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"Sliming"? Seriously?

by: Laura Clawson

Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 10:16:25 AM EDT
Even for the Union Leader, this is a reach: They're claiming that Ray Buckley's criticism of Kelly Ayotte for resigning from a job that just months ago she assured Gov. Lynch she would carry through is "personal attacks" and "slimy political attacks" which are -- and here's the really creative part -- equivalent to Steve Vaillancourt's false accusations that Buckley had possessed child pornography.

Got that? Saying that someone violated their word and turned their back on their duty to the state is equivalent to accusing someone of a particularly despicable crime. And then there's the next level. Namely, that Vaillancourt's accusations were false and, while partisan Republicans such as the editorial board of the Union Leader may disagree with the rhetorical framing, it is true that Kelly Ayotte violated her word to the governor and is leaving her post at pivotal moment.

I would say that I think the Union Leader needs a primer on what constitutes sliming or personal attack, except I'm pretty sure they know and they're just carrying out their partisan duties. Like Ray Buckley and the NHDP except, you know, without having the truth on their side.
Laura Clawson :: "Sliming"? Seriously?
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"Sliming"? Seriously? | 8 comments
What this tells me, (4.00 / 1)
since the UL editorial page is essentially the NHGOP press organ, is that they are uncomfortable with the Kelly Palin meme.

Interesting.  I thought the meme would have short legs, but maybe there's something there that stings a little.

I side story to the whole thing is: every time a GOPer or his press organ complains about the comparison, they are digging Sarah Palin's political grave deeper and deeper.

Wasn't she the Veep nominee less than a year ago?  If she was good enough to be a heartbeat away from POTUS then, why say the comparison is toxic?

One of those two things was libel. The other is not. (4.00 / 3)

And, the UL is fully aware (0.00 / 0)
that comparing the two is just as effective as repeating the original allegation.
[ Parent ]
Well, if the pattern is consistent and the strategy is to (0.00 / 0)
"own" one's weakness so one's opponents will take another tack, rather than ending up in agreement, then the strategy will be foiled by asserting that, indeed, Kelly Ayotte's personal behavior, not her professional skill, is being critiqued and not keeping one's commitments is sort of slimy.  

What's that saying about, "if it quacks......."?

I think I heard the comparison to Palin on NPR.

Give me ambiguity or give me something else! n/t (4.00 / 1)

It never ceases to amaze how low the UL will go. (0.00 / 0)
I've always believed that being attacked by the UL was a sign you were a good and honest person.  This is yet another piece of evidence to support that belief.
The thing is, it's a pretty vicious insult to Ayotte (0.00 / 0)
This was a strong moment for the Attorney General. She seemed personally offended, as an officer of the court, to have someone cheapen the whole judicial system for petty personal and political reasons.

I don't believe there was any political calculation in that. I don't think Ms. Ayotte believed she was doing a favor for anyone. I think she believed she was simply serving the cause of justice.

But the scum at the Union Leader think she was busy earning brownie points to be traded in later.

For Dredging An Old False Story Up... (0.00 / 0)
...yet again, the Union Leader shows how disgusting it can be.  That's shameful.
"Sliming"? Seriously? | 8 comments
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