Respectfully, no. McCain's war service is just one facet of his entire profile. Obama needs to stop framing McCain primarily in terms of that service. Praising McCain's service every time he opens his mouth does nothing but remind voters of McCain's strengths, even when it's coupled with criticisms.

Posted at August 21, 2008 4:13 AM in response to Obama Praises McCain Again. Enough, Already!

Because I'm monitoring Obama's effusive praise of McCain, which is always a PREAMBLE to his criticism.

Posted at August 21, 2008 4:10 AM in response to Obama Praises McCain Again. Enough, Already!

Can anyone cite a single example of a POLITICIAN who has ever successfully employed the so-called rope a dope strategy? Anyone?

Posted at August 20, 2008 11:58 PM in response to ROPING A DOPE

I disagree with the premise of this post: that Obama can't win without Hillary.

But I think the evidence is pretty clear -- in a way that it hasn't been since the end of the primary -- that Hillary will likely help the ticket much more than she will hurt it, add huge amounts of excitement among rank-and-file Democrats, and could very well make the election a cake walk for Obama.

Sadly, it doesn't seem that the Obama campaign is convinced of any of that. Oh well. Let's hope their luck holds through November.

Posted at August 20, 2008 11:42 PM in response to One more time, no Hillary as VP.,no Obama as Pres

Actually I just heard today on NPR that Hillary is far more popular with the voters than either Obama or McCain. Just saying... you're not being factual.

Posted at August 20, 2008 11:38 PM in response to One more time, no Hillary as VP.,no Obama as Pres

I'm not hearing many people telling Obama to start smearing McCain. I'm saying -- and I'm hearing others, too -- that Obama needs to stop praising his opponent every time his name is mentioned. See the difference?

Posted at August 20, 2008 11:28 PM in response to Please, Barack, Stop Telling Us What a Great War Hero is John McCain

Theda,

This is the best thing I've read on TPM in a very, very long while. Thank you.

Joe

Posted at August 20, 2008 7:41 PM in response to Wake Up, Obama Camp

Steve,

You're off base, but at least you seem to be a good job of cheering yourself up.

There's a reason Obama is taking heat when his campaign is faltering. HE'S IN FUCKING CHARGE!

Supporters need to give them heat now, because November will be too late.

Posted at August 20, 2008 7:38 PM in response to Whatever Happened to the Delta I Used to Know?

There are plenty of older undecided voters for whom predictability is reassuring, a positive trait. I think you're trying to get too clever and subtle.

What about "John McCain is George Bush's twin" or "John George W. Bush McCain"?

Posted at August 20, 2008 3:15 PM in response to KJMAW: Suck On This, McCain

It would be beyond stupid to brandish "Cowboy" as an anti-McCain insult. "Cowboy diplomacy" is a fair attack of Bush and McCain, because "cowboy" describes a style, an attitude. Branding McCain as a Cowboy is very different. Americans bought 36 million country music CDs in 2006, and 77 million adults listen to country radio every week. Cowboys are popular American icons, and very popular in Colorado, New Mexico, Florida...

Not to mention the fact that McCain really ISN'T, you know, a "Big Oil Cowboy" Bush is. Cheney is. McCain just isn't, and Obama isn't the sorta politician to push lies.

But I agree Obama should pick a portrait of McCain and stick with it, hammer it home until everyone's sick of hearing it. What's wrong with hot-headed, flip-flopper who (despite his POW experience) has no principles and will say or do anything to satisfy his lust for power?

Posted at August 18, 2008 10:38 PM in response to Branding McCain a "Big Oil Cowboy"