Ken Mehlman on "Anti-Incumbent Sentiment" (spot the talking points)

RNC Chair Ken Mehlman on Anti-Incumbent Sentiment
Sunday, August 27, 2006

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,210671,00.html



This is a partial transcript from "The Journal Editorial Report," August 26, 2006, that has been edited for clarity.

PAUL GIGOT, HOST: This week, the Republican governor of Alaska finished third in a primary with only 19 percent of the vote. Nineteen percent for an incumbent is almost unheard of. Are we watching a big anti-incumbent tide form between now and November?

MEHLMAN: Well, Paul, I think every election is going to be different. It's going to be a choice between the candidates on the ballot. I do think that all over the country a lot of voters want change. And they want to see changes in policy. The question is what kind of change do they want? I don't think most voters believe that their taxes ought to increase a lot. And I don't think they believe we ought to eliminate tools that are keeping us safe and weak in America on the war on terror. But unfortunately, that is what many of the Democrats are offering. I don't think Americans are going to go there.

GIGOT: Well, Republicans ran in 2004 promising to do certain things. And they've controlled the government since that time. They promise to reform Social Security — didn't happen; promised to make the tax cuts permanent — didn't happen; talked about tax reform and health reform — didn't happen. What kind of a record are you going to bring to the voters this year to say, look, we deserve re-election because we've done something the last two years?

MEHLMAN: Well, as I said, I think every election will be a choice based on what's on the ballot. Here's what I think Republicans will be able to go and say. They'll be able to go and say we reauthorize the Patriot Act, which is critical to defending America, and has helped make sure there hasn't been another attack on the country, even though the Democrats tried to block us and kill the Patriot Act. They'll be able to say we passed tax cuts again this year. The fifth year in a row we've had tax cuts signed into law, even though the Democrats opposed us. They'll be able to say we put forward outstanding nominees, like Sam Alito and John Roberts on the court, even though many Democrats believe that we ought to have a litmus test against people who want to interpret the law on the court. We'll be able to say, for the first time in a generation, we've passed tort reform and a comprehensive energy strategy, even though Democrats oppose it. We'll be able to say that Americans no longer will have to choose between prescription drugs and food for their families or for electricity bills, even though Democrats opposed that too. And we'll able to say fundamentally — each election being different -- there's a national choice. And the choice is do you believe that critical tools, like the Patriot Act, like the surveillance program, like missile defense — all of those tools that are keeping us safe as we face a global war against an Islamic fascist enemy — should we weaken those tools? Should we eliminate those tools? That would make Americans less safe. And unfortunately, that's what Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will give us if they're in the majority.

the Supreme Court. This Act cuts our Constitution at its knees. It was passed to take our rights away. If anyone can actually stand up and say it was a good thing, I think I will throw up. There is nothing Patriotic about that piece of rubbish.. it ought to be burned. What will you all do when the govt goes after you.. holds you in detention camps... its going to happen if we don't throw that that shit out and every single congressional representative that voted for it. They are not representing the people with that Act...

...are the exact reasons I oppose these proto-fascist bastards. "Outstanding nominees"...for the corporations. The Patriot Act, illegal domestic spying, an energy strategy of drill more, use more, pass along what we "save" in tax cuts to oil companies. Tax cuts? Sorry, just didn't see the impact on my bottom line. The GOP has cost we Americans far too much, in time, in money, and in lives. They must go.

I took notes in my Sudoku puzzle book when Mehlman was being interviewed By John Stewart on the Daily Show (awhile back). ...I wanted to make sure I heard right so I re-watched the 1:00 AM broadcast (wish I had a blank video tape).

According to Mehlman, we have "265,000 Iraqi troops already trained". He was talking off the top of his head, that's double the amount of troops we have there. He's so use to lying, he didn't notice that his lie would have opened the door to our leaving Iraq. According to Ken, Iraqis stood-up, -we should standing-down.

When Stewart said, "I have sympathy for you, your job is to spray perfume on these turds". Mehlman laughed, as if to say, 'I hear ya'. ... :patriot:

By Jove, that's brilliant! How much does the RNC pay Mehlman to come up with these tremendous insights? Whatever it is, it's not enough. Not enough by half!

An election is a choice. Holy smokes, don't you feel smarter just reading that?