Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

The Truth Has Fangs

Posted on October 23, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

WolfpacksforTruth.org: The Real Story on George Bush's “Wolves” Commercial (spotted in the wild via Talking Points Memo).

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Which Ad is More Effective?

Posted on October 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Everyone is talking about the new GWB ad Wolves although I can't see what all the fuss is about myself. Maybe it works better on a bigger screen? Perhaps I'm totally blind, but Brooke's Story: He Just Doesn't Get It seems waaay more effective to me.

Posted in Politics: US: 2004 Election | 2 Comments

Today’s Tinfoil — Graphic Edition

Posted on October 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

The American Street brings us this great cartoon. I laughed.

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Saturday is ‘Suprise Day’?

Posted on October 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Here's a story you won't see in your newspaper. Pandagon speculates in Just A Day Off In Crawford:

Just A Day Off In Crawford: Bush is going to be taking a day of rest in Crawford on Saturday? With the election 10 fingers and two toes away? I mean, I know we're stupid, but exactly how dumb do they think we are?

So what's the surprise gonna be, folks? Bush going to fight a lion? Going to personally snap a drugged Osama bin-laden's neck in an arena duel, a la Gladiator? Parachute into Iraq? In the end, it all goes back to something Jon Stewart said:

I don't think Bush is stupid. I think we're stupid, because otherwise he wouldn't talk to us the way he does.

That's the operative dynamic of this election, a healthy disrespect for the wisdom and judgment of the American people. And to that, all I can say is Digby's right, we need to convince the press of our intelligence before Bush snaps on the flightsuit, tapes down the codpiece, and slingshots into a warzone.

Update: Well, you may see it in your online newspaper.

Posted in Politics: US: 2004 Election | 4 Comments

Reality Is Not an Option Indefinitely

Posted on October 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

Here's news from a study of the differing perceptions of Bush and Kerry supporters, conducted by the Program on International Policy Attitudes and Knowledge Networks, based on polls conducted in September and October:

Even after the final report of Charles Duelfer to Congress saying that Iraq did not have a significant WMD program, 72% of Bush supporters continue to believe that Iraq had actual WMD (47%) or a major program for developing them (25%). Fifty-six percent assume that most experts believe Iraq had actual WMD and 57% also assume, incorrectly, that Duelfer concluded Iraq had at least a major WMD program. Kerry supporters hold opposite beliefs on all these points.

Similarly, 75% of Bush supporters continue to believe that Iraq was providing substantial support to al Qaeda, and 63% believe that clear evidence of this support has been found. Sixty percent of Bush supporters assume that this is also the conclusion of most experts, and 55% assume, incorrectly, that this was the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission. Here again, large majorities of Kerry supporters have exactly opposite perceptions.

I don't find persistent (willful?) voter ignorance very cheerful. On the other hand, I suppose this opens a window for some good advertising.

Posted in Politics: US | 2 Comments

Yet Another UM Blogger

Posted on October 22, 2004 by Michael Froomkin

All the UM bloggers this year have attitude. “Tortious Interference” concludes his (I bet the author is male) first post at the Legal Twilight Zone with, “I hate spel checker. Not using it.” Meanwhile, I wish I would remember to use it…

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