"Obama Is a Socialist" Smear Falls Flat

The McCain campaign's latest mood swing is to call Obama a "socialist." Because Obama said we needed to "redistribute the wealth" is his justification. This is just another example of the republican trait to take words out of context and redefine them with their own twisted logic. Karl Rove could pull this off, McCain's staff cannot.

Probably anyone who reads this blog knows that this is just more republican b.s. But my fear is for those who do not. There is a huge segment of our population who are almost completely unaware of national current events. These are largely good folks who are either too busy to pay attention while just trying to make a living, or those who just don't care. But no matter their motives, they are the ones who are moved by the sound bytes. They hear "Obama is a socialist" and though most are unable to define the term, they perceive a bad connotation. And this is where Karl Rove was so successful in realizing that a huge segment of folks who vote don't necessarily follow the campaign dialogue. That you must reach them with extremely simple messages contained in just a few words. The "sound byte."

For this technique to work, however, one must stick to a simple theme and be consistent. Repeat the message over and over until it becomes implanted into the consciousness. A prime example lies in the phrase, "I'd walk a mile for a blank." Everyone can fill in the blank. "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" has not been advertised in the main stream media since cigarette advertising was outlawed around forty years ago. Yet, most can fill in the blank because it was pounded into our heads so much when we were young. Karl Rove knows the value of that fact, McCain apparently does not.

So McCain's "Obama is a socialist" slogan falls flat. The very people for whom this message is designed, have heard so many differing slogans that they have stopped paying attention. They hear a politician on television or the radio and just block them out. And who can be surprised by that? We have all heard the story of the little boy who cried wolf and wondered, who is that boy? Well now we have our answer, John McCain. He has told us that Obama "pals around with terrorists," that he "spent time in madrasas," and many other sound bytes. Now he is a "socialist."

We pay taxes to our government in return for services rendered. Just like you buy a hamburger from McDonald's. This was enunciated well by Colin Powell in an impromptu press conference after appearing on "Meet The Press" to endorse Obama. In so many words he said that's just another McCain tall tale. That the purpose of taxes is to "redistribute the wealth." Sarah Paliin said in a recent speech, "Joe Biden said that paying taxes is patriotic, Joe the plumber said that sounded to him like socialism." I say, both Joe's were right. So once again we see an example of using phrases to inject stark statements of fact with a sinister meaning. My hope is that the climb of Obama in the polls, means the public is tired of these tactics. And maybe, just maybe, our politics actually will change.

Comments

[George123]

R.W.,

Please explain how Obama's "redistribute the wealth" was taken out of context by the Republicans. Obama explained how Joe the Plumber was a little bit lucky and he wanted to make sure that other individuals had the same opportunities. Therefore, take more of his money and give it to other people. Is this not redistributing the wealth?

As for Palin's pick, I agree that there were better choices, but I am more concerned about Obama's qualifications. 2 years in the Senate prior to running for president doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Which should you be more concerned with - the President's qualifications (Obama), or the VP's qualifications (Palin)?

George

[R.W. Sanders - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your comment, George. The part taken out of context was to label Obama a socialist because he wants folks to pay taxes, (which apparently Joe the plumber has a problem doing as he owes the I.R.S.). Taxes by definition redistribute the wealth. Social Security is a socialist program. Because you pay taxes on that does not make you a socialist, but those taxes do pay for someone else just as someone else's taxes will pay for you.

And most worry about the Vice Presidential nominee when the Presidential nominee is seventy two years old with several outbreaks of melanoma, the most serious skin cancer with a very dangerous rate of reappearing and is often deadly. This makes the v.p. very important in this instance.

As to Obama's experience, I weigh that against his judgement. And as to judgement, I find McCain lacking. His experience has not served him well in this campaign and his pick of Palin showed a lack of responsibility. A poll by NBC/Wall Street Journal came out that shows fifty three per cent think Palin is unqualified and that she is a bigger anchor to McCain that Bush.

That being said, I appreciate your opinion and because we might disagree , we might have a chance to learn from each other.

[marvalous]

Some interesting facts about Teddy Roosevelt:

He was only 42 years old when he became President - the youngest person in American history to take the office.

He advocated increased Government Regulation to curb the abuses of corporate monopolies over American consumers. He dissolved over 40 monopolies and created the Anti-trust legislation and the Federal Trade Commission.

He advocated taxation to fund public works projects (some might call it "Socialism" today, but he saw it as a means to increase the common good).

He was the first Conservationist President, establishing the United States Forest Service, the Wildlife Refuge System, and he set aside 194 million acres of land for National Parks, 53 national wildlife refuges and the Grand Canyon.

He established regulation over the railroads by empowering the Interstate Commerce Commission.

He established price controls so that American consumers wouldn't be squeezed.

He believed that universal health care was a RIGHT, not a privilege, and he advocated that the US Government create a universal health care system so that all Americans could have access to better health opportunities.

He won the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a diplomatic end to the Russo-Japanese War (others advocated US Military Intervention. His actions probably prevented a World War.

In response to public health concerns, he formulated the precursor to the Food and Drug Administration. He imposed REGULATIONS on the Food Processing and Meat Packing Industries.

Based on all of that, was one of the Repubs oft-touted favorite presidents a socialist too?

[OmnesOmnibus]

It's been quite a long time since Americans were afraid of Socialism. In fact, as the boomers get older and worry about their future health care and how they will afford their longer lives, Socialism looks pretty good.

[myersbug]

I hope this is true and people are numb to it. McCain has really disappointed me this time around. As a republican all my life I will change this year to Democrat. As a women I can't believe how McCain picked Palin for a political reason. I'm sure she is nice but we don't need a piece of eye candy for VP. This is the first year I have been so involved. Barack did that, I have followed all year and have learned many things. The most important to me are: The fact that McCain says he supports the Vets. when his record shows differently. That his concept of things are way to close to Bush. As a women I am disgusted with him for not supporting women's issue and then using one to get the job. But also that she would allow herself to be used just to get ahead. Think about it ladies have we ever sat in a meeting and had our woman boss wink at us. No it would be non exceptable. The men of course like it because they feel special. Maybe you'd realize "A bird in the hand is better then two in the bush". Please stop living in the past and step up this election. Show The World we are ready to work toward the future. Let us finally act like adults and not let the fear tactics get to us. Obama/Biden know we are better then that.

[R.W. Sanders - Huffpost Blogger]

myersbug, Thanks for the comment. I hope your views are shared by other republican women. My hope for this election is that the democrats carry enough seats in the house and senate, so that if Obama is elected, the log jam will be broken. And just maybe some government programs that could work well will be fixed and properly funded.

Your point regarding McCain's pick of Palin could not be more right on the money. I think it is an insult to women to choose someone so obviously under qualified simply because she is a woman and a right wing evangelical who would appeal to the base of the base. And I'm thankful that so many intellectual conservatives are speaking out against her selection. She has set one first though, I have never seen another woman in politics be so vicious and willing to use her feminine wiles. And we surely don't need another person in the white house who can't speak in complete sentences. Her selection was so out of left field that it made me wonder if McCain was actually responsible for the pick. But his erratic behavior since then makes me wonder about him in general.