Republican Sen. John McCain was introduced in Brooklyn today by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, right, an independent who also has played host over breakfast with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. (Photo by Chris Hondros / Getty Images)
by Jill Zuckman
They may not have a Democratic nominee, but the Democratic National Committee is already trying to figure out just what to say to bring down John McCain’s standing with swing voters.
Chairman Howard Dean told reporters this afternoon that polling and focus groups conducted by pollsters affiliated with both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have shown five key areas for Democrats to direct their fire.
• He’s not independent
• He’s not a reformer
• He’ll offer more of the same
• He doesn’t get it on the economy
• He’s changed key positions on taxes, immigration and guns
Dean said voters described McCain as “wishy-washy” on the issues, but also said they don’t know him that well.
“We honor his service to the country,” said Dean, pointing out that that service was 40 years ago. “He should be personally admired, but he should not be president.”
In response, RNC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson said the wishy-washy charge just won't stick. "Howard Dean’s delusions aside, John McCain is widely respected for being straightforward and honest with the American people, and he has a lifelong and distinguished record of service that has warranted the admiration of voters from all walks of life," she said.
One question pollsters did not ask voters about was McCain’s age, though participants in each of the focus groups brought it up, Dean said.
Dean said Democrats would not pursue that line of attack, saying that the DNC doesn’t have anyone like Lee Atwater, the late Republican political attack artist.
But Communications director Karen Finney said the question wasn’t asked because the issue is already on voters’ minds.
“We don’t even have to talk about that and we still have a very strong case against John McCain,” said Finney.




Comments
Right. And HIlary is the better one, the least attackable, the one better equipped for a variety of reasons to deflect attacks (other than crying 'racism!') in the Fall.
And watch the Obama supporters attack her. And anyone who supports her. shameful.
Posted by: golden oldie | April 10, 2008 3:22 PM
I laugh everytime I hear the Wingnuts talk about how they're going to smear Obama....like Obama wouldn't already know that, afterall, the Republicans don't have any new policy proposals to offer America, no, they have a nearly 100 year old man (McCain) who only offers four more years of the Bush/Cheney disaster.
John W McBush needs to come out and publicly apoligize to all of the women in this country for saying this to his wife.
"Report: McCain's Profane Tirade At His Wife"
John McCain's temper is well documented. He's called opponents and colleagues "s-heads," "a-holes" and in at least one case "a f-ing jerk."...
Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain's intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain's hair and said, "You're getting a little thin up there." McCain's face reddened, and he responded, "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt."
McCain's excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/07/report-mccains-profane-ti_n_95429.html
Posted by: John E | April 10, 2008 3:37 PM
Sounds like they have the truth on McBush.
As Churchill used to say; 'The best propaganda is the truth.'
Posted by: C.Morris | April 10, 2008 3:37 PM
He released his medical records and he takes 23 medications daily!! I don't want a President who relies on dozens of pills just to keep his body functioning and alive. Call me crazy but I think a President should WANT to be alive not have pills KEEP him alive.
Posted by: brett maven | April 10, 2008 4:01 PM
Call me crazy but I think a President should WANT to be alive not have pills KEEP him alive."
You're right all those old people out there taking meds because the doctor told them to should all STOP now.
They should just will themselves to be healthy.
All those old sick people out there make me sick (pun intended). They just don't want to live.
Wait a minute, if they didn't want to live, wouldn't they stop going to the doctor and stop getting meds to keep them alive?
Those old people, something has to be done to stop their evil plans.
Posted by: Steve C | April 10, 2008 4:20 PM
Truth? Give me a break. If the DNC wasn't planning on lying through its teeth until November Blagojevich/Obama-style then why would they hire Media Matters' Chief Spinmeister, David Brock, to lead their misinformation machine?
They've already started the lying because they know they have no real case against John McCain.
Posted by: Jeff | April 10, 2008 4:22 PM
They've already started the lying because they know they have no real case against John McCain.
Posted by: Jeff | April 10, 2008 4:22 PM
Jeffy,
We don't have to lie about McCain, all we have to do is tell the truth about him and that should be enough to scare the crap out everyone
.
http://punchup.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/john_mccain.jpg
Posted by: John E | April 10, 2008 4:44 PM
Hey John,
I'm glad you're repeating that secondhand hearsay story about McCain supposedly blowing up at Cindy at some old campaign event. That one was even below the swamp's liberal standards.
But I digress, the reason I'm glad you brought it up is a Ron Paul supporter actually called my house earlier this primary season and my wife answered the phone and he proceeded to start his spiel for Ron Paul. My wife politely told him she was supporting McCain this primary season and then the guy just blew up and called her that same word that starts with a c and ends with a t and the middle part rhymes with "fun." That's one way to get votes, eh?
Posted by: Jeff | April 10, 2008 4:58 PM
In response, RNC spokeswoman Amber Wilkerson said the wishy-washy charge just won't stick. "Howard Dean’s delusions aside, John McCain is widely respected for being straightforward and honest with the American people, and he has a lifelong and distinguished record of service that has warranted the admiration of voters from all walks of life," she said.
_________________________
Gee, the RNC wasn't saying that when he ran against shrub. I wonder who changed? One need only google bush attacks against mcshrub and you'll find a whole bunch of republicrite stuff saying mcshrub is bad for the country.
Posted by: rncbs | April 10, 2008 5:12 PM
Jeff,
I know, anything that's negative about your hero John W McBush just can't be true, can it? It would ruin your fantasy and that would suck, wouldn't it?
Posted by: John E | April 10, 2008 5:24 PM
google bush attacks against mcshrub and you'll find a whole bunch of republicrite stuff saying mcshrub is bad for the country.
Posted by: rncbs | April 10, 2008 5:12 PM
Yeah that's true, the Republic Party already did most of the op-research on John W McBush for us, thankyou KKKarl Rove!
Posted by: John E | April 10, 2008 5:29 PM
Give McCain more opportunities to comment on the Sunni and Shiite groups in Iraq and he'll supply all the "gotcha" moments the DNC needs. We certainly don't need to get as dirty as Karl Rove did.
Posted by: Tom O | April 10, 2008 6:11 PM
They've already started the lying because they know they have no real case against John McCain.
Posted by: Jeff | April 10, 2008 4:22 PM
No case against him??? He's sold out. He's flip flopped. He's becoming another tool of the neocon corporate power structure. Wake up!!! He better wise up and get on board with Bush 41s guys before he loses all credibility.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 10, 2008 6:36 PM
The real chickens will come home to roost when the Republicans and their Swiftboating apparatchiks get a taste of their own medicine late this summer. Its going to get ugly when all McCain's "intemperate" remarks and bloviating nonsense emerges for all the world to see. I can't wait to see it.
Posted by: Goosbutter | April 10, 2008 7:29 PM
The old man will self destruct.
Posted by: John McSELLOUT | April 10, 2008 8:45 PM
I'd rather have the racist and friend to be soon convicted political briber Tony Resnik as a President. Not!!!
Posted by: Trey | April 10, 2008 8:58 PM
> Right. And Hillary is the better one, the least attackable, the one better equipped for a variety of reasons to deflect attacks (other than crying 'racism!') in the Fall.
You say that as if Hillary isn't just crying 'misogyny' instead.
No, that's not a hypothetical:
Clinton supporter Elton John laments US misogyny
http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN0926923920080411
Posted by: Joe | April 10, 2008 10:09 PM
“it is not the duty of government to bail out and reward those who act irresponsibly, whether they are big banks or small borrowers" John McCain, March 08.
(FLIP)
"“There is nothing more important than keeping alive the American dream to own your home, and priority number one is to keep well-meaning, deserving home owners who are facing foreclosure in their homes,” John McCain, April 08
(FLOP)
Who needs Howard Dean? This is easy...! And that's before dredging up the Keating 5. Remember the last banking crisis? This guy can't rally his own party, has made enemies of just about every GOP stronghold, good luck senator at least you've got a nice retirement package from the Senate.
Posted by: Mike | April 10, 2008 10:16 PM
Dean is an idiot. I am surprised the Democrats still let that incompetent, delusional windbag actually run their party.
Follow his track record - he is almost always wrong. If he is here - McCain is the next President.
Posted by: Robert NYC | April 10, 2008 10:22 PM
This election is about the soul of America, being destroyed by the right wing of the Repub party.
The election is about ending the power of the Bush repub party, which lied us into a war, for the benefit of the Big Oil boys, who wanted to steal Iraq's oi, and by the way gave Exxon's ex-chairman a $400 MILLION retirement gift while we pay at the pump. The election is about saving the middle class and providing opportunity for the poorer folks, while gaining control of the corporate greeders who are shipping America's jobs overseas for the benefit of the super rich.
The election is about ending the scam of the mortgage brokers and their wall street buddies who are stealing the houses of America's middle class, as well as their jobs.
And it is about re-instating the rule of law and our Constitution, being destroyed by the same people who talk so much about God. And they are the same people who let Bin Laden escape in Afghanistan due to their little half a trillion dollar 'adventure' in Iraq that has killed 4000+ of our soldiers. And it is about what will come out of that war, which Pres. Mubarak of Egypt, a friend of this country, told Bush and company that "the Iraq invasion would create a hundred new Bin Ladens".
What this election is really about is saving America from King George and his gang of thieves, of which Mr McCain will just be a new figurehead for those who worship not a Judeo-Christian God, but a god whose name is Greed and could care less who they hurt for power and money.
And all Mr. McCain is about is to prevent the Democrats from getting into the White House, seeing all the records, and exposing the truth. And then there won't be a Bush in office to pardon the convicted criminals like Scooter Libby.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 10, 2008 10:34 PM
I wonder how McCain feels with DICK Cheney's hand shoved up his back. Like a good little old puppet he tows the company line. No longer a maverick, he falls in line for his corporate masters. R.I.P. Straight Talk Express.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKINg8DCUo
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 11, 2008 12:38 AM
I feel the election is about maintaining our economic freedom. It is a tough time now, but it is not time to panic.
We cannot let obama's socialist agenda into this great nation
http://www.obamaunveiled.com/.
Posted by: mike | April 11, 2008 2:48 PM
As President of Canada " I support Obama, and like that he wants to reach out to Iran and help destroy Israel" It is about time we had an anti-semite. He can choose his pastor as Secretary of State, and Louis Farrakhan as AG he can lock up the crackers and Jews. For nearly 30 years, Louis Farrakhan has marked himself a notable figure on the extremist scene by making hateful statements targeting Jews, whites and homosexuals.
Farrakhan’s bigoted and anti-Semitic rhetoric has included statements calling whites “blue eyed devils” and Jews “bloodsuckers” that controlled the slave trade, the government, the media and various Black individuals and organizations. In 2006, he blamed Jews and Israel for the war in Iraq, for controlling Hollywood and for promoting what he considers immorality during his February Saviours' Day address in Chicago.
Posted by: the president of canada | April 11, 2008 11:43 PM
As President of Canada " I support Obama, and like that he wants to reach out to Iran and help destroy Israel" It is about time we had an anti-semite. He can choose his pastor as Secretary of State, and Louis Farrakhan as AG he can lock up the crackers and Jews. For nearly 30 years, Louis Farrakhan has marked himself a notable figure on the extremist scene by making hateful statements targeting Jews, whites and homosexuals.
Farrakhan’s bigoted and anti-Semitic rhetoric has included statements calling whites “blue eyed devils” and Jews “bloodsuckers” that controlled the slave trade, the government, the media and various Black individuals and organizations. In 2006, he blamed Jews and Israel for the war in Iraq, for controlling Hollywood and for promoting what he considers immorality during his February Saviours' Day address in Chicago.
Posted by: the president of canada | April 11, 2008 11:43 PM