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Obama Camp: It's not 1988

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September 04, 2008 5:48 PM

ABC News' Tahman Bradley Reports: A top Obama advisor said Thursday that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a cultural connection when she spoke to the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, effective politics for the Republican Party. Robert Gibbs argued, however, that unlike 20 years ago when the GOP successfully used hot-button cultural issues to defeat Michael Dukakis, the election will turn on issues like the economy and health care.

"I don't think it's 1988. Well, I know it's not 1988," Gibbs said.

"I don't think we're in the same type of political environment. I think people understand that we have far bigger problems that we have to get to. I don't doubt that there's a cultural connection for some voters with Governor Palin or Senator McCain….but I think in this election you have to make more than just a cultural connection. I think you have to have an answer, and a plan for ways in which you want to help voters get back up on their feet, and how you want to help them create jobs."

Gibbs also said that McCain selected Palin as his running mate primarily to excite the Republican Party's conservative base and that her convention speech helped shore up support with conservatives who may be a bit suspicious of McCain. "I think her speech played well inside the hall last night. I think the jury is definitely still out on whether it plays -- how it plays in a lot of suburban counties throughout the country where we think swing voters will ultimately decide this election."

Gibbs suggested that in selecting Palin the McCain campaign has sought to open a new battle front along cultural lines -- a fight the campaign has always wanted to wage.

"I think that's always been the game plan. I don't think that that's a development only as of a discussion at a deck in Sedona in picking her. I think for a long time this is an argument that (the McCain camp has) wanted to set up."

The 1988 reference is intended to invoke the year in which former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, the Democratic presidential nominee, saw a large lead over George H.W. Bush evaporate after Republicans thumped him with signs and symbols that made him look weak and unpatrioritic. He was slammed for vetoing a bill that would require school children to recite the pledge of allegiance, he was bashed for supporting a prison furlough program that resulted in the release of a convicted murder, Willie Horton, who committed rape after being set free and he was labeled as elite and out of touch.

Noting that Republican Convention speakers like Gov. Palin and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani used their remarks to paint Obama as unfit to be president and elite and out of touch, Gibbs expressed his belief that swing voters want more than traditional attack politics. Voters want to hear about the economy instead, said Gibbs.

"This convention has missed an opportunity for McCain to get his economic voice."

Gibbs made his remarks at a Christian Science Monitor briefing with reporters in St. Paul, MN. 

September 4, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (85)

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Mack,

Yeah, the bots are really squirmin and squealin today!

Lol!

McCain/Palin 08!
Country First!

Posted by: david from texas | Sep 4, 2008 6:59:56 PM

David from Tx....

It doesn't matter to me what the Obama supporters say. And yes, I am a real person.....and YES, I will be a Democrat voting for McCain in November!

Posted by: tina | Sep 4, 2008 7:01:21 PM

Since Obama talks about economy, let see How many times Obama said economy in DNC speech? 10 times

How is he going to fix economy? 0 Times

How many time he referred Mc Cain in context of economy? 3 times

Posted by: Tim | Sep 4, 2008 7:09:34 PM

Obama: "Axeeelroood, McCain and Palin are making me look bad"

Axelrod:"Calm down Barry this is what you are going to do, tell everyone to leave Palin's family alone and I will send out our bloggers to make up rumors about her. I want you to call Foxnews and tell O'Reilly you want to go on his show."

Obama:"What?! They will embarrass me and ask questions I don't know. They won't let me use my teleprompter."

Axelrod:"You'll be fine Barry, whatever they ask you, just tell them the exact opposite of what you believe and what you've been saying. Just tell them you think the surge worked. They'll eat it up."

Posted by: S Adams | Sep 4, 2008 7:10:41 PM

I have been a Republican my entire life. My dad was too. It just made sense he'd say.

I never even thought about it. As long as I could work and put food on the table, the Republicans were doing right by me.

Then just the other day my son, who just graduated college a few years ago explained a few things to me.

First, he pointed out that the savings I used to put him through college came from a time that a Democrat was in office.

Next he explained to me that the car I still call new was already 10 years old.

He then explained that the hard times my family has been going through these last 5 years was in stark contrast to our family situation 10 years ago and before.

We stopped eating out about 6 years ago. We would go out once a week since I can remember but my son pointed out that we stopped doing that for years.

My son also explained that my former job paid more than my current two jobs pay today. He told me that when I was a union worker, I had a better salary and medical benefits. I have no benefits now and my wife recently passed away, leaving us broke. I now live with my son and his wife.

I also thought that the war was a good idea too. It showed the world how powerful we were.

As my son explained things to me, I was very proud of how smart he has become. I also began to feel very foolish.

I had finally realized that politics was a dangerous thing for a person like me, who never really stopped to think or question where my good life really came from.

I lost all that I hold dear, except for my son, and now I realize it was because I was never really thinking about who I was truly in debt for the prosperity of my life.

I lost a great job to overseas outsourcing, my wife to poor medical coverage. I can't afford a more economical car and can't fill the gas tank in my old car.

The heating bills this winter are going to devastate my son and his family and all I can do is give him my paychecks every week as rent.

I now realize what a fool I was all these years, hating Democrats when they were actually helping me more than Nixon, Reagan, Bush I & II ever did.

I blame Jimmy Carter for everything. He made me think of Democrats the way I do.

I used to think Bill Clinton was a jerk for cheating on his wife. That's all I could care about when it came to politics back then. I never thought things could get as bad as they have.

What I would give to have those 8 years with Clinton back again, or better yet, to re-live these last eight years stolen from me by Bush II.

I am sorry Greg and Alice. I love you guys. I am sorry Mary. I could't afford the doctors you needed. I am sorry to everyone.

I am sorry I was not thinking.

Thank you Lord for making my son smart.

Posted by: Will | Sep 4, 2008 7:12:21 PM

Obama is a FRAUD - He will Never be elected. As a Hillary DEM - I will be voting for McCain/Palin
A much Better choice for our country!

Posted by: Molly | Sep 4, 2008 7:17:21 PM

-Will Where were you when Clinton was running for nomination? You are little late. Obama can give you only word - economy

Posted by: Tim | Sep 4, 2008 7:18:06 PM

Please all the smoke and mirrors couldn't hide a speech that sounded like a PMSing cheerleader who was pissed at her boyfriend for getting dumped. Was she running for 6th grade class president? The juvenile style of writing sure suggested it. I think we made a great choice don't you?" You are asking us? Hello? The difference between a hockey mom and a pit-bull is lipstick?" Are you serious? VP of the United States? What? If this is the "red meat" that Palin was supposed to deliver the Republicans should apply for food stamps.

Posted by: Andrea | Sep 4, 2008 7:21:46 PM

there is no joy in botville—wimpy Barry has struck out.

Posted by: Mack | Sep 4, 2008 7:24:40 PM

Tim,

Will that be any worse than things right now? Tell me how you seem to know it will all get better with another Republican after these last 8 years of pain?

Posted by: Will | Sep 4, 2008 7:25:18 PM

To Will:
May I say that Im so sorry you lost your wife. And reading your post literally is made me cry. Probably because I was the same way. This is the first election that has truely opened my eyes, to the damage that the USA is in. Hopefully all of us who are registered voters will be able to elect the right person to change this country and the people who make it so great...on the path to a much better future, then the present we live in. Just know that your son and his wife, love you as much as you love them and Im sure they will do their very best to take care of you, like you did for your wife. My heart is with you.

Posted by: Michelle | Sep 4, 2008 7:25:57 PM

Funny, I never heard Nobama lay out specific answers to economics...I heard Bill Clinton do more than B. Hussein.
Gov. Palin was introducing herself to us last night and anyone who doesn't want to give her her moment and expect her to fly right into what she and McCain propose....is an idiot. We've seen Bozo and HEARD NOTHING for 18 months...hopey, dopey, changey. She has had 4 days in spotlight (media attacks beyond belief)....give her a moment.....meanwhile I just know B. Hussein wants to tax the --- out of me and give free college ed, and have me pay for those who never want to take care of themselves...more government is my life is NOT what I want and THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS AN OBAMA FUTURE.

Posted by: Debra | Sep 4, 2008 7:29:15 PM

Will--I'm not putting down your son's intellegence but a problem with colleges today is that professors are known to push their views onto their students. About 80% of professors in college are liberal and they are indoctinating our students. Believe me, I'm telling you this first hand from when I was a student in college. The democratic party is no longer the mainstream party it use to be, it is getting more liberal and more socialistic in nature. Believe what you want but Clinton had the highest tax hike in history spreading out over 10 yrs. When Bush took over things were starting to get bad, Bush cut major taxes to offset the bad economy that was coming our way. When the Democrats took over the majority in Congress 2 yrs ago, our economy took a nose dive.

Posted by: S Adams | Sep 4, 2008 7:30:30 PM

"Funny, I never heard Nobama lay out specific answers to economics..."

You're not listening, he said hope and change.

Posted by: Mack | Sep 4, 2008 7:31:02 PM

I want Clintons' ticket from Dems then I don't want Republicans

I know one thing Obama cannot make any change even if he say the word "Change"

Posted by: Tim | Sep 4, 2008 7:38:06 PM

I feel bad for those of you who can't take care of yourselves, but it's women like Gov. Palin, born to a simple rural family, getting an education at U of Idaho, going back to Alaska and marrying her high school sweet heart, having kids, getting involved in school PTA, city council, Mayor and then Gov. of such a beautiful state....and living the American dream with guts and determination AND VERY LITTLE MONEY. No rich family, no special scholarships given to minorities...SELF MADE, RELATABLE TO MANY OF THOSE BIBLE/GUN CLINGERS THAT NOBAMA CAN'T UNDERSTAND.
So I'd rather have a woman like this as my VP than the guy on the top of the ticket on Dem side.
HILLARY SUPPORTER FOR McCAIN/PALIN

Posted by: Debra | Sep 4, 2008 7:39:26 PM

Who could understand Nobama's plans anyway....he speaks in such a nuanced way....or as Hugh Hewitt said on radio today, with all the "ah, um, ahg's" it's painful to listen to him, and I just can't imagine doing that for the next four years.
Give me the straight talk express with the TWO Mavericks!
Love too, how Gov. Palin says "our opponents" and never said Barack Hussein Obama ever. I wish she had said John Sydney McCain at the end of her speech last night, tho....but we knew who she was talking about.

Posted by: Debra | Sep 4, 2008 7:45:33 PM

you are all out of your minds if you think we can get out of the mess the US is in without Taxes rising even McCain has said himself it is not off the table.He wants to privatise S.S. what happens to those of us already on it if as the republicans want,they allow people to not pay S.S. taxes and put the money in another fund LOL how many will do that,really,and how many would use it if the came on hard times.Healthcare from the republicans helps no one but the drug companies and
insurance companies.Who all give money to the republicans.Theire plan is nothing but the same old same old.Sorry people the economy took a nose dive long before the democrats took over in congress.

Posted by: jojobo1 | Sep 4, 2008 7:49:00 PM

jojobo,

You have no idea, obviously, how economics work. Your party whines about the jobs leaving the US, it's because of high taxes and if you all want to tax the "big, bad corporations" (aka employers), then you can count on more jobs leaving the US and our security threatened.

McCain/Palin want to provide incentives to employers to employ US workers and those incentives do NOT include higher taxes.

This is a no brainer. Cut people's taxes and they can spend more in the economy to grow it.

The only answer your side has is to tax, tax and more tax.

WHEN we get our very own oil and our own natural gas and other fuels, you will see this country become DEBT FREE and an economic explosion will follow. That's worth getting excited about and the revenue our own oil and gas will bring to the government will provide a debt free resource to help with health care, education and maybe even relieve property taxes.

Could you imagine a United States where gas is once again $1.00 a gallon, we have no property taxes (because our oil/natural gas exports pay for it), and everyone has their own privatized health and retirement accounts. Dream! It WILL come true with believers in the office - not the same ol!

It's time to CHANGE the ol cliches because as of last nite, you've just seen REAL CHANGE!!!!!!!!

Posted by: obamamama | Sep 4, 2008 8:00:02 PM

Obama/Biden will win by a landslide! Intelligent people discuss events, ideas and make plans - THE REST TALK ABOUT EACH OTHER AND MAKE FALSE ACCUSATIONS - LIKE MCCAIN/PALIN aka
MCSAME & CHENEY-IN-DRAG!

Posted by: White Mountain | Sep 4, 2008 8:00:25 PM

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