McCain Suspension - Analysis

Wow. Democrats really asked for it on this one, didn't they?!

All this complaining about the negative Rove tactics.. then Senator McCain pulls out a real great maneuver that I'm sure has the Obama people either scratching their heads or running around like they don't have any. John McCain just schooled the young Democrat about how you turn a disadvantage into a huge (free) PR campaign and put the opponent on the defensive.

The move to his suspend his campaign was so brilliant... I can scarcely believe it. It works on so many levels in so many ways... Senator McCain, my hat is off to you.

That being said.. his plan does have some (major) drawbacks but we'll get back to those later. First, let's talk positives:

1. "Bipartisanship" is the key to winning over Independents who are the key to winning elections



2. Why not dominate a day with free press? (Especially when behind in fund raising numbers)


3. Take the wind out of the Obama's campaigns sails after recent surge in the polls


4. Take pressure off of Sarah Palin and give her some time to prep for interviews, press conferences, and a show down with Joe Biden in next weeks VP debate


5. Show how deeply McCain cares about the economy (a topic he has admitted he knows little about)


6. Cast a few votes in the Senate, try to rally House Republicans around your cause


7. Throw a monkey wrench in the Democratic Party's strategy of linking McCain to Bush by opposing some of the Bush Administration's bailout measures


8. Have I mentioned FREE press?

Oh boy.. I'm sure I've missed quite a few more, but as you see the move really was an excellent one politically and strategically. Whether you think it was all political or you believe that John McCain is putting "Country First" by suspending his campaign to focus on the economy, it doesn't matter. You have to agree the move was brilliant.

Brilliance, however, comes at a price in this case. There are a few drawbacks that have occurred.

1. Senate/House Republicans weren't expecting the sudden media focus/scrutiny into the politics of the bailout


2. Makes McCain look like he cannot multi-task, focusing on the economy and other things


3. Why cancel Letterman and then go show up on CBS News with Katie Couric? You know Letterman is going to air out his concerns to his multimillion person audience!


4. Was suspension necessary? Does McCain not believe Palin could take the helm of the campaign ship while he's in DC? What does that say about what he thinks about her abilities and weaknesses.


5. I know McCain wants to take the attention away from the Democrats' blame for the bad economic conditions on Republicans but is saying that this crisis is so bad that everything is the world (aka the election cycle) but come to a complete halt because of the enormity of the problem really the right message to send?

I'm not sure if that list is quite complete yet either.. but time will tell.

So tell me what you think of my lists, and tell me what you think: Political Stunt or Patriotic Selflessness?

P.S. Go Huskers, beat those Hokies!!!

Mark Penn: Consider me Great

Mark Penn, former Hilary Clinton Strategist, soaking up the spotlight

It is always disgusting watching someone praise themselves, boast endlessly, and then give themselves a big pat on the back... if it is all undeserved and quite ordinary. Mark Penn, Hilary Clinton's former chief political strategist is just one of those people. Obviously anyone who works for Hilary Clinton is suspect... but this guy keeps taking the cake, time after time.

This time Mr. Penn has decided the best course of action would be to open his mouth and talk about John McCain. One would guess that a Democratic consultant of such stature would be able to offer some pretty blistering attacks.. but Nooooo, Mr. Penn was admiring and praising McCain's recent ad targeting Obama's "celebrity status." Hmm.. it's like he's a little bitter..

If it wasn't bad enough that he's out there praising his opponent, he then goes out and claims that his 3 A.M. ad, like the McCain Paris Hilton/Brittany Spears ad, is among the very best in terrible but effective ads. Here's what he says:

"Fair or not, as advertising it did its job: It used humor, stuck viewers withmemorable images and created a debate, just as Lyndon Johnson's 1964 'Daisy' ad,Walter Mondale's 'Red Phone' spot 20 years later and Hillary Rodham Clinton's '3a.m.' commercial in 2008 did," Penn wrote.

Super. Now this guy has got to be amongst the dirtiest of all campaign strategist. He basically claims that if the tactic is effective, then should be used. Obviously, Mark didn't take a rudimentary course in ethics and lost his moral compass long, long ago. Using scare tactics, misleading claims, and straight up lies is the work of desperate politicians who are willing to do anything to get into and stay in power. (Remind you of anyone... HRC)

Mark Penn, You disgust me.

Same to You, PUMAs, but that's for another day....


Strong Moderate

Absolut Apology: We Didn't Mean It!

Absolut Vodka apologized for the Inflammatory ad in Mexican print media and billboards saying it was not their intention that people outside of their target audience.

A recording on the consumer hot-line which was flooded with complaints (thanks to you, blog readers and so many others) had a pre-recorded message stating the following about the ad:
'

'In no way was it meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues''

The company also said that it was unfortunate that the reaction was so "negative" because it was only meant for a target audience to "remind them of better times". In response to that baloney a web friend sent me this graphic (a possible ad in Germany, perhaps?), but don't get mad.. it would only be meant for Nazis:

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In some sad news , Charlton Heston has died at age 84 - a noted actor, he marched with MLK and was president of the NRA for five years. We here at StrongModerate blog applaud him for always fighting for what he believed in.

Absolut..

ABSOLUT-ly Despicable: Revisionist Historians

Absolut in a Mexican magazine and on Billboards in Mexico City decided to promote its product stating that "In An Absolut World" the drinker would be transported into a 1830's right-wing Mexican image of the Mexican nation. The ad no doubt will create controversy because it not only plays on immigration fears Americans have of the "invading" illegal immigrant waves coming from the Southern border but also plays into current radical right-wingers in the Mexican political system who still claim that Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and California are Mexican property because the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (signed in February 2, 1848) is illegal. So, Absolut decided to play on these latent hostile feelings in order to gain some traction in the Mexican market.

Not only that, the advertisement depicted the land of the Empire of Mexico in excess to what it actually ever had or claimed to have. This is a disgusting ploy and should not be accepted! Tell Absolut to take back their pandering lies and apologize. The issue of immigration is too important to joke about in such an inflammatory way.

Original Link: Here

COMPLAIN HERE! TELL THEM YOU DO NOT APPROVE!

Jeffrey Moran
Director of Public Relations and Events
The Absolut Spirits Company, Inc.
1370 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
USA
Phone, direct: +1 212 641 87 20
E-mail: jeffrey.moran@absolut.com