Democracy Prevails
A Political Action Committee Founded in 2004
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A Guest Column by Kathy Welch
Stand Up for Democrats
Elect Barack Obama Series,
Vol. 4, No. 1, August 1, 2008
Welcome to the first edition of this year’s Stand Up for Democrats. Upcoming issues will be brief (usually under two pages). I’ll present talking points for our side, debunk myths and McCain spin, and re-frame the issues, as needed. I may also present material in defense of Mark Warner. Obama is ahead in national polls, but considerably ahead on the electoral-college map. Have faith (and hope!). Please write letters to the editor of your local newspaper, GOTV (get out the vote) and volunteer at your local Obama or Democratic HQs.
McCain, the Double Talker: More than 70 Examples of Major Reversals and Doublespeak (Really Important Links)
First, June 30th Keith Olbermann refuted in great detail the myth of McCain as “straight talker.” (Here’s the video <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#25465984>.
But there are even more examples. Here is the best list (72 and counting) of John McCain flip-flops. <http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/flipflops>. More recommended sites next time. I also recommend two paperbacks: The Real John McCain by Cliff Schechter and Free Ride: John McCain and the media by David Brock and Paul Waldman, both of mediamatters.org.
McCain is No Moderate John McCain is neither a “maverick” nor moderate, terms now ubiquitous in the McCain-related political chatter. However, he flirted briefly with being “moderate” in 2001-2. Following the 2000 bashing he took at the hands of Bush-Rove, McCain needed a political “home.” That’s when he opportunistically cozied up to Democrats. Also, the adoring media, seeming to love McCain for the access he gives them, helped build the myth of the moderate maverick around this brief transformation. But the media-favorite candidate probably is such at least partly he chairs the committee overseeing the massive telecom telecom industry. But back in the real world, the myth of McCain as “moderate” is easy to refute with voting records and ratings.
· He has voted 90% with Bush, on average. However, this year it was 100% and last year 95% < http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/28/mccain-voted-with-bush-100-percent-of-the-time-in-2008/>
· The Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal group, rated John McCain a 9 % lifetime average. During the period that McCain flirted with moderate positions, he was actually still conservative.
· Until 2000, John McCain had one of the most Conservative voting records in the Senate.
· Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (fair.org) found, when researching the McCain record, in the 107th Congress (2001-02) McCain was the sixth most liberal Republican (but still behind every single Democrat) in “liberal” voting. But that was in a post-Gingrich revolution Congress. So, 6th most “liberal” republican Senator doesn’t mean much in terms of his being progressive.
· In the very next session, the 108th, he was the fourth most conservative.
· In 109th, he was the second most conservative.
· In the 110th, he was the eighth most conservative.
Watch this video over a youtube.com in which McCain admits his conservative voting record:<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHN9bLCgF7k&eurl=http://www.raisingkaine.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=740C6EB30E857260CC47AA8BFEAE10D9?diaryId=15286>. Spread the word! Reluctant Dems or Independents need to know how very conservative John McCain really is.
Media Commentators Attack Obama
Read Media Matters’ summary of just some of it here: <http://mediamatters.org/items/200806130006?f=s_search>. Also read this: <http://mediamatters.org/items/200806060009?f=s_search>. Then note that 72% of coverage of Obama was found to be negative by a George Mason University Study (http://www.cmpa.com/). The only good week Obama’s had at the hands of the media was during the international trip he just took. And John McCain has lied about Obama ignoring the troops while traveling, a charge Republican Chuck Hagel, who was with Obama, vigorously denounced. Just as in 2004, cable news outlets, and even the evening network “news,” now air McCain ads over and over, giving them greater traction. McCain made one of his recent ad-buys for a “song,” only bought a few airs (4-6), and got hundreds of plays he didn’t even have to pay for.
13 Important Facts about Anti-Obama Attack Ads Alternet.org has an excellent article about McCain’s anti-Obama attack ads: <http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/93427/>. MediaMatters.org also has a great review and critique of these ads: <http://mediamatters.org/items/200808010008?f=h_latest>. Meanwhile, there’s a new Pew poll purporting that the public doesn’t want to hear any more about Obama (see Thursday, August 7, 2008, Roanoke Times). Note that Pew is funded by the heirs of Sun Oil. Because the media collectively have ignored the real substance of Obama’s positions and policy speeches, the public’s hearing or reading less is a recipe for disaster. Here’s an important read about how the media has circled the wagons to trivialize, mock, and undermine the Obama candidacy <http://www.alternet.org/story/94030/why_obama_could_be_in_trouble/>. There’s great material here for Letters to the Editor (LTEs) or commentaries.
And, Finally, from Talking Points Memo, Here’s Video of McCain Losing It. Note: you can download TPM video to your video ipod for free at Itunes. Then you can “podcast” short ads and documentaries for friends and neighbors AND help elect Obama! <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWX5u69hmzY>.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Stand Up for Democrats is a campaign media watch newsletter by blogger Kathy Welch, who does not speak for any candidate, campaign, or party.