A video ad from the GOP

[Broken Glass Can]

Best-hits collection
The Republican National Committee yesterday unveiled a new Web ad titled "Wild Thing," highlighting recent inflammatory comments by Democratic Party leaders.
The video will be e-mailed out today to 15 million Republicans, the RNC said.
Here is the transcript of the 1-minute-and-45-second video:

(Text on Screen): A long, long time ago ...

(Montage of past presidents)
Franklin D. Roosevelt: "The only thing we have to fear ..."

Harry S. Truman: "... and are determined to work for peace on earth."

John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

(Text on Screen): Today ...
(Video) Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean: "I hate what the Republicans are doing to this country. I really do."

(Video) Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: "It is very hard to stop people who have never been acquainted with the truth."

(Video) Mr. Dean: "A lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives."

(Print) Mr. Dean 6/6/2005: (Republican Party) "It's pretty much a white, Christian party."

(Video) House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi: "Our plan is to stop him ... stop him ... he must be stopped."

(Video) Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin: "You would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others -- that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans."

(Print) Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid 5/6/2005: "I think this guy (President Bush) is a loser."

(Video) Mr. Reid: "I apologized for the 'loser'; I haven't for the 'liar.'?"

(Video) Jon Stewart: "We turn our attention now to Washington, and the Democrats. Political party founded in 1792 that enjoyed an active role in American politics through much of the 20th century. Perhaps you've heard of them. No? Ask your parents."

(Text on screen): The Democrats Today. No Vision. No Plan. Not your Parents' Democrat Party.

The video can be seen at http://www.gop.com.

[shots]

The thing I like most about this video is how mad it will make democrats despite being an accurate portrayal of were the part is at these days.

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
The thing I like most about this video is how mad it will make democrats despite being an accurate portrayal of were the part is at these days.

[/ QUOTE ]

The thing I like most about this video is how every "inflammatory statement" made by democrats is very accurate.

[shots]

Yes most republicans have never worked a day in their lives and our troops are equivelant to nazis because the turned off th AC at gitmo. Impenetrable arguments.

[PoBoy321]

[ QUOTE ]
(Video) Mr. Dean: "A lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives."

[/ QUOTE ]

This statement, which, if I recall correctly, was directed at the Republican leadership, is accurate. Many high-ups in the Republican party (and I'll concede, many high-ups in the Democratic party too) come from old money, and have never had to work an honest day's work in their life. I fail to see the problem with that statement.

[ QUOTE ]
(Video) Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin: "You would most certainly believe this must have been done by Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime -- Pol Pot or others -- that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans."

[/ QUOTE ]

This statement, in reference to the torture of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, by "turning off the AC," varying the temperature so greatly that it was, in fact, torture to the prisoners, merely represents one man's feelings about the actions of a few soldiers who abused their power. He never said that it applied to the military as a whole, and never actually compared the soldiers to nazis, merely that their actions were similar to those which could be expected of tyrranical regimes, not the United States.

[shots]

The statement was not made in reference to just the leadership of the republican party and even if it were how many republican leaders have never worked a day in their lives.Also there's probably more old money Democrats then Republicans (like Howard Dean himself)

The statement by Durbin was so ridiculous on so many levels that it's almost incomprehensible. While I do agree that what he was trying to say is that you wouldn't expect the US to engage in this kind of treatement of prisoners he is clearly either very disconnected from the reality of what is involveved in war and what torture really is or so ridiculussly partisan that he'll say anything he thinks will make liberal kooks like him. Do you really think hitler or polpot ever used temperature changes to get information out of their enemies come on lets get back to reality here. I can't remember where I read it but I recently read a something written about basic training in the US military and the training the soldiers go through just for basic is much more strenuos then the interrogation tactics described in that FBI memo if anything we treat our prisoners to good. Finally I would submit that as a united states senator he should have known how his statements would be reported around the world and the damage that would be done to the country as a result (Al-Jazeera has been running with the 'US senator admits US is no better then Nazis' story ever since. So which is it is he to stupid to know that his statements would be reported on in this fashion or does he just not care?

This ad is a perfect example of what's wrong with campaigning today. Avoidance of substance. Avoidance of issues. Call out the other side because they are "lunatics".

Personally, I don't vote for a party. I vote for a candidate. Based on where that candidate stands on things that crazy me finds important -- fiscal issues, social issues, foreign policy to the extent applicable. If I voted for which side has more or better wackos, it would be a draw every friggin' year. So I want to hear substance, not stuff found on page 6 of the NY Post.

These ads stink when the Republicans do it. They stink when the Democrats do it. It stinks. Period. And right-minded people shouldn't be celebrating this kind of nonsense. They should be standing up in their respective parties and demanding that the issues be addressed, and then addressed again. Get the party's substantive message out and don't spend hard-earned contribution on nonsense like this crap.

[shots]

it's hard to get substantive political discourse into a 30 second commercial. That's what debates are for.

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
it's hard to get substantive political discourse into a 30 second commercial. That's what debates are for.

[/ QUOTE ]

They're sending out emails. They're not limited in how much material they send. Just because an ad is 30 seconds, doesn't mean they can take the time to talk about what they will do instead of just going negative.

[shots]

The emails are linked to their web site which is full of policy and stances on substantive issues this is a commercial we all know the point of commercials and as far as commercials go this one of the better ones. Who the opponents are is an issue also and this add acuretly portrays the direction in which the democratic party is going.

[ QUOTE ]
it's hard to get substantive political discourse into a 30 second commercial. That's what debates are for.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apologist nonsense. You can spend your 30 seconds summarizing your position on an issue or issues, or you can spend it calling the other side names. I prefer the former.

[kurto]

Actually it says nothing. Its just dirty politics as usual.

You act as if Republicans don't say negative crap all the time about their opponents. See Rove.

No need to respond. Its not so interesting to see the people who aren't interesting with even a modicum of objectivity and just buy anything shoveled at them.

You're totally right... the left are just negative. Unlike the Republicans who are fair and positive. The left are just being 'major league *ssholes' with their negative commenting. Damn those terrorist sympathizers.

[US Conservative]

Good job GOP! We need to get the word out so that the public knows the truth about libs. I'm so tired of libs and their socialist agenda.

[shots]

[ QUOTE ]
Actually it says nothing. Its just dirty politics as usual.

You act as if Republicans don't say negative crap all the time about their opponents. See Rove.

No need to respond. Its not so interesting to see the people who aren't interesting with even a modicum of objectivity and just buy anything shoveled at them.

You're totally right... the left are just negative. Unlike the Republicans who are fair and positive. The left are just being 'major league *ssholes' with their negative commenting. Damn those terrorist sympathizers.

[/ QUOTE ]

When did I ever say anything about the left being the only ones that go negative? Going negative has its place in politics in that sometimes you have to point out what you think is wrong with your opponents. My comment about the direction the democratic party was going was in reference to the fact that they seem to be becoming more and more the party of the ultra-left libs.

[JackWhite]

[ QUOTE ]
You're totally right... the left are just negative. Unlike the Republicans who are fair and positive. The left are just being 'major league *ssholes' with their negative commenting. Damn those terrorist sympathizers.


[/ QUOTE ]

Kurto, when was the last time you heard a major Democrat figure offer a positive agenda? Their own plan on anything? You don't have to agree with Bush, but at least he does present some original ideas on issues..even if they aren't great. It takes more guts to offer something like a social security revamp, then to just attack any plan your opponent makes. When most Democrats are asked their plans on social security or Iraq, they simply say they don't like what Bush is doing/offering.

[WillMagic]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You're totally right... the left are just negative. Unlike the Republicans who are fair and positive. The left are just being 'major league *ssholes' with their negative commenting. Damn those terrorist sympathizers.


[/ QUOTE ]

Kurto, when was the last time you heard a major Democrat figure offer a positive agenda? Their own plan on anything? You don't have to agree with Bush, but at least he does present some original ideas on issues..even if they aren't great. It takes more guts to offer something like a social security revamp, then to just attack any plan your opponent makes. When most Democrats are asked their plans on social security or Iraq, they simply say they don't like what Bush is doing/offering.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly.

Will

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
When did I ever say anything about the left being the only ones that go negative?

[/ QUOTE ] You were celebrating this ad. The ad does not but quote various politicians making nasty comments about the right and pretending this is representative of the Left. It wouldn't be all that hard for someone to take similar quotes from the right and pretend that there ugly comments represent the entirety of the Republican Party.

The ad has NO substance.

[ QUOTE ]
Going negative has its place in politics in that sometimes you have to point out what you think is wrong with your opponents.

[/ QUOTE ] so, all the comments by the politicians listed were them pointing out what they is wrong their opponents.

Going negative is why so much of America is fed up with politics. parties spend more time trashing their opponents then actually debating any substantive issues. Its kind of joke because, since it works, both sides spend all their time appealing to the worst in their constituents.

[ QUOTE ]
My comment about the direction the democratic party was going was in reference to the fact that they seem to be becoming more and more the party of the ultra-left libs.

[/ QUOTE ] Nothing you said indicated that nor have you shown that to be the case. I find most people have no idea what constitutes a 'liberal' and people prone to terms like "ultra-left" just throw the term around because they think it demeans their opposition, when in reality, it says NOTHING. One doesn't have to look hard to see that so many from the right label anyone who disagrees with them as 'liberals.' Take Clinton, for instance... he wasn't liberal. Hilary isn't particuarly liberal either.

Nothing in the ad indicates anything about liberal policies.

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
Kurto, when was the last time you heard a major Democrat figure offer a positive agenda?

[/ QUOTE ] I don't expect any partisans to see anything of the sort. Personally, I think Democrats in general offer more pragmatic and positive ideas on most of the major issues; from taking care of the planet, international relations, domestic issues (from civil rights, to consumer protectionism,) etc.

[ QUOTE ]
You don't have to agree with Bush, but at least he does present some original ideas on issues..even if they aren't great.

[/ QUOTE ] I see no value in having someone being a strong advocate of bad ideas. On the contrary, I think his anti-intellectualism is harmful. Take his attitude towards envirnomental issues. He has his political agenda (weakening things like environmental standards) and then discards any and all evidence which contradicts his position. Going so far as to hire an oil company advocate to edit out any scientific references about global warming from the official report. This is grossly irresponsible.

[ QUOTE ]
It takes more guts to offer something like a social security revamp, then to just attack any plan your opponent makes.

[/ QUOTE ] My problem with Bush is (like above) he decides what he wants then moves forward regardless of its feasibility. Hey, its great if he has suggestions to improve things, but to sell his ideas, he misrepresented the facts. (in this case, he misrepresented the real status of Social Security) He also disregards the objections of anyone who disagrees. He doesn't present his ideas for debate.

Frankly... on Social Security, if I recall correctly, most experts on the issue thought BOTH candidates (Bush and Kerry's plans) weren't likely to help things.

[ QUOTE ]
When most Democrats are asked their plans on social security or Iraq, they simply say they don't like what Bush is doing/offering.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Democrats plan on Iraq was not to go to war. The war was completely unnecesary. The criticisms about what has happened have been largely valid.

In terms of what to do now that we're there, I don't know that anyone has the slightest clue. All anyone agrees is that we've created a mess and we can't just leave. Frankly, I hope this administration can turn this into something good. But the left has made many valid criticisms about how we got there and what's happened since we've been there.

[shots]

[ QUOTE ]
You were celebrating this ad. The ad does not but quote various politicians making nasty comments about the right and pretending this is representative of the Left. It wouldn't be all that hard for someone to take similar quotes from the right and pretend that there ugly comments represent the entirety of the Republican Party.

[/ QUOTE ]

An assertion that is made all the time by the left.

[ QUOTE ]
so, all the comments by the politicians listed were them pointing out what they is wrong their opponents.

Going negative is why so much of America is fed up with politics. parties spend more time trashing their opponents then actually debating any substantive issues. Its kind of joke because, since it works, both sides spend all their time appealing to the worst in their constituents.

[/ QUOTE ]

I said that negative commentary has it's place and I meant just that. The add is an open criticisim of the statements made which reflect the views of the people that made them including the head of the DNC and the next democratic presidential candidate. The statements themselves however are for the most part not going after views but against people themselves some of which are horrible stereotyping.

[ QUOTE ]
Nothing you said indicated that nor have you shown that to be the case. I find most people have no idea what constitutes a 'liberal' and people prone to terms like "ultra-left" just throw the term around because they think it demeans their opposition, when in reality, it says NOTHING. One doesn't have to look hard to see that so many from the right label anyone who disagrees with them as 'liberals.' Take Clinton, for instance... he wasn't liberal. Hilary isn't particuarly liberal either.
Nothing in the ad indicates anything about liberal policies.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't throw around the term ultra-left I use it when applicable which I must say is far less then you use the term neo-con. As for the term itself it most definetly does not mean nothing we have a widely understood way of defining peoples political views as either left or right wing or as a centrist someone who is extremely left wing could be accuratley defind as being ultra-left. The add is indicative of the new democratic tone which is further to the left and out of the mainstream then ever before.

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
An assertion that is made all the time by the left.


[/ QUOTE ] What is an assertion made all the time by the left? what exactly are you disagreeing with?

[ QUOTE ]
The add is an open criticisim of the statements made which reflect the views of the people that made them including the head of the DNC and the next democratic presidential candidate.

[/ QUOTE ] It doesn't criticize them. It doesn't take any quote an put them in to context. If merely plays them and implies these quotes represent the entirety of the Democratic party.

For the record; I have criticized many of those quotes, particularly those by Dean. I think Dean's being an ass and is on par with Rove for nastiness. For the quotes about 'liars'... for starters, I think its quite evident that there's a lot lies coming out of this administration. Beyond that, I'm cynical enough to think that most of the politicians on all sides are lying. Finally, this is NO different then Bush. In the 2000 Election, the Republicans did nothing but accuse Gore of being a liar pretty much on a daily basis. Both sides do it, but the Republicans are trying to pretend they're above it (and this represents the Democrats) while at the same time, doing the very thing they're being critical of about the Democrats.

[ QUOTE ]
The add is indicative of the new democratic tone which is further to the left and out of the mainstream then ever before.

[/ QUOTE ] This is another mindless platitude. In the last election, polling showed that most people favored the Democrats on all issues EXCEPT on national security. And now, according to recent polling, most of the country doesn't trust Bush in this area anymore.

[ripdog]

[ QUOTE ]
The thing I like most about this video is how mad it will make democrats despite being an accurate portrayal of were the party is at these days.

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP. I don't mind the GOP pointing out what the Dems used to be compared to the sad state they are in today. This could backfire big time, and I hope it does. The Dems are quite pathetic and their rhetoric is hypocritical. If they have any smarts at all, they'll wake up and see the truth of this ad. No argument from me here. The GOP's purpose may be mean spirited, but it is true, and I hope it bites them on the ass good and hard.

[shots]

[ QUOTE ]
What is an assertion made all the time by the left? what exactly are you disagreeing with?

[/ QUOTE ]

You said that the left could take extreme right wing comments and say that represents the GOP I responded that the left does exactly that all the time.

[ QUOTE ]
It doesn't criticize them. It doesn't take any quote an put them in to context. If merely plays them and implies these quotes represent the entirety of the Democratic party.

[/ QUOTE ]

The criticisim doesn't have to be verbalized to be obvious. As for the context many of the quotes are even worse when they're put in context and while the quotes may not represent the whole of the democratic party they deffinetly represent were the direction in which the party is moving.

[ QUOTE ]
For the record; I have criticized many of those quotes, particularly those by Dean. I think Dean's being an ass and is on par with Rove for nastiness. For the quotes about 'liars'... for starters, I think its quite evident that there's a lot lies coming out of this administration. Beyond that, I'm cynical enough to think that most of the politicians on all sides are lying. Finally, this is NO different then Bush. In the 2000 Election, the Republicans did nothing but accuse Gore of being a liar pretty much on a daily basis. Both sides do it, but the Republicans are trying to pretend they're above it (and this represents the Democrats) while at the same time, doing the very thing they're being critical of about the Democrats.

[/ QUOTE ]

But the difference with many of these quotes is that they aren't aimed at a specific politician during a campaign Durbin's comments had nothing to do with other politicians they were just a ridiculously stupid statement and Dean refering repeatedly to the republican party being this or that is the stereotyping of millions and millions of people.

[ QUOTE ]
This is another mindless platitude. In the last election, polling showed that most people favored the Democrats on all issues EXCEPT on national security. And now, according to recent polling, most of the country doesn't trust Bush in this area anymore.

[/ QUOTE ]

But there was an election and the people had there voice heard and they chose Bush we could argue all day about why but that doesn't changed the fact that the Dems lost and will probably loose again in 06 and 08 if they don't get there act together soon. Also to define someone as being more left then the party used to generally be is not a mindless platitude by any means it's a statement of the were the political opinions of the democrats are going and that's definetly farther to left. If most americans are somewhat centrists then they're moving farther out of the mainstream

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
You said that the left could take extreme right wing comments and say that represents the GOP I responded that the left does exactly that all the time.


[/ QUOTE ] So, you agree. What can be learned by this? Taking 4-5 negative quotes and stringing them together says NOTHING. Its just dirty politics and doesn't bring any legitimate issue to the forefront for debate. Listing ugly quotes by Democrats doesn't in ANY way show that the Democrats are any different then Republicans, for it would be just as easy to show ugly quotes by them.

[ QUOTE ]
The criticisim doesn't have to be verbalized to be obvious. As for the context many of the quotes are even worse when they're put in context and while the quotes may not represent the whole of the democratic party they deffinetly represent were the direction in which the party is moving.


[/ QUOTE ] Sigh. I just gotta put you on ignore. You're logic and substance free posting is just tiresome.

I apologize but the more I read you post the more I see its like trying to discuss politics with a brick wall. Its just not worth it. I feel dumber just having read your responses. especially because there's never any surprises... its the exact same mindless rhetoric I expect. I prefer to focus my energies on your peers who can actually discuss things half away intelligently.

You're just a little too jaxmikian.

[CollinEstes]

Isn't anyone else getting really tired of all this nonsense. Sometimes it seems like both parties are so concerned about beating down the other party that they aren't doing anything about things that matter. All the politicans do is bash the [censored] out of the other party then talk about how the country is divided.

Why can't these grown ass men just learn to work together for God sakes. Or at least keep their ****ing mouths shut to the media.

[kurto]

Yes. Unfortunately, there are many who think party bashing is what politics is about.

[shots]

You accuse me of just spewing partisan rhetoric but refuse to open your mind even a little bit to the possibility that the dems are moving in the wrong direction. It's ironic that someone so closed-minded could accuse others of being overly partisan so with that I say goodbye and good ridence I hope your nonsensical predetermind liberal stereotypys work well for you in the future but I'll try to have debates with people that are willing to think.

[slamdunkpro]

We should put shock collars on every member of congress; the executive branch and the judiciary, then install the “button” in everyone’s home. Whenever they say or do something stupid or petty you can hit the button. Well, I guess they’d all be ashes within the first 20 minutes. Eh, that could be a good thing too /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[WillMagic]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't expect any partisans to see anything of the sort. Personally, I think Democrats in general offer more pragmatic and positive ideas on most of the major issues; from taking care of the planet, international relations, domestic issues (from civil rights, to consumer protectionism,) etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ideas and sentiments are a dime a dozen. I have yet to hear democrats explain what THEY WOULD DO if they were in charge. Did you see the Howard Dean interview on the Daily Show? Even when pressed, Dean couldn't come up with any policies that the Dems would implement if they were in power - only what they would NOT do.

Will

[kurto]

[ QUOTE ]
Ideas and sentiments are a dime a dozen. I have yet to hear democrats explain what THEY WOULD DO if they were in charge.

[/ QUOTE ] Ummm.. I'm pretty certain I recall Kerry laying out his plan. Yep. I'm sure. It was on his website as well. If the website is still there, you can probably review what he offered.

Currently, the Democrats are the minority and they're not running the show. I'm happy that there's someone objecting to the terrible stuff that goes on.

[ QUOTE ]
Did you see the Howard Dean interview on the Daily Show? Even when pressed, Dean couldn't come up with any policies that the Dems would implement if they were in power - only what they would NOT do.


[/ QUOTE ] I did see it. I thought he avoided talking about anything serious there. I don't really think a 3 minutes Daily Show appearance in a non election year is really significant.