Don’t look now, but here it comes, around the corner … Revenge Impeachment. (Spite Impeachment, if you prefer.) Yet again the GOP be GOPing, increasingly desperate to find both relevance and acceptance as it chooses to pursue the political nuclear option. Rather obviously it is a punishment seeking a problem. Looking past the headlines, …
Don’t look now, but here it comes, around the corner … Revenge Impeachment. (Spite Impeachment, if you prefer.) Yet again the GOP be GOPing, increasingly desperate to find both relevance and acceptance as it chooses to pursue the political nuclear option. Rather obviously it is a punishment seeking a problem. Looking past the headlines, we need to see it for what it really is: a long-term GOP “Look, squirrel!” moment on steroids, seeking to deflect attention away from Trump’s (alleged) criminal activities, his bizarre and unprofessional behavior entering a lengthy electoral campaign, and their lack of a coherent plan for America other than to own and even to destroy the libs. This has his fingerprints all over it. He should take ownership of it.
That said, my unsolicited advice to the Democrats is: don’t take the bait. Yes, they must deny the accusations. It comes with the territory. But, lacking specific evidence of wrongdoing on Joe Biden’s part and aware that ultimately only Hunter Biden is legally accountable for Hunter Biden’s activities, they do not have to stay on the defensive when there is nothing to defend. Don’t let the GOP change the subject and seize the messaging high ground. Hit up the donors, crank up the publicity machine, and call the GOP out on its lack of a plan for the future. Ask them what it is and emphasize the empty echo beyond mere platitudes that we get in response. And above all give us a list of accomplishments, things that the Biden Administration has done for the American people to make their lives better since Trump left office for his current full-time private sector job as a fomenter of grievance and discord. Reinforce it. Keep it in the eyes and ears of the people. And as time and opportunity allow make the Republicans defend the indefensible by asking them the simplest but most effective question in the arsenal: do you really want to go back to the daily drama and needless divisiveness that was four miserable years of Trump, ratcheted up into a revenge tour against any and all perceived opponents?
The middle ground voters in swing states who stand to decide the election should be receptive to a positive message after so many years of Trump’s and the GOP’s exhausting, self-serving negativity. Make them own that by emphasizing a better option. If the GOP insists on being the rain, make sure that voters know that you are the parade.
The Republicans are trying to render impeachment meaningless. I’m doing so, they minimize Trump’s impeachments and are able to undermine consequences for future crimes and misdemeanors as political theater.
Now what Biden needs is constant messaging and PR. and branding.He simply can't sit on his laurels an rely on it.If he does that the other side will dictate the terms.He can start with his most effective spokesmen;Pete Buttigeig and Gavin Newson.Add Josh Shapiro,Jared Polis,Colin Aldred and Gretchin whitmore to that list.It also introduces to the public the transition of Democrats to the future.(an impressive and deep bench)
The only way to do that is to get on tv news and internet podcasts. Unfortunately, Fox News which is watch 24 /7 by people who are mental shut ins control so much if the news. The rest of America are bust living their lives and can't stayed glued to the TV. If they could get CNN or some other TV talk shows other than Fox News to appear on the tvs in doctors offices, airports and bus stations. And get interesting commentary on the crazy lying Republican "law makers", that'll be the only way to change a vast majority of Americans.
Interesting point you make there - if Fox news is broadcasting constant GOP propaganda, shouldn't public spaces with TV's be obliged by law to allow equal broadcast time to Democrat propaganda?
If the US doesn't have such a law, perhaps some up and coming politician could run with it?
Great response but I have one question: you look at that list of crazy things they are doing this week and ask yourself how does Biden/democrats actually breakthrough with any type of message? There is so much shit in the zone that a positive message may never get through
We're playing for the slim middle ground that is not all-in for the GOP generally and/or Trump specifically. They are willing to listen and, even more importantly, think. The messaging should reflect that, as well as advertising spending, and in areas where it can make a difference (competitive states). Times certainly have changed, but I'm betting on human nature that, at some point, those not firmly in the GOP's pocket will become exhausted with all of the nonsense and shenanigans and cast their vote to wish them into the cornfield. Of course I could be wr... ... wr... ... wr... ... not quite right about that. But I am hopeful.
"Flooding the zone with shit" is precisely the reason the GOP has always held a big advantage over Democrats regarding setting the message on policy and issues.And it has always been that way ever since I can remember.Remember when Bill Clinton had his war room and rapid response team? It will never happen but perhaps Biden should give Rick Wilson a call.
Overheard some retirees talking in McDonald's this morning. Someone asked how a junior senator from Delaware could afford such nice things (I'm guessing taking the bait from some "just asking questions" guy on TV or social media). Eventually someone looked on Forbes and saw that Biden is worth $7 million, but he didn't buy it. He said it's probably 100 times that.
For so many MAGA voters proof of guilt is not necessary to sincerely believe it exists. It seems to be more gut level assessment. If they don't like the person, he's probably guilty. Screw the rule of law. Of course abiding love means absolute innocence
This is how to get a country to turn fascist. Tell lies constantly, loud and clear, and the more ridiculous the better. For example, Jews use baby Christians blood to make maztos. Many Nazi and Natzi supporters believed this.
They may be waiting for the impeachment to begin to start the rebuttal campaign.
I had a thought while reading Charlie's column, what if they hold a vote after presenting all their "evidence", and they lose the vote? Would that make my day, my week, my year, even?
This investigation seems to be an effort to look around for embarrassing but not necessarily illegal acts and to generate talk on the angertainment media to keep voters fired up and donating. They just want to keep the "issue" alive through November 2024. I suspect they'll never present any evidence to the House as a whole because they won't have any.
Absolutely...they will be FAR MORE focused on the court of public opinion...called FoxNews and cherry-picking every nit and magnifying it until it appears like a vast conspiracy involving the entire Democratic party.
All the while, they are hoping that perhaps this uncovers something else they can glom onto and involve more dems and liberals. Sort of like how the Monica thing came out of the whitewater thing...
Just like the Hillary/Benghazi/email BS. Afterwards it all just fades away, but the bamboozled remember the accusations and will regard them as proof of criminality.
Remember Kevin McCarthy's comment when asked about the Benghazi committees?
"Everyone though Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping."
Don’t look now, but here it comes, around the corner … Revenge Impeachment. (Spite Impeachment, if you prefer.) Yet again the GOP be GOPing, increasingly desperate to find both relevance and acceptance as it chooses to pursue the political nuclear option. Rather obviously it is a punishment seeking a problem. Looking past the headlines, we need to see it for what it really is: a long-term GOP “Look, squirrel!” moment on steroids, seeking to deflect attention away from Trump’s (alleged) criminal activities, his bizarre and unprofessional behavior entering a lengthy electoral campaign, and their lack of a coherent plan for America other than to own and even to destroy the libs. This has his fingerprints all over it. He should take ownership of it.
That said, my unsolicited advice to the Democrats is: don’t take the bait. Yes, they must deny the accusations. It comes with the territory. But, lacking specific evidence of wrongdoing on Joe Biden’s part and aware that ultimately only Hunter Biden is legally accountable for Hunter Biden’s activities, they do not have to stay on the defensive when there is nothing to defend. Don’t let the GOP change the subject and seize the messaging high ground. Hit up the donors, crank up the publicity machine, and call the GOP out on its lack of a plan for the future. Ask them what it is and emphasize the empty echo beyond mere platitudes that we get in response. And above all give us a list of accomplishments, things that the Biden Administration has done for the American people to make their lives better since Trump left office for his current full-time private sector job as a fomenter of grievance and discord. Reinforce it. Keep it in the eyes and ears of the people. And as time and opportunity allow make the Republicans defend the indefensible by asking them the simplest but most effective question in the arsenal: do you really want to go back to the daily drama and needless divisiveness that was four miserable years of Trump, ratcheted up into a revenge tour against any and all perceived opponents?
The middle ground voters in swing states who stand to decide the election should be receptive to a positive message after so many years of Trump’s and the GOP’s exhausting, self-serving negativity. Make them own that by emphasizing a better option. If the GOP insists on being the rain, make sure that voters know that you are the parade.
The Republicans are trying to render impeachment meaningless. I’m doing so, they minimize Trump’s impeachments and are able to undermine consequences for future crimes and misdemeanors as political theater.
I think impeachment became meaningless, when tfg sicced a mob on Congress, and the Rs still voted to acquit.
That was a travesty, but the process was treated with the seriousness it deserves. The failure to convict was malpractice.
The Gaetz/Greene wing of the party is trying to cheapen the process and render it a regular occurrence.
Now what Biden needs is constant messaging and PR. and branding.He simply can't sit on his laurels an rely on it.If he does that the other side will dictate the terms.He can start with his most effective spokesmen;Pete Buttigeig and Gavin Newson.Add Josh Shapiro,Jared Polis,Colin Aldred and Gretchin whitmore to that list.It also introduces to the public the transition of Democrats to the future.(an impressive and deep bench)
The only way to do that is to get on tv news and internet podcasts. Unfortunately, Fox News which is watch 24 /7 by people who are mental shut ins control so much if the news. The rest of America are bust living their lives and can't stayed glued to the TV. If they could get CNN or some other TV talk shows other than Fox News to appear on the tvs in doctors offices, airports and bus stations. And get interesting commentary on the crazy lying Republican "law makers", that'll be the only way to change a vast majority of Americans.
Interesting point you make there - if Fox news is broadcasting constant GOP propaganda, shouldn't public spaces with TV's be obliged by law to allow equal broadcast time to Democrat propaganda?
If the US doesn't have such a law, perhaps some up and coming politician could run with it?
You would think. It used to be CNN in airports and public place, but I guess Fox News is more entertaining.
Here in the South it is Newsmax or Fox. That is you will see in a restarant unless it is football Saturday.
Both are bad. Amazing how many are into Qanon lies and propaganda.
Entertaining and apolitical is Mickey Mouse or "How to Renovate Your House".
Fox is pure R/W propaganda.
I do like HGTV. That's at least informative.
Great response but I have one question: you look at that list of crazy things they are doing this week and ask yourself how does Biden/democrats actually breakthrough with any type of message? There is so much shit in the zone that a positive message may never get through
We're playing for the slim middle ground that is not all-in for the GOP generally and/or Trump specifically. They are willing to listen and, even more importantly, think. The messaging should reflect that, as well as advertising spending, and in areas where it can make a difference (competitive states). Times certainly have changed, but I'm betting on human nature that, at some point, those not firmly in the GOP's pocket will become exhausted with all of the nonsense and shenanigans and cast their vote to wish them into the cornfield. Of course I could be wr... ... wr... ... wr... ... not quite right about that. But I am hopeful.
"Flooding the zone with shit" is precisely the reason the GOP has always held a big advantage over Democrats regarding setting the message on policy and issues.And it has always been that way ever since I can remember.Remember when Bill Clinton had his war room and rapid response team? It will never happen but perhaps Biden should give Rick Wilson a call.
Overheard some retirees talking in McDonald's this morning. Someone asked how a junior senator from Delaware could afford such nice things (I'm guessing taking the bait from some "just asking questions" guy on TV or social media). Eventually someone looked on Forbes and saw that Biden is worth $7 million, but he didn't buy it. He said it's probably 100 times that.
So goes 'Merica.
“People can be extraordinarily slipshod whenever already they have made up their minds” from the 2018 novel, Milkman, by Anna Burns.
For so many MAGA voters proof of guilt is not necessary to sincerely believe it exists. It seems to be more gut level assessment. If they don't like the person, he's probably guilty. Screw the rule of law. Of course abiding love means absolute innocence
This is how to get a country to turn fascist. Tell lies constantly, loud and clear, and the more ridiculous the better. For example, Jews use baby Christians blood to make maztos. Many Nazi and Natzi supporters believed this.
For the conspiracy-minded, the absence of proof is proof itself.
They may be waiting for the impeachment to begin to start the rebuttal campaign.
I had a thought while reading Charlie's column, what if they hold a vote after presenting all their "evidence", and they lose the vote? Would that make my day, my week, my year, even?
Why yes, it would!
This investigation seems to be an effort to look around for embarrassing but not necessarily illegal acts and to generate talk on the angertainment media to keep voters fired up and donating. They just want to keep the "issue" alive through November 2024. I suspect they'll never present any evidence to the House as a whole because they won't have any.
Absolutely...they will be FAR MORE focused on the court of public opinion...called FoxNews and cherry-picking every nit and magnifying it until it appears like a vast conspiracy involving the entire Democratic party.
All the while, they are hoping that perhaps this uncovers something else they can glom onto and involve more dems and liberals. Sort of like how the Monica thing came out of the whitewater thing...
Just like the Hillary/Benghazi/email BS. Afterwards it all just fades away, but the bamboozled remember the accusations and will regard them as proof of criminality.
But trump? no way he did anything wrong.
Remember Kevin McCarthy's comment when asked about the Benghazi committees?
"Everyone though Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right? But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping."
We know why they're doing this.