The Note: GOP Attacks on Obama May Backfire
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein Reports in Tuesday’s Note: It’s going to take more than a town in New Hampshire (even one with the perfect name and vote total) to make things right in Democrat-land.
It’s going to take more than spiking a silly seal to kill the storyline of Sen. Barack Obama’s arrogance. (Just ask Karl Rove.)
It’s going to take more than a polite plea from Obama to get Democratic donors to pay back Mark Penn. (Though a Clinton-Obama phone call is certainly a start.)
It’s going to take more than a $300 million prize to make gas prices Democrats’ fault.
It’s going to take more than James Dobson (and more than a little “fruitcake”) to get the evangelical base energized for Sen. John McCain like it was for President Bush.
It’s going to take more than one ill-advised comment to get Charlie Black a ticket off the “Straight Talk Express” (but maybe not much more than that).
Just when we thought there might be a policy debate emerging — here come Rove, Black, and Dobson to turn the page on the GOP playbook. This may not have been the way they wanted their messages to get out — but is there any doubt now as to how Republicans plan on depicting Obama?
Read the rest of The Note — and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day — from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.
For all we know, all three men may be right (on the facts, and on the politics) for — but that doesn’t mean Obama should flee from this fight. (What shouts out for change more than a campaign that is itself a repeat?)
Start with Black, who may have been speaking the truth (ask Hillary Clinton about that) but nonetheless got slapped down by McCain after telling Fortune’s David Whitford that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto “helped us” and that a terrorist attack would “certainly . . . be a big advantage” for McCain.
Said McCain (responding quickly): “I cannot imagine why he would say it. . . . It’s not true. I’ve worked tirelessly since 9/11 to prevent another attack on the United States of America.”
“The comment reinjected the fear of terrorism into the campaign as both candidates had been shifting their conversation to the economy and $4-per-gallon gasoline,” Michael Shear writes in The Washington Post. “It also vividly recalled the 2004 contest between President Bush and Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry, in which Republicans repeatedly questioned Kerry’s ability to protect the country from terrorists.”
It’s tempting (and maybe accurate) to cast this as a rerun of the GOP’s 2004 strategy (Sen. John Kerry was even on hand to lead the Obama pushback).
Continue reading today’s Note by clicking HERE.
ABC News’ John Santucci and Alexa Ainsworth contributed to this report.
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Obama and the press will pull out the beat all race card if they tell the truth about Obama
Posted by: rag top | June 24, 2008, 8:38 am 8:38 am
Obama continues to play the race card, which is a joke. He actually thinks America will buy his empty rhetoric. Again, all he can do is whine, but has absolutely no plans for America. It would be nice to see where he stands on the issues besides always lashing out at McCain for taking a stand. I wonder, can Obama EVEN think for himself? Its doubtful as he has well shown. Empty suit with no substance is the Obama campaign theme!
Posted by: Jack, Chicago IL | June 24, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am
I laughed last night when I saw the news of Obama trying to court the women vote in New Mexico. I watched the piece and actually saw women “rolling” their eyes when he was speaking. He might as well forget it. The Democratic women are hurt by Obama’s hate campaign against Hillary. We will NOT vote for this jerk Obama! Never! He’s history!
Posted by: Susan | June 24, 2008, 8:45 am 8:45 am
Media constantly refering to criticism of Obama as “ATTACKS” will backfire. It already has.
Posted by: geevill | June 24, 2008, 9:15 am 9:15 am
I cant help but laugh whenever I see Barack Obama trying to look presidential.
Posted by: JULIE | June 24, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am
Obama-nomics would slow job creation to a stand still, innovation, improvements and originality and speculation and investment just when it’s needed most by our country in a recession and heading for a depression. I know that Obama flip-flops and says one thing today and another thing tomorrow but he will probably keep his word on raising taxes because that has been the only clear issue of his campaign to date—higher taxes, bigger government.
Posted by: Anne | June 24, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am
The Republicans will say and do what they have and Obama will say and do what he has to.
To say he must remain idealistic is nice, but after his lost because he did you would call him brave, but a fool.
Most presidents move to the center,. bush didn’t, what did we get. They didn’t compromise the last several years, the result 29 % favorable rating for the President and a whopping 19% favorable rating for Congress.
He promised he could work with both side of the house and find common ground.The American public demands that things get done, that can only be done with compromise.
Posted by: Thinking | June 24, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Karl Rove should be in jail. Charles Black is a slimey, former Nixon Dirty Trickster all growed up. In the GOP, the slime rises to the top.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | June 24, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am
To Julie – You will be laughing for the next four/eight years, so get use to it and realize that Hillary will never be president.
Move on!
Posted by: Jandie | June 24, 2008, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Obama has built his campaign on “faith”—a bible belting, charismatic individual that avoids (you know solid and substantial) commitments on the issues. He is selling the public that he is a man of principle. He tells those that vote for him that he will use the federal spending program, but after he has your votes, and is the nominee, he says he will not use the federal spending program because it is a “broken system”. Of course the system would have been the same “broken system” a few months earlier too. This is a clear indication that he lacks principles and that his “personal word” means nothing to me. A man’s word should count for something. It is the one thing in life that sets men apart from the boys. Might it be that the image that Obama is building is nothing but a mere image, not a reflection of the true Obama?
Posted by: Ann | June 24, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am
Obama is backed by 80%+ Democrats. Lends amongst Independents. And recieves a higher percentage of defected party members then McCain (Obamacan).
The media fails to report the division within the Republican which runs much deeper.
Membership within the Republican party has drop drastically. Those whom are still Republicans are not statisfied with John McCain. And many will vote Bob Barr.
Posted by: Obamacan | June 24, 2008, 10:04 am 10:04 am
The pro-Hillary militants want to claim they are “18 million strong”. Actually, EVERY poll indicates that isn’t even close the number. Hillary may have gotten that many votes in the primary, but the majority of those are voting for the Democratic nominee.
In reality, MOST Dems don’t buy into the notion of voting out of a sense of spite because their candidate lost. Or voting against their own interests to try and make some childish point.
There will always be the few overly vocal individuals (like the folks who post their rantings on these blogs everyday, multiple times per day)that think throwing a hissy fit will somehow solve something. As if anyone is swayed simply by making repeated insults.
The reality is that MOST Dems would have been satisfied with either candidate. And we’d rather have a Democrat running the country than four more years of GOP.
**********************************
“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.”
John McCain: Meet the Press ’05
Posted by: Reality | June 24, 2008, 10:08 am 10:08 am
Hey Ann
Mccain at the beginning of hte primary season said he would raise private donations…
then his campaign started to faulter and he ran out of cash.
He then opted INTO public finance, which caps the amount of money you can spend in each state and gives you money from the TAX PAYERS.
After opting in, he took that money to get a loan worth 4 million
and with that loan he then opted OUT of public financing and started to raise money privately again.
Now, he is opting BACK IN.
1. you cant do that because its illegal
2. you cant use tax payers money to brandish you a loan and then return the money… because THATS ILLEGAL because its called fraud
3. since he has opted in and cant legally opt out he has been spending money well OVER the amount he can for states as the primary season ISNT OVER
which is also illegal
soooo
obama who did go back on taking public finance, but since he is funded by and large by the PUBLIC his reversal is hardly a big deal
now please explain how you are giving mccain a pass on this issue if you want to hammer obama for it?
Posted by: bhrandon | June 24, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am
Racism will truly end when ALL Races put an end to their racist views. When it is not an issue that a president is black. When a race does not feel that their dream is achieved just because someone is elected office who shares the same race as they do.
Posted by: Samantha | June 24, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am
“Can’t we all just get along?”
Rodney King
Posted by: rusty | June 24, 2008, 10:48 am 10:48 am
Strange how many Obama-males are critical of those of us who have read his resume, plus its many revisions, and see that even his big ears flip-flop along with everything we thought he had pledged. I also know of no women who will vote for him. Maybe we scorn abortions because we know how to prevent pregnancy, so that scare is worthless. We are already feeling taxed to death so we don’t need Obama’s tax increases and we don’t see any benefit to his programs so far. Since almost all of his advisors are in the ethanol business, he will hardly do anything to improve the oil situation or invention of alternative fuels besides the ethanol failures that have resulted in higher food prices across the world. McCain is not a great choice, but he is a real choice and one with the most experience.
Posted by: Jeanned"arc | June 24, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am
Do you ever notice that cynics never have anything of substance to say? Notice how they have to crack their little dry, corny jokes to make themselves feel better when in actuality, they are a miserable lot?
So funny. I’m waiting on the nervous breakdowns to take hold once McCain is exposed, embarrassed and eradicated in this election.
OBAMA 08
Posted by: Nat Turner | June 24, 2008, 11:01 am 11:01 am
Country first, Obama never. Send the slime back to Chicago with Wright where he belongs.
Posted by: Mack | June 24, 2008, 11:43 am 11:43 am
Yes, Great post Samantha.
Yes we can, see through the lies.
Posted by: Mack | June 24, 2008, 11:45 am 11:45 am
the Obama Campaign has truly demonstated that this is “politics as usual” … and the Media can bash McCain all they want but there is no guarantee that Obama will win … the left-wing-liberal-democrat-super-delegates sold out the best candidate the Democratic Party as had in years for their fantasy candidate .. and everybody knows this that is a true democrat!
Posted by: writeNhillary | June 24, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am
Nat Turner and eyes like summer sun, I think we’re the only logical people on this blog. I think a good portion of them are being paid by Fox News to smear Obama all over the Internet.
This Samantha person is quite fascinating. Someone so delusional who uses so much verbage to say so much garbage!!
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are aligned on most of their policies with slight differences (health care, Clinton’s gas tax holiday idea, etc.). So to vote for John McCain is not just a vote against Obama but Clinton as well…Duh!!
I think Samantha should get a gig on Fox News and become one of their smear pundits..Maybe she can get a job with Sean Hannity, Michelle Maulkin,Bill O’Reilly or even Ann Coulter!! These nutjobs would welcome her with open arms!!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 24, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm
TV you’re giving Obama way too much credit. The credit for his rise needs to go to the MSM, DNC and last but not least the inept Repubs. He’s just a sleazy, opportunistic politician from Chicago with a closet full of skeletons.
Posted by: Mack | June 24, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Nat Turner and TV you guys are awesome!!
As far as Ann Coulter I mean Samantha goes she’s a race card playing Clinton fanatic who fails to realize that Obama will win the election because the American people are tired of the hate-filled, fear-mongering, cronyism tactics of the Bush Administration. Samantha, (obviously a former Democrat)
chooses to embrace the McBush policies based on her “bitter” feelings towards Obama.
If Obama is so inexperienced how is it that he’s leading in most of the polls in the swing states?? He’s leading the polls most of the demographics, (which includes women and Hispanics, McCain is ahead with white males)and most Americans trust his leadership with the economy and other domestic issues.
More Democrats are enthusiastic with the prospect of Obama than Republicans’ enthusiasm for John McCain.
So you see Samantha, you can slam Obama and play the race card all you want, because the majority of Americans are rooting for Obama this November.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 24, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
I read three articles last night about Hillary supporters switching over to Obama. After averaging all three polls, only 23% of former Hillary supporters will definitely vote for Obama. Not enough for him to secure the election. Those who brag about more are doing just that, bragging.
Posted by: Maggie | June 24, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
The people who keep reporting that Obama is running for the office to prove that his African American ancestors and slaves are moving up in the world are wrong. Obama has no African American ancestors who were slaves.
His birth certificate as shown on Obama’s web site is fake so for all I know, he fell out of a cocunut tree in on some south pacific island.
Posted by: Mary | June 24, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
If you want to read the real truth about Obama and Mccain, go to Snopes.com or sptimes.com and click on politifact truth-o-meter. Obama is a better candidate. If education means anything to people anymore, Obama has a political science degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard. Mccain served our country and was a POW, but doesn’t even have a college degree. How does this qualify him to be president? People say Obama doesn’t have experience. Did John F. Kennedy have experience? Mccain’s age is a liability, he has anger management issues, and isn’t a good leader. Vote Obama if you want an extrordinary president. Vote Mccain if you want an ordinary one.
Posted by: Brandon | June 24, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
I find it unbelievable that Obama will and can create more jobs. After all, 11% of the jobs in his state senate district went bye-bye while he was in office but the crime rate went up. Good show, Obama.
Posted by: Mai | June 24, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
Nate Turner really needs to stop and think before posting or just maybe have his compuer removed. He is just plain irrational, inaccurate and disturbed.
Senator Obama has a very long ways to go in time and vote supporters before the November election.
Posted by: Maggie | June 24, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
All day seminar posters for obama make a lot of noise. We’ll see in November how that stacks up against real taxpayers with real jobs and genuine concerns for our country. Well, back to making money. Bye.
Posted by: joebob | June 24, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
And, Maggie, once again. There’s no profit in responding to loudmouthed idiots. They’re only interested in the sound of their own voice.
Posted by: joebob | June 24, 2008, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
“Nate Turner really needs to stop and think before posting or just maybe have his compuer removed.”
Before you start bashing someone learn how to spell and type first!!
Things such as Obama leading in most polls and the swelling of support amongst former Clinton surrogates he has garnered (including Clinton herself), and 1.5 million Internet donations mean nothing to you.
See when you’re bitter and spiteful because the candidate you wanted didn’t win the primary has clouded your judgement. Enjoy you delusional state, because in November Obama WILL BE our Commander in Chief whether you like it or not!!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 24, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Obama’s Opossum Presidential seal–another symbol of his incredile poor judgement.
Posted by: riley | June 24, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Jennifer:
Maybe if your post didn’t have poor punctuation, as well as typos, you wouldn’t sound so sanctimonius (look it up, I know you have to,)
Posted by: Joe | June 24, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm