District 3 House candidate and Blogger David Newquist gives a lesson: What to say in SD when you don't want to be elected.
Northern Valley Beacon blog author Dave Newquist is no stranger to saying controversial things on his blog. But as SDP points out, this comment from him on CCK's blog is particularly worthy of notice since he's a candidate for the legislature:
David Newquist, Democratic candidate for the state legislature, questions whether the American flag is even worth saluting anymore:A flag is a symbol. It symbolizes our history, our aspirations, our values. Of course it is upsetting to see someone desecrate our national symbol. But the Bush administration would like to get the nation in a raging furor, while it quietly erodes, undermines, and desecrates our Constitutional rights and protections.
When the New York Times published a story on tapping into international financial transactions, the Bushites railed that the newspaper was endangering the nation and that the 3,000 people killed during 9/11 were being violated. Of course, they never mention the 2,500 of our finest troops sent to slaughter in a war that the Bush administration cannot find a reason for.
In totalitarian societies, it is a practice to criminalize those who protest by committing acts against cherished symbols. The state rages against the desecraters, while it desecrates the values of freedom, equality, justice.
And if the flag in fact represents what this nation has become under George W. Bush, well do you really want to salute it?
For someone who is quite educated, I'd argue that Dave says a lot of things that leaves many people scratching their heads, and asking themselves "He's really running for office in South Dakota?"
Is the flag worth saluting? Absolutely. You never saw a single Republican asking that question when Clinton was in office enjoying pleasures of the flesh. Because it's a symbol of our entire nation, not just one man. Whether you agree with the president or not, respect the flag, the country, and the citizens who fought for it so we could live in freedom.
As we approach our nations' Independence day I hope you all can not only salute it once but twice. Once out of personal respect, and another time to make up for Dave's inability to do it.
Comments
I liked the pre-election season PP a lot better than the one we've seen lately.
David Newquist blog said "However, that tactic still works in McPherson County, which a campaigner from the last election says is a hotbed of intolerance and repression."
First we call the voters names and then we ask for their vote. Chad did the same thing yesterday when he said "I don't have a problem with Catholics. I have a problem with the guys who wear the collar and the fancy robes.
I have absolutely no respect for an organization that looks the other way to sexual molestation for decades and then decides they are going to tell their members to vote "values" or they are going to hell."
The liberals strategy is to call the voters names and then ask for their support. The liberals will continue to be a minority as long as they continue this strategy. They are blind to this failure of stategy.
"Democracy is failing, and Aberdeen is a case study of how and why."
Aberdeen American News 4-27-04
Isn't it the Democrats that have been telling us people want to hear more about education/health care/economic development ("meat & potato" issues)? I'm not sure a quasi-philosophical diatribe about what the flag may or may not stand for at this point in time is going to win over too many voters.
It doesn't matter what comes before or after ... but only that little blurb that sticks in the mind of the voter at the poll or in the mind of that journalist as he is trying desperately to figure out what that candidate is blathering about. So blather away Mr/Mrs. Candidate ...I found a sound bite and that's the only thing that matters in your speech / letter.
But since the only hacks ignoring this advice are ones who actually read and agree with Newquist ... good for you. ;) Keep up the good work.
When Dave's opponents send out that postcard, do you think they're going to include the entire posting? Or is it going to be the soundbite?
You've earned what you have worked so hard for.
Using Soundbites to a candidates advantage is not a goal - or what might be - it's what it is, now. and frankly, it's been going on for YEARS!! "the buck stops here", "chicken in every pot", "walk softly & carry a big stick", "remember the alamo"; not a new concept in politics.
"I am not sure whether falsifying a rhetorical question by turning it into an assertion that was never made is a failure of mind or a deliberate attempt at falsification."
Brilliant.
I'd like to think it was a falsification, but based on what I have seen on this site, my guess is that it is a mix between ideological blindness and failure of mind.
I believe I quit trying to find intellectual stimulation at this site when Pat used of the term "irregardless" in a post.
Now I just check to see what the wingnuts who are slightly more savvy than the Hillbilly are thinking.
God, what PP would have to rant about if he was around for the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
You're right. Campaigning has changed. And politics has become a contest of who can put up the most stimuli to get all the dogs out there to salivate.
Got your drool bibs on, babies?
This blog has a lot of campaign strategy posts - I think PP's just saying be careful what you say and/or write when you're campaigning. Regardless of how sophisticated you think (or want) voters to be, little things like the 2nd half of a rhetorical question will at the very least cause problems.
His opponents should take out an ad that gives his blog address. The more he writes, the more he marginalizes himself.