Smiling Mask

Blueskygirl has a story to tell about Ann Marie Buerkle's abilities at deception. It is a second hand story, yet it is perfectly believable to Blueskygirl because it was told to her by a good friend and neighbor whom she trusts. She feels that her friend would have no reason to tell anything but the truth about the incident she is going to describe. It was a powerful moment for Blueskygirl's friend, and one he will never forget.

Many years ago Blueskygirl's friend worked in the human services field as an advocate for people with certain disabilities. This friend had occasion to know Ann Marie Buerkle through his capacity as a leader in his agency and field. 

Buerkle was in a position to oppose the services Blueskygirl's friend was trying to develop, and she used her power at the time to try to undermine his work and turn the public and the funders against his project. She did this by misrepresenting the nature of the disabilities and the nature of the services.   

Blueskygirl's friend had an opportunity to confront Buerkle about her outspoken opposition. He tried to have a discussion with her about the need for the services. He tried using facts. He tried to appeal to her sense of compassion. She would not be swayed.

Finally he said to her, "You are just never going to tell the truth about this, are you? You are going to go on lying, aren't you?"

Buerkle smiled broadly at him and said, "Yes, you are right."  The conversation was over. She walked away, still smiling.

Sunlight on Ann Marie Buerkle's Dark Support of Bills that Would Cut Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs

From The Washington Post this morning:

Posted at 6:00 AM ET, 01/31/2011

DCCC targets 19 with first media offensive

By Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza

In the first major media salvo of its effort to reclaim the House in 2012, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is launching an advertising campaign against 19 targeted Republican incumbents.

The radio ads, web ads, phone calls and e-mails are aimed squarely at Republicans in mostly Democratic-leaning districts. The message is that these members want to cut spending at a time when it could lead to further job losses.

"But Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle supports a plan in Congress that would cut education by 40 percent," says one radio ad. "And her plan would cut science and technology research by 40 percent, too. Research and development is how we get the new products that create new jobs."

The radio ads will begin running Monday and run through the week during drive time.

The targets are Buerkle and 18 of her colleagues: Reps. Lou Barletta(Pa.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Steve Chabot (Ohio), Chip Cravaack(Minn.), Bob Dold (Ill.), Sean Duffy (Wis.), Blake Farenhold (Texas),Mike Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), Joe Heck (Nev.),Robert Hurt (Va.), Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), Pat Meehan (Pa.),Dave Reichert (Wash.), David Rivera (Fla.), Jon Runyan (N.J.), Joe Walsh (Ill.), and Allen West (Fla.).

Almost all of these members come from districts that Obama won in 2008, and the DCCC appears to be doubling down on the president's popularity in those districts. The president has seen his approval ratings increase recently, as optimism about the economy returns.

The media blitz is a part of the DCCC's "Drive for 25" -- the slogan it chose for its attempted return to the majority. If Democrats are to win back the majority, they will need to win many of the 19 districts featured in this media campaign.