Request from Senator John Kerry

November 8, 2008

From: John Kerry <info@barackobama.com>

To: Padmini Arhant

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 4:10:23 PM

Subject: Swiftboating

Obama for America

Dear Padmini,

Stand Up and Take Action

I support Barack Obama because he doesn’t seek to perfect the politics of Swiftboating — he seeks to end it.

This is personal for me, and for a whole lot of Americans who lived through the 2004 election.

As a veteran, it disgusts me that the Swift Boats we loved while we were in uniform on the Mekong Delta have been rendered, in Karl Rove’s twisted politics, an ugly verb meaning to lie about someone’s character just to win an election. But as someone who cares about winning this election and changing the country I love, I know it’s not enough to complain about a past we can’t change when our challenge is to win the future — which is why we must stop the Swiftboating, stop the push-polling, stop the front groups, and stop the email chain smears.

The truth matters, but how you fight the lies matters even more. We must be determined never again to lose any election to a lie.

This year, the attacks are already starting. Some of you may have heard about the disgusting lies about Barack Obama that are being circulated by email. These attacks smear Barack’s Christian faith and deep patriotism, and they distort his record of more than two decades of public service. They are nothing short of "Swiftboat" style anonymous attacks.

These are the same tactics the right has used again and again, and as we’ve learned, these attacks, no matter how bogus, can spread and take root if they go unchecked.

But not this time — we’re fighting back.

And when I say "we," I mean that literally. I know Barack is committed to fighting every smear every time. He’ll fight hard and stand up for the truth. But he can’t do it alone.

We need you to email the truth to your address books. Print it out and post it at work. Talk to your neighbors. Call your local radio station. Write a letter to the editor. If lies can be spread virally, let’s prove to the cynics that the truth can be every bit as persuasive as it is powerful.

The Obama campaign has created a place where you can find the truth you’ll need to push back on these smears and a way to spread the truth to all of your address book.

Take action here:

http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

So when your inbox fills up with trash and the emails of smear and fear, find the facts, and help defeat the lies.

Barack Obama is committed to bringing our country together to meet the challenges we face, but he knows that power gives up nothing without a struggle — and to win the chance to change America, we must first defeat the hateful tactics that have been used to tear us apart for too long.

With your help, we can turn the page on an era of small, divisive politics — but only if next time you hear these attacks on Barack, you take action immediately:

http://my.barackobama.com/factcheckaction

The fight is just heating up — we won’t let them steal this election with lies and distortions.

Thank you,

John Kerry

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My brief response to Senator Kerry, since it was sent from the iPhone.

From: Padmini Arhant

To: "info@barackobama.com" <info@barackobama.com>

Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:41:47 PM

Subject: Re: Swiftboating

Senator Kerry,

Thanks for the information.

I am familiar with the ‘Swiftboating’ in 2004.
I was devastated when we lost the elections in the year 2000 and 2004 with ‘outstanding’ candidates like yourself and the Vice President Al Gore.

I will do everything to stop this negative attack.

We must win this time.

Sincerely,

Padmini Arhant

Sent from my iPhone

———————————————–

Then I posted this blog on my.barackobama.com

Post from Padmini Arhant’s Blog:

Swiftboating – “Democracy under Siege”

By "Voice behind the movement" – Jan 24th, 2008 at 1:52 am EST

Comments |  Mail to a Friend  |  Report Objectionable Content

Sounds familiar!

The virus is back to attack again not only our database but also our psyche.

Somehow, this vicious and nasty virus attacks every four years i.e. around the “general election”.

Is it a menace, pest or home grown terrorism?

The virus spreads deadly and malicious rumors about the democratic candidate with an inevitable victory.

It is a fear mongering tactic to undermine democracy and steal the general election.

The only way it knows to participate in the electoral process.

It was very effective in the year 2004 against the successful Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry and now it is launching attacks against Senator Obama.

The despicable practice and harmful message filled with hatred, bigotry and venom is widespread and corrupts the mind frame of the electorate from making the right choice.

Please combat this deadly virus finally collectively as spam mail.

It destroys our effort to get back on our feet and begin our life with hope, promise and bright future by electing the candidate Senator Obama for the Presidency of the United States.

Please read my blog “Reality Check” that would explain the urgency and effective action required to eradicate the deceitful, deceptive, terrorist motive against its fellow citizens.

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant – Copyrights reserved

OBAMA SUPPORTER