Head of USA Next Promises More Anti-AARP Ads, Despite Court Setback

[Robbien]

<snip>

Meanwhile, in an interview with The New York Times that will appear this weekend in the Sunday magazine, Charlie Jarvis, director of USA Next, reveals that in a few weeks his group will begin running ads “that very specifically and aggressively brand AARP for what they are, the planet's largest liberal lobbying organization. When they are honest about that, we will take a large number of their members away.” AARP has 35 million members.

The ads, he said in the interview, would involve TV, radio, Web, direct mail, e-mail, and phone alerts.

He said he could not think of a single positive thing to say about AARP's goals and that “they don't really know the facts about an issue like Social Security.”

Asked if USA Next was just a front group for the White House, Jarvis said he'd never had a “one-on-one” meeting with Karl Rove, Bush's chief strategist, but had met him, thinks “he is a political and tactical genius,” and has attended presentations he's given at the White House.

Jarvis previously worked for Focus on Family, which has dubbed SpongeBob SquarePants a promoter of homosexuality. “I call him Sponge Robert Square Pants,” Jarvis quipped, “because I don't know him well.”

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000836735

[Coastie for Truth]

1. Is Charlie Jarvis related to California's Howard Jarvis

the man whose Prop 13 effectively destroyed California's public schools? A real anal sphincter - but deified by the California Repugs.

[Sugarbleus]

2. How FICKLE these guys are. AARP signed onto their

Medicare Reform Bill and lost a host of members...they loved AARP then. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.. sheesh

[Emboldened Chimp]

3. This man is truly insane

There really is no other way to describe it. He's plain nuts.

[rodeodance]

5. they are gassed up with hate--gets lots of miles on hate

[preciousdove]

4. Can anybody figure out what is going on here?

AARP is owned by Met Life Insurance Co. A lot of thinking people jumped ship to another real advocacy organization during the Medicare drug (future) scandal. Herbert Humphrey (III? IV? Jr?)took over AARP after that to bring a "new direction" to the organization. Now the looney-toons USA org is attacking one of their own Met Life/AARP. Are they expecting hard working Americans to again defend AARP because of these attacks or is USA a loose cannon unaware who they are attacking?

Up is down. Black is white and my head hurts.

[rodeodance]

6. How is this group related to the swifty boats? (I had heard they were).

[rockedthevoteinMA]

12. I saw this moran on hardball- when this first broke

he denied they were related to the swift boat liars, BUT their office was in the same building, and on the same floor. :eyes:

[Ganja Ninja]

9. I've always thought of the AARP as being a right wing ...

organization. In fact, I got a membership application 2 years ago when I turned 50 and threw it away because I didn't want to contribute to an organization that contributed to Republicans. The current flap really does surprise me. I never thought I would see them at odds with Bush and the GOP. Bush had better be careful because if he pisses the elderly off he could lose his majority in congress. That could lead to impeachment and he could wind up in jail with a real man date.

[Guckert]

11. Only when they back the pResidents Prescription drug handout.

the short memory ReDUMBlicans must have forgotten. along with the "liberal" Supreme court handing the Presidency to the Coward in Chief.

[Trish1168]

16. At the very least, it'll make the election rigging more obvious

since the disparity between exit polls and returns will be lots bigger. Besides, the grass roots is SO ANGRY and SO ACTIVE, it will be hard for the GOP to hold on to some seats in some states (without being obvious).

Literally, the GOP would either have to bribe the powers that be at the news consortium (likely) or out law exit polls (also likely). This, of course, would be suspicious. But they seem to not care!!

[rogue_bandit]

15. Met Life?

How is it owned by met life. I thought AARP was a non-profit (though there do seem to be plenty of non-profits in for-profit businesses these days). I's just like clarification ont he connection.

I refused to join AARP because of their recent actions. Now I'm tempted ot join just because they are being attacked.

John

[preciousdove]

19. Archive search for AARP/Met Life connection please?

It was discussed when AARP backed the Medicare Drug legislation that blocked buying discounts. Thanks.

[cascadiance]

7. I'm sure that William Novelli feels insulted by Jarvis calling him a "lib"

Novelli, the "CEO" of AARP is anything but a liberal. He's been in the Republican's back pocket for the Medicare bill as noted here and other contributions, which has lead to a revolt by many liberal members of the AARP. Jarvis is certifiable!

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/03/11/con03350.html

[one_true_leroy]

8. divide and conquer...

i don't mean to be too much of a tin-foil wearer, but has anyone noticed how prevelent the idea is of busting up any sort of collective bloc? AARP, any type of union, DNC, ACLU any collective movement is splintered and discredited, (fraudulently, if necessary). I saw a B/C '04 bumber sticker next to an AARP sticker, yesterday, and begin thinking what a brilliant strategy... blanket cast an org as bad, then splinter it... you can't be a good GOPer if you support/belong to x, y, z. Think about it, even as the ACLU represents Rush in his medical records suit, he decries them as unamerican. As the AARP legitmately raises concerns about SS, they are cast as pro-gay. Teacher unions are terrorist orgs for opposing NCLB. Retail unions are anti-capitalist. Etc, etc., until average Joe is afraid of any collective outside the GOP. Even as these orgs amplify the opinions of their individual members (which will always include points of dissent and division), the individuals are targeted with the notion that ALL the tenants of an org will be applied to that person. An org may have a 12pt focus, and the individual supports 11 of them. Fox & Co convince them that that 12th point is the only focus of the org, and anyone in the org is now tied to that. Individual feels they must leave org and now they are divided from the flock because of that point, and the their voice is now all alone on the other 11 points. Either/or thinking is going to be the death of democracy and collective rule.

[oscar111]

10. BETTER SENIORS GROUP: ARA assn. of retired americans

IIRC, that is the LW replacement for AARP/

NEW AARP head is Novelli, wrote forward to Gingrich book.

squabble between two RW guys it seems... USA is RW front group for Pfizer pill co. No members, daily radio ads tho. "the right voice" it says.

bottom line go join ARA

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Frances]

18. I am so afraid that you are right

If people are afraid that they will be attacked via any organization that they belong to except the GOP and their GOP worshipping church, then it will be easier for the GOP to control them. And if anyone not in the GOP is seen as evil and unpatriotic, then opposition groups have no power.

[northzax]

13. of course AARP is a liberal group

they advocate for better housing, healthcare and living standards for their members. that is liberal. A conservative group would oppose increased health care, oppose better protection from abuse, oppse the regulation of nursing homes and hospices, oppse better benefits.

good luck getting members, boy-o

[lovuian]

14. Spend away Millions & Zillions on Propoganda!!!

Its a waste of space!!!

[Javaman]

17. repuke + to much time on there hands = USA Next

[Mari333]

20. Dont F*ck with the AARP

we might be older but we will kick their proverbial ass.
Seriously. Bring it on, you little weasels.

[Toots]

21. This is the way they operate..divide and conquer...they have been

pretty damn successful at it so far. If they can splinter fifteen million of those thirty five million away from ARRP they will have successfully broken the clout of ARRP. They are pulling out all the stops and will stoop to anything.