The Lime Green Monster: McCain's Speech Widely Panned

It may be a superficial quip with Senator McCain's speech tonight, but as Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic noted, in presidential politics, "theatrics matter."

The choice of a lime green backdrop was, to put it kindly, not wise. Beyond representing a jarring visual for even the most colorblind political viewer, the set up was clearly a distraction from the speech itself. Take a look at some of the reviews:

Ambinder: "I wish I had a screen grab... but the green background is very weird and very jarring. On this stage, theatrics matter."

Matt Yglesias notes: "...it's interesting that he's shifted his aesthetic from his old black and white 'fascist' aesthetic to a new green and white Islamofascist aesthetic."

Andrew Sullivan: "From the re-branded green background to the silly attempt to capitalize on Democratic divisions to the Clintonian cooptation of an Obama meme - "a leader we can believe in" - McCain's opening gambit in the general election was, in my judgment, underwhelming."

Atrios: "It'll make you look like the cottage cheese in a lime jello salad. Always a good look for an older gentlemen... The aesthetics of McCain's speech, just mercifully completed before a slightly energized crowd of literally dozens, was awesome in how dreadful it was. No matter what Harold Ford thinks, who was somehow thoroughly moved by lime-jello McCain.

From TPM:

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This is not to distract from McCain's address; that too was poorly reviewed. The most biting of the criticisms came from CNN's Jeffrey Toobin, who intoned, moments after its conclusion: "That was awful! That was pathetic!"

Josh Marshall, over at TPM, noted: "Here's how bad it is. All the Fox commentators are giving competing explanation for why McCain's speech sucked."

But if you think this was strictly a liberal prerogative, here is a sampling of the Republican response to McCain's general election launch.

Here's Mark Levin over at National Review's The Corner: "Not to offend those who might be offended, but this speech is a mash and tough to digest. You have to get through the self-congratulatory praise of independence and commander-in-chief pose from the Senate, then you have to try to follow the inconsistency of some of his big-government ideas vs. his anti-big-government rhetoric, and his inconsistency even on his supposed strength -- the surge in Iraq vs. closing GITMO and conferring additional rights on the detainees."

Summing up GOP sentiment was prominent Republican media consultant, Alex Castellanos, speaking on CNN: "Last I checked this was not a speech-making contest, thank God."

Comments

[Suthngal]

As OLD as McCain is, he has yet to figure out who he is. I guess it's easier to assimilate than to be original.

[ndnndpendent]

He was going strong leading up to the sweeping campaign finance bill, but we all see what that did for the 527s. I even read his book on the subject and I was really impressed on what a concensus builder he is in the Senate. He showed that he can get things done when he puts his mind to it.

I dont know what happened to him. Theres one thing in his control; his threw off his maverick reputation, was a bad thing to pander to the right.

Second, its just a bad year to run for him, even though he's been an outstanding leader. Obama's youth just emphasizes McCain's age. Also, I had every intention for voting and campaigning for McCain. (!!!! I am a Native Amer.!!!)

[ndnndpendent]

I was going to finish by saying that he started to support the surge, which many people did not want. This was an overt counter strategy to the 2006 Democratic voter mandate where we all wanted the troop reductions and end to the war. He was on the wrong side and its been downhill ever since.

[mjjcpa]

I just read this article and many of the posts, and i cant find any meaningful discussion of the issues. I thought liberals were well educated.

[Querent]

Well-educated people don't really take Repig "ideas" seriously anymore. How can you meaningfully discuss the "idea" that we need to get tougher in Iraq so we can "win"? Anyone who would take such a position is obviously too stupid to be reasoned with, and way too stupid to be taken seriously. The idea that the federal government is more dangerous to the welfare of ordinary people than multi-national corporations is also self-evidently worthless.

Repigs don't take political discourse seriously, either. They want to yammer about wearing flag pins and how much someone once paid for a haircut. It's funny, but after years of having our intelligence insulted by Repig morons, we just don't have that much interest in refuting their nonsensical bullshit anymore. If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. But the lies the Repigs have repeated until they were believed have all been refuted by history, and not the musty kind on the library shelf, either. They have been refuted by the last eight years. The clearest lesson of this period: Repigs can't think.

[MrKINOKO]

You can only find what you are looking for. Obviously you are predetermined to see whatever your subconscious (and ID) wants you to see. I see Hanoi John standing in front of a Saudi Arabian flag, smiling at inappropriate times, saying inappropriate things, and attempting to pull a hat out of a rabbit, because backwards does it best in the land of the GOP. What do you see?

[starboymikey]

Isn't it interesting that both Hillary and McCain have tried to appropriate Obama's slogan?

[MyGuyO]

I was actually embarrased for John McCain's poor show last evening. Have seen him speak in person oh, about four years ago in PHX and no way did he speak like he did last night. Then to top it off, the numerous phoney smiles we had to watch t/o his speech. He seemed V E R Y nervous. If this is the best the Republican's can do, then it will be a cinch for Obama in November.

[jgaines7]

He was surrounded by 200 Kennerians. You'd be nervous, too. :)

[shag11]

This is just shameful. Why can't he just go spend his time with his great-grandchildren.

[lindaqqq]

He is definately not comfortable in his own skin.
The fake laugh as he read the "joke" from the teleprompter,
the look left then center then right (as if there was a huge crowd to connect with).
If I hear him say "my friends" one more time I will vomit.
What a contrast to Barack, a natural born speaker.

[MyGuyO]

Yes, yes yes. Agree. The saying "My Friend's" is soooooooooooooo overdone. Get a life McCain.

[GeoNorth]

THe whole speech was cattle feces from the start. One great pack of prevarications, mistruths and downright lies. That said...

That green background will lend itself very nicely to the the video satirists who will put all kinds of embarrasing backgrounds behind him. Oh, boy, oh ,boy,oh boy. I can,t wait. I wish I had video gear. I'll be checking YouTube hourly. Please don't disappoint.

[Querent]

You don't really need "video gear" for this. What you need is software.

[MagicDem]

I am sorry, but he just creeps me out. He is like the angry little "nowhere man".
A few weeks back when he was on his "Strict talk express" some women reporters were gathered around tyring to get him to clarify a position and you could just see that he was getting more annoyed with them. I felt a palpable sense of fear in them and for them. I mean these women looked to me like they were truly afraid this guy might blow. They were trying their best to explain to him why his answer did not make sense and at one point as he started to get extremely frustrated a reporter sitting next to him lightly touched his arm trying to calm him as she ask him a question. How is he going to handle the pressures of the Presidency when he cannot handle a small group of "friendly" journalist on his propaganda express.
I know this sounds disrespectful and I am sorry for what he endured, but I think he has some issues and I feel very uncomfortable knowing he has control of our own WMD's.

[Dane1911]

We all know this, his supporters dont care and Hillary supporters will vote for this man just because she lost. Thats sad. They rather have someone like this man in office to stick it to Obama. When in reality they are sticking it to themselves.

[Dannydel]

I just wish that he would give up the obsession. He served us proudly in a war we shouldn't have fought and he suffered mightily as a P.O.W. How can he possibly turn around and support yet another, similarly stupid invasion like Iraq, and send even more young men and women to their deaths, or a lifetime ruined by a roadside bomb? Hasn't he learned ANYTHING?

[Liberal2]

Because, coming from a military family, he still believes in the fantasy that any war started must end with victory, the way kings and petty dictators think. This is why having leaders with a limited term of office is a good idea; the next executive won't be as emotionally invested.

[mediawatcher1975]

I think that he is generationally out of touch. He comes from a time when war were fought in lines by countries. There was a discernable front and there could be winners and loosers. This is not in line with the current reality. We can't flex and expect the world to fall in line. We have to use diplomacy and that means talking to the other side.

I think that McCain is proving to be hopelessly out of touch with what the country wants and needs. A recent poll found that the majority of American's support talking to our "enemies". He repeats what he is told and it is usually wrong. We cannot afford a President like him.

Go Obama!!

[damnadamson]

Obama will take McBush to task on any format .... I hope they are allowed no moderator and a lot of townhall style debates.

[Dane1911]

I want a debate with moderators. McCain sucks, and we need real questions with substance. The question that the moderators will ask will be questions of great substance that McCain will fail to answer correctly and his buddies will not be able to whisper the correct answer in his ear for him. Embarrass him completely and have no mercy on him Obama; destroy and embarrass him in front of millions. i so cant wait for the first debate. Obama had the best trainer, Hillary Clinton.

[Nyla785]

Who's fool idea was it to put McCain on TV the very night the Democrats were having a final primary anyway? It only served to point out how old, out of touch, and lethargic not only McCain is--but the entire Republican philosophy is. Then, the contrast with Obama's energetic speech and enthusiastic audience! What a blunder. McCain just looks worse and worse as the campaign goes on--and one starts worrying about his health.

[jah2008]

I can't wait for a debate between Obama and McCain. The contrast between the two would alone be enough to doom McCain.

McCain's smile really creeps me out.

[mouselion]

'Cottage cheese in lime jell-o' sums it up well.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Many Obama supporters are saying, figuratively, "bring it on" with respect to debates or town hall meetings between Sens. McCain and Obama. They should remember that delivering a prepared speech appears to be one of Sen. McCain's greatest weakness and that Sen. Obama has struggled in some of the debates during the primary season. Don't assume that Sen. Obama would wipe the floor with Sen. McCain in a different format. (FYI, I am thankful and delighted that Sen. Obama looks likely to be your next president.)

[Janskats]

Observer..I think that debates with Sen. Clinton sometimes proved more difficult because Obama was faced with not wanting to spindle a fellow Democrat, first of all..a fight that should be, according to most, kept to a more civil level, than one with "the opposition". Then, of course, waiting in the wings were the Clinton supporters' incessant, ridiculous charges of "sexist, male attitude", if anyone had the audacity to challenge any word out of her mouth! He wanted to keep it on the issues and try not to get into gutter politics..which would have been great if all involved were willing to do the same! In that rather unique situation, I think he had to build a learning curve that finally kicked in.

Now..with McBush..it's a different story altogether, and by his rapid responses to him and his..and even privately taking Lieberman "to the woodshed" in the Senate today, after Lieberman mouthed off to reporters, I wouldn't worry about Obama handling McBush. He's done great in his own "off-the-cuff" town halls..which don't use the pre-picked, photo-op staged sort of crowds that the GOP relies on. Obama will cream him! Thanks for your support, Canada! Come next January, we look forward to a saner, safer world than what we've been stuck with the last eight years!

[csepwede]

Obama definitely had to treat Hillary in such a way that her supporters wouldn't get mad at him.

[ndnndpendent]

Good observaton Janskats, he was definitely giving it the light touch, not in a sexist way but knowing as my dear father used to say: "we have to all live with one another at the end of the day, be careful what you say." Obama anticipated that winning meant he would have to put the Democratic house in order.

I predict Obama will stick to the issues, foreign policy and the economy. I also agree with comments in here that spoke to generational differences on war. McCain has a cold war mentality in a vastly different landscape. Obama must whereever he can--remain neutral. I thought his pro-Israeli speech was over the top, biased and therefore, does not bode well. I hope he finds moderation as peacemaker.

[Bluedanube]

After the debacle of the Scopes trial William Jennings Bryan was a broken, disspirited, and ridiculed man. After last night pathetic, creepy performance John McCain is on track for a similar fate.