John McCain's efforts to blame his campaign tactics on Obama are becoming increasingly laughable.
First, he suggested back in August that Obama forced him to go negative by refusing his offer of a series of townhall debates:
Both men pronounced themselves thoroughly frustrated by the personal bitterness and negativism they have seen in the two months since they learned they would be running against each other.
"I'm very sorry about it," McCain said in a Saturday interview at his Arlington headquarters. "I think we could have avoided at least some of this if we had agreed to do the town hall meetings" together, as he had suggested, during the summer months.
Then on Satuday, the Washington Post quoted McCain advisers again attempting to pin the blame on Obama for the vicious last-ditch character offensive that McCain is launching:
McCain advisers said the new approach is in part a reaction to Obama, whose rhetoric on the stump and in commercials has also become far harsher and more aggressive.
They noted that Obama has run television commercials for months linking McCain to lobbyists and hinting at a lack of personal ethics -- an allegation that particularly rankles McCain, aides said.
Does anyone believe this?
Meanwhile, Obama promises that "I'm going to keep talking about issues that matter" . . . oh, and also about "what he described as McCain's shortcomings." It's not negative attacks, friends, it's just pointing out McCain's shortcomings.
Posted by: Rob | October 06, 2008 at 10:06 AM
McCain KNOWS...People don't under stand..We are all just a bunch of Joe Six-packs. Like Sarah Palin? DUH..What about that Sarah, Huhhh? Huhhh?..What about Sarah, Huhh? What a JOKE!
Posted by: jj | October 07, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I agree with Brendan that it's silly for the McCain camp to excuse their negative ads by claiming that Obama started it. Actually, I don't think negative ads need excusing. I think it's fair for a candidate to remind voters of his opponents negives, whether it be Bush's inexperience, McCain's age, or Obama's far left background
Posted by: David | October 07, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I rarely have criticized McCain because I would like for him to win, but, this to me is another example of Republican/conservative double speak whereby instead of accepting responsibility they've blamed the other guy.
I'm pondering if whether or not after this election I will ever vote again.
Bleh.
Posted by: JIm Allen | October 08, 2008 at 05:12 AM
Jim, Why wait until AFTER this election?
Posted by: Raleighite | October 08, 2008 at 09:53 AM
McCain reminds me much of my father.
This isn't the only factor I consider when voting, but it weighs heavily - I'm an army brat and have a deep appreciation for the military.
If you look at every major conflict in this nation's past, our country has honored that generation by sending at least one person from each of those conflicts to the White House.
Revolutionary War - Washington. War of 1812 - Jackson and W. H. Harrison. Mexican-American War - Taylor. Civil War - Grant (at least). Spanish-American War - T. Roosevelt. WWI - Truman. WWII - Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush 41. Korea - Carter.
Viet Nam - no one. McCain is 71, but is still mentally suited to meet the demands of the presidency. He is also, in my opinion, someone who would make a fantastic president.
Sorry if I hijacked this page to answer something that detours from the topic, but the further and further into the future we go, the chance of electing at least one person who served in Viet Nam diminishes, and I think that is something that should be considered by all, regardless of party affiliation.
Posted by: Jim Allen | October 08, 2008 at 11:55 PM
Jim, your reasoning eludes me, but that is probably because it is not really reasoning, but an emotional response for you. I also come from a military family (Navy), and my father died in service to country. While I respect the service of all who serve and honor their sacrifice, I just don't see that "keeping the streak alive" is a sound reason for voting for McCain. I'm not making fun of you, just speaking my mind.
Posted by: Raleighite | October 09, 2008 at 04:37 PM
And, just to add to that, I strongly disagree that McCain would make a fantastic president. I think his temperament and policies are the last thing the country needs right now
Posted by: Raleighite | October 09, 2008 at 05:59 PM