Hurricane political analysis from Bill Burkett, the CBS National Guard Document Forger

Email ^ | 09.06.05 | Bill Burkett

[Registered]

Having worked with Bartlett and Rove, I think I can tell you what the strategy and approach is. I'll try to explain briefly.

#1. The disaster in all states was a disaster, but the WH lost control of the headlines only in New Orleans because Haley Barbour and his Republican Alabama counterpart have continued to spin the reactions there. The feedback is not all good, but the spin control is in the hands of the Republicans.

Already someone leaked the strategy of Rove and Bartlett concerning blaming Louisiana and the local governments.

Let me take what the NY Times said and complete what they didn't say. Both the Governor and the mayor are Democrats. This morning Rick perry made comment that Texas was full up after receiving 250,000 storm victims. I'm sure that his statement is true, but it also has a political edge coordianted with the WH, I speculate. This cuts Louisiana off at the knees and isolates them a little further so that the blame game can begin in earnest. We'll see a daily stream of miscues written about at the local level. COunt on the big headline being that it was the locals responsibility to evacuate prior to the storm - not the feds.

2. When the press isn't going your direction - change the subject.

We noticed that John Roberts will be nominated for Chief Justice now. Believe me, he was not the first choice. They just had to have a controlled headline that knocked the storm off the front pages. Count on this being a high profile full court press by the WH with the upcoming Supremes fall session being the reason for the rush. In other words, rather than a genuine crisis, we create another false crisis that is able to divert attention.

These will be the two major methods.

Now here's what they hope.

1. This puts the Dems on the spot about whether or not to get into a political fight over Katrina.

2. it puts the Dems on the spot about fighting the nomination of Roberts or being declared obstructionists.

What Rove-Bartlett are counting on:

The Dems will not fight and will be anemic in their reponse.

What Rove-Bartlett won't count on.

1. The Dems standing up with a two pronged strategy.

a. The Supreme Court Chief Justice is too important to rush to a decision, especially since the WH hasn't shared all of the papers yet - and now those papers are more important because he is being appointed within a leadershp/mananement position as CHief Justice rather than as an associate.

b. The fall calendar must be set aside in order to concentrate on the storm damage. THat should be the item that controls the fall congressional calendars and the headlines. Obviously aid of 10.5 billion is insufficient. I believe we are looking at this being a trillion dollar storm when we factor in the commerce loss. It is essential - from a national security standpoint - that we get a handle on what happened and fix it . . .not delay and not speak of it. This is truly a national security problem for it preludes what could or would happen in the case of a terrorist attack, and we are more vulnerable today than at any time in our history.

There need to be headlines that shape this deabte starting right now. There need to be hearings called right now.

The Democratic party needs to take a position of standing up for the people that could not fend for themselves and were left without resources by the Government - the every man for himself approach of the Bush Administration.

The Democratic Party needs to speak of the loss of jobs and commerce and the loss of an entire major port and city - stress the business side of things and take that issue away from the Republicans as well as stress the racism issue and Edwards two America's theme.

The Texas Democratic Party needs to speak of the humanitarian charge of Texas and what we now must do to take care of our new 250,000 population growth, some of which will become permanent residents of Texas as a result of this storm. This is a positive message and one that we need to get in front of rather than waiting and hearing the momentum shift back to the Republicans.

Take the momentum and establish it at all levels and you will keep the Bush administration on defense.

If you do not, Bush will again escape accountability.

[HateBill]

I wonder if the Dems. will catch on that it is Republican dirty tricksters firing at the rescue workers in New Orleans. They intend to deceive the gullible masses (especially Fox News watchers) into believing that New Orleans is a very dangerous city. That is the way the Bush Administration expects to be excused for their inexcusable slowness in responding to the hurricane.

[kallisti]

"Believe me..."


This HAS to be Scrappleface.

[Yellow Rose of Texas]

I am embarrassed this guy is in TEXAS, as we have over 200,000 of folks in shelters here, plus the ones in hotels, motels, churches, and private homes.

We did not respond to the folks in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi in order to dilute the democratic pool there, but because we are organized and wanted to help our fellow man. I have a great fear that with our motor voter registration, oh well, we will have to wait it out and see what the reaction is to Texas hospitality.

[feedback doctor]

COunt on the big headline being that it was the locals responsibility to evacuate prior to the storm - not the feds.

Won't be the headline, but it sure should be as it is true.

[feedback doctor]

FAKE BUT ACCURATE.

Here is a document that IS fake, but accurate:

From Dan Rather
To: CBS News President

June 1, 2004

This is just to inform you that I plan to use my position with CBS to promote thru lies and untruths the candidacy of John Kerry, and to do whatever I can to spread untruths about George W. Bush. I appreciate your support of this.