In the absence of a full article today... everyone should read this column by The Norwich Bulletin's Ray Hackett which dismantles Linda McMahon and the kids playing the role of campaign staff. None of what Hackett's written surprises me, and you'll notice that some of it has already been written in The King's View multiple times over the last six months.
Hackett gets it right when he puts Linda McMahon through the ringer - the accounting of her story - through junior surrogates, of course - is well-scripted, well-rehearsed, and fictional. And whatever circus Linda thinks is set up at the Bulletin, it's likely nothing in comparison to the size of the controversial one she runs in Stamford. And if I were Linda McMahon - I wouldn't be throwing around the word Blackmail so easily loosely. That's a word that may come back to really bite her in the rear before this is all over. Not everyone in the world has been forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement, y'know.
Linda's obsession with playing the role of victim in her re-imaged difficult life is laughable; particularly considering the body count of dead and injured wrestlers in an industry that she claims to be "proud of" but won't discuss. The number of people screwed over by Linda McMahon to build her less than honorable empire is well documented in books, magazines, and documentaries that are readily available to anyone who has an interest in reading about it. But the sad truth is most people don't care - because most people can't stand Linda McMahon.
Linda has made a complete mess of things. And one thing is for certain, her ongoing war with the media has all but guaranteed that she will never be a U.S. Senator from Connecticut (or anywhere else).
What Ray Hackett and the Press haven't published is the insider's view of what Linda McMahon is doing to the Republican Brand. In truth, those who are on the take - have cashed their checks, and taken their goodie bags home - and they're sweating bullets because their own political careers and credibility are going to take a major hit when this is all over. And they know they can't back down or else Linda's henchman will expose their role in her scheme. Many of these bozos have to live for today because the true reckoning for this disaster is yet to come. The smart ones - all five of them who dared stand up to the devil and her thugs - realize that all this negativity and arrogance against the media is going to have a catastrophic effect on the Republican under ticket in November if McMahon is atop of the ticket.
Oh, and Mr. Hackett - the CTGOP has a script too - well, sorta of. And Linda McMahon doesn't follow that one either. And that's because she fancies herself a bigger actor than everyone on the CTGOP stage. Delegates, State Central Reps, and political officials and even our Chairman are mere extras on Linda's set, and they are about as important to her as the painted clouds and cardboard trees that comprise the phony reality that she's created for herself. Ask Chairman Jerry Labriola how much he enjoys every morning, slowly cracking open his newspaper with one hand over one eye, and the other squinting - just praying that his brand hasn't created a brand new scandal for him to deal with. Can you imagine being responsible for being the public face of this train wreck?
Maybe the Media is liberal, and perhaps it's filled with bead and sandal wearing hippies with long white beards who are cynical of Corporations, the Wealthy, and Jesus who will vote Obama for a second term, but that's the game. You suck it up, you go to the meeting, you answer their questions, and they rule you out. What's the big deal? No one is going to be impressed with someone who takes their ball and goes home because they don't like the rules. What a crybaby. And while we're here - no one likes to see their candidate cowering behind the children she has answering the phone, or running her office. There's a reason she hired a tainted campaign manager like Corry Bliss - in that it will be easier to throw him under the bus as an incompetent buffoon when this is all over - and she gears up to seek her next political office.
It's true, McMahon isn't a career politician - she would have had to win something to have earned that title. But she's a five year candidate who's blown a mint with nothing to show for it. Here's hoping that if Linda McMahon hasn't had her fill, that Republicans who are sick of seeing her drive the Party into the ground - certainly have.
If Connecticut's GOP wants to see a brighter day, it'll need to start by getting rid of Linda McMahon. In the meantime, I guess CTGOP candidates can add The Norwich Bulletin to its growing list of media outlets that it can cross off its Christmas Card list.
I AM
THE KING
This original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: This entry and others will be modified/updated at a future date. All entries are for the sole purpose of entertainment. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC
Hackett gets it right when he puts Linda McMahon through the ringer - the accounting of her story - through junior surrogates, of course - is well-scripted, well-rehearsed, and fictional. And whatever circus Linda thinks is set up at the Bulletin, it's likely nothing in comparison to the size of the controversial one she runs in Stamford. And if I were Linda McMahon - I wouldn't be throwing around the word Blackmail so easily loosely. That's a word that may come back to really bite her in the rear before this is all over. Not everyone in the world has been forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement, y'know.
Linda's obsession with playing the role of victim in her re-imaged difficult life is laughable; particularly considering the body count of dead and injured wrestlers in an industry that she claims to be "proud of" but won't discuss. The number of people screwed over by Linda McMahon to build her less than honorable empire is well documented in books, magazines, and documentaries that are readily available to anyone who has an interest in reading about it. But the sad truth is most people don't care - because most people can't stand Linda McMahon.
Linda has made a complete mess of things. And one thing is for certain, her ongoing war with the media has all but guaranteed that she will never be a U.S. Senator from Connecticut (or anywhere else).
What Ray Hackett and the Press haven't published is the insider's view of what Linda McMahon is doing to the Republican Brand. In truth, those who are on the take - have cashed their checks, and taken their goodie bags home - and they're sweating bullets because their own political careers and credibility are going to take a major hit when this is all over. And they know they can't back down or else Linda's henchman will expose their role in her scheme. Many of these bozos have to live for today because the true reckoning for this disaster is yet to come. The smart ones - all five of them who dared stand up to the devil and her thugs - realize that all this negativity and arrogance against the media is going to have a catastrophic effect on the Republican under ticket in November if McMahon is atop of the ticket.
Oh, and Mr. Hackett - the CTGOP has a script too - well, sorta of. And Linda McMahon doesn't follow that one either. And that's because she fancies herself a bigger actor than everyone on the CTGOP stage. Delegates, State Central Reps, and political officials and even our Chairman are mere extras on Linda's set, and they are about as important to her as the painted clouds and cardboard trees that comprise the phony reality that she's created for herself. Ask Chairman Jerry Labriola how much he enjoys every morning, slowly cracking open his newspaper with one hand over one eye, and the other squinting - just praying that his brand hasn't created a brand new scandal for him to deal with. Can you imagine being responsible for being the public face of this train wreck?
Maybe the Media is liberal, and perhaps it's filled with bead and sandal wearing hippies with long white beards who are cynical of Corporations, the Wealthy, and Jesus who will vote Obama for a second term, but that's the game. You suck it up, you go to the meeting, you answer their questions, and they rule you out. What's the big deal? No one is going to be impressed with someone who takes their ball and goes home because they don't like the rules. What a crybaby. And while we're here - no one likes to see their candidate cowering behind the children she has answering the phone, or running her office. There's a reason she hired a tainted campaign manager like Corry Bliss - in that it will be easier to throw him under the bus as an incompetent buffoon when this is all over - and she gears up to seek her next political office.
It's true, McMahon isn't a career politician - she would have had to win something to have earned that title. But she's a five year candidate who's blown a mint with nothing to show for it. Here's hoping that if Linda McMahon hasn't had her fill, that Republicans who are sick of seeing her drive the Party into the ground - certainly have.
If Connecticut's GOP wants to see a brighter day, it'll need to start by getting rid of Linda McMahon. In the meantime, I guess CTGOP candidates can add The Norwich Bulletin to its growing list of media outlets that it can cross off its Christmas Card list.
I AM
THE KING
This original blog entry can be found at http://www.thekingsview.blogspot.com/
Disclaimer: This entry and others will be modified/updated at a future date. All entries are for the sole purpose of entertainment. This article does not imply endorsement of the candidate mentioned above, nor has this article been solicited for publication by any political candidate, campaign, or PAC
Linda's tales from the script will put the CT GOP in the grave yard next to her long list of dead wrestlers who were once working families as well.
ReplyDeleteSome have emailed me that they can't find the article by Ray Hackett. So here it is:
ReplyDeleteYou'll forgive this lengthy entry, but in his "The Whole Story" email blast, Linda McMahon's campaign manager forget to include some key elements to the story line...
In response to my column Sunday, Linda McMahon’s campaign manager Corry Bliss sent out an email blast to all of their supporters taking issue with what I had to say — and then at end asked for monetary contributions.
Bliss titled his piece “The Whole Story.” Unfortunately, he left some of it out.
Bliss’ piece is another well-scripted campaign story line that tries to portray Linda as a misunderstood and targeted candidate, victimized by the liberal media. The key words are “well-scripted” and “story line.”
That is exactly what the subject of my column was about — the well rehearsed and scripted campaign story line.
Bliss states in his response that he wanted supporters to know the “whole story of why (they) chose not to participate in Hackett’s circus.” The “circus” being an editorial board interview, just like the one Chris Shays will be doing on July 12, and Susan Bysiewicz will tomorrow, and Chris Murphy will do on July 5.
He refers to my Sunday column as an “editorial” and then complains that it’s “hardly objective journalism.” He’s right and wrong in the same sentence. It isn’t objective not because it’s an editorial. It’s political opinion column.
If Linda’s campaign manager doesn’t know the difference, then she clearly isn’t getting the biggest bang for her money.
But the truth is, she is getting the best her money can buy. Bliss knows the difference between an editorial and political opinion column. But to accurately call it what is doesn’t help the scripted story line that is intended to make it look like there’s a bias against Linda.
Bliss also contends that I’ve had ample opportunities to talk with Linda, citing for example just last week when Linda was at EB.
Really now — Bliss doesn’t know the difference between a photo-op and sit-down with an editorial board?
Of course he does, but editorial board interviews aren’t scripted, and therefore, not part of the McMahon story line.
Bliss contends the campaign has never denied myself or anyone a comment when we’ve called the campaign looking for one. True, but it’s always a (scripted) comment attributed to someone other than McMahon.
Bliss contends that the campaign “gave me” the first Republican debate, saying they had 10 or so requests and decided to “give it” to me. Well, first, I didn’t know it was “their” debate to give away, and secondly, is that suppose to mean that I “owe them” something?
Sorry, but I’m not following the script along that story line.
Bliss wants supporters to believe that I and/or The Bulletin is out to derail the McMahon campaign. But he failed to mention in his (scripted) response that we published an op-ed piece from McMahon just Friday — in her own words (scripted), unedited and in its entirety.
And here’s the icing on the cake: A half-hour after calling me Friday to complain about “my tactics” regarding the editorial board meeting, Bliss sent out another email blast to supporters urging them to read Linda’s Op-ed “in the Norwich Bulletin” — and then provided the link to our web page, before asking them for money again.
Bliss contends that I “threatened” and tried to “blackmail” the campaign into agreeing to an editorial board meeting.
What I told campaign spokesman Erin Isaac Thursday, and then Bliss the following day, is that we have a long standing policy that we do not endorse candidates who refuse to meet with the editorial board. They both said that was fine with them.
Bliss didn’t mention that because that threatens the story line later on about how we refused to endorse Linda’s candidacy because she wouldn’t bow to The Bulletin’s demands.
I also told them that it is certainly within their right and their decision as to whether they want to speak with us. But they needed to understand that just because they decide they’re not going to speak to us, that doesn’t mean that we stop writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I mentioned that I had 14 (not 18) columns to write between now and the primary on Aug. 14, and a lot of that is going to be focused on the Senate race. It is, after all, the political story of the summer.
Bliss accuses me of being a bully, but then leaves out of his (scripted) response the definition of bullying.
Bullying is when you threatened to sue journalists — like they did to Journal Inquirer columnist Chris Powell, and then forward the “threatening email” to other journalists — if they didn’t stop publishing derogatory comments about the WWE.
OOPS, that wasn’t Linda’s organization making the threat in an attempt to blackmail the media, that was her husband Vince’s organization. And of course, we all know the story line on that one:
Linda and Vince don’t talk about those things at home, so the campaign was completely unaware that such bullying tactics were being employed on her behalf