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'Hateboards' Signal GOP Fear-Monger Strategy

Republican strategy being 'field tested' on highways

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2010 2:32 AM CST | Updated Mar 5, 2010 6:05 AM CST

(Newser) – For a likely preview of the GOP's upcoming fear-fueled political campaigns, look no further than the ominous billboards sprouting along the nation's highways, like the one portraying President Obama as "Saddam Hussein" out to kill American babies. The GOP strategy to exploit "visceral fear" to raise campaign funds revealed earlier this week in a leaked RNC presentation is already being "field-tested" by interest groups sympathetic to the party, writes John Avlon in the Daily Beast.

Avlon compares the increasing number of billboards to PowerPoint presentations for drivers, ones bristling with Soviet iconography and calls to "prepare for war" if incumbents can't be defeated in the election booth. The images are evidence of "pure psychosis, stoked for partisan gain per the RNC’s stated playbook," writes Avlon.

A controversial anti-abortion billboard ad indicates that abortion rights represent a war on black babies.
A controversial anti-abortion billboard ad indicates that abortion rights represent a war on black babies.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
This billboard along Interstate 35 in Minnesota was paid for by an anonymous group of Twin Cities business owners.
This billboard along Interstate 35 in Minnesota was paid for by an anonymous group of Twin Cities business owners.   (AP Photo/Minnesota Public Radio, Bob Collins)
This broadside against Barack Obama greets drivers along US 63 in Missouri.
This broadside against Barack Obama greets drivers along US 63 in Missouri.
Closeup of a Colorado billboard portraying President Obama as a jihadist.
Closeup of a Colorado billboard portraying President Obama as a jihadist.
A protest sign with the word hate is held in front of a Colorado billboard questioning President Obama's citizenship and portraying him as a jihadist.
A protest sign with the word "hate" is held in front of a Colorado billboard questioning President Obama's citizenship and portraying him as a jihadist.
A billboard exhorts Americans to prepare for war if the presidents can't be ousted in the election booth.
A billboard exhorts Americans to "prepare for war" if the presidents can't be ousted in the election booth.
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 79 comments
njgreen
Mar 6, 2010 2:49 AM CST
Lee Atwater must be looking down, smiling. Hmmm, make that looking up.
Ana58
Mar 6, 2010 12:56 AM CST
Can you just imagine the white republican christian outrage if there were billboards lining the road depicting GW Bush with horns, pointed tail and a pitch fork! These owners who allowed these signs to be bought and used for this type of racism are every bit as racist as the buyer of the space. They want to believe this is a free speech issue to give their racist views a free pass. This one sign is right here in the state I live in and it pretty much sums up the ignorant masses that are prevalent here in Missouri. It's disgusting and shameful!
AustinFound
Mar 6, 2010 12:26 AM CST
"Black children are an endangered species."

So black people are a different species? That's news to me. I thought they were human.
 

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