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When Will The Insanity Stop?; Attack campaigning by anonymous folks
Topic Started: Aug 25 2004, 08:19 AM (256 Views)
Colo_Crawdad
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Lowell
This morning I read two pieces in the local Denver Post that made me ask the question. I’ll not take up the space to provide the full text, but I will provide the link to the full text of both articles. We in Colorado have a Senate race going on. An independent and secretly funded group from out of state has launched a television attack ad on the Democratic candidate, Ken Salazar who is running against the Republican candidate Pete Coors. Do note that this is the first of any attack ads in this campaign for the Senate set from Colorado. Assuredly, there will now likely be more from supporters of both candidates. I have three problems with what is happening. One, the misleading attack ad is being paid for by folks that do not have to divulge their names. Two, the money to attempt to influence the Colorado State election is being financed by folks outside of the State. Not much respect for States’ rights there. I have the distinct feeling that similar answering attack ads may come from out state to attack Pete Coors. (Until now the only attack ads against Pete Coors were financed by supporters of his his Republican opponent in the primary.) My third and most important problem is that the ads are being financed by anonymous donors. I don’t think that freedom of speech includes anonymity for the speaker., but apparently under section 501© of the tax code such anonymous campaign financing is allowed. They do not have to ever divulge their donors, and they are not required to divulge how much money is spent until after the election. Again, when will the insanity stop?

The two articles:

Soft-cash ad targets Democrat Salazar

Political campaigns of personal destruction


"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US." --- Pogo
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olstuf
Bill
It is happening all over the country by various groups on both sides of the aisle. Here in Wisconsin we have two senators, both Democrat, one of whom is rich as Midas and the other relatively poor considering the position. Herb Kohl, the richer of the two has done little. Feingold, the one with a much more modest worth, has worked hard at helping the state and the country. (Even with the McCain/Feingold campaign finance fiasco). Feingold is being attacked within the state and also by outside interests. Kohl, meanwhile, is pretty much left alone. So it appears if you try to do something, you are attacked and if you just show up, make no waves, you are left alone. On the house side, Tammy Baldwin, D, is attacked by those who are anti gay but not on issues but her sexuality and her gender. I hope it stops everywhere. It will cause the demise of this country. Even our local state legislature is so divisive and many are under investigation or have been convicted of various offenses again on both side of the aisle. Honor among politicians is long gone. Very sad.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
It will stop when we stop voting for them, the major, moneyed parties. But that won't happen until more people wake up and stop playing the partisan games they learn from the media.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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olstuf
Bill
Chris, given the nature of the system, who could run for office? The process is so big and powerful that I cannot fathom how it can be stopped. If we cannot get to the truth in this campaign, how do we know who is lying at anytime? We are so divided, and just about evenly, about who is right and who is wrong that many will vote for their parties choice no matter what. The term "Yellow dog Democrat" fits the Republican party as well. I did a topic on the AtC about voting, did you vote, did you vote straight party or split ticket etc. I believe over 90% said they voted and those said they split the ticket or at least voted for "the best person" rather than party lines. But, I believe we have become so polarized that most people are voting party now. I have talked to many, both sides, that say they will vote a straight ticket this time. I have considered it myself but we have no "None of the above" on our ballot. As for my friends down in Texas who were concerned about Pat Robertson and his followers, we haven't converted them yet but I believe they are taking instructions. :rolleyes: I know there is hope for them, they are native LONGAA Islanders.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
olstuf, if you look at the bigger picture of history, organizations tend to grow so big and powerful they stagnate and collapse under their own weight. Rome fell, the US will, what's the Reps and Dems compared?

Your even divisions and polarization assume the myth of red and blue states a reality when 33% are solid Rep and 33% solid Dem and 33% solid centrist or moderate or Independent, and trends show the latter growing and the former two shrinking.

All that's needed is what's lacking now, a leader.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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olstuf
Bill
Chris, care to volunteer? I remember the first third party candidate I was aware of, Norman Thomas of the Socialist Party. Never had a chance even though some of his ideas were incorporated by later candidates of the major parties. Gene McCarthy and others, including Ross Perot who had the money, never really had a chance. Remember George Wallace? Running on his (not really his but the perceived image of him) agenda probably interested more people than most third party candidates but never really was a threat to win. What we are seeing is the beginning of the end like many "empires", crumbling from within. For that reason, I am glad I am old.
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DanielDenali
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Member
Two days ago the NAACP of Washington came out with an attack on Christine Gregoire. She is a Democrat that has been Washington's Atty General for the last 12 years. She was responsible for the tobacco settlement that benefited all states. She apparently at the age of 19, 38 years ago, was a member of a sorority that was an all white club. She is running against a African American man in the PRIMARY for Governor of the state of Washington. To think that those within her own party would stoop to such a low level is appalling to me. She is in no way a racist. She IS a great champion of all people of color and has proven that throughout her career.

What a shame that good people that are willing to put themselves under the microscope so that we all can live in a better world must endure this kind of attack. It's no wonder to me that the highest office in the land is now the prize for those that have the millions to do battle with these kind of people. To think that we all have to suffer through the constant barrage of insidious venom that is hulled at them is sickening.

There needs to be president setting legal action that puts an end to this for all time. I would like to see someone go to jail for these kind of attacks.

Before you know it, weather or not you are left handed , or right handed will become a valid assault on an individual. It reminds me of Swift's Gulliver's travels. The big enders, and the little enders.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
olstuf "Chris, care to volunteer?"

I'm already Administrator. You want blood? :o
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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corky52
Member
And a pound of flesh from near your heart!
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olstuf
Bill
He's got a heart!!!! Never qualify. My point exactly though Chris. There are people who are qualified to lead our country but your comment of a pound of flesh gets to the problem. Why take the job that many people would condemn you no matter how well you did. Not a minute of privacy, every word, (or in the case of Bush, utterance, some certainly are not words,) is diseceted for hidden meanings and your main objective is to be re-elected. Not an easy task and only those with a great ego really try for it. One can only hope for someone that can be what Bush promised and failed to deliver, a president who will unite the country.

Nigh on to my bedtime so I expect the problem to be solved tomorrow. If nominated, I will not run, if elected I will not serve. Is plagiarism allowed? :huh:
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