Quick Thoughts on The "Race Card" Issue

The ad would have been less silly if everything was kept the same but McCain left out the images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, which ended up distracting from the point.

I don't think it was meant to compare him to those two; it was meant to be a counter and to dismiss the importance of his European trip and reception in Berlin---saying that was about celebrity---while that doesn't change there are important issues Obama is on the wrong side of---like taxes and drilling.

In fact, thats why Obama was wrong when he characterized the ad by saying that Republicans don't want to address the issues, they just want to attack him. The ad was actually trying to say that the issues were what was important, not Obama's trip. The ad brought up a few issues.

Someone I talked to suggested the ad might have even worked if instead of Britney and Paris, it showed male celebrities like George Clooney and Alec Baldwin, who support Obama and are also active on political issues. Then, it would also be asking the question: Obama speaks well, but does that really mean he'd be a better president than George Clooney? While bringing attention to the fact that Obama's campaign looks as if its been produced by Hollywood.

I think the ad, while deemed inappropriate or silly or whatever by pundits, actually worked quite well with average folks. It got ATTENTION. If it had had George Clooney or somebody like that, then few people would have paid much attention. It only worked because the 2 celebrities chosen are entirely acknowledged as being utterly vapid. Clooney and others may be politically stupid (in my opinion), but they're not vapid and empty.

The purpose of a political ad is to move voters, not Hollywood or the pundit class. Comparing the obsession some of his supporters have with Obama with the obsession some folks have for the antics of Brittany and Paris clearly struck a nerve with some of the electorate, and may have made a few folks engage in some uncomfortable introspection for at least a few minutes.

More importantly, perhaps, the ad demonstrated that McCain is willing to play a little hard ball. Many on the conservative side are concerned that he is too cozy with Democrats to actually fight back. This ad sent a clear message he is ready to play politics and be a little gritty in order to win.

In sum, I think the ad hit just the right note needed, with perfect timing, to deflate the Obama in Europe bubble. And the polls around that time back me up...

Isn't it fun to see the partisans spin the debate over which low blows are too low?

The McCain camp invited folks to make the easy connection that Obama is as vapid as Paris Hilton, and then righteously cried foul that Obama "played the race card." Whatever that means. I guess it's a good thing for Obama that his claim is demonstrably true.

The one-term senator has big ears. Oh, and by the way, he's black. Apparently this was a secret to some folks. And apparently it's rude to mention it.

So according to GOP partisans, Obama was out of bounds, but McCain's porridge was just right. So I guess that instead of playing cards, Obama should have countered with a commercial pointing out that people with experience often lack judgement and make mistakes. And then, as examples, it would have been OK to use a couple of ancient and addled guys. Like maybe Perot's old running mate or someone with Alzheimers. And that would have been OK. Let's get working on that list of famous old idiots!

Or maybe they could have gone with a few "long-time insiders" and linked McCain to Ted Stevens. And that would have been OK. But saying you look different? That's out of bounds. My silly meter is off chart.

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I have often said, and oftener think, that this world is a comedy for those who think, and a tragedy for those who feel. -Horace Walpole