Democrats' Post Palin Campaign Strategy: Ignore Her, Attack McCain?
A week after John McCain announced Alaskan governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, the Republican campaign strategy seems to have regressed to that of the 2004 elections, focusing more on the Democracrs characters rather than actual issues.
Also, the Palin "phenomenon" appears to be distracting Democrats from the main point of their campaign: strengthening the McCain-Bush connection.
After Palin's speech at the GOP Convention, we can now say that McCain's vice president selection was one of the smartest decisions he could have made, not only with respect to the Republican agenda but also regarding the nature and dynamics of the two campaigns.
She should enjoy embracing the legacy of a double-standard seen in Sen. Clinton's campaign against Obama. Anyone who attacks Palin could be accused of sexism while any attacks she levies against others will only further prove her self-confidence and readiness for the job. Criticizing Palin thus just enhances her position on McCain's ticket. Should Democrats question her past, personal characteristics, flaws, or level of experience, Rapublicans can fire back with similar questions about Obama. This will only divert voters' attention away from the major issues at hand, specifically the similarities between McCain's and Bush's policies.
It's fair to say that Palin's effect on the Republican Party is similar to Obama's impact on the Democrats. Like Obama, she appeals to the average American. She is ambitious, hardworking, family-oriented, tough, aggressive, a capable speaker, and a Washington outsider.
She also compensates McCain's poor communication skills. Despite having a thin resume and meager national experience, she has shown that with a good script, she can be a capable attack dog.
However, unlike Obama who has worked in national and international politics for years, Palin's experience lies only in local politics. Her education is average, and her sarcasm is mean. Yet, her core values match those of conservative Republicans, giving the more moderate McCain a connection to these voters.
While it remains unclear whether Palin is the right person for the job, it is apparent that during her brief time on the national stage, she has managed to shift the direction of the presidential campaign from targeting substantial issues to targeting personal characters.
Palin, however, has a long way to go. Only by responding intelligently to questions posed by analysts and opponents will she prove that she is ready for the job and not just on the Republican ticket to lure small town Americans and disenchanted Clinton supporters. By questioning Palin's qualifications, Democrats are just wasting precious time and energy
Republicans have shown in past few elections that they are masters of effective campaigning. Only by attacking McCain's and Bush's policies can Democrats put Palin in a corner and make her prove herself.
The ball is now in the Democrats court.
Read more analysis from HuffPost bloggers on Sarah Palin
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I've discussed this issue with a few of my independent voter friends and we now all agree that Obama should not address Palin by name BUT he can still address her ridiculous views on issues. There are Dem women who can hit her hard by name such as McCaskill, Sebelius and Clinton.
Keep in mind that the repubs are going to vote for McSame/Palin no matter what!
Speaking of Clinton, it will be interesting to see how she will react to Palin. If she goes after Palin like a "pitbull with lipstick", then I will believe that she is truly behind Obama. If Clinton's responses are tepid, then you can believe that she wants Obama to lose so that she can run in 2012.
a lot of people listened to palins "speach" i did ,and couldnt believe that the woman up there was to be v p , she didnt fool me ,so what makes people think she fooled anyone ,she was just someone new and unknown, most people wanted to hear her for that reason,not because they thought she was the right person for the job. so repubs have voting machines that track people, so much for privacy!!!
the dems had better have their wits about them because machines can be manipulated by unscupulous people, please dont let american elections be decided by cheats.
It would be a huge mistake not to tag this Sarah Palin as what she is; a radical social conservative and radical christian fundamentalist with intent upon altering our constitution and destroying our democracy
Ignoring her will allow her to play mainstream for the remainder of the days between now and November 4th. Who is running the DNC???
Forget "attacking" them. Make sure they have to stand up and be specific about their issues. Whose Republican heads are going to roll? Do they or do they not believe in windfall taxing gas cos to provide tax relief for the rest of us like Obama has been advocating? How do they plan to pay for their dermination to militarily respond to every little thing and stay in Iraq endlessly? Do they really want to provide tax breaks for those who export jobs? What given their past record are they going to do to help pregnant teens or families having children with special needs? how does their health care package assist the millions of working families with family members who have preexisting conditions who are excluded from the health care system? Force hard questions; force them to expose their own underbelly.
I disagree with this approach. I think there need to be ads that go after Palin very strongly on her lack of substance regarding the issues. Also that bring to light her extremism, ethics investigation in Alaska, desire to burn books and turn back the clock on women's rights. She's a very dangerous threat, especially to women who aren't in lockstep with Christian fundamentalism.
Here we go again! The same stupid assed people that put Bush in the White House twice, are now swooning over the fringe lunatic -- the veiled Palin. It's a Shakespearean tragedy! The Death of the American Dream. Tagline: They voted for the status quo -- and pretended the last eight years never happened!
Ugh. Here we go again with the Democrat's failure to attack those who attack them.
The main target is and should be McCain. In the long run, VP candidates are not that consequential. A shoot at everything that moves strategy may make Dems feel good, but is probably not the most effective one. What Obama needs to do more of is hold McCain accountable for his Senate votes, like voting against increases in the minimum wage 19 times.
WE-the people who really CARE about ISSUES and how MCCAIN is more of the SAME-nearly got our wish today. I tuned in on Sarah's 'speech' in Wisconsin. There she was, READING her speech off paper. It really wasn't MUCH of a speech-it was SUPPOSED to be an introduction to John McCain. Anyway,a STIFF BREEZE picked up a couple of pages-NEARLY blew them off the podium. Sarah nearly got her 'extemporaneous' moment. Unfortunately, she 'rescued' the pages before they got blown away! Here's the deal. McCain's REAL thoughts are being PUT into Sarah's mouth. I want her to be stumping ALONE-on her own-without McCain with her and without ALL the pre-prepared remarks. I want to see her at a Town Hall-without McCain.
Word count for McCain's speech
Mention of Bush: 0
Mention of Cheney:0
Mention of Taxes: 1
Mention of healthcare: 1
Mention of JOBS: 1
Mention of Education:1
Use of word 'I': (as previously counted) 100
MENTION of SENIOR CITIZENS: ZERO, ZILCH, NADA
MENTION of SOCIAL SECURITY: ZERO, ZILCH, NADA
NO MENTION made as to exactly HOW taxes would be CUT. NO MENTION of how JOBS WOULD BE CREATED. NO MENTION of exactly WHAT the HEALTHCARE system would look like. Sorry John, but GOING SHOPPING isn't the way to create QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE.
There must have been at LEAST 30 MILLION INSOMNIACS watching! I'll bet they slept better last night once McCain started rambling on than they thought possible!
OK, and karl Rove should have written Obam's nomination acceptance speech.
I agree with you in theory, but the sad reality is that Sarah Palin has eclipsed McCain in the republican party. Republican's know that McCain is far from the perfect candidate, not because he isn't qualified for the job, but because he simply isn't very likeable or relatable. Sarah Palin, strategically, was an incredible choice as a running mate if only for the relatability she wil bring to the ticket. The last two presidential elections were lost to a relatable candidate who was totally unqualified for the job. I think you overestimate the average voter if you think that anything has changed since then. Seriously, Palin is an updated George W. in lipstick and pearls and that needs to be taken as seriously as a heart attack.
So is Todd Palin a full time house man now?
Here's the ad someone should run about Sarah Palin:
The visual is a number of padlocked churches with different signs out front: Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc. People on the steps are trying to get in and appear puzzled by the locks.
Down the street is Sarah Palin's church, doors open, black-clad "security" guards standing watch.
Narration: If Sarah Palin's people take command of the US government, this is what you can expect to see in your home town. Because they think they have the only real religion, which requires them to help Jesus end the world. And you want her finger near the nuclear trigger?
America: preserve your religious freedom. Say no to the fanatics.
Yes and no. A campaign that focuses on attacking the VP candidate is indeed doomed to fail. However, her flaws should be used to illustrate the dangers of McCain's poor judgement.; Selecting a candidate at the last minute, with poor vetting, who is utterly unqualified to serve--a man like this could commit us to a needless war.
"put Palin in a corner and make her prove herself."
There is nothing for Palin to show. Her bookcase is as empty as GW's.
How many times can you win the same 'dumb' vote?
I agree. In accepting the nomination, she put herself in the spotlight to be scrutinized along with everyone else. Look what the Republicans did to Hillary Clinton? If it was fair for them, why is it not fair for the Democrats?
It is never "fair" to attack a Republican. They can pull off some of the worst political 'dirty tricks", lie about their record and their opponents' and no one is supposed to call them on it. You might even think the MSM is in on it, but noooo, that can't be true!! MSM is unbiased and they always report facts. I must stop now, making self sick.
Have to agree. Dems need to remember its Obama vs. McCain, not Obama vs.Palin.
Best to ignore her as much as possible, otherwise they give her a false gravitas and distract from the core issue in play, i.e., people realize that what has been going on the last 7 years should not continue and McCain's record, as well as his recent rhetoric, demonstrate that he will bring continuation and not change.
"...she has shown that with a good script, she can be a capable attack dog."
Which is exactly what's wrong with her. We've already had eight years of a president who can't think for himself, who needs a teleprompter to say hello. Why is Palin being praised for speech-READING skills, when we've seen candidates like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, who are actually THINKING while they speak??
Yes, it is amazing that people in this country are given such lavish praise for simply being able to read. Someone wrote a speech for her and she read it, and she read it well. There’s a name for reading stuff other people write; it’s called acting.
We are a nation obsessed with celebrity, with style over substance. Obama seems to have both, a rare combination.
Have you seen Obama when he isnt reading a teleprompter?
The Philadelphia debate - the one he did so poorly that the media was attacked for being unfair.
The Saddleback event where Obama did so poorly that his own handlers had to make an excuse that McCain cheated.
They cant cover up forever. It's goin gto come down to the debates and if he doesnt do better, he will lose no matterhow they try to spin it.
Obama is playing well to his base only right now . He seems off message and off balance since palin came in.
Great on set pieces, so far terrible on his feet.
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