I talk politics a lot–even with people who do not like politics. I have found, in all my talking about politics, that people who do not like politics ESPECIALLY think that politicians are liars. There is usually some quip like, they are all a bunch of lying, thieving . . . . It clearly is an overgeneralization, redactive thinking, and for many hard-working legislators, it is simply not fair.
But, I can see why someone would think that. The media is on the witch-hunt. Gossip and dirt sells stories in the form of online viewers, television viewers, and it newspapers. The public hears every story about every bad thing that every politician has ever done.
Never before have I seen a politician ADMIT that lying was indeed part of their campaign STRATEGY until this quote from John Feehery–a Republican strategist (BIO here >>).
John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters’ opinions of the candidates.
“The more the New York Times and The Washington Post go after Sarah Palin, the better off she is, because there’s a bigger truth out there and the bigger truths are she’s new, she’s popular in Alaska and she is an insurgent,” Feehery said. “As long as those are out there, these little facts don’t really matter.”
Let me see if got this correct: “the facts are less important than the dominant themes”– you can add whatever you want after this point because you have lost me.
I disagree. The facts ARE important. The ends DO NOT justify the means.
John Feehery’s admission, however, articulates something larger. With the pending Republican loss of 20+ seats in the House of Representatives and perhaps losing 8 or more Republican seats in the Senate, and conservative lamenting that “the Republican brand is tarnished” (see HERE, HERE, HERE — heck, Google “republican brand is tarnished” and see what happens), the Republican Party is acting out of sheer desperation.
Like the falling Roman Empire, the Republican Party is clearly willing to do whatever that takes to keep control of their power: including but not limited to lying, manipulating the facts, manipulating the media, and agitating (or energizing–depends upon your perspective) your base voters with an unqualified candidate for Vice President, Sarah Palin.
There is a simple truth: John Feehery and other strategists are really out of touch with the American people. This is not some game. We tell our children that lying is not acceptable, and that facts are important.
Perhaps I missed the memo saying that all that had changed . . . .
(Quote from Washington Post)