Friday Rapid Response: "Bush in crisis"--has a nice ring to it

The following media action alert courtesy of the Oregon branch of the Rapid Response Network.

Oregon Report — Friday, October 28, 2005

Please, Father Fitzmas, if you love me at all…bring me a big shiny batch of indictments!

1. “Bush in crisis”: has a nice ring to it
2. Smith justifies vote for program cuts and Arctic drilling

1. “Bush in crisis”: has a nice ring to it
I like seeing this big headline on the cover of the Oregonian. Of course, who knows what the day will bring but at this writing it’s: Leak probe details to be released at noon ET (With Rove apparently not to be indicted “for now”—does this mean not at all?-- but still “under investigation”…is Turd Blossom dodging a bullet?)

Here’s an online poll at the Statesman Journal: White House counsel Harriet Miers said she withdrew her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court rather than give in to Senate demands for documents and information detailing her private advice to President Bush? Did she do the right thing? Do you agree with her rationale? What qualities should President Bush consider in seeking a replacement for Miers? And how soon should Bush act?

The first response to the poll parrots precisely Bush’s spin talking point about executive privilege. (Does Fox just plug a mind probe directly into these people?) Let’s get on it: http://news.statesmanjournal.com/survey_itk_form.cfm

Okay, after you comment on the poll, everybody please write in to the media outlet of your choice to counter the wails of “unfair attacks” and “criminalization of politics.”
I suggest using a tone of sorrow and regret, and to avoid gloating. The important thing, of course, is the harm this weak and dangerous president is doing to our country.

Side note: Not a huge deal, but the scale on the chart on the front page of the Oregonian which shows Bush’s fluctuating approval ratings (note they were just below 50% at the time of his “re-election”….cue grinding of teeth) only goes up to 80% rather than more accurately going up to 100%, which would reveal the full extent of the decline. Also, going back to post-9/11 heights (90%+ wasn’t it?) would be quite illustrative, given that Bush is constantly using the specter of 9/11 to try and recreate that moment in time when almost everyone was so scared out of their minds they thought he was a good leader.

letters@news.oregonian.com
Contact your elected representatives
letters@news.oregonian.com
Or contact your local paper
Drop a quick line to national media

2. Smith justifies vote for program cuts and Arctic drilling

Here’s the Jim Barnett article that appears in the O., which focuses on Smith’s ANWR flip-flop/betrayal of principle and doesn’t talk about the budget cuts:

Smith backs spending cuts despite oil-drilling provision

But let’s not forget the outrageous budget cuts which are being pushed through by the Republicans instead of cutting the tax cuts for the wealthy. Here’s a story that includes info on the bigger picture and includes this stunning quote: ``The problem we are facing as a nation is we are spending a lot more than we are taking in'' said Senator Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican and Budget Committee chairman. ``If we take action today, our children's burden will be less."

Please share your thoughts:
Contact your elected representatives
letters@news.oregonian.com
jim.barnett@newhouse.com
letters@news.oregonian.com
Or contact your local paper
Drop a quick line to national media

Call Senator Smith:
• Washington: 202.224.3753
• Portland: 503.326.3386

Never give up.
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Oregon RR is a group of volunteers dedicated to advancing the principles of
balance and truthfulness in the media.
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