Hi guys, quick scoop here - the new ad from the Obama campaign that will be running during the Olympics. The good news? It's all economy, all-the-time, a positive message that stresses new jobs. Whether it succeeds or not or is strong enough or not, I don't know, but debate it out:
Transcript after the jump, YouTube coming as soon as it is available (keep me informed if you see it). Additionally, I posted John McCain's tough new spot:
Some GREAT breaking stuff from Obama's town-hall meeting occuring now in Indiana. He opened up with remarks that took McCain to task even harder than he has in the past:
"Senator McCain’s energy plan reads like an early Christmas list for oil and gas lobbyists. And it’s no wonder – because many of his top advisors are former oil and gas lobbyists."
Love that he included the fact that his advisors were oil and gas lobbyists. It's as if Barack Obama suddenly woke up and realized all the material he had to work with in going after McCain. But there's much more great stuff:
Coming off the heels of yesterday's energy attack ad, here's one which I think in some ways is even stronger, but still not strong enough:
This one doesn't use the ominous music that so many attack ads do, but takes you in with a softer sound. Then it launches into an attack on McCain for being in Washington for 26 years, voting against alternative energy and higher gas standards. It's a reminder of who is the long-time Washington insider, and who is the fresh face of change. Script below:
I've never written a meta-diary before, and this one is only half-meta, but here goes: Last week I wrote a diary about John McCain's ad strategy, essentially saying there was method to the madness and it was achieving its intended goal. Others have written diaries in similar vein, essentially calling for Obama to start going on offense and frustration at the defensive nature of the campaign.
Then came the backlash to our "concern," led by Bob Johnson in not one, but two diaries, the first entitled "Bedwetters and handwringers unite," and the second by "his dog Rex," mocking those who criticized the Obama strategy.
Fair enough, I'm a big boy. I'm not writing this because I'm sensitive. And indeed, there are many real chicken littles running rampant, some who freak out at the slighted thing and scream "We're dooooomed!," diaries worthy of the "OMG! ONOZ!" responses they get. But, there is another side to this story...
Some quick news about the 2008 Democratic Party platform from the Drafting Committee (note, the full Platform Committee still has to vote on this). The biggest news will be the way it frames the war in Iraq...no mincing words:
The Democratic Party will formally call the decision to go to war with Iraq a “strategic blunder” in its 2008 platform, according to a draft debated Saturday. The party also included language on Iraq withdrawal echoed by its presumptive nomine, Barack Obama, as it expressed a desire to “be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in.”
Very glad to see that they are labeling the decision itself to go into Iraq a blunder. We know McCain doesn't feel this way and will try to focus the debate on the surge. Good for the Dems on officially re-focusing the issue on the decision in the first place.
This quote sums it up in a nutshell, the election so far. The media has bought into the meme that Obama is just an empty celebrity, but the truth is, he's the most substantive candidate in a generation. So says Michael James, 33, an active military officer assigned at Patrick Air Force Base, who saw Obama in a town-hall today at Titusville, FL:
Michael James, 33, an active military officer assigned at Patrick Air Force Base, said he was "definitely inspired" by Obama's speech. "The media says you don't get substance, but he answered everyone's questions with substance," James said.
In terms of the economy, one of the last questions an audience member posed to Obama was when will the change happen? When will the economy get back on its feet? "I think he gave a real respopnse," James said. "It's not going to change overnight but the things we do now, policies put in place now, can bring about change."
Great news, Obama is taking control of the messaging today following ridiculous back-and-forth on non-issues, and he's playing the "economy card" by releasing a new Emergency Economic Plan today in Florida (streaming live on CNN.COM now):
Senator Obama today released the following statement on the latest jobs report and unveiled an Emergency Economic Plan that will take the excess profits of oil companies to help working families deal with energy costs with new $1,000 rebate checks and enact a $50 billion package to save more than 1 million jobs.
A stimulus with tax rebate checks was nothing new, but taxing windfall profits is. This is a timely move designed to jump on the news of the huge oil profits and the terrible job losses.
More on this below, including the full statement from the campaign and the plan itself:
Yes, I'm completely serious. McCain's new ad and campaign strategy is brilliant - evil, of course - but brilliant nonetheless. On the surface they seem juvenile and mock-able, which they are of course, but from a long-term strategy goal for John McCain, this new campaign approach is dangerously effective. No, I'm not being snarky. And you know I'm no concern troll.
My essential thesis is this:
John McCain's entire series of negative, sophmoric, attack ads are part of a coordinated strategy to firm up the Republican base of support by turning them against Barack Obama. And it's working.
Obama just hit John McCain hard on the economy in a town hall meeting in Springfield, Missouri (note, I'm mixing prepared remarks with paraphrases that I'm watching) and debuts a great new line: "They have nothing new to offer, but they want you to think I'm risky. This time it's too risky NOT to change."
My opponent believes we’re on the right course. He’s said our economy has made great progress these past eight years. He’s embraced the Bush economic policies and promises to continue them.
Senator McCain wants to debate taxes, I'm ready. I just was just reading that Wild Bill Hickock had his first duel right here in Springfield, MO. Family legend is that Wild Bill is a distant relative of mine (I'm serious). I don't know if it's true, but it's the legend. I think it's true because I'm ready to duel John McCain on taxes right here.
First, in interest of full disclosure, this was diaried earlier, but didn't receive nearly the attention it should have. Credit where credit is due.
Onto the story, which is outrageous and requires immediate push-back by all VA-area Dems and the Obama campaign:
[VA GOP Chairman] Frederick is calling on Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) to launch an investigation. Frederick is also urging residents to avoid giving their names or social security numbers to canvassers seeking to register voters. (emphasis mine)
"Identity theft is widespread problem in Virginia," Frederick said. "Today, I am encouraging voters who have filed out any of these voter registration forms to immediately contact their registrars, and Virginians should exercise caution when approached by a stranger who asks them for their information."
Quick diary here folks, new TV spot from MoveOn.org which I thought was worth sharing, as part of their kick-off to the youth-mobilization effort:
Ambinder reports it will be run on MTV and Comedy Central at a cost of $150,000. Let's hope it's the beginning of a serious concerted effort to mobilize the younger voters, who turned out in the primaries, but need to be out in the general election in a big way...in the meantime, enjoy "Hope."
As many of us had been hoping, Obama would return from his world trip and immediately move to focus on: economy, economy, economy. Well, good news:
Democrat Barack Obama said he is convening a meeting on the economy tomorrow that will include former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and billionaire investor Warren Buffett as he pivots to the U.S. economy after a nine-day trip abroad.
So the very first Monday after he returns and everyone is focusing on him, Obama will turn the attention to the economy, exactly as needed.
So I was just reading some findings from a study of independents. I noticed this little nugget:
Obama is seen as a candidate of the future; an agent of change; the positive words they associate with him are "change" "future" and "reform." McCain is seen as the more competent candidate; the positive words associated with him are "experience" and "integrity." (emphasis mine)
Really? McCain is the more "competent candidate?" This is a meme that needs to die a quick and painful death, and needs to be aided along by Obama surrogates. NOW is the perfect time, I'll explain why:
Yes, I am not kidding. A few days ago McCain dropped a whopper: "I know how to win wars" Well, it's about to get topped. Remember a few days ago when it was reported that the NY Times rejected McCain's Iraq editorial in essence because it consisted of little more than attacks on Obama and very little about McCain's OWN vision for Iraq?
That really gets to the essence of McCain's problem in a nutshell: his entire campaign is based on slamming Obama, with a few minor policy ideas, and essentially no vision for what a McCain presidency would look like.
Case in point, take last night's interview on ABC News. Watch his response to a question about the Israeli/Palestinian issue and how he would resolve it:
In case there was any doubt, Europe and the world are desperate for an Obama presidency, according to a brand new Gallup poll:
Substantial majorities of citizens of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom say that they would like to see Democratic Sen. Barack Obama rather than Republican Sen. John McCain elected U.S. president, and also that it makes a difference to their country who is elected.
Starts off with opening remarks on his reflections of their trip to Afghanistan, Iraq. Says he’s "extremely impressed" by the troops there, reiterates that Afghanistan is the "central front" in the war on terrorism.
"There is security progress. Now we need a political solution. the message we heard from Iraq’s leaders is they’re ready to do more and they want to take more responsiblity for their country...I welcome the growing consensus in the United States and Iraq for a timeline."
Calls again for his 16-month withdrawal plan, refocus troops in Afghanistan.
This could be one of those unexpected events that forever changes the way the world perceives an issue. Iraq's Prime Minister agrees with Obama, and there's no wiggle room or fudge factor. This puts John McCain in an extremely precarious spot: what's left to argue? to argue against Maliki would be to predicate that Iraqi sovereignty at this point means nothing. Obviously, our national interests aren't equivalent to Iraq's, but... Malik isn't listening to the generals on the ground...but the "hasn't been to Iraq" line doesn't work here.
Realizing, of course, that Obama can't make political hay of this fact now that he's overseas, I really hope his team is preparing a full court press upon his return. Imagine Obama saying something as simple as this:
