It's Not Stealing… It's McCain!
Posted at 3:08 PM on 8/12/2008 by Michael Goldfarb
Celebrities Fight Back
Obama’s celebrity friends are bringing their considerable resources to bear in this election, hosting fundraisers at their estates in Geneva, offering advice on Middle East policy, and now threatening this campaign with legal action over our latest ad, “Fan Club.”
The ad features kids talking about how “dreamy” Senator Obama is, how he brought a crowd to Taco Bell despite inclement weather, and how he is no less of an international superstar than U2 frontman Bono. Unfortunately, the final clip of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey doing their ‘we’re not worthy’ bit from Wayne’s World has spurred a celebrity backlash. Myers had his people call the campaign to demand that the video be removed from YouTube for copyright violation. Apparently, we are not, in fact, worthy.
Or it could be that a presidential candidate who approves an ad that overtly infringes on copyright and includes a celebrity in an endorsement without prior approval shows you exactly the kind of man who you are dealing with.
And do you get the stinging feeling that Sumner Redstone, seen as many as a neo-con, instructed his super-litigious company as regards copyright infringement, to look the other way when the McCain campaign infringed on the Ten Commandments copyright? And now, another Paramount-owned movie, Wayne’s World.
I think it would be a very good time for the Obama campaign and others to look into the support of Viacom – owner fo a major network as well as a studio – for one specific political candidate. after all, the McCain effort has not been to Swift Boat Obama – since there appears to be no such availability, even though the campaign runs their tax lie endlessly, without shame – but to Tom Cruise him… running the “I fired him because he jumped on Oprah’s couch” bullshit.
It’s fascinating to see how the current McCain push is actually angering people. Why? Because McCain and his peopel are intentionally lying and spinning and acting like desperate scum on a level that makes even Bill O’Reilly blush.
It’s one of life’s ironies… McCain was a renegade and supportable before Bush screwed him in North Carolina eight years ago… and he was interesting enough to be truly dangerous to the Democrats when he got nominated… and now, fearing a blowout loss, he has turned into someone who I would be embarrassed to have as the head of my country because he is doing what he sees as neccessary to possibly become head of my country.
Sad.
This is completely unrelated. But I don’t feel like searching for the b.o. thread. Don’t know if anybody else spotted it but…
Two weekends ago, Brendan Fraser had 2 movies in the top-5. This past weekend, Apatow had 2 movies in the top-5.
Yes, quite unrelated. That’s becoming a habit of yours, Mut.
I feel bad most of all for the Taco Bell girl. All she did was tell those bastards how full the store was, and they mock her.
I guess aiming for the woman vote is no longer on the McCain campaign’s table.
Well, just in terms of the ads, it is very sad to me that the new strategy for a presidential election is, “Don’t you just hate that new kid… so popular… the girls like him… he’s so full of himself!”
High School With Missles
“High School With Missiles.”
Ok, David, you can log off and relax now. You’ve officially scored your mandatory BIG ASS LAUGH of the day. Glad I didn’t have a mouthful of Diet Coke when I read this. Seriously.
Yeah, I was hoping for a civil campaign, and we still may, but this McCain stuff is just annoying.
I always say we Americans get the President we deserve. If we elect the young guy with energy to tackle these MAJOR changes, then cool.
If we elect the angry old man, we deserve as much.
i know i’m swimming with sharks here, but i’m really disappointed in both candidates. mccain because of the numerous missteps and obama for his inability to speak on any issue without first running it through his handlers.
i don’t think i have to sell why mccain isn’t doing it for me (although i can if others think this unfair). but listening to obama at the Yad Vesham where he claimed it was an inappropriate venue to answer the question about making a statement guaranteeing there won’t be a second holocaust baffles me. and his press conference on russia’s attack on georgia sounds great til you actually listen to what he’s saying. he’s proposing more diplomacy thru the security council of the UN. so, what, russia (as part of that self same council) isn’t going to veto? and that was part of the prepared statement after he “studied” the situation, again not wanting to answer when originally asked but delay for a press conference.
the way i see it. mccain is running the ronald reagan campaign and obama is running the bill clinton campaign.
we are so screwed.
Obama is all about diplomacy. You seem to think that we can do anything to Russia in this situation but DIPLOMACY. Sorry; we are screwed in that department. Our military is stretched thin, Bush has killed our international cred, and he’s let Putin get away with murder over the last few years. So what are we supposed to do Hogan? Saber-rattle? Really?
The thing with the holocaust should have been answered like this; “Are you fucking kidding? This is what you are asking? Really? Do you really think the US is going to screw over Israel and the Jewish people after years of co-operation and support? Really? Get the fuck out of here.” Obama of course could not answer this way, but that’s the answer he would give. If people in this world could speak like real people.
I was going to vote for McCain until I saw the Wayne’s World Ad too.
Signed,
Truly Concerned About The Issues
unfortunately, the united states no longer has any foundation on which to oppose Russia’s actions to invade and overthrow a sovereign nation’s government. we’re the one that made Russia’s invasion possible, unfortunately.
it cracks me up that the mccain campaign used those clips without licensing them. McCain – I advocate piracy for everyone. He may get the youth vote yet.
Why does the older presidential candidate come across as, by far, the most immature?
Must be something in the air.
The ads anger not because of any alleged copyright infringement but because there is a core truth to them.
If the left does not want Obama to be mocked as seeing himself as something of a deity, then maybe George C can tell Jesus II to quit posing for glam covers like the one he did for Rolling Stone. Not exactly a serious political mag, eh?
I’m just sayin’. These ads anger not because they lie…but because they speak truth.
…and I speak as someone who thinks McCain sucks.
That would make more sense if the ads were intended to be critical of Obama supporters (that’s where the truthful part rests) rather than of Obama himself.
And I also speak as someone who thinks McCain sucks, but used to not suck.
Oh no, Jeff…Jesus II sees himself as a deity. He plays into the image full bore. No one forces him to pose like that for Rolling Stone etc.
Feel free to not see it, but there is a reason he is not 10-15 points ahead of a crap candidate like McCain and it has nothing to do with coded racism.
Explain the logic of using superficial platitudes heaped upon a candidate as a negative, only then to try to go even further negative with… Superficial deity worship.
The HE ISN’T 20 POINTS AHEAD SO HE IS FAILING line is total horseshit, of course. Like Hillary, McCain doesn’t seem to grasp how votes are counted.
Nicol, nicknaming Obama “Jesus II” suggests that we’re probably not going to have a very fruitful discussion on the subject. If he was posed with his arms outstretched on a piece of wood I’d concede the point, but since it’s just a cover article for a magazine that has always worn its politics on its sleeve, which happens to fit in well with his strategy (energize the youth vote) and since McCain has been on Saturday Night Live, cameoed in a bunch of movies, etc., I can’t say I’m convinced of what you want me to see.
I am with Jeff on the above. I also have not bought any polling since Hilldawg walked away and made herself look pretty. If you want to hate, then hate with some reasoning other than; “THEY LOOK HIM MORE THAN ME!”
LIKE him more. Seriously, I am distracted, and apologize for that horrible typo. This was sponsored by the campaign to elect some breakdancers to appear at the Republican National Convention.
Nicol, I might disagree with you politically, but the idea that the ads irritate because they are so true is simple, unmitigated bullshit. You are like the father whose son comes home, beaten by 3 bullies, and says, “You shoulda been at the gym, ya little pussy.”
He sees himself as a deity?
I mean… really… can you really look in the mirror and say that without smirking? Really?
McCain’s entire campaign since May has been “try to make Obama seem arrogrant, self-absorbed, and disinterested in real issues.” And he has, sadly, proven it. About himself.
And what is really fucking sad about it is that when he loses, no one will be surprised or look back at this dumb behavior. They will just say, “It was inevitable,” because in the end, The Republican is The Dukakis and The Kerry this time.
Rove has found the way to energize and reunite the Dems, just as Hillary was happy to spread them apart again. Genius.
Obama sees himself as a deity?! Based on posing on the cover of Rolling Stone? Don’t you think this is simply paranoid speculation on your part, Nicol D? What’s next? He’s a Muslim? Or questioning his patriotism because he won’t wear a lapel pin?
This is supposed to be an important election that will decide the future of this country and some people still can’t grow up and take this a little more seriously by having an intelligent debate. Then again, so many people voted for Bush twice, so I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.
Or it could be that a presidential candidate who approves an ad that overtly infringes on copyright and includes a celebrity in an endorsement without prior approval shows you exactly the kind of man who you are dealing with.
For as piss-poor as the ad is, that answer is its equal. Redstone wouldn’t have to instruct anyone. Lorne is a McCain friendly, so is Grey.
Allow me to translate: DP fears that McCain’s tactic is working.
Seriously, McCain was yukking it up on SNL and Jon Stewart and Leno long before Obama dared step into the, er, uh…white spotlight.
This is an easily destroyed meme and let McCain try to keep it in play. FAIL.
And why isn’t a black democrat running for prez so much farther ahead in the polls? Gee, considering this nation voted (sic) twice for that incompetent fool George Bush, we should be lucky Obama is actually AHEAD of McCain at all.
My understanding from the likes of David Gergen is that in adspeak, ‘celebrity’ = ‘uppity’.
Yes, mystery… you know men’s minds better than they do. Congratulations.
Except… you are full of shit.
I always took the position that Kerry was vulnerable to Swift Boating because people believed he was that kind of person. I was never enraged by it. I still don’t know for sure that they weren’t lying, I have to admit.
Lying about tax policy? Accusing someone of being popular?
Not sticky.
I have said for two elections now… Dems have to take an affirmative position, not the defensive one McCain is now taking.
Obama is a true reflection of America today. Old people and people who think old don’t much like it. They want to believe we are still a standalone superpower who can tell the world what to do. They like the illusion that America is in charge. They don’t want to think about single parenting and enthicity and cleaning up our act so that we can be stronger in a more competitive world (where we have trillions in debt). McCain, former renegade, offers the same old, same old. Keep that head in the sand, ostriches. It will all be okay. Don’t talk to our enemies. Don’t worry about healthcare. Keep letting the oil companies manipulate prices more aggressively than OPEC and give them more… and that will bring the price of gas down.
It’s true… Obama has to get the “magical genie” thing off his back. but it won’t be by complaining. And it will never get people who are racist or who are – a much bigger group – closet racists to get on board.
But if you are a woman… you must vote for Obama if you are at all self-interested. Look at the two wives and tell me who actually is interested in strong, independent minded women.
If you care about healthcare, you must vote for Obama.
If you care about the tax code being fairer to people who are scraping by, you must vote for Obama.
If you care about the oil companies being kept in check and alternative energy other than nuclear, you must vote for Obama.
If you are in the majority of the Jewish community that understands that a state of Palestine is a neccessity and that avoiding an Israeli military solution is critical, you must vote for Obama.
And if you want a strong military, but don’t want a draft in this country, you must vote for Obama… since the Iraq occupation has put our military, powerful as it is, in its weakest state in many years. If we keep marching – boo – then we will be okay, though a draft will be needed to maintain it. If we get out of Iraq without something to replace it, watch the air come out of the tires as a voluntary military has been all used up over these years. I mean 15%… 20% real attrition… and then what?
Oh and the Bush team did in fact lie and forged documents about WMD’s in Iraq. Maybe Obama will connect that to McCain’s love of this wretched bullshit war that Osama Bin Laden adores. Especially since it’s depleting our manpower and economy — y’know, exactly what Bin Laden promised to do to the US, all with the willing service of the GOP.
Dave – One problem. You have no guarantee that Obama is going to do any of that. You simply want to believe he will, and as he’s said, people project onto him what they want to believe. The contradiction is in your post; you say he has to get the genie off his back, yet attribute a litany of massive issues he’s going to apparently address within two years. All things to all men.
I’m not trying to denigrate the guy, or why one chooses to back him, but what you wrote may not be head-in-the-sand, but it’s certainly head-in-the-clouds. If I have an issue, it’s that no one has asked him anything remotely hard, and if it ever does happen, his base is going to shit a brick when he talks in vagaries that raises doubt, because he has a penchant to fall back on Lawyer-speak. Look at this weekend – people are getting slaughtered and he says “it’s not in the Olympic spirit” and for both sides to calm down. That goes nowhere, so he has to re-address it two more times to come somewhere near McCain. But that gets no traction, so what’s the answer? Call McCain belligerent. Obama is not the savior or a hidden devil, but neither is McCain.
The GOP has effectively forfeited their rights to govern. McCain is part of that team, maverick or moderate. They have to be taught the one lesson that will stick since clearly impeachment is off the table. To save the country, the GOP must be removed from power.
“Yes, mystery… you know men’s minds better than they do. Congratulations.”
I guess we both do. You have McCain “fearing” a blow-out loss. So either we’re both using The Force, or we’re both attempting to extrapolate men’s motives by what they say and do. You have a history of passive-agressive dismissal of genuine Obama stumbling blocks.
McCain is not out in front with the “cult of personality” and Obama-as-Hollywood-Celebrity criticisms, he’s simply picking up on them. I know you’re aware of the general population’s disdain of Hollywood promoting politics; wouldn’t you acknowledge that successfully lumping Obama with that crowd of elites might reinforce these negative perceptions? And since so much of Obama’s rise has been the result of personality/image, that a change in that perception is potentially harmful?
“I know you’re aware of the general population’s disdain of Hollywood promoting politics; wouldn’t you acknowledge that successfully lumping Obama with that crowd of elites might reinforce these negative perceptions?”
Sure, but it doesn’t stop Republicans from wallowing in their own celebrity. Reagan was an actor; the present guvnr of California is a Republican movie star; Sonny Bono and Fred Grandy, Repub politicos; McCain on SNL, Leno, ad nauseum.
And our sack of shit prez Bush was on the board of Silver Screen Partners, the Hollywood movie company that produced THE HITCHER.
Dems are terrible about pointing out these obvious facts, but then voters are stupid to not be aware.
Oh, more bullshit, Mystery…
I am reading McCain’s mind… ooooohhh… because every republican operative wasn’t admitting as much for the last few months and they weren’t trying to make Obama not pulling ahead by double digits into a story of its own.
Really, man.
As for whether using Hollywood elites and celebrity against Obama is a smart tack… sure… when it’s all you have, you use what you have. I couldn’t blame them for thinking that continuing to push fear of miscegenation would be a good idea too. People don’t like thinking they are racist, but give them an opening and make them feel like it’s safe and out it comes.
But the lies and the spin has gotten too far out of control.
The sick part is that the likelihood of McCain winning is so small that the use of “the kitchen sink” against Obama is, indeed, worth doing… if it takes, you are alive again… and if it doesn’t and you lose by more than anyone has in a while, then everyone says, “Well, it was inevitable.”
In the meanwhile, the republican strategists, in doing this, as Hillary did, continue to lower the bar of discourse and encourage the country to stay as divided as possible.
And as for Obama being all image… more crap… but more importantly, this is how it works. People want change. People want leadership. Bush won on personality twice, as did Reagan, as did Clinton. They aren’t wonks. They don’t understand economics or tax codes or military subtleties.
All the details you want are right there with Obama. If you want them.
And if McCain was still the man he was 8 years ago, he would probably be elected. But he has consistently pushed away the middle that he used to be able to lay claim to. They want to sell Obama as a celebrity? Ok. How about selling a
McCain allowing his surrogates to repeatedly question Obama’s patriotism is extremely deplorable. Does anyone truly believe that Obama does not love America? Do they honestly think he is a secret Muslim who, if elected, will, I don’t know, make Islam the official religion of the United States? As Joe Klein (and others) said, there are stark differences between McCain and Obama, so a clean campaign can easily be run. Instead, McCain has his attack dogs hint that Obama hates this country. I don’t know how anyone can defend or excuse that.
The “they” I meant in “They aren’t wonks” are the civilians who vote, not the candidates.
“I am reading McCain’s mind… ooooohhh… because every republican operative wasn’t admitting as much for the last few months and they weren’t trying to make Obama not pulling ahead by double digits into a story of its own.”
I don’t buy it.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/general_election_match_up_history
It’s not “kitchen sink” time in June (by your definition), especially considering the “real” numbers (for what polls are worth. Ask Kerry about exiting polling the DAY OF that election). The general populace not even seriously engaged in the election NOW. That’s why its called an “October Surprise”, not a “June Surprise”. I find it hard to believe that McCain’s camp was at DEFCON 1 in June, as you asserted. Remember when everyone was talking about the inevitablility that Hillary was? McCain’s camp has to be more seasoned than that.
On the other hand, I’m convinced that we’re at a point in politics where its ALWAYS kitchen sink time. Surrogates will throw anything up against the wall, at any time, to see what sticks. Obama himself has already played the race card in this general election, so don’t even pretend he’s playing it above the fray.
McCain always has the fallback issues– defense, tax-and-spend liberal, social liberal, that have worked for the GOP in the last two elections.
As for Obama’s image, I never said that he was ALL image, and I never implied that image/personality has never been important, until now. I would say that its never been MORE important to a candidate. Obama is style OVER substance, not all style and no substance.
“All the details you want are right there with Obama. If you want them.”
Let me guess– on his website. That didn’t work for Kerry. Yes, the details are there, and they show that, contrary to the image crafted, Obama is as much a party-line liberal as McCain is a party-line Republican, if not more so. Prove that wrong.
Obama played the race card because he said Republicans would try to scare voters by pointing out that he
Obama didn’t ‘play the race card’ the same way it has been played against him. There’s a big difference.
“Ask Kerry about exiting polling the DAY OF that election”
One should ask Diebold first.
And the McCain campaign ALREADY used the image of Obama on a hundred dollar bill in one of their ads, hence Obama’s statement. The truth is out there.
“Obama played the race card because he said Republicans would try to scare voters by pointing out that he
It’s wrong even if, as Christian said, McCain already used the image of Obama on a hundred dollar bill in one of their ads?
…and it already has, in an official capacity, although not necessarily on a massive scale.
To be fair, Mark Penn just admitted he wanted to use the same strategy for Clinton’s campaign as well.
Chrsitian – “Bush was on the board of Silver Screen Partners, the Hollywood movie company that produced THE HITCHER”
You’re a propagandist, Christian. SSP made a lot of money for thousands of Americans. Pretty Woman was SSP financed, why doesn’t Bush get credit for that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Screen_Partners
Poland – But if you are a woman… you must vote for Obama if you are at all self-interested. Look at the two wives and tell me who actually is interested in strong, independent minded women.
Right. Because there’s nothing strong and independent about this woman…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Hensley_McCain
I guess she needs to start complaining about college loans and stop working with facially deformed third-world children to be “strong and independent”. Please.
If you care about healthcare, you must vote for Obama.
I missed McCain’s statement about not “caring” about healthcare.
If you care about the tax code being fairer to people who are scraping by, you must vote for Obama.
How much are they paying now? Can you define fair?
If you care about the oil companies being kept in check and alternative energy other than nuclear, you must vote for Obama.
…and NPR just did a story about how there’s barely a difference between Obama and McCain over the enviro issues. Huh.
And if you want a strong military, but don’t want a draft in this country, you must vote for Obama… since the Iraq occupation has put our military, powerful as it is, in its weakest state in many years. If we keep marching – boo – then we will be okay, though a draft will be needed to maintain it. If we get out of Iraq without something to replace it, watch the air come out of the tires as a voluntary military has been all used up over these years. I mean 15%… 20% real attrition… and then what?
Pure fearmongering. A vote for McCain = a draft. But who was it that called for a draft? That’s right, Rangel and Murtha. Dems. Huh. If WW3 happens, it won’t matter who is President. A draft will hit to fill stateside security so the entire volunteer force can move out.
“But the lies and the spin has gotten too far out of control.
Yeah. They have.
You do understand Rangel and Murtha’s position on their calls for a draft, right?
“You’re a propagandist, Christian. SSP made a lot of money for thousands of Americans. Pretty Woman was SSP financed, why doesn’t Bush get credit for that?”
Propaganda? Moi? How about the moral propaganda from a Born Again Christian president who makes money on the side from Hollywood movies. Who then tells his gathered flock that he doesn’t “share the values of Hollywood” — just their wealth, which makes Bush a typical GOP hypocrite. And I agree, Bush should take credit for a heartwarming movie about a hooker and her john.
Now, let’s talk about GOP meister and exploitation maven Mike Curb (whose soundtracks rawk, btw)…
“How much are they paying now? Can you define fair?”
DP is saying that he’s for the flat tax, where everyone pays the same percentage. Right?
Actually, he’s saying that its not enough that the top 1% percent of income earners pay 39% of all federal income taxes; not enough that the top 25% of income earners pay 86% of all federal income taxes; not enough that the top 50% of income earners pay 97% of all federal income taxes. Paying no federal income tax is too big a burden for those scraping by. They must pay a negative percentage of their taxable income to the State.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Fair’s fair, right comrade?
Flat taxes aren’t ‘fair’.
And next you hear that old rightie song that corporations are actually carrying a big ol’ burden, here’s the new GAO report:
The Government Accountability Office is set to release a report that says most U.S. corporations pay no federal income taxes.
And most foreign companies that do business in the United States aren’t paying corporate taxes.
The study says about two-thirds of American corporations paid zero income taxes to Uncle Sam between 1998 and 2005.
An even higher percentage of foreign corporations avoided federal corporate taxes. At the same time, said the GAO, the firms had trillions of dollars in sales.
http://www.newsnet5.com/money/17165868/detail.html
“Flat taxes aren’t ‘fair’.”
And your reasoning is?
As for corporate taxes, the corporate tax rate is higher in the US than in many other countries. But you’d be correct in asserting that there are loopholes, and that many corporations have their taxes waived as incentives to invest in certain markets. My town did as much to get some big box stores to come here (justified by sales tax revenue).
I specifically remember corporate tax revenue hitting a record high a year or two ago. I’d love to see a simplification of the tax code to close some of these loopholes.
People with lower incomes spend a greater proportion of their income on necessities (food, rent) than people with high incomes. In practice, a flat tax is actually highly regressive.