Matt Drudge and the McCain Campaign
This week was not good for the GOP – in spite of Matt Drudge’s overt attempts to resuscitate the McCain/Palin campaign by posting misleading headlines and implying that the race is close. It’s not and you can see examples of Drudge’s bias here and here. Anyone who gets their news solely from Drudge lives in a cocoon. Drudge’s headlines drive the national narrative, but it’s important to keep in mind that at the end of the day he’s just another blogger (full disclosure – Drudge has been my homepage for the better part of the past 10 years).
Sarah Palin’s extreme makeover in September cost the Republican Party approximately $150,000. This is not sitting well with donors (large and small) who have contributed to the McCain campaign. It’s not enough for them to change their votes, but it’s still a bit of a slap in the face. There are several times when I have considered making a donation to the Obama/Biden campaign. However, the thought of some random staffer eating my contribution or paying for unnecessary expenses always gets the best of me.
Personally, I could care less about Palin and her family’s ridiculous shopping sprees. I’m much more concerned with the fact that she doesn’t seem to know a fraction of what you’d expect from a serious Vice-Presidential candidate. And it’s not because she’s dumb – it’s because she just doesn’t care. Politics is an all or nothing game and anybody serious about becoming a player has to immerse themselves in it. She hasn’t shown the least bit of curiosity over her career. Andrew Sullivan goes a bit further and questions her “anti-intellectualism”:
How has Palin brought up her own kids? Her eldest son is a high-school drop-out. Her eldest daughter has had, so far as one can tell from press reports, very uneven attendance in high school, and no plans for college. Her other daughters seem to spend a lot of time traveling the country with their mom at tax-payers’ expense. I’ve seen them at several rallies with the Palins this fall. Are they not in school?
The least one can say is that none of her children seems to have been brought up thinking that college is something to aspire to. And her new son-in-law just dropped out of high school as well.
Sarah Palin’s own record of several colleges over several years – ending with a degree in sports journalism – tells you a lot. So does her interest in policing the Wasilla library as mayor and using the town’s money for a sports stadium. She cut funding for the town museum and opposed building a new library. So does her amazing ignorance about the constitution.
I can’t wait until the election is over and McCain staffers are free to talk about what happened behind the scenes – like the exact moment those with open eyes first realized exactly how clueless she is.
Unsurprisingly, the “fair and balanced” folks at Fox News don’t see the $150,000 makeover as a big deal. Watch this video montage to see how different that reaction is from their outrage at John Edwards’ $400 haircuts.
Time Magazine has a fantastic article on why Obama is winning. This is mandatory reading for anyone who wants to further understand the importance of thoughtful decision-making in a president. Obama has what it takes. McCain simply doesn’t.
By the way – Any talk of Palin in 2012 is ridiculous. Remember, she was picked by McCain after little if any vetting and ahead of scores of other more qualified republicans (men and women). The chances of them sitting by next time are slim to none.
CanIVote.org is an excellent site where you can check on your own voter registration status. In addition, it lists exactly who your federal and state officials are and how to contact their offices. Check it out.
You’ve probably noticed a few new features on the blog this week. You can now rate each others’ comments up or down. In addition, those who participate accumulate attractive stars next to their names. Those with the most stars will likely receive fabulous prizes from time to time.
Thanks for reading and – if you like this blog – please tell others about it.
Thanks for reading.
RHM
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Nicolas Mejia | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
Randy, I really liked this blog, it’s so similar to our dominican reality. The fabulous “austerity plan” from the presidence here, is just a screen. You obviously know that those millions spent in campaign from their pockets filled up with our tax payments have to be recovered.
Im starting to read your blogs, they seem really interesting.
BTW, did you get married!?
David Jule | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for an interesting Friday morning fix.
No-holds-bared Palin is a modern day wonder. How can anyone put a positive spin on her? For me, it’s not the issue of the $130,000 – $150,000 for family finery, it’s the whole vacuous package of a ranting neo-con turned fast-tracked Republican icon.
Back when the Republican party first started stumbling over its own moral majority guidelines and losing its way in the neo-con forest, I sensed that their traditional base of financial conservatives and real rock-ribbed traditionalists would hang in there until such time when even they could not support the fraud perpetrated by religious fanatics and their money-grubbing supplicants, who are now steering the Republican Party.
Perhaps a portion of that traditional base has now had enough. I don’t see them swarming to the Democratic Party any time soon, but they might well consider a number of other alternatives, and might even cross-over vote from time to time. Almost certainly, they will not remain the solid and dependable backbone of what is now nothing more than a renegade party, having no moral compass nor any clue about how to get back on track.
RHM | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
@ David,
Interesting comments. And I have to agree – we are witnessing a complete meltdown on the right.
I’d also like to reiterate my prediction in a previous post. When this is all over and President Obama is in the White House, the GOP will be worse than the dems were after losing in 2000 and 2004.
They’re going to need a lot of cheese to go with their collective “whine.”
RHM
Porsche Cars, Products and LifeStyle | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
What’s a neo-con? Some type of new economy car?
GPalmer | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
I voted for George Bush… twice. Now, I fully acknowledge he is a barely literate child of priviledge, but the alternative was always worse to me. That said, I can’t vote for McCain/Palin… it’s a joke. McCain blew it by choosing a political stunt over a legitimate VP selection.
However, the hoopla over the $150k in clothes is ridiculous, and to me is completely indicative of the ‘liberal media bias’ touted by conservatives everywhere. Interesting that you selected a Fox News clip, the only conservative biased outlet to illustrate.
Consider this… Obama is buying prime time ad space in major media markets to reach paltry cross border populations… Boston to reach southern NH, Chicago to reach Indiana. On top of that he’s bought 30 min prime time spots on all 3 major networks. That’s a minimum of $500k per.. or $1.5m in one shot… why? Because he has too much money!!! Can’t take it with you… shit, might as well blow it on my own Ross Perot style half our tv show on all networks during prime time!
Isn’t this equally (if not more) irresponsible than $150k on clothes?
dickmill | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
David above — thanks for the word — VACUOUS (devoid of matter; empty) — a perfect description of the entire Republican campaign and slate of candidates.
John McCain is taking down the party with him. We WANT a Republican congress to balance a Democratic administration, but that’s down the tubes now for many future elections, since over 95% of incumbents are re-elected.
I can imagine that several GOP staffer books are already 90% written so they can get a jump in the tell-all derby after November. All the talking-head journalists, of course, will have their own entries so they can tell us that they were right all along.
Bob Woodward will probably be among the first journalists with the story. Several unknowns will appear. BUT — I’m waiting for the final insult: the book written by one of the prominent McCain staffers blaming it all on the American people.
RHM | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
@GPalmer,
First, welcome to the party. Now, let me try to answer your post.
(1) Fox News
Interesting how you referred to Fox (as I would) as bias toward conservatives. Kinda flies in the face of their self-proclaimed “fair and balanced”/”we report you decide” slogans, no? I would be able to stomach the Fox folks easier if they would just be honest and say that they exist not to “report down the middle” but to “counterbalance a left-leaning media”. There’s a big difference.
Onward…
I used the Fox news video as an example because of their complete gloss-over of Palin’s shopping spree but their attempts to make a federal case out of Edwards’ haircuts. I have not seen any other outlets do the same. If you’re aware of another mainstream media outlet that showed the same double standard – let me know and I will post it here. Personally, I recall Edwards taking a pretty good beating from the MSM (which I agree is blatantly left-leaning.)
(2) Obama’s Infomercials
Personally, I don’t see Obama’s coming infomercials as irresponsible. It isn’t over until he has 270 electoral votes and there are plenty of people who could use some more convincing (Bradley effect aside). In addition, when supporters donate money to a campaign they expect it to be spent on media, posters, copies, transportation etc., but high-end duds and accessories are a bit over the top, no?
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the infomercials were part of the Obama campaign’s overall transition strategy as well. You’re right, he “can’t take it with him.” So he might as well use it to continue getting his message out.
Cheers,
RHM
JR Mirador | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
I thought Sarah Palin’s selection as vice presidential candidate was an astute move on the part of the most recalcitrant conservative sectors of the Republican Party, who were planning on pulling a brilliant chess gambit, the castling of Sarah for a more palatable candidate, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. I didn’t work. Sarah Palin has proven an incredible resilience and a mysterious support from withing her own party.
RHM | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
This just in:
Palin’s make-up artist was the highest paid person on the McCain campaign for the first half of September – earning over $11,000 per week.
Here’s the link:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/pains-makeup-stylist-fetches-highest-salary-in-2-week-period/
Outrageous? You gotta look good, right?
RHM
David Jule | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
$11,000 isn’t too bad, as long as they do a decent job. But they will never be able to cover up all her deficiencies. Sarah Palin is simply not up to the task, and it is becoming more and more apparent every day.
I don’t criticize either campaign for their spending habits. Let them spend money the way they choice. But the best make-up people in the world can’t make Palin look like a legitimate vice-presidential candidate.
RHM | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
Here’s a fantastic video that pretty much sums up all of our sentiments. It’s about the “Vet who did not vet his VP candidate.” Enjoy.
GPalmer | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
I don’t have a problem with any of the spending. $150k on clothes and $1.5m on tv is the same to me. I just think it demonstrates bias to deride one and ignore the other. I find it particularly so in this case… $150k is nothing. I’m surprised by the level of outcry over it, and the relative silence on Obama’s spending.
As far as the Bradley effect goes… that’s an interesting topic. Unfortunately, I think the infomercials will exacerbate the issue, to the degree that it exists… what happens when 300,000 rednecks tune in to watch “My Name is Earl” and whoa, hey, what’s this… aw, not this guy again… I was looking forward to my PBR, Doritos and low brow sitcom, damn! This a**hole isn’t even president yet and he’s already annoying.
GPalmer | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
You may have seen this one earlier… but, it’s great…
Gosh, I’m so tired of divisive exchange! And, I’ve got one or two things to say about change, like the change we must change to the change we hold dear…
Classic.
Time for Some Campaignin’ | Funny Jokes at JibJab
Raymi | Oct 24, 2008 | Reply
This video is great!!
I agree with the fact that a public person must look their best because they will be scrutinized over the stupidest and most superficial things. However, she can dress in the most expensive outfits and get the most outrageously overpaid make-up artists, but she is still an idiot who considers her proximity to Russia as foreign policy experience and who has no idea how to answer questions without memorizing a pre-approved script!