This one’s safe for work:
This one, not safe for work (profanity, usually mild – democratic ideas), but much funnier, and much more serious at the same time — I wish I’d known about it two months ago. Not nearly enough people have watched these, according to the YouTube counts:
If I can get five readers of this post, we’re home free, right?
Tip of the old scrub brush to UBZonker.
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Campaigns, Citizenship, Civil Rights, Democracy, Democracy in action, Elections, Humor, Politics, U.S. Constitution, Voting Rights Act | Tagged: 5 Friends Vote, Campaigns, Citizenship, Constitution, Democracy, Elections, Humor, Politics, Voting Rights Act of 1965 | 
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Posted by Ed Darrell
Encouraging reports from North Carolina, not-so-encouraging reports from Kentucky.
In North Carolina, Sen. Elizabeth Dole’s campaign dived into negative campaigning, with a crude and inaccurate campaign ad against her rising-in-the-polls opponent, state Sen. Kay Hagan. It appears many voters are disgusted with the negative ads. In any case, the Charlotte Observer wrote an editorial condemning Dole’s ad and negative tone, “Dole’s desperate turn to Big Lie advertising.” Good on them.
In Kentucky, however, we learn that negative campaigning can still pack a punch among poorly educated or bigoted groups. The Lexington Herald-Leader has a poll showing significant portions of Kentucky voters think Barack Obama is Muslim.
One might recall Dumas Malone’s description of the election of 1800, between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson thought it beneath his dignity, and not part of American politics, to discuss a candidate’s religious faith. Alexander Hamilton, on behalf of Adams, led a campaign of calumny in newspapers throughout the U.S. saying that because Jefferson was atheist, as president he’d send the army to confiscate Bibles. Jefferson refused to respond. Malone notes that on election day, fully half of all American voters were convinced Jefferson was atheist.
They voted for Jefferson anyway, rather than stick with the failed policies of Adams. There’s a lesson in there somewhere.
1 Comment | Campaigns, Obama 2008, Politics, Religion, Separation of church and state | Tagged: Campaign 2008, Campaigns, Negative Campaigns, Obama, Politics, Religion, Separation of church and state | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell
You are currently browsing the Millard Fillmore's Bathtub blog archives for the day Saturday, November 1st, 2008.
Ed Darrell on Texas's Colorado River
Come on in, the water's fine. Come often: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 