This is a gift if used properly. It gives Obama a clear chance to out McCain for being a liar, knocking down that straight talk BS.

A response ad could have a clip of the McCain ad distortion, a clip of what Obama actually said, and some quip at the end about how McCain's ambition caused him to abandon all straight talk.

By putting the McCain lie and Obama quote side by side, the Obama camp can show what kind of man McCain is and what tactics he's willing to resort to. Forget relying upon the MSM to expose lies. Take it directly to the people.

Posted at August 27, 2008 10:50 AM in response to New McCain Ad Badly Distorts Obama's Words About Iran

Anyone who continues to have a negative view of Lincoln because of the Civil War probably isn't all that jazzed about voting for Obama anyway. Free Bird is a little more their speed.

Posted at August 23, 2008 3:48 PM in response to Obama Hails Biden's Character, Links It To Foreign Policy Expertise

It's the economy stupid.

McCain isn't ready to lead on the issue voters are most concerned about because he's so out of touch with the trials and tribulations of the American people that he doesn't even know how many homes he owns. Can this guy real feel/understand your foreclosure pain?

This storyline plays perfectly into his support of tax cuts for the rich and kickbacks to big oil.

I'm into the out of touch at home + reckless abroad = not remotely competent to lead attack line.

Posted at August 21, 2008 10:54 AM in response to Dems Open Major Populist Offensive Over McCain's Houses Gaffe

I understand Clark's point, agree with it, but think it is too subtle to advantage Obama. Lets take as a given that McCain's military service is not germane to whether he would be an effective CIC. Fine. The media debate is never going to catch the nuance, which will be lost in an echo chamber that reverberates with nausiating McCain hero worship. Why not take down his CIC cred by crushing him on his 100 years of war, who cares when our troops come home positions, as well as a constant looping of the Bush McCain on-stage hug?

Posted at July 1, 2008 1:31 AM in response to Clark Stands By Comments About McCain

You need to learn some strategery. The media talking even more than they already do about McCain being a war hero doesn't help. Even if you think Clark is scoring some points with the more discerning media consumers it isn't good message control for Obama, which is why he doesn't want to touch it.

Why not just focus on taking down the McCain is a maverick meme and attack his whack domestic and foreign policies without even engaging in a debate about whether his POW status makes him a better candidate?

Posted at July 1, 2008 1:20 AM in response to Clark Stands By Comments About McCain

At this point, for Obama, the end of getting elected justifies some degree of compromise in the means. Of course, ideally, I'd like him to trash telecom immunity and get Clark's back on what was certainly a justifiable observation. But I also recognize that I, and most people on this blog, are comfortably to the left of center. What we wish Obama would do is not necessarily politically expedient. I'd rather have a somewhat compromised Obama in the White House than a more purist Obama in the Senate. It is, afterall, a dirty hands business.

Posted at July 1, 2008 1:08 AM in response to Clark Stands By Comments About McCain

I think many Americans are familiar with Judge Elihu Smails from Caddyshack. But, I just can't see his Honor hanging with Barack at a club soire.

Posted at June 23, 2008 2:57 PM in response to Rove: Obama Is The Type Of Guy Who Hangs Out At Country Clubs

Didn't the 2000 election provide a sufficient example of the perils posed by the vote Nader move? If nothing else, enlightened self interest should bring every progressive to at least vote, if not support, Obama.

Posted at June 11, 2008 6:31 PM in response to You Are SOOOO White!!

Why should I care if Greg thinks that 25,000 signatures are very good numbers or, if he changes his mind at some point and finds it really not that impressive? He never changed a fact, just his own interpretation. You could give him the benefit of the doubt; maybe he saw new info that suggested 25K wasn't a whole lot signatures for a petition of that sort. Whatever.

At the end of the day, as long as the facts are straight, it's up to us as media consumers (and humans more broadly) to understand that everyone's interpretation is "biased" by their own life experience and perspective and to scrutinize accordingly.

Posted at June 7, 2008 9:47 AM in response to Unprofessional, dishonest editing of a TPM report

If you keep TPMsterbating you'll go blind.

Posted at May 23, 2008 12:35 AM in response to Order Willy Gladd's Original Five Step Get Most Recommended System and Start Getting Most Recommended Today!