Right-Wing Group To Slime Obama With Ayers Ad
In a possible sign that a real third-party attack apparatus could take shape and swift-boat Barack Obama with ads, a new entity calling itself the "American Issues Project" has produced a new spot going after Barack Obama for his past associations with Bill Ayers the former leader of the 1960s radical group the Weathermen:
The ad, which was first reported by the Politico, does stretch a major point here -- there is no evidence that Ayers was involved in the 1971 Capitol Hill bombing, which was headed up by a rival faction within the Weathermen after he'd already gone into hiding. Then again, that's not exactly a point the Obama camp would want to have to argue over.
While the group has said they will spend $2.8 million to air the ad, there seems to be some uncertainty over whether they actually have the money or a real expectation of getting it. The Associated Press reports that the ad is expected to begin airing today in Michigan, and tomorrow in Ohio.
Late Update: It's also important to note that any Obama-Ayers connection is, as the Washington Post said, "a tenuous one," involving two people who merely served together in respected community groups.
Response From Obama Spokesman Vietor:
link: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Obama_camp_New_group_is_McCain_front.html?showall
August 21, 2008 5:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
One good thing about the celeb smear is that Obama camp can tie any future attacks to "Paris and Britt", thus making any new attacks seem less substantive. At least to me anyhow.
Thanks John!
August 21, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Excellent point. I will look for them to make this a staple in response to any ad they want to deride as silly.
August 21, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well played.
Americans don't care about a college professor who did a stint as a wacked-out radical in the 60s. They want to know who "gets it" with the hurting US economy.
August 21, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
DOn't worry about third party groups. John McCain's own campaign is prepping a bunch of sleazy, slimy ads about Ayers, Wright and Rezco.
August 21, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
It'd be wonderful if Obama could get McCain to pull his trump card so early.
August 21, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fortunately, this is really weak. It's too long, it's boring, and it doesn't real accuse Obama of anything. It's just, like, "what's up with the fuddy looking white guy?"
McCain's gaffe today, on the other hand, is irreparable, in that it solidifies a truly potent narrative for McCain.
August 21, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The war has begun...
August 21, 2008 5:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
This group is about NOT independent
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0808/Obama_camp_New_group_is_McCain_front.html#comments
August 21, 2008 5:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love the "seven homes". They should find a way to work that into every statement that comes out of the campaign. Twist that knife, guys.
August 21, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
They can't. The "seven homes" meme is dead.
It is actually eight homes.
August 21, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
HuffPo says 10.
And if you break out the Sedona 'ranch,' it's more like 15.
I guess that's why the McCain campaign said 'at least 4.'
August 21, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
My reaction: who gives a shit?
Obama was 6 years old when this guy was being a nutty, protestor in the 60's with Norm Coleman.
August 21, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is important in that since Grampy Golddigger McCain is going back to the 60s Obama will have no problem going back to the 80s and resurrecting the Keating 5.
August 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting that Politico got it first.
By the way, did you notice where many of the cites in the ad come from?
Politico. Funny how that worked out.
August 21, 2008 5:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mike Allen is basically the voice of Karl Rove.
August 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's camp and camp followers are launching many attacks simultaneously, in a way that steps on each other, and just before Obama can grab the narrative back with his VP choice. This may help blunt this stuff later, if they dump it all now.
August 21, 2008 5:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd say that's a clear indication of how much this rocked their world.
Direct hit.
August 21, 2008 5:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just read that Obama's citizenship has been challenged in Philadelphis two hours ago.
Link
August 21, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well two could play at that game, after all, Grampy Golddigger was born in Panama.
August 21, 2008 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
hmmm...which is MORE of a state, Hawaii, or Panama?
August 21, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing on Drudge.
But Politico says McCain doesn't own a house. They all belong to his wife.
August 21, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you say "Golddigger?"
August 21, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Duece Bigelow, Male Gigilo.
Illutrative graphic here.
Apologies in advance if I spoil anyone's dinner.
August 21, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the media picks it up, the sting will be gone. it will be about the charmed life of Cindy McCain
August 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep.
If anyone wants a laugh check out McCain talking about Cindy (fictional but funny.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9rihV1mcB4&feature=user
August 21, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
If that's true, then why didn't McCain say "I don't own a home but my wife owns several"? Because he considers them his!! The point is he doesn't know how many!!
August 21, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
From Ambinder:
Sen. John McCain's campaign is finishing a hard-hitting television ad highlighting Barack Obama 's ties to shady Chicago land dealer Tony Rezko, the one-time Obama patron who was convicted earlier this summer of fraud.
A campaign official said that the decision to Go Rezko was Obama's. "He's opened the door to this," the official said.
The ad will be released to network news divisions in time for their broadcasts tonight.
Though McCain is widely perceived to to drawn first blood by attacking Obama's character, the official said that the difference between Obama's mocking McCain for his wealth and his shaky answer on the number of homes he owns was that McCain's charge "reflects an existential reality," where Obama's charges "attack Cindy. She owns the homes. I thought he said the wives were off-limits."
August 21, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
If McCain isn't hiding behind his POW experience, he's hiding behind his wife.
August 21, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who the hell is Philip J Berg who filed this suit?
August 21, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Counter Ayers with G. Gordon Liddy.
Liddy who planned the DNC Watergate break-in, who encouraged Branch Dividians to aim at the heads of AFT officers because they wear body armor and praises Hitler's sheer "animal confidence" is best buddies with John McCain to this day.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/05/g-gordon-liddy-john-mccai_n_100134.html
Of course don't bother with this now, ignore the Ayers stuff, explain it off as they did and move on. Obama was 8 years old when Ayers was active with the Weathermen. Obama knows him as a university professor. Ayers turned himself in to the FBI back in the day and was never charged.
Ayers is Hannity's pet project. He'll diddle himself over this ad and try to further talk it up.
August 21, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
They wanted to change the topic and the mess they created w/ McCan't blunder of not knowing his number of homes. They know that story has traction so this ad was already to be launched. This ad isn't going anywhere!
August 21, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's time to go to the mattresses. THAT'S the Chicago way, and THAT'S how you get McCain...
I say what's needed is a remake of the Daisy Girl ad, this time with hot headed McCain in place of Goldwater. Fade in with some comments from Pete Domenici regarding "I wouldn't allow him anywhere near a nuclear trigger", thrown in some Thad Cochran temper remarks, follow up with "Bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran", and BOOM, nuclear explosion for the finale....
August 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I say save that shit for October. And before we get to that point build up the "McCain: Crazy ass senile warmonger" meme so that when we get to that ad it won't seem so out there.
August 21, 2008 5:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regardless of how much this group has to spend on its ad buy, it will get the benefit of free media coverage: it's the sort of ad the twenty-four news networks would loop ceaselessly if, as was pointed out above, it were better produced and not so boring.
August 21, 2008 5:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad that the response included the fact that all this took place over 40 goddamn years ago.
I have my doubts that this will make much of an impression on many people. The only people who remember this shit, IMO, are my age, and at the time we were mostly on the side of the Weathermen.
And the SDS, and the Black Panthers, and...
August 21, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. Zero traction, even if the cable nets play it to death.
This was all hashed out during the primaries - like much of the 'ammo' that McCain's boys are threatening to use.
The gun, so to speak, is loaded with blanks.
August 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
ABC did it on the Philly debate and it didn't catch fire. I don't expect a different outcome. But this people can't be underestimated.
August 21, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Was that a knock on McCain's virility? Ageist!!
August 21, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would never, ever do such a thing. After all, Grampa was a POW.
August 21, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thik we need to be careful not to dismiss this as so much stuff from the 60's. The opening is clever in tying an intended target of 9/11 to the weathermen's intended target. The obvious point- all terrorists are equal- Obama likes terrorists. Add that in with his foreign sounding name, the fact that he is a Muslim (and sat in a church listening to anti-American stuff for 20 years- curious for a Muslim)and this ad is to drum up xenophobic fear about Obama. The Britney/Paris thing is for people who consider themselves more high minded- Obama is a lightweight- we want a person of substance. This one is for the people who feel a need to justify their racism ( I am surprised no Rev. Wright in the ad). It's a two prong attack- - the high and low road of sliming your opponent.
August 21, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shit. Now I'm on record as having contributed to a blog thread started by an acknowledged sympathizer of the Weathermen.
There's my political career, up in smoke.
August 21, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow Tex - you just brought back a lot of memories for me that I couldn't possibly contain in any one post - suffice it to say I was there at the time and things became rather complex for people who were very active against the war in Vietnam - and the war on the Poor (which is what Nixon did to modify the war on poverty).
I wish there was a way to exchange e-mails here as I would love to tell you - and TPM - about a lot of things that happened some 40 years ago - in fact if they really knew the stakes (from then and NOW) maybe some of those Clintonistas would stop to consider their dead-ender position today.
Your Faithful Friend,
Jeffrey
August 22, 2008 12:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Besides, I think the media is far more interested in the McCain story. McCain getting nasty in response is a footnote, not a change in the storyline.
http://bacontherobotmonkey.blogspot.com/
August 21, 2008 5:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
A guy named Peter Berg is challenging Obama's citzenship.
Googling him, he sounds like a Hillary supporter.
August 21, 2008 5:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Should take about a nanosecond for a judge to not only throw this out but sanction whatever idiot lawyer filed it.
August 21, 2008 5:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Peter Berg? Is he a saint?
August 21, 2008 9:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yawn. Obama was like 2 yrs old when Ayers did what he did. And if Ayers is so bad why is he a fixture in the educational system? Yawn. McShame got busted today...lol
August 21, 2008 5:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
(yawn)
August 21, 2008 5:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Indeed.
To return to your Icepick Follies of yesterday - bear in mind that this has all been executed in just a little over 24hrs from the gaffe itself. In the bigger narrative - this gaffe was an easy means of testing out the messaging apparatus coming online. Think how far Above 11 this amp will play when the pre-arranged material starts to run through it ;)
Hell of a warning shot today :)
August 21, 2008 6:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ya got me, TC3.
Today felt good. We need more like it.
August 21, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
This will not work for two reasons:
- it's sensationalist and wild in tone but after Wright and Rezko scandals Obama has at least some immunity. Plus, everyone knows what Swiftboat was, so everyone will brush it off as a copycat.
- it's trying to paint him as an extremist lift-wing radical, but it's too late in the game and no longer believable, after all the speeches etc.
I think Theda is spot on: they will dump this now in hopes of dropping at least some poison before the convention.
But my prediction is the real bullets later on are going to keep hammering him as this naive dreamy guy who just wants to be famous and doesn't have a clue about
Also, I understand everyone needs something to hang on to and cheer, but as I said before, I don't think there will be significant damage to McCain done by the house story. Obama already polls better on economy.
I think McCain will use things like Rezko to blunt the house story and will try to either refocus on national security or look for ways to connect Rezko to Celebrity.
What Obama needs to do now is quickly open additional lines of attack, so that McCain is on the defens on more than one issue. They he can seize the initiative and control the message. The media will as always praise whoever appears to have the upper hand.
August 21, 2008 5:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
And it's not like Clinton and company didn't raise this guy as an issue. The people who would be swayed have been, hence the closeness of the race.
And as Rezko rises so does, as someone mentioned about, Keating 5
August 21, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
--What Obama needs to do now is quickly open additional lines of attack, so that McCain is on the defense on more than one issue.--
Veep announcement? Dem convention? You betcha.
August 21, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Something on the McCain's tacit approval on the draft. Go!
August 21, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Water Pact ad in Colorado: go!
August 21, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a very underreported story, mostly because the DC Media and most of the East Coast doesn't give a s#!t or doesn't have a clue.
For those of you who live/have lived in either the upper or lower Colorado River basin, you understand the maxim "whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting." I cannot underscore for you how poisonous it is for someone running for president -- especially someone from, cough, Arizona -- to suggest renegotiating the 1922 Colorado River Compact. This is the document that decides how many acre feet of water each of those states receive.
You run a hit using McCain's own words against him in Colorado, it hurts him where he needs help most -- the more rural areas outside Denver that he's counting on in order to best BO's strength in the metros.
August 21, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Links please
August 21, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.chieftain.com/articles/2008/08/16/news/local/doc48a548fed1e6f772542859.txt
August 21, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about this quote though?
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I would never advocate any course of action that would damage the state of Colorado's rights over the water, or any other water resources that is going to be one of the most precious commodities for Colorado and the entire West,"
August 21, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think most CO'ers would find that very reassuring, especially coming from an AZ'er.
They might not trust his assessment as to how much water CO could afford to give up before suffering what he perceives to be damage. And it's not as if he can be relied upon to not change his mind.
No, his advocacy of opening up the water pact for renogiation is gonna get a lot of people in CO really upset.
August 21, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Come on Lalo, he's backpedaling like a mofo because he shot off his mouth on something he should know better than to shoot his mouth off on. He's been spending too much time getting a hard on for a new Cold War he's forgotten where he comes from.
Here's the quote that matters, the one that he gave to the Colorado Chieftan in Pueblo:
"I don't think there's any doubt the major, major issue is water and can be as important as oil. So the compact that is in effect, obviously, needs to be renegotiated over time amongst the interested parties," McCain said.
And this from his written statement once he realized what he had said:
"Let me be clear that I do not advocate renegotiation of the compact," McCain wrote.
Um, double you tee eff John?
He was against it before he was for it?
This is just lazy and stupid and he deserves to get beaten to a pulp in CO for it. I'm convinced this would not be half the issue it is if he wasn't the senior senator from Arizona.
Barry, if you and your people now have your heads out of your ass you better be using this. Don't hit him hard - make him look like a duplicitous fool who is playing games with the Law of the River in the interests of his own state.
August 22, 2008 12:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
O I get it. Water is something people will kill each other over out here in the west. ;)
Ask Taos Pueblo, El Prado and the rest of the people involved in the Abeyta Agreement that ain't.
August 21, 2008 6:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
"What Obama needs to do now is quickly open additional lines of attack, so that McCain is on the defens on more than one issue."
You are dead-on right there brother. A multi-faceted assault seems to be an excellent strategy.
August 21, 2008 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Harry Reid sez: "I can't stannd John McCain."
August 21, 2008 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pretty weak, but at least it's better than "McCain is a great man, a real maverick."
August 21, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is the counter attack on the McWar' s gaffe house...
They are plenty of good news for Senator Obama:
Latest Fox poll: Obama is extending his lead from 1 to 4%
New Mexico: Obama is ahead and McWar is not catching up yet
Nevada: Obama is up by 1%
Colorado: Politico is running the story and this should get some legs
Registrations: way up for
Obama inspires black Republicans to switch parties
Obama not just inspiring black voters to register, but also to abandon the Republican Party
Overall, Florida now has nearly 1.1 million black Democrats, compared to just under 64,000 black Republicans. Louisiana has about 704,000 black Democrats and 26,000 black Republicans, and North Carolina has more than 1 million black Democrats and just under 44,000 black Republicans.
Three other states — Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina — track voter registration by race, but voters don't register with parties. Each has seen large increases in black registration over recent seven-month periods, Georgia by almost 123,000, South Carolina by 43,198 Alabama by 20,844.
August 21, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Any attack that takes that long to frame is just not going to hit paydirt.
August 21, 2008 5:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
A "LEFT WING" Board!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!
August 21, 2008 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's like Karl Rove left a box of 3 x 5 cards in the media room, and they just pull them out and try to form effective attacks from them.
They just don't make 'em like Lee Atwater any more.
August 21, 2008 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank God.
August 21, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great response. Ridicule ("obscure sixties radical" is excellent and pivot, repeat and multiply the attacks. Don't back down when the Ambers and Scarboroughs of the world whine about how being negative "undermines the positive message." Undefensive, non-explaining, pivoting and on the attack! Go Obama and surrogates, go!!!
August 21, 2008 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Because Obama has already dealt with this attack on the campaign trail that pretty much have the response down pat.
What is amazing about McCain's house gaffe was that the attack had been going on for a few days, one would have thunk his aides would have at least preped him with the number of homes. Did he think Politico was just going to throw softballs.
August 21, 2008 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
haha! I love that "how many homes do you own" is not considered a soft ball!
August 21, 2008 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
A question that he couldn't pivot to Russia/drilling/surge. I wonder if his aides are receiving a taste of that rumored McCain rage.
August 21, 2008 5:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I own 7 homes, and we should drill in all of them!"
Done and done!
:)
August 21, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
[standing next to a pool on one of his estates]
Off-shore Drilling!
Drill Here!
NOW!
August 21, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is ahead of McCain by just 3% and that's among registered voters - not likely voters.
McCain is down just 4% in the latest New Mexico poll.
August 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is ahead of McCain by just 3% and that's among registered voters - not likely voters.
McCain is down just 4% in the latest New Mexico poll.
August 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Does Ayers own seven homes? I didn't think so. Back to N, V, & a POW.
August 21, 2008 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like the Republicans got scared that the maverick veneer in the media is starting to crack, and that the media might actually start reporting objectively. All it took was one serious story and they blew their whole load, dropping Ayers, Rezko, arugula and anti-intellectualism all in the span of a few hours.
Sad, and I'm sure they were saving that for a rainy day in October.
Too bad Hillary already spent all of those months and months ago. All debunked and used up.
August 21, 2008 5:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
God Bless Hillary then
August 21, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Although she crossed the line a few times (eg he hasn't cross the CIC threshold), I have to say that the long primary with Hillary was probably in his best interest.
August 21, 2008 6:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's good and bad. She blunted the attacks a bit but it also created the Hillary dead enders who hate Obama.
Overall I would say its more bad than good.
August 21, 2008 6:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know, but what can a deadender Hillary troll like me say?
LOL
August 21, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can say you're sorry!!!!
August 21, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not in the least. What doesn't kill him, makes him stronger.
August 21, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The arugula stuff is the kind of response that Dems usually get whacked for using because the media is writing a headline, McCain can't remember the number of houses he owns, not Obama eats arugula. Only good for the base that surfs the blogs.
August 21, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can't pick your neighbors but you can pick you political party.
August 21, 2008 5:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quick, get poll numbers on likely voters whose primary concern this election is obscure college professors who were bomb-thrower wannabes in the 1960s.
I doubt you could break double-digits on freerepublic much less the real world.
August 21, 2008 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
From Wiktionary:
tenuous (Adjective)
1. Thin in substance or consistency.
2. Lacking importance.
Translation: It's BS. Enough said.
The use of 527's by the GOP was a no-brainer. Now Obama can say "See, that's way I dropped out of public financing. McCain promised a honorable campaign and all he and his supporters had done is attack me on character and on baseless accusations, using 527 groups with unlimited funding. The same low politics that won't resolve people's problems..."
Everybody knew that this kind of attack were coming. They threw the first stone and now after they have been hit back, they are suprised?
C'mon. Republicans have no integrity at election time. They'll do ANYTHING to win, period.
I trust the Obama camp to deal with this, after dealing and beating the Clinton machine. But let's get real, as John Kerry said four years ago:
"These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group I've ever seen...". Let's hope for the best.
August 21, 2008 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain camp is saying that this is an attack on Cindy because Cindy in fact own all the homes. Of course Obama and Camp were not attacking the fact that McCain owns seven homes, as that was known for ages, but the fact that McCain didn't know how many homes they had - which shows a terrible disconnect.
They are also saying that this attack means Rezko, Ayers and Wright are fair game - like they were not going to play these cards anyways. If anything forcing them to play it now in defense is a helluva lot better than letting the McCain Camp play them when they wanted to (say end of October) and on offense.
August 21, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess they figured the POW excuse wasn't going to cut it, but every couple I know see the house as both of their house, not only the person who brought in the dough. This response is lame.
And they're not attacking Cindy, they're just having some fun. McCain has got to get a sense of humor.
August 21, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Veep Feva!!!
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2008/08/obama-says-hes.html
He said he was looking for not just a partner but a sparring partner. "I want somebody who's independent, somebody who can push against my preconceived notions and challenge me so we have got a robust debate in the White House."
Schweitzer? Feingold? Clinton? They are at the tops of my list.
Obama schedule: Sunday in WI. Wednesday in MT. Expected to announce on Saturday.
Hmmmmm.
August 21, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chet Edwards
August 21, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the Marc Ambinder link.
I love the asinine logic of the McCain camp:
A campaign official said that the decision to Go Rezko was Obama's. "He's opened the door to this," the official said.
The ad will be released to network news divisions in time for their broadcasts tonight.
Though McCain is widely perceived to to drawn first blood by attacking Obama's character, the official said that the difference between Obama's mocking McCain for his wealth and his shaky answer on the number of homes he owns was that McCain's charge "reflects an existential reality," where Obama's charges "attack Cindy. She owns the homes. I thought he said the wives were off-limits."
So, OBAMA has brought this upon himself! After weeks of McCain accusing Obama of treason and unpatriotism, Obama has the AUDACITY to play McCain's own words back at him! The nerve!
And the really interesting charge is that they are accusing Obama of attacking...CINDY!
Okay, let's not kid ourselves. McCain was ALWAYS going to pull the Rezco and Wright cards. It was a matter of time. I think it's a bit early to be doing it, but all the better.
They are also threatening to attack Michelle as well. By accusing Obama of attacking Cindy, which of course he didn't, this paves the way for them to include Michelle in the slime fest they have planned.
These people really make me sick!
August 21, 2008 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
And here's the Republican blogs on the upcoming McCain ad:
Barack Obama likely didn’t expect the McCain camp to lower the boom. But that is what they got. It is a fight I suspect the McCain camp is delighted to have. In this way they can force the mainstream media to cover the Obama-Rezko connection and the very topics, such as the Mayor Daley and Bill Ayers associations, which are prime subjects in the recently released anti-Obama books.
==
This is extremely helpful to McCain for two reasons. First, every day spent on this is a day Obama can’t bolster his foreign policy credentials, talk about the economy, or reassure voters he has gravitas. Second, Obama’s liabilities far outweigh McCain’s. Rezko’s buddy vs. the POW? Chicago politics vs. McCain the maverick? The McCain team would be thrilled to make this a contest of biography and character. And remember those liberal pundits who warned that if the contest was about Obama he would lose? Well, McCain is about to make it about Obama. In a big way.
==
August 21, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you freepers over-hyping this or what?
The rest of the country will be looking for answers on the economy while the rightwingers are in a furious circle jerk over this stuff.
Barack just has to announce his veep and all this nonsense will disappear.
August 21, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lalo, you spend way too much time on republican blogs ;-)
August 21, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I only follow two, but if you have good links, "share and prepare"
August 21, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's Obama / Biden.
August 21, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
No it's not.
What the hell votes could Biden bring in? How many electoral votes does Delaware have, and don't they all belong to Obama anyway?
It won't be Biden.
August 21, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain a POW? You're kidding me. I thought he spent five years as a collaborator. Isn't he the guy they called "SONGBIRD"? Made 32 tapes for the North VietNamese?
Google it: "McCain Songbird"
August 21, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Obama can not pick someone who voted for the war in Irak...
August 21, 2008 6:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
according to Jmart the Republicans think of Wright as 'the nuclear' option. I have to say huh? Am I wrong thinking that?
August 21, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think only if they some really bad tapes that body has seen until now. I would be very surprised if they would be letting anyone know what's in the oppo file until they think it's time to use it.
August 21, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's only a matter of time before Wright is included in the national debate.
I'm still not sure how much traction it will get, considering the incredible exposure it has received and Obama's deft handling of it.
Time will tell.
August 21, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not like they weren't going to use Wright the last week of October. And I still think it will be an issue because it was never played out in front of the larger GE audience. I even floated the idea of Obama playing it himself in a way, to take that bullet out of the McCain gun.
August 21, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
100% accurate. Barry get ready, the best is yet to come!
August 21, 2008 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's Veep Choice!
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 21, 2008 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Cindy is the one who owns all the houses, then McCain should have known the answer to how many homes he owns: none. But he didn't say that, because that's a stupid answer.
http://bacontherobotmonkey.blogspot.com/
August 21, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice catch. Hopefully, Obama's people will use it.
August 21, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's logic, and well, that don't fly in a presidential race. It's all about perception.
August 21, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
the idea that there are man worse tapes out there sounds unlikely to me. Shades of Michelle and the whitey tape story. What is weird is that this will step all over their message that he is vapid and a celebrity. How those two fold into each other? Not so much. IMHO.
August 21, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Latest attempt to distract from the McCain "I don't know how many houses" story.
A white powder and threat were delivered to a McCain headquarters in Colorado.
I'd bet my house that this is a Rove trick to get news coverage on a particular bad political day.
August 21, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hooray, NBC news leads with "Does John McCain not really know how many houses he owns?
August 21, 2008 6:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick ass!
August 21, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
The beauty of it is that it can be taken as "how could anyone not know how many homes he has?" and "Did he actually know and was just stammering because he didn't say the answer."
August 21, 2008 6:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah and ABC is running a piece the Obama Camp couldn't have written more favorably.
August 21, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL~!
That rocks.
August 21, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's gonna be the GOV of Montana our VP. I like that pick alot!
August 21, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
It would be an interesting choice for sure. Can't say I know a whole about Schweitzer. What makes you think this is the pick?
August 21, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
got to be a gov..he is so strong on energy and Montana economy is booming w/ new jobs and a huge budget surplus...he shares Obama's vision and he can help in the west!
August 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another reason why McWar is not electable...All the networks report the McWar latest gaffe...
August 21, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bring it. Did they think Obama wasn't expecting it from the scumbag GOP? Just tell John to step out from behind Cindy's skirt first because it is getting pathetic that he always runs and hides first behind the 1970s POW and then behind Cindy. Come out and fight, John, like the brave warrior you pretend to be.
August 21, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain just aired an ugly ad responding to Obama's and tying him to REZKO.
August 21, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Obama has an ad linking McCain to Abramoff. The Keating 5 should be coming soon. For better or worse the gloves are off.
August 21, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Eh. They got nothin'.
Two lame ads, rolling out 'controversies' they were no doubt hoping to use in October.
Obama has changed the game today.
August 21, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't even reference Keating, I'd just keep swinging away with the "Seven House" offensive.
August 21, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some want Obama to open a multiple front attack, but there is something to just hammering on one talking point.
I think the problem for McCain on this one is shown in his answers, I'm a POW and they're Cindy's. In both cases the subtle subtext is that it is something not to own up to (no pun intended). Thinking about it, until they come up with a response that works Obama should keep hammering away just on the houses and keep Keating for later.
August 21, 2008 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
and not to mention McWar divorce, the drug addiction from Cindy McWar,so McWar has to be careful,
August 21, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama should release another Ad linking McCain to Iran and third world dictator.
August 21, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
and the hidden sisters of McWar, the Kitting 5, there are so many stories out there...
August 21, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
All of you are so much fun to watch on this board. Really, it's very entertaining.
Do you people honestly think that the fact that the McCain's are rich is news to most Americans? No, it's not. It is also not news that Kerry owns even more houses than McCain via his marriage. So what? Also, his comeback regarding Obama's having help from a felon to buy his house is much more important to an average American IMO.
Trying to even equate the very few 'negatives' in an honorable life lived for almost 72 years is ridiculous compared to the MANY issues in the short 42 year life of Obama that have been and will be wheeled out in the future.
Not to mention the October surprise! By the way, it's much bigger than a 'whitey tape' and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
August 21, 2008 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is also not news that Kerry owns even more houses than McCain via his marriage.
Gosh, Lori, you're right! Kerry also married money! And as proof that this stuff doesn't matter to Americans -- Kerry won anyway! Oh, wait....
August 22, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Trying to even equate the very few 'negatives' in an honorable life lived for almost 72 years...
I know, I shouldn't feed the trolls... but sometimes it's just too fun.
An honorable life...
Let's see -- Carol, first wife, once a swimsuit model, rendered un-pretty by car accident. McCain starts affair with rich, pretty Cindy, dumps Carol, marries rich, pretty Cindy. Honorable. Check.
Keating Five. Honorable. Check.
Georgia lobbyist Randy Scheunemann. Honorable. Check.
Telco lobbyist Vicki Iseman and Paxson Communications. Honorable. Check.
(Hint: I'm not talking about the sex part.)
Lobbyists, lobbyists and more lobbyists. Honorable. Check.
Oh, did I mention more lobbyists?
Criticizing a campaign opponent for making speeches in foreign countries after doing the same exact thing himself. Honorable. Check.
A 20% rating from Disabled American Veterans and a "D" grade from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. While using his military record for political gain and deflecting every criticism, on every subject, by hyping his POW status. Honorable. Check.
Oh, wait: I almost forgot. Lobbyists. A billion dollars' worth.
Criticizing (looooong after the fact, when politically convenient) the Bush response to Katrina, conveniently forgetting that on the day Katrina hit he was laughing it up with Bush on the tarmac with a birthday cake (happy birthday, Johnny!), and forgetting his numerous votes against providing aid to Katrina survivors (such as this one and this one.)
Freelance writer Karen Dalton-Beninato, co-founder of New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, displaced from New Orleans by Katrina:
Honorable. Check.
Seventy-four flip-flops. And counting. Honorable. Check.
(What a great nickname Steve has dreamed up for McSame: "Jukebox John." Obama ought to run with that.)
A very few negatives.
So, Lori... tell us you were kidding. Or stoned. Or you forgot your meds. Or something. Please. We're a forgiving bunch once you come clean.
August 22, 2008 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
According to this HuffPo article - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/21/experts-obama-ayers-ad-ma_n_120495.html - this is very likely illegal. It seems like the clowns behind this ad don't understand the legalities behind being a 527. They seem to think they can put out campaign style smear ads and that is simply not the case.
They likely stepped in it here, however the election will be long over before the law catches up with them.
August 21, 2008 9:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
They don't actually have an accusation against Obama, other than "association". But if asked what Obama did, they have nothing. Most Americans have heard a lot about Obama at this point, and his character just doesn't mesh with whatever sixties style radicalism they are dredging up.
8 year old Obama was not a radical!
And besides, 46 year old (?) Obama is the very opposite of a radical. It's easy to see.
And finally, it clashes with their other attacks that he is an elite sophisticate.
Just stupid.
August 21, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
"little Mo" your missing the issue with your guy. He's a flawed candidate and although you might be in bed by now not sure if you caught the latest on JM.
It looks like there will be a timetable for pull out in iraq. The one issue where JM has staked his only line of attack.
That setting a timetable was the same as "losing"... well it looks like the US and Iraq are working out the final details around amnesty for US Soldiers and the deals done with "TIMETABLES"...
Looks like Bush is the one with the October surprise... just a little early....
August 21, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, Eric, ya think? Really?
I, for one, would never have guessed that.
August 21, 2008 11:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
(Apologies for cross-posting)
The American Issues Project's Facebook group only has 8 members. Doesn't anybody want to join up with this forward thinking organization?
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=21674214939
August 22, 2008 2:58 AM | Reply | Permalink