The Campaign Spot, earlier today, says [1]:
Liberal radio talk show host Ed Schultz calls John McCain a warmonger at an Obama rally, and the Obama campaign issues a terse statement that he shouldn’t be called that term (and oh by the way, our candidate opposed the Iraq war from the start.
Obama’s top surrogate in West Virginia, Senator Jay Rockefeller, insults all fighter pilots and suggests that McCain doesn’t care about the lives of people on the ground because he dropped bombs during his wartime service. What’s the response?
“Senator Obama has a deep respect for Senator McCain’s service to this country and doesn’t agree with what Senator Rockefeller said,” said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
We never see Obama denounce any of these remarks, (heaven forbid he do so in front of a camera like McCain does) or ever call anyone out as inappropriate.
The DNC chops up McCain’s quote, and Obama doesn’t object. A liberal group makes a web ad mocking McCain’s age, and Obama doesn’t object. Jimmy Carter goes overseas to hug Hamas leaders, and Obama says he doesn’t approve, but he can’t do anything about it.
One guy says he’s going to unite the country, and is running on hope, but when his surrogates try to kneecap an opponent, we get these milquetoast disapproving statements from press aides. But when somebody on McCain’s team does something that’s even remotely controversial, the senator denounces it in front of the cameras.
Well, that may be the tactic, but I’m not sure I see the value in it. At the bottom line, what you’re doing is legitimizing such morons as Wright. Let’s see, here, Wright denouces the use of the Wright quotes, and so does Mccain? Who would have projected someone like Mccain coming down on the same side of the issue as Wright?
Well…. we did here, if you really want to know. This is exactly the kind of nonsense that both David and I had comments on since McCain’s hat got tossed into the ring this go-round.
Says Campaign Spot:
One guy walks the walk, the other guy just talks the talk. And the frustrated independents, exhausted from nasty politics, will notice this.
But WHAT walk? Or, more precisely, WHOSE walk? Isn’t this exactly what the Democrats have been demanding all along… that the Republicans disarm, while Democrats continue to to oppo research?
KJL doesn’t buy the argument, [2] and thinks that this is simply a habit with McCain… and I agree with that read; it IS a habit, and a bad one, but by no means is it a strategy. Even if it works out this cycle, it sets a bad precident going forward.
Addendum: (David L)
Jim’s point is that while BO is fighting to get to Mrs. Clinton’s left, McPain broadening his appeal to the moderates. As indicated by the Karl Rove Snark of the Day, BO has no record to support his rhetoric.