Monday, September 15, 2008

Bad News: When Karl Rove Says Your Campaign Ads Went “Too Far”

As if this election could not become more of a hot tranny mess: On Fox News Sunday, mastermind Karl Rove stated that McCain has “gone in his ads one step too far, and sort of attributing to Obama things that are, you know, beyond the 100-percent-truth test.” Whoa-ho.

I still don’t fully trust the guy and am suspicious that this statement is some backhanded way to get votes (not sure how yet) – but it is refreshing to hear that the McCain camp is being called out on their lies.

I have to say that I have to give the media brownie points (further complicating my love-hate relationship with the media) for exposing many of the lies. In a world where the truth is truly relative, the media outlets have actually been doing their homework and playing the role of the watchdog they are suppose to be. (Begins a slow clap).

On Sunday morning, the Obama camp sent a memo to reporters entitled a "Dishonorable, Dishonest Campaign," which highlighted a number of the erroneous pieces. Joe Klein, of Time magazine called one spot the "sleaziest" he had ever seen. Paul Krugman of the New York Times, defined the episode as a "blizzard of lies." On Sunday, the St. Petersburg Times, ran an editorial entitled: "Campaign Of Lies Disgraces McCain," while the Chicago Tribune's Steve Chapman, wrote that "to McCain the truth is expendable."

What the campaigns have learned over the last few weeks is: There is such a thing as too many lies. Now, we all expect an ample amount of stretching-the-truth-and-taking-innocuous-comments-out-of-context moments in elections. That’s just the nature of the beast, my friends. But there is a fine line. And the McCain campaign reached it, crossed it and set up camp there for a few weeks. I mean you can’t just say that the sky is purple (i.e. your veep didn't take earmarks and opposed the "Bridge to Nowhere") and not expect anyone to call you out on it.

In McCain’s recent press interviews, he clearly looks very uncomfortable trying to defend these lies. It’s obvious that a group of manipulative advisors have been behind the distortions and it’s sad that he has allowed them to destroy his image as a straight-talker for political gain.

Check out Barack Obama’s recent campaign ad challenging McCain’s "honor":

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Rove commentary makes you wonder if it's true that Republicans WANT to lose in November, making McCain their patsy, so they don't have to deal with the economic devastation and clean up to come.

esk said...

Lies, lies, and more lies. McCain, give it up.

And I too, have a love-hate relationship with the media!

Great post.

blue_beastie said...
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