So Insulting People Who Can't Use Computers Is Good Political Strategy?

[KittyWampus]

And just because YOUR father, grandfather, great aunt knows how to email doesn't negate the FACT that a lot of older people still don't know how to use computers.

BTW, here's a clue- if you don't have a computer, you're most likely to be seeing that ad, seeing McCain's ads AND not getting info about Obama anywheres except tv and radio.

How any DU'ers can defend that counter-productive ad is beyond me.

[jgraz]

Yeah, better they just smile and keep quiet until the election is over

God forbid we OFFEND anyone. :eyes:

[Renew Deal]

5. The saying that you can't make everyone happy is especially true on the internets

Whining, griping, fear of what the other guy will say. It's just plain garbage.

[jobycom]

24. So you're saying we will win by offending people?

You do realize that we have to get more votes than they do, right?

By the way, why are you a Democrat if you believe we should just do what they do to win?

[Boz]

36. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK EVERY AD HAS TO RESONATE WITH THEM

To work.

That s pretty egocentric, this ad will hit someone the right way that another ad wont and then that ad will click with some that this one wont.

All you people armchair quarter backing that it didn't hit you, guess what hes trying to hit someone else, so either stick it out or be FWAD your choice.

[jobycom]

42. STOP FUCKING SHOUTING OR I WILL FART IN YOUR GENERAL DIRECTION.

To answer your question, every ad doesn't have to resonate with everyone, but if the ad offends someone, you've lost votes, and that's the opposite of why you ran the ads in the first place.

There is some confusion here on marketing a product and marketing a candidate. If you target a demographic for a product, you can offend people who aren't likely to use your product anyway, and you can still come out ahead. If you offend people in a political campaign, they vote for the other side and you lose votes and maybe the election. If the group you offend was previously likely to vote for you, and you drive them away, and in the process only appeal to a group who was going to vote for you anyway, you've cost more votes than you've gained.

The people most likely to be less experienced with computers are rural voters, older voters, and blue collar voters. We don't usually get rural voters, but we won't win without older voters, and labor is part of our base. All to appeal to computer user voters who are likely already backing us.

I haven't seen the commercial, but if the media can portray it as an attack on the computer illiterate, they will. And that will make Obama look more elitist, and that will help McCain. If you don't get that, you don't get the whole election thing.

[Boz]

47. Heres your problem right here "I haven't seen the commercial, but" your spoon fed concern is noted

[Bake]

55. I **have** seen the commercial, and he's right. it sucks.

If that's the "best" shot we've got against MCLame ("oooh, he can't even use a computer!"), then we've got a huge problem.

Bake

[Boz]

93. So it all has to be home runs, good for you.

[Bake]

94. Doesn't have to be all home runs

But considering how easy it ought to be to hit one, they surely COULD BE. At minimum, they need to not suck.

Bake

[jobycom]

122. And your lack of concern, and lack of understanding, has been noted.

And don't imply I'm a troll, newcomer. I've been involved in politics since you were wearing diapers, I suspect. The only spoon feeding here has been from whomever shoved a dose of "I'm special and I know what I'm talking about even if I don't have any experience" candy down your throat.

[amborin]

71. egocentric not to think how ridiculing non-computer users will win them over

[msallied]

72. I hate to break this to you

But your world is run by computers. If you can't fucking send an e-mail, you're not fit for the job. How hard is this to figure out?

[amborin]

106. you prove my point: you fail to put yourself in their shoes, to see how things appear to them

[samuraiguppy]

125. so very true n/t

[jgraz]

53. YES. Worrying about offending people makes you look WEAK

Why the fuck is that so hard for people to understand? Did McWorse worry about offending people when he implied Obama was a child molester? Did Palin worry about offending people when she took a verbal shit on community organizers??

Where did their poll numbers go after they did that? Up or down?

[amborin]

108. wrong

we're not saying dems should go around displaying "worry" about how they appear


i'm saying, however, that dems should stop and reflect upon how an ad will affect the folks they're trying to sway

[last_texas_dem]

113. "Worrying about offending people" can also be strategic

What's the point in the campaign blowing money on an ad that could very well lose Obama more voters than gain him more voters, due to them seeing it as elitist and being offended by it? Wouldn't it be better to spend money on a hard-hitting advertisement of substance: whether about McCain's nutty stances on issues, his hypocrisy, his flawed judgment, etc.? And I'm not at all saying Obama shouldn't fight hard or go negative; in fact, I think getting nasty may very well be the only way for us to torpedo McCain and Palin, the King and Queen of Nasty. But, McCain's computer usage; who gives a shit? I can't imagine a single person not already in the Obama camp who would decide to not vote for McCain b/c, "*shudder* He doesn't get on the Internet!!!!1!!!1!"

[tekisui]

1. Mccain has the over 65 crowd already.

They aren't going to go to Obama no matter what. The rest understand the importance of computers.

[WinkyDink]

22. Excuse me? What over-65's do you hang out with? The ones I know hate Republicans.

He's 72. He doesn't have any group ANY younger than he is, as a lock, ESPECIALLY those who KNOW how faculties fade.
My 84-yr-old mother, who doesn't know from computers, hates McCain. She doesn't want a geezer running the country.

[jobycom]

43. Democrats have historically done well with older voters, and in fact

never win without getting their votes.

[Ikonoklast]

46. Tell that to my Mom and Dad

They're eighty. They both volunteer at the local hospice; Mom does correspondence and secretarial stuff, Dad does the computer stuff.

Both think McSame and the Fundie are bat-shit crazy.

My seventy year-old uncle, retired Naval Chaplain (R.C. priest) says McSame would be a disaster, as more kids will die for oil.

My other uncle, retired school district administrator, sixty-five years old, can't wait to vote for Obama "just to see these Florida crackers heads explode."

[Renew Deal]

2. The whining and backbiting is getting annoying.

Actually, it's long past annoying.

[polichick]

3. It's about being stuck in an era that is long over.

[grasswire]

4. I haven't seen it.

But it sounds like a mistake. Classist. John Edwards would never run such an ad, nor would Bill Clinton.

[pot luck]

19. Computer illiteracy is not a class issue.

Computer classes are mandatory in high schools across the country. Libraries offer free access to their computers. If anyone's going to be offended by this ad, its old people who are already voting for McCain. This ad isn't directed toward them, it's directed to the 18-45 crowd.

[grasswire]

61. I'm not sure that's true....and I'd like you to support your assertion.

Even if it is true right now, in 2008, it wasn't true ten or fifteen years ago and the people who were in high school then are only in their twenties today and should be in Obama's demographic target! Why would Democrats want to marginalize them??!!

Access to a computer and internet IS a class issue, and I believe that studies show that for minorities it is even MORE of a class issue.

It's not only a red state/blue state issue, but it is a rural/urban issue as well.

[grasswire]

62. I'm not sure that's true....and I'd like you to support your assertion.

Even if it is true right now, in 2008, it wasn't true ten or fifteen years ago and the people who were in high school then are only in their twenties today and should be in Obama's demographic target! Why would Democrats want to marginalize them??!!

Access to a computer and internet IS a class issue, and I believe that studies show that for minorities it is even MORE of a class issue.

It's not only a red state/blue state issue, but it is a rural/urban issue as well.

[amborin]

73. lots of working class folks are comp illiterate...the ad will alienate them

[msallied]

79. No. It won't alienate them. It will say to them that

John McCain is no more qualified to be president than they are! Get it yet?

[amborin]

104. no more qualified than they are?

it won't say that at all

they will identify with mccain

the way they identify with palin when she's attacked

they think with all her flaws, she's just flawed like they are

and they rally behind her

and take the criticisms personally

[mrreowwr_kittty]

86. Don't even bring up Edwards.

Talk about mistakes...and a dodge bullets for the rest of us.

[Boz]

6. BTW heres a clue,just because you have a computer,doesnt mean you are more informed

than the campaign.

Good luck with Palin/Bush

[Uzybone]

7. How is it insulting to ask that your President

be able to send an email? Or be up to date with technology? How can we compete if our leader is so out of touch? You must have been thoroughly dumbed down to consider this an insult.

[President_Obama]

8. no, pointing out that the next President should be aware of a backbone of our economy is

Computers run the world.

The next President has to know how to utilize them.

[Iris]

49. Exactly.

[Plaid Adder]

9. That's not the only thing in the ad.

That's what it leads with, but it's one term in a series designed to portray him as out of touch. From the way people talk about it here you'd think the whole ad was McCain sitting in front of a computer with a big red "LOSER!" stamped all over his head.

yeesh,

The Plaid Adder

[Mabus]

And, us oldsters remember the GHWB and grocery scanner incident

and how it haunted him and how it was used to show he was out of touch with the "common" American. Comedians had a field day.

Personally, the whole remember back when theme also made me think of the McCain-Palin ticket and the words "where's the beef?". ;)

[gateley]

10. Yeah - I thought it might not be the best point to make

(Yet again, for some reason, they didn't ask my input. :shrug:)

Plenty of other ways to show he's out of touch and living in the past. A trip to the grocery store. An offer of $50/hr to pick lettuce (as though that's chump change). This approach almost seems like it's beating up on the old man.

Anyway, it's done so we have to see how it goes, and deal with the ramifications if there are any. Onward! :hi:

[islandmkl]

11. yeah...older people will be insulted...they want some 'older' guy to run things...

they could not possibly want what is good for the country...edit: :sarcasm: apparently lost on some

your premise is more insulting than the ad...

[KittyWampus]

28. HELLO? If you don't know how to use a computer, you are not a highly informed voter

this is more proof of how too many Lefties and DU'ers can't put themselves in the shoes of other people.

[stevietheman]

50. Most Americans use computers and send e-mail now.

I highly doubt there's a big cross-section of people who have never touched the Internet with people who actually vote.

[amborin]

75. not true...lots of working class folks don't use coms...part of US don't even have broadband

it's stupid, egocentric, etc....

to fail to see how insulting those who aren't computer literate will win them over

it will push lots of working class folks into the rethg camp

[msallied]

83. Your post is stupid and egocentric.

We aren't here to coddle the MINORITY of people who are too damn stupid to operate a computer. Look at real facts and statistics about who is on the internet and how many people own computers in this country before you divert back to your silly, CLASSIST remarks that po, workin folk can't use computers.

Think about what YOU'RE saying!

If the Chief Executive of this nation can't send an email, he ISN'T QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT!

And if the "working class" can't use computers either, then they would be STUPID to think they would be qualified for the job.

[amborin]

102. classist?

remarks from me?

i think the ad reflects a super elitist position

that all must be comp lit

and it smacks of the elitism that pushes the working class away

[amborin]

103. ps: just listen to yourself: "too damn stupid"

that is horrible

why put down folks who for one reason or another aren't comp lit?

your attitude is just nasty

your criterion for being chief exec is ridiculous

[stevietheman]

114. my position is correct. n/t

n/t

[enki23]

12. maybe, just maybe, it might be good for the president to know things that many people don't know

one of things might, just might mind you, be understanding at least a little bit about the system that has completely revolutionized the way the vast majority of business, science, political, social, financial and nearly all other information is now gathered, handled, and disseminated.

just, well, maybe

[jenmito]

13. VERY good strategy. McCain's running for president-as the "change" candidate but he

doesn't even have the skills of a 21st century PERSON let alone candidate for PRESIDENT.

[Motown_Johnny]

14. Computer skills are considered basic now. If you can't use one you are in the minority

[Hugabear]

15. How many of our fathers, grandfathers, great aunts are running for president?

I've never met a head of state. I would hope that whoever is running for President or VP would have by now.

I don't see how someone could be in politics this long without ever having really used a computer. If nothing else, I would think that you would want to have access to email, and to research various topics.

[KittyWampus]

18. HELLO, this is about getting our family and friends and neighbors TO VOTE FOR POTUS.

[jenmito]

23. Our family and friends aren't running for president. They don't have to know what the POTUS should

be expected to know.

[Hugabear]

37. Once again. Presidents are expected to know lots of things that many of us don't.

Hell, we jump all over a presidential candidate who can't remember the name of Finland's head of state.

[Enrique]

16. it's not insulting to such people

just because they can't use a computer, it doesn't mean they don't understand that our PRESIDENT probably should be able to use one.

[Virginia Dare]

17. Insulting U.S. Senators who are running for Pres probably is..n/t

[ClarkUSA]

20. It's one way to illustrate how unfit Grandpa Simpson is to lead this country into the 21st century

The ad also names other ways he is unfit to lead.

[elkston]

21. At first I was mum on the whole "McCain can't use a computer" stuff

People on this board were talking about it like it was negative even before this ad came out.

Personally, I never thought it was that big of a deal. I mean, he's got staff to handle those duties and gather information.

But now I realize its just part of a larger theme: McCain's awkwardness with computers underscores a lack of interest in where things are today and where they might be tommorow. If he's not at least focusing on these things, how can he lead and make policies that move America forward?

I think that's the idea they are trying to push forward.

[TwilightGardener]

25. Computers stopped being new-fangled devices for the vast majority

of Americans by the early 90's. They help drive the economy, they are the entire REASON for the Information Age. The few people who have never touched one may still like a President to fucking understand how they are used in this world, just the same as folks who don't understand foreign policy or energy policy might still want their President to be more knowledgable than they are. You make the mistake of assuming that people will be insulted if their President isn't as clueless on some matters as they are. Computer use is not a cultural divide anymore--and is getting to be less of a generational divide as well.

[lukasahero]

26. Oh for god sakes

Enough with the "the sky is falling" "I alone know how to win this election" bullshit. Are you people for real or are you really just trying to stir up shit to discourage Obama supporters?

Here's a clue for you: Obama got this far without your advice. He might just know what he's doing.

[ContinentalOp]

27. 35% of Americans age 65 and up never use a computer or the internet.

According to the 2003 census. http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/p23-208.pdf

And only 35% of that age group has a computer in the home.

[Radical Activist]

29. Maybe you should have made this as a reply to whatever you're replying to

instead of creating a new thread. I have no idea what you're talking about.

[phleshdef]

30. I've been a die hard Obama supporter since the beginning...

But I have to agree that there is nothing to be accomplished with the ad. I think it should be pulled immediately. All it does is give more fire to the "elitist" argument.

I AGREE with what the ad is trying to say, but I don't think its something the Obama campaign should be saying.

[slinkerwink]

31. CALL THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN AT [phone]

and press 6 to speak to a volunteer about this.

[Overseas]

32. Old people know they are out of touch if they don't know computers by now.

Technology has now gone into microprocessing on cell phones. IF you can't at least use a computer you are DECADES BEHIND.

A candidate for president should at least be in touch with 1990's technology and seniors know that!!

Wow-- "McSame is as out of touch as I am. That's bad." is what I think many of them will be thinking.

[Retrograde]

51. some are just stubborn

My 83-year old mother refuses to use one, even though she understands what they can do, and even though her older brother keeps nagging her to learn. I keep telling her that if she can learn how to knit at 80 - which requires more skill - she can learn, but she just doesn't want to.

She's voting for Obama, though.

[DefenseLawyer]

33. No one was insulted

If the ad had said "anyone that doesn't use a computer is an idiot" that would be an insult to your grandfather or whomever it is you are worried about being insulted. I would guess that if you asked most of those people who have never used a computer if they thought they should be president they would say no. If it turned out that McCain couldn't read, by your logic it would be wrong to point that out for fear of "insulting" the illiterate.

[paulk]

34. hey - we agree on something for a change!

I know of at least three family members - my Mom, my brother, and one of my nephews - who are completely computer illiterate. All three are sitting on the fence concerning Obama, and I don't see how insulting them helps get their vote.

[Zuiderelle]

35. It's like me asking for a job as a surgeon and not knowing anything about the human anatomy.

Someone in his position SHOULD know those things. Our grandparents may not have to know about computers and email and economics. But for the CHIEF EXECUTIVE of this country those really ought to be prerequisites.

[sudopod]

64. Exactly, we're not voting for

Lowest-Common-Denominator-in-Chief

[grace0418]

91. You'd think we were, given the last eight years.

Why don't people get that the President SHOULD BE SMARTER THAN THEY ARE?

[DuaneBidoux]

38. Insulting McCain, if done right, will work. Unfortunately for US, it always works.

[Chloroplast]

39. McCain had this ad coming. Just last night, he spoke of making America a tech leader.

How is that going to happen if the CIC can't even USE a computer? If you wouldn't hire a butcher to amputate an infected leg, why would you hire McCain to lead the way in technological advancement? It just doesn't make any sense to be offended when his own words ring false.

[Maine-i-acs]

40. YES - a country is much more complicated than a computer;

And a good Prez. will be fast on his feet and a quick learner - not befuddled by a fancy piece of equipment.

A good Prez. will roll up his sleeves and figure out how to do something difficult instead of ignoring that he needs to learn something new.

[islandmkl]

41. for a general point of reference:

my mother is 82 years old...has a hell of a time getting her email to 'work'...struggles with her computer, etc...

her view is that she can DIRECTLY RELATE to not being able to easily function with the computer-machinery-world...

and she KNOWS, and will tell you this as often as you will ask her, that she does not want someone who cannot operate ABOVE HER ABILITIES becoming President of the United States...

[anigbrowl]

44. I think you're overlooking something important

The subtext of the ad is that not only is McCain out of touch, but he needs other people to do fairly basic things for him, and that ties into the perception that he's not really in control of his own campaign - didn't have a free choice of running mate, has his campaign manager saying it's about personalities and not issues and then later McCain saying he wants it to be about issues, ads coming out where he says 'he approves this message' when in fact it doesn't fit his stated position at all.

My take from it is that McCain isn't his own guy, but is nothing more than a figurehead who's too disconnected from daily life to be an effective executive.

[girl gone mad]

45. No, but insulting Presidential candidates who can't use computers is. n/t

[Iris]

48. It's good strategy because it's not just about checking email.

Policies related to internet use and online communication are still in flux. Having anyone who does not understand technology at the most basic level in such a powerful position is folly at best and dangerous at worse. Toss in his running mate's tendency towards censoring ideas she doesn't like, not to mention my assumption that she's not all that internet savvy either, and you have a recipe for disaster.

[DeschutesRiver]

52. So long as the people who are basic computer skills illiterate aren't running for president

I don't see the insult.

[DeeDeeNY]

54. My parents are informed older voters who don't use the internet

But they're not running for national office, and they do understand that they want someone smarter than them as President.
I don't know all the ins and outs of foreign policy, but it wouldn't insult me if I saw an ad saying that neither did McCain, because again, I'm not running for President and I want the person who is President to be way smarter than me and up on every detail.

[SmokingJacket]

56. I want my president to be able to use a computer.

My grandmother went to her grave never learning to use one (or even once wearing pants) and while she was a wonderful, intelligent woman, she was in no position to lead the free world.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

57. If said person is running for the presidency, yes.

This is like people complaining about attacks on Palin's journalism degree as an attack on all those degree holders.

It's not, it's an attack on McCain and Palin's insufficient knowledge for the presidency.

[KingFlorez]

58. It's relevant for people running for President

In this day and age, using a computer is basic and if McCain doesn't understand something basic, how can he run a country? How you can throw up a defense for John McCain is beyond me. Attack the Democratic nominee for President is counterproductive.

[progressivebydesign]

59. My grandma doesnt' want to lead the Free World. Big diff!!!

Yeah, we all know someone who doesn't use a computer, but do voters REALLY want a guy that is so out of touch with techonology to run the country? I sure don't.

[SOS]

60. Yeah

McCain will lead us into the future, typing memos on his 1954 Royal manual typewriter.
The ad is about McCain, not your grandfather.
The internet is an essential part of the economy and national security.
McCain knows nothing about it.
As the Chinese perfect their cyber warfare division*, McCain will be learning how to find his house on Google maps.
Terrific.



*Chinese military hackers have prepared a detailed plan to disable America’s aircraft battle carrier fleet with a devastating cyber attack, according to a Pentagon report obtained by The Times.
The blueprint for such an assault, drawn up by two hackers working for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), is part of an aggressive push by Beijing to achieve “electronic dominance” over each of its global rivals by 2050, particularly the US, Britain, Russia and South Korea.
China’s ambitions extend to crippling an enemy’s financial, military and communications capabilities early in a conflict, according to military documents and generals’ speeches that are being analysed by US intelligence officials. Describing what is in effect a new arms race, a Pentagon assessment states that China’s military regards offensive computer operations as “critical to seize the initiative” in the first stage of a war.

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2409865.ece

[sudopod]

63. We should never talk about abortion/gay rights/universal health care

we might offend someone!

[codjh9]

65. I don't think the ad is about any of those groups/classes of people. it's about

a freakin' US SENATOR who is completely out of touch!

[lukasahero]

66. Cyber-terrorism is a fact

The fact that John McCain doesn't have the slightest understanding of this technology (and I refuse to call it new since I logged my first email message over 30 years ago), is a prime example of him being out of touch. It needs to be said.

[Okie4Obama]

67. Oy.

My grandparents, great aunts and great uncles, etc. are all RETIRED. They're not running for a position that used to be considered leader of the free world. My relatives who are in their mid seventies realize that they'd have no business running the United States, and neither does John McCain.

And if McCain can't figure out the internet (which my five year old uses to play games on PBS KIDS), that says a lot about his adaptability and intellectual curiosity (they are nil).

[yellowcanine]

68. I think this is a mistake also. Stick to being out of touch on the issues.

[treestar]

69. It doesn't insult them, it insults McCant

Certainly he ought to be on top of things even if the average person is not.

[amborin]

70. it simply causes them to vote rethug n/t

[SoCalDem]

74. Someone who wants to be PRESIDENT, should be acquainted with the 21st century

:)

[amborin]

80. it's not that the prez should be comp literate..it's how the ad affects viewers

it's a put down

and even though it's directed at mccain

voters who are not comp literate will identify with him on this

and they'll feel insulted and ridiculed by the ad

and vote rethug as a result

behav psych 101

[SoCalDem]

82. doesn't bother me at all.. but then you may feel otherwise.. hey t's america

we all get to choose how we feel about everything :)

[amborin]

101. true

but i often feel our ads are helping the enemy

right now we're trying to attract undecideds,right?

many of them are not comp lit

and can feel dissed by that ad

[msallied]

76. My eighty year old grandfather had internet before I did.

Trust me, this is an important issue. If John McCaint doesn't know how to use a computer, he is NOT QUALIFIED to run this country.

[NYCGirl]

77. Maybe you should watch the ENTIRE AD. It's about much more than computer

use:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ2I0t_Twk0

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

78. I'm older than John McCain.

Fuck this "old people can't use computers" bullshit.

Fuck the dickweeds who believe it.

And fuck people who are computer illiterate in this day and age.

[msallied]

Goddamn right.

[bullwinkle428]

81. Once again, what's wrong with holding someone running for

the title of THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD to a higher standard than the "average American"??

Jeebus on a trailer hitch...this constant desire to always keep things dumbed-down to the lowest possible level is why we keep seeing fucking half-wits with an opportunity (if not more than that) to become emperor!

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

84. The ad didn't do much for me, but who knows, maybe focus groups

liked it or something.

[flamingdem]

85. Same argument as "How can you judge Palin for having a B.A."

The point is that we need a very high level of competence in our leaders. Lack of computer skills show that McCain is out of touch and not that bright since in his position the computer and email is essential to his job.

I don't want my leaders just having a BA in Journalism.

Call me elite, in that area I am absolutely so

[sniffa]

87. What is this internet you speak of?

And computers? What in tarnation is that? :shrug:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

88. It's code for witchcraft. n/t

[marlakay]

89. We are talking about the leader of our modern world

while my older parents may not know how to do computer work, i expect the leader of a modern society run by computers to know at least mid level knowledge about them.

[grace0418]

90. Because someone running for President *should* have certain skills. My mom, otoh,

isn't running for President. And while I'd love it if she would learn to use the computer (we've tried to teach her many, many times), it's not a matter of life or death. The POTUS needs to be living in this century. Basic computer knowledge is a must.

[Willo]

92. The President should be AT LEAST competent in using every day technology.

Sending an email is not a technologically advanced novelty. It is a basic frigging form of communication that has been widely used for at least 10 years. That would be 1998.

During 1998-2000 was the increased WTF to do about Y2K? Compliance laws were created based on that. So what the heck was McCain doing when these advanced topics were discussed and voted on?

This is ridiculous. If he wanted to be grandpa who still can't set the VCR clock. Fine he should go and be just that.

But, he's not. He's running to lead a nation that uses text messages and blackberries and he STILL can't send a frigging email?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

[donna123]

95. Haven't seen the ad but it doesn't sound that effective to me either

[Major Hogwash]

96. Oh, boo hoo hoo, it's a crying shame whining again!!!

Oh, boo hoo hoo.

LoL

We're going to make a Depends ad, too.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!

[mcctatas]

97. I think it is disgraceful that someone running for the highest office

in the land, in these technology driven times, cannot send a freaking email! It's fine that my grandma Ginny isn't computer literate, but she's a greeter at cracker barrel...

[jeanmarc]

98. I agree, I cringed at the ad and it should have never been run

I know many elderly people that don't use computers.

Maybe, there is a predominance of elderly folks that share our beliefs and do use a computer for email or whatnot.

My dad does. And my dad MIGHT (he's a Faux Republicon) consider that stupid.

[thestrugglecontinues]

100. Anyone notice why McCain can't use a computer?

According to the Boston Globe: "McCain’s severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes."

So the ad doesn't just offend old people, veteran's and their families, POW-MIA and their families, military people and their families, and patriots and their families. Not a home run. More like a double play.

[qanda]

110. You don't need to type on a keyboard to use a computer

There are all types of innovations to help the handicap use a computer. I'm not defending the ad because I think it stinks, but I doubt that his war injuries are the reason he's computer illiterate.

[catnhatnh]

99. Perhaps, like me...

...they have an eighty year old mother who had to drop out of high school to help her family (12 kids) and who uses her computer every day and realize that old dogs who don't learn new tricks are either stupid, or lazy, or elitist....

[crazy_vanilla]

105. however

Your grandma and uncle are not running for the highest political office in the land!

I don't even know how one can be a senator for so many years without using e-mail. What does he do, use the Pony Express?

My grandma doesn't use e-mail either, but she didn't find the ad offensive.

[qanda]

107. I feel the exact same way

I think it's just stupid and counter-productive. Who thought this was a good idea?

[JuniperLea]

109. A lot of uber wealthy people find the InterTubes far too plebeian...

And wouldn't sully their good name or dirty their hands... they have people to do that for them.

[DevonRex]

111. A child can use a computer. McCain can't. That is bad. nt

[gulliver]

112. Not a good idea. Detracts from the rest of the ad.

[TheKentuckian]

115. Even very rural people know they are getting behind

with the internet. These people recognize that the world is moving in a different direction. The President only need to identify with the need to catch them up too. That President would be Barack Obama.

[mokawanis]

116. petty concern

Everyone wanted Obama to attack McBush and then when he does people complain about the one thing in the ad they don't like.

I'm mokawanis and I support any attack on McSame that Obama deems appropriate.

[JerseygirlCT]

117. Not "people". Presidential candidates.

If he wants to claim to be a change candidate, how exactly does he expect to do it when he's refused to change anything about his own life since 1980?

[taddles]

118. The leader of the free world

Should be expected to at the very least know how to send email. In this day and age computer illiteracy should absolutely be a disqualifier for high public office. If you are too ignorant to see that then you really shouldn't be posting on a site that actually requires intelligent thought. Your post would probably be better received at the FOX forums or perhaps any one of the knuckle dragging Christian fascist sites.

[lynne]

119. I wasn't fond of the ad. Thought it made us look petty.

I know quite a few very bright and capable people who choose not to use a computer and suffer no ill effects. I felt the ad was money wasted but - hey - that's just me. However, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone.

[iconicgnom]

120. I know people who don't use a PC. None would consider that a qualification for POTUS.

[jane_pippin]

121. My gramma isn't running for President in an age where computer technology

has become vital, not to mention the fact that in an age where what tech companies do, and advances in the field affect so much of everyday life. My gramma isn't working on legislation related to the application of those technologies.

So while it's fine and dandy that older people may not be computer literate, I don't think it's a problem to point out that the older guy who wants to be president doesn't understand the very basics of computer technology--like how to turn one on. My great-grandma may not have had a telephone when they were the hot new thing, but she probably would have wanted her president to know how to pick one up. (Of course, that is just a wild guess, but hopefully you see what I'm trying to say.)

[Oak2004]

123. Right, right...

That's why they have a computer center here in my (public) housing project for the elderly and disabled.

Edited to add: But it's true, not everyone uses it. Lots of us have our own computers. Which is cool, because when my network goes down I can stea-, er, borrow internet access from one of my neighbors who has never secured their wireless router. Damn stupid old person, not knowing enough to secure their router ;)

[PeaceNikki]

124. Watch this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYs8X0DZNI4

[BlooInBloo]

126. Pathetic post.