Charlie Cook: 'Dig Up As Much Damaging Info On Obama As Possible-Leak to Reporters-Can't Be Traced'

[kpete]

...as much as congressional Republicans are enjoying their schadenfreude, they would be well advised to think long and hard about their next steps. Even the most cursory look at opinion polls or focus groups reveals that the public is convinced we have an ineffectual and out-of-touch Congress that spends too much time backbiting, grandstanding, and Monday-morning quarterbacking while the country’s problems fester. Arguably, showboating for the cameras and holding hearings are what Congress does best; the temptation is unavoidable.

Republicans would be much wiser to pursue a third option: Dig up as much damaging information as they can about the Obama administration and leak it to reporters they know will write tough stories that won’t be traced back to the source. That way, the public won’t see the GOP as being obsessed with attacking the other side and playing gotcha at the expense of the big issues facing the country—the ones voters really care about.

Meanwhile, everyone in Washington will watch polls for signs of blood in the water, indications that the controversies or scandals—depending upon your perspective—are taking a political toll on Obama’s job-approval numbers.

the rest:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/cook-report/republicans-should-go-easy-on-obama-at-least-in-public-20130516
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2013/5/17/10434/0592

[emulatorloo]

1. Fucking hell, it is all just a big game to them. Reporters as well.

Thanks for posting.

It is "good advice" but you have to be pretty venal to come up with it. Charlie Cook: "Instant Karma's gonna get you."

[hedda_foil]

2. So, supposedly nonpartisan pollster Charlie Cook says: Don't gloat,leak.

Certainly brings to mind questions DUers have had about good ole Charlie for years. Though the advice he's giving seems to be what they've been trying to do this month ...leaking from multiple directions ... and the administration has exposed them as the source pretty quickly each time. Now it depends on how the corpmedia reports the stories.

[formercia]

7. It all depends if the M$M wants to be co-conspirators to Treason in War Time

The choice is theirs. They know the Truth. Let's see what they say now.

[Cosmocat]

8. Would he EVER give that "advise" to democrats?

it just is tiresome.

Bush was the biggest disaster as POTUS in our lives, by far, not even debatable

But, there was every excuse for not doing anything about, every warning to "not pile on" or the "you can criticize the CIC while troops are in the field, and every possible frame for his negative attributes, "you may not like him, but you know where he stands!"

BO gets into office, and the whole COMMANDER IN CHIEF thing comes to an immediate end, and it is non stop breathlessness over the "liberal" media fawning over the game of politics with Rs going after the President.

[AnnieK401]

3. So far Obama's approval numbers seem solid

at least on Real Clear Politics (a fairly conservative site).

[SCVDem]

4. Perhaps if the GOP

Would show excellence in governing rather than being bat shit crazy, their ratings may rise over a steaming pile of dog shit!

[Cha]

5. How's that workin' for ya, Charlie?

thanks kpete

[City Lights]

6. They are absolutely disgusting creatures.

Vile filth.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

9. Poltics is the dirtiest game there is. And it's people out of politics who suffer the consequences.

It stinks to high heaven and it is no wonder Obama wanted to change it. He probably shouldn't have said it though.

[kelliekat44]

10. Reporters have been chomping at the bit to be able to attack Obama without fallout. Now they are

falling all over themselves and showing their true political colors. Tweety for one has been unable to contain himself.