Obama: Why Won't McCain Bring Up Ayers To My Face?
Others have already hit this, but it's a key moment: Obama, in an interview with ABC News that aired last night, effectively daring McCain to bring up Ayers to his face:
Between these comments suggesting that McCain is a bit of a coward, and that ad this morning about mortgage policy that takes care to question McCain's judgment in a crisis, it seems like the Obama camp is trying to get under McCain's skin and unnerve him a bit in advance of the final debate next week.
Also: A direct confrontation over Ayers is one that Obama is happy to invite, since it would give him a chance to directly hit McCain with the charge that he's trying to distract from the economy with frivolous attacks. Plus, it seems like something McCain is unlikely to risk in any case.
I need reassurance this morning. I always need reassurance!
It's almost inconceivable to me that the GOP's terrorist meme is not going to start drawing blood soon. I notice, for example, that the Rasmussen tracking poll of likely voters shows Obama ticking down two points since day before yesterday, No doubt it's too early to think major trend, but I can easily see how "Obama = terrorist friend" (if not actually secret terrorist himself!) could begin to have that kind of effect.
Once again we're seeing the McCain camp's ability to get the MSM to loop a set of negative images and sound bites practically ad infinitum. I find this weird and unsettling. Even the blogging on this site yesterday was obsessing about Ayers, with no mention of McCain's and Palin's own ample guilt-by-association pasts. The Ayers thing is ubiquitous now, and while it seems patently foolish and desperate to us, I'm not so sure about the 10 to 15% of push-button voters out there who will decide this election.
How DOES the McCain camp manage to do this? WHY can't team Obama manage to pull off similar free media loops and internet buzz? Can someone explain this to me?
(This is from the fag end of an earlier string.)
October 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
The reason Obama can't pull off the same endless loops is because he is NOT the status quo. He is ahead when the status quo says he should not be. The MSM will do nothing to reinforce any of Obama's messages because McCain is the underDOG with the masses. Obama cannot win with the media, when he was the underdog the media covered the status quo and now that he is in the lead the media still covers the status quo. It is a ratings game.
We saw the exact same thing with the primaries and HRC's messages being endlessly looped and the national polls for her being consistently quoted and the votes being counted vs. delegates to make it seem that she had a fighting chance. Anyone who did the math knew she was through after those 11 consecutive primaries in Feb...she had lost. The media however kept making it seem like it was competitive. Despite the polls and massive crowds and phenomenal fundraising by Obama...the focus was HRC's message.
We have the same thing now with JSM's negative ads, issues about race, terrorism and out and out lies are covered and looped and the questions posed are always to put Obama on the defensive, despite him clearly being in the lead.
But that is OK...it is to be expected. If it was any other way...this would not be America with his historical issues of race.
October 9, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah the press is all against us.
Except of course for: David Brooks (!), George Will (!), Charles Krauthammer (!), Peggy Noonan (!)
And on and on and on.
This isn't 2004, darlin. The press is not working against Obama. The press has turned on McCain-Palin.
It's not like it was - and people don't seem able to catch up -
Well, catch up! Quit bitching about the press - they woke up.
October 9, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone except Chis Matthews. Not quite sure his game, but somehow feels he must every once in a while emerge as this voice of "reason" suddenly touting the merits of the McCain Palin playbook.
October 9, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jeebus, chill.
It's float, a point here, a point there. Hotline's BS +1 corrected back to a +6 today. If you focus on that, does it make you feel better?
All data points. All. data. points. The trend is still good. The lead still healthy. We can no more stop the slinging of mud from the Republican slime merchants than we can stop the sun from rising in the east. What we can do is respond with reason and diligence, which is what the Obama camp is doing.
It will all be fine. I promise.
October 9, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
My post was in response to blue skies, in case that isn't clear.
October 9, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's clear, it lines up correctly below all responses to blue skies.
October 9, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
He now +8 in today's PPP poll for VA. These attacks are backfiring on McCain, and only just amping up the base (dangerously, so).
October 9, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep - McLame-Painful are doing everything they can to keep this country angry and divided.
As such they are serving evil - they are trying to destroy America, not to help it get back where it should be.
October 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Word. I'm trying to recall anything approaching this sort of outright racism being used in a national campaign and nothing even close is coming to mind. Willie Horton ain't got nothing on this. It's like McCain is trying to return us to Mayberry in 1947.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 9, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I completely agree Danny. The press may not be against us but it damn sho ain't for us...and as the sayin goes...if you ain't with us yoooouse against us.
October 9, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what I'm picking up, too: something evil, or evil-smelling. Those outrageous shout-outs from their crowds. Terrifying, in a way. Palin is an irrational beast licking its chops. She sends shivers down my spine. I'll be so happy to see these two go down in flames and crash with an explosion -- metaphorically speaking.
October 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me thinks Blue Skies is a concern troll going by his/her posts. Beware.
October 9, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do not think that it is quite fair to call Blue Skies a "concern troll." He (she?) has been a reliable Obama supporter from early on in the primaries, so I doubt that s/he is just trying to take subtle pot shots at Obama (which is, I think, a sine qua non of a concern troll).
Blue Skies is just easily spooked. I can sympathize. After the last 8 years, it is easy to develop a mindset predicated on the idea that large masses of voters will fall for every transparently bogus pitch that falls from Karl Rove's flabby lips.
October 9, 2008 12:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto
October 9, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you! I am an avid, I might even say fanatic Obama supporter and can hardly think of anything else except his victory in November. I sometimes think it's unhealthy for me to be so into this wonderfully gifted prince and the prospect that he will become our president. I almost dare not hope so much.
I am a retiree on a small pension and social security. I have so far donated $1,000 which I can ill afford. It's true that I am a worry wart and easily freaked out by bad news, attack ads. and like. I burn with rage every time I see McCain or Palin playing this dangerous game, and see the media helping them with it. After the "kill him"shout-out I heard the other day, I was in a state of stark fear of what might happen -- and you know what I mean.
Therefore I resent like hell the characterization of me as some sort of anti-Obama troll. Some people on this site seem to think those who comment here are "allowed" to express themselves in only a handful of ways, either cheer, boast, or make flat-out predictions of victory -- even though the future is, as ever, radically open and subject to sudden, unpredictable turns of fortune.
I come on this site to express how I feel and think and I do not feel obliged to conform to any notion of how an Obama supporter is "supposed" to feel and think and express herself. That notion all by itself is scary. If I seem negative or pessimistic at times, you should know it's in the hope of being talked down or refuted. Nothing more.
So thanks, Missouri voter, for your openness to diverse Obama voices.
October 9, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blue Skies, you are not alone.
Those shouts of 'kill 'em' struck fear in the hearts of many of us who know this country's history and who have relatives who have died striving to acquire their very freedoms provided under the US Constituition as citizens of this nation.
Times are scary when folks racemonger and incite hate.
I personally believe Palin should be charged with a felony for all that hatemongering.
October 9, 2008 2:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama isn't slipping. Look at all the polls for the past week or two. It's been a steady climb. If you're going to wring your hands every time one poll out of the bunch says he's not quite as far up on McCain as he was the day before, you're not going to make it to election day. Take it easy on yourself. This is not 2004. This is not the Kerry campaign. The reason you've seen McCain pull out of Michigan and Obama pretty much eliminating his chances in Pennsylvania, is the Obama campaign's awesome ground game. They've had literally dozens of field offices in battleground states for months before McCain even had one in there.
The other part of this is that none of the crap McCain/Palin have slung so far, and there's been a ton of it, has moved McCain's numbers up or Obama's down. The pundits refer to the numbers as "hardening". At a certain point in the campaign, it becomes nearly impossible to reverse a trend.
Finally, there's a debate next week. If this Ayers thing even has any life left in it by then, Obama will relish the opportunity to take it to McCain. It might go like this: "Senator McCain has been going around the country giving stump speeches where he tells his supporters that I haven't answered some questions to his satisfaction. And I'd like to offer Senator McCain this chance to ask me those questions. I think in the 20 months I've been campaigning I've been asked just about everything that he could think of and I've given answers to those questions. But, if there's still some big mystery in his mind, I'm giving him this golden opportunity to clear it up once and for all. John, what would you like to ask me? I'm more than happy to answer your question so you don't have to agonize over this anymore. What is it you want to ask me? Do I pal around with terrorists? Do you want to ask about my relationship with William Ayers? Do you want to ask me if I'm a closet Muslim? What is it? Go ahead and ask."
October 9, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love the idea of Barack taking it to McCain for the negative attacks. The fact that he hasn't brought it up at the debates but has the day before and the day after shows he wants it both ways.
Although BO can't be dismissive of the facts...Ayers did what he did 40 years ago and he and Obama did what they did 15 years ago. He needs to connect these dots to completely other dots rather than to each other.
He could probably point out what many Republicans who have worked with Ayers say about him, as well as the fact that the Annenberg project was funded by a major conservative family.
And he could provide some context (without condoning) for Ayers's sixties activities. Something like "Now from what I've read in history books, the sixties were a tumultuous time. Much like today, we had a very unpopular war going on. Much like today, a culture war was being waged as well, by conservative forces against those who advocated for peace and equality. Bill Ayers was not the only person whose anger bubbled over into violence, and although I must condemn what he did, I think all of us can understand how one's passion can take control and cause us to make bad decisions."
October 9, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not too hard and difficult for people to understand if he said:
"Look, I worked with a UIC Professor on Education and local elections. This does not mean I support or condone everything he's ever done and I've denounced his '60s actions. If in politics you only worked with people you 100% agreed with, nothing will ever get done. It is just smear politics to claim any further link."
October 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're misinterpreting the Rasmussen poll. Their summary of today's poll says this:
Based on this interpretation, the Rasmussen poll hasn't moved since September 26th.
October 9, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The mainstream gets most of its revenue from ads bought by the people who support McCain: pharmaceuticals, auto makers, banks, etc. Plus, the same corporations own the networks. Who do you think they want to satisfy?
October 9, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama isn't only beating McSame now, he making him his bitch.
October 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
And settle down, Mr. Skies. Check pollster or fivethirtyeight if you need assurance. Swing States, that's all that matters. And they look fine.
October 9, 2008 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is this Josh's Bitch-Slap theory in action for Obama? i.e. Obama's the one doing the bitch-slapping to see if McCain fights back.
October 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
... and I'm wondering what slap-back he's prepared for McCain when/if he does bring it up. It's gotta be good, he's practically daring McCain to bring it on.
October 9, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Me too. It does seem that Obama's ready to pounce on this if McCain brings it up. Obama hasn't done anything without purpose, so I agree, it's gotta be a good one.
October 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Once Obama gets out of office in 2016, I want him to give masters' classes to every democratic office-holder about how to run a campaign. This man is an electoral genius. That, of course, is not always a good thing; Karl Rove is an electoral genius too, a fact, a fact which I have frequently rued. I am really glad, however, that this guy is on our side, because he is easily Rove's equal, if not his better, in terms of electoral effectiveness.
October 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Still 27 days. Knock on wood or something.
October 9, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, sure, no argument there. I am still canvassing and phone banking, but that does not change the force of my point.
October 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right on. Thanks for the hard work. MO is in play!
October 9, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto. Anything can happen, so we have to re-double our efforts. Calls, canvassing and cash--1 thing or all three, we need to do.
That said--I still think McCan't is a punk. He talked so tough at one of his Klanpaign events on the day of the debate, but when he had the chance...uh, not so much.
And I want to see people act as real patriots for once and call out McCan't for stirring the pot at his Klanpaign rallies, too. All that's missing are sheets, and that should be unacceptable to people.
October 9, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
A few years ago there were people writing the same thing about Bill Clinton.
October 9, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
They were right. Clinton was a very gifted politician. If he could teach people to do what he did I would wish that he would offer master classes as well.
That said, I guess I am more skeptical that Clinton's talents can be learned. I think that he just comes by it naturally. I remember a few years ago on This American Life they profiled an actors' conservatory run by Brando, and the upshot of the story was that Brando was a terrible acting coach because it just came so naturally to him that he really was not able to teach it to others. I suspect that the same would be true of Clinton.
Obama's real effectiveness, however, seems more like something that one could teach. Putting your resources into local campaign offices instead of into yard signs and television, for instance, is not something that one does by intuition or instinct. These are the sorts of details that I think that Obama could teach, and the rest of the party would do well to learn.
October 9, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
The same was true for Magic Johnson as a B-ball coach. Folks who gifted with any talent do not know how to help others 'work at it' because they did not have to! You cannot teach what you did not do. However, limited ability or talent can mold talented and gift individuals into greatness because they understand what needs to be done to strengthen them, as they had to work on it themselves. What made them better will make talented individuals great....good, better, best, practice until your good is better and your better best!
October 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Neither Bill nor Hillary changed anything within the party structure that would dramatically change the Democratic approach to election campaigns--and how to use resources between elections.
Dean was only reluctantly given power in the party and there's been fussing with the Congressional committees over who is doing the best job.
Obama's approach is more like the old ward boss model--plant a group right smack amongst the voters and work hard. That's what the current committee folks are "supposed" to be doing and they simply are not staying in contact with enough of the voters. Campaigns should be relying on LOCAL democrats to continually perform voter registration and contact with voters. And we are "supposed" to have this--here in St Lou it's with the ward committees (and we elect two co-chairs in the August primary so it's up to us local Dems who these people are).
This is certainly not a Clinton model and hopefully it will become the model that Obama wants in the party.
It is EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING to sit in a city ward and not even have your damned door knocked on because the ward Dems in positions of party authority don't need your vote to elect the councilman. Well, by damn, they should be getting off their duffs and making sure folks stay energized for ALL Democratic candidates once the fuss of the primaries are over. That is simply not happening and it's simply not enough.
Okay...off my soap box and back to figuring out campaign walks for the weekend.
October 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is but he's just a flat genius. I was reading last night about his transition team - his plans have been place for months - they are ready to just walk right into the government.
McLame has refused to put together anything for a transition.
I posted the link last night - it's a piece on HuffPo.
October 9, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ready on day one!
October 9, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed, Greg. I would add lessons to the Dem Party committees in every St Lou ward since these folks are apparently sleeping through every campaign. I don't want the corruption of the old ward bosses, but I want that personal touch with ward residents brought back for every election.
The face-to-face contact matters and that's what I've been hearing from the Obama campaign folks. I better start hearing and seeing that from the ward committees or I'll start campaigning to have those positions go to more deserving Democrats.
October 9, 2008 12:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is an interesting point you made. My two committee members (20th ward) ran unopposed this year, so I just filled in their bubble on the August ballot without really thinking about it. That said, I have no idea who they are or what issues motivated them to run for committee seats (which is another way of saying I have no idea whether I agree with them on those issues, whatever they are).
October 9, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am sure the McCain campaign will have someone say they remember when there was no taunting in the NFL. Hint, hint.
October 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I'll bet he remembers when there was no NFL at all.
October 9, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had a dream that McCain took a swing at Obama. Obama dodged it and let his fist connect with McCain's fat jaw.
Debate #3 is on the way.
October 9, 2008 11:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ooo, I wish he would.
I'd like to see that but chances are very good I won't.
;)
October 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Man, I hope I don't start dreaming about this stuff . . .
October 9, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
That made me LOL!
October 9, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Q tip..that was an awesome visual..love it!
October 9, 2008 2:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Senator McCain, if you're too scared to confront Senator Obama how can we trust you to confront Putin or Bin Laden?
October 9, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Precisely.
C'mon, Barack, just say it:
Coward! McCain is a Coward!
October 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
A coward that sends his women out to do his dirty work for him.
October 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has less balls than Hillary, who would and did bring up accusations of this sort to her opponent's face.
October 9, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
WORD. The old man needs to borrow her pair.
This I-dare-you strategy is to get under the skin of clueless Mccain. Rope-a-dope & Baraikido.
October 9, 2008 12:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I LOVE Obama...as a woman, mother and spouse I cannot imagine what it is like to be married to a man who sets a goal to become President against all kinds of odds...and then develops a plan and strategy to achieve that goal despite the historical fact that he will be crucified and threatened in pursuit of his goal to bring better governance to a nation he loves.
Just gotta say...he's awesome, brilliant and wise beyond his years.
Thank you God for blessing America with Barack Hussein Obama and for making his mother's dream a reality when she gave him that name and told him that is a just America his name would not be an impediment.
Thanks goes to God for making America and Americans rise up to their true ideals, purposes and beliefs as set forth in the US Constitution!!
October 9, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I love it I love Obama for calling him out.
Keep doing it - he'll explode and make an utter fool of himself.
October 9, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama certainly knows how to needle McCain.
October 9, 2008 11:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
He was needling him during the last debate.
I have now seen vid of that debate elsewhere - with stuff in it I didn't see during the debate. I knew McLame was walking around the whole time, but I had no idea he spent most of it just wandering and getting in front of the camera and teleprompter - it was aimless wandering.
Jeez.
October 9, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whoever compared Obama/McCain to the court scene between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson at the end of "A Few Good Men" was dead on. Smart Harvard guy who knows how to push the buttons of a military man who's disgusted he even has to answer to this person.
October 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good call, I had to go rewatch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEsSFulm-Lg
October 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Crystal.
I'm a lawyer and an officer in the United States Navy, and you are under arrest you SOB!!
Loved it.
October 9, 2008 2:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well according to some news reports, McCains injuries prevent him from sitting for periods of time. Probably, if he had sat, it would have 'gelled' his joints and when he had to stand again, it would have been a slow process for his joints and knee to ungel and for him to begin moving again with the same pace...he would have had to slooooowly unwind. That would have made his age look even more pronounced versus the young lithe figure of a man in his prime like Barack.
As a result, McCain looked tense and anxious with his pacing like a caged animal waiting to explode.
hahahahahahaha
I feeel soooooo bad for him...NOT!!
October 9, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
You'll just have to face reality, folks,,,, BARACK ROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Part of this broad difference in campign style is generational, and that is not benefitting McCain, whose old school smear tactics aren't playing well when juxtaposed against Obama's post-partisan GenJones mode. I really believe understanding the role of Generation Jones (born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and Xers)is crucial in this election. Check out this 5 minute video which has a bunch of top pundits (e.g. Clarence Page, David Brooks, Howard Wolfson, Michael Barone, Dick Morris, etc.) discussing the surprisingly large role of GenJones in this election: http://www.generationjones.com/2008election.html
October 9, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen this comment about 6 times now.
You're spamming the threads with it, jackass. Please stop.
October 9, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
And we've been down this road with you before, Tena. Would you please stop acting like the self-elected classroom monitor? We're all adults here and are capable of self restraint.
October 9, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
You want to step right the fuck off right the fuck now? You and I were getting along fine - now you want to be a jackass again too.
Just don't talk to me Schmedley, I've had it. QUIT ATTACKING ME DAMMIT
October 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like you, I reply to whomever I please (unlike you, I tend to favor being polite). If you insist on arrogating the role of blog monitor, then I may feel compelled to call you on it. If you don't like that (and it's fairly clear you don't), then I suggest that you refrain from your own objectionable behavior.
I don't like censors; I don't like bullies; and I don't like rudeness. If you want me refain from calling you out, then please don't give me cause.
October 9, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, if someone's spamming the threads we're not allowed to voice our disapproval? Robert Hewson will be happy to hear that.
October 9, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
You can voice whatever you like as long as you're prepared to accept the consequences. That may include someone responding negatively to you. If you can't endure that, then perhaps you should avoid the conflict in the first place.
October 9, 2008 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, thank you so much for informing us of the ground rules here.
People around here, myself included, frequently call people out for spamming the threads. I find it interesting that you feel compelled to only call Tena out for doing it.
October 9, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not imposing any rules or telling anyone what to do: I've neither the authority nor the inclination nor the temerity. I'm merely requesting a modicum of civility and tolerance.
As for what you find interesting: that's idiosyncratic and speaks more about you than it does me. Thank you for interjecting your observations.
October 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure thing.
October 9, 2008 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did you note the question mark? Also, the words "would you please" which tend to indicate a request?
Perhaps I should ask: do you understand the concept of a request and it's differing nature to that of a demand or order? I would be happy to clear up the apparent confusion you seem to be suffering.
October 9, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right.....got it. Tena not allowed to "ask" someone to stop spamming the boards; you allowed to "ask" Tena to stop being a "class monitor." Sure thing.
October 9, 2008 3:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
You say you got it, but I don't think you do. Compare:
A)Stop spamming, jackass.
B)would you please stop acting like a class monitor?
One is an intemperate command, the other a polite request. See if you can tell me which is which.
Once again, none of us decides what is "allowed," not Tena, not me,...
...and not you.
October 9, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Could be an interesting debate, indeed.
October 9, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
I watched this. And McCain later on Hannity said he'd bring it up in the 3rd debate. Will he? If he does, what'd be Obama's response? The same as in this clip above? Not enough.
October 9, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
He says he's answered it already, and we need to focus on the issues.
October 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't fret. Obama is not going to rehearse his Ayers response days ahead for Charlie Gibson. It's gonna come out in mighty and stylish argument at the debate if it is needed and I promise that not one of us will ever forget the words that Obama will say.
October 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Was Hannity touching himself when McCain told him that?
October 9, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hannity spoke on Ayers for 10 minutes and said he expected McCain to bring it up in the last debate asked McCain whether he'd in the 3rd debate. Fox posted the transcript on its site.
October 9, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
The 'chicken clucking' noises he made were a little out of hand.
:-P
October 9, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a fine bunch of value voters for everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjxzmaXAg9E
God help us.
October 9, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Soon as you see 'em they freeze up like in museums." /hov
October 9, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's why he won't say it to Obama's face. They'd end up taking him away in a straight jacket.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/09/report-mccain-exploded-wi_n_133242.html
October 9, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has finally admitted to a different association:
At a shocking press conference this morning, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama announced that he has a half-man half-bat half-brother, Obatma.
October 9, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's Obatma Gandhi.
October 9, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
If and when McCain brings up Ayers, Obama can easily just state the following:
"I am sad, as are millions of Americans to see what has become of John McCain's campaign. William Ayers is not a friend or an advisor. I have condemned his acts many times and I do so again. John McCain spent decades earning a reputation for Straight Talk and integrity and time and time again, he promised to run an honorable campaign, so to myself and millions of Americans who are scared of losing their jobs and their homes, it is extremely disheartening to see John McCain and his running mate make these types of dishonest smears the centerpiece of their campaign. Now let's start talking about how to get this economy moving again......"
October 9, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's been saying that.
Michelle said almost exactly that on TDS last night.
Everyone who thinks they know how to help Obama are about 2 steps behind him.
;)
October 9, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
While I had been pleading for Barack to use the "Say it to my face, John" line in the debate, I am elated that he got it into this interview.
Now McCain has to respond ... HAS to respond ... at the next debate.
Poker player whups crap shooter.
October 9, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Andrew Sullivan found this picture, and it's just too cool :
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/10/08/bassets.jpg
October 9, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's just the kind of thing I see around here a lot - just like that.
People are so Obama-happy here.
October 9, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
This does a couple things. A) it needles McCain, pushes the "are you too scared to say that to my face" idea. B) it reinforces the idea of Obama as cool under pressure, totally unfazed by the attacks. Combine that with his line about 'I can take four more weeks of attacks, but the American people can't take four more years of McCain-Bush policies' and it really shows strength and caring and leadership. He's saying, don't worry about me, let's focus on the American people.
October 9, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Everyone except Chis Matthews. Not quite sure his game, but somehow feels he must every once in a while emerge as this voice of "reason" suddenly touting the merits of the McCain Palin playbook.
October 9, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've written to the Obama campaign once a week since the general election campaign began, urging them to push McCain's buttons. Particularly before the debates, I think it's important. What we want is an angry, petulant McCain to appear before the public. One really good public blow-up, and it's all over for Grampie and the Moose Lady.
October 9, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if the blow-up might instead be a collapse, as in pass out.
I've heard a lot of people talk about how McCain's behavior seemed just weird - his injuries really didn't explain it all.
If he explodes that easily, maybe his staff has him on tranks or downers to keep him cool. But also on uppers to keep him awake until the debate ends at 10:30. Plus the pain meds he must be on for his injuries, and maybe Aricept to help his memory and focus ....
I sure hope somebody on his traveling staff has a list of all his meds for when they wheel him into the emergency room.
October 9, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Timing...
October 9, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama preps for final debate in Ohio
http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2008/10/08/guess_where_obamas_prepping_fo.html
October 9, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
This video clip is AWESOME. "Say it to my face" is how you call out bullies. Go, O! One of the coolest sound bites I've heard in the past few months.
McLame won't Bring It, because he is trying to preserve some pathetic simulation of deniability, which should now begin falling apart.
This retort helps begin to cripple the 'GOP=daddy' meme that has infected our discourse over the last two decades.
PS TPM: Your login troubles have not ended. Waah!
October 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. One big happy family.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/09/mccain-palin-rally-attend_n_133240.html
October 9, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a perfect set up for the third debate. Assuming McCain and co keep up the Ayers attacks McCain has to say something about it next debate, in which case I have no doubt Obama will nail him, or he won't and he looks weak.
October 9, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Interesting jiu-jitsu on Obama's part. Taking what would likely be a subject that most would *not* want to deal with and practically begging McCain to do it (not begging really, but you get my drift). Now McCain has to react which is a much better place to be in.
October 9, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the underlying statement here is- "Listen, old man, stop hiding behind the skirt of your VP and say it to my face."
I fully expect Obama, when confronted with this issue, to emphasize the name SARAH PALIN to make it clear that McCain is sending a woman out to make charges that a man won't.
I then fully expect Obama to have a ready-made line that not only shames McCain for talking about it during a economic meltdown, but shames the media for pretending like voters "don't know" Obama.
October 9, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Say it to my face.
When someone says something behind your back that they aren't willing to say to your face, it usually means that they are lying or they're a coward. Or both.
October 9, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
This could only mean one thing, that the Obama camp got a bomb to throw at McCain's face if he brings up Ayers to Obama at the debate.
Come on McCain do it, be a man!
October 9, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, it is hardly believable that McCain 'stared Putin in the eyes' based on his 'actual' behavior. Senator Biden spoke about how 'John does this'. He has known McCain for a long time. He said that 'he won't look you in the eyes when he's on the attack.'
I seriously think McCain has schizophrenic tendencies. A leader is reflected in their organization. If you look at McCain and his campaign they are very erratic. Suspending their campaign but not suspending it. Declaring that if they focus on the economy they will lose. Backing off Ayers when they realize McCain has received money from others associated with the same board Senator Obama is on and then attacking him with Ayers anyway. McCain not voting for his own bill. Asking via the press that the president veto the bail out package that he just voted for and that the president insisted needed to be passed urgently. Yesterday he calle us all his 'fellow prisoners'. Seriously I think the stress of the campaign is getting to him as well. I think he has really mental issues.
I don't want to imagine america as a reflection of McCain. It's bad enough that we have an america that is a reflection of Bush right now.
I am going with the 'we had to have someone get things this f'd up in order be in enough pain collectively to be ready and willing to do the work necesary to make serious changes and we can arise out of this better than ever' attitude.
Fortunately at the same time we get in enough pain to make the changes, a inspiring leader emerges to take us there.
October 9, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think I've seen any overt racism from the campaign yet. The rally audiences are an entirely different story however.
It's the idea that Obama is dangerous, an unknowable other with dubious trust issues that is subtle racism.
I miss Ron Paul and the primaries: http://tinyurl.com/66o79q
October 9, 2008 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, this is a good line for lots of reasons. I like it because it puts Obama back on the offensive. The McCain campain attacks him, Obama turns the attack against McCain. Aikido! President Barack "Segal" Obama, anyone?
October 9, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
McInsane is a chicken-hawk and full out addle-minded, not totally stupid.
October 9, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, he's chicken shit! He's scared of Obama.
October 9, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know Josh posted this on the front page but I still haven't stopped laughing and it's appropriate here as well:
Or maybe Hillary can lend him one of hers.
October 9, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hilarious and Josh really gets it. This is the Dukakisization of John McCain- Obama is calling him a wuss who doesn't have the balls to do his smearing face to face, and daring him to do something about it. I think that wussifying John McCain represents some kind of theoretical limit in the art of political jujitsu. I bow down to the masters and humbly beg forgiveness for ever having misunderestimated this campaign.
October 9, 2008 3:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the difference between swindler Charles Keating and "terrorist" Bill Ayers?
Keating was convicted and spent time in federal prison. Ayers was never convicted of anything.
Keating went to prison for actions directly related to his close friendship with John McCain. By the time Obama met Ayers, the former "terrorist" was a college professor and education activist.
OK, what's the difference between McCain associate Phil Gramm and Obama associate Bill Ayers?
None of Ayers' actions, past or present, contributed to the economic ills now plaguing the world. Gramm led the charge for deregulation of the banking industry and would probably be McCain's first choice for Treasury Secretary (if not for this nation of whiners bitching about the "mental recession").
October 9, 2008 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
What if McCain knows he can't directly confront Obama without losing his poo in a big way? Is it easier to spin "coward" than "psycho"?
October 9, 2008 4:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's because McCain only wants to make these accusations when he can control who is in his audience (i.e. not centrists or liberals).
October 9, 2008 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, once again, to Tena and others here
for reasserting the confidence which we should all have that Sen. Obama has got this covered.
Precisely as was the case in 1992, "It's the economy, stupid!"
October 9, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are an "Anonymous Blogger"
October 9, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let us all not to forget to take into account of the millions of voters who have had to put up with black racism for YEARS and will be voting on that principle ALONE. Don't forget that. For these voters are silent. Not at all as FANATIC as you!
October 9, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink