Why "That One" wasn't as bad as it sounded, but why it's even worse for McCain than it seems.

[jobycom]

In one of the SNL mock debates between Clinton and Obama, they had one of the moderators apologize to the audience for how boring the debate was, and he pointed at Clinton and said "When that one gets going on health care, you can't shut her up," or something along those lines. It's not an unusual expression, just a bit outdated.

I think McCain's use of the line was completely scripted, and practiced. Someone probably suggested that McCain work it in to the debate to sound more colloquial and folksy, the way Palin tried. I don't think he was trying to be dismissive, so much as trying to appear more casual, thus less stiff, less old. Unfortunately for him, it's an old expression in itself, so it backfired.

The bigger thing it says to me, though, is that McCain is just campaigning all wrong. Sometimes you campaign against another candidate's strengths, to undermine their appeal. That's what McCain is trying to do by sounding warm and funny. That strategy works, but only when your own strengths are easily recognized. You are sure of your own strengths, so you go after the other candidate's supporters. The other way to campaign is to set yourself up entirely against the other candidate's weaknesses. That works best if people have concerns about the other candidate, and don't know you that well. You get all those who are dissatisfied with your opponent, and you also attack the other opponent just by being the opposite.

Ideally, you use both methods in a campaign, and McCain is trying to use both methods, but he's trying too hard to beat Obama at the "cool" game, and it undermines his own strengths. McCain should be campaigning as the mature statesman, almost condescending towards Obama. Work in the humor, of course, but set yourself up as the clear alternative, the superior alternative. The only weakness Obama has is his experience, and that's McCain's strength. McCain should be sounding mature, wise, strong.

Instead McCain sounds like a giggling sophomore unsure whether his jokes will work, and Obama comes out looking wise and statesmanlike in contrast. McCain is doing more to make people comfortable with Obama than Obama ever could. When Obama wins this, he should send a bouquet to McCain for making it easier than he could have hoped.

Just my thoughts. Then again, I've been wrong about everything in this campaign from the beginning, so my thoughts are worthless.

[Orsino]

1. Yeah. He could have saved it by referring to himself as "this one" in the same sentence. n/t

[mscuedawg]

7. That's what I expected him to say....

"that one" and then who did, "this one"....

I think 3 words (and no reaction from Reckless/Condescending) "kill him" "terrorist" are what is fueling the "that one" fire...

[Starlight]

19. same here

[liberal N proud]

2. What it says is that McCain has no respect for Obama

He doesn't want to acknowledge that he is a contender let alone the front runner.

It pisses him off that Obama is in the race and kicking his ass. Is it racist? It sure could come off that way and perception is 9/10 of the story!

[Overseas]

3. It reinforced his adherence to RNC ideals - Country Club First. //

[Eurobabe]

4. Typical condescending shit from a Shitstain. n/t

[BumRushDaShow]

5. Thing is, he's a Senator, and there is a certain decorum required

One thing I thought about was that in the first debate, Obama switched between "the familiar" (calling McLame "John") and "the formal" (calling him "Senator"). This time, I don't recall him using McLame's first name.

[tularetom]

6. The more I saw it, the more I agree with you

He was trying to make a funny and it blew up on him because he basically lacks a sense of humor.

[jobycom]

9. I think he's too frustrated to come across as funny.

He's got a sense of humor. In a primary debate once he was asked by a young man would would happen if he died in office. The audience kind of laughed at the question, and McCain mock-grimaced, then grinned, then gave a pretty stock answer, and wrapped it up, "And thanks for the question, you little jerk." He said it with a smile, and everyone, including the "jerk," laughed at it. It was a classic display of his humor when it works.

But he's too frustrated now. It comes across as a passive-aggressive whine, instead. I feel sorry for him in a way. Of course, I will only feel sorry once Obama is sworn in, and we can look back at McCain as an historical figure.

[kestrel91316]

8. He could have said "that GUY", and no one would have objected.

It was the failure to refer to him as a PERSON that was so offensive.

He may as well have said "that thing".

[jobycom]

10. It's an old expression. That's the part people are missing.

It's the kind of thing you say to someone you've got a good relationship with. "That one there ate all the chips." It's teasing. It's just such an old expression that a lot of people don't know it, and it sounds horrible to them.

[kestrel91316]

13. Go ahead and defend McCain. I notice you like to do that.

[jobycom]

17. You ain't noticed jack shit if that's what you think you've noticed

Not to mention, if you think I just defended McCain, you are horribly illiterate.

[knixphan]

11. McCain's experience

is torpedoed by his reversal of every major position to pander to the cons.

[writes3000]

12. All McCain had to do is point to himself and say: "It wasn't this one. It was that one."

Tone deaf.

[Duer 157099]

14. Here's what McCain really meant to say:

[Richard Steele]

15. It was EXACTLY as bad as it sounded: condescending, dehumanizing, and douchebaggish.

It was a deliberate put-down, and a pre-planned one.

[rvablue]

16. I totally agree with you. n/t

[ailsagirl]

18. The tone and expression itself were inappropriate, IMO

A little too familiar, a little too condescending...

[Starlight]

20. ITA and it wasn't just that phrase, it was his whole demenor during the entire debate.

Instead of focusing on what he, McCain, could do for the country, and talking about his own strengths and plans and ideas, he tried to keep the focus on Obama, with a constant stream of whiny, childish attacks. He came across as a cross between a grouchy, half-senile old man and a whiny, bratty child. While Obama appeared the responsible adult.

[ailsagirl]

21. Exactly. Obama was cool, calm, and collected. Never wavered.

Very presidential. Really just awesome. :patriot:

[anigbrowl]

22. Exactly. I don'tfind the phrase inherently offensive, but McCain was obviously in bully mode

Didn't work too well for him with the 'bomb Iran' comment though. Watching his face fall was sweet.

[uponit7771]

23. McCain has NO CHARM, jokes don't work for him

[alwysdrunk]

24. Yeah, it's being overblown

I know people who would use this phrase, people in my family use it. I personally would take no offense if someone referred to me as that one as McCain did. I personally thought nothing of it until I logged onto DU today.