Lipstick on a pig is fun, but we've all been suckered into kissing it
I created this profile with the idea that I would do some original reporting - after all, I live in a colorful political state (Minnesota), this is the city that hosted the Republican convention, I've dabbled in journalism before, and I was privy to some information in 2006 about a minor fake blogger scandal in the Klobuchar vs. Kennedy senate race.
But alas, I have not stumbled upon anything yet this year. Meantime, I've become aware that the media figureheads who control the narratives truly are empty suits who aren't motivated (or are too cowed) to do even the most basic questioning of our political candidates. For example, people still believe that McCain almost picked Lieberman instead of Palin, when I feel he wanted to pick Pawlenty (I could be wrong, but see here).
I have also come to realize that Republican campaign strategists are probably the cleverest people on the planet.
So, instead of doing a little reporting now and then, I'm beginning to do more opinion posts, flatly ignoring E. B. White's caution in his extra chapter to The Elements of Style that to "air one's views gratuitously is to imply that the demand for them is brisk." We can all dream, though, right?
Nevertheless, after watching go unanswered the dirtiest political slur I have ever seen, and might ever see, I must speak my mind and offer a plea for Obama to respond to it, even if, like my other posts, the plea is marked for oblivion, certain never to crack the TPM most recommended list, destined only, if at all, for the future forlorn web surfer picking through the Obama post-mortem which is due to arrive Nov. 5th. I am compelled to speak out, especially since no one around here - not Josh, not the Election Central reporters, not even the other insightful opinion-hawkers around here - no one seems to recognize the political significance, as another poster and I concluded on another thread here, that Obama's campaign is just about ready to seal its fate.
Essentially, Obama needs to answer the sex smear now. In light of McCain's interview with Time, where he refused to define honor, Obama needs to drop what he's doing and answer this smear with a message as personal as the smear is disgusting; he needs to look the voter/camera directly in the eye, tell us that he is a good father and faithful husband, forcefully deny the sex charge without trying to explain the legislation, and then solemnly demand that McCain define honor - that is the key. But will he do this? He needs to remain presidential, all while recruiting surrogates (tell the Clintons to stay home - they're probably thinking about 2012) to appear on all the shows oozing with contempt for McCain, attacking his campaign with raised voices, subtly questioning his age, hitting hard all of his joke reversals on the issues. Just cut them loose - now. I give Obama about 36 hours to carry out this mission or his candidacy will be in real jeopardy. And he needs to stay on it. Forget Palin. Drop everything at least until the debates, which 2004 proved are overrated anyway, because this is now about McCain and Obama the men. "John McCain, in light of your smear against me, we ask you to define honor." Or whatever. And keep on it. And everyone quit calling him a war hero. Interesting that Rick Davis said this campaign would not be about issues. Everyone knows Americans have a touchy relationship with sex and this is no garden variety adultery allegation. After Palin's two-day infomercial airs the media will be talking about her again and Obama's "teaching sex to your kids" will have gone unanswered. It will grow into something worse. Heck it might already be too late. But Obama must initiate a response. And guess what: no campaigning allowed on Sept. 11.
It's just brilliant October swiftboating coming right after the convention instead. All the rest of the issues right now, especially lipstick on a pig, are decoys. Obama is such a good man and it just kills me to see it come to this. We have to admit that Obama is a relative newcomer - people really are still forming their opinions about him. It took eight years for American to form the opinion that Bush was a fraud. Now Obama is in a tight spot with only eight weeks to go. If he's not going to answer the charge, then what are we to believe? Sure the polls will remain close and there will be hopeful moments but on that final weekend will come the creepy reminder from the McCain campaign that this election really comes down to whether or not you will let Barack Hussein Obama enter your home and introduce your children to sex.
But alas, I have not stumbled upon anything yet this year. Meantime, I've become aware that the media figureheads who control the narratives truly are empty suits who aren't motivated (or are too cowed) to do even the most basic questioning of our political candidates. For example, people still believe that McCain almost picked Lieberman instead of Palin, when I feel he wanted to pick Pawlenty (I could be wrong, but see here).
I have also come to realize that Republican campaign strategists are probably the cleverest people on the planet.
So, instead of doing a little reporting now and then, I'm beginning to do more opinion posts, flatly ignoring E. B. White's caution in his extra chapter to The Elements of Style that to "air one's views gratuitously is to imply that the demand for them is brisk." We can all dream, though, right?
Nevertheless, after watching go unanswered the dirtiest political slur I have ever seen, and might ever see, I must speak my mind and offer a plea for Obama to respond to it, even if, like my other posts, the plea is marked for oblivion, certain never to crack the TPM most recommended list, destined only, if at all, for the future forlorn web surfer picking through the Obama post-mortem which is due to arrive Nov. 5th. I am compelled to speak out, especially since no one around here - not Josh, not the Election Central reporters, not even the other insightful opinion-hawkers around here - no one seems to recognize the political significance, as another poster and I concluded on another thread here, that Obama's campaign is just about ready to seal its fate.
Essentially, Obama needs to answer the sex smear now. In light of McCain's interview with Time, where he refused to define honor, Obama needs to drop what he's doing and answer this smear with a message as personal as the smear is disgusting; he needs to look the voter/camera directly in the eye, tell us that he is a good father and faithful husband, forcefully deny the sex charge without trying to explain the legislation, and then solemnly demand that McCain define honor - that is the key. But will he do this? He needs to remain presidential, all while recruiting surrogates (tell the Clintons to stay home - they're probably thinking about 2012) to appear on all the shows oozing with contempt for McCain, attacking his campaign with raised voices, subtly questioning his age, hitting hard all of his joke reversals on the issues. Just cut them loose - now. I give Obama about 36 hours to carry out this mission or his candidacy will be in real jeopardy. And he needs to stay on it. Forget Palin. Drop everything at least until the debates, which 2004 proved are overrated anyway, because this is now about McCain and Obama the men. "John McCain, in light of your smear against me, we ask you to define honor." Or whatever. And keep on it. And everyone quit calling him a war hero. Interesting that Rick Davis said this campaign would not be about issues. Everyone knows Americans have a touchy relationship with sex and this is no garden variety adultery allegation. After Palin's two-day infomercial airs the media will be talking about her again and Obama's "teaching sex to your kids" will have gone unanswered. It will grow into something worse. Heck it might already be too late. But Obama must initiate a response. And guess what: no campaigning allowed on Sept. 11.
It's just brilliant October swiftboating coming right after the convention instead. All the rest of the issues right now, especially lipstick on a pig, are decoys. Obama is such a good man and it just kills me to see it come to this. We have to admit that Obama is a relative newcomer - people really are still forming their opinions about him. It took eight years for American to form the opinion that Bush was a fraud. Now Obama is in a tight spot with only eight weeks to go. If he's not going to answer the charge, then what are we to believe? Sure the polls will remain close and there will be hopeful moments but on that final weekend will come the creepy reminder from the McCain campaign that this election really comes down to whether or not you will let Barack Hussein Obama enter your home and introduce your children to sex.
I have no idea where - Ohio? - or how often these ads are running, but evidently Obama feels that it's utterly beneath him to respond, which it really is, and that surely people will see it for what it is, that people would rather hear about the "issues" affecting their lives. But draw your own conclusions.
Obama, I sure hope you know what you are doing.
At least if or when Obama loses we can take comfort that McCain will be a very small man. We can take comfort that there are bigger things than elections, and better people than politicians in this world, who have bigger things to think about.
For now that's all I have to say.
