Some will call this turnabout/fairplay, but to me, this new takeoff on the Obama New Yorker cover is just equally silly.
Is there some truth to this one? Sure. CindyMac had a well-documented drug problem. PapaMac is about 108 years old. That in and of itself separates it from the Obama cover, which was pure fiction.
But neither is right. I really, really wish that at some point in the future, political discourse could grow beyond this sorta foolishness. For all the talk about change espoused by the Obama camp, reality is American Politricks is a stubborn institution and this sorta nonsense is prolly going nowhere anytime soon.
And that's a shame. I think Obama has done a good job of staying on topic and not waddling in the muck all year, especially given some of the tactics played against him during the race for the Democratic nomination. PappyMac has also done a good job of staying on course and not "going there". But the fact that he allows his minions to do his dirty work for him, without much correction is troublesome to say the least. Before you say it, I already know. Smear tactics are hardly the sole province of the GOP, but still.
Peep this latest nonsense outta SC.
A Republican state senator's Web site portrayal of likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden as separated by "just a little B.S." has riled Democrats.Here's the offensive photo.
Sen. Kevin Bryant of Anderson said the intention of his "funny picture" was to trigger a discussion of what he considers Obama's lack of foreign policy experience and soft position on defending Israel against Islamic states and their terrorist clients.
"And it worked," he said.
Democratic state senators, through their spokesman Phil Bailey, said the posting is offensive and has no place in politics. Bryant said he doesn't agree, "but if you've looked at the blog, some of the posters seem to think so." Many of the 40 comments on the blog early Tuesday afternoon were sharply critical.
He plans to take the item down but will leave a link for those who want to view it, Bryant said.
Shouldn't grown assed men have more important things to do with their time that cobble together lazy PhotoShop smear jobs?
Ooops. My bad.
Anyways, as much as I wish juvenile aspect of American politics would go the way of the Betamax, something tells me it's not changing anytime soon, and that's a shame.
And they wonder why people don't bother voting.
Question: Do you think it's possible for politics to move beyond politricks as usual? If so, how? Has the Obama campaign done any underhanded grease talkin' of this sort that I've somehow missed?
Dems not amused by S.C. senator's 'funny' Obama picture [GreenvilleOnline]
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I get points for calling the contents of that cover a couple weeks ago! ;)
Also, yeah he has: Obama constantly harps on a deliberately dishonest and misleading idea that McCain wants American troops in Iraq for 100 years. He and his surrogates talk about this all the time, and it's simply false.
Also, he lied to reporters the other day about which Senate committee he runs.
OK, that's probably just a strange mistake, not an outright lie. Still amusing, though...
Yeah, we can agree that both covers suck. But you know what's starting to bug me more and more? The blatant ageism against McCain. I'm an Obama supporter and all, but I don't see how it's appropriate to belittle McCain based on his age and the physical indicators of it. It's not anymore appropriate than belittling Obama based on his appearance.
Just my two cents.
@ ill
Agreed. We're basically saying the same thing. Stick to positions, leave the nonsense out. That was the purpose of this post. I'm going to turn the corner myself. I wish others would.
On the flipside, a question for you. We can agree that picking on PappyMac's age is tacky, but isn't exaggerating Obama's lack of experience some sorta odd reverse ageism?
And reality is, he IS oldER. Not that there's anything wrong with this, but if he continually trumpets his many years of experience, and his opponent's lack thereof (as a fault), doesn't that kinda make this issue fair game? I'm not talking about calling him old in terms of "he might die, he's so old", but rather "he's so set in his ways and can't adapt" old.
What do you think?
@ Spool
I think "harping on the 100 years" thing is fair game. We're talking about a war here. Yes, I also know that McCain was taken out of context.
And if you wanna call somebody out for a simple misspeak, how about McCain's Iraq/Iran blunder the other day? That's small potatoes. I know what both he and Obama meant, so do you. Either way, these are all fair game.
What I'm talking about is deliberately spreading falsehoods about someone's character, or allowing those around you to do so without checking them. Obama has run a pretty tight ship in this regard. McCain really hasn't gone ALL THE WAY THERE, but he hasn't exactly been as vocal about voicing concern about that sort of gutter politics as I'd like for a national hero to be.
I'm just sayin', for a guy who has absorbed some very cheap shots of his own (the black baby lie in 2000 for instance), I'd think he'd be above the fray.
Then again, maybe he knows that preying on such falsehoods and ignorance is his only way to win.
He's been pretty vocal... McCain has called down people in the past for these smears, including being very forceful about the New Yorker cover. But you're right, it seems the smears are at least more highlighted from the right, and probable more visceral. There's plenty of dodgy "McSame" trash talk, and of course there was that bullshit claim of an affair with a lobbyist which got spread around, and the half-baked argument that McCain isn't actually an American citizen, and Obama hasn't spoken out against any of these rumors...
I don't think taking McCain's comments out of context about the war is any more or less fair than suggesting Obama's wife has never been proud of her country until this summer. It's a bit worse in that Obama is repeating them himelf, whereas McCain has been regularly going out of his way to say nice things about Obama at every turn (while attacking his policies and positions).
Also, I have to take issue with the idea tha ta cheap shot is the only way McCain can win... look past the hype and you see McCain within 3 points in every reputable poll... Kerry was ahead by 15 at this point and he disintegrated. It's not a lock by any means, and I think McCain can beat him on substance. In fact I think he HAS to beat Obama on substance, because he's surely not going to win by virtue of his forceful personality.
Heh, I don't think you even want to go there on Obama and the war, after this week... he's done nothing BUT "misspeak" and stumble around on the war since a few days before he visited Iraq. You have to have balls the size of watermelons to get up in front of a German crowd and talk about international resolve, 2 days after you tell a reporter that even though you know we won the battle, you still would've retreated from it. To talk about defending liberty and freedom, 2 days after you declared you would have chosen suffering and oppression, and death for a nation.
Back to the actual point though, yeah. It seems the radical left has sowed the wind, and in this cycle they're reaping the rightwing whirlwind. The shots are cheaper and more common from the right, and I hope at least that they stay on the distant fringe while the serious people talk about issues.
I tell you what, though. Even though it's wrong... after the last 8 years of abuse, Democrats and the left have really, really got it coming.
You know AB both covers suck but Cindy McCain is still not visually assaulted and vilified to the extent of Michelle Obama. They portray Michelle with an Afro as something sinister WTF. I rock a natural and am damn proud of it. Cindy still comes off as Suzie homemaker. Just my two cents.
say it, jazzy!!!
i'd like to hear who in the world is offended by this cover? cindy is an addict (ya'll know the drill, once an addict, always an addict) with a botox looking countenance and mccain is ancient with a weak comb-over. WHAT?
as far as the obama cover, i'd like to hear from some muslims. i myself am a Christian but i am DEEPLY offended by the villification of muslims. equating the religion with terrorism is so below the belt and everyone in this election coverage seems to be guilty of it. but i haven't heard any muslims speaking up on it. yes, barack must set the record straight that he in not a muslim b'c facts are facts. but the problem i have is that EVERYONE seems to be equating being a muslim as evil. any responses??
@AB,
I hear you. Yeah, I think the "no experience" rhetoric against Obama is ageism. I thought so particularly when it was coming from Hillary "not that much experience myself" Clinton. From McCain, it seems to ring a lot truer. And in this sense, yes, I suppose calling McCain old is fair game. BUT, the way I hear it 99 times out of 100 is that he isn't a viable candidate because he's OOOOOLD! That is prejudice, plain and simple.
BTW, I cringe when you call McCain Pappy just as much as when the (conservative radio host) Chris Baker calls Obama "Ba-rack Obammy."
I wish I could give an insighful opinion here but I HATE POLITRICKS. I'd rather watch a bad soap opera than this political crap that goes on...it's shameful, childish, and contributes to why people around the world refer to use as dumb Americans. And this goes for both sides of the aisle....I do think the GOP is much more grimy.
So, instead of going off on some political tirade I'll share with you my personal plans.
I work hard, save money, etc so I can buy some overseas property and unplug from the USA for at least 6 months per year. My plan is to use the US as an ATM machine and reside in a place where my life can focus on health, comfort, friends, family, and general happiness....yes, I know it's kinda sappy but that's my goal and I'm sticking to it.
Yes he has and, if you say he did, you are accused of racism and hatin so why bother pointing it out?
@ i.l.l.
BTW, I cringe when you call McCain Pappy just as much as when the (conservative radio host) Chris Baker calls Obama "Ba-rack Obammy."
If you can explain to me why this is offensive, I will try my best to not use it anymore. Seriously. Explain.
@AB,
Okay. I've been thinking and rethinking this whole Pappy thing. The reason I don't like Barack being called out of his name is because I feel that it's a deliberate reminder of his otherness. "He's not quite like us, ya know?" No matter his appeal and his resume.
My initial reaction to references to McCain as Pappy (or variations on the same) is that it is a deliberate reminder that he is old, capabilities and longevity in his line be damned.
Many people close to me have recently been pressured out of jobs because they are nearing retirement age. It doesn't matter how good they are or how much money they make for their respective companies. Apparently it's bad business to have old-looking people around. So that's what I'm reacting to. But Pappy also brings to mind connotations of backward thinking, and maybe that's more what you're going for.
That's not a clear explanation. I guess because I can see both sentiments articulated.
@ ill
Just because I value your opinion, I will try not to say it anymore.
I can still call him Cotton Hill though, right?
I'm with huntdaddy. I can't stand politics. It's all so confusing and I hate all the underhanded things that go on in order to pick one person to lead the nation. Then that one person is supposed to unite us all after we've been seperated into 2 or more different political parties. Just confusing...
@AB,
Hahaha! I must agree he bears a striking resemblance to Cotton Hill! And I'm not out to word-police you, fwiw. Thanks for the respect.
@missjay
What's most sad about politics is that it has nothing to do with issues. Sure, politicians talk about issues but they basically do what they want...I just feel that the soap opera around the politicians help divert us from the fact that no matter who we elect, US and World policy seems to follow a pre-determined agenda.
Yes, I am a bit of a believer in the One World Order conspiracy theories...
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