McCain’s Reward Points for Astro-Turf
(Cross-posted at BMG)
[Edit by Lynne - added a little humorous image. Mr.’s idea, my photoshopping skills.]
From the Washington Post:
Spread John McCain’s official talking points around the Web — and you could win valuable prizes!
That, in essence, is the McCain campaign’s pitch to supporters to join its new online effort, one that combines the features of “AstroTurf” campaigning with the sort of customer-loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotel chains, restaurants and the occasional daily newspaper.
On McCain’s Web site, visitors are invited to “Spread the Word” about the presumptive Republican nominee by sending campaign-supplied comments to blogs and Web sites under the visitor’s screen name. The site offers sample comments (”John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan . . .”) and a list of dozens of suggested destinations, conveniently broken down into “conservative,” “liberal,” “moderate” and “other” categories. Just cut and paste.
Perhaps he’s just taking a page from the communists:
More chillingly, dissidents alleged earlier this year that the Chinese government has paid Chinese citizens token sums for each favorable comment about government policies they post in chat rooms and on blogs.
I’m wondering how we should call it out. Perhaps every time we see a McCain Talking Point we mark the post as “McCain Astro-Turf Reward Point Grubber”. Maybe something more simple like “cha-ching!”.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I’m not voting for McCain, but I gotta call you out of this one…
1.) Liberals always copy talking points verbatim from Democrats. (”The rich get richer” “action on global climate change” “Hope and change” etc.) Republicans have apparently just come up with an easy-to-use format for it. Same difference.
2.) Last time I checked, Governor Patrick created a “director of grassroots governance” and “grassroots governance liaison.” At least McCain isn’t using taxpayer money for his little propaganda scheme.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Your absolutely right on Number 2. On number one, however, you miss the point. Everyone borrows talking points when trying to make points in a discussion. But now, whether true advocates or not, people can post McCain talking points not to make points in a discussion, but to earn points toward their next prize. As a happy bonus, now people who really are just trying to participate in a blogospheric discussion get to have their motives questioned. This could end up shooting themselves in the foot.
August 7th, 2008 at 11:07 am
(I once put some language from a letter someone sent into the Sun above his own name into Google, and discovered it was a form letter the Republican National Committee sent out to astroturfers, which ran word-for-word in several other local newspapers across the country).
So, no, not really the same thing as using commonly-understood terms to make your own points, Josh.
(edited by Mr. Lynne for block quotes)
August 7th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I dispute you, Josh.
When my liberal candidate spouts a talking point and I decide to, in my own words, promote that, it’s because I’ve examined it and agreed with it. When McCain has had talking points, most of them are outright wrong or even worse, incredible lying pieces of crap.
Secondarily, you had better know the difference between a talking point and a philosophy. Just because I agree with the Democratic platform does not mean I am reiterating talking points. Just because I (from examining the evidence) say stuff like the “rich get richer” if we follow a certain (nonliberal) economic policy doesn’t mean a) it isn’t true and b) it isn’t part of the philosophy of being liberal. If I don’t accept the premises of liberalism I wouldn’t be a liberal, would I?
August 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Come to think of it, if they are using campaign money for this, do they have to disclose the expenditures? Will we be able one day to find out what the astro-turf budget was? If not campaign money, then what money? What are the legal implications if it isn’t campaign money or if it’s RNC money?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Who’s this McCain guy I’ve been hearing about? Seriously, is anyone else taking inauguration day off? I want to call in sick, pop a big ol’ bowl of popcorn, sit on the couch, in my pajamas and watch history on my HDTV!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Does this mean he’s giving up on learning how to use The Google?
“…upon posting the comment, please print it out, walk it over to the Senator’s desk, and place it in the box marked ‘in.’ Remember to remove the strips of paper with the little holes on each side. In 4-6 weeks, you will recive a telegram informing you of your latest point total.”