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pat_k

(14,437 posts)

32. All the hallmarks of an orchestrated smear from the get go.

Mon Jun 8, 2026, 11:22 PM

Jun 8

Start with a drip drip, then pile on everything you can possibly dig up without looking past the surface. Release in rapid succession so there's no time for individual reports to be scrutinized. Cue outrage at "nothing terrible in isolation, but look at the number of them!"

The goal is to incite a mob mentality. Cue the pitchforks and torches.

Should be very familiar to anyone who has read this:

New Yorker
The Case of Al Franken
Jane Mayer
July 22, 2019

https://web.archive.org/web/20190829044

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Cosmocat AloeVera Emile

46 replies

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Highlight:

The Platner allegations appear to be an astro-turf campaign from Republican activists... [View all] AStern Jun 5 OP

Killing off our most promising candidates CanonRay Jun 5 #1

The "Canuck Letter" Just_Vote_Dem Jun 5 #2

That's the first thing I thought of MadameButterfly Jun 5 #7

If that is our most promising candidate, I wouldn't want to see a least promising one. LisaL Jun 5 #8

Perhaps he's the "most promising candidate" IN THAT RACE... Wounded Bear Jun 5 #11

Did you mean Howard Dean? LSparkle Jun 5 #19

Yup, I am in the middle of moving an dead tired CanonRay Jun 5 #21

Ah, OK, now I get it. DFW Jun 9 #37

John Dean? DFW Jun 9 #36

Brain fart due to overexertion moving CanonRay Jun 9 #39

Understood. DFW Jun 9 #41

The centrist lobbying group AIPAC has Emile Jun 5 #3

Why do you say that? Mossfern Jun 8 #27

Google it Emile Jun 8 #29

the media coverage is sickening crud Jun 5 #4

This was obvious from the beginning. hadEnuf Jun 5 #5

Of course it is Akakoji Jun 5 #6

I personally think republican activists are waiting LisaL Jun 5 #9

Just so we're clear, 2 of the 3 women were Democrats EdmondDantes_ Jun 5 #10

As far as his defenders are concerned, they stopped being Democrats when they dared to speak up about domestic violence. Lancero Jun 5 #13

What exactly did those women say about him? Ziggy Beans Jun 5 #15

Basically, that he was a lousy cheating boyfriend, who LisaL Jun 5 #16

That he never laid a hand on them. AloeVera Jun 8 #30

They went back in time Boo1 Jun 5 #20

Look for more "swift boating" incidents before this midterm election is over FakeNoose Jun 5 #12

All you have to do is read Fifield's Twitter feed. It's frightening to see her retweeting Stephen Miller, a true Nazi. Nanjeanne Jun 5 #14

Did the Heritage Foundation or Ladies for Kavanaugh tattoo him? MorbidButterflyTat Jun 5 #17

I feel much better knowing that Mark Judge has come to Fifield's defense. He's the Kavanaugh pal that was also accused Nanjeanne Jun 5 #18

I don't get why the NY times interviewed BlueHurricane Jun 5 #22

Did Jeet Heer provide proof? krawhitham Jun 5 #23

He discusses here: AStern Jun 9 #35

Someone giving their OPINION on youtube is not PROOF krawhitham Jun 9 #40

Oh well AStern Jun 9 #45

Graham Platner's anti-Israel fixation in the Maine Senate race may be motivation too. PufPuf23 Jun 5 #24

Why are you literally posting links to an official NRSC (National Republican Senatorial Committee) hit piece on a Dem? Celerity Jun 8 #25

I get the issue with the links, but I think the poster's point was... AloeVera Jun 8 #26

You understood my point. When I made response #33, did not see this post by you. PufPuf23 Jun 9 #34

Concur with items #1, #2 and #3. PufPuf23 Jun 8 #31

Exactly What Are You Suggesting About DU Members? ColoringFool Jun 9 #44

"FiXaTiOn" regnaD kciN Jun 8 #33

Republicans have successfully sabotaged too many Democrats dlk Jun 8 #28

All the hallmarks of an orchestrated smear from the get go. pat_k Jun 8 #32

Thanks! DFW Jun 9 #38

Duh... MineralMan Jun 9 #42

IS THIS A PRIMARY, OR IS THIS NOT? WHO HAS ORDAINED PLATNER, THAT HE... ColoringFool Jun 9 #43

In case you didn't notice, your caps lock key is on! retread Jun 9 #46