My sister who is a strong Republican called me yesterday to say the same thing.
She also said she's tired of the negative ads on both sides. I asked her which GOP ad was negative and she said all of them! I told her I'd seen every single ad and didn't think that even ONE of them was negative.
I tried to explain that going after Kerry's voting record and his past words regarding Iraq and the WOT, etc., was EXACTLY what the campaign should be about.
Have you seen any ads you'd consider at all negative (by the GOP)?
By the GOP, no.....my mom tries to defend Bush to her church bingo friends and is at a loss...last night one of these friends blamed Bush for attacking a REAL war hero...I gave her a few talking points, but she is not a very good debater, especially at her age.....I told her to get new friends and her reply was...*They are hard to come by, they are all dying off*...LOL
Russert goes to the Texas links between boater supporters and Bush. Russert lists them all, with emphasis. Mehlman mentions Bacon Game. Tad Devine is smiling broadly at Russert's questioning, like he's saying "You go girl". Tad is obviously trying to unsettle Mehlman, but it's not working.
Russert keeps pushing the connection between Bush and the ad. It's really quite stunning that Russert is so incredulous Mehlman won't just roll over and admit there's a link! Mehlman is doing GREAT. Mehlman keeps saying, Bush has called Kerry's service 'Noble". If Russert isn't as relentless with Devine, I'll puke!
Russert goes after Devine for waiting 3 weeks to go on the attack. Devine spinning right off hte bat, going to the real issues, like jobs and healcare, as if Bush isn't. Devine provides echo chamber for what Russert asked in his questioning of Mehlman.
Russert does good quoting New York Daily News mentioning Kerry's "exaggerations, if not worse". He quotes Kerry on Cambodia. Good work Russert! on Senate floor and from Boston Herald, Russert quotes Kerry himself.
Russert holds Devine's feet to the fire. Devine goes after Bush for never being fired on. Russert holds Devine to the fire again showing moveon.org ad...but wait!!!! just that last ad. NO MENTION Of the year of ads by moveon.org
Russert asks why are the campaigns debating the Viet Nam war? Mehlman should have screamed out. BUSH ISNT! We ARENT THE Swiftboaters!!!! oh well,
This is pissing in the wind.
Mehlman comes across as rational, calm, no hate, no vitriolic attack on Kerry, mostly factual. Devine is getting riled. Mehlman remains so even when Russert uses 2 republicans quotes against Bush. I'm impressed with Mehlman.
Too bad Mehlman muffed just once, sayd RNC when he obviously meant DNC, but He spoke eloquently about how at the Democratic convention, there were 23 seconds spent on Kerry's 20 Missing Years in the Senate.
Russert does good job on questioning Tad about Kerry's war votes on Iraq. Devine does the Halliburton thing. (guess Scooter gets a vacation break today).
Devine won't say whether it's a goal or a promise to bring home troops in 6 months as Kerry promised on NPR
YAHOO! Mehlman points out the fallacy of Kerry promising the enemy they only have to wait 6 months and 1 day before we cut and run. btw.General Franks has said the same thing. that it's stupid to tell the enemy how long you will fight.
All in all, a good interview. Well done!
And I love at the end how Mehlman pointing out that even this morning, Tad continues to attack Bush's National Guard service.
If you want to show her an example of a *negative* ad, she should see the "dragging death" ad from the 2000 campaign.