Swift boaters going after Bernie Sanders

[realFedUp]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/swift-boat-vets-are-back_b_10282.html

Swift Boat Vets Are Back, This Time Targeting Sanders
David Sirota

In a breathless, frightening, foaming-at-the-mouth diatribe on the right-wing fringe site Newsmax, John O'Neill - the leader of the slanderous Swift Boat Veterans for Truth - said his group is targeting Vermont Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders for defeat in Vermont's upcoming U.S. Senate race.

O'Neill's letter, not surprisingly, is filled with wild lies. The truth is, Sanders has been one of the most outspoken advocates for this nation's veterans. For instance, he led the long and lonely fight to force the U.S. government to address Gulf War Syndrome, instead of trying to sweep it under the rug. He has also fought tooth and nail against Republican efforts to slash veterans health care funding.

Clearly, the far right is eager to defeat Sanders because he's been such a tireless and effective advocate for progressive causes. And these conservative lunatics promise to stop at nothing to elect Republican Greg Parke or Rich Tarrant. Tarrant is considered the frontrunner in the GOP primary and he is already quite controversial. For instance, he is now being hounded by a new scandal involving his business dealings.

Sanders biggest challenge will be fundraising (though he is holding his own, thanks to the grassroots). Tarrant has said he will spend up to $5 million of his own money in an effort to buy the race - money that will clearly be needed for him to hide his troublesome business record, and flip-flopping on key issues. Sanders, meanwhile, refuses to take corporate PAC money. It will be up to the grassroots to support his candidacy, beat back the fringe right-wing assault and put one of the true progressive champions in the Senate.

Sources:
Swift Boat Vets now slandering Sanders:
http://view.e.newsmax.com/?ffcc17-fe941675756c0c7d71-fe2d15797c65067f751d71-ff2c1d70746d
Sanders leads fight for veterans:
http://www.bernie.house.gov/vets/gulf.asp
Sanders record of success as a progressive champion:
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7539869?rnd=1131419080171&has-player=true&version=6.0.11.847
Tarrant's latest business scandal:
http://www.vermontguardian.com/local/112005/IDXSuitUpdate.shtml
Tarrant promises to spend $5 million of his own money:
http://www.dwinellpoliticalreport.com/dpr_04_28_05.shtml
Tarrant flip-flopping on key issues:
http://www.davidsirota.com/2005/10/vermont-gop-candidate-gets-nailed.html
Sanders campaign site:
http://www.bernie.org


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[Hello_Kitty]

1. Hope Ted Koppel gets a chance

To embarrass him again before he retires from Nightline.

[DU9598]

2. Why do I think they may have met their match?

Is it that Bernie will fight back like many D's wouldn't. Second, the people of Vermont are likely much less gullible than the population as a whole.

[karynnj]

13. Different this time

O'Neil is just fund raising.

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. Bernie has been thru all kinds of red-baiting and RW name calling

before -- it backfired -- and it is true -- Vermonters are less gullible than most Americans

[LittleClarkie]

3. What a freak

What a freakin' freak.

[still_one]

4. I wish some one would kick o'neill's face in

either verbally or physically

[shireen]

5. Bastards!!!

O'Neill and his imbeciles have no idea who they're dealing with!!!

First of all, Bernie won't tolerate it!

And second, Bernie has a loyal NATIONAL following and WE won't let those SOBs get away with it!!!

[Rainscents]

6. No, NOT this time!

Vermonters are going to drive the Swift Boater right out of their state... Just like they did with Minuteman border patrol.

[shireen]

8. not just Vermonters!

Bernie has a big national following thanks to "Brunch with Bernie", when he comes on Thom Hartmann's show for 1 hour every Friday to answer questions from callers. It's not just Vermonters -- people all over the country LOVE this guy! I've already forwarded this thread to Thom Hartmann and hopefully he'll bring it up with Bernie this Friday. And when Thom's listeners hear about this, those swiftasses are gonna be sorry they even thought about it!

- Shireen, Marylander supporting Bernie for Senate, VT

[dennisnyc]

18. note also the recent cover story on Bernie in The Nation!

He clearly has a national impact.

[realFedUp]

7. The IRS should investigate who's keeping these boaters afloat

nt

[msongs]

9. coulda been Vermont Senator Howard Dean (D).....sigh nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

11. I would rather have Bernie -- he is FAR more of a progressive

and wins even rural conservative Republican counties by landlides

[asjr]

10. How I wish we could scuttle that boat.

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. you can contribute to Bernie's campaign right now

just click below.

[bluedawg12]

15. Someone ought to expose these pigs with public message

to educate the people in the states where they seek to pitch their poison message and influence elections.

These guys are like traveling clowns.

Hit 'em hard with a negative ad exposing these fools, maybe move on.org can do it?

[Weembo]

16. I seem to recall

That during the 2004 election, John O'Neill said the only reason the swifties were formed and operational was because of his personal experience and "knowledge" of Kerry. Does anyone have quotes or statements O'Neill made to that effect?

[mrgorth]

17. I'm donating what I can.

[LynneSin]

19. Good, let them spend all their money in Vermont

Bernie Sanders is probably the most popular person every to hold an elected position in that state. I think if the Swift Idiots showed up and did their worst it would only make Bernie Sanders even that more popular, if that's feasible!

[AlCzervik]

20. Sanders will not put it up with, bad move on the rightwings part.