I find this story so intriguing and emblematic of why I get excited about a Barack Obama candidacy. One of John McCain's top political advisors, his chief media strategist, Mark McKinnon, has said that he will resign from McCain's staff if the Democratic nominee is Barack Obama. He says he disagrees with many of Obama's positions, but he admires him so much that he does not feel comfortable opposing him. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Can you imagine such a thing? Is there any other candidate that you have ever heard of, in any political campaign, that has shown the potential Obama has for fundamentally changing the way politics is done? Think about it, not only the ability to draw Republicans and Independents who agree with his positions to support him, but to get people who disagree with his positions from fighting against him? It's unbelievable, really, but here is a portion of the transcript from an interview with The National Journal on Air for today's edition:
"Q: So you've said that you will leave the McCain campaign if Obama is the nominee. Does that still hold and why?
"McKinnon: Yeah. Well, this goes back to a memo that I wrote to the campaign when I came aboard more than a year and a half ago, and I simply let them know that I had spent time with Obama and read his book and I like the guy. I think he has strong character and a fascinating life story, and I disagree with him fundamentally on issues like Iraq and trade and a number of others. But I just flashed forward to the improbable scenario, at that time seemingly improbable, that John McCain and Barack Obama might face off against one other. And I just told them at the time that I thought that I would be uncomfortable being on the front lines -- being as aggressive as you need to be in a presidential campaign -- and not only that I would be uncomfortable, but that it would be bad for the campaign, and that if that circumstance were to come to be, that I would just take a step to the sidelines and continue to support John McCain 100 percent and be No. 1 fan and cheerleader. But just kind of take myself out of the front lines.
"Q: So you are still going to do that?
"McKinnon: I'm a man of my word.
"Q: And it's because, what, you don't want to run negative ads against Obama?
"McKinnon: Yeah.
"Q: Or is there also a concern on your part that you don't want to run ads against Obama, the first African-American candidate to have this kind of a chance? Is that a factor as well?
"McKinnon: I suppose that is in part, but it's more just that I like and admire the guy. I've come to a point in my life where I think character is important. I think he has great character. Again, I think he's really wrong on fundamental issues, but yeah, I just don't want to -- you know, I kind of want to put my guns down. It's just a matter of degrees, and like I said, I don't think I'm the best person to have in that slot for the campaign. So it would just be better for me to step to the sidelines."
You can read a transcript of the whole interview here.
Okay, enough politics. I got a card from Aunt Tillie about the prospects of her nephew's salvation which I will run tomorrow or Sunday.
8 comments:
It sounds like we would want him to stay on if Obama gets the nomination, so there would be less mudslinging from the McCain side.
It is interesting that there seems to be an assumption that if Obama is the nominee, going after his race will be a natural part of McCain's campaign.
Dan, I don't think that there's necessarily an assumption that McCain will go after Obama because of his race the way the Clinton's have. In fact, I doubt very much that will be part of the McCain attack because of the way Bush used the race of McCain's daughter against him in South Carolina in 2000. I think McCain will attack, but I think it will be based on Obama not being tough enough, not wearing a flag pin, etc. I think Obama will easily defeat McCain.
I'm hopeful on the politics - but I'm really interested in hearing what Aunt Tillie has to say for a worldly chicken farmer like yourself!
Also, I can't quite put my finger on what the flaw was with "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" - Amy Adams? Direction? Certainly Frances McDormand was awesome. So I'm hoping you'll write a review, cuz I have a feeling you'll be able to pinpoint it.
Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I didn't even know about this. some Obama fan I am.
Keep em comin!!
Gosh, PG, I'd rather read the Crockhead's blog than do my taxes any day!
Lydia, I can't respond to your question about "Miss Pettigrew. . . ." because I haven't seen it. I don't think it has been to our provincial town.
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