Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Obama Should Be Attacking This Guy

He needs to repeatedly link McCain to Bush

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2008 3:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain is still keeping things close in the polls, for one simple reason: Barack Obama won’t attack him. Obama seems content to make the entire election about himself, Jonathan Chait writes in the LA Times, trying to make himself an acceptable alternative to the already unpopular Republicans. If that sounds familiar, it’s because John Kerry used the same strategy in 2004.

By making the election about himself, Obama is ignoring his greatest advantage: George Bush. Obama needn’t resort to character assassination or smears; he just has to air clips of McCain saying things like “on the transcendent issues…I've been totally in agreement and support of President Bush.” Then the election won’t be a referendum on an inexperienced black Senator; it’ll be about one of the most unpopular presidents ever.

Somehow, this guy is still in striking distance in the polls.
Somehow, this guy is still in striking distance in the polls.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting with employees of the Wagner Equipment Co.,  Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Aurora, Colo.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting with employees of the Wagner Equipment Co., Wednesday, July 30, 2008 in Aurora, Colo.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
In this May 20, 2008, file photo Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gives a thumbs up as he drinks a coffee at Cafe Versailles in Miami.
In this May 20, 2008, file photo Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gives a thumbs up as he drinks a coffee at Cafe Versailles in Miami.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

McCain Running 'Dishonorable' Campaign: Ad

Counterpunch Too Weak for Strategists

Unaired McCain Spot Blasts Rev. Wright

Finally: Mac Wins Missouri

'This Is Our Moment. This Is Our Time.'


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne