Smear Works: Anyone Doubts That Drudge Smear Had Impact in WI

[Sensitivity]

Maybe, It's only me. But don't know anyone who didn't hear about "the affair."

In my office people were openly saying Kerry is toast and asking me if Dean could make a comeback.

Yet none of the pundits are mentioning this. It's all about the mysterious power of Edwards, especially with Independents and Republicans.

I don't think much of Edwards. I think the whole deal is that non-Democrats are more willing to believe the slime and dump on Kerry.

Anyone think different?

[eileen_d]

1. I highly doubt the Drudge smear had ANY effect on the outcome in WI

But I'll wait for "Newsman Matt Drudge" to post his thoughts.

[boxster]

5. I wouldn't be too sure that it had no effect.

Drudge gets 5 million hits a day. It's certainly possible that people saw the big story and didn't get the info on the "corrections". Obviously, we know the story was BS, but did the debunking of the rumor get a lot of press?

[mark0rama]

23. Smear works by suppressing voter turnout...

...and I'm not seeing much evidence of suppressed voter turnout here in Wis.

[spooky3]

31. I think the Milwaukee and Madison newspapers had the effect

of the Des Moines Register in Iowa. It encouraged voters to take Edwards seriously, as he deserves.

[Sensitivity]

38. And Why. Those Endorsement were in middle of scandal story. Do you believe

that newpaper guys weren't making the some of the same comments as on this board.

[spooky3]

42. I wasn't there, so I don't know what they were saying privately.

But I know there was NO mention of it in either endorsement, and it was kept outside the mainstream media for a long time. Most WI voters do NOT go online like all of us do and read political news.

So I do not believe that the "smear" issue had much impact on WI voters. And it shouldn't.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

47. Is Wisconsin

An internet free zone? Do they have cell phones or any modern technology? How the statement can be made that an entire state does not go online or see political news amazes me. The do have electricity and television and all that kind of modern stuff. Geez!

[bornskeptic]

56. How long doyou think it took for the media to contact the parents

and determine that the story was almost surely bogus? They just waited until they had Polier's statement to go public.

[KittyWampus]

2. Possible. And Wisconsin Is An OPEN PRIMARY

Newsflash... Republicans will vote for the weakest Democrats.

[uconnyc]

6. You don't think there are any Repubs that actually don't like *

and are looking for an alternative?

I supported McCain in 2000, had nothing to do with me wanting to see * suffer.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. The Republicans had an effect on the outcome.

....they want to see this race go on and see the Dems infighting
in hopes of weakening us.

Won't Happen!

[Maddy McCall]

10. Only 10% of the electorate in this primary were Repubs...40% Indies, tho

So I would say that the Indie vote affected this primary much more than the Republicans.

[mot78]

4. No

The story never made it very far beyond the internet.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[eileen_d]

8. And we have seen plenty of evidence to prove otherwise.

The story did indeed originate with Drudge.

[Rasmodia]

15. That's not what he said.

He said it came from the Democratic side and I believe it. I think we were inoculating Kerry against further more damaging claims. Now, at the next revelation he can say. "They've come up with allegations before which turned out to be false"

[eileen_d]

22. Matt Drudge is a hack.

Rush Limbaugh is a drug-addled loser.
And Clinton's penis figures into this somehow, I'm sure.

[MurikanDemocrat]

25. And Drudge no doubt got it from Rove

[xray s]

9. he lied

surprised?

[Spirochete]

11. an unnamed Democrat

of course...

[Catherine Vincent]

12. "He said he got it from a Democrat."

And you believe him? Figures.

[MurikanDemocrat]

18. And you accept the word of a known liar because?

[Rasmodia]

20. It makes perfect sense that Kerry would have it put out

It's a brilliant inoculation strategy against more serious allegations of philandering that are certainly yet to come. Is this the first you've ever heard of such rumors about Kerry, because I've been hearing them for years. It's pretty well-known around Washington and Boston.

[MurikanDemocrat]

24. I've had my fill of unsubstantiated, unverifiable slime and

malicious bullshit for this week. But thanks for the offer.

:hi:

[OKNancy]

27. It's well known in Washington that Bush

is an idiot drunk who sucks his thumb.

[Forkboy]

30. Funny,I live in the Boston area

and I've never heard these rumors before.

[masshole]

33. nor have I

ever heard "those" rumors either.
And the Kerry/Weld race was not exactly fought by the Marquis of Queensbury Rules either

[Rasmodia]

34. You have to be involved in political circles.

Just living in Boston doesn't mean anything.

[masshole]

35. ok, I'll be your Huckleberry

please PLEASE tell us how you are "involved in political circles"...

[Rasmodia]

40. Certainly.

I have an acquaintance who once worked in the Senate offices of Mr. Kerry.

[masshole]

41. some help here please

Does my having an actual friend who works for the MDP trump your "aquaintance" who once worked in Kerry's offices??

I always forget the rules...

[Rasmodia]

45. Apparently not...if your friend is in the dark on this non-secret.

Perhaps you friend is the janitor at the MDP offices.

[OKNancy]

36. GW Bush is the worst President in history

or so my political circle tells me

[Catherine Vincent]

39. I'm glad you said that because I am involved in political circles

in Texas. You do realize that Bush is known for being a dumbass, right? But us Texans voted for him anyways, well, because he's from Texas.

[caledesi]

26. According to Randi Rhodes, it originall came from Lucianne Goldberg. nt

[DjTj]

13. The Drudge report came out last week and Edwards had no traction...

...in the polls that were taken before the debate.

Edwards' bounce is from the newspapers and the debate performance, not from the Kerry smears.

[Sensitivity]

48. Mo Rocco had to say it. Made joke about probable impact of smear

[MurikanDemocrat]

14. No. I think the only ones inclined to believe that tripe were people who

didn't like Kerry to begin with or WANTED it to be true because they thought it would prop up their candidate's chances.

[NNN0LHI]

17. Edwards did so well because of Edwards. Not because of Drudge

You are right.

Don

[MurikanDemocrat]

21. Agreed

:thumbsup:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. I'd like to see a POLL of awareness of the "issue"

If even 10% were aware it could have had an impact.

[adamrsilva]

19. I think it had more to do with all the Repubs and Indies

voting in our primary...

[Sensitivity]

28. But why were 70% of indis and repub want Edwards not Kerry?

[spooky3]

43. we don't know till someone asks them.

My speculation is that a friend of mine is right when he says that liberals from the South (but not the North) are perceived as more conservative than they really are.

[Adelante]

29. I disagree somewhat

Decided on the candidate in the last three days:

Edwards
56

Kerry
21

It's at least possible, no?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3762911


edit: added link

[dansolo]

32. I think the debate had more effect

I believe that Edwards' response to the question about his responsibility for the IWR vote had the biggest impact. People realize why they don't like Bush. It's because he is unwilling to accept any responsibility for his actions. People see the same flaw in Kerry.

[tobius]

44. Have to agree, forgot the obvious. nt

[BGrier]

37. MSNBC Reports Heavy Republican Turnout For Edwards

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4297574/

What's going on here? Can Republicans vote in the Democratic primary? What does it mean?

[Shanty Oilish]

46. The Clark endorsement of Kerry helped Edwards

IMO that did Kerry no good at all.

[genius]

49. I think Edwards's NAFTA opposition propelled him to almost a win.

That's why Edwards is my second choice.

[Sensitivity]

50. Satisfied w Bush, Conservative, Supported the War, Non-Union

Does not sound that that is the anti-nafta vote to me. Check the
exit poll data.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3762911

[WiseMen]

51. Smear would not have been caried out if it was not sure to work.

[oasis]

52. A large percentage of voters made up their minds within the last 3 days.

Reported on the "Imus" show Wednesday morning. There was no mention of the possible impact that the "intern" affair may have had on the race.

[WiseMen]

53. Rassmusen survey suggests that there was significant impact

day when rumor was circulating Kerry had major hit.

[DeaconBlues]

54. Funny

I haven't communicated with anyone beyond the internet who has heard of this "scandal."

[John_H]

55. Having done WI politics--it cost Kerry 6-8. WI is a coservative state

when it comes to "old fashioned" morals. I remember a State Senate candidate (pre-lewinsky, admittedly) who went from ten points up to a one point loss when it came out he had an affair, and a guy who had to drop out of consideration to run for a congressional seat because his potential primary opponent outed him.

[Leilani]

57. Susan Estrich said the smear had impact

She was on Faux tonite, so take it for what it's worth.

She said Dem voters panicked, & said they didn't want a rerun of Clinton.

I don't know whether this is true or not.

[WiseMen]

58. Word is there is more slime being spread on the net. Edwards in luck with

Rove in his corner.

[atre]

59. The only people I know who knew about this were libertarians and righties

...and even they weren't jumping to conclusions. If it had an effect, I don't think it was significant.

[Sensitivity]

60. If you knew the rumor and were conservative, why would you risk embarasing

yourself by voting Kerry.