The Swiftboating of Obama has Started
Using the statements of the pastor of his church, the right (especially Fox News) has started a systematic campaign to smear Obama, link him to the statements of Jeremiah Wright, and create an atmosphere that will damage him significantly and irreperably, and, eventually, destroy his candidacy (at least that is what they hope).
Normally, that would not be a problem, as the tricks of the far-right are known by now and one would think that people recognize them when they see them. However, the problem is the (what I call) "political illiteracy" of a segment of the voters. There are quite a few people who vote based on "character" or "personality" styles of the candidates without having an idea where their candidates stand on the issues. Such swiftboating approaches can not be underestimated, as history has repeatedly shown that they can be very effective.
How is Obama reacting? Not that well I believe. Yesterday he went to the Pravda TV station (sorry for the typo, I meant Fox News) and gave an interview in which he tried to address the issues. I understand why he did it and it would have been a good idea if it worked. But I dont think it worked. In fact I think it had the opposite results. Somehow, it linked more Obama to his pastor. The Pravda-interviewer of Obama asked questions in a way that sounded like he was a judge and Obama a defendant in a trial. And for the wingnuts, it came across as Obama has something to hide.
Anyway, I think Obama has to change his approach. His team has been great in defense so far, but that is getting close to be ineffective. He has to drive a major counter-offensive. The best defense is the offense. The political figures linked to Obama should aggressively start questioning the motives of Pravda (sorry for the typo again) and other right wing organizations and accuse them for trying to distort Obama's views. They should also go very aggressively after McCain for accepting Haggee's endorsement and keep repeating the issue.
Obama made clear that he disagrees with Jeremias Wright's views. That was great. Now it is time to counterattack aggressively. If he does, he will be the next president. If he does not, he will join John Kerry in 2012 endorsing the next democratic candidate who will be running for president.
Normally, that would not be a problem, as the tricks of the far-right are known by now and one would think that people recognize them when they see them. However, the problem is the (what I call) "political illiteracy" of a segment of the voters. There are quite a few people who vote based on "character" or "personality" styles of the candidates without having an idea where their candidates stand on the issues. Such swiftboating approaches can not be underestimated, as history has repeatedly shown that they can be very effective.
How is Obama reacting? Not that well I believe. Yesterday he went to the Pravda TV station (sorry for the typo, I meant Fox News) and gave an interview in which he tried to address the issues. I understand why he did it and it would have been a good idea if it worked. But I dont think it worked. In fact I think it had the opposite results. Somehow, it linked more Obama to his pastor. The Pravda-interviewer of Obama asked questions in a way that sounded like he was a judge and Obama a defendant in a trial. And for the wingnuts, it came across as Obama has something to hide.
Anyway, I think Obama has to change his approach. His team has been great in defense so far, but that is getting close to be ineffective. He has to drive a major counter-offensive. The best defense is the offense. The political figures linked to Obama should aggressively start questioning the motives of Pravda (sorry for the typo again) and other right wing organizations and accuse them for trying to distort Obama's views. They should also go very aggressively after McCain for accepting Haggee's endorsement and keep repeating the issue.
Obama made clear that he disagrees with Jeremias Wright's views. That was great. Now it is time to counterattack aggressively. If he does, he will be the next president. If he does not, he will join John Kerry in 2012 endorsing the next democratic candidate who will be running for president.
posted by Nevum @ 8:24 AM
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