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McCain, Obama Trade Barbs, Ignore Clinton

Monday April 28, 2008
It's not clear to me if Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) have decided to ignore Sen. Hillary Clinton(D-NY) ... or if the mainstream media are focusing on comments that suggest the two guys have decided Clinton is out of the race.

For example, the NY Times reported that McCain "delved on Sunday into remarks made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr." after Obama "made the subject fair play" in an interview on FOX News.

Obama said: "The fact he's my former pastor I think makes it a legitimate political issue." And yet ... his campaign spokesman had this to say about McCain's remarks: "By sinking to a level that he specifically said he'd avoid, John McCain has broken his word to the American people and rendered hollow his promise of a respectful campaign."

In turn, Obama characterized McCain's summer gas tax reprieve as a "scheme." McCain's camp shot back: "I'm sure he didn't call gas tax relief a 'scheme' when he voted for it in the Illinois Senate."

In an analysis of how Obama is trying to appeal to blue-collar Democrats, we learn:

In interviews with several associates and aides, Mr. Obama was described as bored with the campaign against Mrs. Clinton and eager to move into the general election against Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.

The response is classic marketing: "[modify] his approach [with the intent] to inject an air of freshness into his style." In other words, change the surface, the appearance. (I'm reminded of the lipstick and pig story.)

Not much of this has anything to do with issues. Surprise, surprise.

Comments

April 28, 2008 at 11:50 pm
(1) Tom Head says:

I wish them luck; I’ve been trying to ignore the Clintons for years!

April 29, 2008 at 1:52 am
(2) uspolitics says:

LOL!

April 29, 2008 at 4:48 am
(3) Alphast says:

Well, if Obama (who has a personal interest in it) is bored by the campaign, maybe he should think about us, unfortunate watchers who have little interest in it. It is more than boring, it makes you want to commit suicide… :-(

April 30, 2008 at 11:58 pm
(4) uspolitics says:

Hi, Alphast … more laughter!

May 1, 2008 at 12:11 pm
(5) Chuck Manson says:

Alphast,

You make my job too easy ;op

Resist, resist, resist.

C

May 5, 2008 at 5:52 am
(6) Alphast says:

Hi Chuck, please don’t resist. ;-)
As I said many times, I am an external observer in this and I value your opinions even if I disagree with them most of the time. My personal feeling (and I agree that I might lack some of the understanding keys to the debate) is that all three candidates are really uninteresting. I have a thing for Obama because his “change” campaign could give him some leeway in really changing some stuff in the USA if he is elected. But I am not stupid or ignorant. I know the chances of any positive change in the USA (regarding their influence and dealings with the rest of the world) are near to zero. I give it a 4% probability. Max.

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