This was an interesting article and even more interesting responses. I must say that I favor a few comments from the link. I will post them here. What do you think? And how do you feel? Why don't we see more mistakes McCain makes on television? Why are they not reporting his flaws?
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/obama_campaign_hits_mccain_ira.php
Some of my favorite comments from the above link...
A press release won't do. Voters aren't reporters. They need a response ad.
Here's my suggestion:
1. "John McCain thinks he can mislead you with dishonorable attacks while Barack Obama is away meeting with America's allies." 2. "What John McCain isn't telling you is that he has repeatedly voted against funding for our soldiers and veterans. He even voted against the new GI Bill that would help our brave men and women train for new jobs."3. "And while Obama was attending full committee hearings on the war in Afghanistan, John McCain skipped every single one of his hearings to campaign for president."4. "After eight years of dishonesty, it's time for some real straight talk. Barack Obama has a plan to work together with our commanders on the ground to get our troops home by 2010. He's leading the way forward on Afghanistan, believing we need to end the distractions and take the fight to Al Qaeda's own backyard."5. "John McCain only wants to continue with the policies of George W. Bush. Is it any wonder why he doesn't want to tell it straight?"[cue footage of McCain and Bush hugging]
2. "What John McCain isn't telling you is that he has repeatedly voted against funding for our soldiers and veterans. He even voted against the new GI Bill that would help our brave men and women train for new jobs."
3. "And while Obama was attending full committee hearings on the war in Afghanistan, John McCain skipped every single one of his hearings to campaign for president."
4. "After eight years of dishonesty, it's time for some real straight talk. Barack Obama has a plan to work together with our commanders on the ground to get our troops home by 2010. He's leading the way forward on Afghanistan, believing we need to end the distractions and take the fight to Al Qaeda's own backyard."
5. "John McCain only wants to continue with the policies of George W. Bush. Is it any wonder why he doesn't want to tell it straight?"[cue footage of McCain and Bush hugging]
The corresponding points:1) McCain is dishonorable, a mis-leader, maybe even cowardly.2) McCain is a hypocrite, doesn't care about veterans and he doesn't think about the economy they're returning to.3) McCain is a hypocrite and blindly ambitious, while Obama is responsible and engaged.4) Obama is the real straight-talker, he's got plans and wants to kick bin Laden's ass.5) McCain isn't honest, he wants to be just like Bush, he doesn't talk straight, he might even be a little fruity for him.
If I had his job, I'd do a point-by-point takedown of the ad.1. Barack Obama has attended multiple Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Afganistan, while John McCain was absent for every single one.2. He was in Iraq 2 years ago.3. John McCain also voted against funding when it was attached to a timetable for withdrawal.4. Obama's consistent, unflinching position: "1-2 brigades per month, 16 months."5. John McCain voted against funding our veterans medical care. He also opposed the new GI bill and failed to even show up to vote on it.
Can't wait for the Obama attack ads which will use "social security is a disgrace" and America is a "nation of whiners" and we are in a "mental recession".
I actually don't think that that McCain attack ad is that good. It definitely could have been far worse. I actually think that it is a little wimpy.
I think Obama will have to take on the role of a "fighter". He will need to get tough going up against Republicans. I know he's above the fray and running a clean campaign, but it will still be clean if he defends himself with vigor. You can be the nicest person in the world, but if someone's always picking on you and beating you about the face, do you just stand there or fight tooth and nail to get them to back off? It's not attacking McCain, it's not running a negative campaign, it is simply not letting someone runover you. It's not letting someone take advantage of you because you're "nice". The time for tough is now, before the repubs run away with this. I don't believe they will, but it's great to tie up loose ends, just to make sure.
(This was a comment posted by a person on the above link in the comments section) Absolutely right. Stop letting McSame frame the debate on virtually EVERYTHING (certainly all military and defense issues). An add touting his prescience on everything from Iraq to Afghanistan to Iran (a la Josh's post on TPM) would be a nice start to re-focus America on the truth, rather than McSame's tired attacks.
That said, I do think they need to come back with something a lot stronger than this mealy-mouthed statement. The "well that's certainly not civil" response is the blandest, most overused nonsense of a response, from all the campaigns, that we've heard ad nauseum in this election. It's disappointing we have to keep hearing it.
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