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Ad Suggestion For Obama -- McCain AWOL On GI Bill
Barack Obama has been getting lots of advice recently about what to do out on the campaign trail. Since it seems to be "Give Obama Advice Week," I'd like to offer up a campaign ad script.
Part of the problem Obama's been having since Sarah Palin appeared is that he's been playing defense ever since. He needs to go back on the offense on McCain, and drive the news cycle instead of just reacting to it.
There's a simple way to do this. It's actually Politics 101. Since John McCain has been in Congress for decades, he has a voting record just chock full of issues that can be easily made into campaign ads. McCain's record is a goldmine of political stances that average American voters would not agree with.
There are dozens of opportunities to do this, and all it would take would be a few hours of fact-checking to come up with some hard-hitting ads. How about "John McCain voted for earmarks 50 times while in the Senate." Or "John McCain voted against a minimum wage increase 19 times in Congress." Or how about "John McCain says he's for alternative energy now. Why should we believe him? He has voted against alternative energy 99% of the time in the Senate." Or: "John McCain was against honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. with a federal holiday."
Now, I fully admit that I made up those numbers, since I didn't have time to research them all. But there are all kinds of ways to attack John McCain's voting record, and so far I haven't heard Barack Obama even mention it. It's time to fight fire with fire -- point out McCain's most embarassing votes, and paint him as an extremist or a party hack while doing so. Also paint him as anti-middle-class.
This stuff really isn't rocket science, folks.
The biggest recent issue McCain was on the wrong side of is a doozy, because it allows Obama to position himself as stronger on veterans than McCain. John McCain actively opposed Senator Jim Webb's new GI Bill, and then he skipped the vote when it was obvious it was going to pass with a veto-proof majority. Barack Obama should point this out every day on the campaign trail, in the strongest of language.
To kick off this effort, I would suggest the following television ad:
[STOCK VIDEO THROUGHOUT: lots of images of soldiers, veterans, with plenty of flags and other patriotic backdrops.]
[VOICEOVER:] John McCain says he supports America's proud veterans.
[TEXT ON SCREEN:] Straight talk: John McCain does not support veterans when it matters.
[VOICEOVER:] George Bush tried to privatize veterans' health care. And we got the Walter Reed fiasco as a result.
[VIDEO: Photos of decrepit Walter Reed facilities]
[VOICEOVER:] But even after that shame was exposed, John McCain fought Barack Obama and others when they tried to increase funding for veterans' health care. Instead, John McCain wanted to end guaranteed VA health care for all veterans. He called America's promise to take care of her veterans a "burden." Even Bush's VA Secretary called McCain's idea "dangerous."
[TEXT (appears, then zooms slowly, moving to center-right until only "UR" can be seen, right before the fade):] "BURDEN"
[VOICEOVER:] John McCain actually wanted to ration health care for veterans.
[TEXT (appears, then zooms to center, until only the letters "RAT" can be seen, right before the fade):] (Excerpt: Army Times, 7/23/08) "John McCain appeared Tuesday to suggest rationing of veterans' health care may be needed..."
[VOICEOVER:] John McCain has voted against veterans' benefits at least 30 times in the Senate. He voted 15 times in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy instead of providing funds for veterans.
[VIDEO: Casual photo of veteran in front of a university, with books under arm.]
[VOICEOVER:] This year, Democrats in Congress passed a new GI Bill to make sure our veterans can afford college. George W. Bush threatened to veto it. It passed the Senate with 75 bipartisan votes.
[VIDEO: Scary black and white photo of McCain... suddenly a bright red "AWOL" stamp appears over image, cued to voiceover...]
[VOICEOVER:] John McCain was AWOL that day -- he skipped the vote because he was too busy fundraising with California millionaires. John McCain actually called this bill -- which gives veterans enough money for a college education -- "too generous." That's right -- John McCain thought that 75 Senators were being "too generous" to veterans because that's what George Bush wanted him to do.
[TEXT:] Too generous? John McCain didn't stand up to George Bush, even on giving veterans what they've earned. That's not "country first" -- that's "Bush first, veterans second." [FADE]
[TEXT:] John McCain. Wrong on veterans' issues. Wrong for America.
[END]
This is just one example of how to turn McCain's voting record against him. Feel free to add your own ad script suggestions in the comments.
[Interesting Note: The Army Times quote appears to have been scrubbed from the Army Times website. Crooks and Liars (among others) excerpted the article the day after it ran (7/24/08). But if you now search the Army Times website for the original story (7/23/08), it has an entirely different lead paragraph -- and, in fact, the word "rationing" appears nowhere in the new version.]
Chris Weigant blogs at: ChrisWeigant.com
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Barrack Obama should in the next presidential debate try to connect the head with the heart. He should sometime need to go sentimental in connecting the middle class population who struggle to overcome their daily challenges. He should also apply personal stories to help the listeners belive he understands their feelings.
Obama is REALLY stepping on his wee-wee with his latest attack ads.
Especially the ad mocking McCain for not being able to use a computer. There will be thousands and thousands of seniors who will be offended by Obama's attack..
Obama doesn't do mud well.. The once or twice that Obama tried to get down in the mud with Hillary, she "cleaned his chronometer" (Star Trek VI)
Now, Obama is trying to fight in the mud with the group that INVENTED mud...
Obama is making a "big mistake. BIG.. HUGE..." (Pretty Woman)
Michale.....
You are absolutely right. Making John McCain an embarassment to even his staunchest supporters should be a walk in the park with his voting record. From your lips to Obama's campaign managers ears. If we lose to this bozo because we were too lazy to speak the simple truth than we deserve to have him as president.
Instead of just saying that McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time, Obama should feature the big issues like Iraq, Vets, Women, Torture, Economy, etc....all the things McCain says he's strong on and show the votes that parrotted the Bush policies. Hit him on everything he's supposedly strong on and show how he voted the wrong way.
This would be a very effective pro-Obama message. John McCain is never shy about reminding us of his military service; that's why his voting record is so astonishing. In fact, when Chuck Hagel and Jim Webb (Hagel has never received the credit he should get for this bill) introduced the bill, McCain tried to present a watered-down bill to draw support away from the Webb-Hagel bill. John McCain provided no support to this bill whatsever, yet when Bush gave him credit at the signing, McCain never made any attempt to set the record straight. John McCain used to talk a great deal about honor, apparently that's not so important to him anymore.
Nice, another ad should be aimed at the rape victims, being denied the choice and forced to carry a child from this criminals(maybe infected with disease) walking freely in the dark, leaving the burden on this young women and McCain and his running mate feel is is just okay.
IMHO they need some new ad guys. The latest one seems a little silly and petty.
Since he's having trouble with the sexest claims, I would suggest playing up the strengths of the Obama/Biden ticket, in particular the VAWA and McCain's vote against it and Palin's fight to charge for rape kits.
I would also suggest using a clip of McCain dissing Romney for being a mayor and a governor and then saying at the Service Forum that mayors have the toughest job when he's talking about Palin. Also, I would point out McCain's backtrack on community organizers at the Forum, Barack's comment about his disappointment with their convention comments, the convention comments and then show some community organizers' comments.
Just suggestions, but the ad guys are definitely letting Obama down.
Also, Obama should be playing McCain's "Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran" video endlessly!!!! That would scare the hell out of people.
Great ideas in your post. You should forward it to the Obama campaign.
See Chris Weigant's Profile
djarvis -
I'm too modest to forward my own stuff to them.
But feel free, if you should be so inclined...
:-)
-CW
Someone in the campaign has to get away from the TV and get the conversation back into the right direction.
Trying to understand the "repeat it until it is true" mentality of the GOP is like trying to have an intelligent discussion with a 3 year old who has their fingers in their ears shouting...."NA NA NA NA NA NA"
It is no wonder the press and the Obama campaign are so off their game - how can you wrap your mind around the absurdity of the current political discourse?
Get back to the message.....stay on message...and every time you are asked about Palin, Lipstick, or Sex Ed.....keep spouting the message. Apparently, the only way to get the issues out there ... is "repeat it until it is heard" Don't take the bait.
How many shows have I seen now, Anderson Cooper, heck, even Letterman, that start out with how absurd all this talk is about Palin and how it is NOT what the media should be talking about...then proceed to talk about Palin AHHHH! I feel like I am trapped in a Jerry Springer episode and I can't wake up!
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echothebat -
Last night, all over the media, it was "isn't it embarrassing that we in the media are being forced to talk about this stupid 'lipstick on a pig' when there are real issues to talk about?... now, let's take the rest of our time here to discuss lipstick on a pig..."
I know EXACTLY how you feel.
Sigh.
-CW
Now I'm in Illinois, a state that is almost locked down for Sen. Obama, and as a result we do not see any advertisments for either cantidate. On seeing this post I am appalled that the Obama camp has not made more of a big deal out of Sen. McCain's voting record. From the republican side I am seeing smears saying that Obama has not participated in sponsorship for any bills, but how can the democrats sleep at night without pointing out that Mr. "For the Troops, Country First" skipped this vote! Not to mention his depressing absense count on so many other votes. It's a shame, but taking the high road leaves you open to smears and lies. Obama Camp: the American people will not reject you for showing (100% factually, leave opinion out) the kind of politician that John McCain has been. Hard numbers on topics like this, the economy, and the pocketbook of your opponent cannot be refuted.
His handlers would never let him vote for a bill that does not put all the money needed for it back into their coffers. Washington is such a cesspool.
[Image: Creepy grin photo of McCain]
Voice: John McCain has now run 27 (*or whatever number) ads that have been called “A Factual Failure”, “Less Than Honest”, “Lies”, and "pattern of deceit".
His campaign is being run by the same people that used these same dishonest and dirty tactics that gave us GWB.
Do we really want another President who isn’t honest with the American people? Can we really afford that risk with the problems working families are facing?
If John McCain can’t be honest with us today, how can we expect him to be honest with us tomorrow?
[voice of John McCain from his audio book]
"I didn't decide to run for president to start a national crusade for the political reforms I believed in or to run a campaign as if it were some grand act of patriotism. In truth, I wanted to be president because it had become my ambition to be president. . . . In truth, I'd had the ambition for a long time."
[voice]
Apparently ambition is more important to John McCain than being honest with the American people.
[images of a nice home, workers at a factory, etc]
Barack Obama cares about keeping you in your homes, lowering taxes on working families, creating new jobs, energy independence, and finally bringing your children home from Iraq. Barack Obama will not stop fighting for the issues that matter to you.
[show image of a family]
Barack Obama understands what is important in this election:
You.
You're good!!! Now how do we get this to the BO campaign?
Great suggestion Chris, attack McCain on his record. Also, one other point, lets not focus on Sarah in the ads, it's McCain at the top of the ticket, who has serviced in Congress and the Senate,
Something personal, where he does the ad himself directly into the camera. :
I'm Barack Obama, and I wanted to talk to you directly on the issue of taxes to cut through all the lies you are being told.
[slight pause]
If you make less than $250,000 a year, I will CUT your taxes. Let me say it again.
I will CUT your taxes.
And if you are a senior making $50,000 or less, you will pay NO income taxes. That's right… NO income taxes.
Independent studies have said, that for many of you, my plan will cut your taxes by three times as much as my opponent's plan.
His plan favors the very wealthy with little relief for the vast majority of working Americans. When working families are struggling to get by, this shows that he just doesn't get it.
[Subtitle: You can find out more information at BarackObama.com]
I wanted to tell you directly so that you know the truth about my tax plans. If anyone tells you differently they are lying to you.
As President of the United States I will always give you the facts, we may disagree on what to do from there, but I will listen to your point of view and I will always be honest with you.
Thank you.
See Chris Weigant's Profile
BLinCincinnati -
The only thing I can add to this one is "I'm Barack Obama, and I approved this message."
Once again, well done!
-CW
[overlay text saying: John McCain's campaign manager said “this election isn't going to be about issues”]
Voice: John McCain's campaign manager said “this election isn't going to be about issues”
Really?
[show home with foreclosure sign]
So John McCain doesn't think that millions of families losing their home is very important?
[show gas station]
John McCain doesn't think $4 a gallon gas is very important?
[show factory]
John McCain doesn't think your job being sent to China is very important?
[show mother holding picture of son in uniform]
[text: “When asked if he knew when American troops could start to return home he said: "No, but that's not too important.“]
John McCain has already said that bringing your children home from war is “not too important”.
So what is important issue is John McCain talking about today?
[show picture of lipstick]
Lipstick.
John McCain just doesn't get it. His campaign said it’s not going to be about the issues that really matter to working families. Is that really what you want in a president, someone who doesn’t care about the issues facing you and your family?
[images of a nice home, workers, etc]
Barack Obama cares about keeping you in your homes, lowering taxes on working families, creating new jobs, energy independence, and finally bringing your children home from Iraq. Barack Obama will not stop fighting for the issues that matter to you.
[show image of a family]
Barack Obama understands what is important in this election:
You.
[overlay text saying: "Aren't there ISSUES in this election?"]
Voice: John McCain's campaign manager said "this election isn't going to be about issues"
Really?
[show home with foreclosure sign]
Millions of families losing their home is very important to us.
[show gas station]
$4 a gallon gas is very important to us.
[show factory]
[text on screen:]IMORTANT
Your job being sent to China is very important.
[show mother holding picture of son in uniform]
[text: "...Not Important"?]
John McCain says it's "not too important" when the troops will come home.
So what is important issue is John McCain talking about today?
[show picture of lipstick]
Lipstick.
[TEXT ON SCREEN: "Issue?"]
His campaign manager says that this election "Is not about issues."
[images of a nice home, workers, etc]
[VOICEOVER:] This election is about Jobs.
Energy.
our homes.
Our families.
[TEXT ON SCREEN:] YOU
[VOICEOVER:] Americans deserve a better choice.
***SERIOUSLY, SOMEBODY RUN WITH THIS****
See Chris Weigant's Profile
BLinCincinnati -
OK, that's a great script, I have to admit!
RumiSouth -
Man, you are really good at rewrites... I should get you to edit all my drafts, you reallly know how to cut to the chase!
-CW
Thank you, thank you and thank you.
I have LOOOONG thought, the best way Obama can hit McCain is with the FACTS relating to his NON-VOTING record in regards to veteran affairs. If an advert is run in key states outlining McCain's lack of support for the tropps that would turn things around in Obama's favour. Heck! thats why tropps support Obama 6-1.
See Chris Weigant's Profile
omac112211 -
You're quite welcome.
And thank you for commenting!
-CW
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