WaPo: Team McCain taking off the gloves
posted at 12:15 pm on October 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Republicans frustrated by a perceived lack of fight from the John McCain campaign will find cheer in a Washington Post report this morning. Sources within the campaign say that they will become much more aggressive in exposing Barack Obama’s ties to radicals and his lack of experience and judgment in the final four weeks of the campaign. This strategy entails significant risk, but they need to regain the edge they had before the conventions:
Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama’s character, believing that to win in November they must shift the conversation back to questions about the Democrat’s judgment, honesty and personal associations, several top Republicans said.
With just a month to go until Election Day, McCain’s team has decided that its emphasis on the senator’s biography as a war hero, experienced lawmaker and straight-talking maverick is insufficient to close a growing gap with Obama. The Arizonan’s campaign is also eager to move the conversation away from the economy, an issue that strongly favors Obama and has helped him to a lead in many recent polls.
“We’re going to get a little tougher,” a senior Republican operative said, indicating that a fresh batch of television ads is coming. “We’ve got to question this guy’s associations. Very soon. There’s no question that we have to change the subject here,” said the operative, who was not authorized to discuss strategy and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
As Michael Shear notes, there is some risk in this, although Shear gets another point wrong. The ad “Original Mavericks” is not the only positive ad this campaign has on the air; “Week” is a positive ad, and Team McCain just rolled it out, and “Foundation” is a hybrid, and I believe that’s still on the air as well. Shear also points to “Tax Cutter” as an example of Team McCain’s new attack, but McCain has been hammering Obama on his tax record for weeks, if not months, and it has nothing to do with Obama’s associates.
The risk comes with an imbalanced attack — one that doesn’t talk about McCain nearly as much as it talks about Obama. Nothing in the article indicates that Team McCain plans to stop talking about their own candidates, though. They may run positive ads, such as “Week”, right along with ads focusing on Obama’s political work with William Ayers, and Obama’s lack of any efforts at reforming Chicago politics. They almost certainly will continue to produce and air positive advertising, although it won’t gain anywhere near the attention from the media that sharp new attacks on Obama will. And that’s really the point.
Obama has run on his experience as a community organizer. That makes the Ayers connection through the Chicago Annenberg Challenge relevant. Obama has run as a reformer. That makes his support for Richard Daley, the Strogers, Larry Walsh, and the rest of the corrupt Chicago Machine germane. McCain doesn’t need to focus on Jeremiah Wright, but Hillary Clinton brought it up and Obama made it into a major speech earlier this year, so that’s also on the table. McCain should have been talking about all of this since June, but perhaps it makes more sense to wait until everyone is paying attention to raise these issues.
With the bailout bill behind him, though, McCain has to start talking about the real reasons behind the financial collapse — the perversion of the lending markets through Democratic intervention, and the Democrats who protected Fannie Mae from the OFHEO regulators while they blithely bought billions in bad paper and turned them into bad securities that poisoned the entire investment sector. He may have held his tongue while building bipartisan support for Congressional action, but the time has come to name names, and to point to Obama’s massive fundraising from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac interests and link it to his complete inaction on the subprime lending crisis.
The gloves have to come off now. Republicans want to see John McCain stand up and fight. They’ll stand up and fight with him, but they’re not going to do that until McCain leads them.
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News Flash:
McMaverick is blowing this entire campaign. Palin cannot save it for him. The only thing that can turn it around is for McCain to start placing the blame for the BIGGEST FINANCIAL SCANDAL IN U.S. HISTORY squarely on the Democrats.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:05 PM
MB4-
I used to accuse you of being a troll and an enemy plant.
Now that I’m on the other side of the fence, let me take this opportunity to say to you:
I’m sorry. I was wrong.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:08 PM
The GOP needs your help this year.
With the liberal media working overtime to con America, with the liberal Congress playing politics with Americas economy, with groups like ACORN working to counter the votes cast by American citizens the GOP finds itself surrounded on all sides as democrats begin to finally socialize America.
There are a lot of decent people that visit this site, and most are none too happy with the way things are going. Now is the chance to make a real difference!
Sign up at your local GOP headquarters to volunteer a bit of your time. This is not a full time position, no one expects you to be happy with everything the GOP is/has done [I'm certainly not], but if you become one of the cut-and-run republicans then you will make the socialist democrats very happy. In other words, stay home and you will put a big smile on Obamas face. Do you really want to do that?
Sign up at your local GOP headquarters ASAP. I did so last Thursday [before Sarah strutted her stuff].
Remember the phrase, “Doing the work that Americans refuse to do”? Are you going to leave all of the hard work for me to do? :oP
DannoJyd on October 4, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Fiveways,
I hope he thought it non-productive to do it while his presidents bailout bill was in need of passing.
He has no such constraint now and his Vice Pres. has new found credibilty.
I agree he needs to make it an issue perhaps in Tuesdays debate?
Bait the OBomber and lower the boom on him in a public setting where he is forced to defend? I hope! More people will see the debate than any other exposure McCain will get and with no editing.
Sarah did a good job of putting Obiden on the defensive during her debate forcing him to lie his ass off hopefully McCain will do the same.
The point needs to be made but there is much to be said for the timing and the place.
dhunter on October 4, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Or perhaps a feature on the stupidest anti-American scum on this site. AP would be first, and you would be second. I fight for my country. You and your treasonous cohorts seek to hand it over a Muslim America hater. Call me “Drama Queen” all you want. I am right, and you are an inferior piece of subhuman filth.
How’s that? Do I win!
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:10 PM
This is EXACTLY the strategy I’m hoping to see in Tuesday’s debate. I want to see obambi publicly eviscerated live and in real time. Directly over the heads of the media pundit filters, straight to the American People.
I hope to God McC actually does it. I also would LOVE to see another VP debate now that we’re past the bailout and Sarah’s free to name names. That would be outstanding.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:12 PM
I read through a few of the comments and I get the impression that people are upset that McCain has not come out blaming the Democrats for the subprime mess. They want a fight. Fine, but keep in mind that Republicans were running Congress for several of the years during which this thing was brewing and they did not exactly throw up roadblocks for the Democrats.
I do blame Democrats, it was their little scheme to bring fairness to the housing market that got this thing going, but the Republicans just sort of looked the other way.
Bush and McCain at one or another did attempt some reform of the system in recent years. But they had little support from their party.
I think this is one reason McCain might be seen as being hesitant to make this campaign about the recent credit crunch.
That and the fact that Obama himself can not be so easily tied to it. There are a couple of exceptions, the court ruling in 1994 {Buyck-Roberson vs. Citibank} that Obama was involved in does tie into the crisis. And the money Obama has taken from some of the more prominent players. But Obama is not Barney Frank, too bad, McCain could beat Frank easy.
I don’t know what is the best thing to do, but at this point there is not a lot to lose.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:12 PM
And another traitor emerges.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:13 PM
McCain’s announcements notwithstanding, I have been in a funk for the last couple of weeks thinking about a potential Obama presidency.
Suffice it to say that I’d rather see Mikhail Gorbachev become president – at least he appreciated Ronald Reagan.
I agree with the poster way back that said that Obama is a clear and present danger to our republic.
We somehow have managed to be saddled with the oldest of old war horses as our Republican candidate, who, in a moment of lucidity reminiscent of Reagan’s farewell address where he burst through the fog of his Alzheimer’s, picked Palin, only to sequester her behind closed doors with operatives of the Bush administration – the same administration that they are so desperately trying to, but failing to, distance themselves from.
Oy.
I think that part of the problem for people like us that are so vested in every machination of the campaign forget that the vast majority of Americans do not engage in politics as deeply as we do.
They also do not trust the media, not for the reasons that we do, but rather, that they know instinctively that they are being lied to.
Polls are outright fabrications. Tail wagging the dog.
So, when push comes to shove in the privacy of the voting booth, average everyday Americans will realize that while Obama may be a citizen, he is not an American. In just the same way the Adam Gadahn is a citizen but certainly not an American.
Am I questioning Obama’s patriotism? You betcha!
*wink*
(clearly not as cute as Sarah when she does it)
turfmann on October 4, 2008 at 3:14 PM
A bit cynical, but nicely said. May your words come true.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM
I see a lot of folks saying that kind of stuff…and I’m convinced that even if they hit all the issues listed hard and often, you folks won’t change your minds. You’ll just keep up the criticism.
And that will help elect Obama.
funky chicken on October 4, 2008 at 2:41 PM
They can’t help it.
1. It’s compulsive–ideological purity and personal offense.
2. It’s self-indulging–striking out at one’s own can be fun.
3. It’s self-justifying–with what they say being the case, they can justify doing nothing.
At least Leftist traitors work FOR their cause. These people work AGAINST it. The irony is that their assistance to Hussein’s campaign will do nothing for them when the PC laws come with a vengeance.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Thank you tommygun.
funky chicken on October 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Google Rick Davis and the Homeownership Alliance, starting here and it will become clearer why McCain “went in a different direction.” LaRaza was a member of the Alliance.
Sorry, but no one wants to talk about it, and neither does McCain, obviously. Failing the truth, he turns around and attacks Wall Street as the beginning and end of the mess. It won’t fly with conservatives, and I don’t think the 30% of the Hispanic vote will compensate for the disgust of voters who don’t see him “fighting for them” — “them” being the people who are fiscally responsible, and don’t buy houses they can’t pay for, and then expect the government to bail them out.
So, Obama is the only option left — it was going to be about him all along, I believe, until the string was pulled on the inevitable fiscal crisis, and now McCain is caught in the middle.
Nichevo on October 4, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Are you f*cking kidding me?
Have you NOT been reading the Bawney Fwank threads in here?
Have you NOT heard of former Fannie Mae CEO’s Raines and Johnson?
Am I in the f*cking Twilight Zone in here?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Terrye, respectfully, the GOP most certainly DID try to throw up barriers. Repeatedly. Like 12 different times.
This can be laid directly at the Democrat’s feet. THEY were repeatedly and openly obstructionist and are directly responsible for the sub-prime mess we find ourselves in.
And Obambi CAN be tied directly to this fiasco, because he was at the very heart of what caused it. Lawyers, enabled by legislation that endorsed and encoraged extorting buisnesses to ignore sound business principles and decisions under penalty of law.
That’s socialism. Plain and simple. And McC needs to tie Obambi directly to it, along with all the other very bad decisions Obambi’s made his whole life.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:17 PM
You’re a complete idiot, pal.
Are you new around here?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:18 PM
This just popped up in the headlines section:
You go, Girl.
Maybe, just maybe, my prayers are beginning to be answered.
turfmann on October 4, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Might as well put me on that list too, then, because neither MB4 nor FiveWays is anywhere close to ‘traitor’.
Way over the top. Words have meaning and you cheapen and dilute their power when you use them incorrectly.
Step back and take a deep breath. Those that don’t walk in lockstep with you are not necessarily your enemies. Lefties think like that. We allow for and are better served by allowing diverse opinion and outlook.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Hey, you sided with MB4. That’s close enough for me.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:21 PM
I hope to hell you’re right hunter.
If that happens I’ll change my tune.
If not- I’m going to go after McCain and all of his blind followers in here.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:21 PM
And then he will have so much fun at Hussein victory party.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Thanks for admitting that you’re completely blind and clueless.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:22 PM
What he hell is your major malfunction dipshit?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Evidently, one candidate on the GOP ticket has a backbone and some stones.
Beyond palling around, dial Stanley Kurtz of NRO and weave in the details of how Obama and Ayers collaborated to squander a $100M grant to improve Chicago schools, which then didn’t improve.
The material is endless. McCain jump in anytime.
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Just maybe you’re right!
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:24 PM
No problemo.
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
- Arthur Schopenhauer
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Ideological blinders.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:25 PM
What? I’m wishing you all the best if/when you get what you would be working for. I thought I was being rather gracious, “pal.”
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Hey ‘Tommygun’, what’s your friendly fire accomplishing, anyway?
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Thank you for being gracious about it, MB4.
I won’t forget that.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Five Ways:
I said I did blame the Democrats and yes I read the Barney Frank threads, my point is that it will be hard to convince people that it was all the fault of the Democrats when the Republicans controlled Congress for so long. I am not saying the Democrats were not responsible for 99% of this. It might be easier to go after Congress in general for failing to do proper oversight.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Yes. My ideology requires me to be loyal to America (at least, America as it has been). I just can’t see the alternate way, where attacking the only chance the country has is “patriotic.”
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Uh, I was firing at the traitor who plans on turning on McCain. How is that friendly?
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:29 PM
“working for”?
Have you even bothered to read my position?
What the hell are you talking about?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:30 PM
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:21 PM
And you will have ample reason and opportunity to!
I am not a big MC fan either but I think Sarah is a diamond, a real gem and the future of the party!
All I hope is McCain has some serious inside help which I think he does. Not sure he would have picked her over Lieberman otherwise.
And as much as we detest him we can realize that the alternative is at this point unacceptable>
Fight the battles ahead not the ones behind and do it with impecable timing and clarity.
Kind of like a deliberate, careful, stalk then oneshot kill.
Patience, timing, execution! We are wating for the last two!
dhunter on October 4, 2008 at 3:30 PM
You have indeed left all other Drama Queens in the dust along with whatever is left of your mind.
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 3:31 PM
techno:
Did you read what I said? I said it would be difficult to tie Obama to a lot of this except for the Buyck-Roberson vs Citibank case. I even mentioned the name of the case. But that was back in the early 90’s. It would be easier to mention that but to spend more time on the inability of the Congress to do anything to head this off, especially in the last two years.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Is there ANYTHING McCain could do or say to make you turn against him?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:31 PM
If Five is a traitor then so am I.
Most people around these parts don’t particulary like me because I am a preening, arrogant, self-indulgent, obnoxious blowhard.
But no one here – NO ONE – would ever accuse me of being a traitor.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 3:32 PM
And techno Bush tried on numerous occasions to deal with this problem, but even with a Republican majority he could only do so much. That might be because a lot of the Republicans just were not interested in making an issue of this.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:33 PM
They are everywhere, Tommygun! Everywhere! Better look under your bed, STAT! Even your own mom may be a traitor.
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Answered.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:34 PM
The Democrats controlled Congress for the last 2 years. ACORN and the Dems have threated Racism lawsuits against Banks and Republicans if they dared to impose any regulation.
THAT is in direct contrdiction to what the Dems have been claiming. And there is plenty of documentation (including video) to back this all up.
Why won’t the public get this?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM
But that’s exactly my point. Aren’t you, right now, engaging in exactly what you’re raging against?
The very people you’re accusing of being ‘traitors’, for God’s sake, come nowhere close to the actual meaning of that word.
They differ with you on some subjects. They speak out against our very flawed Presidential candidate. That doesn’t make them traitors. It makes them realists.
Blind allegiance is what leftists do. What marxist-leninists do. What communists do. What nazis do.
Telling the truth, especially as it relates to your own side, is a healthy and vitally necessary thing. We all know the consequences of electing an unqualified marxist to the Presidency and giving the truely traitorous dem party control over all three branches of government. But we also see the cracks in our own side.
The GOP failed us miserably when we had all the power. They’ve failed us during the entire past 8 years. McC is more old-time strong on defense Democrat than anything approaching Conservative Republican. That’s why Joe Lieberman’s his best friggin’ friend. McC isn’t a Conservative at all, and it’s not ‘treason’ to point that fact out.
You want any dissent crushed, but that holds its own dangers. Can’t you see that?
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:39 PM
And THAT makes me a traitor, because I can think for myself and read the writing on the wall?
I’ll ask you again, Tommy- is there ANYTHING McCain could say or do to ever turn you against him?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:39 PM
WeThey are allGeorgiansTraitors now.- Tommygun
Braggart! There you go, tooting your own horn again!
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Very good point. If the Obamatrons have their way, Kurtz would be silenced as evidenced by the hellfire that he’s been enduring. Frightening.
I’ll use your post as occasion to bring forth the article by Simpson (not Homer) in the American Spectator that everyone should read – then pass the word.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/barack_obama_and_the_strategy.html
This man is dirty – he must never be allowed to become our president.
turfmann on October 4, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Why won’t the public get this?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Because most aren’t engaged and the mainstream media won’t cover it.
That is why the debates may be the best place. More people tuned in, although I’m sure the media would do their best to downplay or outright cover for their allies,
as they have done by spinning an OBiden ass whopping into a win
the campaign now has to go around or over the media directly to the people and they/Sarah know it.
dhunter on October 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM
FiveWays:
Yes, the Democrats controlled Congress for the last two years and in those two years we have had most of the economic problems of the Bush years, high gas prices, increasing unemployment, now this. I think running against Congress might even work. Point out that other than running his mouth Obama has done nothing to stop this from happening.
The problem that McCain will have in going after Democrats on this is that they will just remind everyone that Republicans were in control for a lot of these years and while their mouths said no, their eyes said yes. If you get my drift.
And there was a lot of greed on the part of lenders and builders and realtors and all sorts of people. For awhile people were making money. I was a realtor, I remember my broker talking about money while we could because this could not last.
I just think that a lot of members of Congress did not have it in them to fight this the way they should have.
Bush and McCain were the exception to that rule.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Thanks Manly. There are some really small minds around here today.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:42 PM
There is no middle ground in this election. Right vs. Left. Traditional America vs. the Leftist vision. Victory vs. Defeat.
I may disagree with McCain on some things. I may dislike some of what McCain has done. Hell, I might dislike McCain, period. But there is no way I can see Hussein being better at retaining all that America is and has been than McCain. He’s far from perfect, but Hussein is so categorically worse that it is not even an issue.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:44 PM
If the public can’t “get” this-
the McCain is already finished- no?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Yeah- I agree.
And I want McCain to fight with the most effective weapon he has- The Democrat Housing Scandal.
So why does that make me a traitor?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Yes. I have noticed. They want one outcome for the country, and then work their hardest for the other outcome. Cognitive dissonance.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Buckeye:
Sarah Palin is something of an exception. She really is not part of Washington, she can say all sorts of things and get away with it.
But she also will go after oil companies and greedy people on Wall Street.
She really is a maverick.
And I was watching that debate between Obama and McCain, I did not notice any real reticence on the part of McCain to treat Obama like a naive person who just does not have what it takes to be CinC.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Nah. I’m the first to admit I’m a complete asshole. But even an asshole can be right occasionally.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 3:48 PM
I absolutely read what you wrote. And on most things you wrote, I agree wholeheartedly with you. Where we differ is that you don’t think the Buyck-Roberson Citibank case is enough to sink Obama. I respectfully disagree.
The American People are pissed off. Both Democrats and Republicans. They want to know how we got here and who the guilty parties really are.
Showing them, in no uncertain terms, that Obama was at the heart of this, right after Clinton passed the CRA in the middle 1990’s ties him directly to this mess in a very effective and damning way.
I just think it’s more powerful and damning than you do, is all.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Five Ways:
I don’t think you are a traitor, but I think that maybe we should wait and see what happens in the next few days before we decide that McCain will not fight.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Is there anyone currently posting here that wants Obama to defeat McCain?
If not, the best thing you could be doing with all your rhetorical talent, is to suggest effective ad scripts for the battleground states, while weaving an attack on the media with the case against Obama.
Otherwise we’re just down here playing three stooges
If the pen is mightier than the sword, and a picture is worth a thousand words, and a TV ad is both….
Saltysam on October 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Apparently, your “open mind” consists of a whistling hole in the back of your head.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Yep. The GOP utterly blew it at a time when we had all the power and could’ve affected real and positive change.
No argument from me there at all. Put simply, our government has just about completely failed us.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 3:51 PM
“Sinking in the polls and desperate, John McCain follows the Bush/Rove strategy of personal attacks…”
Will the smug look on Aunt Esther’s face at the inauguration make me puke? Yes it will, but I’ll remain optimistic.
Palin/Jindal 2012
Mr. Wednesday Night on October 4, 2008 at 3:54 PM
techno-barbarian:
So you think that telling the American people that back in 1991 when he was a young attorney in Chicago Barack Obama took a case representing the minority community against a bank and won the case.
People know he hung around with Ayers, took money from Rezko, and sat in Wright’s church for 20 years, but this is what will sink him?
I don’t know. If you could explain the case in 30 seconds, explain its relevance to current events it might have some impact, but I doubt it. I doubt if Barney Frank and Chris Dodd even lose their seats. Which is a shame.
People just have it in their heads that Republicans run things. So either they made it happen, or let it happen. You have to get past that perception if you are going to use this issue.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:54 PM
Thanks, McCain has waited far too long, and if he doesn’t launch during the next debate- then he deserves to lose, and he should owe all of us an apology.
But then, we DID lay down with a snake…..
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 3:55 PM
techno_barbarian:
I think they thought there would be a softer landing than this. I don’t think most of the people in government or finance expected the situation to get this bad this fast. I am sure that a lot of people would do things differently if they could, but now they are just trying to cover their asses.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Tommy,
I share, perhaps even surpass, your indignation at the thought of an Obama presidency. However, when you invoke the “Hussein” moniker you’re cheapening your argument – indulging in an ad hominem, as it were. People will focus in on your name calling and not listen to your underlying argument.
You could tail him dead-to-rights on any number of issues, but the minute you call him “Hussein” your argument takes on the mantra of hate. I’m sure you don’t want that, neither do I.
I’d suggest referring to him in the most deferential manner possible all the while lambasting him.
For instance, you could say:
“Mr. Obama, with all due respect, sir, your views and visions for our country could not be more ruinous if you were actually an agent of the very al Qaeda that attacked us on September 11th.”
And yes, I am working on my cynicism, but I don’t think its worth the trouble.
turfmann on October 4, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Nerves are frayed. Tempers are flaring. Objects of the most stupendous historical magnitude are before us and most of us here – those who love their country – are understandably anxious for its continued existence as such. Many here do not particularly like Mr. McCain and for very good and defensible reasons.
Some have given up hope completely – others, not so much. Me? Well, SarahCuda has once more fanned a dying ember of hope in my heart. I’m willing to entertain the suspicion that there is more to the McCain campaign than meets the eye. Perhaps the old bastard will pull off the upset of the century. Stranger things have happened.
If he does take of the gloves and comes out fighting, I’ll take my place in the front lines. So far, it looks like that’s about to happen. We shall see.
For what it’s worth.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 3:58 PM
That about sums it up.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I’m with you 100% on all of that Manly.
But if he rolls over………..
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 4:00 PM
FiveWays:
That is not fair, McCain was actually ahead in some polls when this thing broke. And since then that is all anyone has talked about. We are talking about a couple of weeks here, that is how fast the bottom fell out of this.
And I think comparing McCain to a snake is really below the belt. Do you think Romney would have even considered putting someone like Palin on the ticket? McCain took a real risk bringing a national unknown onto the ticket, in large part to please the base. Now we have people calling him a snake.
I think that is kind of a nasty thing to do to a man like McCain. He is out there everyday trying to win this thing. Maybe you do not like the way he is running his campaign, but he is no snake.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:01 PM
In the practical art of politics, you must be prepared to effectively campaign at any time in the future. In the impractical art of politics, you should have been doing that quite some time ago, and it’s probably already too late. You’re scroomed.
- Sun Tzu’s Nephew
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 4:03 PM
See? That’s where you’re blinding yourself.
This election is nothing BUT middle ground. In fact, one of the main reasons I think McC might actually be the right man for the times we’re about to face is directly because of his desire to try to bring such a clearly divided electorate back together.
We can’t go from one extreme to another that quickly. It’s just not possible, (marxist-leninist overthrow that would instantly plunge us into another civil war excepted).
It’s going to take a long time to turn this battleship around. McC just might be the guy to pull us away from the headlong and accelerating dangerously leftward spiral to outright socialism.
We all understand full well what the consequences are. Our main concern is whether or not McC will actually DO WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THIS THING.
I damn sure hope he does, but I’m still waiting and praying those gloves will come off and that famed McMaverickiness will jump out and slay the opposition. He has more than enough ammo for the task. All he’s got to do is fully engage.
C’mon Maverick. Engage, damnit!
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 4:03 PM
The thing I’m concerned about- and noone talks about is … What can McC and Palin do with a Democrat/far left congress and very few Republicans with any balls? Nothing will be done or can be “reformed” if Congress does not change. Palin can name names all she wants but with the MSM on the lib side-noone will listen-except us. Congress has to change- and it looks like Frankenstein is up by 9 in MN- God help us all.
kareyk on October 4, 2008 at 4:04 PM
It’s clear that both Tommy and Five love this republic dearly and want to see it go on for another 200 years. Hopefully, differences of opinion regarding the means to achieve that end will not impede our effort to do so. It would be a shame were we to perish fom self-inflicted wounds.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Five:
My connection is making it difficult to post. Sorry for the delay.
My point is that you threatened to turn on McCain if he did not follow your advice, as it were. When a business owner has a bad plan, the workers don’t attack it publicly and send customers to a competitor. They might give input and try to shape their little part of the company in a better way than what is coming down from the head office, but ultimately, they should just try to make it work the best it can. The company’s failure only hurts them.
In this case, it’s not (just) about McCain. It’s about the country. McCain is the only one in a position to stop “Hussein” (I’ve called him that for months–see no need to stop now). Attacking McCain only helps Hussein. And that hurts the country.
Now, if you want the country to go the Leftist direction the Dems offer this year, then by all means, I suppose you should work in that direction. But if you don’t, then attacking McCain, even if he’s making campaign mistakes, makes no sense.
Please consider.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Tommygun:
You would be amazed how many not so liberal traditional Democrats will get out there and vote for Obama. He has convinced most Americans that he is moderate and sane. So as far as a lot of people are concerned this is not nearly so black and white as you say.
I know old ladies who are voting for this guy for no other reason than he is a Democrat. And that is how they vote.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Friend, at the moment you are a walking talking typing poster child for cognitive dissonance.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I called McCain a snake because I don’t trust him.
Is he a better pick than Obama- in my mind, yes- definitely.
At least McCain is a “dissappointment” I know- versus Obama, who is an “evil” I don’t know.
Perhaps calling Maverick a snake was a bit too harsh. But this guy had better start thowing some damn punches, and soon. And the Housing Scam would be the most effective place to start. I will wait and see.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 4:06 PM
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 4:03 PM
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Right on, right on , right on ala Rush
kareyk on October 4, 2008 at 4:06 PM
kareyk:
I have had the same thought myself. I used to think term limits were a waste of time, now I find myself thinking they might be a good idea.
The Dodds and Leahys will still be there. They are the people who will have to investigate themselves. sheesh.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
These are the attacks we’ve been wating for.
SouthernGent on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
It’s clear that both Tommy and Five love this republic dearly and want to see it go on for another 200 years. Hopefully, differences of opinion regarding the means to achieve that end will not impede our effort to do so. It would be a shame were we to perish fom self-inflicted wounds.ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:04 PMWith all due respect to you–and I do respect your posts–I am not the one threatening to attack the McCain campaign. I fear you are focusing too much on the personalities on here, rather than on the campaign and the country.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
OOPS!!
With all due respect to you–and I do respect your posts–I am not the one threatening to attack the McCain campaign. I fear you are focusing too much on the personalities on here, rather than on the campaign and the country.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Well said, and exactly correct!
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 4:08 PM
You are wise indeed, Manly.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Five Ways:
McCain really is a war hero. But he is also a politician, just like all the rest of these people including Sarah Palin. It probably is not a good idea to hero worship any poltician, but it seems to me that McCain has at least as much to lose as the rest of us, so yes, I trust him to want to win. And he has got a pretty good record so far of doing that.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:10 PM
If he rolls over, we shoulder our arms and go home.
But he hasn’t rolled over yet.
Let us not confuse laying low with rolling over. The fact that TEH CUDA has already sunk her fangs into Obama over Ayers tells me that a major counter-offensive may be under way.
Keep your powder dry. There may be a surprise in this yet.
For what it’s worth from a disciple of Allah the Despairing: I am willing to suspend my apocalyptic pessimism for the time being.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Now this is more like it, my friend. Recognizing the real issue. And though “snake” might indeed be going too far, your suggestion as stated there is indeed constructive.
Tommygun on October 4, 2008 at 4:10 PM
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
term limits are the only way to go- but sadly, that will NEVER happen. There is no way the blow-hards in Congress will ever vote themselves out of a cushy, easy and very rewarding job. The lot of them make me sick. I’m so pissed off…
kareyk on October 4, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Right. Got it.
I shall never ever ever EVER threaten to attack John McCain ever again. No matter what John McCain ever says or does, or doesn’t say or doesn’t do.
I will always march lock-step in line with whatever McMaverick tells me.
THERE!
Are you happy Tommy?
Am I forgiven?
Am I a good little robot now?
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 4:12 PM
The main difference between Republicans and Democrats is that Republicans learn more and more about less and less, and ultimately know everything about nothing and Democrats learn less and less about more and more, and ultimately know nothing about everything.
MB4 on October 4, 2008 at 4:13 PM
I posted this BEFORE I saw your last post Tommy.
Disregard it.
FiveWays on October 4, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Sorry to repeat from another thread, just two must read pieces, no assinine commentary.
Must reading from Thomas Sowell at NRO:
http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NGRjODM1MTJlOGZiZDk2ODI4NTUzMWMxYjgwMjliMGQ=
Also, someone asked about Stanely Kurtz. Here, from today at NRO:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZWI0MjY3NzMyODgxZGM2ZjUwNTE1MmEzOGRiZmFkNWE=
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
BuckeyeSam on October 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
*channeling Don Vito Corleone*
The time has come to make the peace between the families…you, Don FiveWaysio and you, Don Tommygunno, must – for the sake of Our Thing – be willing to let bygones be bygones.
We face a far greater enemy in the person of Don Barico Obama, that shtroonze (spits on the floor).
Now…please…make the peace.
ManlyRash on October 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
karey:
I know, it is like asking a man to sign his own execution,to ask these people to agree to term limits.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:16 PM
sometimes I think we are signing our own execution. This nation is imploding. I hope we can cut the fuse…I love my country and don’t want to live in Europe- if I did, I would be there. Thanks MM for this site- it brings relief in times of great strife.
kareyk on October 4, 2008 at 4:19 PM
I very definitely think it’s an effectvie arrow in our quiver and should definitely be used. And yes, I think it could be conveyed in words and images in under 30 seconds.
Your case is that the Republicans are going to get blamed no matter what. With things like that bill maher clip with alex baldwin actually telling most of the truth to people who have, so far, been impervious to it, I think there’s a willingness to seek out the guilty parties, even if they’re the ’sainted’ dems.
I personally want to make a video that shows nasty nancy pelousi heaping praise on two of the people very directly responsible for this. And then showing their guilt.
The dems have been running a con game for as long as I can remember, but never more effectively than they have the past 8 years.
We’re not going to turn it around quickly. If we win this it will be a miracle, in my opinion. But there are enough cracks in the facade that a great many of the unwashed are actually starting to get it.
I site Luntz’s Dunces after the VP debate as a small piece of evidence. Those people, like most of America, are fed completely up with the way government’s being run.
There’s a reason congress has the lowest approval ratings in history. The average American isn’t stupid or blind. Are there folks out there that are? You bet. But on the whole, America is overwhelmingly Conservative.
I think a relentless, simple, and honest campaign that lays this stuff out where anyone can understand it is our best bet for turning the tide.
McC has got a VERY talented team of media producers working for them. Hell, I’d love to be a part of that team, actually.
I agree with you, the next several days will tell the tale. Either McC comes out swinging and stays that way until the election, or our chances diminish exponentially.
If he’s not strong, if he doesn’t come out and ‘name names and make people famous’, the msm will run right over us. That’s just a fact.
techno_barbarian on October 4, 2008 at 4:20 PM
I think the only thing to be gained by talking nonstop about the subprime mess is to muddy the waters enough that the Democrats look culpable too, but that does not mean people will blame Obama, the hope and change guy.
On the other hand, we can see what effect the issue has had on the race by looking at the polls.
So, are we sure that making it a bigger issue right now will help McCain and the other Republicans running?
Just askin. I honestly do not know.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:21 PM
I wasn’t born to walk on water
I wasn’t born to sack and slaughter
But on my soul, I wasn’t born
To stoop to scorn, and knuckle under
A man can learn to steal some thunder
A man can learn to work some wonder
And when the gauntlet’s down,
It’s time to rise and climb the sky
And soon the moon will smolder
And the winds will drive
Yes, a man grows older but his soul remains alive
All those tremulous stars still glitter
And I will survive!
Let my heart grow colder and as bitter as a falcon in the dive
There was a dream, a dying ember
There was a dream, I don’t remember
But I will resurrect that dream
Though rivers stream and hills grow steeper
For here in hell where life gets cheaper
Oh, here in hell the blood runs deeper
And when the final duel is near
I’ll lift my spear and fly
Piercing into the sky and higher
And the strong will thrive
Yes, the weak will cower while the fittest will survive
If we wait for the darkest hour
Till we spring alive
Then with claws of fire, we devour like a falcon in the dive
Tav on October 4, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Term limits will just exacerbate the problem. The answer is the ballot box and eliminating gerrymandering.
Spirit of 1776 on October 4, 2008 at 4:22 PM
techno_barbarian:
And when people ask why the Republicans did not stop this or care about when it might have made a difference?
I don’t suppose there is a lot to lose. But do not be surprised if some of those guilty party people have an R behind their name.
Terrye on October 4, 2008 at 4:24 PM
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