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Obama alternative to "John is right"?
No doubt Obama's "John is right" gambit is well thought-out, but would it be more effective to say something like "We share some common ground here"? Or do his people want the "John is right" refrain to get out there, even when repeated by news media or the McCain campaign itself. Maybe they think it has some positive effect that the media and McCain's people don't understand, some subliminal resonance?
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Comments (11)
See, I'm not sure it's not an effective method. You pull your positions close to the most popular ones of your opponent, so the main differences end up lying where the majorities are on your side. The McCain camp is going at it as, "See? If he agrees with everything, why not just pick McCain?" Well, the answer is because I agree with him on these issues, but whoa, look over here - I like Obama better on the economy, health care, education, etc. I think he did this a bit in the primaries too.
And this is a random thought, but it's the vision that keeps popping into my head when people are talking about this - there's a scene in Primary Colors, at a debate, when Jack Stanton agrees with something his opponent says, his opponent interrupts and asks if there's anything he's against, and he responds: "I'm against doing nothing while people are suffering. I'm against dismissing any idea hat might help because it isn't my idea. Senator, you've met these people. Are you saying we do nothing to help unless we come up with it?"
September 29, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
"See, I'm not sure it's not an effective method."
I'm sure it is. Obama feels comfortable talking this way - and that makes it right.
The biggest thing about Fri's debate to me is the fact that McBush was obviously uncomfortable while Obama was at ease.
People interpret that different ways, but ALWAYS in our guy's favor.
September 29, 2008 8:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
the more obama said it, the more hair i'd pull out. when the debate ended, i was low. i thought, like so many, that obama had had a down night. and then the polling started trickling in.
i was shocked.
once again he showed he's smarter than i am when it comes to running for president. way, way, way smarter. from here on out he can say whatever the hell he wants, and i swear i won't object.
he needs to win this election for all of us. come 1-20-09 i'm on his ass. until then, if he want's to go to the next debate and tell knock-knock jokes, i've only got two words: who's there?
September 29, 2008 12:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you agree on something and its worth noting then why not say so? I think doing so in a debate aids the viewer with the contrast one is trying to make because it starts at a point of agreement and invites interests. McCain started making his contrasts by hurling the off-putting "Obama does not understand" and look how well the viewers thought of his arguments.
What I don't like about the spin that this is getting is it stops at "John is right..." instead of going all the way with "...about torture" or whatever it was that he agrees with that, as it turns out, any reasonable person would agree as well.
September 29, 2008 1:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. All his "John is right" statements were immediately followed by "but . . ." If I'm giving someone directions to my house, I try to start by finding a point they already know, and then guiding them to my location from that familiar point.
September 29, 2008 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I do like the basic strategy, I just wondered why it was phrased in that way. I don't know. I'm trying to figure out the subtleties in language. Personally, I still think "we share some common ground" would be more effective, but I'm willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt on this one.
September 29, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think from time to time he should say
"I am glad you agree with me on that John!" and then watch them make an ad out of it.
September 29, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly what I was going to suggest!
Makes it sound MUCH more like Obama is in charge, and McCain is "seeing the light" by agreeing with Obama, rather than being a "weaker" comment of praising the "superior" McCain by saying he's right.
September 29, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or he could say, "John's right--as far as but he doesn't go far enough/misses the point/contradicts himself, and this is why ......
September 29, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like, "We agree...." It strikes the same conciliatory notes, but denies the opportunity for attack. Would even McCain issue an attack whose sound bite links the two together? "We agree" is short and pithy. It gets you to the "BUT" just that much faster...
I was thrilled at how Obama handled the debate. His demeanor during the financial crisis is even more Presidential. He projects confidence and hope for a better future and appears ready to tackle the challenge.
With encouraging economic news in short supply, his consistent inspirational message is a lot more comforting than McBlame's negative attacks.
Can't wait for Thursday's debate.
September 29, 2008 6:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden should frequently use the "Governor Palin doesn't understand" line like McCain did against Obama?
September 29, 2008 8:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
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