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My Elevator Pitch
Here's my elevator pitch for the first debate.
Obama answers the first question and turns to McCain.
"What I want to know is this. Governor Palin says we should make teenage rape victims bear the children of their attackers. I want to know if you agree with her, Senator McCain."
Obama answers the second question and turns to McCain.
"But what I want to know is this. Governor Palin has used the power of her office to persecute her enemies. Do you think that's right, Senator McCain?"
Obama answers the third question and turns to McCain.
"What we should talk about is this. Governor Palin wants to teach intelligent design in public schools. She thinks the earth is only 6,000 years old. Do you agree with her, Senator McCain?"
Comments (70)
Excellent. How about this--Senator McCain, Governor Palin says she was always against the Bridge to Nowhere. Is she lying or telling the truth?
September 10, 2008 9:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
How about we stop talking about the lying little poodle, and focus on McCain's lies, deceits and failures?? He has many, yet in the obsession over Palin, who whilean appealing target (it's that smirky way she lies thru her teeth), is not the top of the ticket. McCain is getting a pass, folks.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/forget-palin-go-after-mccain.php
September 10, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Billy,
Your only problem there would be....Um....Senator Obama....why all the questions about my running Mate. You are running against me , Sir, or did you forget your running for President......
Then....
You are for Abortion rights if I am correct Senator can you explain to me how a third trimester fetus can be aborted when we save third trimester babies all the time?
Then......
Senator Obama, your running mate has indicated in the past that he agrees with what my views are about this world...even to the point that he said he would run with me anytime? Does this indicate that he agrees with both of our views? And, if so, how is that possible?
September 10, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who cares? It will turn it into a real debate, not the warmed over pablum we get when the press controls the questions. If McCain can defend the proposition that teenage girls should be forced to bear the babies of their attackers, let him. If Obama can defend late term abortions, let him. As a matter of tactics, right now, McCain has positioned himself above the fray. While Palin carries the ball with the wingnuts and evangelicals, McCain pitches Independents as a reasonable man. What does Obama have to lose?
September 10, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Just one little fly in the ointment. Obama is shitty at debating. You seriously want to let him loose by himself during a debate? They tried everything to keep that from happenign with Hills.....Not sure that would turn out well
September 10, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Obama is shitty at debating."
Are you seriously suggesting that Obama is "shitty at debating" - using normal ways to guage debating ability? - not the extremely low bar of "being better than McBush" at debating.
I would suggest that most people, including the McBush people themselves would agree that Obama is a much better debater. They said as much when they tried to push the stupid "town meetings" style debates.
Perhaps you are next going to suggest that Palin will be better than Biden at debating?
September 10, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just going off of what I've seen from Obama versus other Dems.....he was not very good. I don't think that anyone would disagree that.
As far as Biden goes. He will be fine if he can just shut up. He has a tendency to vomit all over himself..such as "I'd run for President with John(mccain) anyday."
September 10, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary and Edwards were also lawyers, while McCain is not.
September 11, 2008 2:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
But hey, Obamawon. On the issue of whether or not Obama is running for President, how about this.
"We've had 8 years of a President that we thought could control the extreme agenda of his running mate. That turned out not to be the case."
September 10, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. I go back to my question about whether he can execute that?
September 10, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. I go back to my question about whether he can execute that?
September 10, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Billy, I am going to have to cosign with Obama-wan. If Obama makes this about Palin, he loses. If we make this a culture war focusing on her views on abortion or religion versus being about economic plans and vision for the next 4 years, we lose. McCain is the weak link on the top of the ticket. The longer we keep the focus on Palin, Obama looks like he's campaigning for VP and McCain looks like the only presidential candidate left standing.
As an aside, McCain had the guts to pick a VP pick that outshines him and puts him in the best position to win. He's travelling with Palin not because she needs his support, but because he needs hers. Had Obama been able to put winning first and ego aside, he would have picked Hillary and we would not be where we are today. ARRRRGH.
September 10, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama had picked Hillary, he would be down 20 points in the polls.
September 10, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
It appears Joe Biden disagrees with you:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/10/biden-hillary-might-have-been-better-vp-pick/
September 10, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
She certainly is qualified and Biden is right. But she would have mobilized the Republicans, is what I'm saying. I think you underestimate how much they despise her. That's not to diss her, it's just reality.
September 10, 2008 8:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
The GOP is already uber-motivated by Palin.
The states Hillary would hurt in are the ones we don't have a shot in anyway, but she'd be able to bring in new states that Obama is not currently competitive in.
The VP attracts votes that weren't already in play by the presidential candidate. If people wouldn't vote for Obama because Hillary was on the ticket, how much did they identify with him to begin with. The problem with Biden is how many votes does he add to Obama. Not many, there was a Biden decline, not a Biden bounce. If Obama loses, the decision to go with Biden will be the WTF was he thinking moment everyone looks back at.
Your assertion that Hillary as VP would have Obama down by 20 is either hyperbole or crazy talk.
September 10, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
The GOP is already uber-motivated by Palin.
The states Hillary would hurt in are the ones we don't have a shot in anyway, but she'd be able to bring in new states that Obama has right now as tossups (FL, OH, PA) and states into the mix like Arkansas and WV.
The VP attracts votes that weren't already in play by the presidential candidate. If people wouldn't vote for Obama because Hillary was on the ticket, how much did they identify with him to begin with. The problem with Biden is how many votes does he add to Obama. Not many, there was a Biden decline, not a Biden bounce. If Obama loses, the decision to go with Biden will be the WTF was he thinking moment everyone looks back at.
Your assertion that Hillary as VP would have Obama down by 20 is either hyperbole or crazy talk.
September 10, 2008 9:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kate your dreaming. If Hills was on the ticket this thing would be over..done....on to the Inauguration. What answer would McCain have had? None....Tell me if you were McCain and your facing Obama/Clinton.....who do you pick?
September 10, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's be real here. Clinton would not have given Obama much of a pickup in votes, really. And it would have been erased by the mobilization of the far right. MORE IMPORTANTLY, how could Obama have ever governed with Hillary and Bill in the background. If I were him, I wouldn't do it. Why cut your legs off before you even start walking? Why pick a team (Bill and Hill) who despise you and resent you? It was the best management decision he made. Don't hire someone who wants your job.
September 10, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
In order to govern, you have to win first. It's that simple. Hillary by any calculation put us in the best position to do that. Obama apparently felt he didn't need her on the ticket, but he wasn't expecting Palin. If he'd known then what he knows now, no way in hell he passes on Hillary.
September 10, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
What calculations are you referring to? Whose? And how do you know that Obama has regrets? You are transferring big time.
September 10, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Dij. At this point, Rove has declared culture war. To ignore it, well... they'll just get worse. You know what's coming. Yesterday's ad was - basically - Obama, black man, sex, children - in the same clip. Terrorist, sex, Muslim are all T'eed up. And since Palin is their cultural leader, and McCain's tied HIMSELF to her, we get HIM to respond to her views - which are wildly outside the mainstream. Right now, she's rabble-rousing, and he's standing above the fray. Besides, they can't win a full-scale cultural battle anymore. But we have to not just deal with THEIR issues, but engage the wider culture - race, sex, youth, green stuff, comedy, music. I think we'd clean their clocks. In fact, this is what I see coming.
September 10, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Quinn, Rove wants to make it a culture war because that's their only card in the deck. It was only the only card for GHWB when he was running against Bill Clinton and they destroyed him character-wise, much worse than Obama has gotten. Bill gave them a lot of ammunition as I recall, but he was smart enough to keep the campaign focused on the real issues and not the diversions. The more time he spent countering the draft dodger, womanizing, marijuana inhaling culture war issues, the less time he would have had to drive home his economic message and we need a new direction.
The more Obama is attacking Palin instead of McCain on her terms social issues like abortion etc, the more likely we are to lose those independent social conservatives/bread and butter liberals that are going to be the ones deciding this election.
September 10, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think issues will work at this juncture, and neither will the dust settle if we hang back. Rove's got 3 ads up right NOW that link Obama to attacking wolves... sex molesters... and calling Sexist for the lipstick comment. And they already have another 20 scripted, that they'll roll out FAST. Bill C was a good ole boy - or at least, he could play one. Obama's not - and can't. Rove is gonna throw everything at him. My Dad taught me to always give the other guy 3 chances. That is, you say what was done & to stop it, and be polite, and play for peace. then you do it a 2nd time. But the rule ended with "3rd time's crying time." The 3rd time they bugged you, you took them out - and made the pounding so final they never came at you again. We're well past 3. And Palin's decisions, policies & actions will NOT go down well with a majority, and McCain/Rove know that. The key is to get in there now, and hammer - position it, embed it & drive the last nail home.
Now whether that's done by Obama, Biden, surrogates, the media, 527's, Bloggers, whoever - I don't care. I just know it needs to be done. And actually, Obama DOES need to be seen to be doing some of this. Will he fight for us? Gun to a knife-fight? Skinny but tough? "Enough?" Well... any bully I know would say, "Enough.... or else WHAT?" I figure Rove just said that. Somebody needs to go smackdown on them.
September 10, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
So are you suggesting a full scale campaign to tell America that Plain is just too extreme? I don't think that has a chance in hell of working after 8 years of Bush and Cheney. I just don't see the culture war as a winning issue--it activates as many people on both sides and turns off plenty of others altogether.
Plus I'd rather go at these guys with mockery rather than viciousness.
They say they'll stand up to oil companies but in reality they promise to cut their taxes and give them license to plunder the public land for private gain. John and Sarah, in the tank for Big Oil.
John McCain has had the privilege of government provided health his entire life. His entire life. Nursed him back to health when he was broken. Helped treat his skin cancer. Sure it's good enough for John McCain, but then again he's a Senator and you;re not.
John McCain says there are just some jobs Americans are too lazy to do [insert: McCain's own voice saying that]. He's says hard working Americans wouldn't even pick lettuce for $50/an hour. $50/an hour. No wonder he thinks we need so many illegal immigrants. They'll do it for less than $50 a day. How much money do John Mccain make and hour,and why does he think you are so lazy?
John McCain, willing to sacrifice his honor to win an election.
Ok so I'm sure you can do better, but there is plenty of ammunition in the meat and potatoes issues that the middle of the road voters care about. And there is plenty to mock.
September 10, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like it if it went your Economides. but THEY will take every comment on policy, find an angle, and turn it into a CULTURE WAR battle. Don't think so? 1. Obama spoke on Education. Mentioned McCain said he wanted to abolist the Dept of Educ. And got a sex smear back. 2. The lipstick schtick was in response to a POLICY comment.
It's real easy. Here, let's play. Your 3 comments, done in second-rate Rovian. 1. Drill drill drill. Or do you think American drivers are supposed to refill with arugula? 2. Why do you hate cancer patients so? 3. It seems as though you'd prefer Immigrants get jobs over Americans.
Although these were lousy versions, the point is that they can find ANYTHING, in any speech, to smear with, to trigger this stuff. Maybe the press can stop them, maybe the voters get sick of the smears and blame McCain. But sooner or later, I think Obama's gonna have to stop dancing around these cultural minefields, and speak to it directly. As on race.
September 10, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, I get your point, but who does that appeal to? The have activated the base. If you can make a substantive point about health care, energy, wages and they return with a total non-sequitur, the right wing will love it. I'm not as sure about the middle. I would be interested in an historical example you have of democrats winning the culture war by fighting it.
I am more intrigued by your idea that Obama do calm, cool collected speech about culture wars. I think it would be much harder to do that the race thing which is something he has lived with and thought about his whole life. But it would show that he is willing to step back and have an adult discussion with America. What do you think?
September 10, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Economides. 20 years ago, I spent a lot of time buried in polls. A bunch of people did. What we found was that at a deep level, the "cultural" aspects were shifting in OUR favour. The difficult part was that the change had been rolling for 20 years... but would need 20 more. In the meantime, Democrats would have to straddle. And so, a lot of these people went looking for candidates who could appeal to both. Most found & worked for Bill Clinton.
Today, demographically, we've won. The ONLY thing that has blocked this realization from mainstream American life is... 9/11 & Iraq. Since we haven't had such a President yet in the US, let's look at the UK's Conservative & Canada's Liberal Party - the 2 most historically successful political machines in the West. The UK party is now headed by David Cameron - he cycles to work, solar panels on his roof, no problems with gays, etc. The Can. Liberal party leader is a guy with a dog named Kyoto.
Within the US, you have to drop to State & City level - and wider cultural evidence - to see the shift. Things like Arnie & his green stuff. Culturally, the Internet & multiracial friendships & male+female groups are massively accepted by the under 30's. The rest of us are more torn, but on dozens of these issues, the fundamental cultural shift was, and continues to be, our way.
September 10, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quinn, I find your remarks fascinating. So, what's at play here? A sophisticated propaganda machine to rival the likes of Goebbels?
September 10, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hi Kate. My view? I think Rove et al are sophisticated, but don't have much to work with. They decided that Experience wasn't going to beat Change. But what "Change" do they have? Nothing substantial, other than perhaps a 3rd war. Nothing economic, or on health or energy - even drill drill drill was weak. So... they picked a woman, and decided to go Pirate. Just run 'n gun, fire at anything, cut themselves loose from the GOP & Bush. And they're firing all they have - just stuffing it into the cannon, and firing. No thought about recoil or collateral damage or caring that the stuff they're firing has their home address on it. Maybe some of it hits Obama. Or maybe the Dems are dumb enough to just effectively surrender again. Then, they might slip in.
But I've been impressed as hell with the response on the blogs, by some reporters... and that's helped feed the information & the willingness to fight into the MSM.... and into the Dems. Palin was them playing a Joker - but THE Joker is standing there behind it, with wheels within his wheels. But I think they're outgunned this time, and going down. Nonetheles, there's more to come. But this wave, I think they lost.
September 11, 2008 3:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans have done such a good job of convincing us that they know what conservatives think. But guess what? Most Republicans are pro-choice. Fancy that. Most are for stemcell research. Democrats always cede this territory just because we tell ourselves we're weak there. And Republicans win because they tell everyone we're trying to bring "Heather has two mommies" to the heartland.
Try fighting back sometime.
Palin is simply a laughable line in the sand. Rub her out. Jobs, oil, health care, sensible foreign policy, sensible security, letting Americans mind their own business without wiretaps in every corn field. Areas Palin & McCain know nothing about or work against. We've got your heartland right here. It's the Democrats' year, if they use it.
September 11, 2008 5:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Glad you said that. I'd been thinking I was the only one who see what a colossal, world changing screw up that was. Hillary = no Palin. No Palin = no change mantra from other side.
I've been thinking of the right analogy, and the only one that comes to mind is Jaws, when Quint says he can take the shark. The three of them are out on the ocean, singing sea chanteys, and happily moving along. Then the sheriff finally sees the shark. "We're gonna need a bigger boat," he says, but they are already committed. That's what it feels like now.
I just hope Obama has a good aim when shooting for the air tank.
September 10, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jaws is the PERFECT analogy Matt. That should be a post on it's own :)
September 10, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama will have a reasoned answer for every one of those questions.
September 10, 2008 11:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I totally disagree my friend. I see what you are getting at but this election CAN'T and SHOULDN'T be about Palin.
September 10, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
But it is now. That's the reality, whatever you think it SHOULD be. Mr. Glad is pointing out that since McCain picked Palin and is hiding behind her skirts, he must also own her and her views.
September 10, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kate,
That is nutty. Stick to running for President. He needs to get back on message. If he insists on running against Palin he is doomed. Go ask Kerry if he liked running against Cheney.
September 10, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree to a point, but it is worth subliminally emphasizing that there's a better than good chance that Palin could become President. Whenever I hear someone raving above how pretty and perky and witty Palin is, I ask them whether they actually want her to be Prsident. Shuts them right up.
September 10, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Making McCain own Palin's extreme views is not "running against Palin." And it's easy to do. Look how fast we got you to own them. Fish in a barrel.
September 10, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't own anything of Palins. Just saying that Rolling that set of die can be dicey.
September 10, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't anything of Palins. I am just not sure letting him loose during a debate is the way to go. They went to large lengths to keep Obama from being caught in a free-for-all with Hillary.
September 10, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't anything of Palins. I am just not sure letting him loose during a debate is the way to go. They went to large lengths to keep Obama from being caught in a free-for-all with Hillary.
September 10, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's tempting, Billy. But I suspect that the vast majority of Americans don't think the Veep job is very important and they will see Obama as running against the wrong opponent -- it'll make him look like he's avoiding McCain.
Palin does need to be attacked along the lines you describe but let Biden do it. Or maybe ask very nicely if Hillary Clinton will do it in exchange for a seat on the Supreme Court.
September 10, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not about Palin. It's about putting McCain in the position of dumping on the base or coming across as just as nutty as his running mate. If you let McCain pretend he doesn't believe that garbage himself, he'll eat your lunch with the Independents.
September 10, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
I thought attacking Palin was a loser of a strategy? Wasn't that what you told us a week or so ago. Or was that only "unfair" and "sexist" attacks which were counterproductive? I'm confused, because now you propose having Obama looking like he too is obsessed with Palin-tainment. If Obama wants to diminish his credibility, the best way to do that is to start equating himself with that that wind-up toy.
September 10, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
One more time. It is not attacking Palin, it is attacking McCain. Right now, McCain has a ticket to ride. Palin says the most extreme crap imaginable to feed the rabid base, and McCain gets to pretend he is rational for the Independents. If you can't make McCain own the message of his CAMPAIGN -- which includes the extreme views Palin is spouting -- you could actually lose this election. Talking to Palin is attacking Palin and a waste of time. Talking directly to McCain about Palin is attacking McCain. Not on some dopey level about his judgement in picking her. On the level of do you believe the crap she is feeding your base?
September 10, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is McCain's pick, she's his highest most "thoughtful" decision to date. And she's such a loser. Dump on her but in a way that's dumping on McCain's decision.
McCain chose her to be 1 heartbeat away from the presidency. How stupid could he be?
Oh yeah, Palin is also a symbol of McCain owing Karl Rove and the extreme right wing.
Palin = McCain's Quadruple Backflip Double Twist Hole-in-One Failure
Once is quite enough. After Bush it's more than enough. Bring on the grownups.
September 11, 2008 5:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
You get slower every day. You need to spend more time outside the echo chamber. The attack is on McCain, not Palin.
September 10, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are right that McCain is counting on the fact that no one really thins he is all that right wing. I mean he gave a speech to 40 million people telling them the George Bush, Dick Cheney, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are all corrupt so he should be sent to Washington to clean up the mess.
I think it's too easy for him to say, look we disagree on some things and then turn it to whatever he wants, like every time JOe Biden said something that contradicted Obama's position. Intellectually it may not be very useful but in a debate, it's like the first thinking you learn.
Why not repeatedly ask McCain why he thinks American's are too lazy to work for $50an hour. Ask him how much his household staff make. Ask him how much actual lettuce pickers make.
Middle of the road voters don't care about abortion and creationism or book banning. That's why they are in the middle.
September 10, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
The debate is not about the anti Hillary but Hillary vs the anti Hillary would be a great debate.
Your questions are for Biden.
September 10, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
No they're not. Quit trying to distract my readers.
September 10, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Billy is right on with this post. Not making McCain own Palin lets him get away with a twofer--having her feed the evangelical right wing of the party while he stands in the background grinning and winking at the more moderate wing. He needs to be called out of the shadows and asked whether he believes in the same things she does and if not, why did he choose her? That's how you reveal the cynicism of the pick. Billy's right--how can we allow people to think the VP no longer means anything after Cheney? Palin is no Cheney by any stretch, she's not smart enough, but she's a good soldier and will do what she's told. She could do a lot of damage.
September 10, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who says the moderate wing is buying it?
September 10, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
What else is for sale? It's McCain or bust.
September 10, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with you. I go back to my question about whether he can execute that?
September 10, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
i quit...this site is brutal
September 10, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey Lville... if you're headed for a bar, have a couple for me, willya?
And don't worry, if alcohol works like TPM's software, the buzz shouldn't hit you for about 3 days.
September 10, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
This'll never happen. Remember Tim Russert with "denounce" and "reject"?
September 10, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think someone is on to something above. Why not do what the Rs always do to us....Say If John McSame is President and we are attacked, is he going to hide under Palin's skirt? What does it say about the man running for President that he lets his Vice President candidate do the fighting for him? It means he cannot for himself, and he won't fight for you!
September 10, 2008 5:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stupid suggestion.
Feeding into the culture war depresses voter turnout.
That is all.
September 10, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama: Senator McCain, why were you against the G.I. Bill before you were for it?
McCain: Senator Obama knows there was too much pork in that bill.
Obama: Like the $27 million worth of bacon brought in by Sarah Palin?
September 10, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, there appears to be a SWARM of attacks back on Palin (and McCain) happening now, Billy - reaching the MSM - and moving rapidly past the Lipstick thing. It's what we've needed. For the whole TEAM to hit Palin, nail her for her dirty play, see if they can get her worn down so she's not of as much use to McCain. i.e. Put some pressure on that Rook in the 7th, without Obama having to do it all.
* Minn press covering - and on MSNBC tonight - McCain talking about how the earmark for the Alaskan Bridge should've gone to Minnesota's failing bridges. * ABC hitting her on the librarian & censorship side. * Bloggers like Digby finally pointing out that the Pentecostalism of Palin is considered way out - and deeply distrusted - by a lot of Baptists. * Maddow saying they're gonna get into the Aerial wolf-hunting stuff. * Hilary & Ed Koch weighing in. * Couric, FactCheck & dozens of MSM people going after Palin's Bridge lie, McCain's ad lies, that filthy sex-ed ad & the Lipstick outrage.
I'm not sure I've seen this kind of all-hands on deck - everyone who still thinks & cares - going after these guys this hard. It's a swarm. And if the swarm is kept in Palin, McCain's gonna go down. Gives me hope.
September 10, 2008 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's just lovely to behold, no?
(And about freaking time somebody called bullshit on the lies.)
September 10, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, the worm turns. Didn't take long, did it? I do think the blogosphere has had an influence. Would love to see some serious study of that. It started this morning. This is what happens when you diss the establishment (the MSM). They get huffy. BAD move by the Rovenites. I am surprised.
September 10, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
==But sooner or later, I think Obama's gonna have to stop dancing around these cultural minefields, and speak to it directly. As on race.==
I am glad we are not talking "real war" anymore here.
I am all for a "cool and collected" speech on issues cultural.
Obama hasn't given a really good, important speech in a long time. He is well overdue for one.
It has to be played correctly in the news cycle, to get needed attention.
If he can show that he holds the center (in a good way, not the "slide to the center", which I detest, and is really a "slide to the right") and it is him and not Palin/McCain who represents the opinion and direction that the great majority of Americans hold, he can regain his footing.
But he better do it pretty quick.
September 10, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin is a huge example of McCain's executive decision making competence. Or incompetence.
McCain as an old man has put Palin 1 heartbeat behind him as the leader of the "only remaining superpower (TM)". Why not Barney Fife, too old? Too moderate? Wrong party?
When you say "Surge" people get muddled and confused. Did it work? Didn't it?
When you say "the Bush years", people still get confused - "we voted for him, there haven't been more terrorist attacks, we don't see so much about Iraq on TV".
When you say "Sarah Palin", she's standing there in front of you, a concrete image, McCain's fuckup in real life, one that won't go away, the physical embodiment of cronyism, lies, broken budgets and hateful social values - the legacy of the Bush years. Make him wear it.
September 11, 2008 3:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think people are getting the range. The videos out there are storming up the mileage now. And the fire on Palin - while it's not all hitting it's target - is coming from ALL over. Just hit YouTube. 700,000 on her church. 400,000 on wolves. 400,000 on the Alaskan separatists. 200,000 just on Matt Damon's little chat. Letterman. Ed Koch. Local papers, national tv.
And where's McCain? Hiding. Really. And where're their ads? 2 of the last 3 they just put up, slammed down & even withdrawn for inaccuracies/lies. Matthews now counting how many times she told the lie on the Bridge - and already on tv you see video of McCain saying, in MINNESOTA, how the Alaskan Bridge money could have been used to save lives by inspecting & reparing bridges there.
Shame it's 9/11 tomorrow, cause they'll get some rest. But McCain is tied to her now. The only heartbeat he's got. This is the election.
September 11, 2008 3:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Every day is 9/11 in America. Hope the Dems have some good celebration plans, something better to put on the grill than shoe leather and crow.
We'll see how well our target practice is going in 1-2 weeks as polls adjust. 400,000 hits on YouTube sounds nice, but it's just around 0.4% of the electorate, those liberal fringe types like us. What's Demsey in Iowa and Leon in Detroit thinking?
September 11, 2008 4:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just talked to Leon. Says if we can get "that prick Glad" to stop canvassing him, he's in. Solid.
I don't know Demsey. But heck, he's from Iowa. Tell him we're pro-corn or something. Potatoes maybe.
Matthew Sweet. Know him? For your next Love Train.
Dude started in Athens Ga with Stipe. Great guitar stuff with Quine & Richard Lloyd, early 90's. Lloyd's with him on the new album. Nice version of this song - fat, fuzzed up pop. Have a good one.
September 11, 2008 5:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, he's gotten so fat and fuzzy since his pretty boy BI(A)LF beginnings. Guess we all go old, even Johnny Rotten.
September 11, 2008 5:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
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