John McCain’s newest endorsement – Barack Obama:
“I think Senator McCain’s absolutely right that we need more responsibility…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right that the earmarks process has been abused…”
“He’s also right that oftentimes lobbyists and special interests are the ones that are introducing these…requests…”
“John mentioned the fact that business taxes on paper are high in this country, and he’s absolutely right…”
“John is right we have to make cuts…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right that the violence has been reduced as a consequence of the extraordinary sacrifice of our troops and our military families…”
“John — you’re absolutely right that presidents have to be prudent in what they say…”
“Senator McCain is absolutely right, we cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran…”
Add it all up, and Obama was undeniably, and surprisingly, deferential to a man who in the past Obama has said “doesn’t get it.”
Not only is this an advertisement waiting to happen (and probably already a YouTube video) but I bet it is also the last time you’ll hear Barack Obama admit it.
UPDATE: The McCain camp was on the ball and had a video out last night. Thanks to Jeremy and Jim for pointing it out in the comments.
Category: Campaigns and Elections
About Jason Kenney: Jason Kenney is the director of RedStormPAC, providing free online fundraising solutions to Republican candidates throughout Virginia. He is a graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University and resides in Richmond, Virginia.
Jason also blogs at J's Notes View author profile.
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Great observation, Jason. You should put that montage together for YouTube!
McCain campaign cranked this out quick:
McCain already did. In fact, the debate had just concluded and they had this up.
A few points –
I think its the phrasing that Obama flubbed here. Media Matters has dug up quotes from the last 2 presidential debates showing the same sentiment, but the phrasing is the key. In prior debates, the candidates used the construct “I agree with (my opponent)”, but Obama’s statement “John is right” removes himself from the equation and only serves as an affirmation of McCain. It’s prime soundbite material, as the McCain campaign has shown.
Also, this shows Obama’s approach as a consensus builder, and how even in a debate that’s his inclination (though to his detriment). His MO is to listen, acknowledge the views of the opposition, and then make his case. He always tries to find areas of agreement first, to help define the boundaries of the solution (look at his O’Reilly interview as an example). The problem is, the object in this case wasn’t to convince McCain, it was to convince the viewer. And here it opened up this line of attack.
What I find sad here is the complete disregard for distinction.
I’m willing to bet there are aspects to practically everything that many of us will agree on… it’s almost always the finer points where we differ.
Has any candidate from the primaries till today ever said, “Hey I’m in favor of a nuclear Iran” ? Of course not so by agreeing that there shouldn’t be one isn’t exactly much of a surprise is it?
This is the kind of political crap that happens every election cycle and it’s just pointless “gotcha” garbage. Both sides are guilty of this and it’s disappointing whenever it happens because all it does is distract us from the larger, far more important issues.
“John is right” was a scripted line used by Obama… and it backfired on him.
The lefties would be jumping up and down about what a great line it was if it had actually worked. But it didn’t.
So chalk a few up for McCain, put a steak on it, and warm-up for the VP debates. It’s not the end of the world. For one, I take much more serious issue with Obama’s total lack of response to the Georgian crisis, and the verbal non-answers to some fairly direct and substantial questions on foreign policy.
Not his strong suite, I’ll grant. Still, it’s a lot harder to take Obama seriously about a different FP agenda when he has little idea what he believes or what the world situation is. McCain’s answer on Georgia/Ukraine and McCain’s hits on Obama’s travel to Iraq and Afghanistan were probably the best jabs of the night.
[...] over at Bearing Drift got this online faster than I could get to it, so without further ado … John McCain is Right. We already knew this, of [...]
McCain’s camp jumps on stupid things like this ceaselessly and it is getting old. I agree with Jeremy Hinton that it was phrasing that backfired. The video being put out reminds me of kids going “nanana boo boo” at one another and needs to stop.
Why can’t political candidates in this country just play nice on both sides. Say what you mean and go on instead of the childishness of jumping on every soundbite they can pull out of a speech or conversation and spin it into something it isn’t. That does everyone a disservice and insults people’s intelligence.
It was so refreshing to hear a candidate say his opponent was making good points – when he was – this is what most of America is looking for, not more of the same bitter partisanship demonstrated by McCain’s attitude that no matter how logical what my opponent say is, because he belongs to the other party, he is wrong or “doesn’t understand.”
The only people who don’t understand are John McCain and the other hard party-first partians in the GOP.
This whole topic highlights a more critical issue that isn’t being addressed. Thanks to George Bush and his “My way or the highway” form of governace, America is totally polorized.
But all of the major issues facing the next president are going to require the backing of this entire county.
We face some serious challenges folks, and unless we all get on board and back whom ever is elected America will continue it’s current slide.
Personally, I think all this debate between the parties is what makes our process great. We’re not afraid to say whatever we want about our leadership.
But at the end of the day, we are all in the same boat. If we truely want to leave this country a better place with a secure economy and a prominent standing around the world, we’re going to have to make some sacrifices. Like curbing our fiscal irrisponsibilty and becoming energy independent. (that’s not going to happen by allowing K-Street to dictate policy).
I really don’t care who gets elected, there are pros and cons to both candidates, but as soon as that person assumes office we need to some solidarity. Or, our enemies, which are legion, are going to pick us apart while we’re busy back stabbing each other.
This just in, the House rejects the bailout… well guys, it’s been a blast. =)
….another ignorant statement by “Mark,” and an even MORE ignorant statement by “Delaney.” The Dems are all about “playing nice,” but I have yet to see them “play nice” at ANYTHING!
McCain/Palin 2008!