McCain Campaign Sent Out Scores Of Attacks Citing NY Times
The Huffington Post adds some sorely needed perspective to the buffoonish attack the McCain campaign lobbed at The New York Times today:
For a party that rails against the New York Times, the Republicans sure depend on the Grey Lady to score political points.Since the end of the primary, John McCain's campaign has sent at least 60 emails to its rapid response list that reference the New York Times. They have used the paper to repeatedly knock Obama for voting "present" in the Illinois State Senate. They have used it to defend McCain's record on Jack Abramoff, to accuse Obama of flip-flopping on Iraq, and to bolster the case for vice presidential pick Sarah Palin...
Moreover, since July 1, the RNC and the McCain campaign have sent out at least 38 press releases that reference the Times, while, since the end of July, the RNC has sent out at least 65 emails that quote the paper.
This, of course, was before the McCain campaign had decided that the Times isn't a real journalistic organization, as McCain adviser Steve Schmidt said today.
That was back when they were a journalistic organization.
Now they're not, by any standard. Or something.
September 22, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, what can you do?
It is not as if you could run a news article about John McCain being a hypocrite.
September 22, 2008 6:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's like, I'm not a whore during day time.
September 22, 2008 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
They haven't crossed the Editor-in-Chief threshold yet.
September 22, 2008 6:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good one.
September 22, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
A campaign of whiners.
September 22, 2008 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
All aboard the "Straight Whine Express"
September 22, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep this up and there will be a press release explaining that TPM is not a real journalistic organization and that Greg is not a real journalistic journalist.
September 22, 2008 6:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe Greg stays at Holiday Inns when he's on the road...
September 22, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even Ben Smith pointed out how lame this line of attack is. The McCain camp is working hard to distract reporters from what's become of the campaign.
September 22, 2008 6:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know it's lame, but man do I love this whole spectacle of McLame going after his one true ally - the one ally we really feared going in - the press and it's love affair with Mavericky McLame.
He is crazy, CT. I think McLame is just nuts.
September 22, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nuts like a fox (moose).
September 22, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crazy like a cranberry?
You're right, Tena. He's attacking his "base". Or rather, Steve Schmidt is, and, judging by the reaction, not doing a particularly sophisticated job of it. Today, at least.
Sigh. No more straight talk express, I guess. The couch is empty, and no one's home.
September 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if "crazy like a cranberry" is a regional thing, but it would be great if Obama just looked at McCain during the debate after one of Johnny's rambles and said, "okay now you're just being crazy like a cranberry."
September 22, 2008 6:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just made that up, because it was the first thing to pop into my head upon reading "Nuts like a moose(fox)".
I think "crazy like a cranberry" has a pretty nice ring to it. And I'm pretty sure cranberries aren't going to be bothered by this.
September 22, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're about atuned to the economy as John is.
But "crazy as a cranberry" does have a nice ring to it. I plan to use it at my next staff meeting and see what the reaction is.
September 22, 2008 6:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ha! OceanSpray has a juice for you...
Mad as a mango?
September 22, 2008 8:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mad as Mango. McCain in the next debate? I think so.
September 22, 2008 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crazy as a peach-orchard boar.
That's my favorite.
September 22, 2008 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if thay better describes McCain or Palin.
September 22, 2008 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
New Rasmussen polls just released.
Fla - M+5
PA - BO+3
VA - JM+2
OH - JM+4
MI - BO+7
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/22/17925/8221/383/606784
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/fox_rasmussen_polling/fox_rasmussen_swing_state_polling_september_21_2008
September 22, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given that this is Ras, these are pretty good numbers.
September 22, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
who cares
September 22, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well you do or you wouldn't bother to post a comment, now would you?
[rolls eyes]
September 22, 2008 6:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing says "I don't care, I really really don't" than taking the time to comment "Who cares?" does it?
September 22, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not really, no.
LOL!!
September 22, 2008 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess if they sent the same amount of info to the National Enquirer than it would be an non-issue.
September 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like Neil B is a little upset that no one appreciated the spam he shared with us on the previous threads.
September 22, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's the problem with America: we just don't appreciate quality spam when we see it.
September 22, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
apparently. There's been some sulking for a couple of threads now.
September 22, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
When one has become a legend in one's own mind, then to be shot be down by reality...
September 22, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
They did the same thing with factcheck.org. They used the site to defend themselves against the Obama Ohio DHL ad, however later called it a biased leftwing leaning partisan site when it was used against them.
September 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
As has been mentioned, this is a distraction attempt and nothing else. Having news and blogs focus on this means they're not focused on McCain's doing or saying nothing about the economy.
Admittedly McCain is in a bind with this economic issue because his party is the Bush White House, so basically he can't put out a counter-proposal like the Dems can.
And since Bush and Paulson lead with that ridiculous no-oversight $700B blank check, any changes will be credited to the Dems.
September 22, 2008 6:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, I have refrained for at least a week, but dammit, just cause you think something is a distraction for the blogs doesn't make it one. Blogs are a distraction - from the MSM.
Please Jonze- please try to not always tell the blogs and the commenters what to do - I think the blogs are doing a bang-up job now that the primary is over. Hell, half of what finally made it into the MSM about Palin was due to Sully and Josh.
September 22, 2008 6:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Except to do it at a time when he falling in the polls creates the narrative that it is a distraction for his bad showing in the polls. It would only work if he there was stagnation in the polls or if he was climbing (in the case of the latter it would make no sense).
September 22, 2008 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yet, should McCain prevail in November, the chumps at the NY Times will editorialize, "Let the healing begin; Let us all come together".
Anyone disagree?
September 22, 2008 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't disagree with NY Time take, but I can say that I won't. If this country elects McCain-Palin, then, as the idiot-conservative Dennis Miller would say, I am out of here.
September 22, 2008 6:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not happening.
September 22, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ideal NY Times cover in case of McCain's victory:
"McCain-Palin wins, America's screwed"
September 22, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Humane Society of America announces for the first time ever that they are endorsing a Presidential Candidate - Guess Who?
https://community.hsus.org/humane/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=27497157
Me thinks they would have probably sat this one out again as McCain isn't all that bad on humane treatment of animal issues, however Palin's complete support of aerial predator hunting and her insistance that Polar Bears be taken off the endangered species list convinced the Humane Society to stand up and pick a side.
They don't want Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency with an animal record like that.
September 22, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
But Yahoo news told us that pet lovers prefer McCain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that Obama doesn't even have pets.
That terrorist.
September 22, 2008 6:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hear that Obama hates kittens.
September 22, 2008 6:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nah. Roasted just right with a little Worcestershire sauce, and they're great!
September 22, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, that is just sick and wrong...and very funny.
September 22, 2008 8:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think they are trying to influence voters to not believe anything that comes out in any newspaper and to only believe what comes out of their campaign. e.g.:
"You can't trust the press anymore - they're all in the tank for Obama -- get your news straight from us, the only source you can really trust.
September 22, 2008 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pure Rove. And it will only work with the choir. Which only says to me that they are worried that their losing the moderate fringe of their base, along with independents.
September 22, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
My dear Sara F - the Right has been doing that for over 20 years. That's what got the press all rattled to start with.
September 22, 2008 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this image from Kos:
http://images.dailykos.com/images/user/3/MvO_compare.jpg
Markos ends his article by asking: "Once again, which candidate is elitist?"
September 22, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Loving it. A 15 second ad with just that image until the last couple seconds, the words "And who is the elitist?" on the screen.
September 22, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm loving it too but I have to admit I was hoping for at least one Ferrari or Cadillac Escalade in there.
LOL
September 22, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great. Now I have the image of McCain pulling up to a red light in his Ferrari, with that "hey, babe, want to be VP" grin on his face.
September 22, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROFL. That would make the best ad ever.
September 22, 2008 7:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only question is what Abba song would he have blaring from the speakers.
September 22, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOl. Acamus- Your description reminded me that Danny DeVito, Bette Midler movie. I can't recall the name of the movie?
September 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're referring to Ruthless People, a perfect title for any movie dealing with Republicans.
September 22, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. You got it!!!
September 22, 2008 7:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know that the director of Ruthless People is David Zucker, the same responsible of that supposed attempt to conservative humor called An American Carol. The definition of irony, indeed.
September 22, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
America...what a country.
September 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, you got to be an idiot to include Bill'O in your movie and expect bums in the seats at the movies. I guess they wanted to throw some red meat for their base in an election season.
September 22, 2008 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
And Kelsey Grammar as Patton? That's just f.u.'d
September 22, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Frankly, I would'nt mind owning all those automobiles and houses myself. But what do you know. A completly broke PhD student, just because I can order a dish without looking at the menu at an Italian restraunt and vote democrat I'm a fucking elitist as well. Go figure!!!
September 22, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would mind very much owning 7 houses and 13 cars. Are you kidding?
What a waste of money and energy.
Especially energy. Keeping up with what I keep up with now just about does me in. I can't imagine owning so many houses or houses so large I have never seen some of the rooms, and people do.
I can't imagine why. Just like as much as I love clothes and quality, I wouldn't pay $750 for a Stella McCartney teeshirt if I had it to burn.
They're made in Thailand, and China, just like everybody else's.
Now shoes and jewelry, well...
;p
September 22, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can tell you this- I will never own that much property myself. PhD in this country will let you buy a one family home on mortgage in NJ, tops.
By the way, for me traveling across the world is what shoes and jewelry mean to you...I assume.
September 22, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
O no my dear - I want it all.
I intend to travel, too. :) I'm already way up on the shoe and jewelry collection. In fact, I'm de-accessioning.
September 22, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't worry. A few weeks at Palin's re-education camp will get you on set straight.
September 22, 2008 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happiness is....
Seeing the Republicans act, and get called out for, being the assholes we all know they are and have been.
September 22, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen, brother!
September 22, 2008 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it time for a little hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBfvMJ4Thaw&feature=related
September 22, 2008 8:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
FWIW, for many the campaign is already over. Perhaps the polls do actually matter now. We'll see.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-21-early-voting_N.htm
September 22, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
And your point is ?
September 22, 2008 8:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only point this troll has is to annoy us.
September 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's true. But he amuses me.
September 22, 2008 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
My fan base!
September 22, 2008 8:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I use to be a fan of Pauley Shore, but now that I've found you Pauley can just go to hell.
September 22, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am humbled by your adoration.
Shore's pretty good on Entourage.
September 22, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I'm thinking Sir Laurence Olivier, then Peter O'Toole, then Pauley Shore. Yeah baby.
September 22, 2008 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Of the three you mention, only one is in play and that is one that is red in the past and possibly leaning Obama. Given the polls, McCain would hope that Virginia couldn't vote right now. The other two were always considered McCain's.
September 22, 2008 8:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I forgot to add CO, NM and NV all which show Obama even or surging.
September 22, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Latest Rasmussen has McCain ahead in VA.
September 22, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
So that's one poll out of three. Not good odds. Especially when the one in your favor is Ras.
September 22, 2008 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think Obama camp would mind early voting especially with Economy making headlines before the first voting booth opened.
Also, it's more likely Obama on-ground GOTV operation may come handy to encourage early voting.
September 22, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is interesting how many people vote early. It goes to show you that campaign can't play possum until the last month or so. I'd like to see a poll of how many early voters wish they voted differently by Election Day. I get the feeling most early voters are already solidly for one candidate or another but who knows.
September 22, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree it would be interesting to know the voter regret factor, but I think those who vote early are those who are very unlikely to change their vote, esp. in a presidential campaign.
September 22, 2008 8:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Also, it would be interesting to see if there is any correlation between GOTV operation and early voting. It's fair to assume good ground operation can drive people to the booths early.
September 22, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think for third-party situations and folks who just are not paying attention until the last couple weeks, early voting can bite them in the ass. My mom won't vote early anymore after she did in '92 for Perot and then he "got silly" in the last few weeks, according to her.
Wasn't he pretty effing silly to begin with?
September 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
My enduring memory of him is SNL halloween skit.
September 22, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Found this SNL Perot skit with the "admiral." Think McCain taking Palin for a drive after the VP debate.
http://vodpod.com/watch/706928-joyride-with-perot
September 22, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans got what they wanted out of NYT....
Just ask bizzaro-patriot Judith Miller
September 22, 2008 8:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, if they could ride it to a McCain-Palin WH they would, but these are different times.
September 22, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schmidt tirade in tandem with crying baby. Funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HabIoeqzL40
September 22, 2008 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Schmidt: a really big baby. LOL.
September 22, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pointy-headed, too. Really. Check this out:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/schmidt.jpg
Must be some kind of elitist.
September 22, 2008 9:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
The question is: what solar system is he from?
September 22, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
September 22, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
France.
September 22, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
NYT's front page has these two headlines:
Lowering expectations? I thought that was supposed to be the Obama camp's job.
September 22, 2008 9:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, we know what Schmidt had to say about NYT.
September 22, 2008 9:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah. This proves they're really in the tank for McSame.
September 22, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what's worse than this "buffoonish attack"? It worked.
Today, rather than talking about Davis' connection to Fannie and Freddie, the news commentariat talked about, you guessed it, Schmidt's broadside of the NY Times.
You got to admit it. The republican's play this game better than anyone else.
September 22, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
They went for a distraction and got burned. I'm guessing the internals polls aren't looking so good and they decided to try and change the story. No dice. A bus filled with Jeremiah Wrights and Bill Ayers isn't going to get the MSM off the Wall St. mess.
Pufferfish
September 22, 2008 11:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
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September 23, 2008 5:18 AM | Reply | Permalink