FOLKS: the KeatingEconomics tactic is to keep focused on the ECONOMY (not smears)

[Essene]

Understand this.

Relax. Focus on the truth and on what's important.

In even bringing up Keating, Rick Davis, etc... the important thing is to come back to what's making USA anxious.

Bad judgments of Bush/Mccain.

Lies of Bush/Mccain.

Wrong philosophies of Bush/Mccain.

[OneGrassRoot]

1. That may be the only reason the average citizen pays attention...

to Keating 5.

It's the economy, stupid. Joe Six Pack may not pay attention, but the undecided, independent voters will because it involves economic/financial issues and matters of trust.

[Essene]

4. Precisely. It's not about the smear aspect as much as turning the mud fight back on the economy

It's quite a smart tactic, raising the ante on mr Mccain.

We all know how the media operates.

They are compelling to cover "both sides" so if Mccain throws Ayers mud, they will dig into Keating if Obama makes it an issue (done). Now, Mccain is going to be swimming in stuff about Keating, Rick Davis, Phil Gramm, etc.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. Phil Gramm will hopefully rise to the surface as the most recent ...

McCain associate in this league.

[Essene]

6. 3 co-chairs have stepped down, campaign manager is fannie lobbyist, chief strategist is knee-deep...

Campaign Co-Chair Phil Gramm, kicked out in june, was a lobbying for foreign banks on the mortgage issue, trying to avoid regulation due to fiscal crisis - at the same time he was on Mccain's campaign and helping to form fiscal policy.

Campaign Co-Chair Thomas Loeffler, resigned in may, with ties to saudi arabia ($15 million lobbyist contract) along with tons of others including European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.

Campaign Co-Chair Jim Courter, resigned in july, after the FCC slapped his company with a $1.3 million fine for failing to disclose information about its contracts in Haiti and various agencies began further investigations into his dealings.

Campaign Manager Rick Davis, lobbyist for Fannie Mac dating back to 2000 and lied about his ongoing relationship with Fannie Mac until last month. His firm was still taking in $15,000 a month from Fannie Mac. He claims he has no ties to this firm anymore, but he remains an officer and owner of the firm... and the Mccain camp actually pay him by sending money to this firm.

Chief Strategist Charlie Black, is knee-deep in slimy lobbying including having ties to dictators and Blackwater. His wife is also a major player, but heaven forbid anybody seriously discuss ethics and conflicts of interest in the Mccain camp.

[frogcycle]

2. it is the perfect pre-emptive strike

they are coming with smears - bring up something relevant that happens to taint their guy - big time

staying above the fray, looking presidential, while surreptitiously stomping on his instep...

[Essene]

7. Yes, but i dont like Obama risking losing the moral high-ground & i really hope...

...that he doesnt LIE or exaggerate.

Because the media and the pundits are spineless, and will just try to say "both are equally..."

[fasttense]

3. Good paying American jobs disappearing by the tens of thousands

and McInsane wants to turn the page and focus on other issues. That alone tells you he has no plan to staunch the bleeding of this economic crisis.

[symbolman]

8. I hope they Drop another bomb on them with the whole

Phil "American's are a bunch of WHINERS - It's a Mental Recession" Gramm - HE is someone that has RECENTLY Destroyed the Housing market and is a Collaborator with McCain.. This asswipe will BE THE Sec of the Treasury if McCain gets in, there to LICK the Walls of the Vaults Clean if Bush/Cheney leave any money at all..

Here's a great link from Mother Jones about Foreclosure Phil:

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/07/foreclosure-phil.html

[Essene]

9. here is how i hope it unfolds at the debate...

They are talking about the economy or perhaps mccain is attacking obama for whatever...

Obama: Mccain's history shows a long pattern of bad judgment about the economy. He still maintains the same failed philosophy and approach he had back in the 80s bailout of banks... banks his associates had ties to and corruption which brought him before a senate committee to account for his lapses in ethical judgment and abuse of power.

Mccain: My friends, this is a disgraceful smear of my honor and reputation. I was cleared of all those claims back in the 80s. I have spent decades fighting for ethics reform, fighting off lobbyists, and nobody can question my integrity on that. I find Senator Obama's attack childish and an indication of him having no real morals. This is a guy who himself has lots of shady associations and shouldn't be trying to attack my integrity.

Obama: Well John, you can pretend you've changed your tune since the 1980s but you've been making the same failed arguments about the economy since then. And you've had to drop 3 co-chairs of your campaign for impropriety. Phil Gramm himself was involved with lobbying on behalf of mortgage holding banks while you repeated his calls that this was all psychological. You kept arguing that the economy was just fine...

John, it's your campaign manager whose firm was taking in $15,000 a month for lobbying on behalf of fannie mac... until last month. You havent learned the lesson, john. You didn't even know how many HOUSES you had when asked, so how can you be aware of potential financial conflicts of interest when you dont even know the basics of your own finances? You go out there telling americans to be responsible about their finances and lecture washington on ethics violations... but here we are... you're knee deep in another crisis, surrounded by lobbyists with their hands in the cookie jar.

*dramatic pause*

Tom Brokaw: would you like to respond, Senator Mccain?

[symbolman]

10. SPOT ON

Are you a Writer, because THIS is Most Excellent :)

Seriously I think Obama Needs you on the staff, I can HEAR this in my head..

You could add the part after the Dramatic Pause where McCain's head explodes like that scene in the Movie SCANNERS :)

PERFECT.

Thanks, share this, create a new thread with this, I'd like to see more of this kind of writing over at HuffPo and other blogs..

[pleah]

11. It isn't a smear if it is true and connected to the economic situation.

I think Obama should hammer this home until the election.

[uponit7771]

12. RIGHT!!! Going negative is lying or overtly exagerating points