Miller's "race card" to backfire?

By: relawson
Published On: 6/10/2006 3:29:01 PM

If I were the Miller campaign, I would chill with these trumped up charges.  Here is what happens.

Step 1 - wingnut says "OMFG!!!  Webb may be racist!!!"

Step 2 - good Democrat says "Really?  We can't stand for that!"

Step 3 - wingnut: "yeah Dude - check out this link..."

Step 4 - good D: "Ok...hmmm...wait that doesn't look racist to me.  Is Harris Miller really a lobbyist?  Does he really want to outsource my job?"

Step 5 - Vote for Jim Webb.  Ignore wingnuts.

Comments



Yeah, this probably won't stick (Craig - 6/10/2006 5:25:38 PM)
unless you're already unfavorably disposed toward Webb, enough to actually believe such a vile story.

Almost nobody who's seen the cartoon thinks it's racist in any way (except apparently Thomas Paine).



...ay, there's the rub... (Loudoun County Dem - 6/10/2006 5:32:48 PM)
Take a look at the image in the Richmond Times-Dispatch story...

Notice anything missing???

They have removed the text that is damaging to Miller...

Hmmmmm



Here is the missing text... (Loudoun County Dem - 6/10/2006 5:35:06 PM)
Harris Miller, a corporate lobbyist, made his fortune by advocating the outsourcing of American jobs. Called the "anti-Christ of outsourcing," Miller claims outsourcing "is good for the American economy."3

For the few jobs that are left behind, Miller worked equally hard to increase the number of foreign workers coming in to work for lower wages. Miller's efforts have driven down wages and benefits for all American workers.

The AFL-CIO has labeled Miller "truly one of the bad guys."4

In February of this year the AFL-CIO commented, "Over and over again on core issues like trade, immigration, overtime protections and privatization of federal jobs, he's not only been on the wrong side, he's been galvanizing corporate efforts against us."

1. Attributed to Amrie Antoinette shortly before she was beheaded in 1793.
2. Hindu Business Line, 10/15/2004
3. Information Week, 01/09/2006
4. Michael W. Gildea, Executive Director, Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, 02/06/2006

All of the quote citations and details...



What motive would they have to remove the text? (relawson - 6/10/2006 6:11:59 PM)

What motive would they have to remove the text other than to advance a lie an mislead voters?

Even with it gone, I still think that most people will look at the images and have a negative view about Miller, not Webb.  They won't find anthing offensive in it, other than the fact that Harris Miller is anti-labor.

They should not have doctored the flyer.  If you want to "REPORT" you should present things as they truly are.  Even with the bad reporting, I still think Jim comes out of this unscathed - or at least less scathed than Miller.

In this case, I think Miller's unfounded use of the race card will hurt him more than it helps.  The only people who seem to be offended are Miller campaign staff - but I think they are offended because there is truth in the flyer in regards to his anti-labor positions.



RE: Issue Miller v. RTD (JPTERP - 6/10/2006 6:28:09 PM)
In this case, the issue is the RTD.  The Fredricksburg paper ran a clip of the offending image (only one pic from the flyer), but in their article they also included a contrarian viewpoint from Larry Sabato.  The AP simply reported the story.  The VA Pilot gave Webb the opportunity to rebut the claim.  Marc Fisher in his blog reported the background of how the story was solicited and then linked to an actual image of the flyer.

RTD did none of these things.

Even if it was the Miller campaign who doctored the flyer, RTD would still be under an obligation to make a good faith effort to obtain a copy of the original.  Other than running a quote from Webb's Friday debate, it doesn't appear that they even attempted to contact the Webb campaign for a comment.  These all show bad faith on the part of RTD and a willingness to advance a claim without any regard for its truth.  Any self-respecting editor would know that these are serious charges they are leveling at Jim Webb and would make a good faith effort to cover their backside.  Repeat: RTD did none of these things. 

If this story ran on the front page of the RTD, I would demand that they run the full ad, with an apology from the RTD editor-and-chief, as well a comment from Webb no later than Monday's edition.  If they refuse--I would sue them.



RE: Clarification (JPTERP - 6/10/2006 6:31:04 PM)
If the story ran on the front page--the apology should run on the front page.


RE: The unknown factor (JPTERP - 6/10/2006 5:53:43 PM)
Webb is still an unknown to many voters--so these charges have the potential to be more damaging.  I sent out an email to the Webb campaign about this earlier this morning.  The issue isn't that the RTD reported the story, but that they embellished upon the claim in a clear attempt to advance the anti-Semetic smear. 

It's my understanding that libel cases against public persons require "actual malice"--a willing intent to defame an individual.  A very good case could be made against the RTD.  I realize that RTD is sympathetic to Allen's candidacy, but this move on their part went beyond simple advocacy journalism.  A fire should be shot across their bow (a libel suit, or the threat of a libel suit might do this--because there is a legitimate case here). 



Excellent Point n/t (Alicia - 6/10/2006 7:11:59 PM)


Yes, it will hurt Webb (JennyE - 6/10/2006 7:31:16 PM)
The anti-Christ quote that was thrown in without any context or link it to the Information Week piece made it seem as if Webb made up the quote.

I hope the damage is minimal.



I believe (Arturo - 6/10/2006 7:37:09 PM)
that the damage is minimal.  It's probably more damaging for Miller, since everyone knows that Miller has been shopping this piece around the different media for a while now.


I don't think so (JennyE - 6/10/2006 7:42:03 PM)
Unless you're following this story like a political junkie, I doubt the bit about Miller shopping the story has gone out.

Most people are not going to hear about this angle unfortunately.
 



Furthermore... (Arturo - 6/10/2006 8:49:17 PM)
People will look at this flyer and see "Miller, the Job Killer".  This was a stupid move on the part of the Miller campaign.  Even those who have not paid attention to this race will now see that Miller is a Job Killer.  He did himself in.


Something strange (JennyE - 6/10/2006 9:30:56 PM)
I think you have a point. The "Job Killer" statement is strong enough that even in my head it's the the only thing I remember very well about the flier.

It could very well become a sublimal message that increases Miller's negatives in people's minds. That's a good thing.



Sorry. I meant to say subliminal (JennyE - 6/10/2006 9:55:32 PM)
Anyway, Miller may be in for a rude shock if he thinks the flier might help him.


I agree - Webb to gain from this (relawson - 6/11/2006 12:34:38 AM)
On a personal level, I see absolutely wrong with the flyer.  Not one iota.  From a "let's win an election" standpoint, well maybe it is a bit too edgy.

I have also referred to Miller as the "anti-Christ of outsourcing" and some of our own activists were quoted in the Information Week piece.  I have been quoted by them as well on related matters.  But that said, I am not running for Senate.  There aren't going to be thousands of people picking apart every word I say.

I think the biggest damage here for Webb is not the hooked nose - first it looks like Miller and second most Americans aren't aware of that stereotype.  I sure wasn't.

I think the most damaging is the "anti-Christ of outsourcing" part even though it can be attributed to another source. 

That said, overall the flyer is MORE damaging to Harris Miller and the allegations of racism will be viewed as baseless.  In fact, I think the allegations turn people off and upset people who are already weary of the race card.  We get tired of people crying wolf for political gain.

The thing that will stick in the minds of people who see the flyer is 1) "Miller the Job Killer" and 2) references to outsourcing.  The nose is not offensive to the majority of people, and was not intended to be offensive by the artist.  When people see the flyer, they will think "much ado about nothing" in regards to the charges by Miller.

To conclude, Webb will pick up more votes because of this.  He will lose some to be sure, but I think the gains will offset the loses by a wide margin.



Pyrric victory for Miller (Josh - 6/10/2006 8:04:06 PM)
If this actually does help push Miller over, how ironic will it be when the RTD endorses Allen over Miller in October. 

Miller's made some nice friends at the RTD.  That alone should tell Democrats who the real Dem is in this primary.