Republican Bad Deeds for 11-06-06

1999 war games foresaw problems in Iraq
(but Republicans did it anyway)
The U.S. government conducted a series of secret war games in 1999 that anticipated an invasion of Iraq would require 400,000 troops, and even then chaos might ensue. Some scenarios are similar to what actually occurred after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003:

•”A change in regimes does not guarantee stability,” the 1999 seminar briefings said. “A number of factors including aggressive neighbors, fragmentation along religious and/or ethnic lines, and chaos created by rival forces bidding for power could adversely affect regional stability.”

•”Even when civil order is restored and borders are secured, the replacement regime could be problematic — especially if perceived as weak, a puppet, or out-of-step with prevailing regional governments.”

•”Iran’s anti-Americanism could be enflamed by a U.S.-led intervention in Iraq,” the briefings read. “The influx of U.S. and other western forces into Iraq would exacerbate worries in Tehran, as would the installation of a pro-western government in Baghdad.”

•”The debate on post-Saddam Iraq also reveals the paucity of information about the potential and capabilities of the external Iraqi opposition groups. The lack of intelligence concerning their roles hampers U.S. policy development.”

•”Also, some participants believe that no Arab government will welcome the kind of lengthy U.S. presence that would be required to install and sustain a democratic government.”

•”A long-term, large-scale military intervention may be at odds with many coalition partners.”

Fox News Distorts TX-22 Poll Against Nick Lampson
This is one of those double take situations. FOX just ran a segment on the TX-22 race. Notice that graphic from the network of “fair and balanced”, that says the GOP candidate is now leading in the race for Tom Delay’s old seat. Now watch this clip and listen to the actual numbers of the poll, as well as the explanation given by Democrat Nick Lampson.

Video

So the poll has Lampson leading by 36%, while the GOP candidate is at 28%. To FOX news, being down by 8 points apparently means the candidate is in the lead. Now that is some interesting math right there. Now to be fair, the Republican is leading in the polls – amongst the write in candidates. Lampson is not a write-in candidate though.

More Dirty Tricks
Terry Nelson, an unindicted co-conspirator in the TRMPAC Tom Delay scandal, and the boss of Jim Tobin, the convicted felon in the NH phone-jamming case, is the head of opposition research for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee. So it’s not a surprise that these kinds of unethical dishonest tactics are being used.

Sources in Bergen County are reporting that an autodial robocall is being made that starts out sounding like a positive Bob Menendez message. If you hang up, it repeatedly calls you back. If you listen all the way to the end, it finishes by saying that Menendez is an embezzler and under criminal investigation.

This is a voter suppression tactic being used nationwide by the GOP. Initially callers will think they are hearing a call from the Menendez campaign asking for support. If they hang up, it will repeatedly call them back. The intention is to annoy the voter so much that they no longer support the candidate. For those who actually listen to the entire call, they are presented with a series of lies and smears against Menendez, also with the intention of suppressing turnout. It’s a win-win tactic for them.

The NRCC is doing the same exact thing in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and at least 53 other races across the country.

Terry Nelson is a key GOP operative, a senior advisor to John McCain and someone heavily involved with both Tom Delay and Karl Rove.

Republican National Congressional Committee May Face Fines For Violating “Do Not Call” Registry Rules

And something that could turn bad – It did last time…
Cheney Going Hunting on Election Day
Vice President Dick Cheney will spend Election Day on his first hunting trip since he accidentally shot a companion last February while aiming at a covey of quail on a private Texas ranch.

Regards,

Jim