Here Comes The Ugly

Today's time for reflection. By tomorrow, it's time for the mighty smear machine:

Republicans are planning to spend the vast majority of their sizable financial war chest over the final 60 days of the campaign attacking Democratic House and Senate candidates over personal issues and local controversies, GOP officials said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, which this year dispatched a half-dozen operatives to comb through tax, court and other records looking for damaging information on Democratic candidates, plans to spend more than 90 percent of its $50 million-plus advertising budget on what officials described as negative ads.

The hope is that a vigorous effort to "define" opponents, in the parlance of GOP operatives, can help Republicans shift the midterm debate away from Iraq and limit losses this fall. The first round of attacks includes an ad that labeled a Democratic candidate in Wisconsin "Dr. Millionaire" and noted that he has sued 80 patients.

I don't know how this could possibly come as a surprise to anybody. Republicans are stuck in the past and have no record to run on. They have no ideas to move the country forward, so it's fear and smear. For example, they'll roll out an ad that says "your life depends" on your vote. These are people who are blaming the 9-11 attacks on liberalism (which is too clever by half, as it lumps in the perpetrators of the attacks as having the same values as Republicans). They're going to try and make Americans so scared they'll spend the next two months hiding under the bed. And this isn't only going to be directed at Democratic opponents, but Republican apostates as well:

Next week, I'm informed via troubled White House sources, will see the full unveiling of Karl Rove's fall election strategy. He's intending to line up 9/11 families to accuse McCain, Warner and Graham of delaying justice for the perpetrators of that atrocity, because they want to uphold the ancient judicial traditions of the U.S. military and abide by the Constitution. He will use the families as an argument for legalizing torture, setting up kangaroo courts for military prisoners, and giving war crime impunity for his own aides and cronies. This is his "Hail Mary" move for November; it's brutally exploitative of 9/11; it's pure partisanship; and it's designed to enable an untrammeled executive. Decent Republicans, Independents and Democrats must do all they can to expose and resist this latest descent into political thuggery. If you need proof that this administration's first priority is not a humane and effective counter-terror strategy, but a brutal, exploitative path to retaining power at any price, you just got it.

So what will the Democrats do? First things first, don't worry about it. This is what the Republicans always do. It's same shit, different year. Second, hit back. Giving as good as you get obliterates the "weak Democrat" frame. Actions do speak louder than words. Third, speak your values. Just talk about the (popular) principles that make a Democrat a Democrat. And fourth, make the election about one thing.

Stay focused on one and only message -- "You -- the Voters -- have ONE DAY to hold the Bush Administration accountable for what's happened in Iraq, and here at home. ONE DAY -- election day. If you like the way things are going, vote Republican. If you think things need to change, VOTE DEMOCRATIC. Seize the day. It's your very last chance."

This can be a very simple and very successful election. Let this be a blueprint.