Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
One of the more frightening web addresses that I have seen in a long time is that for AttackWatch.com, which announces on the bottom of the page that it is ‘PAID FOR BY OBAMA FOR AMERICA.” I would only change a single word in that description, so that it reads ‘PAID FOR BY OBAMA AGAINST America.” The implications of the site is most disturbing. We are told to “Join Attack Wire—and help stop the attacks on the President before they start.” This is a long way from open and civil disagreement between adversaries who respect each other’s good faith and seek an honest resolution of their differences. The attacks here could be true or not, as far as the opening line goes. The next sentence says that the announcement is only after “unfounded” attacks, which could easily include policy disagreements about everything from tax cuts to job programs.
I hesitate to say that this crude statement would count as an illegal threat against any person, because as drafted it seems clearly to avoid all those complications. However, as a tone-setter for the next campaign it could not be worse. My sincere hope is that the Republicans make known the deplorable level of discourse that this solicitation seems to encourage. But in this case imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. They should refuse to follow suit. The President now is clearly vulnerable politically. This effort to dredge up information to arm the President’s supporters may well contribute to his defeat.
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Mar '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Ridicule is the best defense against something like this. My guess is that the site will be overwhelmed by people reporting themselves and that it'll last about 3 days.
Edited on Sep 14, 2011 at 3:01pmAug '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
I fear that this is only the beginning of the Chicago-style tactics we will see from the Obama campaign in the coming year.
I truly feel sorry for Perry or Romney or whoever gets the GOP nomination - and their families - because of the vicious attacks coming their way. I think Obama feels his race will insulate him from a scorched earth policy and he knows his lefty friends won't think less of him for it.
In other words - he's got nothing to lose.
Feb '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Hey... it's all about civility... at least that is where they were a few months ago.
James Taranto covered this today, and took it apart pretty well...also M.Malkin, and M. Steyn.
Let the unceasing ridicule of this bonehead idea begin! Keep it up 24/7.
Edited on Sep 14, 2011 at 5:45pmRe: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Illiniguy: Ridicule is the best defense against something like this. My guess is that the site will be overwhelmed by people reporting themselves and that it'll last about 3 days. · Sep 14 at 2:59pm
Edited on Sep 14 at 03:01 pm
So true! Remember how that little dig by John Kerry ("You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.") was so effectively and humorously answered by the troops themselves?
Oct '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
It's already become the biggest joke on Twitter. Some of the tweets are hilarious.
Dec '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
"AttackWatch.com: the Stasi was never this fun!"
Dec '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
I completely agree that the GOP should stay out of this, and also agree that the rest of us should ridicule this.
In the meantime, anybody that doesn't think that this is just the first shot across the bow in the campaign is whistling past the graveyard. We are heading into a bar brawl and practice the Marquis of Queensbury rules.
I know it, I suspect Bachmann and Perry know it, I suspect the rest think this is business as usual. We are so out-paced on this coming campaign that one of my closest friends, for whose black granddaughter I have babysat, called me a (CoC violation) racist, when he heard I go to Tea Party events. My own mother, a Republican, said, "Oh, Honey, please don't become some extremist". The soil is tilled.
Jun '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Looks like some people I know just made the list....
Mar '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
I'd consider it an honor, and if you don't report me, I'll report myself and report you for failing to report me. Sort of like the Great Loyalty Oath Crusade in Catch 22.
Oct '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Illiniguy: Ridicule is the best defense against something like this. My guess is that the site will be overwhelmed by people reporting themselves and that it'll last about 3 days. · Sep 14 at 2:59pm
Edited on Sep 14 at 03:01 pm
I just followed your advice, Illini, and filed a report. Guess I should brace for the coming audit.
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Just below the surface, No-Drama Obama is a thug.
Oct '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
To quote , We are heading into a bar brawl and practice the Marquis of Queensbury rules. Painfully true.
If having some common sense makes one an extremist, well....
Oct '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
You are too kind...
Aug '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
I would say on the surface, too.
Sep '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Citizen Epstein!
I have reported your use of "dog whistle" terms in referring to Obama campaign staffers as "attack dogs." I have reported you, and this post, to the Collective.
I hear that Guantanamo Bay is lovely this time of year....
(Anybody else want to be denounced?)
Aug '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
John Murdoch: Citizen Epstein!
I have reported your use of "dog whistle" terms in referring to Obama campaign staffers as "attack dogs." I have reported you, and this post, to the Collective.
I hear that Guantanamo Bay is lovely this time of year....
(Anybody else want to be denounced?) · Sep 14 at 5:34pm
I just reported The Atlantic online, citing Megan MCardle's excellent examination of Solyndra's flawed business model.
I cited:
Thought Crimes against The One.
Criticism of the administration's support of Solydra and implications of dishonesty in responding to questions about the same.
This is fun, they a paying to let me mock them!
Mar '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Who, this guy?
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
My own family has turned me in. But I'm proud of them --it's double-plus good!
Mar '11
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
Severely Ltd.
Illiniguy: Ridicule is the best defense against something like this. My guess is that the site will be overwhelmed by people reporting themselves and that it'll last about 3 days. · Sep 14 at 2:59pm
Edited on Sep 14 at 03:01 pm
I just followed your advice, Illini, and filed a report. Guess I should brace for the coming audit. · Sep 14 at 4:21pm
I'm a tax lawyer with 30 years' experience. Call me and I'll cut you a deal.
May '10
Re: Call Off Your Attack Dogs, Mr. President
It's like a Nixon's Enemies List for the internet age.
Update: Here's background on the original. Not clear what the difference is, except Obama's list will be a lot longer.
Edited on Sep 14, 2011 at 7:41pm