Hard News: Campaigns
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Given that the issue reduces to electability, the point should have been confronted during the primaries.
It was, repeatedly, and pushed aside but as those two commentaries, and a few others over the past few days have said, you can can sweep it under the carpet but it won't go away. Race is a huge issue in this election. If it wasn't McCain wouldn't be running those ads suggesting Obama was uppity and had forgotten his place. They have resonance.
That said, Obama's imminent selection as the Democratic nominee, his continuing popularity, and the fact that he is still favoured to win
Kerry had more of a lead this far out.
Frankly, unless the Democrats toughen up they are likely toast in the POTUS race come November. McCain is a shitty candidate with a less than slender grasp on international affairs and lousy domestic policies. Not only that but he's extraordinarily dangerous on several levels. But he's level pegging with Obama.
The Republicans know: keep it dumb, play to peoples' prejudices and fears and thump the very simple messages over and over regardless of their veracity. It worked for Reagan, it worked for GWB and it's working now. It only took them a couple of hours to bang the attack ads on after Biden was nominated.
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It only took them a couple of hours to bang the attack ads on after Biden was nominated.
Simon: The attack dogs would have been off the leash if Jesus Christ was on the ticket. Get over it. In the end, I think Biden can give as good as he gets and if McCain wants to paint him as some tofu munching surrender monkey that's rather hard.
I'd also suggest that after the conventions McCain is actually going to have to front debates (which he's frankly lousy at) and answer some substantive domestic policy questions. And much as I hate to say this, McCain's shooting blanks there too.
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Simon: The attack dogs would have been off the leash if Jesus Christ was on the ticket. Get over it
Umm..yes. Not sure what that has to do with anything. I wasn't making any comment about Biden as VP as such but the way the Republicans attack if you read through. You sound a mite defensive there Craig? Myself I think Biden has a neutral effect.
I would say though that based on past races, the debates matter less than playing to the lowest denominator. Which had more resonance in 2004, the debates or the relentless Swift Boating. I'd argue the latter.
The GOP know that the electorate is not to be over estimated. One of their themes this time around is to imply that Obama is too smart for his own good.
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Umm..yes. Not sure what that has to do with anything. I wasn't making any comment about Biden as VP as such but the way the Republicans attack if you read through. You sound a mite defensive there Craig?
No, I think the Democrats have to get over it because I find it hard to believe that McCain operatives didn't have attack ads ready to go for everyone who was seriously in the Veepstakes. As I've said repeatedly, I've got enormous policy differences with Obama. But the GOP is going to need a few more doses of electoral tough love -- and at least eight years of Democrat control of all three branches of the federal government -- before the theo-cons lose their grip.
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WH,
It was, repeatedly, and pushed aside but as those two commentaries, and a few others over the past few days have said, you can can sweep it under the carpet but it won't go away. Race is a huge issue in this election. [...] They have resonance.
I agree. One can only respect and admire the Democrats for taking the high road, but sadly it might not lead to the White House. Biden will help 'balance' the ticket, the debates should strengthen Obama, and although I think the decision to attack Bill Clinton sacrificed general election position for victory in the primaries, it will help to get Gore and the others on stage during the Convention.
The Republicans know: keep it dumb, play to peoples' prejudices and fears and thump the very simple messages over and over regardless of their veracity.
I broadly agree, but its past time for the Democrats to respond with a coherent strategy.
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No, I think the Democrats have to get over it because I find it hard to believe that McCain operatives didn't have attack ads ready to go for everyone who was seriously in the Veepstakes.
Yep, agreed, and that preparation and level of aggression is the point of campaigning difference that I'd like to see the Dems make up.
McCain is a turkey (and a sad indicator of, post Reagan, how insubstantial a candidate you can reasonably nominate and get away with) and ridiculously vulnerable but the Democrats so far honourable style of campaigning has given him a pass to date.....as the GOP swings out yet another series of pretty vicious attack ads, and loosens the attack dogs, both at the base level of Rush and in places like the Murdoch press.
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