In politics, it is an accepted fact that the candidates will stretch the truth at times, to better communicate their message or latch on to a verbal gaffe that the opponent has made. However, in this election, the boundaries of the stretching has been pushed to new levels by the McCain camp, to a point where the media and independent non-partisan outlets are calling these ads and talking points for what they are: LIES.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK3Y1KPzW9k
Although some people may say that all politicians break their promises, I would counter that to say there is a difference between being ambitious and promising things on the campaign trail that the candidate will try to fulfill in an ideal situation, and blatantly lying about your opponent and what he stands for, as well as making up accolades and achievements of what you and your ticket has done. This is the contrast between the messaging of Barack Obama and John McCain. While John McCain’s team is putting out ads that are making false claims about Obama’s record such as: voting to teach kids sex in kindergarten, calling Sarah Palin a pig, raising the taxes on the middle class - all of these lies have been debunked by independent non-partisan outlets - Barack Obama hits back with telling people the truth about McCain and his own voting record and policies. Here’s a list of recent ads from the Obama camp:
- McCain and His ties with Lobbyists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjS5sjxTnwo
- McCain against Equal Pay for Equal Work for Women:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xIZtXq7JiE
- McCain’s Failed Grasp of the Economy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reQLzgywzk
- McCain on Social Security:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czo0w3Xs3NM
- McCain on Health Care:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWX6d7r-bpk
- McCain’s and Palin’s False Accolades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBtbG5xjFBY&NR=1
As if that is not enough, other independent groups that represents people who’s interests will be trampled on by the McCain-Palin ticket have released their own searing ads on the ticket’s stances on various issues:
- McCain and his anti-choice stance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9JHNIdZOYQ
- McCain and his ties to Oil Lobbyists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPuoAWaVStE
- McCain and Sexual Predators:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0kiLoMY1hg
- Palin on Aerial Wolf Hunting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQobIUE1zTU
Now there is no argument that these ads are a part of negative campaigning. Anytime you take down your opponent as opposed to promote your own policies or candidate is considered negative campaigning. However, to say that an election can be won without any negative campaigning would be naive. The main difference here, is that the McCain camp tries to put out ads and talking points that do not reflect their opponent’s views and also misrepresents their own to such an extreme level that it is called lying. And what’s the best way to call that out? To tell the truth. And because the truth can sometimes be so damning, it’s the best type of negative campaigning that you can do.
Take this ad that concisely sums up McCain’s contribution to the last 8 years of failed policies and decisions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJThPjvscFs
There is no better surrogate to remind people of John McCain’s history and policies, than John McCain himself. Sorry John McCain, but the truth does hurt, especially when it’s coming from your own mouth.
It’s the Economy, Stupid
Tags: aig, barack obama, economic policy, flip flop, government bailouts, john mccain, lehman brothers, mccain moments, merrill lynch, phil gramm, presidential election, republican party, wall street
After a week filled with shenanigans, bruising ads, talks of lipstick, pigs and old smelly fish, I am more than glad that this past week the discussions and focus has switched back to the issues, and more specifically, the economy. Unfortunately, it only took one of the greatest crisis on Wall Street since the Great Depression to do this. In the past week, we saw Lehman Brothers, a historic 158 year firm and 4th largest investment bank in the United States file for the largest bankruptcy in American history. We also saw Merrill Lynch, one of the largest brokerage firms in the world, get swallowed up by Bank of America. We even saw AIG, the largest insurance brokerage firm in the United States being given an 85 billion dollar bailout by the federal government, where the American taxpayers are footing the bill. Finally, at the end of the week, we also saw the federal government take drastic measures and bring forward a proposal for stabilizing the banking and financial sector, putting an unprecedented $700 billion bailout plan to buy toxic mortgages from failing banks and financial institutions.
It’s hard to say at the moment if this is the right move, however it has become clear that a move had to be made. After standing on the sidelines for so long, pushing the deregulation legislation of banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions that lead to this disaster, it’s about time the government did something to try to correct their mistakes. And let’s be clear about it, this was a mistake that stemmed from decisions made during a Republican backed Congress and Senate. In fact, it’s John McCain’s own economic advisor, Phil Gramm that pushed through this legislation while he was in the Senate.
Having this predicament happen during the final weeks of a presidential election gives the candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain a chance to show the American people how they would react to such a crisis. And the results on each candidate’s approach is day and night.
Here is a video that shows the contrast between the two candidates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmfeesYmx1Y
On one hand, you have Barack Obama, who presents himself as a statesman, pushes asides partisan differences and attacks and provides a calming demeanor and tone, a clear grasp and understanding of the problems, as well as concise policies and steps that need to be taken. On the other hand, you have John McCain, who looks lost and confused, unconfident that he knows what’s going on and why it happened, and pettily lays all of the blame on Obama without following it up with any justification.
McCain’s failure to grasp and understand the situation is obvious, and he is clearly uncomfortable talking about the economy. The following video from the Rachel Maddow Show sums up McCain’s week of gaffes quite nicely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNGa6Ujyaf4
Perhaps it’s the fact that the McCain team does not have any new ideas on the economy and how to solve the current problems which has lead his campaign to focus on attacking Obama’s character and have outcries about lipstick and pigs. This is contrary to Barack Obama, which has a concise and intricate plan that he lays out repetitively during his stump speeches and made available online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM6zILb_FUU
I believe that the past week’s event has reminded people the importance of the coming election and how critical it is to have a leader with the right judgement and vision to bring the country back on track. In a time where America faces an economic crisis, wars on two fronts, a failing foreign policy, and a government that is failing the American people … now more than ever it’s important to put the right type of leader in the White House. If this week is any indication on how they will lead, there is no contest that the choice must be: Barack Obama.