In the 2012 elections, Senator Claire McCaskill faced long odds- President Obama was likely to lose her state by a healthy margin (he ended up losing by about ten percent). In the spirit of bare-knuckle politics, McCaskill decided to get a little involved in the Republican primary to have a shot at picking her own opponent.
She ran ads during the Republican primary attacking Todd Akin of being “too conservative.” Her spot “accused” Akin of being a “crusader against bigger government,” “Missouri’s true conservative,” and having a “pro-family agenda.”
Doesn’t sound like it would be a particularly effective ad against Akin running in a Republican primary? Sounds almost like it could boost his chances?
Of course it did. McCaskill got her opponent, and ended up winning by 16 percent even as President Obama took his drubbing from Romney.
This is a technique called “ratfucking” where a political party will try and boost the weaker candidate in a primary in order to improve their chances in the general election.
That brings us to today, with a new ad in Iowa accusing Bernie Sanders of being “too liberal” on the eve of the caucuses.
Does that sound like a message designed to hurt Sanders? Does it sound like these people are afraid of him? Or does it sound like Republicans want to boost Sanders in the caucuses so they can have a shot at facing him next November?
Listen to how they frame the issues in this ad.
Senator Bernie Sanders has some very big plans. Bernie wants to provide free college for our young people. No tuition- completely free. Now Bernie’s doubling down with Medicare for all, which is basically single payer government sponsored health care.
No big insurance companies, just more government spending paid for by raising taxes on Wall Street, big business and the super-rich. Senator Bernie Sanders- too liberal for Iowa!
Now, if you believe that they’re running this ad to harm Bernie then I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Look at the parts in bold. This is a classic ratfucking campaign, designed to boost Bernie next Monday in hopes that he defeats Hillary, or at least stays in the race long enough to damage her in the general election.
You may disagree with their conclusion that Bernie is a weaker opponent in the general election, but there can be no doubt that Karl Rove’s ad and this new one are 100% about helping Sanders to harm Democratic chances next November.
Tuesday, Jan 26, 2016 · 9:15:48 PM +00:00
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TobyRocksSoHard
Since we’ve ended up with a lot of trolling and anger in the comments right off the bat, I’d just like to clarify a bit.
This diary is not about who is the stronger or weaker general election candidate.
It is about who Republicans THINK that candidate is, and about a pretty bald-faced tactic to push that candidate.
There is no attack on Sanders stated or implied in the diary. There is no suggestion that people should not support him as a result of what the Republicans think.
This is simply discussing an ad that was released in Iowa and what I think is a pretty obvious interpretation of it.
Please, folks. You really need to calm down with the anger and hatred. It isn't helping Bernie at all.