Film and Election Politics Cross in 'Fahrenheit 9/11'

[Rose Siding]

snip>
Its release later this month appears to mark the first time that a film slamming a major presidential candidate has opened on screens across the nation in the final months of a campaign. At the same time, the movie is producing a global publicity extravaganza for Moore and Miramax Film founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who bought the film after Walt Disney Co. refused to let Miramax release it.

The scramble to bring the dark, often satirical film to U.S. movie screens is blending Hollywood and presidential politics in ways never seen in a race for the White House. While the filmmakers deny any overt effort to promote the candidacy of the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, their efforts fall clearly in sync with the campaign to unseat Bush.

To anticipate and fend off the criticism that already is brewing, Moore has set up a "war room" populated by former Clinton White House operatives plotting swift counterattacks on Bush supporters who question the film's credibility.

To lead the effort, Moore has hired Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani, former political advisors to Bill Clinton and Al Gore. "Employing the Clinton strategy of '92, we will allow no attack on this film to go without a response immediately," Moore said Thursday. "And we will go after anyone who slanders me or my work, and we will do it without mercy. And when you think 'without mercy,' you think Chris Lehane."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-et-moore11jun11,1,1854646.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[sadiesworld]

1. I'm glad to see that they are on top of this.

The accusations that it is a "pack of lies" will be fast and furious.

[Bandit]

9. It is hard to call an interview a pack of lies unless they are saying the

person being interviewed is lying, and most of the ones interviewed are their people. That is the beauty of this particular film. It isn't conjecture it is fact and mostly using their own wording.

[Catfight]

2. "now watch this drive," president appointed Bush in the film...

Go Michael GO! I LOVE the truth!

[Trajan]

3. This is wonderful ....

NEVER relent in defending the TRUTH about the BFEE ...

Moore has the gravitas now to stand up to this cabal ...

John Kerry ? ... are you LISTENING ?

[DakotaDemocrat]

4. Good work MM!

"And when you think 'without mercy,' you think Chris Lehane."

I wonder if Chris would put that on his resume. Wasn't he with Clark?

[ewagner]

5. It may get ugly

Lehane is a street fighter.

[yellowcanine]

7. After what Lehane did to Kerry (flogging the "intern" story), I don't

approve using his services, even to nail shrub. Using someone of his ilk just brings discredit on the cause of beating shrub.

[ewagner]

8. I agree

I hope MM can keep Lehane's baser instincts in check.

[Spazito]

13. There is no proof that Lehane flogged that intern story...

it was third party hearsay which means it is garbage, imo.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

19. Sorry, but the NeoCons have gone too far on ALL levels...

...it's time to fight fire with fire. Hit hard, fast, and often...and leave no NeoCon behind.

[Teaser]

22. A gun is a gun

Just gotta aim it right, that's all.

[Bandit]

10. It is already "Ugly" ~ Moore is just showing the people that ugliness.

:shrug: Truth is not something the right wants to hear.

[ewagner]

11. Sorry if I was unclear

I was referring to Lehane's tendencies and not the film or the RW attacks that are already taking place.

I hope Lehane is kept in check to the extent that he stays with the truth and facts and doesn't dive into any area that will discredit MM or the film.

[calimary]

20. GOOD. That's what we need. Paging John Kerry! YOU need this, too.

INSTANT response. INSTANT. You do NOT let the dust settle on the attacks, or the attackers. You do NOT let them get the last word, or let any of their words settle on others' ears UNACCOMPANIED by a forceful and proper rebuttal. You DO NOT ALLOW the spinning attacks to settle in and become misconstrued as fact. YOU DO NOT.

[Enraged_Ape]

6. Don't know how they could accuse this film of being a "pack of lies"

when it appears from the preview that Moore pretty much lets these bastards hang themselves through their own speech and actions.

"The haves, and the have mores, or as I like to call you, my base..."

"Now watch this drive..."

Chickenhawk congressmen running away from enlistment papers...

[Journeyman]

15. Oh, I'm sure we'll get a lot of the "taken out of context" crap. . .

but we'll never hear from them exactly what context makes such statements ring true.

[Immad2]

12. It is great to see someone defend themselves...

with more than a "I did too" type of response.I hope John Kerry takes note. Go get'em Michael:bounce: an no mercy !

[HereSince1628]

21. welcome aboard !

:)

[Kbick]

14. If you have any extra Cell Phone Minutes

The Carteret County Young Democrats are trying to get Fahrenheit 9/11 shown in one of our local movie theater.

One problem: Carteret County is rural and Republican leaning. The Passion of Christ just stopped playing 2 weeks ago.

Our Solution: A Calling Campaign.
We have sent out the word to our local progressives, liberals, Democrats, and whoever else, to call the local Theater and ask if they will be playing Fahrenheit 9/11.

Now I know it might be slightly unethical to have out-of-towners calling and leaving a polite message on the theater's answering machine, so I would not ask for anyone to do that.

However, if you live, or are planning on living, or going on vacation to one of the following towns: Atlantic Beach, Morehead City, Emerald Island, Beaufort, or Sea level. I am sure it would be all right for you to call.

The phone number is 252-247-1817. You will get an answering machine for Atlantic Station Cinemas in Atlantic Beach, NC.

Just leave a nice polite message stating that you live in one of the above towns and wanted to know if they will be playing Fahrenheit 9/11.

We appreciate your help.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

16. O'Reilly and Hannity are already talking about the film

saying that they are not going to even watch it, why should they bother with such blatant propaganda? it will be interesting to see how the try to combat the movie once its content if revealed in full.

[progressivebydesign]

17. Liars.. they are SO going to watch it! N/T

[4_Legs_Good]

18. Fantastic! You go Mr. Moore

Great idea!

david

[Occulus]

23. here's a disturbing statement, though,

from the article:

"How much influence the film might have is a matter of dispute. Bill Carrick, a Democratic campaign consultant, said its effect would be negligible. He likened it to the talk radio shows of Rush Limbaugh and other hosts whose listeners hold firm, unyielding opinions on Bush.

"I don't think it's a place where you're going to persuade anybody — a Michael Moore movie," Carrick said. "The audience is too small. It's a self-selecting group of people."

THIS is what the Dems' consultants think of Rush et al? No wonder the Dems have appeared to be spinless for the past three years or so.