NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

ablm — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:29:10 GMT

Politics as usual, in spite of what Obama says about himself. I'm not impressed by either candidate but trust Obama less than McCain. One small point----that Louisiana election mentioned in the article was won by a very small margin, and that's worth pointing out. I don't think the ads failed at all (and I'm from Louisiana).

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

mattv3rd@hotmail.com — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:51:11 GMT

All that needs to be said and these morons wont mention it. "MOVEON.ORG Even Im ashamed of you.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

Alma — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:41:57 GMT

It is a fact that the past two elections have been bombarded by lies and personal attacks from republicans towards democrats.

The fact that McCain will not help stop this issue shows he gets benefit from the situation.

Anyways, I will never vote for a person called CAIN. God forbid it.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

kas_wolf — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:20:37 GMT

Senator Obama’s campaign - and the DNC - accuse anyone who asks the tough questions of being "racist" - I am guessing so the Obama camp will shut up the questioning – with the person asking left in fear of being labeled a "hater". Well, guess what? It is not racist to want to know about the professional history and background of the person leading this nation.

Obama does have a record - and a position he is putting forth of what he would do IF elected:

1. Raise taxes on any family making over $63,500 (singles 34,000) - how? By letting the Bush tax cuts expire. Oh, that was for the "rich” only? Not if you are a 2 earner household making $63,500 - your taxes will go up 10 - 15 % ~ $2500/year /average dual income at that amount. Make more? Your taxes go up more.

2. Impose a "carbon tax" - proposed at .50/ gallon of gas. You know, to punish America for using "carbon" to ...drive to work, drive home, heat the house, light the house, take care of the kids - feed them...etc. Yeah - we are SO bad. Too bad that the IPCC has released a report detailing how Global Warming stopped in 1998. Oh, yeah - didn't you notice - it is now called "Global Climate Change" in the media since the temps dropped .7 degrees Celsius in the past 10 years. Do you hear Al Gore correcting his stance? Nope.

3. Increase taxes to fund the "free national healthcare". That is correct - you didn't REALLY think it was free did you? Come on.

4. Remove the troops from Iraq - starting on January 21st – the day after the inauguration. Thus P I S S I N G off the Iraqi government who do like us.

5. Sit down and "negotiate" with Iran; Venezuela; Cuba...you know - basically bad mouth the U.S. and kowtow to their position of hatred against us - so that everyone "plays nice" - thank GOD it was Reagan and not Obama "talking" to the Russians...

Go ahead and elect him.....it'll be the 1970's all over again - only worse given the state of the world today.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

jaymiller — Tue, 13 May 2008 01:55:22 GMT

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! The Republican Chicken Littles like kas_wolf are already crawling out of the woodwork because they know they are going to get their asses handed to them in the GE! Sound the rallying cry! They are going to raise your taxes! They love gays! They are going to take away your guns! What's the matter kas_wolf, that raise from 15% to a 28% capital gains tax going to keep you from a few of your Wagyu dinners? I'm sure you'll survive.

You're going to have to find another way to get the stupid people to support your positions - pandering to social values is so 2000.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

edpeepers — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:14:28 GMT

"4. Remove the troops from Iraq - starting on January 21st – the day after the inauguration. Thus P I S S I N G off the Iraqi government who do like us."

Now that's amusing! Yeah, the Iraqi govt loves us to death! That's why whenever they have a problem they call their buddies in Iran to come fix it, not us. Pissing off the Iraqi govt is by far the least of our concerns right now.

Or I guess we could stay there until we achieve victory. Wait, we did that 5 years ago! It's time we bring our men and women home.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

jordanadah — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:28:22 GMT

What a stupid email to Newsweek. McCain is so desparate to finally win the presidential election he'll do and say anything. And then he'll ok the worst whether he does them or not. He learned from the master, george bush. I hope Obama, and this country forces him to explain The Keating five scandel, very carefully and fully. Of which he was one of the five, and the only who is still in office. And why he's still surrounded by lobbiests.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

jjinsd — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:34:04 GMT

I think I speak for a huge number of educated people in this country - politics is getting old. The pendulum of extremes and lack of accountability is doing nothing to help us maintain our world empire. Immigration should be simple but we must answer the right question – are we a sovereign nation or a world territory? Taxes should be simple as well – are we a socialism or not? As far as Iraq, our country has been driven by neocons in both parties I might add, for generations. Most people generally like to stay uninvolved, which leads to a mere few dictating agendas. Iraq is a perfect example of our state of thinking where a majority are educated by scripture and American Idol. Why not the truth?

What about live and let live? And, clean out ones own closet before speaking of another’s? Why does everyone need so much power – to dominate and dictate the way I walk, the way I think, or even the way think.

I like most educated hard working in this country am very sad by the current state of affairs. Our forefathers are rolling over in their graves right now – ashamed as we all should be.

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

cooday — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:51:33 GMT

Republican John Weil, Former Staff Sgt, U.S. Air Force supports Obama!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvO1xELHp3k

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

butterfly6 — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:51:36 GMT

the country is going to be in a sad state of affairs should obama get elected --All I can say let the fools at it -- then we will see who is crying wolf

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

kladinvt — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:00:39 GMT

Well, this is the system set up by the republicans back in the 80's, trash & burn everyone in sight, then try to claim the "moral highroad". Unfortunately, our corporate media only does 'stenography', not journalism & therefore doesn't ask the tough questions of the 'shadowy network of accusers'...like who's financing these attacks & why?

Unfortunately, the 'real issues' that are effecting this country get little if any discussion time, in lieu of the 'important issues' like flag-lapel pins!

This country is in a sorry state of affairs & the corporate media are large portion of the blame!

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

Mandelay — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:18:25 GMT

Obama is not linked to any wrongdoing? Go to:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_evelyn_p_080513_curtain_time_for_bar.htm

re: NEWSWEEK Must-Read: The Coming Onslaught Against Obama--and the McCain Camp's Response

meganrcassidy — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:26:15 GMT

I thought this article by Leslie Singer offered up some great insight on the topic:

I Knew Jack Kennedy and You’re No Brand!

Leslie Singer

Voters’ ears are replete with news reports betraying the media’s desire to attach brand equity to our current slate of three presidential candidates. Well, I have some bad news for you—the current slate of candidates has yet to promulgate any distinctive branding, not in the way say a Jack Kennedy or a Ronald Reagan projects brand equity.

Brands are iconic; they are far more than ethereal fads or trends. Jack Kennedy was the scion of a family brand, and his surname was rich with iconography. Icons are about rituals, legacies, and a voice that keeps resonating long after they pass. Kennedy is about Hyannis Port, touch football games, hair blowing on a sailboat, PT-109, a rocking chair in the oval office, a handsome face that informs a sense of aesthetics to sensory branding. Though he was a well-known womanizer, even Kennedy’s dalliances were part of the brand fabric. Kennedy’s memorable Cold War “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech is legendary, not just for the fact that his snowclone was a misstatement and actually meant “I am a jelly doughnut.” Kennedy lives on as an icon in our cultural fabric—and he has been dead since 1963.

Reagan had brand equity through and through. A Hollywood B-movie star, he was a hero in the movies and would become a hero on the world stage. His lifelong nickname, The Gipper, came from his film role as George Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American. When Reagan stood up to the Soviet Union, he certainly won one for the Gipper. Without flinching, the Russians blinked, and the rest is history as the walls came tumbling down in the breakup that followed. The label “Reaganomics” has worked itself into our vernacular and the words “tear down that wall” will live in infamy.

And like Kennedy, Reagan had an aura of the virile American. He looked good on a horse and comfortable with a gun and, unlike, Kennedy even looked good on the big screen. He resonated a masculine power in his blue jeans and flannel shirt, with the love of his life on his arm. This is the stuff that icons are made of and create brands that are true.

Today’s slate of candidates has yet to develop a brand conscience in the minds of voters. McCain certainly owns his space representing the heroism of the Vietnam era, albeit he is not a brand. Hillary seems to permeate with a “More of the Same” message when compared with Obama. But neither of them are a brand. If anything, time will tell if there will be a “Brand Clinton.” If there is, it will be in tribute to Bill—Hillary will get the residue of the label. For his part, Obama may be closer to resonating with the voters as “Brand Hope.” His unflinching message of Change is idealistic in a way that is fresh and new. If he stays on target and goes head to head with McCain, the articulation of “Brand Hope” may galvanize the American voters to land him in the White House. But to call any of them a “brand” is mistaking the meaning of the word. They are “candidates”—a mere moment in time on the radar screen of our political arm wrestling. They could become a brand when they accomplish things that resonate for the long term, when long past their tenure their names are used to drive home a point or used as a noun or stand for something that becomes culturally significant.

If Hillary doesn’t win, her relevance will be diminished; ergo she can’t be a brand. Same for Obama and McCain. They are all just players, like George McGovern, Ross Perot, John Kerry, John Edwards, Rudy Guliani, Joe Biden, Mitt Romney, Chris Dodd and hundreds of others have been. Just because you are in the news, doesn’t make you a brand. When you start changing the news, you are on your way. When you fulfill a promise that changes lives and impacts our culture in a way that resonates in the history books, then you are a brand. Anything less, you are a just a moment in time.

Leslie Singer

President and Chief Creative Officer

G2 Branding and Design