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Harsh Republican attacks have raised worries among Democratic strategists -- haunted by John F. Kerry's 2004 run and Al Gore's razor-thin loss in 2000 -- that Obama has not responded in kind with a parallel assault on McCain's character. Washington Post interviews with nearly a dozen Democratic strategists found those concerns to be widespread, although few wished to be quoted by name while Obama's campaign is demanding unity.
"Democrats are worried," said Tad Devine, a top strategist for Kerry who thinks Obama must stay on the high road. "We've been through two very tough elections at the national level, and it's very easy to lose confidence."
Obama spokesman Burton said the campaign sees no reason to shift strategy.
"This is a classic Washington story, anonymous quotes from armchair quarterbacks with no sense of our strategy, data or plan," he said.
Is Obama wise to stay above the fray or is he allowing the McCain campaign to define him in a negative way? Should Obama strike back with a vengeance or continue down the highroad? I'd be curious to know what my readers think.
12 Comments:
Obama is campaigning like a milk toast. He's a total sissy in this regard. Kerry also tried to "take the high road" and it cost him the election because he, too, looked like a weakling. Barack needs to grow a pair of political balls before we lose this election.
posted by Chris L., at
8/07/2008 10:42 AM
Obama needs to strike back much harder, but with the truth and with the facts, and repetitively. One 'correction' of the smear isnt enough. I dont think he should smear McCain personally as this may come across as bashing an old man. Even though the Paris Hilton ad was funny, when she referred to him as that 'old white haired dude' (did she say wrinkled also?), it made me uncomfortable. McCain may be a big bungling sellout jerk, but he's still a senior citizen. I'm not saying his age isnt a factor when considering someone for president, but he shouldnt be mocked for it. Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
8/07/2008 10:46 AM
Obama needs to grow a pair, take McCain on once and for all. Right now, McCain is enjoying a free ride to November. Time for Obama to make his case clear. I still have no idea what Obama stands for either.
posted by Robert, NYC, at
8/07/2008 11:48 AM
Obama is a Muslim and an secret A-rab. He is the anti-Christ, so there is no doubt he will galvanize the powers of darkness and evil to beat McCAIN, who reflect goodness and light.
Jack Mack--I see all that Arkansas In-Breeding in your family tree has taken it's toll.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/07/2008 12:14 PM
I agree with Gary, he should be tough when McCain makes inaccurate factual claims, but not resort to the same idiotic mud-slinging as the old white haired dude.
And I don't really think we need to express this by resorting to verbal emasculation, like calling him a "sissy" or saying he needs to "grow a pair of balls".
Mayhaps you would have Mr. T shoot candy bars at him out of a gatling gun?
Hey, I've waited eight long years to be rid of the current imbecile who calls himself our president, and I don't want to lose another election, and certainly not because Obama is too much of a little girl to know how to fight the big boys. It's time he stop the "it's a new day" nonsense and get with the program here!
posted by Chris L., at
8/07/2008 1:39 PM
Jack Mack is one of the descendant progeny of Adam & Eve's childrens' incestuous relationships as are all right wing christo fascists. Who but they could say such useless drivel or come to a gay blogsite to express it? Their inbreeding creates all kinds of mental and physical mutations, they are to be pitied. They don't live that long and usually meet with an untimely death, just look at Falwell. Run along Jack, take your ritalin!
posted by Robert, NYC., at
8/07/2008 1:44 PM
How could anyone vote for Obama, when they can vote for a legitimate war hero?
Which one, Obama or McCain, will scare away the foreigners? Clearly, McCain is the right one to battle the terrorists and chase the immegrants back across the border where they came from.
Sal, what's so heroic about being captured in combat, is that the be all and end of all of being qualified for president? Your friend Bush didn't exactly do much better, barely completed national guard service, some of it questionable. Cheney never served one day in the military, received five deferrments...yet....he would be president if Bush were indisposed. Bush and Cheney never set foot outside the U.S. which explains why their knowledge of geography is rather dismal and you think they're presidential material?
posted by Robert, NYC., at
8/07/2008 5:30 PM
How could anyone vote for Obama, when they can vote for a legitimate war hero?
you mean like voting for bush instead of kerry.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/08/2008 4:24 PM
