Obama Is A Joke

It is debatable whether or not in the long run the McCain campaign's latest series of ads questioning Sen. Obama's "celebrity" or popularity will make a difference in November. But what is clear is that the Republicans have decided that their newest tack is to focus their energies on belittling Obama by making him into a joke. The added benefit of this strategy is that in defending himself Obama can then be painted as humorless, a further sign that he takes himself too seriously.

The McCain campaign's new "it's all in fun" and "Obama is a joke" tactic is evident from the numerous times in the last week, McCain and many of his surrogates have used the reasoning to defend the Spears/Hilton TV ad as well as the Heston web spot.

ABC News reported this comment from Sen. McCain in an interview a couple of days ago. McCain was commenting on how they are just having fun with the Sen. Obama ads, and he added:

We'll continue to have humor in our campaigns...I kind of enjoy 'em (the ads). You gotta have a sense of humor in this.

Here is what Mitt Romney said about the ads in an interview on CNN today:

John McCain is humorous and it hits the nail on the head. Barack Obama's like an Internet date...

This is McCain's senior adviser Nicolle Wallace talking to reporters on McCain's plane last Friday, referring specifically to the Heston ad:

It was a communication to our supporters and it was kind of a bookend to a week that we thought was very successful and it was the intention to use a bit of humor.

They were not alone in this refrain. It was heard being used by Republican surrogates on several news shows in the last few days, from Joe Lieberman to Pat Buchanan. The message has been the same: Obama is a joke and if he and his supporters don't get the joke, it is further proof that he is taken way too seriously.

The seeds of this tactic began to become evident in the aftermath of The New Yorker cover when many on the right also tried to make the point that Obama's supporters simply didn't understand or were too uptight to get parody and satire.

Right on the heels of the controversy over the magazine's cover. Monica Crowley appeared on "Fox and Friends" and said this about what she perceived to be an overly sensitive reaction:

...The Obamas should have laughed it off. Their expression of disapproval their 'sensitivity,' prompts people to ask, well, what are you so defensive about?

This week the McCain campaign continued with the Obama-as-joke theme by mocking Obama's energy position and his comment on properly inflating tires by distributing tire pressure gauges to the press corps. The gauges were emblazoned with the words "Obama'a Energy Plan," another attempt at humor.

The strategy and its meaning has not gotten past everyone. One theme that resurfaced in some blogs and responses to articles was this, which appeared in the comments section of the "Political Punch" blog on the ABC News website:

The strategy that Camp McCain is trying to use is the belief that the highest level of notoriety/fame an African American can attained in America is that of celebrity. They are tapping into the psyche of a group of Americans who are ONLY comfortable witnessing African Americans ascend to popular status as entertainers and sports legends. Goes back to 'they can only sing and dance.' The underlying theme is RACE, RACE and Negroes, please 'stay in your place.'

So if you cannot understand why McCain used Britney and Paris alongside Obama, the man who has shattered the glass ceiling on what an African American can achieve-- now you know. It's all about psychological exploitation.

Comments

[rodnacious]

Let's see just how much McCain will be joking and laughing come November 5th, when all is said and done.

Was he joking when he said Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran, was he makiing fun when he said that keeping the pressure in your tires at the recommended level was absurb? I don't know, but I can tell you this - belittling the thoughts and actions of another for the sake of making a joke indicates your maturity level. Forget the underlying, or sublimal message about knowing your place!

[Starlight5]

If these McCain ads are supposed to be just for laughs, this says a lot more
about John McCain's character, or lack of. It looks as though he gets
a lot of pleasure out of making fun of people, attempting to taunt a person
into losing their temper (like he is so famous for doing) or just simply making
someone's life miserable with his jabs. Along with his bad temper and foul
mouth, he just may be a little sadistic.

Is John McCain capable of campaigning like a gentleman and stop slinging mud?

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

This is right on point Ernest! let's hope the joke isn't on all of us!

[MYQUEEN7]

You think the deal is not closed because that is what the media propaganda tells you to believe. Tune in on Nov 4th for the facts.
OBAMA next POTUS!

[mjc]

But still it seems, Obama can't close the deal. The polls are close, McCain's ads are ludicrous, but are having an impact. All the issues that Obama has changed his position on are immediately glommed onto by the Repugs. Hillary warned him that he really had not seen any attacks from her campaign like the ones he is going to see from the Repugs.

[ljpljpljp]

"All this stuff is starting to make me feel stupid for thinking that maybe this would be the year we'd see two intellectually capable individuals have real discussions about real issues, instead of just trying to play the American public like a violin." - ABrindell

Exactly. But I can testify that Obama's Senate staff have not been practicing the concept of "change". However, Obama's disciples won't hold him accountable for the manner in which he and his staff treated his constituents.

I will not be voting for McBush or Obama in November.

[MSheppard]

Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for the country, in November the joke will be on John McCain.

He who laughs last, and all that.

[jackie4444]

I agree with the author that it has everything to do with race. Why would you select Spears and Hilton as the 'celebrity' backdrop - as opposed to black female celebrities of similar age, older black or white female celebrities, black or white male celebrities of any age? How about Dr. Phil? Geraldo? Its a trigger designed to call up certain biases in a particular contingent of the populace - one that Obama is actively but futilely courting and which McCain has to have in November. The "Obama as celebrity" ads also attempt to trigger attitudes which were once entrenched in portions of our society (and if The Bell Curve is any indicator, still are in some circles) that AAs are 'genetically' inferior in intelligence.

Jon Stewart was mockingly dismissive of such 'readings' in a recent show, but he missed the
point. The ads are not targeting people of Stewart's generation or background. The ads are focused on 'voters of a particular age', who grew up surrounded by the stereotypes the ads attempt to trigger, the voters that he needs.

Obama can't afford to call out the racism in the ads as it would only 'feed the beast' .
But he has to move the discussion to another plain. He needs to mount a strong ad campaign which stresses McCain's cluelessness on everything from geography to economics, his non-straight-talk flips of position and above all his reputation as someone with a hair trigger temper.

[bluevillage]

You nailed it.

[MaryT63]

Sadly, it's all about 'republitics' that is everything framed from the republican point of view. I agreed w Hillary on her 35 years of experience. That experience is campaigning againt the republican machine. She starting winning primaries when she started using repub tactics against Obama. I think Obama needs to rethink his promise not to use 527s. They help. We see what kind of media we have. They are like salivating dogs looking for a juicy bone. The repubs, Bill and Hillary know how to work the media. They say outrageous provocative things just to be in the news cycle. Don't the Obama handlers know this. Doesn't look so.
The dems surrogate talking heads are pathetic, 97% of them I don't know which side they are on. It was the same during the 2004 election.
Speaking of the celebrity ads. Did any one mention how old white men laugh and make snide at and about women. The ad was sexist and also had racial overtones. Where is the outrage from the Hillary women. Also about celebrity - which party elected two movie stars for governor and one went on to be elected president. If I can think and write these things why can't the dems' talking heads say these things.

[dana94591]

I am offended that the McBush campaign considers having a black man as a potential president a joke!!! They seem to think that they will win because the US couldn't possibly elect a black man as president since we have always had the same kind of person since its inception: a white male. Barack is right! It is downright cynical!!!

[cbates]

most goes to must

[Insearchoftruth]

This is good analysis. A good theory. The bottom line is that the nation is confronting a serious moment in history. Many Americans are hurting and looking for leadership. McCain's camp is saying forget your needs, your pain, your hopes; vote against all of that stuff. Vote your fears.

Know this, Republicans want Obama to comment on the garbage they through at him. They dare him to react. They want nothing more than the image of an angry black man on camera. Remember BO response to McCain accusation that he used the race card? Pat Buchanan was quick to characterize Obama's response as "angry". Obama can't respond. Reminds me of the days when no matter what the abuse, the Black Man had to remain silent. Any response would be used as an excuse.

Others must stand in Obama's stead and draw attention to the low balling politics practiced by McCain. Call it as we see it. Make them defend by explaining what they are doing and saying. Then pivot to call attention to the fact that republicans don't have any ideas, they are intellectually bankrupt. We must remove the stench of corruption infecting Washington by removing all republicans. Republicans don't think McCain is qualified but they want him in office to give themselves a chance to stay out of jail.

[cbates]

Are you out of your freaking mind? This man, if elected most command the attention of the entire world and to belittle him in the face of all the world leaders is a disservice to this country and all who died for it. Not to mentioned that is the type of caracature done to elderly black men througout this country's history. Barack should have been more offended and if he was a son of slavery he would have hit the ceiling. Please keep this crap to yourself and or speak to someone before publishing.

Regards

[bygollymissmolly]

All the Republicans are accomplishing by these tactics is showing that the joke is on them. They all look like a bunch of petulant children. Their fear and envy is so obvious, no one can miss it.

[jackie4444]

I disagree. I think they know exactly what audience they wish to reach, are going about reaching
it in an organized and logical fashion, and could care less what those they have already written
off as potential McCain voters think of their strategy. To the end of establishing that 'the Party who laughs last, laughs best'.