The Washington Post is reporting that the folks who brought you swiftboating are back and set to begin a multimillion dollar campaign designed to attack Obama.
Here's the deal:
From the Post article, Group With Swift Boat Alumni Readies Ads Attacking Obama,
A new group financed by a Texas billionaire and organized by some of the same political operatives and donors behind the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against Sen. John F. Kerry in 2004 plans to begin running television ads attacking Barack Obama, a signal that independent groups may play a larger role than anticipated in the closing days of the presidential race.
Time to act. One of the major problems with the swiftboat attacks from 2004 was that they were not answered effectively by the Kerry campaign. We cannot let that happen again. These people are going to use the same tactics as last time.
They'll lie, distort, and stretch any truth, half-truth, or fantasy in an effort to keep get McSame into office.
They're serious:
The American Issues Project has amassed a multimillion-dollar fund, and the group is putting the final touches on an eleventh-hour campaign targeting the Democratic presidential nominee, sources said.
Of course, it'll be the same crap as last time. Luckily, there's already some response in the works.
The resurgence on the right appears as though it will not go unanswered. The Service Employees International Union is set to unveil a multimillion-dollar television campaign on Monday, and other liberal and Democratic-aligned groups are rushing to establish financing for efforts over the final weeks of the campaign.
So, how can you help?
First, donate to Obama. You've heard it a million time, but let's say it again:
Any Amount Helps
$5, $10, $25, $50, whatever. This is people powered. The other day I overheard one of my students saying that she'd eat Ramen noodles between now and November in order to give more to Barack Obama. She donates $2, and $5 at a time, despite the fact that her Republican parents give her crap about it.
Second, go support the SIEU. They're mounting a campaign to fight this. Help out.
Third, do something. Put a sign in your yard. Chat up a neighbor. Form a local group. Make noise. Write a letter.
Don't write off the power of these groups to effect change. They can, as we have seen.
Get involved!