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-----Original Message----- From: lbo-talk-admin at lbo-talk.org [mailto:lbo-talk-admin at lbo-talk.org]On Behalf Of Doug Henwood Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 1:36 PM To: lbo-talk Subject: [lbo-talk] Bush machine
<http://www.poynter.org/forum/?id=letters>
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
From KIM BENABIB: Newspaper editors across the country should always beware of "astro-turf" letter writing campaigns, but a new level of sophistication has been reached by the Bush-Cheney 2004 operation which has just gone live with its new web site Georgewbush.com. There supporters are encouraged to write local and national newspapers using tools provided by the campaign, including the direct email addresses of editors. In most cases these are not the generic letters@ or editor@ addresses listed publicly, but the unpublished internal email addresses. In addition, the Bush campaign web tools include pre-digested "talking point" paragraphs on various issues that supporters can drop into their letters with just a click of the mouse. While the letters are sent directly from the Bush web site, the headers will make them appear as if they are arriving from individuals. Letter page editors should be on the lookout. Of course, since anyone who lets one of these pre-written letters slip through the vetting process risks ridicule from colleagues, my advice is to go to Georgewbush.com and familiarize yourselves with the "talking point" paragraphs before you get taken in. ___________________________________ http://mailman.lbo-talk.org/mailman/listinfo/lbo-talk