Jus’ givin’ a brutha a hand
Writing by treason on Tuesday, 4 of December , 2007 at 5:54 pm
As I’ve mentioned, I like to be aware of any trends in our local bumper stickers, so one in particular caught my eye:
Me: “Oh – there’s one.”
T: “One what?”
Me: “Another Richardson bumper sticker. That makes three. Whoa – this one’s different!”
T: “Okay…”
Me: “It says… Richardson… Obama… ’08!”
T: “Oh, brother.”
No kidding. If Obama wants advice, I suggest he avoids reading the back of Nuevo Mexican vehicles. Listening to Karl Rove, however, is another matter entirely. I know the Democrats recoiled when Rove offered his suggestions, and I can’t say I blame them. It is slightly suspicious, if you believe in the V.R.W.C. (uh, that would be “vast right wing conspiracy”), that everyone on the right is suddenly giving the Senator from Illinois such helpful hints. As a member of the V.R.W.C., I can say with all honesty that this is no conspiracy. Really – we Republicans are just trying to help the brutha out.
Why? Because it’s just so frustrating seeing him squander so many opportunities. Pretend for a moment the advice isn’t from Rove. In a nutshell:
“First, stop acting like a vitamin-deficient Adlai Stevenson. Striking a pose of being high-minded and too pure will not work. Americans want to see you scrapping and fighting for the job, not in a mean or ugly way but in a forceful and straightforward way.
Hillary may come over as calculating and shifty but she looks in control. You, on the other hand, often come over as weak and ineffectual. In some debates, you do not even look at her when disagreeing with her, making it look as if you are afraid of her. She offers you openings time and again but you do not take advantage of them. Sharpen your attacks and make them more precise…
Second, focus on the fact that many Democrats have real doubts about Hillary. They worry she cannot win, will be a drag on the ticket and that if she got to the White House it would be a disaster…
Third, when you create controversies do not pick issues where you are playing the weaker hand…
Fourth, when you disagree with her be clear about what you believe. You cannot afford more garbled responses like the one you gave in Las Vegas on drivers’ licenses for illegal aliens. Answer yes or no. Do not give voters evidence you are as calculating as her.
Fifth, you need to do a better job explaining what kind of change you represent. The change theme is a good one…
Sixth, find a way to gently belittle her whenever she tries to use disagreements among Democrats as an excuse to complain about being picked on… So blow the whistle on her when she tries to become a victim. Do it with humor and a smile and it will sting even more.”
The reason it seems like everyone’s echoing Rove’s advice is because they know he’s right. We’ve all known Obamas and we know the type. Ineffectual because he’s so non-confrontational. It’s true that he avoids looking at her and it does seem like he’s afraid of her (uh, he should be), but it makes him look so anemic. Be bold! Like Rove says, do it with humor and a smile and no one will think you’ve sunk to her level.
I know it’s sacrilege, if you’re a Democrat, to attack Hillary’s husband, but I would just love to see a candidate – even if it’s Obama – challenge her for once on her feminism. I mean, consider the irony of it all. How can Hillary call herself a feminist and pretend to represent women when her husband’s administration — for all intents and purposes — killed The Movement? I mean, even I used to call myself a feminist, but since the Nineties I’ve practically omitted the word from my vocabulary. I just don’t want to be associated with all those conflicted female Clinton apologists.
But seriously, Rove is dead-on with his assessment and it’s good advice for all the candidates – Democrat and Republican. In fact, it’s especially good advice for the Republicans. Key words: “Visible” and “Vocal.” When Rove says it, take note. It should apply to Bush, Cheney, and anyone else who’s trying to get a message out there. The Democrats have no trouble whatsoever being visible and vocal, so the other side is really going to need to crank up the volume. Again, be bold! I mean, if you really think you’re going to get shellacked in ‘08, what have you got to lose?
And speaking of Rove, I did manage to catch his appearance on FNS with Chris Wallace and Chris Van Hollen. A spirited little debate, no? Hey — why doesn’t someone at FNC offer Rove more visibility? Say, his own show, maybe? As for time slot… uh, what time is Matthews on over at MSNBC?
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