Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - The truth about politics and smear campaigns

Ustwo · 09-11-2004, 05:42 PM

To me a smear is only a smear if its not true. The circumstances might be nasty, or underhanded but unless it’s a lie I don’t see a problem with it.

I think Kerry’s problem is a lot of the ‘smears’ are true or at least partially true. It’s a lot easier to ignore a lie and have it go away than the truth. When members of his campaign call challenging his senate record a smear it looks more like someone trying to hide something. When he tries to call the swiftboat adds a violation of campaign finance reform but never said anything about the moveon.org adds, it makes him look not only like he is trying to cover something up, but also hypocrite.

Kerry’s problem is the real John Kerry is nothing but a long time politician with a lot of skeletons that it entails. He can’t be the real John Kerry, because the real John Kerry wouldn’t get elected. He has been the pro-war, anti-war, pro-gun, anti-gun, pro-tax, pro-tax (well some things are consistent) candidate.

Clinton was able to get away with it, not only because of his savvy behind a microphone, but because not that many people really cared about his sexcapades. His actions finally did catch up with him in the end, (esp those last minute pardons which were a clear abuse of power and did a lot to damage the Clinton legacy) and I think cost Gore the election.

But back to smearing. I think at the national level, smears can only hurt you when they are at least partially true.

When a group (I forget which one) tried to blame GWB for the dragging death of James Byrd because he doesn’t support hate crimes legislation it was nothing but a smear and didn’t hold any traction with potential Bush voters (they neglected to mention both men got the death penalty, and the third was still on trial).

On the other hand when they pulled the ‘October surprise’ with the Bush DUI, that was true, and while it was very underhanded in its timing and how it was handled, it is believed it did cost Bush a good number of votes.

Ok enough rambling on my part.

09-11-2004, 05:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	To me a smear is only a smear if its not true. The circumstances might be nasty, or underhanded but unless it’s a lie I don’t see a problem with it. I think Kerry’s problem is a lot of the ‘smears’ are true or at least partially true. It’s a lot easier to ignore a lie and have it go away than the truth. When members of his campaign call challenging his senate record a smear it looks more like someone trying to hide something. When he tries to call the swiftboat adds a violation of campaign finance reform but never said anything about the moveon.org adds, it makes him look not only like he is trying to cover something up, but also hypocrite. Kerry’s problem is the real John Kerry is nothing but a long time politician with a lot of skeletons that it entails. He can’t be the real John Kerry, because the real John Kerry wouldn’t get elected. He has been the pro-war, anti-war, pro-gun, anti-gun, pro-tax, pro-tax (well some things are consistent) candidate. Clinton was able to get away with it, not only because of his savvy behind a microphone, but because not that many people really cared about his sexcapades. His actions finally did catch up with him in the end, (esp those last minute pardons which were a clear abuse of power and did a lot to damage the Clinton legacy) and I think cost Gore the election. But back to smearing. I think at the national level, smears can only hurt you when they are at least partially true. When a group (I forget which one) tried to blame GWB for the dragging death of James Byrd because he doesn’t support hate crimes legislation it was nothing but a smear and didn’t hold any traction with potential Bush voters (they neglected to mention both men got the death penalty, and the third was still on trial). On the other hand when they pulled the ‘October surprise’ with the Bush DUI, that was true, and while it was very underhanded in its timing and how it was handled, it is believed it did cost Bush a good number of votes. Ok enough rambling on my part. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.