McCain Camp Hits Obama Over Iranian President's Scheduled Visit To New York
This news broke late yesterday, but people seem to have missed the domestic political implications of this: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly in September.
In case you didn't notice, that will come right in the thick of the presidential campaign. And in a sign of what's likely to come during his visit, the McCain campaign is already hitting Obama over it this morning.
In an interview with Iranian state television, Ahmadinejad said that he will speak at the U.N. meeting about "ruling the world based on justice," adding that "any American government should understand that they should stop bullying and try to have interaction with Iran."
Talk like this -- and his expected kind and conciliatory words about Israel (not) -- is likely to set off a furious skirmish between McCain and Obama over their differences on Iran, right when the presidential race is at its hottest.
Indeed, this morning, the McCain campaign is quickly moving to use the scheduled visit to disparage Obama's support for negotiating with hostile foreign leaders. McCain campaign Internet guru Patrick Hynes emails over this:
Perhaps he and Senator Obama can finally have that heart to heart.
Get ready for a lot more like this.
Could you do a piece on campaign communications, and how the press reports on them?
For instance, in this morning's Times, there's a whole piece on Obama's planned trip to the Middle East. The Times reports what that asshole Randy S. says about it, but not one word about what the Obama campaign (or its surrogates) said in return.
It's distressing, to say the least. All one gets from that piece is the reporting on Obama's trip, and what the McCain campaign says about it
Please?
July 15, 2008 9:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
that's a very interesting idea. we'll mull it here
July 15, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I heard the exact same thing on NPR this morning, complete with the quote from Randy.
July 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read that same piece this morning and was shaking my head as I finished. I think a pattern is definitely developing favoring McCain... if I wait for the "liberal" media to show up, I imagine I'll be waiting forever. Are the Republicans this masterful at controlling the message of the media or is the media just this gullible?
July 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dan: Media wants McCain. Voters and grassroots are Obama hope, corporate wants those tax breaks = MSM.
July 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
But I don't honestly believe the media wants McCain. I think they want an intense campaign. Their job is to make as much money as possible for their mega-parent-corporations.. not to be objective, not even to report the facts or anything to do with important issues. Instead, we have entire days devoted to who wants who's nuts cut off. It's entertainment, and this is the year that Democrats should run away with everything.. to the media, that's dangerous for ratings and I think they've decided independently of each other but collectively as a mindset, that McCain needs a little help to stay competitive.
July 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you are right, but I also think they are walking a tightrope, minds are being made up and they may not get things to work out their way. Fox is totally in the tank for McCain, which is just ass backwards, because if Obama gets in they would have ammunition for the next 8 years.
July 15, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's a good point, but I don't imagine the execs over at Fox ever think that far ahead do you? ;)
July 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, I don't think they do either :)
July 15, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Their job is to make as much money as possible for their mega-parent-corporations.. not to be objective, not even to report the facts or anything to do with important issues.
Their interest in ratings is relevant, but they would seem to have a horse in this race. Whom do you believe the mega-parent corporations want? the Republican or the Democrat? the one promising to make these tax cuts permanent, to continue representing the K Street interests, to fuel the military/industrial complex with perpetual war?
Who among them is not vying for Minister of Truth?
July 15, 2008 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
And as the media giants hope for a McCain victory their reporters, columnists, and editors fear retrobution should McCain win and they be seen as someone who was "unfair" in their reporting.
It is all a load of BS anyway; Obama is going to blow McCain away in November.
And then where will their credibility be?
July 15, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
the fact that TPM has a link about this shows even the blgosphere is not that 'liberal' after all.
July 15, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm holding my breath waiting for reporters to note just how quickly the "Straight Talk Express" turned into the 2004 Bush campaign.
July 15, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Kenny, you will pass out first.
July 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe McCrazy could offer Ahmadinejad a pack of smokes to break the ice?
July 15, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
bah!! you beat me to it!
but seriously, i'm thinking a carton of camels will do the job.
July 15, 2008 9:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why doesn't tough guy McCain just call up his old buddy George Bush and prevent Ahmadinejad from coming to America all together?
July 15, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Desperation, thy name is McCain.
Honestly, instead of reporting every slam McCain says about Obama (I don't mean you Greg, I mean MSM), when will a reporter actually turn around and ask them what THEIR plans?
July 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Transcripts of Congressional hearing clearly show that Reagan TRADED weapons FOR HOSTAGES . . . The hostages held during the Carter administration." I'm not a history major but weren't the hostages released less than an hour after Reagan was sworn in? That's not much time to set up an "arms for hostages" swap...
July 15, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's supposed to drop down a few posts...
July 15, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
The hostages held by Hezbollah, not the ones held during the Carter Administration.
July 15, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
IIRC, the hostages involved in iran-contra were those held by hezbollah in lebanon.
also, the "contra" part of iran-contra was also criminal.
July 15, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Patrick seems to take the "throw everything at the media and see what sticks" approach to running an internet campaign. Is this because the McCain campaign is desperate or because McCain's internet guru doesn't like planning?
July 15, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
As much as the GOP hates Iran, St. Ronnie sold them weapons in the 80s.
July 15, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now would be a good time to find some past videos with the chimp giving his stump nonsense about how good the economy is. I can remember just how cocky our frat-boy-in-chief was. A couple of videos in the January/08 - March/08 time period put together with some McCain video nonsense should go a long way in exposing the gas bags.
July 15, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
You'll see more and more temper tantrums (with the "Why aren't you morons going to make me President?" subtext) as the campaign goes on. It reeks of deperation. Didn't work for Dole, won't work for McCain.
July 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I adored and really miss the Saturday Night LIve skits when Bob Dole moved in an apartment with a group of 20 somethings. Also the "Bob Dole says" third person talk. Still makes me laugh to think about it.
July 15, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh that made me nostalgic. I'm glad I was old enough to appreciate those skits then. Who is playing McCain on SNL anyway?
July 15, 2008 10:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Let's hope that Darrell Hammond is buffing and polishing his McCain impersonation over the summer. And that they got someone better to play Obama. Arnesen (sp?) is a great Prince; horrible Barack.
July 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Darrell Hammond
July 15, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think by September, with Wall Street lenders being bailed out by taxpayers, over 100 more banks expected to fail, gas prices, no raises and job losses, health care costs killing us (maybe that is the intent) the economy will be what garners the votes.
July 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Observer it was worse than selling Iranians weapons. St. Ronnie traded them arms for hostages.
July 15, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
September would be a great time for Obama to contrast himself with McCain. He shouldn't be afraid to admit he would quite possibly talk with Ahmadinejad, and contrast that to McCain's multiple jokes about killing Iranians. He really needs to call him out on that.
July 15, 2008 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
This trend of condescending e-mails by the McCain campaign is a bit disturbing.
It's one thing to say he's wrong. It's another to mock him and use condescending tone.
July 15, 2008 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rondog did not sell weapons to Iran. Transcripts of Congressional hearing clearly show that Reagan TRADED weapons FOR HOSTAGES . . . The hostages held during the Carter administration.
Do not defame Reagan for making a profit on the completion of the transaction. Hate him and the rest of fascist plutocrats for trading the soul of America for the power to hamstring future generations of Americans.
The symptoms were bad, the disease remains deadly.
This crap with Iran is a happy handjob for Saudi Arabia in trade for locking the current Administration into the drivers seat for a decade. This is a Kleptocracy - Reminder: In chaos they can steal.
One final platitude: Facism will come to America wrapped in a American flag.
July 15, 2008 10:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Transcripts of Congressional hearing clearly show that Reagan TRADED weapons FOR HOSTAGES . . . The hostages held during the Carter administration." I'm not a history major but weren't the hostages released less than an hour after Reagan was sworn in? That's not much time to set up an "arms for hostages" swap...
(hooked up to wrong post)
July 15, 2008 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Different set of hostages.
The arms were traded for hostages held by Hezbollah.
July 15, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I knew the New Yorker cover left something out! Just didn't realize what until now: no veiled references to Ahmadinejad.
Oh well, maybe Obama can get Ahmadinejad to autograph a copy of the New Yorker. Maybe even get Ahmadinejad to autograph a second copy for McCain, something like:
July 15, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps he and Senator Obama can finally have that heart to heart.
perhaps senator mcCain can set off the bombs he'd previously expressed enthusiasm for, although i'm sure he'd rather target the entire country.
July 15, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you want to know about the arms for hostages deal, I suggest you read "Landslide" by Jane Mayer and Doyle McManus, and learn the facts rather than rely on your own deeply flawed thinking. The agreement was made prior to the election, much like Nixon sold 25,000 American soldiers' lives' in Paris prior to the 1968 election.
You can never underestimate the depravity and utter mendacity of a Republican.
July 15, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
My friends, mcbush is racing right now to a grocery store to buy a couple of cartons of cigarettes for mr. suit to wipe him out. If that doesn't work he'll bomb him in ny. Mcbush foreign policy in action. Now that's change we can believe in. Thank you.
July 15, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Re: McCain, Obama and the Press
I recently met a former journalist who until 3 weeks ago was on the McCain bus. He confessed the press loves McCain because he gives reporters so much access and Obama doesn't. No news there, but I was troubled to hear the truth firsthand. (I realize this is thirdhand for anyone reading this.)
But listen hereon bloggingheads.tv. Ana Marie Cox and Robert Wright discussing this topic. Click on the last topic listed:
http://bloggingheads.tv/diavlogs/10830
July 15, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
In addition to McCain and fellow neocons controlling the news, I wouldn't be surprised if the Clintons were still behind some of this. They have four weeks or so to the convention and, as many people say, they just won't quit.
July 15, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't understand what this has to do with Obama. Did Obama invite him or something? This is just ridiculous. It's like the McCain campaign just wants to negatively write "Obama" in the same sentence as "Iran."
July 15, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sort of like Bush using Saddam and 9/11 in the same sentence. Over...and...over...and...over...and...
July 15, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Patrick Hynes: "Perhaps he and Senator Obama can finally have that heart to heart."
This seems too easy. Obama, or his representative: "Perhaps Senator McCain might be suited to be President if he were willing to talk to people he doesn't like."
...Just a thought.
July 15, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSM long ago sold their soul to the Mepublicans, they were bought up by rich thugs like Murdoch and now must toe the line. Mepublicans figured out all those years ago that the media is your friend not your enemy for use in propaganda and opinion. Who was the first Mepublican to sell their soul, Nixon? I know the last Republican to trust had to be Eisenhower, he new the dangers of the military industrial complex.
July 16, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink