Story Created:
May 13, 2008
Story Updated:
May 13, 2008
Rich Lowry on Obama's attempt to create a new set of rules for "distractions."
Here are the Obama rules in detail: He can’t be called a “liberal” (“the same names and labels they pin on everyone,” as Obama puts it); his toughness on the war on terror can’t be questioned (“attempts to play on our fears”); his extreme positions on social issues can’t be exposed (“the same efforts to distract us from the issues that affect our lives” and “turn us against each other”); and his Chicago background too is off-limits (“pouncing on every gaffe and association and fake controversy”). Besides that, it should be a freewheeling and spirited campaign.
Thursday, May 15 at 11:05 AM bigcat wrote ...
Who knows Jim...Maybe Bob Baar's Libertarian campaign will use this playbook. I was just pointing out who used these tactics (REPUBLICANS) to provide you with another insight into the high moral fiber of the GOP. So far Obama has steered clear of the negative campaign tactics. I hope both candidates run a fair, issue driven campaign. But the reality of Republican mud slinging over the past 8 years calls that hope into question. And yes, I know Democrats are also guilty of it thanks to WTMJ.
Thursday, May 15 at 9:40 AM Jim wrote ...
bigcat: Most folks recognized your list as the scurrilous accusations they were. Those rumors didn't torpedo McCain in 2000: comparisons with Bush did. Are you saying that these accusations are going to be fair game in 2008? I think that the NYT tried something similar a couple of months ago about his rumored relationship with lobbyist, and that didn't have legs, either. But I wouldn't be surprised if you and your buddies would wallow around in that mud this fall.
Thursday, May 15 at 7:34 AM bigcat wrote ...
Jim, here are a few of the "lies" spread by Republicans against McCAin. 1) His wife has a drug problem 2)He fathered a child out of wedlock 3)He sold out fellow POW's in Vietnam 4)He supported pro-choice legislation 5)He divorced his wife Carol who raised their 3 kids during Vietnam to move in with Cindy. These are all Republican attacks from 2000
Wednesday, May 14 at 3:30 PM Jim wrote ...
bigcat: OK, I'll play along. What was in those eight year-old smear attacks that Demos are going to use? McCain isn't as conservative as Bush? He's a maverick? He has a temper? Some of us might address that point if you'd actually make one, first. Back to the litter box with you... :)
Wednesday, May 14 at 3:00 PM Typical White Person wrote ...
Can we just move past these distractions and get back to the mindless adulation? These aren't the droids we're looking for. Move along, already.
Wednesday, May 14 at 9:39 AM Kurt/Elkhorn wrote ...
Big Cat-take it back to the catbox & bury it with all the other left-wing retoric where it belongs!
Wednesday, May 14 at 9:00 AM bigcat wrote ...
Interesting that none of your comments addressed the 2000 Reuplican smear job that Bush and Rove did on McCain. I also wonder how McCain's candidacy will be damaged by the entry of ultra-right conservative Bob Barr on the Libertarian ticket. In a close election, this could be a potential thorn in the side of the GOP.
Tuesday, May 13 at 9:01 PM humblepilgrim wrote ...
to big(ego)cat: 1.No flip-flop on Mccain "conservatism" - he's a "maverick", remember? Never been a true-blue Conservative, still isn't. 2. His creds re: War on terror- a plus, not a minus. 3. "Extreme position on social issues"...??? Such as being Pro-Life...??? 4. Keating 5?? Please!! -- That was a dead issue 10 years ago... Give it up, Kitty - all this may play on Air-Dis-America, but the 10 people who listen to it, including you, are way out of touch with mainstream America.
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:45 PM Maddie - Saukville wrote ...
Same argument as '04 then is it Bigcat? America is sick of the Bush doctrine. Iraq is an unjust war. No blood for oil. You're finally right about something though-the media will be all over McCain if the Dem race is over. Its okay though. Conservatives have a lot of experience living up to higher standards, we're tough, McCain is tough and that old man is going to run circles around your Messiah.
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:11 PM RxFire wrote ...
That's right bigcat. All those things will be used by Obama/the Dems against McCain but the point is that I don't think I've heard McCain saying that those subjects are somehow off limits. If I recall we are not supposed to mention his big ears either....
Tuesday, May 13 at 5:09 PM Mike S. wrote ...
'Mr. Obama Sir, would you like a pillow?' 'Would you like some more decaf?' that's all we're to query the next leader of the free world...stellar...
Tuesday, May 13 at 4:43 PM Sean Hackbarth wrote ...
Keating 5 is a joke. McCain was the token Republican sucked into the scandal to make it appear bipartisan. I know Democrats who watched the hearings who thought McCain didn't do anything wrong and got a raw deal.
Tuesday, May 13 at 2:37 PM Jim wrote ...
bigcat: And your point is...what? We know that all of these will be fair game to be used against McCain and be used with gusto by the MSM (p.s. The Keating Five is old news and the Senate Ethics panel cleared him of criminal wrongdoing). Will the MSM play the Obama Rules? My guess is probably so. The problem for him is that the MSM isn't the only game in town, now.
Tuesday, May 13 at 12:52 PM Mary wrote ...
Bigcat, Bring it on!
Tuesday, May 13 at 9:18 AM bigcat wrote ...
All these issues will be fair game for McCain as well...1)McCain's "flip-flop" conservatism 2)McCain's position on the war on terror (3rd term George Bush policies will not play well this election) 3)His extreme positions on social issues 4) His background as a member of the KEATING 5 and his cozy association with lobbyists. There has been very little media "heat" on McCain as of yet...And wait until the Democrats dig up the attacks that Bush and Rove used in 2000 to end his GOP run.
Tuesday, May 13 at 7:41 AM Mary wrote ...
You can't blame the Obama campaign for wanting to set the dialogue, but what is the excuse for the mainstream media being his willing and eager accomplices?
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:35 AM Shane, Wauwatosa wrote ...
I suppose we should overlook his gaffe last weekend stating he's campaigned in 57 states. There's all those cultural biases in education and like the Rev. Wright situation, while sitting in geography class he never heard the teacher say there are 50 states in the good old USA.
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:25 AM Jim wrote ...
Of course, we can't raise anything in conversation that isn't going to be helpful to Michelle Obama's children, either...
Tuesday, May 13 at 6:11 AM Kurt/Elkhorn wrote ...
Who does he think he's kidding! He just gave us a hit list. That's like telling someone not to tease you about something & expecting them to listen. And he thinks the heat is high now!
Tuesday, May 13 at 5:51 AM Kevin Binversie wrote ...
Reminds me of my legendary "The Doyle Rules of the Campaign" post from '06.
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