Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) is a tactic of rhetoric used in sales, marketing and public relations. FUD is generally a strategic attempt to influence public perception by disseminating negative (and vague) information. An individual firm, for example, might use FUD to invite unfavorable opinions and speculation about a competitor’s product; to increase the general estimation of switching costs among current customers; or to maintain leverage over a current business partner who could potentially become a rival.
The term originated to describe disinformation tactics in the computer hardware industry and has since been used more broadly. FUD is a manifestation of the appeal to fear.
One of the reasons why I’m kept at a comfortable distance from many of our more partisan Democratic allies is that I like to keep good relationships with Republicans. I work hard to stay in the loop and go overboard to try and respect their perspective even though I disagree with it. I’m about as liberal as they come, but that and $4.10 still only buys me a venti carmel macchiato.
So a little while ago I heard something that impressed the hell out of me. One of Jean Schmidt’s secret weapons seems to be that she’s kept surprisingly good relationships with quite a few on top of the Hamilton County Democratic Party food chain. Hey… she’s bringing in the pork… people go back a long way.. there are many enemies of her enemies… and as long as the spice flows, who cares?
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt is Congresswoman Jean Schmidt because of lack of hustle by Hamilton County Democrats. For some reason they always seem to be focusing on the 1st when go time rolls around. Her public persona may be that of “Mean Jean”, but I’m not so sure that local Democratic powerbrokers see it that way.
JEFFERSON TWP., Montgomery County — A student was struck and killed Friday after getting off a school bus in the 6400 block of Derby Road near Union Road, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Deputies were called to the 6400 block of Derby about 3:15 p.m. on a report of a child struck by a vehicle.
On the first website I ever created for myself I put up the motto remember what’s important. Sometimes it’s easy to forget.
It bugs me that Congresswoman Schmidt treats the fears and personal tragedies of her constituents with all the gravity of a fashion accessory, but in this case it’s better than nothing at all.
Word is that Jean Schmidt is turning monied heads thanks to an internal poll showing the Congresswoman holding a 68% lead over Phil Heimlich in next year’s Republican primary. They’re also pleasantly surprised that her negatives are starting to go down now that her minority status has relegated her to naming post offices, flying around the world on the tax payer’s dime, and bringing the bacon to downtown Cincinnati. Republicans losing power was probably the best thing that could have happened to her. I’m told that they’re planning on releasing it in a few weeks. Schmidt released a similar one last time around against McEwen.
We’re also waiting for the announcement from “Time Waster” Tom Brinkman to enter the race as well so that he can insure a Schmidt primary victory by splitting the anti-mean vote. Personally, we here at the Ohio 2nd sports desk would love to see a Schmidt Brinkman one on one right wingnut v. right wingnuttier death match just for the pure blissful carnage that would ensue. Surely there must be a job as Indian Hill dog catcher that can be pawned off on Heimlich so that we can get the blood fest that the voters demand. If I were a Republican I’d be contacting my Party chair now.
All the major FEC Q2 numbers are in and Congresswoman Jean Schmidt is in fourth place with $115,965 in net receipts and $85,169 cash on hand. Challenger Phil Heimlich has $166,384 in net receipts and $141,069 cash on hand. (Click the $$$ button on the right to get the raw numbers)
Both Republicans are lagging behind their Democratic challengers, matching a national trend. Not something I would have expected in the heart of Bush country.
This has all the makings of a cascade failure for the grand ol’ party. What a fitting end that would be to the House the Rove built.
The netroots are pleased with DSCC efforts to pressure GOP Senators up in ‘08 with television buys in their home states tying them to Pres. Bush on Iraq. MyDD’s Jonathan Singer blogs: “So this is what I’d like to see more of, not only from the party committees but also from the outside groups who purport to want to forward the progressive cause. Begin running ads when an issue is still on the public’s mind. Run ads when the momentum is on your side and just a little more of a push could win even more support for your efforts.” Open Left’s Matt Stoller adds: “Senator Schumer is media savvy, and my read is that this ad is designed more as a statement of DSCC priorities than a real attempt to knock down McConnell’s numbers. But stating those priorities, while Democratic elites and liberal groups plan their strategies for 2008, is a critical part of building a narrative of vulnerability.”
Also at Open Left, Chris Bowers highlights the efforts Americans Against Escalation in Iraq in pressuring Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) on the war. Bowers blogs: “We saw moderate Republicans wiped out in the Northeast last cycle, it’s looking like a new crop of Republicans in suburban districts like that of Kirk are endangered. If only the Blue Dogs and New Dems would wizen up, we could actually stop the war.”
Well.. I never thought it would happen but Jean Schmidt has actually blinked on Iraq.
When I first heard that the group “Americans Against Escalation In Iraq” was campaigning in the district to get Congresswoman Schmidt to drop her support for the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, I thought to myself good luck with that one. I’ve never seen a more diehard supporter of President Bush’s policy in Iraq than Jean Schmidt.
Here’s what Schmidt was saying two years ago when she was running against Iraq veteran Paul Hackett:
I have been traveling around the district for the last four months, telling the folks that I’ve met that I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush on the war on terror, and as your representative in Congress I’ll work with Congress and the President to finish the job in Iraq and make sure we continue to take the battle to the terrorists, so they don’t create another 9-11 and bring that battle here.
No one wants to be at war. War is an action of last resort. I was not in Congress when our country voted to go to war. Like most, I am not happy with our pace of progress. However, having now traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan twice and met with dozens of foreign diplomats the only current choice we have is to finish the mission. That is not the easiest choice but it is the only one that will lead to a safer region and world. I do not defend the mistakes that have been made in the past.
Hey… it isn’t her fault. It’s not like she would have voted for it if she was a member of Congress then. SNARK Suddenly Mrs Cowards Cut and Run is cutting and running for her own passionate support for President Bush. Talk about rats from a sinking ship.
I must say that I am impressed. In a few short weeks Americans Against Escalation in Iraq has gotten Schmidt’s chief cheerleader in the House to stab our President right in the back.
The group will be having an organization meeting 6:30pm this Thursday, July 12th at the Hyde Park Branch Library, 2747 Erie Street, Cincinnati.
Perhaps with a little work we can get Schmidt to put as much passion into bringing our men and women home from Iraq as she does in fighting the delays in her weekly commute.
Congresswoman Jean Schmidt is getting some real traction from her work on flight delays. This is a good example of how someone sitting in the minority position can use their office. While many Democrats are assuming that defeating her will be a cakewalk, I’m beginning to wonder if she’s getting a hang out of this whole politicing thingy.
She was recently quoted in Time magazine on the subject and yesterday she issued a press release documenting her getting tough with the administration over the issue:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ben LaRocco
Thursday July 5, 2007 Phone (office) 202.225.3164
Schmidt Continues Work on Flight Data Reporting
Schmidt asks Secretary Peters not to wait for Congress to act
Washington, D.C. - With continued public outrage at airline flight delays, Congresswoman Jean Schmidt asked Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters to administratively implement H.R. 2662, her bill to collect data on cancelled and diverted flights.
Currently, flights which experience tarmac delays are not recorded as delayed if the flight is diverted to another airport, or the flight is cancelled before takeoff and returns to the gate. H.R. 2662 would require that all tarmac delays are reported to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. It is estimated that due to this reporting loophole, tarmac delays could be underreported by up to 50%.
“This is a serious problem that needs immediate attention. It seems every day a new story comes out about people who are trapped in a plane for hours on end or travelers who are stranded because of missed, delayed or cancelled flights,” said Schmidt. “Each one of those flights is full of parents trying to get home to their children, loved ones failing to connect, and thousands of dollars of lost commerce due reduced productivity or missed meetings.”
“While I am very pleased Chairman Oberstar included the language from my bill in H.R. 2881, the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill, but Secretary Peters does not need to wait for this legislation to pass. We need to act now to begin compiling the data to solve this problem, and alleviate these stressful and inconvenient delays,” concluded Schmidt.
Nevertheless, Back early on in the special when I was researching then candidate Jean Schmidt, I remember finding occasional glimpses of a competent politician that she seemed to need to hide under a cover of jingoistic parroting of the Republican agenda cum nightmare.
The problem is that while she’s hitting hard on the after taste of the rampant free market she so passionately champions, thousands of American soldiers or fighting and dying in Iraq. If only she could be as hard hitting on that issue, instead of just pinning it to her dress.
