Is it Just Me or Have the Repubs. Handled this Whole Thing Wrong?

[PopSixSquish]

So I'm just sitting here thinking and it occurs to me that the Republicans have really handled this whole Kerry fundraiser/Whoopie Goldberg thing wrong. Most folks realize that Ms. Goldberg is a very edgy, in-your-face style of comedian and that during fundraisers in Presidential election years, some not quite so nice things are going to be said.

By keeping this story in the news media, the Republicans keep the what was said in the news media as well. They've also given the Kerry campaign the opportunity to <impolite word> slap them with all of the things that the administration hasn't released. (See Mary Beth Cahill's letter)

Now with Slim-fast's cowardly firing of Whoopie Goldberg as their spokespersona, the story remains in the media. But now it becomes a story about Whoopie and brings up issues of gender and race and how you can't say anything against the President these days.

And our celebrity-obssessed news media is going to start wanting to interview Ms. Goldberg for "her side of the story" and if I know anything about the lady, she's gonna unload. So now everything gets repeated once again.

If the Republicans had just made a statement and then let the story go, their "base" would have been satisfied. The news media would have dropped the story and we'll all go on to the next outrage.

But now it's being repeated that people said W's an idiot and a thug and that the Kerry/Edwards campaign are "being mean" to the President. And I think most normal folks will think this is much ado about nothing and makes the Repubs. look like a bunch of whiners. Not that they didn't look that way before.

[Walt Starr]

1. Nope, you are wrong

The Republicans are still trying to shore up their base. The internal polls obviously show that the base is pissed at Dumbass* and without the base, they are sunk.

This is a move to shore up the base, nothing else. Same was the case with the ant-rights amendment that went down in flames.

[lovedems]

3. I am surprised O'Lielly hasn't claimed he boycotted Slim-fast

and now has ANOTHER successful boycott under his belt because they fired Whoopi.

I guess there is still time for him to take credit where credit isn't due.

I am sure the freepers are happy too.

I agree though, this is to make a point to a base that isn't happy.

[PopSixSquish]

4. Yeah, I Understand about Shoring Up the Base

but this seems like a strange way to do it. The amendment, while hideous in it's nature, plays better to their base. I mean people have been saying "mean things" about W for 4 years.

[wryter2000]

12. I think you're onto something here

I think this kind of crap used to work for them pretty well. They haven't caught on that they've lost the sympathy of most people and that complaining only makes them look like whiners.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

14. BINGO

I think that's a VERY good point. They haven't caught on yet. It isn't working for them, but against them.

[ThatPoetGuy]

2. Nice post!

Thanks.

[underpants]

5. Hard to say yet but they definitely are using the Wellstone Mem. model

They are playing this exactly the same way. I know I know that was a misrepresentation (gee that's new huh?) but the mainstream carried that water and poured it down the public's throat. THAT was not the reason the Dems did so poorly in the midterms (whole other post) but it didn't hurt the Republicans.

I will say that as unsettling as they think this is to the middle their reaction and continual drumbeat on it is as well. This election is on W and his performance period. The people in the middle know that and if W doesn't come out and talk about something ANYTHING that he has actually achieved they are going to get tired of hearing it. They (most people) don't want to just hear negatives anyway, Kerry has been very smart to stay on the high road.

[Beetwasher]

6. What's More Outrageous: Comedienne Whoopy Talking About "Bush"

in a humorous tongue in cheek manner or the VP telling a Senator in all seriousness to fuck off on the floor of the senate?

[jdsmith]

8. No need to bring up the VP here!

If anyone has nothing whatsoever to do with a discussion on rude jokes about people's names, it's Dick.

[PopSixSquish]

9. I Do Think that the Political Cartoonists

are gonna have a great time with this one. They must just love these guys. The hits just keep on coming.

[BurtWorm]

7. I wonder what kinds of things Drew Carey and Dennis Miller are saying

about Kerry/Edwards. Besides unfunny things, I mean.

[jdsmith]

10. snicker-y "They're GAY!" things, "hoo-hoo!," I'd guess

Surely Drew Carey wouldn't say anything vulgar, would he?

[seabeyond]

11. has seemed to free the cheney fuck you thing also

with the media. when tlaking what whoopi did, all including kerry are saying out loud the cussin of vp........adn that seems to be fine

[PopSixSquish]

13. The White House also Didn't Handle the NAACP Invite Well Either

Reason given - scheduling conflicts, ok asked and answered. But then W opens his mouth and says "they've been mean to me" and once again it looks like he's whining. And then they send Secretary Page out there to duel with the NAACP and he looks like an idiot.

I'm beginning to think that these folks are headed for a breakdown which is funny and a little bit frightening as well.

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

15. Yeah

he is definitely getting WAY whinier and I love it. I feel like I am watching him and his cohorts crumble.