Need to set up net-wide debate rapid response NOW! The campaign...didn't

[Romberry]

(Found at Salon Table Talk in the http://tabletalk.salon.com/webx?14@@.773a0a05/7599|Kerry 04> thread.)

Wired: Bush Team Prepares Net Assault

The Bush campaign threw the first punch. Earlier this week, it launched a massive rapid-response effort called to rebut challenger John Kerry's assertions during the debates. The campaign will provide a live feed to about 5,000 conservative blogs that subscribe to its news alerts.

Debate Facts is similar to the "war room" the Bush campaign and the Republican National Committee set up in Boston during the Democratic convention -- only much larger and more sophisticated.

"Our rapid-response effort is based on the premise that no attack or no misstatement will go unchallenged," said Michael Turk, director of the internet campaign. His team of four programmers has been working on the software for Debate Facts for the past six weeks.

...

The rapid-response effort by the Kerry campaign apparently won't be as comprehensive. When asked about Kerry's response operations early Wednesday afternoon, a representative said the campaign was still working on it. Amanda Michel, a member of Kerry's internet team, e-mailed members of its Media Corps -- supporters who contact newspapers, radio stations and TV shows -- telling them that the campaign would provide a response after the debate.

"Please make sure you check your e-mail the moment the debate ends," Michel's e-mail stated. "We can't provide you any more detail until the debate is over, except that all you'll need is access to e-mail and/or a telephone."

Michel also wrote that the Kerry campaign's blog will provide live commentary on the debates.

Clueless. Just clueless.

Folks, forums like DU and Table Talk might be useful to have open in a browser window during and after the debate but the place to be is not here. The place to "be" is on the forums at the New York Times, the Washington Post, Yahoo, PBS and others. I'm convinced that reporters for the major papers and media outlets check those forums which, sadly, tend to be filled with the most right-wing whackos you can imagine while progressives take refuge in "safe forums" like Table Talk and DU.

I would have expected the Kerry campaign to be revved up and ready to go on this one because I think it's obvious that you can't allow the well-coordinated right wing smear machine to get out ahead and put you behind the curve. Regardless of what actually happens in the debate, the "winner" will be determined among the majority that do not watch it through the spin that starts during the debate and in the minutes and hours that follow.

If you aren't registered with the forums at the NYT or WaPo or Yahoo, please consider registering today. We really ought to set up a coordinated response team to be on each of these forums (and others) pounding on the facts from the get-go.

There's some smart people here. We have about fourteen hours to put it together. Shall we?

[displacedtexan]

1. Easy there, Romberry.

Tens of thousands of Dems have volunteered at wwwjohnkerry.com to participate in tonight's media corps rapid response initiative.

volunteers will receive an email with specific instructions after the debate ends.

[Romberry]

2. AFTER the debate is too late!

Read the Wired article. Read the entire post. If we wait until AFTER, we are running uphill! What do I have to say to make you "get it"? What do I have to say to make the Kerry campaign "get it"? The Bushies aren't waiting for a reason. We have no room for complacency. Being complacent and "waiting to be told what to do" just gets us second place on November 2. No thanks.

[shockingelk]

7. I'll be updating my blog ...

Won't you?

Limbaugh and Hannity and Drudge and Novak and Carlson and Coulter and the WSJ editorial board ... already know what they're going to say: Bush made a great case and Kerry was vague or unrealistic or not to be believed ...

The problem is there's way more conservative voices in media opinion.

It's better to be smart than quick. We can say Bush is being fanciful about conditions in Iraq now. What's the difference if he makes up more stuff tomorrow night?

[Romberry]

8. Nope. Blogs are self-selecting...

...and basically of no use. You have to go where the action is and in this case that will be on all the radio call-in shows, local media interviews and on the forums of major media and internet outlets.

Blogs have their place but in this case they're just (again) a wonderful acoustic chamber for preaching to the choir.

[shockingelk]

10. I think all that will be happening too.

The problem is that there are a lot more and a lot louder conservative media voices.

The Bush view will predominate no matter what.

Have you seen this : http://www.thetwofacesofbush.com/

and these: http://www.johnkerry.com/mediacorps/- http://blog.johnkerry.com/rapidresponse/

Really the only thing that WIRED article does is show that Republicans are full of hype.

[Sliverofhope]

18. Kerry rapid response team info:

Join our rapid-response effort:

http://www.johnkerry.com/signup/mediacorps.php

As soon as the debate ends, we will e-mail you instructions. We can't provide you any more detail until the debate is over, except that all you'll need is access to e-mail and/or a telephone. Please make sure that you check your e-mail the moment the debate ends. Then, act as quickly as possible.

[cheshire]

19. Right after debate I get email for my response.

[lojasmo]

3. Hell no

I'm not going to waste my time making up for Kerry's poor campaign. I'm working for some progressive candidates here.

[Romberry]

5. That's the spirit!

Cut your nose off to spite your face. Good work!

[DarienComp]

23. Hey, good for you!

Your attitude is exactly what we need right now. We need more defeatism, not less. More complaining that Kerry isn't sufficiently progressive, not less.

Rather than actually going door-to-door, or doing phone banking, we should be spending our time complain that the Kerry people aren't doing enough. Should we actually go the extra mile to make sure that our guy wins? No way, what are we, Republicans?

[izzie]

4. I read about this from the news.

Interesting to see what this side will do.

[Romberry]

6. Ever heard this one?

If it is to be, it is up to me!

Some people (see a previous post) seem to be forgetting that the outcome of this debate and the election will affect all of us and our children, possibly for generations to come. Too many "sour grapes" over "Kerry's bad campaign" and other such nonsense.

We really need to have literally hundreds of people who are well informed posting to web and media forums all across the net tonight right from the start.

I don't want to wait around to "see what this side will do." I want to do it and have others join me.

Tonight, I pledge to be on the forums at the NY Times from the very start of the debate. I could use some company. It would also be nice to see some pledges for other (Yahoo, Slate, WaPo) forums. Anyone want to step up to the plate?

[Demit]

9. How about posting links to the forums? We lazy types respond to links

[Romberry]

14. It would be nice if you lazy types...

...responded to the threat of four more years of Bush and the idea that he may appoint two, three or even four justices to the Supreme Court.

The NY Times forums are linked from the front page of the NY Times at http://nytimes.com

The WaPo forums are likewise linked from the front page at http://washingtonpost.com

Yahoo forums? I only do the forums that are linked to news stories there.

[Demit]

17. your hostility is unwarranted. if you want us to "respond to the threat"

in the one way that you are prodding us to, by joining forums to comment on the debate, then help us out by giving more precise information. There must be about 30 forums at the NYT site alone to wade through.

You don't make any friends by being snide.

[oldsneakers]

11. already have my "Kerry was great" message ready

It will be faxed & emailed to every media source but faux.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Romberry]

13. I agree

Your contentless reply was pure BS. Thanks for pointing it out. :)

[Chiyo-chichi]

15. I'm with you, Romberry.

I will do the Kerry Media Corps assignment, too, but you have inspired me to hit the forums.

Do you think the national media forums are the best place -- or should some of us concentrate on swing state media forums?

FYI, all, the Center for American Progress had some good talking points here: Rapid Response

[L.A.dweller]

16. Thanks for posting this Romberry

We all know that the Right Wing has got a hold on the media. And we have to do our best to get our message out there.

[bobbyboucher]

20. Personally, I think

the Repubichairs are singing to their choir. The impressions that will be made will be made by Kerry and Bush on live TV. Screaming about it online afterward won't help much. The damage will have been done.

But, for what it's worth, I will register and blister the fuck out of anyone who dares cross me. Over and out.

[qanda]

21. Here's the email I just received from Terri McAuliffe

Tonight, don't let George Bush's henchmen steal another victory. We need your online help immediately after the debate, so save this email, print it out, and have it ready with you as you watch the first Presidential debate tonight.

We all know what happened in 2000. Al Gore won the first debate on the issues, but Republicans stole the post-debate spin. We are not going to let that happen again, and you will play a big role.

Immediately after the debate, we need you to do three things: vote in online polls, write a letter to the editor, and call in to talk radio programs. Your 10 minutes of activism following the debate can make the difference.

Vote
National and local news organizations will be conducting online polls during and after the debate asking for readers' opinions. Look for online polls at these national news websites, and make sure to vote in every one of them:

ABC News: http://www.abcnews.com/
CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/
CNN: http://www.cnn.com/
Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/
MSNBC: http://www.msnbc.com/
USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/
And be sure to check the websites of your local newspapers and TV stations for online polls. It is crucial that you do this in the minutes immediately following the debate.

Write
Immediately after the debate, go online and write a letter to the editor of your local paper. If you feel John Kerry commanded the debate and had a clear plan for fixing the mess in Iraq, put it in your letter. If you feel George Bush dodged tough questions on Iraq and didn't level with voters, put it in your letter.

With just a few clicks, you can write your letter at our online media center:

http://www.democrats.org/media/

Call
Do you listen to national or local call-in shows on the radio? How about on TV? Call them and let them know what you thought of John Kerry's plan to keep America secure and George Bush's continuing refusal to admit the truth about his record.

Here are some national shows to get you started. (All times are Eastern.)

Air America (all day): 646-274-2346
Alan Colmes (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.): 212-301-5900
Ed Shultz (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.): 701-232-1525
Bev Smith (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.): 412-325-4197
Doug Stephen (5 a.m. 10 a.m.): 1-800-510-8255
Find shows in your area on our media website:

http://www.democrats.org/media/find.html

Your actions immediately after the debate tonight can help John Kerry win on November 2. Make your voice heard!

Don't forget to visit our 2004 Debate Center before, during, and after the debate for important information, including questions Bush must answer, a Bush/Kerry contrast on keeping America safe, and Bush Debate Bingo, a game you can play with friends during the debate.

http://www.democrats.org/debates/

And after the debate, check your email for a very special message.

Thank you,


Terry McAuliffe
Chairman

PS: Make sure to forward this email to at least 10 other people who will be watching the debate. Also, give printed out copies to your friends, family members, coworkers and neighbors and get them involved.

[John_H]

22. I'll help as soon as dem spokespeople and surrogates help themselves.

If they actually fight during the first 15 minutes of post debate spin, i'm in.