Karl Rove Beats the Democrats Again (Dem's inarticulate story tellers)

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/tsc.html?URI=http://select.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/opinion/18rich.html&OQ=_rQ3D1Q26hp&OP=413da047Q2FQ27CkQ3FQ27vQ7EQ60EEvQ27xmmQ5DQ27mQ5DQ27hQ2AQ27EVQ23-Q23E-Q27hQ2AQ60Q23Kcncv4Q20

Karl Rove Beats the Democrats Again
By FRANK RICH
Published: June 18, 2006


As long as the Democrats keep repeating their own mistakes, they will lose to the party whose mistakes are, if nothing else, packaged as one heckuva show.

<snip>What's needed, wrote Michael Tomasky in an influential American Prospect essay last fall, is a "big-picture case based on core principles." As he argued, Washington's continued and inhumane failure to ameliorate the devastation of Katrina could not be a more pregnant opportunity for the Democrats to set forth a comprehensive alternative to the party in power. Another opportunity, of course, is the oil dependence that holds America hostage to the worst governments in the Middle East.

<snip>Instead the Democrats float Band-Aid nostrums and bumper-sticker marketing strategies like "Together, America Can Do Better." As the linguist Geoffrey Nunberg pointed out, "The very ungrammaticality of the Democrats' slogan reminds you that this is a party with a chronic problem of telling a coherent story about itself, right down to an inability to get its adverbs and subjects to agree."

<snip>On Wednesday Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid were to announce their party's "New Direction" agenda -- actually, an inoffensive checklist of old directions (raise the minimum wage, cut student loan costs, etc.) -- that didn't even mention Iraq. Symbolically enough, they had to abruptly reschedule the public unveiling to attend Bush's briefing on his triumphant trip to Baghdad.

<snip>Those who are most enraged about the administration's reckless misadventures are incredulous that it repeatedly gets away with the same stunts. Last week the president was still invoking 9/11 to justify the war in Iraq, which he again conflated with the war on Islamic jihadism -- the war we are now losing, by the way, in Afghanistan and Somalia. But as long as the Democrats keep repeating their own mistakes, they will lose to the party whose mistakes are, if nothing else, packaged as one heckuva show. It's better to have the courage of bad convictions than no courage or convictions at all.<snip>

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http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Frank_Rich_Karl_Rove_beats_Democrats_0617.html

<snip>Rich notes that even though Iraq has been a "loser" for the Bush Administration, the Republicans have been able to capitalize politically on it since the Democratic Party has been unable to come up with a "stirring narrative that defines their views."

"What's most impressive about Rove, however, is not his ruthlessness, it's his unshakable faith in the power of a story," writes Rich. "The story he's stuck with, Iraq, is a loser, but he knows it won't lose at the polls if there's no story to counter it."

"And so he tells it over and over, confident that the Democrats won't tell their own," Rich continues. "And they don't -- whether about Iraq or much else."

"The question for the Democrats is less whether they tilt left, right or center, than whether they can find a stirring narrative that defines their views, not just the Republicans," Rich writes.
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on what the dems had to say, minus the BS spin from the rw nutbars?

on war, stolen elections, civil rights - all stuff that should be clear cut.

this article, but I do not see the RW spin beyond the fact that the right wing always says clear conviction always beats blurred or no conviction.

Is our newly released variation of the Contract for America going to sell with the near zero information on the Dem Iraq position. Do we need a Murtha position, a Kerry position, a Hillary position, or does any position screw the 40+ Dems that voted for the GOP's latest praise the President Iraq resolution (because in their districts there s a possibility a majority of voters are supporting Bush's forever Iraq policy).

Or should the party have a spine and tell the 40+ that "whatever" IS THE DEM POSITION and now get out there and defend it

How very fucking sad.

killing and stealing and hatred. Dems just want a bit of the power too. Nothing compelling there.

gets them across, in spite of being in the thick of leading questions and spin.

But back in DC, we have 3 versions of Iraq going around and weak-kneed, spineless creeps.

In 2 minutes, Clark outlines all the shortcomings of Bushco's past actions and gives a clear view of what will go wrong in the future if they don't change what they're doing. And he tells them what they should be doing, just for good measure.

But push Clark out there as the party's spokesman on all this?? Of course not.

Here's the drill: the stars of party voted for the war. Why? Well Hillary's pollster was quoted as saying that while her camp had been divided, the vote for bush's blank check gave Hillary "better positioning." Better f'king positioning. Was this a better position for our kids, the troops? Was this a better position for our country? for the people of Iraq?

So here we are watching a civil war that could ignite an entire region. Right now, today, we need to be honest, but alas, we can't. Why? Well, ask the stars' pollsters what they think will give their perspective presidential contenders "better positioning." One thing that won't. Putting the most credible voice in the party, someone who actually knows wtf is going on, someone who has actually studied how these things must be done, would not put the stars in a better position.

about "positioning" in my head. For some reason, my thoughts keep wandering over to that dignified, rational, gutsy retired General who's practically going it alone and speaking truth to power. Maybe I need to brush-up on those tactics which bring us closer, in the eyes of the general public, to the Republicans! Yes, that's the way to win as Democrats!! Fudge around and be polite and deferential to Republicans as the whole damned place crashes and burns!!

When are they going to start attacking rather than play nice? We have all been attacked for years by the Republicans. When are they going to stop being afraid for their own political careers and STOP kowtowing to the GOP?

"Nude Erection" we are definitely going in the Wrong Direction.
Sorry folks, We gotta do better than this!!!!!!! :silly:

Those who are most enraged about the administration's reckless misadventures are incredulous that it repeatedly gets away with the same stunts. Last week the president was still invoking 9/11 to justify the war in Iraq, which he again conflated with the war on Islamic jihadism -- the war we are now losing, by the way, in Afghanistan and Somalia. But as long as the Democrats keep repeating their own mistakes, they will lose to the party whose mistakes are, if nothing else, packaged as one heckuva show. It's better to have the courage of bad convictions than no courage or convictions at all.

Frankie Boy (Bushlicker) Rich



Look Rich. I'm sorry those meds aren't working out, but may I gently take you by the hand and sit you down in a nice comfy chair and introduce you to a wonderful thing called reality?

All the polls show most Americans align themselves with the Democrats. See, that is something based on FACTS. Can you say "Facts," Frankie? I knew you could!

Now, you are basing your blather on mere hope. You HOPE that Repukes will pull this thing off, so you just refuse to see the reality. It's okay. Modern journalists and columnists are mostly like that these days. Shitty journalism schools when you attended classes, no?

Anyhoo, here's a nice cookie. While you snack there (oops !....No drooling, Frankie! Use a napkin, please....there you go....) I'll explain to you something called America. Now, you can turn your back on her and her people all you want to, Frankie. America does not care how long you pout or hold your breath. But she will always be - in the minds of those who truly love her - a sacred place. Those same people are today siding with Democrats on every issue. Bush's numbers are tanking.

If Repukes win, dear, misguided little Frankie, it will not be by noble, courageous or strategic moves. They will steal, Frankie.

And little Bushlicker Boy, let's explain this to you as well:

Theft is what losers resort to. Theft is what less intelligent folks depend on. Disparage the moral, impassioned man with integrity all you like, little boy.

But don't set the thieves up to be heroes, intellectually or otherwise, m'kay? The children are watching. Think of them.

Oh, that's right. You haven't quite reached their level of maturity.





Never mind.

I can't get past the NYT firewall on this particular piece, but I've read Rich for years and he is NOT a Bush apologist. He is being cynical and sarcastic here when he talks about the courage of bad convictions. He is also aiming a big boot at the ass of the Democratic leaders who are showing no convictions at all, something which we at DU do on a regular basis, and with good reason.

Frank Rich's head is not messed up--it's your head that his irony has completely whizzed by. Not to mention that he is an excellent writer, which makes your own confused attempt at metaphor (is he suffering from unmedicated dementia in your portrayal, or is he a little boy who pouts and hasn't reached maturity?)
doubly painful by comparison. Good grief.

Bob Somerby has carefully documented what a sleazeball Frank Rich is. Check out the Daily Howler's archives and see how Rich repeatedly smeared Al Gore with lie after lie, just like his fellow PRE$$TITUTE Whoreen Dowd!

http://www.dailyhowler.com

But it doesn't change one bit Rich's writing on the Bush administration, which for the last five years has been consistently scathing.

And I have read Daily Howler for so long I don't need to consult the archives on this topic. As long as we're going ad hominem here: I stopped reading Somerby --and his tiresomely repetitive style of writing--when he revealed his misogynistic side in a breathtakingly stupid post about a year ago. So Somerby's own credibility is less than pristine.

Rich's piece was immature and merely an excuse to bash Dems with more lies. Frankly, I've heard enough bullshit out of his ilk. Oooh! He dissed Bush a few times. Well so did McCain. So did a lot of people who lick **'s ass anyway. I am so NOT impressed.

How the hell does a 70% disapproval rating for the president, how does the fact that every poll shows the overwhelming number of voters identify as Democrats, how does this translate into Repukes "winning?" WhaT kind of crack does this guy smoke?

Most Americans support the war now? What polls does this guy read? How in the goddamned hell can he claim any victory by Repukes? The nation can't stand them!!!!!!

And NO Dems are speaking out, fighting back, getting tough?? Not Murtha? Not Gore? Not Kerry?

DO YOU believe this? Have you read absolutely NO posts on DU that show Dems speaking out? Give me a break.


Here's a clue: just cuz corporate media doesn't show Dem speeches or actions does not mean they aren't happening.

To me, Rich's writing is immature and the man lacks depth. If he wants to be a BIG BOY, he needs to talk about voter fraud, election scandal and stop bashing Dems. I know; it's easier to keep wearing the Corporate Pull-ups, but it's time for Rich and his ilk to get potty trained.

You may like the guy, and I am just really sorry if I hurt your feelings. But I call bullshit, and I find writing like his to be sophomoric and cheesy. Dude needs to grow up. And he's not the only one.

And immature.

Oooh! indeed.

Me feel terrible now :P

If I was making what Rich makes, I bet I could control all my sophomoric, cheesy writing.

Like every other liar who writes for the Screw York Times (EXCEPT KRUGMAN), Richie Rich lives in his LASSEIZ FAIRYLAND populated by his PRE$$TITUTE pals who float up, up, up in the rarefied air where the whores and the pimps who run the Republican Party float. Yes, in their LASSEIZ FAIRYLAND, Brother Milton Friedman and Sister Ayn Rand have all the answers, and they are all variants of "Looking out for #1 and SCREW EVERYONE ELSE".

They are all so high up in the air, they don't even think of looking down and seeing all the destruction they are causing. They just don't care. And they won't care until they get knocked down by those on the ground. Even then What's the problem of having a sacrificial lamb like Ann Coulter go down, since all the others still float free as a bird? In their world, all animals are equal EXCEPT ELEPHANTS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS!

Oh, Richie Rich will toss a scrap or two down on the masses, maybe he still has the semblance of a conscience, unlike his other PRE$$TITUTE pals who live to kiss Bush's ass.

yeah :thumbsup: