Rick Davis Blasted Smear Campaigning In 2004
By Steve Hynd Wednesday Oct 15, 2008 2:30pmIn tonight's debate, John McCain seems set to "go there" on Ayers, goaded into it by Obama's plainly saying that McCain had until now been too chicken to say it to Obama's face.
It's quite possible Obama has a range of rebuttals ready. It's not as if he doesn't have plenty of examples of McCain's dodgy friendships to choose from. He's also probably hoping McCain loses that famous temper, messily, on live TV in front of millions - the obvious followup being ads of McCain snarling and the simple question "would you trust this man with America's nukes?"
But McCain also has another problem with "going there" - sheer hypocrisy from his campaign. As Bill Scher points out, Rick Davis penned a Boston Globe op-ed back in 2004 in which he urged Bush and Kerry to pressure their supporters not to engage in smear campaigns. He wrote as campaign manager for McCain's failed primary bid, which crashed after a Bush camp smear about McCain having fathered "an illegitimate child who was black. In the conservative, race-conscious South, that's not a minor charge."
It's not necessary, however, for a smear to be true to be effective. The most effective smears are based on a kernel of truth and applied in a way that exploits a candidate's political weakness.
...Campaigns have various ways of dealing with smears. They can refute the lies, or they can ignore them and run the risk of the smear spreading. But "if you're responding, you're losing." Rebutting tawdry attacks focuses public attention on them, and prevents the campaign from talking issues.
Back then, Davis described such smear campaigns, designed to keep voters from considering candidates stances on the issues, the "blackest of the dark arts". Don't you just love the smell of sheer hypocrisy in the morning? McCain's connection to his lobbyist chums are certainly far closer than Obama's to Ayers.
We got a preview of how tonight might play during the primary debates:
Crossposted from Newshoggers
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you mean Rick Davis, the swine, who took payments of $15,000 from Freddie Mac up until the government took over?
I think this is even more newsworthy - Judge orders Palin to preserve her email. Sounds like it's time for some indictments soon?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/15/priv...
{ Deleted. Spam. Not funny. SiteMonitor}
Well, what do you expect from your Tee Vee? truth? Not from the corporations that run the Democrats nor Republicans, thats for sure.
The Republicans are a wounded, desparate bunch; they had no scruples when they were at their strongest point.
At this point, they do not care how sleazy this crap makes them look - they are desparate and will lash out relentlessly.
to watch, huh? Now these republican ba$tards are really feeling the futility of their "race" with McSame and his pal, Caribou Barbie...
What a bunch of frickin' idiots, fools, crooks, and liars!
These rightwing deliquents have no scrupples. Whatever they said 4 years ago or 4 minutes ago can be contradicted 4 minutes from now and they won't bat an eyelash. Delusional thinkers. Pathological liars.
This debate tonight will be the end of McCain. He's toast.
In her comments a few moments ago, Palin said that she thinks it's just fine to open up concerns about Ayers and, get this, Obama's "present connections". Can you believe this? Now she's going to get both barrels at once. The american people will become relentless in their effort to take this walking sham down now.
Let's talk about those "current connections of yours", Secessionist Sarah. Let's please do.
And while we're at it, let's dicuss how you really built your house - Spenard Building Supply - the same one whom you awarded the contract to for the Wasilla Sports Center?
Let's talk about how many anti-american AEI members you've stacked into your current administration? You know - that job of Volger who inspired your career - to infiltrate all levels of government? Oh, that Volger!
This woman has incredible nerve. She's now invited everyone in this country as fair game to take her down by her "current affiliations or pallin around with her own gang of terrorists in Alaska".
This woman is neither smart or professional and it's showing....showing badly.
let's not forget the verdict of "guilty" for unethical abuse of power by Secessionist Sarah while we're at it.
Watch the media cover for her! They're already doing it.
Did somebody say smear?
http://www.filthyrichmond.com/
The debate tonight is like Day 3 in the Battle of Gettysburg. After the battle at Little Round Top, Lee watched the survivors return and confessed, "It is all my fault. This has been my fight, and upon my shoulders rests the blame." Trust me that the John McCain and the Republican party will not accept the blame. They are cowards. They will all blame the media, the blacks, the liberal press, and everyone else in sight but themselves and their disastrous policies, and lack of a vision for the future.
Every criminal tries to pin in on everyone else. It's the MO that's in the DNA of your average Republican. This is precisely what attracts these wingnuts to the party.
dow looses733
Recession fears send indicator tumbling 733, 2nd biggest point loss ever. main reason for dow drop: us deficit has swollen to 455 bio $
Because we got a TV discussion tonight, some special report on smear campaigning and what Bush did all those years for us
Having to sit still when he's been all "jacked up" on mood elevators is going to be difficult for Bronco McCain. Any time I've seen him sitting and unable to rove about and pace like a raging bull he's come close to losing it. Somehow I believe the sitting format and the association with "being imprisoned" is all too clear for McCain. I expect him to be at his worst tonight.
As for Obama, I'm putting my bets on The Obama Trifecta being accomplished tonight. From here on, the polls will continue to raise through the election.
he is a corrupt, lying, sycophantic one at that. Why isn't he brought up on any criminal charges yet?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choic...
The Frontline program was very interesting and the parallels of the primaries to the current campaign are striking.
The Rev. Wright issue was brought up as well as the Clintons attacking Obama right and left, much as McCain is now.
The issue of McCain's campaign run amok is also the same as in the primaries.
It is clearly revealed (for those watching who aren't as wonkish as the rest of us) that McCain deliberately made peace with the Bush Administration, Jerry Falwell (and the rest of the radical right) and hired Bush's 2004 re-election group to run his campaign.
Rick Davis is a schmuck! Plus he has a very strange nose.
I posted this early today:
McCain Musical Choices Shrinking, “Eye of the Tiger” Off Limits
http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2008/10/1...
"Survivor has no affiliation with John McCain or Sarah Palin.They have no right to use ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ in any way as part of their campaign. Using our music without our permission can give people the impression that we are supporters of their campaign—this is not the case. In light of this happening before, we would hope that the McCain/Palin camp would go through the proper channels in asking for permission for use of the song. Obviously once again they have chosen to disrespect artists’ rights."
Other bands who've expressed legal outrage over the McCain/Palin's unauthorized used of their music:
John Mellencamp: "Little Pink Houses"
Jackson Brown: "Running on Empty"
Van Halen: "Right Now"
Heart: "Barracuda"
Foo Fighters: "My Hero"
-----
Add Bon Jovi to this list. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/15/bon-...
"We are surprised to hear that our song, "Who Says You Can't Go Home" was used by the McCain campaign at rallies yesterday and today. We wrote this song as a thank you to those who have supported us over the past twenty-five years. The song has since become a banner for our home state of New Jersey and the defacto theme song for our partnerships around the country to build homes and rebuild communities. Although we were not asked, we do not approve of their use of 'Home.'"
Jon Bon Jovi threw a dinner at his home for Obama -- $30,800 a plate
new topic please
Progress...isn't it great? One step forward, two steps back.
all i got is NAZI's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank Goodness for Hillary running interference for the Republicans.
I love the way Hillary and McCain both praise Obama and his character, but actually want voters to use Ayers as a reason to not support Obama.
The fact that Obama served on a board (or two or ten) with a one time terrorist is far less important to me than the fact that Obama now serves in a body that includes at least two people (Clinton and McCain) who supported giving George Bush the power to wage unprovoked war against Iraq.
Huffpost is reporting that McCain called Hillary for advice...now either he is terribly senile and forgets what party he belongs to, or (fill in the blanks)
In Tennessee Williams' play Camino Real the gypsy's daughter becomes a virgin once again each month. What was said before the transformation? Piffle! What was done before the transformation? Irrelevant. So it is with the McCain campaign. For their opponents? Even elementary school matters. For them? Nothing matters except what they are saying and/or doing right this moment.
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