Much has been said nationally of Newsweek's recent coverage of Team Obama, plus Mark Salter's scathing response. For my money, Rich Lowry's overarching view of the episode explains the impact of the double standard the best.
Newsweek's pro-Obama, liberal-stereotype-of-the-GOP-on-display work in question highlights a stark difference between the parties. Republicans are viewed by some in the left-of-center as purveyors of tough politics; Democrats just nice guys - and gals - who want to talk about "the issues."
Apparently, such thinking believes the obnoxious use of George W. Bush to savage every Republican possible in 2006 constitutes polite politics. As does the DNC obliteration of Bob Dole in the summer months of 1996. We won't even discuss the NAACP ads of 2000.
Not that the left (or the right) should be begrudged for such skills, even as they should be held particularly accountable for the facts involved in their tougher charges. Politics can be rough and both sides have some skill at filleting the other side. Just hold everyone to an equal standard.
Accordingly, Democrats and the lefty blogosphere have made clear here in the Evergreen State that they plan to savage Dino Rossi with a vengeance this year; the thinking being he got so close to Christine Gregoire's languid campaign in 2000 because they didn't beat him up enough. "Change we can believe in" this is not.
Nationally, the Evan Thomas's of the world will try to say Republicans are merely smearing their opponent with non-sequiturs, as their own favored horse supposedly simply sticks to the issues and offers a vision for the future. If we use anything close to similar logic locally, will reporters cover the fact that one candidate will be running on an actual agenda and vision for the future (Rossi), while one is going to have to rely on attack ads to suppress the opposition thanks to a not-so-stellar record on which to run (Gregoire)?
I'm not holding my breath, but it would be nice...and more importantly, fair.
Posted by Eric Earling at May 13, 2008 07:43 AM | Email This...won't have to; one just needs to let him speak and present his illusionary 'ideas', that in itself will certainly do him in. :)
Posted by: Duffman on May 13, 2008 07:41 AMWith regards to Obama and McCain, even though some are stating that Obama shouldn't take McCain up on his state-to-state town meeting tour, I personally think it would be a good idea. If you as a candidate can't talk to normal people and have depend upon auditorium events, then you aren't a real leader. I personally think Obama will do fine in these events. Obama has a history of sitting down with people and discussing the issues. He should not fear this forum. I don't believe he should fear McCain in this forum, either. McCain is not Hillary. In the town meeting forum, McCain would be straight talking. It is his best forum, but I also believe for Obama it can bring him closer to voters and more down to earth.
As far as the governor's race, I think the McCain idea would also be good. A Dino and Chris road show of town meetings throughout the state with no moderator, just interacting with people would be good. It would be a good chance for people to meet the candidates face to face.
With this age of media campaigning, we need to try to get back to more of this grassroots/face-to-face campaigning.
Posted by: tc on May 13, 2008 09:00 AMAnd the Republicans are different ... how?
Posted by: John McDonald on May 13, 2008 09:00 AM2. No one really knows what commodity prices will do over time, but if gas stays above $100 per barrel for the future, there are some effects of that price. People are making fewer trips and voluntarily downsizing their vehicles. One of the key points of Senator Rossi's agenda is building more roads for congestion relief. Is this still viable and what is needed? How does he deal with the political process in siting transportation, can he do better given the myriad of jurisdictions?
3. Governor Gregoire is crtiticized because supporters of Senator Rossi feel that he can do a better job. That is based upon what? Rossi supporters know his resume. He has legislative experience, but if he were elected governor wouldn't this be his first big executive position. So, his first term, he would be new to the position and essentially learning on the job.
4.In the interview with Robert Mak, he said that he would find cuts in the budget. What programs would he cut? His transportation plan relies on funding from the general fund. What things would he eliminate?
Hopefully, there will be a substantive debate by the candidates of the issues. There are partisans on both sides and neither side is exempt from sleeze politics.
Posted by: WVH on May 13, 2008 09:33 PMHillary has done a pretty good job at vetting Obama, but maybe not good enough for her sake. Her and McCain will be tag-teaming and the likely scenario is that he'll start in after she is finished. However, the idea of a town hall meetings plays against McCain and probably in favor of Obama - so why do it ? (One tip: According to Garrity from Politico.com - the polls for the General Election will be all over the place (i.e. roton to the core) for McCain vs. Obama), so be wary.
As for the Governor's race, the jury is out -
I like Rossi's chances, but only if he gets some cooperation from King County - more than he did last time, cause it will be a close election once again.
Regarding cooperation from King County, part of the reason that this state is one-party is that republicans have pretty much ceded urban areas to the democrats. The area around Puget Sound is urbanizing and the migration patterns are that people cycle through Seattle and move all over the state. They bring more modertate views with them. People from all over move to Seattle. Look at what has happened in the ring burbs around Seattle and Bellevue. Once solidly republican, they are toss-up districts.
I hope the King County Elections Department gets its act together because every one is watching them. Even with an election that most view as clean, republicans will still have a problem because the message is aimed at rural areas and small towns. The demographics of this state, like that in the recent congressional elections in Louisiana and Mississippi do not favor the republican party.
Posted by: WVH on May 13, 2008 10:00 PM