All About The Benjamins

When Obama talks he's money:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama, the first black candidate with a shot at winning the White House, says John McCain and his Republican allies will try to scare them by saying Obama "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."

The AP plays dumb:

Obama didn't make clear what distinctions McCain was likely to raise regarding the presidents on U.S. currency, men who are white and, for the most part, much older than Obama when they were elected. McCain has not raised Obama's race as an issue in the campaign, though he has said that Obama lacks experience.

Well, let's see -the people on US currency are older, whiter, deader, and had a record of accomplishment, so there are a lot of differences here.  Whatever - as Glenn points out, Obama's novelty appeal is on the table when The One is the one promoting it - in his Berlin speech Obama dissed Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson and others with this bit of self-idolization:

I know that I don't look like the Americans who've previously spoken in this great city. The journey that led me here is improbable.

I know Obama's supporters will join me in expressing the hope that I never see Obama on a US bill.  Or John McCain, for that matter.  Why?  I'm ready to tell you my secret.

All that said, there is a germ of truth in Obama's statement.  I don't think McCain will be whispering "Hey, have you seen Obama?  He's BLACK!" but McCain does have a fundamental problem at the heart of his campaign.  When he runs on his record he wins the hearts of moderates and journalists but sets teeth on edge all over the right.  Conservatives respect McCain's biography and can probably convince themselves they will prefer his judicial appointments, but after that the conversation segues to McCain-Feingold, McCain's early opposition to Bush's tax cuts, his carbon cap-and-trade scheme, and his push for immigration reform.

Conservative distrust of McCain would have been mitigated if his opponent had been Hillary; McCain-bashers would have stood in the rain for hours to vote against her, warming themselves with arguments as to whether she is the Anti-Christ or the Great Satan herself (I'm in the Anti-Christ camp).  Obama does not inspire the same loathing that Hillary has been able to generate over many years.

However, a key rule of politics is this - if you can't energize, demonize.  McCain can't energize his base with his own record, so he needs to demonize his opponent.  Hard luck for everyone, because this will not show McCain in a good light and I think he could break the rules and win by running a positive campaign.  That said, if authenticity counts there is a sliver of light in favor of McCain offering a negative campaign - I think his heart will be in it because he really does not like Obama.

Too bad.  McCain ought to reflect that Obama's popularity despite an utter lack of accomplishment reflects badly on the American people, not Obama himself. 

Comments

[Appalled]

TM:

Man, Obama puts you in a bad mood. The next ten years are going to be rough on you, I see...

As for your point -- Obama's popularity reflecting badly on the American people -- I think you are blaming the wrong party. Because, in this case, I. blame. Bush. Why? Because Bush has conspired to make himself spectacularly unpopular. And, say what yu want about Obama, he is certainly the anti-Bush in presentation.

[Thomas Collins]

If Dollar Barack is still playing the guilt card, his internal polls can't be much better than Rasmussen and Gallup tracking numbers. I actually think part of the reason for his playing the guilt card, and for acting as if he is already President, is related to the upcoming Denver convention. Superdelegates can switch, and Hillary is lurking. By playing on his inevitability and by playing the guilt card, he is sending a warning to the Supers that no matter what doubts they may have, taking the nomination away from him at this point is just not acceptable.

[PapayaSF]

Like many others, I'm often frustrated with the superficiality of presidential politics: vague slogans, tiny gaffes, all the marketing and counter-marketing. I want more discussion of political and economic philosophies, and that's one place I think Obama is extremely vulnerable.

Since childhood the guy has often been in left-wing surroundings: lefty mom, communist dad, communist mentor in high school, seeking out the radicals in college, reading Fanon/Alinsky/etc., then Alinskyite community organizing, "education reform" with Bill Ayers (has anyone ever found out exactly how Ayers wanted to "reform" education?), the black liberation theology church, etc. etc.

All I want is perhaps 15 minutes of an on-camera interview with Obama about the roots of his beliefs: Tell us about black liberation theology. You say you read Fanon in college: what do you think of him? What about Saul Alinsky? How did your father influence your politics? How did Frank Marshall Davis? With any half-way prepared interviewer and some astute follow-up questions, and I'd be shocked if he got 40% of the vote in November.

[bob]

"McCain ought to reflect that Obama's popularity despite an utter lack of accomplishment reflects badly on the American people, not Obama himself." I think I see your point, but Obama's the demagogue making himself popular in tried and tired ways. Thus having chosen this particulaar road to the presidency, a road sans accomplishments, I must give Obama ultimate responsibility for the nature of his popularity. This reflects badly on him and the choices he's made. Continues to make.

[cathyf]

Note that George Washington didn't look much like the picture on the dollar bill, either. (It was painted by a political opponent famously attempting to make Washington look bad.)

[GMax]

The Obama campaign plays the race card and is dealing from the bottom of the deck, says the McCain campaign spokesman. Its about time this shameless race baiting got called for what it is. McCain should pound the transcending race candidate for this. He is the only one bringing up race, and he is doing in about every speech he gives including the one in Berlin.

[bgates]

he is certainly the anti-Bush in presentation
Yeah, because Bush was an inexperienced arrogant neophyte who never served a day in the active duty military, spent too much time in the gym or (of all things) praying, and thought the fact that he had money thrown at him as a young man meant he was actually up to ordering troops into a war in Afghanistan that neither he nor his two daughters would ever have to really experience.

Whereas Obama is from Hawaii.

[Danube of Thought]

I think that come November Obama will go back to feathering his nest, polishing his resume further with more shallow good-on-paper junk, and figuring out whether he can beat Hillary for the right to challenge McCain in 2012. And I think that, having lost in the general this time, he'll lose in the primaries to Hillary.

And then, having never said one substantive thing that anyone can remember, he'll begin to fade...

[Elliott]

The togs donned by the guys on the currency just can't match even off-the-rack Burberry suits.

[jimmyk]

I think Barry is frustrated that McCain is not race-baiting, and trying to bait him into it, or to insinuate that he is even when he isn't. It's really disgusting. It reminds me of Woody Allen in "Annie Hall" with his "Did you?" = "Jew" paranoia. Except in this case it's not paranoia, it's a sleazy smear tactic.

[Sara]

Obama does not inspire the same loathing that Hillary has been able to generate over many years.

He inspires total loathing from me. Hillary was a typical feminazi lesbian, IMHO. Pathetic in so many ways, but not necessarily loathsome. Obama's elitism and arrogance, OTOH, make my skin crawl.

[ben]

"....As for your point -- Obama's popularity reflecting badly on the American people -- I think you are blaming the wrong party."

Appalled has BDS in a bad way...talk about convoluted logic...so Bush is to blame that the Democrats have selected the most unqualified candidate ever, in the history of both parties I doubt there was any candidate with less of a record, less experience, fewer accomplishments. Bush may have many faults but the fact that a large number of folks are drinking the Obamamessiah Kool-aid is not one of them.

[Sara]

It must be hard for Obama to process that all those things his friends, like Ayers, were feeding him about Republicans, conservatives and the right, were not as true as he was led to believe. It leaves him floundering and trying to gin it up or per jimmyk, bait the McCain camp into following the stereotypes is head has been filled with by the likes Rev. Wright.

[Sara]

*** his head ***

[Paul Zrimsek]

A powdered wig would be just the thing for those protuberant ears, aina?

[clarice]

"McCain ought to reflect that Obama's popularity despite an utter lack of accomplishment reflects badly on the American people, not Obama himself."
Ah, TM, our master debater, now morphs into a Rovian strategist--win by telling the voters they are dunces.
*Slapping hand to forehead*

[anduril]

Tom Collins, that's my brother's theory, too. Hillary lurking.

[MayBee]

All that said, there is a germ of truth in Obama's statement

You know, no.
I can't give him that, considering he threw in the 'name' stuff and the 'looks' stuff.
If he's stuck to saying they called him 'risky', I could give you the germ.

[ben]

The strategy must be that if people can't vote for Obama on his merits, maybe they will vote for him in order not to appear racist. But that is preaching to the choir, I think only bleeding heart liberals are that guilt ridden, Personally I can pull the lever for McCain without a twinge of guilt, although I might pretend its Giuliani.

[Rick Ballard]

"The strategy must be that if people can't vote for Obama on his merits, maybe they will vote for him in order not to appear racist."

That's an Axelrod trademark - he's used it successfully in Blue states since the mid '80's. His failure to move the electorate in the big statewide contests after he successfully tarred Bubba as a 'racist' for his intemperance in SC suggests that it just ain't gonna work nationally.

[Elliott]

I wouldn't even give him risky. When he spoke in Berlin and used the same "I don't look like" formulation he was was contrasting himself with Reagan who hadn't spent much time in Washington and was supposed to lead us into World War III.

[cathyf]

...And you know, another thing -- Obama bears a strong family resemblance the the long chain of dead white guys that he is descended from.

[Neo]

Obama on a dollar bill ? On Please, he isn't worth a plug nicket.

[PeterUK]

"Obama does not inspire the same loathing that Hillary has been able to generate over many years".

It's early days yet,give the boy some time.

[rhodeymark]

"Note that George Washington didn't look much like the picture on the dollar bill, either. (It was painted by a political opponent famously attempting to make Washington look bad.)"
Hi Cathy - Gilbert Stuart's house isn't far from me and I have taken the tour twice. Neither time did the curator mention political differences between the artist and the President. The famous spat between them was for Stuart's keeping the last portrait so he could live well off the income from selling the copies. BTW - there is still ancient snuff in his paddle wheel snuff mill, but you don't want to try a snort. WHOA

[Patrick R. Sullivan]

McCain ought to reflect that Obama's popularity despite an utter lack of accomplishment reflects badly on the American people, not Obama himself.

As did the roughly 50% of the voters who pulled the lever four years ago for a guy clearly living a Hemingwayesque fantasy life.

At any rate, what else does Obama have, to respond to; 'He's famous for being famous.'?

[Rick Ballard]

I think Obama could replace Clinton on the $3 bill without anyone getting too excited. He's a natural for it.

[bad]

...he doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills."

----

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said the senator was not referring to race.

"What Barack Obama was talking about was that he didn't get here after spending decades in Washington,"

How does one's physical appearance change after spending time in DC?

[PeterUK]

Surely Obama is ideal for the two cent piece,since he has an opinion on everything?

[Joan]

I don't know, Obama has always inspired loathing in me . . . , from the start, he was sooooo fake and conceited and totally inexperienced for the job of POTUS, that he made queasiness roil in my stomach.

[Danube of Thought]

It seems to me that none of the guys on any of the US banknotes looks very much like any of the other guys on the notes of other denominations. McCain doesn't look any more like, say, Franklin than The One does.

Of course, the guy on the penny looks eerily like the guy on the fiver. And the guy on the quarter bears a resemblance to the guy on the single. But how about that Indian guy on the nickel--who does he remind you of? Chief Dan George, maybe? And what about that alluring buffalo?

[MayBee]

It is hilarious, isn't it, bad?

[MayBee]

I thought the $100 was Madeleine Albright.

[Joan]

Re loathing Obama: I really wanted to say '...he made queasiness run up my leg,' but chickened out. Chris Matthews owns that.

[bad]

LOL Maybee

[bad]

Joan

Queasiness usually tends to run down the leg...

He is definitly easy to loath. (And I mean that only the most non-racist way.)

[kim]

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs may say Obama wasn't talking about race, but I'll bet that's how his audience heard it. This campaign is so inauthentic. That'll hurt it in the end with some of the young.
==================================

[bad]

TM, the following quote from the breitbart article is a doozy:

I'm ready to duel John McCain on taxes right here, quick draw," Obama said,

More gun references, and a challenge to debate when he has famously run from debating McCain. Axlerod must be drinking heavily.

[Rick Ballard]

Kim,

Isn't that precisely what was said after the response to Bubba's flare up in SC? First lay the racist charge a little loosely and then throw up your hands and declare "oh, no, that's not what I meant at all".

We're talking about a one trick pony here - and the race card isn't the trump it once was.

[sym]

"in the history of both parties I doubt there was any candidate with less of a record, less experience, fewer accomplishments."

Not a big Lincoln fan, eh? I could have sworn you were a Republican.

[GMax]

Axelrod has run races in deep indigo enclaves. Massachusetts for example. I dont think this race card nonsense is going to work, as McCain has done none of that. Plus the bitter clinger are going to be watching and see a guy who cant seem to even tell the truth, which near as I can tell, honesty in a politician ranks pretty high with the white blue collar and small towns demographic.

[GMax]

Clarice

I see your boy, Boob Wexler ( not a typo) was shamed into signing an apt lease in his district. I wish there was some way to impose a bigger sanction on this turd, but as his Republican opponent says "thats tantamount to admitting guilt of not being a Florida resident."

[Sara]

A couple of points on Gibbs lame response. Washington did not become the capitol until after 1800. Jackson and Grant were military men, not Washington insiders. I agree Obama doesn't look a whole lot like Sacagawea, Helen Keller, or the Wright Brothers all on our currency. And I think John Muir spent most of his time around Yosemite, not Washington.

[PeterUK]

The mew Obama campaign song,

"Half of me
Why not take half of me
Can't you see
you're no good without me
Take my tips
you'll want to use them
Lose those arms
you'll never shoot them
My hello left you with eyes that cry
How can you go on dear without me
I took the part that once was your heart
So why not take half of me?"

[Sara]

Mark Jaquith sums up:

Neither Bush nor McCain has challenged Obama’s patriotism, called his name “funny” or brought up his appearance (read: racial makeup) as a detrimental quality. These aren’t real attacks that Obama is referencing. These are attacks that Obama is himself launching — against himself.

He’s trying to play the persecuted messiah. And if Bush and McCain won’t fit into the “white Republican” stereotype and start launching racist and xenophobic attacks of their own, then by Zeus, Obama will act it out for us, complete with a backwoods Southern drawl accent, and then claim it as fact. As is unfortunately the case with much of the civil rights movement post Dr. King, the only thing that is apparently less tolerable than racism is the conspicuous lack of it.

[bad]

sym

I agree with you completely!!! Obama should start comparing himself with Lincoln immediately, loudly and often.

[Ann]

What is it with buses in politics today?

The Obama campaign is really hitting hard (LOL) with a new website:
"The Straight Talk Express Has Taken a Nasty Turn into the Gutter-McCain's Low Road Express" (It has a picture of a bus with a wheel that has fallen off. :))

LowRoadExpress

[Rocco]

John McCain and his Republican allies will try to scare them by saying Obama "doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills.

Ludacris Obama Song

Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped

Who's scaring who?

[bad]

OT McClatchy pursuing Edwards/Hunter story.

LUN

[Sue]

bad,

Obama made that remark in reference to family legend claiming he is related to Wild Bill Hickok.