Beam in the Eye

Is this necessary?

Michigan Republicans are helping gather signatures to place independent Ralph Nader on the presidential ballot in the battleground state, irritating Democrats who accuse the GOP of trying to pull votes away from candidate John Kerry.

"It's another example of state Republicans willing to try every unethical trick in the book to hold power," Democratic Executive Chairman Mark Brewer said Thursday. "This clearly shows that a vote for Ralph Nader is a vote to re-elect George Bush. The Republicans know that, and that's why they are desperate to have Nader on the Michigan ballot."

Greg McNeilly of the state Republican Party said the GOP is doing nothing wrong and hopes Nader will draw votes from the Democratic candidate.

Wrong, Mr. McNeilly.

Here’s yet another instance in which I agree with the Democrats. Those that would vote for Nader out of principle and are already planning to do so, know quite well—if they have a lick of sense, as these Nader-supporters most definitely do--that their votes will be more likely to reduce John Kerry's vote tally, than that of the president. To launch a “Republicans for Nader” campaign is certainly legal, but as we know, everything that’s legal isn’t necessarily moral or ethical.

How can we Republicans/conservatives sanction a dirty trick like this while, at the same time, vilify the dirty tricks of our ideological opponents?

(For the record, I sent this post to the RNC chairman, Ed Gillespie.)

(Thanks to the no-blogging co-blogger, King Buzz)

Comments

[King of Fools]

I'm with you on this one. If we don't like the stupid spin we get from the other side when they do wrong (like the Burger timing talking point), then we need to stop doing the same thing when we do something wrong.

I would also like to see someone conceed a point on a radio or TV debate show. If your point is weak, just conceed that point and move on to a stronger one. Don't sit there and hold up a weak and easily refuted argument. It makes us all look bad.

Oh, and FYI: I'm unable to post my URL...it says that it is invalid. (http://king-of-fools.com)

[joel]

I guess you never heard the saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Politics is about winninig and getting power to do whatever. Winning comes first.

This year, according to reports, the Democratic party is AWASH in money. Some of it has been used to prevent Nader from getting on the ballot in some states.

Have you noticed the coverage of Nader in the NY Times or on NPR? Neither have I.

Since the Democrats and their allies in the media are doing all they can to squash Nader's campaign, quite unfairly in my view, then it seems perfectly reasonable for the Republicans to help him.

[baldilocks]

Reasonable, yes. Right, no.

[Al Barger]

Overt moves by Republicans to help Nader probably are not wise strategically. They just give the Democrats ammunition to complain about supposed "dirty tricks."

However, I fail to see how this in any way constitutes a dirty trick, or underhanded move. The result of success here would not be to unfairly besmirch the character of a candidate, or anything like.

All they're trying to do is allow voters another choice on the ballot. How could that be a "dirty trick"?

By the way, I encouraged similar activity regarding Nader here in Indiana as an official part of my US Senate campaign, though his success in getting on the ballot would very likely have hurt our Libertarian candidate.

I just consider it a matter of principle to maximize voter choice.

[Deb]

Oy. I'm with you on this Juliette.

Choices are good. Candidates must pull their own weight, however.

[Al Barger]

This topic suggests a whole bunch of sub-issues about voting and politics, how you should choose whom to vote for, and what constitutes fair play versus dirty tricks.

I offer another little twist up in this game. Does this constitute inappropriate tactics on my part somehow?

[DarkStar]

I agree. I think it helps lower the bar. It will come back.

But I said the same thing when they supported Al Sharpton in the Dem. primaries.

[GT]

I agree that it's a bit underhanded.. however!

The Dems have no room to complain. They helped Perot knwoing full well what would happen. We owe them at least one more Nader round to make up for the two Perot kills.

Lets face it if they hadn't helped the big eared buffon we'd have had a Bush Sr. prt 2

[Idler]

Well now-

As stated by a previous poster, the Demos gave Perot much help back when he ran- don't recall the Repubs whining about it, do you?

Also, the article you cite from- did it make mention of the quasi-legal action they are undertaking to hector and harass Nader in not only Michigan, but several states (AZ comes to mind)? Did it make mention that the DNC is having a firm vet the Nader's petition signatures at great cost? Well, strike that..... they actually outsourced the job to a firm overseas (India), so it probably didn't cost all that much.... but funny how employing domestic work ain't so important when the donks are on a naked power grab, innit?

[DarkStar]

As stated by a previous poster, the Demos gave Perot much help back when he ran- don't recall the Repubs whining about it, do you

That's the first I ever heard about Dems aiding Perot. But I sure DID hear Republicans complaining that Perot was hurting Bush.

[joel]

Just a short walk down memory lane.

About Perot, I clearly recall after Clinton, with 43%, beat Bush senior, with out 36%?, and Peror with 19%, that NPR said that Perot didn't hurt Bush anymore than he hurt Clinton. Clinton then get 49% on his second run for the Presidency.

Just facts.

I have got to clean up the errors in my first post.

About Perot, I clearly recall after Clinton, with 43%, beat Bush senior, with about 36%?, and Perot with 19%, that NPR said that Perot didn't hurt Bush anymore than he hurt Clinton. Clinton then got 49% on his second run for the Presidency.

Just facts.

[Dave Munger]

Their dirty tricks tend to be criminal offences, like chad-eating and corpse-enfranchising. A Republican dirty trick is any potentially effective tactic.

[Addison]

Remember "Motor Voter"? Big big push, mainly by the Democrats, beliving that the people too lazy to go spend 15 minutes at Voter Registration would likely vote Democrat. (The truthfullness of this belief, and it's insults or lack thereof will be left unaddressed).

But the worst part is how stupid the comment is by someone who's supposed to be, well, a politician. Talk about helping everyone get a voice, talk about how no one should be denied, etc. Don't make it sound like you're only doing it for partisan gain. *

* - That being said, I think we ought to ask McNeilly if it's an accurate quote - my experience has been that reporters quite often elaborate or expound using quotes that aren't verbatim with what the quotee said - and it seems to be more prevalent when Republicans are quoted.