July 3, 2012

The Progressive finds it unfair to attack Tammy Baldwin like this.

Baldwin is the Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat now occupied by Herb Kohl. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has an ad showing Baldwin participating in last year's Wisconsin protests (along with scenes of the protests that don't include Baldwin).
To independent voters, this ad could play very well. Many people in the state, especially in areas outside of Madison, have very negative connotations of last year’s rallies. Unless you were there and participated in the peaceful demonstrations, this ad confirms what you probably already believe.

As Jim Cavanaugh, former president of the South Central Federation of Labor of Wisconsin, wrote in one of the best recaps of the recall, “Ordinary Wisconsinites outside of Madison have a very negative view of this city of large government office buildings, a fairly high standard of living, and liberal politics. Walker simply exploited an existing bias.”

If the frame worked once, it can work again. So the NRSC is playing the fear of freaky Madison card again.
Is it unfair to stoke the fear of freaky Madison? It correlates pretty well to a fear of too much liberalism (or leftism).

58 comments:

Dante said...

Is it fair to say Obamacare won't increase taxes to get it passed? Obviously not. But that's politics.

Hey, at least this ad shows something that is true and correct. So it is fairer than what progressives have done in support of their agenda.

carrie said...

The use of the word "fear" is wrong, although it perfectly reflects the view of liberal Madisonians that people outside of Madison are uneducated and act on emotions instead of well founded, thoughtful opinions. I think the correct word is "dislike" and think that the liberals will have a hard time figuring out how to appeal to the independents outside of Madison if they don't understand that difference.

Original Mike said...

Wait a minute. Baldwin participated in a political event; yet it's unfair to run pictures of her at that event?

Right.

ndspinelli said...

Tammy is the anointed lesbian princess of Madison. She is considered a joke in DC as is Kohl. I think progressives just want to have an openly gay senator in that slot instead of a closet billionaire one they currently have. They will be saddened in November.

chickelit said...

Tammy Baldwin walked side-by-side with Jesse Jackson at the original protest: link

I think it's entirely fair to remind voters (especially up-state voters) of her views and opinions unless they've changed.

Next

X said...

Does Tammy understand the words that are coming out of her mouth?

Patrick said...

From the article:

And if Thompson wins in November, the political transformation of Wisconsin will be complete. Within two years, the state may go from having two Democratic Senators, a Democratic governor, and both statehouses controlled by Dems to having two Republican Senators, a Republican governor, and quite possibly both statehouses controlled by Republicans. And

Of course, they say that like it's a bad thing.

David said...

Back in the day, the object of automatic mirth was the Republican at his country club. Nowadays it's the progressive faculty lounges and the SOS (Student Outrage Society.)

All richly deserved.

chickelit said...

Of course, they say that like it's a bad thing.

It never occurs to the Dems to run somebody who isn't a Madison leftist. In the old days they did much better with people like Bill Proxmire who mocked wasteful spending.

The Drill SGT said...

Let's be clear. She went to those rallies in part to secure the Dem nomination, by showing her colors to the progressives and the unions.

Now she doesn't want that same video to be shown to the general election voters.

LOL

PS: If the walker recall had succeeded by 60-40, want to take bets on whether Tammy would be using those same scenes in HER ads?

she lost a bet....

La Pasionaria said...

I like Baldwin, I think she's got the right ideas. But she really managed to look shrill, juvenile, unserious and out of touch. In retrospect these rallies were a horrible idea. They probably saved Walkers job.

Baldwin should take a good hard look at Liz Warrens style: Serious, competent and focused on working americans, not only academics and minorities.

garage mahal said...

She is considered a joke in DC as is Kohl.

I'm sure you have some awesome sources on this.

edutcher said...

In the immortal words of Robert Blake:

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Dante said...

garage, is the broccoli a sign of solidarity with the Wise Latina?

Well, looks like it is now true. Eat your broccoli or we can give you a penalty.

KCFleming said...

That's why Obama wasn't vetted. Had the nation known he participated in the socialist New Party in Chicago, along with the Rev. wright beliefs, he never would have been elected.

Lefties have always pretended to be moderates for the elections, while preaching their far left bona fides among friends.

Bullshit, like CJ Roberts.

Tom Spaulding said...

Unless you were there and participated in the peaceful demonstrations, this ad confirms what you probably already believe.

Unless you drank the Kool-Aid, your Reality is different than ours. And it always will be.

Q: Why did the Progs trash the Capitol?

A: 'Cause you weren't there, man!

Brian Brown said...

“Ordinary Wisconsinites outside of Madison have a very negative view of this

Racists!

How can this be?

The protests were good and just!

They were for the teachers!!

tim in vermont said...

The ad aside, I do understand what it is like to be involved in a protest and have it reported in the media as something completely foreign to what went on on the ground. I am not saying this happened in Madison, I have no way of knowing, but it did happen to those of us protesting for Bush in Palm Beach County in 2000.

To hear the news, you would think that we and our neighbors, who lived in that very county, were bused in from Texas, or maybe Hell itself, paid by Richard Mellon Scaife (That would be the Emanuel Goldstein figure from that era that has now been replaced with the Kock Bros among the left wing faithful) and utterly disbelieving in what we did and with only mercenary intentions.

Difference is that we won.

Christopher in MA said...

They were for the teachers!

No, Jay, they were for the chiiiillldreennnn!!!!

BarryD said...

How is this ad unfair?

Furthermore, an ad like this only works when people don't like what the candidate did. Otherwise, it backfires.

Any attempt to suppress such an ad simply makes it clear that it's a winning ad...

tim in vermont said...

I always laugh when Garage asks for sources or proof. As if he would provide anything like that to support any point he might make.

That is probably why he sticks to rhetorical questions nowadays. No supporting evidence needed for those.

Chuck66 said...

Well, Madison has a vicious anti-Christian bigot as mayor (he scrubbed his web site when he ran for mayor...you should have seen it 8 years ago).

The city council held a vote to boycott the Jewish state.

The hate group KKK, no, wait, the Freedom From Religion group is Madison based.
UW-Madison lost a lawsuit because they discriminate against Catholics. But to be fair, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Superior also lost anti-Christian discrimination lawsuits.

The Godfather said...

Except for the last part about the outcome of the recall election, this ad would have worked just fine as a pro-Baldwin ad directed at a "progressive" electorate. The left does believe what she and the protesters were saying/chanting. They become ashamed of it only when it's presented to a mainstream electorate.

raf said...

How is this ad unfair?


Because it is unhelpful to a leftist candidate. That is the very definition of "unfair."

Tom Spaulding said...

FTA: The saddest part about these negative ads it (sic) that they may actually work. Again.

Remember this! It's "sad" when attack ads work!

The Progressive told me that, and they are the smartest, best-est humans yet produced.

Chuck66 said...

But hey, if she wins, at least the congressional softball team will get a good player.

Patrick said...


Baldwin should take a good hard look at Liz Warrens style: Serious, competent and focused on working americans, not only academics and minorities.


You should read critiques of her academic writing before recommending that others imitate her style. Her academic writing is misleading at best, fraudulent at worst. In particular, her article on how lack of health insurance causes so many bankruptcies is political hackery.

Probably not a good idea if Rep. Baldwin wants to increase her stature outside of Madison.

edutcher said...

tim in vermont said...

I always laugh when Garage asks for sources or proof.

Sad to say, but, when garage gives proof, it's usually as easy to shoot down as a B-17 over Regensburg.

Brian Brown said...

ella binsburg said...

Baldwin should take a good hard look at Liz Warrens style: Serious, competent and focused on working americans, not only academics and minorities.


Yes!

Because serious people like totally lie about being Native Americans and stuff!

And when I think competent the very 1st name that comes to mind is Liz Warren!

Really!

traditionalguy said...

That Revolution was in its full street level civil disorder mode and quite proud of itself.

And Baldwin was smiling in true glee at the power of the mob's action against elected Authority.

Now she wants the bourgeoisie's votes, but those voters happen to be her proclaimed enemies to their early deaths.

Damn, another messaging problem. A Marxist Revolutionary just can't get an even break in the free media these days.

holdfast said...

This is just another example of Swiftboating!

a/k/a quoting the words of lefties at inconvenient moments.

La Pasionaria said...

"You should read critiques of her academic writing before recommending that others imitate her style."

Thats rather sounds like substance than style to me. Nobody cares about academic screeds in an election campaign.

"Yes!

Because serious people like totally lie about being Native Americans and stuff!

And when I think competent the very 1st name that comes to mind is Liz Warren!"

Tabloid stuff nobody really cares about. A decade old story that isnt necessarily connected to Warrens demeanor in the campaign.

Michael The Magnificent said...

Yes, quite unfair to associate Baldwin with the people she associates with.

Michelle Dulak Thomson said...

That's a very effective ad. Not the usual snide voiceover, just the candidate and the context.

Kevin said...

Next week, the gang at Progressive Magazine takes offense with long-standing criticism of Madison that is it "78 square miles surrounded by reality."

Original Mike said...

"In retrospect these rallies were a horrible idea."

In retrospect?

Chip S. said...

Voting against Tammy Baldwin would be a hate crime.

Tom Spaulding said...

Tabloid stuff nobody really cares about. A decade old story that isnt necessarily connected to Warrens demeanor in the campaign.

Wish-casting!

test said...

"Tabloid stuff nobody really cares about. A decade old story that isnt necessarily connected to Warrens demeanor in the campaign."

The fact that her signature academic effort is a fraud also doesn't seem to matter to anyone on the left. It's amazing how they seem to believe the willingness to say anything to support the narrative, no matter how easily refuted, is a qualification. It's almost like the left believes lying is a required skill for a leftist.

Jon Burack said...

Just after the recall went down, Matt Rothschild was telling us all the movement should have been MORE confrontational - not just by shutting down the Capitol but with truckers driving side by side at 45 mph on the freeway. Now, he and the Progressive pretend to be outraged about an ad touting the Capitol protests as too confrontational. And tarring poor Tammy with that "fearful" imagery. Heavens, I suppose Matt meant that the truckers should endanger everyone else's lives on the freeway, but Tammy could stay home and ride her bike to work? What a laugh.

Kirk Parker said...

"you would think that we ... were bused in from Texas, or maybe Hell itself..."

Wait--there's a difference?

damikesc said...

In retrospect these rallies were a horrible idea.

Know who called that last year?

Pretty much everybody who isn't garage here.

Baldwin should take a good hard look at Liz Warrens style: Serious, competent and focused on working americans, not only academics and minorities.

She should also lie about her racial make-up in order to advance a career?

Thats rather sounds like substance than style to me. Nobody cares about academic screeds in an election campaign.

Given that her scholarly "bona fides" are a major part of her alleged appeal, Warren has major problems there.

Tabloid stuff nobody really cares about. A decade old story that isnt necessarily connected to Warrens demeanor in the campaign.

It's a big story, no matter how much you wish to pretend it isn't. If a conservative politician lied about their cultural heritage to get a job --- you'd be beating down the doors over it.

Stop being such a pathetic little hypocrite.

cubanbob said...

chickelit said...
Of course, they say that like it's a bad thing.

It never occurs to the Dems to run somebody who isn't a Madison leftist. In the old days they did much better with people like Bill Proxmire who mocked wasteful spending.

7/3/12 9:19 AM

I wonder if Proxmire was still alive and in the senate would he have vote for liarcare or called it a golden fleece?

Edutcher my step-grandfather was a navigator who flew the Regensburg missions. Half the crew was killed. It isn't funny to use that as an example even if to ridicule the ever so deserving of ridicule Garage.

Curious George said...

"The Godfather said...
Except for the last part about the outcome of the recall election, this ad would have worked just fine as a pro-Baldwin ad directed at a "progressive" electorate. The left does believe what she and the protesters were saying/chanting. They become ashamed of it only when it's presented to a mainstream electorate."

100% correct except the last sentence. The lefties truly believe this, and because of their echo chamber believe everyone believes this. The pols, and their handlers, are the one who wink at the base and do the chameleon act to the center.

Colonel Angus said...

Edutcher my step-grandfather was a navigator who flew the Regensburg missions. Half the crew was killed. It isn't funny to use that as an example even if to ridicule the ever so deserving of ridicule Garage.

I would have said a Jap Zero over the Marianas.

ndspinelli said...

garage, My source is a journalist[Dem of course] who I know from back in the 1970's. I was a source for this reporter and of course that was reciprocated. This reporter has been in DC for awhile.

A provincial person whose entire life is Dane County probably does find it hard to believe someone may have sources elsewhere. That says everrything about you and NOTHING about me.

Superdad said...

Well she should be thankful that no body has made an ad out of this video yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7YDaXqyL-Y

Brian Brown said...

ella binsburg said...



Tabloid stuff nobody really cares about.


There are no American tanks in Baghdad!!!

Brian Brown said...

A decade old story that isnt necessarily connected to Warrens demeanor in the campaign.

Um, she referred to her Native American heritage in the campaign.

Idiot.

Wally Kalbacken said...

Tammy is walking right into the buzzsaw that is known as Tommy Thompson. It's going to be a sweet result on November 6th. I suggest it will be one of the first things called on the basis of exit polling that evening. Someone can be editing the graphics right now, putting the green check mark next to "Thomspon (R)".

Jason said...

Funny cubanbob should bring that up. My grandfather, tech sgt William Arnold Van Steenwyk, was also on the Regensburg mission, with the 94th bomb group. His normal aircraft, the Dear Mom, didn't have enough oxygen that morning, so he went to the next plane that had a bomb door camera. He watched his crew get shot out of the sky next to him that day. For the rest of his life he would say "this is the x anniversary of the worst day of my life. He had nightmares his whole life... "I was on the flightline again, last night, looking for Lt. Nayovitch and the boys.". The Battle of Regensburg is very personal to the Van Steenwyk family.

Andy Freeman said...

> Baldwin should take a good hard look at Liz Warrens style: Serious, competent and focused on working americans, not only academics and minorities.

Style is right but Fauxcahantas is not competent.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2010/07/considering-elizabeth-warren-the-scholar/60211/

Blue@9 said...

From the article:
To the rightwing and corporate interests behind the NRSC and the Republican Party, democracy looks like Scott Walker’s landslide election.

I like how this is written with a hint of incredulity. Because a statewide vote is nothing, nothing compared to a hippie drum circle when it comes to real democracy.


One thing I dislike about the Left is that they're gutless about saying they're the Left. Now we're on to "progressive" because "liberal" became a bad word. Why not just own the term? If you embraced OWS and class warfare, just own it. If you supported the recall, own it.

B said...

Words do matter and Progressive is actually the honest label, not liberal. The struggle for conservatives was never with liberals or democrats, but with progressives.

For quite a few years now we've been subjected to several false dichotomies. Liberal by definition is the opposite of moderate and where people stand on specific issues can be liberal or moderate. There are democrats that could only be called moderate on some issues and republicans who could only be called liberal on some issues. People's personal politics tend to drive them to identify as republican or democrat for one of two reasons.

One because the party's platforms and general philosophy agrees with their personal positions on specific issues...most of the time. There are more moderate republicans than moderate democrats, and more liberal democrats than liberal republicans. Party identification for those not actually in politics is in line with what you more often than not feel about specific issues. Once you identify with a party, as far as the planks of the party platform you don't necessarily agree with, well, you hold your nose.

The second and more prosaic reason people identify as democrat or republican is because the party offers them clear personal advantage. The old country club republican for one example from the past or the new entitlement class democrat of the present for another.

The same split goes for conservative and progressive to a lesser extent. It's not about party affiliation, though the differences are more stark and the resultant aggregation to one or the other party by default is more pronounced than is is with liberal or moderates.

The critical difference between being conservative or progressive is that they are in direct opposition on the social engineering in general and the sanctity of the current social contract in particular - whether, in what manner, and in what direction you want the societal network to evolve.

One side, conservatives, are interested in maintaining the the status quo where it works, and slow adaptive change issuing from the polity where it doesn't. The other side, progressives, are interested in social engineering whether the status quo works or not through coercive change issuing from a political class.

The key is the independent voter who individually holds a similar mix of moderate or liberal opinions on specific issues as do party members but can't hold their noses on the party stances they don't agree with.

Since most of the country is conservative, and being conservative means not being particularly in tune with coercive politics or politicians, I think it is to our advantage that the sides are becoming more clearly defined and labeled.

chickelit said...

One side, conservatives, are interested in maintaining the the status quo where it works, and slow adaptive change issuing from the polity where it doesn't. The other side, progressives, are interested in social engineering whether the status quo works or not through coercive change issuing from a political class.

Nicely put!

MadisonMan said...

How odd that they don't run ads extolling the virtues of Tommy.

Goju said...

Cubanbob, Jason...wow what a coincidence. My Dad was a B17 navigator. He didn't fly on the Regensberg missions. His plane was shot up so bad it was grounded so he volunteered for another plane to complete a crew. He went as a tail gunner. First position to die. Strangely enough, the plane was shot down and he was the only survivor. Spent 18 months in a Luftstalag and died young because ot it.

Anonymous said...

How odd that they don't run ads extolling the virtues of Tommy.

Nope, define your opponent first before your opponent can establish a positive image with the voters. This forces your opponent to spend money playing defense.

After your opponent's negatives start climbing, then launch the positive case why voters should vote for you.

In short, give voters a reason not to vote for your opponent, and then give them a reason to vote for you.