Hotline After Dark -- No More Mr. Nice Guy
A lot of last night's TV focused on the John McCain camp attacking Barack Obama's associations with Bill Ayers.
NPR's Williams: "I think they'll go on to Reverend Wright. ... They are going to make Obama so dangerous that they are going to force people to rethink their support for him. ... The history of politics -- negative advertising and character assaults worked. ... It worked on John Kerry with swift-boating" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 10/6).
MSNBC's Matthews: "I see an attempt over the last several days to tie three points together in the thinking, of older voters especially, so that they can have a mystery about Barack Obama they haven't had last week. One, this question of his relationship with Bill Ayers. ... Two, his middle name Hussein. And three, the question of who his donor list includes" ("Hardball," 10/6).
Time's Tumulty: "People do negative campaigning traditionally because it works, but I think that it's more difficult to pull something like this off when you are in the middle of a crisis as big as this one" ("NewsHour," PBS, 10/6).
More after the jump, including Obama's emphasis on the Keating scandal and debate advice.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
CNN's Crowley, on McCain going after Obama instead of talking about the economy: "It doesn't really seem like the McCain campaign at this point has much of a choice other than to do this. However, they also have to ... in some way shape or form have a plan for economy, whether it's a broad outline, something like that, because people, yes, can look, and it might change their mind about an opponent, but they also need to have something to vote for. So, it has to be a two-pronged strategy for McCain" ("Election Center," 10/6).
Ex-VA GOP Chair Kate Obenshain: "I was a little suspicious about this strategy until today, seeing the reaction of the Obama campaign. They really went ballistic over this. ... They are flipping out, but by this afternoon Barack Obama hardly knows the guy. That was a striking commentary" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 10/6).
Chicago Tribune's Page: "Conservatives love to hear about Jeremiah Wright again and again and Bill Ayers, et cetera. But independent voters have shown that they want to see less fighting and more problem solving, especially with the economy right now. So I don't see that they're going to get a lot of mileage by bringing this up again, especially now four weeks away from election day" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 10/6).
There was also reaction to the Obama camp criticizing McCain for his role in the "Keating Five":
Page: "You see how quickly the Obama campaign came out with this 15 minute documentary on the web. Obviously, they didn't make that Saturday night. That's been sitting there in the closet. Who knows what else is sitting there in the closet" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 10/6).
FNC's Garrett, on Obama not hitting McCain when asked about the Charles Keating scandal: "The campaign's explanation for Obama's stony silence: he wants to maintain focus on the economic issues. Of course, another explanation might be a prominent Obama supporter, former Ohio Senator John Glenn, was implicated as was McCain. He was exonerated just like McCain was and yet he was featured at an Obama rally yesterday in Ohio, so how scandalous could the behavior been after all?" ("Special Report," 10/6).
Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on whether McCain and Obama bringing up old controversies carries risk: "Huge risks. It's almost as if we're living in two different universes. Most Americans are deeply, deeply concerned about the economy ... and we've got this other universe about the candidates wondering down historical roads. They seem irrelevant to most Americans. ... Most Americans care deeply about what these candidates are going to do in the next 20 months. And they're not hearing that. And they're going to penalize who harps on these personal things of the past and does not respond to and present a plan for economic future" ("AC 360," CNN, 10/6).
MORE US, LESS YOU
And there wasn't a shortage in advice/predictions for tonight's debate:
Washington Post's Bacon: "It's hard to imagine voters at a town hall are going to ask about Charles Keating or Bill Ayers. It will be hard for either one of the candidates to reroute how will you fix my health care into one of these personal attacks they're both doing. I suspect tomorrow may be different. They may preview attacks that won't actually come out tomorrow."
New York Daily News' DeFrank, in response: "As we learned at the vice presidential debate, there's always a way for skillful debaters to change the subject and not answer the question. Answer the question they want to answer, even if it is not the question that just got asked. ... I think they will both finds targets of opportunity there" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 10/6).
Tumulty: "In a town hall format the voters are going to be listening for these candidates to be talking about them, not about each other. They're really going to be asking questions probably about their own problems and not ... the candidates' character defects. So I think it would be very dangerous to try this anger strategy in a town hall forum" ("NewsHour," PBS, 10/6).
Williams: "If I'm advising Senator McCain, I say you've got to go out there and make the case, especially tomorrow night in this town hall setting, which is, again, to McCain's advantage, you have to speak to people and say 'Are you really willing to trust Barack Obama with this difficult economy? Or do you want to trust me and my record, and what I have stood for? ... Let me tell you about Barack Obama's record on taxes, and let me tell you about the most liberal Senator. Let me tell you, when it comes to drilling and energy independence in this country, my record and where I stand right now compared to Barack Obama. Who do you agree with? And, finally, let's talk about the war and talk about who sacrificed for this country, and let's talk about who has not served this country in a time of war and made such a sacrifice" ("Special Report," FNC, 10/6).
Crowley: "In debates, moments matter. His numbers falling as the days disappear, John McCain has the most to gain in the town hall. He is a master in the forum -- engaging, funny, direct. And the Obama campaign has been busily jacking up the stakes. McCain, said an Obama aide, is the Michael Phelps of town halls. But the senator can be edgy and what he claims as humor can backfire in front of the uninitiated" ("Situation Room," 10/6).
DLC chair/'06 TN SEN candidate Harold Ford Jr. (D): "I thought McCain held his own in the first debate for one reason: he focused on the polling data that showed Americans believed he had better commander in chief and better leadership qualities. ... Barack will pay attention to these polls tonight, as he has been. He seized at the economy, economic angst and concern and anxiety on the parts of Americans in Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina, at the forefront of their minds. He will organize his presentation tomorrow night around those very issues. He will bring the conversation back to those issues to point out the vast differences between he and John McCain. ... He is going to have to answer some tough questions, but he will continue to focus this debate on the economy" ("Race for the WH," MSNBC, 10/6).
Dick Morris: "I do believe that McCain in the debate has got to make the issue of taxes stick. ... The issue of Ayers and all that will be useful and effective, but the thing that could destroy Obama is taxes" ("Hannity & Colmes," FNC, 10/6).
This is worse than swiftboating, because what McCain/Palin is doing is appealing to racism and fear based on race. Swiftboating was nasty, but it only attacked John Kerry; this attack goes beyond that. The tactics of McCain/Palin underscore their belief that Americans are not a tolerant, good natured people of conscience. I pray that the voters prove them wrong. I also pray that they stop, now, because they are putting their political ambitions ahead of the good of the country.
Republicans should take care with the “pallin around with terrorists” tag:
President George W. Bush welcomed Gerry Adams, political spokesman for the I..R.A. (Irish Republican Army) a well-known terrorist group, to the White House in March of 2006.
And Republican Congressman Peter King, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, was a long-time supporter and apologist for the I.R.A. (They only attacked military and political targets.)
#1 NO ONE has put his own ambitions ahead of what is best for the country it is the under achieving Senator from Illinois.
#2 George W Bush is not running, nice try though.
Both, try not to cry after Obama loses, his snotty ass will be back to try again in 4 years...then 4 after that...and 4 after that, etc.
McCain can't be racist! After all I thought he was running to be America's 2nd Black President (Bill of course being the first).
In the last three weeks, I've heard the liberal media's out to get him and his girl, we can't trust “the man” on Wall Street, and off course we can't forget he's going to take down the boys in DC. I'm just waiting for him to put a big clock around his neck, change his name to M-C Cain, release his gangsta rap mix tape, and sign a deal with Dr. Dre.
Personally, I think he needs to call Jesse and Al. You've got to get the Rainbow Coalition going here John. We can't let the man do this to John. The Old Boy's Network led by Barack Obama is trying to hold John and Pali-Pay back. Why else bring up Obama’s loose association with a college professor from Chicago, who oh by the way did some radical crap 40 years ago.
Between having to fly to DC and now deal with this Obama guy, when will John find time to show off his bling and those seven homes he owns on cribs.
That's right Ayers and Obama. Dangerous, risky, unpredictable . . .
Yep, because choosing a spouse of an Alaskan Separatist, who believes in witches, to be one heart beat away from the presidency that ain't dangerous or risky.
Shut down a campaign to ride into Washington, that ain't unpredictable.
I'm going to debate, nope I'm not going to debate, hell I'm going to debate, that ain't unpredictable. Nope that's just plain old Joe six pack, with one six pack too many.
The fundamentals of the economy are good, nope the economy is in crisis, AIG- let 'em fail, nope we got to save AIG, that ain't unpredictable. After all not understanding the global economy that ain’t risky, that’s shooting from the hip.
John’s pimp hand his way strong, may its from all that time in jail as a youth or may be its from hanging out with criminal in the 1980s and being slapped on the hand by the Ethics Committee. Bottom-line, you mess with the McSame, by trying to bring up issues, you'll get the McNasty. .
Terrorist! Dang I thought those were the guys Bush and the GOP armed with weapons to fight Russia. Darn it I guess my history books were wrong again. Stupid US education system, starting these rumors! You just can't believe all those pictures you see with Bush and those middle eastern guys. I'm sure they've been drummed up by the liberal media.
You know who we should be worried about, the witches. I hear they're planning some big to do Oct. 31st, something about candy and pumpkins. Watch out for them, you may need to form a group of 200 folks to drive them out of town or have your local pastor lay hands on you to protect you from their witchly powers. Personally, I'm going to make a tin-foiled hat so they can't read my thoughts.
Frodo, you aren't surprised we have racists using racism to appeal to racists, are you? It's what Reagan used to call the "Southern Strategy". Of course, the problem for the Republicans is with each passing day we have fewer racists in our nation.
Realy Royal King, yes, I am surprised. I thought McCain was a better man that that.
Paul, "snotty ass"? That is the type of nasty personal stuff that demeans the process. Why do Republicans behave this way? I just don't understand this need to be personally offensive. If you have a disagreement with the issues, say so, but your personal attack just proves my point that this type of campaigning is harmful.
I do think, Frodo, McCain was once a better man than that. It is a loss for all of us.
I hope McCain goes negative tonight. That will guarantee an Obama WIN. Swift boating in another time worked, but not now. People are worried,we have major problems,we are bitter, yes we are BITTER and we want answers, not BS or racism or who's friend with who.
I hope McCain goes negative tonight. That will guarantee an Obama WIN. Swift boating in another time worked, but not now. People are worried,we have major problems,we are bitter, yes we are BITTER and we want answers, not BS or racism or who's friend with who.
Swiftboating is the term that was coined by the media for Conservatives telling the truth about Liberals. A lot of the people posting here seem to think that it implies something different, but the information on Kerry that started the word was true. I also think that it's interesting that the liberal media are always the ones claiming that the American people don't like it when a candidate for political office "goes negative." This also is usually used when a Conservative tells the truth about a Liberal. I think that the American electorate appreciates a good clean fight and it'd be great to see Obama lying on the canvas tonight.
Swiftboating is the term that was coined by the media for Conservatives telling the truth about Liberals. A lot of the people posting here seem to think that it implies something different, but the information on Kerry that started the word was true. I also think that it's interesting that the liberal media are always the ones claiming that the American people don't like it when a candidate for political office "goes negative." This also is usually used when a Conservative tells the truth about a Liberal. I think that the American electorate appreciates a good clean fight and it'd be great to see Obama lying on the canvas tonight.
All what McCain talk today he never to do, he say I have to do I have to do… he do not want move from Iraq Bush never win Iraq also McCain never win Iraq. All the American cry to day for economy also with McCain they will still cry because all the economy go to war. He is not clear at all like Gorge Bush.
but Obama give all the details from his heart.
I sure 100% if Obama been president USA get up and all the world get peace.
SADAM HUSSIAN not a take America in 11 September. Bush he already killed SADAM what he wait more time in Iraq for what he change the government
All what McCain talk today he never to do, he say I have to do I have to do… he do not want move from Iraq Bush never win Iraq also McCain never win Iraq. All the American cry to day for economy also with McCain they will still cry because all the economy go to war. He is not clear at all like Gorge Bush.
but Obama give all the details from his heart.
I sure 100% if Obama been president USA get up and all the world get peace.
SADAM HUSSIAN not a take America in 11 September. Bush he already killed SADAM what he wait more time in Iraq for what he change the government
McCain and Palin are totally unfit to be in office, sticking the people of Alaska with a bill when she stays in her own home is criminal, plus she tells so many lies to the American people openly as if we are all dumb. Telling everyone that she stopped the bridge to no where is a lie too, she was not even sworn into office when that happened. then their is her husband who wanted Alaska along with herself to leave the U.S. Plus the lie about the plane that she said that she sold on EBay, when all she did was out it up for Auction but was sold through a broker, what a total liar she is and so is McCain.
McCain is a traitor to our great country, making all those videos to save his own life, what a coward he is and was, I guess country did not come first then, he said it himself, he did not love America until he was in that POW camp. As a solider we are trained to escape and to aid other to escape, I guess McCain missed that training, and that part about giving information to the enemy, even if it is false. I am former Army man and an independent voter and I see that there is no honor among McCain and Palin all they know is hate, fear, and racism. When did patriotism come from hate, bile, fear, and racism?
McCain has no right to be president . Going into
Iraq ,wanting less regulation in banking and in the stock markets ,saying the economy is sound ,the idiot he chose for V.P. ,man the list goes on and on
and on . He's just to old and senile , he won't
last a full term and then look who we'd be stuck with ,the mukluk queen of Alaska