How Low Can McCain Go?
Very slowly the establishment media is beginning to call McCain on his new super negative ads. Even Republican pundits are worrying if McCain is going too negative too early.
By doing so, Mr. McCain is clearly trying to sow doubts about his younger opponent, and bring him down a peg or two. But some Republicans worry that by going negative so early, and initiating so many of the attacks himself rather than leaving them to others, Mr. McCain risks coming across as angry or partisan in a way that could turn off some independents who have been attracted by his calls for respectful campaigning.
Obama’s campaign has decided to address the issue head on.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPPLSHKH0h4]
McCain’s latest anti-Obama ad using Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears has even brought McCain’s long term strategist John Weaver, to denounce the campaign management.
With the release today of a McCain television ad blasting Obama for celebrity preening while gas prices rise, and a memo that accuses Obama of putting his own aggrandizement before the country, Weaver said he’s had “enough.” The ad’s premise, he said, is “childish.” “John’s been a celebrity ever since he was shot down,” Weaver said. “Whatever that means. And I recall Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush going overseas and all those waving American flags.”
Juan Cole has suggested that the perfect celebrity pairing for John McNasty would be Amy Winehouse and Naomi Cambell. Any other suggestions?
While the McCain campaign focuses on throwing everything at Obama to see what sticks, they’re not promoting McCain policy at all. But maybe that’s the point, if they can find the issue that breaks the trending toward Obama, they hope to start sucking away his support without having to be challenged on their own platforms.
While the McCain campaign focuses on throwing everything at Obama to see what sticks, they’re not promoting McCain policy at all. But maybe that’s the point, if they can find the issue that breaks the trending toward Obama, they hope to start sucking away his support without having to be challenged on their own platforms.
I’d be willing to bet that, come mid- to late-October, there will be subtle and not-so-subtle references to Obama’s race surfacing in McCain ads and those produced by his surrogates. Don’t ever forget the vicious, slanderous lies told by the Swiftboat sleazeoids, funded in part by the ever lovable T. Goon Pickens.
I’d be willing to bet that, come mid- to late-October, there will be subtle and not-so-subtle references to Obama’s race surfacing in McCain ads and those produced by his surrogates. Don’t ever forget the vicious, slanderous lies told by the Swiftboat sleazeoids, funded in part by the ever lovable T. Goon Pickens.
Hopefully the young, first time, previously alienated, and other voters inspired by Obama will counter the sleaze believers.
Hopefully the young, first time, previously alienated, and other voters inspired by Obama will counter the sleaze believers.
i guess this ad hit close to home.
i guess this ad hit close to home.
It looks like a compliment to me, that McCain thinks it’s neccesary to be as brutal as early and often as possible.
I infer that he knows he’ll lose a reasonable and rational competition and is seeking low and lower for mud that will stick.
It looks like a compliment to me, that McCain thinks it’s neccesary to be as brutal as early and often as possible.
I infer that he knows he’ll lose a reasonable and rational competition and is seeking low and lower for mud that will stick.
I liked the point made later in that NY Times piece, quoting Dan Schnur, who worked on Mr. McCain’s 2000 campaign:
“It wasn’t until the last weeks of the primary that Clinton and her campaign really took the gloves off on Obama, and as it happens it was too little, too late. Obama is at his best when he talks from the mountaintop, and Clinton showed that the best hope for an opponent is to pull him back down to earth. McCain’s campaign quickly decided not to wait as long as she did.”
I think I said early on that the run against Clinton would be good training for Obama, for when things got ugly as the actual campaign took off. It turns out that McCain was learning too. Thankfully, Obama seems to have learned the lessons a bit better than McCain.
I liked the point made later in that NY Times piece, quoting Dan Schnur, who worked on Mr. McCain’s 2000 campaign:
“It wasn’t until the last weeks of the primary that Clinton and her campaign really took the gloves off on Obama, and as it happens it was too little, too late. Obama is at his best when he talks from the mountaintop, and Clinton showed that the best hope for an opponent is to pull him back down to earth. McCain’s campaign quickly decided not to wait as long as she did.”
I think I said early on that the run against Clinton would be good training for Obama, for when things got ugly as the actual campaign took off. It turns out that McCain was learning too. Thankfully, Obama seems to have learned the lessons a bit better than McCain.
I also have to applaud the use of the word “baloney” in reference to McCain’s ad trends. There’s something great about that word in this context.
It’s mildly condescending and definitely dismissive but still folksy. It’s old school but will appeal to exactly the right people. Obama advisor David Axelrod used it and USA Today did as well. I can see it becoming a trend.
In fact., it should be used at Obama rallies, “My baloney has a first name, it’s J-O-H-N. My baloney has a second name, it’s Mc-C-A-I-N…”
OK, the cadence doesn’t quite work, but you take my point.
And if McCain can riff on the McCain food brand logo – see http://www.mccain.com/mc_home.htm – then why can’t Obama do the same with the beloved Oscar Mayer song?
Cue wiener jokes here…
I also have to applaud the use of the word “baloney” in reference to McCain’s ad trends. There’s something great about that word in this context.
It’s mildly condescending and definitely dismissive but still folksy. It’s old school but will appeal to exactly the right people. Obama advisor David Axelrod used it and USA Today did as well. I can see it becoming a trend.
In fact., it should be used at Obama rallies, “My baloney has a first name, it’s J-O-H-N. My baloney has a second name, it’s Mc-C-A-I-N…”
OK, the cadence doesn’t quite work, but you take my point.
And if McCain can riff on the McCain food brand logo – see http://www.mccain.com/mc_home.htm – then why can’t Obama do the same with the beloved Oscar Mayer song?
Cue wiener jokes here…
What will be worse for McCain is the Republican Convention. The far right has taken absolute control of the agenda and with moderates staying away, the speeches and platform that results will be vicious.
What will be worse for McCain is the Republican Convention. The far right has taken absolute control of the agenda and with moderates staying away, the speeches and platform that results will be vicious.
Grandpa Simpson.
Grandpa Simpson.
@Brian
I have to agree.
@Brian
I have to agree.
Brian,
I think it’s very telling that a number of Republican legislators up for re-election are trying to come up with any other place to be during the Convention. No one wants to be seen with the GOP leadership, esp. Bush. And McCain has to show up and embrace it all to keep what Republican core is left and distance himself to keep independents off kilter. I don’t get the sense that McCain is a good multi-tasker of this variety.
Brian,
I think it’s very telling that a number of Republican legislators up for re-election are trying to come up with any other place to be during the Convention. No one wants to be seen with the GOP leadership, esp. Bush. And McCain has to show up and embrace it all to keep what Republican core is left and distance himself to keep independents off kilter. I don’t get the sense that McCain is a good multi-tasker of this variety.
I think this all speaks pretty clearly to McCain’s soullessness and eagerness to offer what remaining shreds of principle he may still cling to for sale to the highest bidder.
A man with integrity would, oh, for example, having himself been pummelled by the toxic Rove machine in the 2000 campaign, might pause to reflect that it doesn’t feel very good or fair to be at the receiving end of that sort of smear tactic.
McCain, however, chooses to embrace the tactic and the very tactitians.
Apparently he’d rather lose his self-respect than lose an election.
re: Juan Cole has suggested that the perfect celebrity pairing for John McNasty would be Amy Winehouse and Naomi Cambell. Any other suggestions?
Mel Gibson comes to mind. So does Carrot Top, although I’m not sure why…
I think this all speaks pretty clearly to McCain’s soullessness and eagerness to offer what remaining shreds of principle he may still cling to for sale to the highest bidder.
A man with integrity would, oh, for example, having himself been pummelled by the toxic Rove machine in the 2000 campaign, might pause to reflect that it doesn’t feel very good or fair to be at the receiving end of that sort of smear tactic.
McCain, however, chooses to embrace the tactic and the very tactitians.
Apparently he’d rather lose his self-respect than lose an election.
re: Juan Cole has suggested that the perfect celebrity pairing for John McNasty would be Amy Winehouse and Naomi Cambell. Any other suggestions?
Mel Gibson comes to mind. So does Carrot Top, although I’m not sure why…
from the Boston sports scene: Bill Belichick and Manny Ramirez?
from the Boston sports scene: Bill Belichick and Manny Ramirez?
In a way it’s nice to know how little substance McCain has upon which to run. If this is the best he can do, then we’re seeing a campaign bankrupt of good ideas, scruples, or a fighting chance of winning. I hope Obama holds himself above the gutter snipe mentality and sticks to real issues. Or it would be amusing for Obama to come out with an ad that directly addresses McCain: “John McCain, is that the best you can do? If so, then America has no hope with you.” He could do that as a 20 second spot blasted out everywhere…
In a way it’s nice to know how little substance McCain has upon which to run. If this is the best he can do, then we’re seeing a campaign bankrupt of good ideas, scruples, or a fighting chance of winning. I hope Obama holds himself above the gutter snipe mentality and sticks to real issues. Or it would be amusing for Obama to come out with an ad that directly addresses McCain: “John McCain, is that the best you can do? If so, then America has no hope with you.” He could do that as a 20 second spot blasted out everywhere…
I love the new Moses spot. The ads this week are what pushed a friend of mine over the edge from McCain to Obama — and he had a lot of unkind things to say about Obama — but he can’t take McCain anymore.
I look forward to new polling numbers about a week from now. A bit of me is afraid that this tabloid approach might draw in some voters — given the popularity of Perez Hilton and his peers — and that high school politics not real world realities might triumph
I love the new Moses spot. The ads this week are what pushed a friend of mine over the edge from McCain to Obama — and he had a lot of unkind things to say about Obama — but he can’t take McCain anymore.
I look forward to new polling numbers about a week from now. A bit of me is afraid that this tabloid approach might draw in some voters — given the popularity of Perez Hilton and his peers — and that high school politics not real world realities might triumph