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ABC: McCain to use divided-government argument in the final week

posted at 12:55 pm on October 24, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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I’ve wondered from time to time whether John McCain would make this pitch, and now George Stephanopolous reports that the decision has been made.  The McCain campaign will use three themes in the final week, and one of them will be to warn voters against allowing a Democratic Congress free rein with a Democratic President:

Democrats “United”: The McCain campaign will argue the nation needs a McCain administration to check a Congress led by Democrats House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Already Republican are running television ads in places like North Carolina where Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is fighting against Democratic challenger, state Sen. Kay Hagan to hold onto her seat.

Watch for Republicans to raise the specter of a Obama-Pelosi-Reid administration that is not going to be checked by a Republican Congress.

This makes a powerful argument, but one that assumes that Republicans won’t bounce back in Congress in this election.  A couple of months ago, their prospects looked brighter while Pelosi refused to return to Capitol Hill from her book tour as gas prices skyrocketed.  The prospect for a majority in the House has dimmed since then, thanks to the financial collapse and the sharp decrease in the price of oil.

With that possibility diminishing, it gives McCain an opportunity he might otherwise eschew.  He can argue that a Congress run by partisans like Reid and Pelosi would run amok without a Republican in the White House — and fortunately he can use recent history as a guide.  The Pelosi-Reid Congress has done little but hold hearings in the last two years, mostly because they can’t get their radical agenda past the Bush administration.

They have also garnered a lower approval rating than George Bush, which gives McCain another reason to use this theme in the final week.  Barack Obama has tied McCain to Bush, and now McCain can tie Obama to Reid and Pelosi.  McCain began doing this a couple of months ago, noting that Obama hardly ever deviates from his party leadership (97% loyalty).  Now he can leverage the unpopularity of Congress under Democratic leadership by attaching it to Obama more explicitly.

The other two themes?  Pretty obvious: Joe the Plumber and Joe the Drip’s warning about Obama provoking international crises.  When your opponent gives you those kinds of gifts, it’s downright rude not to use them.


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I didn’t think would be an effective strategy. But then I’ve already made up my mind for other reasons. I hope it works.

csdeven on October 24, 2008 at 12:57 PM

These are good themes McCain can win with. Now he just has to pound it home. He needs to play all his cards, spend every dime, leave nothing in the campaign coffers. It’s time to go for broke.

t.ferg on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

WHY THE HECK WOULD MCCAIN INSIST IN TELEGRAPHING HIS STRATEGY???

elraphbo on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

Might work. Why not? It has the unmistakable advantage of being true.

Mr. D on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

This makes a powerful argument, but one that assumes that Republicans won’t bounce back in Congress in this election.

That’s not happening. It’s McCain-Palin or bust. Yippy-Kai-Yay!

D0WNT0WN on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

In other words, the “I suck less” argument.

nukemhill on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

My mom says that the “REPO” argument (reid, pelosi, obama) works with her friends.

lorien1973 on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

Rush is talking about how the Dems are hinting they are going to take over pension plans and 401Ks. In fact, Sloe Joe Biden admitted it at a campaign stop.

Can people really be so stupid as to think the government is ONLY going to take the money of “rich” people?

Elizabetty on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

Obama, Ayers, Wright, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd and Terrorists all over the world say, “Thanks”.

marklmail on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

It’s about time. People complain about divided government and gridlock, but in reality they don’t like the idea of one party having control of the entire government. This will be an effective argument on a pure psychological level. Undecideds, by their nature, want the parties to share power and reinforce the system of checks and balances. As undecideds, they really don’t know who is right or who should have control, so they are more comfortable in the end with gridlock and inaction.

aero on October 24, 2008 at 1:00 PM

Sometimes the “I SUCK LESS” argument is a valid one. But in this case, McCain is ready to lead.

American DOES NOT need an unfettered Obama-Pelosi-Reid alliance.

IN FACT, ED, we need another comprehensive look at Reid-Pelosi and what it could mean, AND QUICKLY

originalpechanga on October 24, 2008 at 1:01 PM

Don’t stop with Pelosi and Reid. It’s Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters and everyone who told us everything was just hunky dory with Freddie and Fannie and don’t you dare question us about it because to do so is raaaacist.

Buy Danish on October 24, 2008 at 1:02 PM

I’m not sure this will work. For me the kneejerk response that an average person might elicit will, “So you’re complaining because people elected Democrats to congress? Sure, they might be incompetent, but if that’s the case, why are they still in office?”

It might be BS, but that’s how it reads to me.

jimmy the notable on October 24, 2008 at 1:02 PM

Rush is talking about how the Dems are hinting they are going to take over pension plans and 401Ks. In fact, Sloe Joe Biden admitted it at a campaign stop.

Can people really be so stupid as to think the government is ONLY going to take the money of “rich” people?

Elizabetty on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

If they got footage of Joe The Drip admitting it, they can slam this one home.

They’re attempting to do the same thing in Argentina right now and that country’s stock market took around a 15% hit just on the announcement of the plan.

teke184 on October 24, 2008 at 1:04 PM

AD
*
BUSINESS OWNERS – “Under Obama’s tax plan, I’ll have to lay off X people” repeat repeat repeat repeat – extrapolate those numbers nationally.

marklmail on October 24, 2008 at 1:04 PM

At the very least McCain can start the memo that if there is any blame to the economic downturn look to the democrats.

The GOP can win in the future by making 2010 a referendum on the Pelosi congress. I dont see us coming out of our current economic crisis by a TVA type economy as planned by biden.

Hurt the dems is the main goal now.

William Amos on October 24, 2008 at 1:04 PM

This in combination with the fact that Democrats are considering taxing America’s 401k nesteggs would make for a convincing argument methinks.

Tacitus_SGL on October 24, 2008 at 1:05 PM

Rush is talking about how the Dems are hinting they are going to take over pension plans and 401Ks. In fact, Sloe Joe Biden admitted it at a campaign stop.

Can people really be so stupid as to think the government is ONLY going to take the money of “rich” people?

Elizabetty on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

This has GOT to be a campaign ad, PRONTO.

thirteen28 on October 24, 2008 at 1:05 PM

This makes a powerful argument, but one that assumes that Republicans won’t bounce back in Congress in this election.

Yeah, well, that’s a safe assumption. We’re likely to lose between 20 and 25 seats, and perhaps more.

paul006 on October 24, 2008 at 1:05 PM

DIVISION!!! If one word could be used to sum up this election it’s that one. Obama keeps using “uniting” but by now, everyone knows that that ain’t gonna happen.Division by ideology, race, age and sex!!! that about covers all of the biggies I think.

jeanie on October 24, 2008 at 1:05 PM

Why does Team McCain telegraph their punches?

Worst campaign evah!

ninjapirate on October 24, 2008 at 1:06 PM

I’ve wondered from time to time whether John McCain would make this pitch, and now George Stephanopolous reports…

Did you really expect anyone to read whatever came after this first sentence? Seriously, quick show of hands: who wants to hear what George Stephanopolous has to say about what John McCain’s campaign is going to focus on?

logis on October 24, 2008 at 1:07 PM

no, i would NOT use that argument, as it is something that could be used against republicans in the future.

there are about 4 million arguments McCain could use, but the man refuses to take his balls out of the formaldehyde.

bloghooligan on October 24, 2008 at 1:07 PM

I don’t think its telegraphing strategery, because there’s not much the libs can say to refute it…it goes to a pretty basic need for fairness in most people, I think. Mac needs to explain to people our deficit, and then make the case for how much they’ll add to it.

hippie_chucker on October 24, 2008 at 1:07 PM

maybe its a head fake, and are coming out strong on Ayers/Wright and tie into this some?

why else do they telegraph it and give Obama time to come up with rebuttal ads

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:09 PM

the libs used that line of attack in 2006 and called it “Checks and balances”

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:10 PM

Is it really necessary to let the DNC know
the RNC’s campaign strategy!

canopfor on October 24, 2008 at 1:11 PM

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:10 PM

The media used it a lot in 1996 too. Not now. Wonder why?

lorien1973 on October 24, 2008 at 1:12 PM

The McCain camp needs to get the Democrat plan to replace 401(k) plans by a 5% mandatory Social-Security-bis tax out to the public, and that he (as President) could stop it with a veto.

Simply say that 401(k) plans represent a huge amount (he would need to get the number) of money invested in the stock market, which would tank even more if people took their 401(k) money out to pay an extra Social Security tax.
Since over 60% of the public is invested directly or indirectly in the stock market, defending 401(k) plans over a second Social Security tax would be a political winner.

On this issue, the Democrats telegraphed their strategy before the election, and McCain needs to pounce on it.

Steve Z on October 24, 2008 at 1:14 PM

OBAMA, FRANK, PELOSI, REID…just put them up for 30 seconds

It isn’t that hard.

tomas on October 24, 2008 at 1:14 PM

why would you want this argument used against republicans in the future? this is the most short sighted argument one could make. furthermore, it’s clearly an argument of desperation – one that shows the failure and dearth of conservatism.

republicans could spend their time making policy arguments, against socialized health care (people die more often!!), against higher taxation (it hurts the poor the most!!), against the ‘we are the world’ foreign policy (they’ll hate us anyway!!), or against the latest greatest stunt of nationalizing our 401ks (WTF!!). there are so many arguments that republicans could make that WON’T hurt us in the future, it’s amazing that anyone here could advocate using vaporous argument that would come back to haunt us in the future.

bloghooligan on October 24, 2008 at 1:15 PM

Rush is talking about how the Dems are hinting they are going to take over pension plans and 401Ks. In fact, Sloe Joe Biden admitted it at a campaign stop.

Can people really be so stupid as to think the government is ONLY going to take the money of “rich” people?

Elizabetty on October 24, 2008 at 12:59 PM

The RNC needs to be making this into a commercial.

The Democrats want to take away your 401k.

MarkTheGreat on October 24, 2008 at 1:16 PM

or just run Glen Becks Obama National Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l46t_nrySg4&hl=en&fs=1

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:16 PM

The other two themes? Pretty obvious: Joe the Plumber and Joe the Drip’s warning about Obama provoking international crises. When your opponent gives you those kinds of gifts, it’s downright rude not to use them.

This is why McCain’s going to lose. First, the divided government argument might be a strong one in principle, but not in practice. People want “solutions” (whatever they are), not just “I’m not a Democrat”. Remember, people prefer the Democrats now. Second, the Joe the Plumber thing is awkward, and doesn’t make a good argument. People are already sick of it. Third, Obama will just state that McCain/Bush already failed in the face of international crises – that it’s time to give someone else a chance – and enough people will buy that to make it a wash, at best, in the polls. Maybe McCain could have come up with one or two significant and coherent policy-based arguments for the final weeks – but he hasn’t shown any sign of that yet. None of these tactics will work. Unless something very weird happens, Obama’s going to win.

Big S on October 24, 2008 at 1:18 PM

This argument is so obvious! It’s also a powerful one to make to independents and undecided voters. I wrote into my local paper last week hitting on this theme. People are sick of both parties; so do they really want one party to have total domination again? Probably not.

matthewbit07 on October 24, 2008 at 1:18 PM

I don’t think its telegraphing strategery, because there’s not much the libs can say to refute it…

You have no idea how political discourse works…

ninjapirate on October 24, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Don’t voters have to know who Pelosi and Reid are for this to work?

IreneFingIrene on October 24, 2008 at 1:21 PM

The other two themes? Pretty obvious: Joe the Plumber and Joe the Drip’s warning about Obama provoking international crises.

How about naming the names that caused the financial crisis, and reminding the American people after being on the hook for a Trillion dollars, the programs, policies, and politicians are still in place. NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!!

That just might piss a few people off…………

CRA, ACORN, Dodd, Frank, Reid, Pelosi, Obama, Gorelick, etc., etc…………..

Seven Percent Solution on October 24, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Train wreck.

Grow Fins on October 24, 2008 at 1:22 PM

For all his faults, any rational person would agree that McCain is the right guy to lead the country through a crisis. The guy has been forged by fire and has been a fighter his whole life.

The world desperately needs some leadership right now. McCain is a leader. Obama isn’t.

BadgerHawk on October 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM

WHY THE HECK WOULD MCCAIN INSIST IN TELEGRAPHING HIS STRATEGY???

elraphbo on October 24, 2008 at 12:58 PM

He just got ABC to introduce and explain the concept to the public for free, didn’t he? It’s not like he’s trying to ambush Obama by stating what should be obvious but probably hasn’t occurred yet to many undecided voters. In fact, many undecided voters apparently don’t even realize that Democrats have been in charge of both houses of Congress for the past two years. Seriously. So this one isn’t effective as a last-minute surprise attack. Telegraph away, I say. Get it out there and get people talking about it so those undecideds who wait until the last to weeks to go, “What, there’s an election coming up? Who’s running?” will clue in.

aero on October 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM

we need God to intervene, bottom line

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:23 PM

Don’t like it even a little bit. Too many people have been told the Dem congress w/Clinton Pres were “great” years that actually believe that tripe. I see zero help coming from this… Run the add once and Obama reminds us of “how good those Clinton years were” and the ad is, not only blunted (with a willing press assistant to tell you “it’s twue, it’s twue”), it then could work against him after that.

CC – BHO: “my Muslim faith”

CapedConservative on October 24, 2008 at 1:24 PM

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:16 PM

I can’t get to that from work, but if it’s the “All hail Obama” anthem I love it.

BadgerHawk on October 24, 2008 at 1:24 PM

I think this is a strong argument. I also think McCain should have been pushing this line since July. McCain has never ONCE tied Obama to Pelosi, Reid & Co. He should have, as Congress has even lower approval ratings than Bush!

Congressional Republicans should be pushing this line on the public as it relates to Obama being President with a Democrat-controlled Congress. McCain should be pushing the same line from the perspective of having a Republican president to keep a check on the Democratic Congress.

Outlander on October 24, 2008 at 1:25 PM

“the Democrat plan to replace 401(k) plans by a 5% mandatory Social-Security-bis tax out to the public”

This HAS to get into the news cycle TODAY to percolate over the weekend — STARTING WITH A SEPARATE THREAD ON IT ED! — the fact that the donks would even CONSIDER reaching their hands into people’s pockets this far given today’s economics and just prior to the election should serve as a POWERFUL warning to just how dangerous they would be for the entire frakking private sector …

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:26 PM

BadgerHawk on October 24, 2008 at 1:24 PM

yeah, that is a cartoon Soviet Style anthem

Lets game plane an Obama-Pelosi-Reid-MSM Axis of Evil for the next 2 yrs.

Pros: We get the chance to expose the Left for the Fascist thugs they are, with the power of the internet this time.

Cons: might not matter, amnesty, DC/PR statehood, more welfare creates more Dem votes.

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:31 PM

I would love to see ‘Joe the Plumber’ at some campaign
rallys,and let him speak as average ‘Joe America’!

How about getting John Voight,and Fred Thompson!

Let John and Fred passionately talk about America,
about freedom,and the lessons learned about tryanny
and he cost of Freedom!

Let them talk about Socialism,and communism,and what
happens in countries who try to’Spread the Wealth’!

Have the rally where Lincoln sits in DC!

Only let Fox News cover it live!

And,stream it live on all Republican Blog sites!

Do it Nov.2 or Nov.3,around 7-10PM.

Its a Republican Rally booster designed to fire up
the base!

canopfor on October 24, 2008 at 1:31 PM

“DC/PR statehood”

pls. climb down from the ledge — at least one of those requires a frakking amendment!

/not.gonna.happen.

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:32 PM

Grow Fins on October 24, 2008 at 1:22 PM

I’m not “clicking” on ANY piece of propaganda that you provide here fish bait!

Over.

1GooDDaDDy on October 24, 2008 at 1:35 PM

Train wreck. – Grow Fins on October 24, 2008 at 1:22 PM

Heh. I think not.

ManlyRash on October 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:32 PM

With a Filibuster proof majority?

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM

Conservatives need their own George Soros and own Moveon.org.

From which we can smear the Left with, and have mass emails spurn off from.

jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:37 PM

McCain needs to tie it in to the Halloween theme of “scary”, note this great cartoon from townhall.com:

http://townhall.com/cartoons/cartoonist/ChipBok/2008/10/3

texasconserv on October 24, 2008 at 1:39 PM

McCain needs to remind voters tha over 70% supported more drilling and that both Pelosi and Reid oppose it.
The energy issue is still very powerful and McCain needs to make it.

DerKrieger on October 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM

“jp on October 24, 2008 at 1:36 PM”

yer outright spotting them nine seats — in OCTOBER?!

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM

And ad showing the Democrat reaction to W’s idea to taking a small percentage of our Social Security “account” and investing it juxtaposed to the Dem’s confiscating our IRA’s and 401K’s sounds like might be effective. Have any of them said it out loud in front of a camera?

Cindy Munford on October 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM

“DerKrieger on October 24, 2008 at 1:40 PM”

i cannot beleive [well, ok, mebbe i can] that opec started rumbling about production cuts — the one thing that would get that right back into the headlines!

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM

Yawn.

The problem with this is that the “finger in the wind” independents are simply voting the trendy way which is Obama. They could only name one of the three individual in that picture.

ClassicCon on October 24, 2008 at 1:42 PM

Buckaroo on October 24, 2008 at 1:41 PM

We need to kneecap OPEC by flooding the oil market with US oil. Want to increase US power geometrically? Give us the power to greatly influence world oil prices. If OPEC cuts nback, we increase production. If they get uppity, inicrease production.

On a little discussed issue Europe is being overrun with Muslim immigrants in spite of an overwhelming majority of opposition from the European people (sound familiar?).

The biggest reason the EU leadership ignores their people is that they are being blackmailed by Arab oil producing nations. They promise to keep oil flowing to Europe in exchange for Europe taking in excess Muslim population. If we became the supplier we could and should be then we could export to Europe and allow them to stop the immigration time bomb and virtual colonization they are experiencing.

DerKrieger on October 24, 2008 at 1:46 PM

Don’t stop with Pelosi and Reid. It’s Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Maxine Waters and everyone who told us everything was just hunky dory with Freddie and Fannie and don’t you dare question us about it because to do so is raaaacist.

Buy Danish on October 24, 2008 at 1:02 PM

I agree. And in order to avoid another credit crisis, we need to make sure that there’s a voice insisting that Congress get to the root of the cause. With Frank, Dodd, and Waxman leading the charge, I’m sure that they’ll determine that Reagan really was at fault.

Why does Team McCain telegraph their punches?

Worst campaign evah!

ninjapirate on October 24, 2008 at 1:06 PM

You know, I agree. But I also wonder whether they do it because McCain does such a lousy job articulating points on domestic issues that the campaign feels compelled to telegraph so that no one mistakes the message. McCain’s motto must be the line from the Beattles ture, “Try with a little help from my friends.”

Seriously, though, our country really should be looking forward to the challenge of digging ourselves out of a hole. And one of the biggest challenges is energy indepedence. But I would argue vehemently that these three stooges will cripple our energy efforts to the point of crippling our international strength. We won’t be able to drill inside 200 miles offshore, we won’t take any steps toward nuclear, and we’ll be pour enormous fortunes into subsidies for such useless technology as ethanol.

Get on this argument and make it stick. And, heck, you can even weave in a jab at Ayers when you highlight how he and Obama squandered $161 million on education reform for zero benefit. Any idiot is going stop and think about that kind of track record. The report of Obama’s incompetence in online for crying out loud.

BuckeyeSam on October 24, 2008 at 1:48 PM

Pound it all day long on the stump if you like as “machine politics” but if McCain does not have a 30 minute info commercial being prepared for all five networks to be run twice in prime time he is really counting on a miracle.

This 30 minute spot must be designed along the lines of the comprehensive package that was posted here a few days ago. Strong emphasis on earmarks, governmental reform, domestic energy program, oil, clean coal and nuclear, balanced budgets, and last but not least the war on terror. A strong statement on McCain/Palin as reformers vs Obama and machine politics.

The last ten minutes have to be a positive reaffirmation of Reagan’s city on a hill. Policies that stress free people and free markets will solve our current financial crisis just as Reagan did coming out of the dire financial straits left behind by Carter.

If he doesn’t have something like this in the works, if nothing else, he will be buried by Obama’s 30 minute Hollywood production.

patrick neid on October 24, 2008 at 1:51 PM

Damn right . . . he should use that argument. A Marxist president and a left/liberal congress will totally destroy the Republic.

rplat on October 24, 2008 at 2:02 PM

When your opponent gives you those kinds of gifts, it’s downright rude not to use them.

Nice line, Ed.

However, it seems stupid for the McCain campaign to broadcast this before executing the plan.

Right_of_Attila on October 24, 2008 at 2:03 PM

Nice picture of the three. The sign needs to be photoshopped to read, “By the Government, For the Leadership”

shick on October 24, 2008 at 2:15 PM

Obama-Pelosi-Reid: The Axis of Taxes

rockmom on October 24, 2008 at 2:25 PM

I ask, who in the world is going to tune into a half hour of policy gasbagging by a politician? Who? I watch the presidential state-of-the-union speeches and that is about it. Unless there is a crisis, and I want to know what the president is doing to address it, ie., 9/11, financial free-fall, Katrina, etc. I would sooner have my fingernails removed w/pliers as tune into a politician for a half hour of my life during primetime TV and I am completely engaged in this election!

Senator Gubment will be preaching to the choir ONLY on Oct. 29th or whenever it is. He will be spending millions for nothing. I don’t see anyone, even undecideds, tuning into to listen to his platitudes.

JAM on October 24, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Obama-Pelosi-Reid: The Axis of Taxes

rockmom on October 24, 2008 at 2:25 PM

That’s awesome. You should trademark it fast!

JAM on October 24, 2008 at 2:27 PM

Obama-Pelosi-Reid: The Axis of Taxes

rockmom on October 24, 2008 at 2:25 PM

Very clever! Send it in to the campaign, rockmom.

nyrofan on October 24, 2008 at 2:47 PM

This isn’t “giving away the strategy”. I was in FL last week, and saw a very good ad that was done in the same meme. It may not have been a Team McCain ad–I can’t remember–but it was well done and EXACTLY what needs to be said.

Proposed new stump line for McCain: “I may have voted with Bush 90% of the time, but that’s a heckuva lot better for our country than not opposing Harry Reid 100% of the time!”

johnny alpha on October 24, 2008 at 2:48 PM

As many pointed out along the way, this might have been an effective tactic two months ago. A large block of the electorate thinks GWB and Republicans rule the government. Manifestly this large block of voters are slow on the uptake. Educating the ignorant will take more than a week, and that needed to be done completely first.

DarkCurrent on October 24, 2008 at 2:50 PM

This makes a powerful argument, but one that assumes that Republicans won’t bounce back in Congress in this election.

The public won’t consider that possibility.
This gives McCain the chance to kill two birds with one stone. He can campaign for local GOP congressional/senatorial candidates while pushing his own aspirations.

eea on October 24, 2008 at 2:53 PM

We’re half-way through October without any October Surprises-not counting Joe Biden’s hallucinatory ramblings, which can happen in any month.

Waiting for the shoe to drop……..

Doug on October 24, 2008 at 2:59 PM

We’re half-way through October without any October Surprises-not counting Joe Biden’s hallucinatory ramblings, which can happen in any month.

Waiting for the shoe to drop……..

Doug on October 24, 2008 at 2:59 PM

I see October 25 on my time dial. October’s almost gone here. Relativistic effects?

DarkCurrent on October 24, 2008 at 3:04 PM

Re: telegraphing…

Yeah. Like they telegraphed the “I’m buying an ad on the night of your speech.” thing… Every time the McCain Campaign “telegraphs” something like this, watch for Obama to make a big unforced error that McCain is already ready to take full advantage of.

Re: Divided Government argument…

Two thoughts:

1) It’s a good argument for exactly the sort of voter who is wavering right now. Folks who want a forceful lefty or righty government aren’t having a hard time deciding who to vote for.

2) It doesn’t require the McCain Campaign to buy ads to get this idea out there. George Stephanopolous is doing the work for them. The idea is out there, and being talked about.

Good use of the media, important when you’re working on a budget.

ClintACK on October 24, 2008 at 4:12 PM

Reid, Pelosi, Frank, and their unctuous ilk are the enemy soldiers, crouched inside of Obama’s centrist-sounding Trojan Donkey. Scan before admitting.

This could be a winner (and +1 on the “Axis of Taxes.” Sheer brilliance!)

Noocyte on October 24, 2008 at 4:29 PM

I ask, who in the world is going to tune into a half hour of policy gasbagging by a politician? Who?

Jam

Did you look at the comprehensive review that was posted here

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/21/the-comprehensive-argument-against-barack-obama/

If not we have no discussion. But had you, I put it to you that something along those lines will be watched by millions if it is a well done documentary of sorts. Not the rah rah vote for me crap that passes as normal election fare.

McCain has no choice. It’s at best 10 million.

patrick neid on October 24, 2008 at 4:52 PM

McCain Ad:

“Are you better off today than you were TWO YEARS AGO… WHEN THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE? NO?

Then don’t given them the Presidency, too!

They NOW control Congress, and look what they’ve achieved with the American economy in just 2 years!

Elect a strong president to balance this Congress …which has the lowest public approval rating in history…

Elect McCain.”

profitsbeard on October 24, 2008 at 7:53 PM

Finally.

A couple more things for the McCain campaign to keep in mind:

Divided Government is consistent with the intent of the founders when they built checks, balances and separation of power into the Constitution. As James Madison wrote in Federalist #51 – “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” What they did not anticipate, is how single party rule undermines these constitutional protections.

I have been beating the divided government drum for two years on my blog (linked on my handle), where you can find plenty of supporting documentation from scholars, economists, political scientists, and historians. As a recent example, this scholarly article from a constitutional lawyer puts more than a little academic cred behind the divided government thesis.

I voted for John Kerry to get divided government in 2004 and lost. I supported a straight Dem ticket in 2006 to get divided government and won. This year I will vote to re-elect divided government by supporting John McCain. The only way to re-elect Divided Government in 2008, is elect John McCain for President. It is the right thing to do. Check out this youtube video which is on point.

mw on October 24, 2008 at 9:09 PM

First they came for your boss’ money, then they came for YOURS.

hestrold on October 25, 2008 at 1:59 AM

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