Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

McCain’s Reward Points for Astro-Turf

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continuing with the article:

That, in essence, is the McCain campaign’s pitch to supporters to join its new online effort, one that combines the features of “AstroTurf” campaigning with the sort of customer-loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotel chains, restaurants and the occasional daily newspaper.

On McCain’s Web site, visitors are invited to “Spread the Word” about the presumptive Republican nominee by sending campaign-supplied comments to blogs and Web sites under the visitor’s screen name. The site offers sample comments (“John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan . . .”) and a list of dozens of suggested destinations, conveniently broken down into “conservative,” “liberal,” “moderate” and “other” categories. Just cut and paste.

Perhaps he’s just taking a page from the communists:

More chillingly, dissidents alleged earlier this year that the Chinese government has paid Chinese citizens token sums for each favorable comment about government policies they post in chat rooms and on blogs.

I’m wondering how we should call it out.  Perhaps every time we see a McCain Talking Point we mark the post as “McCain Astro-Turf Reward Point Grubber”.  Maybe something more simple like “cha-ching!”.

(Cross-posted at Left in Lowell)

[Update]

Come to think of it, if they are using campaign money for this, do they have to disclose the expenditures at some point? Will we be able one day to find out what the astro-turf budget was? If not campaign money, then what money? What are the legal implications if it isn’t campaign money or if it’s RNC money?  

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  1. The Issue: Jobs for America

    John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation’s energy security, get the government’s budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Click to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America. Read More…

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    p>The Issue: Partisanship

    There are serious issues at stake in this election, and serious differences between the candidates. And we will argue about them, as we should. But it should remain an argument among friends; each of us struggling to hear our conscience, and heed its demands; each of us, despite our differences, united in our great cause, and respectful of the goodness in each other. Read More…

    <

    p>That was fun.  Now, where’s my prize?

    <

    p>

    <

    p>Wait a minute.  I wasn’t supposed to use that picture, was I?

  2. …and the Olympics don’t seem to be helping much. Make McCain the “Chinese” candidate.

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    p>I don’t have the talent, but someone could take classic Chinese propoganda posters and incorporate McCain. Use some of the Mao slogans or some of the rhetoric from the current Chinese regime and connect them to McCain.

    <

    p>Just putting the McCain language next to that passage about China is pretty damning.

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    p>If there are ANY McCain policies that are simliar to those of China, they should be listed side-by-side in a list that includes the Astro-Turf campaign.

    • Sam Stein, Huffington Post:

      Over the past several weeks there has been perhaps no better surrogate for Barack Obama than Senator John Kerry. Aides to the Illinois Democrat admit that they are at once surprised and ecstatic with the prosecutorial zeal that the 2004 Democratic nominee has deployed on behalf of his successor.

      …

      “I don’t know if you know this,” said the Massachusetts Democrat. “John McCain is looking for someone for vice president who has more economic expertise than he does. So congratulations to all of you, you’re on the short list.”

  4. Vote for American John McCain to for American
President. John McCain has the long experience to be
commander and chief. His surge has worked. It has
worked. It has worked. Don't vote for defeat. We
don't want to loose in Iraq. Vote for John McCain.

    <

    p>Where do I collect my points?

  9. Because I could really use one of those cool red duffel bags, but I don’t smoke. Here’s my contribution to the McCain efforts – I want my tote bag!

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    p>John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan that will create millions of good American jobs, ensure our nation’s energy security, get the government’s budget and spending practices in order, and bring relief to American consumers. Read each of the sections below to learn how the McCain Economic Plan will help bring reform, prosperity and peace to America.

    <

    p>How long until someone figures out that they can flood the McCain camp’s submission form with links to dubious sites that are not “family values” or heterosexual oriented?

    <

    p>

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