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There is a gentler way to call out McCain. Obama could simply "feel sorry" for McCain. "I feel sorry for John McCain. It's sad really. He has lost his moral compass and sacrificed his honor in his bid to be president. He has aligned himself with the same people that savaged him in the 2000 primaries, he has embraced those that he previously derided, he has sold out his convictions, and reduced his campaign to little more than a set of ridiculous ad hominem attacks. It's pathetic to see." Essentially, a defensive posture is a losing posture. As nearly everyone in the blogosphere seems to agree on this, it isn't clear why the Obama campaign "professionals" cannot see it. Don't repeat the charges, but keep reminding people that McCain is actually making them. Don't dignify them with a rebuttal, but use pity and mock scorn to dismiss them. Roll your eyes and laugh it off as the ravings of a desperate old politician that can barely remember his own name.
Comments (17)
John McCain is Pig-man.
Believe me, somewhere in this country the anguished oink of pig-man cries out for help.
August 20, 2008 6:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feeling sorry for him because of his own admission that he has such a driving ambition to be president that he has overruled every principal he ever had crawled into bed with every entity he ever formerly despised.
August 20, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is a wonderful idea.
I would even build on it further and offer this:
(1) Take today's "trigger happy" idea and give it wide exposure through commercial
(2) Build on this idea: "MORE WAR IS ALL HE KNOWS". Use it as a sign off for commercials that talk about economy, jobs, gas prices, everything.
(3) These commercials on economy and jobs need to be written as John McCain debating John McCain, then closed with that war line.
(4) In speeches, have Obama constantly say "I feel sorry for McCain that he has to stoop so low", as you suggest.
The idea is to first exagerrate his strength to such a degree that they become percieved as flaws, then tie them to his weakness.
I think you have a very good point.
August 20, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain/War '08!
August 20, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, just that it cannot be the central message. I would suggest to say that he only understands how to launch a war, not how to fix the economy. He knows how to start a war over Georgia, not how to lower gas prices in Georgia. I feel sorry that John McCain has to act trigger-happy to win this election. Etc, etc, etc
August 20, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
There goes poor old John McCain, singing his same tired song.
August 20, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly, this fits right in with the "reckless" theme. Erratic. Out of touch. Nobody even has to say "Old."
And thanks for pointing the way here from another post. Great idea.
August 20, 2008 9:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, perhaps feeling sorry has its place, but I would go for the economy, which includes, as difficult as this is to say, pulling back from talking about Iraq.
"It’s the Economy Stupid: TAKE TWO"
http://msa4.wordpress.com/
August 21, 2008 4:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
All politics are local.
August 20, 2008 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is a good approach. "How sad it is to see a once honorable man sinking so low."
http://bacontherobotmonkey.blogspot.com/
August 20, 2008 9:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
ARGH!
MCCAIN! MCCAIN!
WE ALL TAKE MORE PAIN!
THE G.O.P. IS ON THE WANE
THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT IS ALSO SAME
AND YOU KNOW WHO WILL TAKE THE BLAME
IF WENCH HILLARY IS NOT THE NAME
AT THE CONVENTION FULL OF FAME
HER 44S HAVE TAKEN AIM
AND SHOUT AND SCREAM WITHOUT ANY SHAME
LET'S GET WENCH HILLARY WHERE SHE BELONGS: WITH ME. AND IN THE CABBY NET.
ACQUIRE! MERGE! MARAUD! DILUTE! DILUTE!
ARGH!
August 20, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Free advice is worth what one pays for it.
August 20, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant! Some combination of these comments from Obama and savage (but accurate) attacks by his VP should do the trick.
August 20, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I understand there is a 2:1 Obama lead in 18-39 yr-olds. Figuring out how to ensure this group votes looks like a useful strategy.
August 20, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's easy. Get their cell phone numbers so the campaign can send them text messages on election day to remind about voting, including numbers to call if they need rides to the polls, etc.
August 21, 2008 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh yeah--great idea! Pity the poor guy--really can't seem to stop himself.
August 21, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good messagea, but better delivered by others. Obama should hammer him on his inconsistent stands on everything (but one at a time). Just doing a list of taxes, torture, VET benefits, evangelicals, etc doesn't win anyone over.
He needs to briefly explain McCain's 180's on taxes (with dates) Then end with: The John McCain of 2000 wouldn't even vote for the John McCain of today.
Next ad should do the same with torture, and end with the same phrase: The John McCain of 2000 wouldn't even vote for the John McCain of today.
Another ad explaining how he changed on torture, another on VET benefits and claiming ownership of legislation that he had fought against. Each ad ending with: The John McCain of 2000 wouldn't even vote for the John McCain of today.
August 21, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
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