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* My weekly syndicated newspaper column looks at something that we talked about a few times last week…
Democrats throughout the country and right here in Illinois are pushing a two-pronged negative strategy to retain their hold on power in these uncertain times.
The first tactic is to do as much opposition research as possible on their Republican opponents to keep races “localized” with nasty revelations about individual candidates. The second is to try to tie the Republicans as closely as they can to the more radical elements within the GOP, including the Tea Party leaders.
This could be summed up as the “Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail” strategy. Make voters loathe the Republicans with nasty revelations about their voting records, personal backgrounds, etc. Then make them fear the Republicans by tying them to some unsympathetic characters with radical ideas who are regularly seen screaming at TV cameras.
It’s not a new strategy, but it’s pretty much the only thing the Democrats have going for them. The economy stinks, so everyone is fearful about the future. And a large number of Americans have, for various reasons, grown to loathe the president, his policies and his Democratic allies.
Fear and loathing is what’s killing the Democrats right now, so they’re trying to reflect that back on the opposition and use it to gin up their own disappointed and even embarrassed political base as much as possible.
Last week, the Democratic National Committee launched a push to pressure congressional Republicans to say whether or not they will join the new Tea Party Caucus in the House of Representatives. The point was to either tie them to the Tea Party movement or force the Republicans to alienate the Tea Party crowd when they distance themselves.
The very same day, Illinois Senate Democrats blasted out a fundraising e-mail to supporters warning of “Illinois’ Radical Right.”
“The Senate GOP is showing its true colors,” the message began. “They are welcoming notorious right-wing extremists Glenn Beck and Andrew Breitbart to our state to help raise money and generate support for their candidates. We can’t let the far right hijack our values or our government. These are the people that want to repeal the minimum wage, get rid of Social Security and abolish the Department of Education.”
The e-mail was sent after I reported that Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, of Lemont, and House GOP Leader Tom Cross, among other top Republicans, are listed as “hosts” of an event featuring Beck and Breitbart.
Beck is a Fox News host who is perhaps best known for his rants about how this or that liberal policy is directly traceable to Adolf Hitler’s Nazi ideology. Breitbart is an amazingly successful online entrepreneur who made the news recently with his attacks against the NAACP’s alleged “racism.”
The Republicans say they really have no choice but to participate in events like next month’s Right Nation 2010. Organizers say they expect to draw 10,000 participants, many of them Illinois Republicans. Ignoring the gathering would be more dangerous for Illinois Republicans than co-hosting the event, they explained. And Radogno, the Senate Republicans pointed out, won’t even be at the Right Nation event.
But the Democrats also pointed out that several Republican Senate candidates this year have tied themselves to so-called radical elements.
For instance, downstate Sen. Deanna Demuzio’s Republican opponent, Sam McCann, “proudly supports Beck’s 9/12 movement,” according to the Democrats. Asked for supporting information, the Democrats forwarded a link to a downstate Beck-related group to which McCann spoke at least twice.
Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) was hit for wanting to “start a Tea Party Caucus like ultra-conservative ‘hero’ Michelle Bachman.” Syverson posted a comment on Facebook (later deleted) saying he liked the idea of a state Senate Tea Party Caucus and would “look at starting that when I return.”
So, will any of this work? Some of those ties to the Tea Party were pretty tenuous, but it certainly made the Democrats’ job easier when Radogno agreed to co-host that Beck/Breitbart event. Whether the Democrats in both chambers can translate this as a dangerous move to the right by the GOP is yet to be seen.
* Campaign roundup…
* McQueary: On the bus with the Tea Party
* Right Nation 2010 Largest Political Event in the Midwest
* Right Nation 2010 Trailer
* Doug Dobmeyer: I’m With Whitney: Some of you may ask, well, is Doug just going to help elect Bill Brady as governor by taking votes away from Quinn? No, that is not the case. In the 85 days left to the November 2nd election I will work hard to elect Rich Whitney governor. And only hard work will make the change Illinois needs.
* Quinn picks up endorsement of gay rights group
* Quinn, Brady speak at Kiwanis convention
* Sheila Simon campaigns in Cass County
* Gill claims Johnson violates spirit of law with tax-financed district mailings
* State Rep. Jack Franks outspending challenger 100-1
* Grabowski: Pizza Anyone?
* Bernard Schoenburg: Local 9-12 leader aids McCann in 49th
* Daley donor bounced $884,509 in checks to City Hall
* Washington: 46th Ward race a brewing cauldron
* Pantagraph: Special election a suitable end to Senate saga
* Durbin Hopes Burris’ Special Election Appeal ‘Resolved Quickly’
* Personal controversies define Illinois Senate race
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 8:33 am
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I wonder what Breitbart’s name ID is? And probably Beck’s for that matter? The issue of the day is going to be the economy, jobs and the Democrat’s at the state level. I’m not sure you can create a bigger bogeyman than jobs and the economy but it looks like people will try…
Comment by Greg B. Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 8:47 am
Well, I’m ok with the minimum wage and Social Security, but I’d like to abolish the Department of Education too. From everything I’ve read, it is a massive jobs farm for the party in power and the
archetypal useless bureaucracy.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 8:50 am
By saying that they can’t ignore the rally, Illinois Republicans have conceded power to the Baggers. They’re running scared. The Demo strategy to paint these folks as dangerous extremists is right on. Their goofy ideas need to be pointed out over and over again.
Comment by Deep South Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 8:55 am
the gop did the same strategy at the congressional level in 2006.
it got crushed.
Comment by shore Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:27 am
Lets see these people are bad because one has a very popular radio and tv gig and the other is the most effective new media person in the USA . Well it looks like Rich has success envy , I thought being a Sox fan and carry water for the Dems would be a clear path , I guess we’re both wrong .
Comment by Jay Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:33 am
Such thin skin, Jay. Don’t be such a whiner. Try reading the piece. Don’t just skim for stuff to make yourself angry.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:37 am
I would hope that the Democrats realize that their mishandling of the state budget crisis and dishonesty about the need for a tax increase has given voters plenty of reason for fear and loathing. With voters discontent on many issues on both sides of the aisle, the third parties may see significant gains in votes in November. Maybe not enough to capture a state-wide office, but enough to serve as a wake-up call to Democrats and Republicans.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:41 am
Hey what every happened to Daddy’s Little Deduction? I thought Brady was going to let him
out of the play yard..Never hear any of his ideas
what gives
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:45 am
Rich every time you write about Glen or Andrew you add a layer of snark . I know you hammer Pat and Rod , but you give so many others free pass .
I never see you speaking about SEIU or ACORN with the State Dems . It just seems you want to label everyday people getting active and involved as extreme and kooks .
I think you should attend a meeting or do some research , then decide how extreme those folks are .
As of today Illinois is bleeding jobs to our neighbor states , and the folks in Springfield are trying to open the artery more with bad policy .
It would be nice to see you call out the failed political class , instead of slamming the tax paying and job creating citizens.
Comment by Jay Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:48 am
===It would be nice to see you call out the failed political class===
Like I said, you just aren’t paying attention.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:50 am
they do have a choice. 150 members of the house gop caucus in dc have chosen NOT to join the tea party caucus, ray lahood chose NOT to sign the contract for america in 1994. It takes a very special amount of cluelessness for a republican leader in a deeply blue state to go to this event.
The polling that I’ve seen on nationaljournal.com and other sites suggests the voting group that finds the tea party most loathsome is college educated women. Those are the sort of socially moderate suburban moms already scared to death by brady’s pro-life positions. This is not going to help the party win this fall.
Comment by shore Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:54 am
CFS.
You are joking right. Somehow I missed Simons big policy announcements. Maybe she is still prepping for the Carbondale mayor debate. Speaking of tax issues did Pat Quinn pay taxes on the money he earned from his senate campaign fund you now the fund he kept open for over a dozen years for a campaign he never ran.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:54 am
Who exactly are those “tax paying and job creating citizens” that Jay is referencing?
Certainly not the GOP’s Bill Brady. He didn’t pay taxes.
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:56 am
shore nailed it.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:56 am
And the reason shore nailed it is that every major statewide race in Illinois since at least 1990 has been decided by suburban women.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:59 am
Those same women in the burbs see the state’s failure to pay it’s bills . They also see property values going down and jobs leaving . I think social issues will weigh far less in this cycle than ever before .
I see fixed income elderly very spooked and less likely to vote for Dems this cycle . Costs have risen in Illinois for everything since the 90’s yet the state is broke . It does not take a phd in astro physics to figure out something is wrong .
Comment by Jay Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:06 am
Let’s hear it for suburban women - I used to be one.
Clarification - Am still a woman, just don’t live in the burbs anymore.
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:07 am
Rich,
Check out the Gallup results on Tea Party demographics:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/127181/tea-partiers-fairly-mainstream-demographics.aspx
Admittedly, Illinois demographics may differ, but reaching out to Tea Party activists is not a bad political move if the candidate is not tightly tying himself to the Tea Party “agenda” whatever that is.
This election will not depend on any particular demographic. It will depend on whose supporters are the most energized. If suburban women are not enamored about the Tea Party, that may be okay since they may just stay home in disgust. Staying at home is not something that Tea Party people will do, men or women. Based on current polling, the Republicans hold a huge lead over the Democrats in voter energy. This is one of the many reasons Democrats are worried about November.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:39 am
===I see fixed income elderly very spooked===
That’s precisely what Beck/Breitbart do best, isn’t it? Scaring people with bogeymen like “ACORN.” The tea party people have got themselves worked up into a lather and most can’t even explain why they are angry, and what specific things they’d like to see changed.
Create jobs and fix the economy. As if the Illinois Republicans have any ideas there. It sounds so simple on the campaign trail.
Fear and loathing at the Sears Center. Rich, you really should give that little gathering the full gonzo treatment. That should be worth a month of columns.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:46 am
= scared to death by…pro-life =
Hmmm. I don’t think I’m smart enough to get my head around that one.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:46 am
It’s a good Dem strategy. The Tea Partiers are an affront to the great American traditions of optimism, courage and hard work in the face of adversity and progress for all.
If the GOP wants to play ball with these petulant whiners, then they pay the price.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:49 am
===Create jobs and fix the economy.===
Every politician runs on this message. I mean, who’s not for creating jobs. But year after year, we don’t get any more jobs and the economy is a mess. Illinois incumbents are in trouble…the Greenies are likely to make a good showing. The Tea Party won’t be a positive factor for Illinois Republicans…they will, however, create a big negative for those who chose to tie their wagon to these dangerous extremists. Brietbart and Beck - who really thinks that’s gonna put any candidate over the top? Geez, real Republicans would do well to run away from these hate/fear - mongers.
Comment by Deep South Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:53 am
= That’s precisely what _______ do(es), isn’t it? Scaring people with bogeymen like _______. =
QOTD - Can you fill in the blanks with references to both liberals and conservatives?
Comment by Joe from Joliet Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:04 am
Those suburban women also see that the democrats have had control of the house, senate, and governor’s office in Illinois since 2002. They also won’t forget that Blagojevich is a democrat and many of the democrats in the legislature did little to help the economy of Illinois. There aren’t many accomplishments to brag about for the dems that last eight years. Political ads will soon run with many pictures of democrats shaking hands and hugging Blagojevich. Those ads were effective during the Topinka/Blago race and they will be effective this fall.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:21 am
===There aren’t many accomplishments to brag about for the dems that last eight years.===
I see where you’re going there, but there is one big difference between Democrats now and Republicans for the past several years:. The Republican problem with Ryan was that they never stood up to him. The Dems can all point to that impeachment/removal/banishment vote for cover - except Rep. Deb Mell, and she doesn’t have an opponent.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:26 am
Wordslinger, teapartiers are an affront to people who support high tax rates and government spending.
Comment by Conservative Veteran Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:30 am
Good point Rich, I do see where the dems will have some “political cover” with the impeachment vote. I still think ads with dems hugging Blago will resonate with the average voter. As you know, a lot of voters don’t get into politics as much as the posters on this site and those 30 second ads sway votes. I’m not saying it’s right, just reality.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:40 am
Way in the weeds here, but the first calls for Blago’s impeachment were made by Republican Sen. Dan Cronin many months before the Democrats joined him.
Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:43 am
Actually, Cincinnatus, it may have been Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican. But the first to openly call him a “mad man” was Rep. Joe Lyons. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:47 am
educated suburban women biggest reason they don’t vote republican is their fear of the Christian right and specifically the pro-life movement. That has superseded pocketbook issues for 20 years, unless, as in the case of kirk on the north shore, the gop candidate is pro-choice.
The mistake that brady and cross and radogno are making is thinking that the narrative and politics they see on fox news and within the tea party movement are the environment they will have this fall. That enviornment exists in Tennessee, it exists in texas, it exists in kansas. It does not exist in Illinois or Virginia or New Jersey or Massachusetts. If you look at the latter 3 states, those gop candidates that won put the tea party and the christian right in a secret undisclosed location for the general election campaign and worked very hard to play on issues that appealed to suburban women.
Radogno’s daughter works for Kirk, perhaps junior ought to give senior a lesson on winning independents and moderates.
Comment by shore Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:25 pm
Gov Christy .. thanks for playing shore . Also Virginia is turning more red than Texas , but once again what would anyone know .
Oh poop , Sen Brown ……..
All hail shore the mighty fail
Comment by Jay Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:47 pm
If the previous post is correct, how is Bob Dolde’s pro-life position going to sell in Kirk’s house district.
Comment by Verdicto Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:48 pm
I think the republicans equate TV ratings success directly to voting success, and maybe it isn’t really the case that the people that think Beck and Bachman are geniuses, will really organize and vote. It didn’t really work out that way during the primaries, when almost every incumbent still won.
The far right-wing conservative TV success is based around getting a demographic to stay tuned in and attentive, to BUY things, not necessarily to DO THINGS. Get them to buy gold funds, maybe. Or free scooter chairs paid for by medicaid scams, sure. or Reagan commemorative plates, you betcha. Get them to donate to Republican campaigns, maybe. But getting them to go to the polls… that part doesn’t seem to really work. AT least, I think the evidence is not yet all in that it works.
Why is that? I can’t say for sure, my theory is that really learning issues and candidates is too much work for their target demographic. It would require… reading. And critical thought.
Dems should be glad there is a tea party movement, as it will be a huge energy-sucking and divisive tumor on the Conservative Republican cause. Illinois is a centrist state, when you boil things down. The kind of crazy that Beck and Brietbart and Bachman are selling makes for fun viewing, like watching car wrecks, they are fascinating… but ultimately, voters are not going to commit to that extreme of a view. Mild liberals look like conservatives next to tea partiers.
Comment by Newsclown Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:51 pm
Shore is right, the hi-jacking of the GOP by the religious right is the most scary thing to happen in politics since McCarthy. Meanwhile, Dems under the Stalinesque tyranny of MJM have strangled the life out of every dime south of I 80 in order to increase and maintain his corrupt regime. I am seriously considering an alternative party candidate for governor because BOTH parties in this state are out of touch.
Comment by DoubleD Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:57 pm
the hi-jacking of the GOP by the religious right is the most scary thing to happen in politics since McCarthy
FWIW… the Tea Party is not the same as the Religious Right.
Comment by dave Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 2:33 pm
===the hi-jacking of the GOP by the religious right is the most scary thing to happen in politics since McCarthy
FWIW… the Tea Party is not the same as the Religious Right.====
OK, how’s this:
The hi-jacking of the GOP by the Tea Part is the most scary thing to happen in politics since the Religious Right.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 4:03 pm
I have heard the democrat’s number one strategy against the GOP is to demonize them with false attacks like these.
How about this Quinn and the democrats taking over running the economy has been the scariest thing to happen to Illinois since, well can’t think of anything scarier. I mean really what’s worse then losing your job, savings and home so the Dem’s can keep their political office.
Comment by Yeahright Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 5:07 pm