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Attack Ad Launched Against Earle

By TChris, Section Tom DeLay
Posted on Thu Oct 13, 2005 at 01:01:26 PM EST
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by TChris

Attack ads have become commonplace in political races, but an attack ad against a prosecutor is unusual, to say the least.

A conservative group is running a TV ad likening the Democratic district attorney prosecuting House Majority Leader Tom DeLay to a vicious dog.
...

"A prosecutor with a political agenda can be vicious," the narrator says, while a snarling dog barks on screen.

The ads are in "heavy rotation" in Austin. Are DeLay's supporters hoping to taint the pool of potential jurors who may decide DeLay's fate?

The stated rationale for the ad is hilarious:

"We feel that Ronnie Earle wants to obstruct the free-market agenda and he's using liberals to bring the free-market agenda to a halt in Congress," [Free Enterprise Fund spokesman Todd Schorle] said.

The "free-market agenda" being the use of illegal campaign contributions to redistrict Texas so its representatives will favor corporate interests?

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    Attack Ad Launched Against Earle | 24 comments (24 topical)
    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    Conservatives railing against a prosecutor is the real eye-opener. Only when their own (reliably corrupt) leaders are in the crosshairs does the right start to rail about prosecutorial bias. Perhaps, my righty friends, DeLay is not your best test-case. Call me crazy, but I just have a hunch.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    Obviously anyone who has seen that ad should be disqualified from serving on the DeLay jury.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    I'd bet good money that TChris never had a good thing to say about Ken Starr. This looks an awful lot like a "who's ox is being gored" thing.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    True enough, but there's still a part of me that appreciates seeing the prosecutors take the heat for a change. In so many (normal) cases across the country, the prosecutors give press conferences to smear the defendants, while the defendants never have a chance to fight back publicly. Rarely do prosecutors have press conferences to announce acquittals. Also, although I have no sympathy for Tom Delay, this case looks weak.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    What fine group is paying for these ads --Swift lawyers for feckless indignation

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    I'd bet good money that TChris never had a good thing to say about Ken Starr.
    I'd bet good money TChris never took out any attack ads on Ken Starr, which would make it an awful lot not like whose ox is being gored. The free enterprise noise is related to the Republican efforts to eliminate social programs - "entitlements". DeLay made that accusation the day he was indicted.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#7)
    by roy on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    I live in Austin and watch an alarming amount of TV. I haven't seen any Delay-related commercials here lately, but I did see a some pro-Delay ones while on vacation in California a few weeks ago. It was kind of eerie. And please don't let's propagate the myth that Republican cronyism, trade restriction, and/or corporate welfare is the "free market". Yeah, the libertarian daydream society might allow unrestricted campaign contributions, but not for only one party as the Republicans are going for.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    The ads are likely to taint the jury pool. Can Earle therefore add "obstruction of justice" to the charges?

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    Rule #1 for being a good Republican. Never, ever respond to criticism by taking responsibility or indulging in self-evaluation. Use as much money as you can get your hands on to produce a few commercials, then attack your criticizer. Make sure those commercials get plenty of air time. Get your buddies Sean and Bill over at FOX News to play them a few dozen times on their shows at no cost to you or the Republican Party. It doesn't matter if your attacks are true or false. The crisis will soon blow over, everyone will forget about it, and life will go on as it was before.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    What a mess. Since Earle isn't running for re-election, there is no valid political reason involved, and the connection between some sort of free market system and money laundering is about as clear as mud. I agree, this is an attempt to taint the jury pool. It would be unethical in all likelihood if done by DeLay's attorney, and there might just be something to an obstruction of justice charge if DeLay himself orchestrated it. But, suppose that it is a genuine third party orchestrating these ads without coordination. I'm not sure that there is any remedy if the jury pool is tainted. The fact that the ads come after DeLay's attorney has announced an intent to seek a change of venue is certainly suspicious though.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#11)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    HL-good point!! that is exactly what Dick DeGuerin represented Kay Bailey Hutchison against Earle. They put bumperstickers and local press smearing Earle to taint the jury pool. the trial had to move to Houston. This evidentially caused Earle to have to drop his case as the hurdles became overwhelming and not worth the effort.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#12)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    JR, please link to the anti-Starr attack ads paid for by the Clintons. I'm sure you wouldn't make them up.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#13)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    Squeaky writes:
    This evidentially caused Earle to have to drop his case as the hurdles became overwhelming and not worth the effort.
    Squeak - How can you write that with a straight face? Or are you really laughing? Let's examine you comment. We have a prosecutor in Austin who thinks he has a case against a US Senator. The trial is moved to Houston. So he gives up due to lack of resources.... because the case isn't worth it????? I meamn really....hahahahahaha. allen writes:
    I'd bet good money TChris never took out any attack ads on Ken Starr, which would make it an awful lot not like whose ox is being gored.
    I lived through that, and I was traveling almost daily. Everynight I would tune in the TV news/cable....and as I read my emails I would take time out to watch one of the Clinton cadre go on the attacl against Ken Star... BTW - Before you bring up the "it waws just sex" defense, remember that I have previously commented I thought the Repubs were wrong in this matter. My point is.... It that case is was political...and so is this case. Neither should have been brought.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#14)
    by cpinva on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:58 PM EST
    ah ppj, completely missing the point, as always. god, i do love a boring consistency in a man! clinton aides holding press conferences, or going on talk shows, isn't, as you should know, the same as running ads, by a third, purportedly unrelated, party. silly boy!
    My point is.... It that case is was political...and so is this case. Neither should have been brought.
    so, you're in favor of illegal money laundering? who knew? what we have here is a wannabe cash cleaner for the cali cartel! ppj, why do you hate america so?

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#15)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:59 PM EST
    cpinva - Well, the media was doing it for free for Clinton, so I guess we can't call'em nasty names... I mean why buy the cow when the milk is free... What I am in favor off is NOT having the sh*t that went on with Clinton, and now Delay. Both cases are merely political attacks. We don't need that.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#16)
    by Edger on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:59 PM EST
    What I am in favor off is NOT having the sh*t that went on with Clinton, and now Delay.
    The Passion of the DeLay Clinton's Last Laugh

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#17)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:59 PM EST
    You defenders of DeLay, is this really okay with you? Every indicted defendant with enough money behind him producing and airing television ads that ridicule and defame the prosecutor? This is justice for you all?

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#18)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:00 PM EST
    edgey - Wonder how many more FBI type Directors are out their getting ready to tell all? Clinton has to know that the Fat Lady hasn't sung. gentlyweepingguitar - So, are you tell us that the defendant can't use all available resources to defend themselves? Now since I see no complaints or comparsions to Clinton's staff getting in front of every camera they could and attacking Starr, I think what you mean is that is okay for those you agree with, and not okay for the opposition. That is hypocritical, dear gently.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#19)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:00 PM EST
    hmmm... make that "out there...."

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#20)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:00 PM EST
    "Now since I see no complaints or comparsions to Clinton's staff getting in front of every camera they could and attacking Starr" Why would anyone compare a president's staff being interviwed to a barage of commercials attacking a prosecutor?

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#22)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:00 PM EST
    Why do republicans have such a hard time telling the difference between the news and an advertisement?

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:01 PM EST
    Darkly and Sailor - Since when did you consider, CNN, FNC, MSNBC.... "news?" Oh, now I know. When a Leftie is spewing their talking points! Hey. Why don't you fo for the really hard stuff...."Larry King Live!" You guys are funny. You are truly transparent. BTW - Are you saying no Leftie/Demo is being interviewed about Delay? Yes, funny.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#25)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:02 PM EST
    Darkly writes:
    Are you saying brief apperences
    Nope, never said that. I am talking about whole interview segements on the various channel news and early morning network shows... i.e. "Good Morning Ameica." You do remember Hillary's famous interview blaming Bill's BJ on the "vast right wing conspiracy," don't you? BTW - My point was exsctly what you now agree with... Both sides were out there talking. Just like now...Both sides out there talking. Gesh.

    Re: Attack Ad Launched Against Earle (none / 0) (#26)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:02 PM EST
    Just like now...Both sides out there talking. Yes, attack ads in 'heavy rotation' is the same as the folks who oppose DeLay having their say on news programs and political shows, which unlike the ads are limited to certain times of the day and night and weekend programming. Gesh Yes, the stupidity on display here would make me sick if I was telling folks to go against their common sense. TTFN, Whizzy.

    Attack Ad Launched Against Earle | 24 comments (24 topical)