Looks more and more like the Democrats have made their choice:
There are movie campaigns and there are presidential campaigns, and usually you can tell the difference. One features a red carpet, the other a war room.
But “Fahrenheit 9/11,” Michael Moore’s scathing new documentary about President Bush, has both.
Its release later this month appears to mark the first time that a film slamming a major presidential candidate has opened on screens across the nation in the final months of a campaign. At the same time, the movie is producing a global publicity extravaganza for Moore and Miramax Film founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein, who bought the film after Walt Disney Co. refused to let Miramax release it.
The scramble to bring the dark, often satirical film to U.S. movie screens is blending Hollywood and presidential politics in ways never seen in a race for the White House. While the filmmakers deny any overt effort to promote the candidacy of the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, their efforts fall clearly in sync with the campaign to unseat Bush.
To anticipate and fend off the criticism that already is brewing, Moore has set up a “war room” populated by former Clinton White House operatives plotting swift counterattacks on Bush supporters who question the film’s credibility.
To lead the effort, Moore has hired Chris Lehane and Mark Fabiani, former political advisors to Bill Clinton and Al Gore. “Employing the Clinton strategy of ’92, we will allow no attack on this film to go without a response immediately,” Moore said Thursday. “And we will go after anyone who slanders me or my work, and we will do it without mercy. And when you think ‘without mercy,’ you think Chris Lehane.”
Who else did Chris Lehane work for?
At any rate, there is more than anecdotal evidence that the DNC is reaching out to embrace Moore, and fully intends to use his agitprop to their political advantage.
Brandon
Nobody’s going to go watch that movie. Nobody ever goes to watch Michael Moore’s movies.
jeff
In other words, the people who complain about “stifling dissent” are trying to stifle dissent.
I didn’t think i could ever think Moore and Lehane were bigger assholes than i already do, but i was wrong.
One quick point though. As much as i like to give the DNC as much crap as possible, especially considering the repugnant individual that is currently it’s head, I don’t know that this can be linked to them.
I remember reading somewhere that Lehane is currently persona non grata with many Dems because he’s believed to be the one that started and spread the Kerry/intern rumor, which would explain why he’s working for a shithead like Moore instead of an actual candidate. I could be wrong about that though.
M. Scott Eiland
A statement from Mr. Kerry (and another from Terry “Pit Chihuahua” McAuliffe) stating whether they support the propagandist and his hired minions would clarify the matter considerably. Of course, if Kerry were to choose Wes Clark as a running mate, the Lord Pork-Pork question would be pretty much unavoidable.
Andrew | BYTE BACK
Wesley Clark, he worked for. And ABC NEws ergo Disney.
And yes, these political connections – though not Kerry’s – do indeed hurt Democrats. Speaking as one – yuck.
Delane by the way was also the most likely person who fistered that intern rumor aobut Kerry. Leaked it to Drudge.
DeLane, truly is no Kerry friend and may have jumped on board precicely to do his little bit to sabatoge (spXX) the campaign.
PS Saw Clinton at the funeral. Huh?? What happened there? Drudge wasn’t wrong again was he? No, couldn’t be that.
HH
Saw Clinton and he looked asleep alright.
Dean
Andrew:
The controversy down below was whether Clinton would be asked to *speak*. NOT whether he was invited or not.
It would have been fairly surprising if Democratic ex-Presidents had not even been INVITED to attend.
But, then, that wasn’t the issue raised, either.
Trump
it’s all gonna come down to bullets before it’s all said and done….and since Dems support gun control…..
Greg Hlatky
Please don’t insult dogs (a trustworthy and loyal species) by comparing them to Michael Moore.
john marzan
BRING IT ON, CHRIS LAHANE!!!
Oliver
Las I checked, John Kerry rather publicly fired Lehane – but don’t let the factual data get in the way.
capt joe
Well, it never stopped you has it Ollie?
Kimmitt
“In other words, the people who complain about “stifling dissent” are trying to stifle dissent.”
Buh? I don’t understand how “responding quickly to criticisms” has become “stifling dissent.”
Slartibartfast
I’m similarly baffled by the idea that criticizing someone equates to stifling of dissent. It’s an odd world we live in.
jeff
Are you that dense, Kimmitt?
He didn’t just say they’d respond to criticism, he said they’d be attacked “without mercy”.
What do you think that means, considering Lehane is the guy that most people believe started to spread the false rumor about kerry and an intern.
HH
“John Kerry rather publicly fired Lehane”
Who went to Wes Clark who was hardly disdained by the mainstream left… Clark of course accepted the endorsement of Mikey, even after his “desertion” outrage.
Kimmitt
“What do you think that means, considering Lehane is the guy that most people believe started to spread the false rumor about kerry and an intern.”
I think it means that their critiques will be shredded to the best of Moore’s and Lehane’s ability. Now, once we find Moore and Lehane actually engaging in false accusations or inappropriate ad hominems, I’m altogether ready to discuss the concept of non-public censorship (there’s a lot to talk about). I don’t go to see Moore pics because he plays too fast and loose with the facts. But maybe he’s learned his lesson and put up something which is unimpeachable this time; I’ll wait until the critics get a gander at it to see if it’s worthy of my support.