Why Flip Flop At All?
TalkLeft

Sure, the flip flop attack probably won’t cost Obama the election. But why not ask yourself this, why feed the line of attack in the first place? Maybe Obama is not really hurt by the flip flopper line, but please …

How does anyone know what Obama really believes or, even more problematic, what beliefs he’ll decide are worth expending political capital on once he’s elected?

Jeralyn, that is what he believes, GET ELECTED.

The transformative veneer has been stripped from Obama, leaving the opportunist exposed for all to see. Obama may have peaked already.

That I doubt. He is “ripping the bandage” off fast taking the pain all at once rather than spreading it out, drip, drip, drip. Actually pretty smart as there is less pain that way.

“…He’s not infallible at the latter, certainly, but he’s pretty good and I thought his observation was on-point. Outlander on July 13, 2008 at 4:37 PM

So I can take that for a “Yes”… you’re goin’ with the olde Big boye, “toe sucker”…?

Have you and the “Big Boye” all done a “political dolphin” since Dickey thinks he can get his bread “better buttered” on the “right side”?

Just asking…!

J_Gocht on July 13, 2008 at 3:29 PM

Morris is an expert at two things: (1) hoovering the fungus off an escort’s feet in under 30 seconds and (2) electoral politics. He’s not infallible at the latter, certainly, but he’s pretty good and I thought his observation was on-point.

“…Dick Morris, I think, put it best when he said that the 2008 election is a referendum on Obama and that McCain was merely “the other guy running.” Your comments seem consistent with that observation. Outlander on July 13, 2008 at 1:47 PM

This is the character the “Lumbering Leviathan from Palm Beach” used to refer to as the “Clinton toe sucker”…?

Have you and the “Big Boye” all done a “political dolphin” since Dickey thinks he can get his bread “better buttered” on the “right side”?

Just asking…!

I hope HA readers aren’t fooled by these types of stories.

The NY Times is trying to make independents thinks he’s one of them.

He’s still a leftist.

faraway on July 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM

I wouldn’t think the Times is self-aware enough to do that. They think they’re “mainstream,” so their analysis and opinions are the “voice of reason.” It probably never occurs to them to try something Machiavellian like that.

It’s the old “How could Nixon win? I don’t know anyone who voted for him!” dilusion of the hardcore adherants of the American Left.

I believe the abject ignorance of the current Gaza situation in itself speaks volumes about people like the woman from Oregon and the rest of the suddenly upset with Obama crowd on the left. They’re that segment of society that can be fooled all of the time.

My concern stems from the notion that it’s harder to inspire people to vote “against” a candidat than to vote “for” a candidate. Is McCain really wise by positioning himself as the “default” choice for voters who decide to vote against Obama?

It’s not as though McCain has no positive issues to run on or lacks for an inspiring personal story. Being relatively safe and trustworthy also means inspiring confidence that when he promises a commitment to strategic energy independence, an economic growth agenda, needed reforms, and a robust defense policy, it means something. Anyway, my point is that the positioning now creates the background – or shapes the battlefield if you prefer military metaphors – for the final struggle. Many tactical and even strategic adjustments still will be made. In the meantime, creating the underlying sense for swingers that, if undecided, it’s OK to vote for this particular R would be a pretty good accomplishment.

And what does being the “default” choice say about your energy and enthusiasm for running–both questions voters will have in their minds given McCain’s age?

All the more reason to be ready, rested, and on the offense when the real fight begins.

I don’t want to see McCain go out there and viciously attack Obama. But he needs to do something other than run ad after ad after ad saying “I was a POW, vote for me!”

I don’t see him doing that at all. If that’s what it looks like to you and others, it may be a testament to how far we are from the “real” campaign. Very little of the Summertime sparring will be remembered in November – some impressions at most. That overall they may be working in McCain’s favor is suggested by the closer-than-expected horse race.

CK MacLeod on July 13, 2008 at 1:11 PM

Mcguyver on July 13, 2008 at 1:59 PM

We that does it. The nominations are hereby closed and the over-reacting trophy goes to Mcguyver.

If there’s ever been a more over-the-top, out-of-proportion response to a more rational and well-presented opinion here at HA, I haven’t seen it, and I don’t want to.

Many rightwing critics, including inveterate McCain haters or at least McCain skeptics from way back, are impatient for the McCain campaign to unload on the Obama campaign with both barrels and a couple grenades, too.
CK MacLeod on July 13, 2008 at 1:11 PM

in·vet·er·ate [in-vet-er-it] –adjective
1. settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like: an inveterate gambler.
2. firmly established by long continuance, as a disease, habit, practice, feeling, etc.; chronic.

….
…
Your obvious shilling for Juan McShanesty and disdain for intelligent justifiable critics of the same is not missed nor has it escaped us.

Such idiots, you and all McCain shills are, supporting his arrogant immigration reform, calling us “obstructionists”, bigots and racists.
And even today his pandering conference call with La Raza is proof of the same.

All you inveterate McCain supporters have a disease called “arrogant-better-than-thou”.
And since you have set the rules as the aggressors, the remedy for you is the severest of criticisms, calling you for what you are, you fucking bastards!!

“Missy,” (10:31am) I disagree that the NYT has more far-left than centrist readers; take my sister (please!) for one…but, it is – sadly – still seen by too many as a source of credible ‘journalism’ (sic).

Lockstein13 on July 13, 2008 at 1:43 PM

I’m not entirely positive on that myself and was just wondering what the percentage of truly undecided independent NYT readers really is, compared to the committed Obamites. But you are certainly right that the Times is considered the gold standard in manistream journalism (*sigh*).

Many rightwing critics … are impatient for the McCain campaign to unload on the Obama campaign with both barrels and a couple grenades, too… Going on the attack too viciously would also raise McCain’s negatives while he’s trying to position himself as the safe, comfortable, positive, trustworthy alternative to the risk of the untested newcomer. *** In the meantime, the fact that McCain is easily within striking distance…in most national opinion polls, suggests that he’s been playing the hand he’s been dealt fairly well.
CK MacLeod on July 13, 2008 at 1:11 PM

Dick Morris, I think, put it best when he said that the 2008 election is a referendum on Obama and that McCain was merely “the other guy running.” Your comments seem consistent with that observation.

My concern stems from the notion that it’s harder to inspire people to vote “against” a candidat than to vote “for” a candidate. Is McCain really wise by positioning himself as the “default” choice for voters who decide to vote against Obama? And what does being the “default” choice say about your energy and enthusiasm for running–both questions voters will have in their minds given McCain’s age?

I don’t want to see McCain go out there and viciously attack Obama. But he needs to do something other than run ad after ad after ad saying “I was a POW, vote for me!”

“The NY Times is trying to make independents thinks he’s one of them.
He’s still a leftist.” - faraway on July 13, 2008 at 10:11 AM

Exactly. The more The Obamboozler loses the advantage to McCain, the more Obi’s press-handmaiden pump out the “he’s just a regular guy” cr*p.

“Missy,” (10:31am) I disagree that the NYT has more far-left than centrist readers; take my sister (please!) for one…but, it is – sadly – still seen by too many as a source of credible ‘journalism’ (sic).

At least the BHO bus is saving gas by throwing so many of those aboard underneath it.

Mojave Mark on July 13, 2008 at 11:06 AM

This is Barack’s total sum energy plan….

Note to Mojave Mark (and all other commentators): please highlight and separate your funnys from the rest of your monologues… it being Sunday and all I don’t want to have to “work” to find them…

Thanks.

second digit on July 13, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Trigger finger, that’s what I like about you…immediate, defined target evaluation and immediate reaction and action to the situation at hand!

Hey, I’m only the spotter.

Outlander on July 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM

If Barry was a regular politician with a regular resume, I’d go along with all that.

But he’s not.

The bad news for Barry that’s always been there in pain sight to at least a few of us is that in order to be for him you have to believe in him.

Not in what he stands for or what he’s done to earn his right to ask us to give him the job of president because neither exist.

You have to believe in the transformative power of him.

I have never for a moment believed enough people would believe for him to stand a chance of being elected. It’s as Ed said, he’s passed his sell-by date. It’s also as the heart-broken artist in the article said, not only does there come a point where you tune him out, past that is the point where his entire act is just freaking too annoying to listen to.

Going on the attack too viciously would also raise McCain’s negatives while he’s trying to position himself as the safe, comfortable, positive, trustworthy alternative to the risk of the untested newcomer. It also would tend to awaken and rally Obama’s base, give Obama openings to counterattack, and expose McCain’s strategy, and possibly leave him over-committed.

CK MacLeod on July 13, 2008 at 1:11 PM

Excellent insights and great commment. Thank you.

To ensure the top prize and hold off any late surge by McCain, the O-Team would like to recover at least some of the old momentum, but it’s very hard once you’ve lost it to re-gain it: The messianic moments in the St Paul victory speech occasioned ridicule. Moving the nomination acceptance speech to a stadium and trying to get a platform at the Brandenburg Gate suggest more explicit efforts to re-capture the magic of the Iowa to South Carolina moment, now on a nation- and world-bestriding scale, but that won’t be easy, may be impossible, and may even hurt more than it helps.

Many rightwing critics, including inveterate McCain haters or at least McCain skeptics from way back, are impatient for the McCain campaign to unload on the Obama campaign with both barrels and a couple grenades, too. There are many reasons why doing so right now might not make sense, not least because the swing voters are only just barely paying attention. Much of the effort would be wasted, and would never satisfy the bloodthirsty types anyway. Going on the attack too viciously would also raise McCain’s negatives while he’s trying to position himself as the safe, comfortable, positive, trustworthy alternative to the risk of the untested newcomer. It also would tend to awaken and rally Obama’s base, give Obama openings to counterattack, and expose McCain’s strategy, and possibly leave him over-committed.

In the meantime, the fact that McCain is easily within striking distance, if not tied, in most national opinion polls, suggests that he’s been playing the hand he’s been dealt fairly well. The platforms, approaches, and candidates being pushed by his harshest critics on the right probably would be doing at least as badly as their boosters imagine McCain is.

If I were to write a book I think I would title it, “Crazies to the Left of Me….. and also the Right Me.”

:)

terryannonline on July 13, 2008 at 1:05 PM

True. Ron Paul is having his Liberty Convention in St. Paul at the same time as the GOP, isn’t he?