Mike Barnicle has some campaign advice for John McCain: don't say anything about Obama's questionable connections. The former Boston Globe columnist, with a heartfelt second from Mika Brzezinski, wants the world to know that he's heard enough about Reverends Wright and Pfleger, not to mention Bill Ayers, and thinks McCain would "win a few points" for staying away from all that stuff and concentrating on the important issues facing Americans—like better batteries.
Barnicle made his suggestion on today's Morning Joe in commenting on an audio clip of Obama warning a crowd this past Friday that the Republicans will, among other misdemeanors, play the race card against him and accuse him of having a "feisty wife."
View video here.
Pat Buchanan suggested that it was smart of Obama to seek in this way to inoculate himself against criticism to come.
MIKE BARNICLE: I think one of John McCain's best shots to pick up a few points in these polls is to run the kind of campaign that he's capable of running, and disavowing all the garbage that's going to come out of these, you know, 527s and stuff.
PAT BUCHANAN: I agree with Willie [Geist]–I don't think he's going to do it himself. He wouldn't do it; it would be very hurtful. But there's no doubt, they've got groups out there that are going to run campaign ads. We're going to see Reverend Wright and Reverend Pfleger both brought back. We're going to hear a lot more about Bill Ayers than we ever heard back in the 60s.
MIKE BARNICLE: That's going to be fun. $300 million for a new battery, $4.50 for gasoline, and we're going to be talking about the ministers again?
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Oh-h-h-h no. Don't bring the ministers back.
I'm sure Mike and Mika would be delighted if we never heard about the ministers again. And apparently it's uncool to mention that one of the people who helped kick-start Obama's political career is an unrepentant terrorist. For some reason, Barnicle didn't bother to suggest that Barack should also e-lim-in-ate the negative, despite the fact that the only attack ad airing nationally is the Move.on "Not Alex" spot [about which Bill Kristol comments today.]
Mike is right about one thing: eschewing talk of Obama's troublesome connections surely would win McCain some points. But the boost wouldn't come in the polls. It would be in the plaudits the Republican candidate would receive from the MSM. They've always had a thing for unilateral disarmament. For that matter, if McCain could see his way clear to actually endorsing Obama, the liberal media might build a statue in his honor
BONUS COVERAGE: Morning Joe's lopsidedly liberal lineup
For weeks now, Morning Joe has featured a lopsided, liberal-leaning lineup. That might have been marginally defensible during the final throes of the Dem primary. But now that the general election battle has been joined, how can MSNBC justify today's all-Dem lineup of political guests that Willie announced at the top of the show consisting of Harold Ford, David Axelrod and Jon Corzine?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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McCain to Barnicle: "Don't
June 23, 2008 - 11:50 ET by SickofLibsMcCain to Barnicle: "Don't plagiarize."
Brokaw on MTP had on in one segment just the mega-lopsided BHO ShillTeam of A. Mitchell and J. Harwood. It was just like MSNBC, only with less commercial breaks.
BARNICLE!!
June 23, 2008 - 11:57 ET by STANISZCHARLIE Who cares what this clown from the peoples republic of the, KENNEDY,S has to say. He proved over and over again that he belongs driving a cab!! not pontificating for the left.
Pot, meet kettle
June 23, 2008 - 11:47 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsLooks like the MSM and Obama are the only ones playing the race card, while it's Obama's followers who are putting out the 527 ads.
Pot, meet kettle.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Pot, meet kettle? Is that
June 23, 2008 - 12:15 ET by Hero SquadPot, meet kettle?
Is that some sort of black reference?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
Barnacle
June 23, 2008 - 11:53 ET by 10ksnookerThat names familiar. Is he a Comrade Obaam supporter?
The current fuel crisis has a one word cause "Democrats".
→ Barnacle Boy
June 23, 2008 - 12:02 ET by Cool ArrowHe's Mermaid Man's sidekick. Don't you watch Spongebob?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Shady Shoals
June 23, 2008 - 12:18 ET by Hero SquadSend him back to the Shady Shoals.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
→ Bikini Bottom
June 23, 2008 - 12:24 ET by Cool ArrowWell, I was going to link to a picture of the idylic scne, but all I could find was pictures of Kate Moss.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
And this is a problem
June 23, 2008 - 12:55 ET by Hero SquadAnd this is a problem why?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
→ Because, Hero
June 23, 2008 - 13:00 ET by Cool ArrowI might morph into SpongeBob TentPants.
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I notice they are all using
June 23, 2008 - 12:01 ET by allamericangirlI notice they are all using the same buzz word like we don't want to REVISIT this.
We need to MOVE ON.
People don't care about this they want a NEW CONVERSATION.
They than quickly change the subject and talk about the latest greatest thing Obama's is proposing to save us all. Everything they do is echoed on all the msm. over and over.
"I have always been proud of my country"- Cindy McCain
Is there a list?
June 23, 2008 - 13:08 ET by KC MulvilleExcuse me, but what criticisms are we allowed to make of Obama? Will someone contact Obama's office, so they can tell us exactly how we are supposed to discuss him? Very clever, by the way, how the Democrats tried to slip in "naive and inexperienced" in the list of forbidden criticisms. Obama said that the GOP will try to scare you about:
Have we ever come across anyone so threatened by criticism? Especially from someone who shovels out so much of it himself? And I think we need to remember the Hillary Rule: political handlers shield the candidate from any threat when they're afraid the threat will implode the candidate. Obama and his handlers are desperately trying to shield him from everything.
How weak do they think their guy is?
Pretty darn weak, KC.
June 23, 2008 - 14:08 ET by motherbeltPretty darn weak, KC. They talk about playing the race card, but they are the ones doing it.
In a Political Punch item, Jake Tapper reports that Karl Rove said of Obama:
"Even if you never met him, you know this guy," Rove said, per Christianne Klein. "He's the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by."
Tapper's response? Get this:
Interesting that Mr. Rove would use a country club metaphor to describe the first major party African-American presidential candidate, whom I'm sure wouldn't be admitted into many country clubs that members of the Capitol Hill Club frequent.
So who's the one who brought up race?
I have said it before, but I'm going to keep saying it: Obama is getting unlimited mileage out of predictions that Republicans will attack his race. Republican so-called "racism" is all over the media, and without a single Republican having said a word.
This is a deliberate strategy by Obama. And the MSM are cooperating in it.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Agreed
June 23, 2008 - 14:23 ET by KC Mulville"Obama is getting unlimited mileage out of predictions that Republicans will attack his race."
Two points:
Gee, wasn't it Obama that was attacking McCain on '100 years'
June 23, 2008 - 12:04 ET by krendlerGee, wasn't it Obama that was running around lying about McCain wanting a 100 year war in Iraq, when McCain never said anything of the kind.
And Obama criticizing McCain for not stopping the "attacks" on his wife? (So when is Obama going to start putting an end to the attacks on McCain and his wife?)
And Obama who went nuts when Bush used the word "appeasment" (w/o even mentioning Obama), when Obama had been attacking Bush daily for months.?
Bill Clinton got thrown under the bus as a "racist" right at the start of the Dem primary for citing Obama's lack of experience and calling him a kid and his voting record a "fairy tale".
Obama is The Perpetual Victim. Any criticism he makes against the Republicans is valid but if somebody, anybody! dares to criticize him, it's racist, over the line, etc. take your pick.
The guy never responds to the actual points being made. He just uses the "Ya know, the American people are tired of these kind of devisive, Swift Boat tactics" when criticized, as he accuses the Republicans of planning race-based attacks against him.
Disgusting to watch the media play along with the continuous race/victim baiting.
This was great coverage Mark
June 23, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Dee BunkI loved your analysis - especially this line
"For that matter, if McCain could see his way clear to actually endorsing Obama, the liberal media might build a statue in his honor"
As I told someone else, the sentiment behind your comedic language is so scary and true and I'm just glad you are able to make me laugh about it so that I don't go crazy.
Starting point for going negative ..
June 23, 2008 - 12:05 ET by Gary HallStarting point for going negative .. well Mr. Barnicle, let's just start this conversation from an obvious and truthful starting point; most of the MSM, and Democratic operatives, long ago went negative on McCain (anything Repbulican looking, for that matter) and in recent months it's turned into a feeding frenzy of fear mongering - by the MSM themselves. (;~/
Side bar: How many times now has the MSM warned it's viewers and readers of how the Republican side would go negative? How many times has the MSM warned it's viewers and readers of how the Democratic side would go negative.
The Democratic side flooding the airwaves and print media with negativity - the only "hope" I have, is that they "change" their negative message.
Okay, let me get this
June 23, 2008 - 12:07 ET by KillgraveOkay, let me get this straight. McCain should only fight with his hands tied. He can't say anything negative about his opponent. He also can't engage in any racial politics (or even the appearance of such, as in saying anything critical about Obambi).
Meanwhile, Obambi can fire at will at the "old, white status quo". He also can also scrape to the bottom of the barrel in race politics, in order to energize a huge, mindless voting block (many of whom have never voted before in their lives), who will vote primarily because of skin color.
Yeah, that sounds fair.
As I'm thinking about it... they should run the future McCain/Obambi debates thusly: Obambi starts a debate by holding three actual "Race Cards". At any time, instead of answering a question, Obambi can hold up a card, and the offending questioner gets a nasty electric shock. At that point, Obambi chooses the next item of discussion.
→ Killgrave
June 23, 2008 - 12:14 ET by Cool ArrowYou shoulda' seen Juan Williams on F&F this morning (usually the guy as his head on somewhat straight)
But this morning the 30% white Americans who wouldn't vote for Obama because of his race were showing a racial bias while the 90% African Americans who would vote for Obama was a show of "pride"
I've seen "White Pride" parades on TV before. I thought they were racist. Go figure.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
If Honky America voted the
June 23, 2008 - 12:45 ET by KillgraveIf Honky America voted the same way as blacks in this country, then Obambi wouldn't even be up for discussion, much, much less be a viable candidate (I'm using that term loosely) for the presidency.
Yet, somehow, we are the only ones who can be possibly racist.
(Tangent) I'm getting even more pessimistic as time goes on. No matter how this turns out, I think race relations will go down the tubes.
If Obambi loses, then, at the very least, there will be a blanket condemnation of White America being "too racist" to elect a black president, and the criticism and whining will go on forever. And God forbid that he loses in a razor-thin count which gives him the popular vote but not the electoral. We can very possibly have riots across the country.
If Obambi actually wins, he will proceed running this country into the ground. And we wouldn't be able to have an open, honest discussion about his administration because it would be considered racist. So the white apologists will constantly be in spin mode to explain away all the inevitable failures. And there will be a surge in racism across the spectrum, because such things flourish in an environment of willful ignorance and lies.
→ Cheer up Killgrave
June 23, 2008 - 12:52 ET by Cool ArrowIf Obama wins, racism is over in America.
Regardless of the discussion, one will forevermore be able to point to the 2008 election and say "Anything is possible, regardless of race"
And we can then point to Jimmy Carter and say "See? White people can be bad Presidents too. Ain't no race thang, it's an ability thang"
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silver lining :)
June 23, 2008 - 13:06 ET by Killgravesilver lining :)
Did you know
June 23, 2008 - 12:25 ET by j. frank wilsonSen. Obama has fathered two Black children?
What's your point, frank?
June 23, 2008 - 12:54 ET by MassConservWhat's your point, frank?
please don't tell the truth
June 23, 2008 - 12:25 ET by wizardjrThe Bambi-ites are scared to death that non-believers will actually point out what an empty suit this guy is. Or that he's a dyed in the wool Socialist elitist. Or that he'll lead the cut-and-run movement from the White House. Or that he's a cross-clone of Chamberlain and Jimmy The Doofus Carter.
No, No, we mustn't do that.
Going negative is strictly
June 23, 2008 - 12:40 ET by mattmGoing negative is strictly reserved for DemocRats.
Barnicle to McCain -- Bend Over
June 23, 2008 - 13:19 ET by allanfBarnicle to McCain - (translated version). Want us to like you, just bend over and take it like a Republican Wuss. Once you lose, we'll like you again.
It's ok if Obama and his
June 23, 2008 - 14:41 ET by marpelIt's ok if Obama and his "possie" smear and attack the Republicans, but God forbid if the Republicans reciprocate. And Obama's liberal minions are going right along with that. If you attach Obama, you're a rascist. If Obama attacks the Republicans, he's a hero.
I don't think McCain has the nerve to attack Obama. He lost his nerve when he became a liberal in conservative clothing.
This is one messed up election.
Barnicle is just that...a
June 23, 2008 - 17:35 ET by bigtimerBarnicle is just that...a barnacle.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
The Fish Which Get Away
June 23, 2008 - 18:15 ET by JDWMark, I continue to read about the nibbles in this campaign yet never about the real race.
Obama is running against the economic damage he fought so hard to create and that is bottom line. Here stands America battling to regain what we had just a few years past and Obama is firewalling progress with fuel, Iraq, racial, tax problems this country cannot afford...
All of these minute name difficulties, wife moaning, VP dismissals, church dirt... simply pile up and stink. They do not have the same impact as the above. They are nibbles.
The real shark remains below the surface swimming comfortably.
JDW
Libs: Military presumed guilty v. Americans presumed innocent...
Like McCain is
June 23, 2008 - 19:15 ET by Delsagoing to do something the left would not like?
He must have been kidding. He's just a joker.
Actually, the ENTIRE SHOW IS A JOKE!!
McCain is already giving Barnicle his wish
June 23, 2008 - 19:19 ET by nkviking75The sad thing is, in his effort to run a "dignified" campaign, McCain will pass up many, many opportunities to exploit Obama's weaknesses.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Ah yes, Mark
June 23, 2008 - 19:22 ET by BlondeAnd what about the segment where "Barnicle" (oh, I so HATE that Mika affectation)....kinda, sorta, admitted to plagiarism...."When I was accused of plagiarism....George Carlin called me"....blah, blah, blah.
I was actually enjoying Morning Joe (as F&F is horrid)....but without Joe....all they have is a lineup of liberal talking heads (although it IS humerous...did you hear Ford blather about drilling? Spew!).
I truly miss Tim Russert already...he'd show up and at least add a bit of intellect to the conversation. As it is, without Joe, Willie Geist is the smartest person there! They ought to let Willie host instead of Mika. An IQ improvement of about a thousand, I'd venture.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
The passing of Tim Russert is
June 23, 2008 - 19:31 ET by Delsareally a tragedy.
His son is his legacy.
I agree his brightness as in shine, will be missed.
No one can get any where close.