McCain’s Campaign Strategy
[Guest post by DRJ]
I’ve read several articles and blogs criticizing McCain’s campaign strategy but I like his recent strategy. McCain has run ads that show he will criticize Obama and ads that focus on his values. Now he airs an internet ad entitled “Praising McCain” that shows prominent Democrats and Obama praising McCain:
“John McCain is a maverick — just ask Democrats,” a caption reads in the broadcast, which came a day after Obama dismissed McCain’s “maverick” credentials by casting him as a tired retread of President George W. Bush.
The Republican’s spot features old footage of prominent Obama supporters, including senators John Kerry and Joseph Biden, praising McCain as an honorable politician who is unafraid to reach across party lines.
It even includes a snippet from Obama himself, in January 2007, lauding a Senate bill co-sponsored by McCain on greenhouse gas emissions.”
The ad ends with a clip of Hillary Clinton:
“But the real sting comes with the final guest speaker — Clinton, shown making a biting remark about Obama at the bitter height of their primary battle for the Democratic nomination in March this year.
“I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002,” she says in the ad, referring to Obama’s stand against the Iraq war.”
This ad could give the media more openings to ask Obama and his campaign staff questions about their shaky relationship with Hillary and to drive a deeper wedge between Obama and Hillary as the Democratic convention nears. It’s almost enough to make me wonder if the Clintons and the McCain campaign are [independently but in effect] tag-teaming Obama:
“The “Praising McCain” ad was released as Clinton prepared to hold a web chat with supporters Thursday, amid a clamor from her diehard backers for her name to be put forward on the nominating ballot at the convention in Denver.
Clinton herself appears to be backing the idea as a way of officially recording the nearly 18 million primary votes she won and, she says, to let the party purge itself of any lingering anti-Obama discontent.”
Surely not.
— DRJ
Proving once again that the axiom of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” applies quite frequently into the bloodsport of politics.
But in all seriousness, McCain and HRC have always liked each other, no matter their respective differences. I always thought it would’ve been far more difficult for McCain to go after Hillary in a difficult race, due to their mutual respect.
Dmac (874677) — 8/7/2008 @ 1:44 pmWhat’s so awesome about that ad is how many knife-twists there are, in less than a minute. Much respect for whoever came up with it.
Phil (6d9f2f) — 8/7/2008 @ 1:50 pmWhen Mcain’s add says:
“It even includes a snippet from Obama himself, in January 2007, lauding a Senate bill co-sponsored by McCain on greenhouse gas emissions.”
That was one of the ones he flip flopped on.
So basically your telling me he is pointing out to the American people that the Democrats were on his side on issues pre flip flop.
My head hurts, I hope American’s are smart enough to see through those add.
McCain should stick to comparing Obama to Paris and Britney.
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 4:25 pmMcCain Looking Sensational
NB (puke) C has a raw feed, meaning no editing of any kind, that is carried on Time Warner Cable. Right now (Thursday noonish) they are presenting a McCain Town Hall type campaign gathering, and I want to tell you….McCain is everything a lot of us want a Republican to be. Energetic as hell, articulate as anyone could be, and he is selling me. NO EVASIVE Answers to questions and he’s calling on everyone. He is dealing straight up and he’s great. Up to now I’ve wondered why Obama is ducking debating him, now I know why. I hope some of you get to see this unedited engagement. You may change your mind about him. He leaves no doubt about where he stands on anything he’s asked. The contrast with Obama is crystal clear….I’m totally surprised. I’m close to being a McClainiac….. Now let’s see if the campaign runs this stuff. Really really first rate.
howard432 (cc8b85) — 8/7/2008 @ 5:50 pmwow. His ads and campaign approach are for the books. McCain knows when to talk, when to stay quiet, when to pounce, how hard. Very impressive. He’s exceeding all expectations. Another great ad..
Vermont Neighbor (a066ed) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:52 pmIt seems like what McCain is trying to say is: “People like me. They really, really like me.” This ad was a little better than his ads which attempted humor, but ended with him looking bitter and upset that people felt a closeness and a hope from the Obama camp that McCain is unable to make people feel. Charlton Heston? Really? It was funny, but I expected that from John Stewart, not McCain’s actual campaign. At this point I hope both these candidates are lying. I am hoping that Barack will back off his economic plan when he realizes it will severely injure the economy, and I hope McCain is pretty much lying about everything. We all know McCain is the republican nominee because any ‘real’ Republican would have been blown out in this election. I am just upset with McCain becuase it seems like he pacified the Republican party when they had no choice but to choose him as their nominee. I think I may be voting third party. Too much left and right wing propaganda. How about this for politics? Keep taxes low, and let me live my life how I want to.
Matt (96f134) — 8/8/2008 @ 7:17 amMcCain and his campain has been so pathetic, that anything new seems good. His attempt at humour is childish and wreaks of contempt for Obamas popularity.
kennywest (8be03f) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:07 amI think the mccain smear campaign is an insult to the intelligence of every american voter. It’s shameful that the negative attacks and the distractions from the real issues could win. If you want to call it a “win” – GWBush was elected in the exact same way and look where it landed us. McCain couldn’t stand by his word to run a decent campaign.
I’m glad mccain finds humor in the issues. Personally his humor falls flat, I don’t see anything funny in the state of the economy, the cost of living, the war. The list goes on and on. Don’t let distraction politics elect another incompetent c- student.
Julie (a7f5ab) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:29 amHoward452 – I strongly recommend factcheck.org.
Julie (a7f5ab) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:30 amAs opposed to misleading statements based upon falsehoods which appear to be the foundation of the Obama campaign?
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:31 amWhat smear campaign is that, Julie? And before you tell me, please define “smear”. Because I’m not sure that word means what you think it means.
Pablo (99243e) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:43 amBTW, that’s a great ad. Obama claims that he’s going to be the unitey, reach-across-the-aisle-and-heal-America sort, despite there being no indication in his record that he is capable of being that or has any desire to do so. McCain, on the other hand, has a long, rich history of doing just that, often to the dismay of the Republican base.
Obama claims to be what McCain has proven himself to be. That’s entirely fair to point out, or at least it would be if Obama wasn’t melanin enhanced. Racists!
Pablo (99243e) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:48 am#11 and #12 Don’t you neocons ever get it? Prostrate yourselves in awe of the magnificent lightworker, recognized at the new messiah by people who “feel” the leadership, character and e charisma that he personifies.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 8/8/2008 @ 8:50 amI want some of Julie’s and kennywest’s voodoo juice so I too can get aroused and blindly worship the empty suit NWA Obamalamadingdong and his america-hating, soros-obeying band of lunatic moonbats.
Julie – Your comments are a deflection and a distraction and do nothing to help Michelle keep fresh fruit in the house.
Racist
JD (5f0e11) — 8/8/2008 @ 9:11 amRacists!
Tlove (953364) — 8/8/2008 @ 9:13 amTrouble, right here in River City….
Another Drew (722aad) — 8/8/2008 @ 9:52 amJD and TLove have had a mind-meld!
the problem w/ the rnc’s “praising McCain” internet spot is that the clips are well-aged like a good wine. McCain could once be called a maverick, but he has since abandoned that image so as not to offend the republican base. his maverick image vanished seemingly overnight following his victory in the primaries. now, we are left with a timid maverick at best, afraid of and attached to the base that he hopes will get him elected.
james (cd3426) — 8/8/2008 @ 11:53 am