I'm FOR Obama, but is some damage control now needed?

[RBInMaine]

As you've seen from my posts, I'm a big Oabama fan and have both voted and campaigned for him. But here's what has happened. Today on the CBS evening news they actually said, "the Obamas may do themselves in." Then they showed a November '07 clip where he used another of Deval Patrick's lines in a speech. Then of course they took Michelle Obama's "first time as an adult I've been really proud" line entirely out of context to play up that story. Talk about handing Hillary a present. (TOTALLY unfair snipped and biased reporting, but what do you expect from the corporate media? )
(The Hillary people and the right wingers are doing bigtime opposition research on Obama now and they're going to grow through every word he's said and breath he's taken since the day he was born. They are now going to go even MORE negative because that's all they've got. Hillary is defending the Alamo now.) Obama and his campaign have already admitted that Obama and Patrick are longtime friends and political allies who have occasionally used each other's lines. But the more this comes out, the crappier it looks. Also, Michelle is NOT unpatriotic nor did she ever intend to mean that she was not proud of her country at all as an adult, but she did use some poor phrasing in this. To be honest, it is a big distraction, doesn't look good, and Obama and his people can't ignore it. I say they should come right out, clarify the record open and honestly, and then move on. Michelle should certainly clarify her meaning. Believe me, they're tearing the Obamas up over this up and down the airwaves. What do people honestly think here? No silly answers please. IMO they've got to clean this up fast and move on because the race is by no means over yet.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Paragraphs are your friend. ;)

As for your concern, it's now officially a non-issue. Obama's blowout win just took over the headlines.

[RBInMaine]

18. No, I disagree. They'll milk it bigtime and go for more.

Sorry about the occasionally longer posts, but sometime you can't say it all in a word or two. But I'll try to get shorter. I'm sure you'd agree there are posts here where some write "term papers" let alone paragraphs.

As to Obama, oh no, they're gonna go more and more negative, and there is enough already out there to make hay for awhile and they will. IMO they need to come out, clear the record, and then move on. There's an old saying, "You gotta clean shit up before it starts to stink too much."

And this race ain't over yet. Plenty of states left to go, and the Clinton folks are sharpending the swords.

[yellowcanine]

35. It appears to me that you are one of the "they" trying to "milk it".

It is not working here. Sorry.

[libertee]

2. Michelle needs to move off the front burner for a while.

[KittyWampus]

13. I disagree and think she needs to OWN her statement and expand on it. People are now coming together

for the first time in a quite a while to try and change things in a positive, inclusive way.

Overcoming the Southern Strategy is something to REALLY be proud of.

[RBInMaine]

29. Yeah, but I'm sure she would even agree it didn't sound good.

No, you're wrong, that would be a huge mistake and politicial suicide, and that wasn't her intention. In politics one needs to think outside their own head. Michelle obviously meant to say something like, "Because of what I'm seeing going on this country now, with people coming together so well, I'm more proud of the American than I have ever been. I am uncommonly moved by what I see happening in this country, and have never felt so good about America." Something along those lines. Just clarify it, set the record straight, and move on. And do it soon. Same with the Deval Patrick stump line swapping. Set the record straight then put it to bed.

[Tatiana]

33. I'm with you. Michelle is a fighter, she's smart, and she needs to OWN that statement.

She doesn't need to run into the background or run away with her tail between her legs.

I'm not saying she should start a flame-fest. But if this is a head-to-head with Cindy I-Stole-Drugs-From-My-Own-Charity McCain, Michelle has the advantage.

In her next appearance, she needs to do like Barack does: tackle the issue head on and re-direct it. Clarify that her patriotism should not be questioned. Give examples of when she's been proud of America that expand on core Democratic values.

And then she needs to go in for the kill. Explain the (REPUBLICAN) things that have been done IN OUR NAME, that have made us not-so-proud and how electing Barack Obama will change that.

This has the potential to be a pivotal advantage for Team Obama if they know how to work it.

[RBInMaine]

30. Fine, right after she cleans this up.

[zulchzulu]

3. Both attempts at making issues out of nothing have backfired

Patrick saying to Obama to use his speeches does not make it "plagiarism". Only a Hillbot or a Repug would distort what Michelle said about being proud of her country.

Two issues not worth the weight of a pile of chihauhua turds...

[kattenstoet]

15. "Ready from Day One" plagiarized from Bush 41

Why is nobody pointing out that Hillary's signature line in this campaign "Ready from Day One" was also one of the signature lines of George Bush's 1988 campaign?

[yellowcanine]

4. He just won Wisconsin by 15 points, sweeping all demographics except over 60s.

Why would he need damage control? The people have spoken and they do not care about the braying coming from the Clinton or the McCain camps.

[workinforalivin]

5. Hillary's done ... it's up to Obama now

He just better deliver - and, quickly, after taking office.

But, I'm sure he's ready.

[liberalmuse]

6. I think people have gotten to the point...

where they just roll their eyes at this crap. It's gotten so old. I signed online tonight and found out Obama has been stealing speeches for awhile now. Meh. I knew it was B.S. Most people can figure it out, or just don't care. I do the same with the crap that comes out on Clinton, too.

[caligirl]

7. Clintons fingerprints are on the plagerism charge> link>

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jyrMRzzhtkEXXcGY9cNmKYSRpVigD8UTNA980

[NastyRiffraff]

8. You're right

And this is nothing...it's only the start. He's the frontrunner, and very soon his adoring fans in the media are going to turn on him and go back to their first love, McCain. Obama may not like it, but he's going to be under a microscope throughout this cycle and it won't be pretty. That teflon is going to shatter into a zillion pieces.

[MadMaddie]

9. The reality is that if this is all they have then his opponants are

in big trouble. This is a non issue he credited Fitpatrick last November when he used the line, he doesn't have to do it every time.

Why are we letting the damn press make this non-issue an issue?

I voted for Hillary in WA caucus but this line of attack is pathetic. She has used lines from many people and not given them credit and this angle is backfiring on her. I am dissapointed.

[ingac70]

10. McCain's wife is a pharmie freak...

who got busted stealing drugs from her own non-profit- American Voluntary Medical Team.

If the Repubs want to drag spouses into this, I say BRING IT ON.

http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/11/22/cindy.mccain/index.html

---Mrs. McCain also said her husband never flinched when, from 1989 to 1992, she became addicted to painkillers after undergoing two spinal surgeries. The addiction eventually led her to steal pills from her own American Voluntary Medical Team.

"I was an addict. That's why," McCain answered when asked about stealing the pills. "I tell you, addiction is a very cunning enemy." ---

[ProSense]

11. Absolutely not, this is phony stuff and the wingnuts can go to hell!

See this post

If you still need convincing, see this. (warning explicit!)

Stop conceding to the wingnuts on nonsense. Don't feed the assholes!

[RBInMaine]

23. They're not ALL wingnuts.

I'm not conceding anything, I'm being real. Give this to Bill, in 1992 when they brought up the draft thing he took it head on and had that letter read on Nightline. Remember Bill and Hillary on 60 Minutes to quash the Gennifer Flowers shit. Hell, as much as crook as Nixon was in the end, even he played it smart during the Checkers thing. Get out there and honestly nip the shit so it don't start to fester and stink anymore. That's good politics.

[ProSense]

25. They are all right wing, except Taylor Marsh! n/t

[yellowcanine]

34. You make the assumption there is "something" to "fester and stink"

So you are buying into unsubstantiated allegations or molehills made into mountains - I am not sure since you do not make it really clear what it is that Obama is supposed to "come clean" about. It is all so many shadows. It is impossible to fight shadows. The best strategy regarding shadows is to stay on message and ignore them. The absolute worst thing Obama could do is rise to the bait being spread out there by people who do not have his or the country's best interest at heart. And Wisconsin voters appear to agree with that strategy.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

12. The attacks will be on experience, immigration and health care

regardless of whether Hillary has (or senate for that matter) accomplished anything,
that is what they will hammer on next.

Immigration and Health care too.

[Beregond2]

14. Michelle

I can't see the public giving a hoot about this Michelle comment. Everyone knows what she meant: that since the election of Reagan, there hasn't been much to feel proud of in this country. And that's the truth. If the Obamas start reacting in a panicky way to every silly thing like this the media and Clinton campaign sieze on, they will only look weak. How many idiotic things did Dubya say while campaigning, and the policy of not reacting worked very well.

[rucky]

16. Absolutely!

The GE will get much uglier: Muslim. Won't say the pledge. Plagarist. Uppity wife.

He's been doing a pretty good job letting these things slide off of him among more friendly voters (Dems & Indys), but they're not going away. He has to nip this shit in the bud - and repeat the truth every time they repeat a lie.

[RBInMaine]

22. Damn right. We have to think outside the liberal mindset here.

Look folks, many of US on this site know what Michelle meant, but this shit ain't going away anytime soon, and like it or not it will take a toll if they don't nip it. We gotta think not like ourselves, but like OTHERS out in the country who think differently. This shit can hurt the Obamas among I's, moderate cross-over R's, and even plenty of Dems. They gotta clean this crap up NOW, and they also need to FIRE BACK at the Clinton machine because their gonna through every piece of crap they can dig up at this guy.

[ProSense]

24. Since you missed the post above, here go outside the "liberal mindset"

here

[Coexist]

17. read this:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/19/19111/7377/755/459940

[NoBorders]

19. I support Obama too, and it's going to get much harder

If he wins the nom. He and his campaign will make more mistakes in the future that the other side will exploit to the hilt.

His campaign just needs to make sure they have their shit together. Judging buy tonight's results, it appears they do.

This is patty cakes by comparison.

[Bread and Circus]

20. I'm not pollyanna, stuff like this matters, however....

Obama is going to win via mobilization of voters and swing votes. He will continue to solidify that.

The inter-mingling of Obama's and Deval's rhetoric is benign but does not look good. That's an easily solvable problem. Clinton actually did the Obama camp a favor by calling attention to it now.

As for Michelle, there are several things to say. One, she is has a right to say what she wants. Second, a lot of people feel exactly as she does. Third, there's been nothing like Obama's campaign since the 60's, so she has foundation. Fourth, the jingoistic patriot card is not something to be afraid of and a lot of people just don't buy that stuff anymore, especially the Dems and the Indepents that are FED UP with the failures of the Republicans and I dare say Republican-lites of the last 20+ years.

People have huge problems right now and so does America. There are big themes to handle.

Dwelling on semantic little things like what Michelle said won't generate any consequential political hay.

However, you are right, Obama will be under an immense scrutiny (he already has been). But it's not as if the Clinton camp has been pulling punches. Both now and in the future, Obama has to run it very tight.

The thing is though he has ran the best campaign of the season. He's ran circles around Clinton and McCain could barely beat Huck a week or two back. He barely edged Romney out of the race. He's past his prime and he's no Reagan. I don't want to underestimate him but I think Clinton is a more formidable opponent for Barack than McCain.

[RBInMaine]

28. I agree with most here, but trust me, they gotta nip it.

The Michelle statement can't be left to fester. They're tearing her up over it. She is being taken out of context and misunderstood, much like when Obama said in NH, "Hillary you're electable enough."
It pissed off the women and cost him because it sounded belittling and insincere. He did later clarify it and said that meant to say, "Hillary, you're plenty electable." Michelle should clarify the record here. This isn't sitting well with folks at all. They've gotta clean this shit up NOW.

[Bread and Circus]

31. I'd put Michelle up vs. the McCain lady w/ wierd eyes anyday...

Michelle goes right to the heart of what is going to win this election, kitchen table economic issues.

Mrs. McCain can't touch that.

People are losing their homes, their jobs, their health insurance. Communities are on a dive. This is what Michelle will speak to.

This country is in dire straits and 70% of the country think it's headed in the wrong direction. Michelle needs to clarify (not dwell or cave in to the bullies) and continue the message of economic fairness.

[jackson_dem]

21. Nah, the msm will give him a pass until at least March 5

[calmblueocean]

26. The Patrick stuff is meaningless and will blow over; Michelle, however, needs to take some time off.

She has said in interviews that she's never campaigned in this way for her husband before. It shows.

I listened to Hugh Hewitt do a 30 minute sentence-by-sentence takedown of her stump speech the other night. There were a few lines where even I was shaking my head. She said at one point, "We need to fix our souls!" which, of course, Hewitt had a field day with. "When someone from the government tells you that they've come to fix your soul... you KNOW you're in trouble! Jesus can fix my soul; government cannot..." etc.

Really, she needs to go over her remarks with some professional political talent and stick to what works. You can tell that she's working through some personal issues as she speaks, and on stage in front of thousands of people during a campaign to elect your husband president is really not the time or place to do that.

The best damage control they can have her do is give a speech where she casually mentions some times in the past where she's felt amazed or inspired or proud of her country, and then take a few days off to retool her stump speech. Barack's stump speech could use some retooling, too. The joke about "people have looked through my kindergarten papers" is getting very old, and there are other questions hanging in the air that he could address in a humorous way.

[RBInMaine]

32. Right, clean it up now though in a sincere way, then move on.

Thanks, much agreement. But clean up the current mess, then re-tool the speeches and tactics, and do it FAST.
There are actually a number of points that Obama needs to drop off his stump speech that are getting old. The campaign's moving into a new phase, and he's going to be taking heat from McCain and Hillary bigtime. Priority one, fix the current mess, then re-tool and DON'T hand them anymore ammo.

[Redbear]

27. Very wise post.

I think the people in Obama's campaign agree with you. He has done what he needed to do to come this far, but the game is rapidly changing.