Salon mag: Building a better Bush

[cryofan]

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The popular perception is that George W. Bush is just a "regular guy" -- unpretentious, friendly, likes country music and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, not some highfalutin know-it-all who thinks he's better 'n other folks. But this image is a persona, carefully constructed over the years to deal with one of the key difficulties facing members of the Bush dynasty. After all, we are talking about a man afforded advantages available to literally but a few dozen Americans, who walked on a path paved with the priceless cobblestones of influence and wealth, who earned so little in life but was given so much. Given that Bush's father was defeated in 1992 in large part because of his perceived inability to understand the struggles of ordinary people, the son's advisers understood that a man with George W.'s particular combination of experience and skills could hardly be presented to the public as a model of empathy. So as the scion of the Bush dynasty was prepared for his entry into public life, he was burnished with a down-home gloss and a new man was created. The creation of this persona came off virtually without a hitch.

...

Watch George W. Bush give a speech, and you'll notice that something comes over him when the subject turns to war or executions. He leans forward, all hesitation gone from his voice, as he struggles to contain a smile and his eyes gleam with what can only be described as bloodlust. So it shouldn't have been a surprise that as the war with Iraq approached, Bush became increasingly excited. According to the Washington Post, friends and lawmakers who met with Bush just before he launched the invasion found him "upbeat," "chatty," "cocky and relaxed" and "in high spirits." The most revealing moment came when he thought the cameras were off: Before he gave his national address announcing that the war had begun, a camera caught Bush pumping his fist, as though instead of initiating a war he had kicked a winning field goal or hit a home run. "Feels good," he said.

Yet the mainstream press, given this appalling glimpse into the president's character, chose to remain silent, no doubt hesitant to become the target of the White House's wrath, not to mention that of innumerable conservatives demanding that they support the president in a time of war. But after all, we are talking about what ABC News' "The Note" referred to as "inarguably the most beaten down press corps in the modern era."


....


The conservative media apparatus is an integrated system in which stories circulate between talk radio, conservative magazines and newspapers and the Fox News Channel, generating momentum and pushing their way into more mainstream news outlets. The most enthusiastic goal of this media machine is locating and publicizing foolish things said by liberals, no matter how obscure or inconsequential the speaker may be, to inspire mainstream contempt for liberals. The idea that the words of some random professor or student are more important than the actions of the country's leaders may be farcical, but by giving endless attention to these alleged outrages, conservatives sustain the image of liberals as powerful and elitist and conservatives as persecuted and victimized. Were they so inclined, liberals could no doubt find conservative citizens who say stupid things too. But no one is paying them to undertake the search.

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So, we UNPAID online liberal activists are the only thing keeping BushCo's corporatist, social Darwinist fascist regime from overwhelming America. Keep at it, people; keep finding that news and those studies that support our views. Keep emailing and calling and writing the mass media outlets demanding that they give space to anti-GOP stories. Use their tactics against them.


You have to click through several pages of ads in order to see this story, but it is well worth it:
http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2004/02/10/fraud_excerpt/index.html

[KharmaTrain]

1. Will We Finally Decide The South's Not Worth It?

I heard a historian recently say that for nearly 70 years the Repugnicans won virtually every election with a coalition of the East, Midwest and West, while the Democrats were only solid in the South. Somehow thanks to the Nixon Southern Strategy, somehow the South became this important component to winning. In light of what we're seeing in the primaries, I'm firmly convinced that the South isn't worth the time and effort and the "Nascar dads" are another niche that sounds good is the latest media creation to go along with the now irrelevent soccer moms.

This morning, Tweety gave his take on the race and commented on the unity he's seeing among Democrats to take out this regime...a resolve he hasn't seen (and neither have I). I know we've got strong numbers in the key electoral states...NY, Cal. (bunnypants is no Ahnuld...he avoids the state), IL., Mich and it surely looks good in PA. and Ohio. He mentioned that the ticket could do well by bypassing the South (he didn't say it in specific words, but indicated a VP candidate who doesn't have a southern drawl) who would solidify the Midwest and possibly grab some neighboring Red States.

Another ominous warning from the salivating guru...demographic changes in Florida mean * shouldn't pin his hopes on pulling it out there this time. Very, very curious. Any thoughts?

(Hope this passes the hall monitors)

[trotsky]

2. This is a fascinating excerpt.

And reminded me how the "Bush is dumb" theme could backfire on us. Especially if Kerry is the nominee - it plays right into the "liberal elite" vs. "down-home guy from Texas" matchup that Rove & Co. so desperately need in order to prop up their guy.

America has severe anti-elite, anti-intellectual tendencies. As the excerpt notes, it's ironic that Bush* comes from one of the most wealthy & elite families in the country. But because his handlers do such a good job hiding that, and instead portraying his "good ol' boy" image, most Americans believe that.

Everyone should read this. A great article. I need to get the book.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. True enough. Adlai Stevenson was defeated by his portrayal as an egghead.

* folks would think, "Hey, it worked before . . . " and the worst part is that it would probably work better.

[Woodstock]

4. Thanks for sharing this

I think if Kerry gets the nom, it would be a great weapon against right wing attacks for Edwards to be the VP.