The Art of Distraction

[keopeli]

No matter what happens next Tuesday, Karl Rove will go down in history as a master of distraction.

Every time a major story breaks, and often before it even happens, the White House issues an off-topic issue as a distraction.

The signs of this are pretty clear. First, you must have a major problem facing the White House regarding publicity (i.e. revealing there were no WMDs, release of damaging information about the war, etc). Second, you must provide a distraction that is simple to understand and distracts the majority of Americans; whether they agree or disagree does not matter and neither does veracity. It must be evocative and emotional. Finally, you must get all Republican broadcasters trumpeting the same meme with emotional vigor - no holds barred. Provocation is encouraged.

The most recent example was so effective that it remains elusive to many who are reading these words. When Bob Woodward released "State of Denial", it was a a bombshell. It was right on the mark of criticizing the Administration regarding the Iraq War. If you consider the order that events occurred, you can see a pattern that has become familiar.

Woodward's book was released early. This happened because a leak to the press of the contents threatened to lessen the sales of the book in its initial release. The book's release occurred over a hectic weekend with pundits reeling and without a successful retort.

By Monday, Mark Foley was being thrown to the wolves. Yes, times were that desperate. It's not the first time Republicans have aggressively played the "gay card." Foley's peccadilloes with pages were undoubtedly known by Rove and his minions. It's worth noting that all of the players in this revelation are either sleeping peacefully at home or on a private ranch. No one has been charged with a crime. Hastert is still at the helm of the House, in spite of Pelosi's last minute effort to take advantage of this signature Rovian distraction.

As a result, we have spent an undue amount of time inspecting the Congressional Page program when it has just been revealed that our leaders have launched an illegal war and put our military at serious risk. All of us are guilty of playing into this distraction. Being evocative is a central feature of the best distractions.

Now, with days left until the election, and nothing but bad news on television for the Republicans, Rove has turned to righteous indignation over a misrepresentation of Kerry's words. First, he twisted what Kerry was saying, then he got every partisan mimicking the theme that Democrats hate the military. It's ideal since it rials Democrats into the familiar defensive role and gives Republicans, who have no problem ignoring reality, a rallying call.

"Apologize, John Kerry!" they yell. "Why don't you want us to win the war?"

If our brave military in Iraq and abroad want Kerry, who served among them 40 years ago in the trenches of Vietnam, to apologize because they feel offended by what Bush says Kerry says, then let them all know that Kerry never said anything he meant to hurt the military and he humbly apologizes to his fellow soldiers.

Kerry wants to help our military in Iraq. Is Bush trying to help our military in Iraq? Will Bush be apologizing for mistakes he's admitted making that put their lives in REAL harm's way? Kerry doesn't hold the keys to the White House. The 2004 election decided that for us all. The keys are held by Bush, and he will be commander and chief for two more years.

The question today is, do you want him to continue unchecked, or do you want to get some real questions answered and some real action taken to complete our mission in Iraq and bring our soldiers home?

I don't want apologies from a senator in Maryland. I want answers from the President and I want the Democrats to have the power to ask them.

[solara]

1. Bravo! n/t