Conservatives Wonder If Negative Ads Could Reduce McCain's Stature

Over at the Atlantic, Marc Ambinder has an interesting reaction from former McCain strategist John Weaver to the Arizona Republican's new ad attacking Barack Obama's celebrity status (complete with references to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears). Calling it "childish," Weaver also claims that harping on Obama "reduces McCain on the stage."

He's not the only conservative to wonder about that possibility.

Former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum says McCain's latest ad only addresses one type of voter, while perhaps turning off others. "McCain goes into this election with two problems. One is that the Republican base is demoralized and unenthusiastic," Frum said. "The other is that the Republican base is shrunk while the number of independents has grown. The strategic dilemma he faces is to energize his core constituency while swinging the much larger centrist constituency [over to him].

"This ad does a good job of energizing that base, reminding them of things they might not like about Barack Obama," Frum added. "But I wonder whether more offshore drilling is going to be such a big issue with independent voters. And I wonder whether there is not a risk that if McCain's own ads are more consistently negative than Obama's, that he forfeits some of the advantage and stature he's got over Obama."

The Washington Post's Chris Cilizza has more over at The Fix blog. In addition to some who praise McCain's latest ad, he quotes some anonymous Republican sources who criticize the campaign, variously, for taking "one wild swing at Obama after another" and "talking to the press pack, not voters."

Comments

[Xenopus]

McCain is an embarrassment as an American politician. His style of politics make America look cheap and ignorant. Picking a President should be dignified, yet what we get from the McCain camp is cheesy and sleazy, and honestly, darn pathetic. This old grumpy man needs to hang it up, he just doesn't have what it takes.

[08politicaljunkie]

When McCain made public some of his medical records, why weren't his psychological assessments pubished too?

[savagenation916]

Wake up Liberals!

John McCain and George W. are NOT conservatives. Although they may have SOME conservative views, they do not possess the true conservative values. Get it right.

Stop trying to paint them a color in which they're not.

[berylrose]

I can't wait till the debates. Sen. Obama needs to make a few jabs at McBush a few days before the first debate and have ole McBush really seething by debate night and watch him emplode.

[Keith52]

Wonder?

[camaretta]

"By their works ye shall know them." McCain's ads are a comment on his own character. In the latest round it's clear that he is fine about being handled by others, who in turn are perfectly fine about using the images of young women, without their consent, to make a dubious stab at marketing a supposed image of a third person. No surprise -- that is what McCain ALWAYS DOES with women--plays roundabout, fails to respect them and then uses them as possessions, tools, and now weapons.

John McCain keeps failing to get it that his way of operating bears no correlation to "Country First." In an increasingly juvenile approach, his actions are and will be guided by a male swagger syndrome that was repugnant in the 1960's, was dropped long ago by real men, and in 2008 is the language of the deluded.

The McCain approach squanders time, money, material resources, human talent, and true opportunities. It disrespects everyone, including himself. It especially disrespects prospective voters who see the need for conservative care of all resources and who are seeking a person of mature character who uses time well to meaningfully engage political rivals and other nations so that our world doesn't shrivel, die, or blow up.

John apparently thinks that everyone is rich and the stakes aren't high for getting good government into place very soon.

[LeawoodKansas]

Here is the video response: Britney & McCain endorsing GWB.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPEV6twzxmE

Take it viral.

[NickNas]

HOT REPORT!!!! He tried to get his old friends Betty Rubble and Wilma Flintsone to do the ad but their SAG Cards have expired! ; )

[LeawoodKansas]

Doesn't look like Obama is going to get the Spears endorsement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPEV6twzxmE

[Pupadup4oBama]

Not only that, but it's the same crap HILLARY used. Didn't work for her so much.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Not only that, but it's the same crap HRC used against BHO and it didn't work THEN.

[Pupadup4oBama]

Sorry, responded to the wrong post.

[rich3324]

McBush’s ads have been an embarrassment. Any honor he had has been lost. The maverick has become a gelding.

[JJeff88]

In an over-the-top attempt to define "Sen. Obama", McCain is doing a better, far more credible job of defining himself -

Mainly, that he's a grumpy, out-of-touch putdown artist - a politician who'll say anything and brings nothing positive to the national debate.

Brittany Spears? Is that all he's got? Give me a break!

Hardly the type of individual you'd want leading our country.

[bygollymissmolly]

Really. Right now Mc'Cain's way of running for President is to say "I'm not Barack O'bama". How about he tells who he is and why we should vote for him.

[thefringecenter]

A black man with two blondes. Same stereotype, different day. Odd that it has gone over so many heads.

[Darwinita]

Isn't that the crap they tried with Ford from Tennessee?

[BCubedReg]

Yes. They did the same thin to Ford.

[BCubedReg]

Yes, McCain has been slowly introducing racial innuendo's into the discussion. Smart people see it for what it is, the stupid don't see or understand it, but the racist are infuriated by it.

[JimR]

Oh give me a break... it was a dumb ad, but it was not racist.

[NoSandwiches]

wonder what his old buddy Arnold thinks about the ad.
He's some kind of celebrity...isn't he?

I guess that's bad now.
Come on over to our team, Goverantor...we'll show you the love!

[ohiodem250]

I agree. Arnold is definitely a Republican I can love...yes I said it L O V E.

[NickNas]

YOU do NOT live in California! He just announced this morning that he is firing 22,000 State workers AND reduceing the pay for tens of thousands MORE to FEDERAL Minimum wage which is FAR below the California Minimum wage. ALL to cover for HIS screw-ups in the Budget. We have already lost HEALTHCARE and we were once TOP in Education in this state now we are pulling into LAST PLACE.

You just keep on Luving him.... MOVE here then.

[WFV]

"Could reduce his stature"?

ya think?

[CtJean]

REMINDER:

O's birthday is August 4th - let's give him a huge $$ party unlike no other

He'll be 47

Please pass this on