Boo! Scare tactics aren't working

The Electronic Frontier Foundation reports in  Anonymous GOP Operatives Surprised that Fearmongering Isn't Working:

"Deceptive exploitation of Americans' fears of terrorism has been a central weapon in the GOP's campaign to prevent phone companies from being held accountable for lawbreaking. Two weeks ago, EFF looked at the evidence and concluded that this strategy would fail to sway voters.

Today, events have borne that prediction out. From the subscription-only Congress Daily newsletter:

House Republican attempts to gain political traction against Democrats on the delayed overhaul of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act aren't having the impact GOP operatives had hoped for. Despite past political success pushing it as a national security issue, Republican and Democratic lawmakers and senior aides said privately they are surprised by the limited response. "It's almost got no traction," said one surprised senior aide to a Democratic lawmaker. The chief of staff to a southern Republican added: "We're not hearing much of anything on FISA. Clearly it is something folks have concerns about, but I thought it would have been a bit louder." . . ."

That is what we're hearing.  People are mad, but not at Congressman Walz. And the EFF reports that Walz responded aggressively:

While these ads won't sway voters, it's less certain whether they'll sway Congresspeople. Many of the targeted Representatives have kept quiet so far. But many have responded brilliantly. . .
.
. . .. . .Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota and Rep. Mike Arcuri of NY have . . . made strong and smart statements.

Whoever your Representative is, it always helps to phone or email them and tell them where you stand!

First District residents offended by the ad's insult to their intelligence and civil liberties should call his district office and let him know they want him to stand up to this fearmongering. He should stand with the RESTORE Act.

Comments

[MinnesotaCentral]

What is the Life of a Fear-mongering Ad ?

Bush has proven to be ineffective in exploiting this issue … if this was a serious issue, he wouldn’t have gone to Africa … and he would have called Congress into session. Now, it’s been over 2 weeks and he still can’t get the media attention that he wants. The longer this drags on the more the ad loses its message. IF this was so critical, why haven’t Norm Coleman, John Kline or Michele Bachmann been holding daily press conferences clamoring for passage … don’t they care … or do they know it’s a scam?