Just a quick note about the RNC attack ad that is stirring up some well deserved criticism. First off, Democrats need to sit back and let the RNC and Bush shoot themselves in the foot. Because I think they will, and I think they will shoot both feet, and on more than one occasion. This ad is a perfect example of how out of touch this party, and this president, is with this country. Only extremist right-wing idealogues believe that Democrats are attacking the President's so-called War on Terrorism. Most Americans make a distinction betweent the war on terror and the war in Iraq. So, this shows that the Dems can attack the President on Iraq and remain vigilantly supportive of the war against terror(whatever that means).
The RNC ad, with its ominous string music, and its obvious, shameless display of fear-mongering is appealing to a country's fear, essentially playing to the country's ignorance. Now, certainly America has more than its fair share of ignorant voters, but even those that don't pay too much attention during an election know the difference between fear and hope. I think Howard Dean, who I believe is now just about assured the Democratic nomination, will offer up more hope, even in his anger, then Bush will in an election that he will try to make about fear.
I think this RNC ad is just the first misstep in a long election, and as I said, I don't think it will be the last misstep. I mean, Bush is the incumbent and he is unchallenged in the Republican primary. So, why is he running ads? Because he is afraid, and his handlers are afraid. So, they will try to win us over with fear, but instead they will be running scared from voters that are tired of being frightened of the invisible boogey-man.
This just proves how out of touch the Republican party is right now. They produce an ad that could only appeal to far-right wackos, and they are unopposed in the Republican primary. So, this ad has to be an early attack against the Dems, an ad that is trying to appeal to independent voters. Well, if they think this sorry journey into melodrama will win them voters with rational people, they are sorely mistaken.
Here's Joshua Micah Marshall's reaction to the ad from Talking Points Memo:
"'Some are now attacking the president for attacking the terrorists.'Posted by Paul Hina at November 25, 2003 03:39 PM
"Is that how it is?
"That's the line from a Republican party ad about to go on air in the primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire.
"Meanwhile, back on planet Earth we have a batch of unsettling news from the real war on terrorism."