Re-branding the Elephant

Tom Shales, writing in the Washington Post, describes the McCain call for change this way:

It really is an audacious ploy, to tell people that the country’s got to correct the mistakes made by a political party when that’s the very party you represent.

It’s like staging a revolution against yourself — saying that the Republicans have got to go so the Republicans can move in and clean up the mess.

Agree or disagree? Will it work?

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  1. #1 by Albert O. on September 6, 2008 - 10:39 am

    Leo:

    Do not forget the first tenet of repug strategy for winning elections: this nation has become populated with stupid and susceptible people. Anything is possible, as the re-election of monkey man in 2004 proves!

  2. #2 by Richard Warnick on September 6, 2008 - 10:46 am

    Here are the numbers, according to Slate’s Derek Thompson:

    From RNC speeches:
    George Bush: 1 mention
    Cheney: 0

    From DNC speeches:
    Bush: 184 mentions (95 linked to McCain)
    Cheney: 20 (19 linked to Bush)

    Also, the Republicans never mentioned torture except in reference to Senator John McCain’s Vietnam experience.

    The Dems are soft-pedaling by saying that McCain represents “more of the same.” McCain’s policy goals are worse than Bush’s in many ways– especially in foreign policy.

  3. #3 by Albert O. on September 6, 2008 - 11:46 am

    Also, the Republicans never mentioned torture except in reference to Senator John McCain’s Vietnam experience.

    In fact, Richard, they took your observation one step further.

  4. #4 by Larry Bergan on September 6, 2008 - 1:21 pm

    We really want to hold ourselves accountable and do smart things, but until we get the time, retroactive immunity will have to suffice. Pass the potatoe chips.

  5. #5 by Larry Bergan on September 6, 2008 - 1:28 pm

    Albert O:

    I hate to keep beating this drum because it seems to bore the intellectuals, but the stupid and susceptible people are the ones who think these fake cowboys/mavericks are being re-elected. They are not.

    Beat, beat, beat!

  6. #6 by Leo Brown on September 6, 2008 - 2:49 pm

    You may recall that Bush beat McCain while re-branding himself as “the reformer with results.” See this link, for example.

  7. #7 by cav, morally disencompassed on September 6, 2008 - 9:18 pm

    Why do all the crazy liberals consistently overlook the overpowering stench of the very large, grey critter (perhaps it’s a Palin) in the room?

    There! It’s re-branded!

  8. #8 by jdberger on September 7, 2008 - 1:19 am

    Umm…how many times did Obama mention the Clinton administration?
    And just for fun, did Bill appear with Al at the 2000 DNC?
    Did Bill appear with big John at the 2004 DNC?

    can I smell a double standard?

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