Obama Hammers McCain On "Not About Issues" Quote
The Obama campaign has been promising to hit McCain hard over campaign manager Rick Davis' unfortunate claim that the campaign "is not about issues," and Obama himself made good on this promise today on the trail in Ohio.
"I mean think about it," Obama told the crowd, as per CNN. "John McCain's campaign manager said this election is not going to be about the issues, it's going to be about personalities. That's a quote. He said it's not going to be about -- it's not going to be about issues it's going to be about personalities."
Obama also used Davis' words to pivot to an attack on the GOP convention last night. "Which probably explains why last night, when they were speaking, all these speakers came up -- you did not hear a single word about the economy," He said. "Now, think about it. Not once did people mention the hardships that folks are going through. Not once did they mention what are we going to do about keeping jobs here in Ohio."
To be fair, Davis didn't really say that the campaign is going to be about "personalities"; rather, he said it would be "about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
So Davis hopes, anyway.
Rarely do you see the GOP strategy of making the election all about Obama's character as starkly expressed, so expect Obama to keep hammering away at this one.
Whoever wrote their opinion into this article claiming the McCain camp did not say "this campaign would not be about the issues", is COMPLETELT WRONG. Obama was right, that is exactly what the McCain camp said.
September 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
yes, he did, but davis didn't say the campaign is going to be about "personalities"
September 3, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is some pretty fine parsing, Greg. I think it's fair for Obama to interpret this statement as referring to personality. Davis was setting up a comparison, saying that it's the opposite of an issue-based campaign, which is a personality-based campaign.
September 3, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
So how, exactly, is this different from the R strategy in 2004. Or 2000? Or 1996? Or 1992? Or, especially, 1988? You really have to go back to the Gipper to find a R presidential campaign that was not about some petty, personality-based gimmickry. Let's call it the "Age of Atwater".
September 3, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Before the b-movie actor. What do you think 1980 was all about? Talk about an empty suit, the b-movie actor was an empty suit made out of teflon. The last legitimate republican candidate that wasn't a complete buffoon was Ford in 1976 and he was protrayed as a buffoon. How sad.
September 3, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Reagan might not have known his ass from his head... but the campaign was a lot about anti-government sentiment, tax cuts, and deregulatory policies. That is a legitimate side of an actual issue. I don't remember hearing about innuendo / attack ads about whether Carter or Mondale were sufficiently patriotic, respected the pledge of allegience, etc. But maybe I'm just too young.
September 3, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Dick Nixon was the original Red Baiter. But we can probably thank Bush I and II and their "campaign strategists" Lee Atwater and the execrable Karl Rove for much of the gutter politics of the last quarter century.
September 3, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't want to get into a huge argument on this, that was a minor part of the mantra and b-movie actor mythology that has been created. Basically, the b-movie actor painted carter as an out of touch p*ssy. America needs a rambo and the government needs to be wiped out. Remember government is the problem. How about the welfare queen bull. Or how about his speech down south to scare up racist support.
September 3, 2008 3:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
HW was not a buffoon. He was a small man who was unfit to be President, but he was not a buffoon like the B-movie actor or his own son.
September 3, 2008 3:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"impressions of personalities" might be a better summary, but I think Obama captured the essence of the statement, in any event.
September 3, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why is it that all of a sudden that ancient folk song: If I Had a Hammer, is going through my head? I can hear Peter Paul and Mary -
I just love this campaign -
September 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
They got nothing.
September 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
You have posted this twice. More importantly, where can I go to see the video?
September 3, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
This should be tv video and played for the rest of convention.
September 3, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why exactly are we supposed to be offended by the idea that elections should be about character? Issues come and go, but character you can depend on. And if I know someone well enough, I can probably guess where they stand on the issues of the hour.
You people on the angry left often miss the importance of character over issues. Fact is, Obama's character--his temperament and his judgment--are vastly preferable to McCain's, and he ought to be able to win even if this were solely a character contest.
September 3, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pinky
Celebrities like John McCain are concerned about whether the people like them, really like them, but after 8 years of Bush and his cronies raping the American economy, this election is about the needs of the people not the McCain's celebrity status.
September 3, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wish it were so. You, too, I bet.
But, yeah, this time it'll be more about the issues than it has been. Still not in an analytic way, though. It'll be about how the electorate's gut feelings are shaped by the situation we're all in, by their perceptions of the candidates, and by how they're tied together.
September 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your assertion that the left is the only part of the country that is angry is unfounded.
You make it sound as though there isn't a thing in the world to be angry about. I hate to break it to you - it is not just liberals who are angry. Everyone is mad as hell at you. You failed- hugely - and you don't want to own it.
Too damn bad. LOL!
September 3, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me? Are you illiterate, or perhaps just too consumed by your tiny, inarticulate rage to bother reading what I wrote?
I support Obama not only because of his positions on the issues, but also because of his character. You brainless frothing-at-the-mouth types would rail against anyone who judges people on anything but your endless checklists of issues; happily, the vast majority of people are right not to be so single-minded in their evaluations.
September 3, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, I'm not illiterate. I can read.
I read what you wrote - who's frothing at the mouth? I think it's you.
Quit spitting on me.
September 3, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fine, you're not illiterate--you're just unable to place the second person singular pronoun properly in English. Congratulations, Code Pinkette.
September 3, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me? Are you illiterate, or perhaps just too consumed by your tiny, inarticulate rage to bother reading what I wrote?
I support Obama not only because of his positions on the issues, but also because of his character. You brainless frothing-at-the-mouth types would rail against anyone who judges people on anything but your endless checklists of issues; happily, the vast majority of people are right not to be so single-minded in their evaluations.
September 3, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, but one of the best ways to judge a politician's character is their positions on the issues. As McPTSD continuously changes his positions on issues and waffles like Eggo, it proves that he lacks character. In politics, issues and character are deeply interwoven and damn near the same thing. The GOP fallacy is making an election about character in the absences of issues, which in turn indicates an absence of character.
In short, GOP politicking in recent elections has been a endless vortex of nothing. An issues based campaign brings this forward.
September 3, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, I think the focus on "character"- and let's call this by its real name, the politics of the personality cult- is a symptom of the disastrous triviality of our politics, and of the fact that we're stuck with this ridiculous two-party system where the parties are broad coalitions of basically incompatible interests, rather than my being able to vote for a party that proposes to do pretty much what I think should be done (as in a properly designed parliamentary system) and then has to negotiate with other parties so that at least a portion of what each widespread point of view supports has a chance of actually getting done.
September 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. That has been the Repug theme for many elections now. That's all Reagan was.
That's all Bush is -
And they want to keep it going - that's why they accuse Obama of being a celeb - because it's one of their weaknesses.
That is always their strategy, by the way - you can tell what they are most guilty of - they always accuse us of it.
September 3, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's well said, Obama's judgment and temperment informs his positions, you are right about that.
And "those of us on the left" I think are very cognizant of the extreme differences between Obama and McCain on the major issues of the daym and the profound impact those differences will have in practice. When Davis says something like he did, it just underlines the disconnect between the Republican Party and the average American, to whom "the issues" might for example, mean the difference between having Health Insurance, and a steady paycheck, or not.
September 3, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Granted, I think most people here think more highly of Obama's character than McCain's, and I certainly agree.
But I think there are many low-information voters who don't have well-formed opinions of the candidates' characters. These are the voters who McCain is targeting when he hammers away at his "Obama is a celebrity" theme. A Republican admission that they don't want the election to be about issues, indicates that the celebrity argument is itself shallow and substance-free.
It's probably true that many voters are NOT issues voters, but nobody wants to think that about themselves.
September 3, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think anyone said they were offended. The point (as I take it anyway), is that they are basically acknowledging that their policies are unpopular, but they can still win because John McCain has admirable personal qualities. Yes, people often vote on character, but when 80% of the people think the country is on the wrong track, the idea that they aren't concerned with policies is a tad absurd. At the very least, they don't want a campaign spin doctor telling them that they only vote on superficial matters. So it makes sense for Obama to highlight the McCain camp's suggestion that policies don't matter, especially since it's possible to simultaneously argue that you are the better candidate on the issues, as well as in matters of personal temperament.
September 3, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain "has admirable personal qualities"? Do tell, please. Like the one that led him to dump his disfigured first wife to marry the rich beer heiress (with whom he first had an affair)? Or the one that led him to take lobbyists' money to do favors for a savings and loan? Or perhaps the ones that led him to reverse his stand on almost every major issue of alleged importance to him, including torture, tax cuts, and the dangers of the Religious Right?
September 3, 2008 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rick Davis was stupid to express publicly what everyone knows the Republicans think: that a campaign focused on identity politics (particularly the question of whether Obama is "one of us") is the only campaign the GOP has any hope of winning.
This week is an ideal time to hammer them for Davis's gaffe.
September 3, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not about the issues? You mean like the Iraq War, the Economy, Climate Change, etc.? Yeah, it's not about that, it's about who we feel can field-dress a moose, and who we think is more Mavericky. Issues? Get real!
September 3, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
This just gets better and better. The supposed experts in negative campaigning are self-destructing right and left!
Is this campaign suicidal?
Please... do not send these people to me!
September 3, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, it's almost like they decided to try and shift the focus from Palin by saying something completely idiotic. This is so entertaining.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
September 3, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a conspiracy I tell ya! McSame is an Obama mole!!
September 3, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
This quote needs to be made into an ad, It dovetails nicely with Obama's attack that McCain et al "just don't get it." This is a perfect example of that (along with "nation of whiners"/I can't remember how many houses I have/the economy is fundamentally strong etc.)
September 3, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rick Davis is correct in his claim that the campaign is not about issues. It about Palin! Attack her so McShame can use both his POW card and his new, shiny Sexist card for the same purchase! I know he's just chomping at the bit to exercise his executive power to throttle anyone who dares to ask for proof for his answers to questions.
September 3, 2008 1:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rick Davis' campaign might not be about the issues, but the Barack Obama campaign is. That is what he was talking about in his speech. It is time Republicans stopped disrespecting the American people with their trivial campaign antics.
September 3, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can hear Pete Seeger...
September 3, 2008 1:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would that everyone were able to.
September 3, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oo, now I feel like a pop-folkie for saying P, P & M.
;)
September 3, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I bet they are working up a TV ad as we speak....
September 3, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
damned the issues, where the F is my avitar?
withoutthe avitars, it is lookin like the repub convention.
no personality, and empty.
September 3, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Almost as if the discussion here is now more about issues and less about personality :-)
September 3, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, McCain/Palin can''t win on the issues or character, so, I think, uh, that means they can't win.
September 3, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really think you have said everything that actually needs to be said.
LOL!
September 3, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
damned the issues, where the F is my avitar?
withoutthe avitars, it is lookin like the repub convention.
no personality, and empty.
September 3, 2008 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is an excellent line of attack for Obama. He can also throw in the "All they could talk about was Britney and Paris" line in with this as well.
What was the crowd response to this? Anybody have any video?
I miss the avatars. ARe they ever coming back?
September 3, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Race
Trust
Experience
That is how voters will decide.
It is not about the issues. I've repeatedly said it and I still think it's true. You can take this as an Obama slam or the reality that Obama needs to address decisively.
September 3, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
And we all hang on your every word, fogu, and are always utterly convinced that you are right.
September 3, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Poor Tena. If only she could be believed. The truth hurts doesn't it.
September 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is my new favorite picture...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2824468342_c38d7a255c.jpg
YES! Keep hammering O!
September 3, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's a great picture, elonepb! I need find a t-shirt with that same pic for my son.
September 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is no longer running against McCain.
He is running against Palin!!
Palin with her babydaddy and babymomma, who is going to be up on stage at the convention being cheered tonight.
Obama is running against another entitled white female who is in her position based on affirmative action. They are diminishing his stature as the Presidential nominee.
They are saying he is no better than a white female with 4 kids, a special needs infant and a pregnant teen...she is white and she is superwoman and for sure she is better than Obama.
BabyDaddy Levi will be on stage tonight!!
No one will say:
Why...they're GLORIFYING an illicit relationship!
Does he have a job? Has he been in jail?
Obviously GOD is not central in their lives!
Where are the parents?
They were not role models to these children, and that's what these two are: CHILDREN!
HOW DARE THEY BE ON STAGE FLAUNTING THEIR SINFUL STATUS!
September 3, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
They absolutely need to make that comment the centerpiece of an ad campaign. The GOP is trying to make this about a POW and the Hockey Mom - that's all they have. Identity politics. Obama really needs to hit this quote hard, and really push the fact that McCain and Palin offer no ideas of their own other than their bios.
September 3, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is a great line of attack for BHO. He needs to relentlessly hammer JSM on all the stupid crap he has done just since this election started.
However, that said - I actually think Davis was correct and while it *should* be about the issues it won't be entirely. That doesn't necessarily mean it is a negative for BHO. If he can show that he can stand up to the Repubs and lay them out he wins. Sounds stupid but voters judge character by many things - Honesty, integrity, judgement, intelligence, competence, STRENGTH among them.
Campaigns then become demonstration of those things and since the Dems have let the Repubs walk all over them for years - they are perceived as weak. 'How can you protect the country if you can't even protect yourself?'.
That is why Dems always lose on the Nat'l Sec metric - sometimes other things (economy) trumps it and we win - which will hopefully be the case this year.
If it was just on the issues, given that 60% of the country are pro-choice, the health care system is a mess and 70% of Americans won't see a tax cut under McCain -- we win in a landslide.
The McCain campaign is just stupid for saying so - whiners that we are.
September 3, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
It really goes to show that McSame and the Republican base, well, they really just don't get it.
But, stealing a line from Dubya, we won't get fooled again!
September 3, 2008 2:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
David Kurtz, reporting on TPMtv from the Republican convention, just posted a timely video beautifully illustrating how the GOP just doesn't get it.
September 3, 2008 3:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's all about the moose.
September 3, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
The beauty of the Davis quote is that in his vagueness about character or personality, he's basically saying the campaign is about the manipulation of both. The character and personality each candidate has, and the oppositions ability to twist it. This goes to image, too--darkening Obama's skin, selecting the feebler images of McCain (not too hard to do!).
September 3, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oooh, an excellent point!
Davis did not say it's about personalities or character, but about people's perception of those things, "a composite view of what people take away..."
September 3, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Last night was the proof than the GOP can't win on issues and can't attract moderates. So, beginning with Palin's shocking choice, deep chauvinism (the flag on the big screen is sickening already) and the empty speeches of Thompson and Lieberman, it's not too hard to see than the GOP will only represent the religious right and the powerful few.
Just look to this week delegates and compare them to last week. Spike Lee was right on CNN over the contrast.
And now Davis statement just confirm than the GOP will try to take this election to the mud again through fear mongering, character assassination and increase the social division.
Shame on them! Oh, wait! They have no shame!
Now more than ever, the answer is:
NOT THIS TIME! ENOUGH!
September 3, 2008 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the video of Obama's reaction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTHbGVHxYMQ&eurl
September 3, 2008 3:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Y'all are delusional.
Average voter can't tell you what is going on in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan. They just know both candidates have now promised to get us out.
Average voter has no real clue about economics and the economy. They just know what they earn and what they spend and whether they have a job. if their paying their bills and having a little fun, everything's OK.
The issues are already out there. Anyone undecided at this point will decide based on criteria other than issues.
Like most elections, the deciding voters, swing voters, will base their decision on gut feelings.
Race
Trust
Experience
That is the criteria for the undecideds.
September 3, 2008 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Snap!
September 3, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is the lead in the reporter's words. "Personalities" wasn't in the direct quote that was used, but that was the meaning taken from the interview.
September 3, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Most of the people on my call list from Obama campaign headquarters are definitely concerned about the issues. The more people on the ground to keep reminding voters of the mess we're in the more likely Obama will win in a landslide. It's doable. If you haven't volunteered yet, it will be well worth your while.
September 3, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is the ad Obama? this can't be a one and done attack.
September 3, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where is the ad Obama? this can't be a one and done attack.
September 3, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain planning more “maverick” PR with town-hall style acceptance speech.
September 4, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain planning more “maverick” PR with town-hall style acceptance speech.
September 4, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink