In a Word: McNasty
John McCain is the straight-talk express, letting the whole world see what a petulant, nasty person he is. There were glimpses during the primary when he could barely contain his contempt for Mitt Romney (the same one he might now choose for VP). But in the still-early stages of the general election, McNasty has managed to make the campaign intensely personal, ignoring all issues with his ads. At a time when Americans need a stimulus plan, healthcare and better energy policies, John McCain is wrong to push the idea that Obama is too popular and a false messiah rather than focusing on issues. If you wondering what kind of a bizarre strategy this is, take a look at this hideously offensive ad:
But at least he’s being compared to a great American hero like the gun-totin’ Charlton Heston in that ad (I think we can take the gun from him now). He also compares Obama to Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton. Get it? They’re all famous. Not famous like Michael Jordan, Oprah or Bill Gates. Famous like dumb blonds.
But surely there are issues that McCain is running on, right? He wouldn’t simply be attacking on personal grounds if he didn’t have an agenda, would he?
Well, as the previous ad mentions, off-shore drilling is a top priority to reduce oil prices. Except that oil won’t come on-line for at least 5-10 years-meaning it would have zero impact during the next administration. Plus, he is for a gas tax holiday which-while no one believes it would actually reduce price-theoretically lowers the price at the pump, thus driving demand back up and slowing the move away from gas-guzzlers like SUVs. In other words, his plan, which would only reduce government revenue, but not actual price, even in theory doesn’t work. Instead, the idea is to spend a possible future boost in oil supply today. Get it?
And if McCain thinks there is so much oil out there to be had, and he knows it takes about a decade to start getting oil flowing in these sites, shouldn’t he have been advocating this position before this year? I mean, he’s been in the Senate since 1988. And has always been opposed to this policy. In fact, it wasn’t until June 18, 2008 that McCain decided offshore drilling was a good idea. That’s about 8,000 days into his Senate career. So which do you think was a truer measure of his belief: the position he held for 8,000 days of public life, or the one he adopted 100 days before a presidential election?
And if Obama is so stupid, why did John McCain just decide to take the Obama position on Afghanistan? Suddenly Afghanistan, the country whose former leadership actually attacked America, is a priority (or at some point in the future it will be anyway).
But of course, there is one issue that the GOP can always crush the Dems on: taxes. The Democrats are a bunch of socialists who want to take from the rich. The GOP does not raise taxes. Period. You can trust McCain. That’s the biggest difference between the candidates. Right? July 27, 2008:
[George] STEPHANOPOULOS: So, that means payroll tax increases are on the table, as well?
MCCAIN: There is nothing that’s off the table. I have my positions, and I’ll articulate them. But nothing’s off the table.
I don’t want tax increases. Of course I’d like to have young Americans have some of their money put into an account with their name on it. But that doesn’t mean that anything is off the table…
So while McNasty absolutely refuses to consider rolling back the Bush tax cut on the richest Americans, the payroll tax, which is most heavily tilted against the working poor (along with sales taxes) is still a possible target for increase. That’s right, he wouldn’t consider taxing the rich in any circumstance, but the poor are fair game.
No wonder McNasty is running on Paris Hilton and the idea of a false messiah. His policies are flawed and contradictory. But at least he has a plan for Czechoslovakia. That’s right, twice in two days he referred to a country that broke up more than 15 years ago. Once, you can understand. But the next day as well?
All of this points to one clear conclusion: John McCain is the best man to be US President…circa 1988.
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Rhys responds:
Posted: August 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am →
Go Obama.
Yokie Kuma responds:
Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm →
On CCN this morning, they stated that the McCain adds may be the reason Obama’s lead has gone away and they are now tied ….
I am getting worried. No one admits to having voted for Bush but someone had to …. how else did he win? Twice?
No one wants to admit they like McCain so how can he be close in the polls? How?
More importantly …. the people who like McCain ….why? why? why? Do they truly enjoy the absolute mess the US is in under Bush? Do they want more years of the same? Do they not understand that McCain was grown from harvested Bush DNA?
Last point - how do I become a Canadian?
Elana responds:
Posted: August 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm →
For one thing, you’ll notice that Obama has recently changed his own position on off-shore drilling and is now advocating for it, to a greater extent than McCain is.
One reason that I suspect that Obama is losing his lead may be these ads but they also may be that he is switching ALL of his positions which leads to two disappointing candidates for November.
Josh responds:
Posted: August 5th, 2008 at 3:01 pm →
He has shifted his position on off-shore drilling, but he is still very cautious on it whereas McCain is completely for it, when he was completely against it for 20 years. While I think his articulated position on off-shore drilling is wrong, he has never said he was completely against it, and he continues to say (correctly) that it is not the solution to our problems.
Jamon responds:
Posted: August 8th, 2008 at 10:57 am →
Wow, that first ad about Obama is the “One” is creepy. What was McCain’s people thinking? I mean, what sane person would look at this and go ” Oh yeah, McCain has got good a point.”??
Any person who eats up this trite must be:
1. Severely Naive
2. Just arrived on this planet (McCain)
3. Have the bright eyed innocents of a 4 yr old.
If these methods are truly affective, I fear for humanity.
Oh, Santa Clause is real and please go to bed now.
Hugo Restall responds:
Posted: August 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm →
McCain is the bee’s knees. I don’t agree with all his positions, but as a person he’s a hero. I refuse to believe that the American people would choose Obama over McCain.
Marc responds:
Posted: August 15th, 2008 at 4:17 am →
Wow, you are definitely a follower of the Chosen One. Please stay in China.
Josh responds:
Posted: August 15th, 2008 at 6:11 am →
Ever notice that Republicans refer to it as “being chosen,” while Democrats call it “being elected.” Guess that’s what happens when the only way your guy can win is by losing the popular vote and “being chosen” by non-democratic institutions.