Dirty tricks, excesses and scumbags -- Low points of 2018
"Scorched Earth" is a term born in warfare, from the Russian Front in World War II. But American pundits have started using it to describe smears, particularly those posted by "SuperPACs" in 2018 races for Congress.
Even distinguished war records get demeaned, a tactic born with the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" lies funded by wealthy 2004 campaign donors.
Turn on your TV set to watch the morning news, and you'll have garbage hurled at you and be witness the the extremes of excess.
Here are some "lows" from this year's campaign in Washington.
--Congressional Leadership Fund hit on Dr. Kim Schrier: The Republican SuperPAC, linked to House Speaker Paul Ryan, aired a TV spot saying that pediatrician-House candidate Dr. Kim Schrier "got rich" while turning away Medicaid patients. Pictures of forlorn kids flashed across the television screen.
The ad reappeared with a few words changed after the TV stations received a cease-and-desist letter over its multiple falsehoods. If a "Scumbag of the Year" award is given out, CLF would top the list for its ceaseless personal attacks on candidates across the country.
--The Stranger on State Sen. Maralyn Chase: Sen. Chase is a women's movement pioneer in Washington politics. Her activism began as an anti-Vietnam War Democrat a half century ago. She is being pressed in an all-Democrat 32nd District race.
Endorsing the man who's running against her, The Stranger began with the words: "
Bleep) Maralyn Chase." An obscene sexual innuendo says nothing about how you should vote. So, she was abrupt with the self-important Stranger editorial board. Does that justify vulgar misogyny?
https://www.seattlepi.com/local/politics/article/Connelly-Dirty-tricks-excesses-and-scumbags-13339709.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailynewsletterspi&utm_term=spi
