Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Obama plan?
Replace candy and ice cream with "income supplement checks" and "universal health care" and substitute the kids for all of American population and you've got a good outline for Barack Obama's plan. (Have a little fun people!)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The double standards of the campaign we have so enjoyed…
Oh the media…your thorough reporting and tough questions to the candidates on some of our biggest campaign issues have left me wondering how you can be so fair, so unbiased, and so equal in your coverage…yeah right.
Here are some examples of your great double standards.
The Health of our Candidates
John McCain is 72 years old and had skin cancer a while ago, clearly this should make us look at Palin more strictly because John McCain probably wouldn’t last half a term.
There’s no need to worry about almost 66 year old Biden and his history of near fatal aneurisms though; those were a long time ago.
The “Washington Insider”
John McCain has been a Washington insider for far too long; 32 years! He is part of the broken mess in Washington that we need to change!
Joe Biden has been a part of Washington for 26 years, his long service gives him the experience that makes him qualified to lead as a vice president or a president should he need to assume that role; it’s an asset, not a negative issue.
Experience
Sarah Palin’s years of service as a community activist with groups like the PTA, being mayor and serving 2 years as governor gives her SOME executive experience you could say, but it was in it’s in a state that really doesn’t mean much to be a mayor in or a governor of, so really she is under qualified to even be VP.
Barack Obama’s experience in the Illinois State Senate, his role as a community organizer in Chicago and serving in the US Senate for 2 years before running for president, gives him more than enough experience to hold an executive office, like the office of President and be the commander in chief of the US armed forces.
Corruption
John McCain wrote some letters on behalf of an old friend and political contributor Charles Keating who was later indicted and went to prison, clearly a lack of judgment on McCain’s part to hang around such people and that shows he doesn’t have judgment to be President.
Barack Obama has been friends with Tony Rezko since he launched/financed Obama’s political beginnings. Obama even got a great deal on a house and some land out of the friendship, but Rezko got indicted and will be going to prison on several corruption charges…Its no biggie though, it’s tough to be a politician in Chicago and not deal with corrupt individuals, it’s not Obama’s fault.
The Tone of the Campaign
John McCain releases a tough new add questioning a view of Senator Obama’s, or perhaps asks if we even know Obama’s real view; the add is deemed as negative, McCain declared to be desperate because he is losing and overall it is said to be expected because after all, he is a Republican and that is what they do.
Barack Obama releases a tough new add where a little fact finding shows it can be labeled as untrue or even a lie, little comment is made of it as it is allowed to be just an add and it is not news worthy otherwise. The McCain campaign mentions that Obama is negative campaigning and lying, and then the news becomes that the McCain campaign is calling Barack a liar.
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These are only a few of the dozens of double standards in this campaign, feel free to post key ones left off this list…
-Michael Hilburn
Here are some examples of your great double standards.
The Health of our Candidates
John McCain is 72 years old and had skin cancer a while ago, clearly this should make us look at Palin more strictly because John McCain probably wouldn’t last half a term.
There’s no need to worry about almost 66 year old Biden and his history of near fatal aneurisms though; those were a long time ago.
The “Washington Insider”
John McCain has been a Washington insider for far too long; 32 years! He is part of the broken mess in Washington that we need to change!
Joe Biden has been a part of Washington for 26 years, his long service gives him the experience that makes him qualified to lead as a vice president or a president should he need to assume that role; it’s an asset, not a negative issue.
Experience
Sarah Palin’s years of service as a community activist with groups like the PTA, being mayor and serving 2 years as governor gives her SOME executive experience you could say, but it was in it’s in a state that really doesn’t mean much to be a mayor in or a governor of, so really she is under qualified to even be VP.
Barack Obama’s experience in the Illinois State Senate, his role as a community organizer in Chicago and serving in the US Senate for 2 years before running for president, gives him more than enough experience to hold an executive office, like the office of President and be the commander in chief of the US armed forces.
Corruption
John McCain wrote some letters on behalf of an old friend and political contributor Charles Keating who was later indicted and went to prison, clearly a lack of judgment on McCain’s part to hang around such people and that shows he doesn’t have judgment to be President.
Barack Obama has been friends with Tony Rezko since he launched/financed Obama’s political beginnings. Obama even got a great deal on a house and some land out of the friendship, but Rezko got indicted and will be going to prison on several corruption charges…Its no biggie though, it’s tough to be a politician in Chicago and not deal with corrupt individuals, it’s not Obama’s fault.
The Tone of the Campaign
John McCain releases a tough new add questioning a view of Senator Obama’s, or perhaps asks if we even know Obama’s real view; the add is deemed as negative, McCain declared to be desperate because he is losing and overall it is said to be expected because after all, he is a Republican and that is what they do.
Barack Obama releases a tough new add where a little fact finding shows it can be labeled as untrue or even a lie, little comment is made of it as it is allowed to be just an add and it is not news worthy otherwise. The McCain campaign mentions that Obama is negative campaigning and lying, and then the news becomes that the McCain campaign is calling Barack a liar.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
These are only a few of the dozens of double standards in this campaign, feel free to post key ones left off this list…
-Michael Hilburn
About Collin Powell......
This is exactly what the media had been predicting all week, and yet its now GROUNDBREAKING. Sorry folks, the groundbreaking story would have been Collin Powell’s endorsement of John McCain. After all the reports I have read this week, today’s announcement was a foregone conclusion.
And, if Powell had instead endorsed McCain, would the media have made such a big deal out of it? Of course not. I can’t see how this doesn’t hurt McCain in the polls, but it’s honestly a story going bonkers in the liberal press and frankly, I’m already sick of it.
I guess now Obama can actually roll around with someone with decent credibility on military issues; too bad McCain doesn't need surrogates for that.
And, if Powell had instead endorsed McCain, would the media have made such a big deal out of it? Of course not. I can’t see how this doesn’t hurt McCain in the polls, but it’s honestly a story going bonkers in the liberal press and frankly, I’m already sick of it.
I guess now Obama can actually roll around with someone with decent credibility on military issues; too bad McCain doesn't need surrogates for that.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Fight
I wish I knew if they read my blog before they made this ad (my guess is no, but let me be disillusioned for a wee bit!). At any rate, this is exactly the kind of ad I had in mind and I LOVE IT! This is exactly the thing this campaign needed to reconnect with independent voters! WAY TO GO!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
What McCain needs to say
Tomorrow's debate will, barring some enormously ground-shaking event, be John McCain's last shot to win this election. We are three weeks out and the trend in every key state is not looking good for the senior senator. He needs to make this one count. If he doesn't, it's time for us to prepare ourselves mentally for a Democratic House, Democratic Senate and Democratic President running our nation in a time of war, recession and uncertainty on the Supreme Court, where 5 of the 9 Justices are age 70 or older.
McCain needs to make this country wake up and realize what's really at stake here. The issue that comes first, second and third is the ECONOMY. If I were advising McCain, I would make the following (lengthy) hypothetical quote as my final push message. It is formulated to fit in line with my idea for a commercial, but should also be adopted for the debate.
"Today, this nation faces challenges of a magnitude few of us have seen in our lifetime. We have a financial system on the verge of collapse at the hands of greed and corruption; we are engaged in a global struggle against forces of pure evil and hate; and the American people are suffering from the worst lack of confidence in their government in modern history. But for all of our troubles, we also have reasons to be optimistic. The foundation of our economy, our creative, innovative and industrious talents, are the greatest in the world; the freedoms our forefathers so elegantly articulated and defended are preserved; and our citizens have two drastically different choices in this historic election. I understand that, at this moment, I am not winning the hearts, minds or votes of the deciders in the American Democracy, the independent voters. I want to address them directly right now. After we cut through all of the talking points and polish, this election comes down to the independent voter choosing between style and substance. Despite what Senator Obama might say, you are not racist if you vote for me instead of him. You get to choose between a man who has spent his entire career running for higher and higher offices on the backs of domestic terrorists, radical America-haters and the people who's policies and philosophies have caused our current economic mess. Or, you can vote for me. I am person who has, despite all of my shortcomings, fought for what was right for our nation for my entire life. I have a record of taking on people who need to be brought to justice, regardless of party affiliation or personal consequence. Senator Obama, for all of his bi-partisan rhetoric, has never once stood up to his party. How do you, the independent voter, expect from Senator Obama the tough, relentless effort to bring the responsible parties to justice when he has never even made an attempt to do so in the past? I understand that you are angry about the mess we are in; I am too. I share your disdain for the Bush Administration's reckless ways. But I am also sick and tired of listening to my opponent lay this entire mess at the feet of my party. There are responsible people, some of whom are good friends and supporters of Obama, on both sides of the aisle whose hands are dirty; they need to be brought to justice. I have the fortitude to do it, Barack Obama has shown the world that he does not."
McCain needs to make this country wake up and realize what's really at stake here. The issue that comes first, second and third is the ECONOMY. If I were advising McCain, I would make the following (lengthy) hypothetical quote as my final push message. It is formulated to fit in line with my idea for a commercial, but should also be adopted for the debate.
"Today, this nation faces challenges of a magnitude few of us have seen in our lifetime. We have a financial system on the verge of collapse at the hands of greed and corruption; we are engaged in a global struggle against forces of pure evil and hate; and the American people are suffering from the worst lack of confidence in their government in modern history. But for all of our troubles, we also have reasons to be optimistic. The foundation of our economy, our creative, innovative and industrious talents, are the greatest in the world; the freedoms our forefathers so elegantly articulated and defended are preserved; and our citizens have two drastically different choices in this historic election. I understand that, at this moment, I am not winning the hearts, minds or votes of the deciders in the American Democracy, the independent voters. I want to address them directly right now. After we cut through all of the talking points and polish, this election comes down to the independent voter choosing between style and substance. Despite what Senator Obama might say, you are not racist if you vote for me instead of him. You get to choose between a man who has spent his entire career running for higher and higher offices on the backs of domestic terrorists, radical America-haters and the people who's policies and philosophies have caused our current economic mess. Or, you can vote for me. I am person who has, despite all of my shortcomings, fought for what was right for our nation for my entire life. I have a record of taking on people who need to be brought to justice, regardless of party affiliation or personal consequence. Senator Obama, for all of his bi-partisan rhetoric, has never once stood up to his party. How do you, the independent voter, expect from Senator Obama the tough, relentless effort to bring the responsible parties to justice when he has never even made an attempt to do so in the past? I understand that you are angry about the mess we are in; I am too. I share your disdain for the Bush Administration's reckless ways. But I am also sick and tired of listening to my opponent lay this entire mess at the feet of my party. There are responsible people, some of whom are good friends and supporters of Obama, on both sides of the aisle whose hands are dirty; they need to be brought to justice. I have the fortitude to do it, Barack Obama has shown the world that he does not."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
McCain's Way Forward
Yesterday's debate, while a fantastic display of the fundamental differences between the two realistic candidates for President, largely appears to be a non-event in terms of campaign momentum. That spells trouble for our hero and candidate, John McCain. With Senator Obama's frightening climb in the polls as our economy falls into a state of near despair, Senator McCain needed to make a drastic shift in the race. He needed to (and still has the chance to) harness the feelings of average Americans. We are worried, anxious, fearful and mad as hell. While McCain's words came close to matching that tonight, his attitude didn't.
Democrats have, for some mysterious reason, been able to put this crisis almost completely around the necks of Republicans. This is hogwash of the highest order and if John McCain and the other Republicans running for office cannot mount a more convincing counter argument, they might not deserve to win. Please see the previous post for a very important news clip regarding these issues and where different key players have stood on this sub-prime issue. Here is what we wanted to hear Senator McCain say, in forceful posture, directly to Senator Obama:
"In 2006, I co-sponsored legislation that would have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac in an effort to prohibit them from using the polices that are DIRECTLY responsible for our current economic crisis. And Senator Obama, what did you have to say about that bill? Oh right, you were too busy taking campaign contributions from those organization's leaders and using it to run for President to be bothered with that silly little task of VOTING on the bill. You didn't even vote, but you sure got a lot of their money!"
In the real debate, he made mention of the contributions and some reference was made to his bill, but he largely allowed Senator Obama to get away with pinning McCain with the label "de-regulator". On this and several other key economic issues, this is simply a falsehood that hurts McCain greatly. McCain co-sponsored a bill in 2006 (thats two years ago, folks) that would have changed the regulations making it harder or downright impossible for Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac to continue the practices that caused this situation! Obama couldn't even be bothered to go on record by voting! You tell me who the de-regulator really is.
Now the debate is over and we need to map out a clear course of action for Senator McCain to recover in the polls and go on to victory in the general election. If anyone has the ability to come back from this, its John McCain. After all, the man has been counted out more times than last year's New York Football Giants! Both were underdogs going in and both will come out on top when the history books are written!
The best political asset McCain has is his brand. People know and respect the American hero that he is and the independent political leader he has consistency shown himself to be. The general reputation he has earned, outside the realm of the intellectually stunted media and the unyielding liberal Obamanation, is that of an honest and forthright moderate who works to join seemingly conflicting ideologies into coherent and proper policy decisions. The key is reconnecting the people to that image. The simple and paramount question is how?
The slick TV ads with the ominous female voiceover announcer might have worked a while ago, but they don't fit with McCain's stated goals for campaign content and we question their overall effectiveness on swaying undecided voters.
Instead of "I'm John McCain and I approve this message" followed by 30 seconds of Obama bashing, however warranted and accurate it may be, McCain needs to film himself talking and connecting with the voters on an individual level. We imagine a script would go something along the lines of : "Hello, I'm Senator John McCain and I'm asking for a small amount of time out of your busy day to explain to you why I am asking for the privilege of serving you as our nation's next President......." Then, for the next 30, 60 or 90 seconds, Americans (or, more specifically, citizens of key battleground states) see and hear John McCain explaining his position on a critical issue or theme and defining his policy agenda on his own terms, face to face with the voter. This format is much more personal and, we believe, will resonate much better with undecided voters who will see the ads as something of a mini-speech, a conversation if you will. This would be a stark contrast to the current ads both campaigns have running, where the candidates hide behind ominous music, narrators and flashy graphics showing quotes disparaging or contradicting their opponents interests. If John McCain can convincingly shoot an ad like this, it will be seen as a man coming out from behind the safety of his intellectual fort to directly stand in the way of Obama becoming our next President, rather than staying behind these safety walls of mind-numbing glossy productions and lobbing rhetorical grenades at the other side.
Additionally, and secondarily, McCain needs to articulate in a clear and accurate manner the differences in philosophy, judgment and policy that separate himself from Senator Obama. We are well aware that the McCain camp has been stressing this throughout the campaign and we are saying that they have thus far failed to do so in anything resembling a positive way. McCain has been allowed the Obama camp to cast him as "Bush's third term" when, in reality, we challenge the average outsider to find a more rage-inducing Republican from the standpoint of the Bush administration. The McCain camp should not think that negatively defining Obama is alone enough to make the case stick. The honest and "McCain-like" thing to do would be to lay out the differences and say "If you agree with Senator Obama, then he is who you should vote for. But if you are unsure or you share my values and goals but are anxious for change from the current administration, I'm the one you want." That kind of straightforward willingness to lay his ideals before himself and his political future is what got McCain where he is today and it would serve him well to do that at this juncture. A man who stands on rhetoric alone is a man soon to come crashing to the ground. The American people know that and if McCain can appear to be the man who stands for more than just words and empty promises, he will win this election.
We leave the target locations and specifics of the advertisements up to people much more knowledgeable in those areas that us. The electoral map and what issues resonate best in what parts of the nation are complex and require more studious review than any of us could provide to the campaign. However, coming from the perspective of college students in a state that is a good deal away from the fray and intellectual hangups of the beltway, we believe the basic strategy is the right course for this campaign going forward.
-Andrew Jones, Michael Hilburn & Eric Fischer
Democrats have, for some mysterious reason, been able to put this crisis almost completely around the necks of Republicans. This is hogwash of the highest order and if John McCain and the other Republicans running for office cannot mount a more convincing counter argument, they might not deserve to win. Please see the previous post for a very important news clip regarding these issues and where different key players have stood on this sub-prime issue. Here is what we wanted to hear Senator McCain say, in forceful posture, directly to Senator Obama:
"In 2006, I co-sponsored legislation that would have reformed Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac in an effort to prohibit them from using the polices that are DIRECTLY responsible for our current economic crisis. And Senator Obama, what did you have to say about that bill? Oh right, you were too busy taking campaign contributions from those organization's leaders and using it to run for President to be bothered with that silly little task of VOTING on the bill. You didn't even vote, but you sure got a lot of their money!"
In the real debate, he made mention of the contributions and some reference was made to his bill, but he largely allowed Senator Obama to get away with pinning McCain with the label "de-regulator". On this and several other key economic issues, this is simply a falsehood that hurts McCain greatly. McCain co-sponsored a bill in 2006 (thats two years ago, folks) that would have changed the regulations making it harder or downright impossible for Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac to continue the practices that caused this situation! Obama couldn't even be bothered to go on record by voting! You tell me who the de-regulator really is.
Now the debate is over and we need to map out a clear course of action for Senator McCain to recover in the polls and go on to victory in the general election. If anyone has the ability to come back from this, its John McCain. After all, the man has been counted out more times than last year's New York Football Giants! Both were underdogs going in and both will come out on top when the history books are written!
The best political asset McCain has is his brand. People know and respect the American hero that he is and the independent political leader he has consistency shown himself to be. The general reputation he has earned, outside the realm of the intellectually stunted media and the unyielding liberal Obamanation, is that of an honest and forthright moderate who works to join seemingly conflicting ideologies into coherent and proper policy decisions. The key is reconnecting the people to that image. The simple and paramount question is how?
The slick TV ads with the ominous female voiceover announcer might have worked a while ago, but they don't fit with McCain's stated goals for campaign content and we question their overall effectiveness on swaying undecided voters.
Instead of "I'm John McCain and I approve this message" followed by 30 seconds of Obama bashing, however warranted and accurate it may be, McCain needs to film himself talking and connecting with the voters on an individual level. We imagine a script would go something along the lines of : "Hello, I'm Senator John McCain and I'm asking for a small amount of time out of your busy day to explain to you why I am asking for the privilege of serving you as our nation's next President......." Then, for the next 30, 60 or 90 seconds, Americans (or, more specifically, citizens of key battleground states) see and hear John McCain explaining his position on a critical issue or theme and defining his policy agenda on his own terms, face to face with the voter. This format is much more personal and, we believe, will resonate much better with undecided voters who will see the ads as something of a mini-speech, a conversation if you will. This would be a stark contrast to the current ads both campaigns have running, where the candidates hide behind ominous music, narrators and flashy graphics showing quotes disparaging or contradicting their opponents interests. If John McCain can convincingly shoot an ad like this, it will be seen as a man coming out from behind the safety of his intellectual fort to directly stand in the way of Obama becoming our next President, rather than staying behind these safety walls of mind-numbing glossy productions and lobbing rhetorical grenades at the other side.
Additionally, and secondarily, McCain needs to articulate in a clear and accurate manner the differences in philosophy, judgment and policy that separate himself from Senator Obama. We are well aware that the McCain camp has been stressing this throughout the campaign and we are saying that they have thus far failed to do so in anything resembling a positive way. McCain has been allowed the Obama camp to cast him as "Bush's third term" when, in reality, we challenge the average outsider to find a more rage-inducing Republican from the standpoint of the Bush administration. The McCain camp should not think that negatively defining Obama is alone enough to make the case stick. The honest and "McCain-like" thing to do would be to lay out the differences and say "If you agree with Senator Obama, then he is who you should vote for. But if you are unsure or you share my values and goals but are anxious for change from the current administration, I'm the one you want." That kind of straightforward willingness to lay his ideals before himself and his political future is what got McCain where he is today and it would serve him well to do that at this juncture. A man who stands on rhetoric alone is a man soon to come crashing to the ground. The American people know that and if McCain can appear to be the man who stands for more than just words and empty promises, he will win this election.
We leave the target locations and specifics of the advertisements up to people much more knowledgeable in those areas that us. The electoral map and what issues resonate best in what parts of the nation are complex and require more studious review than any of us could provide to the campaign. However, coming from the perspective of college students in a state that is a good deal away from the fray and intellectual hangups of the beltway, we believe the basic strategy is the right course for this campaign going forward.
-Andrew Jones, Michael Hilburn & Eric Fischer
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
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