Here comes Swift Boat

[Rick336]

I figured Swift Boat would eventually rear its ugly head. This group was one of the main contributers to Kerry's defeat in 2004. Obama supporters are going to have to dig deep in their pockets to fight these guys:

From USA Today:

• The Washington Post -- Group with Swift Boat ties plans anti-Obama ad campaign: "A new group financed by a Texas billionaire and organized by some of the same political operatives and donors behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against Sen. John F. Kerry in 2004 plans to begin running television ads attacking Barack Obama, a signal that outside groups may play a larger role than anticipated in the closing days of the presidential race. The American Issues Project has amassed a multimillion-dollar fund, and the group is putting the final touches on an eleventh-hour campaign targeting the Democratic presidential nominee, sources said."



Rick

[Rick336]

Definition of Swift Boat from Wikipedia:

Swiftboating is American political jargon that refers to the direct repudiation of a politician's personal history by people present at the time. The term "Swiftboating" is often utilized as an evasive measure designed to produce an emotional as opposed to a rational response when the targeted or objecting parties do not or cannot produce actual proof or documentation to refute the allegations against them, and becomes, in effect, a counter-smear obviating the need for counter-proof, when used improperly.

The term comes from the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, formerly "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", (SBVT), and that group's widely publicized campaign against 2004 Presidential candidate John Kerry.

Originally, terms like "swiftboating", "Swift Boating", "Swift Boat tactics", etc. were mostly used by people who disapproved of the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth. It is now in mainstream use. Some conservatives have strongly objected to the criticism of SBVT implied by such negative usage.



Rick

[tymejumper]

Yeah, it was only a matter of time on that one. I have my hands full with my co workers who are convinced that Obama is Muslim and that they are all extremests.

I thought he was of African decent, not because he is a black man either. I wish I could remember what I read about him. He may have had some Arab in him, but we can't control what our genes are. It's blaming someone for being born!:rolleyes:

[u-dog]

Yeah, it was only a matter of time on that one. I have my hands full with my co workers who are convinced that Obama is Muslim and that they are all extremests.

I thought he was of African decent, not because he is a black man either. I wish I could remember what I read about him. He may have had some Arab in him, but we can't control what our genes are. It's blaming someone for being born!:rolleyes:

Obama's Dad was a Kenyan and a Moslem, but he was raised by his Caucasian mother from Kansas. His mother was not particularly religious but Michelle's family is and they have been Christian their whole married life and have raised their daughters in the church. Not that that makes him necessarily a better candidate for President or anything. those are just the facts.

[BruceChris]

The Obama campaign raised some $ixty plus million buck-arooskis this past month. A record, they say.

Peace, Love, and lotsa airtime, Bruce Chris

[Daniel]

I figured Swift Boat would eventually rear its ugly head. This group was one of the main contributers to Kerry's defeat in 2004. Obama supporters are going to have to dig deep in their pockets to fight these guys.

The public may take dim view of this in light of how the McCain campaign has comported itself recently. Even Rove has come out to say that McCain's tactics have gone too far. And this, from the man who trained the guy who is running McCain's campaign, the same one using the dirty politics that Rove used in getting Bush elected- twice. What does this say? That even someone like Rove knows when the message is losing traction and it is better to cut one's losses.

So much for lipstick!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/14/karl-rove-mccains-ads-hav_n_126280.html

I think it very likely that any Swiftboating won't work this time. While the Swiftboating that took place in the last election centered around matters of patriotism and class warfare, I wonder if raising questions about Obama's name and race will actually play to the hungry mob? The tactic, like the lipstick episode, may prove to be going to far, and come back to bite the Right in the ass.

But you know what? Even Rove's latest backtracking could be a setup for the 'boating' to come. And what would that say? That the far Right isn't about to give up so easily. This was, after all, the man who helped George Bush get elected in Texas by insinuating that Ann Richards was a lesbian in Swiftboat like TV ads.

So- how to view the recent actions of someone like Rove? My view? And I am sorry to be uncharitable: you can expect a snake to slither around a bit.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/96807/karl_rove_is_running_mccain's_campaign%3B_still_me ets_with_bush_often/



Karl Rove is Running McCain's Campaign; Still Meets With Bush Often
Posted by Matt, Think Progress at 12:51 PM on August 28, 2008.

Despite the fact that he talks "fairly regularly" with top advisers to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), former Bush political guru insists on denying that he is an informal adviser to McCain's campaign. But in a new article, Time magazine highlights how "dialed in" Rove is with McCain's campaign efforts:

In private, Rove speaks regularly with the McCain campaign, where his former protégé Steve Schmidt is now the manager. He's also dialed in at the Republican National Committee, run by Mike Duncan, another former aide. And he still lunches two or three times a month with President Bush.
As ThinkProgress has previously noted, one reason Rove may be reluctant to admit his ties to the McCain campaign is the fact that he is also reported to be "developing outside groups" to help Republicans and John McCain in November. It is illegal for outside groups to coordinate with campaigns.

Update: And as this morning's Politico piece demonstrates, Rove is heavily involved in McCain's vice presidential selection.

[tdogg]

I can't get too excited about anything Karl Rove says. I hope he is sincere, but frankly cannot trust his words. The Swiftboating info was interesting Rick, thanks for sharing. I hadn't really heard of this before.

[Gennee]

I'm not surprised by this development. What's sad is that a lot of people will buy into this stuff. These are the some of the same people who voted for Bush and now may not have a job or are struggling economically.

I believe Kerry lost because he did not speak to the average working person. I believe that Obama knows all this stuff because thus far he has weathered everything thrown his way. My question is what does McCain bring to the table as far as the economy goes?

This is my own opinion, but i think a lot of people need to wake up and smell the coffee. The ranks of the working poor is growing and more people of every ethnic and skill background are falling there. We all need to make our voices heard to both political parties.

Gennee