than that it isn’t “amnesty?” They didn’t realize that by putting her in her NG uniform, some people might get the impression that she supports a tougher, military based solution to the problem, even though she doesn’t? Come on, her consultants are smarter than that.
Like I said, the whole piece came off as “I’m desperate to hammer home this point, but I will offer only flailing personal attacks, not reasonable explanations or arguments.” ‘Unhinged’ seems spot on to me.
And please, let’s not skip over anything here.
Other than the controversial use of the word “amnesty,” name one thing from the GOP mailers that isn’t true.
Now, look at Duckworth’s mailer, and –using only that – tell me what her position REALLY is (since what we have learned from the GOP mailers is apparently a “lie”).
Bill,
Job preference or body armor?
I can tell you never served and don't care about those who do.
SCAM –
It appears that the points of your two most recent posts here are a bit contradictory. The former makes it seem like his plan for healthcare isn’t posted in a place where voters can find it, while the later makes a big to-do about a headline that only appears in the same place where a link to his healthcare plan also appears two lines down.
What gives?
I saw Duckworth do an interview on on Comcast with Lisak (sp?)... she's so effective in those interviews... I don't know why she shys away from the debates.
This isn't HS debate club.... it doesn't matter if Roskam is so much better at the mechanics... she's got a telling story and should just get out there and be herself and kick out whomever is making big bucks with the advice SCAM is channeling us....
I've been impressed ever time I've seen her talk live. She should get up there with Roskam and impress everyone else...
...maybe I'm wrong...
...as I think here... I've always been deeply impressed by Duckworth's interviews... And I think it was the second one at Walter Reed where she was asked how she felt after the Iraqi elections and she said something along the lines of you can't help but share their happiness...that her service was worth it...
I can't quote her exactly, but I remember the moment pretty vividly... I mentioned it somewhere here early in the life of Illinoiz.
Anyways, I saw her on Paul Lizak's show on comcast and was again really impressed. She ought to be sitting at a table with Roskam instead talking over all the issues...
And I wonder if the main reason we don't see that is because it will alinate more of the Lamont-Democrats that it will win over hawkish Democrats like myself?
I wonder if that really isn't the reason...
C'mon Scott, a smear you would have missed is hardly up to Rovian standards.
This is a stretch and not worthy of her. She should chuck who ever is giving her this advice.
Funny how saying anything about a Democrat becomes a "smear."
Nice try though!
and...I love how the Democrats use her military service as a cover to protect her from any questions from the Roskam campaign...because if he dares raise an issue with her, he's "attacking a veteran."
Too funny, and pathetic.
Hey, where did everybody go?
Skeeter? Anything on Roskam’s mailers actually a lie? Can you, conversely, explain “the truth” about Duckworth’s position using just her mailer? Which would you rather have us say about her: that she’s calculating and deceptive, or that she flew off the handle? Because guess what, being a courage, wounded war vet doesn't mean you get a pass when you unjustifiably call someone a liar. We're gonna call you out on it.
SCAM? Is this headline really no big deal because it’s buried in the same corner as the allegedly inaccessible Roskam healthcare plan, or is that plan actually widely available and easily accessed by 6th District voters? Which of these recent posts is a legitimate point of criticism and which is a misrepresentation and overreaction?
Here are two lies for you, gop:
tammy opposes the per child tax credit and reducing the marriage penalty.
just ain't true. if that were on the air, it'd be pulled down.
I didn't see that anywhere on the mailers in question (in fact, I haven't seen that on any mailers period). Duckworth called Roskam a liar specifically because of what was said on the immigration pieces. I'm asking, where are the lies on those.
Folks like G.O.P. and others can smear patriotic candidates all they want and ignore Republican lies til they're blue in the face...
But as one reader on TPM recently noted:
We -- the Voters -- have ONE DAY to hold the Bush Administration accountable for what's happened in Iraq, and here at home. ONE DAY -- election day.
If you like the way things are going, vote Republican. If you think things need to change, VOTE DEMOCRATIC. Seize the day.
It's your very last chance.
I have no problem with that NW...
I think the election should be a referendum on Bush.
I still think there's Vet in DuPage who got stiffed by a Blagojevich when Illinois passed him or her over for a state job.
Voters should think about that election day too....
I can tell you never served and don't care about those who do.
Tank Rebuild facility, Anniston Alabama, 1983... I learned all sorts of things about Armour... watched a guy weld seams and then we would shoot rockets at it....
also drank at that bar with the band behind the chicken wire.
...the Brits don't use as much protection in Basra... think it gets in the way of their mission.
I don't like it when armour vs mobility questions get into the political sphere... then some really crummy procurement options get decided.
BB - You keep bringing up this 1 veteran who got passed over. While it certainly is a shame, what is the connection to Duckworth? Forgive me if I am a bit out of the loop as I live in the 17th, but shouldn't a hiring issue be for the governors race? What more can a congressman do than pay a little lip service to the issue?
nw burbs: who have I smeared? Duckworth is the one putting out glossy mailpieces calling Roskam a "LIAR," even though the mailer pieces she is upset about contain not a single lie - just the use of a word with a legitimately disputed definition. She and her surrogates are the one engaging in namecalling: ambulance chaser, Creepy Peter, Rubberstamp Roskam.
It's clear as day what the Dems are up to in this race, I'd just like to hear one of you admit this: you wanted Duckworth simply because you thought it would give you a free pass to play as dirty as you want against Roskam and not have to worry about any retribution. Come on, at least be honest about what game you’re playing.
Bill,
There was never an "armor v. mobility" issue.
The only issue that the B-Team raised was whether armor was needed at all.
We both know that, of course, but only I will admit it.
Why do you keep supporting these cheap punks who don't care about American soldiers?
You keep bringing up this 1 veteran who got passed over. While it certainly is a shame, what is the connection to Duckworth?
Imagine asking her. You think she would deny a connection? Would anyone in Illinois? Would you?
I keep raising this because the culture-of-corruption has victims and in this case it would be easy to find the name if we had the hiring list. Some Vet caused a stop.... everyone in Illinois, especially in war time, should feel a sense of connection...
imagine if this person is a returning combat vet?
BB - I still don't see what this has this has to do with Duckworth. You are right, there is a culture of corruption. It has taken over business and politics. But I don't see what this veteran getting passed on a job has to do with it? Are you implying Tammy should personally take charge of the situation because she is a vet? Are you implying that because she is a dem and its the dems in Springfields fault?
You asked if she would deny a connection, how is she connected? That's my question. And like I said, it could easily be that I don't have all the info, but I do not see 1 thing that connects her to this problem. Well aside from the fact we are all Americans and human beings that *should* be interested in the fates of others.
She's a powerful advocate for Veterans.
It looks like it was a Vet in Dupage (Illinois 6th) or Cook who stopped Beverly Ascaridis getting hired locally and pushed her into Whiteside County.
I'd like to know who this Vet is... and I ask; but I bet if Duckworth asked people would jump.
I don't think people would yawn or say gee Maj. Duckworth, not your turf....
Can I ask why you want to know the veterans name? What difference does it make? Are these things supposed to be public record?
Just because a person is a powerful advocate, does that mean they should be required to take charge of every issue dealing with veterans? It reminds me of the press trying to make Tiger Woods take more of a stand on racial issues because he is famous. Just because he has the opportunity, does it require him to do so? Isn't it the same question for Duckworth?
If you have the power to use on a Veteran's behalf, it's nice to see it used.
This sure looks like a case of corruption, there is probably a specific victim -someone had a Vets preference over Ascaridis on the list- so I'd say that Veteran has a right to know to protest the hiring decision.
Who in a better position to advocate than Duckworth?
Woods, talking about his ethnicity, wouldn't have helped anyone in particular. That analogy doesn't fit.
The Illinois Attorney General?
Somebody who can actually investigate the conduct?
Just tossing ideas out there.
BB - apparently you wanted a scientifically tested anology, my mistake. For a more exact version here goes... Tiger Woods could have helped turn the tide of Augusta Membership in allowing women to join their ranks. The mere fact that he wouldn't have been able to play there in the past goes to show the antiquaited nature of their men-only rule. That specific enough for you? Its another case of someone being expected to advocate for other groups.
Back to the point, you still have only provided the following reasoning to why these issues are conencted. That Duckworth is a veteran. I personally don't think that holds her as at all involved. Because then are we to expect her to get involved in every case in which a veteran is hosed over?
I agree with your statement that it looks like corruption. Pretty much everything in our state is that way... But like skeeter said, Duckworth isn't the one responsible for holding corruption at bay in Illinois.
Because then are we to expect her to get involved in every case in which a veteran is hosed over?
Yep, anytime a Vet get's hosed over and you're in a position to help... you should.
Here's Obama on Illinois Vets and employment from a few days ago....
In Illinois, 62,486 veterans registered with the state Department of Employment Security for job placement and other services during the last 12 months, said Lane Knox, the state's veterans program coordinator.
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, has taken an interest in the young veterans employment issue. He wants to put teeth into a requirement that government contractors advertise available jobs to veterans, so that the contractors are actively recruiting the veterans.
I'm guessing the Vet Arcardis hosed... or smeared --linking back to SCAM's orginal post-- is on that list 62,486 names.
I don't think we should pull in the teeth that Obama wants to put in the laws just because the employer is the State of Illinois.
This is a political race people, mean things are said. There has been nonthing, despite the paranoid fantasies of some, denigrating her service in Iraq. There have been attacks on her positions and tactics, not her service. To many paranoid crazies here on these blogs, the only fair criticism of Duckworth would be fro Roskam to donate all the money he has raised and begin campaigning for her.
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