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May 7, 2010

Going Negative on the Public

Justin Katz

With Tiverton's financial town meeting tomorrow, I've been incapacitated with activity, over the past couple of days, but there's always time for a chuckle. A couple of National Reviews ago, Rob Long's "The Long View" column imagined a go-negative strategy that the Democrats might attempt against their main opposition, the American people (subscription required):

GENERIC NEGATIVE #1: "What do we really know about . . . ?"

FADE IN: Grainy, out-of-focus footage of normal Americans getting in and out of minivans. Maybe some sinister-looking children. We'll shoot some old people from underneath, to highlight their jowly, untrustworthy look.

VOICE OVER: "What do we really know about American voters? Are they racist bigots? Are they dangerous domestic terrorists? When President Obama and the Democrats in Congress tried to create jobs and save the economy, the American voter said NO! When President Obama and the Democrats in Congress offered them historic legislation that provides health care to everyone, the American voter said NO! What do we really know about the typical American voter? Not enough. It's time for us to say NO! to the American voter."

CUT TO: A waving flag (could be American, but could also be a stylized "neutral"-type banner) and a smiling President Obama. (Note: We could just use the flag and drop the Obama cut-in if that's the way the testing goes.)

VOICE OVER: "Paid for by the Committee to Restore the Government."