After an important interview of Newt Gingrich and subsequent blog post, David Postman appeared Sunday on David Goldstein's show (KIRO Sundays, 7-10p).
Gingrich was in Bellevue fundraising Saturday for Rep. Dave Reichert and 2nd District GOP challenger Doug Roulstone.
He admitted to being "very worried" about the Republicans' chances in the upcoming elections, but astonishingly advocated "nationaliz[ing] the elections and make the 2006 campaigns about a liberal Democratic agenda rather than about President Bush's record."
Gingrich called upon the President to re-brand "The War On Terror." His suggestion for the new label: "World War III," has a nice ring to it, eh? A ring- an alarm bell- may be just what the lie-low campaign of bland Republican haircut Reichert needs in the race in the 8th district.
According to Postman: "Gingrich said that public opinion can change "the minute you use the language" of World War III. The message then, he said, is "'OK, if we're in the third world war- which side do you think should win?"
Re-branding, marketing, and PR is what the Bush administration shines at in lieu of governing, and though it's doubtful they'll start yelling any time soon about WWIII, we can expect them to otherwise paint the Democrats with their broad brush of patriotic correctness as wimps, wusses, and weenies. (Exactly what, please, is the difference between a wimp, wuss, and a weenie? Maybe some of you neocon readers could write in and parse those for us).
Postman commented on the Times' report Sunday that Darcy Burner has beaten Dave Reichert in fundraising for the 2nd quarter in a row, despite that it was in the very quarter President Bush visited for a fundraiser.
Postman said he was surprised- "It should have been the best quarter Reichert could have expected."
Have Republicans been taking Darcy seriously enough? They might be now, says Postman, but they're probably not panicking because they still have more money in the bank than Burner. But we can expect them, he says, to "up their activity," which is Postman's nice, objective reporter's way of saying: they're going to get nastier.
Meanwhile, the job of the insurgency campaign of Darcy Burner is to make Sheriff Dave a surrogate for George W.Bush, which won't be hard since, despite his elegant poses as a moderate, his voting record is in the 90 something percentile with the incompetent, damaged president.
There is nothing new about making the campaign about the dems liberal agenda . . . like, who thought it would be anything else?
Repubs will do anything to keep Bush's record out of it.
We in our insulated little liberal world think such a branding is an insult. But, it might work. That 30% Christian base is just looking for Armageddon and will probably salivating at the thought. Can he attract another 21% of the electorate and do it?
I would think a lot of people who have kids in the military and guard might finally decide they've had enough. My instinct tells me it is a little early to pronounce WW3 and hopefully that idea will turn off more voters than it turns on.
I wonder if Gingrich is testing the waters for Rove . . .
Posted by: joanie | July 17, 2006 at 01:35 AM
One more thing . . . I wish Darcy were just a little more imposing. I know I'm in the doghouse again but she's just gotta sound tougher.
BTW, I'm watching an old Town Hall Seattle Follies with Steve Scher as mc and he's wearing a AA 10.90 AM T-shirt! Love that guy!
Posted by: joanie | July 17, 2006 at 01:39 AM
Don't forget Bush's visit left a nice big photo of him and Reichert behind for us to display again and again as Exhibit A as to how close Reichert and Bush are.
Posted by: Daniel K | July 17, 2006 at 08:01 AM
Newtie thinks the GOoPers should call it WWIII??
He thinks that would be a positive thing???
Considering it has been 6 years of Bush bungling, lies, etc etc etc that has brought us to this point, I dont think the public will suddenly decide that they want Bush to lead us through a world war...
Posted by: sparky | July 17, 2006 at 08:35 AM
Israel is having another flare-up with one of its neighbors. It's WW III! Everybody panic!
Posted by: darryl | July 17, 2006 at 09:07 AM
Yes, remember the A and B list Reagan had for people in his adminastration during a nuclear event--wonder who is on that list today?
Posted by: chris | July 17, 2006 at 09:54 AM
Joanie:
If you wonder if Darcy Burner is tough enough or "imposing" enough, then clearly you have not talked to her in person. It should be the very least of your concerns.
Posted by: ivan | July 17, 2006 at 10:04 AM
She wasn't very impressive on Goldy's Sunday night show but that may have been due to the format. To have a chance of winning, she's gotta come off as being independent and sharp. That's all.
Considering how many of you endorse her, I'm guessin' she's got the skills for it . . . I hope that comes across in her campaign.
Posted by: joanie | July 17, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Where are the liberal Christians? They are here, they are politcal activists, but I don't hear them! Now is the time to organize as one blaring voice, oh ye lovers of freedom and the holy ghost!
Posted by: Fremont | July 17, 2006 at 10:43 AM
Dori was talking about the discarded baby this hour. He went from that to tv babies left on doorsteps in wicker baskets. Then on to the Democrats and how their views on abortion have caused people to devalue life and that we are responsible. with out hard line views on abortion, for all the babies left in trash cans.
Then I turned the dial to The Beat where they were talking with Nathaniel Philbrick about the good Pilgrims and the way they treated the Indians . . .
Bizarre . . .
Posted by: joanie | July 17, 2006 at 02:41 PM
Perhaps because I have a masochistic streak, I tuned in to Dumb and totally Wacked Out this morning, and you have to give Dan Sytman credit for finding someone to sit in with him that makes him look so good. I would blame the mornings normally, but even when he has been on Carlson in the afternoon, Stephan (the "ph" if for phony) Sharansky slurs his words like a stoner who is definintely one toke over the line. Well, luckily for him, he has a voice made for blogging.
Posted by: JDB | July 17, 2006 at 03:21 PM
Interesting, Joans....I was formerly an abortion, myself!
Posted by: Fremont | July 17, 2006 at 03:30 PM
Everyone thought the Republicans would bite it in the last cycle and they would up doing better than before. I am not getting to confident until we learn some tactical skills.
We should dislike karl Rove, but we need someone who thinks like him.
Posted by: Mike Barer | July 17, 2006 at 10:14 PM
Had a small dinner party tonight. Eight people here and when I mentioned WW3 most of them assented like they agreed we are in WW3. I couldn't believe it! I said "NO! This isn't WW3! Get real . . . "
Maybe WW3 is a viable strategy to close ranks and win . . . for the republicans. And my guests are - or were - of the liberal persuasion. Scary!
Posted by: joanie | July 17, 2006 at 11:38 PM
Cowboy Phrases Top Ten Old West Phrases That Will Never Sound The Same
After That DamnedGay Cowboy Movie
1. "I'm gonna pump you fulla lead!"
2. "Give me a stiff one, barkeep!"
3. "Don't fret---I've been in tight spots before."
4. "Howdy, pardner."
5. You stay here while I sneak around from behind."
6. Two words: "Saddle Sore."
7. "Hold it right there! Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like."
8. "Let's mount up!"
9. "Nice spread ya got there!"
10. "Ride'em cowboy!"
Posted by: Brian In Lacey | July 18, 2006 at 07:28 AM
I'm delighted to hear you were nourishing liberals, Joans...we'll need them to fight the war they believe in...
This is a touchy format for gay cowboy jokes, Bin L....many of us ARE gay cowboys.
Posted by: Fremont | July 18, 2006 at 09:54 AM