MyDD :: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade

Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade

by tarheel74, Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:28:56 PM EST

Once again a call to arms. The moral of the story is you do not play nice with thugs. Obama campaign has got the message. Obama is fighting back against the smears with a very strong and broad based attack on McCain. Now he has to close the deal.

Tomorrow's debate is on the economy, but McCain does not want to talk economy, in fact I bet that from the get go he will go into personal attacks. So what does Obama do? I would like to see the following:

1) He should make a passing mention of McCain's past associations (Charles Keating, John Singlaub)

2) Call him out on a hypocritical and dishonorable campaign as politely as possible

3) finally make the point of the risks of electing an erratic and angry man who has changed positions for political expediency

One thing to watch, McCain's temper. Obama's strategy should be to say things in a way such that McCain loses his temper in public and on national TV. Tomorrow is Obama's day to put it away. To not do so will be politically risky.

To illustrate my point, Obama has to do a Casey to McCain's Santorum:

Tags: Obama, McCain elections (all tags)

Permalink :: 20 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (2.00 / 3)

Obama should say...

"McCain is FAILIN on the Economy"

"McCain is FAILIN on Health Care"

"McCain is FAILIN on the War"

"Why, it's MCCAIN/FAILIN everywhere we look!!"

by wblynch on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:35:10 PM EST

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (none / 0)

absolutely.

by tarheel74 on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:39:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

It's a town hall debate (none / 0)

So you have to be really careful about going negative or calling people names. The main job is to talk to the voters and make your case.

I remember in 1996, during the Clinton-Dole town hall debate, Bob Dole ended a response by unleashing some ridiculous attack on Bill Clinton.

What did Clinton do? Did he refute the attack? No. He just casually dismissed Dole's attack by saying "I'm not gonna get into those dirty politics" and then answered the voter's question.

It made Bob Dole look really small and petty. And people instantly forgot about Dole's attack.

by existenz on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 07:41:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's a town hall debate (2.00 / 1)

Which is obviously how Obama's positioned himself. It'd be dumb to get into a serious back-and-forth about any side issues.

I don't think he can be completely dismissive -- the first time, especially. He needs to answer whichever boogeyman (Ayers, I'll guess) comes up first directly and forcefully. Ayers he can defend, up to a point (trash the actions; praise the reformed man -- and pivot to Keating 5 since "reformed man" fits). Wright he can throw under the bus and go back and forward a few times (and maybe say "I gave a speech about this; millions of people heard it"). Rezko lets him trot out the Chicago Tribune's "model of transparency" line and pivot to Keating 5.

On the second and subsequent attacks, what I'd love to hear him say is, "John, I'd like you to look me in the eye and tell me that it's more important to the American people that their President be judged on every possible acquaintance than on their plans to fix the real problems in this country". Passionate, without being angry, and makes McCain look small -- and there's no acceptable answer to it except bluster.

No Way. No How. No McCain-Palin!

by Texas Gray Wolf on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 10:21:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (none / 0)

I always though it should be:

McCain/Palin by comparison.

by Why Not on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:40:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

NO! (2.00 / 1)

Bad puns are inexcusable no matter what. I do not want to win that way.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 08:06:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: NO! (none / 0)

I disagree; I go with the O'Henry World Championship Punoff (held in scenic downtown Austin) -- puns are to be cherished and celebrated, particularly if they make you groan. In fact, the worse the groan, the better the pun.

Though I've been leaning towards 'Insane/Falin' myself.

No Way. No How. No McCain-Palin!

by Texas Gray Wolf on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 10:49:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (none / 0)

Puns are kindergartenish -- Obama/Biden have proven himself to be the adults in the race, and they should keep on proving it, compared to the immaturity of McCain and Palin.

by Aris Katsaris2 on Tue Oct 07, 2008 at 11:07:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Tomorrow, McCain Explodes In Some Way (2.00 / 2)

Not sure how. Not sure over what. But he is just getting angrier and angrier, and when he's at a town hall not populated simply by his own supporters, facing two people who would rebut him if he makes an outright lie... I wouldn't be surprised if he told Obama to go fuck himself.

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:40:54 PM EST

Re: Tomorrow, McCain Explodes In Some Way (2.00 / 1)

Obama has to keep making the jabs like Bob Casey did.

by tarheel74 on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:45:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Go at his carefully crafted self image... (2.00 / 1)

As I said in an earlier diary, my take is, rather then Keating or scandal, Obama should challenge McCain's image of himself?

Keep going at "The Maverick", The guy who "Will make you famous" if you load on the pork...

You know, they guy who KEPT voting for Bush's budget busting crap...

The guy who said "This not the time for a tax break" during the war, but to win the Nomination, through over his principles to get the nod.

McCain uses a lot of self-deprecating humor, but I think he is really thinned skin if you attack him at his image of himself...

Call him a phony, that is all fake, he he talks the talk, but never walks the walk.

He HATES to have anyone go at him that way, especially some punk Junior One term Senator....

On Nov 4th, we elected "the smart guy" and the world celebrated!

by WashStateBlue on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:49:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Here's my take (none / 0)

On how to make McCain go Nuclear (pronounced Nuk-U-LUR!) in the next debate:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/10/5/1930 0/0376#commenttop

On Nov 4th, we elected "the smart guy" and the world celebrated!

by WashStateBlue on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:51:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (none / 0)

Or perhaps Obama can just look over and say,

"Hey John, your hair's getting a little thin back there, don't you think?"

by wblynch on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 06:56:24 PM EST

Easy method. (none / 0)

Don't turn on your microphone as you walk on stage. Shake John McCain's hand. Smile, lean in and say "you look like an elderly George Costanza".

"Hey, check it out. You just had yourself a glue OD. So you're learning another lesson. Don't do too much glue, or your night sucks."

by vcalzone on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 07:10:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Easy method. (2.00 / 1)

Nah,

Leave the mic on, lean in and ask "Hi John, can I call you John?"

A drink whenever Palin makes a Well-argued, Semantically Intact, Logical and Lucid Argument -- or WASILLA for short.

by January 20 on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 07:58:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Easy method. (none / 0)

BINGO

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 08:20:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

"Play the game Harding." (2.00 / 1)

"Play the game Harding. Play the game."

by Drummond on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 08:19:05 PM EST

Re: Tomorrow's debate: Sen. Obama end this charade (none / 0)

John McToast

"But not me personally were those cheers for"

by QTG on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 09:24:52 PM EST

i disagree (2.00 / 1)

Obama should almost ignore McCain unless he's tying him the Bush's economic legacy. The media narrative has already solidified that since this is a townhall that any "negative" comments will be seen in a bad light. The perfect scenario would be for McStain to try and club Obama with some negative attack and Obama in an admonishing manner reminding McInsane that our economy is melting before our very own eyes, 401K plans going down the toilet and record job losses every month and that we dont have the time or luxury to be getting into a pissing match during this election.

by highgrade on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 09:30:06 PM EST

Re: i disagree (none / 0)

Oh definitely. Rope-a-dope. Let McCain make the smear attacks; calmly defend the first, and whack him with all you've got (calmly and reasonably, but make him look petty) on the rest.

There is zero reason for Obama to make personal attacks. Policy attacks, of course; McCain should get slammed badly on health care (pivoting right into taxes). But those should start with "my plan is great" and some reasons, and only then end with "and McCain's is used toilet paper" with reasons.

No Way. No How. No McCain-Palin!

by Texas Gray Wolf on Mon Oct 06, 2008 at 10:27:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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