See Obama make fun of the handicapped!

[shirenomad]

This ad (approved by the Obama campaign) claims McCain can't use computers or email. It's correct -- he gets Cindy to type his emails for him -- but it fails to mention why, which this old article does (scroll down to the last six paragraphs).

"McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes."

So no, McCain can't type on a computer. And Franklin Roosevelt couldn't jog, and David Paterson can't drive. Thank you, Barack Obama, for bringing something so important to our attention.

(Meanwhile, here's a much more respectful ad, although it's not officially endorsed by the campaign. Wait for about 1:20 for the payoff... and no, it's not the music.)

Comments

[chubbypanda.livejournal.com]

Agreed. The argument that someone is "purer of heart" is a similar red herring, and should be discarded from political discussion. This November, people of conscience should consider who has a better plan for the country economically and militarily. In other words, who can best get us out of the hole what we've dug for the past eight years. Not who has more "character".

However, I'll point out that the attacks from the Republicans have been far worse. "Obama is a Muslim. Obama's wife hates America. Obama's reverend is an angry black man who hates America, therefore Obama is an angry black man who hates America. Obama called Palin a pig." All very transparent lies repeated over and over by Republicans. The true test of character is whether someone who has been smeared in such a way resorts to the same tactics against his opponent. Sarah Palin is vulnerable to the same types of attacks, yet the Obama camp has restrained itself despite vociferous urging from Democrats to hit back. His message about McCain, too old, out of touch, and four more years of George W. Bush, has been consistent, apt, and respectful as political attacks go.

[shirenomad]

"Obama is a Muslim. Obama's wife hates America. Obama's reverend is an angry black man who hates America, therefore Obama is an angry black man who hates America. Obama called Palin a pig."

the Obama camp has restrained itself despite vociferous urging from Democrats to hit back.

So are we complaining about the parties in general or McCain and Obama in particular? Because former Republican candidates and bloggers may have roasted Obama as described, but I can't remember McCain ever slinging mud like that (save, granted, responding to the 'pig' gaffe).

[chubbypanda.livejournal.com]

I concede the point to you.

I think that, at this stage, it's very difficult to separate the candidates from their parties, as both are the heads of their respective factions. American politicians have typically relied on surrogates to do the dirty work of smearing their opponents, while the candidate himself attempts to maintain an aloof image. In addition, independent groups like 527s operate in a nebulous gray zone. There's no way for us to tell how much of the messaging is coordinated on each side.

[shirenomad]

*nod* Anyway, I'll try to shut up about politics for the remaining two months, for both our sanities.

[chubbypanda.livejournal.com]

Love ya, buddy.