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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: JohnM who wrote (609)	5/7/2003 3:02:06 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 794221

Advice To Democrats From Other Side WASHINGTON, May 6, 2003 In her latest Political Points commentary, CBS News Senior Political Editor Dotty Lynch has uncovered a recent memo from the late Lee Atwater, the Republican political operation who died in 1991, with his observations after this past weekend's candidates' debate. To: Democratic Presidential Candidates From: Lee Atwater Re: What to Learn from Your Weekend in South Carolina Hi, guys and gal. Really happy to see that you Democrats have finally figured out that South Carolina is the center of the Political Universe. When I created that primary as George Bush's firewall back in 1988 I kept thinking someday Democrats would get the message. The Democratic electorate in South Carolina is more liberal than Iowa's and yet everyone will say you can win in the South, if you win this primary. Your first trial is over and here are a few tips on how you did and what to do next time. (Now that I've passed to the other side, I help everyone. As part of my penance for those Willie Horton ads and smart-aleck comments about folks using jumper cables to cure depression, I've been assigned to help Democrats for the next few months.) To John Kerry: Quit fighting with Howard Dean. This is just what that peace-talking, cheap-shotting guy wants. I used to tell candidates to get their opponents to obsess about them and it looks like Dean has you doing just that. And, take care of that voice. Now that your other part is healing, you don't want any more stories about your health. To Howard Dean: Your goodie-two-shoes, pantywaist supporters like nice, not mean. You've won them over on the war but when they hear you bad mouthing everyone they get turned off. The Marcus Welby shtick works with libs. You got points for showing up at the DLC lunch (they were mad that the others stiffed them) and for ministering to the woman on chemo. To John Edwards: Insinuating that Dick Gephardt is a toady of corporate America was a nice touch but maybe you went a little far. Bringing your momma and poppa along let you play the homeboy card but reminded folks of how young you are. "Bush 41" has never gotten over the damage he thinks he did to Junior in New Hampshire by asking people to vote for "our boy." In the post-911 world you need to show your grown-up side. To Joe Lieberman: Man, keep those debates on Saturday night. The other guys were knocking themselves out all weekend meeting and greeting, screaming over that wild music at the fish fry and orating at the state convention while you were napping and vegging. By the time of the debate, they were wiped out while you were relaxed, rested and ready. Nice trick. To Dick Gephardt: Your big health plan has made up for your liberal sin of supporting Junior on Iraq. It clearly has the other guys nervous. Edwards went too far accusing you of Reaganomics but keep the fight focused on the future. They want to paint you as old hat. Doing the electric slide was good but those line dances are so five minutes ago. To Bob Graham: You need a message beyond the fact that you're from Florida. That's pretty good but there are lot of Democrats who want to know who you are and what you want to do as well as where you're from. The other candidates are underestimating you right now but soon you won't get a pass when you screw up. Get your facts right. The local papers are ready to pounce if you get a state issue wrong. That South Carolina teacher of the year still has a job. To Al Sharpton: Keep showing up. The more you play on stage with the big guys, the more acceptable you become. That High Five with Joe Lieberman a few weeks ago was the picture you want. We know that Jim Clyburn calls you a fringe candidate and wants to anoint one of the white guys, and you could have trumped him by tearing the house down at his fish fry. John Edwards, who's been sucking up to the Clyburn family, didn't even speak. You could have done well and definitely would have done a better electric slide than Dick Gephardt. To Dennis Kucinich: Keep your day job. You say all the things that Democrats like to hear but so do a bunch of the others. The war's over. You don't seem to be missing many votes in the House. Good thing. Drop the song lyrics. Anything that says "flake" will play right into hands of reporters who want to talk about your Shirley MacLaine days. To Carol Moseley Braun: Get a day job. People are starting to catch on that you don't campaign except when these forums come up. We know you want to rebuild the spiritual side of America but either start campaigning for real or get honest work. Also, remember that it's John not Bob Kerry who's running this time. Well, that should get me a few rungs closer to heaven and an eternity of barbeque and B.B. King. Oh, yeah: Have some fun along the trail; life is short. cbsnews.com