Greg, one quick point about the politics of mockery. Obama was GREAT today and I was thrilled to see him hit McCain the way he did.

The difference that you should highlight, however, is that the GOP follows-up their mockery with a coordinated and concerted surrogate strategy during which everyone has the same talking points to keep the mockery alive.

The Obama camp has the candidate go out there, say it once or twice, and then think that's all they need to do.

The mockery of McCain itself is highly effective, but the Obama camp still needs to learn that repetition is the soul of branding.

http://strategy08.wordpress.com

Cute. It would not make a good 30 second ad, but it was funny and it will stick in the memories of the folks there or the folks who see it on t.v.

I think that this is the fallback method for Obama to respond to almost all McCain attacks.

By gently but effectively mocking and dismissing McCain, McCain lookos more and more like Grampa Simpson, yelling at a cloud, with Barack looking like the in-control operator.

In addition, though he tries to hide it, McCain has NO FUSE, and constant mocking by Obama and his surrogates WILL lead to an explosion (or at least an awkward attempt to control his raging indignation) by McCain.

It wouldn't hurt is Obama came up with some dogwhistle terms for old and out-of-touch for McCain. McCain has made this election a referendum on Obama, and Obama subtly reminding the electorate that a vote for McCain is a vote for your bitter old uncle might turn the tables a bit.

Doesn't matter, Edwards new love child will be all over the media from here to the olympics

nah they need a mccain vs bob dole or nancy reagan!!!

great, now if only he'd nip mccain's new anti-washington posturing in the bud while he's at it. waiting for him or his surrogates to point out that while he complains about congress taking a recess, mccain's been on vacation from his job for 4 months, which is not much different from the standard nothing he did when he still bothered to show up at all.

Barry is just an ass. Check your tires people, you'll save 3% of the nation's gas... sure. When was the last time Barry Hussein checked his tires?

McCain v. McCain

Pretty Smart if Obama camp will work on developing the narrative.

Old Mac v. New Mac.
Maverick Mac v. Old & Grumpy Mac.
Indy Mac v. Lying Repug Mac.

John McCain v. John McCain.

These celebrity ads remind me of the Culture Wars of years past. Remember when there was general disdain for Gen Xers. We were lazy, no-gooders and the baby-boomers had no problems belittling us at every chance. This didn't change when the Gen Yers came along. Gen Anything was considered a pejorative label.

I'm not sure if the best way to 'win' the Culture Wars is by attacking old people in the form of: old man this, senile guy than, tired guy this, naptime, depends, viagra etc.

The last thing Obama can afford to do is piss off Baby Boomers, who next to Seniors are the most reliable voting block in the country.

From Arianna Huffington's new article:

"...what's next for John McCain? Where does he and his campaign go from here? If this is where they have taken the political discourse in early August, what have they got for us come October? Here is a preview -- our best guess -- of what the McCain has in store for us:

"Too Tall." An ad claiming that proof of Obama's arrogance is his refusal to be as short as McCain (5' 6").

"Sex Tape." An ad comparing Obama to Paris Hilton's sex tape to make the point that, well, no point, just that Paris had a sex tape and Obama is, you know, like it.

"Sex Tape II." An ad with Obama digitally inserted into Paris Hilton's sex tape.

"Rhymes with Iraq." An ad pointing out that Obama's first name almost rhymes with Iraq. The ad is pulled after it's pointed out that it comes close to mentioning an issue.

"Michelle Obama: a man?" An ad that's not making any claims, "just asking a question." The ad succeeds in getting the typical media treatment: "As many have noted, the ad uses hyperbole. Still, however, it raises the question, is Michelle Obama a woman?"

"Barack Obama: gay?" Hard to say, but, per the last ad, if Michelle is indeed a man, then that makes Obama gay.

"Barack Obama: black gay man." Previous ad forgot to mention Obama's race.

"akludfilkakmeitceks." An ad with random letters coming up on the screen. The media declares it "a home run."

Article here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/john-mccain-paris-hilton_b_117293.html

Hey, knowing the GOP, it could happen.

McAlien v. McPredator
McCain v. McAbel
McIraq v. McIran

Who knows what Obama's current advantage in the mockery realm will translate into November, but given the high-stakes definition game underlying the mutual ridicule, Obama's ability to rise above and appear impervious to GOP mockery projects confidence and enables him to avoid the lethal trap of defensiveness. It's an advantage he'd do well to maintain.

I'm just happy to to show up, if you know what I mean. We had pretty close elections the past two times, and I don't remember Gore or Kerry even trying to mock the other guy, even through surrogates. They just played defense and acted hurt.

To even play this game AT ALL means we nullify some of that advantage, it means we are occasionally on offense. It's what Wesley Clark has been doing for some time now: he's willing to actually campaign. Which is why I find it so dumbfounding that our Party left him out to dry like that.

We are allowed to campaign for our guy and against their guy. We ought not to let the punitocracy tell us otherwise.

The man holding the baby looks to be in his 20's,,, and much too thin and 'unwrinkled' facially to be Senator Edwards............ but hey, what do I know, all Anglos look alike, afterall.

Y'know, I've been thinking about how the media meme of "why isn't Obama doing better?" is impacting the race. Oddly, I think this meme works to Obama's benefit.

Think about it:

1. It keeps Obama supporters active and on their toes.
2. It reinforces a subtle message that McCain shouldn't win.
3. The race is in a stasis mode and this will be continuous until the debates.

Greg, can you stop referencing the rigthwing hacks at Politico. They are closet GOP operatives, includign the spinmeister himself, Ben Smith. He'll scoure text to find incendiary out-of-context misquotes.

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/more-rightwing-hackery-from-th.php

Politico = Drudge 2.0

Obama should call for three-way debates between himself, McCain, and McCain. Johnny could run between the two podiums, arguing his completely at-odds positions with himself.

Just a reminder - Ronald Reagan assuaged many of the fears and concerns about him in 1980 by using his sense of humor. Not that Obama should turn into Shecky Green (like Lieberman did, and boy didn't it become annoying fast?) but Barack's a naturally very smart, witty guy. It's a big part of his personal charm and I think he should show that side a lot more - especially when skewering sourpuss McCain and his nitwit minions. Make everyone laugh at them.

I must admit that Obama is FANTASTIC at this mockery. Gore and Kerry were not.

Obama doesn't come across as condecending or mean but actually he is pretty funny.

That is a GIFT. McCain just comes across as a grumpy mean guy. That's probably why Pawlenty praise Obama today. He was having a moment of honesty.

BTW-- as a designer-- I can Photoshop anybody to anywhere.

There is no question as to 'can'?

jw1

This is an entertaining and informative thread.

epic fail

I agree that Obama needs surogates that go on the talking heads shows to repeat his message like the Repubs do. And boy are they on message about Obama being popular but an empty suit.

It drives me crazy that the Repubs are doing it again as to changing the subject regarding talking about the issues that they know they will lose on and inserting crap (inflated tires, popular) that just takes up valuable time.

Having said all the above, in my heart of hearts, I believe that Obama will lose because of his race. I live in Michigan and we are a blue state. But this time we rate only leans Democratic. Why? Because Michigan is a racist state. Metropolitan Detroit is the most segragated metro area in the country. (If you don't believe me, check it out)

Whites pride themselves on not ever going to Detroit. The racist talk here is disgusting. So even though hurting working stiffs would fair better under Obama, they will vote for McCain based on race. No one will talk about this, but why else is the election even close with 80% of voters saying we are on the wrong track?
How sick is that?