Obama needs to attack, not defend and mock ...and SOON

[cbc5g]

I'm increasingly worried that these McCain ads are working. Why do they work? Because they tap into dark primitive emotions in people. They are drawn towards it because they see the attacker as the dominant person. First he attacks the media and claims to be the underdog. Bullshit polls suggest it and the media accepts it. Then he unleashes his attacks trying to make himself look like Rocky coming back from being down. Why do bad boys have appeal? They tap into those dark primitive emotions and logic doesn't matter when that occurs. Democrats make the mistake in thinking that voters use logic, reason and intelligence when voting.


MOST DON'T


Obama needs to fight back hard. No defensives, no mockery..ATTACK. If that can't happen and Obama starts going down in the polls, then I'm left wondering if I want to invest the next 3 months pouring my being into a losing campaign. I don't want to be let down like in 2004 where the Rove assholes defined Kerry early and he never could recover. I have some faith that the Obama team will strike but they cannot wait until it's too late. They are defining him right now. You see it on Drudge, you see it on the MSM, you see it in the attack ads (that get replayed OVER AND OVER on the MSM). He's down to 60-35 in the Intrade...a 10 point swing. They are dominating what is being talked about in the media and the narrative of the campaign. And where is the defining of McCain? NOWHERE.


Attack, Jesus God attack now Obama ..Let's not repeat 2004 because we think voters are somehow better than they were then. THEY AREN'T.

[americanstranger]

1. If he does, he becomes an 'angry black man.'

Wouldn't the cable nets just have a party with that meme?

It would make the Rev. Wright debacle look like an absolute love-in.

McCain and the media are dying to be able to call Obama 'angry.' Good thing he's smarter than they are.

- as

[oviedodem]

16. Thank You.

[WeDidIt]

17. BINGO!

Obama knows what he's doing.

[Virginia Dare]

23. Yep. They already called him fussy and hysterical..

I think he needs to continue to mock them, make them look like the ridiculous asses that they are.

[kurtboss]

30. Exactly

Obama would lose if wore corn rows. Obama's success is threading the needle on race. He's honestly white. I don't mean that in a way to offend people, just in a sociological sense. He's raised by white people, talks like white people, went to the best white schools, excelled, taught 12 years and was offered tenure to teach at a top 5 law school. Obama is black in pigmentation only. AND THAT IS WHY WHITE AMERICA LOVES HIM.

Obama knows damn well what he's doing and he knows he can't attack too aggressively.

Obama needs the Democratic party, surrogates, DNC, and 527s more than ever. And where are they???? Gone fishing or engaging these dumbass McCain ploys to change the McCain=Bush III narrative.

We need our own swiftboating sensationalism by surrogates. The media is for or against either candidate, they follow the hot button story. The Dems don't seem to get this simple fact.

We have the winning strategy/label/narrative already...it just has to be kept up at and hammered home, McCain=Bush III. It's that simple. And all Rove is trying to do is change this to a race about Obama. See how that changes the narrative?

Time to get pissed...at the DNC, MoveOn, VoteVets, the Unions...I'm emailing them hate mail telling them exactly what I'm typing here. Please do the same.

Swiftboat McCain to change the subject and keep hammering the Bush III story.

[NYC_SKP]

2. If the election was two weeks away, I would agree.

Right now, it's working to let McCain embarrass himself and provide quotes and gaffs for use later.

I'm confident that Obama's campaign has a master plan that is all about timing and balancing positive with negative.

I, too, would love to see some real aggressive attacks, but when I relax and look at the big picture, I don't worry very much.

:patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

3. Why don't you chillax?

The Elections are not for a while......as this is not October.
You are being quite paranoid.

[goodgd_yall]

7. Good advice n/t

[jefferson_dem]

4. I hear ya. I'm frustrated too.

I just don't think Obama stands to gain if he gets into a rank pissing contest with McLame. It's obvious that's what McLame wants.

I say hit back ... but with substance. Cream McLame for going negative not because it says something about his shitty character (which should be clear) but because McLame wants to avoid talking about the real concerns of real people. Basically, Obama should go with a "he's out of touch, doesn't feel your pain (a la Bill in 1992), and desperately wants to distract the American people from the issues that really matter, because he would lose. American's don't want Chimpy, Part 3." Folks are hurting and all McLame has to offer is fucking Britney and Paris. Barack started to roll out this line of attack today but the "race card bs" served as a too-tasty shiny object so it didn't get the play it deserved.

[jobycom]

5. He's doing fine.

He's ahead in the polls (at least the realistic ones), he's got good advisers, he has the energy, and he hasn't even had the convention yet. His PR up until today has been brilliant, and no doubt it will be tomorrow, too.

The campaign doesn't even start until the convention. Meanwhile, McCain is spending his money and ideas just trying to get back into the race. He'll wear out the whole "superstar, race card, inexperienced" routine by then, and Obama will define himself and hit the ground running.

Have some faith. This isn't 2004. We knew that was a longshot--the people were still under the influence of BuchCo and the Technicolor Fear Spell. Now people want change. McCain's the one in trouble.

Don't underestimate him. He's come back from the dead once this election cycle, to win the nomination (so did Obama). He's wily and experienced and even though we don't see it, he's likable. But he's also high gas prices, bad economy, War, Katrina, and a whole lot of lies. And if Congress keeps pursuing Rove, right around election time McCain will be all that, too.

This is such a funny place. Two days ago people were declaring that McCain had no chance. One minor bug tussle later, and WE'RE DOOMED!!! DOOMED!!!

We ain't doomed. Obama's where he needs to be.

[IndependentDem]

6. I agree he needs to start attacking McCain-- but I like the mocking. n/t

[goodgd_yall]

8. The humorous mocking is the best attack n/t

[blondeatlast]

12. Yep--any response citing mocking from the McSame camp will make McSame

look weak and petulant, which of course he is--but that would expose it far and wide.

I say keep it up--and intensify it with the surrogates.

[chimpymustgo]

20. I HATE the mocking. It lowers the tenor of debate and plays into the "empty suit" meme.

Obama needs to fight his fight with dignity and substance on the issues. I was VERY uncomfortable with the mockery - how do you think this will play with middle America?

Where's that NEW kind of politics?

[tekisui]

21. When mcM$M spews petty, childish attacks, they he deserves

mocking. It shows that it's not getting to Obama. McM$M gets angry and petulant, Obama stays cool, and makes the old man look irrelevant.

[Virginia Dare]

27. When you run political ads featuring Britney Spears and Paris Hilton..

then mockery is the best and only response. I think middle America will fully grasp that.

[IndependentDem]

29. He isn't mocking the man... he is mocking the politics he is playing. I think there is a difference...

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

36. "lowers the tenor of the debate"

Oh, I'm sorry. You're right. He should raise above the mockery and compare his opponent to Amy Winehouse and Hanna Montana.

:eyes:

[Virginia Dare]

24. Mocking McCain is ATTACKING him..

he's got a very thin skin. He won't be able to handle mockery.

[IndependentDem]

28. i agree... but IMO he should also start attacking on the issues also. n/t

[Virginia Dare]

32. Agreed, but they need to do both..

that's where Kerry got tripped up. He thought he didn't have to counter the character attacks, but you obviously do.

[Danger Mouse]

9. Obama knows what he's doing.

[and-justice-for-all]

10. I think Obama will unload on McBush during the debates...

Every time McShrub runs an ad, it back fires. I like seeing McShrub egg himself every other day.

[opihimoimoi]

11. SURGE LITMUS TEST??? McCain wishes to use this issue to define his leadership

It is a DISTRACTION from McCranes weaknesses...other realms/areas/concerns/issues...that man went to bars all his life...he don know shit.

Obama needs to keep it simple and on line with current concerns....

[PatSeg]

13. He's doing just fine right now

He is acknowledging the ridiculous ads and doing so in a confident, dismissive way. He also adds humor to his responses, unlike McCain who is coming across as angry and bitter.

[lamp_shade]

14. I agree.

I remember admiring Kerry for taking the high road and ignoring the swiftboaters, sure that he was doing the smart thing. I remember being surprised when those attacks appeared to be working. I remember feeling great one day and then anxious and insecure the next. Most of all, I remember the pain I felt on election night... physical pain. These days, not an hour goes by that I don't recall that feeling and I'm worried. McCain is setting the stage early in the game with childish but intentional mockery and I'd say he's pleased with the reaction he's getting, both from Obama and surely from the media. We must attack now. Not with more mockery but, as you said, by DEFINING McCain.

[KharmaTrain]

15. Mock The Shit Out Of The Old Fart...

Senator Obama has taken a page from the GOOP playbook...when attacked, don't break a sweat...swat off criticism with a joke or ridicule it. That was Raygun's game..."there you go again"...that not just dismissed the issue but the opponent as well. Never let 'em make you sweat.

People are looking at the candidates to see who can handle the pressure...who will keep a calm head during a crisis. Gramps tirades and whining demonstrate he has neither the patience or the presence of mind when thing get tough. Senator Obama doesn't have to attack him on this, it's obvious to anyone to see. Gramps is losing it...HIS campaign is in free fall and needs an Obama slip up or him to lose his cool for any chance to score points with this slime campaign.

In short...the reason they've gone so negative so early is their losing their assses and they know it. This isn't to bring Gramps up...and his campaign people know it. His polls haven't hit 45% and that is lethal in November (especially if you put Barr and Nader in the mix)...this isn't an attack...this is desparation.

Let's see how long Gramps can keep this up...can he find a new smear every day for the next 98 days? Or does each attack sound more like sour grapes and cries for attention? Obama is playing it just right...let them take their shots now cause if none of these stick, Gramps is forced back to campaigning on issues...a debate he loses big.

I think Senator Obama should ridicule the daylights out of the old geezer at every chance...show the electorate who is the adult in this campaign. If you attack, base it on facts, not on image. As my late mother used to say..."be bigger". Camp Gramps wants you to hope things are going better than what they are. They aren't...and will get worse.

[Virginia Dare]

26. He needs to keep taunting him with..

"Is that the best you can do?" "I thought you were better than that, Senator". Deep down McCain knows what he's doing is beneath him. Statements like that will just destroy him mentally. He's already breaking down.

[TwilightGardener]

31. Mocking is actually very effective--that's how the GOP disposed of Kerry

and Gore (aside from Swiftboating)--they turned them into caricatures, into effete fools.

[Virginia Dare]

33. Agreed, you've got have an effective counter to the character attacks.

you've got to keep up with the psyops, you've got to stay one step ahead or you'll get crushed. I'll give Obama the edge on this, and I think he's doing just fine for now.

[PATRICK]

18. I mainly wonder about

whether the Dems realize they have to puncture the media skin and not just use it classically and aboveboard as if it were a fair playing field. Considering the past examples and all too many examples of tolerance/ignorance of one's real enemies in HUGE critical issues(election protection being the most glaring) I would guess Dems mainly bow to the media power and perception as a given. The GOP sees it as a take and never act passively in use of their best tool- media inadequacy, favoritism and ability to be bullied bought and made complicit.

Phraseology, points and composure get no rewards except by the unprotected ability of the public to let it win over spin, otherwise this "election" would be over by now. In fact the main conflict is the terrible image presented by McCain daily, doddering, sneering snickering outdated incompetence and cronyism and the superlative image of Obama. It is beyond the lipstick on a pig repair for the former and the smearing of the latter. If Obama is to get other things through that barrier he can't do it presupposing an unmediated unbiased MSM. Even so, he is mainly right when his issue proposals resonate and McCain acts flip-flopping, contrary or me-too all in the same minute. He nearly almost does not have to point out that general sadness.

What is never done is to confront the barriers themselves to getting the fair message out. Confronting the barriers seems too passe and too "Sixties". So one pretends to be disappointed by McCain when there is no surprise at all. It is not McCain's negativity which is a shock but the continued media favoritism which is being ignored. Now Hillary needed to and tried to pierce that as a particular effort against her. Obama feels he doesn't need to antagonize his grumpy foes anymore than he did in the primaries. Neither had any effect on the overall repulsiveness of the media moderation as most demonstrated in the debates. All Dems generally gloss over the frightening horror that is the MSM GOP slant machine leaving the people in a detectable fog with no light permitted.

[Alter Ego]

19. I trust the man.

I think his campaign's run a lot better than any of us want to think--and is it so fucking hard for us to quit being armchair strategists and maybe just give him the benefit of the doubt?

[GoesTo11]

22. It would be worthwhile to throw a wrench in the MSM orgy

Some statement that puts McCain on the defensive. But mocking is not necessary. Just so much of the truth out there.

I think Obama is hoarding McCain's blunders to store up a chest for the main election. Not a horrible idea, but not completely correct because a lot of them will go stale before then. Also not a good idea to let McCain get the free ads day after day. How about some serious and true accusations against him. The MSM won't bother talking about Obama's defenses or policies. Have to give them something that at least looks argumentative.

[butterfly77]

25. That is what "they" are waiting for...

[AlinPA]

34. The chief damage is the constant replay over and over and over... it is beat

into the idiots' brains. I often think though, that not that many people watch cable "news" and that most of those who watch Fox "News" are republicans or hate filled conservatives so things are not changing for them.

edit sp

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

35. WHERE THE FUCK ARE THE DEMOCRATS??!?!?!?!?!??!

[Life Long Dem]

37. He won the primary without these same attacks you see coming from McSame

Clinton even at one time during the biased "ABC debate", tried to lure Obama into the mud, but Obama didn't go. And Obama won't go there with McSame as well.

And I don't think he should go there.