Obama To Preempt McCain Assault

The Politico: Dem Goes On Offense With New Ad Calling GOP Rival "Erratic In A Crisis"

(The Politico)  This column was written by Mike Allen.

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Branding his opponent as "erratic in a crisis," Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is preempting plans by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to portray him as having sinister connections to controversial Chicagoans.

Obama officials call it political jujitsu - turning the attacks back on the attacker.

McCain officials had said early in the weekend that they plan to begin advertising after Tuesday’s debate that will tie Obama to convicted money launderer Tony Rezko and former Weathermen radical William Ayers.

But Obama isn't waiting to respond. His campaign is going up Monday on national cable stations with a scathing ad saying: “Three quarters of a million jobs lost this year. Our financial system in turmoil. And John McCain? Erratic in a crisis. Out of touch on the economy. No wonder his campaign wants to change the subject.

"Turn the page on the financial crisis by launching dishonorable, dishonest 'assaults' against Barack Obama. Struggling families can't turn the page on this economy, and we can't afford another president who is this out of touch."

Then Obama says: "I'm Barack Obama and I approved this message."

McCain officials told Politico that the new offensive is likely to focus on Rezko and Ayers. The officials said the campaign will not bring up the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s former pastor, because McCain has forbade them from using that as a weapon. Without being specific, the officials said outside groups may focus on Wright.

When word of the planned attacks leaked Saturday, Obama officials said within hours that it was an attempt by McCain to distract voters from the economy.

"“We think the McCain campaign made a huge error by telling the press that their strategy was to distract from the most important issue facing voters," a senior Obama official said. "Every attack going forward will be easy to characterize for what it is - an attempt to distract from the Bush-McCain economic record."

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds hinted at the tough new line Saturday on "Fox & Friends."

"There are associations that are important to who Barack Obama is as a candidate, who he’d be as president," Bounds said.

Obama-Biden communications director Dan Pfeiffer said about the new ads: "If John McCain thinks he can ‘turn the page’ on the economic crisis facing American families, he is even more out of touch than we imagined. Now there may be no good answers for John McCain due to his erratic response to the financial crisis, but his desire to avoid discussing the economy is something we will remind voters of everyday for the next month."

[rayhyson]

John McCain and Sarah Palin will educate us about Obama. America needs to wake up and see him for what he is. A few of his influences....Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, William Ayers, Michael Pfleger. Go educate yourself before you vote for Obama! If he becomes president, Lord help us. Palin is smart, full of zest and ready to work for our country. She will be beside a wonderful man that so many think is going to the grave, unreal! With both of them side by side, I see great things finally happening.

[silverstar06]

Political method acting is sooooo irritating!!

[biden1]

Just where do you suggest we educate ourselves. Maybe at factcheck.org or snopes.com where you spoutings are dismissed. Maybe we should rewatch Palin''s ABC and CBS interviews again to see how really smart she it. If you see great things with McCain/Palin, then you are truly uneducated.

[renojmc]

I''ve figured out how to tell when Obama is lying. It only happens when his lips are moving.

[stonerscum]

Im sick of hearing about his ''influences'' for god sake just because you are taught under radical left or right leaning people doesn''t mean that you by into their beliefs. Every major new station that has done an investigation into these "links" has come up with nothing. Obama studied under Reaganits (Don''t no the correct term) but he obviously doesn''t think like him now does he?! People take bit & pieces of what they hear & form their own polical views. As for Ayers they agreed on education issues, so what? anyone who fights for better education should be commended no matter their opinion on how do help, (not excusing what Ayers did but education is the building block of modern nations). Every credible news source can''t find anything untoward on Obama, because there isn''t much there! All policians have met with or associated with some shady people, politician attract the powerful, sometime the powerful are bad people. Every politician has a least met, however briefly, someone a bit dodge. As for the far-right argument that Obama will be the worst thing ever for America, where have you been for the past eight years!!! nobody can beat Bush at this point. Vote on the issues people, whoever your candidate is not rumours, lies, smear (both sides are guilty of this, both Obama & McCain are good Men). When people get so far to the right or left they cant listen to the other side, then they are a problem, because left wing & right wing leaders have good ideas they just have different views.

[rayhyson]

It''s simple! John McCain and Sarah Palin will make great decisions to put the USA back on track. Obama is clearly an inexperenced polititian with a radical past and a questionable view of the Muslim world. He is not good for America!

[hoomyaj]

McSane/Palin are desperate and will do anything to win. All the uneducated and idiots running out there believing in McSane/Palin are dumber than them. Please wake up and smell your stinking beathe. Time for America to work together as President Obama get gov''t to work again.

[thinkharder-]

HEY FOLKS, Its so easy to make a choice in November and here we are discussing foolish. Which candidate has an American name?

ACTUALLY...NEITHER OF THEM DO. uNLESS mCcAIN''S MAIDEN NAME IS SITTING BEAR OR FLYING CLOUD OR SOMETHING...McCain IS OBVIOUSLY IRISH, AND OBAMA IS A KENYAN NAME.

which candidate is Christian and which is Muslim?

BOTH ARE CHRISTIAN...UNFORTUNATELY...HEAVEN FORBID THIS COUNTRY FINDS IT IN THEMSELVES TO EVER CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE.

Who is a living American hero

McCain WAS A HERO...STILL IS BY MOST ACCOUNTS THOUGH HE''S MAKING IT HARDER TO SEE HIM AS SUCH SINCE HE SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE RNC.

and who is an irresponsible who criticizes without presenting solutions for our problems .

THAT''S EASY...THAT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE J. MCCAIN...HE''S THE ONE RATCHETING UP THE ATTACK ADDS TO DISTRACT YOU FROM THE OBVIOUS...THAT BEING THAT HE IS IN NO WAY READY OR QUALIFIED TO STEER THIS COUNTRY THROUGH A FINANCIAL CRISIS.

Just think about it and you"ll have the next President of the United States.

YOU''RE RIGHT...A LITTLE THOUGHT AND THE OBVIOUS CHICE BECOMES CRYSTAL CLEAR. WHO IS SMART, PRAGMATIC, THOUGHFUL, CALCULATED AND DELIBERATE...WHO IS ELOQUENT AND VESTED IN SEEING OUR COUNTRY RESTORED TO ITS POSITION OF MORAL AUTHORITY. WHO IS BEST EQUIPPED TO REMEDY THE ECONOMY AND LESS INCLINED TO KEEP US EMBROILED IN MORE FOOLISH MIDDLE EAST WARS...THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE...BARAK OBAMA

Posted by BagdadsHere4 at 08:13 AM : Oct 05, 2008

[stonerscum]

Can I just say whoever wins, can we work together & find a middle ground after? If we don''t work together & find the middle ground we all share the United States position in the world will not last

ray,
It has taken me a few moments to respond as I am laughing so hard at your post. Keep up the good work. That is a great comedic mind you have there.

[stonerscum]

j-whitman3 & BagdadsHere4, he''s not a Muslim even McCain doesn''t think he''s a Muslim thats why they are going after him for Obama''s fmr Pastor. Stop lowering the political process to rumors & lies. People like you are hurting this country

[skeezix06]

So what''s next? A pre-emptive attack on a pre-emptive attack? And if the media knows about it in advance, we''re still supposed to consider it pre-emptive?

Anyone else see how ridiculous and how empty of real content and value for the average voter and how the whole thing is all about them that this has all become?

[airboatboy1]

Republicans actually think Obama is Muslim? No wonder the country is in the shape its in.How stupid can you get.

[irmcvet97]

j-whitman3 & BagdadsHere4, he''''s not a Muslim even McCain doesn''''t think he''''s a Muslim thats why they are going after him for Obama''''s fmr Pastor. Stop lowering the political process to rumors & lies. People like you are hurting this country

Posted by stonerscum at 08:30 AM : Oct 05, 2008

I agree 100% but the problem is they CAN''T talk about the issue''s. They CAN''T discuss the positions of the candidates on the Economy. Thus all they have left is Mudslinging. IT does hurt the nation because we end up with leaders like George Bush, people who obtained the office NOT by offering people a better way but by positioning themselves as being the lesser of two evils.

[irmcvet97]

Republicans actually think Obama is Muslim? No wonder the country is in the shape its in.How stupid can you get.

Posted by airboatboy1 at 08:41 AM : Oct 05, 2008


LOL Stupid enough to vote for and support George W. Bush? I guess THAT says it all doesn''t it?

The Republicans have proven over the last eight years they can''t lead. Iraq, Bailout,Gas prices Katrina, Ike,regulatory failures, tainted food,trade practices, immigration, no bid contracts, economy. All lead by bush and 6 years of a republican controlled house. Where was McCain? He had his nose buried in Bush''s ***. Voting well over 90% of the time to support.

The what does he offer us after being chosen to run for president? He''s for change, he''s a maverick, he''s a war hero. Look at his votes he''s not for change, a maverick? Showboater is more like it. War hero? Better check his record. POW yes, Hero no. Check his record, listen to his Hanoi and Cuban interview. Read the military code of conduct. Then rad about a pilot in a similar situation Lance Sijan. Then tell us that McCain is a hero.

Then he offers us nut case Sarah Palin, read her record, here real record, then listen to her "Folksy" presentation. Bush had that too. How did that work out for you? One heartbeat away for and old man with tired ideas.

Then Republicans slip in the polls and desperation reigns. When you open up Pandoras box the chance for return damage begins. There is a 26 year rich history of McCains record to dig from and folks it''s not pretty and he just might be a great target for some swift boating.

Stick to the facts if Factcheck.org Mcain and Palin the most lies come from them and Palin is racking them up fast.

[swwils]

Anyone that votes for this air head is voting for a promised false change of worldly deeds.What did this man do in the Senate.He is a s.h.i.t. talker,and has allyou young ,and old believing within a week the world is going to be apple pies and hot dogs.He will finush what 43 startted or the ones behind the scenes with the oney will remove his butt.Wake -up ,the President of the U.S, is a puppet bought and paid for.Lets all sing kumbala.Everythings comming up roses.IN Hollywood.I''m not voting for either one of them.

[upto1947]

Go to H333 Obama Osama, That is the only place you belong. All you Obama Osama people will find out the hard way if this scum wins.

[swwils]

I would vote for Palin if she wa running for Prez.McCain is a hot head that will have about 1000 nukes on his trigger!I saw himget Poed at that journalist his blood pressue probably hit 200/120 might a well launch 20 neutron''s now hell,we will be at war for 10 more years i would bet the farm on it.

[ofbyfor2]

You deny MUSLIM OBAMAS own words. He said in an interview a few days ago "My Muslim Faith", theres also that picture where he was shown in a MUSLIM VEST in Somalia.

Posted by j-whitman3 at 08:52 AM : Oct 05, 2008

Any intelligent person knows that he misspoke, nothing more.

The ''Christians'' (so-called) who continue to post this garbage would be well-served to remember that their own faith has a commandment against ''bearing false witness''.

[FHMullane]

I cannot believe people are THIS dumb but anyone still thinking McCain and Palin are worth voting for can''t be bright. NOW McCain has decided he can''t win on the facts... duh... so he is going after the dumbest of the dumb by going back to the terrorist, criminal, muslim accusations which time and time again have been proven to be false. Such a shame that McCain has decided to take such a route. Seems now that Palin is on board his campaign is trashier... hmmmmmm could there be a connection.... trash...hmmmmm

[ofbyfor2]

HEY FOLKS, Its so easy to make a choice in November and here we are discussing foolish. Which candidate has an American name and which has an Arab terrorist name? which candidate is Christian and which is Muslim? Who is a living American hero and who is an irresponsible who criticizes without presenting solutions for our problems . Just think about it and you"ll have the next President of the United States.

Posted by j-whitman3 at 08:58 AM : Oct 05, 2008

What nonsense! My last name is of Irish extraction--does that make me a meber of the IRA? Of course not!

Which candidate has paid-AstroTurfers that repeatedly post lies about the opposing candidate. The answer is crystal clear.

McCain''s Astroturf Rewards
McCain''s campaign pays people to post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR2008080603589_pf.html

[ofbyfor2]

...a kind of brainwashing.

Posted by j-whitman3 at 09:02 AM : Oct 05, 2008

Yeah, it''s called ''intelligence''. It gives us the superhero power of X-ray vision--we can see through lies.

[jon_mccain]

HEY FOLKS, Its so easy to make a choice in November and here we are discussing foolish. Which candidate has an American name and which has an Arab terrorist name? which candidate is Christian and which is Muslim? Who is a living American hero and who is an irresponsible who criticizes without presenting solutions for our problems . Just think about it and you"ll have the next President of the United States.

Posted by j-whitman3 a

More importantly we have one candidate focusing on the issues and one, like you, focusing on everything but the issues. You''re absolutely right, the choice is easy, but it clearly isn''t a man and a moose whisperer so devoid of ideas that they have to avoid the issues and avoid the media.

[ll2owt]

jon..just what did your boy john do that was heroic?? you people seem to throw that word around rather loosely these days. taking one up the tailpipe while doing something he wasnt supposed to be doing is heroic?

[jon_mccain]

Any of you real Americans who missed the FOX news report last evening that shows point for point how the Demoturd Party is 100% responsible for this $700 Billion dollar tax payers feeding the pigs fiasco, you really missed some fantastic reporting.

Posted by NObama_SUX


LOL! Did FAUX news also explain how the MINORITY party between 1994 and 2006 was able to force the Republican majority into these measures? You and faux can do your usual whining and finger pointing. You know, what you do every time you screw up, but when the dust settles NOV 5th and the Republicans are out on their a$$ you will know the people know otherwise.

[geneonlbk]

This is a must see article http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoseBNetlEk

[ofbyfor2]

MUSLIM OBAMA lies 25 hours a day 8 days a week.

Posted by j-whitman3 at 09:09 AM : Oct 05, 2008

No, you''re projecting your own behavior. How are you going to explain to your creator how many times you''ve willingly broken the 9th commandment against bearing false witness? And all for some sorry AstroTurf rewards from the McCain campaign?

[jon_mccain]

Any of you real Americans who missed the FOX news report last evening that shows point for point how the Demoturd Party is 100% responsible for this $700 Billion dollar tax payers feeding the pigs fiasco, you really missed some fantastic reporting.

Posted by NObama_SUX

LOL! Wrong, but hey how would you know what an "issue" is since your Republican party avoids them like the plague.

[gekejo1]

Boy, there are a lot of really stupid people making comments on this website- you can tell the stupid from the intelligent by how ignorant the McCain lovers write their comments. Same ignorant people that voted for Bush. I bet most are from the South or Midwest.

[redwhiteblu8]

I cannot believe that the American people are goig to ignore the fact that Obama is a muslim militant with associates that have attack this country and make him President of the United States. Because I believe without a True American at the helm then we had lost it all. What is more important? The Economy or your very freedom. Because I beleive that Obama will give the United States to his buddies in the Middle East before you wake up one morning. So vote your freedom or your money which is more important. I don''t give a *** if he''s a Dem or Rep.

[jon_mccain]

Absolutely they did....You should have watched it you left wing pinko un-American POS.

Posted by NObama_SUX


Sorry, finger pointing doesn''t work anymore. We the people have moved beyond that back to the days of the "buck stops here". In this case the buck stops with the party that controlled Congress and the presidency between 2000-2006.

[lionheart64]

I used to think that Senator McCain was an honest, decent individual of good judgment. I have since lost all respect for the man. In my view, he has been swallowed whole by the mouth of political power and greed at its worst, and will stop at nothing to get what he now desires. He has lost what once made him a good, admirable person. I fear for America if he is elected our president, and just hope that I am wrong in my assessment.

In my opinion, Senator McCain has become too blind to see that the people in control of his campaign have somehow convinced him that he must win at all costs, even if it means selling his very soul. Senator McCain, it is not too late. Take back your own campaign and demonstrate the honor and courage that once were yours. You have bravely lived and suffered within a world that has a mentality of war, and this has become your mindset. It is now time to use the strength and courage you have gained in your life experiences and, as difficult as it may be, do everything in your power to work for peace. Start within yourself; then give that peace to the world.

[pensacola98]

The only things anyone can blame McCain or Obama for doing are the things they do, not things done by their friends or relatives.

Bush has a grandfather, Prescott Bush, who recruited the Marine First Seargeant into leading a coup against President Franklin Roosevelt, and also had investments in a German company, CSSC, that had helped Adolph Hitler''s NAZI party ascend into power. Those activities were not prosecuted, although a senator from Wisconsin, McCarthy, rallied a nathional witch hunt for communists on his un-american activities committee. Those activities were not raised in the election for Bush 41 or Bush 43.

If John McCain goes forward with the low road attacks, he clearly losees high road voters and gains low road voters.

[cozzicon]

"Absolutely they did....You should have watched it you left wing pinko un-American POS."-- Posted by NObama_SUX

Now there''s a comment that inspires faith in the GOP.

Keep going sparky. You''re helping your cause...

[jon_mccain]

If you were able to comprehend English, I was addressing real Americans....Not you left wing pinko un-American NObama worshipping POS.

Posted by NObama_SUX

LOL! boy you are going to be little boy lost when you wake up Nov 5th with Obama as president. I read yesterday that there may be a dress code at some republican controlled polling places. Please make sure you wear your sheet and hood so you get preferential voting treatment.

[wogerwabbit]

Posted by redwhiteblu8 at 09:15 AM : Oct 05, 2008


You should really seek out a mental health facility, you need some serious help.

[hsinco-2009]

NObama_SUX at 09:08 AM

go take a walk on the $300 million "Road to Nowhere" in Alaska, then jump.
Posted by zoe2006 at 09:12 AM : Oct 05, 2008
===================

Zoe, come on over and perform a Lewinski on my black snake!!!

Posted by NObama_SUX at 09:15 AM : Oct 05, 2008


I"m Nobama_SUX, You say mean stuff about me and I cry, Waaaa! You said mean stuff to me! Waaaaa!

I whine and cry because I am a Repug!

I am just a baby so take it easy on me Waaaah

[ll2owt]

redwhitescrewedup, you and j from the same country? you both seem to smoke the same dope.

[ofbyfor2]

Sorry your skills with the English language is so poor dude.....

Posted by NObama_SUX at 09:18 AM : Oct 05, 2008

Your skills with English ''IS'' poor? ROTFLMMFAO!!!!!

Get your GED before you try to insult another person''s English skills!

[lottobee]

Still think Obama is not the final answer to our problems. All his promises are just words and there will be no money to accomplish these things. So voting on promises is useless --- especially now. Just remember that when you raise taxes on the 5% of the business creators --- you cut back on business creation and workers will have fewer jobs available. That''s the way capitalism works and if you want something different then you''re in the wrong country. Don''t yell at me --- I''m just a worker like you and I depend on those business creators for my job as well. When things are bad at my job they start laying people off and they don''t build any new buildings --- and workers do not have jobs.

[redwhiteblu8]

It''s hard for me to understand that people in this country are so uninformed. All you have to do is use the Internet to see that the Democrats are the party behind the down fall of the economy. Don''t be side tracked by the economy to see what the Democrats are really going to do to you -- do you know what SOCIALISTIC GOVERNMENT is--you will know if Barack "Hussein" Obama gets elected?

[indiana_gal]

Obama is a post turtle.

[ofbyfor2]

Seriously pudsucker, do you truly believe some NObama worshipper offering the above is gonna impress a real American, regardless of what state they live in??

Posted by NObama_SUX at 09:21 AM : Oct 05, 2008

What gives YOU the right to determine who is a REAL American and who is not?

A REAL American would uphold the Constitution which allows us the freedom to disagree. Since you seem to think that no REAL Americans should be allowed to disagree with you, you end up sounding like someone who doesn''t believe in the Constitution.

You''re the one that sounds un-American.

[pensacola98]

I made a goof on my earlier post - It was Marine Major General Smedley Butler, who Prescott Bush directed some wealthy industrialists to contact in 1933 to form a coup against President FDR, not the Marine First Seargent.

Major General Butler reported the proposed coup to his uplines, but the proposed Facist coup was never prosecuted once it was found tracable to Prescott Bush. In those years, FDR was trying to sack the Federal Supreme Court and the battle for power under existing constitutional framework raged during the FDR administration. The depression didn''t always bring out the best in the our leaders as they endeavored to solve our national economic problems.

My message is still the same. Bush 41 and 43 weren''t responsible for what their grandfather Prescott Bush did.

[indiana_gal]

''You know he didn''t get up there by himself, he doesn''t belong up there, he doesn''t know what to do while he''s up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb *** put him up there to begin with.''

[ofbyfor2]

And, clearly you are the kind of mush brain that has been keeping this $6.00 an hour ACORN "Community Organizer", domestic terrorist, black seperatist, felon loving 50%-Amerifrican in this race.

Posted by NObama_SUX at 09:25 AM : Oct 05, 2008

The dry cleaners called...your sheet is ready.

[redwhiteblu8]

Let''s all say this:
Barack %u201CHussein%u201D Obama
Barack %u201CHussein%u201D Obama
Barack %u201CHussein%u201D Obama
the Muslim Plant.
Hey how did he get his Harvard Education paid for? According to the Internet he lives in a 14 million dollar house that Freddie Mac money paid for - so who is really concerned about the econcomy? I believe if you Google the people who received Freddie Mac money that he will be number three on the list.

[ll2owt]

"betchya" a six-pack mr putin,durn tootin

[auxerre9595]

Obama can "nuke" McCain.

Now that McCain is on his heels Obama should make a frontal attack on the "experience" for Commander in Chief of John McCain :

In 2002 after the invasion of Afghanistan by NATO troops, the President George W. Bush declared : "In Afghanistan the talibans are comptely destroyed"


In March 2003 the President George W. Bush, on the airportcarrier, declared : "The war in Iraq is over"

McCain agreed.

So McCain has "experience" in supporting reckless attacks (Iraq) and ill-prepared wars (Afghanistan)
and in giving over-optimistic prognoses on these wars.

These are BAD references to be a Commander in Chief.