Memo Shows Obama Camp Planned To Hit McCain On Being "So Old"
(CBS)
(KETTERING, OHIO) - While the Obama campaign denies using ageism as part of their campaign strategy, a document obtained by CBS News shows that they planned to use McCain’s last birthday in August to point out McCain’s age.
A memo reveals they planned to make an issue of his age beginning on Aug. 29, McCain’s 72nd birthday, “hoping to hit him on being so old.”
In a directive issued to “ALL” regions and markets, a message planning memo states “We’ll take the lead from the DNC/Chicago on these themes with a focus on Hurricane insurance/infrastructure on the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on McCain’s 72nd B-day (also hoping to hit him on being so old too)”. That entry was listed under the dates "8/29-9/4", spanning the entire week of the Republican National Convention.
While it is not clear to what extent, if any, the Obama campaign carried out this effort, it is clear that it was encouraged.
Republicans have accused the Obama campaign of alluding to McCain’s age by using words like “erratic,” “stubborn,” and “lurching.”
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who supports Obama but does not have an integral role in the Obama campaign, made an off-hand joke recently implying that McCain wore “Depends” adult diapers.
But the McCain campaign cannot claim innocence in regards to alluding to age as an issue.
44-year-old Sarah Palin has pointed out that 65-year-old Joe Biden’s been in the U.S. Senate since she was in second grade.
McCain, using self-deprecation for laughs, has poked fun of his age at times on the trails.
And the 47-year-old Obama, using age to distance himself, points out that he was eight years old when Bill Ayers, who McCain’s camp calls a domestic terrorist, allegedly committed “unspeakable” acts of bombing and violence.
Ultimately, it has become clear that the prominent issue that has driven the campaign has not been age or even race – at least at this point – but an issue that effects all Americans: the economy.
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See all 185 CommentsTo characterize 47 as young is ludicrous. If elected, Obama would be older than Bill Clinton, JFK, Teddy Roosevelt, and Ulysses S. Grant were when they took office, and about 4.5 years younger than Lincoln, but (surprisingly) with more legislative experience.
Obama has falsely claimed to have placed the "original" on the Internet. Factcheck.org has falsely claimed to have seen this document and posted it on the Internet; that is not true. CNN has falsely ridiculed Martin.
Hawai''i officials have now refuted Obama''s false assertion.
Martin''s victory in Honolulu will roil the final weekend of the presidential campaign. Internet chatter is expected to explode as the issue moves to the front page over Saturday and Sunday. Swing voters may be swayed by the exposure that Obama has brazenly been lying to the American people. "We just lobbed a grenade into the final weekend of the presidential campaign," says Andy.
"I am ecstatic. I called Obama a liar. I called Factcheck.org ''ObamaLies.org.'' I said CNN was sloppy and lazy and wrong. And I was right. The State of Hawai''i has now backed me up.
-andy martin
I''m for any kind of "ism" thats better than this!
Let''s pray that the majority of Americans are not beguiled by this novice circus comic who is a slick talker when anchored to a teleprompter with a speech prepared by his ubiquitous handlers. Greg Neubeck
Posted by nowaymcgoo at 11:09 AM : Nov 01, 2008
Youi sir are what is wrong with this country and anybody who thinks like you ...you and your lib friends say your the ''tolerant'' party that''s a joke ....
McCain''s campaign has used Obama''s age against him. McCain''s campaign has also accused Obama of a host of things that are false along with his juvenile name calling.
John McCain is an old man, so what? What is more important is that Republicons are into ruling. They have no interest in Governing. Their goal is to continue to rip off the U.S. Treasury and create of class of people that work to serve them.
Simply because, even untested, Obama has more economic understanding than McCain. Smarts DO count.
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