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Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter
Jonathan Weisman, writing in the WaPo, says that As Campaign Heats Up, Untruths Can Become Facts Before They’re Undone. A sad truth:
John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters’ opinions of the candidates.
“The more the New York Times and The Washington Post go after Sarah Palin, the better off she is, because there’s a bigger truth out there and the bigger truths are she’s new, she’s popular in Alaska and she is an insurgent,” Feehery said. “As long as those are out there, these little facts don’t really matter.”
130 Responses to “Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter”
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
If they examined the “facts” the GOP would have to admit that Palin is the subject of several ethics' investigations in her home state. That she charged Alaska's taxpayers per diem for 300 nights spent in her own home. That she asked a local librarian if it was possible to ban books. That she gave a speech in Wasilla where she insisted it was “God's will” that we will win in Iraq. That her husband used to belong to a right-wing fringe secessionist organization. That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke). That this reformer has refused to ask for Sen Stevens resignation– even after his indictment in a bribery scandal.
Those are the facts, and facts are very stubborn things.
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
elrod, “The press IS calling Palin a liar now….”
Yes, once the press starts calling Palin a liar then I totally agree that Obama must also hit her on this and show the public what sort of games McCain is playing. At the Rep. convention Camp McCain pounded home to everyone that he was full of honor, integrity, etc. When in fact he outright lies about Palin's positions to make her more presentable. It's not spin. It's lies (as you know).
My earlier point was that the press has to step in (and stay in) and call all politicians (in this case McCain/Palin) on their lies. Otherwise if the press doesn't do this then it will all be viewed as spin.
Tomorrow should be interesting…. with Palin's first interview and her son going off to Iraq… I wonder if the press will be deferential to her or if they will hold her accountable for her words.
Thanks, elrod!
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
kritt, “…That this anti-pork, small government advocate was for the “bridge to nowhere” before she was against it (after the scandal broke)…”
I'd like to add, “and she took the money meant for the Bridge to Nowhere from the federal government and used it on other projects anyway.”
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
Thanks, Stockboy–that is absolutely true. And now she is fabricating a new version of what really happened— giving her “thanks but no thanks” speech all over the country. Are American voters really falling for this scam?
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
If Palin has gone on the record supporting the “Bridge”, and now has gone on the record 27 times with her “thanks but no thanks” meme- the Obama camp would be fools not to capitalize on that in their campaign ads. They should blanket the airwaves with an portraying the governor speaking on both sides of the issue.
Great quotes RN! It is the persistence of facts which give the democrats an advantage in this election, and the gamble of the Rove / republicans is that enough voters (other than their base) will be willing to dispense with facts and embrace the fictions being created by the McCain camp. The extent to which this works will probably depend on what voters have learned from 00 and 08. It's really a sad commentary on our electorate this observation should even need to be made.
Great quotes RN! It is the persistence of facts which give the democrats an advantage in this election, and the gamble of the Rove / republicans is that enough voters (other than their base) will be willing to dispense with facts and embrace the fictions being created by the McCain camp. The extent to which this works will probably depend on what voters have learned from 00 and 08. It's really a sad commentary on our electorate this observation should even need to be made.
Great quotes RN! It is the persistence of facts which give the democrats an advantage in this election, and the gamble of the Rove / republicans is that enough voters (other than their base) will be willing to dispense with facts and embrace the fictions being created by the McCain camp. The extent to which this works will probably depend on what voters have learned from 00 and 08. It's really a sad commentary on our electorate this observation should even need to be made.
Great quotes RN! It is the persistence of facts which give the democrats an advantage in this election, and the gamble of the Rove / republicans is that enough voters (other than their base) will be willing to dispense with facts and embrace the fictions being created by the McCain camp. The extent to which this works will probably depend on what voters have learned from 00 and 08. It's really a sad commentary on our electorate this observation should even need to be made.
Great quotes RN! It is the persistence of facts which give the democrats an advantage in this election, and the gamble of the Rove / republicans is that enough voters (other than their base) will be willing to dispense with facts and embrace the fictions being created by the McCain camp. The extent to which this works will probably depend on what voters have learned from 00 and 08. It's really a sad commentary on our electorate this observation should even need to be made.