Buy American, Mock Obama

The Obama campaign pushes back against their own Excellent European Adventure with their latest "Buy American, Vote Obama" campaign.  How goofy is this?  TigerHawk says "transparently inauthentic".  Dan Riehl says "A very dumb idea".

I'll just settle for "Huh?  John McCain is not American?".

Comments

[Rick Ballard]

Well, if a Kenyan Indonesian says to Buy American, I guess I better.

I don't really care for McCain but Obama has convinced me to vote for him.

[Lesley]

Reminding Americans that their politicians can be bought is the most amazing "truth in advertising" campaign I've seen in a long time.

[Ranger]

It kind of ties in nicely with the Obama/DNC now soliciting soft money thing...

New Obama campaign slogan?

Obama, I'm up for sale!

or

Obama, going cheap!

[Danube of Thought]

"Sincerity. If you can fake that, you got it made."

--George Burns

[bad]

I want to read Dan Riehl.

[ParseThis]

Barack Obama: The American president Americans have been waiting for.

[bio mom]

I like mine better.

The presidency is not an affirmative action position. Vote McCain.

[centralcal]

The new "buy American" campaign is really lame. When I see it I think of Obama -- yes, I do -- as anti-American.

Patrick Ruffini over at nextrightdotcom is saying he thinks Obama has pulled a "head fake" and is set to name Hillary as his VP. Stranger things have happened...but none funnier than the guy touting John Kerry for the VP slot!

[BJ]

Punctuation: Buy [it], American.

[memomachine]

Hmmmm.

Didn't Obama tell 200,000 screaming Germans that he was a "citizen of the world"??

[Daddy]

Buy American?

This American ain't buying it.

[bad]

Read the WAPO article on designers for Obama and take a note of the prices. $80 t-shirts!! Buy American indeed... Just the way to lure bitter, religious gun-toters.

LUN

[PeterUK]

Buy Obama,Mock America.

[bad]

As always, Peter, you nail it.

[JB]

"I don't really care for McCain but Obama has convinced me to vote for him."

At this point the disappointing primary has been erased from my feeling memory. If McCain want to kick me in the ribs occasionally, I won't mind. Anything but this mess of a human being.

[MayBee]

I would pay John McCain $5 to do this same thing, but with "Buy American, Vote McCain", then watch the outcry about it being a smear against Obama's patriotism and outright xenophobia.

[Porchlight]

OT,

Apologies if already discussed - Team Obama reports $51 million raised in July, with $65.8 million cash in hand. DNC reports raising $27.7 million with $28.5 million cash in hand.

By my calculation of cash in hand McCain/RNC still comes out ahead of Obama/DNC, $96.4 million to $94.3 million. And of course McCain only has to get through August with his money, whereas Obama has to keep fundraising. All in all, not too bad.

[bgates]

Nice comment at TigerHawk - Americans should learn all the languages of the world, so we can tell those who want to do business with us, "no thanks, we're protectionists" - in their own language.

[bgates]

Porchlight - has Obama already accounted for paying off Clinton?

[MayBee]

bgates- that is hilarious!

[Jane]

Bad,

Dan Riehl link - LUN

[Jane]

From the link:

As the Obama camp was quick to point out, McCain opposed legislation that would have forced the U.S. government to buy American-made motorcycles.

What is this world coming to?

[bad]

Thanks Jane, I was just being rude. TH had the link.

[PeterUK]

Jane,
Is Obama claiming to be an American Leg end?

[Thomas Collins]

Thanks for the post on products, TM! It reminded me look at my cereals and analyze them in light of the '08 campaign. My conclusions? Cheerios is the Obama cereal for obvious reasons. McCain? Definitely Total. Look at all the ridges,crinkles and wrinkles in a Total flake!

[ParseThis]

$200 Lapel Pins!! That's hot!

[Porchlight]

bgates, no mention of the Clinton debt - that topic seems to have conveniently disappeared in the last month. Hmmmm.....

[bad]

Parse

The white, blue collar worker Obama is trying to woo couldn't care less about lapel pins. Might as well sell them for $5000. T-shirts are a different matter.

[Captain Hate]

I don't really care for McCain but Obama has convinced me to vote for him.

WTF McCain 08

[bad]

LOL

[Porchlight]

Oh, I see bgates was joking about buying off Clinton. BUT I do think it's interesting that discussion of Hillary's debt has dropped off. It was all the rage last month. So maybe there really was a buyout somewhere in there.

[ParseThis]

bad, Quite right! I would never dream of accusing McCain of having anything to offer to white, blue collar workers. Except his wife, I guess.

[Paul Zrimsek]

Be happy to, Barack-- but will you stay bought?

[Lesley]

The Obama logo bothers me, both aesthetically and ideologically. Big Industry crossed with Art Deco crossed with Soviet Realism crossed with New Age. Yet nothing "specifically" American about it. The 20th Century Limited kept popping to mind for some reason. I can't quite put my finger on it. Orwellian and Freudian at the same time.

20th Century Express

Lionel Train Logo

Lots of Art Crit. papers are going to be written on this subject.

[Lesley]

That link should be written as 20th Century Limited not Express. Sorry.

[Sara]

I doubt those "bitter, clingy" Pennsylvanians appreciate being patronized and ordered to "buy American" by the little "O" man. Ed Morrissey likens the logo to the "Flying A" gasoline logo, see Flying A.

I think it looks more like the Union labels you see inside clothes, etc.

See examples here.

[Porchlight]

It looks to me like the retro-design Chrysler logo. A bid for Michigan voters?

[Porchlight]

Lesley,

When design elements evoke the 1930s, I think the Dems see New Deal where we see Soviet Realism or Fascist propaganda. A difference in orientation. Jonah Goldberg is a go-to on this one to make the appropriate connections.

[ParseThis]

ordered to "buy American"

This calls for a pouty bout of spiteful whining. Which countries' interests are McCain's lobbyists putting ahead of American interests?

I'll buy from them, by God!

[jimmyk]

the Dems see New Deal where we see Soviet Realism or Fascist propaganda

Some might say those are hairsplitting differences. The real difference is that Dems see at least the first two in a positive light.

[JoshA]

Well, if rightwing bloggers don't like the slogan, I guess he better change it then.

[sbw]

Please, parseThis, all this artsy fartsy gab is just biding time until the commenters find something with substance juicy enough to sink their collective teeth into.

Unfortunately, nothing that comes out of the Obama shop seems to fill the bill.

"WTF. McCain '08" does have a certain Je ne sais quoi about it.

[bad]

McCain's lobbyists

The same lobbyists in Obama's ad? Name them.

[RichatUF]

Porchlight-

Harley has an assembly plant in York PA, with workers represented by IAMAW. Glad I'm not alone when I was thinking of creepy retro-futurism in the design. Looks more like a Victory logo than homage to a Harley logo though.

[PeterUK]

A badge to make the hearts of the Obamajungend soar

[Rick Ballard]

Rich,

C'mon Early days here - you don't think Leni came up with the SchutzStaffel lightning bit overnight? I see elements of the "union label" mixed with the anarchist's A within O plus the Soviet New Man (ACORN/SEIU thug) being exhorted to "Buy American Votes". While looking at McCain's 20th Century Limited bearing down on them at full throttle.

What I don't see is anything that will fire up the ObamaJugend as they file into the Reichshalle stadium in Denver.

[glasater]

The Obama logo bothers me, both aesthetically and ideologically. Big Industry crossed with Art Deco crossed with Soviet Realism crossed with New Age. Yet nothing "specifically" American about it

Lesley--you are just spot on in your comment and said so well what I have been trying to put my finger on with BHO's graphic designer.

Here is one example of Soviet Graphic Design.

Plus, white letters on a dark background are really easy to see day or night on yard signs.

BHO's campaign has a twofer on that score.

[glasater]

Soviet Posters: Revolution By Design

[bad]

An inspired choice Peter, yet it has a hint of racism and - dare I say it-phallicism.

[RichatUF]

The Weekly Standard did an article a few weeks back regarding the creepy official and unofficial campaign art of the Obama campaign. I'm coming up empty on my google search though...

[PeterUK]

The centre circle is reminiscent of the Battle Flag of the Imperial Japanese Army.

[bad]

From andy McCarthy at the corner:

The Bush Administration Agrees to Pay Libya Reparations for Air Strike Ordered by President Reagan.

What the hell?

[bgates]

I see bgates was joking about buying off Clinton
Nah, I was being strategically ambiguous. Or accidentally funny. I did wonder whether the official campaign debt had been retired, but I thought the phrasing should be left a bit more open-ended when dealing with a Clinton.

[Porchlight]

Some might say those are hairsplitting differences. The real difference is that Dems see at least the first two in a positive light.

Yes, exactly. That's what I meant to convey by linking to Goldberg's book. It is all one, or closer to it than most people think, anyway.

And of course I totally missed the PA/Harley connection. I'm pretty woolly-minded today it would seem!

[Porchlight]

but I thought the phrasing should be left a bit more open-ended when dealing with a Clinton

Always a wise bet. :)

[PeterUK]

Russia is arming her Baltic Fleet with nuclear weapons. I don't suppose you could postpone this election for a couple of years,or at least shoot one of the candidates.

[bgates]

Bad - Saddam's daughter is still alive. Maybe we could compensate her for her loss, too. bin Laden might still be out there. Let's cut him a check too.

Have we ever sent money to Iran for the room and board they provided our Embassy personnel during the Carter administration?

[bgates]

I don't suppose you could postpone this election for a couple of years
By 2010 Bush would be offering to return Alaska to make amends for damages to Mr Khrushchev's shoe. There is only one way to convince this President that Eastern Europeans are entitled to a robust defense from the United States government: buy them all sombreros.

[bad]

bgates

The Louisiana Purchase is hopefully past sellers remorse time limitations.

[Porchlight]

Anyone know why Gallup hasn't released today's tracking poll yet? Yesterday the race was tied and last time they were this late it was good news for McCain IIRC.

[Danube of Thought]

"I would never dream of accusing McCain of having anything to offer to white, blue collar workers. Except his wife, I guess."

That puts him one up on Obama.

[PeterUK]

Soft power blown away. The newly resurrected imperial brutality of Russia bodes ill for the Obamaesque brand of spit swapping diplomacy.The man is increasingly looking like the wrong man at the wrong time.

[bad]

For just the first moment of seeing your link I misread it as "soft PORN blown away."

I swear I was just cooking, nothing else.

[PeterUK]

Yeah,yeah!

[Sara]

Now this is amazing, at least to me and the guys at Newsbusters. A quote from tomorrow's front page of the :: drumroll :: New York Times:

Is NYT Starting to Think Obama's an Empty Suit?

“I particularly hope he strengthens his economic message — even Senator Obama can speak more clearly and specifically about the kitchen-table, bread-and-butter issues like high energy costs,” said Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio. “It’s fine to tell people about hope and change, but you have to have plenty of concrete, pragmatic ideas that bring hope and change to life.”

Or, in the blunter words of Gov. Phil Bredesen, Democrat of Tennessee: “Instead of giving big speeches at big stadiums, he needs to give straight-up 10-word answers to people at Wal-Mart about how he would improve their lives.”

[hit and run]

Obama: "buy American"

Obama: "give driver's licenses to non-Americans"

[Jane]

So are you guys planning to watch the throwdown at Saddleback?

I'm happy to live-blog it, but Ii don't want to miss Phelps' last swim.

[ROA]

Is the theme of the Obama fundraiser in Geneva, Switzerland going to be "Buy American?"

[hit and run]

I won't watch the Warren thing.

If you were to liveblog it, I would be happy to be a part of it. If you didn't I wouldn't think any less of you.

And don't miss Phelps' last race.....don't. Just don't.

I have my expectations of the Warren thing at one notch above zero, and that is probably one notch high.

But don't rely upon me. There's a 50/50 chance that I'll pass out before any of this goes down.

[centralcal]

Jane, Yep, to the throwdown . . . I get delayed Olympic coverage here on the West Coast, which means I will be asleep when Phelps swims.

Gotta love the networks . . . huh?

[Rick Ballard]

Peter,

Any word as to whether Brussels has called up the Choclatiers? Has the Waffle and Lace Division been activated?

I'm actually more interested in how the former Eastern Bloc is looking at the growling Bear. Poland and Ukraine in particular. They have the best idea as to the depth of the rot in the Bears teeth.

[bad]

Peter and Rick,

Does the bear plan to control mideastern oil?

[Sara]

The Astute Bloggers is reporting that a judge says Kwame Kilpatrick CANNOT attend the convention, which should give Obama a sigh of relief.

Kwame Obama: hey, it's only ten felony charges!

[Jane]

Really Hit? Why so skeptical? I'm not a Warren devotee so I'm clueless.

I'm heading over to the gymnastics thread where I will refrain from snark for about 3 minutes I suspect.

[PeterUK]

Rick,
They don't work weekends,it will be Monday before we know if the EU Big White Gloves Division is to be activated.
There is a visceral hatred of the Russians in Eastern Europe.No love lost between former Soviet States and Moscow.
Ukraine is offering it satellite system in cooperation with Europe and America.

[Neerawn]

Speaking of clingy and choice Peter I guess the executive order sanctioned the same domestic powers for DIA as CIA, since CIA moved to DoD. I think Plame figured out the DIA had her figured in 95, but they changed these laws in 93. Air Force moved CIA to DoD. So, the difference now is CIA is at DoD. I guess CIA won't miss anything.

[sbw]

[OT or Not OT] Via Instapundit:

"Obama to General Wesley Clark: Your Services Not Needed"

And another gets thrown under the bus. Thumpba thump!

[PeterUK]

"Does the bear plan to control mideastern oil?"

Yes.Remember Oil for Food,Russia was one of the rascals who were part of Saddam's scam.If you look at much of the weaponry in the Middle East,it is Russian or of Russian derivation,

[bad]

warren: Who are the three wisest people in your life?

Obama: So many who shape,

1. Michelle is honest
2. Grandmother, grounded no nonsense
3. Sam Nunn, Dick Luger, Lots of points of views represented to cover his blind spots

Warren: What is the gretest moral failure of your life and that of America?

Obama: Had a difficult childhood, was selfish but learned its not about me. Bad steps are resul

America's greatest failure is failing to do for the least. poverty , racism, sexism, no ladders to the middle class

Warren: Example where you went against party loyalty for the good of America?

O: Worked with McCain on ethics reform.

Other thing, the initial vote against war in Iraq.

W: Flipflopping? What is most significant decision from ten years ago you've changed your mind on?

O: Welfare reform, must have work as a centerpiece of any social policy because of the dignity of work.

W: Most gut wrenching decision ever made?

O. Against war in Iraq,

[Captain Hate]

said Gov. Ted Strickland of Ohio. “It’s fine to tell people about hope and change, but you have to have plenty of concrete, pragmatic ideas that bring hope and change to life.”

This is pretty funny coming from a twitch whose "concrete, pragmatic idea" to balance the state budget was instituting state-run Keno games in bars. He must still be doing doing Jethro Bodine double-aught spy work for Fearless Leader in Pantsuits.

[hit and run]

Jane, there were a few RedState posts that got me down on the Warren Forum. here's one. I can't easily find the others (an open letter to Rick Warren was one of them).

Warren has gotten caught up in some of the lefty "social justice" causes. And global warming to boot.

There is common ground...to be sure...but once evangelicals bow to the federal government as the place where solutions are to be found, they have lost their way, imho.

I am going on second-hand info, though regarding Warren...so, take it for what it's worth.

[Rick Ballard]

"Does the bear plan to control mideastern oil?"

Control is too strong. They've been having fun teaming up with Iran to manipulate prices and I'm sure they would like to continue. OPEC is noting a supply backup and the window of opportunity regarding supply/price manipulaion appears to be closing rather rapidly.

Russia is collapsing demographically (as is the EU) and I have a very difficult time thinking that the leaderships time horizon extends beyond 10-15 years wrt projecting power.

If you look at them as the Mafia - without much out there long term - then the fact that they export 5 mbd means that they pick up $5 million bucks for every day they can keep the price from falling $1. That's especially true today because supply contracts at lower prices have finally expired. I believe the geopolitical aspect has been overplayed in the Georgian matter. Following the money provides an alternative explanation that is a bit easier to comprehend.

[bad]

worldview

warren: What does it mean to trust in Jesus Christ on a daily basis?

O: doesn't walk alone, hopes his sins are washed away, obligation to embrace God's expectations through not just words but deeds.

Warren: Abortion, 40 million, At what point does a baby get life in your worldview.

O: answer is above his pay grade. pro-choice because women don't make decisions casually. His goal is how to reduce number of abortions. In favor of reducing lateterm abortions, has always beleived that. Exceptions for health of the mother, provide resources to allow a woman to keep a child.

Warren: Define marriage?

O: between man and a woman

wouldn't support a constitutional amendmant as such.

believes in civil unions

Warren: stem cells? Federal Funding?

O: bush was right in his approach to limit embrionic to those to be discarded anyway.

pursue adult stem cell research, narrow circumstances

Warren:

does evil exist? do we contain, negotiate?

O: He sees it in Darfur, our streets, our parents. Gods task to eliminate evil. Must have humility in cinfronting evil.

Warren: Which supreme would you not have nominated?

O: Clareence Thomas

[Neerawn]

The Ukraine is trading the Russian radar for US missiles. Have you seen the new stealth cruise missiles?

[centralcal]

Barry is pissed!!! Just look at those eyes.

[bad]

O: scalia, finds roberts compelling, voted against him, still would, supremes must gurad against executive branch encroching on other branches.

Warren: would you insist faith based orgs. give up right to hire whom they want with frderal funding?

O: funding is always free to hire whomever they want, but we must be careful not to discriminate.

level playing field, narrow path

Warren: Do you think better teachers should be payed better?

O: negotiate with teachers a better pay plan, reward excellence

Warren: Define Rich.

O: 150 thousand and down is middle class.
more than 250 thousand is doing well and in top 3 to 4 percent of earners. War is expensive. He pays a lot to Uncle Sam. Trying to create "a sense" of fairness.

[bad]

I like fairness better than "a sense" of it. Kinda like the diffence between eating a steak and just smelling it.

[Charles Martin]

When design elements evoke the 1930s, I think the Dems see New Deal where we see Soviet Realism or Fascist propaganda. A difference in orientation.

I think Jonah would question how much of a distinction that is.

[RichatUF]

Kinda like the diffence between eating a steak and just smelling it.

LOL. Where's the beef?

[bad]

Warren: As an American, whats worth dying for?

O American freedom (interesting)

Warren: Committing troops to ending genocide?

O: work in concert with international community we should do it, need UN approval,

Warren: 148 million orphans, would you be willing to do an Emergency plan for orphans?

O: need international help, how do we keep from having orphans in first place.

Warren: How does America end religious persecution in China and around the world?

O: an administration who speaks out, create a universal principle, lead by example, religious tolerance in US, don;t engage in torture

Warren: Human trafficing?
cO: top priority, prosecute the bad guys,forge alliances with other countr

ies
Warren: why do you want to be president?

O: empathy, American dream slipping away, Washington broken, he can build bridges across party lines

Warren: What do you say to people who oppose Warren asking these questions?

O need good information, wants people to know him well, trusts american people

Warren: What would you say if there were no repercussions?

O: we must sacfifice, Energy and climate change is hard and has a cost

[bad]

Warren is a nice interviewer.

[bad]

Ted Kennedy was also one of his chosen advisors.

[PeterUK]

A top secret picture of theBig White Gloves in action.They will put the fear of God into the Russians,they did me.

[JB]

"O: we must sacfifice, Energy and climate change is hard and has a cost"

We are so screwed if this clown gets elected.

[RichatUF]

we must sacfifice, Energy and climate change is hard and has a cost...

Break out the warm sweaters...

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a freak snowstorm in Denver during the convention.

[bad]

McCain: three wisest people?
1 General David Petreaus
2 John Lewis
3 Meg Whitman, CEO of Ebay

Warren: greatest moral failure?

Mac: failure of first marriage,

America's is not giving enough to expand the good done in the world. Must serve a cause greater than self interest.

Warren: where did you go against self interest and party interest?

Mav: climate change, torture, peacekeeping mission to Beirut

war: What did you change your mind about from ten years ago?

mav: off shore drilling, it is a national security issue

Mav is much better than Obama, more articulate and charming and informative and funny.

[bad]

Tune in and watch McCain!!! He is awesome!!!

[centralcal]

Well, I don't like him, but damn, John is off to a very emotional beginning - for me at least.

[Sara]

McCain is sounding pretty darn good to me and, I think, to the audience as well.

[Jane]

Haruunph! I'm not gonna live blog over there if you are all here!