Hint of GOP tactic, Kerry as "object of humor and calculated derision"

[Rose Siding]

This week the NYT reported that "Mr. Bush's advisers plan to cap the month at the Republican convention in New York" with what they said "would feature Mr. Kerry as an object of humor and calculated derision."

The New Yorker has a lengthy profile (STANDUP FOR THE LORD)of a conservative comic named Brad Stine. Stine told the reporter, "if he gets to perform at “the stinkin’ G.O.P. Convention,” the 'Tonight Show' brass will have to pay attention." (he consistently substitutes "stinkin'" for "fuckin'" in his act and in conversation)

Apparently, he has reason to believe this is a real possibility:

Earlier this year, Stine flew to New York for a meeting with the former president of the Gospel Music Association, Frank Breeden, who is now the entertainment director for the Republican Convention, and Stine’s agent, Charles Dorris, who is on the G.M.A.’s board of directors. Breeden had already given Stine a boost in 2002 by hiring him to entertain at the G.M.A.’s annual Dove Awards, the Grammys of contemporary Christian music. Now he was talking about bringing Stine back to New York to perform at one of the events or parties connected to the Republican Convention, or maybe at the Convention itself.....
...
The entertainment lineup for the Republican Convention won’t be announced until later this summer, but Stine is still in the running. And there has been talk of sending him out this fall to stump for President Bush. “I’ve got the ear of the White House—or at least the ear of the people who have the ear of the White House,” Stine said.

Some of his gags:

Stine longs for the days when Christian values guided the nation and, as he jokes, the homeless were handed axes, pointed toward a grove of trees, and told, “There’s your duplex.”...He did an impression of a Protestant, whining, “Satan made me lose my job!” (“No—your incompetence made you lose your job!”),
...
“Ohhhh, I want to hate people. That’s what’s so amazing about Christianity—it forces you to act against what your body wants to do. I want to hate! Not that anybody comes to mind right off the bat—France.”
...
“Guys want to marry other guys?” Beat. “Cowards!”


Stine's intellectual heroes:

Phillip E. Johnson, author of “Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds"
Chuck Colson, the Watergate conspirator, who now runs a prison ministry.
(“Watch out, Al Franken,” Stine said. “There’s a new sheriff in town.”)

Now we all know Bush is hilarious, a stinkin' laugh riot in his own right, but this GOP humor thing was test driven last month by CA's Gov Gristle Head. Even though the Dems prevailed on the ISSUE (CA school districts still must contract union bus drivers), on Leno, Arnie claimed victory over the girlie men in passing his budget. The perception will be, to the uninformed majority, that this "good natured" humor was key in that stand-off.

The more outrageous the accusation, the more press attention. The funnier the attack, the more obscured the issue.

This "Christian" comic may be in the front line of the repub strategy. The article details the typically seedy journey of an entertainer; *not* something to be ashamed of in a democratic society, but a tad hypocritical in the holier-than-thou party.

I'm hopeful that there is some Great Big deflection strategy in place. It looks like Trouble.

[jpgray]

1. They're trying to Gore him

But luckily the two years of media buildup in 2000 haven't been duplicated here. 'Caged hamster' descriptions notwithstanding.

[Tennessee Gal]

2. I hope they do!

This week the NYT reported that "Mr. Bush's advisers plan to cap the month at the Republican convention in New York" with what they said "would feature Mr. Kerry as an object of humor and calculated derision."

That would be really stupid. Any undecideds with an ounce of common sense would be turned off by that.

[Beetwasher]

3. It's Going To Be Hard Considering the Defective Product THEY Have

They don't have the credibility to do this anymore...In 2000 they had the help of the media and Bush was a relative unknown. His cred got the benefit of the doubt to some degree. No more.

Look at the news. The one being derided and ridiculed is the Chimp. His verbal gaff about harming the country, the sovereign nonsense, turning the corner as jobs tank...Late night talk shows are having a blast w/ the idiot...That's a better measure of who is being derided.

[Sparkly]

6. Right - but if Kerry even criticizes his policy it's "Bush bashing."

A couple of days ago, Kerry answered a question about what he'd have done on 9/11 if he were in that classroom, and even the Democratic talking heads maligned it as a big "mistake."

Yet the RNC gets away with one negative ad after another against Kerry? They get away with NOT condemning the smearvets' attacks?

They began the campaign earlier on with ads ridiculing Kerry, making him seem comical -- remember the one with all the lies about gas tax and such, where he was sped up like a badly-run silent film? That's the kind of thing I expect we'll see more of.

I think only their base will approve -- I hope so, anyway.

[Rose Siding]

9. Bush makes the job easy

and it's likely he'll continue to provide material. He can't help it. So far, he is The derided.

But Stine is good- just shrewd enough not to appear as a Falwell type intolerant. He has pro-timing and an audience that's desperate for his offerings. Humor has a shelf life. Hopefully the Bush-as-clown theme will grow and blossom drowning out any competition.

[Beetwasher]

10. I Think think "Bush-as-Clown" Theme Has Already Taken Hold

That's the feeling I get. Once that happens, it's really to late to do anything about it...

[Pathwalker]

4. They don't do humor very well.

They'll come off looking mean. GOOD!

[MichiganVote]

5. People are onto the smirk routine, they want substance

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Then there's the 24/7, living, breathing joke that is George Bush

THE PRESIDENT: Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a -- you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/08-06-2004/0002226945&EDATE=

[MrBenchley]

8. Please please PLEASE Put This Yobbo on the GOP Podium

in prime time....

as he jokes, the homeless were handed axes, pointed toward a grove of trees, and told, “There’s your duplex.”

Yeah, that's a real thigh slapper....wouldn't you like to see flabby rich white guys laughing at that on TV? I know I would.

[kstewart33]

11. It will backfire bigtime

Don't think that voters are in the mood for this tactic. It's a serious year and a serious election. But when you have no record to run on...

[bluedog]

12. remember this number 537

the number Fl had for votes that the SC said validated bushs being resident...........bush had nor has a mandate from the people.....537....if only we ech (voter) here in Florida found 5.10.20 more people to vote..........thats how I am working here this year..........each of us gets a least 10 more to vote...