The Democrats are at it again.

Me ^ | today | Me

[Dan Zachary]

The Democrats are at it again. An e-mail that they are sending out is encouraging people to claim that Edwards won tonights debate. Letters to the editor, on line polls, etc. They are stacking the deck in their favor before the debates even begin. The following is the letter:

Dear Dan Zachary,

An "online coup d'etat." That's how CBS News described your efforts after the debate last Thursday.

John Kerry did his part with a powerful performance that showed America they can expect strong and principled leadership when he is our commander-in-chief. But it was your efforts that kept the Republicans from spinning their way to victory.

Now we need your help again. Tonight, John Edwards and Dick Cheney will meet for the only vice presidential debate of the campaign. Once again, we need you to take action the moment they leave the stage.

There are four critical things you can do to help beat the Republican spin machine.

Forward this email to family, coworkers, and friends. Vote in online polls. Write a letter to the editor. Call radio and television stations. Your 10 minutes of activism following the debate can make the difference. It is important that we double our efforts from the last debate, because the Republicans are now copying our strategy.

Vote in Online Polls National and local news organizations will be conducting online polls during and after the debate asking for readers' opinions. Look for online polls at these news websites, and make sure to vote in every one of them:

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/ MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/ LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/ Akron Beacon-Journal: http://www.ohio.com/ Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/ Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/ South Florida Sun-Sentinel: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ And be sure to check the websites of your local newspapers and TV stations for online polls. It is crucial that you do this in the minutes immediately following the debate.

Make sure swing voters know why you support John Kerry by sharing your thoughts on message boards in target states. Visit our 2004 Debate Center after the debate for a list of message boards where you can fight the Republican spin. If you visit chat rooms on AOL, MSN, Yahoo, or other websites, be sure to let people know what you thought of the debate.

Write a Letter to the Editor Immediately after the debate, go online and write a letter to the editor of your local paper. If you feel John Edwards presented an optimistic vision for the next four years, put it in your letter. If you feel Dick Cheney failed to explain the last four years of failed policies, put it in your letter.

Writing a letter is easier than you think. It takes just a few minutes and just a few clicks using our online media center:

http://www.democrats.org/media/

Call Radio and TV Stations TV and radio coverage immediately following the debate is where much of the spin is cemented. Make sure you call radio and TV stations to tell them what you thought.

Find shows in your area on our media website:

http://www.democrats.org/media/find.html

Also... Don't forget to visit our 2004 Debate Center before, during, and after the debate for important information and more ways to take action.

http://www.democrats.org/debates/

Thank you,

Terry McAuliffe Chairman

PS: Make sure to forward this email to at least 10 other people who will be watching the debate. Also, print out copies for your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors and get them involved.

[Dan Zachary]

If you go to their website, http://www.democrats.org/action/200410050001.html?psc=demnews they will even write a letter and send it for you. Watch your newspapers for the following letter:

The debate between John Edwards and Dick Cheney presented Americans with a stark choice.

John Edwards shared an optimistic vision for the next four years: Genuine leadership in the war on terror. An economic growth plan that creates jobs and keeps them here at home. Affordable health care for every American. A plan to make America stronger at home and respected abroad.

But Dick Cheney had nothing to share but attacks and excuses. As the architect of four years of failed Bush administration policies, Cheney had a lot to answer for in this debate. But he failed to explain those failures, instead attacking John Kerry over and over again.

I want a plan for the future, not attacks and excuses. The vice presidential debate made it clear that John Kerry and John Edwards are the right choice.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

DZ - Forward the letter to all the addresses the RATS want the "hype" to go to now. That way they will know ahead of time the RATS are BS'ing.

[Jaidyn]

I got the same email and sent in on to my republican friends and relatives. I'm from a large family who will send it on and on and on. They will outlast the Energizer Bunny.

[mdittmar]

We're doing the same thing,we've sunk to the dems level.

[sefarkas]

The attempts to "spin" before and after cannot overcome the pictures of the actual performance (re the Thurs. nite debate #1 and the vain attempts by FREEPs to make silk out of a pile of crap). I'm not worried about these canned letters you mention. I want to see Cheney mop the place up with what's-his-name RAT and save Bush's bacon again.

[Use It Or Lose It]

Here's the one I Got (hehe):

Remember to check your e-mail when the debate is over.

Dear Jenna,

What a difference a week makes. Last Thursday, John Kerry took the stage and scored a decisive victory against George Bush. The momentum has shifted -- in nearly every public poll taken since the debate, we now are leading or tied.

In a tight race, things change very quickly -- this is why it is so important that we are always ready to act.

Last Thursday in Miami, I saw firsthand how hard the Bush campaign tried to spin the debate. They were searching for any angle. Our campaign, with your help, made sure the truth got out.

Tonight, we are organizing another national post-debate, rapid-response effort. Media Corps can set the pace. After the debate is finished, I will send all of you an e-mail that highlights the key differences in the debate. It is important that you take this information and help us get our message out to America.

John Edwards will face Dick Cheney in the vice-presidential debate tonight in Cleveland. Cheney is a superb debater and he has the format and rules that he wanted. However, he has to try and defend a record of failure. Bush and Cheney may have a failed administration, but they have an experienced campaign that will try hard to spin the debate. I am here in Cleveland right now to make sure that doesn't happen, but again I need your help.

It's time to step up for John Edwards. Please check your e-mail as soon as the debate ends.

Thank you,

Joe Lockhart

Senior Advisor

[pcgTheDestroyer]

We're doing the same thing

That was exactly what I thought. I'd be interested in hearing someone explain how this is different from other FR threads urging to flood polls.

we've sunk to the dems level.

OTOH, it's just expressing an opinion... not sure what's too wrong about that. It's just about mobilizing people that believe the way you do, isn't it?

[Dan Zachary]

I wrote one to the Star Tribune. I am not quick enough to get to the others, so feel free to help out. How does this sound?

The following is an e-mail that I received that you may be interested in. It includes your web address. If you go to their website http://www.democrats.org/action/200410050001.html?psc=demnews and type in your zip code, they will write a letter to the editor for you. Your newspaper is included. These are not the words of individuals, but rather of the party higher ups. They are also stacking the deck in their favor in the online polls. Please be on the lookout for this.

Thank you,
Dan Zachary

I included the original message for them to see.

[VRWCTexan]

I'm believing that Cheney will eat ewdard's lunch soooo bad that the DU spin will look silly!!!!

[mdittmar]

I have no problem with FR freeping polls,we have an opinion like everyone,I freep 'em.

I don't like the dnc or RNC getting into it.

Part of an email I got today from Ken Mehlman

We need your help tonight! Visit www.GeorgeWBush.com/DebateFacts tonight during the debate so you will have the facts. Print and share them with your friends. Immediately after the debate, visit online polls, chat rooms, and discussion boards and make your voice heard. The major news networks will all have internet polls after the debate. Make sure you vote in polls on: MSNBC.com FoxNews.com ABCNews.com CNN.com and even CBS.

[AmericanMade1776]

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/ MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/ Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/ LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/ Akron Beacon-Journal: http://www.ohio.com/ Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/ Orlando Sentinel: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ Philadelphia Inquirer: http://www.philly.com/ South Florida Sun-Sentinel: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ And be sure to check the websites of your local newspapers and TV stations for online polls. It is crucial that you do this in the minutes immediately following the debate.

[Dan Zachary]

I do not have the time. Can some of you help me out? Point them to the website I mentioned. Also, this address: http://www.democrats.org/action/200409300001.html will write a letter telling how Kerry won the first debate. This was online before the first debate was over.

[newzjunkey]

FR is not an arm of a political party.

We're individuals. FR doesn't churn out form-letter emails for seminar callers/emailers about events that haven't taken place for spamming media outlets, friends, family members, strangers.

If Bush or Cheney do poorly, we'll excoriate their performances.

[7mmMag@LeftCoast]

Another Poll Freep Bump