Obama Unleashes Wave Of Mailers Attacking McCain's Health Plan
As part of its new big push on health care, the Obama campaign is unleashing a massive blitz of mailers attacking John McCain's plan, an assault that includes multiple mail pieces that do everything from accusing McCain of lying about his plan to quoting doctors fretting about McCain's approach.
The mail pieces -- all of which are going to households in the battleground states -- are in keeping with the Obama campaign's strategy of painting McCain as the economically risky and even frightening choice at a time when public anxiety is fixed squarely on the economy, just as public fears centered on national security in previous elections.
Here, for instance, is one that accuses McCain of deceptively concealing the real aims of his plan (click on the images to enlarge):
The other mailers after the jump.
This mailer has the testimonial of a doctor, who says: "I'm worried that McCain's plan would put insurance companies in charge of health care and would make it harder for me to treat my patients."
Here's one casting McCain's health plan as radical and extreme in an interesting way -- as the polar opposite of socialized medicine (Click the images to enlarge):
And here's one claiming that McCain's plan to tax health benefits makes him, not Obama, the big tax-hiker in the race, describing McCain's plan as a $3.6 TRILLION tax hike (caps in the original):
Excellent!
What a Wonderful Day today is in Ohio!
Besides OSU beating Wisconsin last night...
OBAMA TAKES A 7 POINT LEAD IN OHIO in the latest Columbus Dispatch poll, usually the most accurate Ohio poll!
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/05/copy/POLL05.ART_ART_10-05-08_A1_CLBG3US.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
October 5, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
If truly reflective, then the party is over for Repubs.
October 5, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't want to rain on the parade but according to Fivethirtyeight.com the columbus dispatch poll is actually the worst of all posters he rates (and he rates quite a few).
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/search/label/pollster%20ratings
Regardless I am in favor of any number that shows us up in Ohio!
October 5, 2008 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think FiveThirtyEight is all wet on their evaluation of the Dispatch poll.
Now if they want to rate the newspaper itself down, because it's a Repub-hack newspaper, I can attest to that and agree wholeheartedly.
But trust me on this, I have lived in Columbus over 50 years, and have followed the Dispatch polls since the 70s.
They are the most accurate in Ohio, bar none.
October 5, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
And McCain has fallen another point behind Obama in the Rasumussen poll: Obama 51, McCain 44. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history
Those results include two days of polling after the VP debates. Guess Sarah's winkin' and blinkin' sideshow isn't helping the Republican ticket so much.
October 5, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
All the polls seem to back that this up. Her debate wasn't the final nail, but it was probably the one just before it.
October 5, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
D not get too excited. This is a mail-in poll which no one can explain why they continue to do it. It violates just about every rule for valid polling. The only plausable explanation as to why they still do it is that it is more about building/keeping circulation than about legitimate polling.
October 5, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do know that they use weighting factors, and not just the raw numbers.
I'll tell you what, I am excited!
The Dispatch is a horribly Republican newspaper.
However, I've been watching Dispatch polls for a L-O-N-G time, they are almost always accurate.
October 5, 2008 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Advice regarding the Massive Blitz - from the Weather Channel:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/letter-from-a-weatherworried-l.php
Take appropriate precautions.
October 5, 2008 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is quickly becoming Mayweather v. Hatton . . .
October 5, 2008 10:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great analogy, this Health Care strategy is Obama's check left hook to McCain's chin that sends his ass crashing into the turnbuckle.
October 5, 2008 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Health care in the US is not cheap. So anyone who has had to pay expenses not covered knows it will break a family budget. Especially if treatments are necessary for a couple of months.
October 5, 2008 10:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
For those who aren't boxing fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPPsQjjZR7Q
October 5, 2008 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fourteenth Round: the Obama campaign is finally dispensing pre-emptive punches.
After months of withholding premature punches whose effect would have dwindled over time, the Obama campaign, at this advanced stage of the game, is now on the attack to maintain and extend its current advantage.
Obama had allowed slips in the polls in the previous months, saving the best for last. He clearly is not going to cede that advantage again now that it is October. The strategy has been all about timing all along, and at this stage of the match, with McCain on the ropes, the punches will not cease.
October 5, 2008 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
May it be so!
October 5, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think Mohammad Ali called this fight tactic rope-a-dope.
October 5, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just finished reading the Rolling Stone article on McCain. Interesting that you can see a pattern from his adolescent years all the way to the present. McCain reads like a book and is quite predictable on what course of action he will take...what's ever best for me.
October 5, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
It had to be so. Character Disorders always begin in childhood, blossoming in adolescence. Never in adulthood. This article provides all the evidence of a severe and longstanding Character Disorder. He's 72. Not. Gonna. Change.
For Change, Barack Obama is our man.
October 5, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Any child that holds their breath until they pass out is a child that has some issues that needed to be addressed pronto. I seriously doubt that the McCain clan believed in therapy.
October 5, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I read the article too, and it confirmed the impression I had of his mother, who looks like a hard-hearted bitch.
Correction: They DID believe in therapy; only problem is, their version of it was essentially WATERBOARDING their young child in ice water!
No wonder he is so fucked up!
October 5, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCains: Pioneers in the Tough Love approach.
October 5, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Plus his mother is about 900 years old. The good news on that would be that in the hopefully improbable event that he gets elected, perhaps there is a genetic predisposition to living long enough to make sure that Bible Spice never gets to be president. The bad news on that would be that in the improbable event that he gets elected, he'd be president.
October 5, 2008 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
That would be showing weakness.
October 5, 2008 2:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
After reading the Rolling Stone article, I've been nagged by the possibility that McCain suffers from adult child syndrome. He doesn't negotiate, he bullies. If he doesn't get his way, he becomes angry, petulant, and sarcastic.
Even Peggy Noonan on MTP struggled this morning to describe as benignly as possible how McCain is noticeably putting a lot of energy into keeping a lid on his anger.
October 5, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
A long but devastating indictment of McCain and his narcissism.
October 5, 2008 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
With the whole thing slipping out of their grasp now, this sure isn't helpful.
October 5, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is way more than narcissism. But that's a good start.
October 5, 2008 10:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just read it too, very interesting.
October 5, 2008 10:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Devastating! Mortal blow.
October 5, 2008 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
It would be interesting to know if they're developing one on Palin that goes into the same level of depth.
October 5, 2008 10:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
If there's one thing I tried to tell my daughter as she was growing up...somnething I had to learn the hard way:
MEN DON'T CHANGE.
They may clean up their act a little, try to exert some self-control, but under pressure they will revert to what they always were. Just something to remember as you read that Rolling Stone story.
October 5, 2008 2:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is going to be knuckles vs fingernails, and at this stage no one will feel pity when those dentures fly out of the ring.
October 5, 2008 10:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
The beauty of it is that McCain can't counter-attack Obama on his health care plan. Although Obama's "socialist" plan sets the conservative's into wailing and howling fits, they know that a good majority of Americans want some kind of universal health care plan. To tell them what Obama wants to do would probably just end up driving another 2% of the undecideds into Obama's camp.
October 5, 2008 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
They do have the "Healthcare would be like the DMV" argument, and "The feds shouldn't take over our healthcare" (for no real reason) argument.
Too bad far more socialised healthcare than Obama's proposal has worked fine in other countries .
October 5, 2008 11:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the majority of the country is ready for more government involvement in health care. It's just they still have a knee-jerk reaction to the term "socialism." Maybe after eight years of Obama, we'll be a little more enlightened as a country.
October 5, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't pay much attention to the details of Obama's health-care plan.
Oh, Obama's plan is decent, but the reality is that the Dem congress (read: Hillary) will write it. BigO is not gonna veto it because of details, or, for that matter, even substantial structural differences. If it promises to be effective, it'll get signed.
October 5, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. It is with things like this situation that makes it so frustrating when people ask for more specifics from presidential candidates. It really comes down to what are they going to veto, what are they going to push for. What will be interesting is to see how Obama will manifest his leadership of the controlling party in the Congress.
October 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Socialism" doesn't bother me in the slightest. it seems to work for the rest of the civilized world. The only people wailing and howling over a government plan are big pharma, the AMA, and all the lobbyists, hanging on like remoras to their hosts.
I want everyone to have access to healthcare, not just the fortunate ones with good jobs and benefits. I've seen to many cashiers and counterpersons with teeth rotting out of their mouths because they can't afford a dentist. it's criminal.
October 5, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know...government-provided health care has worked out pretty well for McCain!
October 5, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
And seniors. Medicare. Low overhead. Total choice.
(except for those in Medicare Managed Care - which costs more, due to a give-away to insurance companies, and reduces choice)
October 5, 2008 12:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
We'll find out which campaign is the real pit bull, the one that pelts feces or the one that bites the opponent on the ass and does not let go over policies like the health care tax.
October 5, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Star Tribune has Obama at +18, yes +18, in Minnesota. Holy freaking wow.
October 5, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
Part of the massive seismic shift the weather channel is now forecasting to lead to a landslide (by land) and 2 tsunamis (by sea). Click my name. See "letter from a weather-worried lady."
October 5, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
From their poll
October 5, 2008 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't believe the Strib poll when it had Obama 10 points behind a month ago and I don't believe it now. It's a worthless poll. Scandinavians just aren't that volatile.
October 5, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
So much for SUSA's outlier.
October 5, 2008 11:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
The party id disparity between SUSA (+7 (D)) and Star Tribune (+16 D) may have a lot to do with this result.
October 5, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
The SUSA results for MN have been whack for a while.
October 5, 2008 11:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
My thoughts exactly.
October 5, 2008 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Rasmussen today:
The advantage is solidifying.
October 5, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brian Williams said the same thing on letterman, "The electoral map is setting like concrete".
October 5, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
fivethirtyeight has an analysis (which I tried to find again but couldn't) that showed that historically most people don't change their voting preference at this point, even if they say they could be persuaded.
October 5, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I saw it when nate put it up.. can't find it either.
October 5, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
I caught that. Thing is, he was all but overtly shilling for McCain during much of his time. Still, he's not dumb, and realizes that it's just not going to go that way this fall.
October 5, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't even know what to say. Can I just say that stuff like this makes me happy beyond my wildest dreams?
October 5, 2008 11:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me too. I've been fretting and stewing over this race for weeks now, and my husband keeps telling me not to worry, obama knows what he's doing. Slow and steady, keep getting the message out, let mcCain make a blithering idiot out of himself and let the country see what a fright Sarah the Moosekiller is.
Everything will turn out fine.
October 5, 2008 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow! Rahm is nailing it today. I've never liked the guy but he's spouting economic talking points like Niagra Falls. Wolf can't get a word in edgewise.
October 5, 2008 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
And he shut down the Ayres attack.
October 5, 2008 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Am I the only person who actually finds William Ayers to be a nice guy? Someone to admire? When he was very young he joined a fringe group that he grew to disagree with precisely because of their militancy; he never bombed anyone, was never convicted of anything, and when he grew up he worked for many social issues. Where's the beef?
Compare that to McCain, whose associations have all been about money. Hell, he's married to someone who committed felonies to keep her drug habit going!
October 5, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
The only problem, from a MSM pov, is that Ayres didn't fully condemn those acts of violence, whether he was involved in them or not. For many this is not a gray area issue.
October 5, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I always thought that for a journalist with such an incredibly aggressive name, Wolf Blitzer, he is such a remarkably weak journalist..
October 5, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
One of the few times I regret not watching CNN.
October 5, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
He and Wolf made the Repub surrogate look foolish. She really looked like she didn't believe her own pro-McCain arguments.
October 5, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
A must see and and passed on:
Confronting Racism Against Obama
02 Oct 2008 01:34 pm
A pretty amazing speech by the AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka. To see a white union man take on racism this way is very moving. Something truly profound could happen in this election, if we want it to:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/confronting-rac.html
October 5, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was very moving. It made me tear up to hear that man stand there and talk about labor solidarity vs. racism. I just hope that it can trump the ingrained racism in many union workers hearts. I prey that America can turn the page. If we do so with the working class it will be revolutionize politics in this country. Trumka was very very moving.
October 5, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you so much for that link. Made my day. Before he retired, my husband was a member of that union. I'm starting to feel really hopeful now.
October 5, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
A must see and and passed on:
Confronting Racism Against Obama
02 Oct 2008 01:34 pm
A pretty amazing speech by the AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka. To see a white union man take on racism this way is very moving. Something truly profound could happen in this election, if we want it to:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/confronting-rac.html
October 5, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is one of the best speeches of this campaign season. Everyone should see this. Thanks for posting this. I think people like this are a reason Obama is making the progrss he is in the rust belt.
October 5, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's incredible, heartening, very moving. I got choked up near the end.
October 5, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I personally think it's things like this that drove mcShame from MI... and may drive him from PA. Once it becomes patriotic to refrain from racism, we are headed in a whole new direction. This video is heartening to the highest degree. The man is on fire! He should be sent around the country to speak to the men, in particular, who might be holding back. Women are breaking hugely for Obama. But men, in my view, might be particularly swayed by this wonderful speech.
October 5, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on the button, Thera.
To me the best things about this guy are his demeanor, voice, his body type even, the whole "da Bears" kinda type that he seems to be. These are the types I grew up with, many in my family are this type.
In other words, in my family, and in my neighborhood, you didn't have KKK type racism, just the kind that said things like "He's black, but he's one of the good." Casual bigotry like that, which came from not actually knowing all that many black folks. Inexcusable, yes, but true nonetheless.
If people like that see a guy like this, someone who looks like them, speaking for Obama, many of them will come around. They are NOT unchangeable, in spite of what the common wisdom might be.
They are my people. I know them.
October 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, if I am reading you right, what you are saying is that Trumka said:
Obama is one of the good?
And it will work?
Great!
October 5, 2008 12:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think that Trumka is one of the people in thought that I write about, just in appearances.
And appearances unfortunately mean a lot when a black man is running for office. We've seen this in action, no? Musn't appear too "angry", too "preachy" too, well, "black", whatever that is. Remember, some of these people are the same people who have forwarded the "Obama is a Muslim" emails to a dozen of their friends. My wife, from a similar background to mine, gets them every day still. Some will continue to believe that shit and vote for McCain. Or maybe continue to WANT to believe is more like it.
But, yes, that's the way I think many will take it. If this guy says Obama's alright, then maybe he's alright.
And that should take care of working-class white voters. At least enough to capture some important states.
October 5, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. As a former card carrying member of the Teamsters, that speech actually made me cry. I agreee, Obama's campaign should put this guy out on the trail.
And somebody should send a copy of the Rolling Stone story to Bob Schiefer since he seems to be so enamored of McCain's military career.
October 5, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fantastic. This guy's great. If what's expressed here are the sentiments gaining ground within labor, the ground is shaking under the Republican scum and they're gonna get swallowed up like Don Giovanni, just as they deserve. A landslide's coming.
October 5, 2008 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
New Obama attacking McCain's Health care plan: "Coin" - http://tinyurl.com/4a5zd7
October 5, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very astute. The ad hangs that de-regulation sign around McCain's neck.
Thanks for the link.
October 5, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really like the visual impact of this ad...it conveys the message so well. It visual depicts how folks are thinking as they are reflecting on the differences between the candidates.
Excellent ad.
October 5, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like that the Obama campaign is being proactive.
I also would like to say that Tina Fey is probably doing more damage to Sarah Palin than any other single event. Besides the people watching SNL, you have viewers who watch the Sunday morning chat shows seeing the clip, as well. Even Fox showed it.
It's impossible to take Sarah Palin seriously when you have such a dead on impression appearing every week.
And the drinking game bit at the end was perfect. "Maverick" just isn't going to have the same connotations any longer for many people.
October 5, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tina Fey and Letterman both.
October 5, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's what happens when you lie to Dave.
October 5, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word to all future candidates: Don't dis Dave.
October 5, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also, as soon as a voter perceives the use of the word, such as "Maverick," is an attempt to manipulate them, is the moment it will cancel whatever else the candidate is saying. Palin was the final nail on the power of this word for McCain.
I mean can one have a "team of Mavericks."
October 5, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I dislike Maureen Dowd, but make myself read her, just so I know the particular brand of crap she's distributing on any particular day, but the last line of today's column was right on the money:
If you have to say you're something, you can be pretty sure that you're not that something, at all.
October 5, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Sunday Times Week in Review has a lovely article on the history of the Maverick Family. Leftists and progressives, they are one pissed family that mcShame would dare to use their proud name:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/weekinreview/05schwartz.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Maverick&st=cse&oref=slogin
October 5, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Next state to take back: Texas.
October 5, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ya gotta luv the last sentence:
October 5, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
CT -- This might be one of Maureen's most insightful columns.
October 5, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
If timing is everything then McCain doesn't have anything.
First he "suspends" his campaign to focus on the financial crisis then quickly changes course and makes the debate ( while the financial crisis still remained in limbo ).
Then he campaigns in Iowa, a state he lost all hope of ever winning when he told the farmers that he's against ethanol subsidies.
Takes weekends off from campaigning, when he can least afford to be away. I think there's some other issues at play here ( physical or psychological ).
Now he goes full Lee Atwater, and regurgitates worn out attacks that lost their effect back in the spring. Usually the slime machine cranks up in mid August so he's too late with this as well.
There are a few more weeks left yet, and I feel that McCain will become so dirty his self destruction will help create an overwhelming (375 electoral votes overwhelmed ) Obama victory.
October 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
My official McSame is Toast estimate: BigO by 130+ EV.
October 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meanwhile, McCain is off the campaign trail.
October 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
From what I've read, he doesn't campaign on weekends. maybe he needs blood transfusions or chemo or something. I still think something's wrong with his health.
October 5, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
October 5, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I know, this one freaks me out as well. Can you imagine having Al Fucking Franken in the Senate? In my lifetime? Can I be so blessed?
October 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hell, I'd settle for Dean Barkley, as long as we get Slimy Norman (cheater/wife-beater) Quimby out of there.
October 5, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh darn it, you're nice, people like you and you're a freaking United States Senator.
October 5, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Al Franken likes TPM!
October 5, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
And he'll be a hoot on the Georgetown Cocktail Circut.
October 5, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Go rent "Trading Places" starring Eddie Murphy. Franken had a hilarious part in that movie.
October 5, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good ad material,,,,,, If we can "socialize" Wall Street, then what's the beef about "socializing" the health care industry in all its various parts??
Too bad the 'where's the beef' lady is no longer with us, she'd be perfect!
October 5, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hootowl,
Darn tootin!
I just wanna be one of the first to say. Please let's not count our chickens before they hatch with all this good news. Let's keep our eyes on the prize and keep fighting and working hard like we are behind in the polls. Until, Obama has 270 electoral votes on election day, we are in the political fight of our lives and this is getting ready to become VERY nasty. We are in Birmingham, BullO'Connor season and Pettus Bridge time, the water hoses are coming on with the force to rip bark off the trees and their is a phalanx of armed policemen with battons waiting to beat us back. So, let's not think we are in the cat bird seat just yet...those little girls have not shown up for sunday school yet...the GOP is going to unleash vile, nasty HATE and we need to be ready for that.
Having said that, the Obama campaign is a beautiful thing to watch unfold. These folks are superb strategists and brillant tactitians. McCain with his condescending remarks about Obama not knowing what strategy is is being taken down by a master game changer, who did not need to attend the National War College McCain went to after he arrived back from Hanoi, after Sen Warner pulled strings for him to get in another prestigious military academy. McCain has once again demonstrated that despite his family lineage and military academic pedigree he did not learn a damn thing and lacks the character to lead.
Obama is showing McCain that he does know how to use a surge tactic. He is surging on McCain with campaign trail speeches, mailers and ads all blitzing McCain from so many directions but yet focused on the economy that there is no way McCain can adequately respond to the entirety of what is raining down on him. He has defend his position on the economy on some many fronts that he doesn't have the surrogate manpower to even put up a credible defense. He cannot talk about his tax plan, his health plan and his job plan simultaneously because he has not had any consistent message. Or what is commonly known as a strategy!! He has been erratic with tactical manuevers none of which are part of a coherent overall message such that his defensive tactics only work to confuse and muddle the message as it is devoid of a central focus.
I love what Obama has done...and the beauty of it all is that he has shown McCain that words do matter. All those speeches had a point they were integrated and interconnected and built to a cresendo such that when folks are reflective each piece of the message has been heard in speech after speech and they comprehend what he means and the consistency of the message. They can go all the way back to the DNC speech of 2004 and it will fit right into what he says today and simply bustress the core campaign slogans!!
That Senator McCain is a strategy...something you, my friend, do not understand.
Obama/Biden '08
I think one thing that the surrogates need to say on these taxes is ...'both McCain and Obama will cut taxes, the difference is who they give the tax cuts to! That clears up the confusion. Then they should enumerate who gets the tax cuts with Obama and who gets them with McCain.
October 5, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, whiterosebuddy,,,, by the way there's a white rugosa rose bush blooming a full tilt right outside by window as I type.
I want to add on to your Birmingham remarks. I was a young priest at the time of the church bombing, and went down to help out the folks at St Paul's Church where the McNair kids held membership. I don't want to see anymore of that, period.
Palin's mindless lie tying Ayers to Obama cutsie the otherday was a racist 'dog whistle' to go after Barack, anyway and anyhow. It will continue and it will get worse. The fate of The Republic aside, Barack is a young dad with two wonderful daughters and calling out the racist dogs on him is a moral outrage. Someone needs to step in and put the smackdown to this stuff.
A dear colleague suggested getting in touch with Cardinal Mahoney of LA as the one cleric with national standing, and guts, especially on human rights and such, to speak to this most grave and serious issue.
Anyone got a better idea,,,, or a way to get through to Mahoney?? Something needs to be done now before some nutter hears the 'dog whistle' and goes after Barack.
October 5, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the clever part: The employer adds up the entire premium paid for your (employee benefit) healthcare and adds it into the gross wages line of the quarterly tax form filed with the IRS to send in the social security, medicare, and federal income tax deducted from your wages. It's only added into the TOP line...not the line where the employer has to kick in social security matching funds. Result: YOU pay income tax on your gross wages, minus any 401K deducts. Employer doesn't care, nothing extra comes out of their pocket. Sure, you get a $2500 credit, $5000 if married, nut you're still going to pay some income tax on the benefit. Republicans have a cute term for this: "revenue enhancement". Here's a handy comparison chart.
http://healthcare-economist.com/2008/08/18/obama-vs-mccain-health-care-policies/
October 5, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
A couple of weeks ago Joe Klein wrote about McCain's awful health plan and taxing folks' income. He wondered why the Obama campaign hadn't been beating the drum about it. I wondered too.
Well, now we know why: they were waiting to use it in October. After rope-a-doping McCain for months, NOW they start pounding him hard. McCain has used up most of his energy and he's running out of steam. He's fired nearly everything against Obama to no avail. So now he starts smearing Obama with Ayres and Wright.
But Obama starts hitting him hard with this now, before Ayres and Wright can become the subject. And people will be MUCH more concerned about getting their health insurance taxed by McCain than Obama's connections.
Obama's going to pound McCain non-stop from here to eternity. Or at least from here to Nov 4.
What a campaign they have run. I'll still be a nervous wreck until it's over but, man, what a brilliant campaign.
October 5, 2008 5:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
not a moment too soon. boy, this is gonna get the old geezer riled up before the debate. anyone wanna bet on whether or not mccain loses it on tuesday night?
October 5, 2008 6:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Unleashes"???
Don't you mean "Drops"??
Sorry, couldn't resist. 8^)
-- ARG
October 5, 2008 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whats interesting is to watch how all the seeds the Obama campaign has been planting are coming together.
They will now to define McCain as impulsive, erractic and willing to do and say anything to win. From smear to put a someone totally unready 1 72 year old heartbeat away from God telling her to "Trigg" Armageddon. They will attack him as being dishonorable, which will make him extremely angry, and maybe even more volitile.
I think, if ,in the debate, Obama accuses McCain of running a dishonorale campaign, the old man will explode on the spot.
October 5, 2008 9:36 PM | Reply | Permalink