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Title: Facts Trump Charm [Pubbie strategy to nail Obama]
Source:
Investors Business Daily
URL Source: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=295485642947201
Published: May 12, 2008
Author: staff
Post Date: 2008-05-12 21:48:09 by mirage
Keywords: None
Views: 98
Comments: 2
Election '08: The way Republicans will beat Sen. Barack Obama is by making the election a referendum on him — by exposing his dangerous agenda and radical record. There are signs that the GOP intends to do exactly that. At times in the course of wowing his adoring audiences with soaring rhetoric, likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has used some over-the-top lines. Addressing any possible undecideds present, he has said "a light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down on you, you will experience an epiphany." When that happens, "you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama." On paper, the words come off as egotistical, even delusional. In person, however, this part of Obama's stump speech in the early primaries and caucuses actually marked a moment of self-deprecating comic relief. It reassured the crowd in a way similar to President Reagan's comment in his second 1984 debate with Walter Mondale that he was "not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience." Just as voters were beginning to stereotype Reagan as too old, the view of Obama is that he is all talk and little substance. So why not have some fun with that caricature? The Illinois senator clearly owns the spotlight, and any attempt by Republicans to crowd him out will fail miserably. They must instead let him be the center of attention and use the glare of constant coverage and exposure against him. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has already begun to do exactly that. Speaking to the Washington Times, McConnell charged that Obama and top Democratic leaders "get up every morning with three things on their minds: more taxes, more regulation and more litigation." He added: "It's pretty clear to me that the Democratic agenda is to turn us into France." McConnell, a longtime member of the Senate, also pointed out that the image of Obama as uniter and bridge builder is nothing more than a legend. "I can't think of a single occasion" when Obama "has been involved with Republicans on any meaningful legislation," McConnell said. "He's a straight-line, big-government, high-taxing liberal." That is no subjective partisan appraisal. McClatchy Newspapers last year analyzed National Journal's 2006 Congressional Vote Ratings and concluded that Obama was the most liberal member of Congress running for president — more liberal even than the radical Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio. The Republican National Committee has also begun to make Obama the issue by confronting him head-on. A new 60-second Web video points out that he "speaks eloquently about change and his vision for the country." But the ad also wonders, "Can we ask" how Obama "will pay for $660 billion in new spending?" — and "without raising taxes on families and small businesses?" Can we ask "why he voted against funding for our troops after promising not to use them as pawns in a war-funding debate?" Can we ask "why he told donors in San Francisco that the economy has driven small-town voters to cling to guns and religion?" The answer that comes back mocks the now-famous Obama campaign chant, "Yes, we can!" After pointing out that his three years in the Senate amount to precious little experience, the ad ends with the slogan "Soaring rhetoric, questions to answer," and features the words "Empty rhetoric" on the screen. The media and Democrats will charge that it's taking the low road, but with GOP nominee John McCain intent on taking the high road, someone has to confront Obama's sweet talk with substance.
Poster Comment: Looks like a good part of the Pubbie strategy will be to paint Obama as this: 
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#1. To: mirage (#0)
Hilarious pic of Jesse J in the background :) O has the kids (who are unreliable afa showing up in November) and blacks (12%) and a scattering of WG'ers. He lost the gun vote in PA and this will be confirmed tomorrow in WV. He also is weak in middle class white America (oh racist we). As awful as the Rs have been w/Bush, the war isn't an issue; we've become immune a nation. The economy hurts both the incumbent and the incumbent congress (Ds). Hillary has made her case to me at least. She would walk all over McCain. Obama is a maybe at best.
We are bitter too and do not like people that are different. translation, (furriners)
#2. To: mirage (#0)
Can we ask "why he told donors in San Francisco that the economy has driven small-town voters to cling to guns and religion?"
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