Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

This Bud's for Cruz [Anheuser-Busch opposing recall!]
kausfiles - scroll down ^ | 10/6/3 | Mickey Kaus

Posted on 10/06/2003 8:02:18 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker

This Bud's for Cruz: I got a taped call from Al Gore last night. There was something strange about it. Here's what it said:

GORE'S VOICE: This is former vice Precident Al Gore calling to urge you to vote no on the recall. Gray Davis has been a solid progressive governor and deserves to finish out his term. We simply cannot let the right wing Republicans roll back the progress California has been making under Governor Davis. It is very important that you vote no on the recall. Also, as insurance against a strong pro-recall turnout, and to keep a Democrat in the governor's office, continue on the ballot and vote "yes" for Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante to keep the governorship in Democratic hands. So remember, vote no on the recall, and then vote for Cruz Bustamante, who is located on your ballot under the letter "B." Thank you.

WOMAN'S VOICE: Paid for by Progressive Democrats and Independents against the recall. Major funding by Anheuser-Busch.

So what was strange about it?The last line--"Major funding by Anheuser-Busch." What's America's largest brewer doing going to bat for Gray Davis and Cruz Bustamante? Is that legal? Maybe so--perhaps the cost is somehow apportioned between the "recall" message and the "Bustamante" message in a way that gets around whatever campaign limits apply. But is it smart? Anheuser-Busch has put its name and it's precious brands, nurtured at a cost of billions of dollars, behind two of the most unpopular politicians in the nation's largest state. How does that make business sense? Aren't opponents of Davis and Bustamante--probably a majority of the population--going to think twice about ordering up a Bud? Even if they're only 40 percent of the population, does Anheuser-Busch want to alienate 40 percent of the market? And what about proud "right-wing Republicans"? Don't they drink beer? ... Possible explanation #1: Maybe Anheuser-Busch executives don't know their company's name is being used in the phone calls. But shouldn't they? ... Possible Explanation #2: Or maybe they figure that in heavily Democratic Venice, where I live, most recipients of the call will think more highly of them because of the Gore/Democrat association. (Perhaps they're sponsoring similar phone messages from Tom Selleck targeted at Republicans in Simi Valley.) But that sort of stealth-targeting strategy would depend on nobody writing a story revealing Anheuser-Busch's actions to a larger audience. ....P.S.: First line on the Anheuser-Busch Web site:

Welcome to the world of Anheuser-Busch, where making friends is our business!

Not in Recally Country! ... 2:35 A.M.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: anheuserbusch; bud; bustamante; cruz; davis; recall
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

1 posted on 10/06/2003 8:02:19 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
I'd threaten to boycott their beer, but I don't drink it anyway...
2 posted on 10/06/2003 8:03:38 AM PDT by dirtboy (CongressmanBillyBob/John Armor for Congress - you can't separate them, so send 'em both to D.C.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
No offense to you, but this is about the fourth or fifth posting I've seen of this same article.

Anyway, I STILL find it hard to believe, especially since A-B pulled financial contributions to Holden over 2nd amendment issues.
3 posted on 10/06/2003 8:04:27 AM PDT by Judith Anne (Cyanide, mercury, and botulinum toxin are medically and industrially useful friends to mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Is Someone Else Carrying Your Water?

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794

or you can use

PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD-
It is in the breaking news sidebar!


4 posted on 10/06/2003 8:04:51 AM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Judith Anne
Sorry. I searched for "Busch" and got nothing about this.
5 posted on 10/06/2003 8:06:54 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
From the Anheuser-Busch Website...

Being accessible to you is very important, so we have made ourselves available seven days a week. Feel free to contact us via e-mail, or if you prefer, call us directly at 1-800-DIAL-BUD, or (1-800-342-5283).

Find Your Answers


6 posted on 10/06/2003 8:12:30 AM PDT by harpu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
Here's the link...Talk to us!
7 posted on 10/06/2003 8:15:02 AM PDT by harpu
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Anheuser-Busch products are pure crap anyway. I have never been able to stomach Bud beer. Its made from rice. Yeah. I know, its the most drank beer in the world. Sad fact. There are so many good, real beers out there, I wish peoples taste had not been corrupted by this dreck.

/beer rant off. I am a home brewer.

8 posted on 10/06/2003 8:25:47 AM PDT by Khurkris (Scottish/HillBilly - Revenge is an Art Form for us. Ranger On...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy
That's not beer, it's goat urine in a brown bottle. Not to be confused with Miller, which is goat urine in a clear bottle.

I can't believe that corporate funding for a call like this is legal.

9 posted on 10/06/2003 8:35:22 AM PDT by LouD (Official GOP Vigilante: Fair and Honest Elections - Or Else!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: LouD
Well, if Gore's group buys that TV network, maybe A-B'll get favorable ad rates/placement.
10 posted on 10/06/2003 8:38:52 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker (Freepin' Jew Boy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
NOOOOOOOO!
11 posted on 10/06/2003 9:22:40 AM PDT by Teacher317
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Budweiser... Shut up and brew.

Can't remember the last time I bought a Budweiser product, not out of a lack of sobriety, but rather from better brews to choose from. Could Bud be what makes liberals so stupid?
12 posted on 10/06/2003 9:44:24 AM PDT by Made In The USA (Where is the outrage?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Khurkris
I'm a straight up Bud light beer drinker.

Throw some brands out there for me to try. I'm serious, I want to expand my horizons, try someting new that might tickle my fancy. Clue me in, what would you suggest?



13 posted on 10/06/2003 6:37:58 PM PDT by Prolifeconservative (If there is another terrorist attack, the womb is a very unsafe place to hide.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Khurkris
"Anheuser-Busch products are pure crap anyway"

I agree, Budwiser is green beer and pure crap.
I don't know anyone in my group of friends that drinks it.

If you want some good beer, Slovak and other beers from central Europe are really great.
14 posted on 10/06/2003 6:45:27 PM PDT by AlexW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: NativeNewYorker
Thanks for saving me the effort of starting a thread on this. I got Al's call as well, heard it through to the end and couldn't believe the sponsorship tag-on.
 
In what is at least a 50-50 race... well, that's a lot of potential beer sales lost.

15 posted on 10/06/2003 6:51:41 PM PDT by AnnaZ (SAVE TERRI!!! ::: One day it could be you! ::: http://terrisfight.org/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AnnaZ
That Bud crap gives me a headache anyway.
16 posted on 10/06/2003 11:09:59 PM PDT by Tony in Hawaii (Nothin' like a nice piece of hickory)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Prolifeconservative
McEwens Indian Ale and McEwens Scottish Ale.
17 posted on 10/06/2003 11:17:15 PM PDT by sully777 (Same song next verse same as the first)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Tony in Hawaii
I have no problem with Bud-light.

However, that Bud Ice is nasty. That rot-gut sewage is headache and hangover to happen with every swallow.
18 posted on 10/07/2003 4:12:59 AM PDT by Prolifeconservative (If there is another terrorist attack, the womb is a very unsafe place to hide.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Prolifeconservative
Pro...its going to be a journey for you. You will have to establish a new taste profile for what a good beer is.

Here is a regimen I would reccomend. I don't know what part of the country you are in, but first, find a beer-shop that has a really large selection. Spend some time in there just looking around. Then, start with something that is not too far from what you are currently drinking. Say a pilsener. This is a type of beer originating in Europe. Its also called a pils. Top shelf her eis a brand named Pilsen Urquell - most excellent. But there are also others. Anything from Czech Republic will be good. Thats where pilsener been started, in the town of Pilsen. You are going to be tasting some really clean, fresh tasting beers. Try these for a while and find some you like. Another most excellent beer is a Fischer from the Alsace Lorraine area of France.(its made by a German family). IN the German area, Becks is good. But you can find one you like there. Most Mexican beer is basically German formulation and brewing. Germans started been in Mexico and central/South America. Notice I have not mentioned Heineken? I refuse to drink it; yes I know its famous. But its also full of chemicals. Heineken Corp pays Germany big $$$ every year for a wavier of the Reichs Brewing law to allow import of Heineken into Germany.

Next...we move into some of the fuller flavored American micros. CHEERS!

19 posted on 10/07/2003 8:48:46 PM PDT by Khurkris (Scottish/HillBilly - Revenge is an Art Form for us. Ranger On...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: AlexW
Agree...see my post to PROLIFECONSERVATIVE
20 posted on 10/07/2003 8:50:45 PM PDT by Khurkris (Scottish/HillBilly - Revenge is an Art Form for us. Ranger On...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson