"John McCain Isn't Like You, Either."

[babylonsister]

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/16383.html#more-16383

$400 haircuts vs. $520 Italian leather loafers
Posted July 30th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

snip//

And while I continue to think this is largely just candidate trivia, it is not without a certain political salience.

I was talking to a friend earlier who summarized the underlying theme of the Republican push against Barack Obama in four words: “He’s not like you.” That sounds about right.

And if it is right, I have a message for every American family who can’t imagine spending $520 for a pair of loafers: John McCain isn’t like you, either.

I think Chris Hayes gets this just right.

If I were a right-wing blogger, and I found out that Barack Obama was wearing Ferragamo loafers that cost $520, I would spend about 50% of my waking hours making sure everyone knew this. I would mock him for being an out-of-touch elitist and make jokes like, “If you think that’s a lot, you should see how much his purse costs ” I would send the link to Drudge and wait for Instapundit to pick it up, and then watch gleefully as Fox News ran segments about how Barack Obama’s $500 loafers vitiate his entire economic platform.

But of course, I’m not a right-wing blogger. And the $520 shoes belong to John McCain. And frankly, I don’t think how much his shoes cost matters one whit for how he’d govern the country.

Put it this way — if Barack Obama paid $520 for a pair of Italian loafers, every voter in America would know about it. Every media outlet would report it and every Republican would talk about it.

I’m reminded, of course, of John Edwards’ $400 haircuts. Last year, that story was everywhere, with the Washington Post writing multiple articles about it. “How could Edwards relate to regular folks if he has that kind of lifestyle?” the media asked, over and over again.

Indeed, the media seems to go to great lengths to look for evidence to bolster the far-right meme that Obama is some kind of outsider. From bowling to orange juice to arugula, reporters love to characterize Obama as something less than a “real” American.

Well, McCain has a half-dozen homes and spends on shoes what some families spend on rent. All the while, he advocates more tax cuts for millionaires, opposes increases to the minimum wage, and tells Americans their economic problems are in their heads.

Which candidate is outside the American mainstream?

[grillo7]

1. You know what would be great?

A parody video of McCain as a Sex and the City character lusting over Manolo Blahniks...kind of like someone did with Edwards over the "I Feel Pretty" song and his $400 haircut. Please do this, someone! This is exactly the kind of negative branding McLame needs.

[babylonsister]

2. That would be a hoot! Anyone with video talent, have at it! nt