McCain Campaign Keeps Hitting Obama Over "Race Card"
On the morning shows today, McCain adviser Rick Davis and Obama adviser David Axelrod continued hammering away at each other over the McCain camp's claim that Obama played the "race card," with each side road-testing new and improved ways of pressing his case.
Davis claimed "high-mindedly" that his campaign had had no choice but to respond to Obama's alleged race-card playing, while Axelrod pushed the campaign's new macro-message that the McCain camp had made a clear strategic choice to take the low road. Check out our highlight reel...
Davis kept up with the argument that the McCain campaign is the victim here and continued claiming to be in high dudgeon over Obama's alleged racial tactics: "We did exactly what we should do as a campaign...We said, `No, we're not gonna let this card get played.'"
Meanwhile, Axelrod defended Obama as follows: "He said it to a crowd in rural Missouri, 99% white. There were all kinds of press there. Nobody reported it as a racial comment...the only time this became an issue was when Rick Davis and their campaign decided to kick this up and make it a racial issue."
Another way to put this, of course, is that the McCain campaign is the one playing the race-card here.
McCain forgets the video of the man saying, You have your Tiger Woods, we have our..." comment!
http://coonsey.wordpress.com/
August 1, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
And then there's this ad video put out by the McCane campaign in June, BEFORE Obama's recent dollar bill comments. Note the bills in this ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDTJDv4hevU&feature=related
Disgusting!
August 1, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
All of you keep missing Mr. Forest and blaming the campaign trees of your choice. ABC news started this whole "race card" fire yesterday when Jake Tapper took a joke line Obama was using, juxtaposed it ala CBS News into remarks directly asked about McCain's commerical and pronbounced that Obama "SEEMED" to be implying racism on McCain's part. The all hell broke loose with everyone trying to blame everyone else except the kid with the matches.
The kid with the matches is named Jake Tapper. He works for the Disneyland News Channel. Check the timelines on this whole controversy and you will have all the forensic evidence you need.
August 1, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
One question...answered honestly...if McCain had said "He doesn't look like the other Presidents on the dollar bills." Would he have been accussed of racism? There's your answer.
August 1, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Depends entirely on context.
August 1, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
yes or no depending on context
August 1, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hate to do it...but I call "BULLSHIT" on both of you. No one would care about the context, he'd torn up one side and down the other for his "racist comments" and both of you know it...especially here.
August 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
See thats the problem with Republicans. No appreciation of nuance or context. Black and white terms forever.
August 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok lets see. McCain is giving a speech, he says: "He doesn't look like the other Presidents on the dollar bills. And neither do I. We're moving forward into a new era for America and there are two clear and different choices." yadda yadda yadda. That wouldn't be racist.
August 1, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nailed it.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be Repubs.
Anything that requires thought is beyond most of them.
The intellectually honest ones were driven out of the party.
August 1, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Speaking of intellectually dishonest. Notice how SFC did not respond to the context that both I and hyperRevue provided.
August 1, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, it's 1 vs. 35...I try to bounce around and stay current in between customers...I'm still not buying the "context" argument...I would be saying "you need to look at the context" and y'all would be talking about the underlying racial codes in what he meant...hell y'all turned him using Brittney and Paris in the "empty suit" video into "McCain trying to portay Obama the Mandingo raping young white girls!"
August 1, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I referred to the white girls thing I was mostly speaking in jest. It is inconclusive whether or not that was an intent of the ad.
However, it does not matter whether or not we (TPM'ers) decry something as racist etc. What matters is if the media picks up on it or not. If McCain said what either hyperRevue or I said, the media would not jump on it as racist.
August 1, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"It is inconclusive whether or not that was an intent of the ad."
...because all Republicans are racists...
August 1, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again with the absolutes. All republicans are not racists.
August 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's ridiculous. You can't just dismiss context with a statement like that.
If McCain said, "Obama's candidacy is historic and ground-breaking for many reasons, not least of which is that he doesn't look like the other Presidents on the dollar bill."
That's fine. But if he said:
"Are you sure you want to vote for him? Ya know, he doesn't look like the other Presidents on the dollar bill..."
That would obviously be a racially charged attack.
It all depends on if it's said as a positive or a negative.
August 1, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude - if you haven't figured out by now that there are things some people can say and things that other people really can't say, then you are a hopeless fucking idiot.
You just will not get it - if you are white in America, you have been in charge for over 400 years and you don't get to say certain things because coming from the people in charge, it just isn't right.
Jesus!
August 1, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course some people can't say stuff that others can...Joe Biden can refer to Obama as "clean and articulate" and that's just an "inartfull statement" hell, he may even get to be his running mate. The point was Obama said McCain is gonna try to scare you by saying I don't look like the other Presidents (or words very close in context and meaning to that) McCain called him out for it, and y'all are saying "McCain said race first"..."he pulled the race card!" and THAT is dishonnest bullshit on your part.
August 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Joe Biden can refer to Obama as "clean and articulate" and that's just an "inartfull statement" hell, he may even get to be his running mate."
Hell, Joe Biden may be his running mate because his civil right record is beyond reproach, can't say the same thing about John McCain.
August 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I don't agree with your context or meaning. The exact quote was this:
I would argue that he isn't necessarily referring to McCain when he said "they're going to..." He could very easily have been referring to the right-wing smear machine including Rush "the magic negro" and company. To me, there's at least enough ambiguity that the McCain campaign's reaction seems a bit disingenuous.
August 1, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's only ambiguity because your guy said it.
August 1, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
For future reference, you shouldn't drop the "F-bomb" and the "J-bomb" in the same post...it's not good form.
August 1, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
He sure would be. But no one ever accused McCain of saying that. I know reading comprehension is a challenge for the Republican Party and its supporters. But he referenced McCain (and this is really key) and REPUBLICANS. So have McCain and Republicans been using scare tactics about Obama? I haven't seen the McCain campaign deny that strategy and I don't think they (or you) could do so with any hint of credibility (though I guess that wouldn't stop you or they from trying).
Republicans running on fear and inneundo since 2000.
August 1, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
What! You think "Puff the magic Negro" is racist? Really?
August 1, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I mean, c'mon, it's a positive thing. If they were trying to insult him, they would've say he's not magical.
August 1, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you referring to this? http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,5335087.story?coll=la-opinion-center
Article By David Ehrenstein?
August 1, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
More like this:
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/06/rush-taking-heat-for-racist-song/
Rush is a Republican, right? Just checking...
August 1, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope, but thanks for the link.
"Puff the magic negro" was a little nightmare created by that beacon of tolerance, Rush Limbaugh.
August 1, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually Paul Shanklin created it, Rush played it as a parody citing the link I posted.
August 1, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's a Republican too, right? Just checking...
August 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, as long as it was parody....that makes it OK.
August 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I never said it was ok...I've never even heard it...I read a couple of articles about it that pointed to the LA Times article and asked if that was the reference.
August 1, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
So answer the question I posted below: Why would Obama play the race card? What does he stand to gain and why would he risk alienating southern white males and working-class voters in Appalachia?
August 1, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have no idea why he does what he does...just like I have no idea why anyone would vote for him...all I know is he brought it up then blammed McCain for bringing it up...dishonest.
August 1, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
And there is the twisted logic of a Republican: my theory makes no logical sense whatsoever, but as long as it fits into my overall narrative, I'm fine with that.
August 1, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you know David E, Wallace?
Do you know what he looks like?
August 1, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope...never read or heard of him...just did 15 mins of research when CT commented...
August 1, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I thought.
LOL!
David E does it again.
David's black.
August 1, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
..and that means...?
August 1, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
One of my favorite Negro Dragons!
August 1, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks.
August 1, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Joe Klein is any indicator, this is certainly the opinion of the traditional media.
Given that they are McCain's "base", this move by him may ultimately backfire.
August 1, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the base they are worried about is the true GOP base (Southern, White, working class, not necessarily racist per se, but wary of a non-white getting the reigns of power). If they are that worried about the "base" this far out, it just reeks of desperation. Therefore, keeping the MSM in tow is the least of their worries.
August 1, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
August 1, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Clearly, The McCain camp has chosen to play the stupid card.
August 1, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The stupid card, that's a good way to put it.
August 1, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've never seen David Axelrod stammer and fumble so badly. That's because Obama did play the race card, and Team McCain with lightning speed.
Rick Davis wins this round. Greg Sargent loses.
August 1, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
s/b: "and Team McCain responded with lightning speed."
Thanks, TPM, for not providing a Preview function like other sites your size.
August 1, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
If team McCain is so adept, then why didn't they reaspond last month when Obama told a Miami audience that they would try to use scare tactics and would even point out "He's black, you know"?
But saying that he's risky and doesn't look like other presidents is "playing the race card".
Nice echoing of Republican talking points, rtbg.
August 1, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck you, CT Voter. I didn't echo anybody's talking points. I based my take on watching the video for myself, and my response to it differs from Greg Sargent's ridiculously contrived and convoluted spin-on-top-of-spin. I don't echo talking points, although Sargent apparently does. But it's not the first time.
I have no idea why McCain didn't do this last month, but I'd say the timing now appears to be perfect. Dems need to accept defeat on this round and move on, and David Axelrod needs to come up with a new game plan pronto. Obama is losing ground, I'd like to point out. We don't have all the time in the world.
August 1, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keepin' it classy, I see.
And your take on it, regardless of whether it differs from Greg's spin on it, echoes McCain's talking points. Don't be angry with me for pointing that out.
August 1, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
His best friend is McCain.
August 1, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then name one actual McCain talking point so I can rebut it, CT Voter. Otherwise you're just censoring.
August 1, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are too funny.
August 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"That's because Obama did play the race card,"
August 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, guess what? HE ADMITTED HE DID.
August 2, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
As classy as your good friend HusseinTenaX, I believe her exact term for me was "a hopeless fucking idiot." Can't you just feel the love in here?
August 1, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey - I know you are on a neverending quest for gaskets to blow - but I have my homegirl's back - don't you be talking to her like that.
August 1, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thx.
August 1, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then you've never really watched David Axelrod speak. There's a reason he's not the communication director. It ain't his strong suit.
August 1, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've watched him plenty.
August 1, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it is time for the Obama camp to move beyond this meme. As justified as they are in detecting evidence of racism, they have to remember that this is not the Democratic primary (where it produced lots of angst and hand-wringing.) McCain's political base could give a crap about McCain appearing racist -- this is the guy who as late as 2000 was publicly calling Vietnamese 'gooks.' And Independents will be likely to see this as an instance of whining and over-reaching. And to be honest, I don't think Obama's supporters are going to organize more energetically or devote more hours to his campaign because of the veiled racism of the Celebrity commercial.
The best approach now is to go after McCain for his ham-fisted economic plans and the lack of sympathy he exhibits for vets and people in tough economic circumstances. This would be a better meme going into the weekend.
August 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Move on to substance issues or fail.
And, to be honest I think this whole debate says more about us as Americans than it does about either Barack or McCain. Barack was pointing out that the McCain campaign is and will continue to try and paint him as unknown, unusual, exotic and risky on a number of fronts (political, social, and yes, physical). I think we all agree that this is happening and it isn't necessarily racist to do it or to point it out.
What's hard for many to accept though is the simple phrase, said by Obama, "he looks different." If Obama had of said, they'll try to say that I walk different, talk different, smell different, dress differently, etc, etc, etc, no one would have cared. But once someone says "look different", red flags go off.
Long story short, we still aren't at a point (and we may never get there) where someone can even hint at racial/gender/physical differences (or similarities), especially in a political environment, without there being some discomfort. Someone on either side will always be offended.
Politically speaking though, I think Axelrod's claim that no one else in a 99% white crowd took offense is a good one. But as pointed out by readytoblow, the McCain campaign was quick to pounce and it was probably a politically smart thing to do, albeit risky and a bit dirty. Barack does not want his campaign stuck in this mud. Move the discussion and let the McCain campaign keep talking about race all by themselves.
August 1, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
In a related, racial story:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/01/protesters-interrupt-obama-speech/
August 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Notice a difference here? Obama didn't have the three men escorted out, or tasered, or even arrested, he allowed them to speak and even ask a question.
Yes!
August 1, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The race card has come home to roost. It worked on the Clintons but it is not working on McCain.
August 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a member of the "true GOP base" (Southern (transplant) White, Working class, Heterosexual, Christian, Male) I feel a sense of achievement that we have moved up the TPM "Stereotype" Scale to: "not necessarily racist per se"
August 1, 2008 1:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Says who?
August 1, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace was replying to my post above where I use the "racist per se" language. Since it would probably be racist to call someone a racist just because of their race, I felt there had to some benefit of the doubt given to the "true GOP base".
August 1, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I tried to hook it to yours...this gets a little frustrating some times...
August 1, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
You forgot to add "single" and "bitter"
August 1, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be the femminist across the street...
August 1, 2008 2:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
That famous stale right wing wit in action. Man how do you guys come up with such original fresh material? I wonder why there aren't more of you in the entertainment industry?
August 1, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
SFC, even your hero Rush Limbaugh acknowledges the existence of the GOP Southern Strategy. Heck, 3 years ago he even chastised Ken Mehlman's plans to apologize for it. For your reading pleasure:
Though President Bush has refused to speak to the NAACP throughout his presidency, Mehlman's July 14 speech to the NAACP renounced Republican efforts to capitalize politically on white Southerners' backlash against civil rights-era legislation. In his prepared remarks, Mehlman said, "Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here today as the Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong."
In discussing the topic, Limbaugh -- whom Bush described as a "good friend" in an August 2004 appearance on Limbaugh's show -- referred repeatedly to the group as the "NAALCP," which he has explained stands for the "National Association for the Advancement of Liberal Colored People."
From the July 14 [2005] edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: President Bush skipping this week's annual NAALCP convention for the fifth straight year, but that's not preventing the White House and the Republican Party from waging a drive to woo African-American voters. Ken Mehlman of the RNC is going to the NAALCP convention, and he is basically going to tell them how the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln lost its way with African-American voters over the years and how determined the party is to get them back. He said, "We can't call ourselves a true majority unless we reach out to African-Americans and make it the party of Lincoln. There was a time when African-American support turned Democrat, and we didn't do enough to retain it. Now we want to build on the gains we made in the last election."
Know what he's going to do? He's going to go down there and basically apologize for what has come to be known as the Southern Strategy, popularized in the Nixon administration. He's going to go down there and apologize for it. In the midst of all of this, in the midst of all that's going on, once again, Republicans are going to go bend over and grab the ankles. They're going to the NAALCP. This is like going into Hyannisport and apologizing to [Sen.] Ted Kennedy [D-MA] for whatever and expecting him to become a supporter. It's like showing up at the [Sen.] Chuck Schumer [D-NY]-Joe Wilson press conference in 20 minutes and saying, "Okay, Ambassador Wilson, we apologize. We hope you'll support us. We can't become a majority party until people like you are voting for us." It is just -- it's absolutely absurd.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200507140004
August 1, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Everything below "reading pleasure" should be in blockquotes. My kingdom for an Edit function! :-\
August 1, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rush isn't my hero, though I do think he's pretty entertaining...I was actually thinking about this this morning shaving...what you don't seem to understand is that whatever voting bloc out there that consists of racists (Southern or otherwise), it doesn't need to be pointed out to them that Barack Obama is black. It's pretty obvious when you watch TV. They don't need to be tolr McCain's not the black guy...they don't need to be pandered to. They're gonna get out and vote against the "Black Guy" no matter what McCain's position on off-shore drilling is. If this "Southern Strategy" (read coallition of redneck racists) works in 2008 McCain wouldn't need to spend a dime or give a speech, as a matter of fact it would be better if he didn't do a thing but show up at the convention and accept the nomination. That way all the Democrats would be lulled to sleep thinking it was in the bag "Gallup shows Obama 98% McCain 2% with a 5% margin for error." Then the the good ole boys hop in their pick up trucks waving their rebel flags and hit the polls, intimidating any "black folk" they see along the way and McCain wins in a landslide...thanks to that "Southern Strategy!"
August 1, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again you lack more than 2 degrees in your thinking. There are many many degrees of racism. There are many people who will vote for Obama even though they are not completely comfortable with him. If the Republicans can make these people feel more and more uncomfortable with Obama, then they will switch and vote for McCain.
August 1, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
"If the Republicans can make these people feel more and more uncomfortable with Obama, then they will switch and vote for McCain." You are absolutely right, that's the point of the campaign. However, it's his lack of energy policy and left-wing agenda that will be the key to changing minds. There aren't people out there who "only kind of hate black people" either you're a racist or you're not. You consider skin color in your decision making process or you don't. The people who won't vote for Obama because he's black, wouldn't vote for Alan Keys, J.C. Watts, Condi, Gen Powell, Jus. Thomas...anyone who's black.
August 1, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well that would certainly explain why McCain has been focusing on the issues then. Right?
August 1, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
He has, speaks on them in town halls every day...slowly plodding along...waiting for Obama to finally fool himself into thinking he is the Messiah...then come the debates...the moment y'all have been begging for...the chance for "The Golden Boy" to face the stammering old fool...but there's a reason Obama has not agreed to the debates that McCain has already offered...he sucks...He gives a hell of a speech...brings the rafters down...but Hillary cleaned his clock in the debates...he hims and haws and stammers searching his mind for the eloquent answers that flow so easily when on the teleprompter...but they never come...you have no idea how bad I can't wait for that moment when y'all see that the emperor has no clothes.
August 1, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Debates = free publicity for McCain. And, with the exception of this week, McCain's been struggling to stay relevant. So no reason to give him free publicity.
And if he needs an index card with the price of milk on it to remind himself during a brief visit to a supermarket, I'd worry about how he's going to remember information for the debates.
August 1, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, watching Obama vs. Hillary...your guy is in trouble when he has to think on his feet...I was astounded the first time I saw him give a speech, cuz I had only seen him in debates before, 1 against Alan Keys (who crushed him) and clips from the Dem ones this time...McCain is the exact opposite, he puts you to sleep during his speech and pummels you in a debate.
August 1, 2008 2:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alan keys crushed him? Bwahahahahahaaaa!
Projection and denial, two hallmarks of modern wingnuttery. Keep it up wallace, you are really funny. Not in the way you think you are funny, but amusing in a sad, pathetic kind of way.
August 1, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the debates yes...the election, no...did you even watch?
August 1, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yea, that's why Keys lost that election by double digits, like every election he puts himself in.
August 1, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe with the right-wing kook parade, Alan Keyes "crushed" Obama in debates.
That's why Illinois landslided him into office...because Alan Keyes "crushed" him in the debates!
LOL
August 1, 2008 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
SFC:
GOPers are obsessed with Obama's use of the teleprompter. They show a Bush-like ability to ignore facts -- like a) all politicians use them and b) McCain is especially bad at using them. From MSNBC last March:
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/25/805148.aspx
Jealous that our guy knows how to use a teleprompter and the Google without having someone show him how? Donate some money to your guy so he can take a continuing ed class on the technology, for heaven's sake.
August 1, 2008 11:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
DNC ad criticizing McCain on Britney ad:
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/01/1240815.aspx
August 1, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good one, DNC!
August 1, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
not really, they have the DNC spending money to talk about "Obama" and "Celebrity" - keep linking those two words together as that's exactly what the McCain camp is hoping for.
August 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Davis said "John McCain has spent his entire life fighting for equal rights" (paraphrased from above video).
Does he include his opposition to MLK day in that formula?
August 1, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what? I'm getting the feeling that while we all make fun of McCain's ads and Joe Klein and Andrea Mitchell express disgust, this Rovian crap is actually working.
Gallup's daily tracking poll today - tied at 44%.
We can all say, "ignore the polls", or, "it's too early", or, "wait for the debates", but we need to admit that this race is tightening, significantly so since McCain went nasty, angry, and ugly. I mean, I didn't expect a big bump or any bump out of Obama's trip abroad, but he did get one, and that fact that the race is no looking closer than ever has to say something.
Attack ads work. It's sad, but they work. So do lies.
August 1, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're never going to make it to November if you worry about the Gallup Daily Tracking Poll.
August 1, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meh. Polls will be all over until the conventions at least, probably won't be solid until after the 1st debate- when many will be tuning into the election and forming opinions for the first time.
August 1, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
But how much closer attention will they be paying in Sept- Nov? This is probably one of the most media covered campaigns in history. Even if people are not paying attention, they really can't avoid the coverage. My biggest concern is not one particular poll but that superficial crap has a huge impact on voters. McCain and the GOP don't want to talk about issues now. They won't want to talk about them in the fall. And as long as they serve up some kind of juicy non-issue for the talking heads to go on and on about, the media won't be talking about the issues either.
August 1, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Much closer attention then. All I'm saying is it's early. Most people are out enjoying the summer still and not too wrapped up in electoral politics at the moment- but they will be watching the debates and possibly, the conventions.
August 1, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Call me one of those who is taking a summer hiatus from worrying about the day-to-day goings on.
The Olympics are starting up and that will suck up a lot of attention as well. We'll get down to brass tacks post-Olympics and the start of the conventions.
August 1, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, they've been tied in the past in Gallup, even without the Britney ad.
August 1, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rick Davis has a 'punch-me' face. Just sayin'
August 1, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to thank McCain for calling Obama out on his incessant race-baiting, I hope he continues to vet Obama to the full extent. Our beloved country’s future is at stake.. Yesterday on CNN, David Gergen said Obama is tanking and needs Hillary as VP to seal the deal. For me either Hillary as the nominee as she is more qualified, she should not accept the VP spot. Superdelagates need to dump Obama and all he represents.
Obama should pick his "Genius" friend Ludacris as his VP so people know how he really feels.
“Give Luda a special pardon if I’m ever in the slammer, better yet put me in office, make me Vice President”
“Hillary hated on you and [now] she’s irrelevant”.
“Paint the White House black, and I’m sure that’s got em terrified”.
"McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed.”
“The world is ready for change ’cause Obama is here”.
August 1, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!
Espectially "incessant race-baiting"....It's like you're deliberately trying to make yourself look like an idiot.
If you are, let me commend you on your success.
August 1, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I want to thank McCain for calling Obama out on his incessant race-baiting, I hope he continues to vet Obama to the full extent."
Of course you want to thank McCain, old bigots stick togther - duh.
"Yesterday on CNN, David Gergen said Obama is tanking and needs Hillary as VP to seal the deal."
If David Gergen said that yesterday, he is almost as nonsensically delusional as you are. Almost.
"For me either Hillary as the nominee as she is more qualified, she should not accept the VP spot."
She wasn't qualified enough to beat Obama, what makes you think she had any chance against the GOP? Do you snort lines of heroin before posting?
"Obama should pick his "Genius" friend Ludacris as his VP so people know how he really feels."
Yawn. For the same of party unity, and my attempt to not anger the vast amount of Hillary supporters who don't want to bring back slavery - I won't even go into some of Mrs. Clinton's associations. You are a fucking clown.
August 1, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the "sake" of party unity..
August 1, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're outstanding!
August 1, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans won't really unload on Obama until after he has been nominated. Currently they are only taking advantage of Obama mistakes. The last thing they want is for Obama to start to tank before the convention and have the Dems start to have second thoughts and start taking a second look at Hillary. Remember Obama/McCain are running neck and neck whereas Hillary clobbers McCain.
August 1, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Remember Obama/McCain are running neck and neck whereas Hillary clobbers McCain."
No she doesn't. What poll are you looking at?
August 1, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
haha! When the fuck was Hillary last included in a poll?
August 1, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not recently. Someone will likely do one right before Denver.
August 1, 2008 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me add that to the festering pile of Fogu's failed predictions.
August 1, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm flattered. You're keeping score. Not much in the frailed column though.
August 1, 2008 4:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
your weiner, perhaps?
August 1, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know about Ludacris for VP, but I do nominate "Number One Spot" for Obama's campaign theme.
"I'M A BULL IN THIS INDUSTRY, MAN!"
August 1, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I loves it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
FEED ME!!FEED ME!!FEED ME!!
August 1, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are so funny!
You have got to be a parody.
August 1, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is allowing McCain to decide the narrative. Begala was right when he said Obama HAS to make the issue about McCain and not the silly distractions McCain keeps throwing up. This is what the 4-5th day we're talking about things McCain and Co wants us to talk about.
Barack doesn't seem to know how to control the narrative. Even when deriding the ad, pundits are still linking "Obama" and "Celebrity" so the ad is working.
August 1, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
And as several in the media have noted, because McCain is controlling the narrative, there's no focus on the policy issues - mostly domestic, mostly economy related - Obama has been talking about all week. That these folks in the media notice this, lament the fact, yet then spend the next 18-hours talking about celebrity ads or race cards is another story. But it's true - anything important Obama has been saying over the course of this last week is just background noise, if it's even heard at all. This is at least true in the national media. I hope the media outlets in the places he is visiting are talking/writing about what's he's saying to people in his town halls, etc.
August 1, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Obama IS talking about the economy. Depite being "Issue #1" you wouldn't know it by the media deliberately ignoring BOTH of the candidates when they are talking about it. They always pivot to the attacks, gossip, gaffes, smears, or latest back and forth.
Really, sad. Shame on you, mainstream media!!
August 1, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's just put all the cards on the table: Barack Obama is black, and John McCain is a 1,000 year-old dandy who wears $500 dollar shoes, owns eight homes, and uses an abacus to calculate tips at the early-bird special because he can't operate a Blackberry.
August 1, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you want to be kept informed on the latest Paris Hilton and Britney Spears gossip, then vote for McCain.
Joan Rivers McCain has crossed The Gossip Girl In Chief Threshold.
August 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if I can take all this love from the little baby jesus!
O thank you for granting my wishes and answering my prayers.
Turnout could be unbelievable - and it grows the longer he pushes this.
O good job, McLame! Keep this right the fuck up!
August 1, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't worry to much about Obama and the polls.
--A new Rocky Mountain Poll in Arizona finds Sen. John McCain's lead "which was a comfortable
15 to 17 points for most of last and this year, has shrunk significantly."
McCain's lead is now just five points, 43% to 38%.
Key findings: "McCain's narrowing lead traces not to any sudden up-swelling in support for Obama, whose support has hovered around 38 percent for the past year and remains at that level today. Rather, it traces to a decline in support of McCain, especially among men, registered Independents and Latinos. Simultaneously, the proportion of voters who are uncommitted rose to 16 percent from only nine this May and Ralph Nader drew a small but important three percent, mostly from McCain."
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/01/rocky_mountain_poll_mccain_slips_in_home_state.html
August 1, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Declining support for McCain. Heh. Seems to be the case. There is a noteable absence in trolls lately, as well (knock on wood).
August 1, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
How does Rick Davis get away with saying John McCain has fought his entire life for equal rights, when that's just not true? If anything he's got a record against such a claim. Seriously, I call bullshit on that one.
August 1, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wallace - I am waiting - have you ever heard of David E's blog - have you read him or looked at his pictures? Do you know David?
I really am dying to hear this -
August 1, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain and Obama agree on so many issues:
Both want us out of Iraq
Both want us in Afghanistan
Both want gas tax holiday
Both want cap & trade emissions tax
And on and on.
As this goes on it is apparent that there is so little light between the two of them that the election will be decided on:
Race
Trust
Experience
Obama has peaked. McCain is trending upward.
August 1, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama always wanted us out of Iraq. McCain is playing follow the leader.
Obama was always for increasing troops in Afghanistan, knowing it would get worse because of the decreased focus on the region. McCain disagreed, but now agrees. Again, playing follow the leader.
...Obama has never advocated for a gas tax holiday. You kind of just killed your entire argument by spouting complete fallacies.
Many people advocate for cap & trade, and have for a long time. I don't see how this is even an issue.
Epic fail.
August 1, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
ChronoSpark just took Fogu2's bitch-ass to the woodshed. "You got knocked the fuck out man!"
August 1, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lawlz! Thanks, man. ;D
August 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Other than the fact that everything he said was incorrect.
Why is your avatar a black man with a white face?
August 1, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
FEED ME!! FEED ME!! LOVE ME!!
August 1, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bammers in FL today:
“You know, John McCain has spent most of the last month not talking about his ideas, but talking about me,” he said. “And frankly, I say this respectfully, he’s doing that because he doesn’t have any new ideas.”
Obama said McCain would give tax breaks to oil companies like Exxon Mobil with record profits. Obama, on the other hand, said he’d impose a windfall profits tax to pay for his assistance plan.
“These are the choices we face in November,” he said. “Unfortunately, instead of talking about these real choices, my opponent has been spending most of his time getting negative, distorting my record, using the same old Washington political attacks... John McCain is an honorable man. We can have a serious debate about the issues. But we shouldn’t be spending time talking about Britney. We shouldn’t be spending time talking about Paris. The American people deserve better.”
Obama closed his remarks here by again saying that the Republicans are painting him as a “risky choice,” but that the real risk is “doing the same things.”
“The real risk is shying away from seizing a bold future for America,” he said. “That’s why I’m running for president because I think we can do better.”
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/01/1241176.aspx
August 1, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
"We can have a serious debate about the issues." But I refuse to debate him...cuz I suck at debates...and the people will see how truely inexperienced and unprepared (not racist code) I am...
August 1, 2008 3:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama will slaughter McCain in the debates.
August 1, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
...bet you 50 push ups...
August 1, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Put it this way, regardless the reward, I'd feel pretty confident making that bet.
August 1, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama needs to remove the "McCain is an honorable man" statement as he's just reinforcing the phony brand that McCain is running almost solely off of.
If an honorable man ran a dishonorable gutter campaign and actions speak louder than words...
August 1, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!!!
I love this man.
August 1, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
New McCain ad attacking Obama:
http://www.breitbart.tv/html/143513.html
Repulsive, by the lack of a better word.
McCain: Himself first
August 1, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Save the spot where Barack is talking about "light coming out of the sky to tell you to vote for Obama" the rest of the ad (save the ending of course" doesn't paint a terrible picture really.
Of course this is another "made-for-tv-pundits" ad that will get to buy, but the talking heads will run it in a continuous loop. You'd think the networks would catch on that they're being used.
August 1, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have a feeling the fact that many CAN'T afford food will have a bigger effect on their vote, than say race. Call me crazy!
--A new Pew Research poll show Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain nationally in the presidential race, 47% to 42%.
Key findings center on the economy: "Just 10% say the economy is in good shape, while 72% say the economy is either in a recession (54%) or a depression (18%). On a personal level, concerns about rising prices have surged. Beyond widespread anxiety about energy costs, a growing number of Americans say it is difficult for them to afford food." --
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/01/pew_research_obama_leads_nationally_by_5_points.html
August 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
For all of you out there who believe that Obama played the race card:
Can you please explain what benefit he could possibly gain from doing that? I can't for the life of me figure out how it could help him. He's already overwhelmingly winning progressives and AAs so who could he be aiming it at? Why would he risk alienating blue-collar white voters in Appalachia or southern white males? This whole argument just makes no sense to me.
August 1, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's the only argument they have.
But I'm not in the mainstream opinion on this one. Not only do I not think it was racist for Obama to point out that the Republicans and John McCain were going to say "He's different", I didn't find the Britney/Paris ad racist, either.
And the whole issue of "race" was introduced into the discussion by freaking bloggers, not the Obama campaign.
Madness.
August 1, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. Neither of them have been definitively racist imo. But I guess bloggers need more page views, tv pundits need higher ratings, and political junkies on either side need their (our) fix.
And the wheels go round and round.
August 1, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I couldn't agree with you more on every part of your post
August 1, 2008 3:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cognitive dissonance...Obama IS different and yet he's arguing that McCain pointing that out is an attack. I thought that was his argument as to why people SHOULD vote for him.
Again Obama makes no sense...status quo.
August 1, 2008 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly how is he different? Define your terms, please.
August 1, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll give exactly what you came for.
Different = not the same.
The MSM and the black community has made a huge deal that this is a historic nomination because it is the first time a black actually has not only a chance, but the likelihood of being elected president. But god forbid anyone should mention that he's, um, black.
Of course he's different in many other ways not the least of which he has the smallest record of accomplishment of any presidential candidate in American history.
But that's not what you were looking for was it.
Bunch of hypocrites.
August 2, 2008 12:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
If your main concern is that he has a "small record of accomplishment," why can't you just say that and be done with it? What difference does it make if the politician with such a "small record of accomplishment" is white or "um, black"?
August 2, 2008 1:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's easy.
You accuse someone of doing something heinous, and what is their instinctive response? To withdraw and protest, "No, I'm not!" He seeks to pre-empt legitimate challenges by accusing his challengers of racism before they've challenged him. Naturally, it's subtle ("code," since so many Obama supporters like that concept). "Did I mention, he's Black?" Putting words in his detractors' mouths and insinuating all sorts of negative things thereby. Beating a straw man, they call it; only to infer racism in this context when no such racism has taken place is despicable. Hardly the act of a Great Unifier.
Obama has been doing this same sort of thing since the primaries. He says, "I'm for hope, I'm for change, I'm for the new politics; and anyone who questions me or disagrees with me is playing the old politics." This framing pre-empts legitimate challenges to his policies and personal qualifications; he accuses his accusers before they've accused him. It places them in a double-bind: if they challenge him, he wins, because they prove his point; and if they don't challenge him, he wins by default. In order to beat him, they have to challenge the frame itself. Hillary had to fight with one hand tied behind her back, because BOzo is a fellow Democrat; but McCain isn't so constrained, and his people are fighting back on precisely this front. I think they'll succeed.
August 4, 2008 4:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is it just me or does Rick Davis look totally like the extinct dodo bird?
August 1, 2008 3:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
well, the bottom line for me is that this whole thing is a joke. There are few intelligent people out there who will think there's anything wierd about the Black candidate mentioning he's Black.
And anyone who has any memory (try 2006) of Harold Ford Jr.
will doubt that given a chance the Reublicans will play any race card they can come up with. So, this is a manufactured issue meant to distract from the series of outright negative Ads that the McCain camp has been running. And makes them look bad.
August 1, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
All of you keep missing Mr. Forest and blaming the campaign trees of your choice. ABC news started this whole "race card" fire yesterday when Jake Tapper took a joke line Obama was using, juxtaposed it ala CBS News into remarks directly asked about McCain's commerical and pronbounced that Obama "SEEMED" to be implying racism on McCain's part. The all hell broke loose with everyone trying to blame everyone else except the kid with the matches.
The kid with the matches is named Jake Tapper. He works for the Disneyland News Channel. Check the timelines on this whole controversy and you will have all the forensic evidence you need.
August 1, 2008 3:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just a thought:
I went to Berlin, Paris, and London - so McCain went to a German Restaurant and then got Paris and Britany in his ads... all in all though I'm having a lot of fun while John seems angry and frustrated.
More seriously though - this was supposed to be the week of Obama's Economics Tour and instead the MSM has everyone talking about who is throwing mud at whom ad nauseum... in that sense the Rove machine has worked it's magic and nothing of substance has been discussed this week really.
On Morning Joe they kept up this whole "race" discussion up for an hour and kept talking about this mysterious "they" who are actually playing the race card - all the while very carefully not mentioning who exactly "they" might be. Even though we know as fact that there is a organized smear campaign against the Obama Family coming from the Right (and tacitly blessed by the GOP and Rove's operatives).
Enter Claire McCatskill (MO) on MJ and she finally laid it all out in plain english - you guys are all discussing this nonsense - while you are NOT talking about Exxon posting the largest quarterly profits in history as just one example...
more to follow....
August 1, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
like i said b4 fuck all tha uneducated racist conservative trolls,David Axelrod is a fuckin beast and he pawned rick davis dumb ass,yall want more of dubya vote 4 mccain,this tha man that said his biggest nemesis is not barack he said its tha teleprompter,and last week he bust out wit 1 of those 1980 brick cell phone wit all the money cindy mccain got u mean to tell me she couldnt buy mccain a 21st century cell phone?also czechoslovakia doesnt even exist since 1991,john mccain is not a bad guy by a long shot i like mccain its just his policy is fucked up and he surround himself around a bunch of idiots,like steve schmidt a KKK member whose a protege of racist bigot karl rove and dumb ass phill gramm who said america is a bunch of whinners and crybabies!!!!
August 1, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
First-time visitor.
The contexters are right: context *is* important. In this case, the context is the fact that the person saying it is Black.
That's essentially HusseinTinaX's argument. She says that since White people have been "in power" for 400 years, they have to shut up now and let other people talk. That analysis is so idiotic ... well, those of you who see it for yourselves don't need me to explain it, while those of you who don't probably agree with her. To anyone caught in the middle: sorry.
Personally, I think it's time to reclaim all the words we aren't supposed to say, take our licks and get on with it. So long as different rules apply to different groups, our differences will trump our similarities and division and identity politics will continue. If you really want to end racial strife, stop treating people differently on the basis of their race. You can't expect people to forget racial differences when you keep reinforcing them with reverse discrimination. And, anyway, two wrongs do not make a right.
Obama's descent has begun. BOzo is going to crash and burn. The only question now is whether he'll have to good grace to do it before the convention and allow the Democratic Party to nominate a candidate who can win in November. Oh, I know I won't convince anyone; you'll have to go through denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance, all on your own. But it's coming. And I'll tell you something else: I think some of his people know it.
August 4, 2008 4:40 AM | Reply | Permalink