Monday, September 22, 2008

Gov. Sarah Palin: Character Assassination via E-mail

I got a couple more anti-Palin e-mails today, after not receiving any for over a week. They are different from the Bryn Mawr letter that I received and wrote about over two weeks ago. Both e-mails were different, both from serious types who are genuinely concerned about the future of America, both politically naive. I would not want to point out to these people that they are the willing dupes of a media campaign for Barack Obama because that would be unkind. They genuinely believe they are doing the right thing.

Today, at least two major league bloggers are writing about "astrotufing" campaigns aimed against Sarah Palin. Two articles stand out: the longer article is here, and the shorter one here. "Astroturfing" is the PR term used when the grass in grassroots is artificial, having actually been manufactured by a PR firm. It is is not considered to be very ethical. David Axelrod, Barack Obama's chief media strategist was named as the master of astroturfing last March by Business Week, and many people believe he may be part of this.

This is a very ugly campaign against Sarah Palin. Do stand opposed to such political tactics no matter what your politics. The differences between the candidates are clear, there are real issues out there, and scurrilous email forwards are not necessary.

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

And who made you such an expert on the political sensitivities of so many others with whom you apparently have so little contact? Your condescension is astounding!

As to Gov. Palin and character assassination, I don't see it as necessary to fabricate anything about her record in order to oppose her and her running mate. There is more than enough on the public record.

But given the staggering costs of the past eight years, I can see and understand how people would be tempted to say anything in order to prevent the election of such dangerous people. You and your buddies have led the way on that score as well, through your relentless disparagement of Obama and Seals as well as their families.

Sep 22, 2008, 9:40:00 PM  
Blogger Publia said...

Sounds like you don't like me, Mr. Anonymous,but don't dispair!There are around 1 million other blogs out there, some of which you are likely to like very much. Since you can "see and understand how people would be tempted to say anything" to advance their cause, we are obviously not birds of a feather.

Sep 23, 2008, 4:30:00 PM  

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