The Way Forward .... I feel needs a reminder of how willing the republican's are to use dirty tricks and lies to win.

[usaf-vet]

Winning is ALL that matters, and now here we are in 2025, and there is no limit to how extreme they are willing to be NOT just to WIN, but this time to Destroy our Democracy and ignore the Constitution without giving it a thought. So here is a history of what they have done to get their chance to destroy America as we know it.

Notable Political 'Dirty Tricks' Impacting Democratic Campaigns
(1988–2024)

Michael Dukakis and the Tank Ad (1988)

During the 1988 presidential campaign, Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis participated in a
photo opportunity where he rode in a tank while wearing a helmet. Intended to bolster his image
on defense matters, the footage was instead used by his opponent's campaign to portray him as
inexperienced on military issues, leading to widespread ridicule and damaging his candidacy.

Howard Dean and the 'Dean Scream' (2004)

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean was a leading contender for the Democratic nomination
in 2004. After a third-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, Dean delivered an enthusiastic speech to
rally his supporters. A particular moment from this speech, where he energetically listed upcoming
primary states and let out a spirited yell, was repeatedly broadcasted and mocked by media
outlets. This portrayal painted him as overly emotional and is widely regarded as a turning point
that led to the decline of his campaign.

John Kerry and the Swift Boat Attacks (2004)

In the 2004 election, Democratic nominee John Kerry, a Vietnam War veteran, was targeted by a
group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. They questioned his military service and patriotism
through a series of ads and statements—a tactic that became known as 'swiftboating.' Despite
counterarguments defending Kerry's record, these attacks cast doubts among voters and are
believed to have contributed to his electoral defeat.

Hillary Clinton and Gendered Media Bias (2008)

During her 2008 presidential primary campaign, Hillary Clinton faced numerous gender-based
criticisms and attacks. Media coverage often focused on her appearance, voice, and demeanor,
with commentators making derogatory remarks and perpetuating sexist stereotypes. These
gendered critiques added challenges to her campaign and highlighted the pervasive sexism in
political discourse.

Bernie Sanders and DNC Bias Allegations (2016)

In the 2016 Democratic primaries, Senator Bernie Sanders's campaign was undermined by
revelations that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) exhibited bias favoring Hillary Clinton.
Leaked emails showed DNC officials discussing strategies that could harm Sanders's campaign,
leading to accusations of unfair treatment and prompting the resignation of DNC Chair Debbie
Wasserman Schultz.

Don Siegelman Prosecution (2006)

Alabama Governor Don Siegelman was controversially prosecuted on corruption charges. Critics
alleged that Republican strategist Karl Rove and allies within the Department of Justice
orchestrated the prosecution to eliminate Siegelman as a rising Democratic threat. The trial and
conviction raised serious questions about the politicization of the justice system. Siegelman served
time in prison, and progressive voices like Thom Hartmann became vocal advocates for his
exoneration.

Karl Rove’s Meltdown on Fox News (2012)

On election night in 2012, Fox News projected that President Barack Obama would win Ohio,
effectively securing re-election. Karl Rove, a Republican strategist and Fox News contributor,
publicly challenged this call on-air, leading to a chaotic and memorable moment in live television
history. Rove allegedly expected the outcome to be different. Hacktivist group Anonymous later
claimed they had disrupted a GOP plan to manipulate vote tabulations by blocking digital
interference with a firewall they called 'The Great Oz.' These claims remain unverified, but the
moment became iconic.

Other Incidents Worth Mentioning

ACORN Voter Suppression Tactics (2008): A disinformation campaign targeted ACORN, a
community organization helping low-income voters register. It ultimately led to ACORN's
defunding and dissolution, negatively impacting Democratic voter outreach.
Emailgate & Benghazi(2016): Hillary Clinton was intensely scrutinized by media and Congressional investigations over
her use of a private email server and the 2012 Benghazi attack. Although cleared of criminal
wrongdoing, the drawn-out narrative contributed to perceptions of secrecy and untrustworthiness
that dogged her 2016 campaign.

Elon Musk and the 2024 Influence Campaign (2024)

In the 2024 election cycle, Elon Musk emerged as the single largest political donor, contributing
over $291 million to Republican causes, including $270 million to a pro-Trump super PAC. His
influence extended to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court race in 2025, where he reportedly spent
over $20 million backing conservative Judge Brad Schimel in a campaign to flip the court.

The race, which pitted Schimel against progressive Judge Susan Crawford, became the most
expensive judicial contest in U.S. history. Musk's financial involvement included massive ad buys
and ground operations. Adding to the controversy, Musk offered $1 million checks to two voters as
a publicity stunt, triggering a legal challenge by Wisconsin’s Attorney General who argued it
violated election bribery laws. A state appellate court declined to block the payments.

The stakes were high: Tesla was simultaneously suing the state to overturn laws barring manufacturer-owned
dealerships—cases likely to come before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Critics called the
campaign a textbook example of oligarchic influence, blurring the lines between political
investment and business interest.

Now, let's not forget the U.S. Supreme Court's part in helping the republicans destroy our Democracy

Weaponizing the U.S. Supreme Court to Undermine Democracy

In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has increasingly become a vehicle through which powerful interests and far-right operatives have advanced deeply ideological agendas—often at odds with democratic norms and broad public consensus. By securing a conservative supermajority through highly controversial appointments and political maneuvering, including the rushed confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett just days before the 2020 election, this bloc has delivered rulings that significantly roll back voting rights, reproductive freedom, environmental protections, and long-standing precedent.

Notably, the Shelby County v. Holder (2013) decision gutted the Voting Rights Act, opening the floodgates to voter suppression laws across Republican-led states. Later rulings enabled partisan gerrymandering (Rucho v. Common Cause, 2019) and signaled willingness to restrict federal election oversight, as seen in Moore v. Harper (2023), which flirted with the radical "independent state legislature" theory.

Critics argue that the Court has become an unelected council, favoring corporate and religious special interests over the constitutional rights of ordinary Americans. These rulings—often out of step with public opinion—have emboldened state-level authoritarianism and eroded public faith in the judiciary as a neutral arbiter of justice.

"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."

from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Act III, Scene II), spoken by Mark Antony during his funeral oration.

Thank You, J.M. 1965 English Class

[sop]

1. "The Republican Party has been a cartel, and no one asks a cartel, 'What's your ideological purpose?'

You don’t ask OPEC, ‘What’s your ideology?’ You don’t ask a drug gang, ‘What’s your program?’ The Republicans exist only for the pursuit of power, for no other purpose. Republicans only exist to elect Republicans. They are down to one idea: How can we win?” - Stuart Stevens, former chief Republican strategist, Lincoln Project adviser

[c-rational]

2. Thanks for this post. K&R

[Irish_Dem]

3. The GOP has been a crime syndicate for a long time.

They will do anything for money and power.
Trump is just the logical conclusion.

We should not be shocked they sold us out to Russia.
We should have seen it coming.

The Dems must wake up to the fact that the GOP are Russian paid psychopaths
or we will never beat them.

[Irish_Dem]

4. For some reason I have been thinking about that Shakespeare quote too.

It has been running in my head.