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April 05, 2005
Why I don't march, protest or picket
Although I have rallied on occasion.
Yesterday Digby had this post in response to Kevin Mattson's piece in this month's The American Prospect. I'd have to say that I agree with Kevin Mattson's point more than Digby's. They both reminded me of something I've noticed. I've seen enough protests first-hand and on TV to know that providing positive PR moments they do not.
I've never understood the effectiveness of a crowd of protesters chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, (fill in the blank) has got to go!" These things seem to be serious freak magnets and at the end of the day the normal looking participant isn't the one with his picture on TV or in the paper. This isn't a left-right thing either. On the left we can't have an event without a group of bongo-beating hippies or drama club dropouts showing up and on the right they seem to have a staff of professional bible wavers and thugs just a phone call away. I'm thinking of that idiot screaming and crying "DON'T TOUCH MY GOD!" during the whole Roy Moore fiasco.
If you have a point to make there are better ways to get your message out than protesting. Democrats need to take a page from the Republican playbook and hire normal looking PR knowledgeable talking heads. Get their normal looking mugs on TV. Get their rational and semi-intelligent comments on radio and in print. Help them write a book.
Just keep them away from the bongo-beating hippies.
Posted by Paul Witt at April 5, 2005 03:45 PM
Comments
I think Digby is making comment about the "apologist" Dems who continue to try and be good little "republican-lite" politico workers than he is incensed about a particular straw man.
Personally, as an avid supporter of Dean, the DLC, Al From, and all others of that ilk (such as the staff at TNR) can take a flying leap so far as I'm concerned.
That's what drew me to Dean, he's honest and will stand toe to toe and not back down. No apologies necessary.
Posted by: gonzone at April 5, 2005 03:25 PM
Yea my post was more tangential than a direct response to those two articles. They just reminded me of this stuff.
Posted by: Paul Witt at April 5, 2005 03:40 PM