Conservative media invoke Wellstone smear in anticipation of Kennedy's service

[Holmes]

http://mediamatters.org/research/200908270005

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/26/limbaugh-congratulates-hi_n_269711.html

Well, this really isn't news since it was pretty much expected.

[Sewer]

I predict that before this week ends rush will say something controversial and stupid.

[anvi]

There is a law that currently applies to all federal spending, banning federal dollars paying for abortions, and it's called the Hyde Ammendment.  I don't support the law, but I have no particular objection to its being called the Hyde Ammendment, because it's consistent with what Hyde believed, valued and wanted.  If some sort of health care bill passes that in one way or another mandates universal coverage, whether Republicans support it or not, why the hell would they object to its being named after Kennedy?  Is naming a law after a politician ok only if Republicans do it?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

There is a law that currently applies to all federal spending, banning federal dollars paying for abortions, and it's called the Hyde Ammendment.  I don't support the law, but I have no particular objection to its being called the Hyde Ammendment, because it's consistent with what Hyde believed, valued and wanted.  If some sort of health care bill passes that in one way or another mandates universal coverage, whether Republicans support it or not, why the hell would they object to its being named after Kennedy?  Is naming a law after a politician ok only if Republicans do it?

Eh, that's not comparable. The Hyde Amendment is named as such because Henry Hyde was the main sponsor. Bills and amendments are frequently named after their sponsor.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Yes, the Republicans were trash for politicizing Wellstone's funeral.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

[anvi]

There is a law that currently applies to all federal spending, banning federal dollars paying for abortions, and it's called the Hyde Ammendment.  I don't support the law, but I have no particular objection to its being called the Hyde Ammendment, because it's consistent with what Hyde believed, valued and wanted.  If some sort of health care bill passes that in one way or another mandates universal coverage, whether Republicans support it or not, why the hell would they object to its being named after Kennedy?  Is naming a law after a politician ok only if Republicans do it?

Eh, that's not comparable. The Hyde Amendment is named as such because Henry Hyde was the main sponsor. Bills and amendments are frequently named after their sponsor.

Alright, fair enough.  Democrats won't pass a health care bill out of congress anyway, so there's not much point in thinking about what to call it, I guess.  Might as well call it The Big Bill That Couldn't.

Still, what does it mean to politicize or not politicize the death of a politician?  I would not expect, or want, any eulagy of President Reagan to leave out what his vision for America was, namely smaller government, strong defence and the "shining city on a hill."  Those were the man's convictions, values and the basic reasons he went into politics.  Ted Kennedy constantly reiterated the fact that universal health coverage was the paramount cause of his political career, and shouted over and over again that he believed health care coverage should be a right and not a privilage.  There is nothing untoward about reminding people of that. 

[Meeker]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

I think Ted Kennedy would be embarrassed and angry at us if we didn't use his death to the fullest political gain possible.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

I think Ted Kennedy would be embarrassed and angry at us if we didn't use his death to the fullest political gain possible.

Well it could be argued that in the spirit of legislative debate, he would expect (and thus perhaps want) the Republicans to use his death for political gain).  Either way - it shouldn't be done.

[Meeker]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

I think Ted Kennedy would be embarrassed and angry at us if we didn't use his death to the fullest political gain possible.

Well it could be argued that in the spirit of legislative debate, he would expect (and thus perhaps want) the Republicans to use his death for political gain).  Either way - it shouldn't be done.

No, I think he would find that to be in rather poor taste.

I'm also not quite sure how the Republicans could use his death for political gain. Ted Kennedy supported universal health care... now he's dead. Don't support universal health care - you'll end up dead too.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

I think Ted Kennedy would be embarrassed and angry at us if we didn't use his death to the fullest political gain possible.

Well it could be argued that in the spirit of legislative debate, he would expect (and thus perhaps want) the Republicans to use his death for political gain).  Either way - it shouldn't be done.

No, I think he would find that to be in rather poor taste.

I'm also not quite sure how the Republicans could use his death for political gain. Ted Kennedy supported universal health care... now he's dead. Don't support universal health care - you'll end up dead too.

I mean Republicans arguing against it on the grounds that Democrats are  just using his death for political gain.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

The Republicans successfully used Wellstone's funeral against Mondale.
The Republicans successfully used Reagan's death in favor of Bush.

Therefore, it's perfectly fine with me if the Democrats are somehow able to use Kennedy's death in a manner that he would have approved of.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

And Democrats trying to politicize Kennedy's death to pass healthcare are no different.  Neither side should be using Kennedy's death (or anyone's death, for that matter) for political gain.

The Republicans successfully used Wellstone's funeral against Mondale.
The Republicans successfully used Reagan's death in favor of Bush.

Therefore, it's perfectly fine with me if the Democrats are somehow able to use Kennedy's death in a manner that he would have approved of.

So because one party did it before it's ok to do it now?  It's this kind of mentality that's going to one day destroy this country.  It's the worst kind of mentality there is because it erodes any sense of accountability.

[Lunar]

conservative media to use conservative talking points while the liberal media will do the same for their own talking points.... breaking news

[MODU]

Funny line of the day:  "the claim that Wellstone's memorial was politicized is a myth based on distortions propagated by the conservative media."

Talk about rewriting history!  Nice try, Media Matters.

So because one party did it before it's ok to do it now?  It's this kind of mentality that's going to one day destroy this country.  It's the worst kind of mentality there is because it erodes any sense of accountability.

Very true, but this is politics.  Political parties will do whatever they can to win.