Posted on 01/23/2008 1:37:42 AM PST by Beckwith
Dear XXXXXX,
I support Barack Obama because he doesn't seek to perfect the politics of Swiftboating -- he seeks to end it.
This is personal for me, and for a whole lot of Americans who lived through the 2004 election.
As a veteran, it disgusts me that the Swift Boats we loved while we were in uniform on the Mekong Delta have been rendered, in Karl Rove's twisted politics, an ugly verb meaning to lie about someone's character just to win an election. But as someone who cares about winning this election and changing the country I love, I know it's not enough to complain about a past we can't change when our challenge is to win the future -- which is why we must stop the Swiftboating, stop the push-polling, stop the front groups, and stop the email chain smears.
The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more. We must be determined never again to lose any election to a lie.
This year, the attacks are already starting. Some of you may have heard about the disgusting lies about Barack Obama that are being circulated by email. These attacks smear Barack's Christian faith and deep patriotism, and they distort his record of more than two decades of public service. They are nothing short of "Swiftboat" style anonymous attacks.
These are the same tactics the right has used again and again, and as we've learned, these attacks, no matter how bogus, can spread and take root if they go unchecked.
But not this time -- we're fighting back.
And when I say "we," I mean that literally. I know Barack is committed to fighting every smear every time. He'll fight hard and stand up for the truth. But he can't do it alone.
We need you to email the truth to your address books. Print it out and post it at work. Talk to your neighbors. Call your local radio station. Write a letter to the editor. If lies can be spread virally, let's prove to the cynics that the truth can be every bit as persuasive as it is powerful.
The Obama campaign has created a place where you can find the truth you'll need to push back on these smears and a way to spread the truth to all of your address book.
Take action here:
http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction
So when your inbox fills up with trash and the emails of smear and fear, find the facts, and help defeat the lies.
Barack Obama is committed to bringing our country together to meet the challenges we face, but he knows that power gives up nothing without a struggle -- and to win the chance to change America, we must first defeat the hateful tactics that have been used to tear us apart for too long.
With your help, we can turn the page on an era of small, divisive politics -- but only if next time you hear these attacks on Barack, you take action immediately:
http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction
The fight is just heating up -- we won't let them steal this election with lies and distortions.
Thank you,
John Kerry
Paid for by Obama for America This email was sent to: parkershannon@comcast.net
To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe
"Swift boating" to me means to tell the TRUTH about someone's character. Maybe the leftists would have us believe the opposite, but we already know that leftists, when accusing others, are really talking about themselves!
To most people “Swift-boating” means exposing the truth when a candidate is riding on the coat-tails of lies.
I just think it is hilarious that he doesn’t support Edwards.
Kerry won’t come out and say it but this is aimed at the clintons, not the GOP.
I served as a nurse in Vietnam. I fail to admire someone that scams the system on Purple Heart awards. He had a plan and executed it well. He should just shut up and move on.
Having watched the presentation of these awards numerous times and knowing what Kerry did is a little sickening.
What's not to love about it ketchup boy? Homes in Washington, Beacon Hill (Boston), Nantucket, Sun Valley, an estate in NW France, and others I probably don't know about ... a cushy senate job and a wife worth hundreds of millions ... life ain't tough.
“I served as a nurse in Vietnam. I fail to admire someone that scams the system on Purple Heart awards. He had a plan and executed it well. He should just shut up and move on.
Having watched the presentation of these awards numerous times and knowing what Kerry did is a little sickening.”
True. Not sure you are responding to the poster you wanted to. Any post where I expressed admiration or support for Kerry would be of interest to me.
He is doing this because of the Clintons, not the GOP, as I said before.
Was Kerry really in love with his boat? He sure left it quick enough. Love 'em and Leave 'em, I guess.
The true definition of SWIFTBOATING is REVEALING FACTUAL INFORMATION ABOUT A PERSON. Swiftboating takes place when the Main Stream Media refuses to do their job.
Did he ever take any action regarding the million dollar challenge? I remember a bunch of talk, but what ever came of it?
You read my mind-- I want the answer to that one, too. And I agree with the poster who found it funny that Kerry isn't supporting Edwards. Gee, four years ago Kerry was trying to convince us all that Edwards belonged that heartbeat away from the presidency-- now all of a sudden he isn't even the best candidate? My how times change.
Oh boy. Where to start. Skerry still isn't over the 2004 elections. He couldn't see the truth if it hit him square in the bu++. I guess he still thinks that the documents dan raTHer used in that hit job on Bush were authentic. The biggest reason he lost, were his actual record and moments like the one pictured below.
From one phony to another phony, can anyone be more sincere?
John Kerry is 180 degrees out of sync as usual.
The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more.
Kerry wouldn't know the truth if it smacked him in the ass.
Cam Ranh Bay, RVN 1970
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