Posted by
RepublicanEvangelist on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 1:09:44 AM
But it can buy elections. Look a lot of people will blame John McCain for this loss but it may have not possible to win for Republicans. We had a perfect storm in many ways. There were so many winds in the face of John McCain but let us consider a few:
1.) Money- John McCain kept his pledge to take public financing and therefore limited his spending. Barack broke his promise to take public financing (the first of many broken promises to come) and therefore could outspend McCain many times over. He was able to bury McCain in ads in the battleground states in particular and even fight McCain on red turf. Many of the ads were flat out false but it didn't matter, McCain didn't have the money to buy ads to refute them. Which brings me to disadvantage #2
2.) Press Coverage- I have never witnessed a campaign where the press was actively working for a side. The press always favors Democrats but this time, they basically used Obama press releases as news stories. They NEVER investigated Obama fully or thoroughly or even a little. The American people knows precious little about who Obama is.
3.) Economy- Even though the downturn was caused by Democratic medling in markets, particularly in the financial sector. Forcing banks to lower standards for minorities to get them homes and then covering the debt with the full faith and credit of the US in the form of Fanny and Freddie was not a good idea and caused our current crisis. Since the press was and will continue to work for the Obama campaign, the narrative of Republican deregulation caused the crisis will stick.
4.) War in Iraq- Ironically since the war took a turn for the better, it enabled the American people to focus on other things and to take seriously the idea of a community organizer in chief.
5.) War on Terror- Again, Bush fought this fight so well, Americans think we don't have a problem any more.
6.) Young and Exciting vs Old and Cranky - Not fair but the perception is everything in an American Idol age.
7.) Race- Barack was able to energize blacks to register to vote and to vote in record numbers merely by his candidacy. Many whites voted for Barack because he is black to prove they aren't racists and to heal the racial divide. This was helped by the Obama campaign bludgening everyone who disagreed with them by using the race card at every opportunity. I include the press as part of the Obama campaign. My favorite was the AP saying attacks on Ayers is racist.
8.) Hatred of George Bush - Mostly irrational but real. People would blame him for a pet dying. Obama was able to cast McCain as running for a third Bush term.