The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Bush or Kerry part IV - Negative Politics Many political managers, workers, candidates and observers believe that negative politics works and is effective in winning elections. Others believe it often backfires, creates sympathy for the one being attacked, particularly if it is a personal attack. Remember the anti-Jean Chretien ad in the 1993 campaign which emphasized Chretien's facial disability while trying to draw attention to his mental and policy shortcomings? There was such a negative reaction across Canada that the PCs had to pull the ad, but the damage was done and it was all downhill for them until election day. Negative politics in Britain and Canada is unlike that in the USA. In Britain, election campaign attacks are generally on the other leader's or party's policies and are seldom personal. A number of elections ago the Labor Party leader accused Margaret Thatcher of "cutting and running" in Britain's relationship with Europe. There was such a negative reaction in the press over such "bad form" that the leader had to apologize. It is similar usually in Canada. When John Diefenbaker was accused of negative speeches or comments he said: "I only tell the truth and let the listener decide." He had many blistering attacks on the policies and decisions of C.D. Howe, Louis St. Laurent, Lester Pearson, and Trudeau, but really nothing personal. Both Conservatives and Liberals were accused by each other of using "American style" attack ads in the 2004 campaign. They were mildly similar, but nothing like what is going on south of the border with millions of dollars being spent on TV to knock the opponent. An anti-Bush American friend from the U.S. south sent 'The Corner' the following, titled "To Be A Republican Today." - Things you have to believe to be a Republican today: 1. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness and you need our prayers for your recovery. 2. The United States should get out of the United Nations, and our highest national priority is enforcing U.N. resolutions against Iraq. 3. "Standing tall for America" means firing your workers and moving their jobs to India. 4. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton. 5. Group sex and drug use are degenerate sins unless you someday run for governor of California as a Republican. 6. A good way to fight terrorism is to belittle our long-time allies, then demand their cooperation and money. 7. Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism. 8. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheny did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden diversion". 9. Government should limit itself to the powers named in the constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet. 10. Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony. The Republicans are circulating similar anti-Democrat writings and appeals on the Internet and in leaflets and flyers. An interesting and different political note was sent by another southern American friend, obviously not a Democrat, and just as obviously a supporter of the Christian Right. - Subject; Praying together: "Someone has said that if Christians really understood the power we have available through prayer we might be speechless. In WW2 there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collective prayer for the safety of England, its people and peace. There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America. If you would like to participate, every evening at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, our President and for peace in the world. Prayer does make a difference! If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. I hope you can join me in this prayer group. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Together we CAN make a difference! Thank you, and God Bless America. - Conrad." In 1992, Dukaukis the Democratic candidate for President came out of his convention with an 18 point lead in the polls over the current President's father. Republican attacks and attack ads on the former Governor's policies and character soon took care of the lead, and the elder Bush won easily. His popularity was high during the first Iraqi war, but dropped massively in 1996 when he ignored the stumbling economy and Bill Clinton won the Presidency. John Kerry came out of the Democratic convention with a small lead over President Bush who has since regained the lead. The National Republican Convention held in New York City was like the Democrat's meeting, carefully stage managed, emphasizing the President's strong wartime leadership. With the war on terrorism his big advantage over Kerry, Bush connected the Iraqi war as part of the war to make America safer. New York was not selected at random as organizers wanted it to bring back memories of the President's leadership after 9-11. See 'Issues' P.# Con't from P.# All Conservative Republicans were not pleased with the Convention's emphasis on social issues moderates. Speakers such as N.Y. Mayor Bloomburg, 9-11 hero Rudolph Guiliani, California Governor Schwartzenegger, N.Y. governor Pataki, as well as Senator John McCain are all moderate Republicans who oppose the same-sex marriage ban amendment to the U.S. Constitution which is supported by President Bush. "Social Conservatives: i.e. those who oppose same-sex marriage, abortion rights and the like, feel in many cases that their support of a Social Conservative Presidency was being downplayed and snubbed by the party. Some referred to these moderates as RHINOS (Republicans in name only), writing things like: "If the President is so embarrassed to be seen with Conservatives at the Convention, maybe Conservatives will be embarrassed to be seen with the President on election day," and "Just let John Kerry win and the RHINOS will get the President they really want." Others urged their fellow S.C.'s to cool it and concentrate on winning the election, re-electing a Social Conservative President. It is interesting, that of all the speakers, the most Conservative and most viciously anti-Kerry was Democratic Senator from Georgia, Zell Miller, a Bush supporter in the Senate and most definitely a DINO.
