d. An increasingly hostile media, which gives more credit to critics than to government officials
1. Don't underestimate the shock of a terror attack. "The nation has recovered just enough that a successful terror strike would be psychologically devastating."
2.The oppostion party undermined the prime minister, "constantly questioning his honesty and alleging that he was using the tragedy for partisan advantage." The Spanish prime minister's failure to forcefully respond to the criticism gave credibility to his opponents' allegations. "It is not hard to imagine the often tongue-tied Bush White House making the same errors.
3. The Spanish government had good reason to suspect the E.T.A. When it became obvious it was an al Qaeda attack, the opposition howled about "lies" coming from the government.
4. Prime minister Aznar called on the people to march on March 12, in solidarity with the victims and for the defeat of terrorism. More than 11 million people, out of a nation of 42 million, took to the streets to condemn terrorism. The Socialist Party activists, however, found an opportunity to divide the nation. Well organized anti-war groups shouted at the nation's leaders during the march.
5. The Socialist party spread rumors, while their candidate remained above the fray, "a classic two-sided political strategy."
6. Socialist Party activists staged mass rallies across Spain on March 13, the day before the election. The day before an election is supposed to be a day of reflection, without campaigning. When the conservative candidate pointed out the illegality of the increasingly violent demonstrations, HE was criticized for campaigning during the quiet period.
7. Miniter contends it was the Michael Moore-style campaign of the Socialist Party that determined the election.
8. The Socialists attacked every government announcement, while accusing the government of lying and covering up.
9. The March 12 anti-terror demonstration brought more than 1/4 of the electorate out into the streets, and significantly increased voter turnout, which helped the Socialist Party.
10. Supporters of minority candidates used "tactical voting," as would occur here if a Nader voter voted for Kerry instead.
11. It's plausible that if there is a terror attack in the U.S. before the election, it would be blamed on the president for not preventing it. The democrats would demand an investigation and criticize it constantly.
12. If there is another attack here, it will be another Madrid, with the opposition mobilizing rapidly and using the same techniques:
a. Mass demonstrations led by radicals
b. Constant allegations of government "lies" c. Skepticism of "slow" release of information from the government
d. An increasingly hostile media, which gives more credit to critics than to government officials
e. A Barrage of personal attacks on the leader
f. Questions about "intelligence failures"
g. A cynical attempt to hijack the grief of victims and survivors.
Miniter sees these tactics as typical of the left-wing dominated "antiwar" movement that emerged simultaneously in all Western countries following the liberation of Iraq. They appear to be shifting from opposing the occupation of Iraq to opposing the War on Terror.
d. An increasingly hostile media, which gives more credit to critics than to government officials
ie... a Worldwide organized conspiracy....
Goes along with what David Horowitz says in his book, Unholy Alliance...just got that and it is next....
