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* Angry Twitter users continue to hammer the NRSC for its admittedly offensive, but now deleted tweet about how US Senate candidate Tammy Duckworth “has a sad record of not standing up for veterans,” even though she lost both her legs in Iraq. Click here to see the rage in all its glory..
Politico has a story up and I expect more to follow. And the Duckworth campaign has responded…
“Tasteless and dishonest, just like everything else to do with Mark Kirk’s flailing campaign. Tammy has made fighting for Veterans her life’s work, and will continue to do so in the Senate.”
* But check out this Duckworth press release headline from not that long ago…
Congresswoman Duckworth Stands Up for Small Business by Introducing Paperwork Relief Legislation
Emphasis added.
OK, it isn’t the same, but “stands up for…” is a common expression. I’m not excusing the NRSC’s ignorance, but she’s used it about herself.
* Also, keep in mind that Sen. Mark Kirk spends much of his time in a wheelchair since his stroke. I’ve seen him struggle mightily to “stand up.” From just last month…
Now it's time for @MarkKirk to stand up to Mitch McConnell's obstruction & demand hearings on a nominee #ILSEN
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyforIL) February 22, 2016
Again, it’s not exactly on the same level. But we’re talking a common expression here that somebody at the NRSC stupidly misused and that Duckworth’s campaign has also misused.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:44 pm
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We have 8 more months of this.
I now want to eat my hat.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:47 pm
Yeesh. Talk about a trigger.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:56 pm
This is what happens when folks use 140 characters or less….
Comment by Under Influenced Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:57 pm
Pretty good “response”, but why put a campaign in a mode to have to respond to a Tweet.
Campaigns spend way too much time defending, explaining, or apologizing about Tweets.
Either learn to be ridiculously bland and simplistic or don’t Tweet.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 3:59 pm
Todays lesson. If a republican says something that could be construed as insensitive, then it’s an outrage.
If a democrat does the same thing, nobody cares for 3 weeks, till republicans need to defend themselves.
Comment by Caitie Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:00 pm
this is all that’s left of our politics. manufactured outrage about out of context quotes that point to supposed hypocrisy.
There’s one guy running for president who isn’t playing these games. Just saying. His name is bernie
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:03 pm
==Either learn to be ridiculously bland and simplistic or don’t Tweet.==
+1. Campaigns underestimate how much time it takes to do social media right, and end up rushing things.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:04 pm
@OW
There is a Twitter manual for campaigns - The Twitter Government and Elections Handbook https://g.twimg.com/elections/files/2014/09/16/TwitterGovElectionsHandbook.pdf
Comment by #5 Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:04 pm
This is politics. Make hay while the sun shines. Your opponent certainly will. If your opponent drops his/her guard, hit them with the nastiest shot you can and hope for a knockout blow.
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:08 pm
- #5 -
Nice, thanks.
As for me, I can’t see Twitter as a worthwhile endeavor of a campaign or a party.
Social media is an art and a science, politics is a contact sport. More careers and jobs and lives are ruined by the use of social media in the most inappropriate way, even when it’s conpleteky unintended.
I’ll check that out, thanks - #5 -…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:10 pm
Step One: If your opponent drops his/her guard, hit them with the nastiest shot you can and hope for a knockout blow.
Step Two: ???
Step Three: Govern well.
Comment by Bill White Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Stupid is what stupid does.
People make mistakes; daily and for sure.
Then again, these folks are supposed to be the big boys & girls. Doesn’t anybody bother to vett this stuff?
Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:21 pm
You know who uses Twitter correctly and in an entertaining manner?! Adam Schefter. Ken Rosenthal. Ozzy Osbourne. Who doesn’t use Twitter correctly? Politicians and top gov’t staffers.
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:25 pm
It does seem to be a bit of an overreaction because it is such a common expression. On the other hand, had he said, she “doesn’t have a leg to stand on,” it would be much harder to argue that is was an innocent mistake. I’m no fan of Sen. Kirk and never have been, but this is a tempest in a tea pot. I’ll now quit while I’m behind…
Comment by chiatty Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:27 pm
@Team Sleep - may want to remove Schefter from your list
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14842513/jason-pierre-paul-new-york-giants-sues-espn-adam-schefter-posting-medical-records
Comment by Shifty Scheft Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:33 pm
Yes. It’s a common expression that is used and understood by the general public all the time. Twisted, manufactured outrageous outrage by supporters to make it appear to be something other than a common expression is not convincing anybody of anything nor helping the candidates. We have two candidates running for U.S. Senate who, unfortunately for them, have physical disabilities which they must deal with daily. Both have said these disabilities have not affected and will not in the future affect their ability to represent constituents. Perhaps we should take them at their word and concentrate instead on the material policies and personal attributes that matter in a U.S. Senator.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:39 pm
It’s wrong because Duckworth is accused of not standing up for veterans while she happens to be a wounded warrior herself. I would also find it distasteful if Kirk was accused of not standing up for other stroke victims. It’s just too personal.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:40 pm
Yeah - forgot about that. Most of what he posts is pretty good, but in this instance how about Jason La Canfora or Jay Glazer?
Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:46 pm
In this case, I think it was the combination of an ill choice of words AND trying to hit Duckworth on an issue where she is strong AND said issue being veterans. Put those together and you bring to mind that fact that Duckworth is a disabled vet. Pick a different issue & the reference to standing up might not have stirred up so much dust.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:47 pm
Can’t they all just grow up and get along?
Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 4:48 pm
I watched Andrea Bocelli’s pianist ask the blind singer about his favorite movie, and Bocelli answered.
Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr. Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:17 pm
“… not exactly on same level..”
With respect, that’s a significant understatement.
Comment by wolf Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:26 pm
Anyone who questions Duckworth’s support for veterans or Kirk’s compassion toward victims of a stroke or other traumatic brain injury serves to get whacked, and they will get no sympathy from me.
Trump argues there is no such thing as out-of-bounds, but some things outta be.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:34 pm
PC to the nth degree. Duckworth is a pretty lousy candidate and did nothing while she was the VA director in Illinois other then plan for her future. What happened in Iraq is a tragedy but it doesn’t mean she can’t be criticized for past performance. Grow Up
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 5:54 pm
Not exactly in the top ten when it comes to offensive statements coming from Kirk in the last six years, let alone his campaign.
Comment by Michael Westen Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 6:39 pm
Both appear to be in it for the long run.
Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 8:32 pm
Careful Sue @5.54, any criticism aimed towards Duckworth will get you a butt chewing from some otherwise sane individuals on this blog; it happened to me when I said the same thing in a slightly more blunt manner….
Comment by downstate commissioner Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 8:41 pm
Amateurs!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 8:55 pm
This one will be decided by whoever puts more feet on the ground. Both have a very firm base.
Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 9:20 pm
This is an example of the “Inside Baseball” type of minutiae that provides great fodder for political types and has next to no impact on the average voter. Nor should it. As Rich says, its a common expression. The phrase was meant to talk about a position on an issue, not a position relative to horizon. I’m a Democrat and I find the fact that this is even being debated an insulting example of politics today. If this is really something that Duckworth’s campaign feels it needs to get her elected, something is wrong. If it isn’t, something is wrong.
Comment by Southside Markie Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 11:44 pm
Actually, the “Stand up to Mitch McConell” thing sounds exactly parallel.
Comment by Harry Wednesday, Mar 9, 16 @ 3:47 am