2008 version of swiftboating: steady release of Obama "associates" to hurt him

[lutefisk]

It doesn't matter how absurdly tenuous the relationships- the strategists have obviously tested this approach to damaging a candidate and apparently they feel it will work. No doubt the GOP strategists have a stockpile of names of Obama "associates" lined up and ready to release over the next 5+ months. I'm sure they also have scripts/talking points ready to send out to their corporate media agents. I'm betting that the intensity picks up closer to the election, because there will be essentially no time to respond. In other words, they are free to just make things up at that point.

The cumulative effect will chip away at Obama support, and they might even connect with a real blockbuster - maybe 25 years ago Obama walked by someone sitting on a bench who later molested a child? I'm sure they could work with something like that...

So this is the 2008 version of swiftboating, eh? The question is- how to counter it.

[DJ13]

1. The question is- how to counter it.

Out slime the slime merchants with our own 527's.

If McCain cant benefit from Obama's trouble because of his own trouble then theres no benefit for the GOP.

[lutefisk]

5. Walk softly and let your friends carry a big stick. . . . n/t

[AtomicKitten]

2. That kind of 6-degrees assault appears to be kryptonite in 2008.

That kind of old school political assault feeds into Obama's narrative of change, and he deftly turns it into a plus.

[lutefisk]

3. I agree that he's managed it well so far. I hope that holds!n/t

[AtomicKitten]

4. So far, so good; Obama's political jujitsu is a breath of fresh air.

:D

[drool_n_yank]

6. Its the lastest

Notice now all references from News Corp to (Bin Laden) will all now be made to (Osama). It used to be a new video tape from Bin Laden, now its always a new video tape from Osama was released. For the lobotomized it automatically associates Obama to Osama. This is just the beginning.
many more such examples here http://nypostoplobotomy.com/

[newmajority]

7. If FAUX is now referring to "Osama" then they are definitely playing games

Because they previously insisted on the spelling "Usama", which was the "official" CIA spelling of Bin Laden's name, from way back in the days when he was on the Langley payroll.

[Berry Cool]

8. Do you ever get the feeling Obama's people are not passively sitting back waiting for this?

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to discover that his campaign has a whole secret little cadre of people whose ONLY job is to assemble files on every associate Obama has had during his entire professional and political life, much like the one the Republicans no doubt have on their side. The difference? Their job is to come up with the defense plan when someone tries to take one of those associates, thrust 'em into the spotlight in some negative way and make Obama look bad because of 'em. The idea is to ensure all the plans are concocted and filed well in advance so that suspicions can be discounted and defused quickly, before they are permitted to overtake an entire news cycle. In other words: Their job is to be ready well ahead of time to shred the false story, shed light on murkiness, be open and clear and defuse it right off the top rather than trying to run away and hide from any of it (they realize that ignoring or hiding can make you look guilty even when there's nothing to feel guilty about).

The plan? That there will never be another Jeremiah Wright who becomes a news-cycle darling.

[applegrove]

9. Obama did a good job of countering the appeasement thing by pointing

out if was GOP tactics that have worked in the past. Still a scary thought that anyone Obama has come across in the last 20 years will be used to attack him. How many people does a politician encounter over a lifetime?

[slick8790]

10. O/T, but I just wanted to let you know

how amusing I found your avatar!