Alan,
Here's what the rub on Cleland is all about:
Cleland, 60, is still livid over a now-infamous TV commercial that Republican challenger Saxby Chambliss ran against him. It opened with pictures of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, then attacked Cleland for voting against President Bush's Homeland Security bill. It didn't mention that Cleland supported a Democratic bill that wasn't radically different.
"That was the biggest lie in America -- to put me up there with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein and say I voted against homeland security!" he says, his voice rising in anger.
veteransforpeace.org
Republicans using Iraq issue to slam election opponents
By William M. Welch, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein are showing up on the campaign trail.
In television ads and campaign speeches, Republican candidates have become increasingly bold about using war with Iraq and the threat of terrorism as issues against their Democratic opponents — even when there is little or no difference between the candidates on issues such as the recent congressional vote to give President Bush the authority to invade Iraq.
With barely three weeks to go before crucial congressional elections, the issues have begun shaping some of the closest Senate and House election contests, despite both parties' vows not to politicize the issue.
The effect on races that were already hotly contested could become decisive in the Nov. 5 elections. With the Democrats' majority hanging by a single seat in a 50-49 Senate, and the Republicans' majority in the House only slightly more secure, both parties are searching for an issue that could tip control to their side. Examples:
Georgia. Images of both bin Laden and Saddam are on the screen in a TV ad that Georgia Republican Rep. Saxby Chambliss began airing Friday in his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Max Cleland. The ad attacks Cleland as weak and "misleading" on homeland security.
That triggered a bitter denunciation from Cleland, a decorated Vietnam veteran who lost both legs and an arm in that war.
"The attack leveled against me disrespects everything I have worked for throughout my life," Cleland said. He called the ad "the most vicious exploitation of a national tragedy and attempt at character assassination I have ever witnessed. {lcub}hellip{rcub} My opponent not only attacked my honor, he attacked the very fiber of my being."
Chambliss has been using his position as head of a House Intelligence subcommittee on terrorism as an important credential in his campaign to unseat Cleland. Democrats say Cleland's military record and sacrifice should make him unassailable on defense issues, and they note that Chambliss did not serve in the military. The race has drawn increasing focus and money from Republicans in recent days as their polling showed the challenger drawing close. Cleland voted for the resolution giving Bush authority to use military force in Iraq.
usatoday.com
The attacks on Cleland were just more of the same slimy negative campaign strategies of the republicans. The problem is it works if you have a ton of money and run TV ads at the proper time. And when your challenger doesn't have the budget to retaliate on TV ads...well, you can take the election to the bank.
Maybe you can't see the wrong in these campaign lies. If you can't then maybe you are a true blue republican too.
It's not a badge I'd wear proudly.
Orca |
