After Clark Flap: Can Obama Beat McCain's Double-Talk Express?

The conventional wisdom these days is that General Wesley Clark's raising questions about John McCain's fitness to be commander in chief causes political problems for Barack Obama. That's considered to be especially important now that Obama is seen as moving to the center for the general election, and in the last few weeks emphasized such heartland-friendly themes as patriotism and faith.

But don't be fooled by the conventional wisdom. On today's "D'Antoni and Levine" Show, starting at 5:30 p.m., two of the country's savviest political reporters, Walter Shapiro, Salon's Washingbton Bureau chief, and Cliff Schecter, Firedog Lake blogger and author of The Real McCain, recently Amazon's #1 political book, talked about the charges and counter-charges flying over integrity and national security.
Plus, you can hear the full story of John McCain's temper tantrums, including the shocking incident involving cursing out his wife using what can only be referred to as the "C-word." All this from an author and Democratic strategist who actually donated money to McCain in 2000.

But Schecter focuses primarily on his ever-changing political views and sleazy tactics, and points out, "McCain showed courage in the battlefield, but no courage in Washington." The shake-up of his campaign in bringing in top Karl Rove allies is one sign of the screw-ups and desperation in McCain's campaign.

On top of that, McCain, who once decried the "Swift Boating" of John Kerry and was victimized by Rovian smear tactics in the 2000 Republican North Carolina primary, now has brought on Col. Bud Day, who actually appeared in the Swift Boat ads. As Paul Krugman points out in this Saturday's New York Times:

The willingness of the McCain campaign to engage in these tactics, employing such tainted spokesmen, tells us that the campaign has decided to go negative -- specifically, to apply the strategy Karl Rove used so effectively in 2002 and 2004 (but not so effectively in 2006), that of portraying Democrats as unpatriotic.

You can hear more about the dirty politics-as-usual of McCain and company by listening to the full show yourself right here by hitting the "play" icon, with Schecter's appearance starting at the 34 minute, 35 second mark:

Another sign of McCain's problematic campaign is the flip-flopping by McCain on key issues, as pointed out by the National Jewish Democratic Council:

This past week, the McCain Campaign has instructed its right-wing hit men to attack Senator Obama's character by trying to paint him as a flip-flopper. Before "Mr. Straight-Talk" whips himself into a moral frenzy about sticking with positions, he needs to examine a few of his own "principled" flip-flops listed below:

HAMAS & TALKING TO TERRORISTS

THEN: In a May 2008 opinion piece published in the Washington Post, former State Department official James Rubin revealed that in a 2006 interview, McCain responded to a question on whether U.S. diplomats should be working with the Hamas government in Gaza with, "sooner or later we are going to have to deal with them, one way or another." (Washington Post, 5/16/2008)

NOW: In the 2008 campaign, McCain has cast Senator Obama as being the endorsed candidate of Hamas and willing to negotiate with Iran. He told CNN, "[...] it's also fact that a spokesperson from Hamas said that he approves of Obama's candidacy." (CNN, 5/9/2008)

IMMIGRATION

THEN: In 2007, McCain introduced and voted for legislation which included increased border security and a pathway to legal citizenship. (The Library of Congress, 5/12/2005)

THEN: During a presidential primary debate in January 2008, McCain was asked if he would vote for his own immigration bill if it came to the Senate floor again. He replied, "No, I would not, because we know what the situation is today. The people want the border secured first." (CNN, 1/31/08)

NOW: In June 2008, McCain told the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials he would resurrect a bipartisan immigration bill, which he helped shape, which would include a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants who are already in the country. He said, "It would be my top priority yesterday, today and tomorrow." (Politico, 6/28/2008)

OFFSHORE DRILLING

THEN: During the 2000 Presidential campaign, McCain favored the moratorium on offshore drilling, promising to "never lose sight of the fundamental principle that federal land management decisions affecting local communities must be made in cooperation with the Americans who call those communities home." (Sustainable Energy Coalition, 1/18/2000)

NOW: In June 2008, McCain called for an end to these federal bans, saying, "It is time [...] to lift these restrictions and to put our own reserves to use." (CNN, 6/17/2008)

RELIGIOUS RIGHT

THEN: Campaigning for the presidency in 2000, McCain described Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell as "agents of intolerance", saying, "I don't pander to them, because I don't ascribe to their failed philosophy that money is our message." (CNN, 2/28/2000)

NOW: In 2008, McCain delivered the Commencement speech at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University and supported this decision, saying, "the 'Christian right' has a major role to play in the Republican Party." (NBC's Meet the Press, 3/5/200)

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

THEN: Running for president in 1999, McCain was opposed to repealing Roe v. Wade. He said, "Certainly in the short term, or even the long term, I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations." (San Francisco Chronicle, 6/19/2008)

NOW: McCain's website says, "John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench." Additionally, on several occasions, McCain has said himself, "I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned." (MSNBC, 2/18/2007)

SOCIAL SECURITY

THEN: Stumping for President Bush in New Hampshire in 2004, McCain responded to a participant's question saying, "Without privatization, I don't see how you can possibly, over time, make sure that young Americans are able to receive Social Security benefits." (C-SPAN, 11/18/2004)

NOW: In 2008, McCain answered a participant's question at a town hall event in New Hampshire, saying, "I'm not for, quote, privatizing Social Security. I never have been. I never will be." (CNN, 6/12/2008)

TAX CUTS

THEN: In 2001, McCain opposed and voted against Bush's tax cuts, saying, "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief." (The New York Times, 3/3/2008)

THEN: McCain opposed Bush's additional tax cuts in 2003, because he argued the cost of the Iraq War was not yet known. (The New York Times, 3/3/2008)

NOW: In 2006, McCain voted to make these tax cuts permanent. In a 2008 presidential debate, he said, "We need to make the Bush tax cuts permanent, which I voted for twice to do so." (CNN, 1/30/2008)

To learn more about where this campaign is headed, listen to Walter Shapiro and Cliff Schecter tell in an informed, entertaining way what to expect -- and whether Obama can actually win when faced with John McCain's Double-Talk Express.

Comments

[LeviCro]

If I was McCain.. I sure wouldnt go anywhere NEAR the flip flop line of attack... its questionable if he could beat a fish out of water with that line... and lets not even speak of hyprocasy....

[jsinclair]

Obama, Axelrod et al let themselves be swiftboated with the way the Republicans (+ their friends in the media) used Rev. Wright.

Last week, they let Clark be swiftboated (and, by proxy, themselves).

What is WRONG with Democrats? Is all they know DEFENSE????

They should have said, "Republicans can have their opinions about what he said, but no one can deny WESLEY CLARK's service and heroism. If anyone has the right to an opinion about a military matter, its someone who's devoted 30 years of his life to service!!!"

They could ALSO have said, "Clark raises a good question. What bearing does being a POW have on the judgement, knowledge and leadership skills needed in a President? Not to mention that, as Clark said, being a POW does NOT endow you with any military and foreign policy expertise."

Instead, they let him twist in the wind.

This IS "swiftboating", people! This is EXACTLY what it looks like!

Wake up!!!!

[Sportswoman]

As a recovering Catholic I was appalled atthe audacity and mendacity of this candidate to appear for a blessing at a famous site commemorating the Virgin Mary in an obvious ingratiating and obsequious move to court the Latino vote. Sickening.

[Bluedanube]

Obama has lost his advantage. McCain's camp is on an offensive and Obama is now in the position of playing defense. In Michigan, McCain has been running adds for 6 weeks which initially "introduced" himself but are now focusing on the McCain 'plan" to energy self sufficiency. Obama is just now running adds merely "introducing' himself. He's one step behind in Michigan and from what I hear the same thing has been happening in Missouri.

[DrFitz]

I agree. Obama has now spent enough time introducing himself. He needs to go after McCain more strongly instead of waiting to deflect attacks.

[darlingdem]

When the Repubs are spinning Obama as a flip-flopper, I wish we'd see Axelrod & Company all over the news VIGOROUSLY recounting these issues on which McCain changed his positions. And I would include his stance on torture in these conversations.

In the primary, we all saw how Hillary went negative before Texas and Ohio...and how it brought her campaign back from the dead. Now that McCain has brought Bush/Rove operatives on board to shake things up, we know what direction things are going to go pretty fast.

I hope Obama's ready for incoming assaults on his character and doesn't let McCain define him...because Hillary, to some degree, was successful in doing so. There's LOTS of material with which to hit McCain back. If necessary, this includes McCain's involvement in the Keating savings and loan scandal. It's a legitimate issue because that was an example of how he conducted himself while holding office.

Obama DEFINITELY still has the moral high ground here. Godspeed!

[jsinclair]

Olbermann even did their work for them--laying out at least TEN major flipflops in McCain's positions on major issues.

That, combined with his PAC money, personal fortune and lavish lifestyle, temperament issues (a fellow Republican said the idea of McCain as Pres. was "scary"), and his 95% vote with Bush in the Senate should be plenty to put Obama in the lead!

It's not dirty politics, Senator Obama, when it's the TRUTH. How about "educating" Americans about this guy before he beats you to it--and defines you in a way you can NEVER undo????

[cassidynj]

John McCain clearly makes his own rules -- the rules you and I need to live by don't apply to him.

To us common folks, the ones who don't have spouses that can run up $750,000 in AMEX charges in a given month, we might consider it total hypocrisy when John McCain getsin bed with the Swift Boat character assassins he condemned in 2004.

You can criticize Obama, and he doesn't personalize it. When you criticize John McCain, you run the risk of being labeled unpatriotic, or smeared -- the more 3rd party the smear, the better. The sleazier he gets, the more he draws in the Rove/Bush parasites.

The more you see John McCain in action, the more you see an empty shell, a double-talking, sneering hypocrite.

[findingthetruth]

Well, the TITLE says it all. What does Clark's flap has to do with Obama's platform?

[GrainOSand]

Wesley Clark spoke the truth, end of discussion. If any questions persist, read the article (link below) for you probably voted for Bush and need to be reminded how you contributed to the historical blunder that is our time, our lives -- right now, live, in color, and on stage for the world to see, mock, and to snicker about. America is susceptible to decline by the double talk of straight talk and by the propensity of some to fall prey to brain lapses of the past. The stakes are high in this campaign season people and that is why the entrenched will do everything possible to defeat anything that resembles change or hope. Can America afford continuation on this course? It may matter not, for decline can only be seen in the rear view mirror and some postulate America is already in decline and we are now just seeing the signs. From this shore, a mere grain of sand retains energy to do something. With regularity I hesitantly lend my voice to this discussion of life and death, for that is what it is -- do not be fooled otherwise. How do you want to live and how do you want to die are the ever-present questions underneath all else. Quality of life -- one second of bliss is worth a thousand of tyranny. America has all of the ingredients for greatness except maybe -- the will. Resist self-impalement!

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1116-28.htm

[PioneerKing]

No one would dare try to minimize John McCain's military service.
No one wants to minimize John McCain's military service we all laude John McCain's military service.
However, McCain's military service does not place beyond reproach and McCain's military service does not make him infalliable on issues of national security, foreign policy and the military.
Take for example McCain's position on the recently passed GI Bill - McCain didn't bother to show up for the vote.

It would be like trying to reduce the relevance of when John McCain said that he was against torture before he was for torture.
It would be like trying to reduce the fact that John McCain said that torture does not work; McCain would know since he said that he was tortured.
So, either torture does not work or John McCain lied when he said torture does work.
If torture does work then Americans must take John McCain by his own words and John McCain really did mean it when he told his torturers that he despised and hated America.

It would be kind of like trying to reduce the fact that John McCain said that "I didn't really love America until I was deprived of her company."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/19/watch-mccain-didnt-love-a_n_108191.html