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MAVERICK!
Is anyone surprised that in the final weeks of the race, when they're trailing by 5-10 points, the McCain campaign is "reconsidering" their refusal to make an issue of Jeremiah Wright? And why wouldn't they? What could be more mavericky than first adopting a principled refusal to deploy Jeremiah Wright then reversing course and using him as part of a straightforwardly racist effort to close the gap in the final days of the election?
COMMENTS (9)
I like how they're blaming it on John Lewis' comments...he wants race baiting? We'll show em' race baiting.
Posted by: Matt | October 20, 2008 4:09 PM
Did anyone ever think Lee Atwater's party was going to dispense with the canonical attack on the Eisenhower Republicans.. er, the Democrats? If nothing else, the GOP respects tradition. Well, some traditions, anyhow. Coded racist appeals patently are among those.
Posted by: wcw | October 20, 2008 4:19 PM
Too late. With the economy driving the narrative, people will see it for the race-baiting that it is and always has been.
I think when repubs do a post-fail analysis of the McCain Campaign, they will convince themselves that Wright could have worked if they had used him earlier and more often.
Posted by: Bob Oso | October 20, 2008 4:25 PM
How principled was that refusal?
I don't want to diminish McCain's motives if they were indeed honorable, but:
If McCain brings up Wright, then Obama can counter with Hagee and with Palin's own crazy pastor.
Posted by: kate | October 20, 2008 5:17 PM
I like how they're blaming it on John Lewis' comments
They are desperately looking for a "hook" to inject the race issue in a way that doesn't make it look like they are deliberately injecting the race issue. That's why McCain made such a show about insisting that Obama repudiate Lewis's George Wallace comparison. Obama promptly did so, which took the wind out of McCain's sails a little bit, though he was still, days later, insisting that Obama do what he already did.
I'll tell you what, if John McCain becomes president, it is going to be an UGLY four years. The only way he can win is to tear the country in two and the result will be a lot of people who are really, really pissed off. Even conservatives should hope that McCain loses, if they truly care about their country.
Posted by: jeebus | October 20, 2008 5:26 PM
Even conservatives should hope that McCain loses, if they truly care about their country.
There's something wrong with this sentiment -- some basic assumption that's askew -- but I can't . . . quite . . . put . . . my . . . finger on it.
Posted by: C.S. | October 20, 2008 5:57 PM
McCain has decided to use Wright because it is politically expedient.
He is stupid for taking it off the table in the first place. Obama himself said that his pastor of 20 years, spiritual mentor, a man that shaped his life was a legitimate issue.
Obama rejected public financing for his campaign after pledging to accept public campaign financing "as a way to reduce moneyed special interests."
I guess he didn't realize he'd be able to raise as much money as he has.
Posted by: abg | October 20, 2008 10:37 PM
The only reason they haven't used Wright more is that he confused the "Obama is a Muslim" meme.
Posted by: qalice | October 21, 2008 11:33 AM
That's what maverick means? Hunh. I always thought that was the definition of opportunist. Go figure.
Posted by: Paul Camp | October 21, 2008 11:33 AM