A Noun, A Verb, and P.O.W.

Joe Biden is already a pretty effective giant-killer, and he may just have killed another giant - a giant bummer among Democratic partisans concerned about the backbone of their party. Biden's the guy who yanked the teeth and claws out of Rudy Giuliani last October 30th, during one of the Democratic primary debates. His now-famous and quite devastating remark, in a mere 15 words, shriveled Giuliani's single biggest claim to fame and greatest perceived strength down into pathetic joke status:
"There's only three things he mentions in a sentence -- a noun, a verb, and 9/11."

That was then. This is now. Barack Obama has shrewdly chosen as his running mate the ONE guy perfectly and uniquely positioned to do the same to John McCain, and that's just one place where he can start. I am longing to hear the updated version of his Rudy-vaccine:
"There's only three things he mentions in a sentence - a noun, a verb, and P.O.W."

We need to hear this, frequently, and we need to be unafraid of it, until America becomes immunized to McCain's annoying and ever-present fallback line that, he believes, entitles him not only to freedom from being criticized, challenged, or questioned, but also to some sort of express ride straight into the White House. Are we simply supposed to issue him the Oval Office keys as a consolation prize for his Hanoi Hilton years because we feel sorry for him or something? Should we shrug off the daily cheapening of the ordeal of a prison-of-war, especially in view of what far more recent victims endured at our hands at Abu Ghraib during a war John McCain pushed from the earliest moments? And as Wesley Clark recently noted - does a decades-old prisoner-of-war experience automatically qualify someone to be President of the United States?

I'm reminded of the classic movie musical "White Christmas," with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. They played bigtime song-and-dance partners who met in the trenches during World War II. Their fate as friends and performing teammates was sealed when Kaye's character rescued the battle-injured Crosby character. From then on, whenever Kaye wanted something from his friend, he'd look at Crosby with sad puppy-dog eyes and rub his arm to simulate a significant and memorable old war wound. Sure enough, Crosby would cave to the shamelessly exploitive manipulation once again, sometimes against his better judgment. John McCain uses that ploy every time he looks into the camera or around a town hall meeting room. His campaign posse rubs our noses in it again and again, almost on Pavlovian dog cue, whenever anyone attempts to poke holes in anything McCain says. It's a tactic that's grown very old very quickly, and it's time somebody said "ENOUGH". But this is just one point of contention. There's a LOT of material for Messers Obama and Biden to work with, especially with Biden's penchant for hitting back hard and memorably.

So far, we're at least starting to taste some long-awaited red-meat, from Biden's first running-mate speech: "It requires more than being a good soldier, it requires being a wise leader." That's good but not quite great. C'mon, Joe. Rip the gloves OFF. We're starving by now! You extolled Obama for the "steel in his spine." Now is when we need to see yours even more, particularly if Obama himself prefers not to go for much negative campaigning. John McCain can take it. He should expect it. He's a big boy. He knows what happens when one sticks ones neck out this far. The fact that he came back for more this year after what the Bush campaign did to him AND his wife AND their adopted Bangladeshi daughter in 2000 proves it. However, as low as any Democrat might hit in a negative campaign remark or commercial, it would hardly scrape bottom at that depth of Ick.

Now that Joe Biden is the one to suit up in this doubles tournament there are loads of tempting targets at which to smack the ball. Biden already referenced a particularly appetizing one in his debut speech in Springfield. The easy-to-visualize picture of the average voter sitting at the kitchen table trying to figure out which bills to pay and by how much contrasts pointedly with the only dilemma even including the same furniture classifications that McCain will ever know. It's worth repeating that McCain's struggle means having to decide which of perhaps as many as a near-dozen tables in an equal number of kitchens will be his seating preference. That is, assuming he can even keep track of them all. Hey, all's fair. And the man described in glowing terms by David Brooks of all people as a "lunch-bucket Democrat" with actual, tangible, traceable roots in working-class America is ideally suited to define just who the elitist in this contest is.

The comparisons need to be made, and the attacks need to be launched. Hard, swift, and sure attacks that leave both little and a lot to the imagination. Biden's kitchen table example is exquisitely glaring, memorable, and soundbite-perfect for media repetition, at the same time as it lets the imagination run wild with extrapolation that drives the painful point home even deeper. It's about time. Unfortunately, negative campaigning works. The erosion in Obama's lead in most public opinion polls since John McCain started fighting dirty proves it. So if that's the way it is, then let the games begin, and let Joe Biden lead the charge, as low and harsh as he dares to go. As the starving orphan Oliver in another big screen musical puts it, "please, sir. I want some more."

The Obama campaign now has on staff an agent of change in how hard it's going to be willing to hit back. Biden is a virtuoso at it. Let's see that steel in his own spine, and lots of it. And let's hope he shows it with a noun, a verb, and plenty of POW.

Comments

[boomer1949]

I love, love love Joe Biden. Although he is often quite verbose, he is down to earth, in touch, has common sense, and is not afraid to tell it like it is.

[cynicism101]

Sure, but how do we know when he's telling it like it is?

When he tells Iowa their schools are better because they have fewer black students?

When he mocks the immigration of Indian nationals to his state?

When he states that BO is not qualified to be president?

When he reaffirms his statement that BO is not qualified to be president?

Please, tell us all.... when is he "in touch" and "telling it like it is"???

[dlcobb]

It is most tragic that his first wife and infant died. That must have shatttered his life and for that I feel sad for him and his loss. BUT why in the world would someone vote for a known plagiarist (speeches) and liar (his academic standing)

[barackobama4prez]

H illary, Joe & Bill are BEST at these quick-witted quips. I love O but he just can't do it like they can. I don't imagine O grew up learning to play the dozens. if he did, he'd get these clever soundbites done.

[50centsaday]

The insulting title of this article aside, here is one reason Obama needs an experienced foreign policy guy.

Obama, Aug. 25, 2008, speaking on what he would do about Iran:
"step up diplomatic pressure," "make sure we are tightening the screws diplomatically," "mobilize world community..."

What George Bush has done about Iran:
At the urging of the Bush administration, the UN Security Council has issued three sanctions against Iran;
With support from the US, diplomats from teh European Union have been pressuring Iran for years.

Come on, Barry, offer up some "change."

[tbrnotb]

Did you know McCain was a POW?

All Obama has to do is put an end to the tragically flawed redpublican policies including Iraq, the economy, diplomacy, veteran affairs, energy, corporate greed and FEMA! And that's just a partial list.

You come on this board "blustering" and demanding change? In case you haven't noticed, we have adopted an Obama backed withdrawal timeline so fought against by Bush, the republicans and people like you.

The times they are a changing....I suggest you re-evaluate your political thoughts and join us here in the real 21st century.

By the way, did you know McCain was a POW?

[grata2ude]

McCain needs to release his military records. He also needs to explain why his voting record is not good when it comes to taking care of vets.

We have homelesss Iraqi and Afghanistani vets. They don't have a table to sit at but McCain doesn't speak of them or vote for GI Bills to help them. He should be ashamed.

[bwilder]

My 60 year old sweetheart is a Vietnam Vet. Fought as a helicopter gunner and killed for his country
in a war that should never have been fought. He came home and was spit-on in the
airport in Alaska. It is just in recent years that he has been able to talk about his service and feel the pride he has always deserved to feel for being a proud member of the U.S.M.C.

He was not a POW but he knows what things were like there and his
heart goes out to McCain. However, he is so disgusted by what McCain is
doing by using this as an excuse. While we both respect his service
and sacrifice, it has become continually harder to have any respect for
him at all. His policies are more of the same and that alone is frightening
to think about as this country moves forward. But so much worse than his policies
is this exploitation of his time as a POW.

It's shameful, unethical and immoral. and in my humble opinion greatly disrespects of the the other men who went through the same thing he did. What would he and his party say to another POW who
committed a crime or has addiction issues or has made a mess of his life or family and then says "Well I'm a POW so you can't judge or punish me for my wrongs?"
I think we all know what they'd say.

[tbrnotb]

Right on, my sister! A touching post that speaks to the truth of the matter.

[gogginscm]

Biden was a weak pick. There has been a negative bounce since this pick. If Obama had good judgment, he would have picked HIllary to be his VP. McCain, on the other hand, will get a bounce from his pick especially if it's Romney.

[mivogo]

Obama does have good judgment--that's why he selected Biden. There has been no "negative bounce" since his pick, but after his speech tonight, there will be a positive one, believe me.
And if McCain picks Romney (another gazillionaire), there will be a bounce all right--the Repubs will be bounced right out of the race!

[tbrnotb]

Give Joe a little time...in the long run, I think you might change your view.

[LemonFreshScent]

Its like that SNL character that interjected little sentances into his regular sentences to try and control your thought.

Mc: My plan for the economy [was a pow] is based on research done [don't forget my pow days] by intelligent agents [pow pow pow]... blah blah [pow pow pow pow pow]

pow pow.

[nicholasclaxton]

As borrowed from another blogger...

"From Dubya to P.O.Dubya....can't let that happen."

Somebody print up some t-shirts that might be the best name yet....McP.O.Dubya!

[LAB11]

P. Oed "W"

[magen]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tbrnotb]

Love it!!!!!!!

[cynicism101]

OK - I have to give you credit on that one ... very clever.

Still, yes, please show your grace. Supporting the the two guys who didn't have the testicular fortitude to to risk their lives to serve their country, but slamming (spitting on, in an era not that far gone) two guys who did.

That said, it does fit on a bumper sticker, so rather appropriate for the left.

[mjtaylor22]

A NOUN

a verb

and a POW..

INTERVIEWER

"SENAOR MCCAIN DO YOU STILL THINK THE ECONOMY IS STRONG"

MCSAME

"UM SORRY I WAS A POW"



YESTHIS FOOLISH PERSON IS WAXING THE HECK OUT OF THIS STATEMENT.....

INSTEAD OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW AMERICAN WOULD BE BETTER UNDER HIM

[mjtaylor22]

A NOUN
a verb
and a POW..
INTERVIEWER
"SENAOR MCCAIN DO YOU STILL THINK THE ECONOMY IS STRONG"
MCSAME
"UM SORRY I WAS A POW"

YESTHIS FOOLISH PERSON IS WAXING THE HECK OUT OF THIS STATEMENT.....
INSTEAD OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW AMERICAN WOULD BE BETTER UNDER HIM

[mjtaylor22]

He is using this POW thing to no end; he is a low life for demeaning his service to a political scheme.
Personally I am too young to really have cared about Vietnam. But I know his POW defense is a sad example of how low he will go. Oh wow I AM NOT GOOD WITHT HE ECONOMY, BUT I WAS A POW, I CANNOTY TIE MY SHOE BUT I WAS A POW. I LEFT MY WIFE, WHO WAITED ON ME TO RETURN FROM CAPTURE, BUT I WAS A POW.YES AND YOU ABANDONED YOUR MATE WHO WAITED ON YOU BECAUSE SHE WAS INJURED WHILE YOU WERE NOT THERE.........
He is doing a dis service to all our men and women in arms re counting this as political Kevlar, it is not, because being a POW does no make McCain any more ready to lead. He was almost last in his class in the naval academy; he is a 73 yr old class clown. The last class clown we let get in the white house took us to war based on lies, and this clown has supported him all the way .

[annieR]

McCain's seven kitchen tables are funded from Cindy McCain's liquor distributorship, which defeated liquor tax increases in Arizona that would have funded early childhood education and additional hospital beds for children. Further, it is sponsoring legislation that requires a majority of REGISTERED voters (not just those who voted on the issue) for a liquor tax increase. Arizona liquor taxes are well below the national average. (Source: NY Times, Aug. 22, 2008, "For McCains, a Public Path but Private Wealth")

[lboucher]

A noun , a verb and a gaffe.

[mooph]

I don't know. The setup to that zinger is a little long-winded at this point. News orgs and pundits are already talking about it, partisans are definitely talking about it. Seems like the anticipation of Biden saying it might be more effective right now -- and then come up with something fresh rather than a retread.

[Circusgirl]

The POW and 'my friend" rhetoric are indeed getting old. It makes me want to upchuck. I am not now now wil I ever be his friend. We move in completely different circles. I come from middle class America and he comes from the elite one half of one percent. I would like to see this country working again and he just wants to keep the status quo.