As promised, McCain’s negative piece hot off the press
Just as the Obama campaign anticipated, McCain rolled out a fairly harsh attack of Obama’s honesty this morning, just hours before the two meet in Nashville tonight in their second debate. However, the attack is not on Obama’s associations, as was anticipated. I would assume that they’ll leave more personal attacks to Palin’s speeches.
For my part, I thought the ad itself was pretty weak. First off, the leading news footage about Obama wanting the state to prosecute political distortions is just not very clear. Instead, try starting a commercial with an Obama comment like this (kudos to CNN and Campbell Brown for finding this one): “I don’t think there is any doubt that John McCain’s public record about issues that he’s apologized for and written about is not germane to the presidency.” That was in reference to the Keating Five scandal, which Obama’s campaign has now created a mini-documentary about. I think that an argument along those lines might be more successful.
But that could all be beside the real point. Yesterday, I said that bringing Obama’s character and judgment into question might be all the McCain camp has left. And it may well be the only thing they have left up their sleeve. I sincerely think that McCain has an upper-hand on this issue; Obama’s record on sketchy associates is pretty awful. But the problem is, it’s not an issue that will resonate, unless it’s secondary to something bigger.
It’s hard to have an argument on personalities and associates (and character judgment) when the economy is failing. As John McCain looks to positively define an economic message, talking about earmarks and wasteful spending isn’t going to cut it.
McCain’s economic policies are good for this economy and this country. Raising taxes (as Obama would do) during a recession is a recipe for disaster. Cutting taxes and introducing more capital into the market would be productive (as McCain proposes to do). Unfortunately, McCain hasn’t been able to spell this out for the American people to date. Until he can successfully argue this simple concept, don’t expect the negative ads to do much for his chances.
Read Jonathan’s previous post | Read his liberal counterpart.
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Obama actually doesn’t plan on raising taxes for the American middle class, whom McCain refers to as the backbone of our economy. Also, how have the Bush tax cuts stimulated our economy? Please, I’d love to hear how vibrant our economy is since massive tax cuts put more capital in the market and thus have lead to this great financial joy we’re experiencing now. Look at the history. Also, it is quite clear that these smear tactics are only being employed to detract voters from the fact, that you clearly stated here, that McCain has not articulated himself precisely on what he wants to do. It’s the economy, stupid, not who Obama hung around with at one point in a boardroom.
Gatorade1234
October 7, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Unbelievable Jonathan! As the prophet Jay-Z once said, “What you eat don’t make me s%#t”
Translation: stop spewing McCain’s garbage about how Obama’s going to raise taxes. How many times does Obama have to say he will CUT taxes for 95% of American families?!?! If you make under $250,000 a year, WE WILL NOT RAISE YOUR TAXES!
I am going to a community college or an elite institution? Sometimes I wonder…
Stacy Strokerson
October 7, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Damn Stacy! It’s “Am I” not “I am”! But besides that, you are ok… yeah this article was even more idiotic than the first one.
Runnypants Jackson
October 7, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Sorry, Jonathan, I don’t think there are any more game-changers for McCain, certainly none that will happen during the 2d debate. I have never understood any part of McCain’s campaign strategy. Even his first ad before the convention, nobody in their right mind was going to believe that Obama was dumber than Paris Hilton. Whatever it was McCain saw in Sarah Palin, she succeeded in the veep debate in nothing but sending the remaining independents and other undecideds into the Obama column. Bill O’Riley went round and round with Obama about Ayers and Wright, it didn’t stop O’Riley from commending Obama as intelligent and someone who means well and not intending harm to the country. McCain/Palin’s view on “earmarks” sure sounds quaint now that McCain voted for a “bailout” bill which added 300 pages of “earmarks” to the original 100 page House bill. Well, they call it “extenders” and “add ons”, not “earmarks”, and it’s a “rescue bill”, not a “bailout”, but, you know…lipstick on a pig and all that… Nope, it looks like 2008 is 1860, the election is going to the senator from Illinois!
NU Alum in LA
October 7, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I agree with Mr. Jackson once again. Mr. Green, I love how you finish this article, “Unfortunately, McCain hasn’t been able to spell this out for the American people to date. Until he can successfully argue this simple concept, don’t expect the negative ads to do much for his chances.”
You know why he is unable to spell out simple concepts? Because he doesn’t know that much about the economy.
“[t]he issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.” [Boston Globe, 12/18/07]
I could be wrong, but Poopie Jones doesn’t want this person as president during the current economic crisis we are facing.
Poopie Jones
October 7, 2008 at 5:26 pm