A real progressive candidate would have stepped on the Republican National Convention by pointing to the arrest of Amy Goodman and saying ‘We do not arrest journalists in this country for reporting a story, we do not cage our citizens, that’s what they do in China. Because if security forces at political conventions are willing to arrest peaceful protesters and journalists, they are willing to arrest you.’ The youtube video of Goodman is really shocking, and 800k people have seen it. It’s there for anyone to see, viscerally powerful. If anyone wants to know what a strong progressive message looks like, it’s that.
That would have instantly moved all the press from the Xcel Center into the streets and put the emphasis on the security apparatus. Palin would be an afterthought. And the election would be decided on the basis of whether the public wants a President who stands up for their rights or whether the public wants a President who stands up for the government’s right to imprison them.
Instead, we got the "B" team response about Obama’s history as a community organizer. It reminded me of Joe Lieberman’s bear ad — an issue that was personal to the candidate, but that most of America just didn’t understand. Those that did, didn’t care.
Mike Lux is worried. I saw a polling report on older white women yesterday morning. McCain is gaining ground, and that the lipstick comment — regardless of whether it is a real or a perceived slight to Palin — is probably not going to help with a demographic Obama desperately needs to win over.
It’s certainly not time to panic, but for a campaign that has been rather sure footed up until now, it is worrisome.
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Obama’s lipstick on a pig comment came off as too calculated and ungracious. And I was ready to give him a pass for it until I saw the video.
Obama needs to sack his handlers and strategists and be more authentic. He’s going the way of Gore, IMO.
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Please do this ESPECIALLY if your house was foreclosed on in Michigan. Things are getting pretty squirrely all over.
And yes, I was very very disappointed that there was no reference AT ALL about the arrest of journalists in our own country covering our own elections, fgs.
I think Obama and his campaign strategists are looking at the remaining two months as a whole. They have a strategy all blocked out, and have factored in their calculations on the half-life of Palin and other factors. I think they’ve got some stuff up their sleeves that will be released, on schedule, as the debates unfold.
We should not get blown away by each gust of wind in the campaign to the point that we spend too much energy (and other resources!) over-reacting to the bright shiny object of the day.
But I hope the Obama strategists are right. So far, Obama is using too many words in his responses (to judge from the last two nights of Count Down). He needs to practice 5-word answers.
Bob in HI
Need to get the focus back on Gramps. Now that Caribou Barbie has flown back to Alaska, that shouldn’t be hard. Watch his crowds shrink away as folks realize he brought his wife but not his new girlfriend.
He won’t be able to talk about how wonderful she is, because people will start chanting her name, and then be disappointed she isn’t there. Maybe the press will ask him some questions, like why he called Hillary Clinton a pig when he discussed her health care plan?
Or maybe he could be asked about the war? Or the American economy, which is in the toilet? Or the Fannie & Freddie bailouts, which neither he nor his new Princess seem to understand? Or his plan to tax working people’s employer-provided health insurance? Or his lies about Obama’s sex-education legislation? Or his lies about Palin selling her plane on eBay? Or his lies about Palin and the Bridge? Or his lies about Obama’s tax plan?
Or his lies about his lies?
C’mon, TradMed — you’re all going to be embarrassed by Charlie Gibson, don’t you want to get out ahead of that impending disaster?
Thanks Jane.
digg
Everyone complains about the mudslinging and lying, but the CW is that “Everyone hates it, but it works.” (NB: Karl Rove probably loves it.) Until we can drive a stake through the heart of that meme, we’re going to get more of the same.
What I’d like to see from the Obama campaign is a calculated attempt to absolutely destroy McCain’s credibility because of these kinds of ads. If this were easy to do, Al Gore would be completing his second term now. Or John Kerry would be completing his first term. But its gotta be possible, and I’ll bet that the Obama campaign can figure out how (That will probably require that they send all the DLC folks in the campaign off to Ohio to conduct a GOTV drive, in order to get them out of the room).
If McCain and Palin get absolutely shredded for their lies and smears, maybe politicians in the future won’t feel compelled to use these tactics.
Bob in HI
You guys have just gone too far down the rabbit hole for me anymore. Gone are the heady days of Plame, when you had something to contribute. I come over, but between hysteria and self-righteousness I just don’t fit in here.
Take care, hope it all works out.
I wish the Obama campaign would hire Chris Kofinis, former communications director of the Edwards campaign. This guy is REALLY cool, knows what’s going on, and HITS BACK. [He’s on Keith Olbermann.]
I’m running out of koosh balls to throw at the tv every time Obama is on with another of his mealy-mouth, law professor answers. This isn’t a tea dance; get a very sharp knife.
I completely agree, Bob.