McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

chuckhasker@yahoo.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:55:05 GMT

Sounds like McCain is running for the Presidency and looking to boost his standing with the voters not like Obama who is running around acting like he is already the President. It seems Obama thinks that by giving golden speeches, shooting hoops, and having a great photo on the cover of every news article that is written about him will make him a great President. So I am glad that someone (McCain) is sowing doubts about Obamas policies, experience and trustiworthiness. Someone has too. Obama has only the news media and his glowing self importance to prop him up, there are no deeds to back up his words. Chuck Hasker

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

not.Brit — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:30:14 GMT

Respectfully, I think you're wrong. If the McCain ads were even remotely cohesive, this argument might make sense. If his gaffes had been even remotely interconnected, there might be able to submit that it's all part of some greater plan. The truth, I think, is much more simple. And we don't have too look further than McCain's own campaign.

Last July, we saw the same kind of shake-up we've been witnessing these last few weeks. Just like last month, McCain replaced his campaign managers (as well as 100 others). However, last July McCain benefited from several external forces. There were the early primary debates, it was a down turn in the presidential news cycle, Democrats started to eat up the media narrative, etc.

But most importantly (and this cannot be understated), all of the Republican candidates were in total melt down. Romney could raise the money and had the establishment backing, but evangelicals' aversion to everything he said and did thrust Huckabee into the spotlight. Guiliani spent the summer as the front runner, but his own problems (including his utterly misguided "firewall" strategy) were eating away at his support. Conservatives unhappy with all of their choices managed to convince a tired and boring Thompson to make a few appearances. Ron Paul's internet insurgency was in full swing. The entire party was yolked to an unpopular president and their favorite from the previous year, George Allen, had been completely erased.

As we all know, McCain had more troubles than most and his candidacy was written off (by this very site). But facing a huge field of viable Democratic contenders, the voters suddenly decided to vote for their "best chance." Even RedState.com, who had spent years beating McCain to a pulp, reluctantly endorsed him to stave off defeat. McCain's campaign was the least of 9 evils. He actually benefited from huge debt and an unorganized team. Staying under the radar helped immensely since his gaffes could go unnoticed while the other candidates drowned in negative media attention.

And here we are again. Another campaign shake-up, a continued series of gaffes, and a schizophrenic and contradictory narrative. McCain himself is now forwarding negative attacks (a task usually assigned to surrogates) and Steve Schmidt is now relying on a line of attack that, put simply, utterly failed for Hillary Clinton; that Obama is an unpatriotic elitist. Often, Schmidt has often fronted mutually exclusive viewpoints to that end (Obama is a flip-flopper/Obama is too stubborn).

Frankly, it's a little baffling. McCain won New hampshire in 2000 and became the nominee in 2008 because of a simple truth: McCain was a likable guy. In 2000, he was the Maverick, in 2008, he was the safe bet. Over the last 6 weeks, the McCain team has deliberately killed that brand. For some inexplicable reason, they have been actively trying to destroy the very thing that won McCain support in the first place. For what? To make Obama look bad? Not only is it a failing strategy, but McCain himself will have to pay a high price for running with it.

You might be right that "Team McCain is getting their message out." The only problem is, they have no message. And 97 days isn't a lot of time to invent one.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

brooklynkevin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:00:16 GMT

I think that what is missing from this picture is why Obama is not fighting back. Why is he simply putting out his message, making trips, doing the town halls and meeting with economic advisers instead of slamming ads and arguing with his opponent. I think what is happening is that the Obama camp knows that they want to keep it close. If the race is close, they can effectivly continue to ask and get contributions from their almost 2 million supporters over the web. If the race is close, they can get the faithful heated up and continue their 50 state recruitment efforts. If the race is close, they can be sure that people will be paying attention and will stay engaged. Remember PA? The whole country was ready to count him out, Clinton was on the rise, her supporters whipped themselves into a frenzy - and what happened? They spent every dime they had, went $20 million into debt, and the Obama machine rolled right into NC, then closed the deal in IN. In the end when the Olympics are winding down, watch for the drums to start beating loud and steady from team Obama. In the end it will all be about numbers at the polls. Beating down Obama is not going to be enough to motivate the tepid McCain supporters to get out to the polls. Team Obama, on the other hand, will have a cohesive plan in place to mobilize the entire nation of Obama supporters to not only show up at the polls, but to bring each and ever friend, classmate, mother, father, sister, brother, son and daughter with them. If Obama looks like he is ahead now, the momentum will slow, and interest and passion will wane. As it is now, with the McCain camp attacking, and the polls confusing, and oil on a roller coaster ride, everyone feels they have a stake in this election. The better candidate will tap into that sense of urgency. The McCain camp has not, and is not now, able to do that. The Obama camp has done it since day one.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

kedo76 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:23:41 GMT

Could this piece (and almost everything else) be anymore Obama-leaning? Do "reporters" even know how to be unbiased anymore? I decided to read this to actually read something pro-McCain...and lo and behold it smothers itself all over Obama..."McCain's easily mockable blunders"..."McCain seemed to lack a coherent message"...do you listen?

At least he admits this: "The press may have been too focused McCain's easily-mockable blunders to get the message."...or to busy following Obama around anyway with goo-goo eyes. I think you forgot an "on" however.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ApostasyUSA — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:41:40 GMT

McCain is getting increasingly desperate, but I knew he would.

After all he’s got the Republican HATE machine behind him.

It’s the classic response of the fossilized right-wing status quo:

Create a grotesquely distorted caricature, broadcast the delusion at the top of your lungs, and hope that you manage to reinforce just enough cynicism and hopelessness to ensure the election of someone who truly cares only for funneling all of the country's wealth and power into the hands of a tiny, corrupt elite.

Any number of stories I've read describe in detail how cursory McCain's economic/energy policy is and that McCain will lie right to your face with no fear of retribution from the media, who by the way, feeds off this hate stuff.

Will the Real Tax-and-Spender Please ’Fess Up?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/us/politics/13check.html

McCain's Power Outage

Contradictions and misstatements short-circuit McCain's energy policy pronouncements.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/142500

About those 300 McCain-loving economists…

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16138.html

John McCain has ramped up his fake-populist rhetoric recently, saying that helping the people who are struggling to pay their mortgages, fill their gas tanks, and put food on the table will be his "first priority in setting the economic policies of this nation." [johnmccain.com, accessed 4/17/08]

Yet at the same time, McCain has said that some of the problems families are facing are "psychological." In fact, according to McCain himself, his proposal to suspend the gas tax this summer--one of the main focal points of his new economic plan--is nothing more than "a little psychological boost." [CNN Debate, 1/30/08; Your World with Neil Cavuto, 4/16/08]

RUSSERT: The fact is you are different than George Bush.

SEN. McCAIN: No. No. The fact is that I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed. And on the transcendent issues, the most important issues of our day, I’ve been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.

Do you think John McCain has a little problem with women?

John McCain made this odious joke about Chelsea Clinton back in ‘98.

“Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.”

Sen. John McCain, speaking to a Republican dinner, June 1998.

Or how about this gem from his 1986 race for US Senate, as quoted in the Tucson Citizen:

“Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, ‘Where is that marvelous ape?’”

I find rape jokes are always a sign of class, don’t you?

John McCain claimed today that he is determined to ensure "equal pay for equal work." But women's groups were quick to point out that the presumptive Republican nominee has announced his opposition to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which seeks to do exactly that.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/07/mccain_on_equal_pay.html

Here. Listen to McCain and decide for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c&NR=1

Don’t be fooled by the Republican Toe Tapping Propagandist Hate Selling Tools.

Personally.....I'm voting with the Democrats in Nov, but I have yet to find ONE reason that McCain would deserve my vote.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Politicswithagrin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:42:13 GMT

"For the first month of the general election, McCain seemed to lack a coherent message. But it's become clear in recent days that he now intends to sow doubts about Obama's policies, experience and trustiworthiness however he can."

Sowing doubts has nothing to do with a coherent message; if anything it continues to underscore McCain's lack of a coherent message.

http://politicswithagrin.blogspot.com/

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ApostasyUSA — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:45:24 GMT

"We should be able to deliver bottled hot water to dehydrated babies."

John McCain--Kenner, Louisiana, June 3, 2008

What?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ApostasyUSA — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:49:14 GMT

"Mr McCain’s tax and spending proposals would add an estimated $3,400bn to the US deficit over the next decade compared with an estimated $700bn deficit reduction from Mr Obama’s plans, according to the Tax Policy Center, an independent think-tank."

Obama holds bipartisan economy talks - The Financial Times

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e23cc97c-5cfa-11dd-8d38-000077b07658.html

"Arizona Sen. John McCain hit San Francisco tonight for a major fundraiser. The full report from pool reporter Josh Richman of the Oakland Tribune just hit, and here's some excerpts detailing what he saw: Contributors began gathering beneath the crystal chandeliers of the Fairmont Hotel's Gold Room -- an ornate, French Provincial-styled ballroom -- at around 6:30 p.m.

The drinks: California wines, Mountain View Vintners Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Gloria Ferrer sparkling wine. The food: hor's d'oeuvres including ahi tuna tartare, chicken sate skewers, bruschetta, crab cakes and local artisanal cheeses.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/logout?blogid=14&entry_id=28608

Obama Leads McCain in Battleground States Among Single Women

Poll: Obama Leads McCain 61-29 Among Unmarried Women Voters in Key States

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5416899

Sorry Republicans....you had your chance.......your time is up. I won't miss you.

I hope the Democrats win in 08.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ttheisen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:04:24 GMT

Don't the lies matter to you at all? Is journalism nothing more than stenography? Do you have no responsiblity to your readers, to the public, to the constitution which protects you?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

rhatchman — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:17:33 GMT

Andy, you're beginning to sound just like McCain's campaign - throw as much *** against the wall and see what sticks. Well Andy only intellectual midgets and monkeys toss poo. The rest actually apply critical thinking.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dan jones — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:19:40 GMT

How did I know when I saw the headline calling Mccain's ad's "savvy" that it was going to link to an article by Andrew Romano. Seriously Andrew, you devote not a word to pointing out that Mccain's energy ad's are lies, that are aimed at swaying ignorant and uniformed voters. I weep for the days when reporters actually had the stones to call out the politicians they write about. Spineless Mr. Romano is clearly a graduate of the Fox News school of journalism where we have to pretend that all points are equally valid and can't pronouce on obvious lies.

Mr. Romano... have you no dignity at all?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dan jones — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:22:09 GMT

Oh and seriously Andrew, when did mudslinging become a coherent message? Mccain has nothing to say, and no ideas. These two ads which you inexplicably consider "savvy" only prove the point. By the way Mr. Romano... if you thinks brainless attacks are "savvy" then let me impress the hell ouf you..... YOU ARE AN IDIOT. There, now I'm just as savvy as Mccain.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

The man who saw tommorow — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:36:36 GMT

Andrew Romano,

You ended up celebrating and glorifying lies. How come you couldn't condemn mccain ad for what it is, a complete falsehood! When is the practice of journalism in america ever to leave up to expectations? The two candidates are vying for the most important post in the world, and you have the effrontery to clapp for someone that wants to lie his way through?

Mccain visited had visited those same nations that obama visited and yet, nobody is talking about the bounce he got from the visits. Or are you trying to say that getting a bounce from unreliable opinion polls was supposed to be meant for obama? Obama's trip was a big success. He did not visit those nations inorder to get a bounce in opinion polls, he went on the trip inorder to show that he could relate well with foreign leaders. That and much more, he succeded in doing, no matter how you twist it!

As for november, forget the polls. It will be obama by a landslide! MARK MY WORDS!! may God bless america!!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

jimhoff23 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:37:51 GMT

So your angle on ads that you know are misleading "nonsense" is to drolly laud their savviness? Is this how cynically "meta" you have to be to get an American Studies certificate from Princeton? The irony is that you think it's *interesting* that the idiot flyovers in Middle America are getting played for fools by the McCain camp, but by trumpeting and glorifying this, you're the one who's getting played most of all.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sedonakaren — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:41:46 GMT

And THIS is how you want to choose a President? Hey, we did it eight years ago, and again just four years ago, and we're going to be paying for that for many many decades. If the American people are dumb enough to fall for these ads, then they deserve another president just like Bush!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

shaselai — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:41:55 GMT

so when did putting up negative ads because he doesn't have anything positive to say about himself became "savvy"? I think people who are not idiots know what's going on - McCain is being desperate, has nothing good to say about himself, Obama is taking the high road NOT stooping down to his pathetic level. I think the fact that Obama isn't attacking back is not that he doesn't have a backbone/teeth it is because he really wants to demonstrate CHANGE and change from the negativity in politics to positive. As McCain would say "McCain is losing his ethics and soul to win a political campaign"

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

relaxabit — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:44:30 GMT

RESPONSE TO DAN JONES:

Why is it that every Obama supporter feels they have the right to call everyone else names when they don't agree with them? "let me impress the hell out of you......YOU ARE AN IDIOT"? Come on, are you 9??

Romano was making a point about McCain's ad strategy. He did not endorse the strategy, he just called it what it was. I'm as anti-Bill Clinton as you can get - but that does not mean I don't think he is one of the most brilliant politicans in the last 50 years. He is what he is regardless of how I feel about him.

The ad strategy, it is what is it - and that's what was being pointed out. The name calling, that just points to a low IQ.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ara9557 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:45:31 GMT

Based on their point of view, Democrats are the only intelligent people in US and have all the great ideas ! If that is not elistism, call me an Obama Kool-Aid Drinker. Those ads were quite good and it hits Obama where it hurts. The polls indicate that vast number of people believe along with other altertatives that offshore drilling is a great idea. Not Obama... he thinks that alternative energy and accelerated tax credits is the answer. First, what alternatives is he talking about? He is very vague on this point. Why? Because he is taking the party line. Sorry Dems, you are wrong on this issue and the ad works. There are number people that don't feel Obama is patrotic enough... The Republicans did not put up this issue. Obama did this himself with the church he belonged, not the putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem and not wearing a flag pin. This why the ad works. Remember Dems, these ads work because there a number of people that are not as smart you so you think.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sedonakaren — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:46:24 GMT

You are right about one thing. All the while that McBush is whining about Obama getting all the attention from the media, he is the one with the media in his pocket. Let's face it. Just like you said. His campaign designs lying ads attacking Obama and they are run for free by all the networks, over and over, and DISCUSSED after that! As if they merit any discussion!

They may appear to be effective now, but mark my words, they will backfire just like they did for Bill and Hillary. They will be an unusually big disappointment to moderates; especially since they expected a more honorable campaign from John McCain.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Deminmd — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:46:33 GMT

So what your saying is 'lies sell'. We elected Bush again on a bunch of lies, went to war on a bunch as lies. Hard to believe that America is that gullible again.

Shame on the McCain campaign for going so low, can't he stand on his own merits rather than make up lies about his opponent.

Even my Republican friends can't believe the crap that's coming out of that camp. I wouln't call this guy 'savvy' at all. He is just another liar coming from the same McSame group selling it in commercials. Nothing 'savvy' about that....

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Iakavous — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:51:05 GMT

Tsk tsk tsk, This is what it comes down to?

Is there anything that Obama could do that he would not be labeled arrogant?

Should he feel bad when AVERAGE Real AMERICANS turn out to hear him speak instead of the filtered chosen crowds that Bush constantly had to make him seem popular?

This BS spin that Obama is arrogant because he can speak and lived out the American Dream by being born poor and working hard enough to get accepted into Harvard Law is pure nonsense.

McCain is a Joke. I used to like McCain, I used to say he was one of a few republicans I would vote for - Then he sold his soul to get the nomination. What a sad day.

Jealous because after nearly 20 years in Politics, he is being outworked and outcampaigned by a relative newcomer with better ideas and is more in touch with preserving the American dream for all instead of the cornies that Bush/Cheney believe should be given no-bid government contracts. Good Ol Boy BULL-SH--

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

EricforObama — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:51:18 GMT

Yep it's the old Karl Rove strategy. Lie about your opponent and let your opponent believe that no one would buy the BS. But they do.

What's tragic about this, is that McCain fell victim to the exact same kind of strategy. And that has left us with and 8 year disaster.

What's even worse, the allegedly liberal news media add credence to the ads, just as they did with the Swift Boat Liars from 4 years ago. The news media is the great enabler and the Karl Rove method lives on...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SCATCAT59 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:51:34 GMT

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? OBAMA IS THE ONLY ONE RUNNING A CLEAN CAMPAIGN...DESPITE WHAT JOHN MCCAIN SAID ABOUT HIS OWN CAMPAIGN...THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF ATTACK ADS....DOESN'T HE HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO TALK ABOUT....OH I KNOW ALL HE DOES IS FLIP-FLOP AND HOPE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TO STUPID TO REALIZE IT.

OBAMA IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR INSTEAD OF THE STAGNANT AIR THAT SURROUNDS JOHN MCCAIN

OBAMA OUR NEXT PRESIDENT

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

AlCharles — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:52:49 GMT

Republicans know what Democrats don't: Most people don't pay attention to the details of an election. They ring a bell & the sheep run to the slaughter

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Wackadamia Nut 2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:55:23 GMT

McSame's ads: Appealing to the worst in us...the most ignorant among us. If this country falls for the lies and decpetion again, we're really in worse shape than I thought. Talk about "doing anything to win an election". Waht is honorable about that?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

love234america — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:55:45 GMT

The first comment by Deminmd stating "lies sells" ...those two words are so correct. Obama rarely tells the trusth; he only says what he believes will get votes. He is the biggest, mor arrogant, egotistical, self centered person to have even ran for the office of President of the United States. His lies have so many people fooled. It's unbelievable how so many Americans can eat all his lied up.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:55:59 GMT

Hey there were only 5 deaths in Iraq this month, do pelosi, murtha, and obama still think the surge isnt working and that iraq is a cesspool we shouldnt be in or does it really look lik eiraq is gonna pull out of this and become a democratic government? You notice libs stop pushing iraq because its now a fact that the gains are increasing and iraq is looking like they are gonna turn things around. great job soldiers and riaqi army. libs you suck it.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dan jones — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:56:51 GMT

Response to relaxabit:

Way to catch the sarcasm there Einstein. As you yourself point out, calling Andrew an "idiot" made me seem like a nine year old. Yet, that's the exact same thing that Andrew himself praises as "savvy" in his article.

And to your other point, the reason you have to admit Bill Clinton is a brilliant politician is because HE WAS. John Mccain is NOT.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

eagles1776 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:56:56 GMT

Greek storyteller Aesop had a fable about a boy who cried wolf. It seems that the lad would "alert" viligers when the wolf was about. After several false alarms because of his lies the villagers didn't believe him when the wolf really did come around. The McCain campaign needs to keep this in mind as they continue to spew lies that fact check continues to disprove. The one time that they might really have something worth considering noone will believe them because of the many incidents of crying wolf before.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ademeyer — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:57:11 GMT

I don't want to live in your America, Andrew. If people allow themselves to be persuaded by attack ads to vote against their best interests, then this country is a nation truly in decline. Is John McCain really running his campaign? If he really "approves this message" then he is not fit to occupy the admittedly already tarnashed office of the President of The United States.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

paulte — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:58:25 GMT

I say "Give him hell, John!" Who does this Obama character think he is anyway? The Messiah? He will lead America out of the desert of Bush? Is America really that bad off now? I don't think it is. The mortgage crisis is due to personal irresponsibility on the part of home buyers and the mortgage industry. There shouldn't be a mortgage industry. That's where the government should intervene. Only banks and credit unions should be able to provide mortgages to credit worthy customers. The rates will be locked in and they can't be sold to second parties. As for the gas crisis, America should learn to walk to the candy store for a pack of cigarettes instead of driving there. That will keep gas under $4.00 for the duration!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Wackadamia Nut 2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:12 GMT

If McSame wins in November the fault will lie sqaurely on the BIASED MSMedia.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

love234america — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:14 GMT

If Obama is so intelligent and wants "change", why did he not "change" Illinois and especially chicago which has a very high crime rate and is in financial trouble? He did not do his job there, did he?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:15 GMT

Obama is fresh air yes but fresh air cant run the country. what are the policies? fair tax? he wont do it because his buddies will then pony up alot. what about a real issue like oil? what is the plan? t boone pickens has more of a plan then obama. what is his plan please some advise me. i havent heard one iota of what exactly it is exc ept we need alternative? what is the alternative please explain... NOW you F ers explain to me what is the energy policy besides we need alternatives...no sheet pal but what is the plan....

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

thesign777 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:40 GMT

You guys are funny. Have none of you read Mr. Romano's other articles?

My guess is that there is a slight bit of sarcasm seeded deeply within this. Although not one analyst/journalist has ever shown one bit of sarcasm ever, in the history of the world! Isn't there some guy named Rush something-or-other that is pretty sarcastic with his political commentary?

Thanks for the article Andrew, I had a good laugh.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

daisyb — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:52 GMT

Whaddaya, think people are morons? McCain's ads are so clearly propoganda that if they convince any so-called swing voters of anything, it's that the RNC is willing to do anything. Who knows if it will help them win or not? But I don't think that that particular "revelation" will come as a surprise to anyone.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Sane in Utah — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:54 GMT

McCain is just another sleazy Republican with sleazy tactics in his sleazy campaign.

It is too bad that Dems just can't bring themselves to get in the gutter with these sleazy Republicans - the Dems keep talking about "issues" as if we so many Americans really care -- they want the "flag pin, muslim lovin', school prayin', homosexual hatin'" stuff, not issues. In that case, they would bring in Karl Rove and get some beautiful push calling to racists in the South who make up the Republican party and say that "Hey, John McCain has a black baby." Then he would lose for sure.

All I have to say, is if Americans buy the load of bull that McCain is flinging, then we deserve to go down the toilet where we are headed.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

newsnote — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:59:54 GMT

deminmd: I seriously doubt you have any Rep friends since you're obviously a ranter.

where have you people been? of course political ads take liberties with the truth, just as the candidates do whenever they can... anyone hear sniper fire?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

MRSDESILVA — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:01:05 GMT

I LOVE MCCAIN AND HOPE HE WINS...OBAMA IS A FAKE, AND A MUSLIM. I DON'T DISLIKE HIM BECAUSE HE IS BLACK, JUST THAT HE WILL SAY OR DO ANYTHING, AND I MEAN ANYTHING TO GET INTO OFFICE - TO RUIN THIS COUNTRY. HIS WIFE IS A WITCH, OR SHALL I CHANGE THE FIRST LETTER OF HER NAME TO "B", AND THIS GUY WON'T EVEN STAND TO PLEDGE ALLEGIENCE TO OUR FLAG. THIS GUY IS A JERK. I AM NOT SAYING THAT HILLARY WOULD HAVE BEEN ANY BETTER - HER AGENDA INCLUDED GETTING HER "HUBBY" INTO A COMFY AND COZY POSITION IN HER GOVERNMENT, BUT HE COULD NOT BE CLEARED TO GET ANY REAL POSITION, SO I GUESS IT'S GOOD THAT SHE DIDN'T GET IN. WHAT A BUNCH OF LOSERS THOSE DEMOCRATS ARE. SURE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SEND ME HATE MAIL - I DON'T CARE - SEND IT - THE TRUTH HURTS, DOESN'T IT???

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

John_Toradze — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:01:08 GMT

Lying and cheating to get into the White House is patriotic?

Ok. John, you aren't rising in my estimation after that. This swing voter isn't swung.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sjustus — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:01:14 GMT

These ads - especially Pump - are utterly dishonest garbage. US oil production peaked around 1971, and has been dropping ever since then. No one with knowledge of the oil industry believes the US can ever become independent of foreign oil by drilling more here, but that idiotic ad claims Obama is opposed to the US being independent of foreign oil. No amount of drilling in North America - the most heavily explored region in the world - is ever going to yield enough oil to remove dependence on foreign sources. I'm not a fan of Obama, but McCain is a flat-out liar on energy, as well as many other subjects. however, that doesn't mean these tactics won't work - which shows how much sense a large percentage of the populace has.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Fisherman144 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:01:25 GMT

It is very clear that McCain is playing Forest Gump to try to get away with saying whatever he wants. The Independant and swing voters aren't all that dumb. McCain's ads show a great deal of jealousy that he didn't get the publicity that Obama did....but he had very little choice. It is very believable that McCain wouldn't have had the photo ops and the raport with heads of state that Barak Obama did. Old man McCain cannot convince the people with deceptive ads and continuing Bush-Cheney lies that he is better than his Democratic oponent. No matter what Republican poles show, Obama is leading his rival and will win in November....you can bet on it.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

John_Toradze — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:02:28 GMT

PS - Romano, young man, don't opine at how you have said it's a lie when your headline is a pat on the back for lying.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

relaxabit — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:02:54 GMT

SCATCAT,

Try removing the CAPS lock!!

I'm amazed by all of the Obama supporter posts. According to these posts, if you don't like Obama, you are either an idiot, sheep running to slaughter, or voting for a man who is 'a joke' - followed by the inevitable line "Obama our next president" or "Obama in a landslide."

Folks, if you are so confident, why the accusations? Why the exasperation? Why the name calling? Just ride the wave to November..................unless of course the accusations, exasperation and name calling hide the fact that you are scared to death that we'll all find out what a hollow shell of "hope and change" the O man is prior to election day,

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

NoFool22 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:03:08 GMT

So basically what you're saying is that McCain has decided to raise his Obama "Terror Alert" status from Orange to Red. Yeah....he's DEFINATELY not following in good ole Georgey Jr.'s footsteps (note the sarcasm...).

Sooooo, anyone really buying it anymore?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

StephenBleeds — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:03:32 GMT

We have finally found the base line of the Republican strategy. They consider it moral and patriotic, I guess, to lie, deceive, distort, and distract. I was undecided when McCain and Obama became the presumptive nominees. I thought we would have a clean honest debate about issues. But here is the truth:McCain and his minions are the same liars the Bush people turned out to be. So here is the question...since we know that McCain is lying, distorting, and deceiving about Obama what makes us believe it will stop with the campaign. The myth of Republican patriotism will someday be made clear. The Republican worships these things in this order 1. Money 2. Power 3. Party 4. Darwinian Socio-economics and a God they have distorted into an image of a Republican. They do not know what true patriotism is. In their hands, patriotism is the refuge of and the excuse for ruthlessness without conscience and treason without consequence.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Wackadamia Nut 2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:04:05 GMT

MRSDESILVA: Your hated-filled vile Limbauch-esque spewing has absolutley NOTHING to do with the truth. Disgusting.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:04:25 GMT

Sane and daisy I thought i recall when i voted dem in the senate and congress reaces that pelosi and freinds would right america, what has happened why havent they been able to fix america? Not sure what country you live in but America seems like a great place to me. I enjoy everyday of my life. i dont wallow in the mire like you people do daily. its insane the crying and whining. if you lost your job its not bush fault its your fault. you didnt save enough probably, you didnt educate yourself properly or your just one of those people who thinks everyone else owes them something. Get back on the horse and make the best of it and stop blaming govt. blame yourself or your mom and dad for not raising you to swim on your own.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:06:37 GMT

John McCain has become a pathetic individual. His "honor and integrity" no longer exist. He promised a positive campaign and has been the only candidate to go negative. He is just more George Bush and has become totally indecent.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

befair — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:07:28 GMT

When the white, elder war hero answers questions that begin like this " When I am President" or when he brags about all his experience and claims to know how to win wars and claims to know what the Iraqi leadership will or will not do simply because, " I know them and I have known them for a long time," we are supposed to see him as qualified to be our leader. When the young, intelligent, forward thinking, across the isle reaching, problem solving, world respected, dignified, inspirational African-American candidate dares to behave in a way that is ABSOLUTELY PRESIDENTAL, we are to assume that he is arrogant and presumptive. John McCain is stooping to a level that should be far beneath a man with his military history. He should be ASHAMED of himself for questioning Sen. Obama's love for his country. What some refer to on this site as proof that Obama brought this on himself, is nothing more that re-gergitated hateful rumor-mongering lies that have been proven wrong, yet McCain gleefully piles on and smiles into the camera in that sinister almost derranged way. It is alarming and I have to believe that enough of the voting public will see it as such and not be conned into to casting their vote for 4 more years of hateful, divisive leadership.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

shaselai — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:07:47 GMT

People saying Obama being "elitist" in a negative way should get their head checked (including mccain). Do we, the people of US want a person who thinks he is better than everybody else aka elitist, or some "regular folk" who McCain seems to try show himself being? We want the best and the brightest to be the president because we know any of us being in that seat will be pretty bad. Why elect a "regular folk" when you can elect an "elitist"? Everyone wants to be elitist - getting As, making lots of money, having their kids go to IVY leagues, Honor roles etc.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Vector Pilot — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:08:09 GMT

Does McCain have the media in his pocket, you bet, every-time his campaign launches a new ad, MSNBC and CNN airs it least four times an hour discussing the merit or lack of its content. They did the same thing in 2004 with the "Swift Boat' spot. Voters do not recall the what the talking heads have to say they only remember the commercial's message.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:09:03 GMT

to ddmcd1974: Clearly you don't understand how Congress or the Senate works. A simple majority cannot pass any bill. You must have enough to make a bill passable - at least 60 in the Senate. Everything the Democrats tried to pass has been beaten down by the Republicans who controlled both houses with a Republican president until a year ago.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

relaxabit — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:10:13 GMT

RESPONSE TO DAN JONES:

"You are an idiot" is sarcasm?? Better check your Webster's.

Romano's point about savvy is that McCain is getting the media to do the work for him. Run an ad 12 times and the media runs it another 100x for you. Like Tom Sawyer getting his friends to whitewash the fence by telling them how much fun it is - savvy.

Regarding Bill Clinton, like I said, he is what he is. But getting someone else to do your work for you is what it is as well.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:12:47 GMT

To MRSDESILVA: How sad that you have not even tried to educate yourself. Obama is not and has never been a Muslim. A number of news stories have debunked that lie long ago. The only people hanging on to it are the ones who just don't want to admit they are racist so they try to scare truly ignorant voters into believing the lie. How sad that is all you have to hang your hatred on.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

cinnapatch — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:14:09 GMT

Here's McCain's next venture:

http://www.adultdiapers.net/

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

avramits — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:14:10 GMT

NOBAMA!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:15:39 GMT

wgoin so did the democrat leaders lie? Thats my point you idiot i do understand its the bozos out here who dont. Pelosi i remember her speech that day she took lead as woman for first time. she stated now we can move america in the right direction. my question to you and other bozos is why hasnt she done that if all yu are screaming america is at its lowest. Did pelosi not plan properly, did she oevrspeak, did she misguide us? my point is these idoits will tell you what you want to hear and you hear what you want truth or not... wake up and stop blaming.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SonOfHistoryProf — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:15:45 GMT

Quick Quiz: How many people said Bush was too stupid to be president?

Don't gloss over the subliminal messages aimed at unsophisticated voters. Generally speaking, unsophisticated voters bought into the politics of fear in 2000, 2004 and that carried the day, didn't it?

Be angry about it if you want to.

But ignore it at your own peril.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:16:51 GMT

To MRSDESILVA: Obama has never refused to or not stood for the Pledge of Allegience or the national anthem. The clamor was when he didn't put his hand over his heart during the national anthem - something many people do not do. He has always put his hand over his heart during the pledge and always stood for both the pledge and for the national anthem. Oh, and just so you don't lie about this too, he was sworn into the Senate with his hand on the Bible - not the Koran.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

irvin078 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:17:21 GMT

I thought Senator John Mc cain was better than that. I was hoping to vote for him. However, view his stance nowadays, I will not be able to vote for him anymore. He lost credibility, honesty, kindness, and seldom. This is not the John I have known for years.

you give too much lies Mc Cain. May be you copy on Bush-Cheney. These lies will not bring you anywhere. Talk to me about issues I care about not continue bashing someone else.

I just want to know what you are going to do bring the economy back on track; what king of policy you have for the energy crisis we face; what you are going to do about global warming; Healthcare; among other issues.

You are running for President. you should know better than that. Honesty, your behavior shocks me nowaydays. You look disgrace, angry, and desperate when you talking. Stop accusing others.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

craig1111 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:17:26 GMT

The sad thing is that John McCain is not running his campagain. Repulican campagains are run the by the party. They realize the McCain is train wreck of a candidaite, and might possibly loose to a black guy.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

MarineMom2585 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:18:44 GMT

Andrew,If you call these ads savy and clever I have news for you!! As the mother of a former Marine who did two deployments to Iraq I am highly offended by how John McCain has used our troops for his own political gain .He is coming across to me as a desperate and angry old man who will do anything to win. I am also so tired of McCain always getting a free pass from the press over the BS he spreads.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

royalcat68 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:19:43 GMT

Well....you heard about about McCain committing adultery, didn't you?

and what about him wanting to raise taxes on the middle class and give the rich a break?

and what about him saying he was going to bomb Iran when he's elected?

and what about him saying give vouchers to all welfare recipients so that they can go off to the suburbs and ruin those schools too?

and what about him saying that NCLB is wonderful and should be left alone?

and what about him saying he believes that alcohol-based fuels should be used in place of oil.

and what about his goal to take away our freedoms through Homeland Security?

and what about his feelings that military personnel and their families deserve the nation's unfailing gratitude, respect, and support, but no new benefits?

and what about his support of the following Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets And Timetables

2012: Return Emissions To 2005 Levels (18 Percent Above 1990 Levels)

2020: Return Emissions To 1990 Levels (15 Percent Below 2005 Levels)

2030: 22 Percent Below 1990 Levels (34 Percent Below 2005 Levels)

2050: 60 Percent Below 1990 Levels (66 Percent Below 2005 Levels) to cut emissions.

And finally he will lead us into the 20th century.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:19:50 GMT

to ddmcd1974: No they didn't lie - they just didn't get enough of a majority to make the changes they wanted since most were voted down by the Republicans. That is the honest truth. Peolosi tried to get the right bills passed - she "reached across the aisle" and everything. But, when Republicans decided to block each move drastic changes couldn't be made. I am wide awake - maybe you should stop napping!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

OldUncleTom — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:21:45 GMT

Maybe the more recent polls represent a "pity bounce".

Obama looks and acts Presidential, and McCain struggles to keep from looking pathetic.

I believe it will sort itself out by convention time.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

GA.dem — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:22:24 GMT

Great article. The truth makes me want to puke though.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:23:30 GMT

to craig1111: And who cares if Obama is black? He's smart, he has integrity and he has run an above board campaign. And, this is coming from a 40 plus white woman.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

JustSayNoBama — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:24:32 GMT

Nice Left Leaning article.

Oh, it's Newsweek.... never mind

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:25:32 GMT

I know one thing--if Obama doesn't respond, the Dem 527's better do it for him. There are definitely enough willfully ignorant voters out there that are desperate enough to want to believe anything bad about Obama to have an excuse to not to vote for him (not that they'd do it anyway). Hit back, and hit back hard, Obama!!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Heiraksay — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:25:45 GMT

To love234america:

Obama is a senator, not a policeman. Chicago isn't the only place experiencing high crime, there are other places as well.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:26:03 GMT

ok wgoin if you say so. so what your telling me is that either a democratic or republican held congress.house, senate would have a hard time implementing policies that would help america, is that correct? Let me ask you a question. When the recession of 2000(way back in the day) hit did you blame Clinton? I remember repubs pushin that to win polls and i thought to myself as a dem that that is ridiculous its not clinton but here we are 8 yrs later same scenario diff pres and dems saying its bush fault. its so funny how things are awapped. now its ok to blame the pres but in 2000 it wasnt. i compare this to a parent of a fat kid who just cant see that there kid is fat they have blinders on.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

steve02001 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:26:04 GMT

Sidney McBush only has look at Hillary's primary campaign results to see how effective negative campaigning was against Obama. Nevertheless, Obama cannot rest in his laurels. He has to come out with some more agrresive (not negative) ads. Hit with McBush for his flip-flopping, gaffes, idiotic gas policies, etc. You can be aggressive without being negative.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

stopitnow@msn.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:28:46 GMT

Remember Jim Jones, he led his followers with lies and distortions. Seems like McCain followers are preparing the cocktail, don't be stupid and follow them.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:28:51 GMT

I asked earlier and no one stepped up so i ask again. Can someone please explain to me Obama energy policy and please dont just say we will do alternative fuels because any idiot can say that. What specifically will he do with alt fuels? Will he fund them like congress did for ethanol which is now the worst decision ever? will he subsidize solar or battery ops? I mean if we are raising corp taxes how can we expect expansion of these alt energy companies? Help please i ask a serious obama ?.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

usersuz1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:30:37 GMT

Sorry, so much of this seems inconsequential when stacked up against the obvious signs that the Bush administration is manipulating the supply and demand of oil/gas in order to leverage the election in McCain's favor. Or do the media think it's a big coincidence that Al Gore's push to focus America on the global warming crisis was followed within months by a "crisis" in the price of gasoline and the accusation, stamped on every Republican campaign across the nation, that Democrats are responsible for it because they have refused Big Oil's desire to drill offshore and in ANWR. Any investigative journalism on that, hmmm?

Why does the press continue to "forget" where these folks came from and who their friends are?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:31:07 GMT

Posted By: chuckhasker@yahoo.com (July 30, 2008 at 12:55 PM)

Report Abuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gasp! You mean the same news media who's basically so cuddly with McCain after all these years they let him get away with gaffe after gaffe, and chalk it up to "Well, that's ol' John!"?! NO! IT CAN'T BE!! I'm shocked, I tells ya! Shocked! Besides, Obama's not the one who has a Saturday radio address (like Bush), and passes out those little notebook talking points to the press (like the White House has--in fact, they reportedly look very similar). You McCainiacs are a trip and a half!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

queenie — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:32:55 GMT

I always respected McCain and thought he was an honest and decent person, albeit a Republican (ha that ought to drive you all crazy). However, I am SO disappointed to see his ads, with what amounts to lies about Obama. My respect is gone and I WILL be working to ensure that Obama is elected. The last thing we need is another angry, lying, hostile person in the white house. And I never thought I'd say that about McCain either! Every time I see him on television, he's into his fear-mongering and accusations. UGLY.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dan jones — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:33:21 GMT

Final response to relaxabit: Sigh. The sarcasm is in the idea that delivering a personal attack is, in any way, savvy (why don't you look in that dictionary yourself there genius). Guess that just flew right over you head too.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Grampa7030 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:33:39 GMT

I am not sure McCain is a patriot. He wasn't born in this country and you never see him wearing a flag lapel pin.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

kristcat — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:35:37 GMT

John McCain isn't the only candidate slinging BS around. Get with it guys, it's all part of the game!

This has been happening for years. Who believes political ads anymore?

If you really want the truth about either candidate look it up on factcheck.org and ignore the ads.

They BOTH lie or (twist the facts).

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

IowaObserver — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:36:18 GMT

Why would anyone want to elect a junior legislator from the State of Illinois who had 150 days in the Senate before his vaulted run for the Presidency. A man who thinks we have 57 states? Obama is an arrogant joke, a joke I hope isn't prepetrated on the American public who only pays attention to pretty campaign commercials.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

NoFool22 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:37:07 GMT

MRSDESILVA, WOW! You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you right it your ignorant and grossly uninformed patooty....I'm going to let the other intelligent people on this forum rip you a new one, because they seem to be doing a good job as is. All I have to say is that the Republican "truth" isn't necessarily the TRUTH, and I'd like to thank Andrew Romano for pointing that out in a very non-partisan manner. Yes, Andrew, it IS disgusting that a "venerated" Vietnam veteran and supposedly respectable septuogenarian would stoop to such lows, but sadly Karl Rove was the Sith, Bush was Darth Vader (minus the ultimate redemption), and McCain is proving himself to be a very very stupid Darth Mahl...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SonOfHistoryProf — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:37:29 GMT

MEMO TO PEOPLE DEFENDING THE TERM "ELITIST"

If you make a logical argument about why it is good to be "elitist", you're not preaching to the chior, or even the congregation. You're preaching to the floorboards and ceiling tiles, and they ain't listening.

BUSH and Rove showed that people who make their decision based on EMOTION or FEAR are immune to counter arguments based on logic, most particularly the articulate ones, the intelligent ones, and the logically plainly obvious ones.

OF COURSE the ads insult your intelligence. *YOU ARE NOT IN THE TARGET DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE AD*. People and voters who are swayed by that ad will not be swayed back by logic until after their anxieties are quelled.

LOGICALLY, I want a smart person as president. EMOTIONALLY, some may not want someone who THEY FEEL doesn't understand them. Stop defending the "elitist" tag and either paint McCain as "elitist" or change the scope of the debate.

McCain's Elitist qualities:

Got into Naval Academy

Father was an Admiral.

Has $100 MILLION dollars.

Wants to preserve tax cuts for fellow rich people.

Votes against troop hospital funding.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

bspencerco — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:37:45 GMT

Deciept is a far more important character for a president to have than experience! Go McCain!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

befair — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:38:50 GMT

All presidential elections boil down to a hand full of states and when it is determined which states are the swing states, the Republican Party goes into those states and they run the most vile, truth starved ads they can. They target those who have to work the hardest for the least amount of money, they target those who attend church regularly and they target the least educated in those states. They target those who do not like minorities and they convince these voters that voting Democratic would mean losing all that they hold dear. Since these voters do not care to or know how to get properly informed, they will simply believe what the Republican Party tells them, year after year. It seems the only time they pay attention and vote other-wise is when they are suffering more financially. Why these groups of people are not offended is beyond me. The Republican Party takes gross advantage of those in this country who have the least, promising them everything and giving them precious little.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:39:00 GMT

Posted By: ddmcd1974 (July 30, 2008 at 4:28 PM)

Report Abuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obama presented a $150 billion alternative energy plan over 10 years concerning alernative fuels, and be careful with your "any idiot" comment because McCain's pushed for alternative energy as well. Obama's also pushed for more use of ethenol, which I admittedly think should be cut because it's affecting corn prices on the food side. One thing I DO think it's somewhat idiotic is that McCain, like Bush, seems to ignore those 68 million acres of leased land the oil companies have that they don't want to use. If they want to drill so badly, then why don't they push the oil companies to use their own land?? If they didn't think there's not any oil on those lands, then why did they lease them in the first place??

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Rational Poster — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:40:04 GMT

Obama is too easy of a target. He is a DEM, right? Most DEM legislators oppose off shore drilling and other make sense liquid fuel exploration projects that we MUST have along with development of alternative energy sources and conservation. What is so hard about that?

Nearly 2/3 of all Americans agree with this and regardless of your party - you reading this probably do too - about 2/3's of you anyway.

Let's see two-thirds or one-third: Which group holds the most clout in November?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

jerryalb — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:40:38 GMT

"Savvy ad strategy"? first time i've ever heard lies or distortion of the truth 'savvy'. obviously journalistic integrity is at a record low.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

just jerry — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:40:42 GMT

The media campaigns of both candidates are going to continue to be unfair - that is part of politics as usual. Both McCain and Obama are guilty of being typical politicians.

What sets them apart is their approach to people. McCain meets people to answer their questions directly - that is his strength. Obama talks to people with his eloquent style - that is his strength.

How I chose one over the other was thoughtful. I wasn't going to vote for Obama just because I am a democrat - his mistreatment of a fellow democrat, Hillary Clinton, who had already been maligned unfairly by republicans in the 1990's, allowed me to take a more objective look.

Once you leave the campaign style rhetoric behind and actually look at the two men you do see that McCain has the guts to oppose his own party and a republican president at a time when that wasn't as popular as it is now. He supported the surge when everyone else saw it as just another failutre of the Bush administration, and it was a big political risk to do so. He is so nonpartisan and well respected by my fellow democrats that he was seriously considered as a vice presidential candidate with Kerry on a unity ticket. The humilation he suffered in Viet Nam as a captive has been turned into humility, a man seeking to serve his country, putting his country first above his own ambitions.

I don't agree with McCain on a lot of positions but believe he would work effectively with a democratic Congress and Senate, and he would balance the possible "over the top" choices a democratic party drunk with power at winning big at all levels would be tempted with.

At the same time, it would be so good to have a black man as president. It would be so good to get rid of the crowd that have undermined so much that makes our nation great. So good to have anything but another republican as president after how badly they have acted when they had control of the White House, the Senate, and the House. It would be so good to get rid of that meanspirited arrogance.

Obama has lost my support and McCain has my vote because I don't believe Obama shows us who he really is except in those moments when he is speaking to "his kind of people", like that group in San Francisco. When he essentially wrote off a large part of the electorate as weakminded people dependent upon the guns and religion he wasn't honoring what the lives of the people he was dismissing are like and their right to respect for the dignity and value of their own beliefs. He was acting as a snob; not as someone who connects with the needs of those often on the bottom of the pecking order in society or the way they may look to God to find what they obviously won't find from people like Obama.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

relaxabit — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:42:32 GMT

TO DAN JONES:

Idiot - Einstein - and genius - the name calling rolls on...and on...and on.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Spacer — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:44:14 GMT

Mr. Romano: The "Obama snubbed our troops" ad was not "clever." It was a despicable lie. It was a SLANDER. Some journalists, even at the largely neocon Washington Post have denounced it as false. It is not "sad" that "iinaccurate" ads work, it's tragic, and it will have tragic consequences for the country and the world if this mean old man and the pack of vicious Rovian thugs that control him win the White House. On lies.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

chevypanel46 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:44:18 GMT

Arizona native and Vietnam combat veteran here. I've long had great admiration and respect for John McCain (my senator) and had looked forward to voting for him for president. Not any more. Sadly, it appears he has pulled out all the stops to sell his soul for the presidency. Taking on Bush's & Rove's campign stategist, Steve Schmidt, amounted to the final surrender of what remained of his integrity.

Tried to look the other way for too long, but I can no longer stand the stench of lies, greed and corruption coming from the Republican bandwagon. I'll cast my vote for Obama and won't be looking back.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Army1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:46:29 GMT

Hey wgoin! It takes a simple majority to pass a bill in the senate. It takes 60 votes to over ride a veto. Is'nt it funny that the economy started going south after the dems took control. For our economy to be on the down turn at the tail end of the clinton yrs., then 9/11, I would have to say that Bush & the rep. controlled congress did okay. Of course you won't admit that and probably point to something else that was responsible.

...and SonOfHistoryProf, McCain is not opposed to funding military hospitals or benifits for wounded soldiers. He is opposed to all the other crap that the dems throw into the bill that has nothing to do with the actual bill itself. As far as benifits go, he wants to match benifits with the number of years you serve. As a VFW myself, I think it's a good idea. "There aint no draft no more."

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

revjmike — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:47:00 GMT

In this discussion I am reminded of the Move-On ads about hope.

I have hope because of Obama and his attitudes, polished speaking, and ideas. I, too, used to like McCain even though I wouldn't vote for him. Now I just think he's become awful.

Let's just hope this (according to the media) "uppity Negro" isn't defeated by racism, since most of the negative stuff really does stem at least somewhat from that source.

(I am Caucasian and 63 years old.)

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:47:00 GMT

SAGG what does 150 billion get me ? You know as well as i do why they arent using those acres its because there isnt enough in those acres. I would turn the question this way if the govt has given them those 67 million acres why not allow 50 million more or take back those 67 million and give em anwr.. we all know anwr is the prize. i hope you realize if we dont do it russia or others will gobble the north pole and drain it and then figure out a way to get close enough to steal the oil up there near anwr. then what are you gonna do?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:47:56 GMT

to just jerry: Obama never said people were weakminded because they clung to their religion and guns. He said - and is quite frankly right - when times are tough people turn to what brings them comfort and in many small rural towns it is their guns and their religion. That was not a put down but an honest observation. People always turn to their comfort zones when times are tough. And, as a woman I would have loved to see Hillary run a great campaign but she shot herself in the foot more than once. The lie about being under sniper fire in Bosnia was so far-fetched I had to step back and reconsider everything she said. She has done much to make this country proud but her campaign was not run well and Obama's was.

Obama has my support because he has done what he promised - he has run a smart and decent campaign. McCain has stooped to low-level garbarge and he looks desperate. Not a quality I want in a president. It is definitely time for a big change and Obama is it.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:48:51 GMT

Posted By: IowaObserver (July 30, 2008 at 4:36 PM)

********************************************************************************************************************

Well, believe it or not, (and I'm sure that you won't, so I'll provide a link for you to see with your own eyes, if you're man/woman enough to look) but there was someone else from Illinois who had about the same experience (some might say even less because he served only in the House) than Obama that became President. Here's the link. Look if you dare:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln

Yeah, THAT guy, in case you don't bother looking anyway. If George W. Bush can becaome President, then I KNOW Obama can be, except he'll listen and work with others, and not be a lone cowboy bent on making others follow our will--or like McCain, be a blasted warmonger.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

HenryD — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:51:01 GMT

I certainly could not help but notice with amazement the fact that an article about "McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy" carried an ad for Obama mid-way through the copy. If Newsweek ran an article discussing Ford Motor Co.'s woes, and had a General Motors ad on the facing page, with GM all smiles (if that's possible), you can imagine the repurcussions. Mind-boggling !

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ragtopdodge — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:51:01 GMT

It's not genius to spread lies and spew negative attacks.

John McCain is just portraying himself as an angry old man.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

No Mo Tax — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:51:16 GMT

With thanks to "befair"

All presidential elections boil down to a hand full of states and when it is determined which states are the swing states, the Democratic Party goes into those states and they run the most vile, truth starved ads they can. They target those who have to work the hardest for the least amount of money, they target those who attend church regularly and they target the least educated in those states. They target those who do not like minorities and they convince these voters that voting Republican would mean losing all that they hold dear. Since these voters do not care to or know how to get properly informed, they will simply believe what the Democratic Party tells them, year after year. It seems the only time they pay attention and vote other-wise is when they are suffering more financially. Why these groups of people are not offended is beyond me. The Democratic Party takes gross advantage of those in this country who have the least, promising them everything and giving them precious little.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

LARY — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:51:53 GMT

why cant we elect the best man for the job and not dem or republican?the republicans have been running this country for to long..thier cut taxes to get the economy going has backfired and the ceo,s have ran away with the money . the oil companies want more land to drill on and arent even drilling on the land they have and when they do it wont make the cost go down it will just make them richer.mcbush doesnt have the energy to be president or the smarts ( just like bush ) so instaed of running on a platform he runs on lets destroy the other guy ..lets tell some lies and some people will believe them,,it doesnt matter if its true..and oh lets get the media to run them free....geeze whats wrong with america do they just watch fox and listen to rush or maybe its not to late for them to open up thier brains and see whats going on around them...inflation....losing homes...jobs...gas prices...spending out of control for the military...all on this president and some people like that? shame...shame

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

NoFool22 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:52:04 GMT

ddmcd1974, Obama has proposed taxing record profits by oil companies for use in developing alternative energy - meaning, wind, solar, hydrogen, etc. In India, a company called "Tata" is very close to mass-producing vehicles that rely solely on compressed air that run for roughly 198 miles for about $3 - the car costs only $8199. Another company, in California, "Tesla" already has an electric sportscar on the road and are working on a cheaper version right now. Of course,l Honda is working on their Hydrogen fuel cell. T. Boone Pickens, a big time oil mogul, has diverted all of his power and connections to wind power. More and more homes are converting to solar daily right now - look into all of these. It's my understanding that a pretty huge portion of that 150 billion will be used as subsidies to these ventures. The beauty is, it's a free market on energy again. That's the difference - Obama is watching all these things intently to see what will take, McCain is still just watching oil.... So there ya go, hope that helped, and, seriously, check them out. It's pretty exciting stuff.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sueadams — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:52:51 GMT

I am appalled that Newsweek headlines this article as a "Savvy" strategy -- that's endorsing outright lies as being standard procedure. I actually expect a lot better of Newsweek. We need to demand some serious changes in what is acceptable political conduct if this country has any hope stopping the slide toward third world corruption status. McCain needs and deserves the same level of media scrutiny that Obama gets but it just isn't happening. Once again the public gets sold down river by the corporate suits...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

AlanCB — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:53:02 GMT

Is Romano a paid staffer of Obama, or is just that Newsweek so wants Obama to win that it will print the most clearly pro-Obama propanganda full of buzz words like McCain tied to negativity, absurd,

baseless and many other attack adjectives. We all remember it was Clinton who vetoed more oil drilling in the 1990's and the Democrats have and continue to block drilling now. If those ten years ago Clinton hqd signed the drilling Bill passed by the Rpublican Congress we have no oil crisis now. It is basic economics that less oil available means higher prices. The Demos cannot veto a law of economics So they have made us prisoners to the Oil Cartel blackmail. Oh Yes, Obama did skip visiting the wounded troops in German. So where is the "demonstrably false" in your Obama pitchman's article?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

xanabella — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:53:12 GMT

Oh Andrew. Don't give McCain or his crew of scumbags too much credit. False Tabloid-style attacks might have gotten him some free media exposure, but what kind? The only people he's speaking to that will buy any of that garbage are the gun-toting flag-waving bible-thumping conservative morons who were going to vote for him anyway, all he's really doing is successfully showing the undecided independents what kind of a dinosaur dirt-bag he really is. Anyone with a shread of independent thought is well-versed in this kind of political maneuvering. Frankly, he's making the same mistake Hillary did, and that's assuming that everyone is stupid, and according to the latest polls on "W"'s approval, only 30% of the population is stupid, those are the same 30% that think Obama is a Muslim and dictation is a social disease.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

wgoin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:53:24 GMT

To Army 1: First everything the Democrats wanted to do Bush threatened to veto and he has used the veto on a few of them. No point in sending a bill forward unless you have enough to overturn a veto. And, if you honestly think the economy just started going south the past year you haven't been looking. Bush and Republicans have saddled this country with the largest deficit ever - after inheriting a surplus from Clinton - the Democrat remember. I know what I am talking about - maybe you should do a little reading so you understand what is actually going on.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Fisherman144 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:55:24 GMT

to ddmcd1974:

You bring up a very interesting point about energy. McCain's energy program is to pump oil that won't get into the pipelines for 10 years. He wants us to believe that the 98 million square miles of leased land held by the 'Oil Companies' will help us....IT'S NEVER BEEN DRILLED OR EXPLOITED! Why should the oil interests take more land? The Bush republicans are using an old law called imenent domain to use other people's land without paying for it. If you think the Oil Companies make a very big profit now (with NO controls), just wait until they get their greedy hands on more land. The balance of power is governed by money.....McCain is well aware of that and is just drooling to get some of it.

Now, the energy plans for Obama - Let's use what we have. Build refinerys to make the oil into gasoline so the volume can be increased and the price drop dramatically. Do you realized, the U.S. hasn't built a new refinery in 20 years and doesn't use the capacity they have? Ther was a documentary on Discovery.-a brand new process in solar (light) conversion to electricity. It is 800 times more efficient than the chips we use today. It's patented, but the patent will be bought by those who want to keep oil prices high. Obama wants the more efficient process. Wind power is springing up all over. That is a tremndous source of electrical power. Obama wants to put the government's resources behind those projects. McCain wants to suppress all the alternative sources because he is tied to the money and Oil Interests that have purchased the White House for Bush and his buddies. McCain wants to be in the 'loop' that's why he changed from a maverick who bucked the party line of the Republicans just to wave the banner of power over the People not by the people....the Constitution means nothing to a man like that.

You have no idea what energy is. I suppose you support the King and his Princes in Saudi Arabia (the 9/11 terrorists), the religious zealots of Iran who pay insurgents to bring weapons into Iraq, the bullies of the electorate....that's your level of ignorance.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:56:21 GMT

Posted By: ddmcd1974 (July 30, 2008 at 4:47 PM)

Report Abuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Then I'll ask you again--why did the oil companies lease them in the first place if there wasn't enough oil there?? Seems like bad business to me, and we know that's not possible because the oil companies are making record profits. They ain't dumb. Besides, your boy Bush said that we're addicted to oil. Why in the world would and should we continue to feed our addiction?? You sure seem to think that Anwar's the "answer"? How do you know that, anyway? Give me some proof. Russia already has some oil fields anyway. What? Do you seriously think that they're going to take our land?? Get real, dude. What color is the sky in your world??

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SAGG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:57:20 GMT

Posted By: wgoin (July 30, 2008 at 4:53 PM)

Report Abuse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yeah, baby! Preach it! Amen!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:57:21 GMT

Nofool please dont respond to me again. ok you brought up taxing profits or aka windfall tax. that is the stupidest thing ever? explain to me how do you conclude what is the line you create to catagorize it as a tax? and since google owns 80% of search shouldnt they be chraged a windfall tax, what about vista and office suite. i think msft makes to much and since every kid should get a computer and the most expense part of a computer is the software nowadays maybe we should place this tax on msft so every kid gets a laptop. what about an ipod. aapl has 90% market these would help kids learn in school should we tax apple.. free markets are free markets all the time not some of the time... t boone also asks for more drilling in anwr. read his whole thesis not part of it.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

clarenoi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:57:34 GMT

Savvy? Clever? So it's OK to lie and cheat as long as your clever and savvy? Please. Little Andrew needs a few more lessons in life before he feels it's OK to condones bad behavior from a person who hopes to be this country's leader. The media needs to show McCain's tactics for what they are. Lies. Libel. Desperate. If Obama was running anything close to this nastiness there would be a media outcry.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

StephenBleeds — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:58:32 GMT

I think it is interesting that the add on the right makes it hard to read posts...just wonder if it is only my setting or computer that does this.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ddmcd1974 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:58:49 GMT

fishermann where i live in florida fpl tried to put up windmills but stupid enviros cut the plan down and that will happen everywhere. NIMBY. so dont tell me windpowr is the answer

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:59:27 GMT

What a friggin moronic column... only in American politics could making "demonstrably false" claims and "misleading voters" be considered a brilliant strategy. The reason unabashed lies like this are usually successful is most of America watches WWE and "Wipe-out" and has the IQ of a honey-roasted almond. (See currently elected president). Further confusing the stupid people that still think Obama is Muslim and was sworn in using a Koran is hardly what we need – or more importantly – what we need to be encouraging with half-witted columns like this. You are a joke Romano... and THAT isn't a lie. Bad strategy on my part.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Cautiously Optimistic — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:01:02 GMT

How can the American voter fall over and over for the lies and deception?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

jonnyooh — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:02:42 GMT

McCain's adds target the same un-thinking, self-loathing lower vertibrates that put Bush in office twice. I don't think even that mentally challanged demographic has come through the past seven years as credulous and trusting of the Republican mafia as they went in. However, maybe they have. It seems to be a pretty close race at this point. McCain appears to be counting on the probability that America's Bush-voting moron and religious fanatic population is up for being fooled again. It's possible that we could have four more years of the kind of government these fools deserve.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Independent_taxpayer — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:02:44 GMT

I believe that the Bush people writing the Ads for McCain realize the only hope he has is to appeal to the less than literate population that will actually believe what is being said. It is a shame that he feels that he cannot run on own his merits. While the ads may help him in the areas that do not research information they will hurt him in those that do. In the beginning both said they would not run these false negative ads but obviously one changed his mind.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sundrips — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:03:06 GMT

McCain continues to make the same stupid mistakes that Hillary and others made, Pointing fingers at your opponent will more often than not leave the speaker standing there with their foot in their mouth.

In John McCain's case, however, he doesn't have much to stand on anyway considering the voters have already made it clear, it isn't going to be business as usual.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Fisherman144 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:03:35 GMT

Cutting our posts on the right side just goes to show you that media is manipulated by those

who can't stand competition, especially when money is concerned.

By the way - Florida should harness lightening and forget wind power.....oh, and have oil

soaked beaches if McCain has his way.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

commonsenseparty — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:04:41 GMT

While I think Obama will continue to take the high road and not sink to McCain's level, wouldn't it be GREAT if he created a television ad that showed all of McCain's gaffes and flip-flops, things he said during prior campaigns, and all the lies he's perpetuated against Obama? Sort of a I've-had-enough-of-your-nonsense commercial that throws it right back at McCain? It would be glorious!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

befair — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:05:26 GMT

The ads on top of the post is a problem that just started to happen. I am seeing it too.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

NoFool22 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:05:49 GMT

ddmcd1974, wow, sorry I tried to broaden your horizons. And I'm aware of Pickens' thesis, so don't talk down to me like I'm some kind of moron. 1.) I was be civil, and you're just plain an a**. 2.) Apple, Microsoft, Google? These are the examples you give me? People have the OPTION of buying an IPOD...You call it a free market when you HAVE to travel by something gasoline powered if you want to get from California to Maine in this lifetime? Last time I checked, there wasn't a hydrogen filling station in my town...it's not a free market, pal...it's a Monopoly of freedom of travel...of course unless you're Amish...so, the next time you want to argue with someone, don't pose it as an honest and non-threatening question.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

NoFool22 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:07:27 GMT

ddmcd1974

P.S. i'm not suprised, attack and berate IS the Repub motto after all...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

LARY — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:07:51 GMT

iam from south louisiana where most of the country gets thier oil and gas.. guess what the gas is no cheaper here...the oil companies have tore up our coast line so bad we have no protection from storms left...they are sitting on oil leases they purchased from the federal goverment and havent even started drilling on those leases and now some people want to give them the rest of the leases to sit on..the only reason mcain is for leases is he now has about 1 million more dollars in his campain from them...it really hurts to see america believe every thing he says...why is it people call him a hero when he was shot down and captured..so lets make him president?why is he a hero?????????

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

curryjm — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:09:25 GMT

I followed the link from MSNBC and this is another "Stumper" article by Andrew Romano. I have to tell you, I really don't want to read anything more from Andrew Romano. He seems too clever and/or sarcastic for my taste. This is not really news at all; it is all opinion and it should not masquerade as news on the MSNBC website.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Iowafarmer — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:09:25 GMT

Lies are never right, especially when you are running for President. Lies got us into a war that has cost us thousands of lives and billins of dollars. Indeed, the Republican election machine that elected Geroge W. Bush is the same one pushing McCain. Bush was elected on lies and deciet twice. maybe this country is no longer capable of living up to its ideals. Maybe the Republicans have killed intelligent discussion and truth and honesty. If McCain wins on such blatant lies, it is a terrible day for America.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sandman4 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:10:56 GMT

Hay Clarenoi-

Obama could get caught drunk driving and the media would somehow turn it into a positive. Both sides bend the truth. We are screwed either way. Obama, who has a #1 liberal rating - I want to live in America, not a socialist country. Or McCain, who confuses Iraq and Iran, Shiites and Sunnis - and this area of the world and its problems are the focus of his campaign. Sheeesh!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:13:55 GMT

C'mon IowaFarmer.. lies are "savvy" and are good for America. Lies are a great tactic to win an election. Just ask Andrew Romano. Do you think he reads these threads? He's probably busy writing more slop.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

BrettAstor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:14:28 GMT

I'm generally drawn to any article on advertising strategy and I was excited to hear how the best and brightest in the political arena are maneuvering for the top prize of Mr. President. Then I came to a line in the article that said "Both claims were nonsense, as plenty of objective observers have noted." Suddenly I realized what, exactly, these "best and brightest" are the best and brightest at.

By way of reminder, it's against the federal (and state) law for businesses to make false or misleading claims in advertising. To put it bluntly, you aren't allowed to lie in order to sell your product or service. You have to tell the truth. If you don't, the Federal Trade Commission has a division called the Bureau of Consumer Protection that will come after you and make you pay a lot of money - in both defense of yourself as well as in punishment and restitution to the consumers adversely affected by the lies or misleading statements in your advertising.

"The Bureau of Consumer Protection works to protect consumers against unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices in the marketplace."

Unless these unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices committed against consumers (citizens) are undertaken by someone who wants to be President of the United States.

As we are all aware, laws are put in place by the government, specifically the members of the Senate and the President. Isn't it interesting that the same people who make the laws against false and misleading advertising are the same people who are exempt from the laws against false and misleading advertising.

So, politicians running for office aren't held to the same standard as us regular people who run businesses - also known as citizens. Yes, you are allowed to lie in political ads to get people to elect you President of the United States, but you aren't allowed to lie to sell more Coca-Cola, Tide detergent, or Subway sandwiches.

Now, you may ask: is this a big deal? Don't businesses spend far more money and therefore do far more damage than politicians when they lie in advertising?

That depends, on perhaps two things. One, do you think the decision about who will be President of the United States is more important or less important than the decision to go to Subway for lunch? Second, in just seven months of 2008, total spending on political and issue ads stands today at $655 Million. Johnson & Johnson, by contrast, spent about $700 million across all if its global brands during the first six months of 2007. In short: these are pretty big advertising numbers and if they are spent behind deceptive ads, they will have a significant impact. There is a reason why the government outlaws false and deceptive advertisements... they are very influential. People believe what they hear and see in advertisements.

Let's hope, as unlikely as it is, that for the sake of our country people apply some scrutiny to what they see in political advertisements and make the effort to check the claims made in them this season. Otherwise the race for President will be largely determined by which candidate's advertising strategists can come up with the most influentially misleading ads. Probably not the best criteria for electing someone President of the United States.

And, frankly, can't the United States of America do better than this?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:20:11 GMT

Frankly I don't even blame McCain. I blame the press and idiots like Andrew Romano. What the late, great Tim Russert did best was challenge politicians, put their feet to the fire and make them accountable for what they say or do. That is what made him one of the great journalists of our time. Other than Andrea Mitchell, I have not really seen anyone in the press stand up to the McCain Lie-Machine. America is a free country, anyone can buy a TV spot and fill it with lies... it is up to our FREE PRESS to challenge what is not true. Interns with columns like Romano do not understand this... and never will.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

noah's boat — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:28:05 GMT

Why hasn't the Obama campaign exposed the McCain Vietnam tapes, and the Keating Five stories?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Debi Ward — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:35:21 GMT

Seems to me, the press/media has focused their attention on Obama. How about playing fair? And reporting equally on both candidates?

However, to equal the score - we should read much more about McCain in the coming weeks.

If Obama is elected - it will be for the simple fact that the press/media gave him more print.

The public should be given the facts and left alone to decide: not constantly spoon fed one particular person.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Rocky12 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:37:07 GMT

I think you've got this all wrong... it's the very un-savvy media-will-blindly-follow-McCain-everywhere-he-takes-us strategy. 12 ads = how many countless hours of free advertising and conjecturing by people like Mr. Romano? Maybe the media -- liberal, conservative, and otherwise -- should start reviewing material before they blindly give it undue stature. No wonder the latest study shows that 72% of Mr. Obama's press coverage is negative and then the press AND McCain have the audacity to even hint that coverage has been biased because Obama has more coverage than McCain. Well, I'm sure you'll fix that - by giving even more negative press to Obama and even more positive free-ride spin to McCain.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

lightman1 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:38:52 GMT

A Republican candidate that misleads and is unethical? How unusual! Can't wait the hear the McCain justifications for getting us into illegal wars. I cannot believe that we are considering buying Bush Light.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

pearsoncrz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:39:47 GMT

Russert challenged everyone but Obama, who he not only gave a pass. but helped in the debate with Sen. Clinton.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ObamaNow — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:41:25 GMT

Well we all know who Andrew Romano is voting for. McCain's He claims that the "Troops" accusation is "baseless." How so? They told Obama he could go visit the wounded troops without cameras and campaign staff...he decided not to go. What is so baseless?

Obama also opposes offshore drilling, nuclear energy and clean coal. You Obama supporters are too busy agreeing with each other and calling McCain names to notice these little ditbits...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sandman4 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:47:27 GMT

Oh Brother-

What a lovefest of the "Nixon LIED to me" folks.

You think Obama is Mr.On-the-level? Gimme a break.

He's the NUMBER ONE liberal in the Senate who's trying to act as central as he can - and he can't do that without a lotta oldfashioned bull dung. He wouldn't be where he is without the leftist media making him their darling. As I said before, he could get caught drunk driving and the media would put a positive spin on it. The only candidate who spoke the truth over this election campaign was Ron Paul.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

whiterock — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:49:16 GMT

Frankly, I think whatever McCain is doing is very tame in comparison to what Bush and his gang did to Gore and Kerry. Does everyone have short term memory loss? Don't you remember what the Bush campaign did to them and even to McCain when he was running against Bush the first time around? Bush had NO scruples at all. Is it because Obama has such a thin skin and everyone tries to run to his rescue to protect him that everyone is making such a big deal about this? Obama is very cunning. He just lets other people associated with him throw flames (i.e. Wesley Clark) and then stands back and plays innocent. Obama used the same tactic on Clinton and had his people rough her up real good. He just expected her to back down and she didn't so he had to actually work hard to get the small margin of victory that he got.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

cleelums — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:56:48 GMT

First of all, Newsweek's history is hardly a neutral observer. Unfortunately the FAR right gets more credence than they deserve because the press is so overwhelmingly liberal. Their readership would go down even further if a "rock star" is not elected. If you're going to talk about lies, where are the articles about the total inaccuracies that the Democratic Board of governors are steadily advertising all over the country with the notation: No one candidate paid for this ad. Where are the stories from the disinfranchized left about how Obama has become a centrist with at least 11 changes in policy so that he can appeal to the middle of the road independents? Will the real Obama please stand up (at least until the wind changes).

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ProPsych — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:00:10 GMT

ObamaNow - It doesn't bother me that you like McCain. It bothers me that you are repeating uninformed gossip and calling it fact. Every major newspaper has come out with stories today refuting your (and McCain's) version of what happened with Obama's visit to the troops. He made a decision to stay away from an event he thought would be politicized and adversely affect the troops. It was compassionate, not opportunistic. He has made visits to wounded troops before, without fanfair or media attention. If he gone to see the troops, would you have approved or would you have said he was exploiting them for political purposes? The latter, I'm sure.. Either way, support your man if you like, but tell the truth and get him to, as well.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

om314 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:01:16 GMT

It was only a matter of time before the McCain campaign went "ROVE" on us. All the whining about unfair press: please! McCain gets no challenge on his "misspeaking", "flip-flopping" , "Yes" today and "No" tomorrow again and again- Example: time-table for Iraq withdrawal. "NO" old John said until he saw the Iraqis want it and then yes, until he was asked about it "No, I never said that." Hey, John: ever heard of taping devices (sure you are- your party loves 'em) or UTube...? All of us need to be mindful that we can appeqar on the internet instantly. No George the 3rd, please.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Robman2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:01:22 GMT

Likely voters, he’s ahead, suspect polling as per the vetting by the NYT.

So pundits and their ilk don’t look at polls until after labor day and the trend lines do not favor an Old White Guy’s club beyond the over 60 set.

Mc Cain is hoping his aw shucks shilling will carry him past or off of the radar and folks will simply see him as older and wiser after Labor Day.

Obama's people and the 527's are likely just waiting, until the VP pick and continue to let him act out, and possibly blow up in a patented Mc Cain senior moment.

Mc Cain smart like a fox, because of SS?

I don't think so, Schmidt was running Arnie's patrol and right now the comparative looks well, not so good, as the CA Gov has lost his cred, swamping we left coasters in borrowed debt, and running ill advised ballot measures to look like he knows how to run a state, and let's not forget Darryl Issa's the one who let Arnie play "Politician" in the first place.

So Rove's protégée', we will see about his acumen after Labor Day.

The 527’s could very quickly run a you tube on Schmidt, California’s demise because of him and tag him as W, Rove’s bitch, and cull him for momentum by making him the issue.

Despite the ho hum after trip glow (OB’s guys said, it would be a wash, stature positioning, the press made it into a beyond the moment and Mc Cain took the same trip and got bupkus)

Substance wise, Barack is still leading in the why it matters categories and using the drilling as a foil, is a distraction for GOP traction; they have nothing else to even begin to stand for because the voters still haven’t realized that Boehner and Mc Connell, have drawn wagons simply to ploy the Dems, and look for that 527 soon.

Let them drill on the leases they have now, and what about Montana?

The governor there said to the apologist Stossel on live TV that the independents are doing drilling as we speak, doing well by all account but that the majors, haven’t even tried to poke their way into MT.

Oh, whoops…look for that 527 too.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

walleyeman_tn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:04:33 GMT

McCain, said he knows how to win Wars- can anyone tell me which War he has won? I cannot think of any!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

walleyeman_tn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:05:20 GMT

McCain, said he knows how to win Wars- can anyone tell me which War he has won? I cannot think of any!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

amendment2man — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:08:18 GMT

i dont think the obama supporters realize that they preach to the chior and continue to hype themselves up with their blind support or an increasingly ill-prepared candidate.

the key is that ther smugness and presumptuousness (also on their candidates part) really turns people off and the recent euro jaunt by obama proves that. for all the showboating it had mostly a negative effect. it did do much to amplify the perceived arrogance which obama projects.

its not pretty.

Mccain is crafty and savvy. two great qualities for a president to possess. do we need a milktoast appeaser and a president who blows with the wind?? No we need leadership and decisiveness with a clear vision for security alongwith sound fiscal policies. we dont need to soften and politically correct ourselves anymore and realize that the rest of the world REALLY needs us to be their friend no matter how they act as if they need us not. who is going to buy their stuff???

Obama is just not qualified.

Mccain you're all we've got come November.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

bluesgutter — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:14:07 GMT

If lying makes someone "Savvy", then I guess McCain is one savvy SOB.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:15:25 GMT

He says he was "heavily involved" in major wars like Kosovo and Grenada... ha ha. And he claims credit for Desert Storm... somehow. I think he also helped train Obiwan Kenobi... If you are REALLY interested in how much McCain "supports the troops" educate yourself by watching this. These are REAL votes by McCain... way to back your boys McShame. Pretty sad.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25933549#25892122

AND if you care about the environment... read this

"Sen. McCain of Arizona, the likely Republican nominee, rated a zero out of 100 for his votes on environmental issues last year [2007], the League of Conservation Voters said in the group's national environmental scorecard.

Over the course of his Senate career, his score was a 24 percent, compared to lifetime scores of 87 percent for Clinton and 86 percent for Obama, both Democrats.

McCain has sponsored legislation to combat climate change, and is described on his campaign Web site, www.johnmccain.com, as having a "record of common sense stewardship" of the environment.

However, he missed all 15 environmental votes for 2007 that were tallied in the report, including a vote on repealing billions of dollars in tax breaks for big oil companies, a measure that failed by one vote, the report said."

So...it seem that Sen. McCain's trip to the Everglades was just a publicity stunt. He has demonstrated time and time again that he does not care about the environment.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

zcaseman — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:15:38 GMT

Well, the last two presidential elections prove that most voters don't evaluate the facts. So this tactic of spreading lies for truth will work for his target audience, Fox news watchers and the terminally uninformed (okay, those are really the group of people).

As we know, Obama's core followers are the educated, sadly there are enough in this country.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

abadreview — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:23:12 GMT

To bad nobody saw the ad, except senior citizens, which were probably going to vote McCain in the first place. T.V. is for losers. Romano, i'm surprised you still have a job, especially sine you're as biased as they come. Must be that cute little baby-face. kind of weird though, since you're like 53.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

paulo — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:24:37 GMT

McCain is running a dirty nasty negative campaign, spurred on by War and Destruction Inc. This article is a little misguided, especially when you consider his latest effort with Paris and Britney. One would have thought there is only room for one pill popping blonde heiress in this campign! Hopefully Obama will continue his positive campaign and not resort to the level of the filthy repugs. I hope all my American friends who tell me that America is too undereducated and racist to elect an extremely intelligent statesman simply because he is mixed race are wrong.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

josh-levin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:33:05 GMT

"Pump" certainly alienated me.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

News42008 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:38:01 GMT

The ad that McCain used featuring Britney and paris is not only a horrible political tactic, it is also a stupid move for the campaign. Little does he know that a lot of young people, espeacially young voters, look up to these figures or that they adore the figures as an example of the American Dream, or in the case of Britney, an example of redeemming yourself. While McCain may have thousands of supporters in the United States, Britney has millions of fans across the world. My advice for McCain: Stick to the ads that will make you look good in a positive way. Don't use the adds that will eventually make you look like the bad guy.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

joe1022joe — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:42:35 GMT

Hard to understand why the article says McCain ad is wrong when it states that Obama is against opening new offshore drilling areas. Obama IS against opening new offshore drilling areas.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

cm4297 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:44:32 GMT

How is John McCain qualified? I keep asking this question, and the only response I get is he fought in a war. PS - It's a war that we did not even win. I'm just going to say it. Why are some Americans assuming that another elitist white man is their best bet? If this country makes the mistake of putting McCain in office, hey, we will go the way of the Roman Empire. I keep telling you, the last plague on pharaoh's house was out of his own mouth. Our last vote, may be just that, our last vote.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

gsgram — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:46:01 GMT

I have always considered McCain ethical, even if he disagrees with many of my positions. His latest ads, however, are blatantly false and has gone against his promise not to go negative. It has made me stop and consider if he is, in fact, just like George W. Bush. What a shame! It has helped me make up my mind for sure.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

cm4297 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:46:20 GMT

whiterock, AMEN. McCain is stupid enough to run for a party that destroyed him when he tried to run against Bush. Whiterock, you are one of the smartest people I have encountered in a long time.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

bluegrass101 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:48:18 GMT

The Ya'all come back now , Git Er Done, toothless , tobacco chewing, WAH ,Ah Cain't spelle two goode crowd, will believe anything that the McFudd crowd puts out there.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ihope — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:49:56 GMT

John Mcain's latest ads are beneath the decency of our great country & a Presidential campaign It is a continuation of the politics of fear mastered by Bush/Rover. I expect more from someone running for dog catcher! They would like for us to focus on the half truths & lies they are putting out to keep us from really looking at the facts. Wake up America! We are better than this! I HOPE!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Arsenic4u2 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:51:10 GMT

Without a doubt McCain has hit a new low with this last stupid ad. Not to mention that he has blamed Obama for the rise in gas.Of coarse he is going to agree with Bush about drilling it doesn't take a rocket scientist why Bush wants more drilling.So I guess it will be status quo with Mccain in office the richer will get richer and the rest of us will try to survive if McCain is in office.It now seems that this country as great as it is is starting to turn into a third world country

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

pearsoncrz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:51:23 GMT

Rocky, it is an effective use of reverse psychology on the Obama loving MSM. McCain's campaign floats factually true criticism of Obama which the MSM interprets as implying false conclusions and then complains about how McCain is running a "negative" campaign. McCain then smiles and nods at all the free time his ad is getting on the air, especially since the statements made are factually true.

And this is done in very down to earth, regular people settings like the grocery store, where you can bet McCain isn't buying arrugula and savignon blanc.

Not so dumb, is he?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Heptad — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:57:56 GMT

McCains strategy to send in more combat brigades, boost economic aid to Iraq and Afghanistan by billions, tripling monetary aid to Pakistan, buying off insurgents and the various tribes in Iraq and Afghanistan not to shoot us, creating a ”War Czar”, reviving the draft and claiming “I know how to win wars” doesn’t equate to good foreign policy credentials. Sounds like a vote for McCain is a vote for further aggression. As for Domestic affairs McCain’s embracing NAFTA, going to Canada and Mexico to assure them that NAFTA was sacred writ and then laughing in the face of Michigan voters, telling them with glee The jobs are not coming back.” Doesn’t sound like sound economic policy credentials. A vote for him is a vote for more fast track free trade agreements, driving more jobs off shore, reducing us to a nation wiling to work ten hours a day+ for room and board. His agenda seems to be destroy America economically, drive up unemployment, scuttle social security and medicare, make the rich richer with more tax breaks and make America, a corporate monarchy. No thank you McCain, we already have families living on the street and eating out of garbage cans.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

rube — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:02:20 GMT

It has become quite clear that Senator McCains behavior is anything but “maverick!”

He fumbles, he fumes, and he rants he raves. He claims that “the Vietnam War and the Iraq War were necessary!”

He flip-flops constantly - why isn’t the mainstream media jumping on these obvious snafus?

You give us the reverse psychology crap!

His cognitive though process is in doubt, he can’t remember certain procedures and issues- how he voted on certain bills and on and on…

And so the so-called “maverick” Mccain has voted with the GOP 95 % and with Bush Jr. 90% of the time!

He dangles abstract ideas to the public such as we can drill our nation out of the oil problem when countless experts have said otherwise. He recently said he might change his course and administer new taxes and the next day recanted his own words. I could go on forever, but we all know this is true and evident so I wont!

Mccain may be to far gone to be president- why won’t Mccain release his full medical history? This should be a requirement to be president! If anyone applies for any sort of job we all have an examination that is made available to all concerned! Is his action with holding his medical records responsible and upright?

The GOP voters picked Mccain in the primary election- quite crying that media scrutiny isn’t fair to him! Is he tough and smart enough to defeat Obama? If anything we now know he’s not ethical enough to defeat Obama! McCain is counting on apathy from both voters and the media and articles like this tripe are giving it to him. Ad savey my butt!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

olga c — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:03:13 GMT

McCain is pulling a Hillary, targeting the "lunchbox" workers who would rather think of Obama as arrogant that admit they wouldn't vote for a black man.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deliqueen — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:04:04 GMT

John McCain is not stupid by any means and it is sad that the american people cannot see that HE is the one that is truly concerned about this country. If we were ever attacked again and Obama was in office, he'd be calling John McCain for advice. Obama has no clue and just loves the applause and glory of the crowds. Maybe he should buy an electric guitar and start a band. If he gets in office not only will our COUNTRY be vulnerable, but the black population will never be satisfied. I remember race riots, and that is not something I want to re-live. John McCain is a much better choice and I think most Americans know this but for stupid reasons like age or looks they won't budge. We'll all be old someday and I hope you're treated with the same respect you deserve at a younger age. It's not just about voting for a pretty boy~

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Snarxon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:10:55 GMT

SAVVY!! CLEVER!!!

What about DISHONEST? HYPOCRITICAL?

Nah ... McCain gets a FREE PASS.

WHY?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

whiterock — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:14:41 GMT

As I said before, what McCain is doing is very tame in comparison to what the Bush Machine did in the last 2 campaigns. Most of you are either too young to really remember the last 2 presidential campaigns or you have short term memory loss. I've been a Democrat for 30 yrs. and McCain is the most moderate Republican I know. He is one of the few Republicans that works across party lines and gets results (i.e. McCain -Feingold bill). McCain is not even close to the Bush Administration pitbull Karl Rove. The Bush Administration is the worst example of Republicans that I have ever seen in my lifetime. They make Nixon look like a choir boy. Even my 97 year old Aunt said that she had never seen any president so bad in her lifetime and she is a Republican! This is a presidential campaign, folks, not a populaity contest.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

pearsoncrz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:16:32 GMT

McCain does not claim we can drill our way out of our problems and instead admits that it would only afford us short term relief, but better short term than never, better to do something than nothing.

Not ethical enough to beat Obama?? Who changed his mind on who to back in the Palestinian/Israeli conflict just so he could get elected to the senate? Who changed his mind on FISA (and why???)? Who changed his mind on public financing after his bundlers proved they could raise millions from corporate big wigs and special interests, way beyond anything a PAC could give? Who engages in pay to play politics?

Obama, Obama, Obama.

Who requests millions in earmarks that will benefit his political cronies, financial backers, and even his wife?

Obama, Obama, Obama.

Who has opposed earmarks, and made sure that the taxpayers know where their money is being spent?

McCain.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

stopitnow@msn.com — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:25:36 GMT

Any man that would say "He would lose a war to win an election", is not worth enough to be President of the USA. In reality McCain is saying that Obama would like to see American troops killed to win an election. I don't know where you live, so I can't address half of the questions I would lke to pose to you. What race riots are you talking about? I remember there were riots in the late 60' and early 70's, but they were not race riots. I believe they were called civil disorders. If McCain was concerned about this country, in the 20 or 30 years he has been in the senate, he would have made a difference. I am elderly 70, for your information, and McCain hasn't shown me he is concerned about this country. He followed the crowd when they voted for the invasion of Iraq. The man is a war hawk, remember he was calling for more troops to be committed several years ago. Since he fought in the Viet Nam confllict, he should have known that you can not win an insurgency. He keeps saying we are winning, coming home with honor, we can wait until hell freezes over, and we still will not see victory in Iraq. Once we pull back the snakes will come from under ground, and the entire process starts over again. DELIQUEEN - grow up, don't believe the hype. I'll over look your comment concerning the electric guitar. But I won't pass over your ignorance concerning the Black population. Do you think African Americans believe that Obama can change the racist attitude of this country. No way, the racist today will be the racist tomorrow and so will all of his friends and family. Its just bred into you guys.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

John QQQ — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:26:12 GMT

Oops - wrong place on the net - I was looking for impatial political reporting but I apparently hit the DNC propaganda department.

Mr. Romano actually campained for Al Franken (it says so in his bio -- I'd admit to being a male prostitute before I admitting to that).

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ziaislam — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:29:40 GMT

Andy, you as a part of Main Stream Media, is doing your part - making Obama look not worthy of your trust. Don't just write for the hack of it, that's what we expect from people like you. Else people will shun Newsweek, as is already seen in your circulation.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

whiterock — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:19:48 GMT

Romano is a kid...he graduated in 2004. You can't take him seriously! He probably doesn't even remember what happened in the last 2 presidential elections. This is probably his first real political experience. I'd take what he wrote with a grain of salt. He's certainly not an expert. He has stars in his eyes still from interviewing Paul McCartney!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sparky716 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:26:58 GMT

McSame is a tired old man...

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sparky716 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:43:36 GMT

He got shot down over Vietnam and he will get shot down in this election...he cant fly a plane and he cant run a honest campain...you can see each day how deaprate he is getting...i feel sory for the old man

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dspeightus — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:55:10 GMT

McBush is getting desperate.....he should fired the ones who suggested this dumb ad.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Bonnie S. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:58:53 GMT

"The key difference...is their intended targets." Look. The Republicans and John McCain think the American people are stupid. Think they will fall for anything they see on the tee vee. That's why they're running these ads--without substance, without basis, and without honor. They think you are dumb. They think you are weak. They think you are gullible. Do not let them juke you and fool you into their money-grubbing hands. Not this time.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

fishergran — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:06:51 GMT

McCain's campaign is a disaster. All those photo ops were terrible. He looks uncomfortable and pained and it is hard to even listen to his words because of the images. If he keeps up this kind of negative campaigning he is headed for a huge defeat. It is a shame to see a formerly respected man lower himself to this kind of action in his effort to win this election. Where is his dignity and self respect? Does he really think people are so dumb they don't see through this stuff? We have already had 7.5 years of being treated like a bunch of imbeciles and McCain seems determined to continue that same nonsense. It is too bad he did not run for President (and win) 20 years ago because he might have been a good President then. Now it is too late for him.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

dontbelievethehype — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:20:53 GMT

Romano is sooooo pompous. I love how he cites as proof that McCains Landstuhl ad is false the fact that " I've Already called McCain's Troops accusation baseless." Whoooo really you did that all by yourself. Well it must be so then. Its hard to tell who's more full of himself, Romano or Obama.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Loden Green — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:29:51 GMT

Congrats, Andrew, you've now officially joined the media love fest for ol' John. Do us all a favor, please, and quit pretending to be "objective."

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Charles_BCCA — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:36:50 GMT

McCain is angry grumpy old men who either does not know what he had said or his previous position or simply a pathological liar. Either way do we want a president who has lost his bearings or is a liar like Bush and Nixon. He is one likely to start another war and not remember ordering it. Do we want someone like that with a trigger on the nuclear arsenal? I think not.

His false attacks on Obama debase him and make him look like an old fool, who would do anything, kissing up to evangelists that he himself once called extremists, adopting Bush tax cuts, he once opposed, voting against benefits to army again and again. He is a coward who can’t stand by his record and lies again and again. It does not matter who he nominates as his VP, he is not getting elected, period

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

JonMarsh — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:41:37 GMT

How is this trashy ad--linking him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton--even remotely seen as an intelligent move. In my eyes, it brought his whole campaign down to the level of gossip colomns and paparazzi. It's shameful, not creative. Tearing down a man who has dedicated his life to serving our country. Placing his standing as a US Senator on the same level as a talentless commodity. There are reasons why 200,000 Europeans showed up for a speech. Why millions of Americans believe in him. And it is because we can see BEYOND the propaganda.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SanityClause — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:59:39 GMT

McCain's 'brilliant' strategy is to ignore himself completely, because it would make it even more obvious how thoroughly inept he is, and instead to throw as many lies as he can in the direction of his far more capable opponent.

I had hoped that the elections of 2006 were enough to eliminate this kind of shameful advertising for a while, but apparently I was naive. That just makes it even more important for the voters to see through this kind of ploy in November. If we let these tactics succeed, we will never see the end of them.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

repubshadenoughyet? — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:07:29 GMT

I live in Michigan and have been treated to the negative attack ads. Michigan definately has alot of Republican voters. Mr McCain should keep spending his campaign dollars here. It is good for the Michigan economy and will do him absolutely no good. He will get the republican vote but the rest of the state doesn't want 4 more years. I have worked for good leaders for 25 years, and they have all done it by inspiring people. I am not inspired by negative ads, I am inspired by a true leader. The ads I see appear desparate. I want a leader who inspires. "Rock Star" is not a bad thing, He is inspiring like good leaders do. By the way, Bill Clinton had that label and I was happy with the state of the union. Savvy, I think not.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ChicoCDM — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:53:13 GMT

I really like that McCain is taking Obama ot task. The MEDIA ISN'T so its great that McCAIN is doing it for them. FINALLY this guy will get vetted.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Mckeating five — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:50:12 GMT

What I find interesting is the lack of coverage over Mccain being one of the Keating five and for that not to be discussed in the wake of the housing marked bail out... Well lets wait and see if the media brings that up before November, if Obama doesn't. Which he should seeing as how Mccain hits him with lies and this is actually factual.

Anyone who doesn't know what the Keating 5 is should google it, 4 more years of Bush for sure Mccain is as crooked as they come.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

repubshadenoughyet? — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:57:02 GMT

"FINALLY this guy will get vetted"? It has been nearly a year and the worst thing anyone has come up with is his name and reverend what's his name. In the age of the internet I assume that if there was dirt to be found the media would have come up with more. The last ad I saw was Mr. McCain blaming Obama for high gas prices.......According to Mr. McCain, Obama isn't experiencied and can't lead. I am surprised that he gives Obama credit for raising gas prices (a 4 term senator with no experience). I would be disappointed if Barack said he could lower gas prices because the president has very limited control over it. We live in an open market and the price is controlled by the market. The foreclosures are a different story, adequate oversight could have reduced the impact of subprime mortgages. Four more years......I think not.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

larrysul83 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:06:06 GMT

In reporting this story, Newsweek made a decision to use the words "clever" and savvy" to refer to ad campaigns that blatantly misrepresent a politital opponent's posiitions. The article itself mentions the falsehoods in the ads; by claiming that these ads are smart rather than ugly, Newsweek lowers the level of political discourse by encouraging dishonety.

The major media used to be referred to as the fourth estate because of the important role that they played in enforcing honesty by public institutions. Newsweek's reporting of this story is another reason why the American public has lost its respect for mainstream journalism.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Nor-Cal for Obama — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:56:20 GMT

Romano ,

Why is is that nowhere in this article you read more into the fact that the ads ARE in fact complete lies? Should it not be your job as a journalist to better document this fact? As well, the only way we get 3.5 percent averages is if you account for the bogus usa/gallop based on 700 non registered voters.

Frustrating lunacy.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

joe1022joe — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:00:42 GMT

It is true that now Obama claims to be a Christian. But it is also true that one-half of his family, which is all of his natural father's family, is Moslem and lives in Africa today. Literally half of Obama’s family is African and Moslem. These are not relatives from a 300 year old slave ancestor. These are his brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. His step-father is a Moslem and lives in Indonesia. While a child, Obama lived in Indonesia and attended a Wahabi Moslem school. His religion was stated as Moslem. These are not connections that can be cast aside with an, "Oh, that was then, this is now" attitude. When you place this in combination with his wife's comments about being proud of America for the first time when her husband (Obama) was running for president, his very close 20 year relationship with a black Christian preacher who clearly hates the USA and his association with an unrepentant Weatherman who publically stated the day before 9/11 he was sorry he hadn’t set off more bombs, you have a picture of a man about whom the American people have a right to be concerned. Obama is an accidental American. He was born on our soil, but he does not share most of the ideas and experiences we take for granted in Americans. Race is part of the subject, but only as an indicator and illuminator of the concealed ideas and attitudes of Obama.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

SanityClause — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:18:39 GMT

joejoe, you are either guilty of believing the lies that you read or hear, or you are guilty of making up the lies yourself. If you're going to pretend to know what you are talking about, it would help if you spelled Muslim correctly. The way you spelled it is considered offensive to believers, but perhaps that is what you intended. Just throw in 'uppity' when you talk about Obama and your message will be complete.

If you really believe what you wrote, then you need to actually get the facts, in their entirety, not the 30-second snippets that are shaped and distorted by Fox, Rush, and Savage in order to brainwash the gullible.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

deckard1138 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:28:16 GMT

Are McCain's ads clever or is the American electorate just stupid? I think it's the latter. Look who are current president is. No better representative of the American people will we ever have. joe1022joe is the perfect example. What an idiot.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Mckeating five — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:31:08 GMT

Here here sanity! A & E did a biography episode about Obama before he announced his running you should check it out joe. Who knows you might learn the truth and stop backing one of the Keating 5.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

aritomo — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:38:45 GMT

Hmm, if joe1022joe logic is correct, then it is also true that 99% of our families, which are all of our natural father's family is not from North America originally, and originally lived and decendents still live in Europe, Asia, Africa, and other places. Litterally half or more of our families are not from North America in the end. These are not relatives from a 300 year old slave ancestor either.

So what?

Does being "born" here make much difference to being a real American? I have had nice white people born here in America (i.e. True Americans) refuse our family food service when growing up - very clearly people who hate our US Constitution and philosophy of equal opportunity and liberty.

Not so long ago in historical time, we had Japs imprisoned in Nevada, despite multi-generations of living in the US and being citizens - some longer than the nice American people who put them there. Of course, problem being that these people were citizens, often multigenerational American's themselves - but obviously not True Americans.

Interestingly these people then later sent their sons sent to the German theatre to get all shot up. Yes please read about the 442nd Infantry Regiment. Of course, you probably don't care since they are not your True Americans and really don't share your values - other than the fact they were awarded 21 Medal's of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses (including 19 Distinguished Service Crosses which were upgraded to Medals of Honor in June 2000)

1 Distinguished Service Medal

560 Silver Stars (plus 28 Oak Leaf Clusters for a second award)

22 Legion of Merit Medals

15 Soldier’s Medals

4,000 Bronze Stars

But yes, as Accidental American's there must be something indicating and illuminating their concealed ideas and attitudes if your theory is correct. They must have really wanted something quite different from you as a True American to have gone out of their way in WWII - Certainly they did not share most of the ideas and experiences you take for granted in Americans.

Most all American's were in one way or another accidental Americans - particularly those born here, and never choosing to be Americans. Having been born here, of parents that specifically chose to emigrate here, become citizens here. Perhaps I'm a rare unaccidental American?

What is your point?

What kinds of indicators and illuminators of concealed ideas and attitudes does your post say about you? Do us a favor and think first, write second.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Notrepublican — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:50:29 GMT

Am I the first one to say this, really. .. Alright then. Any and all Mccain supporters are either idiots, or people too old, or racists, or idiots, oh yeah and did I forget to mention idiots. Look, Mccain supporters, bush supporters, I know it's not in your nature to not be idiots, but please, just this one time, can you not be idiots.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

chevypanel46 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:51:00 GMT

Re: New Attack Ads & Steve Schmidt

Senator McCain,

I would remind you, sir, that you are a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. For Christ's sake, what has become of you? I'm appalled that you're stooping to the same kind of despicable politics that George Bush slammed you with in 2000.

Although I had not intended to, I am now sending the Obama campaign a check with an apology on behalf of military officers everywhere and the people of Arizona. Your present activities and association with Mr. Schmidt have brought shame to both of these groups you erroneously purport to represent..

"An officer does not lie, does not cheat, and does not steal". As a former army officer who still takes those words seriously, I'm ashamed to see that you are presently engaged in all three.

Most sincerely,

G. Craig Mathews

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

socratesx11 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:58:38 GMT

Sure glad Senator McCain is holding to his focus on a no-smear, honest, focus on the issue campaign. Image the hell and brimestone that we'd be witness to if he wasn't.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

PHXPHD — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:04:28 GMT

I find my country in great peril of losing all credibility from being bombarded by slanderous campaigning such as Bush/Chaney used and now McCain.. People buying into this tactic are also buying another liar as a president. After the last 7.5 years you would think the people of this country would learn, but if your article is true, they have not. The Republican party has stooped to the lowest of lows in order to attain and continue their reign so they can further rape, lie and destroy the people of this country for their own profits and power.. and they should be held accountable... heads up Pelosi... you need to begin doing your job too!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

sherrybb — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:06:07 GMT

The "maverick" no longer exists. The truth and decency are gone. John McCain has decided the only way he has a chance to win this is to become the very people he did not want to be. I am starting to believe that he just maybe could be worse than the Rove team that lied and attacked him in 2000. What a sad, sad state of affairs. McCain is willing to sell his soul to win this election. The price is too high.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

jaime47 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:16:11 GMT

Amendment2man says:

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

Crafty and savvy? How about dishonest, cynical, hypocritical, and rapidly becoming senile? Four more great qualities for a president to possess !!! It was really quite recent that McCain promised to run and to desire a fair, honest campaign. He has certainly failed to live up to that promise. Oh, but it's OK because it's crafty. Gutter politics is what got us where we are today, with

1) the largest deficit in our nation's history,

2) seven-and-one-half years of a failed administration whose only claim to fame is "We got our man,"

only it was the wrong man,

3) disdain from the rest of the nations of the world because of our unilateral ideological military

blunder driven by arrogance,

4) top-to-bottom greed and corruption among corporate business, led by a man who thinks that

it's just the American way,

5) a thirty-year regression in environmental policies,

6) etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc etc.

Crafty and savvy? Swift-boating is neither. It's politics as usual, and, unfortunately, John McCain has demonstrated that he is willing to be as dishonest, craven, and cynical as the worst of the current occupants of the political inner circle. So much for the Senator from Arizona's exppressed desire to hold a civilized debate of the issues. His campaign is counting on getting the votes from those who are uninformed or unintelligent enough to buy his repeated lies.

Crafty and savvy? No, cynical, desperate, and totally lacking integrity.

And as for Romano, by calling dishonesty a "strategy", he demonstrates his lack of integrity as well.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

suzyku — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:26:19 GMT

If the people of this country fall for this trash again they are plain stupid! I hope that after the last 8 disastrous years we have gotten smarter and would not simply believe something because someone says it over and over. If your article is correct there is no hope left for this country or the stupidity of the people living and voting in it! This is pathetic.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Notrepublican — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:37:33 GMT

Shouldn't we be focusing on the bigger issues here, like the nominees views. Like Mccain's views on staying in Iraq for 100 years, on supporting most Bush's failed policies, to not lift our dependancy on oil, to keep on borrowing money from foreign countries, utterly leading our country into a depression. Or Obamas views on ending the war in Iraq, to stop borrowing from foreign countries, to push towards alternative energy sources, to solve the mortgage crisis by reinstating Clinton policies during his presidency, and to push toward universal healthcare. I know Obama isn't "experienced". But isn't an inexperienced president with the right idea better than an experienced president with the wrong idea. Is experience more important than saving the country we live in and stopping our soldiers from dieng overseas?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Micky Marsh — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:09:21 GMT

McCain got it wrong again, how can you criticize a leader for being a celebrity or a celebrity for being a leader; is McCain Jealous? McCain is neither.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

lostinamerika — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:17:47 GMT

McCain will probably win. If we were dumb enough to elect Bush twice, we're dumb enough to elect Grandpa McCain. This country is so stupid it's almost funny. Yee-haw let's drill us some oil, bomb some more countries, bankrupt ourselves and continue our national nosedive. Anything but an edumacated libral black fellar, that there would be a REAL disaster.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

pixielane — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:57:41 GMT

Dou you think that John Mccain really want to be President because he is so in love with america? He has been running forever, and this may surely be his last chance to be President. Mr Obama is a very good man and I believe that he can really bring the change that we need in America. No matter what he does he is put under a magnifying glass. Can you people who are so critical about him give him a chance. He is looking for change for the entire country. He is the one who is willing to speak to our enemies. Bush said no. Now who is doing it ? Bush. The only way a business can run effectively if you include those you do not necessarily like. They are the ones who will sink your business if they are not included. It goes the same way from the most important thing to the least important thing. Mr Gindel. he is 37 what experience does he have other than being a first time Govenor. Barack can do much better than that. If Barack was white with the same intelligence would you say that he was too young? Judge him by what you believe he can do. God bless Mr Mccain, but is'nt he a bigger risk than Barack. Barack is scaring everyone because they probably has not taken the chance to admire a black man who is so smart. Thank you for the space.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

9th step — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:01:13 GMT

Obama does not have the experience to lead America.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

jespray — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:50:04 GMT

Ok let get this right. McCain plays an add and everyone gets upset. What about Obama? He is playing similar adds blaming McCain for higher gas prices. What's the difference? It seems that the media wants Obama in office more than looking at what the canidates equally.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ajaxtheleast — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:26:05 GMT

The press will go FULL BLAST against Obama.

We'll know in November if it was worth the effort

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

ajaxtheleast — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:36:10 GMT

It's hilarious even to relegate it to one's imagination that the press will not end up for "whitie"

However I respect those of the opposing opinion and I, which never am I, hope that I'm wrong.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

nh bob — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:53:37 GMT

Please note that the MSM sources quoted in the article above as being very critical of the McCain campaign - were conservative writers - the sort of people considered to be his base. Please note that the article acknowledges that McCain's two "successful" ads are baseless and absurd. Please note that the leaders of Iraq want US troops withdrawn and Bush is now talking about a "time horizon" for withdrawal - that the economy has cratered under the Bush tax cuts. Electing McCain is like acting on a death wish.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

bspence — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:09:16 GMT

RealClearPolitics includes that bogus poll from USA Today which shows McCain with a 4 point lead, which skews the results. I'm sorry, but Newsweek should be better informing its readers instead of continuing to spread the bogus lies of McCain's ads. I think Newsweek should be leading the charge to demonstrate how McCain is lying to voters instead of burying that fact in a pro-McCain piece in paragraph 3.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

McNumbNut — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:56:36 GMT

Ah, them wmd kool-aid sippers will fall for anything. Bless their hearts :)

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Tony C. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:02:08 GMT

John McCain is a pathetic, bitter, angry, OLD man with old ideas.

Only a fool would fall for his attack ads saying Obama is responsible for oil and gas prices. His newest attack ad featuring Britney Spears and Paris Hilton is so amusing.

I would think that even McCain supporters would be disgusted with him for assuming that people are so ignorant as to fall for these ads.

DESPERATE ACTS by a VERY DESPERATE MAN. McCain will ge a two-time loser come November, unless of course, the American voter truly is ingnorant to fall for his cheap, amusing attack ads. However that it likely considering Bush served two terms, first SELECTED and second elected.

Americans are the most apathetic, lazy, whiny people on the planet and seem to enjoy constantly being dumbed-down and one only need to look at the ratings of realtiy tv to see that.

AMERICA...The Land of the Free and theo Home of the Insane.

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Tony C. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:05:24 GMT

JOhn McCain/McBush is no longer thje Maverick like people thought he once was. He is more like an old mare with a broken leg that should be put out of its misery.

What a clown!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Tony C. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:07:03 GMT

To all McCain supporters.............................would you like a refill of your Kool-Aid?

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

Tony C. — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:11:06 GMT

I see that John McCain is following the republican playbook word for word.

Lying, cheating, whining, using fear, false ads.

When in the hell are the people of this country going to wake up. We deserve exactly what we get and the reputation as a global laughing stock.

Elect McCain and watch the country finally scrape bottom. We are so close now thaks to taht maniac Bush that it will take several decades to dig our way out.

God Bless REPUBLICANS for they know NOT what they do!

re: McCain's Savvy Ad Strategy

spicegirl — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:13:02 GMT

Stumper you have underestimated the viewing public and overestimated the impact of McCain’s false ads. You can fool some people some of the time but you cannot fool everyone all the time. Anyone who believes these ads will help John McCain is crazy and sick. Do not insult the intelligence of uneducated blue-collar workers. You do not have to be academically bright to be intelligent or street smart. People have a tendency to increase awareness in one area to make up for the shortfall in another. The bottom line is McCain and his campaign are operating in the 20th century and have not advanced to 21st century politics. They have come with the same old games and the same old tricks and this is pathetic to say the least. They are not holding a winning hand and never will if they continue on this path. Pretty soon people will be asking what is his agenda, what is he bringing to the table. He keeps saying that everything is on the table; well it is time we all know what ‘everything’ happens to be. Does he know? Ha!

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

fireworksforjeffy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:55:28 GMT

Way to encourage and enable inaccurate attack ads, Romano. Doing your part for the country as always.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

fireworksforjeffy — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:59:47 GMT

"But that doesn't change the fact that McCain is "getting his message out" far more effectively than most observers give him credit for. Which is a big part of winning elections--and certainly something worth paying attention to."

Yeah, it's something worth condemning and it's deserving of disgust.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

aguasticas — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:00:21 GMT

Never overestimate the ignorance of the Amer. people, but never underestimate their intelligence. That these ads will work is a testament to both. Intuitively one winces at the thought of a candidate speaking to 200,000 Germans and not visiting a hospital with your own country's soldiers seriously injured. What political baboon made that decision? Oh yeau, it was the candidate. Similarly the drilling oil is a legitimate issue. Given the minimal risk from off-shore drilling, the ability to fashion remedies to provide for any environmental problem beforehand couple with the pain at the pump of middle America, why do you wonder this issue resonates.

Couple all of that with the NYT article about Obama as a professor at Chicago Law School which paints him, to me, as a person whose overriding interest was self, and you have a perfect storm. The problem is I cant stand the views of McCain on just about anything. But I dont think Obama is special, or a godsend, or Sir Lancelot, to whom Guinavere, Vanessa Regrave, said in Camelot, " Tell me sir, have you jousted with humilite lately?" That Obama is superbly intellgient and possessed good judgment on Iraq in 2002, is a rock star orator, is unquestioned. But to be against Iraq in 2002 was a no-brainer for most people with any sense of the history of the region and the folly of the undertaking. As far as the other qualities, Hitler had that skill-set also to name an exemplar. To name another Huey Long, actually, you can name about 535 of them, all Congressional members. They speak well enough to fool a lot of people or satisfy them. Bottom line is, how do you separate Obama the self-centered pol from what he might be as president now? It is impossible. The ability to speak is a talent unrelated to any other quality, as acting is to the idiot actors we all know about. The acid test to me is if I were in a foxhole, Id prefer Obama. If I had to choose somebody to make the decision that put me in the foxhole, that is another matter. But maybe it would be McCain. He after all has been under the foxhole.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

alibidrain — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:05:41 GMT

Andrew, let me get this straight. A pathetic THREE articles somehow constitutes "aggressive challenging" on the part of the press? And somehow these THREE articles balance out the fact that these false charges were an endless point of discussion (without being revealed as false) on TV?

If McCain is pushing falsehoods in his ads, doesn't this put his whole reputation for being a "straight talker" into question? Shouldn't THAT be a news story?

Sure, on some level this strategy appears smart - but there is definitely a risk that McCain will push it too far and create a backlash. He may have already started to hit this point, as evinced by his longtime friend/strategist John Weaver's recent criticism of this strategy (see Marc Ambinder's blog at the Atlantic). Of course, the press will bury this John Weaver story - since it doesn't work with their current campaign narrative ("regular man of the people McCain is making a comeback due to Obama's elitism and hubris").

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

ademeyer — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:09:22 GMT

Kudos to you Andrew for re-editing your piece. I have retrieved you from the pile where I dumped ABC News after their disgraceful moderation of the Clinton-Obama "debate." George and Charlie never apologized for that fiasco and I have not watched ABC News or This Week since. I don't expect journalists to share my political views, but I do expect them to respond when enough people feel they are not being fair. Good for you for being open to feedback.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:34:25 GMT

So you do read the posts.. that is encouraging. That means when I call you a total moron.. you do actually see it. Great news.

I love that you changed the word savvy to clever after 95% of your posts ripped you a new one. Perhaps next time you should spend some time reviewing your daft column BEFORE you post it. From "savvy" to the much more pejorative "clever" ... with an asterisk to boot. Talk about backing down from your position. You've been watching McTimetable for too long Andy-boy.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

ceee — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:36:34 GMT

Could there be a correlation between how low a candidate is willing to go and how low that candidate will take the country? George Bush ran a campaign which successfully maligned his opponent. He then proceeded to run the government much like he ran his campaign. Control the message and don't worry about the substance. Demand loyalty. And lie.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

4carol — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:36:59 GMT

MCShame and his ads are moronic; anyone who thinks differently is either rich (and doesn't care about our country, like him) or totally insane to think that he could help get the country back on the right track here and around the world!!!

So much for his and Cindy's statements that they would not run a dirty campaign!!

He has nothing else to run on, just attacks; he cannot run an ad strictly on an issue because almost everything he says he has changed his mind on, some more than once!! I'm wondering if he even has any plan on any issue; I've not heard one!!

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

Big_House — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:38:45 GMT

9th Step "Obama does not have the experience to lead America." OK! Then, BUSH the worse President in the history of this country, who can't put two words together and stay off the sauce, and yet you Republicans voted for this man, who has cost this country dearly! And you stated, "Obama can't lead this country"? C'MON!

Peace,

-DJ... Los Angeles...

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

Big_House — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:40:43 GMT

Andrew-

Thank you for your articles... Listen, I may disagree with some of your conclusions, but I really appreciate your in sight. Which, only leads to great debates among the others who respond...

Peace,

-DJ.... Los Angeles....

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

calico — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:41:38 GMT

That MSM types like Newsweek, continue to marginalize and smear Senator Obama, and give kudos to the LIES being spread by John McCain is a testament to the constant RACIST slant in your reporting. If Senator Obama had CONTINUALLY spread LIES about McCain you ALL would be complaining on ALL the 24 hour news channels. Kitty Kat pundits and journalists who don't call Mr. McCain a LIAR, "because that's what someone who doesn't tell the truth is" are more bigoted than you would possibly admit to.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

martyks — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:45:49 GMT

McCain wants to win the "war" and tells us he knows how to "win wars". It's pathetic that no one has challenged him on these statements. For starters, does HE know how to win a war? When was that? But let's not accept the debate on his terms simply because his position is non defensible. Let's discuss this "war" that Obama is supposed to be willing to lose. It isn't a war. It's an occupation. What are the goals of this occupation? I will suggest a few. 1) to achieve stability in Iraq and the middle east. 2) to establish a government that can maintain stability, but will treat its citizens justly, and 3) to establish an allie to NATO and the US. Who is against this? The questions are, "Was this ever achiveable? Can it be achieved now? How can we achieve this? and Was it worth the price we are paying and have paid in treasure and blood?" If McCain were forced to attempt to sell Americans on the notion of winning the occupation, not the war, it would be a difficult position. We should not allow the debate to be about winning and losing a war. The media seems bent on accepting McCain's definition and position. Obama really needs to discuss the goals of our occupation, not allow McCain to define it as a war. By challenging Obama's patriotism simply because McCain is trying to "win a war" and can't comprehend the notion that it is not and has not been a war since the "Mission Accomplished" moment is either ignorant or evil.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

deets4314 — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 13:51:35 GMT

I don't know if it's racism Calico... but it is certainly a HUGE double-standard... can you EVEN IMAGINE if OBAMA had said "The border of Pakistan and Iraq isn't secure" or HE confused Shia and Sunni or if OBAMA had said Iran was training Al Qaeda (and Chuck Hagel had to lean in and whisper what he should have said)... if OBAMA did any of these things... this election would be OVER.. in fifteen minutes. But McCain is STILL a Foreign Policy guru... at least according to the media. I don't think it's cause of the color of his skin... I just think it's cause the media wants to pretend it treats both candidates the same... but it really doesn't.

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

Murray Rizberg — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:39:50 GMT

Mr. Romano:

It's lovely and even somewhat amazing that you bothered to mention the fact that your post, "which was about how crafty Team McCain has been in distributing these commercials," also "very clearly notes (with links to objective debunkings) that the ads' accusations are 'baseless,' 'absurd,' 'demonstrably false,' 'misleading' and 'not particularly ethical.'" But therein lies the problem with your article (and every other piece about McCain's ads whether it is in print or on television): it only MENTIONS the fact that the ad is blatantly misleading and almost 100% false. The fact that the ad is a completely dishonest hatchet-job that exposes John McCain for the typically hypocritical Republican that he is - "I will run a clean campaign" sound familiar, Mr. Romano? - should be the FOCUS of the media's articles about this ad, not the parenthetical throw-in about how brilliant the GOP's strategists are at misleading the public. In fact, if you and all the other irresponsible "journalists" in the mainstream media actually performed your jobs properly and reported these falsehoods as news to inform the public with facts (which IS your job - to inform with facts), then false advertisements such as the ones we're seeing from the McCain campaign would not be nearly as "effective" as you report them to be.

Get it?

re: McCain's Crafty* Ad Strategy

slogirl — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:39:55 GMT

I listened to Michelle Obama earlier this year. She mentioned that " the bar was constantly being raised" everytime Barak accomplished something; yet he never "complained". He simply got "better" and "jumped over" it. When one is constantly having to "jump higher"; one of two things can happen: 1) you fall or 2) you get better. Barak has gotten "better". White MSM is "pissed off" because he "continues to get better". By contrast, the "bar" for McCain is so "low", he can't get any better. Think about it.