The memos are the problem of CBS, NOT the Kerry campaign

[Walt Starr]

and DUers had better get used to that fact.

While we've busily been trying to debunk the BS arguments "proving" the CBS memos are "forgeries", the Bush campaign has been happily steaming ahead.

DU needs to stop his BS (I have been oneof the worst offenders here) and get back to thereality of the campaign.

If Democratic bloggers and activists simply get back to the REAL issues of this campaign, we'll win and we'll make the swing voters happy. The swing voters are fed up with medals, memos, proportional typeface, and everything else about these bullshit issues.

Regardless of the validity of the memos, there are more important things to discuss and unless we start discussing them, Karl Rove wins.

So keep this in mind, we've all been falling into Karl Roves gameplan perfectly.

[cthrumatrix]

1. Rove has the media talking points out --- all memo...no issues...

they have nothing else to run on.... it's a disgrace

[unfrigginreal]

2. Look, now that we're on offense

there's too much handwringing about getting back to the issues. Remember, we were on the issues while getting attacked mercilessly by the Pukes and if we suddenly drop all attacks, we'll be right back in that same position. I say keep up ANY and ALL attacks on Bush's character at least until after the first debate.

Also, Kerry is staying above the fray by pounding on Bush over his mistakes in office. It's only surrogates that are slinging shit and I hope they continue to do so.

[cthrumatrix]

4. economy, healthcare costs, job loss, .... those are real... people vote

with their pocket books

[unfrigginreal]

6. And Kerry is addressing those issues, no?

That doesn't prevent Texans for Truth and others from attacking Bush's character. I say let them have at it.

[kentuck]

8. except when there is a war..

and they are scared shitless.

[Walt Starr]

15. Yes, but there's plenty for the surrogates to sling at Bush

that don't include debunking this stuff with the memos.

It's time to move on from the memos and pound him on the questions.

[girl gone mad]

3. Walt,

I agree we should move on.

I think Killian's secretary did CBS and all truth seekers a favor by verifying that the memos reflected what was going on at the time. I also think CBS was wise to defend their story, which is accurate, regardless of whether the memos are real or not. If CBS had not defended their story, no one would have talked to the secretary, and the AWOL subject would probably have been dropped completely.

[murielm99]

5. Yes. Remember, the people who are shouting about

forgery are keeping the story in the news.

Rather is a junkyard dog. He is not going to let go of this one.

He keeps telling them to address the content. He is keeping that aspect of it alive, too.

[babylonsister]

7. I also agree.

Even though it's repugnant to me to have a prez who has lied to everyone, there are more pressing issues and little time to persue this; I think the * contingent could have planned this so they wouldn't have to talk about real issues.
And WHO the hell started this ill-advised war? who didn't protect us prior to 9/11 and didn't give a shit???

[Mr_Spock]

12. Absolutely - this issue can only help Kerry, no matter how the

lying mass murdering Vietwar avoiding coward and his bloodthirsty cronies try to spin it. They're off message while Kerry talks issues.

What could be better - "why won't Bush answer the questions" when anyone brings it up is fine with me. That's the talking point.

[npincus]

9. yes, yes, yes

I started a thread with the same message, then read yours! I agree with all that you say.

[wndycty]

10. Thank you Walt.

I agree. . .I am hoping that the Bush was AWOL thing catches fire and I hope CBS beats the crap out of this, but I really don't want Kerry wasting one minute on it.

[vickie]

11. Walt is absolutely corect. Kerry shouldn't waste a single

second on this. At some point, the press will have to address the substance of what the 'memos' charge, which the Shrub has yet to do.

Hopefully Rather will end every single broadcast with these questions. Where was Bush? Why didn't he take his physical?

[Mr_Spock]

13. Has Kerry even spent one second on this?

I don't remember if he has - I just haven't seen it myself.

[kentuck]

14. I agree that this story was broken by CBS but Democrats have adopted it

as their own, in a lot of ways. We are guilty to some extent because it is such a juicy story, but it's probably not the best strategy in the world , at least for the Party to get involved. McAuliffe was into the fray yesterday. I don't know that that is a good idea.

[TNMOM]

16. the debate is distracting Bushistas -- I say keep the controversy

rolling.

The more doubt that is cast on Bush's credibility, the better. The more talk there is, the better and the more Bushistas have to defend, the less resources they'll have to focus on sliming us. Right now, CBS and bloggers and sites like DU are fighting this to the benefit of Kerry.

The Kerry campaign has done a great job sticking to the issues throughout these past 2-3 weeks. They have not had to jump into the fray.

[cthrumatrix]

17. distractions don't win votes....shrubs record is a NIGHTMARE

and he's hitting it all this week...

forget the memo's

[TNMOM]

18. no danger of Democrats looking weak on issues.

and there is no danger that Rove/Bush will quit dirty tricks to take the high road/focus on issues. C'mon, I ain't falling for any Rove spin. It's what he DOES that we should watch out for.

As soon as the media focuses on issues -- the voting public tunes out. Rove knows this. Suppressing the vote is a good thing for his team. And another thing, Rove was the mastermind behind Swiftliars and the attacks against McCain. He knows it works. With a couple of anti-bush scandals in the airwaves kept hot by surrogates, we keep people tuned into the horse race.

That allows the Kerry people to deliver the meaty messages. Let the scandals feed the media obsession and keep people tuned in ---- so Kerry can deliver the meaty messages.

[Leilani]

19. I agree completely.

Let CBS & Rather take care of the memos.

There is not much time left in the campaign, & there is only so much oxygen out there. If it is all sucked up by forgeries/not forgeries, then Kerry will not get his message out.

The issues are on Kerry s side; the more the issues are debated, the better he will do.

Republicans are masters of obfuscation...make lots of noise & throw up lots of diversions. They cannot win on Iraq, economy, health, etc.

[MallRat]

20. Memo idiocy aside, the TANG attacks are working.

I wish I could remember where I found the reference... Kerry campaign insiders say that internal polling is showing a drop in Bush's numbers coincident with the Texas for Truth / 60 Minutes rollout.

I'll post the link when I have it.

-MR

[Walt Starr]

21. BINGO, no references to Killian are necessary

Focus on the documents Bush released (and hasn't released).

[King Coal]

22. Start focusing on the debates. That is where the paydirt will be.