I’ve been thinking for a couple of months now that the surprise factor for the Tea Parties is over. The left was surprised by the size and persistent nature of the movement, and they completely underestimated its impact. They did attack, but it was uncoordinated, and ended badly for the MSM, and the left as a whole.
Now that they left has had time to regroup, it was only a matter of time before a more coordinated and concentrated attack was planned. I had assumed that David Plouffe’s return to the Obama camp would be part of the attack, and it still might be. However, Big Government is reporting a more direct, and immediate attack against the Tea Parties.
But, Big Government has learned of at least one other conference call/meeting around this time. A meeting of former Clintonistas and senior Democrat political operatives to coordinate a push-back to the burgeoning tea party movement. Consider it a Democrat party relief effort.
When tea party, 9/12 and townhall protests and rallies first erupted on the national scene, they were derided by national politicos as astroturf or a small fringe movement. Lefty journalists at MSNBC, CNN and elsewhere laughed away the movement with derogatory, pornographic references.
Then, Scott Brown won election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts. No one is laughing anymore. In fact, Democrats are facing political annihilation this November. Not only do Democrats face the possibility of losing their congressional majorities, massive losses in state house races could jeopardize redistricting next year and set back the progressive agenda for at least a decade.
So, the Clinton Empire is planning to strike back.
Big Government has learned that Clintonistas are plotting a “push/pull” strategy. They plan to identify 7-8 national figures active in the tea party movement and engage in deep opposition research on them. If possible, they will identify one or two they can perhaps ‘turn’, either with money or threats, to create a mole in the movement. The others will be subjected to a full-on smear campaign. (Has MSNBC already been notified?)
Big Government has also learned that James Carville will head up the effort.
Say what you will about Carville, but he is the master of slime. This is going to be a classic, Clinton era, smear campaign. PI’s will swarm over people’s histories, searching for the slightest indiscretions. What they cannot find might be invented, all in an effort to smear and discredit anyone they can get. If they can get someone to turn, or simply silence them…mission accomplished! Also, the attack is designed to have a demoralizing effect on the movement, as well as putting it on the defensive, rather than the offense. We need to be aware of this, and plow through with facts, and stay on message.
Always remember Alinsky’s 13th Rule…
13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. In conflict tactics there are certain rules that [should be regarded] as universalities. One is that the opposition must be singled out as the target and ‘frozen.’…
“…any target can always say, ‘Why do you center on me when there are others to blame as well?’ When your ‘freeze the target,’ you disregard these [rational but distracting] arguments…. Then, as you zero in and freeze your target and carry out your attack, all the ‘others’ come out of the woodwork very soon. They become visible by their support of the target…’
This is standard operating procedure for the left. They cannot debate facts or reality. Their beliefs are based in neither, and they LOSE if the argument or conflict is based in reality. They have to attack messengers to discredit or disregard their messages. It is the basis for all Liberal/”Progressive”/Democratic operations. All arguments and debates are re-framed into personal attacks. They know that facts are on our side, so they seek to prevent them from being discussed or heard.
So, let the games begin!
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Matt
I believe that future generations should have the same opportunities that myself, and those that came before me, had. My parents taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do. I don’t want to have to tell my daughter, “You can do whatever the government tells you to do.” We are at a crossroads in this country; are we going to be free, or are we going to be slaves to the nanny state. I choose freedom.
Democrats would be wise to let the Tea Party drain votes away from the GOP. They are already on the ballot in Nevada and may help Reid to win re-election.
Possibly Harrison, but it might just be that Tea Party folks will run candidates where there are no good GOP choices. At least, that is my hope.
Hence the value of keeping the TP movement decentralized and without a prominent leader. Who are they going to attack? They’ll still try, though, and it’ll be funny. I can’t wait to see Olberman freaking about “Casper Wyoming Tea Party deputy assistant Raymond Smith once dressed up in drag for a party. You, sir, are the worst person in the world!”
Carville is the master of slime, no doubt.
If, Olbermann calls some tea party member “the worst person in the world” (he will do this) and no one is watching. Did it really happen?
The MSM and the Democrat party hacks are losing their last shred of credibility with every hour that passes.
Agreed. I cringed when they had that convention a time ago. They shouldn’t form a party, or go with a national leadership.
Carbunkle and slick Willie may go after some local people that organize larger events.
I agree with innominatus, no central leader or leaders means less targets for the Left Attack Machine.
Good piece, Matt.
Thanks Don. They may end up flailing away, targeting ordinary people.
Carville is an expert at slime politics having been raised in the Louisiana political arena. I’ve been by his family home in Carville, Louisiana numerous times as I use to teach a few miles down the Great River Road from it. Carville, La was once to home of a large Leprosy colony, the only one in the United States outside of Hawaii. I often use to think James escaped from that colony–just joking. Yep, those in the Tea Party need to prepare for the blast that’s coming from the left.
On a related note—you can almost bet todays incident in Austin will be linked to Tea Party radicals. I hear the rumblings already!
Right on the mark, Matt– the left always uses personal attacks when actual facts don’t work.
They have to attack messengers to discredit or disregard their messages.
ALL THE MORE REASON to be ever vigilant to defend the 7-8 “teabaggers” they go after — while reinforcing the sins of those who are shouting “sinner!”
Even if the dude was against the Tea Parties, he’ll be linked. As Rahm says, “never waste a crisis.”
The tea party movement needs to stay fluid and moving. A moving target is much harder to hit.
That’s true. Can’t be too predictable. Organizers need to be creative and come up with new activities.
The first time I had heard Carville was in college. My American Government teacher was always talking about how brilliant he was. So I turned to CNN one night out of curiosity, 30 seconds later I was confused. My professor was a lefty, but also a very intelligent man. Carville does not seem to be an intelligent person. I was expecting a well spoken crack pot, but this guy makes old Dan Q look brilliant. I just do not see the appeal.