Will Someone Please Make Obama Watch the McCain Version of the Katrina DVD?

People who want Obama to win are heartened by his post-Hawaii willingness to object to McCain's tone, and to deplore McCain's ad hominem attacks on his patriotism and motivation, which Obama continued on Tuesday in his VFW speech. But it ain't enough.

A few Augusts ago, what finally shook George W. Bush into pretending to care about New Orleans was a DVD of television footage hammering him for vacationing while NOLA drowned -- a compilation that his alarmed staff made and forced him to watch.

I don't doubt that Obama receives reports about what McCain is saying in speeches and ads, and summaries of what the talking heads are saying about Obama's reaction to those attacks. But my guess is that no one has assembled and screened for him a clip reel of the worst-of-the-worst -- the stuff that Obama's supporters, not to mention undecided voters, have been seeing.

If he actually saw that ugly onslaught, would he really stick to his I'm-doing-this-my-way high road? Would he remain content to talk policy, and to demur with dignity when McCain and his minions slime him, rather than go on the attack and set the agenda himself?

The last Democratic presidential candidate who failed to engage, who abjured ruthlessness because it wasn't consistent with the noble kind of politics he wanted America to practice, was Michael Dukakis. That misreading of what it takes to win, and not the Howdy Doody tank photo, was what sank his campaign. If Dukakis had snapped Bernie Shaw's head off when he asked him a hypothetical in the debate about Kitty's being raped, 41 might not have become president, and his black sheep son may never have become 43.

Obama thinks America is yearning for postpartisanship. Maybe he's right. But I wish something, like a forced viewing of a DVD, would make him understand another thing that Americans yearn for -- a candidate so pissed off about McSame's recycling the worst of the Rovian worst that he gives as good as he got, and then some.

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Comments

[larry278]

Sen Obama isn't Gov Dukakas(sp?). Sen Obama learned politics by being an elected official in Cook Co, Il & he runs as a Democrat. The process of being selected to run for an elected office by the Cook Co, Il Democratic party is an ordeal by fire; winning an elected office as a Democrat in Cook Co, Il certifies that the winner has completed, successfully a most difficult rite of passage. After one completes this rite of passage, the office is told where all of the bodies are burried & why it was necessary to burry each body. Some say that the Democratic Party of Cook Co, Il, at the least, tolerates rough tactics, perhaps even encourages them, to win elections. Sen Obama may be presumed to be an adept in the arcane & brutal art of rough politics since he has won a few offices in Chicago.
If Sen McCain visits Chicago land while campaigning for POTUS, he won't know his throat's been cut till his head falls off his shoulders & Sen Obama uses it for a bowling ball in Pa.

[druidlady42]

After eight years of the most egregious abuses of power, outright crimes, and violations of the trust of the American people by this administration, and the prospect of another four-eight years of worse from McCain,-----

I want ANGER, OUTRAGE, "Jesus-in-the-temple" RIGHTOUS INDIGNATION from Obama, his surrogates (what few there are!), and the whole Democratic Party! So far, there's been only tepid response to the most viril, poisonous attacks coming from the McCain campaign!

While I appreciate Obama's desire to "raise the level of discourse" in our politics, this approach clearly is NOT WORKING! We ordinary folks in America have plenty to be angry about over the last eight years, and we WANT a leader who WILL ATTACK those who have attacked our Constitution, our system of justice, our values, and the very foundations of what America stands for!

[kellygrrrl]

word

[RepugsOut08]

AMEN!!!

[jjtoke]

Will Someone also make these guys watch T. Boone Pickens Full energy Plan! They don't even have a detailed plan as T. Boone does and this is sad!

here's the link to the video: http://greenenergytv.com/Watch.aspx?1659879680

JJ

[Bocababs]

I could not agree with you more. Nothing has changed since 2000 and 2004. This country is as divisive as ever and that is why the polls are tightening. All of the people who normally do not follow politics are starting to tune in now.

The ONLY way Obama wins is to take the Republican Negativity and go after it and squash it like a bug. Right now...that is how McCain is closing the gap. He went negative.

[kellygrrrl]

I actually think this country is MORE divided than ever.

[MrJoyboy]

In the days of our Founding Fathers, Obama would have challenged McCain to a duel, which might not be such a bad idea now. Duels exposed courage and coolness under fire, and they also exposed the opposite.

[Beaux510]

Absolutely and NOW!

[SD61]

I agree, Marty. Maybe Obama is saving the "rough" stuff for late September, but he needs to start exploiting the McCain record, and soon.

One point he could immediately score on, in my opinion, is McCain's abysmal record at Annapolis. He should contrast McCain's performance with other military leaders, like Petraeus, who I'm sure had an outstanding resume at military school. Barack's people should find current or former leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan, examine their records at military school, and then show how John McCain simply doesn't measure up. And likely WON'T measure up.

Obama could even use the opportunity to praise Petraeus and the other leaders for their early academic achievements, and assert that these achievements catapulted them into positions of military leadership --thus scoring points with the pro-war/anti-terrorist crowd at the same time.

The true "maverick" McCain failed military school. That is the maverick Obama should be presenting to the voting public. Obama already has the anti-war vote locked up... he needs to extend himself to the large contingent of people who believe we need to have a military presence in the Middle East. He needs to show that John McCain, despite his record in Vietnam, has NEVER been a military leader, only an ineffective cheerleader/participant.

[BTippy]

I think that your suggestion would only bring up the issue of Obama's lack of miltary background. As it is, with Obama praising McCain's service, he is showing that he has the ability to honor the service. This keeps the lack of military service off the table for the time being, IMHO.

[billkarwin]

It's a tough call. A lot of folks are calling for Obama to ratchet up his own aggressiveness, to combat McCain's campaign.

However, we have to consider that a large number of people are happy with Obama for not doing this. The folks who are satisfied with Obama's current "high road" aren't as loud right now, so it's hard to know how many of these people there are.

But if Obama were to satisfy those who call for him to be more aggressive, it would satisfy some of those, but alienate the folks who want him to be more measured. So it's a fine line for any politician to tread.

Probably the best way of handling it is in the debates. If you can get off a line like Reagan's "there you go again" or Lloyd Bentsen's "you're no John Kennedy," that can squash the opponent's aggressive rhetoric by making him seem non-presidential and hysterical, without stooping to that level yourself.

[Ramus]

I'm inclined to agree with your comment here. That's what the vice presidential candidate can do..the big smears. And yes Obama needs to inform the voters of McCain's voting (and non-voting) record...and such things as what McCain was up to when Katrina hit. Obama needs to be clear about the steps he will take to create decent-paying jobs HERE. The economy is a very important topic. The middle class is disappearing and must be saved and he needs to speak to that. We know he plans a public works program but we need to hear more about how many would be employed and how he'd cut funds from the Pentagon to pay for it. Then the vice Presidential candidate can be the attack dog and talk about McBush's personal failings...start with his courtship of Cindy while still married to his first wife. Not a nice topic..but that's politics....and for the V.P. candidate to hammer away at.

[GooeyButter]

agreed, the debates will shine a huge light on this election. mccain will be obliterated.

[RepugsOut08]

Remember, Reagan was the nice old grandfather to the younger, more capable Mondale but Mondale feared alienating voters by attacking ol' pops. Reagan won. By a landslide! Lloyd Benson's quip, while brilliant, didn't save Dukkakis.
We oh-so-sophisticated Dems always assume our smart guy trumps their platitude spouting doofus. It's just as much a possibility that McCain will zing Obama with some quip designed to make McCain seem the better choice to those easily led by such silliness. Remember, they only need to get a small percentage of people to join the hard core Republicans to drag McCain across the finish line.
Obama seems capable, but forgive us old-timers for being just a little apprehensive. We've been here before.

[kevinlangendorf]

Once again we see it going down the drain due to the Democratic candidate bringing a knife to a gunfight. Hard, cold ruthlessness is called for, that and someone who understands advertising.

I am an art director and work in marketing in New York. I would LOVE the chance to send McCain crying to his momma.

[lovethesinner]

I have to agree with you here, Marty, there is a definite sluggishness in the Obama campaigns counter punch, but I'm not entirely convinced it is out of a lack of adroitness, as much as a part of the political jujutzu we've seen from the campaign, previously.

There needs to be a follow through from the assailant to have sufficient momentum to then use to throw him with. McCain has now committed to his "Obama is un-American" meme, and the strategy is literally bought and paid for. There's no turning back for McCain now that he's gone against his commitment to run a "respectful campaign."

We're at the turning point, and the convention is the place to finally kick McCain into the air. It's a matter of timing, and yes, you're right, the time is very near.

[Ramus]

Let's not forget that the president is elected by the electoral college and Obama looks as though he's ahead , by a good bit, in the electoral college count. Obama himself doesn't seem to have the attack gene..but his VP choice should. I hope he has chosen Biden who, though a bit of a loose canon, is good on the attack. Hagel might be good at that too..but he's a social conservative.

[jcwtts1]

Anyone remember the Seinfeld episode where George tips someone but they didn't see it so george takes the money back to tip the guy when he;s watching and the guy thinks he's stealing tips. This is like that. If Obama threw his best stuff at McCain in August and July even if he kicked McCain's butt no one would see it. Give the guy a chance to start fighting. The only people paying attention now are the press. Everything kicks into gear after the convention. Obama is great at the visuals. Let's start fighting when people can actually tell what is going on. Sept.

[Boadicea]

Obama's worst problem is the way Democrats constantly, continually second-guess their candidate no matter who it is and no matter what the campaign is doing. This is the reason that Democrats fail at national elections. They kill all the enthusiasm for their candidate by publicly second-guessing him and rebuking him at every turn, thus reducing both funds and volunteer efforts and hours.

(McCain's base have been quietly supportive so far. THAT's the reason that McCain has gained some ground. Progressives have so talked down their candidate that Independents are looking to the other guy.)

This behavior, this constant critiquing and bad-mouthing and criticism of their candidate, is a sign of a collective inferiority complex on the part of Democrats that is visible. A visible inferiority complex will cause a fail every time.

Self fulfilling prophecy is the phrase that comes to mind. No wonder so many thinking Republicans just can't bring themselves to change parties. Democrats have no concept of how to work as a team, support each other, and win.

Instead of this steady stream of "Obama looks weak" imagine how different it would be if all those articles, blogs and pundit comments were supportive of the values and principles of Obama and Democrats.

Americans would be thinking about that, instead of about how the Democratic candidate is always weak.

Time for progressives to stop blaming the Republicans and start looking in the mirror. It is Democrats, not Republicans, who make their candidates look weak.

[Fabienne]

Thank you, Boadicea. And where are his surrogates? Feingold saying McCain is "a true original" isn't really helpful.

[RepugsOut08]

I'm not sure I agree that the Republicans have been quietly supportive of McCain. Many have spoken out about his negative campaign tactics, and you aren't likely to see any Republican up for re-election attending the Republican convention.
McCain is gaining in the polls because Obama is letting McCain define him first and in a very false and negative way.
It's not too late to get the ball back into play, and I'm a huge fan of Obama. I just know from 40 years of painful experience that these negative Republican attacks work. I'm counting on Obama and his team to do the right thing. His ads of late are a step in the right direction. I was very impressed with the speed at which he dealt with the Swift Boat creep's book.
Obama hammering McCain with the truth every day must not be seen as going negative by his followers. It's the only way you can defeat the Republican attack machine. They're counting on a civil approach from Obama.

[LilyMaskew]

Obama is doing what is best for him to do. How many bloggers (including myself) have been chosen to run for president?