McCain is Running on the Amnesia Platform, But It's Democrats Who Need to Forget Sarah Palin

During his acceptance speech, John McCain had some very strong criticism of his opponent. I'm not talking about Barack Obama; I'm talking about George Bush. After rushing headlong into the embrace of Bush and the Rovian wing of the GOP, McCain has now decided that he desperately needs to distance himself and try to reclaim the maverick mantle. Not an easy thing to do when you have sided with Bush 90 percent of the time.

But McCain gave it his best shot. After dispensing with the obligatory opening nod to the president for "leading us in those dark days following the worst attack on American soil in our history," he offered a stinging indictment of the last seven-plus years of Bush and largely Republican rule.

He promised to "make this government start working for you again" and to "stop leaving our country's problems for some unluckier generation to fix."

He vowed to "restore the pride and principles of our party. We were elected to change Washington, we let Washington change us. We lost the trust of the American people...when we valued our power over our principles."

He pledged that his administration would "set a new standard for transparency and accountability" and "finally starting getting things done for the people who are counting on us."

According to McCain, "We need to change the way government does almost everything: from the way we protect our security to the way we compete in the world economy; from the way we respond to disasters to the way we fuel our transportation network; from the way we train our workers to the way we educate our children."

Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

Listening to McCain, you'd think it was the Democrats who occupied the White House the last seven-plus years and it was time to throw the bastards out.

Given that 82 percent of voters believe we are heading in the wrong direction, it's a logical position to take. But for the American people to buy into the notion that McCain, who has raced to Bush's side on tax cuts, on offshore drilling -- even on torture -- is this campaign's agent of change, it's going to require an incredible suspension of disbelief. Or a serious case of amnesia.

And this is clearly McCain's campaign strategy: inducing amnesia about the past and confusion about the future, attempting to hoodwink the American people about what he has become. Which is where Sarah Palin comes in. As a major distraction. In the effort to divert attention from the matter at hand -- McCain's embrace of all things Bush -- Palin is the perfect storm.

Americans love the outsider plucked from obscurity. And Palin provides bucketfuls of the new and exciting. As long as voters and the media are caught up in the latest installment of As Sarah Turns or the Alaska version of All My Children, they aren't paying attention to the lack of solutions McCain is offering to the serious crises that face us.

Forget worrying about the economy or health care or the housing crisis -- think about how many people live in Wasilla, whether Bristol and Levi will live happily ever after, and if Sarah and her "First Dude" really want Alaska to secede from the union.

This is why the McCain campaign wants Palin front and center -- did you notice how much time McCain spent during the speech praising Palin and how quickly the celebratory post-speech music shifted from "Raisin' McCain" to "Barracuda"?

And it's why Democrats need to ignore Palin, and keep the focus on reminding voters about the stark contrast between an Obama and a McCain administration. It's tempting to prime the Palin attack pump. But Obama and the Democrats do so at their own peril.

John McCain wants to distance himself from Bush, cloud the huge policy differences between him and Obama, and hope his compelling life story carries the day. Obama's job is to make sure he doesn't get away with it. Forgetting Sarah Palin is a good place to start.

Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff

Comments

[Tobiasism]

I suppose that McCain has nothing to say about the parallels between his son's (Andrew's) bank failure and the Lincoln Savings and Loan debacle of '89?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/business/06bank.html?ref=business

[vote4kucinich]

The Obama campaign must absolutely focus on the fact that Sarah Palin and the idea of 'change' are contradictory. When I heard her speech the only thing that came through was four more years of Karl Rove in a more attractive hair do. Of course, that makes her even more dangerous.

[SwampeastMike]

Arianna,

Great advice--and again you demonstrate why you own the site. Too bad that it seems too late and that far to few--including Senator Obama--followed your exceptional advice regarding polls, long races and firm stands.

Millions of voters--men and women from seemingly all directions are going to be casting their vote to grant Governor Palin an apprenticeship. With the end of the race nigh and everyone finally understanding that Bush WILL leave and nearly everone considering him a joke because his stands were manufactured for him, this "new" change figure will be the one riding the wave.

Besides you, I see only one woman with a better case at, "I told you so." Embrace her so that she can broker the most extraordinary compromises. When that glass ceiling shatters I want the shards become good seeds wherever they land thus ensuring that this becomes a milestone in human history.

[Yvan]

Title of New Book put out by the Republican Party:

The Audacity of NOPE !, It wasn't us !

[whimsal]

Spot on. What really concerns me is this. Will Bush and Cheney or McCain and Palin start another crusade to the middle east? The US and Russia are now face to face in Georgia, Iran will go nuclear, Israel will attack Iran, Iran will block the waterway, Russia will side with Iran, Israel will possibly go nuclear to attack Iran and where does that leave the rest of the world? You will note that I have not mentioned Pakistan.

[KC333]

I wish I as a fellow American could tell you more about what I have realized in the past years that I have been in Europe, but the rules and policies of this website restrict me from doing so. f anyone is interested in knowing more about how the world sees McCain and how our dellow Republicans and military personnel see McCain. You tube is the site, and the name is Republicans and Military Men on McCain. Perhaps it is an incite to how our country will be run under his reign.

[christabor]

If these liberals are having a hard time surviving in America in the 21st century, there really is no hope for them. They whine in the midst of the greatest economy in the history of the world. The sheep are so easily swayed by the media's propaganda. Think back to Jimmie Carter, 21% Inflation, 16% Mortgage Rates, 12.5% UnEmployment, 50% top tax rates, 29% Capital Gains Rates, Lines at the gas Stations and American Hostages in Iran. It could be a lot worse we could have a Dem. President and Dem. Congress like they had when carter was President.

[jrb]

The lines at gas stations were in 1973-74 during the sudia arabian oil embargo. Nixon was president not Carter.

[christabor]

No that would be 1979 during the energy oil crisis

And the Gas lines were the smallest of the problems caused by Jimmie.

[christabor]

No that was 1979 when Jimmie was President! And was that the best you could do to try and defend the Democrat President and Democrat Congress that got us into the worst economic disaster in modern history. If things were as bad now as they were then and there were an honest media (wasn't one then either) You people would be jumping from bridges. Considering all the moaning y'all do with 6.5% Mortgage Rates, Compared to 16% Jimmie, 2% Inflation compared to 21% Jimmie, 6% UnEmployment compared to 12.5% Unemployment Jimmie and no gas lines or hostages in Iran.

One thing that can never be said of the Dems, "They're not insane." Because if it were up to y'al Jimmie Carter would have 2 terms.

[christabor]

Iranian Revolution 1979. Carter was president

[christabor]

And was that the best you could come up with in defense of a Democrat President and Democrat controled congress that got us into the worse economic disaster in resent history. All you could say is "the gas lines were Nixon" really.....Well that's just great. I take it that you feel it was indefencable. I agree!

[billwetzel]

Jimmy Carter had better economic growth and job creation than any Republican president. Going back to the Hoover era, all Dem presidents have have been better than all Republicans in these areas. Bottom line is, the Dem approach to economics works better than the GOP way, not even close. It always has and always will, you could put a dust mop in the Oval Office with a generic Dem plan for economics and it would be better than the best Republicans can offer.

[wendyleigh]

And we're headed there again as you pontificate and as a direct result of six years of a republican congress and president. Nice try tho

[politicky]

"But It's Democrats Who Need to Forget Sarah Palin"

Especially if they are planning on voting:

Nationwide, there are about 42 million registered Democrats and about 31 million Republicans, according to statistics compiled by The Associated Press....
The Democrats have posted big gains in many competitive states, including Nevada, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado and Florida...
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iyCjg56QEYy3r8Gz2X09TnpaWOMwD9317JU00

[KC333]

I am an American living in Europe, and what I am about to tell you may not be of any importance to you, but I think it does. The image of America is lost. The rest of the world laughs at you. I will always love America. The fact that I do not live there makes me appreciate it even more. I will tell you a secret that the Republicans do not want you to hear. Our allies, would rather have Barack Obama in charge than McCain and here is why. Obama uses a more diplomatic approach to a confrontation where McCain is more pragmatic. Since Bush has been in office, the terror level for Americans has gone up. The rest of the world sees Americans as arrogant and ignorant and when you entrust your lives to the same party who has damaged the relationships with its own allies, America stands in danger of becoming isolated. If you love your country like I do, restore the image that America once had. I believe that America is the best country in the world, the problem is the American people have put people with poor judgment in office and in return, it has cost us more than you know.

[mnash]

Thank you for your comment. I am sure we are aware of our image outside this country. But I have to say, the tactics being used, the lies, may just get JM elected. I am really frightened what will happen if he is. I am truly frightened.

[SemperVeritas]

Thank you, KC, for your service to my country. I know firsthand from
my own travels around the world that you are, sadly, correct.

Your heart and your perspectives are both true.

I hope Americans wise up, and soon.

.

[christabor]

Yes they loved us in Iran when Jimmie Carter was President! I think they said," Americans are punks, sissy girls, lets kidnap them. They are wuzzies, and their leader are wimps." Then when Reagan told them, "Not all Americans are weak and afraid to fight." Told them to remember, "We are the home of the brave." They decided to let the hostagesgo the day he took office. Why, because they knew the new man in the White House was a Man of his word. They knew the Punks had been voted out of office and that our country had had its fill with being governed by girly men, with no principles and NO BACKBONE.

We are still the Home of the Brave and if the wuzzies in Europe don't like it maybe we should let them defend themselves next time Radical Extremist Terrorize their country. But I think its probably just the crowd you people run with that are wimps who have nothing they care dearly enough about o overcome their self centered fears. Tony Blaire sure didn't back down from a fight. Its the ultra liberal media there that has fed the ignorant sheep so much weak loser lip lies that they've begun to believe its true.

[tonyinstpete]

Yes, the prospects in vote-rich Florida are dim unless the Obama campaign can better reach seniors. This is especiallly true of modest income seniors who live in the I-4 corridor from St. Petersburg trough Orlando. These people do vote in large numbers. They are largely retirees from the Rust Belt who are economically hurting but are frankly unaccustomed to the idea of an American president of color. The other key to Obama's victory--by no means certain--is to motivate enough younger voters especially in swing states to vote.

For moderate swing voters, I urge everyone to look at a website that contains more than a dozen short but professionally done video spots that can be sent in "viral" fashion to friends, relatives, and associates.

Go to: www.twovoters.com



www.twovoters.com

[renatam]

Arianna - Thanks for this post. And, MSM is the Republican Party's facilitator. Today's Sunday shows demonstrated they are willingly complicit as the PLATFORMS for distribution of this misinformation to further confuse Americans not yet paying attention.

This is irresponsible and unworthy of the press freedoms and protections they uniquely enjoy as the conduits and contexts of our news.

The Republicans have been allowed to disassociate Bush/Cheney and the Republicans in Congress such as John McCain -- from the disappeared Bush/Cheney and the Party's brand from their Convention. This is a LIE...and MSM are helping them in lying to Americans. After the Iraq War runup, one would think MSM would feel compelled to stop this movie from happening again. NOPE. It is up to us, America.

Thanks, HuffPo.

[illinoisgirl]

RENATAM: You said the Republicans were "ALLOWED" to dissociate Bush/Cheney (sic) and the Republicans in Congress such as John MCCain....and then you lost me. I think you should start writing shorter sentences to make it more understanble.

Are you pround about the Democratic Congress' performance? Pelosi lead it to a nose dive: 9% approval rating. We don't need MSM's or facilitators to tell us how to vote. We do our own homework. The central theme of Obama's campaign is "CHANGE" and "HOPE" but the democrats believe that they are the only ones who can bring change.

Did it not every occur to you that Obama talks about Hope and Change because he does not have an an adequate resume for the highest polition in this country? We know who Obama is that is why was can not vote for him. We just don't go with the flow.

[KC333]

Please focus on the economy, health care, the war in Iraq, social issues, energy independence and what has McCain said about any of them. Nothing. He said in his speech he will give tax where he can. Who beneits from that? He is part of a party that thinks health care is a priveledge rather than a right. I want every person in this country to hear one thing. The REPUBLICAN President Bush told us there were weapons of mass destruction and in the end there were none. This same REPUBLICAN party has no time table when our heroes are to come home. I do not know about you, but I am tired of seeing coffins with American flags come home. I want to see our heroes come home alive and so do their families. The republican party has showed me in this war that the ownership of oil is worth more than the life of our fellow citizens. What make it worse, is that Mr. Maverick Republican McCain voted with Bush 89% of the time. He is more of the same, and it shows in his cheap tricks and the way he is running his campaign. FOCUS ON THE ISSUES AND DEMAND ANSWERS/SPECIFICS. It is our right and our future depends on the decision that we all make on November 4th.

[KC333]

For all the Obama/Biden voters this fall, Obama has travelled a long journey to get to where he is right now, and the only reason why he keeps going is because of the people like you. Do not allow this Palin loser distract you from the real reason why he wanted to become President. He wanted to become President for the people. I think his supporters owe it to him to not focus on McCain and the Palin loser. McCain wants the American people to focus on it, that is why she was introduced, that is now why she is in hiding, and the public loves it. Republicans are trying the old keep them distracted, let them fight amongst themselves, and in the end conquer them. Remember all the reasons why Obama/Biden barely sleep and are away from their families so long... it is for you. The McCain camp is so focused on winning that they will do just about everything to do it. We all know Palin is not qualified and has ethic issues going on in Alaska, but remember the last 8 years, and resist the next four with McCain.

[Hopeforward]

Great article Arianna. People shouldn't get distracted by Sarah Palin and her family drama, THAT's what the Republicans are banking on, she will draw criticism for her pregnant daughter (which somehow seems okay by the evangelicals), then the far right will cry sexism (think Hannity), meanwhile Sarah Palin will give no interviews and the focus will not be on the issues that she has no knowledge of, or that she has absolutely no experience to be VP.

The focus must stay on McCain who IS running to be the leader of this country and who does NOT have anything positive to offer the American people. But let it be said that if Senator Obama was linked to some radical group that wanted to break from the United States because it was "evil", if he belonged to a church that wanted to convert gays, or said that Jews were not worthy of living because they didn't believe Jesus was the savior, or if his 17 year old unwed daughter was pregnant, Senator Obama would not be running for political office today.

[illinoisgirl]

Hopeforward, calm down. Be an Ariana follower if you want but don't bash the Palin's family. All I know is that Ann Dunham, Obama's white American mother, was 17 when she conceived this man that you have placed on the pedestal now. Sen Obama wrote in his book, "Dreams from my Father", about his mother's pregnancy "...the hostile stares, the whispers, would have driven a woman in my mother's predicament into a back-alley abortion..." Evidently, Obama was talking about you! I am inclined to believe that if the Palins were blacks, they would be the "fulfillment of the American Dream". But since they happen to be white, they are called "trailer trash".

You are so naive, Hopeforward. People like you help McCain look a better man. . We made our decision after the losers at tthe DNC (Pelosi, Dean, Kerry, and Gore) aborted Hillary's campaign. We are voting for McCain.

Obama's attack dogs have really made us proud of our decision to support McCain. Palin is just an added bonus.

Take care of yourself. Your anger might destroy you.

[daddysboy]

This says it all; "...Given that 82 percent of voters believe we are heading in the wrong direction, it's a logical position to take.". The republican party will take the ludicrous position that they are completely different than they actually are, present it to the public like there is no past history whatsoever, and likely get away with it entirely from a populace that has turned non-thinking into a way of life. The campaign doesn't have to actually back anything up with facts because no one bothers to check EVER. Or, this will go over like a certain famous balloon-launching because the people have finally opened their eyes.