Lies--yes, indeed. Good for them. (Echoing Obama's "they know they're lying about my energy plan")-- Now if we can just get some surrogates hitting hard against the lies and celebrity of McCain. Go Hillary, Kerry et al. while Barack has some much-needed R and R with family in Hawaii!!

I think that plain talk like calling a lie a lie will deflate the celebrity argument faster than confronting it directly. I would like to see an ad painting McCain as a rich elitist though.

"It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie"!!!!

When it should have been:

With 26 years of cozy life in Washington, John McCain is an unrivaled master of political game.

John McCain is the Annoited Heir of the Party of Bush.

Cue to hope and the rest of the blah blah.

It's interesting to watch - McCain keeps going back to the "Celebrity" attack, and the Obama camp seems to ignore it, so both must be getting different polling with McCain's saying it's working and Obama's saying it's not.

This wasn't his Olympic ad was it?

The audacity of hopelessness

I'm sorry, but Obama's reply is weak and confirms my worst suspicion: his campaign is losing touch with how this is all playing out in the world outside their plane.

Like Kerry before him, Obama is allowing himself to be bitched.

Barack: No more money from me until you show me you can throw a punch. I'm not going to continue to subsidize a wimp.

That's a terrible response.
They need to do better.

Again, the bully is kicking sand in our
face and we say "stop it, don't, stop, you're
lying". I' bored with it. Kick some F'ing teeth
in for christ sake.

Frankly, I think the snide/flippant/dismissive comments need to come from surrogates. Obama would do well to stay on message.

Yes "lie" is a big word, this has to be the response every time McCain lies. Another good word is "dishonest", which is close to dishonor.

If Obama can get the idea that McCain lies out in the mainstream, all his later attacks will create as much or more skepticism than any harm done to Obama.

Once people stop believing what you say, you are pretty much screwed.

Still looking for that gun brought to the knife fight. Still looking for awareness that politics is a contact sport.

I'm calling the Obama campaign TODAY, and i am going to tell them, TOUGHEN UP ' or I'm withholding my donations.

To reach the Campaign Headquarters by phone, please call: (866) 675-2008

I agree Tom, I'd also like to see Obama go after McBush on his trademark "Country first"...ie "Is John McCain putting country first or lobbyists first"...Is john McCain putting country first or Big Oil first...etc..etc..

He's playing defense. Looks like McCain's plan is to keep him on defense. Looks Obama's plan is to stay on defense. I guess he wants to find out if the old adage re defending=losing is another cliche that doesn't apply to him.

But I have to say again: to me "new" politics would be one in which the Dem DOES go on the attack once in a while. "Always defending" looks a hell of a lot like a rerun of how we've been playing the game for at least 8 years.

I voted for Obama in my state's primary, but sometimes I wonder if Hillary would have been a better candidate. She, at least, would be running ads that drove the story and got people talking, as happened with her "3 a.m." ad. Has Obama taken the initiative or defined the debate in any of his advertising? What's the point of having all that money if he's not going to use it?

Presidential politics is all about defining your opponent, and dammit, I'm sick of this. Fight the hell back already.

If the Obama strategy is to go negative after the democratic convention: He better go hard, harsh and it better work.

The usual press statement that may, if lucky, garner all of .10 second notice in the national media. Meanwhile, the MSM will play this ad over and over and over as part of the news. There will be virtually no mention of McCain's wealth or lack of voting (even being in DC) to vote or taken action on issues relevant to the middle and working class.

I am sorry. Obama said that he was going to use Chicago rules. They bring a knife, we bring a gun. So far, all I see is a big sissy who gets slugged in the face and responds with "naughty, naughty."

The "lie" theme is great but it needs to be broadened to attack all the lies that have been told to the American people over the past 8 years. I think all but the dumbest Americans know they've been lied to and that's why I think he needs a VP who can spit it out, not one who does nuance. Throw that straight talk express right back at 'em.

Every time Nixon said "I am not a crook" it drove the crooked image in deeper. Besides, Obama can't say he's not a celebrity because he is.

Barack supports Chicago's handgun ban so maybe he is not armed and can't take a gun to the GOP knifefight.

I suspect ancient John will have a good week upcoming while Barack is on vacation. Barack better not be caught windsurfing.

Why won't Barack Obama rip into McCain? What is he afraid of? McCain is a chicken-hawk, wealthy elitist, who denigrates women.
There is so much to attack McLame with, what are u waiting for Barack?

Looks like some journalists are actually doing their work.

From MSNBC's First Read:

McCain claims in an ad released today that "Obama voted to raise taxes on people making just $42,000. He promises more taxes on small business, seniors, your life savings, your family."

But when it comes to promises, it's worth pointing out that, according to the non-partisan Tax Policy Center's analysis of both candidates' proposed plans, Obama would cut taxes for those making in the range of $38,000 to $66,000 three to almost eight times more than McCain would.

Under Obama's plan, according to the center, by 2009, those making $37,595 would see an average increase in their income of 3.6%, or a tax cut of $892; those making an average of $66,354 would see an increase in their income of 2.4%, or a tax cut of $1,042.

On the other hand, Under McCain's plan, those making $37,595 would see an increase in their income of only about 0.5%, or $113 tax cut; those making $66,354 would see only an increase of 0.7% in their income, or a tax break of $319.

I'm checking other sites. Stay tuned.

PD: Unrelated topic. The Chinese killed it at the olympic ceremony. Unbelievable. Watch it.

MSNBC is doing its job, but CNN & FOX Noise will just along with the lies for ratings.

Sorry. Waiting for a strong campaign from Obama is like Waiting for Godot. It never comes. Whatever the faults of Charles Schumer (and there are many...mostly his shitty politics), at least he knows how to fight. Maybe the Obama camp knows what it is doing, but from here they seem to be more of the same old cautious tired Democratic politics.

Hillary's 3AM attack came because she was behind and desperate. These current McCain ads are negative and attacking because he's behind and desperate.

This is child's play for what is actually in store for Obama as we creep closer to the election. It's going to get really ugly.

Obama better hope that the majority of voting America is tired of partisan politics. Believe it or not there are Republicans who can't stand Hannity or Limbaugh and McCain's campaign seems to be running that style of campaign. The uglier McCain is forced to go, the more people he'll turn off, also there is probably the law of diminishing returns on gutter attack ads as well. If McCain is going to be negatively attacking for the next three months it could be grating.

McCain can't rally the base himself - he's trying to egg Obama into doing it for him, by attacking the poor old war hero.

Oh f**k another LAME Obama response to an excellent attack ad. We are so screwed.

Look at this drivel:

"This ad is a lie, and it's part of the old, tired politics of a party in Washington that has run out of ideas and run out of steam. Even though a host of independent, nonpartisan organizations have said this attack isn't true, Senator McCain continues to lie about Senator Obama's plan to give 95% of all families a tax cut of $1,000, and not raise taxes for those making under $250,000 a single dime. The reason so many families are hurting today is because we've had eight years of failed Bush policies that Senator McCain wants to continue for another four, and that's what Barack Obama will change as President."

Here's what he should have said... Barack, feel free to edit for a 1 minute or 30 second add.

"There are two ways to run for President - tell your own story or throw lies at your opponent. John McCain, a multi-millionaire Senator thinks that I've forgotten what it's like to be raised by a single mother and work on the streets of Chicago. I fought my way up from ordinary circumstances. Now the son of an Admiral says that I'm out of touch. The guy who is giving tax breaks to millionaires and the big corporations is making up stories about how I'm gonna tax you. Those stories are false. I'm going to give people who make less the $250 K a tax break and protect the savings of seniors. It's sad when John McCain starts making up stories about me, instead of talking about where he really stands... side by side with the wealthiest individuals and the most powerful corporations. Let's do things differently this time.

Barack, you are welcome.

Also, "this ad is a lie" is COMPLETELY lame.

People DO NOT think of "ads" as lies. Ads can be deceptive, distorting, all mixed up... but people think that statements are lies... a whole string of lies is not a "lie".

If you talk like a normal person (will Obama get this right) you say "this ad is full of lies".

But as noted above, the word "lie" sounds petulant and childish. "He's lying about me Mommy!" Well tough shit honey, go out and deal with it yourself.

"Oh poor baby, someone is lying about you... what are you gonna do about it?"

No, you have to mock him, not challenge him.

You say:
"Like a little school boy, like a spoiled son of an Admiral, McCain would rather make up stories than tell us where he stands."

You say:
"McCain is a good novelist, writes some good stories, but let's not confuse fiction with fact."

Not "Mommy, he's lying!!!"

Can these guys run a campaign or not?

even if obama apologises for his elitist ways, i will still vote for mccain because he understands real americans.

Question. what is a 'real' american anyway? Are there fake ones running about that we need to know about?

There is an excellent diary about McCain posted on Kos today. It details some of the information in Amy Silverman's book. Silverman is an Arizona reporter who has been covering this two-faced guy for a long time. It should provide plenty of material for the Obama campaign to do first strike business rather than playing reactionary defense all the time.
The article has a great line about McCain being the Eddie Haskell of politics.

http://black-max.dailykos.com/

50% of Americans own individual stocks and mutual funds? Ummmm, depends on how you look at it...and when you're talking about cap gains and dividend taxes, how you look at it makes a big difference. See here. This data from the census bureau is the most current (2005) I can find...and given the economic situation in this country over the last 2 years, I doubt ownership increased. The numbers show that 50% of American households own some sort of equity. But it also shows that only about 35% own equity outside of an employer sponsored plan. What these numbers don't tell us about this 35% is how many own equity in tax-deferred vehicles like IRAs, variable annuities, etc. As you know, those tax-deferred investments would NOT be affected by any increase in the capital gains or dividend tax. Distributions from those vehicles are taxed as regular income, although there is a penalty if you withdraw early.

Even if we assume that all of the equity owned outside of these tax-deferred vehicles, that doesn't tell us how much they own. Just like income, the largest percetage of that ownership in total dollars is probably held by only 5% (or less) of that 35%. I own a small number of individual equities outside of tax-deferred vehicles. The dividends I receive on these shares on an annual basis equal about the price of a dinner for two.

Per this report, 45% of Americans own equities only in tax-deferred accounts. 42% own them in both tax-deferred and taxable accounts. 13% own equities only in taxable accounts. I just told you my story. I fall into that 42% of Americans owning equities in both types of accounts. But most of these equities are held in tax-deferred accounts. My guess is that is probably true of many of my fellow 42-percenters.

The large majority of the people who would be impacted significantly by any increase in the capital gains and dividend tax are people who own a lot of individual stocks and bonds outside of tax-deferred vehicles - ie, wealthy people.

As for seniors, again, much of their income in retirement is coming from social security or distributions from tax-deferred retirement income plans/accounts. And for seniors, Obama is proposing that those with under $50,000 in annual income pay no income taxes.

Wow, what the fuck?

The Obama campaign is clearly getting use out of that Weak-Ass Fill-in-the-Blank Standard Politico Bullshit Response That People Stop Reading and or Listening to After the First Sentence Machine(tm).

Obama's team needs to run with a slogan something like: "McCain is lying to you and running a DISHONORABLE campaign." That's it, frame him as a lier and a dishonorable one at that. Go after his strength ala Rove.

One thing Obama can't be is too serious. Adds like the one Paris Hilton would do more for Obama than any confrontational ads like the republicans are doing. Where's the humor Obama? You got the cash. That stupid old man McCain is on all the talk shows being a creepy funny old man. Hit America in its funny bone. Democrats are funnier, sexier, smarter and doggoneit...

My take on how Obama should respond to the Celebrity line of attacks goes something like this (key points bolded):

"People are not excited by me, Obama, the person. They're excited because they have hope.

"They see someone like me, who came from humble roots, and knows what it's like to work hard and earn their way. And now that kid with a funny name has a shot at being president. That's the American dream folks... that with persistence and effort anyone can grow up to be president, or a Doctor, an Olympic athlete. Hope for the American Dream is worth getting excited about. [pause for applause]

Apparently, John McCain doesn't get it.

"They see a guy up here on the stage, who may have a funny name, but knows what it's like to try and raise a family while struggling to make ends meet. They see a guy who is on their side - not another politician who talks the talk, but makes a bunch of shady deals with powerful lobbyists and foreign sheiks when nobody is looking. In me, they see a candidate who proposes policies that can have a real positive impact on their lives, instead of policies that continue the failures of the past 8 years and pour more of your hard-earned cash into the pockets of the oil industry and other corporate fat cats. They see in me a candidate who, for the first time in a long time, will represent the interests of regular people like them - families, students, single parents, laborers, seniors. Hope for one's future... that's worth getting excited about! [pause for applause]

I guess John McCain isn't thinking about your future.

"They see in me a candidate, who, as president, will bring about an end to an endless war in Iraq. They see a candidate who's ready to lead, not because he once served in the military, but because he demonstrated the judgement to recognize the folly of the Iraq war and the courage to speak out against it when it wasn't popular to do so. They see a candidate who can restore America's image and prestige and rebuild strategic alliances that have been strained by neo-conservative foreign policies (the same policies, by the way, which my opponent still supports even after they've been proven to be failed policies.) Hope for our country - THAT'S worth getting excited about!!!

"Instead, my opponent would prefer that you have no hope. He wants you to take the cynical bait. He'll have you believe I'm some kind of elitist [pause for a good laugh] and therefore out of touch with the every-day people of this country, all while he's flying on his private jet and planning his next moves with some of the most powerful lobbyists in Washington. He'll have you think I'm not experienced enough in foreign policy, while he's still trying to sort out the difference between Shia and Sunni tribes in Iraq. He'd have you believe I'll raise your taxes - which for all but the richest of Americans is not true - all while he's supporting the same Bush policies that have been sending your jobs overseas and allowing fuel prices to go through the roof.

But, that's OK. John McCain can attack me all he wants. Because it isn't about me. And, it isn't about John McCain. It's about YOU. It's about bringing the troops home. It's about making the right environmental choices that will affect not only us, not only our children, but all generations to come. It's about things like job security and national security. And so, any time you see John McCain's campaign slinging mud instead of addressing your needs - that's 'politics as usual' and your first clue that McCain isn't on your side of the issues. He wants to change the subject, because straight talk isn't his friend any more. John McCain 'can't handle the truth', and the truth is, there are only two choices facing the American public this November: more of the same, or change. Only two choices: reward and reinforce the malfeasance and incompetence of the current administration, or bring in fresh blood and new ideas. Only two choices: choose to continue the disastrous policies of the Bush administration for another four years, or, chart a new course which offers renewed hope for America.

"I am simply here to make the case for change. People like to talk about my speaking skills, but my voice is nothing without yours. I am merely the loud-speaker for your hopes and dreams for our nation. If John McCain wants to belittle your enthusiasm by comparing crowds of concerned and committed citizens such as yourselves, to a flock of signature-seeking groupies, then shame on him. He knows better. This isn't about red-carpets and paparazzi, this is about our nation's future - about your future. But, no matter how low John McCain and his handlers want to take this campaign, I will not go there. I will continue to champion the issues that matter to you, and to address the difficult challenges our nation faces. That's both change you can believe in, and the straight-talk you deserve."

"People are not excited by me, Obama, the person. They're excited because they have hope."