McCain and Doublespeak

25 August 2008 |permalink | email article

The Republican nominee offered a revealing comment Saturday in an interview with Katie Couric of CBS “Evening News” at his ranch in Sedona, Ariz. after Biden was chosen by Obama.

Biden is a “formidable” and “wise” choice for the Democratic ticket, McCain told the anchor, noting that the two have been friends for many years and know each other well – even while disagreeing on “many national security issues.”

Switch reels immediately to another reactive ad produced by Steve Schmidt, Cheney’s former guru and McCain’s attack dog which ran on Sunday talk shows. The latest ad used Biden as bait to insinuate Obama is unqualified and not ready to lead.

The intent of the new smear, which McCain had to approve, was clear: inflame Clinton supporters who feel spurned by Obama as a choice because she said the same things about him.

Clinton’s campaign response: “Hillary Clinton’s support of Barack Obama is clear. She has said repeatedly that she and Barack Obama share a commitment to changing the direction of the country…It’s interesting how these remarks didn’t make it into his ad.”

Denver Notebook: One big rumor in the Mile High City involves the first joint appearance of Obama and Biden last Saturday. Biden walked out on stage to Bruce Springsteen’s “The Rising.” A working class anthem, it may be the new “Stop Thinking About Tomorrow,” the 1992 Clinton theme song. On Thursday, when Obama accepts the nomination before 80,000 at Investco Field Springsteen, a supporter, will attend and play….In a panel discussion on media NBC moderator Tom Brokaw and feisty Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a huge former HRC booster, clashed over cable coverage. Said Rendell, “MSNBC was the official network of the Obama campaign.” Is that like Fox News is for McCain?...Spin Room: McCain camp hints Colin Powell’s on the short list for VP. Powell was 71 in March while McCain turns 72 on Friday. Is a geezer ticket in the making? 

Quotes

*** “I belong to no organized party, I am a Democrat.” – Humorist Will Rogers

*** “Economic anxiety is the new terrorism.” New York Times columnist Frank Rich.

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