Sound Politics: Young Voices in the Conservative Commentariat

July 31, 2008

Young Voices in the Conservative Commentariat

Note there appears to a be a delineation between Republicans embracing McCain's new ad, as discussed below, versus those opposed.

The old guard types like John Weaver and Mike Murphy are squeamish. The new guard like Rich Lowry, Patrick Ruffini, Matt Lewis, and Dean Barnett embrace it. Meanwhile, McCain stands behind it in full.

Perhaps its nothing, perhaps its a sign that a new day has dawned (or is dawning) for dominant voices in the conservative opinion leader community.

UPDATE: link fixed.

Posted by Eric Earling at July 31, 2008 06:55 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Indeed a new day has dawned. When your opponents lie at every turn, and have the media actively campaigning for their guy, it's disingenuous when they decry these ads. And if that's not enough, they will turn right around and call McCain too old for office. YES, it is time to fight fire with fire.

These ads are exactly the kind of thing we see all the time from Progressives. That's why their reaction is so visceral. They are looking in the mirror and they can't believe that anyone has the gall to take them on. After all, the debate is over right? There is consensus on Global Warming, Obama is the one true leader, etc.

Keep it up. Call them out. The louder they scream, the better we are doing.

Posted by: Jeff B. on July 31, 2008 07:33 PM

2. Don't think it's a good analogy in this case. Weaver and Murphy are campaign professionals but between Lowery, Ruffini, Lewis and Barnett, Ruffini is the only campaign pro.

Also, Weaver and Murphy are longtime outsider types within GOP political circles. They're both very high level strategists, but they operate outside of the RNC-NRCC-NRSC establishment crowd.

Posted by: Nomad on July 31, 2008 08:27 PM

3. #1 Yes! The Obama campaign has been rife with senophobia from day one. It's "okay" for Obama or his acolytes to make a comment like "John McCain is old" and have it mean bad and nobody in the media will call them on it!

And they continue to do it even after notified that it's not okay to discrimate or make comments like that based on age!!

Posted by: John Bailo on July 31, 2008 08:29 PM

4. This is a battle. You can kick butt or kiss butt. When you're hiding behind aprons (Obama) you're better positioned to pucker up and kiss.
And when you see you've landed a good boot (like the Brittney ad) hopefully you've left a mark to aim for next time.

Posted by: PC on July 31, 2008 11:24 PM

5. I agree Jeff B. Using the left's tactics certainly has ruffled their feathers, while communicating an embarrassing reality that Obama's meteoric rise has less to do with substance and more to do with style.

I would, However,posit that the Jr. Senator is more closely compared to Hilton rather than Spears. While no fan of hers, Spears at least has some singing and dancing talent (which rates high marks with Dave "Dancing Queen" Ross), while Paris Hilton has no discernible skills whatsoever other than the obligatory - "stand here and look pretty"-
...sounds alot like the Democratic candidate doesn't it ?

Posted by: Rick D. on August 1, 2008 05:58 AM

6. Murph had a chance to run the campaign and turned it down recently. Is it sour grapes or a secret desire for McCain to lose?

This is the internet age, isn't it? This is the U-tube age, isn't it?

What's the problem? First, he gets complaints he is too boring and now he gets complaints he is too bold. Sure, those ads were typical McCain, but they were McCain. I don't see anything wrong with them.

The DalaiBama was able to insert race into them, believe it or not. So, you know where his head is at.

This is a new age, folks. McCain will always be staid, steady and comforting, but the ads add a little pizzazz and I don't think the Obamanatics were ready for it.

Posted by: swatter on August 1, 2008 07:30 AM

7. Well, McCain IS old but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a slam but a fact. Is he too old to be President? That's that question.

One thing that Jon Stewart's staff managed to figure out (that clearly the brain trust over at McCain's didn't before they included Paris Hilton in the ad) is that the Hiltons, her parents, gave the largest amount in a campaign donation that they legally could...to McCain's campaign this year.

Nothing like biting the hand that feeds you.

Should have used Lindsay Lohen.

Posted by: westello on August 1, 2008 08:28 AM

8. Or Scarlett Johannsen? However, Paris Hilton fits the bill and intent of the ad. Her family can't be too proud of that piece of work, irregardless of where they throw their money. I bet you will find they spent the max on a D candidate also.

In Oregon, the guy had a rock band open for his speech. In Germany, they had two popular rock bands, free beer and food (read Jack LeCerveau comments on sidebar-the Public Blog) prior to his speech.

Tell me he isn't more rock star than serious candidate.

Posted by: swatter on August 1, 2008 09:11 AM

9. Yeah... and I understand the band in Portland opened up with the theme song for Oliar. What was it again... Oh yeah... the Soviet National Anthem. Totally appropriate for a communist like Oliar AND the Soviet Socialist Republic of Portland. A perfect match!

Posted by: hinton on August 1, 2008 03:10 PM

10. Rick D @#5
Paris Hilton, believe it or not, is a member of what Thomas Jefferson called the "natural aristocracy", made of those who posses Name, Money, Beauty, Talent and Virtue/Genius.

Because of her name/beauty she is paid up to a million bucks to participate in the affair of the hour, whether the affair is in LA or in Tokoyo or Milan. Can that be said of you or to anyone that posts comments here, both sane and liberal?

Because of her name and her talent, she own numberous companies that sell products to willing buyers that have profits (together) in the millions. Again, can that be said about you or the rest of us in Soundpolitics.com land? No.

My point here is a simple one: it's easier to bitch than it is to build. So, shut up and build, will ya?

Posted by: barrackslawyer on August 1, 2008 05:19 PM

11. I like Mike Murphy, but he may be off on this. However, moderation is a good path to follow. If McCain comes out swinging like he did this week - like the maverick he is, he will be tough to beat in November. There is a Rovian element that McCain should avoid in big doses, because it reminds us of Bush too much and that would hurt rather than help him in the long run.

These ads were effective, but he needs to talk more about details of the issues and accentuate the positive more now. Negative campaigning works up to a certain point - as long as it does not become detached from reality, such as Gregoire's sorry campaign.

Posted by: KS on August 1, 2008 09:16 PM

12. Few ads like this one would help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mopkn0lPzM8

Time to focus on relevant details of what McCain will do as President. Hey - Obama seems to have changed his position on offshore drilling - not a bad thing - he is a straddler, so he will come out against it again to appease the far left.

Posted by: KS on August 1, 2008 09:51 PM

13. @ 10 ~ if you are implying that Paris Hilton has talent, feel free to give an example of her accomplishment's that aren't a direct result of her surname. Perhaps riding around sans panties with Brit are an accomplishment in your eyes, but it reeks of a publicity whore to me. I'm just saying...

You appear to have been bitten by the celebrity bug, my friend. A very 'American' thing these days.

Posted by: Rick D. on August 2, 2008 10:26 AM