RK ARCHIVE - He's Gonna Tell the Truth!

I have stumbled on this one in the past few weeks when it has come up bit I nailed it today. I was wearing a Webb brochure in my shirt pocket on the Metro coming home from DC to Virginia and struck up a conversation with a quiet fellow Democratic passenger. There was an army officer in front of us and we were talking softly about the drain our country is now circling and how we need people like Jim Webb in office to help stop the disaster. Eventually the Army officer turned around and asked me "Yea, but what's he gonna do about Iraq?" He said it like he just pulled it off the official GOP teletype of talking points; certain he had delivered the final word.

Without even thinking, I softly blurted out: "He's gonna tell the truth"
You could have heard a pin drop and the look on the guys face was like I just informed him there was no Santa Claus. I followed up with "Jim Webb told the truth before it was popular to oppose the war and he'll tell the truth in the US Senate" It was an awkward moment and the Army officer turned back around without a reply. The guy I had been talking to had a wide eyed look of pleasant surprise but didn't say anything for a while because he was quiet and polite.

I think this answer really hits a chord and I have come across the question several times over the past few weeks. If you come across it too try this answer out.

If they bring up gas prices or that all politicians are corrupt, point out Webb has received no money from oil companies while Allen has received over $800,000 from big oil and $126,000 in this election cycle so far.

If they bring up immigration, inform them the Republicans legalized border crossing back in the '80s to break the back of the unions. Reagan changed it from illegal to an "Administrative Fault" and that's why the people who cross the border are not arrested or sent to jail or court. They are returned to Mexico to try again.

Finally, if you are asked about smaller government and "tax relief," say that both were both a scam. Taking $8 trillion from our children and passing it off as "tax relief" is a shell game that is bankrupting our future. See what reaction you get when you tell the truth!

Comments

Also Links to "Macaca" Lies and to George Bush (bb10 - 8/23/2006 8:36:14 AM)

I really like your answer, in part because it helps remind people of all the "dancing around" that Allen and his campaign staff have done on the "macaca" racial slur. And, it connects to all the lies that King George has told. (I think recent polls have indicated that a majority of Americans don't think King George is honest.)

And, yes, please do a diary for DailyKos and describe the encounter on the subway. Your reply is one that a lot of Democratic candidates around the country could use this year.

Terrific!! (summercat - 8/23/2006 9:20:38 AM)

Loved your account--and your pithy responses to GOP questioners. High time for Dems to stop them in their tracks. The GOP watchword is "venal incompetence." Who else would deal with security problems in NY by sending HS money to Iowa and Indiana? Who else would function as tho "Reality bites" is a way of life?

Catalog truthful talking points (jldtifft - 8/23/2006 11:43:28 AM)

Is there a checklist list of truthful facts somewhere that us progressives can use? Yes, I know about FactCheck.org, TomPaine, CAP, Rockridge, etc etc. But I mean some kind of database of documented facts and images that undercut Republican lying; a reference tool, in effect. I didn't know, for example, that George Allen is NOT a native Virginian. I didn't know the time line of immigration reform actions over the past generation that Todd cites above. It would be great to have such a reference we could check. Hard truths might get through brick-wall Republicans who won't consider another point of view but are supposed to be practical bottom-liners.

Also I think Todd's excellent ideas need further broadcasting. Have you tried Kos, or the Huffington Post, Todd?

Ok It's up on Kos (Todd Smyth - 8/23/2006 9:40:31 PM)

I am out of email range during the day for a while but will try to keep up.

He's Gonna Tell the Truth!
http://www.dailykos....