McCain Staffer Suspended for Linking to Video
Campaign staffers live in wild times. The internet with its instant communications you can zip a press release or video anywhere. But its ubiquitous nature means a campaign’s message isn’t always consistent 24/7.
Sen. John McCain doesn’t want to personally attack other candidates (unless it’s Mitt Romney). Well, a campaign staffer (and friend of mine) linked to this video on his Twitter account:
The Politico’s Jonathan Martin found out and Dayton was suspended.
When I worked for Fred Thompson’s campaign one of my first inquiries was about continuing to write for this weblog. I assured the campaign I wouldn’t talk about internal functions of the campaign, wouldn’t bring any negative attention to Sen. Thompson, and would include a disclaimer when I talked about Republican Presidential politics. The campaign agreed, and it worked out well. There were times I was tempted to post something, but I was always cognizant that a reporter or another campaign could be reading.
(I was actually surprised no reporters asked about TAM. It is unusual for a Presidential campaign staffer to publish a weblog on the side.)
Let’s go to the video. It’s pretty good polemic although flawed. I think Sen. Obama loves his country. I don’t have a flag pin and don’t hold it against someone for not wearing one. Also, I know there have been times when my hand wasn’t over my heart when the National Anthem was playing.
James Joyner sees the video as an “unfair” attack. I disagree. Ditch the patriotism jab and it’s legit criticism. Obama has talked about the importance of words, yet with his own words he distanced himself from his spiritual mentor. By tolerating Rev. Wright’s caustic words for the 17 years he’s been a member of his church we must question Obama’s judgment.
The McCain campaign over-reacted to Dayton linking to the video. It’s biting but not harsh. The way McCain treated Romney in Florida was worse.
So do you suspend the guy? No. You ask him to take down the link. If a reporter comes asking you say tell him what happened and the staffer was warned not to do it again. Case closed.
“McCain Aide Circulates Obama/Wright Video, is Suspended” [via memeorandum]
“Political Shocker of the Day: Conservative Talk-Show Producer Can YouTube!”
By tolerating Rev. Wright’s caustic words for the 17 years he’s been a member of his church we must question Obama’s judgment.
That’s the part I understand. Obama’s a liberal; he disagrees with you on nearly every position. Not just disagrees but holds the diametrically opposite position in most cases.
But that’s ok. No reason to question his “judgment.” On the other hand, he decides not to abandon a community, a church, a friend, and a spiritual adviser simply as a result of some intemperate remarks, and that’s supposed to bring his judgment into question.
I don’t get it. But I think the thing about Barack Obama is that he actually has integrity, lives integrity; juxtaposed with all other politicians, who merely mimic integrity, Barack looks unusual or strange. And that’s why it seems like Obama didn’t do the “right” think, when what he did was precisely the right thing. It’s just not what any other politician would have done.
The smears promulgated on this blog - that Obama lacks substance - seem hilarious after his Tuesday speech. Barack Obama has proven to be the only politician of substance. The political opportunism of McCain and Clinton are offensive and craven, by comparison.