Obama, please stay mostly positive

[MSU_Spartans]

I know it feels good to attack a bully who's attacking you, and by no means should Obama allow McCain to smear him. But ultimately the positive ads will have a bigger impact. I live in Michigan, and it's no secret things are rough here. Whenever any of Obama's ads come on where he addresses the audience directly, everyone I know shuts up and listens.

They may not always agree, but they listen. Right now, people don't want to hear about Ayers, Keating, Rev Wright, or the AIP. People here are starving for a leader to tell them "It's alright, we're going to take care of this, and this is how."

So Senator Obama, please don't let McCain smear you. But more importantly, don't lose your comforting, positive message. We're desperate for someone who's going to fix this mess.

[RoadRage]

1. I agree.. but

I think the Keating 5 deal shows that not only does McCain not know what to do with this current economic debacle.. he was one of the CAUSES of the last one.

It's not just throwing mud.. it's tieing McCain to his utter lack of economic knowledge.

[NYC_SKP]

3. Right, using facts in a fair manner is not dirty. nt

[MSU_Spartans]

4. That's cool with me, I just don't want it to become the main message - nt

nt

[NYC_SKP]

2. K&R...I agree, and don't think he'll get dirty, but he will fight with the facts. nt

[backscatter712]

5. Your concern is noted...

I shall enjoy watching McBush's and Caribou Barbie's reputations being systematically destroyed.

[azmouse]

6. I feel good about Obama's campaign not using Keating until they were forced to.

Everyone wondered when Obama would bring Keating up. Now we know he kept it quiet until he really needed to use it. If he had brought it up earlier the Keating scandal would have lost its punch.

[Median Democrat]

7. The Keating Five Needs To Be Discussed In A Factual Matter - Directly Relevant

I agree that Obama should stay positive, but the Kearing Five scandal shows that McCain has learned nothing. Obama has not hit McCain on his failed marriage, his womanizing past, or his association with anti-semetic clergy. The Keating 5 scandal should be reviewed, because it illustrates how we continued to push deregulation despite the lessons that should have been learned.

[tekisui]

8. As long as it is factual, make it brutal.

mcPOW is down, resorting to smears, we need to keep him down, and kick him harder now that he is going so negative.

Keating is totally appropriate, and perfectly timed. Hit 'em hard!!!

[oviedodem]

9. This why its a WEB site. If you want to see it go ahead otherwise Obama's message will still be

positive on the airwaves.

[endarkenment]

10. he has to mix it up

Look - I understand and agree that Obama needs to run positive adds, but he also needs to go straight at the McPains and their smears. I think he is doing exactly the right thing with his approach today - calling them out directly for trying to change the subject from economic failure and 8 years of failed policy that lead up to it and McCain's involvement in all of the above, including McCain's direct involvement in the S&L crisis 20 years ago.

We cannot ignore their attacks. Even if 'people don't want to hear it' the simple facts are that negative campaigning works. It discourages participation by people who are leaning toward support for the candidate being attacked. We've watched our candidates 'rise above it' and FAIL too many times. Dukakis, Gore, Kerry. Not this time. Not again.

[DefenseLawyer]

11. Sounds like advice from Bob "0-9" Shrum

Modern political history shows us that you have to respond, you can't let your opponent control the dialog, even if what he is putting out is nonsense. The media simply won't let you stay above the fray. Everything, from global warming to politics, is covered in a "point/counterpoint" style. Instead of reporting that 99% of scientists concur of global warming, for example, the media will have "both sides" on to argue, giving the lone crank on the other side equal billing to the guy that is right. If Obama tries to stay above the fray the media will report on nothing but McCain's attacks. They won't challenge the validity of the attacks and give credit to Obama for staying positive. The only thing they will cover is a counterpoint.

[ecstatic]

12. Indies say that, then turn around and vote for the guy with the negative ad nt