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

[Anonani]

The most amazing thing is that the MSM keeps looping and talking about this ridiculous tripe. This kind of campaigning is unworthy of ANY publicity!

[Grunty1]

It IS worthy of being talked about, but not how they are talking about it

"How f***ing desparate and pathetic is J'ohn Mc'Cain?" is the real question being ignored.

[neesy08]

if the gop think ole geritol has gone too far.......­.

[TheFirst]

Enough already! John McCain is totally out of touch with what is today. In other words, he is "old school." This election is about the future not the old way and mindset of the past.

[DemsUnite]

Yes, he is straight talking his stature, straight into the ground, geezer style. And it's just above GWB's stature.

[iRob08]

I think if McCain hired Britney Spears and Paris Hilton to make campaign ads for him, they would actually do a better job than whoever's doing it now. Heck, he might as well hire Miley Cyrus too...

iRob '08

[petuniafish]

And his follow-up to regain that stature will be to emerge from the Straight Talk Express without boxers carrying his beloved Chihuahua and huge Prada bag..

[DemsUnite]

What a sight that'll be. I'm certain I don't want to see it either.

[RedNane]

MCCains stature is so low he can walk under the belly of a snake wearing a top hat.

[confuseddemocrat]

Isn't interesting how the brave strong Mr. War hero "man's man" would use two litte girls as foil to denigrate Mr. Obama in a cheap two-cent ad?

Straight Talk express has been officially decommisioned and scuttled.

[Amennyc]

I agree. Strangely enough, many like Paris and Brittney. Madonna, is liked also.... but def more controversial for some reason. Should have been her and Courtney Love.

[soapington]

Or Michelle Malkin and Ann Coulter..

[soapington]

Or Michelle Malkin & Ann Coulter... ?

[soapington]

I have tried several times, without success to suggest the names of two Rethuglican hackettes here. I can only conclude that we're banned from mentioning the names of MM and AC.

[DocWylie]

I understand the McCain campaign's confusion about the phenomena going on over Obama.
What appears to them as a celebrity is actually Obama already beginning to lead the country.
It is a concept they seem unfamilliar with.

[pixy242a]

Are campaigns allowed to use celebrity names like Spears and paris Hilton without their permission ?

[pupbayer]

Why not? There was nothing libelous or slanderous­...just saying they are celebrities which no one would dispute.

[EvilPoet]

Paris Hilton's parents hopping mad at McCain ad
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1420526.php/Paris_Hiltons_parents_hopping_mad_at_McCain_ad

[blueinannarbor]

He fired Weaver to get these losers to run his campaign? Talk about questionable judgment.

[Faith101]

have to admit that McCain is looking more and more desperate everyday. He will lose it in the debates. His biggest problem is that he don;t respect Obama, and he truly believes that Obama is beneath him. This will most definitely be his downfall. McCain's time has passed. He is not a visionary. His mind is not sharp enouth to lead the US in this 21st century.

[MizLiz]

His mind isn't sharp enough to do my grocery shopping for me.

[pizzmoe]

Unless it's cheese..

[laire]

Faith 101,

I think your right on when you say McCain's biggest problem is he doesn't respect Sen. Obama. I have not heard any of the talking heads saying this but its right on.

[gigi09]

He doesn't respect Obama or women! That includes his wife and Hillary. Obama 08!

[MACS]

.
McFifthChoice got into canoe U the same way bush got into harvard---- LEGACY. the reputation and money of their families. Both finished with a legacy C- grade.

[afgail]

Not a legacy C grade, but a gentlemen's C. Which is synonymous with D or F.

[Faith101]

I have to admit that McCain is looking more and more desperate everyday. He will lose it in the debates. His biggest problem is that he don;t respect Obama, and he truly believes that Obama is beneath him. This will most definitely be his downfall. McCain's time has passed. He is not a visionary. His mind is not sharp enouth to lead the US in this 21st century.

[narcoleptik]

i agree... wish more of america realized it is in the collective interest to elect the smartest candidate, clearly not mccain

[Sixtwo]

The way Joh McCain runs his campaign is indicative of the way he would run/lead the country. Every voter should ask him or herself is this who I want to represent me/America. This week's ads and other condensending rhetoric by McCain has caused me to lose ALL respect for him! He has put his integrity on the shelf--same person who would not runa negative campaign.

[afgail]

What we are witnessing is the REAL McCain mindset. He hasn't a clue how truly historic the Obama nomination is and how profoundly it will change America for the better. McCain is squarely on the wrong side of history. He must be channeling Strom Thurmon and Newt Gingrichat at the same time..