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

Mac's Tactics Time-Tested ... But This Ain't the Time

'Tinny and trivial' attacks are too small, and in any case too late, in momentous election

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2008 2:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Any day now, John McCain will mock John Kerry for flip-flopping. Or maybe go with George H.W.’s “Read my lips, no new taxes,” pledge, even Eisenhower’s “I shall go to Korea.” What he won’t do is offer anything new, because all year he’s “seemed intent on fighting the last war, or rather, waging the last campaign,” Scot Lehigh writes in the Boston Globe.

At a time the GOP most needed to reinvent itself, McCain botched his chance, supporting Bush policies he once decried. He’s been forced to fall back on tired character attacks, like his “tinny and trivial” attempt to brand Barack Obama a “socialist.” His belated calls to “fight for a new direction” fall flat—that’s Obama’s schtick now. “For McCain, the die is cast.”

John McCain smiles as he listens to the cheers of supporters during a campaign rally in Hanoverton, Ohio., Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.
John McCain smiles as he listens to the cheers of supporters during a campaign rally in Hanoverton, Ohio., Friday, Oct. 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
John McCain's tinny and trivial get a thumbs-down from Scot Lehigh, who, in the Boston Globe, describes them as being outdated as Eisenhower's I shall go to Korea line.
John McCain's "tinny and trivial" get a thumbs-down from Scot Lehigh, who, in the Boston Globe, describes them as being outdated as Eisenhower's "I shall go to Korea" line.   (AP Photo)
John McCain salutes to the crowd during a rally in Mentor, Ohio, yesterday.
John McCain salutes to the crowd during a rally in Mentor, Ohio, yesterday.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

McCain has seemed intent on fighting the last war, or rather, waging the last campaign, adopting tired character attacks and political tactics that come off as tinny and trivial.
- Scot Lehigh

« 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

Full Game Change Trailer Debuts

Game Change Trailer Stars Terrifying Sarah Palin

Most Popular National Politician Today Is ...

Sarah Palin on 2008 Loss: 'I Wasn't at Top of Ticket'

2008 All Over Again: Obama to Base Campaign in Chicago


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