The McCain Strategy Is Vintage Karl Rove, the Media Loves It, and the Obama Camp Is Not Taking It Seriously Enough

There is a plausible argument that no one has so negatively impacted the lives of the American people and the world as has Karl Rove. Not only did he elect an incompetent, not only did he misuse the White House to further his goal of a permanent Republican majority, but he has destroyed the American political dialogue.

The mainstream media, interested only in ratings, has lapped it up. What simpler and inexpensive way to cover a contest whose outcome has profound stakes for the entire world than to treat the nonsense as important. Fox "News," interested only in electing Republicans, has presented it as, to quote Rove himself about the outing of Valerie Plame, "fair game."

The Obama Camp seems not to grasp fully what is going on. Responding in logical, measured terms that rationally pushes back on McCain's ads, they are missing the emotional side of the attacks that is the determining factor in 98% of decisionmaking, and, thus, voting.

Using mockery McCain is trying to undermine, at the level of emotions, Obama's charisma and the passions his candidacy stirs both in the US and around the world. Obama ought to begin by reminding people, "these are the same people, using the same tactics, that brought us George W Bush, and look what a disaster he is."

In the Democratic primaries Obama used one very successful strategy of calling out the tactic, thus bringing it to peoples' consciousness, rather than leaving it buried in the emotional side of the brain. Hillary's "the sky is going to open" attempted mockery did not take hold, and she did not pursue it, in part because much of the primary electorate would not have tolerated it.

But, the McCain people do not care about much of the Democratic primary electorate. They want to undermine Obama, so their guy does not appear to be as lame as he actually is. Early in his career Rove and his people promoted death in the form of cigarettes. Then it was Bush. Now, it's McCain. They do not stop on their own, you have to stop them by making the price they pay too painful to continue.

Remember the Rove tactic: find your opponent's strength, and attack it. The Rove protégés running the McCain campaign (doubtless with help from Karl Rove) have analyzed Obama's major strength to be his ability to create a movement with passion. Not only can such passion become infectious, it also has the ability to change politics post-election by going over the heads of lobbyists and the DC-insiders to apply enormous people pressure on Members of Congress. The first Earth Day was a good example: 20 million people participated, 7 of the first 'dirty-dozen' pro-polluters were then defeated, and then the new Congress passed, and Richard Nixon (!) signed, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Environmental Protection Act, just to name-drop a few.

Barack Obama can do the same for healthcare, for energy, and for a host of other important endeavors to clean up the mess created by Karl Rove's marionette. That, and a new Justice Department exposing the lies and crimes of this un-American regime, represent an enormous threat to the radical rightwing movement that, incidentally, was spawned as a reaction to the success of Earth Day.

What the McCain campaign is doing is vintage Rove. It is difficult to attack directly for being charismatic, and so they have taken to mockery, Hillary's "sky is going to open" taken to new heights. The same John McCain who kowtowed to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell -- different from the John McCain who called them agents of intolerance -- has signed onto this strategy -- different from the John McCain who promised a respectful campaign (the respectful folks were dishonorably discharged).

McCain's mother's characterization of the ads as "stupid" notwithstanding, it will be a terrible mistake for the Obama Campaign to treat it as such, about as "stupid" as the Kerry Campaign strategists deciding they had "answered" the swiftboats in the spring of '04, and thus did not need to respond when they were resurrected in the fall campaign.

Although we would all prefer talking about more substantive matters, most Americans agree with the Democratic Party's positions anyhow. Only by smearing the policy issues (e.g., if you want universal healthcare, you must be for socialism), or undermining the messenger, has the rightwing been able to overcome the natural affinity for Democratic policies.

Successfully parrying the Rovian tactic of undermining Obama's charisma, therefore, needs to be an important point of Obama's campaign strategy. Using the opening provided to counterattack, to make them pay for their tactic, is part of the strategy.

The key is to take it seriously, and that means, REPEAT. And, when the McCain campaign shuts up, keep REPEATING it.

Parry: This is easy. Use themes such as "for the last 8 years, Bush -- with McCain's support -- have lost the respect of our allies. Won't it be great, and powerful, to regain that respect, so the US does not have to go it alone?" (footage of Obama in Europe, speaking to crowds, huddling with leaders). "For the last 8 years, Americans have been ashamed of its leaders. Won't it be great to have a leader again, that has won the respect of both world leaders and the people they represent?" (similar footage). End with more footage of Obama speaking to large crowds: "This is the support we had after 9/11, and then Bush -- with McCain's support--squandered it. To John McCain, it is a big joke, something to mock, and he's spending millions of dollars to belittle me. This time, when you vote, vote as if your whole world depended on it. Because it does."

Counterattack #1: "There's a good reason John McCain does not draw large, enthusiastic crowds...he has nothing to say that George Bush has not been saying, and he does not know what he is talking about when he does".....Show an empty stadium; trot out some of the DNC footage of McCain praising the economic situation. Add to it his gaffes (including Joe Lieberman whispering in his ear), and his statement about the Iraq-Pakistan border..... and his vote for the Iraq War....and then, hit him on his experience, "John McCain claims to have experience, but has it been useful: he didn't know you were hurting economically, he didn't even understand who the enemy is in Iraq, he still has not apologized to the American people for promoting and voting for the war in Iraq"....."why listen to someone who has nothing to say" (still of empty stadium)..

Counterattack #2: Call out Karl Rove, and the McCain people who are Rove's disciples, by calling them, "the people who brought us George W Bush"...talk directly about how their brand of politics has crippled the country from addressing real problems that real people need addressed. End with a picture of McCain along with Rove and the disciples, and the phrase, "John McCain, brought to you by the same people who brought you George Bush".

And, REPEAT.

If the stupidity of McCain's ads lulls Obama's campaign into believing they need not take them seriously, there is a Massachusetts Senator who may have some experience to suggest otherwise.

Comments

[Samson1]

If you really want to do something about this, you need to do an add that will supplant McCain's add in the national media. I would suggest something that implies McCain is too old, sort of He wants to keep the old and tired Bush oil company agenda for 4 more years, maybe this is just too old and tired for America. Make it controversial, make it grab people. Stop being so civil. If you really want to win, counterattack with the same Rovian tactics.

For example, Moderate McCain, show him side be side with Bush spouting extreme policies.

[rockyersocksoff]

You're kidding, right?

In a country where "the Old" vote at the highest rate of any group, you want Obama to come out and directly insult that entire group for no other reason than to "grab people?"

Jesus.

Rove may be evil, but he was never as plain STUPID as your idea.

Rove insults small (gay) or powerless (illegal immigrants) groups to rally large enough (50.1% of troglodytes) groups to squeak by.

Your math would do the opposite.

[biglover]

I agree, attacking age could be a slippery slope for Obama. He just needs to keep attacking McCain and showing him with Bush and hope it doesn't backfire.

Negative ads work. Unfortunately McCain has negative ads and the media on his side and Obama doesn't

[nellie]

I don't blame K arlRove. I blame the media. People like KR are pariahs, they've always been around, they will always be around. The job of the press is to expose these people for what they are. People don't like liars. They don't like cheaters. Public figures like this can only succeed when their character remains unknown to the public. Look what happened to George Allen.

Without the powerful support and validation that the national corporate media provides, people like KR would be nothing and no one.

I have no doubt the O campaign takes these ads very seriously. They are serious people, and they analyze everything. We haven't seen their response yet. Judging by what we've seen before from the O campaign, it will be very effective.

[speakingtruth2power]

The media is the enemy of our truths.

They print the lies of the corporatists!

[rockyersocksoff]

This guy is EXACTLY right.

Attacking McCain's "strength" is the only way to go.

And that doesn't mean in any way attacking his past military service. You don't have to.

All Obama needs to do is jam a dagger in the heart of McCains supposed superior qualification in foreign policy and "how to win wars."

McCain doesn't know who we are "fighting" or where it's taking place.

Lieberman's whispers and the Iraq/Pakistan border clips should be WALLPAPER on all networks.

Hammer his ass on his bogus strengths and Obama will bounce back

Are any of you guys listening? Quit whimpering about offshore drilling and drill McCain on his confusion over basic world issues.

Or lose like gutless Kerry did in 04.

[villain2]

"McCain doesn't know who we are 'fighting' or where it's taking place"

That's just an absurd comment. I dare see he knows more about that situation than you do my friend. Why is the word fighting in quotations. Do you need a reality check?

If you want to talk about confusion on issues, it was Obama I believe who said we have 57 states :(

Being loud and obnoxious does not qualify you to be an adviser, or make you sound clever to anyone with over a fifth grade education.

www.webchannel24.com

[LillianB]

You've been to the Iraq-Paqistani border then, I suppose. Or to Czechoslovakia the last 15 years.... McCain seem to think both exist, saying so in public. To your information: They don't.

[Peteyman]

Any suggestions as to how we can counter this? Post it on my blog.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/scottpeterson

[mosh]

Here's a suggestion for an ad: a picture of McC partying with the bikers in Sturgis juxtaposed with a picture of a grunt in Iraq in full battle uniform, or maybe a picture of an Iraqi kid with his head blown off. I think you get the point. Juxtapose McC partying it up while the world suffers - pictures of foreclosures, bombings, etc and McC partying.

[MiddleRoadLiberal]

Dude, unfortunate name...

[Peteyman]

I know, Every day I catch hell for it...

[UpstateNY]

The same kinds of ads were used again Hillary Clinton's Health Care proposals and against John Kerry. They worked and we have: over 40 million uninsured Americans, an awful war that McCain wants to continue, our image tarnished throughout the world, our dollar worth less and less, our planet in peril, our economy failing, factories closing, good jobs going overseas. On the other hand, the oil companies are making billions, executive salaries are sky-rocketing.

Don't you see a pattern? Our government has been working for the special interests and against the American people. Once I saw the kind of campaign that McCain is running - a Rovian, Bush campaign - I know that he had sold himself, his campaign and the American people out to these same special interests that have almost brought us to our knees.

[speakingtruth2power]

The belief that we live in a pluralistic society has been debunked

by this criminal gang who once again, intend to make a mockery

of our democratic republic and are out to destroy our voting rights.

[biglover]

Huge voter turnout is the only way we are going to win this election. So those of you in states that are iffy, I suggest pooling money together for vanpools and get those people to the polls and before that, get them registered.

[gladys46]

On important issues, seems to me Mc takes O's lead ... Iraq, Iran, plans for economy, GI amended bill ... and now since O is willing to support those 10, 5 dems & 5 repubs in a comprehensive limited drilling proposal which includes many of O's energy policy proposals, there could be a breakthrough in the constructs of a decent energy bill!! This proposal will end the Cheney + Big Oil energy policy followed for the past 7 + yrs.

Why should O run after a juvenile delinquent for his tiny marbles ... what Mc does is the essence of what most reThugs do .... sucker punch & hide their hands ... little cowards!

[mosh]

Yes, I agree. Let Mac have the low road all to himself, well, him and his biker buddies. Obama should aim high and stay focused.

[harriscrl3]

Correction the media LOVES EVERYTHING McCain does. HE could sit back and say I have no clue what I'm going to do. He could campaign once a month. He could adovcate war with Iran, He could say I'm not the best qualified. Hell he could say I'm satan and media would love it.

So no matter how this is played in the MSM Obama will LOSE period.

I'm a firm believer that timing is everything and Obama will know the right time and he will come at McCain when he least expect it and it will be so hard that he wont have time to recover.

Carol

[PaulinaSmedes]

I got the funny feeling you're right. Your last sentence I mean. I don't exactly know why, it's been more of a gut feeling I got. Let's wait and see what happens. I think it's gonna be very interesting.

[mosh]

Could be Sturgis will provide the Obama camp with some very interesting photo ops for their next ad.

It might be fun and very effective to see McC oogling the bikinis juxtaposed against a kid in Iraq in full battle gear or a foreclosure sign or president bush tap dancing on the steps of the white house.

Lots of potential in that rally. I hope John has lots and lots of FUN.

[mesut]

I often felt the same way when HRC was throwing jabs and BO seem to "just take them". Then something happened and BO began to punch back. I hope he finds a way to counter punch the foolishness that JM is spreading. BO has done it before and I'm hopeful he'll do it again.

[WarriorLemming]

I agree that Sen. Obama's campaign needs to take the Rove-like tactics very seriously but I must add that Americans need to look a little deeper and use critical thought process too. We can all agree that's "it's the economy stupid" so how do Republicans, who represent some of the wealthest people in our country, pander to the little guy (or the hard-working-poor-white-vote)? I see them doing it with religious tones and patriotism getting people fired up about abortion or national security issues to the extreme. Republicans are able to succeed in this cheap pandering because these are central core issues that most people have but yet to put these issues before "bread & butter" issues (to me) verges on insane. It's seems to say that a person would rather not let their neighbor decide how to control their how personal body matters rather than feed their own family. Or that a person is more concerned if you wear a flag lapel pin than have affordable medical care and a college education. Insane just totally insane!

[metalpipe]

Lies allowed and regularly aired by the MSM. That's how it works for the GOP. They were wise to partner up with the media moguls years ago, and now it is paying off, apparently.

Great blog, and I pray the O people read and heed.

[LillianB]

Obama shouldn't sink to this level - engaging in mudsliding - that would make him "a politician like any other", undermining his message he is an honest man working for change. He should, however, point out that McCain chooses to go the low road because destracting the public from real issues and real politics is in McCain's interest and his interest only. Not Obama's, not the public's, McC's alone. If he doesn't, he will have to talk about how he'll use (or abuse) the presidency, and it will be all to evident that "the emperor has no clothes on". And yes, pointing out that these are the people who gave you Bush, and this is how they did it, is a good way to do it, provided he then goes on talking on issues afterwards. He have to underline and underline he is the alternative, what he stands for, how he will use his presidency - demonstrating that he is, in fact, ready to lead.

[PaulAbrams]

Intellectually, you are right. That's what Gore and Kerry thought too.
But, making the emotional connection is what is key, and I disagree.

I would also argue that saying McCain has nothing to say, and showing the visual is not a character attack (i.e, the low road), but a means of connecting McCain's use of Obama's crowds with a negative image for McCain. You already "approve" the 'same people who brought you GWB" part, and the parrying is actually a positive Obama pciture, juxtaposed against the negatives of Bush/McCain.

[metalpipe]

It is not mudslinging when you are defending yourself. It is allowed, and it is necessary. When you are raising your children, do you use the same tactics as you do when you are talking to your adult co-workers? Not really.

I am calling the people in this country who would fall for the McCain smear campaign 'children' in the respect that they are not wise enough to see the forest for the trees. They can not escape the fear that was crammed into their heads over the last 8 years, and find it easier (a sure route to the low road) to buy into the BS.

[PaulinaSmedes]

Maybe that's why the O campaign is holding back a little, because it would be defense. Holding back for the time being, until it's time to go on the offense.

[Edmonsky]

There are many reasons why Obama does not have to respond to McCain’s attacks in kind. First, winning this election depends on independents; hence, some of these vicious attacks will lend itself to self-destruct McCain’s brand, which is his currency at leveraging support from the Independents. Second, making analogy of the current to 2004 general election between Kerrey and Bush is a huge mistake; Kerrey did not have resources to counter-attack well-funded Bush campaign, plus the power of incombency; Bush / Rove developed ground game using willing volunteers from Evengelical religious right; Bush was a better campaigner and likeable than Kerrey. McCain does not have these advantages over Obama as Bush had over Kerrey.

Obama is going to have resources 4:1 ratio advantage over McCain in the general election. Obama is setting up strategy of expanding battle-ground states in order to over-stretch McCain’s resources thin to the point of being ineffectual. McCain is going around smearing Obama, while Obama’s campaign is concentrating in developing integrated ground-game with existing Democratic infrastructure in all states, and concentrating on registering new voters among the demographic groups where he performs better. The key to winning is first laying strong, durable infrastructure before erecting the superstructures and finishes. The real campaign starts after the conventions and first debate and why not leave the powder dry until the opportune time.

[PaulAbrams]

But, the key analogy is allowing the other side to define your brand. It's marketing 101.
You are correct on your other points, but they are for naught if your brand is tarnished.
Kerry didn't need the resources--just counterattacking against Bush would have sent the media into paroxysms of happiness (foodfight, lots of ratings), and would have conveyed him as a fighter, whereas his lack of response conveyed someone who would not even fight for himself.

Human psychology is a funny thing--and not what we all think. As none other than Bill Clinton said years ago, "strong and wrong beats weak and right".

[HowietheScreamer]

Um, yea... right... that's what Johnny Kerry thought too

[marthlois]

This is what the Obama camp needed to hear
Thank you. We cannot let this slip away.

[rbloom]

Geez, thank you. For what it's worth, I agree 100%. Obama needs to hit back and hit back hard. I'd go all the way and call McCain a liar (plenty of video available to back that up) and say something like, "We've just been through 8 years of a president who lies to you. Do you really want 4 more?"
And don't be looking to the MSM to set the record straight or keep McCain honest on his claims and flip-flops. They won't. They'll take your money, though, so get the message out through paid ads -- you control the content, timing and target demographics.
Isn't Obama the guy who's supposed to know how to do politics the Chicago way? Well, now's the time.
Everyone knows now who started it. The test is whether Obama can finish it. It's stupid and macho and has nothing to do with the serious issues the country faces, but hey, welcome to modern American politics.

[whitebird46]

I agree that the Obama campaign needs to hit back NOW. It's obvious the media is not going to expose McCains voting record, gaffes, the Keating Five, etc. It's up to Obama to bring the truth about McCain to the public. I have sent emails in the last two days to the Obama campaign pleading that they respond in a forceful manner to this ongoing evil. I feel very worried and sick at heart that the polls are showing McCain's tactics are "working" . What can we do to counter Rove and his minions?

[abeone]

Idon't believe the polls for a minute. Remember the exit polls in Ohio that showed Kerry won . The MSM then said that they must be wrong so we won't use them again. Up untilthen, they had always been right. . They weren't wrong and the polls we are seeing are to counter the truth so that when they steal this next election like they did the last two, people won't queston it because the polls showed it so close. Why do you think they replaced all those attorneys? We have never had a more corrupt, criminal administration in our history.

[RI]

You are so right! These Rove guys are psychological terrorists. To them, this is war and they will do and say anything and destroy anyone to win.

I totally agree that Obama's team needs to play on the same level as Rove plays I don't mean the level of the sewer: I mean the emotional level. Reason will not get it done. They understand that or they lose.