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The candidate protesteth too much!
John McCain is asking the North Carolina GOP not to run an ad that brings up Obama's former pastor Jeremiah Wright, with the tag line "He's just too extreme for North Carolina."
McCain may indeed be sincere in trying to avoid such tactics, but this is a bonanza for him and his image. He again presents himself to the media as a righteous Mr. Clean, seeking to elevate the political discourse, yet by asking that the ad be pulled, he generates more attention to it, ensuring even more people are exposed to it and its message.
That this happens now is doubly valuable, as it helps Senator Clinton make her case to the superdelegates that OBama is unelectable. And in the unlikely event that Senator Clinton somehow becomes the Democratic nominee, we can expect McCain to denounce and reject, say, Roger Stone's Citizens United Not Timid and other groups that will surely be throwing slime at Clinton.
Neither Democratic nominee is invulnerable to right wing smear tactics. But today's episode surely shows how the game will be played.
Comments (8)
Since I didn't figure out how to embed a link in the main story, here is a link to the AP wire story.
April 23, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Off topic, but in a post you hyperlink. You highlight a word or phrase, e.g., ad, and you use the link button to insert the url.
April 23, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks... I'll try to remember that for my next blog post.
April 23, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
How did McCain run against Bush in 2000? I know he was done in by Bush and Rove using rumors and other dirty tricks to the point where McCain strongly considered leaving the GOP.
However you are right that it seems too convenient to not raise questions. McCain can come off as above the mudslinging, while the GOP still gets their message across. This is one reason why I hoped McCain wouldn't have opted to take the federal campaign money, because now anybody wanting to support his cause will donate to one of these 527 smear organizations, which will still get smear out without McCain getting his hands dirty.
Whereas on the other hand Obama's campaign will the get vast bulk of the donations to his side, meaning he'll be accountable for all commercials/ads etc, and liberal 527's will get little money thrown their way. The GOP will have the right-wing radio talking heads to discuss Rove talking points, again with McCain denouncing them - but same with the ads from 527's the message reaches the masses but McCain can stay above it all.
It's actually a brilliant strategy, especially given the tenor of the Dem primary.
April 23, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's quite possible that the McCain camp isn't involved with the ad at all, and that they legitimately believe it is unfair tactics.
That doesn't change the point that by so publicly demanding that it be pulled, McCain is drawing more attention to it, increasing the likelihood those who might be moved by the ad will see it. Of course, if he doesn't denounce it, then more people will argue he supports its message. But getting the chance to denounce it does make McCain look better, especially to independents and moderates.
April 23, 2008 9:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Drown me! Roast me! Hang me! Do whatever you please. Only please, Brer Fox, please don't throw me into the briar patch."
April 23, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McCain is seriously trying to protect Obama in North Carolina. McCain wants no part of the Clintons, and he knows that if Clinton beats Obama in NC, he'll have to face her in the Fall, probably with Obama running as her VP. It is not in McCain's interest to hurt Obama in NC.
April 23, 2008 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suppose that's possible, but I disagree.
McCain matches up better against Clinton than against Obama - the contrasts aren't as stark, and he can try to turn some of Hillary's primary themes against her.
And, make no mistake, Hillary will take her shots in the general election, even if they're 527-funded, and not from the McCain campaign itself.
McCain has a tough job against either candidate, but I'd say Obama would be harder for him to beat in the fall.
April 23, 2008 9:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
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