Obama Adviser: 'Celeb' Ads Hurt Him In Polls

John McCain's recent foray into pop culture commentary has drawn the mockery and scorn of everyone from Paris Hilton to his own mother. But did it work? Tom Daschle think so. He tells the Financial Times the attack ads are responsible for Barack Obama's dip in polls:

Tom Daschle, the former Democratic Senate majority leader, said in an interview with the Financial Times that the Mr Obama's Republican rival John McCain was seeing a "short-term blip" as a result of the advertising, including one that used the image of Charlton Heston as Moses to mock the supposedly messianic Mr Obama as being "The One".

"To a certain extent the ads are having some effect," Mr Daschle said. "But you can't be thrown off your game plan by a momentary dip in polls."

Meanwhile, the Washington Post finds Democratic strategists worried that Obama's response has been too soft:

Such attacks have raised worries among Democratic strategists -- haunted by John F. Kerry's 2004 run and Al Gore's razor-thin loss in 2000 -- that Obama has not responded in kind with a parallel assault on McCain's character. Interviews with nearly a dozen Democratic strategists found those concerns to be widespread, although few wished to be quoted by name while Obama's campaign is demanding unity.

"Democrats are worried," said Tad Devine, a top strategist for Kerry who thinks Obama must stay on the high road. "We've been through two very tough elections at the national level, and it's very easy to lose confidence." ...

"If somebody attacks you, you have to frame the attack: 'This is the same old politics, or better yet, the Bush-Rove politics,' " something Obama has done well, said one Democratic strategist. "At the same time you do that, you have to counterattack. You don't want to look like a whiner. You want to look tough."

The Obama campaign says outside complaints are no reason to change strategy, and one consultant admits that that could be a good thing: "One of the great strengths of the Obama campaign has been to not listen to the D.C. chattering class. They have a plan and they stick to it. But clearly, the D.C. chattering class are all wringing their hands."

Comments

[gotalife]

"In a tough year like this, Democrats could probably have defeated Republican John McCain with a flawed, but seasoned candidate like Hillary Clinton. But long-suffering liberals convinced their party to go with a messiah rather than a dependable nominee — and thereby they probably will get neither."

Stating the obvious.

[kdublya]

Passive aggressively building your case towards, "I told you so."

b-bye.

[DXP]

no need to say I told you so. It has been painfully obvious for months now. And don't insult me I will vote for the guy, but it would be the dumbocrats who nominate a vulnerable weak divisive sermonizer. very poor candidate and it will be VERY difficult to have him elected, especially with such arrogance and over confidence from obots.

[amazingdays]

Yes, it's strange that there's this assumption Hillary Clinton would be sailing high in the polls right now, rather than energizing Republican voters to get behind McCain. A case in point is Virginia, very much in play with Obama as nominee, not a chance in the world if Clinton had been.

If Obama loses in the fall, that doesn't mean Hillary would have won--or even gotten as close. Two candidates with historic obstacles to overcome, one (Hillary) coming in with high negative ratings. Neither is or would have been a slam dunk. But both offered so much that I'm still glad it came down to the two of them. I only hope we can get together now behind Barack Obama and the Democratic vision he is offering the country this fall. After eight years of Bush, it is truly time for a change, not the third Bush term that McCain undoubtedly offers.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Poor goatlife.

Why won't sheep be alone with you?

[suzyhein]

link please

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Um so?

How could Hilda defeat The Maverick when all she and her hater husband complimented him throughout the primaries?

[santamonica39]

jesus, let it go. All the polls show that the states Obama is going to flip would go McCain if Hillary were on the ticket. She is hated by independents. Just let it go! He is our nominee. The solution is to attack McCain. He started that yesterday, and it needs to continue.

[DXP]

Is there a good reason my comments are censored?

[ThunderclapNewman]

It happens to everyone at some time or other---and there is not always a good reason.

[OhReallySheSaid]

HuffPo will not answer me on why over 30% of my comments are barred. I think its clear there is some "tilting" going on, case in point, why hasn't HuffPo published the latest Zogby poll:

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1535

Why isn't this on the HuffPo?

[ThunderclapNewman]

You just put it there---three times on one page.

And it still means nothing.

[venicesurfer]

keep your comments positive about obama or else....

[heal57]

This is pure nonsense. Obama will win big in November. I don't care what the republicans or other dems say. That's the way it is. It's way too late for anything to overtake this snowball.


Independent for Obama '08

[OhReallySheSaid]

It's looking more and more like snowflakes:

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1535

This is the first time since before FDR and the new deal that a dem candidate is not ahead in the polls at this stage of the race or has a substantial lead of more than 10+ %. Even Jimmy Carter had a lead in 1980 before being trounced by Reagan. Since FDR's second term, the electorate always tightens to the right after Labor Day. Just the facts.

It will be Senate + Congress dems, McCain in the WH.

[PumaAnn]

I agree. I think O is over. The public is now registering. It'll be a Dem congress, Mac for pres.

O's star shine has worn off.

Thank heavens. I so didn't want that type of president. He was just way too tent-preacher for me.

I'm glad to see the polls turning against him.

It makes me angry that the Dems loaded up against Hill, but that was the insider boyz choice.

I'll be happy to see it backfire.

Next time.

[calijon]

i voted for BO. i'm one of 18m that made his trip to germany possible. leave the germans alone and make fun of me republican cowards.

[SCG]

When a Paris Hilton rebuttal has more airtime and credibility than the original Mc Cain ad, you understand why old wrinkly dude, is apologizing for the negative tone of his campaign today.

[chicagoexpat]

The HEADLINE her is PATENTLY FALSE. Daschle said nothing of the kind. This is as bad as the crap the MSM sends out thru idjits like David Broder or Dana Milbank.

How can we trust the stuff you churn out when y'all are only interested in misrepresenting to shock or titilate?

This statement on the AD CAMPAIGN (not any one ad)
["To a certain extent the ads are having some effect," Mr Daschle said. ]

DOES NOT SUPPORT THE STUPID HEADLINE

[Obama Adviser: 'Celeb' Ads Hurt Him In Polls]

[JimR]

Um... actually the headline here is fine. The ads are having some effect, he said. The ads are designed to hurt his support, as measured by polls.

[sueno]

If this ad affected the way we think in this country,
then we're in serious trouble as a nation
and also might I add, not that bright!

[catchdis]

jesus, what was your first clue?

wake up, folks. while we're playing with our new gadgets our infrastructure is crumbling around us and high school graduates can't find iraq on a map of the world.

[dagnew]

Sad, isn't it? And if Mickey C gets elected we will be the laughing stock of the world, with no credibility. I pray it doesn't happen a third time. If it does, there's no hope for this country.

[brigadere]

Frickin Democrats are nothing but whiners rather than bringing back a meaningful ad that stayed positive yet questioned McCain on his supposed strength throughout the entire mess they simply put their heads in the sand in pushed the same old whiney messages that led to Kerry's demise. The low road express. What crap.

I sent the below email to several on the Obama team begging them to fight back and they did nothing. It is really a waste of my money and energy to support someone who sticks to tried and true failed approaches. I am really starting to believe the campaign team is so arrogant that they only listen to their own inside opinions. Which is a recipe for failure.

McCain's behavior has been so erratic that he is even concerning republicans. I recommend a strong ad around who's ready to lead the country.

My suggestion is an ad the flows as follows:

While Obama met with world leaders to start rebuilding America’s global partnerships decimated over the last eight years, John McCain spent the week attacking Obama and telling falsehoods.

While Obama met with the country's top economic minds to bring real financial relief to working Americans, John McCain spent the week working on discredited ads about Paris Hilton and Britney.

While Obama developed an energy plan that would help American through the summer and winter, McCain recommended more tax breaks for big oil.

Who's ready to lead America?

!

[unscum]

You are so right. The Obama campaign had a difficult time hitting back at Clinton during the primaries with this stupid notion of staying above the fray. Now with McCain you once again see Obama pulling his punches. A few more weeks of last week and Obama will loose this election and we'll be stuck with the Bush clone for the next 4 to 8 years.

[PumaAnn]

O ran negative since Texas.......and lost. Day by day, he's losing. The notion that he's not running negative is funny.

He's the one who just got caught playing the ever-ready race card which has ticked off voters.

He bullied about NAFTA, about health care, and it's all backfiring.

Nobody but his O devotees buy this silly meme that he's not negative.

Put a halo around every picture, but normal voters know a negative campaign for what it is.

[mshazen]

So True, You don't have to be negative just point out the truth. If I here one more time about he is new politics. Come on that does not get you elected. I am not saying you have to get in the mud and roll around Just state the Obvious. Its a simple concept. McCain is a wet dream for crying out load he says something stupid every other day.

[JimR]

Settle down there... we're in the summer political doldrums. Things aren't going to pick up until the convention.

Have a little faith.

[bluegreen]

I try to remember that this election is not about Obama and not even about McCain. It's hard to remember this because Obama is such a tremendous figure, but it's best to unattach him from what this election is really about because the Repubs would love to do nothing else but talk about Obama, a mere mortal, instead of The One Big Thing.

In their ads, the Dems should call everyone's attention, constantly, to The One Big Thing: This election is a mandate on the presidency of GW Bush. We all know that the GOP has been losing local elections in droves, everywhere. And now they get it and they are terrified.

The American people have been patient as saints, giving this administration every chance, but now they are through. They are voting angry this year, and we need to constantly remind them why. Obama is a great candidate but really, any Democratic candidate will do. We need to reject the Repubs' narrow fixation on Obama and really sling it to the Bush (and by extension McCain) administration.

The GOP, in trying to make this election All About Obama, are lucky to have such an interesting person to talk about. But we can't let them make this conversation about Obama's this or that. We have to keep the focus on all that has happened under this administration and remind people of how absolutely livid they are, and why. That is how we win.

[helen]

Ok, so look tough now, Obama. McCain's an out-of-touch old rich white guy with lots of money who could care less about the average person. No health care. No jobs. And more war. Is this the guy we want in office? Hell, no.

[CommentSense]

Whatever. Polls do not matter at this point. Historically, the polls have always been close in national elections this time of year. It's so easy to get sucked in to the MSM slog, we've become hypnotized by it and like sheep Americans simply follow along.

Here's the straight talk: Democrats and Republicans already have their votes. That's the majority of the U.S. Then we've got the "undecided" who haven't made up their mind. Then you've got the 70 MILLION new voters or people who have not voted in a long time. These are the voters the Obama campaign is focusing on quietly on the ground in every state.

We signed up 300 NEW voters last week for the Obama campaign in our area.

This is completely under the radar of the MSM and does not get reported. Fine with me. Obama knows this, and come November, this will play out. Right now it is typical, old-school, top-down reporting from the MSM and those so-called experts in D.C.

Our time is coming.

[PumaAnn]

Pelosi's approval rating is lower than Bush. The public isn't in love with Dems.

[Lemeritus]

I haven't seen Pelosi's personal approval numbers (in fact, I didn't know the Speaker had approval ratings). BUT! While Congress' approval rating is abysmal (19 to Bush's 29), the Dems 'outshine' the Reps 48 to 38. Generally speaking, the American public is pretty fed up with the whole damn lot, probably including both presidential candidates.

[catchdis]

i agree obama should continue to take the high road, but the republican side . . . dang, they can really take the low road. maybe someone else can start banging a lead pipe against mcCain's shins, like those swiftboad dudes did to kerry back in ought-four?

[Shelly1970]

I just hope that the election is not yet again decided by the gullible.

[marquitin]

75% of the electorate is the gullible, left and right. You mean the undecided gullible. (Somewhat off topic, I read recently that Websters had actually removed the word gullible from their online dictionary. If you don't believe me, check it out.)

[wendynyc]

I agree - this ad hurt Obama - It portrays him as a lightweight - he needs to hit back hard and fast - defining himself and his story - remind people of his roots.

Otherwise he will be falling behind as did Kerry - and this is only the beginning -
The Bush Cheney re-election team now works for McCain - supported by our patriotic oil companies!

[JimR]

And he will, when the time is right. Wait till the conventions.

[cam]

"Al Gore's razor-thin loss in 2000"

Gore didn't lose by any democratic measure. Call it what it was - a partisan Supreme Court using a narrow and unrepresentative count opportunistically.

[mhoiles]

... and Al Gore misguided attempt to re-count specific FLA counties, thus creating lack of due process. That was totally his fault - come on he was VP for 8 years, he should have known this would not fly past the judicial branch of the government.

[edwcorey]

A great article about it:

http://www.angelfire.com/rant/pearly/htmls1/gop-irreparable.html