A question the media must pose: Why is McCain FLAILING already?

[Zenlitened]

The McCain campaign seems desperate in a way that's almost unprecedented.

It's not even August yet, and they've issued an ad that scrapes out a new low.

It's not even August yet, and they're already throwing the hail-mary.

It's not even August yet!

This is traditionally the quietest, most low-key point of the campaign. The conventional wisdom has always been that the voters are tuned out right now, enjoying the summer, and not really receptive to this kind of "product launch" at this point.

So... why is the McCain campaign so plainly desperate already? What do their internal polling numbers show. Why are they panicking?

I'd love to hear the talking heads acknowledge this reality, and explore it. If they dare.

:dem:

[livetohike]

1. It's all they have.......

They can't beat Obama on the issues. The Republican party is toast. He is supposedly not the McCain of the 2000 election, according to the pundits. To resort to the same old politics is pathetic.

I hope Obama doesn't go there and I don't think he will. The longer this childish, immature campaign behavior continues with the McCain camp, the more desperate they will look. This will turn out positive for Obama.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. their inner polling is telling them just what we hold deep inside our

hearts - that this is gonna be a blowout.

[CatWoman]

3. hah!!!

great minds :)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3705414

[depakid]

4. "they've issued an ad that scrapes out a new low. "

In case you haven't been paying attention the past 20 years- these ads work, which is why they use them (and win elections).

[Zenlitened]

6. Oh, I agree that negative ads have real impact.

I'm just surprised that they're trotting this stuff out in the lazy, hazy days of July. That's very unusual, it seems to me.

I suppose it could be a sign that they have even nastier stuff ready to roll out in September and October.

But honestly, if there are any "pundits" remaining out there with even a shred of honesty about themselves, they'd have to admit this is very odd.

In fact, I imagine most of them do admit to it in private conversation. This is just the kind of gossip they live and breathe, after all. They can smell it in the air, and just one whiff is usually enough to set them off.

But... whether this simple fact -- the McCain campaign is already feeling desperate -- whether anyone will blurt that out when the cameras are rolling, it remains to be seen.

:hi:

[writes3000]

7. That is indeed the subtext that the talking heads have been dancing around today.

No one and I mean no one of ANY stature would defend these ads.

They're ridiculous and I heard more than one Republican admit that today on air.

[depakid]

8. No one could defend the swiftboat ads either

Yet they had the desired effect....

No reason to think the same won't be true this go round.

[mediaman007]

5. I think that the Republicans know that after the Olympics, its a sprint to

the finish. Coming out of the Olympics we have our week, then the Republicans get the first week of school.

They know that the stars have aligned against them. So they are throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks.

[KharmaTrain]

9. Going Negative Early...Wasting Your Bullets

This is an interesting take I overhead someone say on one of the talking head shows. There's a fine art to going negative...you don't do it until you've already built your case...say for lower taxes or 4 more years of war...or some popular issue that gives you a solid foundation to attack from. To be effective, you have to shoot to do damage early and often...not repeated attacks, but one solid charge that gets legs that the opponent can't get away from. That requires your candidate to already have demonstrated their strength...and thus why it's usually the tactic of an incumbent who can cite a record or past wins...they already have a base to shoot from.

Gramps is shooting too early, too wild and with little effect. The fact he's gone so strident and postal at this point makes it tougher for him to play this card later. The more they try the more desperate they look and the less effective their attacks will be...in time no one will pay much attention.

I think the Obama campaign is biding their time here...seeing how terrible Gramps campaign is and they're not gonna let him dictate things. They'll gladly let him make himself look like a fool and when the time is right, then to lower the boom...and there's plenty to lower. Senator Obama started that today with his ridicule of Gramps attacks and asking the question that soon will override any of Gramps slime...that is that he is too busy talking about what's wrong with Obama vs. what's right with Gramps.