Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

National Journal ‘choirboy’ clip

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by

James A. Bacon
in

From the National Journal:

“Best Imitation Of John Kerry Award Goes To… Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D). Kaine’s position on the death penalty has become even more muddled thanks to his new TV ad in the Virginia governor’s race. Here is the direct quote from his spot:

“As a Christian missionary in Honduras, I learned that life is sacred. That’s why I oppose the death penalty. I’ll carry out a death sentence because that’s the law. But, I won’t change my religious beliefs.”


Huh? Obviously, we know he’s trying to say that he’ll follow Virginia’s law and carry out the death penalty even though he’s personally opposed to the idea. But is Kaine actually pledging to never commute a death sentence? He’ll always follow the law on the matter? It’s one thing to give this answer to the death penalty issue at a debate, it’s another to trumpet the conflict in a paid TV ad. This has the “I actually voted for it before I voted against it” feel to it.”

Read more about it: ON THE TRAIL: Careless Whispers (06/29/2005)

Blue Dog question: Why not leave religion out of the campaign?

Too late! Because the Kaine trap that has been set — “let’s not keep religion out of the public spaces, but not the Gubernatorial campaign” — is an attempt to made one’s religious credentials as relevant as intelligence, experience, or policies.

I say let us all defend America against the proselytizing theosophs-politicos.

Woodshed Etiquette: If there is firewood at the bottom of the trail, help bring it up to the woodshed. If the dog bites, but doesn’t bark — he’s well trained and never visits the woodshed. People that complain about dogs don’t know that he’s man’s best friend both on and off the trail. The only difference between squirrels and rats is that squirrels have good press. But no doubt, rats love to eat garbage.

Just ask the Valley Blue Dog because he knows when it’s time to comment on one or the other.

~ the blue dog

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  1. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Steve:

    I’m searching through your columns for the one where you criticize George W. Bush for blathering on and on about his religion. I haven’t located one yet. Could you direct me?

  2. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    I mean, don’t get me wrong. I agree with you. Religion shouldn’t matter a lick. But to a great deal of voters, it does. Maybe not you and I, but to a great deal.

  3. RD Avatar
    RD

    Since he’s opposed to the death penalty for religious reasons … he’s going to work to change the law to end the death penalty … right??

  4. subpatre Avatar
    subpatre

    Kaine’s ad is a diversion, but a diversion based on the New Democrats’ strategy to mimic perceived Republican strengths. It won’t work. The Democratic Party will never get the religion thing right until they become religious; it’s a ‘belief thing’, and faking it doesn’t work. [To be fair, as I always am, there’s many devout Democrats, and many insincere Republicans. But of the parties, Democrats have a lock.]

    The Democrats 2003 God, Guns, Guts is a fine analysis. It only fails in their solution: acting! Of particular interest –especially the firearms section– is the solid, scientific, in-depth research on gauging people’s reaction to different wording of the same message. It gives new meaning to the phrase “calculated lie”.

    The scripts generated at that conference prompted Kerry to accept a shotgun from union workers, interview with Outdoor Life, and take a faux goose hunting trip. It was a waste of Kerry’s time, gaining nothing or even losing him votes.

    All of which returns us to a fundamental question in politics: “How fake is he/she?” (or “How much faking do I have to do?”) Sincerity being so important that you must always be sincere, even when you detest it.

    Tim’s losing on the death-penalty issue with this approach; it feels fake, condescending, and mealy-mouthed. It smells like a paid political consultant, because it is. Same for his Values and Conservative ads. His abortion-issue ad though, one nuance deeper but without ‘deep, personal beliefs’, has potential for a lot of traction.

  5. Brian Patton Avatar
    Brian Patton

    Tim Kaine and John Kerry may be similar in many ways, but this is not one of them.

    Kerry’s problem was that he said “A”, then changed his mind to “B”.

    Kaine, on the other hand, has been rock solid in his beliefs and why it will not matter when it comes to enforcing existing laws.

  6. Salt Lick Avatar
    Salt Lick

    I don’t mind Kaine’s mingling religion and politics, but I don’t get the connection between his missionary work and his epiphany that “life is sacred.” I was in the Peace Corps, but I already knew life was sacred when I went. The way Kaine awkwardly squeezes his mission service into a political statement (did I mention Dick Cheney’s daughter is a lesbian?) makes it appear as resume-building by a young man intending to run for public office. Did he cheapen the value of a good deed?

  7. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Salt Lick: You’re right. No one should ever mention their bio when running for office.

  8. subpatre Avatar
    subpatre

    There’s times and places for any candidate to discuss (preferably briefly) their personal faith or religious beliefs; some speeches, Q&As, perhaps debates. Advertisements and 30 second introductions aren’t those places.

    Brian – Kaine and Kerry have little, if anything, in common. Please wade through, actually read, the reference given. It’s a commitment by Democrats strategists to “…capture the middle” [their quote] by (artificially) pushing these issues to the front. It’s a pre-packaged script.

    Kerry didn’t lose because of any single problem; but you can identify votes lost (votes he’d had that slipped away) and precious campaign time wasted on an issue that got no traction.

    Kaine didn’t run this way before, because his last campaign was before the DLC invented this charade. Now that the professional campaigners have memorized the method, Kaine’s running that way. Not a good sign if the candidate can’t dictate the agenda, and it’s (in my personal opinion) a losing method to run on.

  9. El Equipo Progresivo Avatar
    El Equipo Progresivo

    Bluedog,

    Please pardon me for being confused but could you possibly explain what you mean with:

    “I say let us all defend America against the proselytizing theosophs-politicos.”

    “Woodshed Etiquette: If there is firewood at the bottom of the trail, help bring it up to the woodshed. If the dog bites, but doesn’t bark — he’s well trained and never visits the woodshed. People that complain about dogs don’t know that he’s man’s best friend both on and off the trail. The only difference between squirrels and rats is that squirrels have good press. But no doubt, rats love to eat garbage.”

    And:

    “Just ask the Valley Blue Dog because he knows when it’s time to comment on one or the other.”

    Thanks!

  10. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Proselytizing theosophs-politico example: “Are You Holier Than Thou?”

    It’s a gauge, or a ‘Holy Test’ when candidates are allowed to use religion as an election tool.

    On the way to the woodshed you might like to try a sample of Blue Lick. Salt licks help animals, such as Donkeys, Elephants and Rhinos*, meet their trace mineral needs and they’re being offered in a variety of flavors and colors such as Red, White (pure salt) and Blue. Included in the flavors you’ll find honey and orange, garlic, apple, molasses, carrot, mint, and seaweed. Really not sure of the flavor of red although the Blue Dog knows it’s more abundant in the South.

    *Rhinos are endangered species.

    The Blue Dog barks at the full moon of counterrevolution misinformation and their methods of attack — As the history of the 21st Century is beginning to expose the Republican and Democrat appointed bureaucrats, and the skilled butchers of government — those self-serving politicians, lobbyist and handlers — with or without licks.

    The Blue Dog is constantly vigilant and in some cases he just doesn’t give a ‘LICK.’

    ~ the blue dog

    Btw, el jefe… I know your true identity.

  11. she devil dog Avatar
    she devil dog

    Mr. Blue Dog

    She Devil Dog here….

    Please, a question to ask both candidates….if they are soooo concerned about health care….
    do they provide health insurance to the employees of their campaigns? if not, why not?
    how can they talk about small business concern about this issue when they don’t run their campaigns as small businesses, paying wages, employment taxes and insurance and providing health benefits?

    Background…
    Kilgore and Kaine both do.
    Baskerville was the ONLY Lt. Gov candidate from either party who had her campaign workers on payroll paying payroll taxes, unemployment and workers comp and providing health insurance benefits. Bolling had a person or two on payroll – no benefits. Most had people working as independent K’ors. (questionnable???) You can track this by looking at expenditures on http://www.vpap.org/

    I think that it’s interesting “context” when people prattle about stuff but don’t act consistent with their prattle.

    Please visit Richmond soon….

  12. she devil dog Avatar
    she devil dog

    Wrong column post, I’ll try again.

  13. Brian Patton Avatar
    Brian Patton

    subpatre,

    I think you may have been confused by my comment. It was meant towards Sisson and his assertion that Kaine was anything but consistent in his position on the death penalty.

    He said “Kaine’s position on the death penalty has become even more muddled thanks to his new TV ad in the Virginia governor’s race.”

    Your suggestion that Kaine’s position on the death penalty seems “fake” also seems misplaced. I understand that stems from your belief he is following the “New Democratic Agenda” (i.e., God, Guns, and Guts). However, in the area of death penalty, Kaine is rock solid.

  14. subpatre Avatar
    subpatre

    Perhaps my post was too ….uhmm, nuanced. Kaine’s advertisement of his position on the death penalty appears fake; it looks and sounds like it’s crudely scripted, just like several others I linked above.

    Whatever Kaine’s position on the issue, it’s immaterial if his communication insults the voter; which this one does. So do others. Whether it’s Kaine who wrote the ads, or a hired consultant did, the result is the same. Plastic and shallow; and a candidate who can’t get a convincing message to the voters is sunk.

    Whether Mr. Kaine needs to hire consultants to polish his poor presentation skills (unlikely) or needs to fire external consultants and hired-guns addicted to the ND/DLC line (probable) I can only guess. But it’s clear that this type of advertising is damaging to him. Perception makes the reality, etc.

    Sisson’s point is clear. Whether Kaine’s position is “rock solid”, when the ad begs twenty questions for every statement it makes, is debatable — but not here. This conversation is about the horrible, horrible ads. 😉

  15. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Brian and subparte:

    “Kaine’s position on the death penalty has become even more muddled thanks to his new TV ad in the Virginia governor’s race.”

    I did not say that, the National Journal wrote the commentary (read more about it). I provided a link.

    The Blue Dog said, “Why not leave religion out of the campaign?”

    Basically, because it’s too late in the game. Kaine will be forced to play the religion card for the entire campaign. It’s a whitewashing issue because it’s going to take away from any good ideas he ‘may’ actually present to the public.

    Because Religion & Roads don’t mix! Unless it’s the highway to Heaven or Hell.

    His ads are terrible. His campaign message is a disaster. And Russ Potts may eventually become the Democratic alternative to Kilgore.

    ~ the blue dog

  16. Brian Patton Avatar
    Brian Patton

    Ah, my bad, Steve. I was not sure what you were quoting and saying since you did not use a blockquote or internal quotation marks.

    As for the quality of the Ads, I agree they may come off as too “scripted” for the regular voter. But, I do applaud Kaine for appearing in front of the camera and using his own voice.

  17. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Brian: Are you still harping about his voice? Is that ALL you have to offer?

    That’s not an issue.

    (below is a rehashed post on ‘not mark rozell’)

    The Kilgore Team is excellent. There’s something new with their daily ‘Pub news-baggage distribution list. Tim Murtaugh is a pro. Access to the campaign is great. The campaign is running circles around Kaine. There’s always something to comment about.

    In the past week, I’ve received half-a-dozen press releases. Yesterday, the Kilgore staff distributed the key measures of Jerry Kilgore’s 2005 legislative agenda which became law on Friday, July 1, 2005.

    Where are Democrat Tim Kaine’s achievements and accomplishments? At least, independent candidate Russ Potts is working the media for debates and citizens for contributions.

    Sorry, but I can’t say the same of Tim Kaine’s faith-based staff (they must be attending prayer chapel), however, I do have good contacts with Democrats, LG candidate Leslie Byrne and AG candidate Creigh Deeds. I’ve chatted with Leslie several times and Creigh has always been attentive to the Blue Dog’s questionnaires.

    And I must admit, GOP LG candidate Bolling and AG McDonnell have been good at following up with personal notes (especially, Bill) when I request interviews or quotes. I appreciate that. His staff is solid.

    It strikes me … and due to publishing a column I tend to weigh out everything equally, that both slates of candidates have gone about Virginia politics all the wrong way. Everyone seems to be following a national playbook in that they’re segmenting the state into regional voting cards, with Northern Virginia as the ace and Richmond as the joker wild. I don’t remember this scenario playing out to this degree in the past.

    Lets look at where candidates have and have not gone when they were seeking their party nominations. Now let’s look at what the candidates have been saying, sometimes blatantly and sometimes just barely alluding to it about geography and demographics of the Commonwealth. Kilgore is making a play at African-Americans, Kaine at the Evangelicals.

    Okay, so the majority of voters are in specific areas of the Commonwealth. I think MOST will agree that it is very important to do face to face time with all of your potential constituents lest you be perceived as having the potential of drowning from your nose up in the air come a rainstorm. After all, as a candidate you’ll be representing ALL of us, right?

    Yeh, yeh … it’s a bit idealistic.

    We ‘Shenandoah Valley-ians’, whether we’re Dem/Repub/Indep all have long memories that can create a beast that will bite you in the tail at a later date. Don’t discount the rural vote. I would say the same is true of Southwest and Southside residents as well. We don’t take lightly being labeled ‘stepchildren’ of the Commonwealth, or political afterthoughts.

    Nuts and bolts my friend? The politics of divisiveness is wearing thin on the national voter, but Lord help us Virginia voters are just a bit different, because they can smell a polecat before it’s sprayed and I see a lot of noses beginning to wiggle in regard to this year’s race.

    Can we spell ‘voter backlash’ … P-O-T-T-S?

    It’s too early to say, but …

    Democrat Barnie Day has been whistling the ‘independent jingle’ for the past month.

    ~ the blue dog

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