Video: Texas GOP goes after Obama on houses
posted at 11:50 am on August 25, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
The Republican Party of Texas slams Barack Obama in an ad launched on Friday, before Joe Biden became the latest target of opportunity. After Obama’s attack on the number of houses owned by Cindy McCain (which never seemed to bother Democrats when Teresa Heinz Kerry owned them), the Texas GOP decided to cast this as an attack on the American dream and of a man who sacrificed plenty in his life before achieving it:
Barack Obama has viciously attacked John McCain and his family for being successful and living the American dream. This, even after McCain gave so much for his country.
Obama claims he’s looking out for our families in an economic downturn, but ask yourself this: If Obama cares so much about your family, why doesn’t he take care of his own family first?
Barack Obama lives in this house … wants to live in this house … while his own brother lives in this one.
On one hand, everyone has some relatives who don’t do as well, and not everyone can afford to support them. However, Obama started this attack on the financial status of family, and while he barely knows his half-brother, George Obama is still a pretty close relation — close enough to get a mention in Barack Obama’s memoirs. Plus, with his haughty condemnation of America as a place lacking the kind of charity mentioned in Matthew (and an incorrect diagnosis, too), the lack of basic charity shown by Obama towards his destitute brother makes him look like a hypocrite twice over.
If Obama wants to talk houses and class warfare, the Republican Party is ready to engage on that battleground, at least in Texas.
Blowback
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I love my state!
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Lemme see. Less than a dollar a month, yep, that adds up to $11/year and change.
RushBaby on August 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I love my state AND my party!
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
And then there’s the African school he pledged to help and didn’t.
He’s about telling people what he thinks they want to hear.
obladioblada on August 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Pot, meet kettle.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM
He’s not heavy. He’s my brother (and he doesn’t eat much.)
RBMN on August 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Sean Hannity implored for the Obama Campaign to provide him with the information so he could give $1000 to Barry’s brother.
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Yes, our own Baldilocks is trying to support that school.
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 AM
.
Indeed. We are awesomely awesome.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 11:55 AM
LOL! Nice hit!
elduende on August 25, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Don’t F-wit Texas!
It was ballsy and ill advised for Barry to bring this topic up. I don’t get how his advisers could have green-lighted this nonsense however I am glad they did.
Claypigeon on August 25, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Whoa…that is one tough ad. I guess bare knuckles, like our founding fathers did it, is where this election is going.
JustTruth101 on August 25, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Is it just me or is every video on YouTube showing a McCain ad critical of Obama “no longer available”? This one does not work.
Brian Mallard on August 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Even Sally Struthers could afford that.
wise_man on August 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
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True, but if you make $4 million and your half-brother makes about $20, and your ‘raison de etre’ is equalization in the name of fairness, it tends to water down your message. He could have bought his brother lunch at a fast food place, and increased his standard of living for the year.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Too bad we don’t have his address. It’d be great if a few thousand of us could send him $10 each, he’d be made the new village chief.
Akzed on August 25, 2008 at 11:58 AM
There aren’t too many Republicans I know who share this sentiment right now.
http://thepajamapundit.com/
thePajamaPundit on August 25, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Bare knuckled is right. Whew…
changer1701 on August 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Hannity has been trying to get an address so he send a $1000. No luck so far.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I don’t like this. It smells bad. We don’t know anything about George. Maybe George got money from Barack and used it to buy drugs? Support terrorists? I have a really bad feeling about using family, especially one that ignored the young Obama growing up, in an ad.
Sue on August 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I think I heard this on Hannity’s radio show…That Obambi has as many half brothers as Mccain has houses…
twiggman on August 25, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Wait until the country finds out he really lives in this house.
http://home.fnal.gov/~cheung/rtes/RTESWeb/LQCD_site/objects/houseofcards.jpg
bloggless on August 25, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Wow, between Michelles plan to keep poor unisured blacks out of her hosptial and Obama ignoring his destitute brother we have quite the pair of charity minded folks leading the Democrat party don’t we?
ctmom on August 25, 2008 at 12:01 PM
There’s also a certain park in Chicago, that he promised to help before the election, but couldn’t be bothered with after.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Oh snap.
wise_man on August 25, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Proud to be a Texan! We play rough, Barry. Hope you’re ready.
Rick on August 25, 2008 at 12:02 PM
There aren’t too many Republicans I know who share this sentiment right now.
thePajamaPundit on August 25, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Oh, STFU
TexasJew on August 25, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Yes . . . but if he lived her and his step-brother was elected, it would only be about 50 cents a year after taxes.
rplat on August 25, 2008 at 12:03 PM
PajamaPundit,
You could have stopped right there, and been more accurate.
MarkTheGreat on August 25, 2008 at 12:03 PM
But as Rush pointed out, Obama could send a measly $20. and double his brother’s income.
JellyToast on August 25, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Brutal and effective. Most middle class voters aren’t offended by success- we believe that we can be successful too someday, with hard work and a little luck. Most poor don’t even vote, and if they do, they vote democratic at 98%. For these reasons, the 7-house thingy never really hurt McCain, but opened up the opportunity for this kind of ad. Good going, Barry!
lionheart on August 25, 2008 at 12:05 PM
And wasn’t there a story a year ago or so about an old best friend contacting Obama for a little help, and Obama telling him to go to the welfare office instead?
JellyToast on August 25, 2008 at 12:05 PM
I love Texas-style Republicanism (just not the Dallas Cowboys since I am a Philly Eagles fan:)!
Dariaanne on August 25, 2008 at 12:05 PM
WOW ~ The political ads this year are topping the Super Bowl ads..
LOVIN IT !!!
stenwin77 on August 25, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I hope the Rep. Party of TX is only airing this ad in toss-up congressional districts. Otherwise pretty much a waste of money here in TX.
phreshone on August 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM
However, Obama started this attack on the financial status of family, and while he barely knows his half-brother, George Obama is still a pretty close relation — close enough to get a mention in Barack Obama’s memoirs.
He’s met the guy twice. Mentions him once in his memoir. Obama’s dad had him with another woman after he left Obama and his mother. They grew up half a world away.
Oh, and I love the sentiment of trying to send this guy money. Hannity and the rest who want to do this don’t give a f*ck about this guy. they just want to make Obama look bad. Self-righteous charity is despicable.
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Sorry to hear that.
Rick on August 25, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Excellent!
Seeing all the smug democratic talking heads using kitchen table/houses lingo this weekend as if they had hit pay dirt.
This ad shows how shallow this Obama/Biden talking point is. I hope it runs nationally.
sheryl on August 25, 2008 at 12:08 PM
The political ads this year are topping the Super Bowl ads..
When you have no moral compass, you can come up with some good shit.
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:08 PM
.
That takes a lot of nerve, considering the facts
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Methinks PajamaPundit is a bit annoying already. *sigh*
Good add, though. Hypocrite, thy name is Barry.
I mean, a REAL Messiah would be out there helping everyone, including his own brother.
Vanceone on August 25, 2008 at 12:09 PM
People living in a glass house shouldn’t throw rocks at one house, let alone seven.
Star20 on August 25, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Wow. That was a NICE right hook!
MadisonConservative on August 25, 2008 at 12:10 PM
One tweak to the ad:
Show a glass house at the end.
“Obama should be living here”
YellowDawg on August 25, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Pul-lease! There’s been a ton of RNC bashing. From the same people. Along with the ‘does he even want to win?’ comments.
.. doth protest too much. I think.
wise_man on August 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Tom Shipley: So, you are saying Obama’s real plan is that only those who are closer than a half brother are worthy of help?
I mean, it’s not like Obama had to bail out a corporation here–a simple fifty dollar bill would have done wonders for the guy! When Obama was cozying up with Rezko, he couldn’t squeeze out a measly fifty?
And you are slamming REPUBLICANS over this? This is further proof of one thing: Democrats are slime. Starting with you, dude, who wants to keep this guy in poverty.
Vanceone on August 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
What? Did Barack finally buy his half-brother some cooking ware?
TheHat on August 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Gotta love Texas. Native and proud of it.
kurt68 on August 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I love the smell of scorched earth in the morning. George Obama is a radioactive issue, as a window onto Barack Obama’s priorities.
Kralizec on August 25, 2008 at 12:13 PM
That’s because The Messiah’s genetic donor (no, it wasn’t a virgin birth) was an alcoholic and philanderer. Kinda sounds like which of our politicians?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 25, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Saw this this a.m. on Fox & Friends. It’s brilliant and a perfectly fair dig at Barack tax the hell out of us and redistribute it Obama.
He is going to rue the day he brought up Matthew.
Buy Danish on August 25, 2008 at 12:14 PM
This was simply a message to Obama” “Reminder. Family is off limits. Stop the houses ads.”
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 12:14 PM
What in the hell do you know about moral compasses? There certainly is no such device within the putridly amoral Democratic Party.
rplat on August 25, 2008 at 12:15 PM
But Ed, not everyone has a $4mil house. When you’re spending that much on your own residence, you can certanly afford to bring your destitute brother over and throw a couple of hundred K his way for property of his own.
crazy_legs on August 25, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Hope not. That be kinda insulting to the poor guy since he probably won’t have any food to cook.
YellowDawg on August 25, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Dems do not need facts or follow through. They just need to feel good about what they said. It is all about empty promices and emotion. Logic has no place in their world.
Grunt on August 25, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Texas GOP, doing the campaigning the McCain camp won’t do.
Kini on August 25, 2008 at 12:16 PM
That’s RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACIST!!!
crazy_legs on August 25, 2008 at 12:16 PM
What did they get Miss So Carolina to do the voice for that ad? Seriously, I was waiting for her to say something about the lack of Maps in the Iraq.
Zetterson on August 25, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Has McCain’s campaign distributed a fact sheet about the precise ownership of the seven properties? From what I understand, McCain owns none of them; uses only three of them (DC, AZ, and Sedona); and, indeed, may not have a legal right (except as an invited guest) to use at least two of them (the one held in trust for the aunt) and the one made available to the daughter (probably held in trust).
Contrasting Obama’s treatment of his brother, McCain’s camp should highlight that with her wealth at least Cindy appears to be helping family (the aunt).
Leaving this aside, shouldn’t someone point out that comparing Obama’s wealth to McCain’s family’s wealth is comparing apples and oranges. Anyone want to guess what Obama will be worth at age 72–even if he loses in November?
And when is the press going to return to the subject of Obama’s home purchase? There’s NO way you can convince me that his seller knocked off $300K from the asking price out of the goodness of his heart. I’d like to know when that seller bought the residence and for how much. My guess is that he was $300K over his gain exclusion amount, so Rezko helped engineer a payment that wouldn’t show up on the seller’s Form 1099-B. That would have saved the seller $45K in capital-gains taxes. The press really should be looking at this harder, especially in light of Rezko’s conviction.
BuckeyeSam on August 25, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Vanceone on August 25, 2008 at 12:12 PM
OK, I’ll just refer to you as idiot #1 from here on out.
First off, where do I say or even implicate I want this guy to stay in poverty? Nowhere would be the correct answer.
I am saying it’s unreasonable for people to slam Obama for not helping a half-brother he’s met twice, who his father had with another woman AFTER HE WALKED OUT ON OBAMA AND HIS MOM. He barely knows this guy. He lives a half world away.
To directly attack Obama like this is despicable. As I said, when you have no moral compass, you can make some pretty good shit up.
McCain and his wife own seven houses. When Americans are struggling through a weak economy, when McCain’s campaign calls American whiners for complaining about the economy, it’s EXTREMELY relevant that McCain cannot say how many houses his family owns.
Obama and his relationship with his half brother has no relevance to any issue in this campaign.
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I love your state too!
BevSlape
Nebraska
bevslape on August 25, 2008 at 12:20 PM
The Texas Republicans need some reduction in RINO’s,
and this is one of the ones who is working on it.
Beware RINO’s of Texas, we know who you are.
badtothebone on August 25, 2008 at 12:20 PM
TheHat on August 25, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I think if McCain wins he should appoint Obama’s brother to be in charge of all finacial budgetary issues. Seriously, the guy has been living off $1/month. Sounds to me like he’s the perfect man for the job.
Zetterson on August 25, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Perhaps Barack is waiting until he gets to be president, so he can take some of McCain’s houses and give them to his brother.
morganfrost on August 25, 2008 at 12:23 PM
LOL well put.
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Michelle YObama just hit the stage at the DNC….is she pregnant or is she just adding *fat* to her long list of undesirable personal attributes?
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 12:24 PM
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I’d say the fact that Obama runs ads and talking points on the number of houses the McCain’s own, given that at least two of the houses are paid for by them for the use of family members, while at the same time Barry’s relatives live in abject poverty makes it quite germane. Add to that Barry’s constant refrain that unequal wealth is unfair, while he ignores his own family, and it just adds icing to the cake.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Your state’s not so bad either!
Huskers!~
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Sadly, Tom has just become a whiner as he’s watched Barry in free fall. He doesn’t want to accept the fact Barry has done it to himself, so strikes out blindly in all directions. He has gotten even more despondent since Biden was picked and I suppose watching Axelrod burn through all that cash to no avail hasn’t helped.
a capella on August 25, 2008 at 12:25 PM
You really need to give up on this line of attack. McCain makes a pretty good amount of money. It’s likely that SOME of that money he makes goes to pay SOME bills (including mortgages).
I never recall Kerry saying his wife’s houses were not his houses. It reminds me of Clinton saying ‘it depends on the meaning of is’. You are claiming McCain is saying “it depends on what you mean by ‘own’”.
It’s political double speak. When you get married your assets are shared according to law. It completely turns me off of politicians. . . but in this case, it isn’t McCain making this argument, it is pundits like Ed and other talking heads. It’s a terrible argument.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I sure hope this add makes it out of our fine boarders and into some swing states.
Here’s a point I would love to see in an ad: The Obama’s seem to subscribe to the out of context definition of ‘poor’ that they bash McCain with- they make less than 5 million. On the 4.2 million they struggle by with, they still needed the help of a convicted felon and a shady “senator’s only” loan to buy their house.
The McCain’s own 7-10 homes on about 6.5 million/ yr.
Gee… which people do we want running our economy.
Damiano on August 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
So, think b4 speaking…
If your dad left you and your mom when you were young, moved to Africa and started a new family who’d you’d meet maybe once or twice, you would seek them out after you came into some money to make sure they were taken care of?
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Really? So is that why you can file taxes seperately?
TheHat on August 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM
This video is deplorable and obnoxious.
And an entirely irrelevant comparison to the Dems throwing mud around about McCain’s 7 houses.
How dare people judge Obama’s family situation when they know nothing about it.
But hey – keep lowering the bar. You’re doing a great job of it.
Dave Rywall on August 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Not if you have a pre-nup like the McCains.
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I can’t believe that FOXNEWS’s Megyn Kelly floated the, do you think this is a sideways way of saying hey he’s a Kenyan.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 25, 2008 at 12:29 PM
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Two points: 1. This clearly shows the hypocrisy of the democrats, when their arguments on virtually everything from military experience to real estate have flipped since 2004. 2. Your assets may or may not be shared in marriage, depending on the laws of the state. Not all states are community property states.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Rush just speculated on Michelle Obama possibly being pregnant.
Dariaanne on August 25, 2008 at 12:30 PM
And then only in community property states (CA and AZ, I believe).
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 12:30 PM
P.S. for people that need a translation: There is no deeper meaning. It’s all up front. They are saying Obama doesn’t care about anybody but Obama.
MirCat on August 25, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Interpretation for Republicans: This video is effective and poignant.
carbon_footprint on August 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM
.
Without question. There is a reason we say that blood is thicker than water.
Think_b4_speaking on August 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Class warfare: the opiate of the Democratic Party.
Dariaanne on August 25, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Oh, Lord, they’re not going to announce this at the convention, are they? Expecting a bounce from a bouncing baby? That would be shameless. Oh, right, they’re Dems. Never mind.
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I never recall Kerry saying his wife’s houses were not his houses.
ThackerAgency on August 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
No, he just said that about their SUVs
- The Cat
MirCat on August 25, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I think an ad about George Obama himself would be a huge success for the Americans, if it were done right. An approach I think would be especially effective would be just to tell the story of George Obama, in quiet, respectful tones, and without mention of Barack Obama. Inasmuch as such an ad’s appeal is to pity and righteous indignation, it seems a fine time for the ad would be during the daytime “soaps.”
An ad directed toward more toward men could more usefully make laughter at Barack Obama the purpose of the ad. Men, I think, will gladly laugh at Obama; one need merely give them occasions for it.
Kralizec on August 25, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Why do adoptees try to find their biological parents? And why do people trace their ancestry through Ellis Island and other genealogical records? Why did Alex Haley write “Roots”? Because part of who you are is your family, past and present.
Wethal on August 25, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I get it now – Obama really does want to help his brother, and that’s why he’s going to double foreign aid. (Any good Democrat knows assistance doesn’t count unless the government provides it.)
Quisp on August 25, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Kralizec on August 25, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Yes, let’s use “quiet and respectful tones” when exploiting a guy who don’t give two sh*t’s about, aside from the fact that he may help us win the white house.
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Thank God they brought this up. Of the several flaws of Obama, the one that really gets me going is his sanctimony. Whether it’s giving us instructions on race relations in order to avoid the Reverend Wright scandal, or telling us we can’t leave the thermostat on 75 degrees all the time (who does that, anyway?!), his holier-than-thou attitude really drives me bonkers. I don’t care how little he knew his brother — it would take so little to do something for him, and it’s probably the Christian thing to do, Barack.
pomerpants on August 25, 2008 at 12:35 PM
A dollar goes a long way in Kenya. There is no excuse for not throwing a few bucks his brother’s way or paying for his education or helping him attend school in the US.
Blake on August 25, 2008 at 12:35 PM
If McCain is anything like me, his wife takes care of stuff like banking, healthcare and insurance etc. I have NOOOO idea what our coverage is or which policies I’m on etc.
For instance, we have five cars and a boat, I have no idea who they are registered to or even which insurance company she uses and who’s covered. That’s her job, I trust her to take care of it. My job is to bring home the bacon and she doesn’t get involved or worry about that.
He was probably thinking, “Hmmmm, I wonder if my wife put me on that mortgage, I better find out before I answer incorrectly.”
Alden Pyle on August 25, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Because part of who you are is your family, past and present.
Given McCain’s past with his own family, I REALLY don’t think you want to go down this path.
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Tom_Shipley on August 25, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I would agree with your argument if this young man who would be a constant drain on Sen. Obama’s family but he appears to be a nice kid, going to school to better his life. I would and many do help strangers in the same circumstances. It would take so little time and effort to do something for a relative regardless of how close. Especially when said person spouts about the selfishness of Americans. Besides I have heard that his half sister is working with his campaign, was she a half from Senior’s first family left or second?
Cindy Munford on August 25, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Ouch!!!
That’s going to leave a mark!
Better put some ice on it.
Jack.
Jack Deth on August 25, 2008 at 12:37 PM
I love the fake outrage that follows the “How dare” opening to a sentence. Um, because this nit is running for President and aspects of his life are open for discussion. And this empty suit and his campaign have done a particularly effective job of keeping his crummy family situation and his poor excuse for a legislative record well hidden. Maybe the question should be why aren’t you so upset that he hasn’t been more forthcoming on filling out the picture so we know what type of person he really is. But you really don’t care about that, right?
Captain Hate on August 25, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Dave, if Barry is in favor of increasing taxes so we can send more to the U.N. to “fight poverty”, wouldn’t you think he could show a bit more consideration for his own family along that same vein? After all, how well will he know whoever gets any U.N. dollars? Perhaps the difference is the source of those dollars?
a capella on August 25, 2008 at 12:38 PM
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