Snubbing Wounded Troops?

Keeping Track
07.30.08 -- 12:13PM By Josh Marshall
I note with interest today, John McCain's new tactic of associating Barack Obama with oversexed and/or promiscuous young white women. (See today's new ad and this from yesterday.) Presumably, a la Harold Ford 2006, this will be one of those strategies that will be a matter of deep dispute during the campaign and later treated as transparent and obvious once the campaign is concluded.

But what I'm most interested in today is the new meme the McCain campaign has been pushing for the last few weeks that Obama is presumptuous, arrogant and well ... just a bit uppity. Ron Fournier picked the ball up early in his reporting for the AP. And John King was pushing it over the weekend on CNN. Is it arrogant or above Obama's station for him to meet with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve? If I'm not mistaken he is a sitting United States senator and also the presidential candidate of the Democratic party. Such meetings are actually the norm.

Now, I note that the Post, which has generally been in McCain's camp, has a front page story today that comes about as close as they feel able to confirming that McCain campaign and McCain personally have spent most of the last week peddling what they knew was a lie about Obama's called-off trip to the US military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. And there's also this piece in today's Times noting 'concern' among some Republicans over McCain's increasing use of personal attacks on Obama with what are often demonstrably false claims. How many demonstrable lies does the McCain campaign have to push before it colors the portrayal of his campaign?

As I alluded to at the top of this post, it is the norm that obvious campaign tactics that are treated as obvious after a campaign is over are nonetheless treated by most reporters as ambiguous or unclear during a campaign. But in this case it would be nice if that were not the case. Because here we have a candidate, John McCain, who is running on a record of straight talk and honorable campaigning running a campaign made up mainly of charges reporters are now more or less acknowledging are lies. But there's precious little drawing together of the contradiction. What's more, as everyone will acknowledge after the campaign, the McCain campaign is now pushing the caricature of Obama as a uppity young black man whose presumptuousness is displayed not only in taking on airs above his station but also in a taste for young white women.

So please keep an eye out for references to Obama's presumptuousness, arrogance, etc., from John King and other reporters. Let us know when you see them and send us in examples -- in text or video. McCain gets to run the campaign he wants. Remember, he hired the operative who put together the Ford/Bimbo ad. But I want to keep tabs on which reporters are helping him retail the message.



http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/206241.php

Why don't anybody tell the truth. McShame went to Germany and DID NOT got to the same hospital he is talking about. I know, I was there!!!!!!!!!

Obama is not really pro-American at all. He is mainly anti-American...ironic isn't it? Look at his close friends. He just traveled to Europe and today the German press is calling him a man with a hollow message. And the liberals gasp as they hear this kind of disheartening talk..

Facts will always remain and America is finally starting to ask questions. Obama is the biggest used car salesman (with a nice smile and good delivery) the media has EVER tried to shove down America's throat.

And now the poll gap differs from Obama ahead by 7 to McCain ahead by 4. Wow. But remember, Kerry led Bush by 7 in July and lost. As well as Dukakis, who led Bush-1 by 10 points in July...and lost.

McCain is the better man by a long shot and he is SO much more qualified than the used car salesman liberals are trying to scam American with. Listen to the idiots who try to portray Obama as some sort of American hero. Absolutely laughable when you compare him to McCain.

McCain decided to serve his country (yes, in politics) after he was tortured for his country in a North Vietnamese prison. 99.99999% of people in the US have never been though his situation. And those who downplay that will pay for it. Obama's life compared to McCain's was a pampered life, praised by black bigots. "Huh?..Whaa?.... How could there be black bigots....and how could Mr. Obama like bigots?"

You see, here is another fact some Americans have forgotten.....McCain never had a close "20 year relationsip" with a bunch of racist friends like Obama has, no matter what liberals will try to claim just because McCain is on the GOP ticket. The "good reverand" Jeremiah Wright is a bigot, no different from Archie Bunker or David Duke. This is what American's are really talking about at the water cooler folks. Believe it. And Wright's close friend is Louis Farrakhan, THE biggist racist in America. And OBAMA'S church gave Farrakhan a Lifetime Achievement Award. Birds of a Feather, folks.... Listen carefully.

Hello? Look, most Jews and many Hillary fans will not vote for Obama. That's very simple. And the media's love fest will eventually kill Obama's campaign. (and gee....the TV spots about his racist friend, Rev. Wright, are not even on yet) The debates are also going to be fun to watch. McCain will win it right there. Watch.

America was indeed fooled by the CIA on Iraq.....and now some Americans are falling for the used car salesman supported by far-lefters. Hey...uh...where's Hillary and Bill? MIA, folks. You see them lately?

Remember, this is the same nation that re-elected an unpopular George W. Bush in 2004....during....an unpopular war. - Translation? McCain will win in November.

Dear Holly Roller: In your opinion, how hard will the Clintons work towards electing Obama?

My Vote is Obama snubbed the troops and then choked on the question when asked on Sunday.

The facts are pretty clear. You even describe them as "true" facts. (I am rendered momentarily speechless at this journalistic statement.) The simple truth is that Obama scheduled the troop visit, intended to go, and only cancelled when the press was not allowed to attend. The rest is obfuscation. It's too bad that a candidate for Commander in Chief can't make a little sacrifice to visit those who have sacrificed so much more in the service of their country.

This is disgusting, I cant stand the lies. Anyone in the know will be turned off by these ads. But I dont think
that truth is in John Mccains game plan. he has shown that he is willing to flat out lie to us just to see what will stick.

And I think it will begin to work

I dont think it worked for hillary because she played her cards too late
it did start to work though

I guess all politicians lie or at least stretch the truth. Obama has danced around this and kept his positions
vague so that he can zero in on the best response

I think that lies may hurt a candidate more this time aournd though because the right information is more readily availible
there is a younger electorate that has the net and are willing to use it
and we have been lie to for the past 8 years so badly that people are just sick of it

These these " FACT CHECK" guys play loose and free with the FACTS. So at Walter Reed...The "protective pool" were asked to stay outside??? What is a "protective pool". As for the troops in Iraq...multiple reports are coming from troops...HUSSEIN WAS SHUNNED. These brave men and women KNOW...he was one of only 13 Senators to vote AGAINST funding their weapons and armor. I know...he has given multiple reasons. Bulls**t...he thought it would garner him favor with the left wing kooks. It did. TOO BAD they are outnumbered 10,000-1.

It's about like his Germany acceptance speech....NOWHERE in MSM do you hear...There was a FREE ROCK CONCERT to draw the crowd. Hussein is a joke.

He is a crook and a fraud. The McCain ad is right on target. FactCheck is a big, fat, JOKE. Must be a part of PMSNBC.
p.s....check Rasmussen for Vet support...McCain up by +20 points. They know the truth.

NOBAMA!!!

It amazes me that people post comments without having actually read the article or they read it but didin't understand what they are reading or and this is more than likely true. Read the article, watched CNN and MSNBC and still choose to spread lies in support of McCain. These are the same fools who continue to spread that Obama is a muslim terrorist.

What is wrong with you people, if you do not wish to vote for Obama then DON'T! But why is it necessary to spread OBVIOUS lies about him but totally ignore McCain's insane ramblings. Never mind don't bother to answer as it will be just more of your bs. So much for McCain's promise to run a clean campaign.

It just shows how absolutely classless McCain is and that Obama, thank god, is above sinking to his level of out right lies and smears

Why doesn't Newsweek come out and say that they are a Political Action Committee to get Obama elected?
How many times has he been on the cover versus the other candidates for this election? And the majority of the articles are slanted towards him.
It is sickening to see such bias from what I thought was a neutral publication.

Isn't it strange that absolutely every fact check with regard to McCain's negative implications and insinuation's is a lie? And outright lies too.

McCain's New Ad and McCain's hypocrisy


Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 08:16:59 PM PDT

McCain is using Obama's canceled trip to a U.S. militay base in Germany as a reason to claim that Obama is anti-troops, even though Obama's trip was canceled by the Pentagon, not by Obama. Now with McCain going on and on in a political attack ad about what a horrible and un-patiotic thing it was for Obama not to visit those troops, come to find out, McCain knows better. How does he know? Follow me after the jump.


Barack Obama canceled a pre-planned visit to the troops in Germany yesterday after being told by the Pentagon that the trip would violate a Pentagon policy prohibiting campaign stops on military installations. No problem there.

However, the McCain campaign is now blasting Obama:

The McCain camp has nonetheless been using Obama's canceled trip to insinuate that he's anti-troops. "Barack Obama is wrong," McCain spokesperson Brian Rogers said in a statement yesterday. "It is never 'inappropriate' to visit our men and women in the military."
It turns out the same thing happened to John McCain himself back in April of this year.

Note: But of course when it happens to him, he brags that it "was a good thing" that HE didn't visit the troops, "because he always follows the rules."

The problem here is that the McCain campaign was denied a visit to a military base under the same policy back in April. Of course, there was no outcry or false outrage from Brian Rogers at that time.

From CNN:

With Department of Defense rules prohibiting political campaigning on military bases, it was determined that in some cases McCain could visit the installations as a senator but could not engage in any political activity or have news media present.
McCain campaign officials said Thursday they intentionally did not campaign on military property.

"We follow the rules," said senior McCain adviser Steve Schmidt.
I have to ask, just how much lies, hypocrisy, and double-talk is this man willing to resort to in his quest for the presidency?

It was John McCain that went to Iraq and all the other Countries that Obama Toured last week...

It was John McCain that Challenged Obama to Tour Iraq an such, during or nearing the END of his Long Battle with Hillary Clinton.

It was Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh Screaming Obama was Afraid to go to Iraq & Afghanistan.

It was also John McCain Begging to Tag alongside Obama, when he said he had planned all along to go to the MiddleEast and see how the land lays.

Note: When Obama was en route to the Middle East Region, it was john McCain, Dastardly and Bastardly Giving the Dates of Obama's Arrival to the Region, when in fact, that was a Security Risk !!!

Did You See Obama Stoop as Low, as to Broadcast McCain and that Troll of a Man, Joe Lieberman's Tour Dates...Of Course not, Just Think, an Over Zealous Nut in Afghanistan Or Iraq, could've Done the Un-Thinkable to Obama and his Comapany !!

Obama Marched Onward into the Most dangerous Areas...Afghanistan and Later Toured Iraq, in spite of .........McCain's Low Life Move Of literally Breaking Rules of Security Conduct and Courtesy.

Obama would Never do that...Never.


Obama also showed Class and Dignity, by Not Rubbing it in to McCain, when he could've...

He could've Met the Masses that Waited for him in France and Great Britain, but he maintained a more Subtle and Professional Manner, Opposed to going to the Eiffel Tower and Wimbley Stadium...Then McCain and his Staff would've had a Cardiac Arrest.

Obama has Class and Dignity and that is a Presidential Quality, to Look Above and Over Petty, Triteful and Busch League Politicians like John "Semi-Senile" McCain

As I understand it, the Army did not want Obama to visit the wounded troops becaude they felt it would be seen as a political visit by a candidate, so he complied with their wishes. Now, the desperate McCain campaign is blasting him for honoring the Army's wishes. Can you imagine what they would be saying if Obama had ignored the Army wishes and visited the troops?