# What tactics will Republicans use against Obama? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 21, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604 "2008-02-21T19:33:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/121 "2008-02-25T22:30:19Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] What are Dems flinging at McCain? [/QUOTE] Well, there’s that thing about him having a black son. Democrats have no limit to what they’ll do! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/122 "2008-02-25T23:50:28Z")
How does one \*fling \* ilk, rather than \*be \* part of it? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/123 "2008-02-26T01:21:58Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] Hillary’s too busy flinging her own ilk at Obama - when he cinches the nomination he’ll turn his attention to wards McCain. I doubt it will be terribly ugly, but we’ll see. [/QUOTE] 😕 You’re suggesting that these questions about his patriotism are coming from Clinton? Do aspersions against someone’s patriotism really motivate Democratic voters? That doesn’t make much sense. Got any evidence of that? ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/124 "2008-02-26T01:34:00Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] How does one \*fling \* ilk, rather than \*be \* part of it? [/QUOTE] I think when I was playing high school football that someone once flung their ilk at me. It hurts to get hit by someone’s ilk. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/125 "2008-02-26T01:40:54Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] Well, there’s that thing about him having a black son. Democrats have no limit to what they’ll do! [/QUOTE] It’s a _daughter_, and that shit came from \*Bush \* in SC in 2000. But other than that … ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/126 "2008-02-26T02:00:58Z")
I’ve been blog browsing, and if [this link](http://hotair.com/archives/2008/02/24/obamessiah-and-the-weathermen-more-recent-sightings/) is any indication, another possible strategy is to paint him as soft on terror not necessarily because he’s got dark skin or because of his religious background or name, but because he’s a “radical leftist.” ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/127 "2008-02-26T02:07:19Z")
Oh, and on a related note, it looks like some conservative bloggers are using different spins on the African get-up photo in order to use it without seeming TOO anti-Muslim (though certainly not all; some have dismissed it as petty). Now they’re using it to question whether it means that Obama supports Communist power-grabbers (the guy he was visiting was apparently his cousin running for office in Kenya, and who supposedly was behind some violence or something that went on after the election) and whether he’s SO leftist that he’ll visit any dictator “without condition.” It apparently follows what I said above about the “extremist radical” strategy above. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/128 "2008-02-26T02:51:37Z")
[RNC looking for the limits of racism/sexism:](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8659.html) > [@](#): > > The Republican National Committee has commissioned polling and focus groups to determine the boundaries of attacking a minority or female candidate, according to people involved. > > … > > one Republican strategist, who asked that his name be withheld to speak candidly, said the research shows the daunting and delicate task ahead. > > Republicans will be told to “be sensitive to tone and stick to the substance of the discussion” and that “the key is that you have to be sensitive to the fact that you are running against historic firsts,” the strategist explained. Rush puts it this way: [GOP Afraid to Attack Obama or Hillary](http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_022508/content/01125109.guest.html) > [@](#): > > So what do we have? The Republicans are planning here on getting the black and liberal white vote, by not attacking the liberal candidate in the campaign. If this guy wins it, it’s McGovern all over in terms of policy! I think this is bogus. I was talking to a reporter last week. “Are you going to criticize Obama?” > > “Hell, yes, I’m going to criticize him!” > > “How are you going to do it?” > > “Fearlessly! I’m going to do it on the issues.” And UPI: [GOP polls on what’s OK to say](http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/25/gop_polls_on_whats_ok_to_say/2238/) > [@](#): > > “Republicans will need to exercise less deafness and more deftness in dealing with a different looking candidate, whether it is a woman or a black man,” Republican strategist Kellyanne Conway told The Politico. “But at the same time, really charge back at any insinuation or accusation of sexism or racism.” Easing back to the edges of racism and sexism is is hard to do. I don’t think the base’ll stand for it. They like their meat uncooked. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/129 "2008-02-26T03:03:40Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] It’s a _daughter_, and that shit came from \*Bush \* in SC in 2000. But other than that … [/QUOTE] Yes, mother, I’m aware of that. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/130 "2008-02-27T01:09:38Z")
More possibilities: [overhyping anything they can get their hands on](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8685.html) and [scandalmongering.](http://technorati.com/search/http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timesonline.co.uk%2Ftol%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Fus_and_americas%2Fus_elections%2Farticle3433485.ece) ---
**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:** [February 27, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/131 "2008-02-27T04:08:55Z")
Give credit where it’s due: [McCain today disavowed](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/02/26/mccain-distances-himself-from-supporters-comments/) the “Barack _ **Hussein** _ Obama” bleating Bill Cunningham: > [@](#): > > A supporter of John McCain, speaking at an official campaign event in Ohio attended by the Arizona senator, called Barack Obama a “hack, Chicago-style Daly politician,” and told the crowd “all is going to be right with the world when the great prophet from Chicago takes the stand, and the world leaders who want to kill us will simply be singing Kumbaya around the table of Barack Obama.” > > “At some point in the near future the media, the stooges from the New York Times, CBS (The Clinton Broadcasting System), NBC (The Nobody But Clinton Network), The All Bill Clinton Channel (ABC), and the Clinton News Network at some point is going to peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama,” said controversial conservative commentator Bill Cunningham, an Ohio native. > > “That day will come and then you’ll know the truth about his business dealings with Rezko, when he got sweetheart deals in Chicago,” he added, “and the illegal loans that he received, at some point the media will quit taking sides on this and maybe start covering Barack Hussein Obama the same way they covered Bush, the same way they covered Cheney, and they same way they cover every Republican.” > > [snip] > > McCain was not on stage during these remarks. Immediately after the event, he distanced himself from the comments, telling reporters that he had been informed about “disparaging remarks” about his potential Democratic opponents. > > “I have repeatedly stated my respect for Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, and I will treat them with respect,” he said. > > “I regret any comments that may be made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans, we just have strong philosophical differences, so I want to disassociate myself from any disparaging remarks that may have been said about them,” he said, adding later that “I absolutely repudiate such comments, and again I will take responsibility it will never happen again. It will never happen again.” > > UPDATE: Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said in a Tuesday statement that McCain’s remarks were appreciated: “It is a sign that if there is a McCain-Obama general election, it can be intensely competitive but the candidates will attempt to keep it respectful and focused on issues.” A tip of the hat to McCain, and a faint stirring of hope that this election might, just might be decided on substance rather than mudslinging and slurs. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/132 "2008-02-27T05:05:51Z")
If I may be cynical, this Cunningham cat has been [belching similar crap out of his crazyhole](http://www.reason.com/blog/show/125179.html) for some time now on Obama and topics sundry. It’s hard to believe that McCain’s forward team had no idea that he might, you know, do it again. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/133 "2008-02-27T05:46:15Z")
I think the best way to take down Obama is to start referring to him as a “very skilled politician.” That’ll bring enough people down onto the cynical wagon to start saying, “yeah, only a liar talks that smooth.” ---
**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:** [February 27, 2008, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/134 "2008-02-27T05:54:37Z")
I take McCain at his word for not knowing anything about that Cunningham clown and give him credit for not only disavowing his ravings but also promising that there won’t be any more such warm up acts in the future. Obama has to follow through too and not allow warm up acts at his own events to cheap shot McCain. ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/135 "2008-02-27T05:56:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I take McCain at his word for not knowing anything about that Cunningham clown and give him credit for not only disavowing his ravings but also promising that there won’t be any more such warm up acts in the future. We will see. Deniability does not equal integrity. > [@](#): > > Obama has to follow through too and not allow warm up acts at his own events to cheap shot McCain. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/136 "2008-02-27T05:57:42Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I take McCain at his word for not knowing anything about that Cunningham clown and give him credit for not only disavowing his ravings but also promising that there won’t be any more such warm up acts in the future. . [/QUOTE] I beleive McCain will not authorize any such. But I am 100% sure that the GoP will still launch swiftboat attacks vs Obama, _assuming he wins._ ---
**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:** [February 27, 2008, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/137 "2008-02-27T07:31:33Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] I beleive McCain will not authorize any such. But I am 100% sure that the GoP will still launch swiftboat attacks vs Obama, _assuming he wins._ [/QUOTE] Agreed. The best we can hope for is that McCain’s overt rejection of stuff like this blunts their effect. ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/138 "2008-02-27T15:20:37Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Dude, it was a facetious remark about how McCain will frame himself in the campaign. While I don’t think McCain is likely to get sleazy or negative, I think it’s accurate that he will try to frame the election solely in terms of the (mostly imaginary) “War On Terror,” in which the current state of the US will be **likened to London under the Blitzkrieg** and McCain himself is the intrepid, courageous military hero who will save us in this, our darkest hour, while the other guy with the Muslim sounding name (who I hear won’t put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem) is going to immediately surrender unconditionally and abjectly to those who would kill and enslave us. [/QUOTE] (bolding mine) \ London wasn’t under the blitzkrieg - the blitzkrieg were the lightning fast combined ops carried out by the German army and airforce that worked so well in countries such as France and Poland. London did, however, suffer through “the Blitz” which was a period of repeated concentrated air attacks on the city aimed at destroying the spirit (and industry) of London and forcing the British government to withdraw from the war. \ Know it’s a bit picky (and not exactly on topic), but that’s the second or third time i’ve seen that (mis)usage on the 'dope in recent times, so in the spirit of fighting ignorance etc… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/139 "2008-02-27T22:43:09Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Even more liberal than [Bernie Sanders.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders) So they will say. And he’s already being called a “socialist” and a “Marxist” on the more rabid-right message boards. (“Communist,” not so much. Have you noticed how nobody seems to use “Communist” as invective any more?) [/QUOTE] _sigh_ Just this afternoon I heard [Bill Cunningham](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_cunningham) being interviewed on _All Things Considered,_ and he **actually** said Obama is “to the left of Senator Bernie Sanders.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604/140 "2008-02-27T22:54:22Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I take McCain at his word for not knowing anything about that Cunningham clown and give him credit for not only disavowing his ravings but also promising that there won’t be any more such warm up acts in the future. [/QUOTE] [That Cunningham clown speaks:](http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/NEWS01/302270009) > [@](#): > > McCain denied ever meeting Cunningham before, saying “I will certainly make sure nothing like that happens again.” But Cunningham told CNN he met McCain twice before, including with Mike DeWine at Kenwood Country Club. "John McCain is developing – maybe because of his advance in years – a bad memory,‘’ Cunningham said. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-republicans-use-against-obama/438604.md?page=8)