Something Constructive to Do While We Wait

[Plaid Adder]

I am disappointed to see that the primary contest still drags gruelingly on this morning, but it cannot be helped. In a way it's nice to finally have a primary where ALL the states matter, but I know it's not going to do the quality of discussion on DU any good.

So, for those who are weary of the mudwrestling, I offer this rainy day activity: How about we brainstorm ways to pre-empt the smear campaign that will certainly be mounted by the bottom dwellers of the right-wing lagoons as soon as we have an actual or presumptive nominee?

Remember, we can argue as much as we want about who's more electable, but the fact of the matter is that if we nominated Jesus Christ Himself some right-wing group would start running ads claiming that he had abandoned his illegitimate biracial child in a Swiftboat during combat in order to have sex with a bevy of underage interns of both sexes. And the cable media would then treat this story as if it were credible. It's a little terrifying to realize that the smearmerchants are now no longer inhibited by things like the actual facts, and have discovered that they can make things up out of whole cloth. So how are we going to deal with that?

I was pondering one possible response the other day, but I'm not sure it would work. I was thinking that what Kerry really should have done, maybe, was to announce immediately that he was suing the Swiftboat group for libel, and then do it. The libel trial would have drawn a lot of the Swiftboat story attention away from the actual campaign, and it would have given Kerry's lawyers a chance to drag the guts of the 527 machine into the light of day. But then again maybe it would only have fed the beast. What do I know.

But someone's got to figure out something, and soon, because the media have learned nothing. So what do we do?

The Plaid Adder

[Virginia Dare]

1. Okay, I'll play Saturday night quarterback..

I think we need to attack, not sit back and defend. I don't think we should be afraid of getting down in the shit and the mud and getting very dirty. I think we played nice last time, and we still ended up with shit on the end of a stick.

[TooBigaTent]

2. Yes, Virginia! But I doubt that the Obama campaign (1) knows how to fight like this

and (2) it would go against their "we're all one big happy country" approach.

That is another argument for a "unity" ticket. Let BO run "above the fray" and leave the fighting to HC.

And I really like the lawsuit approach. Great idea.

[madokie]

3. Yes, a good offense is a good defense

we need to bite like rabid dogs and tear everyone of them a new asshole

[LiberalEsto]

8. Rrrrowr!

I'm with you!

But I plan on seriously disinfecting my teeth afterward.

[EFerrari]

4. Instead of thinking of it as getting down into the mud,

maybe we need to make better stories.

The media will say, for example, BHO is the biggest liberal in the Senate.
What is a better story than that? What would be a good frame for us?

If we just react to theirs, we're screwn.

[islandmkl]

5. take a cue from football...

on offense, there is only one choice of direction: attack

on defense, there are two choices of direction:

1) react to the attack of the offense

2) attack the offense

there is enough 'smarts' on our side to play it 'clean' (by political definition...which is inherently dirty) and still attack the repukes before their offense gets in full motion...

hopefully, Obama can direct such an effort...if not, say:

Hello, Johnny...

[Auggie]

6. Ignore the smear and concentrate on the positive

Communicate SPECIFIC plans for creating jobs, fixing health care, strengthening the economy and getting out of Iraq. The repukes DO NOT have sound nor fresh answers for these topics. The difference will be glaringly obvious.

Do not dilute our message by responding to their sleeze. That's exactly what they want.

[Virginia Dare]

9. NOT GONNA WORK..

If you think the repubs are going to let us run on issues, think again.

[Auggie]

10. Love your positive outlook there...

[Virginia Dare]

11. Just being realistic...n/t

[Demeter]

7. I'm Not a Lawyer, But I Don't Think Public Figures Can Sue for Libel

Especially not political candidates. Too much precedent against it, and you know how the Supreme Court upholds stare decisis, especially when it is to their personal advantage.