Backfire: GOP tactics failing in the last days

It warms the heart to report that the recent propaganda tactics of the Bush/Cheney reelection machine are backfiring like an old jalopy. Sinclair Broadcast Group’s airing of a “news special” containing elements of an anti-John Kerry program have caused massive disappointment in such fabled right-wing quarters as Little Green Footballs and Free Republic. Here’s a sample of the reactions posted at the latter site, gathered by intrepid souls at Daily Kos:

Sinclair has caved to the pressure. Very obvious that they’re running scared. They letting the Kerry camp spout the same old BS without challenge.

It looks more like a Kerry campaign ad about half the time. I agree with you. It’s pretty bad. Right now they’re going after the President’s military records. Pul-leeze.

They’re trying very hard to show both sides. So far, Kerry doesn’t have much about which to complain. It’s pretty softball.

I WAS JUST ABOUT TO POST A THREAD ON THIS HORRIBLE SO CALLED DOCUMENTRY.

It came on here on MD @8pm, I turned it off after 40 minutes.  Honestly the POW Story that Sinclair put together makes Kerry look very sympathetic.

I just quit watching this travesty. I am furious! More attention was given to Kerry’s movie and it’s director, George Butler, etc. than any of the Stolen Honor movie.When they belittled Bush’s guard service, that was when I gave up on this crap. I am so disgusted I can barely type. I will be contacting Sinclair. It was a damn ad for Kerry!

Are you watching the Sinclair presentation, or the video? We’re talking about the Sinclair presentation. It was a waste of time. Folks need to see the video, never mind Sinclair.

This is just another Kerry ads. They sold out. They owe the GOP an hour too. They simply make me sick. Seems this could be the October Surprise from the DNC…this certainly won’t hurt Kerry. It seems that they show no respect at all for the POW or Swiftees.

This thing sucks. Anything postive for the POWs and vets is “BALANCED” by whack jobs for kerry. Now they’re doing the Bush AWOL thing - I am blocking SINclair on my box - what a setup! - It’s on tape but I think I’ll burn it. ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!

I just quit watching this travesty. I am furious! More attention was given to Kerry’s movie and it’s director, George Butler, etc. than any of the Stolen Honor movie.When they belittled Bush’s guard service, that was when I gave up on this crap. I am so disgusted I can barely type. I will be contacting Sinclair. It was a damn ad for Kerry! YOU ARE 100% CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so mad that I have to leave to go somewhere and I said to my boyfriend “Oh wait I am pissed I have to go on FR and let people know what crap ‘A POW’s Story’ is, then we will leave.” LOL whew this board is therapy!

Meanwhile, Atrios reports that the new GOP ad “Wolves” - intended to depict a Kerry-led America as easy prey for ravening enemies - is being met with derisive laughter. People seem to realize that you can cry wolf just so many times.

[Crossfire yesterday]:

BEGALA: This is — now, the guy who makes Bush’s ads, Mark McKinnon, is a dear friend of mine. We went to college together. I love him.

Mark, you need to switch to decaf, bud.

(LAUGHTER)

BEGALA: That’s the dumbest ad.

(CROSSTALK)

WATKINS: That’s a great ad. That’s a great ad.

BEGALA: Those are puppies, Joe.

WATKINS: Americans care about being safe.

BEGALA: Ronald Reagan used a bear, a big threatening image, for the Soviet Union. These are puppies. What’s next, Garfield the cat, Lassie?

(LAUGHTER)

BEGALA: Oh, I’m afraid. These puppies are coming. The puppies are coming.

The “applause” after the end of the video clip was actually laughter.

People are beginning to see through the Republican twin strategies of smear and fear. They’ve worked before, but now look to be much less effective. To quote George Bush himself:

There’s an old saying in Tennessee - I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on…shame on you. Fool me…you can’t get fooled again!

A fitting political epitaph, and the truest words Bush has ever said - or rather, ever tried to say.

DPDATE - Via Daemmern at Daily Kos, and created by the folks at BigPath. This pretty much says it all.