Following Terry's Lead
By Erick Posted in Elections — Comments (7) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Terry McAuliffe, convinced that John Kerry will lose the debate tonight, is asking for help to make sure that, regardless of Kerry’s efforts, the media is spun to believe that Kerry won. As part of that effort, Terry has sent out an email. I suggest we take him up on it.
Read on . . .
The email states:
Tonight, don't let George Bush's henchmen steal another victory. We need your online help immediately after the debate, so save this email, print it out, and have it ready with you as you watch the first Presidential debate tonight.
1. We all know what happened in 2000. Al Gore won the first debate on the issues, but Republicans stole the post-debate spin. We are not going to let that happen again, and you will play a big role.Immediately after the debate, we need you to do three things: vote in online polls, write a letter to the editor, and call in to talk radio programs. Your 10 minutes of activism following the debate can make the difference.
Vote
National and local news organizations will be conducting online polls during and after the debate asking for readers' opinions. Look for online polls at these national news websites, and make sure to vote in every one of them:
ABC News: http://www.abcnews.com/
CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/
Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.com/
USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/
And be sure to check the websites of your local newspapers and TV stations for online polls. It is crucial that you do this in the minutes immediately following the debate.
Write
Immediately after the debate, go online and write a letter to the editor of your local paper. If you feel John Kerry commanded the debate and had a clear plan for fixing the mess in Iraq, put it in your letter. If you feel George Bush dodged tough questions on Iraq and didn't level with voters, put it in your letter.
With just a few clicks, you can write your letter at our online media center:
http://www.democrats.org/media/
Call
Do you listen to national or local call-in shows on the radio? How about on TV? Call them and let them know what you thought of John Kerry's plan to keep America secure and George Bush's continuing refusal to admit the truth about his record.
Here are some national shows to get you started.All times are Eastern.)
Air America (all day): 646-274-2346
Alan Colmes (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.): 212-301-5900
Ed Shultz (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.): 701-232-1525
Bev Smith (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.): 412-325-4197
Doug Stephen (5 a.m. 10 a.m.): 1-800-510-8255Find shows in your area on our media website:
http://www.democrats.org/media/find.htmlYour actions immediately after the debate tonight can help John Kerry win on November 2. Make your voice heard!
Don't forget to visit our 2004 Debate Center before, during, and after the debate for important information, including questions Bush must answer, a Bush/Kerry contrast on keeping America safe, and Bush Debate Bingo, a game you can play with friends during the debate.
http://www.democrats.org/debates/
And after the debate, check your email for a very special message.
Thank you,
Terry McAuliffe
PS: Make sure to forward this email to at least 10 other people who will be watching the debate. Also, give printed out copies to your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors and get them involved.
I think we should take Terry up on his suggestions and make sure everyone knows that George Bush won the debate. Thanks Terry for making it easy on us to get in contact with folks. Just like in 2000 and 2002, we probably couldn't have done it without you!
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Following Terry's Lead 7 Comments (0 topical, 7 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
...all those online polls that is.
Meanwhile, how about we Republicans do something constructive? Register new Republican voters. Work on the RNC's 72-hour task force. Plant lawn signs. Donate to a candidate.
Online polls are meaningless - the only poll that truly matters is the one in November. Let the Democrats spin things all they wish, because they are headed for defeat on Election Day.
The Democrates "write-a-letter-to-the-media" link above also includes a sample letter to be sent. It reads:
In the first presidential debate, I was hoping to hear two things.First, I wanted to hear John Kerry lay out his plans for Iraq and for winning the war on terror. I wasn't disappointed. Kerry staked out a strong plan to bring peace to Iraq and to refocus our efforts to fight terrorists around the world.
Second, I wanted to hear President Bush tell the truth about Iraq, but he refused. While his own intelligence services, military advisers, Republican colleagues, and even his Secretary of State have said that Iraq is in chaos, Bush still presents a version of Iraq seen through rose-colored glasses.
This debate made it clear: John Kerry is a leader we can trust to tell us the truth when it comes to our nation's security. George Bush has had his chance; I'm ready for a new direction.
So when you see this letter in your local paper, you'll know it not only came from a Democrat, but one with a complete lack of imagination.
Isn't winning "on the issues" pretty subjective?
Dear <insert name of paper here>,
At first after watching the debates, I felt that George Bush not only cleaned John Kerry's clock on substantive points, but he was more personable, likable, and genuine. That fake tan of Kerry's reminded me of Walter Mondale in 1984. But after seeing all the online polls saying the reverse, I realized I am just an idiot who can't get it right. So now, I am switching my opinion. Kerry clearly won the debate hands down on all categories. Besides, I think orange is Kerry's color.
Signed,
Baaaa...baaaa
"Thanks Terry for making it easy on us to get in contact with folks. Just like in 2000 and 2002, we probably couldn't have done it without you!"
I hadn't seen this until I came here - not on Kos, not on Atrios - so thanks for the info! I'll be sure to pass it on.
We're in the habit of trying to make the Left more literate. God willing, some day that plan will come to fruition, and we'll be a little closer to that Eschaton for which y'all shoot.
Something like "I was an undecided before the debate, but now I'm definitely going to vote for George Bush."