Franken-Lies-And-the-Lying-Liars-Who-Tell

not interested in the security of the American people," Bush railed at a fund-raiser in New
Jersey. The tone was set for the 2002 midterm elections.
When you think of someone who isn't interested in the security of the American people, you
think of Senator Max Cleland wheeling his merry way through the marble halls of the Capitol.
You see, Max left three of his limbs in Vietnam. A VC grenade blew them off.
Cleland is a war hero. Conservative Georgians first elected him to the Senate in 1996
on the basis of his unquestionable integrity and selfless loyalty to his country. And yet he lost
his bid for reelection in 2002 largely because of attacks on his patriotism.
Cleland's opponent, Saxby Chambliss, was not a war hero. He got out of Vietnam because
of a bad knee. Cleland has never had a bad knee. Before the war, he had two good
ones. Afterward, he would never have to worry about his knees for the rest of his life. Chambliss
ran one of the great attack ads of the 2002 cycle, one that warmed even Karl Rove's icy
heart. It featured images of Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and ... Max Cleland.
The ad savaged Cleland's votes against the "President's vital homeland security efforts."
The tag line: "Max Cleland says he has the courage to lead. But the record proves Max
Cleland is just misleading."
To recap quickly. Cleland loses three limbs in Vietnam. Cleland authors Department
of Homeland Security legislation. Bush blocks it. Bush proposes politicized version of same
legislation to trap Democrats. Cleland stands on principle and votes against it. Bush says
senators "not interested" in security of American people. Chambliss compares Cleland to
Osama and Saddam and attacks Cleland's courage.
Chambliss wins. Republicans take Senate. Bush credits victory to change in tone.
I grow discouraged.