A Big, Wet Kiss From McCain
Dave Levinthal, on The Dallas Morning News Trailblazers blog, tells us that the planned television commercial that the McCain campaign touted as "historic" earlier this week, aired just after Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. In the ad, McCain says, "Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America...Tomorrow, we'll be back at it. But tonight, senator, job well done."
The voters don't need McCain giving Obama a "big wet kiss." And asking us to credit McCain for being "historic" in doing so. Neither do voters need McCain smearing Obama and distorting his positions the other 99% of the time. Instead of being so transparently manipulative, McCain should try just being honest...for a change.
McCain's gracious congratulatory message carries within it a historic subliminal message, a "dog whistle" message Republicans are skilled at. McCain isn't just congratulating Obama on winning the nomination of his party. He adds, "How perfect your nomination would come on this historic day." He's referring to the anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous "I have a dream" speech, reminding McCain's target voters that Barack Obama is black.
Religious Talk at the DNC
Jeffrey Weiss, on The Dallas Morning News Religion blog, has been keeping his ear tuned for religious talk by the candidates during this long political campaign. Regarding Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, he says, "Religion content? Not so much."
I guess it all depends on what you mean by "religious" content. Personally, I heard more calls in that speech to live up to Jesus' call for us to truly love one another than I hear in a month of sermons in church. This passage captures a major theme of the whole speech:
"That's the promise of America - the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper."
Sarah Palin. Palin. P.A.L.I.N.
Michael Landauer, on The Dallas Morning News Opinion blog, wastes no time in laying out five reasons why Palin is a "laugh-out-loud" choice for Vice President.
- There goes McCain's best argument - experience.
- She has no base of support.
- The "woman card" will backfire.
- Alaska, a corrupt hinterland.
- Was this McCain's choice? Or Karl Rove's?
Landauer's analysis is good, but not without flaws. The choice of Palin is far from laugh-out-loud. In fact, it may be McCain's best chance to change the dynamics of this race and create an opportunity for him to win it.
This pick says two things about McCain. Both are signs of weakness. First, that he feels a need to shore up his base among the far right-wing of his party. He does that with Palin. Now, he can spend two months going after independents.
Second, that McCain feels a need to make a play for those disgruntled Hillary supporters who care more about gender than policy. How many are there? How many will sign on with McCain simply because he put a woman on the ticket, even though that woman stands opposed to just about everything that Hillary Clinton stands for? And how many will feel insulted that John McCain might think they'll blindly follow any woman on any ticket, just because she's a woman? We'll find out in November.
The pick is a big gamble. McCain is rolling the dice to save his Presidential chances. It may work, but his choice shows that he himself thinks the odds are against him.
2 comments:
With this pick, former prisoner of war John McCain renders millions of dollars in campaign ads based on the experience theme worthless. And placing himself next to this young woman makes former prisoner of war John McCain look even older than he is. Goofy pick. Really goofy.
I think it's a "Hail Mary" pick. There's an old saying in football. When you pass the ball, three things can happen and two of them are bad. Give this one a little time to see how it turns out.
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