Did the GOP use its prep time well?
posted at 9:30 am on June 6, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The long, tough slog through the Democratic primaries gave the Republicans some time to strategize and plan for the general election, The Hill notes, and now their preparations will be put to the test. San Youngman reports that GOP researchers have plenty of data to use in their general-election contest against Barack Obama, some of which may have come from Hillary Clinton’s campaign and even her own mouth. The RNC rolls out a new website today to feature their efforts to defeat Obama and elect John McCain:
When Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) finally secured the Democratic nomination Tuesday night, his Republican opponents were fully prepared to welcome the Illinois senator to the general election.
Given Obama’s six-month, 54-contest, grueling up-and-down nomination battle against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), the desire for a breather would be understandable.
But the Republican National Committee (RNC) had already been piling up reams of opposition research, some of which it had already released, that it will use to define Obama before he has a chance to recover from the primaries. …
“Once he wheezed across the finish line, we were ready to help educate voters about Obama’s plans to raise taxes, cut troop funding, and negotiate with hostile leaders,” Amber Wilkerson, an RNC spokeswoman, said. “Thankfully, we only had to look to comments from Democrat leaders — including Hillary Clinton and John Edwards — to pose some important questions about Obama’s poor judgment and weak experience.”
Expect the GOP to hammer on Obama’s coast through the last three months of the campaign, mainly to boost morale among their own troops to show that Obama can be beaten. Hillary changed tactics at the beginning of March, becoming much more confrontational with Obama, and saw a great deal of success. She won almost all of the contests between March and June but could not overcome Obama’s large delegate lead in the end. The pressure from Hillary caused Obama to make several gaffes and retractions, continuing even to last night as Obama flip-flopped on Jerusalem.
The new RNC site, Meet Barack Obama, will serve as the repository of these kinds of stumbles and oppo research. It has the widget calculating the exact length of time since Obama’s last visit to Iraq, and spots for RNC videos, grass-roots organization, and highlighted issues that will undoubtedly update as events unfold. Right now they have a feature on the Rezko convictions and a site where visitors can leave questions for Barack Obama to answer. (I’m sure he’ll get right on that.)
It seems fairly impressive. The RNC didn’t sleepwalk through the last three months, and they put their enormous fundraising advantage to good use. Their $40 million cash-on-hand dwarfs the DNC’s $4.4 million, which won’t even cover the cost of their convention. The Democrats have known McCain as the nominee for three months and have yet to put together any coordinated effort against him. The GOP have the advantage early, and if they can maintain their fundraising advantage over the DNC, they may be able to keep it through the general election.
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Once again, no proof just your special brand of paranoia.
BTW, does “GD” mean what I think it means, not something one hears out of the mouths of Christians.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Yess, next we will come for the TC’s.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 3:24 PM
you have no proof he’ll do as he says. he has a LONG history of betraying conservatives.
but we should just believe Juanny cause Juanny says so!! right…
I’m just not as holy as you are obviously!! or as sanctimonious, self-righteous, etc.
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Heh.
Gilda on June 6, 2008 at 3:33 PM
And a looooooong history of doing exactly what he says he will do. For betrayal to happen you have to not see it coming, for the most part, McCain lets you know if he is or is not going to do something. Your long history of betrayal is mostly a long history of him not doing what you want.
No, I was just making sure it meant what I thought it did. I was surprised and did not expect that from you. I let a naughty word slip out, but I try not to use His name in a curse, I understandably thought you felt the same way.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Some conservatives disagree with McCain on matters of principle and conscience - that doesn’t make them Democrat operatives. That’s just stupid.
What makes you think that? McCain has flipped and flopped mightily on this issue. He does NOT agree with building a fence, so what makes you think we can pressure him to do what he doesn’t want to do? He’s inordinately proud of NOT bowing to conservative pressure. Is there any evidence at all that he’s capable of working with conservatives on this issue? Or is it a matter of…HOPE?
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 3:37 PM
ah yeah he was against the bush tax cuts, now he’s for them…uh huh.
I have a bridge to sell ya!!
I was quoting your HERO mccain…now how can you support someone who says things like that?? hmmmm and I abbreviated it, so as not be offensive….of course you are offended at me, but not Juanny who said the entire phrase…
nice.
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 3:41 PM
doing a little research and your boy Juan voted to confirm Ginsberg…yeah he’s real pro-life….
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 3:52 PM
If it walks like a duck …
The democrats are against McCain. The democrats are lying about McCain, trash talking McCain, doing what they can to make absolutely sure that McCain doesn’t win this November … You don’t have to be a democrat to also be doing and saying things that are almost exactly what other democrats are doing and saying. You just have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and get a good night sleep all they while knowing that you(whoever) is doing things that pleases democrats.
I wouldn’t be caught dead doing anything that pleases democrats, when there will be a contest between what the democrats want and what the republicans want.
wise_man on June 6, 2008 at 3:56 PM
too bad Juan doesn’t feel the same way….
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Such an odd thing to say considering that’s what McCain spends all his time doing - pleasing Democrats. Screw what Republicans want.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 4:03 PM
No matter what?
Does that mean you will support any Republican no matter what their positions are - even if you vehemently disagree with them? That’s pretty much what “Anybody but Obama” means. If it’s all about Party with you, then there’s no room to dissent on the issues. You’re bound to the Party, no matter what your principles are.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Only 3 senators voted against ginsberg…
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 4:12 PM
3 principled senators you mean.
but we know better than to expect that from Juan…
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Right now, democrats don’t want McCain. If McCain ’spends all his time pleasing democrats’ as you say, then maybe they would vote for him? No. Then maybe there is something wrong with your premise.
wise_man on June 6, 2008 at 4:14 PM
Hahahah what a stupid strawman.
I was not offended, I was just seeing if that is what you were getting at, if you were quoting McCain, fine, I was just asking because it seemed out of character.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 4:14 PM
I would be interested to see who else voted against her.
She was qualified, not ideologically but resume-wise.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Better John McCain than Ron Paul. Ron Paul, what a joke of a candidate!
As for Obamajebus enthusiasm, Obamajebus and his campaign managed to pee in some Democrat cornflakes on the way to his nomination. If these “true conservatives” want to stay home, let them. They can go skip the election along with the angry Hildy voters. And I guarantee there are more upset Hillary voters than there are “true conservatives” still throwing hissy fits. Especially when you consider the liberal leavening of their numbers with Democrat mobys and Ronulans.
Just don’t come crying to me if the GOP candidate in 2012 decides s/he too can win without conservatives, if they became irrelevant in 2008.
Sekhmet on June 6, 2008 at 4:16 PM
That would be awesome.
But in the end, I just don’t see the democrats as being so stupid not to vote for Obama because they wanted Hillary to be the nominee. That would be idiotic. Only a retarded moron would cut off their nose to spite their face like that.
wise_man on June 6, 2008 at 4:20 PM
He has voted three times in 06 to create and fund the border fence. He voted against it twice (likely because the bill was flawed, but who knows).
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Here’s what I wrote: Yes they are effectively working for the Democrats.
Effectively, as in such a manner to achieve a result.
End results are not the same as motivation. Extracting an accusation of being a “Democratic operative” from what I said is disingenuous, at best.
I leave it to your “principles” and “conscience” to determine if an apology for the “stupid” remark is warranted.
Gilda on June 6, 2008 at 4:25 PM
probably real pro-life senators…this is an example of why the gop is in such trouble.
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 4:26 PM
don’t worry…the way things are going I’ll never vote GOP for anything ever again.
and when it comes down to it…I’m just passing through this country…
right4life on June 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
wise_man, you make yourself look very foolish.
There’s a difference between George H. W. Bush (41st President) and George W. Bush (43rd President)
Re-read what I said.
Bush 41 was a member of the Trilateral Commission.
Bush 43, to the best of my knowledge, is not a member. But he made the same mistake with his VP as Reagan did…
I’m actually not a member of the John Birch Society, but it sounds like they are right on this issue.
I believe George H. W. Bush (41st President) was behind the assassination attempt on President Reagan.
I believe the Trilaterals assumed that they could control George W. Bush (43rd President) through his father.
George W. Bush did listen to his father’s advice in picking Cheney (also a Trilateral member), but in general “W.” listens to his Heavenly Father more than his earthly father.
Now, check this out…
That confirms it for me. McCain is on the Dark Side for sure.
It should be no surprise that McCain is for most of the same things the Socialists are for…amnesty…AGW legislation…etc.
Don’t be fooled by McCain’s pro-war stance. He would do the same to us in Iraq and Afghanistan as LBJ did to us in Vietnam. He’d be sabateur-in-chief of the armed forces.
Now, think about this:
Bear Sterns should have gone bankrupt. When the Federal Reserve assumed new powers to “save” Bear Sterns, they sold it at a fire sale price to whom? JP Morgan Chase. See the connection? Chase got a great deal, while we the taxpayers got Bear Sterns $30 Billion debt. Since then, the Federal Reserve has been continuing to increase their leverage in this new arena.
The Federal Reserve caused the Stock Market crash of 1929. In the aftermath, the socialists made some of their biggest gains of the 20th century. Now, the Federal Reserve wants to cause another Stock Market crash in an attempt to usher in even more socialism. Did you see what happened today?
Now answer this: who has more control over our economy:
The President of the United States, or
The Chairman of the Federal Reserve?
When the POTUS gives a speech, does the stock market react?
When the Fed Chairman gives a speech, does the stock market react?
Wake up, Neo…
We need Huckabee to abolish the IRS and Federal Reserve and restore our sovereignty.
Anyone who appreciates their privacy should be appalled that we ever allowed an IRS to be created.
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Interesting. Wasn’t it Ron Paul who was so well-known for the notion of abolishing the Federal Reserve?
Why yes. I think it was. Fascinating. Really.
Gilda on June 6, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Oh brother.
wise_man on June 6, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I dont think Ruth Bader-Ginsburg is the root of our problems….
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Former ACLU lawyer.
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 5:00 PM
ACLU…I bet the “C” really stands for “Communist”…
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Shapes some tin-foil into a fine chapeau for RedPill
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:05 PM
As it’s been said several times, a loss in 2008 will refresh the memories of the Republican elite. Without conservatives, failure is assured. This is the kick in the pants that it will take to get this party back on track. It’s unfortunate, and it doesn’t make me happy by any means. But we need another 1994 if this boat is going to stop sinking. MHO.
Vaporman87 on June 6, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Then what would the L stand for, it just does not make sense.
Those civil liberties will getcha every time.
*Takes the blue pill and goes back into his cocoon*
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:07 PM
I am sure it does not make you happy. You know who else it does not make happy, those of us in the armed forces. You remember, the ones who will get most immediately and forcefully screwed?
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:08 PM
And has been said - many times - it was the republican primary voters who were responsible for nominating McCain, not the “republican elite.”
wise_man on June 6, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Don Nickles, Jesse Helms and Bob “Im a Republican or not, ok Im an Independent” Smith.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:14 PM
I addressed my comment to both wiseman and you. Wiseman has frequently written of his conspiracy theory that those who disagree with McCain actually work for the Democrats. You replied, “Yes…” as if you agreed with him. I can understand why you’d want to back off of that.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Don’t forget that hefty influx of Democrat voters. He’s hardly the clear choice.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 5:23 PM
President Huckabee will be the kick in the pants to the Republican elite.
Stop praying for the Messiah.
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 5:23 PM
See? You don’t need conservatives. McCain should win just fine without Them, right? So, if he loses, it won’t be conservatives’ fault. It will be because he failed to inspire his favored constituency to vote in sufficient numbers. At that point, it’s either McCain’s own fault, or moderate/liberal Independents’ fault.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Yeah that hefty influx of Den voters using the same proof the Dems had in 2000 when we “stole” Florida.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I am a realist, I reconciled to the fact that I would have to share a party with the T.C.’s because we have a common goal. I volunteered, gave money and voted. When I was told to “shut up” and “get in line” by the T.C.’s I did. Now my guy is the one person who can keep the country out of the tank, and I have to listen to the T.C.’s whine and cry about how no one listens to the EVER “Voter, Voter, how come you no love me no more?”
Tired of it. I am not telling you to get in line, but dont pretend like this “shut up and get in line” is something new.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:34 PM
I am not by any means backing off on anything, and to suggest as much is a deliberate mischaracterization of my above 4:25 comment.
I gotta give you credit for trying though. It’s kinda cute, in a flaccid sort of way.
Gilda on June 6, 2008 at 5:35 PM
American Communist Lawyers Union
Red Pill on June 6, 2008 at 5:38 PM
No, it’s not new. I left the Party over it years ago. “Shut up and get in line” didn’t work then and it certainly doesn’t work now. I’m surprised folks keep trying it. Party Republicans have nothing left to them but failed strategies.
Good for you. So you get my point.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Hahah your a hoot Red Pill. I wonder how you feel about Public Defenders.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Well I was younger and dumber in the 2000 election.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Well said!
To those of you whining and stamping your feet that things aren’t going your way, rather than rail against the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, how about signing up with something like NumbersUSA or just picking up the phone or faxing your representatives and making your voices heard where it might actually do some good?
I love our little echo chamber here as much as anyone else, but if you want to be heard, DO SOMETHING! Action is required, not just good intentions and a sense of outrage.
Preaching to the choir feels good, but ultimately doesn’t accomplish much. You want change?
Make. It. Happen.
techno_barbarian on June 6, 2008 at 6:04 PM
I bow to your excellence.
Good to see you again.
Squid Shark on June 6, 2008 at 6:06 PM
technobarbarian:
Done, done, done. How do you think Kennedy-McCain was defeated in all its multiple incarnations? Many of us here walk our talk, and put our money - and time - where our mouth is. Good pep talks are always helpful, though likely more effective without the condescension.
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Heh. Too kind.
I see you’re still tilting against RP. Respectfully, I think that’s an unproductive and unworthy use of your valuable time.
What’s RP going to do when the Huckster isn’t chosen? Will he question the origin of the voices in his head that told him that Huckster is the Chosen One?
Stay tuned. We’ll see in November.
Mrs. B is winking at me. Back later.
techno_barbarian on June 6, 2008 at 6:19 PM
No condescension intended Red, and certainly none aimed your way. Enjoyed your posts on this thread.
Cheers.
techno_barbarian on June 6, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Well, then, cheers to you too! I thought you were picking up the “cry-babies” theme from earlier. My bad.
You go enjoy Mrs.B, and I’m off to dinner with plenty of wine. Cheers!
Redhead Infidel on June 6, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Thank you Elizabeth.
Red Pill on June 7, 2008 at 1:29 AM
I’m Juan (I mean John) McCain and I am issuing orders from my campaign headquarters that this BlOG immediately cease and desist! I am now the leader of the Republican Party and you shall all follow me because I’m the big Kahuna, The Man, The Chosen One and I, and only I know what’s best for the party! I shall reach across the isle to build friendships with my friends on the other side of the isle and in newsrooms and editorial boards across the country and together we shall fashion a bold new agenda for America based on mutual trust between Me, The Democratic Party and the News Media…Muhahahahahah!!!
sabbott on June 7, 2008 at 6:56 AM
Die in a fire, troll.
wise_man on June 7, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Squid Shark points out that someone says something wrong, & it draws the “self-righteous, sanctimonious” accusation.
I try to be grateful for when people correct me.
jgapinoy on June 7, 2008 at 8:48 PM
I guess you haven’t noticed the shots (figuratively) coming from the Dems & the media toward McCain. I know he has noticed, & so have most Americans.
jgapinoy on June 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
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