"The Issue Is John McCain"

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 06:30:24 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Tim Kaine is on Morning Joe right now and if he is signalling where the Obama campaign is going in this campaign, I strongly applaud.

When asked about Sarah Palin by Andrea Mitchell, Kaine said "The issue is John McCain" and his adherence to the policies of George W. Bush.

Kaine said this campaign is about the real issues that effects the lives of Americans. And Kaine just said something very good - "John McCain is not going to win this election by hiding behind Sarah Palin." Good stuff. I think Kaine is on to something. Here is an idea for Obama surrogates when asked about Sarah Palin - "John McCain wants to talk about Sarah Palin, Barack Obama talks about how he will help solve the problems of average Americans." A good job by Tim Kaine this morning. Circulate a tape of this appearance to your surrogates Obama campaign.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

< John McCain's Record on Drugs | McCain/Bush v. Palin On Preventive War >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

"The Issue Is John McCain" | 31 comments (31 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Okay (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 06:41:02 AM EST

I agree that works. However Obama is going to have to start actually discussing what he is going to do in specifics not what he has been doing which is just platitudes. And he's going to have to show some passion about said issues. When he discusses the issues he seems to just drone on about them like a college professor lecturing his class.

True (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 06:47:33 AM EST

Indeed, I actually think the new Obama ad is terrible, the one where he exhorts "Change is more than just a slogan." Coming out of Obama's mouth, it does not work.


: Oh, dear. (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Fabian on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:51:14 AM EST

They really didn't...do that?
I realize that the Obama campaign picked the Hope/Change theme because Clinton had Experience. The obvious thing to do was to package Obama's newness as a positive thing. It worked too. Well, it worked for a while before the last couple months of the primary showed that it wasn't working so well anymore.
That should have been a warning. Once the primaries were over, they should have realized that Change! had almost outlived its usefulness. Then they should have created a GE campaign using the best parts of BOTH primary campaigns, plus something specifically targeting Bush and the complicit GOP.

Kaine is on to something (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by joanneleon on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 06:44:23 AM EST

He's on to Hillary Clinton's demonstrated way of dealing with Sarah Palin.

I'm glad they are taking notice of how she is handling the situation, because she has it right.

The hysteria over Palin is more than a little embarrassing. Some more air time with two-way conversations with Palin will be the thing that changes poll numbers, assuming that Democrats don't go overboard attacking Palin, a person who just entered the race a couple of weeks ago.

It just makes us look insecure and unhinged. I'm glad Kaine is showing signs of following the lead of the Clinton. Maybe Bill Clinton, the only Democrat to win two terms since Roosevelt, got through to them.

I saw Tim Kaine (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by indy in sc on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:36:59 AM EST

this morning and agree he did a fabulous job. Andrea was trying to get him to keep responding on Palin. She asked him how is the campaign going to figure out how to deal with Palin and his response is the one BTD cites. Excellent job! Don't accept the premise that you have to respond to Palin. She's not the issue, she's a distraction from the issues.

More like that would be great (5.00 / 2) (#22)
by ruffian on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:20:35 AM EST

Also I think a daily short statement of a Bush policy that McCain would continue would be good, to remind people of what they don't like about Bush.

I've said before that I don't think just saying Bush's Third Term is enough. Couple it with a new one liner everyday eg. more tax cuts for the rich? Want more of that?

Or something like that to keep it fresh.

Yes (5.00 / 4) (#26)
by litigatormom on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:48:55 AM EST

Want more deregulation? Which led us to Bear Stearns and Lehman Bros. and Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac and Enron? Vote for McCain.

Want more tax cuts for the rich? Vote for McCain.

Want Social Security privatized? Vote for McCain.

Want more invade now think later foreign policy? Vote for McCain.

Want to keep paying a fortune for gas while the oil companies earn record profits? Vote for McCain.

Want to keep postponing the day America starts developing renewable energy sources that will truly free us from dependence on world oil markets that will ALWAYS be dominated by foreign governments? Vote for McCain.

Want to see more federal judges who lack respect for the fundamental constitutional principles upon which this country is based? Vote for McCain.

One a day, two a day. Just keep saying it. Short, punchy, clear, forceful, unapologetic and affirmative. Tell the people HOW you are going to change our economy, our foreign policy. Don't explain it at wonk level. Explain it at the "what's it going to mean to ME" level.


: I find it (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:56:17 AM EST

sad that the average poster on political discussion boards has more of a clue than Obama and his campaign.

But Obama's best friends/worst enemies (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by andgarden on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:46:32 AM EST

LOVE to talk about Palin.

His mostest bestest BFFs (none / 0) (#29)
by waldenpond on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 10:47:24 AM EST

The media, just needed a signal from the Obama campaign. I think, if the campaign sticks to ignoring her, CNN and MSNBC will go along. It was obvious media was confused about which direction they needed to go.


: It's too late. Fox did a special on her... (5.00 / 2) (#31)
by cosbo on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 11:55:56 AM EST

that brought some of the highest ratings for a cable news show. Now CNN is trying to catchup. She's bringing them ratings. Money. That's the real issue right there.

A Clinton Tactic ... (5.00 / 4) (#27)
by Robot Porter on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:50:33 AM EST

we're ignoring:

Most Democrats, Clinton believes, spend too much time enjoying the cheers of the home crowd--and not enough trying to persuade people who do not already agree with them.
One of his favorite rhetorical tactics is to describe an opponent's ideas in ways that sound perfectly fair and reasonable--as a prelude to why the opponent is dead wrong.

This WAS one of Clinton most effective tactics in '92, and one that Gore and Kerry failed to do. And one that Obama hasn't yet done.

And not a minute too soon (none / 0) (#4)
by mmc9431 on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:21:51 AM EST

Palen has provided McCain with a shield for 3 weeks now. People don't vote for the VP. They vote for the president. The relentless attacks on Palen have only served to elevate her status and significance. The real issue has to be Republican leadership and where it's taken this country over the past 8 yrs.

The problem is that the media (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Cards In 4 on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:34:02 AM EST

are like the kids in the neighborhood that found out there's a new kid on the block with a brand new swimming pool and they have all left Obama's backyard because all he has is a swing set.

Unless the Obama campaign makes a gaffe (like lipstick) the story every day is going to be Palin. The press doesn't want to talk about McCain's policy position and how they compare to Obama.

The ironic thing is that the fawning press towards Obama is why he was able to get any traction to win the nomination and it is pretty hard to be the new shiny toy all over again. If the media cared about issues Obama would not have had a chance against Clinton.

It may have worked in June but he's swimming against the Palin currents now.


If Obama campaigns (5.00 / 3) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:35:29 AM EST

with Bill and/or Hillary Clinton next week, I betcha that would be the story.


He'll get attention but (none / 0) (#9)
by Cards In 4 on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:46:48 AM EST

is the lead story on the news going to be Clinton says McCain is four more years of Bush? Clinton was a wonk as much as anybody but he was best when he got worked up on an issue. He was so good at turning the Republican attacks against them.

Clinton will help but even Clinton doesn't look as much fun as the media's new toy. The debates may be a way to turn things around but having watched the previous debate performances is anyone confident of that happening?


Who cares? (5.00 / 2) (#12)
by Fabian on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:53:22 AM EST

Just get them to stop talking about Palin!

Control those news cycles! You need the media to talk about YOU and YOUR ISSUES. Well, mostly about YOUR ISSUES if you want to win.


Not something Democrats have (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by Militarytracy on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:03:06 AM EST

ever been that good at and must master. And the nation has serious issues, people are really hurting right now, it ought to be pretty easy.


: I became aware of the power (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Fabian on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:10:27 AM EST

of news cycles during 2005. Bush just kept on putting out those "We are making progress in Iraq." statements and there was no counter narrative. 2006 elections were contentious and in 2007 the Congressional hearings grabbed plenty of news cycles what with the AG and so on. Suddenly the focus was off of "Progress in Iraq" and onto "Bush administration incompetence and malfeasance.".
What a change that made!
They who control the news cycles control public opinion. It's scary simple. And it is very effective.
That's what the real danger from Palin has been, and many people didn't get that More Palin = Less Obama.

Who cares! (snark) (none / 0) (#19)
by mmc9431 on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:19:27 AM EST

Have you read the left blogs since Palen was nominated! Even in threads that are Palen free zones, she still pops up. The left is every bit as guilty the MSM. Some are completely obsessed with her. The way to defeat her, is to defeat McCain. Not the other way around.


: Heh. (none / 0) (#20)
by Fabian on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:26:01 AM EST

They'd have been better off calling her Little Mrs. Nobody.
Alas, they had conditioned well by the primaries. It really wasn't a surprise to many of us. We may have been appalled, but not surprised.

Did you watch the Dem Convention? (none / 0) (#11)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:52:31 AM EST

Obama was the bright shiny object (none / 0) (#23)
by litigatormom on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:39:22 AM EST

before, and now it's Palin. And the best part, from the press perspective, is that Palin does double duty: she's a new bright shiny object, AND she helps polish up the press's once and future darling, John Bush McCain.

As always, Chris Matthews is a good illustration. Matthews has been pretty vociferous on the lies coming out of the McCain/Palin machine, and yet he said yesterday, in all seriousness, that he could not believe that McCain had approved that hideous kindergarten sex ed ad, and that he didn't think that McCain really believed that Obama meant to call Palin a pig. Why? Because he respects and admires McCain, even as he accuses the campaign of lying. I mean, how much Kool-Aid does McCain serve at those Sedona barbecues, anyway?

Obama thought no one would ever be able to take the Change Mantle away from him. And he's let it slip right out of his fingers. He's got to get it back, and it has to be both specific and clear enough that he doesn't get too bogged down and intellectual. And enough of the paeans to McCain's service and so forth. Yeah, I know he was a POW, I know he was very brave in Vietnam. It tells me nothing, compared to McCain's public life over the last 20 years, about him being fit to be president.


The problem is that there is nothing about (none / 0) (#30)
by cosbo on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 11:52:54 AM EST

Obama that tells you he's fit to be president either. So people who aren't on the blogs are looking at these two men and really wondering about who would make a better president.

And people tend to err on the side of caution. In other words...the devil they know. In this case: McCain.

It was illustrated over and over again the primary when Hillary kept pounding Obama on states that he outspent her 4 to 1 on ads and she still won by 8-12 points. The people who made up their minds the last minute...went with the devil they know. Hillary.

I see the same thing playing out in the GE.

Now since McCain picked Palin, people will get a new face and good old experience.


: The devil you know (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by litigatormom on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 12:37:37 PM EST

is more risky this time. That's the irony. Because the risk of McCain being a dreadful president are close to 100%
The McCain the American people think they know doesn't really exist. If they think Obama is a roll of the dice, McCain is a pair of dice loaded to come up empty.

I agree and combining it with your other post... (none / 0) (#5)
by Maria Garcia on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 07:26:05 AM EST

...they should turn this into an attack on McCain. He is hiding behind Sarah Palin. They should mock him about being afraid to campaign without her.

I'd be careful about making "attacks"... (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by EL seattle on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:17:42 AM EST

.... if it's important to maintain the "New Politics" and "Post Partisanship" ideas that were very central to Obama's original appeal. New ads should work if they strongly challenge or confidently address McCain's weaknesses and failings. If the ads mock McCain with their attacks, they might do more harm than good.

Like it or not, Obama has to be able to make critiscisms that are more in the style of Oscar Wilde than Don Rickles if he wants to be seen in the sort of dignified. presidential light.

At least that's what I think.


: I think the New Politics stuff (5.00 / 2) (#24)
by litigatormom on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 09:43:27 AM EST

was always phony baloney. It was, to borrow a phrase, lipstick on a pig. Obama is a very skillful politician and very good at letting people project their own hopes onto him. All good politicians are skillful at that. The problem may be that he's been smoking his own dope a little too much -- or he's boxed himself into a New Politics corner that he is afraid to come out of.
Barack, worry about the New Politics AFTER you get elected. Run like the skillful politician you are. Your fans aren't going to drop you because you suddenly wake up and forcefully explain to the rest of the American public how what you propose is real change and what McCain proposes is more of the same.
And you'd better start doing it now. Ahora mismo.

Glanton (none / 0) (#14)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:01:26 AM EST

You are banned from my threads.

OT BUT (none / 0) (#16)
by Molly Bloom on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:05:07 AM EST

Take a look at two posters flying under false flags- Jellabean and Devon Cooper.


: Jeralyn has to decide those things (none / 0) (#18)
by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 08:14:44 AM EST

I can only ban people from my threads.