It’s the change in the quality of the sunlight that usually catches my attention at this time of year even before I think to consult the calendar, especially now that I continue to climb the learning curve of this nether land called retirement. The lush full summer sunlight is starting its annual slide as it slowly morphs into its pale thin winter semblance. But between then and now, the gradually fading light plays off against the cool dry autumn air, shed of its dulling humidity, to provide a new clarity with a sharpened focus and heightened coloring. School is starting up again and even those of us well beyond our student years and beyond the student years of our children, feel a stimulating sense of renewal.
Among the wide range of events coming into sharper focus is the fledgling presidential campaign, which has spent the summer months slouching towards serious consideration of the voters in spite of the fact that Hilary announced her candidacy last January. Today’s edition of the scrupulously independent Boston Globe (known in some circles as the Blue State Banner) in an above-the-fold front-page headline describes the introduction of a new technological approach to an old, but time-honored, political strategy. It seems that the Massachusetts Democratic Party has launched a new web site dedicated not to promoting its broad party principles, or even one of its own candidates, but rather to showcase, in an easily-searched format, information about Mitt Romney that could be used AGAINST his presidential campaign. It seems the Dems are concerned that some of Mitt’s current positions on some issues differ from positions he has taken over the years of his Massachusetts political career.
So, let me get this straight. The Massachusetts Democratic party is concerned that a politician might be inconsistent on his pronouncements, and even might have changed a position over time? Or that a candidate might tailor his message to a specific audience? Oh Mitt! Say it aint so.
As a public service, then, the Mass. Dems are providing “the facts” so that anyone concerned about Mitt’s veracity and/or consistency has a handy central location for the truth. And while they are at it, they intend to include any and all negative information, no matter how trite. This is essentially a puddle of digital mud, suitable for slinging and the party doesn’t stop there. It sent operatives out to a recent Romney rally to distribute flip-flops to the attendees in an effort to highlight some of Mitt’s change in positions. Who knows maybe they were left over from John Kerry’s last campaign? In addition, we are told the party is ready with a roster of speakers it plans to send out to future Romney events across the country.
Finally, unable to stand the suspense, I visited RomneyFacts.com to see what kind of nasty secrets the Dems had on tap. Right off the bat, I learned that squeaky-clean Mitt has been arrested not once, but twice! In 1981, Mitt attempted to launch an undocumented boat (expired sticker) in a State Park pond and was made to stop only by the timely intervention of the Natick cops who hauled him off to the pokey in his swimsuit. As near as I could tell from the website, no one drowned as part of this caper. But even this flagrant disregard for the law pales when compared to the events of 1965 when Mitt, at the tender age of 18, but clearly above the age of reason, aided and abetted by his then future wife Ann, were arrested for, are you ready?, blatantly sliding down the slopes of a Michigan golf course on giant blocks of ice! Is this the type of behavior we want the country’s first couple to condone? Before you answer, take a long hard look at the picture of this felonious duo above.
Yes friends, we live in a digital age and there is precious little personal information concerning the presidential candidates that will remain un-reported before November ’08 rolls around. And even if through some twisted logic you allow that the Mass. Dems are doing a public service, the old saw “what goes around, comes around,” pops to mind. While this may the first, it will in all likelihood not be the last of the candidate “information” sites, when it comes to evaluating who has the biggest pile of dirt in his or HER closet, the Romney’s are sure to be well back in the pack on this count.
Among the wide range of events coming into sharper focus is the fledgling presidential campaign, which has spent the summer months slouching towards serious consideration of the voters in spite of the fact that Hilary announced her candidacy last January. Today’s edition of the scrupulously independent Boston Globe (known in some circles as the Blue State Banner) in an above-the-fold front-page headline describes the introduction of a new technological approach to an old, but time-honored, political strategy. It seems that the Massachusetts Democratic Party has launched a new web site dedicated not to promoting its broad party principles, or even one of its own candidates, but rather to showcase, in an easily-searched format, information about Mitt Romney that could be used AGAINST his presidential campaign. It seems the Dems are concerned that some of Mitt’s current positions on some issues differ from positions he has taken over the years of his Massachusetts political career.
So, let me get this straight. The Massachusetts Democratic party is concerned that a politician might be inconsistent on his pronouncements, and even might have changed a position over time? Or that a candidate might tailor his message to a specific audience? Oh Mitt! Say it aint so.
As a public service, then, the Mass. Dems are providing “the facts” so that anyone concerned about Mitt’s veracity and/or consistency has a handy central location for the truth. And while they are at it, they intend to include any and all negative information, no matter how trite. This is essentially a puddle of digital mud, suitable for slinging and the party doesn’t stop there. It sent operatives out to a recent Romney rally to distribute flip-flops to the attendees in an effort to highlight some of Mitt’s change in positions. Who knows maybe they were left over from John Kerry’s last campaign? In addition, we are told the party is ready with a roster of speakers it plans to send out to future Romney events across the country.
Finally, unable to stand the suspense, I visited RomneyFacts.com to see what kind of nasty secrets the Dems had on tap. Right off the bat, I learned that squeaky-clean Mitt has been arrested not once, but twice! In 1981, Mitt attempted to launch an undocumented boat (expired sticker) in a State Park pond and was made to stop only by the timely intervention of the Natick cops who hauled him off to the pokey in his swimsuit. As near as I could tell from the website, no one drowned as part of this caper. But even this flagrant disregard for the law pales when compared to the events of 1965 when Mitt, at the tender age of 18, but clearly above the age of reason, aided and abetted by his then future wife Ann, were arrested for, are you ready?, blatantly sliding down the slopes of a Michigan golf course on giant blocks of ice! Is this the type of behavior we want the country’s first couple to condone? Before you answer, take a long hard look at the picture of this felonious duo above.
Yes friends, we live in a digital age and there is precious little personal information concerning the presidential candidates that will remain un-reported before November ’08 rolls around. And even if through some twisted logic you allow that the Mass. Dems are doing a public service, the old saw “what goes around, comes around,” pops to mind. While this may the first, it will in all likelihood not be the last of the candidate “information” sites, when it comes to evaluating who has the biggest pile of dirt in his or HER closet, the Romney’s are sure to be well back in the pack on this count.
1 comment:
John,
I ran into Karl Rove at Rick's Cafe last night, and he said he was "shocked" that the Mass. Dems were picking on poor Mitt Romney.
Frank
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