Free only to agree

By Libby

I'm just getting up to speed on the Freedom Watch propaganda blitz. I discounted it at first because I figured that Americans have wised up to the point that they simply won't buy the same old lies the White House has been peddling since 9/11 but I see today that they aren't trying to convince Americans across the board. The ads will air on the strongholds of the faithful "red meat" base, like Fox News and are designed to get them to put pressure on the Republicans in Congress.

The ads say this is no time for politics but the political manipulations of the organization couldn't be clearer. In fact, it's quite a well organized and diabolical scheme.

At the end of the ads viewers and listeners are provided with a toll-free number (1-877-222-8001). When I called it, I heard the following recorded message: "Thank you for calling Freedom's Watch. Our operators are currently helping Americans call Congress in support of our war on terror. We will get to you as soon as possible."

An activist who actually contacted a live operator has reported that once this happens "you're expected to take part in a survey before she puts you through to Congress. But there's a catch. The question asked goes something like this: Do you believe the Iraq war is important to the war on terror?... If you say no, the operator immediately thanks you but doesn't connect you to Congress."

The activist cited happens to be Taylor Marsh who notes, "It's like showing up at a Bush rally but not being allowed in. It's just the phone version of it."

Taylor also has the list of the media buys for the White House front group and a word of advice for Democrats.

If you want to know how [Republicans] win battles and beat Democrats this is a good lesson. When Congress runs astray from White House policy, the president's minions target them. This is a lesson for Reid, but also Pelosi, as Democrats get weak and the Blue Dog Democrats ponder aligning against the country's own interest and our soldiers on Iraq. That's why the Bush dog campaign is so important over at Open Left. It intends to hold wandering Democrats accountable for siding with Bush on Iraq (and FISA).

But when it comes to these new Iraq ads, Democrats in Congress take a lesson, but you better do it quickly. You're already one step behind.

She's exactly right and the Democrats would do well to heed her warning.