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McCain Compares Obama To William Jennings Bryan
John McCain is stepping up the rhetoric in his effort to pitch himself as the candidate of substance against Barack Obama's empty style, making an interesting historical reference in an interview with USA Today.
"I believe that people are interested very much in substance," McCain said, contrasting himself against Barack Obama's charismatic style. "If it was simply style, William Jennings Bryan would have been president."
It's unclear just how relevant this comparison will be to the average American. No voters alive today can remember Bryan's campaigns for president, which occurred in 1896, 1900 and 1908.
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"Senator Obama, I served with William Jennings Bryan. I knew William Jennings Bryan. William Jennings Bryan was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no William Jennings Bryan."
June 6, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL.
June 6, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit, you're too quick for me...
:o)
June 6, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
and I'm obviously too quick for myself -- that was meant for DancingBear!
June 6, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOLOLOLOL! That's exactly what I was thinking - boy, he's a total idiot! Who is advising this man?
June 6, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mark Penn.
June 6, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Methusela
June 6, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, very quick. When I saw the post, that's the first thing that came to my mind as well.
June 6, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not true. Only John McCain is old enough to have golfed with William Jennings Bryan.
Besides, WJB was a rabid creationist.
June 6, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Darn, I read the original post wrong.
June 6, 2008 10:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently, many of our minds work the same way.
June 6, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does he remember why he lost in 2000? It wasn't because Bush had SUBSTANCE....
June 6, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
The entire argument that Obama has no substance is BS. One of my favorite examples is Obama's emphasis on government transparency. Just yesterday he introduced a bill on it in the senate. To be fair to McCain, he's on the bill too--but then, doesn't this just cut through that argument--if McCain supports the bill too, isn't this an example of substance?
June 6, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
stupid html quotes. Here's the link again.
June 6, 2008 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't it an Obama-Luger bill originally and McCain forced him name on at the last minute?
June 6, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes! mcCain..clamored to be put on the bill once he saw that Obama and Lugar were going to move it successfully.
When is someone going to bring up Keating Five about McCain given the state of the economy is not understanding the economy and his campaign folks being linked to UBS and foreclosures?
June 6, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
For what it's worth, it was obama/colburn. The obama/lugar bill, that became law, concerned nuclear non-proliferation. Obama agreed to co-sponsor with mccain to get the bill through the senate as quickly as possible. He figures it will help get it passed and isn't interested in playing politics about the bill. The guy is brilliant. No more politics as usual.
June 6, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, sorry. Colburn.
June 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, my gosh - is McCain totally politically tone deaf?
June 6, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, you lose that once you reach his age.
June 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe he needs political hearing-aides?
June 6, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Was McCain old enough to vote yet when Bryan ran the first time?
June 6, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain taught WJB how to read and do his "sums"... in a one room schoolhouse... by candlelight... with slate boards and chalk...
June 6, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
And he remembers well summer evenings spent listening to the victrola with WJB or taking rides in WJB's horseless carriage with his sweetheart. Oh, how joyous and gay were those summer evenings!
June 6, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
WJB, Ouch. That kind of smackdown is going to really resonate with the voters who happen to be late 19th century historians. Again he seems to be trying to connect with voters in an unusual way, pity.
June 6, 2008 9:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
haha! He did not just play the Williams Jennings Bryan card.
Hilarious.
June 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
This setting the bar so low has to be strategic.
Either they are aiming for accolades when he doesn't wet himself in the first debate. Or they are planning a bait and switch near the convention.
June 6, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously. He really can't be this bad. Can he?
June 6, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
This has occurred to me, although I don't know the legal details about how far in advance they'd have to perform the switch to get the name on the ballot, etc.
"Today, McCain stated he was stepping down from the Republican nomination for health concerns. Replacing him is John Smith, who we have not yet had any time to dig up any dirt on."
Of course, that would be underestimating the power of the web to dig up dirt. :)
June 6, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which of the Repubs have only suspended their campaigns? I only remember Giuliani as one.
June 6, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm thinking of John Smith—not one of the previous Republicans that were running. Someone who is affable (that you'd want to have a beer with), but that is enough of an unknown that it will be hard to find any negatives on.
June 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sean Connery.
June 6, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
i meant fred thompson.
June 6, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is that a generic "John Smith" or is there really someone out there with that name who has potential (I really don't want to Google "John Smith" and wade through the results!)?
June 6, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was a generic "John Smith", but picking someone actually named John Smith would be political genius that recognizes the reality of our technological limits in Googling information on such a man!
June 6, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Indiana State Representative John Smith, there is a call for you on line 1.
June 6, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who, coincidentally enough, just happens to be a Republican.
(And, just to prove myself wrong, I found this information using Google.)
June 6, 2008 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
haha, I found him googling "John Smith Republican."
June 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, the Democrats could respond by running this guy who will confuse things more by using his middle initial of (R).
June 6, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's put those two guys on a butterfly ballot and hope for the best.
June 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jefferson Smith, of Mr. Smith goes to Washington.
IMDB would be swamped with hits.
June 6, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was actually thinking of this Mr. Smith, but couldn't recall his first name, and evidently couldn't be bothered to go to IMDB (or a countless other number of sources) to get his first name.
June 6, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I believe Romney "suspended" his campaign.
June 6, 2008 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
i know the whole GOP field was weak, but he is making the rest of them look better and better. I'd put a small bet on Romney. He won't wet himself, and he has a bunch of money to help balance out the financing.
June 6, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is my fear. After the green-screen speech, I think the chances of them pulling McCain out for "health reasons" or something are pretty high.
June 6, 2008 10:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is OLD, shit, he did that one to himself..
June 6, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
William Jennings Bryan?
O my god.
ROFLMAO! Holy shit he's older than dirt!
June 6, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just waiting for the McCain campaign to plug in the Manchurian Candidate meme. It's already on our local blue collar talk radio sewer pipe.
June 6, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is just sad!
June 6, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
What better way to show America how old you are by referencing a presidential candidate who ran in the late
June 6, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
19th CENTURY!
June 6, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Uh oh. This could be the zinger that derails the Obama train for good.
June 6, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cut McCain some slack. He's just trying to show how he, like Obama, has faith in the American people. In this case, he has faith that they are going to know something about century old failed political figures.
June 6, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right. And it's not a racial smear, so McCain's taking the high ground. Genius.
June 6, 2008 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
of the 300 million people in the US, i bet less than 500 people know of hand who William Jennings Bryum is.
June 6, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to believe that at least 1% of our population knows him from the Scopes Monkey trial, which might hurt McCain further by alienating his Creationist base. Probably at least 0.1% also know that he ran against McKinley.
June 6, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Inherit The Wind.
IMDB will become the nexus of political background searches.
June 6, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
As Yoda's grandfather McSame should have been wiser that that. He should have used the force, instead he used the farce.
June 6, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rather ironic, in that a large portion of likely McCain supporters would wish that Bryan had become president, so that perhaps creationism would still be taught in the public school system. It would seem that the voters McCain neets to be courting would be offended that he is saying Bryan didn't have substance? Scopes Monkey trial anyone?
June 6, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Response from the average voter to the WJB reference:
WTF?
Response from the more curious voter who actually looks up WJB on Wikipedia:
WTF?
Response from political historians who already know WJB:
WTF?
June 6, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL
June 6, 2008 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jeebus, that's weird.
Probably most people today remember Bryan as the bible-thumping Creationist who helped prosecute John Scopes in the famous "monkey trial" of 1925. Given McCain's anti-evolution and pro-Intelligent Design views, Obama should be comparing him to Bryan.
June 6, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I'm pretty sure that McCain was one of the few Republicans who raised his hand when asked which of them believe in evolution. This WJB reference might just piss of his Creationist friends even more, however.
June 6, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Could be, but I seem to remember reading something over at the Panda's Thumb blog a few years ago when Dover was in the news. I did a quick Google, and the hit summaries seem to confirm this, but I admit I didn't follow the links.
Still, whaatever...William Jennings Bryan???
LOL!
June 6, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just went to that ultimate arbiter of truth, Wikipedia, and it seems that due to the miracle of flip-flopping, we're both right.
June 6, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good catch Ben!
I tell ya, it must be tough being a "maverick" in the modern GOP. You can never be sure what you're supposed to support or when. Your timing has to be impeccable!
June 6, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I'll sit down with my Inherit the Wind DVD tonight, and enjoy some popcorn!
June 6, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now you're talking.
June 6, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
In all seriousness, the big danger to McCain to run this substance-free strategy is then Obama shows up at a debate or on-stage showing a great deal of substance. Then what is McCain left with?
June 6, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
So far, the McCain campaign seems happy to follow the Clinton strategy play-by-play. You know, because that worked so well and all.
June 6, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Faking a stroke.
June 6, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
The hilarious thing about the WJB reference (other than the fact that it is stupid, anachronistic, and completely tone deaf) is that it sets up Obama not as the darling of over-educated, latte drinking elitists but as a down in the dirt populist who is the champion of the people. And let me ask, WTF is the gas tax holiday other than a cross of freaking gold?
June 6, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
"You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of Fixodent adhesive cream!"
June 6, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
My friends, I remember sitting on the knee of William Jennings Bryan. I got so upset that I peed. Of course, that was before I was wearing Depends...
June 6, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
The difference between circa 1900 and today is that then the U.S. was just waking up to the possibility of engagement beyond the it's continent, and now we already are an established global power. The question today is what kind of global power we want to be.
June 6, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. That's the only difference. And gas was only $0.06/gallon back then. Mostly because no one could figure out what to use it for.
(Not making fun of you-just pointing out how hilariously inept this comparison of McCain's was.)
June 6, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
My WJB tribute to John McCain:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/06/mccain-invokes-wjb-oh-no-he-didnt.html
June 6, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me thinks that mcbush is going down in flames. Not a very bright guy that's for sure. We already had one moron in the white house, we don't need another one.
June 6, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I'm getting a strong feeling that he's not just a little old and confused. I suspect that he's not really very bright.
June 6, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's really strange. I liked him in 2000 and never had that impression before. However, he is starting to look really, really old and seems like he's not all there. I don't know what it is, but it does look like a huge problem.
June 6, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
The difference between 64 and 72 is really a lot.
June 6, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
In all seriousness, do you think that's the issue? I am obviously biased, but he really seems to have gone down the tubes over the last few months and he has been basically taking a break from campaigning. His speeches and town halls appear to be getting worse. You would think after taking a break he would be more animated and vibrant. Also, he seems to be having problems remembering simple things.
June 6, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's such a taboo subject, but yeah, I really do. All politics aside, if the Dems were running a 71-year-old man, I'd be nervous as shit. McCain does not seem to be handling the rigors of campaigning very well. And that's nothing compared to the rigors of the Presidency.
June 6, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
The thing is, I can think of several intellectually agile 71-year olds, but none of them have the pressure of running (or being) President (or even Senator) to deal with.
At only 38, I begin to do (even more) stupid stuff when I'm a little sleep deprived, and I suspect this is even more true as you get older. (Of course, to contradict myself, it's not like I didn't do stupid stuff when I was younger, whether or not I was sleep deprived.)
June 6, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know from personal experience. I am double your age. McCain is too old for the rigors of the job. We would not let him pilot a passenger jet. I am not sure that someone his age,, or mine, should be trusted with control of the TV remote, let alone the nuclear trigger and the future of the planet.
June 6, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
As long as you promise not to turn to Lawrence Welk, I'll trust you with the remote any day! ;)
June 6, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is a priceless scene it the movie: Moving, when Richard Pryor has left his teenage daughter,who wants to stay in her school, with a couple of elderly white neighbors. Do you know the scene I a talking about, where the young African American girl, is sitting between the old white couple, watching Lawrence Welk. The girl's expression says: I am in a living hell.
June 6, 2008 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
edit:
I am talking about
June 6, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've never seen the movie, I'm actually thinking of my own personal experiences. When we visited my grandparents in Ohio (both of whom lived into their 90s), it always seemed like Lawrence Welk was on the TV. It was probably a good thing as it encouraged me to get outside and explore their farm.
June 6, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent points. I actually didn't look at it that way. I think everyone should think back to the b-movie actor. He was a figure head and really wasn't running anything, probably due in part to his age. I remember everyone would say that yeah but he had great people under him running the country. Today, look at the bang-up job the republicans running the country did under the king. Look at mcbush's team that would be running the country. Frightening thoughts.
June 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
But how does Obama really feel about the Gold Standard? For that matter, how does McCain feel?
The debate should be heated.
June 6, 2008 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
And can we get his take on the Boer War? Should we send in troops or just keep our musket powder dry?
June 6, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Boer War! haha.
Man, it's days like today that that History minor is coming in handy.
June 6, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this doesn't cause a worldwide shortage of flint.
The commodities traders will be driving up the price now that this news has broken.
June 6, 2008 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I loled in real life. You got me with that one. Flint! Genius. :)
June 6, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I remember getting Bryan speeches delivered on wax cylinder. Would listen to them on the Edison talking machine. Spellbinding, they were! It was too bad they arrived too late -- the delivery was by horse, and we ended up hearing them a month after the election. It was the best Christmas ever!
June 6, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit Guano!
I sprayed coffee all over my laptop. Shot it out my nose.
Now my nose is all tingly.
June 6, 2008 10:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Heh. Funny, when you consider that McCain's party is home to the descendants of the losers of the Scopes Monkey Trial. In which William Jennings Bryan represented the losing side.
June 6, 2008 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, WJB represented the winning side. In a legal sense, that is.
June 6, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Between his League of Nations and this, McCain's not helping his perceived age issue. Is he going to pledge to break up Standard Oil next?
June 6, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain the Trust Buster!
June 6, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very funny. I really can't believe that he used the terminology of a "league of democracies." What a stupid statement based on history. The guy is totally out of touch.
June 6, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have no problem with comparing Obama to WJB. WJB was one of the country's first economic populists. He was deeply attuned the problems of the nation's poor. It was only in his later life that he became a bit on the cranky side.
June 6, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
We're rapidly running out of 20th century Democratic presidential candidates to compare Obama to. His opposition has called him Williams Jennings Bryan, Adlai Stevenson, Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, George McGovern and Jimmy Carter thus far. Is an Alton B. Parker comparison on its way?
June 6, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Would it be impolite to point out that McCain is old enough to personally know Bryant, Debs and Dewey?
June 6, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
My Friends,
President McKinley was taken from us too soon. I am running to complete his unfulfilled regressive agenda. I ask for your support, and donations. Please send your contributions via Pony Express or Mail Coach to:
McCain/Abel 1908
Campaign Headquarters
Care of the General Store
Dry Gulch, Arizona.
No contributions or help will be accepted from any Jews, Colored, or Roman Catholics. I may make a exception or too for some of them that are wealthy and know their place, but on one standard I will not bend: No Irish Need Apply.
God Bless America,
I remain,
Ye Olde Candidate
John Panderosa McCain
June 6, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have been waiting to use this quote for some time, and it seems appropriate for the McCain campaign now.
Inherit The Wind fans unite, for MATTHEW HARRISON BRADY! has come to town.
"I don't think about things I don't think about."
-Matthew Harrison Brady
June 6, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
and: "I am more interested in The Rock Of Ages, than the age of rocks." and ""A giant once lived in that body."
June 6, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
William Jennings Bryan resigned as Secretary of State because he thought Wilson's handling of the sinking of the Lusitania was too belligerent and would lead the United States into World War One.
So maybe McCain is making a too thickly veiled reference that Obama is too much of a pussy to lead during war.
June 6, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Holy cow this guy is out of touch. Next he's going to say that if the country wanted a basketball player, they would have elected George Gervin.
http://thinmansblog.blogspot.com/
June 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I learned the game from Jimmy Naismith, and, let me tell you, Bob Cousy would have kicked the Iceman's ass!
June 6, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a strong possibility that, come October, we're actually going to feel sorry for this guy. I think it might just be painful to watch.
June 6, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
I felt sorry for the guy in his late fall 2007 appearance on The Daily Show. Seemed like he had aged years in a matter of months.
June 6, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't there a question in one of the Republican debates which asked the candidates if they believe in evolution? If so, anybody recall McCain's answer?
If McCain doesn't believe in evolution it would demonstrate that he has more in common with William Jennings Bryan (than age).
June 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just looked it up, in the May 3, 2007 debate, the Republican candidates were asked to raise their hand if they did not believe in evolution. Brownback, Tancredo, and Huckabee raised their hands.
Of course, if McCain believed in evolution in 2007, he may have reversed himself by now.
June 6, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
My understanding is that while he believes in evolution, he also "believes" (i.e., panders) that Intelligent Design should be taught in schools, although possibly not in science classes. We were discussing that upthread if you're interested.
June 6, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would take it as a compliment. After all, Bryan was the most populist candidate for president in history and one thing Obama was criticized for in the primaries (from some quarters, anyway) was not being populist enough. And Bryan could never have been accused of being elitist. Plus, Bryan could never have had his religious devotion called into question, though he was certainly on the wrong side of the creationism-evolution debate.
Hell, I say embrace the mantle of being a 21st Century William Jennings Bryan!
June 6, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
However politically tone-deaf the remark might have been, I'm loving the reference anyway. Can you fucking IMAGINE George W. Bush making such a reference? He probably thinks Bryan was a minor character on F-Troop.
June 6, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This tack did not work well for Clinton and it will not work out well for McCain.
First of all, Obama is much smarter than McCain. Just brain smarts. He learns and thinks faster than McCain and "understands" some stuff, especially about economics that McCain does not and likely will never understand. To the extent that Obama currently understands less about national security (I don't think this is true when it comes to broad policy understanding as opposed to minutiae of, say, weapons systems procurement)he will learn it much faster than McCain expects or can imagine.
And we can demonstrate it effectively and convincingly with three words: Gas tax holiday.
It's a stupid idea that has no support among all the people who understand how it works. All the people who only deal with substance. Economists, policy analysts, energy experts--Republicans and Democrats. They all get it McCain does not.
If you implement it like McCain wants to it's as destructive as it is pointless, because it throws away critical highway funds and won;t change teh price of gas. It's this campaign's singular example of style over substance, pander over policy. It damaged Sen. Clinton badly and it will, if brought to the fore, damage McCain.
June 6, 2008 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
The logical extension of McCain's analogy is that he sees himself as Bryan's GOP opponent, William McKinley. He's the President who went to war against Spain on false pretenses, and then decided to turn the Philippines into a U.S. colony rather than allow it independence so that he could "Christianize" its predominately Catholic inhabitants, leading to a three-year insurrection that cost the lives of more than 4,000 American troops and 220,000 Filipinos. I guess that's Mac's idea of substance.
June 7, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink