I’ve joked in the past about “my scar tingling” in response to actions by Mark Hyman, former commentator for Sinclair Broadcasting, and my bete noir in my previous blog, The Counterpoint. Last week it happened again, in rather disturbing fashion.
You might remember that Hyman left his commenting gig at Sinclair in order to spend “more time with his family.” This decision came only days after he was forced to issue an on air retraction of slanderous comments made about George Soros, the billionaire financier and long-time donor to liberal causes.
You might also remember that prior to his sudden departure, Hyman was waist deep in the Swiftboating of John Kerry during the 2004 election, pushing for the airing of sections of “Stolen Honor,” a “documentary” based on smears against Kerry.
Well, in a truly bizarre bit of coincidence, I had the sudden thought last week to Google Mr. Hyman to see if he was up to anything recently. I hadn’t done so for months and months; Hyman had vanished from the public scene. The last we had heard from him, he was ranting about the unfair “elitists” who dared to criticize the artistic merits of High School Musical 2.
No, I’m not making that up.
Anyway, I discovered after Googling him that Hyman had published an op-ed in the conservative Washington Times only the day before! Sixth Sense? Sick Sense? I dunno.
Anyway, it turns out that my man Mark is at it again, attempting an eleventh hour Swiftboating of Barack Obama. And he’s based his attacks on that same paragon of investigative ethos, Jim Corsi. He doesn’t mention Corsi in his piece (plagiarism, Mr. Hyman?). But he’s once again serving as an open conduit for the misinformation Mr. Corsi has tried to spread.
Continue reading ‘CounterPoint Redux’
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 8, 2008
in Rhetoric.
In the end, this wasn’t a terribly eventful debate. No major gaffes. No fireworks.
If it was a draw, it would favor Obama. It wasn’t a draw, though. Obama wins on points (to use the hackneyed boxing cliche that is de rigeur for debate post mortems). His answers were more specific and he tied issues together more effectively. Above all, he took advantage of the format: relating to voters. He tied answers to the specific worries and thoughts of the audience (in person and on television). If the winner of a town hall debate is who relates best with the audience via their answers, Obama wins narrowly but clearly.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back soon with more standard posts.
Nighty night!
UCR
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 8, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Zen question–
Nice move by Obama to bring in Michelle. Then, he goes into opportunities he’s gotten from being an American–attempt to defuse the attacks on him by Palin & Co. the last few days. Then, segues into a typical closing statement. Not much else you can do with that sort of question. If he’s smart, he’ll bring it back to the question at the end.
Nope, doesn’t do it.
McCain also goes the typical closing statement route–the unpredictable challenges. Both candidates use the opportunity to talk about family biography. McCain none-too-subtly talks about his POW days.
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
I think this is a McCain staffer asking the question about defending Israel or getting UN say-so.
McCain talks about Iran having a nuke. The thing is, Iran would never use a nuke. The problem is unsecured nuclear material from former Soviet Union. McCain brings up Obama’s willingness to talk to Iranian leaders. And reiterates his opposition to another holocaust!
Obama can’t claim a nuclear Iran is not a major concern–it wouldn’t play politically. Obama frames answer in terms of other issues, mainly energy, as a way to avoid armed conflict. Again, Obama is tying the issue to others. I’m continually perplexed by the idea that talking to Iranian government (or any other) is not a no brainer.
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Question about Russia—
McCain will attack Obama regarding Georgia here . . . he’s already done it once.
Thus far in the debate, Obama has done better on domestic stuff, McCain has been better on foreign policy stuff. He doesn’t seem to have command of the specifics when it comes to domestic stuff as he does with global stuff.
Hmmmm…McCain doesn’t attack Obama directly. Interesting. Missed opportunity.
Obama frames this in terms of a need for practical as well as moral support. Obama scores some points by talking about how he foresaw the problem in Georgia. Talks about the need to “keep all of you safe.” Once again, Obama refers directly to the audience. Then he goes back to Iraq, linking McCain to Bush–and then links it all in to energy! He’s tying things together.
Russia as Evil Empire?
McCain says “maybe.” Not great answer, although his explanation of the problems of saying either yes or no is good.
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Moving to foreign policy . . .
McCain talks about America being a force for good–an oblique way of bringing in Palin’s terrorist talk.
McCain is talking about knowing when we should go in militarily, but this leaves Obama an opening to nail McCain on his decision to go into Iraq.
And he does it–nifty reversal of the “there are things I don’t understand.” He then links the Iraq decision to issue of the budget–linking foreign policy to the economic situation. This helps Obama when the issue of the economy is so much in his favor. He ties the robustness of the economy to the robustness of our military and our ability to use them for good. For good measure, he throws in a tie to the last eight years of Bush.
Obama v McCain doctrines…
Obama frames this in moral terms–linking to the Holocaust. Says we should have gone into Rwanda if we could. The problem is that we COULD have gone into Rwanda, had Clinton been stronger. Our hands were not tied. That was a moral failure for Clinton (and us), much more so than Miss Monica.
McCain promises victory in Iraq, says Obama would have brought us defeat. McCain focuses on our ability or lack thereof to benefit the situation (pragmatic instead of moral). McCain references his POW days vaguely. Goes out on a limb by saying he’s against another Holocaust . . .whew!
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Health care as commodity: good question.
Obama ties economic and moral concerns in healthcare.
Obama talks in terms of what “you” will be able to do with his healthcare policy. He’s also using specific hypothetical examples to illustrate problems with healthcare.
McCain says some of the same things, but talks about “Americans” rather than “you.”
McCain is scaring people with spectre of Obama “fining” people who don’t provide health insurance; touts his $5000 allowance.
Another lame age joke–hair plugs this time. I thought this was a mistake in the last debate, I think so now, too.
Health care responsibility, right, privilege? Good follow up. Let’s see if Obama gets a chance to answer.
McCain says it’s a responsibility, but also doesn’t want to mandate anything.
Obama nails it on this one: healthcare is a right. He then ties it to a specific example. Whether actual or hypothetical, he was specific (a fifty-three year old woman . . .etc.). Obama gestures at McCain as he brings up his voting against expanding children’s healtcare–aggressive body language.
Obama rips McCain on the healthcare deregulation issue–and a key link to the economic question.
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Brokaw doesn’t back down on keeping to the time limits.
Obama finesses the question to bring back the previous question by linking it to the issue of revenue.
Obama counters that most people and small businesses will get a tax cut under his plan, and then segues to McCain’s tax cuts to the wealthy. Good link to the fact that this will help folks on “Wall Street” (bad!).
McCain claims he’s going to answer question, then rehashes his bipartisan bonafides. Then he claims Obama is going to raise taxes. Three more “my friends.”
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Great internet question about sacrifices.
McCain talking about defense spending, which is good, but is just nibbling around the edges. Gratutitous slap at the mythical “three million dollar overhead projector” supposedly supported by Obama.
Across the board freeze is better (at least in terms of being an actual answer).
McCain is trying to undo Obama’s answer in the last question by saying we can do everything at once.
Obama broaches the issue of 9/11 to talk about sacrifice and Bush’s call to “shop.” Good move here: he’s touching directly on the moment that most of his audience will have called to mind when they heard the initial question about sacrifice.
Obama again linking large issues to personal issues, this time on energy. This is the template he’s using in nearly all his answers.
Brokaw’s question about good financial habit is right in Obama’s wheelhouse in that it frames the issue in just the way Obama has been answering questions so far.
Obama makes the key point about earmarks being negligible in terms of the overall budget; also good move about sharing burden and attacking McCain for supporting unfair burden sharing.
McCain charges Obama wants to raises taxes; Obama will nail him on this, I suspect.
Two more “my friends.”
Sphere: Related Content
Published at October 7, 2008
in Rhetoric.
Pakistan’s borders . . .
Obama frames answer in terms of the mistake in Iraq as the source of the issue in Pakistan. Obama uses the ethos of Sec. Gates to support his position. Obama uses tough talk about “killing” bin Laden.
McCain says Teddy Roosevelt is his hero. Last answer it was Reagan.
McCain claims Obama’s comments will alienate Pakistan. He works in the fact that he’s visited Pakistan–working the experience–I’ve been there–meme
Candidates wrest control from Brokaw. This was inevitable given the one-minute follow up session. This tiny timeframe is useless.
McCain says he knows how to get bin Laden . . . will he tell us (or anyone)?
Brokaw follows up with question on Afghanistan. . .
Obama again uses the question to talk about withdrawal from Iraq.
McCain brings up Petraus yet again. Maybe he should run for president. McCain also frames the question to talk about Iraq–specifically about the surge.
Sphere: Related Content
Posts
Recent Comments