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Obama On Offense: McCain = More Of The Same

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:38:36 PM EST
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A good ad from Obama:

I would put Bush at the top of the ad as well though.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

< Obama On Offense II: McCain = Bush's Third Term | Another McCain-Palin Lie: She Did Not Visit Iraq >

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    Obama On Offense: McCain = More Of The Same | 37 comments (37 topical)

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    Good , but still not great (5.00 / 0) (#4)
    by dailygrind on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:55:58 PM EST
    I believe he has to go after the character issue. For example, bush in 2000 ran as the compassionate conservative who wasn't going to be like other Republicans. In 2008, McCain is running as the Republicans who isnt going to be like other Republicans. A juxtapose of them on this character issue needs to be part of the mix. The point being can you really believe McCain when he says he is going to be different when he is so much like George Bush's promises of 2000? Where did that get us in the last 8 years believing these guys?

    Yeah. The parallel is hilarious... (none / 0) (#30)
    by prose on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:30:38 PM EST
    one of the things that is the most "same" about them is their insistence that they aren't the same.  I scowered the intertubes for videos last night and made a diary to that extent over at Dkos.

    Parent
    they count on a lack of long term memory (none / 0) (#32)
    by dailygrind on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:50:05 PM EST
    the way to challenge them on that, and make this a gop character issue is to start providing people in simple messages with that long term memory. a simple ad cutting bush in 2000 and mccain in 2004- maybe  like this would work:

    mccain's convention speech and other things about how he's different

    cut to black: wait, haven't we heard this before?

    cut to bush in 2000- doing the same things

    cut to the Hug between bush and mccain

    black again- maybe a phrase : mccain is the new bush.

    end.

    this is just off top my head, but the point is to create a narrative that this is a continuation of the GOP character of saying oen thing to win, and governing completely different, and mccain si the same.

    Parent

    This a great ad. (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by rooge04 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:59:27 PM EST
    McCain's best asset is his false perception as a reformer and Maverick.  He still gets that beneficial outlook even at times when the media is against him. It's what the public likes and respects about him.  And here is Obama exposing him for being a complete fraud in that very regard.  I like it a lot, actually.

    Exactly (5.00 / 0) (#7)
    by bluegal on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:09:16 PM EST
    McCain's biggest asset has been that he has been seen as a Maverick. He never has been a Maverick and this ad is damaging to his reputation.

    Combine this with the MSM calling him out on his lies, McCain is in trouble.

    Parent

    This is why I like it as well (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by dailygrind on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:43:26 PM EST
    You must attack McCain on his perceived character strength of geing a Maverick (or not like other Republicans) to demonstrate how he is more of the same, and then link that into the overall issues message of the election about changed policies. You do all of it at once and have each message reinforce each other so that different voters can pick up what they need but keeping it simple.

    Indeed, the GOP convention speech by McCain was about how he's not like other Republicans. His pick of Palin was to claim I am not like other Republicans. He managed to convince folks for a week or so that he isn't like other Republicans. When you remind the voters that in character and deeds he actually is then  his numbers go down. They are already trending down as the bounce fades with Gallup and other polls. It started the week at 5 under Gallup and now is down to 2. Newsweek is showing a tied race at 46.

    The polling results out of Ohio this week, if you look at the cross tabs and listen to interviews of what undecided or persuadable voters are saying demonstrate this.

    People like both Obama and McCain apparently. They feel the heartstring for McCain's biography and that he's supposed to be a mavercik, but they like what Obama has to say. This is why the pivot here is demonstrate that McCain is more of the same on a much deeper level than has been done so far. This is why I am happy to see Obama go after the straight talk express as being a  lie. I just hope the surrogates keep on message- some are- such as planned parent hood with this ad:

    http://www.openleft.com/showQuickHit.do?quickHitId=3508

    Note that it gets at McCain being a liar, but also pivots this into issues about children and issues of important to women. This is how you deal with McCain/Palin's appeal.

    We need more 527s doing this on other issues- pivoting the issues into character questions about McCain while also discussing the issues.

    Parent

    Also go after McCain's (none / 0) (#34)
    by WS on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 04:17:39 PM EST
    sucking up to Hillary when he's been lambasting her for years like when he laughed with a supporter saying "how do we beat the b%$#%#" and his hatred for "Hillarycare" - Hillary's signature issue.    

    Parent
    In trouble with who? (none / 0) (#10)
    by JavaCityPal on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:29:25 PM EST
    Combine this with the MSM calling him out on his lies, McCain is in trouble.

    Seems he is making headway in the polls.

    Parent

    It's the convention bounce (none / 0) (#11)
    by bluegal on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:34:25 PM EST
    And according to Gallup it's fading fast. McCain is only up by 2 when he usually polls his best on weekends.

    I expect Obama to take a 2-3 point lead by the end of next week.

    Parent

    Not to burst your bubble but (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Marvin42 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:54:00 PM EST
    Obama does well on weekends, not McCain. If the trend continues into next Wed then you are right.

    Parent
    I think it is the reverse (5.00 / 0) (#23)
    by MKS on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:18:19 PM EST
    if there is a trend at all.  Who is home to answer the phone on weekends?

    Parent
    I'll find the link or try google (none / 0) (#37)
    by Marvin42 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 06:27:25 PM EST
    It doesn't make sense but I saw an analysis since the primary that shows Obama does better on fri sat sun and you see this by Monday.

    Parent
    Woohoo! (none / 0) (#16)
    by badguppy on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:48:48 PM EST


    Parent
    More of the Same - Bush & McCain Are Liars (5.00 / 0) (#12)
    by john horse on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:35:01 PM EST
    Per TPM here is one more thing that McCain, Palin, Bush and Cheney have in common.  It is their willingness to lie in order to get what they want.

    Bush and Cheney lied us into a war they wished to wage and they have been deceptive about many of their other policies. . .  Is there really any doubt that if McCain and Palin are willing to lie about themselves and their opponents in an effort to get elected that they will continue to lie to the American public about there plans and policies.

    Almost every day we find out about another lie, deception, or dirty campaign tactic put out by McCain.  Like Bush, McCain refuses to correct himself whenever a blatant lie or error is pointed out.  

    McCain's ads ... (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Robot Porter on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:07:52 PM EST
    use strong emotional cues, and Obama's don't.

    Until that fundamentally changes, Obama will always be a step behind in the ad wars.

    People will accept an ad that feels emotionally true, even if it contains factual inaccuracies.  

    This ad makes a good point, but doesn't tie to a voter-level emotion.

    This ad would be greatly improved if it started with a line like:

    "Who do you want making decisions for your family?"

    The ended with:

    "Your family just can't afford more of the same."

    Good point (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:09:18 PM EST
    We do have a tendency to illectualize some of these things.

    Parent
    As I said in my other comment, (none / 0) (#1)
    by steviez314 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:42:00 PM EST
    I still like the McCain/Bush bearhug picture more than them walking up those steps together picture.

    It give me a much more tingle-up-the-side-of-my-leg feeling, if you know what I mean :)

    That is a good visual (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:42:54 PM EST
    But this one works too.

    I would also use the one where McCain says he has been with Bush more than anyone else.

    Parent

    He already has (none / 0) (#3)
    by bluegal on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:44:30 PM EST
    He has an ad up about McCain saying he has voted with Bush more than most Republicans.

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 12:58:05 PM EST
    that's certainly a much, much better ad than the stupid email one. I have to wonder though, how salient an issue is the lobbyist issue? This ad might be effective though at undercutting the reformist image that McCain has built.

    I sense the lobbyist (none / 0) (#22)
    by ccpup on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:12:17 PM EST
    issue is eventually a trap for Obama-Biden.  

    As long as Biden's son makes $100,000 a year from a company that benefits from legislation passed by his father -- Senator Biden --, the Dem ticket is in danger of looking like major hypocrites and, worse, dishonest and evasive.

    Parent

    Biden's son de-registered a a lobbyist 2 days (none / 0) (#24)
    by steviez314 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:28:06 PM EST
    after his father was named VP pick.  He was one of the firm's founders so I'm not sure what he's going to do for a job now.

    Parent
    good to know (none / 0) (#26)
    by ccpup on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:00:13 PM EST
    although that doesn't erase his very recent -- and, one assumes, long -- lobbyist history.

    Stepping out of that role two days after your father is named VP pick can be effortlessly spun as a political decision designed to protect the Ticket.  Many voters will see right through it, though.

    Parent

    Here's a better one though: (none / 0) (#27)
    by steviez314 on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:13:15 PM EST
    On September 5th the Silver State Bank of Henderson NV was seized by the Federal Govt, the 10th bank to go under (so far) this year.

    In July, a member of the Bank's Board of Directors resigned for "personal reasons".

    His name:  Andrew McCain.  Son from 1st marriage.

    What did he know and when did he know it?  

    So, all the kids are probably off limits for everyone at this point.

    Parent

    I still think he should tag ... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Robot Porter on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:15:09 PM EST
    ads like this with what his campaign doing on this issue.  He has a good record on the lobbyist thing, he should champion it here.

    It's an okay ad.  Not one that's going change the dynamic.  But a step in the right direction.

    Better but it needs more contrast (none / 0) (#9)
    by Manuel on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:19:30 PM EST
    The thing missing from the ad to make it great is mentioning some concrete policy that lobbyists have influenced negatively (energy?) and the corresponding Obama policy that will improve things.

    Good thought. (none / 0) (#29)
    by prose on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:28:32 PM EST
    I agree - but can you fit it into 30 seconds?  What I've noticed with Obama's campaign is that they take off one bite at a time.  They message very well, but they do it over a week and in lots of ways, rather than all at once in a sound bite or so.

    Parent
    Who are Obama's advisors? (none / 0) (#13)
    by Prabhata on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:39:20 PM EST
    I don't think they are outsiders.

    At some point.... (none / 0) (#14)
    by NYShooter on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:41:23 PM EST
    Obama has to spell out what HE is going to do on the first day of an Obama Administration; Pounding McCain is like aerial bombardment to "soften up" the enemy before ground troops storm the beaches. He has to say, (pulling the list out of his pocket,) "On Day One, THIS list will be on the desks of all my Department Heads: On the economy; 1......, 2......3, .......Repairing friendships around the world destroyed by the Bush/McCain Administration: 1......., 2....., 3.....Education, to make our children, once again No. 1 scholastically : 1......., 2......3,........And so on.....  
    Agreed. (none / 0) (#17)
    by badguppy on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:53:13 PM EST
    He is doing that more often. Like in this vid.

    This is the other side to BTD's strategy. He needs both.
    Oh, and ignore Palin!

    Parent

    Excellent. More, please. (none / 0) (#19)
    by ChiTownDenny on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 01:57:38 PM EST
    I support Dem party principles, so I support the Dem pary candidate.  The principles will win the election.   Rovian smears will lose the election, at least for Dems.  Fight back!

    So Far McCain is better. But's it's early... (none / 0) (#25)
    by SomewhatChunky on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 02:37:17 PM EST
    McCain's campaign has been better than Obama's.  It doesn't matter what you or I think, what counts is the score.  Simply put, McCain was behind, now he's ahead.  They both had conventions with their bounces, those should cancel each other out.

    But Nov 4th is when we get the final score -- what we have now counts about as much as a 3rd quarter score in a basketball game.

    In my opinion, McCain has done the following things very well:

    1. Tore down the aura of Obama's celebrity and turned in almost into a negative. The Paris Hilton Ads and "The One" ads.
    2. Painted Obama as inexperienced and not ready to lead.
    3. Won the Palin wars so far.  They been able to turn the main criticism against her (inexperience) right back on Obama.  They completed distracted the Obama camp - they didn't know what to do.  They still don't.  I think ignoring her is best and that hasn't happened.  I don't give McCain too much credit here, because I think the effect of the series of events after his pick was unknowable by anyone.  But he did pick her and that pick has been a plus for him so far.

    Obama's linking McCain to Bush is a powerful start.  But it's only a start.  Any message gets both known and old and Americans have a short attention span.   Plus, like Obama, McCain's campaign will eventually counter anything that seems to be working.   They need to have 3 or 4 other strong themes and move through those as Nov 4th approaches.  Keep your opponent off balance.  It's working for McCain.  It will work for Obama.  In a race this close, whichever campaign executes best will win.

    Follow on (none / 0) (#31)
    by SomewhatChunky on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:42:33 PM EST
    For the last few days, McCain also successfully stole the "change" mantra from Obama.  It has some credibility because he's always been the "maverick" and Palin "too on" the establishment.   But... McCain is  more "change" than Obama?  Get Real.  Obama is successfully attacking that absurd claim.  Stick to that message and it will sink in.

    Obama is also starting to effectively counterattack McCain's "distortions" (Lies) in his ads.  That should work and counterattacks are a crucial part of this campaign.  You have to deal with negatives ads..  If not, they eventually take on an aura of "truth."  

    I don't think negative ads by either side are wrong anymore than I think Republicans are evil people.  I think people do them because they work.  The object in a campaign is to win.  Save the moral high ground for after the inauguration.

    Being behind now is good for Obama.  It's shaking up his campaign and hopefully good things will come of it.  He has plenty of time to catch up and take the lead.

    Parent

    What, in your opinion, has Obama (none / 0) (#33)
    by oculus on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 04:08:49 PM EST
    changed to date?

    Parent
    Nothing (none / 0) (#36)
    by SomewhatChunky on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 05:21:56 PM EST
    But I think it is clear , whether you agree with him or not, that Obama with a democratic congress will change the policies in Washington dramatically.  I think he will try to do what he says he is going to do.  I also think Congress will support him.

    Parent
    I like the ad... (none / 0) (#28)
    by prose on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 03:26:30 PM EST
    but am troubled by the present tense on "lobbies."  That isn't true.  They did lobby, and no doubt if they are taken off of the administration or if McCain loses, they will go back to lobbying.  But when Obama is making real headway against McCain's lies, he's got to be careful with the truth.

    Obama's Punchless Campaign (none / 0) (#35)
    by bridget on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 04:42:15 PM EST
    Obama's Campaign looks more and more like Kerry 2004. It's unbelievable, really, considering how much he has to work with, the people he is running against: McCain/Palin, for heaven's sake. Very very scary Republicans, but clueless to the hilt.

    Let's face it, Obama is not good on the campaign trail. Media love covered that one up during the primaries but it was so obvious during the debates alone. And if he still relies on Obamamania AND esp. the media to help him to the White House this campaign is over for the Dems NOW.

    Patrick B. Barr pretty much summed the whole situation up here:
    Obama's Punchless Campaign

    clip:

    "What ails these Democrats who have lost their compass, so desperate to prove that they are tough, love their country, are not liberals, love God, and are dignified and above getting into the fray.

    Give me that scrapper, Bill Clinton, any day of the week.  I often disagree with him, but the man knows how to throw a punch.

    And I approve this message!"

    P.S. Last night I watched Paul Begala tell Bill Maher how brilliant Axelrod is. That I can only wish.
    Re Axelrod: He ran John Edward's lame 2004 campaign, too, but later blamed JE alone for it. Edwards couldn't close the deal, he said. Anyone else experiences a sense of deja vu by now? One thing I know for sure, give me Paul Begala in a New York minute.

     

    Obama On Offense: McCain = More Of The Same | 37 comments (37 topical)

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