Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Jon Voight's hilariously propagandistic Obama editorial...

I'm pretty sure John McCain doesn't even believe this about Obama. A sample from this morning's Washington Times editorial:

"The Democratic Party, in its quest for power, has managed a propaganda campaign with subliminal messages, creating a God-like figure in a man who falls short in every way. It seems to me that if Mr. Obama wins the presidential election, then Messrs. Farrakhan, Wright, Ayers and Pfleger will gain power for their need to demoralize this country and help create a socialist America."

This isn't about whether Voight is a conservative. There are plenty of level-headed conservatives who simply prefer McCain's policies. This is about Voight believing and spreading the GOP talking-points that Obama will being the radical Black Power president who will lead our country to ruin and chaos. Really? Another favorite sample:

"Gen. Wesley Clark, who himself has shame upon him, having been relieved of his command, has done their bidding and become a lying fool in his need to demean a fellow soldier and a true hero."

Clark earns this libel because he asked the question that deserves asking - "Does the fact that he was shot down during the Vietnam war and spend five years as a POW give McCain extra special qualification to be president of the United States?"

It is always unfortunate when an actor I enjoy ends up spouting talking points from the other side of the isle. I suppose it's fair though. I was just shocked that this relatively educated and seemingly intelligent actor genuinely believes this childish propaganda. Again, it's not that he's a Republican, it's not he's fallen for the base spin.

Scott Mendelson

7 comments:

Kyle Leaman said...

"This is about Voight believing and spreading the GOP talking-points that Obama will being the radical Black Power president who will lead our country to ruin and chaos."

How is that a GOP talking point? I listen to quite a few conservative voices and I've not heard that statement anywhere. Its a minority viewpoint, and is by no means the attack strategy of the GOP.

Scott Mendelson said...

It's not formal strategy, but part of the campaign by certain factions of the GOP (official or otherwise) is to paint Obama as a dangerous radical and militant who hides his black militarism beneath a facade of gentile acceptance and platitudes. You're right that this has not been the 'above ground' campaign strategy and that's part of what was shocking about Voight's comments. Up until this point, Voight had been the most public figure to make those assertions about Obama, that he was a Manchurian Candidate of sorts.

You're right in that it's not the official weapon of choice, and my word choice was poor on that note (they seem to be attempting to paint Obama as inexperienced, an elitist, and unable to make the right choices on national security). But, underground, the whisper campaigns if you will, are involved in selling the story that Obama is either a covert Muslin or a Christian born from a fanatical preacher. That he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. A good source for the various rumor emails that make up this campaign can be found on Snopes.net (the definitive Urban Legends database). And, yes, they have a section on John McCain rumors as well.

Obama's page - http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp
McCain's page - http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/mccain.asp

Apologies for the delay in response. It was a valid question and you deserved more than just a 'nuh-huh, I heard it on Air America!' (although I have and I do, Stephanie Miller cracks me up on the way to work).

Scott Mendelson

Anonymous said...

truth hurts dosn't it dems. you have had the media in your pockets for 50 years and you all can't stand it when the truth about the lefts MARKIST past and leaning are brought to light.Good luck with your usefull idiot candidate.

Kyle Leaman said...

Thanks for the reply Scott,

I've heard the phrase "talking points" a lot lately (you use it in your most recent Batman post as well) and I've just been getting very anxious about the how its been used. I hear it used on the left and on the right constantly. Many times it's used to dismiss the argument ("Your just espousing the GOP/DNC talking points"), as if thats the end of the story.

Its an easy way to accuse your opponents of saying something that they aren't. As far as I know, no serious conservative voice has ever espoused a Manchurian Candidate like view about Obama. But that doesn't stop the other side from saying its a "talking point" and how could they stoop so low? It happens on both sides and I find it ridiculous.

Thanks for the clarification, my "talking points" radar has been up lately. I think its unfair that intelligent dialogue can sometimes broadly paint the other side with the extremist views they don't hold.

Anonymous said...

"they seem to be attempting to paint Obama as inexperienced, an elitist, and unable to make the right choices on national security."

Scott, there is No need to ATTEMPT to paint anything: just listen to Obama talk about the Georgia/Russia situation.

One of Obama's initial responses was to condemn the "violence" and seek resolution in the UN via the Seucurity Council.

Hmmmm. Interesting first reaction-- considering Russia holds a veto power on the Sec. Council.

Russia is clearly the aggressor against a fledgling Democratic/capitalist country. Putin is a criminal and is testing the U.S. to see how we can and/or will protect them.

If we don't step up and put Russia and Putin in their place and FAST there will be more of Russia's territory and resource grabbing.

Review history ala Hitler and his rise to power.

Obama will surely change his opinions on what to do as he and his election team see which way the political winds blow.

The Emperor Has NO ClOTHES People. Time to open your eyes and see the truth about Obama and his lack of substance.

Kyle Leaman said...

Thanks for the reply Scott,

I've heard the phrase "talking points" a lot lately (you use it in your most recent Batman post as well) and I've just been getting very anxious about the how its been used. I hear it used on the left and on the right constantly. Many times it's used to dismiss the argument ("Your just espousing the GOP/DNC talking points"), as if thats the end of the story.

Its an easy way to accuse your opponents of saying something that they aren't. As far as I know, no serious conservative voice has ever espoused a Manchurian Candidate like view about Obama. But that doesn't stop the other side from saying its a "talking point" and how could they stoop so low? It happens on both sides and I find it ridiculous.

Thanks for the clarification, my "talking points" radar has been up lately. I think its unfair that intelligent dialogue can sometimes broadly paint the other side with the extremist views they don't hold.

Scott Mendelson said...

It's not formal strategy, but part of the campaign by certain factions of the GOP (official or otherwise) is to paint Obama as a dangerous radical and militant who hides his black militarism beneath a facade of gentile acceptance and platitudes. You're right that this has not been the 'above ground' campaign strategy and that's part of what was shocking about Voight's comments. Up until this point, Voight had been the most public figure to make those assertions about Obama, that he was a Manchurian Candidate of sorts.

You're right in that it's not the official weapon of choice, and my word choice was poor on that note (they seem to be attempting to paint Obama as inexperienced, an elitist, and unable to make the right choices on national security). But, underground, the whisper campaigns if you will, are involved in selling the story that Obama is either a covert Muslin or a Christian born from a fanatical preacher. That he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. A good source for the various rumor emails that make up this campaign can be found on Snopes.net (the definitive Urban Legends database). And, yes, they have a section on John McCain rumors as well.

Obama's page - http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp
McCain's page - http://www.snopes.com/politics/mccain/mccain.asp

Apologies for the delay in response. It was a valid question and you deserved more than just a 'nuh-huh, I heard it on Air America!' (although I have and I do, Stephanie Miller cracks me up on the way to work).

Scott Mendelson

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