Isn't the Moses ad the "he's an uppity black guy who thinks hes better than we are" ad?

[Hamlette]

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but it seems VERY racist to me. More so than the Britney/Paris ad. But as a pair, the two ads are VERY racist.

[MrModerate]

1. I genuinely think the slimemeisters in McCain's campaign . . .

are probably color-blind. I don't think there was any intent to appeal to racist sentiments in either ad because -- even though they're clearly tone-deaf -- they realize that playing with dynamite will get your head blown off.

But since their reptilian brains dominate their cerebral cortex, they missed all the racial stereotypes inherent in the ads. I'm sure they're scratching their heads and wondering how *anyone* could think those ads were racist when they're really just good clean slime, the same as they'd use against any (non-non-Caucasian) politician.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Of course it is. They picked up right where Clinton left off.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/206728.php

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/206727.php

[redstate_democrat]

3. Bingo!

It's the "how dare he think he is something" meme. It is soooo condescending and nasty. Did you see the absolute glee and joy in the eyes of those reporting on this video? They were giggling themselves silly. "Who does he think he is? Ha ha ha!"

You're right. This was a racist ad. It was very insulting on so many levels. It went beyond a regular attack ad. It was nasty, personal, and it lied throughout the entire thing. It was the bottom of the barrel.

But God don't like ugly. Remember that.

[liberalmuse]

5. Thank you. Condescending.

And everything else you said. It's racist codespeak. You get a good 'ol boy, appearing to be cordial and funny, but what's really going on is he's saying the ugliest shit between the lines. "Well looky here. That black 'boah' thinks he's goin' be prezident.'

[redstate_democrat]

10. You got it.

It's like McCain is trying to cast himself as the inevitable one and here is this 'boah' coming along thinking he can actually be 'prezident' like a white man. It was not meant to be a humorous thing that let everyone in on the joke. They were pointing their indignant racist fingers at Obama and laughing at him. 'Looky here, this black 'boah' wanna be prezident eh?. He can run, but he better not actually start thinking or believing he can win.' How dare Obama actually think he could win? Well, now, that's just preposterous and downright presumptuous! :puke:

[liberalmuse]

4. I have a feeling it is racist.

They think they can get away with this crap with Obama. They've crossed the line. It's a fucking disgrace that a prospective Presidential candidate would stoop so low. And they think they're being funny. I admit I laughed, because I was stunned and couldn't believe the utter shit I was watching. What they're doing with these ads is disturbing in a way I can't put my finger on. I know people will scream about libruls whining about 'the race card', but tell me this, do you see them pulling this shit on some other white guy, or even Hillary for that matter? Yes, they would smear them, but not in this ridiculous, disgustingly disrespectful, over-the-top manner. It makes me want to :puke:

[bridgit]

6. No. Its the 'light working god words' come full circle. I knew months ago this would happen...

and now it is, oh well :shrug:

[FrenchieCat]

7. No. It's dumbasses that think they are better than others

and who would do anything to win.
Now that, I knew about months ago.

If it was a different candidate, it would be the different shit, but just as low.

[bridgit]

8. Too simplistic. If anyone thought republicans weren't going to run the shittiest...

campaign in memory...I have empathy for them. I'd have been less inclined to hand his opponent the stick they would end up hitting him with. But that's just me.

[Hamlette]

11. it doesn't matter what Obama does they will turn it into a stick

if he had been humble they would have compared him to Jesus instead of Moses, said it was fake humility, said he was too weak to be president.

This crowd is nasty and I fear it will work again. When will America wake up? How can they fall for this time after time?

Without a gay marriage issue this time, maybe this will fail. It makes me sick anyone can even consider voting for McCain after what he has done this week.

Joe Klein called him scum and Joe was a big supporter. He also pissed of Andrea Mitchell. That took some doing. But still, America will vote for him.

[bridgit]

12. Obama' campaign staff understands with a quickness that it matters what Barack does...

That's why they assist in getting him where he needs to be. But you seem to understand the rest; republicans are pissy, nasty, full roaming weasel-esque vapors...and it is my belief it is their intent to take America down in the process. Only a fool dances on the edge of a cliff, when this shit is by-god serious.

There's no more time to stone the messenger.

[pnwmom]

9. I think it's an "He's the anti-Christ" ad.

Designed to appeal to all the paranoid Christians out there.

[cliffordu]

13. If they are convinced he IS the antichrist, that's a good thing - he brings about

Armageddon, the rapture and all that crap.

They HAVE to vote for him, it's in the Bible.....(sic)

[pnwmom]

15. I don't think the "good Christians" are supposed to vote for him,

just all the deceived people

[cliffordu]

16. Cool. Landslide!!!

[kennetha]

14. No you're missing the point.

Obama IS a rock star. He is probably the most famous dude on the planet right now. He does have in some circles a cult like following. The ad is designed to GRANT that, but then say to the undecided voter who is just tuning in that you shouldn't elect a president under the guise of a rock star/messianic cult figure. It's trying to buck up the undecideds not to be caught up in the movement.

I'm not saying it will work or that it's a good argument. But that's clearly, imho, its purpose.


One thing, I actually always did find Obama's riff on Ghandi's words creepy, by the way. -- "We must become the change we want to see" (GHandi) vs "We are the change we have been waiting for." (Obama)

THe former is a challenge and a directive. It says strive to make yourself something new. It doesn't presume that you have already achieved that. It doesn't suggest that it will be easy or automatic. It just directs you to become as you would have the world be. You want the world to be more just, more peaceful -- then become more just, become a seeker and bringer of peace. That can be said with great humility and little presumptuousness.

Ghandi continues as follows, by the way "Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

Obama's formulation always sounded to me triumphal and self-satisfied -- the very opposite of humble.

See the difference? It's that kind of thing that McCain is trying to pick up and run with and turn against Obama.

[cliffordu]

19. Thanks for your acumen and insight. We are truly not worthy.

[Whisp]

22. I see you have repeated this post on a couple threads now.

just curious where you cut and pasted it from.

[Hoof Hearted]

23. Both sides are looking for way too many lines to read between on this ad.

I think we give them (McCain's ad team) far too much credit.

[BearSquirrel2]

26. This is a stealth message ...

Basically, this is a stealth message to the fundagelicals that Barack Obama is the anti-christ.

The Republicans have a big problem. The fundies do NOT live John McCain. And they will have difficulty getting these folks out to the polls FOR John McCain when McCain is only bending backwards and kissing corporate ass instead of a full scale dive down some preacher's ass. So, how do you get these folks out? Well, call Barack Obama the Anti-Christ. Surely, you would show up to vote against Satan ... no?

Everyone else ???? Secular right wingers will look at that ad and cheer because they're all a bunch of cynical lemmings. I think moderates will look at that ad and scratch their head. It's a real mess and it has real potential to backfire on McCain.

[Supersedeas]

27. and McRove needed the Biblical image of Moses to make the 'rock star/cult' argument

[darius15]

17. Yes, there are racial undertones

as there are with the Britney and Paris ad. On face value, it's just mocking Obama's ability to inspire. But deeper, it connects Obama to two young white women.The people who the ad is intended to reach will get the message. Classic Rove strategy.

And "The One" is just disgraceful.

[KittyWampus]

18. I think it's more like McCain's ad people are dropping acid

[BlooInBloo]

20. And he wants to fuck our sweet white women with his big black cockiness, don't forget.

[chieftain]

21. women whose bare crotches have been on very public display no less

so that connection is even easier to draw. the subliminal nature of these ads is truly frightening.

[Overseas]

24. It's also the anti-Christ theme for the psycho-fundies.

And piles some messianic messaging onto the celebrity theme to paint their enemy as a megalomaniac of the first order.

Meanwhile the bratty John Sidney McCain III, with seven homes, $520 loafers and a net worth of over forty million, is hoping he can keep riding his media pet status and wear a few windbreakers to show he's just an unassuming regular guy. Just one of the old Keating 5, a humble crook.

[kevinmc]

25. I see McCain Mocking Christians and Jews with that ad. ..... n/t

[jesus_of_suburbia]

28. I don't think you are reading it wrong at all. I think the Moses ad is very racist.

McCain in NOTHING like what he was in 2000.


I'll never understand why moderates might vote for him. He is not the McCain of 2000.


There is only 1 choice in 2008. Barack Obama.

[Hamlette]

29. yes, and Gergen said it on TV on Sunday. McCain was calling Obama "uppity" and anyone from the South

knows that's exactly what McCain was saying.

And Gergen is a republican...so there McCain!