Obama White House coordinating 527 attacks on GOP?
posted at 11:34 am on February 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Remember when the Democrats had their panties in a wad over the presence of Karl Rove in the Bush White House? They objected to the politicization of the executive branch and the apparent and alleged political coordination between Rove and outside groups. Now that Barack Obama has cleaned out the White House, though, things like that will never, ever happen again. Right? Right?
President Obama’s allies on the left, AFSCME and the labor-backed Americans United for Change, are ramping up with a massive advertising blitz containing the most direct and hard-hitting attack yet on specific GOP leaders, demanding that they get behind the recovery package and stop saying “No.”
White House aides were told in advance what the concept of the ads would be, though they were briefed while the ad was in production, according to a Democrat familiar with the discussions. The ad, which is running nationally on cable, goes considerably farther than Obama and the White House has in directly calling out Republican leaders, flashing images of GOP Reps John Boehner and Eric Cantor, and Senator Mitch McConnell.
The ad — which is accompanied by a big targeted radio ad blitz hitting 18 GOP House members and three Senators opposing the plan — is a sign that Obama and his advisers won’t try to get in the way as allied groups play hardball with the Republicans in the final stretch of the stimulus fight, even as the Obama administration hits GOPers blocking the plan somewhat less directly or aggressively.
I believe Greg Sargent meant to say in the second paragraph that the aides were not told in advance. Either way, it looks like White House politicization is just peachy with the Left, as long as it serves their purposes. Obama and his aides want to attack Republicans while maintaining a false front of bipartisanship, a calculated and cynical attack mode that completely belies Obama’s platitudes about getting past partisan differences.
We used to joke about Karl Rove brain implants when people accused conservative commentators of taking talking points and marching orders from the White House. Now it looks as though the unions and their 527s take marching orders from Rahm Emanuel. The permanent campaign continues, and only the players and brain implants change.
Does John McCain and Russ Feingold know about this?
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »
Wow, Nixon is looking better all the time.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Can the enemies list be far behind?
Pride goeth before a fall. Never forget that.
rockmom on February 11, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Change schmange…
woohoo on February 11, 2009 at 11:39 AM
At least Nixon was not a crook.
bloggless on February 11, 2009 at 11:39 AM
An era of bi-partisanship has begun.
How long before the Democrats shove through an amendment making this a one-party nation?
After all, two parties are inefficient.
And anyway, Republican-Americans are really the only enemies this country really has.
NoDonkey on February 11, 2009 at 11:40 AM
They are kicking our asses…whining is for losers
tomas on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
The Republicans better learn to react and articulate. McCain refused to deal with outright deception on responsibility for the bubble during the campaign and now they are Alinskifying the debate on legislation.
Right now democrats could sell refrigerators to eskimos and Republicans could not sell them blankets.
Starlink on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Obama has been on a non-stop villianiation blitz of the GOP since he got into office. Remember, true bipartisanship is agreeing with The One…otherwise you are against America.
http://www.therightscoop.com/enabling-a-society/
funsutton on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Won’t it be fun when these attacks start targeting groups of people in general and finally individual citizens who dare stand in the way of The Ogabe Destiny?
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I don’t think he meant “were not told”, I think this means they were told the overview of what the ads would be, but they didn’t get the full flavor of the ads since they weren’t complete yet.
kirkill on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Where is the RNC with the TRUTH about the Porkulous Bill? Why are we not hitting back with massive ads showing the real story, the waste, the fraud, the STEALTH HEALTH CARE and what will happen to seniors? Where are OUR leaders, where is Steele, the RNC? We better get off our butts and fight back, THE RADICALS ARE WINNING THE MEDIA BATTLES and are pushing Republicans into a horrible vote thru intimidation and LIES… We need to get support out to these HEROS nad do it YESTERDAY!
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Turnabout is fair play.
All this should do for us is embolden us.
MadisonConservative on February 11, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Wow. I’m sure glad we’re done with the same old politics!
drjohn on February 11, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Which is why I voted for him twice.
The Barrybrand WH is only concerned with their holographic image. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep Dorothy from pulling back the curtain.
Limerick on February 11, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Dear Leader, King Herbert Milhous Obama the First has a nice ring to it.
Glenn Jericho on February 11, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Most partisan federal government, evah!
kirkill on February 11, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Nothing bad that happened in Stalin’s Soviet Union was ever Stalin’s fault either. When millions disappeared and died, they’d say, “if only Stalin had known what was happening, he could’ve stopped those unfortunate abuses….”
RBMN on February 11, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Can we start calling Ogabe’s followers “Social Nationalists”?
SKYFOX on February 11, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Rush ring a bell? It’s already begun and WE ARE LOSING BIG TIME Mr. Bishop… Losing BIG time… The RNC and our 527′s are nowhere to be seen… All we have is Talk Radio, soon it too will be gone. Phone the RNC and get them moving FAST.
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 11:44 AM
The never-ending campaign. For anyone who thinks that these people are not intent on a one-party rule, please take note of this. One can’t fight a war without knowing what is at stake.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 11:44 AM
They still don’t care that BHO made a total mockery of campaign finance laws. Morons.
progressoverpeace on February 11, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Fascist revolutions are always labor driven. I guess that’s a here you find the most ignorant followers. The ruse of the free lunch, as old as mankind.
tarpon on February 11, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Excuse me comrade but you aren’t wearing your required Great Leader lapel pin, please get in the truck.
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Because the anti Prop 8 folks from California have gotten away with their Strong Arm tactics with no real consequence… expect for their to be Anti Repub hit sites up soon, targeting their supporters.
Politics is hardball… but this new escalation is going to get out of hand.
Romeo13 on February 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Should being the key word. The Republicans need to stay strong. All but three rejected this bill. I’m still proud of that.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
BirdsPOS flock together….Branch Rickey on February 11, 2009 at 11:46 AM
We can complain all we want on conservative blogs. No one, especially Obama, really cares. It’s the Republican leadership that needs to step up and take them on. I’m talking real Republicans…not the RINOS that bend over for Obama everytime he winks at them.
sdd on February 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM
They are concerned with permanent control of all three branches of government, and fundamental, permanent changes to the reach of government and to the control of the economy.
The fools in the GOP think they’re still in the 20th Century, in which power could go back and forth. They are headed for permanent minority status in the Congress and Electoral College. The census grab, ACORN, and the legalization of illegal immigrants will give them permanent majorities on enough voter rolls. The few states that stay red will have little control over their affairs under the Dems’ new federalism. Mandates will issue from DC on everything of importance.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 11:47 AM
If Democrats criticize Republicans for something, they plan on doing the same thing ten times worse.
Count to 10 on February 11, 2009 at 11:48 AM
The astroturfing president…
ninjapirate on February 11, 2009 at 11:49 AM
well, in a way, this is great… the gloves can now come off, and bi partisanship and trying to work with liberals can be put to death as a tactic. No whining ….start fighting liberals my fellow Conservatives.
MNDavenotPC on February 11, 2009 at 11:50 AM
I thought that I heard somewhere that there is a proposal floating around Capitol Hill to do away with Presidential Term limits. Am I wrong?
Pulchritudinous Patriot on February 11, 2009 at 11:52 AM
What the hell does he care? Didn’t he WIN??? Isn’t the stupid thing going to pass anyway?
misslizzi on February 11, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Did you follow the linkin the update to Cantor’s video response? NSFW and very funny.
Either Youtube isn’t counting everything or the 527 ad has less than 3,000 viewers and Cantor’s response is nearing 400,000. AFSCME is already demanding an apology,
obladioblada on February 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I wouldn’t worry too much. There’s going to be riots in the streets soon over the crap Barry is trying to pull, and once he loses any shred of credibility, his game is over.
Vashta.Nerada on February 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Exactly. Let’s deal with it and figure out an effective way to push back.
BadgerHawk on February 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Don’t you mean Toto?
misslizzi on February 11, 2009 at 11:54 AM
NP – like Clinton and his El Camino with the AstroTurf in “bed” of said El Camino? LOL
Branch Rickey on February 11, 2009 at 11:54 AM
You’re not, but it was just pushed by one person in Congress and hasn’t been given any weight. This same man has said this before Obama.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 11:55 AM
The left is going to actually do everything it has accused the Bush whitehouse of doing.
Why do you think they made the accusation of Bush in the first place? Because it is what _they_ would have done.
And what they are going to do now.
CrazyFool on February 11, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Is there a place that is tracking all these “changes”?
Iraq withdrawal now 24 months… Deficits are now a good thing… Fairness Doctrine… Gitmo… etc.
mankai on February 11, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Yup. The Pansy, effete, beta wing of the GOP is TOO SCARED TO FIGHT.
By God- What’s the worst that could happen- we’ll lose POTUS, Congress, SCOTUS, voter base (ACORN and census induced redistricting- which of course plays into those “polls of the American voter” that they weight by AFFILIATION.) WE ARE ALREADY THERE.
OUR CURRENT LEADERSHIP is to blame ( along with our elite, effete Pundit class dont’cha know).
WHEN WE FIGHT BARE-KNUCKLED WE WIN. (Reagan)
ExTex on February 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Too soon to tell how much of a CF the Obama-era packages (stim, TARP 2 through N, etc.) will be.
I remember McCain said the Rove-type position was history if he was elected — did Obama ever make such a promise?
DrSteve on February 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM
fify
VolMagic on February 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM
TheyWe are all “Joe the Plumber” now.RalphyBoy on February 11, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Well, hell yeah.
Nobody. Makes. Them. Stop.
Not now. Not for the past 8 years.
ExTex on February 11, 2009 at 12:00 PM
+1
Branch Rickey on February 11, 2009 at 12:00 PM
obladioblada on February 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM
The ads are actually only preaching to the choir and are making the same mistake that the dem pols are making now: Americans are too stupid to figure out this bill is a shat sandwich of epic proportions.
Bishop on February 11, 2009 at 12:00 PM
H. J. Res. 5
Conservative_SAHM on February 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
His entire campaign was based on change, and specifically post-partisanship.
Esthier on February 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
This is the United States of Alinksy.
carbon_footprint on February 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Sadly, I think too many people will be apathetic. The Romans bought off the crowds with bread and circuses. The Dems are doing it with pork. Keep people dependent and keep the goodies coming, and keep blaming the “rich” and Wall Street and corporations that pay presidents fat salaries.
The only thing that might get people angry is inflation, which is not something one wants to happen.
Wethal on February 11, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Um, United States of Alinsky.
carbon_footprint on February 11, 2009 at 12:02 PM
There’s an AFSCME or AUC member with an office in the West Wing??? What’s their name?
Jazz Shaw on February 11, 2009 at 12:03 PM
“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions.”
darclon on February 11, 2009 at 12:03 PM
LOL Obama is such a clown.
No seriously, he’s attacking the minority party even though every single lib commenter and media lemming are talking about how great it is for Democrats to be back in control.
This looks so ham-handed and non-presidential. If Obama doesn’t wise up, he’s going to blow his only term attacking an opponent whose support he technically does not even need.
BKennedy on February 11, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Of course, just like they would come unglued if Karl Rove got his hands on the census.
The left boosters are the biggest bunch of hypocrites and when they’re talking they’re projecting.
Topsecretk9 on February 11, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Let’s review.
First we saw Marc Ambinder (and Karen Tumulty’s Democratic Source) come up with the thought that Republicans in stressed districts might want to vote for the stimulus because their constituents won’t understand why they don’t care about them. And Obama is so popular.
Then the President signs a law saying only unionized construction companies can get Government contracts.
Then Obama decided to travel to the districts of two house Republicans (who voted against the bill) to discuss his stimulus and surround himself with people who mouth “I love you Barack” and make orgasmic screams when given the microphone. He touts the stimulus plan as being full of road construction, green construction, home retrofitting, and school construction projects.
Then the Unions begin campaigns against vulnerable Republicans in stressed districts.
No. I don’t see any coordination there.
MayBee on February 11, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Doesn’t receiving direction from a political party or any member of the government force a 527 to be reclassified as a traditional PAC and therefore subject to a different set of laws regarding acceptable activites and required disclosures?
This will all be logged in the, “Yeah, it’s probably illegal, but doing something about it might get ugly” file.
bryanmyrick on February 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
The united buzz words of the Dems to attack Republican opposition to their agenda is to dismiss it as nonsense of the unenlightened “chattering class”.
onlineanalyst on February 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Can we NOW stop hearing about how Republicans shouldn’t treat Dems like they treat us? how we’re supposed to take the high road and be better than them?
Or do we keep sitting quietly while getting stomped on by an administration that is going to end up being the most partisan and divisive in years?
katiejane on February 11, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Obama already attacks groups of people. He and the others attack Republicans. Lots of us are Republicans, or Independents, and opposed to the stimulus bill, among other things.
He, the president, has called us unpatriotic.
I never knew a president before who actually encouraged people to think of the other party as the enemy. And laughed at them, and mocked them.
Alana on February 11, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Bishop, I agree with you, but I’m looking for any humor I can find today. Just heard my BIL is going to be laid off from his white collar job. My husband can’t get through to clients because their companies are on short-term shut downs. I think that Cantor’s response is childish and it’s counterproductive to be so insulting, but I’m enjoying it anyway.
obladioblada on February 11, 2009 at 12:12 PM
WE CAN’T GET ALONG WITH DEMOCRA…SOCIALISTS.
It is their way or the highway.
jukin on February 11, 2009 at 12:14 PM
This new change begins a new era of American history. It’s called thugery.
shick on February 11, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I await the day when the name David Axelrod is treated with more contempt than the name Karl Rove.
Snowed In on February 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
“You don’t have to be afraid of an Obama presidency.”
-John McCain
Presidencial Campaign of 2008
stenwin77 on February 11, 2009 at 12:19 PM
-
Clown? Yes. And evil one? Yes again.
-
Every voice of opposition is a seed of resistance to his vision. America as he dictates it to be. All must bow to his will.
-
RalphyBoy on February 11, 2009 at 12:20 PM
We’re all Chicagoans now.
(can you say “backfire”?)
stenwin77 on February 11, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Rush is on a HUGE ROLL today…
Mark Garnett on February 11, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I should hope so. I, personally, have decided to chuck many of my own life-long principles. And why? Because a greater principle is at stake: The survival of our country and our freedom.
Alana on February 11, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Maybe it’s Americans who don’t realize what they voted for. In that case, shouldn’t Republicans let them find out and stop trying to protect Americans from the consequences of their choices? Maybe the best way to teach people that socialism is bad is to let them try it out for a little bit.
JohnJ on February 11, 2009 at 12:22 PM
stenwin77 on February 11, 2009 12:19 PM
technopeasant on February 11, 2009 at 12:24 PM
The Republicans must immediately start a intense counterinsurgency effort against these attacks.
rplat on February 11, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals
5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.”
and
9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.”
and
10. “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition. It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.”
and finally
13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. In conflict tactics there are certain rules that [should be regarded] as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and ‘frozen.’ … When your ‘freeze the target,’ you disregard these [rational but distracting] arguments and carry out your attack…. One acts decisively only in the conviction that all the angles are on one side and all the devils on the other.”
==================
Obama is following this to the letter.
Conservative_SAHM on February 11, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Aint that the truth.
Listening to Rush right now and he is fired up! I love all his ideas for when the GOP comes back. Awesome. Plus, Obama’s brother hasnt gotten a new house or car from Obarfo. How rude.
becki51758 on February 11, 2009 at 12:30 PM
He sure is. Rallying the troops. Its about time someone got excited.
genso on February 11, 2009 at 12:33 PM
Ive said this for years now…Democrats bring a bazooka to a gun fight while Reps bring a slingshot. You can’t be mad at Dems for fighting while our side talks about playing nice (Im talking to you Senator McCain!)
angryed on February 11, 2009 at 12:33 PM
It seems it will come to war eventually.
Kralizec on February 11, 2009 at 12:34 PM
They have enough votes to pass this Shit On a Shingle without any more Republicans signing on so the conclusion is inescapable – they know, or at least gravely fear, that this “Stimulus” mother-of-all-spending bills will push America from recession to depression so they want as many Republican fingerprints on it as possible. If they actually had confidence that it would work the opposite would clearly be the case. They are so transparent.
MB4 on February 11, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Alinsky’s problem is that ridicule is a two way street, and almost always favors the underdog.
That’s why they are rules for radicals.
When you’re the establishment, every tactic Alinsky employs has its effectiveness reduced drastically.
You don’t look tough browbeating the minority party, you just look like an overbearing idiot.
BKennedy on February 11, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Rehetorical question: what do you get when you elect a professional campaigner?
Exactly! You get a strawman who knows only to campaign and hold staged events….
jbh45 on February 11, 2009 at 12:37 PM
The audacity of hope was for his campaign
Fear and damnation will be for his reign
His candidacy was as a Henry Houdini
His presidency will be as a Benito Mussolini
MB4 on February 11, 2009 at 12:38 PM
The Obamastration is rapidly implementing National Socialism in the USA under Rahm Emanuel, its Minister of Propaganda.
bmac727 on February 11, 2009 at 12:39 PM
You have a lot of confidence on the same people who put these clowns into office knowing exactly what they were.
neuquenguy on February 11, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Is dissent still patriotic?
jcrue on February 11, 2009 at 12:42 PM
After all, they kept telling us that his experience running a campaign was far more significant than Palin’s experience running a state. I guess they were right.
neuquenguy on February 11, 2009 at 12:42 PM
The list is already well under way. Ed Morrissey’s name has been on it for weeks. I am adding your name right now.
DasObamaReich on February 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Get a comfortable chair.
neuquenguy on February 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Those that refuse to learn from history are doomed to vote democrat.
jukin on February 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM
They spent 8 years convincing us that Bush was a totalitarian, so that we wouldn’t recognize the real thing when it came along.
neuquenguy on February 11, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Unions have such an incredible track record of success.
Why shouldn’t American businesses be lining up to hire MORE union workers?
Who cares about the bottom line? Markets do.
The Big Three have a market cap of 7 billion and we are giving them 35 billion to bail out their pension plans?
This makes sense only if you are a Union leader, markets hate this kind of logic.
Sell. Sell. Sell. Get out of the pool.
Let Uncle Sam build cars, Comrade.
Angry Dumbo on February 11, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Got one, thanks.
Snowed In on February 11, 2009 at 12:49 PM
MB4 on February 11, 2009 at 12:50 PM
As shepherds we shall be,
For Thee my Lord, for Thee.
Power hath descended forth from Thy hand,
That our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command.
So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be.
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.
riverrat10k on February 11, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Maybe so…but I’m wired to try and fight back while I’m being raped.
sdd on February 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Thanks Senator McCain for that awesome campaign finance reform!
jeff_from_mpls on February 11, 2009 at 1:02 PM
I tried yesterday to talk to a lot of people about hte stimulus package, the census grab, the fairness doctrine and except for my consevative friends no one knew what I was talking about or even cared. So at my office it’s about 5 of us who understand what is going on and about 20 who are totally clueless. This is a small sampling as I work for a large Co but I think probably accurate. So Soros and Co know that most of America is now ignorant, our youth is sadly being indoctrinated into socialism and I dont see an end to this at all. I think America’s best days are behind her…
CCRWM on February 11, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »