Fight the Smears

MSNBC has an interesting story today about how Barack Obama's image is being received in the heartland:

On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service. But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The traditional tactic in presidential campaigns is ignore rumors. Addressing every single one not only legitimizes the smear but draws unwanted attention to it. Moreover, it derails your campaign from talking about the issues and staying on message. But since the advent of the internet, rumors about a candidate are spread with the click of a button - and there is an audience of 'low information voters' who vote on instinct and gut-feelings, instead of researching the candidates.

A couple weeks ago the Obama campaign launched 'Fight the Smears.' All you have to do is forward your smear email to watchdog@barackobama.com and the campaign will determine whether or not to address it.

There seems to be a temptation to believe that heartlanders, or Midwesterners are racist. I myself am from a town 65 miles northwest of Chicago; the area is both rural and suburban and the people are kind and genuine.

They're not racist, they're just suspicious of change.

And in the face of these smears it's remarkable that Obama is leading the polls in rural Midwestern swing states like Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio. We can't fight every bimbo with a computer and email forwarding, but we can fight the smears with truth.

New Dems Features!

I would like to apologize for the sporadic nature of the Dems blog lately. We're in the process of transition and we want our blog and website to be in full operation for the fall.

Here are some of the features to expect from College Dems once everything is complete:

• A new Smart Blue Hens blog
  
• A new website: www.uddemocrats.com with news infomration from College Dems.
  
• Pictures on Flickr (see the 'photos' tab above) to be frequently updated throughout next year
• Alumni Outreach: Alumni can visit www.uddemocrats.com/alumni which will include an alumni sign up form and map of locations in the US where Delaware Dems alumni current reside.
• An Events Calendar updated frequently
  
• A press page with press releases and official statements from the College Democrats
• A join the College Democrats mailing list form
• A new Executive Board contact email address: eboard@uddemocrats.com

New ideas are always appreciated. Email pruiz@uddemocrats.com with your thoughts.

Financing a new battleground

Two days ago, Senator Obama rejected public financing. In doing so, he enabled his campaign to raise unlimited amounts of cash without FEC restrictions.

Brilliant.

His campaign rolled out a video statement that said the public financing system was broken in this country because inevitably, 527's (special interest PACs) are able to run unlimited ads against him without impunity.

This is true. And regardless of your stance on public financing of elections, this is an amazing political maneuver with the perfect spin. Reject the system because it's inefficient and let the internet rake in the cash.

Now that his campaign warchest is unrestricted by federal guidelines, he doesn't need to be as cautious or strategic as his Republican rival. Consider the states where he recently bought ad time:Imagine that... Democrats are playing in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Georgia, Indiana and North Carolina!

Is this some crazy jedi mind trick or is a serious challange to McCain's campaign? The Obama campaign is dispatching staff to these traditionally Republican states with really cheap media markets. The prospect of Democrats running the table seems unlikely to me, but I'm encouraged by a couple extremely interesting polls out this week. In Alaska, Obama trails McCain by 4 points according to Rasmussen, 45-41 (Jun 16), and in Georgia, Obama is within 1 point according to Insider Advantage, 43-44 (Jun 18).

The sky is the limit. The Obama campaign will use its internet steamengine to run the table on the cash-strapped Republicans. The political atmosphere in the US is such that perhaps it's a bargin for Democrats to advertise during national primetime television. According to Advertising Age: "[The Obama campaign] has asked NBC Universal about Olympics advertising including $500,000, $2 million and $4 million packages of ads." Extremely expensive yes, but high exposure in a diverse media market where conditions are hostile to Republicans.

The State Party Endorses John Carney: A members view

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806190353

Wednesday night the Delaware State Democratic Party voted to give their endorsement to Lt. Governor John Carney. That same night the party officially backed Senator Joe Biden and Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn in their respective races for US Senate and Lt. Governor, but those were a given and the only race Delaware Democrats were really looking at was the State’s choice between Lt. Governor Carney and State Treasurer Jack Markell in the race for Delaware’s next Governor.

The State Party simply got it right two nights ago when they chose Carney. Carney has served as Lt. Governor for the past two terms and was a part of Governor Carper’s cabinet before that, serving as Secretary of Finance. In his nearly two decades in Dover he’s created over 50,000 jobs and worked to improve this State in every way. Jack Markell claims to be a fresh face and that Delaware is in dire need of change and new leadership. This argument doesn’t pass because Markell is not a fresh face, at least not any more than his opponent. He’s a three-term State Treasurer who doesn’t have the record to back up his claims that he has the know how to lead this state in a new and better direction. Carney represents a better platform on the economy, job-creation, alternate sources of energy, and most importantly health care.

The two candidates have very differing views on health care. Carney’s represents a smarter approach that will provide cheaper and better health insurance to more people in the State and it is very likely that his reforms will lead to every citizen of Delaware being properly insured. Markell models his systems off that of Massachusetts and other states that simply enforce a mandate on businesses to provide their employees with health insurance. That might sound fine and well but this will only hurt small business, which are the backbone of Delaware’s economy. Yes New Castle county is a hotbed of industry and big business but drive 15 miles south and you find the exact opposite; small businesses that are already trying to stay afloat. Businesses such as Fruit Bud Juice in Wyoming, DE who already try to provide their small employee pool with health insurance are already fighting to stay in business. A law requiring businesses to provide health insurance does nothing to help the poor and does a lot to force business owners to the unemployment line. When States as large as New Mexico have premier State healthy insurance, there is no excuse for our next Governor to not ensure the same for a State as small as ours.

This brings us to another Issue: the strange phenomena that is Delaware politics. Politically active College Students are always in awe at the sometimes ridiculous shenanigans that pass for Delaware Politics at the city, county, and State levels. While Jack has been State Treasurer for 3 terms, Carney has experience in every facet of Delaware Government. Before his work in the Carper Administration he was a part of New Castle County Government. He knows what it takes to get legislation passed and just how to use the system to get the best result for Delawareans. He has fought for the Bluewater Wind Project, which will allow Delaware to move in on cutting edge technology which will provide cheaper and safer energy as well as bring jobs to the State. He’s chartered the Cancer Right to Know law and has been a force in keeping industry jobs such as the Chrysler plant in Newark open. Delaware needs a governor that isn’t scared to travel half way across the country and look a million-dollar automobile company in the eyes and tell them they need to be responsible for the betterment of their workers. If he’s willing to fight for these hardworking employees you had better believe he’s willing to go to bat for the teachers, the nurses and every other resident of this great State.

I come back to Wednesday night. The State Party had to make a choice between two leaders. Party executives had to decide which direction would be best for the State and which candidate was the best representative of Democratic ideology. The State Party’s endorsement follows up the endorsement of the New Castle County and Wilimgton committees, over 20 representative districts, 15 labor unions, Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor, and the majority of Democrats in the two houses of legislature.

In May the University of Delaware College Democrats gave their endorsement to Treasurer Jack Markell. Since then the Young Democrats of Delaware and the Stonewall Democrats followed suit as well as a handful of other prominent Democratic groups. As a group, the College Democrats feel that Markell is the best model of what they want the next Governor to be. As a very proud member of this group I support their endorsement. As with any group, not everyone can agree. There were members of Delaware’s Sate party who wanted to endorse Jack, but the majority favored Carney. The opposite was true for our group, in fact the overwhelming majority voted in favor of Treasurer Markell.

To say this is an extremely personal and important race in Delaware would be a huge understatement. It is essential that Delaware gets this right. While many states were feeling the economic pains caused by the Bush Administration, Delaware was one of the last economies to remain strong. Ruth Ann Minner proved that even as the Nations economy plummeted, a State has the power to keep their economy going and keep people employed.

This primary is just around the corner and Delawareans are going to have make an important choice. We have less than 90 days until primary Saturday and voters have less than 90 days to decide their candidate. There is no hiding the fact that I absolutely love politics and every aspect regarding a campaign. But this isn’t just politics. This election will decide whether parents can feed their children, who can afford a college education, and just who can make those mortgage payments.

I just hope that Delawareans get it right. The State Party sure did.

'I'm Voting Republican'

Thinking about voting Republican?

Tim Russert passes away at age 58

NBC’s Washington Bureau Chief and the long-time host of Sunday’s Meet the Press, Tim Russert died today at 58 of a heart attack. I received this terrible news today via a text message from one of my best friends. I finished the rest of my day with tears in my eyes as I remembered the impact this great man, whom I never even met had on my life. You show me a politically active Twenty something and I will show you someone who woke up on Sunday mornings in eager anticipation of watching Tim Russert. I can’t recall a weekend from the last decade that didn’t include at least one viewing of these amazing broadcasts. He found a story in absolutely everything and more importantly he dug for the truth at all costs. Whether it was President George W. Bush or Linda Tripp or Rev. Jesse Jackson sitting across the table from him, he asked the toughest questions and was a personification of the awesome power that Americans hold through the freedom of the press. While other reporters asked generic questions, Russert treated every interview with great integrity, compassion, and zeal.

The main loves of my life, politics, law, and argument were all nourished by this man who made himself a part of each of our lives. To say that he was a part of nearly every American family would be a major understatement. His interviews bridged all generational gaps. I cannot count the number of times that I watched “Meet the Press” with my mother and grandmother. This not only allowed me to get a great understanding of politics at a very young age, but provided endless conversation with someone who had lived through so many decades. I am certain that I am not alone in this.

Russert’s use of historical analogies and humor were a staple of his commentaries, and without doubt encouraged many Americans to not only read the paper everyday but to open up a book and study the campaign of Rutherford B. Hayes. His books taught us the great virtues of family and hard work. Russert is a model of the American dream. He showed us that even now hard work and dedication can propel you to any level that you desire. Whether you make 72 cents an hour painting lines in a parking lot, or you an executive making seven figures a year, everyone should take pride in their work. He approached each interview and assignment with amazing dedication and it came through every week.

In a time when the media has become so commercialized and in an age when it is often hard to separate entertainment from news, Tim Russert showed us how a reporter should really utilize his freedom as an American. You prepare, you ask the hardest questions, and you forget about the consequences. To do anything less would be to surrender your rights and cause the truth to be lost in the process.

This Sunday, as people all over the country honor and remember their fathers, we will all remember this great man and great father who has taught us so much about what it is to be an American and just how important politics really are.

I can't remember the last Presidential election where I didn't listen to the analysis of Tim Russert. As November approaches it is important that we all remember the spirit and dedication that this great man demonstrated with each interview and with each broadcast. Politics do matter and they affect each and every one of us. They were his life, and they are mine and this is truly a great loss for America.

He brought it hard and he truly cared. To do anything else would be a shame. We all are left with a great model of how to be a son, how to be a father, and how to get involved.

A Look Back

... at this LONG primary season...

and by the way, this is posted for the awesome 8 minute montage, not Keith's minute long preface. skip ahead if you want...

Our New Website!

The UD College Democrats have launched a new website! It includes a press center, alumni initiative, and condenses all of our organization's information into one location.

www.uddemocrats.com