September 26, 2002
From the desk of Jane Galt:The administration is saying they
The administration is saying they have proof that Iraq has links to Al Qaeda.
More and more, I'm beginning to believe that the administration is adopting a policy of letting opponents raise arguments against an action, letting them wear the argument out in the press, and then calmly releasing information that demolishes it. Each new argument thus ultimately raises the credibility of the Administration, and lowers that of its opponents. If I'm right, it's an absolutely masterly control of information, and the discipline is impressive. They don't have the Clinton administration's all-out crisis response, but they have their own strengths.
But if this is the case, why haven't said opponents taken notice?
Update God, how fast do y'all type? I no sooner post than some speed reader flies to his email account to correct me. Or try to. When will y'all learn that I am always, always right?
Correspondant Brian emails to say that he doesn't think the ties in the article are that strong. But that's not the point. The anti-war press, and some bloggers I could name, have been stating that (I'm paraphrasing): "The administration is trying to gin up support for the war with outrageous lies, like it's flimsy attempt to connect Al Qaeda to Saddaam when there is no evidence that there is any connection."
The Clinton spin machine would have been all over this like white on rice. Probably they would have demolished it, but it wouldn't have gotten a lot of press, and so righties (their presumed opposition) would be repeating the trope long after it had been discredited, while party faithful wearily dragged out the evidence with each new wing-nut.
The Bush administration, on the other hand, let it grow until it had wide currency. And now when the myth is popped, it makes a big noise that everyone notices, and not incidentally, tarnishes the reputation of everyone who said it.
Each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. But I confess to being amazed at how politically shrewd Bush has turned out to be. I didn't expect it.
(Incidentally, anyone who defended Clinton, who then complains about Bush's media management, is off my Christmas card list. I mean it. There's ridiculous, and then there's moronic.)
Posted by Jane Galt at September 26, 2002 9:56 AM | TrackBack | Technorati inbound links"); ?>