New McCain website graphic looks oddly … familiar
posted at 3:25 pm on June 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Now appearing at Maverick HQ:
Hotline detects a similarity. In McCain’s defense, he’s clearly intending this as a commentary per the takeoff on the “Change You Can Believe In” slogan. It’s not theft, in other words, it’s just … lame, and doubly worrisome for its lameness in light of Tuesday night’s enervating prebuttal speech to Barry O’s clinch. If you haven’t read Mark Halperin’s incisive list of 15 things McCain underestimates, do so now, as it taps into the assumption that lies behind this graphic. Namely, the election’s shaping up to be less of a contest between Obama and McCain than between Obama and NotObama, which is ironic given how the Democratic primary began (but didn’t end) as a contest between Clinton and NotClinton. How does McCain change that dynamic? Step one, let’s stipulate, involves not ripping off the other guy’s logo and catchphrase. What’s step two? Stress your advantages, I guess — but, er, what are those? Maverick’s at an organizational disadvantage, a media disadvantage, and a money disadvantage so potentially enormous (a $300 million Democratic take?) that threats of “stretching” the GOP to fight something like a 50-state campaign don’t seem so idle. One advantage he might conceivably have is with those townhall forums they’re planning, but see Halperin’s #13 about that. Obama doesn’t have to win them, he just has to avoid sounding like an idiot, which should be easy enough.
Exit question: Should McCain embrace the Obama/NotObama dynamic, as he seems to be doing here, or should he start hammering his own Narrative (read: war hero) before he gets sucked into Obama’s gravitational pull? He can and will do both to some extent, of course, but one will predominate and NotObama only makes sense if you think the Messiah’s negatives are so negative that McCain can skate through on the sheer terror of the electorate at having Barry O at the helm. That might have worked if the Democratic primary had gone a different way, but alas. More 624787 please, stat.
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It is lame but if he is trying to go for the Clinton voters, appealing to them with a knock-off like Clinton used might not be horrible.
Besides, knock-off or not, it’s probably better then ‘McCain, a leader who is not the absolute worst option’.
Spirit of 1776 on June 5, 2008 at 3:29 PM
It shows that McCains staff are followers not leaders
William Amos on June 5, 2008 at 3:30 PM
This is just a distraction, the real issue is McCain’s teeth.
infidel2 on June 5, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Kos is taking a lot of heat at DailyKos for his stupid post about McCain’s teeth. But when you can’t win an argument on fact you just end up throwing up ‘yo’ mama’ jokes.
cannonball on June 5, 2008 at 3:32 PM
I think the worst mistake one can make is to play the other guy’s game. Obama is largely an empty suit but he’s a good politician. He did win an extremely difficult primary. He’s good at what he does. It’s one thing to say in the heat of a political debate that all his success is due to two words. That could be a useful line of attack. It’s quite another to believe your own bs and try to adopt your own caricature version of the opponent’s strategy.
freevillage on June 5, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Maybe Axelrod and Ambinder share a focus group?
VolMagic on June 5, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Line up the trolls. Try not to feed them.
snaggletoothie on June 5, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Just looking at the graphic and reading the post here, I was sort of aghast at the lameness of it.
However, after going to the site…it isn’t as if he’s revamped his website to copy Barry’s style, that graphic leads to one section that compares him to Obama.
Given that, I can see the rational behind using it. The more I think of it, the more I think it’s not even an altogether bad idea. To me it’s almost more of a subtle little needle at Barry than copying.
Typhoon on June 5, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Thats a good ad. When he was speaking he actually sounded like he cared.
p0s3r on June 5, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I think we’ve just discovered the toxicity level of lameness
LimeyGeek on June 5, 2008 at 3:40 PM
In general, it strikes me as a poor marketing strategy to define oneself based on a competitor’s brand.
aero on June 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Yes. And Obama went to the site of the RNC convention center to give a speech – to thumb his nose at the Republicans on their own turf. So is McCain like Obama with colors on his website, or is Obama like McCain because of the location of his speech?
or is this just a huge a waste of time, like the ‘terrorist chic scarf’ Dunkin Donuts ad ‘controversy.’
Have fun comparing McCain to Obama. I’m sure all the usual folks are going to spouting all the usual talking points.
As usual.
wise_man on June 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
It’s clearly a swipe at Obama. Immediately under the image:
That’s a quote from the speech McCain gave when going after Obama’s mindless “CHANGE!” slogan.
amerpundit on June 5, 2008 at 3:41 PM
I don’t think it’s lame. People but their trust in Leaders, not some abstract “Change”. Besides, the “Change” Obama really wants, Socialism, is really not “Change We Can Believe In”.
Now, is McCain a Leader that I personally can believe in?
Not yet. If McCain, who claims to be a Christian, were to confess with his mouth “Jesus is Lord“, then I could trust him as a political leader. Why? Because it would pass the “Bible Test” and prove to me that he is not a wolf in sheep’s clothing (as both Obama and Clinton clearly are).
No candidate is under any obligation to pass the “Bible Test”, but if they choose to publicly confess that they are Christians, then I as a Christian expect them to prove it. There are too many charlatans (like Nancy Pelosi) for us to accept it at face value when someone claims to be a Christian. Too many politicians (like Hillary and Barack) say they are Christians just to fool some of the Christian flock.
Red Pill on June 5, 2008 at 3:42 PM
If so, it’s a damp squib at best. Poorly executed. Bleh.
LimeyGeek on June 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM
If anybody from the McCain camp reads this, please take it seriously.
I believe this is a mistake by the McCain campaign and they should reassess it immediately. McCain needs to carve out his own visual and communication identity. He has plenty of winning material to work with. Here are some suggestions (forgive the all-caps, I’m trying to convey how this might work in graphics and videos, imagine these words with McCain’s existing star+line graphical device):
Character:
HONOR
DUTY
SERVICE
COUNTRY
Vision:
FREEDOM
STRENGTH
PRIDE
INDEPENDENCE
INDIVIDUALISM
Policy:
RESPONSIBILITY
ACCOUNTABILITY
ETHICS
TRANSPARENCY
INVENTION
INNOVATION
SOLUTIONS
Qualifications:
EXPERIENCE
TRACK RECORD
RESULTS
RESULTS
RESULTS
Please listen, McCain campaign. I want you to win.
Gilda on June 5, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Poorly executed? Yes, without a doubt. But a swipe nonetheless.
amerpundit on June 5, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Guess they didn’t focus group this one. Weak. Scuttle it now and stop playing on Obama’s turf, otherwise you really will be McSame.
JammieWearingFool on June 5, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Horribly art directed.
Lame half-borrowing of Obama’s line.
Fail, fail, fail.
Dave Rywall on June 5, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Nicely done. Like Rove said, he needs to use this time to sell his personal narrative to the voters. I think that would trump trying to draw from the same well as BO.
Spirit of 1776 on June 5, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Oh boy. Any phrase that starts or ends with “believe in” is a joke.
Of combining the slogan with change is the worst of the worst.
I like something a little more tangible than all this hope and believe hogwash. “Oh if we all just believe it can happen… blah, blah, blah” – rubbish. The only way to make things happen is to get off your ass, work hard and get things done.
reaganaut on June 5, 2008 at 3:49 PM
I like it! It’s right on.
JetBoy on June 5, 2008 at 3:50 PM
I don’t know about others, but I just can’t work up any concern whatsoever for anything McCain does since I really don’t care if he wins or loses. And as for all those people who say “you have to support him because he’s OUR candidate”, no I don’t.
-
Just because he managed to manipulate the party into picking him and intends to simply turn the Republican party into a subsidary of the Democrat party doesn’t mean I have to hold my nose and vote for him. Just like all those “independents” he claims he will pull from the Democrats, this is one independent moving on to someone else.
-
So lame campaign graphic or not, I guess you better get used to it cause you get what you bought. And unfortunately there doesn’t appear to be any “returns” policy at this store.
woodythesingingcowboy on June 5, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Oh and while you’re at it McCain campaign, purge that weakling sky-blue color altogether. The dark blue you have as your background on your website is much better. Strong blue. Navy blue. American blue.
McCain art directors: McCain defines himself. Get out of his way.
Gilda on June 5, 2008 at 3:53 PM
McCain is mimicking Hussein’s campaign by being defensive against charges of being Bush 3.0, implying that, just like Obama, he represents change.
McCain/Dole 2008!
Akzed on June 5, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Let me see, McCain’s vision of the future is to be a better Comrade Obama? Sounds a short sighted to me.
Agree with the couldn’t care less. It’s planning time for 2010. The important races are the house and senate.
tarpon on June 5, 2008 at 3:54 PM
He is already using collectivist buzz-words for his campaign. Why not steal their slogans?
Valiant on June 5, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Obama is going to win in a landside resembling Reagan. McCain got the nomination by default, after everyone else conspired to ensure Mitt was out.
McCain does not have the intelligence or grasp of any of the problems facing this country needed in a POTUS, neither does Obama for that matter, but Obama has the narrative, charisma, and skin color that McCain lacks.
They are both empty suits with no vision, but one is black and that becomes “it says a lot about me to vote for the first black President”.
I could not care less for Obama’s skin color, but sadly I am part of the minority on that issue. With two useless choices for POTUS most people are going to want to “be a part of history” with their vote.
But it will all work out because when the depression comes there will be a Dem in the White House and a super majority of Dems in both houses of Congress. They will finally have to take the blame for their horrible policies.
Voidseeker on June 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Here’s Change I Can Believe In:
Life, Marriage, Fair tax, 2nd amendment, American Sovereignty
Pass and ratify the Human Life Amendment.
Pass and ratify the Marriage Amendment.
Abolish the IRS and institute the Fair Tax.
Appoint Conservative, strict-constructionist judges and justices.
Respect the 2nd Amendment.
Secure both borders by July 1, 2010.
Energy Independence.
Food Independence
Strong National Defense.
Lead on that, and you’ve got my vote.
Red Pill on June 5, 2008 at 3:56 PM
why does mccain do this? because he’s a lib, an obama-lite.
he can’t highlight the differences, because there aren’t many.
right4life on June 5, 2008 at 4:00 PM
that and far worse…glad I don’t live in NY….
right4life on June 5, 2008 at 4:01 PM
I think the GOP knows we’re screwed and so John is the lamb (a la Dole).
They really don’t care though, it’s all about AMNESTY and whatever it takes to get it through.
This is so sad. I personally put the blame right where it belong – on Jorge Bush.
And he doesn’t care one bit. It’s payback to all the conservatives for stopping amnesty.
stenwin77 on June 5, 2008 at 4:02 PM
It’s time for the republican party to come to an end.
Go constitution party.
Elect a real conservative.
Chuck Baldwin 2008′
http://www.baldwin2008.com
SaintOlaf on June 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Keeping it simple: How about the McCain blog migrating all five RSS feeds into one everything feed?
Also, what good does it do to have RSS categories when a blog post on Iraq is not tagged Iraq?
http://www.johnmccain.com/Blog/Read.aspx?guid=4d93a2bf-572c-4116-9f94-f29dcfd2ff67
If it isn’t tagged it’s not fed John. Jeez!
Obama=web 2.0 McCain=web 1.0
Just sayin’.
ganeshpuri89 on June 5, 2008 at 4:04 PM
That is a better slogan than the one I would give him.
“McCain. I’m pretty liberal, but I was a P.O.W. for 5 years.”
Vaporman87 on June 5, 2008 at 4:05 PM
I know this is trivial but I’d like him to stop starting and/or finishing his sentences with, “My friend”
Domino on June 5, 2008 at 4:07 PM
McCain=DOS 1.0
LimeyGeek on June 5, 2008 at 4:09 PM
It Just makes me wanna go to T.G.I.Fridays for some jalapeno poppers.
The Apologist on June 5, 2008 at 4:12 PM
I give up. Who is this leader we can believe in?
Bill Brasky on June 5, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Get the hell out of our party, and don’t come back.
wise_man on June 5, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Just clicked on johnmccain.com and barockabama.com, and compared them side by side. The contrast is cringeworthy.
At least Gilda has some constructive ideas. I’m just shellshocked.
RushBaby on June 5, 2008 at 4:14 PM
If the republican party has become the pro amnesty party of democrats in republican clothing…I will gladly leave it.
SaintOlaf on June 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Then how will you know if he’s your friend?
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
So, who’s this leader they are talking about us believing in and who is that very old man blocking the shot?
highhopes on June 5, 2008 at 4:15 PM
LOL.
And this is pretty embarrassing: Clicking on McCain eCampaign Director Michael Palmer’s name returns an error message. Boy, how lame.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Blog/Profile.aspx?ba=3f4a633a-f20a-41b2-8b1c-19872044c467
ganeshpuri89 on June 5, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Agree 100%, my friend. ;>)
ganeshpuri89 on June 5, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Hear, hear. The juvenile selfish tantrums have become quite tedious.
Gilda on June 5, 2008 at 4:19 PM
On Halperin’s list
American Idol is all one needs to know about this country, today. Maybe also Paris Hilton.
I predicted that Obama will run in the primaries as a Black man and for the general as a white one.
I’d add a 16th item
16. How reluctant McCain will be to attack Obama on anything.
Obama’s number one danger is his ideology. If you look at item 15./Halperin, all McCain would need to run is a Michelle O. in background video with how much she ‘loved’ America until now. It will never happen.
I’d say, declare the election over, don’t even vote, and live with it. We deserve it so, from the left, to the right.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:19 PM
The pop-art/agit-prop Obama stuff is going to be so thoroughly suffused through things we see over the next five months, from television to bumper stickers, that it makes sense for McCain to try to insinuate himself into it. If anything, though, he might benefit from being even more overt about it, probably even to the point of mockery. Because it really is worthy of mockery.
Blacklake on June 5, 2008 at 4:19 PM
Lame.
CP on June 5, 2008 at 4:20 PM
I don’t get it. The colors are metrosexual at best but the real creepy thing is that the picture speaks to me it says
Hi, Welcome to TGI Fridays. I’m John, will that be smoking or no smoking tonight.
highhopes on June 5, 2008 at 4:22 PM
LMAO
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:22 PM
wise_man, thank you. Say it to a few others too.
SaintOlaf, forgot to tell you yesterday that I don’t hate you at all, contrary to your claims. I just think that you are a pathetic figure. You’re not even worth my emotion of hate, given what you spewed against Mr. Romney, simply because he hasn’t converted yet to your religion.
Also, contrary to the very wise wise_man, I’d rather you stay here because you expose nearly daily how despicable a conservative can also be.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:23 PM
There is only so much you can do with red white and blue. What did Hillarys look like?
multiuseless on June 5, 2008 at 4:25 PM
People are making too big a deal out of this. Are we going to nitpick every freaking thing these people do? And who are WE? I mean are we experts or something? All of this is subjective.
I have no problem with this. I have been to McCain’s site and I like it just fine.
Personally I think making an issue of something like this is and of itself pretty lame. Who cares?
Terrye on June 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
McCain’s new “brand,” now that I think more about it, is just a snarky ripoff of Obama’s logo and catch phrase. His depressing Tues. night speech kept using the alliteration of “that’s not change we can believe in,” after talking about all of Obama’s ideas. He’s trying to establish himself as a “leader” and trying to paint Obama as a leftist crank. Fine, but the way he’s doing it plays right into Obama’s hands. McCain isn’t going to “out-believe” Obama, just like he won’t “out-Democrat” him. So don’t try! McCain is turning in the 2008 incantation of Bob Dole — dull and bitter.
McCain had something kind of cool a month ago where he ran on the notion of having “bold solutions for the nation’s challenges” or whatever. The actual ad was a little goofy, but I liked the concept. He needs to be out there selling himself as the maverick with bold, bipartisan solutions to the nation’s problems. That’s his winning message, imho, and he should run with it. I’m sorry he isn’t doing so.
Outlander on June 5, 2008 at 4:30 PM
If he wants to use the same style/tone as Obama, he has to do it mockingly, not sympathetically.
Imagine the same pic, graphic, smiling John saying “I’m not Barry.”
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
In the words of teh Fred!: “We’re not going to beat the Democrats by being better Democrats.”
Get your head out of your Ass McCain and try something original for a change. SHEEEEESH!!
ihasurnominashun on June 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I see you are still mad.
It’s ok, you are entitled to your own opinion Entelechy.
I hope you will accept my sincere apology for insulting you.
SaintOlaf on June 5, 2008 at 4:32 PM
“similarity” poo. Colors red, white, blue. Bonehead’s stuck in the “O”. Nothing lame about McCain’s version fixing the very lame feature about Bonehead’s “O” as it struck me by first impression when the campaign revealed it some time ago. John’s the straight arrow. My criticism of the early McCain info ad was that it was so starkly dark, so this is “summer” cool color code. But if it’s strength and integrity he wants to project, I agree with others that royal blue has it’s appeal.
“do so now” Mark Halperin shares a fettish to discriminate against maturity.
“not Obama” rhetoric is important to keep posting–Rezco etc affiliation today and tomorrow. The GOP ad worked well on that, very important to keep wobbly voters alert so they don’t go floating off on a pink “O” cloud unaware of their destination: hell. Also the new emphasis against Obama, the aborted baby killer, has its victim matured of age to speak against the cold and cruel Obama.
McCain has his return from VietNam photos that will undoubtedly continue to get featured from time to time in his campaign. The last time he posted one of those pictures of himself being greeted, I felt proud to see the Vietnam experience being recognized honorably. That it showed McCain’s age is a fact of life reality that every voter needs to recognize without “fear” or “repulsion” as we’ll all get old unless we die young. You can wish you’ll be in as good shape as McCain when you reach his age.
Historically, any of the three contenders make a first time unique candidate. Color, age, sex and religion aside, this election will certainly prove one point. Maturity has its much higher value than inexperienced and corruptly inept youth once a President is serving America within the Oval Office. If the younger generation is so spiteful of their elders that they MUST have a young DIFFERENT face to worship, here comes Baal with his great American lotto give-away.
McCain needs a strong VP, and Bolton would certainly provide stability of purpose and gravitas in the Senate. Mitt would ORGANIZE the ticket for victory should he be the VP or a Cabinet Member. Holding off on forming his posse is not to McCain’s advantage, IMO. He also should not personally be wasting efforts “reaching” Hillary or her camp. If he wants to designate one person to work with disenchanted democrats, fine, but keep them all at arms length as far as working for but not within the McCain camp.
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 4:33 PM
McCain is playing what’s known in chess as a ‘mirror game’. This is also common in air combat. All McCain has to do, basically, is stay white and keep his mouth shut. So far, he seems to be sticking to the first part OK.
Hope P. Muntz on June 5, 2008 at 4:35 PM
I think you are way off base. This isn’t a criticism of McCain. This is a dead-on criticism of his advertising/marketing tactics. It looks copied and lame. It’s not modern looking enough. By appearing “with it,” questions about his age don’t get asked.
He must run a modern, technological campaign, even if many of his supporters still watch the evening news.
To be deaf to this aspect of his message isn’t help him Terrye.
btw, what don’t you like about him?
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Yes, I accept your apology, if you mean it sincerely, as you said, because I don’t hold grudges. I sincerely hope/wish that you also reflect on some of what you’ve said, and how, not primarily about me. Sincerely also, I do wish you well, I really do.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Keep the “I’m not” list going:
“I’m John and you’re not.”
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Even funnier!
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:40 PM
McCain would be floating in dough$$ by tomorrow morning if he’d make the promise of No Amnesty ever under his watch – never, nada, ziltch. McCain would also be elected in November if he’d make that promise. Two words, so small, yet would move a great percentage of conservatives to hold his banner high, and, perhaps as many as half the working class liberals. Because he cannot bring himself to do so, he’s got a fight on his hands that I’m afraid he’s not going to win. Many wallets are still closed, but those of the open borders/yes on amnesty crowd will keep his campaign going.
24K lady on June 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM
SNL once upon a time was funny with original cast, Chevy.
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Yeah. It was great when he was still funny.
(that’s funny)
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:43 PM
1. I’m not young and inexperienced.
2. I’m not haughty, like John Kerry.
3. I’m not a socialist.
4. I’m not a Marxist.
5. My wife is not an anarchyst.
6. My wife loves this county, and always has.
7. My friends are not…you know the lot.
8. I will not talk to our staunch enemies unconditionally.
9. I will have no phot-ops with Chavez, Ahmi, Hamas, etc.
10. I will not raise taxes.
11. I will enforce all current laws of this country.
12. I will obsessively pusue altenate energy sources, all.
13. I will not make foreign policy decisions based on likes.
14. I’m not a Utopian idealist.
15. I’m a free-market capitalist.
16. I will keep NAFTA and make more treaties to sell more…
17. I will not dance to the tune of the U.N.
18. I will not dance to the ‘loves’ of Europe.
19. I’m not Camelot
20. My wife is not Jacqie.
Add your own.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Not critical enough. Get with the program, man.
funky chicken on June 5, 2008 at 4:48 PM
20. My wife is not Jackie – sorry Jaqueline, no disrespect elegant and decent lady.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:49 PM
funky, yes, please tell your husband that we’re not all insane, yet. He needs sustenance to fight, so we can pontificate freely, and opinionate at the huge expense of our country, as we know it. Good luck to us all.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I can’t agree that it’s lame. I can see what they’re trying to do — steal a bit of the Prophet Barack’s thunder by leading to a compare/contrast page to show who the real agent of change is.
Not great, but not bad.
irishspy on June 5, 2008 at 4:53 PM
24K:
Most people are not even talking about amnesty and the fact that Obama is certainly not far right on the issue has not hurt him raising money, not in the least.
Perspective.
Terrye on June 5, 2008 at 4:54 PM
He did the biography tour, and most folks here made fun of it…too ? old, boring, personal.
He tries to go a little silly and funny, and it’s not ? serious enough, too boring, not personal enough.
You just want to criticize anything he does.
funky chicken on June 5, 2008 at 4:55 PM
On the art piece (of shit) – the Obama art is so vague and not at all traditional American. Why copy soemthing like that? Even the blue color is almost gray, and really strangely washed out. The concept is bizarre.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:55 PM
By appearing “with it,” questions about his age don’t get asked.
The questions about his age have been answered ad nauseum.
“He must run a modern, technological campaign, even if many of his supporters still watch the evening news. To be deaf to this aspect of his message isn’t help”
If indeed Obama is tech savvy, then the McCain’s just gave us the “new, improved” version. We have SIX MONTHS of come and go ads until the election. So this one came and it will go. And another will arrive soon enough. If you have great ideas, drop a line to McCain’s camp with the suggestion. It’s like the contributions of gifts, some give cash, others talents. If your suggestion makes the cut, celebrate.
Truly, though, McCain can utilize the adage “work smarter, not harder” that would appeal across the board as everyone would like to dream of efficiency. He should have Fred Thompson’s ideas and legislation revisited rather than wasting away with incessant new legislation on top of everything that’s already on the books.
As far as the “energy crisis” goes and the damned legislation to RAISE TAXES, stomp the feet and slam the hands down! All we need is for city engineers who already have a damned job to do the job of timing traffic lights throughout the nation’s cities. THAT WOULD SAVE CONSUMPTION AND TIME! That would be cost effective. That would not cost higher taxes.
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Jiang:
I did not say it was a criticism of McCain, I said it was nitpicking by people who would probably bitch no matter what. That is my point. I bet the people who put this together were professionals, exactly the kind of people that critics have been saying McCain should bring aboard. I am just saying I think this sort of thing is subjective and therefore useless. I happen to think Obama’s standing in front of gazillion flags with that little head tilt of his is annoying as hell, but obviously it works for him. So who am I to say what looks good to someone else?
Terrye on June 5, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Who the hell cares what is on his website? I guess people who spend all day trolling the Net do.
McCain already has a great positive TV ad running in Philadelphia. I’ve seen it twice. That will make a bigger impression on more voters than whatever crappy slogan he puts on a web page. All political slogans are stupid.
rockmom on June 5, 2008 at 4:58 PM
21. I don’t think that I can heal the sick, employ the jobless, heal the earth, and change the level of the ocean.
Thanks for your kind words.
funky chicken on June 5, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Wow! Do you have that wrong. (At least most people here. Sorry, other than here, I just know libs.) From my perspective, 24K is absolutely correct.
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 4:59 PM
I don’t go to his website either. But what if his TV ad sucked? You’d understand the need to fix it. There are those who will use the website and form opinions about the candidate and his campaign and position and advisers from it, and will get a bad opinion if it’s lame. There’s nothing that complicated about it, and it’s not so hard to fix. Also, you don’t want those snide Letterman types ridiculing him and adding to the old, addled meme they’re spinning.
JiangxiDad on June 5, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Jiang:
I did not say it was a criticism of McCain, I just think it is nitpicking by people who would probably not like the site no matter what. That is my point.
I bet the people who put this together were professionals, exactly the kind of people that critics have been saying McCain should bring aboard. I think this sort of criticism is subjective.
I happen to think Obama’s standing in front of gazillion flags with that little head tilt of his is annoying as hell, but obviously it works for him. So who am I to say what looks good to someone else?
As for the amnesty issue, go ahead, let’s do 2006 all over again and make it a huge issue. It worked so well then. McCain can promise to round up all the illegals and never ever ever ever give any of them any kind of amnesty, even if they have been here for decades. It will really help rake in the money and bring about unity etc. And yes, I am being sarcasticl
I am just saying that I think right now this is not a big winner for Americans. Border security, yes. That is good, but going down this road again right now will only help the Democrats. Right now people are more concerned with gas prices and inflation and health care costs and the war.
Terrye on June 5, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 4:47 PM
I am not Camelot! LOL
That never was. Can you imagine the story of Camelot with King Arthur doped all of the time, f*cking every female like a letch?! Washington DC circa 1963 MSM earning their keep, setting us up for the rest of our lives.
I loved JFK as much as anyone. But what’s over is over, and what never was can not be made to be. The Kennedy’s have not done right for America so much as they’ve done right for themselves as takers, users and abusers. I’m sick and tired of the Camelot lie. It’s bad hollywood at its best. Keeping the lie going doesn’t help anyone but the takers, users and abusers to stay in the power play manipulating our country. No more. Let Teddy die in peace, and let there be an end to the Kennedy legacy. This business of Carolyn dictating to the DNC who’s gonna be the next VP is sick. SHE is not a super delegate. If she is, sh*t, what for?
She’ll either opt for Janet N./AZ Gov to steal wind from McCain’s homestate, OR she’ll suggest the Terminator, with the stipulation that he would remain VP should the DNC POTUS die, and Pelosi would become the next POTUS in case of a death in the White House.
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 5:10 PM
It’s better that the commie-crap he had behind him at his kick-off speech Tuesday night.
Al-Ozarka on June 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM
JiangxiDad – my humble thanks. It’s not being talked about by the candidates or MSM. He could nail this thing if he’d just take up the one position that is holding most conservatives in check. I worked a primary as an election judge. Even college kids were quietly talking about it standing in line, looking around sheepishly, not knowing if they should or should not talk about it.
I live for the day that McCain’s new ad, flanked by a dozen flags, declares this nation worthy of it’s sovereignty and it’s citizens worthy of protection.
24K lady on June 5, 2008 at 5:17 PM
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 5:10 PM
In Europe they call the Obamas the Black Kennedys already.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Isn’t it odd, JD, hearing Letterman crack old fart jokes that apply more aptly to himself than anyone else? You’re right, no one wants to hear the crap over and over again. Getting the writers back from strike didn’t help return good humor, all have noted. It will be very interesting to see how the McCain campaign moves. He’s certainly had a lot of time to think about what he’d say if he were ever given the chance. But as the market knows, it’s all in presentational style. None the less, the message!
McCain. Give experience the chance with your vote.
Change with what we know makes strong Americans.
BORDER, JOBS, ENERGY, LANGUAGE, CULTURE
Five fingers, five points.
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 5:28 PM
In Europe they call the Obamas the Black Kennedys already.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 5:23 PM
RACISTS!
maverick muse on June 5, 2008 at 5:29 PM
maverick, I have no idea why you loved JFK, as you claim. He did several things right, especially compared to today’s lefties who’ve hijacked his party. However, he scrooomed up many too, and is only as ‘famous’ as he is because he died when/how he did.
Entelechy on June 5, 2008 at 5:31 PM
24K:
They would not believe him anyway. If McCain came out and promised there would not be any amnesty, the people who want to hold this issue against him would not believe him.
Now I understand how you feel, but Obama is so far to the left of McCain on this issue, that any conservative who sits back and lets him win does not need to ever complain about amnesty again.
Terrye on June 5, 2008 at 5:33 PM
A leader we can believe will:
- Legalize all third world invaders
- Support the global warming hoax and tax us in the Trillions
- Continue to suppress free speech (McCain-Feingold)
- Continue to resist domestic oil exploration. Afterall we can’t disturb 1% of nowhere without threatening the Caribou and Polar Bears.
There would be no descernable difference in the next four years with either McCain or Obama in the White House. The only thing that matters is Congress. I may as well vote for the Constitution candidate or write in a conservative. I will not support either of the liberal front runners.
orlandocajun on June 5, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Terrye, you’re right, the time to have addressed amnesty seriously was when we still had a choice of candidates to support. But, people are talking and wondering who will come along to save what’s left of our border states. We are all savvy enough to know what an Obama win will mean. But, those in border states also know what a McCain win will mean. It’s possible McCain only plans on a one term presidency. If so, he’d live up to his maverick nick and reach across that aisle to do what is necessary to shove amnesty down the very throats of those that criticized his earlier attempt, but ultimately had no choice but to vote for him. What irony.
24K lady on June 5, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Apparently not John McCain.
The Race Card on June 5, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I’m with you 100%, Terrye.
JetBoy on June 5, 2008 at 5:59 PM
I’m not going to go into any detail, but I assure you that some of us are indeed experts. Or something. :)
Not everyone is attuned to matters of visual communication and if you aren’t please do not make the grave mistake of thinking it’s unimportant. A brief walk through any aisle at the grocery store should be enough to convince you that there really is something behind the imagery decisions on display. In fact the packaging is often much more responsible for sales than the product.
Who cares? Well, the Obama campaign sure does. That he even got the nomination is way more a function of form than substance. His brand image has been carefully crafted and is in fact what his supporters are buying.
I’ve read a lot of comments along the lines of “how can people fall for this empty suit Obama?” Well, now you know. It’s the packaging.
So if this subject doesn’t interest you that’s fine, I don’t mean to go after you personally or anything, but please consider that it may actually be a very big deal – it may be the determining factor in the next presidential election.
Gilda on June 5, 2008 at 5:59 PM
orlandocajun, you are so spot on! If either candidate used any of your suggestions it would never be noticed. They could admit to most anything and people would still step up and vote for them. The message of either is long lost.
24K lady on June 5, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Here’s a good article, if OT a bit, from American Thinker, from back in January (no less) about why McCain is the candidate to beat Obama. It starts off:
JetBoy on June 5, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Excellent article, thanks.
Gilda on June 5, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Come on people. John Kerry’s website was a million times better than Bush’s. Didn’t get him any extra votes. Everybody knows Republicans stink at this Web stuff. Have you looked at GOP.com recently? This is a stupid topic. Find something else to bitch about.
rockmom on June 5, 2008 at 6:22 PM
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