September 9, 2008
Why the Republicans Will Win
Twisting truth will not win this election for the
Republicans.
Sneaky misrepresentations of the truth will not win this
election for the Republicans.
But a gross lie that wholly misrepresents reality, that is
clearly and obviously a false statement, and which goes, not merely
unchallenged, but unnoticed, allowing it the opportunity to seep into the
electorate's collective consciousness as an unspoken assumption: ah!
now that will steal an election for you.
The McCain Campaign's latest ad, "The Mavericks," has
rightfully attracted complaint and rebuttal. True, Palin's claims
about the Bridge to Nowhere are questionable at best. True, the
statements concerning the oil industry are misleading, at the least.
True, calling this pair mavericks is an insult to cattle everywhere
But nowhere have I
heard even a whisper of questioning concerning the sixth line of the ad, to
wit:
"He battled Republicans and reformed Washington."
WTF?
He has already reformed Washington? Then why is he saying that he
wants to change it? Just when did this reformation take place? I
must have been asleep, missed the story in the paper, didn't get the memo!
The McCain Campaign claims the John McCain has reformed Washington.
Hallelujah! Washington has been reformed by John Sidney McCain III
― although, truth to tell, it appears that no one
noticed ― and now we can elect him President, you know, as a way of thanking
him for the reformation of Washington, and then he can resign the Presidency
after a few days of partying (perhaps to return to
his avocation of pushing around women in wheelchairs), and Sister Sarah
can assume the Presidency!
In grammar school, the nuns told me of
European dictators who used the big lie to take and hold power.
In high school, the Jesuits reinforced the
lesson.
And in a bar, after the 2004 Presidential
election, my friend Iggy said: "Never underestimate the American
electorate's capacity for behaving stupidly."
For the ad's script, click
here.
To see the ad on YouTube, click
here.
To do something sensible about it ― click
here.
