# Does Obama need to mount an offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 12, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193 "2008-09-12T00:42:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/1 "2008-09-12T00:42:05Z")
Recently it seems Obama is always on the defensive- the lipstick/pig non-issue most recently and then many things (some of them, granted, legitimate to the campaign) before that. He has yet to launch a major offensive, and both McCain and Palin have plenty of raw material for one. OTOH, many believe his brand is keeping the honorable course in the campaign. If you were one of his campaign managers, would you advocate a major offensive of [researched and backed] accusations and negative politicking against McCain/Palin. I _am_ talking issue based and not about his divorce/her kids/other B.S. issues, but on, say, his Keating Five involvement or his flip-flopping in the past 2-3 years or her ethics investigation and per-diem scandal? Or should he continue returning serves? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/2 "2008-09-12T00:50:03Z")
Yes and no. He should release the 527 hounds to swiftboat the shit out McCain/Palin, but should not approve any messages on the record. Obama himself should press firmly on issues. They can’t avoid them forever. Obama has to hand Hand McCain his ass in the debates on the issues. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/3 "2008-09-12T01:18:47Z")
Who needs swiftboating (or bastard black daughters) when you have [Charles Keating?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/4 "2008-09-12T01:38:58Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > **Does Obama need to mount an offensive?** 😃 Oh, yes! The more offensive the better! Let’s play the dozens! And [yo’ Mama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_McCain) is fair game! [CHRIS ROCK:](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_State_(film)) Hey, Lewis! Yo’ Mama’s butt’s so big, when she sits down, she gets two feet taller! ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/5 "2008-09-12T01:53:16Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yes and no. He should release the 527 hounds to swiftboat the shit out McCain/Palin, but should not approve any messages on the record. > > Obama himself should press firmly on issues. They can’t avoid them forever. Obama has to hand Hand McCain his ass in the debates on the issues. The signal has been made to allow 527s to do their thing, but it may have come too late to be [useful](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/09/obama-signal-to-dem-caval_n_125074.html). Obama is at a disadvantage without the 527s. He has to defend himself against all kinds of nonsense while McCain only has to defend against what Obama throws at him. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/6 "2008-09-12T05:28:45Z")
I think the offensive might have started already. [OBAMA DEFENDS ‘CREATIONIST PSYCHO BITCH’ REMARK](http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/international/obama-defends-'creationist-psycho-bitch'-remark-200809111247/) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/7 "2008-09-12T06:46:13Z")
[This is getting a bit ballsier](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk). While it isn’t “approved” by Obama, it’s linked to by his site. Anyone notice how chilly they were towards each other at Ground Zero, incidentally? No hypocritical smiles and hugs. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/8 "2008-09-12T06:59:02Z")
Obama does need to attack McCain/Palin but he needs to be smart about it and focus on one or two big themes rather a bunch of scattershot attacks. The biggest line of attack needs to be that their reformist credentials are a sham: the Palin earmarks and the bridge to nowhere issue are excellent ammunition. He also needs to defend attacks on him forcefully and quickly and then turn them into a counter-attack. The line about Rovian politics is a good one because it reinforces his main theme that McCain/Palin is more of the same. Overall I don’t think his strategy is wrong but he probably needs better and more forceful execution. In particular he needs to bring Biden in as his main attack dog. What has happened to Biden anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/9 "2008-09-12T07:11:02Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [This is getting a bit ballsier](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk). While it isn’t “approved” by Obama, it’s linked to by his site. > > Anyone notice how chilly they were towards each other at Ground Zero, incidentally? No hypocritical smiles and hugs. I like this in concept, but Im not sure it’s the best execution. It relies too much on clips from MSNBC and the like. I’d rather see more primary cites for the debunking of McCain ad lies and distortions, but over all, it’s not bad. It’s the kind of thing, tactically, that Obama should do. Two things he has to do: absolutely avoid going after family, even via 527’s. It would kill him after the forceful statement he made about it, and make sure everything he approves or can be linked to is _accurate_. At this point, McCain has hande him the ammo to show him as a serial liar. That’s what he should pursue. Hell, he doesn’t need to even mention Palin. She’ll be exposed soon enough by the press and by Biden. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/10 "2008-09-12T10:57:00Z")
I would hate seeing Obama or his supporters doing anything as vile as “Swift Boating”. However, I think some attacks would be justified. At least there should be an ad showing McCain needing Lieberman to whisper in his ear about why Iran wasn’t likely training Al Quaeda. Showing how he’s turned against his “maverick” positions over the past few years would be fair game too. I think the target has to be McCain, not Palin. Bush the Elder won with Quayle. McCain can win with Palin. People just don’t care much about the VP’s credentials. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/11 "2008-09-12T11:17:50Z")
I’d like to see him do a few “big arena” rally events. I think there’s a place for the town hall-style events, but he needs to re-invigorate. The enthusiasm he generates at the larger events will go a long way in getting people back on track with his plan. Let Sarah from Wasilly fend for herself. She can’t hide from the issues forever. I think a LOUDER Obama presence is what we need right now. Get people to focus on the issues. I like that he’s calm and reasoned, but it’ll go further after the election than it does at this point in the campaign. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/12 "2008-09-12T13:43:57Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > In particular he needs to bring Biden in as his main attack dog. What has happened to Biden anyway? He’s hammering on message in his appearances but the press is ignoring him, they’re too busy chasing after the shiny new object. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/13 "2008-09-12T14:02:56Z")
[QUOTE=ETF] the press is ignoring him [/QUOTE] He can get some of their attention by mounting his wife at his next press conference. If that doesn’'t work, he can try mounting Obama, and finally Palin. Attack dog, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/14 "2008-09-12T18:05:13Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > [This is getting a bit ballsier](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0xzsogzAk). While it isn’t “approved” by Obama, it’s linked to by his site. > > Anyone notice how chilly they were towards each other at Ground Zero, incidentally? No hypocritical smiles and hugs. Planned Parenthood is putting out an actual TV ad attacking McCain on the issue. From the Chicago Tribune’s politics blog: > [@](#): > > The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is striking back at Sen. John McCain’s controversial anti-Obama TV ad in which the McCain campaign misleadingly suggested that the Democratic presidential nominee, as a state lawmaker, supported the teaching of “comprehensive sex education” to kindergartners. > > The PPAF is retaliating with its own ad in which it says the legislation Obama supported was actually an effort to teach young children to protect themselves from sexual predators. > […] > The ad says in part: > > “Doesn’t McCain want our children to protect themselves from sex offenders? Or after 26 years in Washington is he just another politician who will say anything to get elected?” ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/15 "2008-09-12T18:37:32Z")
I don’t watch American TV, so I could be missing a whole lot, but looking over the papers and blogs I follow, I have to ask, “Where are the Clintons, and what are they doing?” Come on, Hillary. The party needs you. The country needs you. Show them what a real woman politician is, I think they’ve forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/16 "2008-09-12T19:18:25Z")
“Or after 26 years in Washington is he just another politician who will say anything to get elected?” This is a winner. Obama needs to hammer on this theme, as well as “McCain is a serial lier.” ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193/17 "2008-09-12T21:29:20Z")
And now McCain has countered by releasing an ad of himself singing country to court rural voters. [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNhDTPl4TyI).