The article is simply headlined “McCain alters Obama slogan to his own liking“. At first I had expected the report to be a complaint along the lines that John McCain was using Barack Obama’s own slogan against him in a critical manner. When I read the article however I learned that the AP is claiming that John McCain not only took Barack Obama’s slogan and transformed it into his own but that he also had the gall to create a new branding on his website that supposedly uses Obama’s signature design: red, white and blue in an arrangement consisting of red and white stripes. (all emphasis mine)
Republican John McCain has transformed rival Barack Obama’s slogan of “Change We Can Believe In” into his own line, “A Leader We Can Believe In.”
McCain’s campaign this week posted the personalized motto on its Web site, http://www.johnmccain.com . The white, bold words are posted on a blue background above red and white stripes - a pattern similar to Obama’s campaign logo.
The idea that someone would make an issue out of John McCain using the patterns of the American flag in a motto on his web site is hardly worth the space used to print it. The designs aren’t even close. This would be laughable if the AP was not so serious in it’s report.
I looked around to see if there was some merit to the similarities claim and was hard pressed to find many Obama logos sporting a blue background with bold white letters. The logo that I found most often was the signature issue white background with the red, white and blue circle logo. That’s not to say that one with a blue background doesn’t exist but it is a silly premise to be making such comparisons when so many variations of each candidates logos exist. All candidates typically use patriotic variations of the American flag in their designs.
Perhaps from a strategic point of view the similarities between the slogans have merit and are worthy of discussion. But the media should expect that John McCain would do everything possible to contrast himself with Barack Obama. A play on Obama’s campaign slogan is only natural. I would expect Barack Obama to do the same.
With respect to the insinuation that John McCain is lifting from Barack Obama by using the patterns of the American flag I see a different issue. It is the difference that one line makes. The implication is that Barack is fresh and original, heck, John McCain even copies his logo! To me it demonstrates a larger objectivity problem with a media that places Barack Obama on such a high pedestal that they could even fathom printing such a claim in the first place.
Terry Trippany is the editor and publisher of Webloggin.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Same ol' ...
June 6, 2008 - 10:10 ET by mytwocentsFrom now until November, as far as the msm is concerned, he will never be able to do anything they don't find as negative.
And the Obama won't be able
June 6, 2008 - 15:58 ET by motherbeltAnd the Obama won't be able to do anything that doesn't cause a collective "thrill up the leg."
Everything he does will be as if done for the first time. I saw one website today that said Obama teaches the country a new handshake. As if this was never done before.
And how DARE John McCain use red, white and blue on his website!!! Those are Obama's colors now!! The American flag is patterned after his logo!!
In fact anything that looks like the American flag is his now! Except lapel pins, that is.
mytwocents, As far as I am concerned...
June 6, 2008 - 23:02 ET by R D Helm...McCain cannot do much between now and November that I will not consider negative, as well.
Unless he does this country an engraved favor and drops out of the race. :-)
It's beginning to look olike
June 6, 2008 - 10:16 ET by 10ksnookerComrade Obama. his drive-by parrots, and his sycophant politburo followers are becoming a tad bit authoritative. Who is going to protect our library card then? You didn't fall for that ruse, did you ... shame be upon you if you did.
Now the real authorataritives are angling for power led by Comrade Obama.
Obama 2008: "Change You Can
June 6, 2008 - 10:19 ET by BlazerObama 2008:
"Change You Can Believe In, Or Else Your A Racist"
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Liberals
June 6, 2008 - 10:20 ET by ScrapironLiberals with their panties in a knot. What's new?
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Stop the presses!
June 6, 2008 - 10:44 ET by FoolicanIs it too tacky to claim that Obama may have plagiarized the U.S. flag? No? Then stop going after McCain for using a similar theme. It's red white and blue for a reason. Unless the lawmakers of the country decided to make the national flag the LGBT rainbow flag without my knowledge.
this writer probably hasn't
June 6, 2008 - 14:19 ET by TruthMongerthis writer probably hasn't been anywhere near a US flag for decades - at least one that wasn't on fire
Why this can't go by
June 6, 2008 - 10:53 ET by taterWhy this can't go by without a quote from one of my favorite cartoon characters Abe Simpson
"Everything nowadays is a rip-off of something else...the fax machine is just a waffle iron with a phone attached."
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
red, white and blue - hmmm, which 2 should be the stripes?
June 6, 2008 - 10:54 ET by mom_roxWhew, good thing both Obama and McCain's campaigns are using the red & white stripes instead of the blue & white stripes, or someone might think of the Cuban flag instead of the American flag.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
McCain Ad Launch: "Looks Great! Less Feeling!"
June 6, 2008 - 11:02 ET by redherkeyMcCain's campaign managers have been preparing the launch of an all-out advertising blitz, featuring the two presidential candidates facing off in various locations, with background participants yelling "Looks Great, Less Feeling!" repeatedly. The campaign expects to contrast Obama's appearance advantage with McCain's similar ideological approach, views and progressive political philosophy but contrasting method of using less emotion and baggage in his approach to an advantage.
McCain promotors expect the new ad will help differentiate their candidate who has increasingly become thought of as a less flavorful "Obama Lite" by most of the electorate. While avoiding the common political alignment and goals, they hope to differentiate McCain in his approach to the same goals. For example, in one shot, McCain is featured in boxing gloves and shorts opposing a cigarette holding, tieless suit wearing Obama where McCain repeatedly kid-punches the full-flavored Democrat and expresses his signature growl with profanity bleeped out. The ad conveys a sense of a full body experience in the Democratic-Lite McCain, without all the Marxist baggage the Obama candidate brings along. Other ads under development extend this comparison with Reverand Wright, Bill Ayers and other hard-core fascists and Marxists to help voters recognize they can have the full benefit of socialism "without all the calories."
The left is all upset over
June 6, 2008 - 11:09 ET by kgThe left is all upset over the new slogan. They think McCain should be sued. They dont realize that there is so much you can do with red, white, and blue. They feel Obama owns red and white stripes. Next they will be complaining when McCain is in front of a flag because Obaba has that right wrapped up too.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
How about . . .
June 6, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Caringwhiteguy. . . . Trippany's Canoe and the Maverick Too?
Good slogan
June 6, 2008 - 12:22 ET by HermanoI have to say I like the slogan. It certainly contrasts the two candidates. After all, Obama couldn't even show the necessary leadership to right his church.
Perhaps the power that this slogan could wield is the reason for the APs consternation.
I'd rather vote for a leader
June 6, 2008 - 13:17 ET by Hero SquadI'd rather vote for a leader than for change, myself. It does create an important distinction between the two candidates.
Did the Obama camp ever reference or manipulate Hillary's 3 a.m. phone call ads?
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
I am amazed so many Newsbusters cannot ackowledge
June 6, 2008 - 13:29 ET by Jack BauerI am amazed so many Newsbusters cannot ackowledge the personal genius of Obama in everything.
Before Obma or B.O. as I prefer to call it.., no one had ever thought of placing the words "we" and "can" together. It took a person of major intellect to see that.
B.O... no one had ever thought of using the colors red, white and blue in a stripey type formation.
B.O. went into a trance and emerged with these solutions, just like he will with healthcare.
Truly this man BO is the new Leonardo di Caprio of our times.
Lol - perfect Jack
June 6, 2008 - 13:39 ET by Dee Bunkgreat analogy - The Leonardo di Caprio of our times. You crack me up!
Now B.O. has not only declared flag pin wearing as inappropriate displays of patriotism, partial use of flag colors without the complete flag are off limits to anyone who dares respect the whole thing. I think in addition to B.O. we should use B.S. to describe him
B.O. B.S. Kind of like Babs but with and O. So you can either say all of the letters or Bobs for short.
Leonardo di Caprio? I guess
June 6, 2008 - 15:21 ET by Hero SquadLeonardo di Caprio? I guess I'm too young to get the reference.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
The logo that I found
June 6, 2008 - 13:45 ET by general companyThe logo that I found most often was the signature issue white background with the red, white and blue circle logo
What is their problem, at least McCain's cant be used as a halo. Tell the AP to look at previous candidate logos to see witch one Obama copied. Fat chance, I am sure.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
General - I did just that with a quick search
June 6, 2008 - 14:03 ET by Dee BunkAnd this is toooo funny. I only glanced quickly but the two that stood out were
Jimmy Carter - "A Leader for a Change"
and
GWB from 2004 "Yes America Can"
Here is a website with more
campaign slogans
Why are Democrats always for change?
June 6, 2008 - 15:11 ET by Big Wally1984 Walter Mondale America Needs a Change.
Hope BO does as good as good old Walter.