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

[several]

"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."

McCain? Advantage and Stature over Obama? ROFLMAO!

Oh, that's good comedy. lololololol

[jrthompson]

pathetic ad. he needs to fire the agency that is coming up with these. i'm appalled that he would approve them. i mean really, its an age old trick to equate people with other 'bad' people by showing their images together. But really britany+paris=barack obama? I may have gotten a C in logic but how stupid do they really think voters are?

[Partho]

While republican master strategists show their exaggerated disdain for the less than intellectual content of the ad (not to be caught in mires of tastelessness just when the guards are about to change), we do forget that this art form correctly addresses the section of the republican base that is not adequately armed to analyze decorum. It is the right juice for them, as was Terry Shaivo(sp?).
What is silly for democrats to do is to underestimate the powers of institutional absurd stupidity! Whatever sounds such to us rings a perfect pitch for the Rove-Republican.

[afgail]

The underlying two pronged tactic of the Republican party attack machinery is to attack the key area of strength of their opponent coupled with criticizing their opponent for the behavior that best describes the flaws of the GOP. Currently the word, corrupt, best describes Republicans.

Obama's strength is the hope of changing the direction of the country. The Republican party is justly viewed and corrupt so they will attack Obama by painting him as a business as usual, corrupt politician. Axlerod are you paying attention?

[lovethesinner]

Ken Melhman thinks the nation will respond like Tennessee? Is this a "maccaca" moment? A "Call me, Harold" moment?

Whatever caused Harold Ford Jr. to lose his senate campaign in 2006, it surely didn't help Allen in Virginia. My guess, America is more like Virginia than Tennessee.

[zull2]

Nah, too many people are just too simple-minded. A direct racial insult like "macaca" will have a much greater negative effect on most people's minds than a more subtle racial insult like "call me, Harold". The media likes to make a bigger deal out of the simple braindead stuff rather than the sly, implicit stuff, and the people soak that in.

[ErnestineBass]

If you think the media missed a single opportunity to beat the "...call me, Harold." horse to de ath, you must've been in a coma back in 2006.

[Tropiholic]

mehlman the closet restroom ranger?? he doesn't even have the guts to come out, who would take hi advice about anything?

[biglover]

You mean Jeff Gannon's b'tch?

[adzeman]

Never have I seen a more scatterbrained campaign than McCains. I defy someone to find a theme beyond we hate Obama. I think this will work out well for we, who don't want McCain to win. Thanks guys.

[Jamchinadian]

I wish they would start debating so we can see Mc Cain flame out publicly!

[poco767b]

It will be a sight to behold, Obama isn't a great debater but McCain will have to work hard not to literally implode on stage.

[Syco]

Im sure you aren't the only one

[Jamchinadian]

How is that possible - to reduce his "stature" I mean? That's almost laughable!

[shades]

Between McCain's commercials, flip flops and gaffes, pretty soon the Daily Show won't even need a host. They can just play videos for the audience. No commentary needed.

[londonrainbow]

Hey ya'll

It wil soon be MCSRAIN's birthday. What we getting him? Dentures, BVD's, diapers, rocking chair , brain scan, new hip, botox, colostomy bag, ..............hmmm, anyone?

This 'my friends' is ...........................

[Repub4Obama]

Well, it DEPENDS...

[NegSpin]

Just take what you gave him last year and give it to him again. He won't remember.

[ejay579]

I hear Cindy is pissed at him because he did not use what she got him last year - a coffin.

[eniobob]

First let me say,I was channel surfing and all of a sudden I have "MSNBC" on my cable service I will not name the company but the first letter stars with V and ends with N,
I have been bombarded with Blitzer and i don't watch that "fair and balanced network" when I realized that I can now see Keith O. I now know how Dr Frankenstein felt when those lightning bolts hit the monster'my server is now alive,itsalive".

The reaction to the ad didn't take long and just think Barack met with Bernankie,talked to treasury secretary Paulson and met with the members of the Democratic congress,and all JohnnyMac can do is come up with this garbage.Unbelievable.

[mybelovedcountry]

-Never in modern history has a country been brought to its knees so quickly by so few.

[relikx]

Republicans would fit right in Zimbabwe, except for that whole white part...

[PuppaX]

I used to be an enormous fan of John McCain. How could I not be a fan of someone who I saw as open and frank, who spoke to the public as adults; his policies were secondary. I was very excited at the possibilities a McCain-Obama race could bring and had been rooting for one since late 2007.

As his campaign started slipping into negativity and falsehood, I was sure that it was simply a case of campaign staff controlling him and not vice-versa. At this point, I can no longer give him the benefit of the doubt. I truly believe that he has sold his soul, knowing that this is his last shot at something he's longed for for so long.

What a tragedy for him, his legacy, and the rest of us.

[ColoradoAngryRU]

Good idea keep reducing and soon we will no longer have to see him ranting and raving like a madman.

[Concerned1]

The republicans need a revote on their candidate. Something is really wrong.

[londonrainbow]

Hell No. No revote wwe Dems want MCSTRAIN

[nellie]

Who's left?