Panic in the Homestretch

Republicans seem to be determined to turn what looked like modest mid-term Democratic gains into an overwhelming Republican defeat.

Yesterday, Dick Cheney made his contribution on a conservative radio talk show by going after the pro-torture vote with an endorsement of "water boarding." [Democratic Congressional staffers may want to make a note of Mr. Cheney's position for when they interrogate him as to who exactly attended his energy policy meetings.]

Then there are the 527 campaign ads. The 527 funds are based on a loop hole in campaign financing. They allow the extreme supporters of a candidate - i.e. the lunatic fringe - to throw shit (sorry...but this stuff is worse than throwing "mud") at their candidates opponent, while allowing their candidate to disclaim the attacks AFTER the ads have run).

These ads have brought American politics to a new low and, I would suggest, are an integral part of the Rove strategy for winning elections and "turning weaknesses into strengths").

In 2004, we got the "Swift Boat Veterans Against Kerry." Sensing that Democrats intended to promote Kerry as a Vietnam war hero and play upon Bush's less than stellar service in the Air National Guard, they co-opted the Democratic message by attacking Kerry's Vietnam service. No matter that the attack was filled with absurdities and fabrications, it successfully put Democrats on the defensive and probably cost Kerry the election - i.e. turning Bush's "weakness" (his questionable National Guard service) into a "strength."

As we go into the final days of this election, many Republicans have resorted to the same type of Rovian tactics, with nonsensical attacks on Harold Ford, the Michael Fox furor, the "Soprano ad" in New Jersey and a dozen other similar, but less publicized stories across the country.

Winning elections through inneudeo, falsehoods and manipulation of voter emotions is a disservice to the American electoral system and a tool utilized by those who have nothing else to run on. This Administration and a Republican Congress have done little more than secure tax cuts, largely by taking on record breaking national debt, and distributing "pork," like it was the last days of the Roman Empire. The War and National Security, Immigration Policy, Social Security, Health Costs, Energy Policy and the declining Middle Class all remain unresolved.

The latest wave of nonsense seems to be directed, however, as a counter-attack to a Democratic attack that never came...i.e. "values." And, in this, the Democrats may have out-smarted Rove.
Certainly, the "value" issue was there for Democrats. From Tom Delay, to Duke Cunningham, to Foley, Ney and the entire Republican House cast of characters, it may have been foreseen that Democrats would go after Republicans on the issue of ethics. Yet, while there has been some reference to this in Democratic campaigns, the Party has for the most part stuck to the War issue and allowed the almost daily headlines on ethical lapses to speak for themselves.

If Democrats can hold their temper in face of these attacks for 10 more days (and they are almost certain to get worse), they may turn modest gains into a landslide victory. Hopefully, moderate Republicans will also find this an opportunity to return sanity to their party.