McCain's step-by-step anti-Obama strategy
By Steve Benen Monday Feb 25, 2008 7:15amTime magazine’s Mark Halperin offered an interesting list today: a 16-point guide on what, in Halperin’s opinion, John McCain’s campaign can do to tear Barack Obama down. As Halperin sees it, McCain’s campaign is “staffed with savvy, experienced operatives who have closely watched the rise of Obama, and they have learned from Clinton’s failure to take down her Democratic rival.”
So, what’s the game plan? Here’s Halperin’s list, including attacks to be levied by McCain, McCain’s campaign, and attack dogs working on McCain’s behalf. Some of my favorites:
1. Play the national security card without hesitation.
That would probably be easier if McCain had an effective national security strategy — beyond “go get ‘em” — and hadn’t been wrong about Iraq in every possible way for nearly six years.
2. Talk about the Iraq War without apologies or perceived contradiction.
Too late, McCain is already contradicting himself, claiming he opposed Rumsfeld (he didn’t), opposed “stay the course” (he didn’t), called for Rumsfeld’s resignation (he hadn’t), and insisting he warned Americans from the start how difficult the war would be (he hadn’t).
3. Go at Obama unambiguously from the right.
The more McCain gives up the middle, the more independents will prefer Obama.
4. Encourage interest groups, bloggers, and right-leaning media to explore Obama’s past.
I hear those kindergarten papers are fascinating.
5. Make an issue of Obama’s acknowledged drug use.
If you say so, but if they push this too far, Cindy McCain’s record might become fair game, too.
6. Allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the race card when criticizing Obama.
Time magazine's Mark Halperin seriously recommends racist attacks? What?
10. Use his sterling war record to reinforce his image of patriotism and valor – and contrast it with his opponent’s.
Maybe, if this race becomes “the future vs. the past,” heroic military service in the 1960s may prove to lack political salience now.
11. Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama’s unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.
If and when McCain gets to the “Hussein” nonsense, we’ll know his desperation factor is awfully high.
13. Face an electorate less consumed with “change change change” (the main priority for Democratic voters) and keenly interested in “ready from day one” as an equally important ideal.
Maybe, but it’s tougher to sell “ready from day one,” when McCain has been “wrong from day one” on all the issues voters care about.
14. Link biography (experience/courage) and leadership (straight talk) to a vision animated by detail – accentuating Obama’s relative lack of specificity.
That’d be great if McCain didn’t offer fewer specifics than any major candidate in either party.
16. Confront Obama with a united, focused campaign absent of second-guessing, which hits the same themes and message every day.
Given McCain’s propensity for saying whatever pops into his head, a disciplined campaign may prove to be a tall order.
I guess we’ll find out soon enough if Halperin’s 16-step guide is what McCain needs, but I’m a little skeptical.
Login or Register to post comments.
Number five, I believe, is especially important, and your counter-tactic is perhaps the best way to take care of it.
I don't think there's anyway McCain can do to beat Obama. And I think the GOP knows it too.
Obama has youth on his side and optimism, which is highly contagious.
What's McCain got? Fear? Iraq? People are sick of that shit!
10
it's all he's got...actually it's tarnished by torture vote.
They're going to attack Michelle Obama. It will be a combination of racist attacks "she's edgy" and to undermine his masculinity "she wears the pants in the family". It's just starting. Oprah will be dragged in, as well. It's going to get very ugly. I sure hope they a plan of defense beyond "change" and "reaching across the aisle".
I've got one thing to say....quoting Bill Maher from his terrible show of last week....the one shining comment....regarding Obama vs McCain...
"It will be like Youtube vs Feeding tube"
Bush=McCain.....that should be coming out of every Democratic voter's mouth, all day, every day.... THERE ARE NO DIFFERENCES... NOT ONE.
You can 'be a maverick' when you're a senator, but as soon as the GOP puts that crown on your head, you are OWNED by Big Oil, Big Pharma, the Military Industrial Complex, and are a servant of the Power Republican families....
I agree that this is all pretty pathetic, although probably an accurate rendering of the what's coursing through all those lizard-brains at the moment. However, it's not as if there aren't legitimate arguments to be made against Obama which, for whatever reason, Clinton has not touched. I'm still very nervous about all of this:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-0611010273nov01,1,2716725.story
At least Mr. "Keating Five" isn't in much of a position to leverage the anti-corruption angle. Still, I don't see what Obama could possibly do or say to dispel the appearance of impropriety in this Rezko house deal.
I love the smell of desperation in the morning. It smells like ... victory.
McCain's got nothing.
GoodGod @ 4:
Do not underestimate the power of Oprah.
If she wants to give you a car, you're getting a car !
This list of his sounds like satire. Does he think the public wants to hear about war right now? Maybe, but only if the words "bring them home" is included. And playing the race card? What decade are we living in? Yeah sure, there is someone out in our country who has never been to war but happily cheers it on from his couch and who still believes he is of the superior race, but that guy isn't going to get off his lazy ass and take the trouble to get out and vote.
I would be ashamed to pen my name as the author of that list.
If all else fails McCain can remind the public that he endorsed the teaching of intelligent design in American schools back in 2005. That might play well with the insane voters.
So our MSM is now giving out TIPS to McCain on how to win now?
Why can't these "reporters" just stick to the news? If only we had more journalists giving us FACTS instead of the idiotic guess work that's lodged in their tiny brains.
pissed off patricia @ 9:
I have a sneaking suspicion that Bush will try to pull out before the Republican Convention (just like his daddy shoulda, lole! [/cliché]) so as to close off a few votes to Obama. Everyone ought to be prepared to call bullshit on it if/when it happens.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/diebold_accidentally_leaks
pissed off patricia @ 9:
I don't know the author but I could have easily written that list. The list says that McCain has nothing solid to stand on and the author of the list recognizes that. So he's saying if McCain wants even the slightest chance he has to manufacture fear and fake outrage and hopefully some of it will stick.
My point is I'm not sure the author is saying it's the right thing to do. He's just saying it's McCain's only chance. And me reading between the lines, it also says that chance is a risky long-shot.
Hillary has already tried the 'soft' attack, the 'hard' attack, the race card, the drug card, the inexperience card, you name it. Obama just gets more popular by the hour.
Remember the Democratic trump card ..... BUSH !!
compared to him, inexperience, drug use and corruption seem silly.
you cannot stop a 50,000-ton freight train heading downhill by shooting spitballs at it.
Payback's a bitch.
Number 10: Will McCain allow his records as a pow be made public? So far they have been sealed. If you are going to play off your war record, then we the public have the right to see those records.
So that's how they'll go after our VP pick. But what's his strategy towards our Democratic presidential nominee - Hillary?
I think a potential good defense for Obama's past drug use to ask what McCain current drug use. Seriously. Do you know any 70+ year olds that aren't taking tons of meds? with all kinds of side effects?
Halperin is a day late and a dollar short on that one. It's standard practice. National radio talk-tool Bill Cunningham received his memo and was repeating the "Barack MOHAMMED HUSSEIN Obama" and "madrassa" smears ten times an hour two months ago.
BTW Mark, just a tip ~ America POWs whose memories actually were being refreshed for five years near the border of Manchuria, might want to keep an arm's length from bringing talk about any "Manchurian Candidate prisms" into the debate.
Obama will wipe the floor with McCain. The republicans will scream the whole time and bore us to death with McCain's record as a "hero", but at the end of the day all they have is the 2008 version of Bob Dole.
My political blog
ProudLiberal @ 14:
Yep, that pretty much jibes with what I'm expecting. (H/T)
ProudLiberal @ 14:
Too true for comfort. If the election does go off, which I personally don't believe it will. You'll have the rigged voting machines and vote blocking to contend with. I still wonder why in the world that the Bush gang would want to leave office. That silly little constitutional thing that says they have to? Have you checked out the constitutions health lately? Wasn't it Bush who said it's just a piece of paper? When all that money and power is flowing so nicely into Dick and Georges veins, just like a hit of drugs. How in the world can you wean them from it. Short of a revolution that is.
I don't see how Obama's dabbling in drugs can hurt him in the eyes of a growing base of pot smokers...
I don't see how Obama can lose - after all, he can fix your computer (and more!) - See http://obamawill.com
Verdillac @ 25:
You'd be surprised. Potheads tend not to make it out to the polls that reliably.
"Vote ? Was that today?"
Senator Chis Dodd will endorse Obama today.
Thank you once again, Senator Dodd. We heart you for that.
11. Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama’s unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.
Yeah, because in the Manchurian Candidate, a soldier was captured during the war and subjected to torture, resulting in the brainwashing of said soldier.
This is a winning strategy because, after all, Barack was shot down over Vietnam and spent a great deal of time in the Hanoi Hilton.
I think there may be more potheads and ex-potheads out here today than there are those who never tried anything.
Brilliant strategy-that ought to keep it within 10 points. I think even the American Idol, Jack Bauer TV simpletons have caught on to the GOP's M.O. Corporate America can only squeeze your balls for so long in the name of "national security".
Obama can attack Mac on the age thing by publicly referring to his opposition research people as 'historians'
Wow. Bring it! I've been wavering between Hilary/Obama, being in a state yet to vote. Neither are particularly progressive in my estimation. Well, I went over to Obama because of how he responded to the attacks on his patriotism: he called out the phony patriotism of the folks who didn't give the troops what they needed and didn't provide all that wounded servicemen and women needed when they returned. Right on!
Is this the best the right has? Bring it. I feel confident Obama can take it. And go on the offensive.
I can't wait for the VP picks. Given the choices out there, McCain's pick can only make him worse, Obama's pick can only add to the tidal wave (unless it's HRC, but come on).
This is going to be delicious.
Halperin is clearly delusional.
RePIGlicans have nothing left to offer America.
They are a dying party of old of pasty white "christian" males - each one of them with one hand in their pants, the other waving wildly, as they run around their war rooms with glazed eyes shouting - "Bomb them! - CARPET Bomb Them!! - BOMB EVERYBODY!!!"
They really don't care who they bomb though - as long as we are bombing someone, with someone else next in line.
They have no place in the new world and should just quietly leave the stage and leave the adults to clean up their mess - if it's not too late.
*
6. Allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the race card when criticizing Obama..
Mark Halperin desperately needs to get his ass kicked.
What a ****sucking ***hole.
And in TIME magazine, no less. Wow. I guess we're "over race" in this country.
Unfortunately, all McCain needs is a very small swing, based on current polls
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html
If Hillary was the opponent, he'd already be ahead.
The most important factor for Obama will be keeping the young, black and women voters motivated and getting them out to vote in November.
A better strategy for McCain would be to encourage apathy
If that is McCain's strategy then its pretty poor in my opinion. Hyping Iraq and national security did not work very well in the 2006 Congressional elections and may be even worse for the GOP in 2008. Many voters see the GOP as warmongers, war criminals or just plain incompetent.
Next, the third option may backfire on McCain. If they come at Obama from the far right the voters may find (as James Dobson has pointed out) that McCain shares many of the same ideals as the Democrats. At least, that is how the far right wing see it. By doing this, they may make McCain out to be even less popular in the GOP that he already is.
Lastly, number 10 on that list did not work for Bob Dole or John Kerry against another candidate that did not serve and this may not work for McCain either. A candidates military service and/or patriotism may play with some but most Americans consider that not necessarily a needed qualification these days. Especially with the current Iraq and Afghanistan debacles. McCain's service record did not help him in 2000 and more than likely will not help in 2008 against a very popular Obama.
How many Democratic debates have we had so far? About 10,000 it would seem, and yet for Hillary it all pretty much comes down to this one tonight. She must be feeling some serious pressure and anxiety today. I doubt either Hillary or Obama would feel that much pressure in any debate with McCain. McCain isn't good at debates and he really shows his age with his attempt at humor. No matter who the Dem. candidate is, all they have to do is be smart and take the high road when the smear attacks come at them. So far Obama is handling this stuff perfectly and thanks to Hillary's campaign people he's getting a lot of practice ahead of time.
clinton, nader, and mccain are all out to force-feed me:whether it's more war, more tax cuts, more bill, more smears, more cynicsm, more doubt, more fear... and i TELL you, i REJECT this! it's ironic that we've lost manufacturing jobs in this country, we can't MAKE the things that makes modern life functional and convenient, but can make up a whole lot of useless crap,and spend
a king's ransom for it-damned near treat it like gold! that's how sick and disposable our society has become! . maybe this is a movement that, surprise,surprise...will be led by the nation's young(and "young- at-hearts")to pull our national discourse from the dumpsters of history. it's almost mindboggling that postmodern america,with its wonderous advancements still needs a pinch of enlightenment from so much 'medievel' destruction.
incunabulum @ 19:
Wow, this must have been posted early last year.
The obvious counter on this is that McCain has been unstable and volatile ever since he returned from Vietnam. His rage and anger-management problems - probably induced by head-trauma - are legend in DC.
*
there is no McCain strategy that can win this for him. the only way he wins is if the democrats turn on each other. this has been in the repug playbook from years back. getting Darth Nader stick his ass in the race (AGAIN) is their first down play. we don't need to sit around and see how many votes he will take from the democrats.
No 17: Rely on asshole reporters to help you out with your slimeball strategy.
Hi, I'm Mark Halperin! I'm am shitbag!
Maybe McCain could say that he would pick Dick Cheney for his vice president and george bush as his Secy of Defense. Think that might help?
CalGeorge @ 44:
Or a realist. When the policies you have to offer make no sense, hurt the country and support only the priviledged all there is left is a smear campaign.
left of center @ 43:
I agree. However, Nadar's candidacy could just as easily take votes away from McCain as well. McCain is not sitting pretty in the GOP and Nadar may just find that some of those GOP voters will gravitate to him instead for a wide variety of reasons. At this point, I'm having a hard time finding any Democrats or Independents that are seriously thinking about backing McCain.
Trittydi @ 42:
Also you have to ask if it helps to point out McCain's military service, when doing so will point out how many DECADES a go that was.
Filthy Harry @ 20:
Very good point. Obama aside - this should be asked.
*
No. 18: Emphasize Barack Obama's intelligence. This will alienate 99% of America instantly.
No 19: Emphasize that Barack Obama is less cuddly that John McCain. Americans loves to cuddle!
Maybe Halperin's next article will be about how to conduct assination for political gain.
Trittydi @ 42:
McCains so called sterling record, may not be so sterling. There have been questions for years about McCain's POW years. His military records have been sealed, and not open to public review. He needs to let these records be unsealed, and then let the chips fall where the may. I'snt gonna happen.
If you need a hack reporter to tell you how to beat your opponent in a Presidential race you have already lost.
That is not an anti-Obama strategy. It is an anti America strategy. It flies in the face of every principal that we live by. It addresses no political issues, aiming only at personal destruction. It's purpose is to defeat the American peoples ability to see the candidate from an issues oriented vantage. Halperin should be called on the carpet about this as it speaks only of him and not Obama and what it says is shocking.
Nice to see Slime Magazine advocating overt racism.
I hope that gets pointed out to African-Americans.
-GSD
john mccain is home. he's safe(although, i don't think we're safe from him), he's in the senate. he gets to negotiate, twist arms, crack heads, 'make friends...and is becoming quite 'prosperous.' many, many veterans of this and past wars and conflicts can't say that by no fault of their own.america's warriors must be utilized better than bush, and mccain have allowed. it is nothing short of abuse of their loyalty, devotion and pride in service. barack obama will not piss around with these people's lives and will afford them the respect, honor and resources they have earned. the objective should always be 'a peacetime force'. it doesn't mean their readiness will decline, but because of bush's destructiveness and rumsfeld's apathy and indifference, we have to rebuild parts of the armed forces and restore its morale, RESPONSIBLY.
GSD @ 55:
Slime Magazine's Mark Hatpin. LOL :)
As a Viet Nam Vet (67-68) I have huge problems with McCains military service records. If Obamas past is fair game, then McCains military records should be made public. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander.
Chico @ 8:
By the time the ReThugs are done with Obama, after his Media holiday is over (and the MSM turns on him), I'm afraid that it will take "a new car from Oprah in every pot/garage" to win this thing. Obama is experiencing a golden moment. Enjoy it. But it sure won't last if the Obama campaign doesn't have an aggressive counter attack plan.
I keep hearing a lot about the McCain camp using the Manchurian Candidate line of attack on Obama... have these people never seen the film? Is that something a former POW really wants to start bandying about?
Is this a joke?
I know Halperin is a tool, but is he serious here?
He's claims to be a responsible journalist - I think his credentials are in question.
Richard @ 54:
Bravo Richard. You nailed it completely.
Filthy Harry @ 20:
You must be awfully young. I'm 62, my wife just turned 64, and neither of us takes any pharmaceuticals. Just a few vitamins. My point is, intelligent people living healthy lives don't EVER have to take "tons of meds." Or any at all, in our cases.
Not that McCain isn't doing so, you understand. But I thought you should start looking forward to your own maturity, not buying into the myth that decay and medication are inevitable.
Regarding Halperin's #11 ...
It's only in the Bush/Cheney universe of the unitary executive that fears of a president who was secretly indoctrinated in fundamentalist Muslim teachings are even remotely coherent.
We're to believe that all these armchair patriots will ditch their flag pins and dutifully line up outside the mosque if Shari'a Law Comes To Anytown USA?
It's an ontological disaster for the Republicans. They're going to go down in flames simply because of who they are.
.
McCain's got nothing but fear,anger, and racism. No worries. Obama will kick his ass in the fall. Appealing to the most ignorant won't work this time.
It's all starting to make sense now, or my paranoia has reached new highs(lows?)!
"6. Allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the race card when criticizing Obama."
Time magazine’s Mark Halperin seriously recommends racist attacks? What?
Some sick f**k from the other side(I mean real sickie who still lives in pre 1960's mentality, or current Repug mentality), believes in #6 like God's gospel, and decides to assassinate Obama for the good of his WHITE,CHRISTIAN country, probably in late September or early October.
Of course, all hell breaks loose politically about who should represent the Democratic Party, since our chosen candidate is dead and the elections are near(shit, sounds like Pakistan and King George's BFF Mushariff). Maybe some violence, maybe not; but this does not matter to my theory.
King George will now declare Martial Law, and like BFF Mushariff, will cancel the elections for the sake of the country, and continue ruling until our dictator decides that it is finally safe to hold elections, probably at least until all remnants of American law are forgotten and we are ruled by Bush's laws. King George will really be King George I, in everything but name.
Any other period of post Revolutionary history this would be pure lock me up forever in a mental ward story telling; today it is a real possibility!!
The GOP offering a 16-point strategy based on fear, racism, and shallowness? There's something new...
Bring 'em on...
But these are not completely all that will happen. Halperin's are floated ideas, but none of them will work because as the public has more of an opportunity to see Barack, that will offset the doubt.
Sitting around listening to my Repug friends 'go off' on everything Democratic, it doesn't take long to realize that they're quite ready to take anything that reeks of ridicule and run with it. So just get ready and be ready to throw it back at 'em...that is if you're ready to duke it out. Appreciated Rachel Maddow's comment about if Kerry had had a set like Obama is featuring now four years ago then instead of wimping out to the swiftboaters the country would have been made embarrassingly aware of geedubya's, drug-laden, awol-ending, legacy-aided, whore-hopping, stint in the TANG and we wouldn't have had to suffer the SOB these past four years.
And speaking of drug use, seems to me that Obama could respond to claims he (used, experimented, et. al.) back then - and in the belief that it destroys some brain cells - that he knew one day he would have to be debating someone like John McCain and he - Obama - was, even then, wanting to ensure that it would be a 'fair fight'.
Joe O. @ 47:
Nader offers repugs who refuse to vote for McCain, a chance NOT to vote for a democrat. I think the "third party" has hurt the democrats more often then they hurt repugs. I hope it doesn't happen.
Richard @54 "...It flies in the face of every principal that we live by."
I agree completely with your sentiment Richard, but I have a minor criticism..
It's just me really but along with the Karl Rove attacks that now are dated I think the phrase, "flies in the face" should be retired. Also, I like to nominate for burial:
"Things we don't do and the things we do do"
"New direction"
"Mandate"
I've seen a lot of these silly lists going against the Dems likely candidate.
Where is the list to attack the Repugs? That's what I want to see.
If they're going to be aggressive, so should we. With more class of course.
What a sucky strategy. Is that all they've got?
1. National security? Doesn't work anymore. "Boy who cried wolf" and all. People aren't buying into the fear propaganda anymore, and polls show most people already think the Dems would do a better job at national security now. Stress the issue enough and McCain will end up a laughingstock, much like Giuliani's parroting of 9/11.
2. Iraq - McCain would do best to shut up about Iraq as far as possible, and try to convince people staying there is the best course of action. But most Americans already think Iraq is a massive failure, and he's unlikely to succeed.
3. Go at Obama from the right - With the economy in the s**tter, the right can't sell much that people want, except for tax-cuts, which McCain voted against. McCain is in the impossible situation of either alienating the conservatives in the GOP or the middle-voters, and he can't win without the support of both.
5. Drug use is a total non-issue. It didn't work against Clinton in 1990. Didn't work against Bush. Didn't work against Bloomberg. Basically, it's not something that causes people to change their vote.
6. Racist attacks? If racist attacks appeal to you, then you're not going to vote for the Democrats anyway. Or you've been living under as rock since 1960. But I welcome such attakcs; I couldn't imagine a better way to alienate all but the extremist fringe of the GOP. Condoning or refusing to discourage such attacks could drive liberal-minded Republicans to vote against McCain on sheer principle. Ron Paul's campaign was hurt immensely by the revelation of his past racist remarks.
10. War record didn't work against Clinton and didn't work for Kerry. Given that Obama was 10 years old at the time, McCain will just risk looking more like an old man.
Can you say "tongue in cheek"? That's how I read it...
The use of "Mark Halperin" and "seriously" in the same sentence cracks me up.
Expect endless replays of Michelle Obama's "for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country". Also, during one of the debates, Obama and Clinton were asked if they will raise taxes to pay for health insurance for those who don't have it. They both answered "Yes" before qualifying it with "for the wealthy only". Expect Obama's "Yes" to be set to music and aired continuously. This is only the beginning, folks. Obama is complaining about Hillary's constant attacks. He's going to learn what being attacked really means, from the pros.
But lucikily for all of us , McCain listens to no man, except George W. Bush.
Which has already turned him into another Buffoon:
The press just reported:
Oh here we go ..
I think he missed the main objective of any anti-Obama campaign - try to make him act angry. It is looking like Americans are willing to elect a capable black man, but I think that will be far less true for an "angry black man".
So far, it appears the Obama campaign had this at the top of their list from the start. But the efforts will get nastier - attacks on his wife, kids, mother, father, race, everything - to try to get a personal rise.
It reminds me of Jackie Robinson...
I wouldn't be surprised if there are not some Vietnam Vets out there still nursing a grudge—can't blame 'em; they got screwed but they seem to turn their anger towards the wrong targets—against McCain who will volunteer for a slimeboating mission against McCain's service record. These guys will eventually bump into someone willing to modestly bankroll them and then McCain's service records will become as useful as Kerry's (maybe Kerry will offer McCain the same tepid defense that he received from McCain). The potential bankroller could come from any part of the political spectrum since McCain has some serious enemies in the GOP.
#17
Lone crazed gunman.
Works every time. It'll be 20 years before anyone figures out the truth.
Brilliant strategy! The 30% will be completely unified in their support of McMealymouth.
ProudLiberal @ 14:
Perfect - it should be run as one of those infomercials with the fake news reports. The Diebold CEO could be played by the sleazy guy with the slicked back hair and pencil-thin mustache. Or maybe Mitt Romney.
[Deleted. Abusive, racist-Sitemonitor]
Any idiot can play this game. Proof below. But is this how we want our top leaders of national discourse to frame the game? Sickening.
How Obama should campaign...
1. State McCain wants 1,000 more wars for 1,000 more years without hesitation.
2. Talk about the Iraq War without apologies or perceived contradiction.
3. Go at McCain unambiguously from your natural center left positions that are aligned with most Americans needs.
4. Encourage interest groups, bloggers, and left-leaning media to explore McCain’s past.
5. Make an issue of McCain’s acknowledged inability to grasp how the economy works.
6. Allow some supporters to risk being accused of using the old age card when criticizing McCain.
7. Exploit Cindy’s mistakes stealing drugs from a charity and address her controversial remarks with unrestricted censure.
8. Play dirty without alienating his party.
9. Dismiss McCain’s flip flopping on issues during his long standing national tenure from his own lofty positions. There will be no ambiguity about who has more experience flip-flopping or who almost joined John Kerry as V.P. on the 2004 Democratic ticket.
10. Use his war record to reinforce his exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.
11. Emphasize McCain’s unusual act of divorcing his wife for a younger hotter version that could fund his political ambitions through her trust fund.
12. Employ third party groups to hit McCain on issues that might turn off core republican voters. Perhaps an ad such as this will run in Texas: “So, what do you really know about John McCain? Did you know he supports Mexicans in our country? Do you know he wants to hurt our economy by placing environmental taxes on companies that employ millions of your neighbors? Do you know he once voted to decrease taxes on rich people? Do you know he campaigned for the former Democrat Vice President nominee Joe Lieberman’s Senate seat? What do you really know about John McCain?”
13. Face an electorate less consumed with “more of the same” (the main priority for Republican voters) and keenly interested in “please stop the insanity” as an equally important ideal.
14. Link biography of helping disadvantaged and poor prior to political career to a vision animated by big money, lobbyists and corporate influence.
15. Give ready for a fierce Republican assault, led by journalists who are not afraid to assist their assault by spreading lies. (Mark Halperin has always asserted it is OK to lie.)
16. Confront McCain with a united, focused campaign absent of second-guessing, which hits the same themes and message every day.
Given McCains constant flip flopping, a disciplined campaign may prove to be a tall order.
Simon White-Thatch Potentloins @ 2:
As Hillary is finding out.
One thing Obama and others need to be prepared for is what the whitehouse will do before the election. They'll start putting out false reports of progress in Iraq, capturing terrorist operatives, thwarting false plots, and moving the terror alert rating up and down. They'll hope this will get people scared enough to vote for a warmonger.
In other words, issues are secondary, image and pr is everything. How broken is this democracy?
Isn't Halperin the same cat who said as late as November 2006, that the Republicans would more than likely hold on to both Houses because Karl Rove would somehow turn things around. And isn't this the same guy who begged Hugh Hewitt to believe that he was not a part of the liberal media. If someone can tell me what his bona fides are then maybe I will give a crap what he says.
This is all the natural endstate of a capitalist and consumerist culture. The folks with the power/money are fewer in number with closely aligned goals. The remainder are confused and blaming the wrong thing or grasping at their own delusional treatments for the malaise.
Republican Poster @ 84:
You should really look into updating your prescription.
Republican Poster, if you were doing a paraody of a knuckle dragging simpleton, good job, you managed to capture their outlook well (especially on how you articulated how the public would never vote for a candidate that actually is closer to them on the issues according to polls. The public, even if it means raising taxes, wants universal healthcare for instance, which places them to LEFT of Obama). If not, PLEASE come back in November. I've been waiting my entire adult life to gloat to people like yourself. Your simplistic views of the world and outdated and ideologically rigid policies have destroyed this country. If you honestly believe what you post you are in for an emotional letdown this election.
@ 84: Keep it up. I love the sound of a frightened Republican whistling in the dark.
How come I don't see any mention about "HUSSEIN" and "O(S)ama"?
John H. Farr @ 63:
Not AWFULLY young but the point is McCain's got 8 to 10 years on you and even though you folks aren't taking meds, its definitely not unreasonable to think that a 72 year old man who spent 5 years as POW is taking a mess o meds. Especially in America.
"Do you suffer from autonomic repetitive eyelid spasms that cause temporary blindness? Ask your doctor about Blinxcil. Side affects may cause blindness."
Pepper @ 92:
That's the best you have, isn't it? Name calling.
Nationalized healthcare has polled well since the 70s. It's been on your agenda since the 50s. Every election cycle you guys say the same thing. And every election, when the public gets a chance to vote on it, as sees the detail and how it would affect their lives, they reject it.
"Outdated ideologically rigid policies?" I'm thinking of John Kerry. He got killed on national security. Even you guys remember that. And I remember how cocky you morons were, even when the exit polls came out. Then you put up a website apologizing to the entire freaking world for the election!
Notice how the Obama camp freaked out when Clinton gave those photos to Drudge with the robes? There's a reason they freaked. They know Obama can be easily painted as an outsider to basic American experience. Voters don't like that. You'll scream about racism, but that isn't what it is. Even if it were, there is black racism, white racism, asian racism, etc in the electorate.
Halperin seems to be saying that his 16 points are analysis -- not advice. In other words, he's saying these are things that McCain's camp will probably be considering, they're not things Halperin is advising them to consider.
So, I'll give the dude credit for not advocating racism. I'll also give him credit knowing that McCain's people-- and Repubicans, generally -- will have no compunction about using racism if they can figure a way to do it without hurting their own candidate. Same-same drug use: Halperin isn't calling for an attack on Obama so much as pointing out an areas of possible vulnerability.
In any case, Obama's people are, I am sure, are well aware of all 16 points, and are more than capable of pre-empting or countering them if and when McCain's camp decides to use them.
#4 is dead on - Obama needs to address the following, because the Republican sure aren't going to be shy about them. I'm not saying I would necessarily agree with the tactics they are going to use, but as an HRC supporter, I think these need to be addressed (or at least prepared for) before the R's make them a real story (and before I want him as the Democratic nominee).
1) Explain why his wife got a $200,000 raise at a not-for-profit hospital AFTER he became a senator for being Vice President of a Community Outreach program? Was her performance really that good? Is this why our health costs are so high? (And remember, she scaled back her workload to 20%, and she's still being paid over $300,000)
1a) Why is this not-for-profit hospital being accused of price gouging? (Maybe
because in FY 2007, it made a profit of
$143,158,000 (compared to a FY 2006 profit of
$74,236,000 - 15% increase). And, this is the same hospital that refuses to provide
discounts to the uninsured, and it's a hospital that according to the American
Hospital Directory marks already expensive drugs by 537%. This is also the same
hospital, in an effort to help out struggling Cook County Hospital, offered to send
them all their Medicaid patients, which would allow UHC to service more patients
with insurance (get the poor people out of the waiting rooms so they don't mingle
with the rich folk).
This is the same hospital that offering no discounts to the uninsured and that has
been singled out by the Illinois Democratic Attorney General for providing so little in
charity care.
And he's going to fix health care, how?
2) Explain his wife's doings while sitting on the board of TreeHouse Foods, a major vendor to Wal-Mart (for which he criticized HRC),where she made $45,000 a year serving on the board of a Chicago-area company that pays its executives a very hefty amount of money while laying off mostly minority workers in an economically deprived area from which she only stepped down after he decided to run for President.
3) Why, before they supported him, did he consider unions "another special interest" group? Why did he criticize and disavow 527's, but accepted their help in California?
4) Rezko (a 17 year relationship) - even Obama admits he was "bamboozled" but by the time he bought his $1.6 million house, Rezko was being watched by the feds. By the time Obama bought the piece of land between the properties, Rezko was all over the news - didn't Obama read a newspaper or turn on the TV and know this guy was bad news? Or did he lack the judgment to distance himself from his friend?
5) Why, if Obama was such a community activist, were people in his district in Illinois having their heat turned off by Rezmar (Rezko's company) and he supposedly didn't know anything about it? A community organizer would have his ear to the ground and contacts who would tell him things - he said he was not aware anyone called his office.
6) Why does Obama have people advising him that are pro-Palestine, anti-universal health care (and, in fact, was one of the leading members of Congress to decry HRC's plan in the 1990's ), an economics advisor who reportedly (Goolsbee) to have told Obama not to back a compulsory freeze on home mortgage foreclosures to help the struggling middle class in the current depression crisis, and an advisor who advocates partial privatizing of Social Security (Jeffrey Liebman)?
7) Obama's state legislature voting record - first, he voted "present" nearly 130 times (in fact, Illinois records show at least 36 times when Mr. Obama was either the only state senator to vote present or was part of a group of six or fewer to vote that way. And, on the federal level, the fact that he criticized HRC for her vote on the Kyl-Lieberman bill, but then he was too busy campaigning to vote, thereby giving him "plausible deniability". It certainly begs the question whether he will take a stand on tough issues or not.
8) Explain why he let his campaign play the race card when it was convenient (See: taking BC's and HRC's comments which were NOT racist and making them racist; see Jesse Jackson, Jr's HRC/Katrina comments, and his threatening of black lawmakers to support Obama as superdelegates).
9) Larry Johnson. While I don't think this story is true, if you don't think the R's are going to bring out a guy who claims he snorted coke with and gave oral sex to Sen Obama in the back of a limo, then you are naive. Especially if Johnson's claim in the Minnesota court moves forward and if he passes the lie detector test he's willing to take.
10) And of course, once Karl Rove's minions get a hold of the not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem, Michelle Obama's "proud" statement, Michelle's college thesis, which isn't being released until the day after the election, the whole father is a Muslim thing, his race, etc. don't think these will not (fairly or unfairly) change a few people's minds about voting for him.
McCain’s step-by-step anti-Obama strategy
1. Go to nursing home
2. Give speech starting with "My friends"
3. Interupt speech to state bingo is at 6:30pm so the sponge bath isn't too late
4. Fall asleep
5. Wake up and notice supporters are sleeping and drooling
6. Speak loudly at end of speech to scare supporters awake
7. End speach with a promise of one free sponge bath with every vote
8. Get on StraightJacket Express
9. Fall asleep
Republican Poster @ 84:
I like it when neocons throw that line out. As if bush had any foreign policy experience before 9/11.
And before you get to bush 'learning on the job' - I don't think anyone could mess things up more than bush has. Kicking Obama because of this is a straw man argument to the extreme. Keep playing, Timmy. You're a good laugh.
xoites defends Constitution @ 41:
Or is my post from the FUTURE?
Of course, 99% of the Republican tactics would evaporate if Obama chose Wesley Clark as his running mate. I hope the Dems don't forget about him.
Number 5, trying to bring up Obama's drug use, probably has less effect that everyone hopes. Obama has admitted that he used drugs. For McCain to continue to bring up topics that Obama has faced and admitted, would show a lot of desperation. Not to mention the danger of what could be brought up from his veery long life.
Bud @ 100:
Bush was light on experience. No question. But the 2000 election wasn't about national security. If Al Gore were a better politician, he could have framed it that way, but he didn't. With Cheney on the ticket, Bush had national security covered for that election.
Maybe if Obama got a real hawk on board on national security as VP, he could campaign on that issue - but that's not going to happen.
If the election is about national security (which it will be), McCain beats Obama. My name isn't Timmy, by the way.
Pericles @ 102:
That would be his best move, I agree.
Republican Poster @ 104:
unless there is another catastrophic attack on American soil, this election is so not going to be about national security. hundreds of thousands of families are losing their homes due to predatory lending practices that were fostered under republican leadership. Majority of middle-class, due to inflation rising faster the pay raises are now earning less than they used to. Oil? conservatives argued if they didn't get their way it might go to *GASP* $100 a barrel. Well they got their way and, bingo. Katrina? HELLO?
But even IF the election is about national security, it will only be because people are worried about it. And if they are worried about it, who is going to feel the heat? The republicans who've been in control all these years, so Obama can still win if the focus is national security.
Pericles @ 102:
Why do you need another war criminal with power?
Filthy Harry @ 106:
OK, fair enough. If the election IS about national security, Obama loses.
The question is: will it be? In a post 9-11 world, when we have troops fighting in two countries, there is NO QUESTION that it will be a factor. Voter won't blame McCain for Rumsfeld's poor execution.
Will it be MORE about the economy? Hard telling. Everyone's gonna have refund check in their hands. If this is a typical recession, the prognosis is going to be hopeful in November. This may be a worse downturn than economists (other than Krugman) expect, and you'll hope for the worst, but there is a pretty good chance that the economy will fade as an issue.
McCain needs to get himself in a better position on the economy. He's said some stupid things. But that isn't a clear winner for Obama, because he can't pay for his programs. McCain voted against the last round of tax relief. McCain can position himself well on the economy.
Blueprint on how to swiftboat Obama:
Obama is a Muslim
Obama's middle name is Hussein
Obama used a Koran to swear myself into the Senate
Obama was schooled in a muslim madrasa
Obama does not place his hand over his heart for the national anthem
Obama does not wear an American flag lapel pin
Obama's wife never felt proud of US until recently
Obama's wife wrote racist thesis at Princeton
Obama belongs to a racist anti-semitic church
Obama loves Louis Farrakhan
Obama met with former Weather Underground members
[Deleted. Abusive-Sitemonitor]
pissed off patricia @ 30:
Hey, I resemble that remark!
Republican Poster @ 108:
Well if you factor in that 2/3 of the population think the troops in iraq should come home, the situation in afghanistan is somehow getting worse (I can't believe I even have to see the word 'taliban' in the news), bush's record breaking disapproval rating, 2/3 of the country thinks the country is going in the wrong direction, I don't see how McCain can win unless the dem nominee screws up. Fair or not, McCain is going to have to carry all that baggage.
Republican Poster @ 110:
Let's see . . who was it that said something about name calling?
Now I remember . . YOU, up @96 !!! But we've come to expect no less from your ilk these days so, fine work!
Republican Poster...
You keep referring to America and American people and how they'll consider Obama an outsider. Did you ever consider that this is only true of the limited number of people that can stand to be around you? MANY of us realize that America is a nation of immigrants, many of which were thought (by bigots) to have funny names and religions when they arrived. Those names and religions don't seem as funny because they have become part of our culture. Also MANY of us have a diverse group of people which we interact with daily. You may think you are in some sort of majority with your thinking, but (fortunately) you really aren't. The one reason why your numbers may seem a little larger than they are is because you and your ilk tend to scream a lot. And again, you aren't aware of the attitudes of the majority of people who cross the street and walk the other way when they see you coming.
Single player national health insurance will always poll well. What people react to is not what it looks like in practice (every other industrialized country but ours, who perform much better and who don’t have to worry about things like bankruptcies because of healthcare bills) it’s the fact that the plans since then have not been single player, they’ve been plans that involved giant insurance companies and what amounts to plans forcing people to buy insurance from these companies. In other words, people are smart enough to see that what has been offered isn’t fundamentally any better or different than what we have. You’re mistaking the plans by elites in the Democratic Party with what people can see working in other countries. No healthcare system is perfect, but other countries with universal systems far superior to ours on all fronts, THAT is what they want and they aren’t getting it from either party waist deep in insurance company money.
Let’s also be clear about the “democracy” in Iraq. (All of what I will say is factually true, if you think it isn’t point out where and show evidence). Before the invasion to Bush administration had an economic plan they wanted instituted (some democracy, elites in another country pick what economic policies a country is going to choose for the people). The invasion went through and the people immediately demanded open elections. What did the Bush administration do? Did they act democratically and follow through? No, they had Bremer at the CPA cancel the elections and put US puppets into office. The Iraqi people responded, at the time, by NON-VIOLENT demonstrations, sit ins, etc. The Bush administration responded by letting the elections going through but, beforehand, they put in place the economic policies that, according to polls the vast majority of the Iraqis were against. The policies not only gave preferential treatment to foreign investors, not only were structured to liberalize capital and lead to capital flight but also did things like socialize costs by Iraqis through their taxes for things like “political risk insurance” (basically guaranteeing profits for investors by using Iraqi tax dollars). The result was 70% un-employment and a completely ruined Iraqi economy, again the Iraqi people didn’t want these policies, they were forced on them and this has lead to increased violence against US troops. For you to call THAT democracy is idiotic.
Then the Bush administration, and currently as we speak, attempted to privatize the Iraqi oil. The Iraqis initially responded with non-violence, sit in’s, strikes, etc. According to polls (which I’ll link bellow) over SEVENTY PERCENT of Iraqis are against the oil privatization (or Production Sharing Agreements). Then there’s the fact that we’ve killed over a million Iraqis, dropped thousands of pounds of depleted uranium on the country (look up images of what that does, how would YOU feel if, say, China dropped that in your neighborhood? Would you be happy that they were doing such a good job of “spreading democracy”?), caused one of the worse internal refugee situations in the world, amongst other things.
So just to re-cap the democracy we’re spreading in Iraq, and what your violent candidate backs, which you think is a winning strategy: We instituted economic policies that Iraqis were against and the policies have destroyed the economy and lead to increased violence against US troops, we’ve attempted and are attempting to privatize their oil even though they’re overwhelmingly against it and the effects against US troops have been & will be the same, we’ve killed over a million Iraqis, dropped thousands of pounds of depleted uranium on the country, created one of the worse internal refugee situations in the world, the war has resulted in over 4,000 Americans dying, tens of thousands wounded, TRILLIONS of tax payer dollars spend, BILLIONS of dollars just missing thanks to crony theft and the country in Iraq has actually taken a step BACK as far as things like fundamental rights for women and the country is a living hell. So please, let’s articulate the foreign policies that YOU think are sound, with the polls the way they are, and see what happens.
As I said, Kerry was a veteran who had tons more experience in foreign policy matters than Bush and he lost to that idiot, who’s made horrifically bad mistakes (which national polls reflect) since. McCain has backed the policies the whole time. Not only is your logic stupid but your bravado is completely un-earned. The mistakes also haven’t been militarily, it’s been the fact that the Bush administration doesn’t care about democracy, they SAY they do which isn’t the same thing, they’ve chosen policies FOR Iraqis economically and with their oil and those polices have lead to the violence and have been a disaster.
Obama, by the way, freaked out because of simple people like yourself. You don’t understand complexity and you do nothing but regurgitate conventional logic. People in the US are supposed to vote for McCain although, according to polls, they disagree with him FAR more than Obama because of a picture of him wearing some clothes and because of his middle name. Do you not see how stupid that logic is?
These are picture of depleted uranium, enjoy. This is the “democracy” we’re spreading:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=depleted+uranium&um=1&ie=UTF-8&s...
Here’s an article on the policies FORCED on the Iraqis:
http://www.50years.org/cms/ejn/story/169
Here’s an article about Bremer CANCELLING the elections in Iraq (and only allowing them through AFTER the above linked policies were in place):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A42905-2003Jun27?language=printer
“U.S. military commanders have ordered a halt to local elections and self-rule in provincial cities and towns across Iraq, choosing instead to install their own handpicked mayors and administrators, many of whom are former Iraqi military leaders.”
“The decision to deny Iraqis a direct role in selecting municipal governments is creating anger and resentment among aspiring leaders and ordinary citizens, who say the U.S.-led occupation forces are not making good on their promise to bring greater freedom and democracy to a country dominated for three decades by Saddam Hussein”
Is this guy an actual journalist or an advocate? I've heard his name before, but I just want some clarity.
The current McName List – In alpha order:
(347 total as of 12:01am pst Tuesday 2/26)
"4. Encourage interest groups, bloggers, and right-leaning media to explore Obama’s past."
That's an extremely sharp double-edged sword that I think McCain would be wise enough to avoid...
#6, I'm a racist, you are reading this, so you NYT reader must be a racist too. Remember, if we allow a black man to take office we ware going to be overrun by the 'coloured folk' and all our white women will become slaves!!
"but there is a pretty good chance that the economy will fade as an issue."
Based on what? What industrial base does the US have now, outside of weapons, thanks to “free trade”? Will they still not be in huge, huge debt and, since they have no industrial base, how will the trade balance correct itself? What will turn around the housing market when prices are falling and houses continue to be built, driving prices down further? How will it turn around when the housing market is what kept the economy afloat for the last ten years or so anyway? How will wages go up when investors warn against raising wages as a result of “goods inflation”? You can’t have a good “investment climate” if investors seen demand induced inflation going up and we need cash from investors to turn it around correct? Have anything to say about the fact that it wasn't until Bush's second term (under Republican control the whole time) that he created a single net private market job or the fact that the majority of jobs since he took power (again for the most part under Republican control, since then nothing but filibusters by the same group) have been in the government sector? In other words, the only thing preventing economic collapse is government spending! So yeah, the economy will be great, because everyone will have $600 bucks, which will cover most people's liquor costs when they lose their homes to the banks and their jobs overseas.
Your logic is just…brilliant.
Che's Lounge @ 81:
If then.
11. Emphasize Barack Hussein Obama’s unusual name and exotic background through a Manchurian Candidate prism.
Yeah, okay Toilet "Sidney" McWalkingStick
Filthy Harry @ 95:
LOLLYLOLLYLOLOL, thanks!
Seems as if many are already falling into the GOP trap. How many out there really believe that the GOP has released their plan??? This info is to get everyone to believe that this is really their plan, here is one who doesn't buy it in any way
5. Make an issue of Obama’s acknowledged drug use.
Here's Obama's reply:
"Americans should consider voting for someone who in their youth used drugs and understands the gravity of that issue than vote for someone who makes the most important decisions facing our nation like he is on drugs."
5. Make an issue of Obama’s acknowledged drug use.
If you say so, but if they push this too far, Cindy McCain’s record might become fair game, too.
YES!
If they want to play dirty, then ALL is fair play.
Freaking republiCONs!
Now, boys, that's what race in a campaign looks like. Think you'll be able to fight it? You've been super-sensitive, finding meanings in things that the Clintons have said that no sane person would see; think you can fight the real thing?
Uh, Pepper, you might command more credibility if you use the right terminology: "single payer", not "single player." Just sayin.'
Republican Poster said a lot of daft things, but this one about changing our healthcare system, stuck out for me: And every election, when the public gets a chance to vote on it, as sees the detail and how it would affect their lives, they reject it. Riiiight. And just when were these national elections? Healthcare reform gets killed on Capitol Hill. It gets killed by the corrosive influence of money, lobbyists and their defense of the status quo. Our elected representatives are under the influence of lobbyist-dollars, and they won't stand up for it. Plus it's really fucking complicated. Easier to spend the day "working" on "problems" endemic to the "American people" -- like steroids and man-animal hybrids.
Republican Poster @ 104:
I'll agree that Bush's 30 percent may believe that "hawk = national security", but I believe more and more other people are coming to learn that national security is the product of intelligent policy, not belligerent policy.
Throwing water on a grease fire doesn't make you strong on kitchen safety.
McCain's "sterling" war record?
He got shot down, I know that much. I also recall that it wasn't the first plane that he'd lost and that at least one other was lost when not in combat.
What else did he do?
Whatever happen to war heroes being people who killed a lot of enemies? Why does any pilot who gets shot down (and there are lots of examples) immediately become a "hero"? Am I wrong to prefer the guy who does his mission and brings himself and his equipment home?
DoucheBaggins, I know what the hell I'm talking about. I typed, as you can see, a long response and don't use spell check, so I didn't catch it. The mind can jump. I'm also not looking for "credibility" on an anonymous blog entry, I'm arguing against someone I disagree with. If you have an issue with my logic or the long list of facts I posted about, & can show where I was wrong, focus on that.
Filthy Harry @ 27:
Ouch!
Was That the truth?
It stings!
Here's Salon on Cindy's story: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/10/18/drugs/
Seems there's a lot there to work with, if necessary.
As for Verdillac@25's comment on potheads, I think you may be refer-ing to a small percentage of slacker potheads, not the much larger percentage of past or current social pot users that hold down jobs, raise families, and vote!
So, what's been happening here? I left around 4:20...
The only chance the GOP can win this election is by stealing it.
Any sane person who has lived under the Bush admin the last 8 years will never vote for a CON.
Those tactics will only work on the insane 30% GOP Base.
Those people are already going to vote for McCain.
This election won't be close.
If the Republican party resort to there usual traits this will be the end of there party.
All you have to do is look at how many people voted in the primaries with the money the Dems have raised and it tells you very clearly who will win.
The GOP is the party that hates everything and stands for nothing but themselves.
America has awakened. It just took the Dems in Congress two years to get the memo.
You think 2006 was a landslide. You can't continue to lie to the American people.
By the time the GOP finishes this race they will once again be recognized as the party of Racism.
Nobody ever brings up the fact that McCain is telling everyone who listens to him that "We're in Iraq because they attacked us on 9/11." Every time he says it, someone should make a point to contradict it. I suppose McCain thinks Bush and Cheney and all the rest only SAID they made it up to push the start of the occupation up but that the LIE was the truth and the TRUTH was the LIE. The Brits are now questioning whether Blair committed war crimes. Maybe HE will be forced to start telling the truth and that will cover Bush and Cheney's war crimes as well and tie McCain in with the group. We can only hope there's no statute of limitations on treason.
RueMorgue @ 1:
Bingo. Especially because Cindy McCain diverted--"stole," in simpler English--hundreds and hundreds of Vicodin and Percodan tablets from the medical charity of which she was the nominal head. She also got doctors donating their services to write many more prescriptions for those drugs in the names of the charity's employees, without their knowledge or consent. Both actions are felonies. It's a bit obvious to say that had she not been a Senator's wife, she'd still be in prison. but let's not forget it, either...
Login or Register to post comments.