Video: The straw-man attack

posted at 6:52 pm on March 6, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

CQ Politics takes a look at the history of the straw-man attack, brought to vivid reality in the first weeks of the Obama administration with their Operation Rushbo attack. Craig Crawford notes the bipartisan nature of these efforts, but misses one important point:

Normally, these attacks get limited to actual election campaigns. When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing? Especially by a messiah of Hope and Change who specifically promised not to engage in the politics of personal destruction?

Craig’s point on the, er, weightiness of the attack victims is particularly relevant to a certain blogger who could stand to lose a few pounds, too.

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Heh.

Normally, these attacks get limited to actual election campaigns. When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing? Especially by a messiah of Hope and Change who specifically promised not to engage in the politics of personal destruction?

Excellent point.

ladyingray on March 6, 2009 at 6:57 PM

This is not the Hope and Change I knew…

cannonball on March 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Obahmbo is the worst of every president all rolled into one. I like my pictures of Obahmbo & Nixon bowling. It is framed and hangs behind my desk. It is amazing how many people see the significance of it now.

portlandon on March 6, 2009 at 7:03 PM

When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing?

When Bill Clinton blamed Rush for Oklahoma City? You know, the same President who liked to use the “politics of personal destruction” meme, and who had Begala and Carville working for him?

FWIW, I don’t think that Michael Moore qualifies as a straw man because of his activism with MoveOn.Org.

Buy Danish on March 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Its about the Liberal War on the Right!

For now,its Rush,before that,it was Governor
Sarah Palin,

and next week,it’ll be some other conservative!

But remember the Liberals are extending their
hands across the isle for Republican support!

canopfor on March 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Mmm, I think Rove’s article was better. It’s a good thing to point out though, I think even a lot of liberals should be bothered by the fact that Obama makes up opponents to attack while he ignores many of the real objections to his plans.

kc8ukw on March 6, 2009 at 7:05 PM

Adolescents in the WH playing mine is bigger than yours and this is how I’m going to prove it. (no male bashing intentionally done guys, but this IS what they are doing!!!) o is playing it too, but using his pawns to protect him from direct harm.

jeanie on March 6, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Rules for radicals.

jgapinoy on March 6, 2009 at 7:17 PM

Adolescents in the WH playing mine is bigger than yours and this is how I’m going to prove it. (no male bashing intentionally done guys, but this IS what they are doing!!!) o is playing it too, but using his pawns to protect him from direct harm.

jeanie on March 6, 2009 at 7:08 PM

Don’t you wish he’d just take his ball and go home?

jimmy2shoes on March 6, 2009 at 7:19 PM

Just another campaign promise with an expiration date. Comrade.

GarandFan on March 6, 2009 at 7:20 PM

canopfor on March 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Folks, this is why Canada must be saved. Operation Canopfor! Save this Maple Leaf and give him a new home, down here in Dixie.

Limerick on March 6, 2009 at 7:23 PM

Revenge for Operation Chaos.

jgapinoy on March 6, 2009 at 7:25 PM

a certain blogger who could stand to lose a few pounds, too.

Ed, how big is Allah?

jgapinoy on March 6, 2009 at 7:26 PM

I finally understand “Hope and Change.” We “Hope” Obama will “Change” before there’s nothing left.

TheBigOldDog on March 6, 2009 at 7:27 PM

Ed, how big is Allah?

jgapinoy on March 6, 2009 at 7:26 PM

Allah is all-encompassing, dude! But I was talking about me.

Ed Morrissey on March 6, 2009 at 7:36 PM

Lord, what did Obama say that turned out to be true? That he isn’t a Muslim? He’s a U.S. citizen? There, two things he said during the campaign for the highest post in the land that can be taken at face value. Everything has a timetable for withdrawal.

Rightwingguy on March 6, 2009 at 7:39 PM

When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing?

Hmmm. Maybe I misread this, and it’s meant to be a humorous sort of rhetorical question?

Via MM, Jeri Thompson reminds us that these tactics date back to the Clintonistas.

Buy Danish on March 6, 2009 at 7:40 PM

But I was talking about me.

You’re not nearly as big as the “straw men” in the vid.
I was hoping for a hint to slip out of you as to how AP looks.
:~)

jgapinoy on March 6, 2009 at 7:43 PM

Lord, what did Obama say that turned out to be true?

Rightwingguy on March 6, 2009 at 7:39 PM

I don’t believe anyone has made a serious allegation that he didn’t want to eat his waffles.

malclave on March 6, 2009 at 7:44 PM

Short Straw

The Austin TX City Council has voted to spend $20million for a solar generating plant, installing panels outside of town while the economy is so bad that the city just canned a class of 100 graduating police recruits and put a moratorium on hiring and is cutting funds for the police and fire departments, and cut back lighting downtown streets at night around the infamous 6th Street district. The energy from this plant will cost much more than the current contract. The City Council FEELS it is important not to serve their people but only their pet interest.

maverick muse on March 6, 2009 at 7:45 PM

Obama saves 25 police jobs for one year in one city while Austin TX cuts back 100 police recruits.

People have already noted the insanity of Obama’s perpetual campaign as he is constantly commuting to promote his policies. But he’s not in Washington to implement his policies. Mr. Malleable needs to admit he can not be in two places at once.

Change We Can Believe In: Reset the White House

maverick muse on March 6, 2009 at 7:53 PM

The Obama Administration is the Death Knell of the Democratic Party. Enjoy!

JohnBissell on March 6, 2009 at 8:03 PM

Folks,this is why…..

Limerick on Mar 6,2009 at 6:23PM.

Limerick:Gawd forbid,comrade,if sh#t hits the fan in the US,
I’ll be fighting with you,ya never know,hehe!:)

canopfor on March 6, 2009 at 8:06 PM

maverick muse on March 6, 2009 at 7:53 PM

Jamson64 on March 6, 2009 at 8:10 PM

“When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing?”

Ummm…. President Bush just about every time he came out spoke and yes it is an intellectually weak strategy but I guess it is effective since the last two admins seem especially fond of the tactic.

lexhamfox on March 6, 2009 at 8:11 PM

maverick muse on March 6, 2009 at 7:53 PM

i saw that. now who actually saved even the 25 jobs? seems they were thanking Obama and the Mayor. They should have been thanking the taxpayer, and the taxpayers’ kids, grandkids, great grandkids, great great grandkids, great great great grandkids, great great great great grandkids….well you know

Jamson64 on March 6, 2009 at 8:12 PM

Not that funny… or was it supposed to be..

joseywales on March 6, 2009 at 8:26 PM

“When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing?”

Ummm…. President Bush just about every time he came out spoke and yes it is an intellectually weak strategy but I guess it is effective since the last two admins seem especially fond of the tactic.

lexhamfox on March 6, 2009 at 8:11 PM

When exactly did Bush EVER attack a Democrat, much less a private citizen? Meanwhile, he was called incompetent, dumb, and a liar by politicians, journalists, and citizens. Bush bent over backward to work with Kennedy and others in Congress (even on bills CONSERVATIVES hated like the amnesty bill). Please give some examples. You have eight years to draw from. In six weeks the current administration and associated attack dogs have done more to attack and demonize Republicans and private citizens than Bush and his administration did in those eight years.

jerseyman on March 6, 2009 at 9:04 PM

Just one small problem with Craigs observation. In each of the examples that he gave there was an election going on. The last time I checked the the election was over. It’s now time to govern!!!.

devere252 on March 6, 2009 at 9:40 PM

Ed, you actually take on a hint of AP-esque piquancy when he’s gone. It suits you. A little bitterness with one’s meat makes it go down in style.

spmat on March 6, 2009 at 10:07 PM

Obama is still campaigning. It’s the only thing he knows how to do.

docdave on March 6, 2009 at 10:11 PM

That was a waste of time.

Dorvillian on March 6, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Why do people interlace videos for web!?!?

[/nerd moment]

Ortzinator on March 6, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Normally, these attacks get limited to actual election campaigns. When was the last time we saw something like this coordinated out of the West Wing? Especially by a messiah of Hope and Change who specifically promised not to engage in the politics of personal destruction?

Hope they don’t realize it is a change for the worse.

Its about the Liberal War on the Right!
For now,its Rush,before that,it was Governor
Sarah Palin,
and next week,it’ll be some other conservative!
But remember the Liberals are extending their
hands across the isle for Republican support!
canopfor on March 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM

Let us hope that they don’t make up their teeny tiny little minds.

Lord, what did Obama say that turned out to be true? That he isn’t a Muslim? He’s a U.S. citizen? There, two things he said during the campaign for the highest post in the land that can be taken at face value. Everything has a timetable for withdrawal.

Rightwingguy on March 6, 2009 at 7:39 PM

If Obama said it it raises doubts if it’s true. Maybe the mad spammer is right.

darktood on March 7, 2009 at 6:04 AM

Come on Pres. debate Rush.

He’ll tie half his brain behind his back, just to make it fair.

Speakup on March 7, 2009 at 10:59 AM

The One will debate Rush the day after our current debt is paid off.

IlikedAUH2O on March 7, 2009 at 8:35 PM

portlandon on March 6, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Obahmbo is the worst of every president all rolled into one.

My take on Obama:
The lies of Bill Clinton
The incompetence of Jimmy Carter
The dirty tricks of Richard Nixon
The arrogance of John F. Kennedy
The socialist leanings of Lyndon Johnson

Anything I missed?

ynot4tony2 on March 8, 2009 at 1:32 AM

Democrats are the MASTERS of propaganda…they learned WELL from their ugly step-parents, the NAZIs.

RULE ONE of propaganda:
People will believe a lie if:
A; They are afraid what is said is true
B; They WANT what is said to be true

nelsonknows on March 9, 2009 at 6:08 AM