Howard Dean:Shameless GOP Plots Disgraceful Attacks

[cal04]

Shameless GOP Plots Disgraceful Attacks on African American/Female Candidate
http://www.dnc.org/a/2008/02/shameless_gop_p.php

While Senator John McCain pledged on Wednesday to treat his opponents "with respect" and said that as the nominee he would "make sure that everyone within my party knows that this has got to be a respectful debate," the Republican National Committee is testing how far it can go in attacks against a potential woman or African American opponent.

After Politico reported this week that the "Republican National Committee has commissioned polling and focus groups to determine the boundaries of attacking a minority or female candidate," a new survey directed at college students has come to light that shows an attempt to finesse language to convey sexist and racist stereotypes. In the survey students are asked to rate how strongly they agree or disagree with a series of sexist and racist statements like, "when women lose to men in a fair competition, they typically complain about being discriminated against," and "I feel threatened when interacting with Black people."

The tactic is nothing new for the Republican Party which has used the same kind of vicious, unethical approach to campaigning for years, from the notorious 'southern strategy' aimed at African Americans in the South, to the scapegoating of Hispanic immigrants in recent campaigns and at college campuses across the country. As the Politico noted in its report, the "secretive effort underscores the enormous risk senior GOP operatives see for a party often criticized for its insensitivity to minorities in campaigns dating back to the 1960s."

DNC Chairman Howard Dean, DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie Rollins, DNC Women's Caucus Chair Mame Reiley, and College Democrats of America President Lauren Wolfe issued the following joint statement:

"It is disgraceful that one of America's two major political parties would spend money on finding ways to push the envelope in its attacks on African American and female candidates. It is also cynical that college students, the future of America, would be targeted in that effort. This episode is a sad reminder that the Republican Party's history of divisiveness and intolerance toward minorities and women is alive and well. John McCain owes it to the American people to denounce the RNC's efforts, and as the presumptive nominee of his party, to put an end to it."




Republican Party Statement Rings Hollow While They Pay to Test How Far They Can Take Race and Gender Attacks, Says Democratic National Committee
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20080229/pl_usnw/republican_party_statement_rings_hollow_while_they_pay_to_test_how_far_they_can_take_race_and_gender_attacks__says_democratic_n

[NastyRiffraff]

1. And McCain is going to pretend his hands are clean

While the RNC promotes both racism and sexism. Will McCain "denounce" the RNC's tactics. No way, no how. He BENEFITS from them, and he needs the RNC.

[SeattleGirl]

2. I am so fucking sick of this shit.

If the Republicans actually had good policies to run on, they wouldn't have to stoop to this level. But they don't, so they bring out their buckets of slime, lies, innuendo, and outright hatred to smear the Dems.

What really gets me is how many people out there buy into this.

:banghead:

[USA_1]

3. And Will The Dems Turn the Other Cheek ...

... again?

Or will they ever learn to fight back?

[maseman]

4. The Dems should do research in nursing homes

to see how far they can go making fun of an old babbling dickhead with a wife who should cover up her wrinkly cleavage.