« Four Nights: Links to All 738 Convention Night Photos | Main | Ads: Sample Of RPV Distortion »

August 02, 2004

As Good As It Gets

I've just been going through emails that came in while I was in Boston last week. I have been curious about what the Virginia Republicans were saying about Democrats during the national convention cycle, and what I've been reading today proves my theory that, when it comes to the GOP spinners in Virginia, it pays to have the lowest possible expectations.

The attack on Tim Kaine: A sarcasm-laden news release that includes a photo of the lieutenant governor and headline, "Have you seen this man?"

The attack on Governor Warner: RPV Chairwoman Kate Griffin refers to the Governor as a "high-tax liberal."

The attack on John Kerry: Griffin refers to Kerry as the "single most liberal member" of the U.S. Senate. Dick Black, the radical right-wing delegate, joined in with the Kerry-bashing-fest by issuing a press release that questioned John Kerry's morals and values. Not surprising, from a guy who handed out plastic fetus-shaped figures during the 2003 General Assembly.

Liberal. Liberal. Liberal.

Is that it? Is that the sum total of the Republican Party of Virginia's argument in favor of the re-election of George Bush as president of the United States?

Today's attack: From the Invisible Man, Jerry Kilgore. The attorney general and presumed candidate for Governor in 2005 has time to attack John Kerry and yet say virtually nothing positive about his own candidate for president, other than that he "deserves" to be re-elected.

That sense of entitlement to power is fuel for the anger so many people feel about this administration. One has to wonder if there will ever come a day when Republicans in Virginia can speak in a positive way about their own candidates rather than simply resorting to sarcasm, lowest-common-denominator and negative attacks that only diminish themselves and feed on the cynicism of the average voter.

John Kerry and John Edwards offer a remarkable contrast to the divisiveness and negativity that is spewed at us on a daily basis from Republicans in Virginia--a positive message of hope and optimism, a vision of a stronger America that is respected in the world.

Posted by laura at August 2, 2004 02:11 PM

Comments