The above ad was used against Howard Dean in Iowa during the 2004 primaries.
It gives you an idea of how dirty it can get. We’re not there yet, but it’s
coming.
A lot of people are now speculating who the Republicans would rather run against.
It’s been my contention for a very long time that Clinton makes them the most
nervous. The cartoonish caricature hit pieces against her won’t work anymore. She’s already been swiftboated within an inch of her political life. I also think the female vote factor is simply gigantic if she’s our nominee, which also scares the GOP. Obama would be a negative ad man’s dream, simply because he’s the new guy on the seen, so they’d do their best to define him before his team could do it. But that might backfire,
because people really are sick of hit job politics. I’m still not sure what to make of this beauty by Jesse Jackson, who endorsed Obama. However, the fact remains
that negative ads work and Obama is the newest face in the crowd and the biggest target. But his talent on the stump could be an incredible boon, though the debates would be a killer for him, I’m afraid. As for Edwards, he is not picking up any support in Iowa still,
so he remains the long shot and needs a miracle to get momentum at this point, especially with Obama clearly picking up steam in Iowa.
But thinking towards the general election, it’s time to answer this question: Who can withstand a dirty trick terror threat manipulation right before the general election?
Because if you think Republicans are going to let a Democrat walk into the White
House without using every trick in the book you weren’t paying attention to
2004. Remember what happened right before election day?
Osama bin Laden delivered a new videotaped message in which he told Americans
their security does not depend on the president they elect, but on U.S. policy.
And he said al Qaeda remains motivated to strike the U.S. again.
Some believe bin Laden appearing right before the November election in 2004
was the final nail in Kerry’s coffin, which isn’t the point because that’s long gone. I also
don’t believe bin Laden has the power he once had. But there are many threats
in the world that could make voters nervous. The threat will come from some
other force. It might even be inspired through Republicans playing the terror
card at a time when Americans feel most vulnerable. Right before they’re going
to make their choice for president.
It’s an old tactic, but it’s worked before with voters.
Or maybe voters are ready to turn the page? Maybe voters will be willing to trust someone new at the game because all the old ways have failed? That’s giving voters a lot of credit. Is it giving them too much? I just don’t know. But it would be assuming that this is a moment of great hope. However, looking towards Pakistan, the Middle East, Lebanon and Syria, hope for change through engagement is important, but there is danger lurking in underestimating the huge hurdle the next president faces. Senator Biden has said it many times. The next president is really in for it around the globe.
Oh, and once you answer the question of who could withstand a terror threat manipulation, think about the domestic trap door. The minefield of illegal immigration, which cuts across political affilation. What candidate can walk through it without imploding? Bill Richardson? It’s the second question that needs answering.
Picking a nominee who can win the general election isn’t as easy as you think.
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