McCain, GOP (and Rove) unleash anti-Obama plan: Frame Obama as conventional pol, McCain as patriot

[DeepModem Mom]

Politico: McCain, GOP unleash anti-Obama plan
By: Jonathan Martin
June 26, 2008

Republicans might have a reason to smile: John McCain and his allies seem to have finally settled on a way to draw a stark contrast with Barack Obama. After weeks of criticism from Republicans about the leisurely pace at which they seemed to be preparing for the general election, McCain’s campaign has apparently settled on a highly personal campaign theme that aims to differentiate McCain and Obama on both character and issues.

The strategy: Paint Obama as conventional politician who always takes the safe and easy political road, then amplify the distinction by framing McCain as a patriot, somebody who has put sacrifice above self.

It’s seemingly an effort by McCain to remind voters of his Vietnam-era heroism and compelling life story while touching on key issues to avoid running purely on biography. The message also is designed to underline McCain’s unique record of service to his country without touching on subterranean questions about Obama’s patriotism.

Whether it will work — or if the famously improvisational McCain will even stick to it — is an open question.

But it is finally clear that McCain and many of his allies — including Karl Rove and Mitt Romney — are finally working in unison to push one message, and push it aggressively....

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=C5C184FB-3048-5C12-00C75B095120A009

[RT Atlanta]

1. I don't see that "sticking"

Nothing conventional about a man raised by a single mother who worked hard to achieve the successes he's had in life (rather than a hack adulterer who married a beer heiress to fund his political goals).

[anonymous171]

2. Obama needs to hit first.

[Me.]

3. Aah Yes, Country Club Rove

Painting Obama as Mr. Martini. What I think of when I think of KKK is that in 2006 he swore he had the numbers. He's still looking for them. The other point to this is that so far they've tried painting BO as the scary outsider, now they're going to portray him as middle of the road safe. Thanks KKK, less money will have to be spent on mother, God and country ads.

[bluestateguy]

4. If that's the way they want to go, then McCain's military record is on the table

Graduated near the bottom of his class, an incompetent pilot who crashed five planes, possibly started the USS Forestall fire, gave up vital info to the North Vietnamese in captivity and sold out our POW's and MIA's in 1995 to normalize relations with Vietnam.

That's not the kind of campaign I would want to run, but we may have to go down that route.

[GihrenZabi]

5. Obama's trouble

He's going to have problems ducking the "conventional politician" thing now with FISA and his feelings on the death penalty.

He's playing the game, and he might pay for it. Should have stuck with his promise to bring change.

[Tampa Rob]

6. They're trying to pin the "flip flop" thing on Obama, as well.

Numerous stories out there about McCain blasting Obama for "reversals".

I think Obama is smart enough to nip that shit in the bud - NO MORE John Kerry 2004 issues....hit the assholes back immediately. Straight up deal with the issue, and smack McCain down.

The idiots on the far right are all running with the meme, Obama needs to shut it down now.

TR