Comments on: McCain Readies Big Attack On Obama’s Character

By: jkarczek

jkarczek — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:31:22 +0000

Well, I could have been clearer. I think Obama WILL go negative in response to McCain. Based on what I've read, at this point the Obama ad mix is something like evenly divided between promoting his agenda and negative attacks on his opponent. I don't expect that to continue when McCain unleashes his new, improved offensive, now with 100% negativity. Unless Obama has some compelling, easy for “regular folks” to understand counterpoints that are largely impervious to being spun against him, the McCain campaign will draw nearer in the polls. Obama will then do what every campaign does when a race tightens in the waning days, he will match if not exceed the negativity of the opponent.

By: katiec

katiec — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:41:48 +0000

This is nothing new. The Mccain campaign has been nothing but
negative since day one.
What they do not understand is the American voters are tired
of their lies, distortions and attacks. And, we are intelligent enough
to see through all their swiftboating.
Mccain, you are not a man I respect or trust. You, most certainly,
are not capable or qualified to lead our country.

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:08:26 +0000

jkarczek: “What's also predictable is that unless McCain's ads go completely insane, for example trying to imply Obama is a Muslim Manchurian Candidate, his all negative counterattack WILL succeed in reversing at least a good bit of Obama's momentum.”

Just to add to what you said…. Unfortunately many people DO feel that Obama is a Muslim Manchurian Candidate (you forgot terrorist). McCain doesn't have to put it all together…. these people hear “1″ then “2″ and when they put them together they come up with “3″….

By: rickCA

rickCA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 20:59:37 +0000

The economy is only going to get worse in the next month so the “elephant in the room” isn't going away. And we should get another gloomy employment report right before November 4 which should all but stamp McCain and Palin's ticket home . . . hopefully Obama gets to double digits before then and then the landslide will form and keep the Reds from caring about even voting.

Any bets on what Tine Fey's skit will be about tonight? Lots of winks, I'm sure. My money is on Fey sitting on McCain's lap like a ventriloquist with him saying . . .
Isn't she cute?” Then Fey . . . “Aren't I cute?”

By: davigoli

davigoli — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:24:09 +0000

I dunno, jkarczek. You talk about the campaign turning “overwhelmingly negative on both sides”, but it's really just been McCain who has gone almost 100% negative in the last few weeks. It's all he's got left. Obama still regularly stumps about his policy proposals and tends to leave voters with a good taste in their mouths. To an extent, he's got to avoid racist stereotypes of the “angry black man”, which limits how negative he can get.

Until I see reason to do otherwise, I completely trust Obama's handling of whatever comes his way. Not so much for all of his surrogates and handlers, but Obama managed to successfully navigate the stormy waters of the post-Palin nomination by staying out of the way and letting her implode on her own. After watching his steady hand at the till through months and months of a vicious primary battle, this man knows how to fend off negative attacks. If he can fend off the Clinton machine, McCain is a piece of cake.

By: pacatrue

pacatrue — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 19:08:40 +0000

Seems one of the better counter-attacks would be to quote a McCain advisor saying they don't want to focus on the economy anymore at the very time when the economy continues going into free-fall.

But I'm a pessimist. I'm sure the negative attacks will have some effect.

By: jkarczek

jkarczek — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:38:08 +0000

The fact of the matter is that this was the predicatable turn. The only way this campaign wouldn't have turned overwhelmingly negative on both sides was if one candidate had opened up an insurmountable lead by now. Then the leading campaign would've likely taken "the high road" in an effort to ease the transition period and hopefully get its policy priorities through Congress more easily.

What's also predictable is that unless McCain's ads go completely insane, for example trying to imply Obama is a Muslim Manchurian Candidate, his all negative counterattack WILL succeed in reversing at least a good bit of Obama's momentum. People want to believe of themselves that negative campaigning doesn't work with them, that they are disgusted by it, but the fact of the matter is that it almost ALWAYS works.

So Obama better not trivialize this, he better prepare, he better have good, incisive answers on taxes, corruption, Rev. Wright and all the rest, because if he's not completely believable the polls will reverse on him just like they did for McCain. People have already forgotten that just a couple weeks ago Obama's campaign and the Democrats in general were in a state of apoplexy during the Palin tidalwave.

By: rickCA

rickCA — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:08:11 +0000

Question for McCain for Tuesday's debate . . . it's common knowledge the Republicans know how to turn on the nasty campaign machine and dirty tricks when down in the polls. Everyone knows these players well . . . Lee Atwater, Karl Rove, and now Steve Schmidt.

America right now is depressed, demoralized, and hurting big time. The last thing we want to see for the next four weeks are tens of millions of dollars spent on nasty commercials, polling site tricks, Swift Boat antics, etc.

Would you, Mr. McCain, refrain from this type of campaigning from this point forward? You are the one that decides to go or not go down this path. And, please, don't justify doing it by claiming you would only be telling the truth or dirty little facts. America has heard enough bad news to last our lifetimes.

Just tell us what YOU stand for and leave the negative statements behind. We're smart enough to sort through the facts and our own opinions.

I hope both parties read this. Let's get the message to both candidates. Maybe someone will ask this question on Tuesday?

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:42:03 +0000

So… this is the rationale for McCain not having been able to be effective? He hasn't been negative enough? The bulk of his ads to date contain a higher proportion of deception and attack, as compared to Obama. Isn't McCain afraid this kind of desperation will backfire on him? It may thrill the base, but independents will likely feel insulted.

By: GeorgeSorwell

GeorgeSorwell — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:07:44 +0000

From the Washington Post article:

Yesterday in Pueblo, Colo., McCain made clear that he intends to press Obama on a variety of familiar GOP themes during the debate, as he accused the Democrat once again of getting ready to raise taxes and increase government spending.

I guess this is as opposed to Republicans, who cut taxes while increasing government spending.

Hey, grandkids--thanks for buying me that war in Iraq!!

By: D. E.Rodriguez

D. E.Rodriguez — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:07:16 +0000

“So it’s time to “turn a page” on the financial crisis.”

Yes, I am sure the desperate McCain campaign is getting ready to turn every one of the 300-plus pages of sleaze and smears in Corsi's “Obamanation” to use against Obama. Will it work? It depends on whether Americans themselves are finally ready to turn the page on the swiftboating of their candidates and on character assassination.