Is the Obama campaign staff brilliant or just very lucky?

[Major Nikon]

I'm guessing Obama's campaign staff knew the Boston Globe story was coming. Stories like that take a bit of time to develop and it's likely the Obama camp would have been asked for comment at some point.

So what do you do when you know that bomb is about to drop?

Start hitting Rmoney on his tax returns, secret offshore accounts, and record at Bain. Force him to go on the defense where he is having to answer inconvenient questions every day. Then when the bomb drops, Rmoney is already two steps behind and acting like a bunch of amateurs.

Or perhaps the Globe story was just an unexpected gift.

[JohnnyRingo]

1. There are very few coincidences in campaigns.

If it seems there was a lucky break, it was likely plotted for weeks.
That's why they get paid the big bucks.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. I liked this analysis, bookmarked earlier this week,

showing the shifting language over the past few weeks - unknowingly leading up to the Globe piece:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002921236

Ben Labolt is doing a fantastic job in getting (and staying) on top of this. I like this guy. Glad he's on our side.

[Major Nikon]

3. Yep, that's very good

I'm pretty convinced that the Obama campaign knows what's inside Rmoney's tax returns. There's just too many people that would know what's in them to keep something like that secret. So there may be more surprises to come. At any rate, things are getting extremely difficult for Rmoney at the worst possible time for him.

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. If nothing else, you KNOW there are Steve Schmidt "types"

(not scapegoating him, but in general) who defected from the McCain 2008 camp to ride a winning horse. IMO, someone in that campaign crossed the aisle as a career move and had information of value.

I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

[JustAnotherGen]

33. I tend to agree with you

But maybe it's not a defector. Maybe it's someone that wants to run in 2016?

I know - I'm probably being a loopy conspiracy theorist - but the guy ran in 2008. Someone on their side had to have this info.

Or - perhaps then Senator Biden knew? His camp in the primary of 2008 lead him to say about then Senator Obama, "This guy is as clean as whistle.". I don't recall him saying that about Romney - but he is connected enough to be able to say things like that.

I say - residual knowledge from 2008.

[hifiguy]

49. I'd bet fifty bucks it is a former McCain staffer

who put the Obama peeps on to this. There was no love lost whatsoever between the McCain and Romney camps in '08 and Grampy's people saw a lot of Mittens' financial records. Face it, Rmoney is a creep and I am sure there are former McCain people who would love to take him down.

[emulatorloo]

58. I think you are correct. Also

Also remember McCain himself came down hard on Romney for taking money from Sheldon Adelson, as well as a sharp critique of the Citizens United decision.

Have not seen McCain doing Romney-surrogate stuff since.

[Ruby the Liberal]

61. Ha! Don't know how that connection slipped my mind.

My memory of him (and Russ Feingold) on the steps of the Capitol the morning CU was announced is as if it happened this morning. He was super pissed about that decision.

Excellent point.

[Amonester]

4. I'd say BRILLIANT! :)

They know they have to make his poll numbers drop to a point where stealing the election won't be an option for them.

Three national debates. Baingate, un-released tax returns, and all that: make his exit polls drop to way below 35% = can't rob it.

[Major Nikon]

6. I can't see that happening

At some point, Rmoney's huge cash advantage is going to take it's toll. I can see the electoral college results possibly being below 35% for him, but not the popular vote. There's just too many Americans who are have a bumper sticker mentality and lose their attention span with anything longer than a 15 second sound bite.

However, I hope you are right. A crushing defeat for Rmoney would send a message to the GOP puppetmasters that they can't just buy elections so easily. It could be a death sentence for their entire party and drive them back into political irrelevance.

[Granny M]

13. I agree.

The numbers look great right now, but it would be a mistake to get cocky. I think it's possible for Obama to win but it's going to be a hard fight. There is just too much money in Romney's corner. They have to fight all the voter suppression efforts, as well. It's going to be tough, but I have hope.

[cilla4progress]

7. I've never seen a Democratic campaign like this...

downright nasty. And I mean that in only the best way.

[Major Nikon]

10. I call them aggressive and strategic

It's not as if they are push polling and making Willie Horton ads about Rmoney. He's giving them all their ammunition.

It just appears as if they have an extremely well run campaign. They are doing things that work and they are doing them at the right time.

[hifiguy]

51. When your opponent keeps offering you pies,

you are a damned fool if you don't mash them into his face. In that respect, Mittens' "business" background and greed are the gifts that just keep on giving.

[seabeyond]

47. i am really not seeing downright nasty. that would by lying and namecalling. not seeing it. i see

this as being on top of things, presenting argument to vote for obama.

[craigmatic]

8. They're ruthless and that's what scares republicans.

[eridani]

14. Yes, and without lying and making things up n/t

[DevonRex]

9. Who do you think put the BG onto

the story (indirectly, of course)?

The source who told the campaign also told the BG. The source who told the campaign about Global Tech also tipped off David Korn. The source who told the campaign about the Cayman, Bermuda and Swiss bank accounts also told Vanity Fair.

See how that works? It's no good if just the campaign knows. And THIS campaign always knows first. It has to be followed by media coverage, a good investigative journalism piece. Because this campaign makes sure the facts are correct before it goes public with anything.

[WinstonSmith4740]

11. I remember when Guiliani was speaking at the Repub convention in 2008...

when the talking point of the night was to denigrate Obama being a "community organizer". He shrugged and mugged and said, "A community organizer? What's that about?" Well Rudy, just like when his organization handed McCain his butt, THIS is what community organizing is all about. THIS is what people who actually had to work for a living can do. Now do you get it?

[longship]

12. High art!

I am embarrassed for the Republicans. I just do not see how their money is going to make a definitive difference. Their message is so far off the mark that I cannot see that will actually convince a majority of the US that they're right and Obama is wrong.

Also, I think that Obama's team have some things up their sleeve. We'll be seeing what soon, I imagine.

So far, the Obama team has played things nearly flawlessly. They've executed more than one rope-a-dope this year, and done so with exquisite precision.

I like Obama and his team. They are doing things smartly.

[Tennessee Gal]

18. Saw someone interviewed about fundraising for Obama who seemed very unconcerned

that Romney had so much more money. I wonder if they are unconcerned because they know that there is enough negative information about Romney still to come out that the stories will sink Romney on their own.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

15. I bet the middle of the country doesn't even care about this.

Their eyes glaze over at this stuff.

When you tell them it proves Mitt lied, they'll shrug and say, "All Politicians lie".

Then they'll vote for the "R" because that's what they do, for God and Guns.

[maryellen99]

16. Plus also the fact that Mitt is white plays a part too nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

19. Of course.

Just watch. The first debate will end up with Mitt making a fool of himself. He's going to show up expecting the FOX "News" version of Obama.

Those Middle Americans will say Obama wasn't "respectful".

[DCBob]

22. There's always a large chunk of America that wont care about anything and will vote R regardless.

The fight is for that 10-15% of voters who have not made up their minds yet and willing to listen. This story might reach them and have impact.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

23. They probably already figured he was a liar.

Next up: Expect him to play the victim and accuse us of rubbing his nose in it.

[DCBob]

26. You are probably right. They dont have much recourse.

Telling the truth is certainly out of the question.

[MADem]

30. I dunno. The middle pays taxes. If they get the sense that RMoney doesn't, well, that might not

sit too well. Also, if they start paying attention to some of the "tales of outsourcing" that were in Teddy K's Senate ads, and need to be repurposed for POTUS's, that shit might start to resonate.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

37. Then instead of harping on the lie, we need to hammer home the Outsourcing

Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing, Outsourcing....


THEN you can mention he was caught lying about it.

[MADem]

38. That's the progression. First, make clear that he was running Bain after 99.

And then, talk about all the companies he destroyed and people he fired.

He likes firing people. He told us that already.

[Blue Gardener]

40. I'm smack dab in the middle of the country

Iowa, right in the middle. Do not make assumptions about how we will vote.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

63. Don't get me wrong, some of the most libeal people I know come from the reddest states

but look at how Bush's ties to the Saudis were ignored.

But then again, Bush was such a good Christian he quit drinking through the power of prayer.

[scheming daemons]

17. They defeated the single-most powerful force in Democratic politics in 2008... the Clinton Machine

I'd say they are much more brilliant than lucky.

[DCBob]

24. +1

This group is very sharp and knows how to win elections.

[tallahasseedem]

54. I'd say you are correct!

[uponit7771]

56. +1!

[Tarheel_Dem]

59. +1

[lamp_shade]

20. Brilliant.... clearly.

[madokie]

21. My take is that a smart person surrounds him/herself with smart people

I love my/our President. For all the reason that one can love another living being.

[rox63]

25. Obama is a close friend of current Mass governer Deval Patrick

There are plenty of connections in the MA state house to the Boston Globe. Plenty of people in MA remember the controversy over Romney's residency when he ran for governor. It was only 10 years ago. Plus, MA residents are very familiar with how much of a lying bastard Romney is.

[MADem]

28. Deval is on a short list for Holder's job. nt

[MADem]

27. A lot of this stuff is not news to Mass residents. We've heard variations of it before,

particularly during the RMoney challenge to Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat (RMoney was humiliated, Ted sailed to victory).


I am enjoying seeing it rehashed, though--some things, like news about Mittsy the Shitty's bullshitting, are like a fine wine that improves with age.

[rox63]

39. You know what would be interesting?

If this was the revenge of Jane Swift. Only Mass residents of at least the last decade will likely know what I mean, though.

[MADem]

66. Well, he did give her a mighty shove, didn't he...but I honestly don't think she had access to any

of this info. She was blindsided and backhanded, so fast that it looked like a professional hit!

Be amusing for someone to dig her up and see what she has to say about Mittsy's latest run.

[rox63]

67. If I recall correctly, she did not endorse him in the primary

Don't blame her one bit, after he backstabbed her.

[MADem]

68. Can't blame her--he lied to her and PROMISED HER he would not run against her.

The guy will fuck over women in ways he'd never dare to do with men.

Interesting piece, here: http://articles.boston.com/2012-04-15/opinion/31341191_1_romney-abortion-opponents-abortion-rights

Massachusetts is where Romney first showed his appetite for running over any candidate who stands between him and political office. Here, it happened to be women.

When Romney decided to run against Ted Kennedy in 1994, Republican Janet Jeghelian, a former talk radio host, was in the race. Once Romney jumped in, he and the state GOP kept her off the primary ballot....

Seven years later, Romney muscled out acting Governor Jane Swift, who had his pledge that he would not challenge her for the nomination. But fresh from running the winter Olympics, Romney jumped in, and without so much as a courtesy phone call, pushed out the politically weak Swift.

Realizing the delicacy of kicking aside the Bay State’s first female chief executive, Romney recruited another woman, Kerry Healey, to run as his lieutenant governor and vouch for his pro-choice credentials. Once elected, he relegated Healey to back channel roles, but she remains loyal and supports his presidential bid.

[hifiguy]

52. I have little doubt that Ted's people dug down to bedrock

investigating Mittwit's background and financial shenanigans. That info didn't go away, it has just been redirected.

[MADem]

65. I also would not be surprised if someone from McCain's last run, perhaps on the VP vetting team,

had a twinge of conscience and pointed a few folks in the right direction WRT specifics about some of these shielded tax concerns. In any event, it's all a very nice convergence!

There's so much more out there that Mittsy cannot rake back in--the debate tapes, interviews--the guy has diarrhea of the mouth, and he's left large piles of crap everywhere!

[dipsydoodle]

29. Are

the Obama campaign staff brilliant or just very lucky - unless the sum total of the campaign staff is only one.

[MADem]

31. In USA it's IS--the staff is one thing. In UK it's ARE--the staff are a group of people.

Is the class ready to take a test?

Is the Senate in session?

[dipsydoodle]

32. How weird.

Two nations divided by a common language but not I would have thought grammar. In your second example Senate is singular anyway same as our Government is.

[MADem]

35. In UK, the Parliament ARE considering changes to the law.

And ARE the government responsible for those riots in the London streets?

In USA, you may find yourself in THE hospital. In UK, you might find yourself in hospital.

Boot-trunk, windshield-windscreen, bonnet-hood--you can't even get into a car without learning an entirely new vernacular. It's not just the wrong side of the road one has to navigate!

I have noticed, though, starting with the tiresome "at the end of the day" that crossed the pond some two decades back, that UK and USA have been trading grammar and terminology at a rapid clip. You'll often hear Americanisms over there, as you'll hear Britishisms over here. Much more so nowadays than twenty or thirty years back....

[MineralMan]

41. Yup. How the two versions of English handle collective nouns

is one of the major differences. I always have to keep that in mind when I write for British clients. That and a few spellings. I have a Word macro that searches for American spelling variations and changes them to British spelling automatically. I can't do that for the "is/are" thing with collective nouns. Odd, that.

[dipsydoodle]

53. I searched afterwards.

The actual issue is that each of the words can be used a singular or plural and as such it becomes a matter of context.

[Romulox]

46. Simply googling "are the staff" brings up numerous American sources. This is not absolute. nt

[malaise]

34. Brilliant

Look out for something on the destroyed computers before leaving office.

[tallahasseedem]

55. THAT would be amazing!

I have never been so optimistic than I am now. Of course, we still have to run like we're 10 points down!

[malaise]

64. That's been out there for a while

but it fits in to the total picture of this greedy sleazy Re[THUG.

[Motown_Johnny]

36. It is possible they supplied the information for the story to the Globe

The Obama campaign has been planning on Rmoney being the nominee for something like a year now. Odds are they know all there is to know about him and are controlling this drip drip drip or information to the press.

They may be hoping for a floor battle at the (R) convention. That would be devastating to not only Rmoney but the entire party.


I'm gonna go with "brilliant".

[Tom Rinaldo]

42. It is more than just this one story

Obama's reelection team is turning this race into a referendum on Romeny - a total reversal of the Republican game plan. It is not simply the cards you are dealt, it is also how you play them.

[randome]

43. And knowing when not to OVERplay your hand.

[Proles]

44. Obama has probably the most skilled campaign team

I've ever seen for a US Presidential candidate. I'm sure it was well planned, and it seems to be working out nicely.

[grantcart]

45. Yes.

[Ishoutandscream2]

48. Brilliant. Obama and his team know how to run a campaign

But I have to admit, Team Rmoney is making it awful easy.

[NNN0LHI]

50. There are no coincidences in politics

Simple as that.

Don

[ecstatic]

57. I don't think a guy with Pres Obama's background

and name gets to be President of the US by luck alone. They know what they're doing!

[n2doc]

60. Luck is preparation meeting opportunity - Seneca n/t

[Junkdrawer]

62. President Santorum.....

Brilliant. Just Fricken Brilliant.