Speaking of people who make me cringe, I agree with Don Surber. I had the same reaction that he had when I saw McCain’s new ad — it makes Obama look good and McCain look stupid. McCain’s sure been doing a bang-up job of that lately.
Have a look.
Hell Freezes Over, Pigs Fly, Earth Stops Spinning on Its Axis
Published July 30, 2008 Politics 7 CommentsTags: Election 2008, John McCain, The Surb
So, is McCain’s point – in essence – that fifty million Elvis fans *can* be all wrong?
I just wonder if it was intentionally edited to look like the trailers for the movie “Vantage Point” that just came out on DVD. Well…..minus shots of security on buildings and television studios.
I agree with Josh Marshall that part of the ad’s purpose is to associate the dangerous black man with young promiscuous white women (Britney and Paris).
It’s sad that McCain’s straight talk express is now engaging in dog whistle attacks, although I think you’re right and this one helps Obama more than it helps McCain.
Jim — yeah. My first reaction to seeing Britney and Paris Hilton was just “WTF?” It was incoherent and seemed like a lame attempt at humor, which fits in with McCain’s other ads thus far. But then you have to wonder — why Britney & Paris? Why not some other celebrities? Why not Elvis or Clooney or Brad Pitt or something? Maybe just some general misogyny too — since a Clooney or Brad Pitt (or Josh Brolin…rowr) comparison would be comparing Obama to virile dudes, but comparing him to two young blonde women makes him seem frivolous.
Clooney or Pitt would probably sue. Paris has parents who donated to the McCain campaign and, let’s be real, who’s going to defend Britney these days? I’m upset (thought not surprised) that McCain is now accusing Obama of playing the “race” card. As opposed to what? The rich, white guy with an overwhelming sense of entitlement card? You know, after watching Bush’s Brain I really felt for McCain. The way his own party had screwed him over, but now I realize he’s just another crony. I don’t care if Obama plays the “race” card.I personally don’t see anything wrong with it. Minorities and women have long had to prove themself because of their race and gender. In the end, I think this can only make us stronger. Why do white men of privelege always want to act like we’re on a level playing field and then call us out for not refusing to accept it?
good commentary on this on Guardian America (it’s about the underlying sexist semiotics of dog whistle attacks). It’s by Melissa McEwan and titled “McCain Blows the Dog Whistle.” Link is:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/01/johnmccain.uselections2008
On an off-topic aside, I’d like to announce a new, sympathetic-in-spirit West Virginia blogsite, Greenbrier Valley West Virginia Forum:
http://blog.greenbriervalleywv.net/
Here’s how I described it just moments ago on Fifth Column:
MellencampFan Says:
August 2, 2008 at 8:34 pm
HK and all, I’d like to introduce a new blogsite in the state: Greenbrier Valley West Virginia Forum. It’s here:
http://blog.greenbriervalleywv.net/
It was established just days ago by Phil Rolleston, the communications director of West Virginians for Obama. Phil is also the numero uno contact guy for county Obama organizations in the 3rd Congressional District, as Lyle Saddis is for the 2nd District.
But in no way is this an Obama Fan Club.
No way.
Nor is it only for the lib/lab liberal Mountain Party-ish pure of heart.
There’s a pronounced political lean, but the new site welcomes and encourages multiple viewpoints and Huff Post-y news items, contributions and opinions from across the state and border-area multi-state region, although its published from the heart of the Greenbrier River Valley: Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe & Summers counties.
I hope it might be a complement to what’s offered by HK and Raging Red.
There is a (probably fatal) insistence on civility.
Flames, personal attacks and vulgarity (dammit!) are out of bounds, and so the board’s monitored for that kind of content–but not for political content–by Rolleston and Brynn Kusic, the two admins.
Internet pseudonyms are allowed. But there’s a site ethos that if you’re willing to say it publicly, you ought to be willing to take responsibility for what for you say.
In the interests of post-puppet socketry disclosure here on HK, I’ll be posting there as EddieT, as I do occasionally on The Charleston Gazette website. Otherwise, in addition to MellencampFan, I’ve posted here under a couple of other names, namely ex-button4TheLords and Fatmackeral.
The others are “secret.” He or she may want to come back and howl once in a while. Internet anonymity, especially in a state as insular as West Virginia, does offer a liberating freedom, and freedom of vulgarity offers literary leeway, if not bliss, sometimes.
But I really think Barack needs to lighten up a little bit. Here’s what I said in the comments section following McEwan’s article:
Just two things: if Barack laughs at the ad in Florida, says, I don’t know, something like, “How’d John and his people know Britney and Paris are on the veep shortlist? I’m the world’s biggest celebrity? John’s jealous,” this thing is turned on its head. Barack dominates the news cycle, people, including the dominant media, realize (to everyone’s relief) he can be lighthearted about perceived campaign racial attacks and…he reinforces the JFK comparisons–he defuses controversy with his wit and agile mind.
Barack needs to lighten up. Makes me wonder if his campaign’s internal polling is disturbing.
Thing # 2: AntthropoidApe’s right. The subtext of the Charleston Heston ad is aimed at the Bible Belt, and it’s all about The Rise of the Anti-Christ, Millenialism, End Times.
That stuff still sells in America. Sells Big.