McCain Himself Invokes POW Past To Deflect Criticism Of Houses Gaffe
John McCain himself is now POW-POW-POW-ing to deflect criticism of his number-of-houses gaffe.
McCain slipped a reference to his war captivity into an interview McCain did with CBS that's airing today. He appeared to be referring to Joe Biden's crack yesterday that McCain has trouble considering people's kitchen table issues because he has to decide which of his own seven kitchen tables to use...
"I am grateful for the fact that I have a wonderful life," McCain said. "I spent some years without a kitchen table, without a chair, and I know what it's like to be blessed by the opportunities of this great nation...So the fact is that we have homes, and I'm grateful for it."
The McCain campaign appears to see that the Dem attacks on the houses gaffe risk being effective as character attacks, in that they are designed to portray him as out-of-touch and even pampered in a way that undercuts his down-to-earth war-hero bio and its intended contrast with Obama as an effete, untested celeb. Hence the frequent response invoking his war service.
But the "McCain-as-POW" currency the McCain camp is printing at such a furious rate -- and throwing wads of at every controversy that comes along -- is now losing value faster than the German Mark after World War I.
POW-POW-POW hyperinflation alert!
This is going completely into the Dan Quale territory.
I'm very surprised by this personally. He knows the danger of becoming a laughing stock and yet he still keeps doing it.
Either their polling suggests it's still a good tool for conservatives and independents or their campaign is not reading left-wing blogs.
August 24, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can't believe how insensitive you're being.
For five years, John McCain *couldn't* read left-wing blogs. He had to make them up to entertain himself.
Hand puppet #1: "Hi, I'm Josh Marshall, from TPM Media . . ."
Hand puppet #2: "Shut up, you capitalist running dog. I'm Glenn Greenwald."
August 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Insensitive? Maybe I emulate you then?
:-)
August 24, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Flattery will get you nowhere.
August 24, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
heehee.
August 24, 2008 11:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
That may be the funniest comment I've ever read.
August 24, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The insinuation that John McCain, a former prisoner of war who was held prisoner in a prison during a war, is overplaying the POW card is outrageous.
August 24, 2008 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you serious?
Maybe if he had anything to actually run on, and mentioned the POW thing in passing, yes, I would agree with you. But he is using an event that is 40 years old, over & over again simply as a substitute for anything substantive. And when he isn't using it for that, he is using it as an excuse for everything stupid that comes out of his mouth, and as proof that he would NEVER tell a lie, even though we have to assume if you cheated on your wife you must have told one or two.
Yes. He is overplaying it and proving at the same time that he is stuck, like a broken record, in Vietnam, and wants more wars to show how tuff the ol' us of a is. The man is a dangerous lunatic, and the POW fixation is only a symptom.
August 24, 2008 4:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sigh. Irony is dead.
August 24, 2008 4:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too many trolls; besides, what you wrote is not, technically irony. I know because my sons are always correcting me when I say something is ironic when it is merely wrong.
August 24, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to disagree with your kids, but irony is essentially saying or otherwise conveying the opposite of what you really mean. Kind of like sarcasm for grownups.
August 25, 2008 12:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
(presses reset button on CVille's snark detector) :-)
August 24, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks. It is reset! (I need all the help I can get!)
August 24, 2008 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think I need to write a generic "Please recalibrate your snark-o-meter" post.
August 25, 2008 3:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL. No doubt his being held prisoner as a POW in a prison in a prison camp during a war has affected his memory in some regard.
I wonder how long we can get one of these things to be? I think there should be a contest.
August 24, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Without a table, no less! How brutal!
August 24, 2008 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and probably a poor whine list, to boot.
August 25, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't want laugh, but this comment just killed me.
August 24, 2008 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the strategists know, but that stubborn ole John just isn't getting it. I think it really does get under his skin that a (AA) Jr. Senator is ahead, if only by a small amount. I was a POW gawddamnit, he was a community organizer.
August 24, 2008 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure that's right. I think his strategists have used it even more than he has.
August 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
From what I gleaned from those "close to the inner circle," McCain ultimately makes the decisions, and when he fixes on something he will direct the campaign that way regardless of what the strategists are saying. In the end, the orders come down to the spokespeople to use the POW slant. But then again you might be right.
August 24, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
At his town hall meetings, etc., he does use it a lot. And frankly, I think this is becoming belittling to all POW's. I cannot imagine that situation, none of us can unless we have lived through it. We also are all aware of this fact, so let it go. We know. It starts to just play like a sound bite, and that is sad.
Also, I am not black, but I am sure there are many blacks that could tell you about the prejudice they suffered growing up, especially the elderly populace. If Obama went on and on about what he encountered in that regard, it would take two seconds for McCain to scream Harvard. So it really could cut both ways to some degree.
Finally, McCain was not drafted, he went to the Naval Academy. He chose his profession, just like my husband chose to be a street cop who had guns pulled on him a few times. It risk goes with the job, so to speak. He doesn't ever discuss about it as it is what he chose to do, although the events he has witnessed were pretty awful and something again, most of us could not imagine. As far as McCain being lucky in life, I disagree the 'lucky' as he planned that one very well. He saw young and money, game over. He is quite the opportunist, his life is evidence of that.
August 24, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dunno Amelie - his father and grandfather were both Admirals, career Navy. How much of it was choice and how much was expectations of his elders that he'd go into the family business is not known.
Given his grades at the Academy, it's not unreasonable to believe that father and grandfather influenced his entry there as well, as similar high school grades would have tended to keep him out, rather than facilitating acceptance.
August 24, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dan Quayle was laughed at all the way to his gig in the WH.
btw, the plural for POW is POWEs.
August 24, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, McCain has managed to convince me that along with age and condition of birth a qualification for POTUS must include imprisonment somewhere for at least five years. Time to amend the Constitution.
August 24, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is burying himself deeper and deeper.
Did he really think that saying "I'm proud that my dead Father-in-Law left us all this nice money!" was going to impress voters?
He's PROUD that he married a rich empty headed bimbo that he cheated on while he was still married to his crippled first wife?
He really thinks that telling us that his dead Father-in-law worked his way up from nothing will make people want to vote for him?
WTF does that have to do with McCain thoroughly enjoying the dead guy's money being a good thing?
Now, if they headed 7 or 8 worthwhile foundations that supported good causes, that would fly (no pun intended) but he's PROUD he married a vain rich girl and is PROUD that he is spending his money like a drunken sailor?? Jeesh. How did this moron get elected to ANYTHING???
August 24, 2008 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is getting more and more pathetic. He diminished his service. I am quite frankly sick of hearing about his service. Can't he talk about other aspects of his personal life?
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 24, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely NOT! He cannot go into the other aspects of his personal life. The whole point is to avoid opening those closets.
August 24, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
What the hell? Is this video for real?
Is he actually saying that Americans consider themselves too good for certain jobs, and then [i]daring[/i] to go do them even if they were paid good wages? This has to be out of context somehow. It goes against anything any American would ever say, regardless of political affiliation.
August 24, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
the video isnt out of context or you wouldn't hear people booing mccain. I think its equivalent or worse then obama's bitter moment.
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 24, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do you remember the statement he made to Stephanopoulos in an interview a while back?
It's along those same lines. Just say anything, sling some crap if need be, even if it's pure bullshit.
August 24, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
He did say that. That really is how "out of touch" the man is.
August 24, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, frowny, I think McCain's assertion that "nobody would work for as little as $50 and hour" is more telling here.
McCain actually thinks that $50/hour is paltry. He has no clue that the minimum wage is roughly 86% LOWER than the amount he felt certain NO ONE would dare get out of bed for!!
When people in that audience actually took McCain up on his offer, he thought they were joking. He thought he'd hit campaign gold.
Well, the joke was on McCain.
Sadly, those people who called out "I'll take it!" were serious. I don't know many people today who would balk at a job that paid $50 an hour.
August 24, 2008 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
The point he was so ineptly trying to make was not about the lowness of the wage, but rather the type of work itself. Basically, he was trying to argue that it was a cultural, not economic issue. Americans are just too darn proud and/or weak to do certain forms of labor. It was an attempt to discredit fair wages as a solution to agricultural labor shortages and the resulting demand for immigrant labor (legal or otherwise).
Clearly $50/hr is not only a decent wage, but a fairly robust wage. At full time, that's $2000/wk, or $100,000/yr (assuming 2 weeks unpaid vacation).
August 24, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
well then what do you think about the Americans who are janitors, the Americans who clean up after old people, or the Americans who do actually pick lettuce legally. Are you saying all the unemployed homeless people on the street who need a job, wouldn't pick lettuce for even $8/hr, I sure do think they would. Instead of calling Americans lazy why don't he help provide jobs to those people.
August 24, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain doesn't realize that people work for less than $50 an hour! He thinks that is chump change! That is one of the MANY points to be made from that audio.
The guy is completely clueless about the plight of everyday people. And he doesn't care, either. But the PUMAS will vote for him because they have their instructions.....
August 24, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
coba11 asks:
Sure he can coba11, he can talk aobut McCain/Feingold, and....um.....er.....eh....well, all the stuff he's done in the Senate.
August 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
This video/audio is real. Save it and spread it everywhere.
August 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's an insult to hard-work and hard-working Americans.
No?
[Heck, I have an engineering PhD, and *I* would take that job. Gimme a hat and water, and I am good to go.]
August 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is this the "Vote for me because I'm a bitter old man" strategy?
August 24, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
There's completely reasonable ways for him respond to the "house gaffe" that don't involve mentioning his time as a prisoner of war. This feels like an SNL skit.
August 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, back in 2000, SNL mocked him mercilessly by having him wear a headband and have Vietnam flashbacks.
Will we see that now?
August 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
For five years, John McCain couldn't even *watch* SNL. And now you're going to mock him for appearing on it?
August 24, 2008 10:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um, I'm not mocking him for appearing on it. Please read my post. SNL mocked McCain and portrayed him as a flashback-prone unhinged veteran.
August 24, 2008 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
In that case, I'm outraged!!1!
August 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Doh! You got me! :-D
August 24, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
For five years, Saturday Night Live was the live voltage from daisychained car batteries that was delivered to my nipples and testicles by jumper cables every weekend!
August 24, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seven tables, and not one of them is a timetable.
August 24, 2008 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hah! Hey, Mr Hat, you are cute!
August 24, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. This is getting pathetic. At what point are the POW-MIA organizations going to tell McCain to stop it? He is cheapening not just himself, but others as well.
August 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
They've already started.
August 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cool, that's one. Hopefully the unaffiliated groups will also join in.
August 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
A POW who was with McCain for 5 years, and another three before him (!) is totally outraged with this whole issue. He wrote a wonderful essay on it a week ago. And he did mention that although McCain had it rough for the first two years, mostly due to his broken bones from the crash and no medical care to speak of, he said after that things got much better as far as treatment. And this man was there for 5 years of horrible treatment, so he knows what he is talking about. He ended his writing saying all these POW's are dying younger due to malnourishment, etc., and that there is no way at McCain's age, especially with his history, that he should be POTUS. He said he would not vote for him due to age and witnessing his outbursts before he ever was a POW. He went to the naval academy at the same time and lived across the hall from McCain. He said he is convinced the ONLY reason McCain even graduated is that his father pulled out the Admiral strings.
August 24, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK, I'm getting piss now.
Someone has to put a stop of this nonsense.
Joe, you have the honors.
August 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
You guys seem to be what is needed to get things moving over at http://www.bop-o-meter.com. Little hint....Bop the guy named Big Mac!
August 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
my friends, there was a time when i couldn't cheat on my wife. in fact, there were no women to cheat on with at all. it was a little place called the hanoi hilton. POW POW POW!
August 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
So great!
August 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
However, I might add, rumor has it he was given women there as he was an 'Admiral's' son and did get some "satisfaction" in that area.
August 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
POW POW POW! Arrrgh! Ya got me. I'm done for...[whump!]
He's going to shoot himself in the foot so many times between now and November...he won't have any feet left.
August 24, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just don't shoot anyone in the face... ;)
August 24, 2008 11:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's Cheney's job.
August 24, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
An Old saying in Politics (paraphrased): When Your Opponent is Blowing His Toes Off (one at a time) just Stay Out of the Way...
Thinking back to the Paris Hilton Ad thing and the fact that the Hilton family went public with their dismay over the use of Paris... and then Paris' own payback to the old whitehaired dude (which I think was really effective).
Maybe John's synapses are kinda firing randomly and he figured - after all those years at that Hanoi Hilton - I'll get those Hilton's yet...!!
August 24, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree - I'm not suggesting that Obama do one thing right now about this - let McLame continue to annoy people with this.
August 24, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
my friends, i remember when i didn't even have a campaign to turn over to foreign lobbyists...
August 24, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
benjoya,
Friends, and I hope I can call you my friends, have I ever told you about my experiences as a POW in Vietnam?
McCain to his aide; Psst, Cue The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and get those flags up.
August 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is his next line going to be: "Only in America could a former POW like me achieve this level of success simply by ditching my crippled wife and marrying a woman worth millions!"
August 24, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was a POW?? Hmmm now this changes everything...
August 24, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
I can come up with only two potential explanations of why he keeps using it.
First, it still polls well despite all attempts from the media, including MSM and the left blogs. Second, it still makes a point to show him as someone he has known adversity and reinforces the point about experience and judgement.
Nothing else makes any sense, but I bet there is a reason for this. The Republican blogs are buzzing that Mr. Inexperience picked Mr. Awful Judgement. Maybe that's why.
August 24, 2008 11:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Only two?
You have a lack of imagination. He just wants props, goddamn it! He expects to waltz right into the White House just because he thinks he deserves it for being a POW.
I wonder who we have locked up in Gitmo who has similar delusions?
August 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Especially when the other choice is a "community organizer."
August 24, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would guess that it polls well with The Base, which might lead one to think that their internal polling is also showing their support as still tepid and in need of constant nuturing.
August 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. If the celebrity line worked somewhere is with the GOP base. They never wanted to vote Obama anyway but their support for McCain was lagging. Now, they're kind of energized but as an anti-Obama vote, not a pro-McCain one.
The downside for them is that the true independent vote (Not you, Lou Dobbs!) will start to see that McCain has nothing good to offer but negative attacks. His negatives are starting to rise and they're nowhere to go but up.
Obama-Biden'08: Come on up for the rising!
PD: Pawlenty on Late Edition: Dullest. VP. Ever.
2PD: Mark Halperin, you suck now more than ever!
August 24, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
The downside for them is that the true independent vote (Not you, Lou Dobbs!) will start to see that McCain has nothing good to offer but negative attacks.
From the latest ABC/WaPo poll:
As for the general tenor of the campaign, about two-thirds, 64 percent, said Obama is primarily focused on addressing the issues; 45 percent said so of McCain. On McCain's campaign, about as many, 48 percent, said he was instead mainly focused on attacking Obama.
August 24, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well played, worthy adversary!
August 24, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
The same poll that has Obama with a +4 lead. If the MSM stays consistent then they would have to say that the celebrity line of attack has run its course. As of yesterday all I heard was that McCain is cutting into Obama's lead.
August 24, 2008 12:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
And how about: "Obama cuts into McCain's lead in Arizona to single digit (+6). Is the POW defense backfiring in his own state? We discuss when we return."
August 24, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you show me where's that AZ poll, please?
August 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
At real clear politics. Not sure how to do a embedded link in a reply yet.
August 24, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
open brackets, then a href, equals sign, then the link in quotes, then close the brackets, put some text in so people have something to click on, then open brackets, slash a, then close brackets.
August 24, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks.
August 24, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Replace the square brackets here with angle brackets (shift-comma, shift-period):
[a href="insert-url-here"]click-here-text[/a]
It's what Carol said, I'm just making it visual. Sort of.
August 25, 2008 3:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not sure how valid the Mason-Dixon poll is but that didn't stop them with the Zogby poll showing McCain ahead nationally.
August 24, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain winning NV and NM outside the margin of error? COME ON!
August 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know. I don't put much validity to those polls. But my point was simply that the media is currently slanting the poll interpretation to McCain's benefit (they benefit from a close race). And right now there are plenty of polls showing McCain not gaining on Obama but rather beginning to slip a little.
August 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN Ticker: Obama sees slight rise in poll of polls. Not, Ombama expands his lead in poll of polls.
August 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
For your own sanity, you should stop reading CNN's blurbs. No matter the situation, it's always a problem for Obama, according to CNN.
August 24, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The car wreck on the side of the road syndrome in full play, I suppose.
August 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain winning NM and NV outside the margin of error? I mean, COME ON!
August 24, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Double post. My bad.
August 24, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lived in AZ for 8 years, have lots of family and friends there. They think McCain is a joke. Keating Five not forgotten in AZ.
August 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Acamus, this is good news. I would rather have them reassuring the public McCain is ahead. Maybe it will make some people feel not as compelled to vote or be as active in the process. Obama people, on the other hand, are obsessed, in a good way :)
August 24, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is that silver lining. I think that is why their attacks will continue to get nastier, not to just to get new converts but to motivate the ones in their own camp that are going to sit on their butts come Nov.
August 24, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, among registered voters which most knowledgeable folks say is more accurate at this point, the lead is six points.
August 24, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Three: The McCain Campaign is tone deaf.
And Four: McCain has nothing positive to run on.
August 24, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oo, yes, you're good.
My brain is locked up this morning - not awake I guess.
August 24, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Five: Running with Greg's use of the word "pamper," McCain's sense of manhood is threatened by being Mr. Cindy McCain (they are her houses) and the POW narrative restores this idea that yes, gawddamit, I'm a man's man.
August 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Four; he is baiting the Obama camp to make light of his POW experience. When that doesn't happen they will plant a troll to make it happen.
August 24, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's occurred to me, as well. Best to let the MSM handle it.
August 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo, give me a brake; McCain is using it plain and simply as his "get out of jail free card". He used it again to explain why he can't remember the number of houses he owns which should only be relevant if he is insinuating that he suffered some sort of brain damage while in captivity or something.
August 25, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
...I know what it's like to be blessed by the opportunities of this great nation...
I didn't know that the opportunity to "marry into money" was uniquely American. I thought that idea went back thousands of years and originated (and persists) in most parts of the world. Silly me.
August 24, 2008 11:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and don't forget adulty, that screams Middle America.
http://www.pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 24, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
And, dragging Cindy into this, ignoring your half-sister and saying you're an only child. Family Values McCain style.
August 24, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now there are 2 half-sisters. Her mother had a child from a prior relationship also.
August 24, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
And someone mentioned to me (haven't researched it yet) that she blocked a 1% or so alcohol tax in Arizona that would have gone to children hospitals.
August 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
America: Land of the free, home of the hot young heiresses!
August 24, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh. I just thought about how funny it would be to run an ad the day after McCain announces his running mate, slamming McCain for not picking Hillary who got 18 million votes.
August 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love it! My god, that would be funny.
August 24, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain campaign would never recover. They're already outed as not the nimblest, and their candidate can survive anything -- corruption, inconsistency, senility -- except being made to look silly.
And this would hit them on both points.
August 24, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is a clear economic and ethic choice:
One House, One Spouse, Obama/Biden 08.
http://www.cafepress.com/politics2go
August 24, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome.
August 24, 2008 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really hope he doesn't choose Romney as VP, because I love this slogan and I don't want people to think it's anti-Mormon!!
But I think there's no way he'll pick Romney now. That would make (at least) eleven net houses vs. two, and it would keep the meme alive for another month.
August 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, mainstream Mormons do not promote polygamy any more ... nor does Mitt Romney ... as far as I know ;-) ...
By the way, I appreciate every recommendation on this:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/one-house-one-spouse-obama-bid.php
August 24, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Knowing the McCain campaign they would probably point out that Biden actually has been married twice. Wife & daughter killed in tragic accident? That's nothing --> Our candidate was a POW!
August 24, 2008 3:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
They even consider going that route and the disgustometer will go offscale. Match point: Obama.
August 24, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honey, did you leave up the toilet seat again because you were a POW?
August 24, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot to change the oil because I was a POW.
August 24, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot to pay our property taxes, but I'm a former POW dammit!
What's my name again? O yeah, John McLame, Professional POW. You kids get off my lawn, dammit - I was a POW! I have a right to a perfect lawn.
August 24, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Which of his seven lawns?
August 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Condos don't have lawns, but you can yell at your neighbors to keep the noise down.
August 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
By playing this card so often, he's allowing Dems to attack him on the very thing they couldn't. The Rovian technique of taking a positive and turning it into a negative can't be used on McCain's POW experience - that's one place Obama and his surrogates just can't go.
But by overplaying this card, McCain risks neutralizing what is a positive to him and turning it into a running gag. They're either desperate or have come to the conclusion that it can never be overplayed.
(If Kerry had been a POW, would Rove have gone after him? Surely that's one area that even Rove wouldn't have gone? Right...?)
August 24, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
O right - it would have been hands off Kerry.
ROFLMAO! In a pig's eye -Rove would have been all over that like flies on shit.
August 24, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
In this case, like shit on flies.
August 24, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, no. The Rove playbook says you go for it no matter what. Adopt a child of another race? Mixed-race love child. War hero? Coward in disguise. Worked with children? Pedophile.
If Rove was a Democratic operative, I imagine right now they'd be labeling him a traitor for giving secrets to the VC, or something equally horrible like that.
August 24, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're right about the giving secrets bit. How many POWs who went through worse than John didn't break.
August 24, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Out of the fire and into....POWGate.
August 24, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
I could be pointed out that McLame seems to be stuck in a permanent POW flashback -
August 24, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, JB, where the hell have you been?
August 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
A prisoner of W (dubya). The horror. the horror.
August 24, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
IF one wanted to really push this all the way, one might ask just exactly what it is about being a POW that means one is especially entitled.
There were thousands of holocaust survivors in this country after WWII - I don't think they got jobs and houses just because they had numbers tattooed on their arms. There aren't so many now because that generation is dying, but it might be interesting to see just what being guests of Hitler's Final Solution got them when they got liberated.
I hope people get tired of McLame feeling sorry for himself.
August 24, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention WWII POWs. How come Kurt Vonnegut never became president?
August 24, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Elistist? How dare you call me an elitist! Don't you know for five years I didn't even have a pot to piss in?
Oh...wait... yeah, now I remember...I DID have a pot to piss in!
August 24, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
My friends, we didn't have the luxury of Economics 101 at the Hanoi Hilton...
August 24, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
If John McCain's mistakes, misjudgments and marital problems are constantly and consistently excused by the fact that he was a POW, where does it end? When he cheats on Cindy, does he tell her she can't get angry because "I was a POW? Can he tell the Vets that he can't be criticized for voting against their benefits because "he was a POW"? Imagine his press secretary saying no one can criticize him for starting a war with Iran, North Korea and Russia all at the same time because "the President was a POW"? Maybe every POW surviving in the US can go back and get all their crimes, business failures and personal failures undone by telling everyone "we were POWs".
Makes me wanna puke.
August 24, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tena and Bacon,
I'm not convinced that Rove would have gone after Kerry if he'd been a POW. Everything else, yeah, but trying to turn a POW experience into a negative is very, very, risky.
Rove is/was as ruthless as they come, but even he knew/knows that some things can backfire. That's why the Republicans haven't gone directly after Obama on race. Too risky.
But the point is that McCain's doing it himself by overplaying the POW card. He's the only one who can weaken the positive that it brings and he's in danger of doing so. Not sure he's completely done it yet, but he's getting close...
August 24, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Boy are you naive.
Hahahahaha!
Please. I didn't think people would go after someone with 3 fucking medals he got from voluntarily going to Vietnam, but they did.
Puhleeeeeeeeeeeze.
August 24, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
One need only look at the 2000 campaign to see the depths the Rovian-types will plumb on a POW.
August 24, 2008 7:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not convinced that Rove would have gone after Kerry if he'd been a POW. Everything else, yeah, but trying to turn a POW experience into a negative is very, very, risky.
Two words: Max Cleland.
OK, you're right, he wasn't a POW. He just got both legs and an arm blown off at Khe Sanh.
That didn't stop Rove.
Nothing will. Not while he walks free (and I doubt he'd be stopped if he were in prison).
August 25, 2008 3:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Never credit repub fuckwads with being "bullies" or "ruthless." That's the kind of puerile schoolyard shit they eat up. They're merely assholes, pure and simple, and there isn't a synapse of physical courage in all of their fucking pea brains put together. Cowardly fat fuck Rove went for the "mentally unhinged because of having been a POW" angle on McCain - loathesome enough? Don't doubt how low they'd stoop, and don't stroke them by characterizing them as "tough" in any way. They're spineless fucks.
August 26, 2008 10:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Dems should subtley start working in language suggesting that people in this country have been "prisoners of the policies of Bush and McCain". It would obviously have to be subtle, could backfire.
August 24, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ooohhh, I like that. It's like Black psyops. It's dirty and awesome...
August 24, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think, if they could do this carefully, they ought to use the POW experience AGAINST McCain.
As in: his experience as a POW some 30 years ago demonstrated that he is an honorable man, but it may have caused him to view the world from a 1970s mindset. He's still stuck in the 70s.
August 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make sure to always say that "he is an ex-POW" instead of "he was a POW"
August 24, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard Chuck Todd say that the POW defense polls well. Chuck thinks that the lefty blogs are the only people who are concerned about his constant resort to the POW defense.
Chuck didn't say so but I guess that concern might be expanded to lefty blogs, Maureen Dowd, and Howard Fineman.
I hope the McCain campaign continues to use the POW defense. The more they do, the weaker McCain looks.
August 24, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess one question would be whether it polls well with people already in his camp. And how long before they see him using the POW excuse the same way they see people use the I'm Poor excuse.
August 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I actually agree with Chucky here. Remember how every state Obama won didn't count? It became a running joke for us, but I don't remember the joke really translating to the MSM. At least, they would somehow keep a straight face while Howard Wolfson explained that "we always expected Obama to win Maine," or whatever.
I think it's similar with the POW card. It's going to look ludicrously overplayed to us about six weeks before late-night comedians are willing to touch it.
August 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
When it extends to Fineman, then it's gone waaaaay beyond us lefties.
And it is now becoming part of the fluffy-politico-fashion dialog, thanks to Dowd.
August 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Jesus Christ on Cap'n Crunch with Crunchberries -
What about Max Clelland? He gave the country 2 legs and an arm and they smeared his patriotism.
You really think Rove wouldn't have gone after Kerry on the grounds of being a POW if he had been? Dude! (or dudette - whatever -) you really are naive and don't know Rove or the Repugs.
August 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena, that is so right on spot. I forgot about Max, they were brutal. He didn't have to remind us, we saw it every time they showed him. But hey, remember, it was his fault that happened to him, according to the Rove handbook. MaCain, on the other hand, couldn't help it he didn't know how to fly, crashing those five planes and all.
August 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm serious...I'd love to see a Youtube video patterned exactly after the McCain ad attacking Obama for not picking Hillary...attacking McCain for not picking Hillary. Of course substituting clips of Hillary saying bad things about McCain instead of Obama. I just think it would be hysterically funny.
August 24, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Has Hillary ever said anything negative about McCain? I never heard it. She was usually comparing McCain and herself favorably over Obama. You might have a hard time finding the youtube clips you're looking for.
August 24, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
There are lots of fine folks in this country who gave their time in service for the country and when they came back they did not have the same opportunities John McCain had. There are only so many heiresses out there.
August 24, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
My father endured three tours of duty in Nam, was shot down twice {in a huey}. Walked out of the jungle nine days later the second time {carried the pilot on his back}. All he received was his life back and he is still going strong.
The point is he can't stand to even hear Mccains name much less think of voting for him!
August 24, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
As each day go by, the more Johnny makes my blood boil.
And I would guess your dad doesn't talk about those experiences either, let alone use them as an excuse why he didn't take the trash out.
(If the Dems were like the Repubs, they'd get your dad speaking at the convention.)
August 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tell your father I think he's pretty damn awesome.
All god's children suffer. All god's children have problems. Lots of people are in pain as I type.
McLame needs to get over himself. He don't remember - or else he's a sadist, cause he voted to let our military do the same things to our prisoners the Vietcong did to him and his fellow POWs.
August 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
One thing that I believe about the Obama camp is that there are certain lines of attacks that they have planned around this issue. At the top of this list is the torture issue, and McCain's flipflop on this issue. But this is best served during the debates where McCain will have to take a position on torture in real time, with no Joe or aide to whisper in his ear.
August 24, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree about timing and O my god! Do I hope you're right about Obama bringing that up. God do I!
Nothing has upset me as much as the war crimes - torture. I still cannot believe these people have done this to my country and are doing this to human beings in my name. I'm sick -
I can't believe the entire country isn't sick. I want everyone to be as sick as I am - I want to see the criminals prosecuted and I don't think I will, but at least I'd love to think the people I live with understand what has happened here.
August 24, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a part of me that is still in shock from when we, as a country, actually entered into the debate as to whether we should tortune. There are some debates we should never have as a country.
I just hope that Obama stands up loud and clear in the first debate (focus: foreign policy) and states that one of the keys to restoring our position in the world is to put an end to torture. No ifs ands or buts. I think he will.
August 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope this one of the hot topics at the Convention. I further hope that is referred to by its old fashioned name--torture--and not "enhanced interrogation techniques".
August 24, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stop picking on John McCain. He was a POW, for God's sake!!!
August 24, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was?
August 25, 2008 3:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
when is some biggie--Biden; Clark--going to point out the obvious and say something like, "geez, what he did was great, but it was, like, 40 years ago ... the good deed you did 40 years ago doesn't give you moral cover for the rest of your life!"
August 24, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great question. A Republican representative opened that very door this week. From the Star Tribune:
Link: IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO, SO YOUR MILITARY SERVICE MEANS SQUAT!!!, OR, IT'S OK TO SAY THIS STUFF IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICANS....
August 24, 2008 12:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for bringing this up. I just read this yesterday and was going to go look for it.
If the Repugs have attacked at all during the last 20 years, they've attacked every single one of our vets and they've attacked them on the basis of their service.
Jesus - that's so obvious it's breathtaking that anyone on our side would question it -
August 24, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Democrats, to their credit, and, to their disadvantage, seem to behave as if they don't believe the Republicans will sink as low as the Republicans reliably and predictably do.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating: Democrats = Charlie Brown, and Republicans = Lucy with the football.
Biden, in yesterday's speech, appears to be a bit different. Here's hoping.
August 24, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This time, though, I think the Republicans are really going to try to run an issue-focused campaign. If we just stop talking about the houses, they'll stick to tax policy. I saw Mark Halperin today, and he promised, and . . . AUGGGGHHH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebpod5LqFts
August 24, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know Mark Halperin has just said something terminally stooooooooopid when both Cokie (Hawaii is EXOTIC!!! and The Young People will be Too Tired to Vote!) Roberts and George Will disagree with him.
August 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
You could see the look in his eyes. "Oh damn, they know even I can't actually believe this shit. But crap, I started it, and now I've got to go through with it. If I can just keep a straight face . . ."
August 24, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love that look - it's called "in over your head."
August 24, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're giving Halperin far more credit than he deserves. It takes a certain amount of objective analysis to realize that you're in over your head...analysis that I'm pretty certain Mark (Drudge rules me) Halperin is incapable of.
August 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
George Will didn't disagree with Halperin. George Stephanopoulos (with Donna Brazile and Cokie Roberts) did. Steph (bless his heart, for once) said "I can't follow your logic here" or words to that effect.
August 24, 2008 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
ok, all i know is if biden goes all the way through to november without saying:
to mccain's face, then i'm sorry, i gotta call this pick a failure.
/snark
August 24, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena,
Just because you're ultra-cynical doesn't mean that everyone else is "naive". Some things ARE likely to backfire, and, as I said, Obama being "black" is one thing that the GOP daren't go after directly. They know it would backfire big time. Even Rove knows that...
August 24, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm ultra cynical.
O god you have no idea how funny that is. I am an optimist - one of the handful I know.
But I'm realistic at the same time and I know Rove - and you just don't like being wrong.
Two words, man - Max Clelland. Now that's cynical - smearing someone who is permanently in a wheel chair - but they did.
August 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heheheh . . . the Republicans wouldn't . . . heheheh . . . go after . . . race (gasp) . . . . heeheheheeeeee.
Because . . . hoohooo . . . it would . . . backfire!! (snort, gasp)
Ah. I needed that.
August 24, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since when is Obama being black his strong point? The Rove "technique" is all about going after someone's strengths--that's why they go negative about the very fact that he is popular. The try to make his "celebrity" a negative; the fact that he is smart into being "elitist."
Do you get it now?
August 24, 2008 3:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain has seem to have caught Rudy Giuliani's "A Noun, A Verb, and 9/11" cold, but it's mutated into "A Noun, A Verb, and I was a POW".
August 24, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
We should turn McCain's penchant for bringing up his POW experience at inopportune times into a drinking game. Just imagine how quickly we'd all get shitfaced! lol
August 24, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of course, it is a tad strange working on this thread and then to notice that McCain has a web ad banner with a photo of him returning from captivity in 'Nam.
August 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Need to add that the add is at top of this web page. And the ad says one man has the experience, courage and trust finishing with the image of his return from 'Nam. So POW = experience. POW = courage POW = trust. Words escape me.
August 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rove already went after McCain's POW status in the 2000 primary. He basically questioned his sanity and that he nas deep seeded mental issues and can't possibly be trusted to have his finger on the button. Now that never came directly from Rove or Bush's mouth, but it was a whisper smear campaign in full effect.
August 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, I should have posted that myself - thank you Jonze.
You're right - Rove did. All I could think of from that campaign was the black baby. That was bad enough.
August 24, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
As an elderly man, myself, I envy John McCain because he has at least seven front yards that he can yell at kids to get out of, while I have only the one.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/cartoon/2008-08/41779446.jpg
August 24, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, that was too good. Maybe one of them was a POW...
August 24, 2008 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Awesome. Keeping fighting this housing gaffe McMansion! You are keeping the issue alive and spreading the news.
What I love best is that McCain is clearly unable to laugh off the attack. He's shown he's angry about it. The housing gaffe STINGS.
I'm lovin it.
August 24, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Doesn't he know that Obama and Biden are just having some fun, and that they aren't really negative.
August 24, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some reporter has to ask McCain the next time he uses the POW excuse if Putin grades on a curve? The fact of the matter McCain's record as a POW shouldn't be an excuse. If it is McCain is not qualified to be President. Excuses aren't an excuse in that job.
August 24, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't let McMansion change the subject!
August 24, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I remember there was a time even on left-wing blogs that nobody dared to go at the POW thing, even if just to mock how many times he's referenced his experience to get out of a jam. Now we can openly mock him, because, let's face it, this is so damn mockable!
August 24, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK Mike, that is the cutest picture ever :)
August 24, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Complete with clip-on tie!
August 24, 2008 3:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You fucking nitwit - do you know how many people in this country don't have kitchen anything because they can't afford it? Or they are in one of our lovely American prisons? Do you have any idea, McLame, what it's like inside one of our state prisons? You think you had it bad - you have no fucking clue.
August 24, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention the 200,000 homeless vets.
August 24, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Betcha McLame was never gang-raped in the Hanoi Hilton.
Bet anything.
August 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
so according to first read the Reps think this card has been underplayed and now they plan to show McCain's cell as response to the houses gaffe. It leaves the mind reeling no?
August 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh. My. God.
This is just getting way too surreal. I think it benefits Obama in the long run, but it still sickening to watch.
August 24, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You know when they finally realize they're overplaying it, the damage would have been done.
August 24, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
August 24, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, seven days ago I wasn't sure that John Sidney McCain III would wear it out by the election. He's doing a really good job of stripping the POW aura away from himself. Next up, question his character with the fact that he DOES exploit the PeeOhDubya card. Wonder if there's a way to catalog not only the nonsensical times he's used it this political season (like his Dancing Queen defense), but also in the numerous times he's used it in the same manner over the course of his entire political career. Arizona newspaper clippings, etc... That would be a VERY effective weapon. Afterward, I think his entire Naval file and medical records can be requested and scrutinized. Sidney's hiding something.
August 24, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give him a prison uniform to wear!
How ridiculous are these people? I think they should trot him out to campaign rallies wearing a prison uniform. Just in case anybody missed the fact that McCain was once a prisoner. And it shouldn't be those Vietnamese pajamas, either. It should be the black and white striped ones from old movies. After all, John McCain old and I think his clothing should be really old too.
August 24, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
And put him in a bamboo cage and wheel that motherfucker right out on the stage. Open the fucking convention that way, Repugs - go for it!
August 24, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is so sick and weird. It's like a disgusting twist on Harrison's Log Cabin campaign, isn't it? I think they realize they're overplaying their hand, but they know they're too far in it and figure they've just gotta go for it now. Dumb asses.
August 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well it is sick and McLame is nothing if not weird.
He's just the creepiest damn presidential candidate I've ever seen - and his wife makes him look normal.
August 24, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the $520 shoes would go great with those prison stripes.
"How dare you criticize my shoes. Don't you know that for 5 years I didn't have any shoes."
August 24, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"'cause for five years I didn't have feet".
August 24, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love the idea. "Breakin rocks in the hot sun..." Bobby Fuller Four playing...March him out with the old ball and chain (and I don't mean Cindy).
August 24, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
McWar does not know how to use a computer: "It is because I was a POW"
McWar on economic: "I don't know anything about economics: I WAS A POW"
McWar thinks he is still at war in Hanoi... I AM A POW!!!
August 24, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hah! Now the McCain web ads on the page show a picture of McCain with Lieberman with the caption "join our team".
"Yeah, put LIEBERMAN in the one we run on the lefty blogs. Those guys LOVE Lieberman!"
AHAHAHAHAHA!
August 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw that earlier - is that not fucking hilarious?
August 24, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the past five decades Republicans have railed at "minorities", including women, for playing the victim card. Now it is obvious that their resentment was out of envy. Now they have their very own perfect white male victim.
August 24, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is why I think this tactic could hurt him amongst his base. Not that they would vote for Obama but that they just stay home in Nov.
August 24, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like the ABBA song he chose and then post-dated to excuse his old-fashioned musical "taste", SNL was born in the '70's, a swinging decade for the handsome young war hero/media-circuit celebrity.
August 24, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
hey he also doe snot know how much milk is because he was a POW!
really--can they be so clueless as to do this?
August 24, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
If there's one thing you know you can count on with Republicans, it is that they will overplay their hand, usually by sinking lower than anyone could predict. You can count on them to push it too far.
August 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain: I know what it's like to be blessed by the opportunities of this great nation.
Iraq Vets: A new GI bill would help a lot of us realize some of those opportunities.
McCain: Fuck you, I got mine.
August 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
One Leno or Letterman POW joke and McCain can pack it in.
August 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have ZERO doubt that the last attack ad the McCain camp puts out in early late October/early November will consist of Rev. Wright shouting "God Damn America" and pictures/video of McCain as a POW.
Obama better tighten up his message and get to work, because that's going to be a tough image to beat when voters go into the polling booths.
August 24, 2008 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Part of me agrees with you, and another part believes that those who were open to this have joined McCain and why he is at 42%, 44% and not 38%, 39%. If Obama fine tunes his economic policies for the working class and gets his personal narrative/vaulues out in a strong manner, he should be okay in spite of Wright ads.
August 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not so sure about that.
Isn't Wright going to seem awfully ancient history, no longer connected with Obama, by then?
August 24, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes.
I really think it will.
The biggest risk McLame's campaign is boring people into comas.
August 24, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, for five and a half years John McCain couldn't make jokes about how John McCain always mentions his time as a POW. John McCain, a war hero, would be offended by your jokes.
August 24, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
At some point, it'll only be the wingnuts eating it up... "John Sidney McCain III is a POW, which means he's beyond scrutiny! His POW experience led him to urge the surge. We should all fellate him just for being a PeeOhDubya, and swallow his GOoPy man-surge! POW! Right in your mouth!"
August 24, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
John Sidney McCain III. That name sounds very, uh, you know, elite.
August 24, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
McWar would be homeless without Cindy...
I am sure the Obama camp has the videos about Kitty 5. McWar keeps bringing Rezko. So that would be fair games.
And the Obama camp will have Hagee's comment, Phil Gramm comments as the economy might get worse...
You can also expect more gaffes from McWar...
August 24, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
McWar would be homeless without Cindy..
Don't you know that there are no homeless vets.
August 24, 2008 3:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry about his broken bones, but get real - there are schizophrenics locked up in our state prisons, where they immediately have complete and irrevocable psychotic breaks with reality and slide into dementia praecox, permanently.
And the other prisoners have to live around them, too.
Five years - don't make me laugh. Try being inside a Texas state pen from the age of 16 to 46.
Then talk to me.
August 24, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going to follow Osama bin Ladin to the Gates of Hell, and when I got him down I'm gonna beat him to death with my Bible.
PRAISE JESUS, PRAISE HIS NAME!
August 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh! Maureen Dowd's column today talks about him trivializing his experience! I'm trusting it's going to get picked up.
August 24, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
McNero is fast becoming a cartoon character. Hell even Cokie freaking Roberts was whacking him today. Given Dowd's column his POW card yet again being waived like a bloody hanky is sublime timing.
August 24, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Josh has it on the front page, but here is Frank Rich, great article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/opinion/24rich.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=opinion&adxnnlx=1219597478-U9577c8w8CeabOPBm6369Q&oref=slogin
August 24, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent article. A must read. I got a hint of what he talking about in Biden's speech yesterday.
With that said, I think Obama is holding back on his main message until his speech on Thursday, lest the Repubs (and their cronies in the media) have a chance to coat it with their slime.
August 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was nice to see someone at the heart of the MSM saying that it is the MSM that has kept McCain as close as he is to Obama.
And of course that NYT/CBS got no play in the media.
Maybe just maybe McCain's media base is going to start to fade away. Hope springs eternal.
August 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I felt that way too.
August 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Definitely a must read. I agree that Obama needs to re-brand for the stretch run. Choosing his running mate and with the convention upon us it's the perfect opportunity. I don't have the foggiest idea it should be, but that's why they get paid the big bucks.
August 24, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes -- Rich is right, and you could sense the shift yesterday. A lot of talk about the kind of economic future our children and grandchildren will inherit. Choosing Biden works well for this pivot toward a more populist message. The McCain housing gaffe also made a great transition. That was really a gift from the gods. Thank you, John!!
My guess is that we're moving toward a campaign that is organized less around "new politics," and more around a contrast between "past" and "future." What kind of future are we going to be able to give our children? If we just keep repeating the mistakes of the past, we're headed downhill. But if we work hard and pull together, we can keep offering our children a better life than the one we had.
August 24, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're right. McCain's policies are basically stay the course, hence the past.
And everyone I speak with up and down and across the political spectrum think this country is a tilting point toward slipping to becoming a has-been country.
The trick is to talk about this without coming across as dissing America and Amercians.
Hence, that one passionate moment in Biden's speech when he said, pounding the dias, never never never have American not met the challenge when they have had good Leaders. (or something to that effect).
August 24, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I
August 24, 2008 1:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was supposed to say, "I
August 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I heart Maureen Dowd" DAMN HTML!
August 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're just stammering, 'cuz you heart her so much.
:)
August 24, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
teehee... maybe... I gits a tingle up my leg when I read her column
August 24, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you mean, "I ❤ Maureen Dowd."
August 24, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's been a little uneven lately, but she hit this one out of the park. And when anything makes the NYT--in spite of its current threadbare reputation--people take notice. Wes Clark's seed has finally sprouted and will soon be in full bloom.
August 24, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anybody for a little political stress relief? http://www.bop-o-rama.com. A little hint.....Bop McCain!
August 24, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I spent some years without a kitchen table, without a chair, and I know what it's like to be blessed by the opportunities of this great nation.."
He makes it sound as if as soon as he was released, he started from just the tattered clothes on his back to the 8-12 houses he has.
August 24, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Monty Python takes over McNero's ad campaign:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
August 24, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great link!
August 24, 2008 4:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't underestimate the potential impact of the POW theme, although the fact that they are using it as a threat makes me think they are bluffing. Its wise to be prepared. The way to be prepared is to be set to reframe the significance of McCain's captivity. There need to be two lines of response: 1) Its a red-herring--what have you done lately, and 2) The impact on McCain's judgment was not altogether salutary, as evidenced by his longing to got to war all over the world.
Yes, it needs to be turned around into captivity = screwed up guy. Don't hold back.
August 24, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I completely agree with you.
August 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the most important thing that shows that he has permanently impaired morals and judgment:
McLame voted YES on allowing our military to torture POWs, no matter the government tries to call our prisoners in GITMO and Abu Ghraib - they are POWs.
And McLame blithely stood up in Congress and revealed that he had sold his soul decades ago by voting YES to trash the very fucking international laws that were in place protecting his goddamn ass.
August 24, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
This can't be said enough. This has to be sickest most twisted part of the whole I'm a POW strategy.
August 24, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Phad yer giving McNero too much credit. It is a desperate attempt to put out flames with a water pistol.
August 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope you're right. Just in case, it is important to set things up so that when it happens it will be clear McSame has jumped the shark. It should look desperate and feed the idea that he is not all there.
August 24, 2008 1:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
The government takes care of Annapolis grads who are descended from admirals. He was never in any danger of starving in this country, even without Cindy. He, unlike most Americans, was assured of lifetime income and healthcare upon retirement (which, for career officers, comes many years before it does for the average worker, if they are ever able to retire at all).
Retired American military officers have it very good indeed. Senators and former senators have it even better, thanks to their legislation in their own favor.
August 24, 2008 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
And I thought I heard he still gets Veteran money?
August 24, 2008 1:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nuh-uh - that is explosive.
He voted against the new GI Bill, his wife is so fucking rich they own between 8 and 13 houses and he is still getting veteran's pay?
That's really explosive, IMO.
August 24, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
And he is still cashing his social security checks.
August 24, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a life-time government worker he would not be in the social security system. He has a much better package both for health care and retirement. Never fear. The congress looks after itself very well.
August 24, 2008 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink