It’s important to recognize a “set up” when it occurs…
The RNC cranked up the mighty wurlizter today in response to two of 1,512 spots submitted to MoveOn’s Bush in 30 Seconds grassroots commercial advertising campaign. A few things about the reaction and the situation are important to note:
MoveOn disavowed the spots in question, and removed them from their website, which was the proper thing to do. Please note though, that the offending commercials, being so very vile as to spark outrage from the RNC, the Simon Weisenthal Center and the ADL, (and the prompt removal of the spots from the MoveOn website) were at the same time apparently not too offensive to keep them from being posted onto the RNC website as well as being linked to on a number of right-wing sites, including the Drudge Report, which gets several million hits a day.
What we are witnessing is the right-wing media manipulating a situation to their advantage. The spots in question could even have been created in order to prompt the controversy in the first place. According to MoveOn, as currently reported by Fox News, the first commerical was not associated with any one particular group.
From the RNC site:
“Yesterday, MoveOn.org said an ad comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler that it had posted on its Web site as one the group would consider selecting for $7 million worth of paid airtime was only one of hundreds submitted and that MoveOn.org tried to screen out ads in such poor taste.
It now turns out that the ad was one of two submissions comparing President Bush to Hitler that the organization posted, further reflecting the group’s view that this despicable tactic complied with its guidelines that submissions be: “really creative ads that will engage and enlighten viewers and help them understand the truth about George Bush. There are some legal limits on what you can do (see below), and we’re not going to post anything that would be inappropriate for television, but other than that what you put in your ads is up to you (live action, animation, personal rant, whatever!)” (Source)
Such ads are anything but appropriate for television, and MoveOn.org should apologize for posting the ads, as the Simon Wiesenthal Center today asked them to. Further, every Democrat seeking his or her party’s nomination and who stands to benefit politically from MoveOn.org’s efforts to defeat President Bush in November though millions of dollars in advertising should support the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s request, and urge MoveOn.org to apologize for posting these ads on their Web site and deeming them appropriate for television.”
So, to recap, it’s bad to post the spots on the MoveOn site. Got that. So, they were removed promptly by MoveOn as was proper. But, then, it’s okay for the spots to be on the Republican National Committee website? Does that make sense? Of course not. But, it’s important to note that the right-wing smear tactic doesn’t work if people can’t see the spots in question.
Also, please note how the smear tactic is not so deftly connected to the fundraising of MoveOn, which is substantial and of great concern to the RNC. The entire tactic is meant to polarize the Jewish vote and most directly, promote an image of divisiveness and chaos within the Democratic contenders for President. Get them to eat crow, while also getting them to disassociate themselves from a major fundraising source. Not a very Presidential moment for any of them to be sure. Meanwhile, Bush is playing Commander in Chief.
Ultimately though, it’s just more right-wing whining. The spots in question aren’t even in the finals. They would never have been aired, that much is clear. Rest assurred, the Bush as Hitler ads would have probably died without much note, (they aren’t exceptoinal in any way) if not for the RNC focusing upon them like a laser beam. The RNC’s posting of both videos on their website, here and here, not only ensures the videos a small place in history, (in the least as a Jeopardy! question), it is also condeming proof that politics trumps principles for certain Republicans. It was a planned attack, developed over the course of days if not weeks. Such tactics are old and tired. There is a simple word for it. Hypocrisy. (Obvious point of the day.)
Until the source(s) of the two spots in question are verified, I’d say this one should be put into the “dirty tricks” column.
Meanwhile, check out the finalists in the Bush in 30 Seconds contest.