Point proven

CNN’s special on negative political ads set to follow the Republican debate got a head start during the banter last night. Moderator Anderson Cooper cut to 30-second spots for YouTube videos from each candidate. The candidates fed the hand CNN extended.

And the majority of candidates didn’t properly use the marketing opportunity. Many, instead, used fear mongering about immigration and terrorism (Tancredo, Hunter), or mud-slinging on fellow Republicans (Thompson), or attacks on Clinton (don’t remember who, but likely Guiliani and others).

My forgetfulness on the latter example is the point. If the consumer (voter) doesn’t know what the ad stands for, or who it represents, then the purpose is lost.

The only candidate that effectively used the spot was former businessman Mitt Romney. He talked about hope hyperbole, but at least it was about him.

I didn’t watch the ads special, but CNN wired undecided voters to chart their approval during the debate. The lowest marks came during negative arguments between candidates.

Again, the issues take a back seat. 

G 

Noxious numbers: Collateral killings

11

The number of people killed by Baghdad gunmen for being the kin of a journalist, Dia al-Kawwaz, who is a dissident of the Shiite Iraqi government.

5-10

The age range of the seven dead children.

206

The minimum number of dead journalists in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003. Al-Kawwaz lives in Amman, Jordan because, obviously, it’s too dangerous for him in Iraq. This story is incredibly sad, especially the killing of innocent children. It also shows the vitality and impact of journalism. Reporters Without Borders (see article below) has called for an investigation.

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=24513

G

Shock over talk — again

The Bush Administration would rather shock and awe than talk and truce.

Instead of dealing with the vortex of the Middle East crisis – Israel and Palestine — the Bushies thumb their nose at what they insist is Clinton’s residual mess.

In 2001, Bush said he didn’t want to be drawn into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because former President Clinton made the situation worse, according to the New York Times.

Cheney, Rumsfeld and Rice agreed, while Powell didn’t.

Thanks for the pragmatic leadership, fellas. Of all the world situations the U.S. bullies and imposes, conventional logic would have this issue at the top of the to-do list. Yet conventional logic is something abstained from these leaders.

When the executive branch does get involved here, they firmly stand behind Israel. This is counterproductive and undermines the entire peace process. Surely this issue has been problematic since before the Israeli state formed in 1947, but that doesn’t mean the U.S. should’ve table this issue.

The Annapolis meeting is move in the right direction — albeit six years late. 

G

Calm and collECTED!

Slime columnist Robert Novak gets a supposed juicy, dirty tip about Barack Obama from the Hillary Clinton camp, and the Illinois ”statesman” jumps and demands disclosure.

Then the junior senator freaks when asked a direct policy question from a elderly Iowan caucus-goer.

Mike Huckabee, meanwhile, is the smooth candidate?

 

G

Unquote” on the Good Doctor

“You worthless, acid-sucking piece of illiterate shit. Don’t ever send this kind of brain-damaged swill in here again.”

A letter to Hunter S. Thompson from Rolling Stone.

G