People in glass houses...

"Why not dedicate all this energy toward highlighting McCain's strengths?"

Exactly.

This tactic is just dirty and juvenile. I think it makes the RNC look far worse than it would ever make Obama (or anyone else they tried to smear with something like this) look.

Can't we elevate the debate for once, instead of sinking to these levels?

This is a great idea. The GOP is being beaten down because they aren't as computer savvy. What does the GOP do? They use computers to remind everyone just who Obama has associated with over the last 40 years. Classic!

Stupid

over the last 40 years? Isn't Barak Obama in his mid forties? Is his kindergarten crush in there too?

"Is his kindergarten crush in there too?"

Probably his schoolmates from the radical Islamic fundamentalist terrorist training camp madrasa some people are convinced he secretly attended...

"The GOP is being beaten down because they aren't as computer savvy. What does the GOP do? They use computers to remind everyone just who Obama has associated with over the last 40 years."

I gotta say that what's classic isn't just that, but the fact that the party is using it not so much to reach out to supporters, get new supporters, raise funds through issues awareness and civil campaigning, and put up a generally civil side of the debate, but to smear through guilt-by-association and innuendo.

Sorry, 30 years. My bad.

see! and you guys said republicans can't speak to young people!

I really don't think this will have bit of difference. I choose to believe that the American public is smarter than this, like UnDave.

While I'd LOVE to choose that the American public is smarter than this, I'd like to share with you a recent conversation at my place of work:

"Did you see that photo of Barack Obama and his wife in terroist garb??? I always knew there was something wrong with him!"
"Hun, that wasn't a photo. That was a drawing. And it was a joke."
"No, that was a photo!"
"*sigh*"

So are you saying I'm smarter than this, or is the American public smarter than me? After the day I've had, I'm thinking it's the latter, but that may not have been what you meant.

Ah Monday, please tell us you work in a daycare center and the exchange was between precocious 3-year olds!

I'm betting it was between to midwesterners who were bitter, and clinging to their guns and religion.

JK

Lol. Strangely enough, if we subtracted UnDave's "JK" he might have it right... but maybe I'm elitest. Unforutnately, stephley, I work in an office full of accountants who have a deep rooted fear of change.

haha it is kind of funny though. Innovative play on something so many people use.

"This tactic is just dirty and juvenile. I think it makes the RNC look far worse than it would ever make Obama (or anyone else they tried to smear with something like this) look."

I agree! However, it's too bad there are so many people who don't see it like that!

Yet when the DNC uses footage of our troops getting blown up in Iraq, thats totall fine. Mess with Facebook? you cross the line!

Facebook was my downfall during finals.

Glad you see the importance of facebook Cab! How dare you insult the sacred institution it is

"Yet when the DNC uses footage of our troops getting blown up in Iraq, thats totall fine. Mess with Facebook? you cross the line!"

It doesn't bother me that they're messing with FaceBook; it's more about the level of discourse this encourages.

But I don't think it's fine either to exploit the war and the soldiers fighting it for political gain. I just want to see (realistically, I know) less dirtiness and more substance.

My kids are home! Time to be a daddy. Talk to ya-all later

I guess this is the GOP's way of keeping up with the times.

Dirty dirty GOP and dirty dirty John McCain.

"I'm John McCain and I approve this message...about RaceBook or whatever, this new fangled social nutworking."

Is this a RNC thing, or a McCain thing? OR is it a 527 thing?

Definitely a great idea. I like it.

And the dems are so much better with their "Daily Flipper" and "Flipper TV". The mudslinging goes both ways. People just get upset when it is flung their candidates way. All politicians are just business people with a team behind them. Unfortunately, one of these tools is going to be our next president. Neither are anything special. just hype and good pr. Again, this article is nothing special, just obviously upsets the BO supporters.

It is funded by the GOP.

"Why not dedicate all this energy toward highlighting McCain's strengths?"

Exactly!

I think this is sooooo juvenile. I can't believe the actual RNC set this up. Pathetic.

Thanks Hunter. I still think it's interesting and funny. It won't change my vote.

GS,I think it is nothing special because it uses petty tactics. I think that they would be much better off setting up a website that would address legitimate flaws, as they see it. I think it would be much more effective than this. Not to mention the fact that many people in the US are really struggling right now, and ignoring the issues to play childish games gives the impression they don't understand what people are going through.

Anytime Dave! I think all sides use "juvenile" tactics in elections. Both Obama and McCain will do what they need to win when it comes to PR.

Jill, what exactly do you do for the campaign since your last post sure sounds like a press release on the matter.

First of all, it's called "h - u - m - o - r".

Second, is anything on BarackBook untrue or deceptive?

One of my biggest concerns about Obama is his circle of friends. I think this is an *excellent* point for the RNC to bring up, and quite overdue.

I do agree, though, that a good campaign should include information about the candidate's strengths and about his/her opponent's weaknesses. McCain needs to stand up, speak out, talk tough and stop pandering to special interest segments before he loses what's left of the conservative base.

"Daily Flipper" and "Flipper TV" are on and funded by democrat.org.

Thanks for the update GS! I almost didn't know it was with with the new icon

Yeah, I'm kind of like a ninja. You won't see me coming!

Is it Guilt By Association If You Profit From the Association? I think NOT.

The reason for all the "negative" (from Barry Dunham Soetoro Obama's supporters' point of view) is that what is reported are VERIFIABLE FACTS.

Barry Obama has rewritten his own history as well as USofA history to suit himself. He claims to be a US Citizen, but he's never produced a certified official birth certificate (just a fraudulent one), there's innuendo that he failed to register for the Selective Service . . . he would have had to claim citizenship and if doubtful, produce a birth certificate; he gave a million dollars to his Marxist cousin Raila Odinga and has not declared where this money came from . . . donations for his run for the Presidency? He DID attend two Primary Schools in Jakarta, Indonesia, and was registered as "Barry Soetoro, Indonesian Citizen, Islam Religion." Yet he continues to deny what has been Documented FACT. So what else is he lying about?

Barry Dunham Soetoro Obama . . . who is he? What does he stand for? List his positive traits.

(sounds of nature in the background)

Hunter, I am just a lowly volunteer! I have nothing to do with press releases! Mostly just data processing, making phone calls, helping organize rallies, etc.

If they really want to play the "friend" game, McCain's closet is stocked quite a bit fuller than Obama's. The Keating 5, Bush, Phil Gramm, Hagge...great friends!

Ultimately, though, I think it really says something that the RNC is way more anti-Obama than they are pro-McCain. For a moment after McCain got the nomination, I really hoped that he would stick with his promise to run a clean campaign. His recent actions have just been so undistinguished, though. I thought he had more integrity.

Hey A.C. Not to pick nits, but his name is Barak, not Barry. Please use his given first name.

I'm with you on that one, Dave. But the same thing should be applied when some people call GWB "Dubya". That's not his name either but you don't really hear any outrage about it.

Jillness: How many of McCain's friends have bombed American police, military and civilian targets? And remained long-term friends? How many of McCain's friends regularly make ardent anti-American speeches?

I do agree that the Republicans need to run a more active and positive campaign. However, if it's documented fact, truthfully presented, I don't think it qualifies as mudslinging.

Dave: Obama went by "Barry" in his school days, so although Auntie is moderately disrespectful, I personally don't believe it crosses any lines of propriety. I can't speak for anyone else or their reasoning, but I think using his old nickname emphasizes what a chameleon he is, changing his image to suit the audience.

Piper and Lain good points.
Lain - I didn't realize that he went by that in his childhood. IMO, a childhood nickname shouldn't be considered, if he hasn't used it as an adult. That's just me though.

I have a friend who was called Boo-boo by everyone until she went to college - after that she insisted on being called by her given name. Parents and families - even presidential bosses - give us nicknames for their own reasons, but we have every right to determine our own identity. I don't see how that would make someone a chameleon.

Lainetm, I am sorry, but you sound like an extremist website. When he served on the board with the "terrorist", he also was serving with the mayor of Chicago. Just because you serve on a board with someone doesn't mean you agree with everything they say. Let's be a bit reasonable. With Rezko, Obama did nothing inappropriate. Obama paid the fair price for the land that was sold to him, there has never been anything illegal discovered by a long shot, and yet people keep trying to make him into a big deal. The fact is, Obama's actions and words, over decades, have not shown to reflect ANY of these guys. The RNC is stretching so far to connect Obama to something negative because they can't find enough to complain about in him alone. McCain has to be pretty desperate to start literally blaming Obama for high gas prices.

I think that Phil Gramm and the Keating 5 are pretty anti-American (just my opinion, even though people will get offended). I guess it is all a matter of perspective.

My friend used to be called Jenny and now she is Jennifer. For some reason I get the impression you think it is deceptive when used by Obama.

What is the problem with Phil Gramm? One comment? It was no worse or better than Obama's comment about clinging to guns and religion. And McCain was cleared of any wrong doing in the Keating Give scandal years ago. I most certainly wouldn't call Bush McCain's friend, considering that they have been political enemies their entire lives. I also wouldn't call Hagee McCain's friend by any means, considering that McCain has distanced himself from Hagee multiple times.

I wouldn't exactly say that Democrats have run a squeaky clean campaign, either. I thought Obama had more integrity, but instead he constantly misrepresents McCain's positions in his speeches. I guess the political process brings out the worst in people.

Oh, and the whole Barry thing is neither here nor there, to me. I don't find it all that disrespectful when people refer to him as Barry, nor do I find it a big deal that he now goes by Barack and once went by Barry.

Oops, Keating Five, not Keating Give.

It is a shame that both candidates and their surrogates have acted in such an undistinguished manner, though.

Lilkimbo:
"What is the problem with Phil Gramm? One comment? It was no worse or better than Obama's comment about clinging to guns and religion. And McCain was cleared of any wrong doing in the Keating Give scandal years ago. I most certainly wouldn't call Bush McCain's friend, considering that they have been political enemies their entire lives. I also wouldn't call Hagee McCain's friend by any means, considering that McCain has distanced himself from Hagee multiple times.
I wouldn't exactly say that Democrats have run a squeaky clean campaign, either. I thought Obama had more integrity, but instead he constantly misrepresents McCain's positions in his speeches. I guess the political process brings out the worst in people."

Amen five times over! My thoughts exactly!! This Phil Gramm hatred is beyond me. He is a great man.