I just watched the evening newscasts on all three major networks, and they all had a segment about the distortions and outright untruths that have come out of the McCain campaign this week. It's actually quite remarkable.
An organization called Brave New PAC put together this video with some examples:
For a more non-partisan look at the facts, take a look at Reality Check from CBS News and the stellar FactCheck.org. Both do a great job of verifying claims from both campaigns.
The McCain campaign seems prepared to do anything to win. They have reinvented themselves as agents of change--completely lifting the messaging that has worked so well for Obama. They've chosen a VP candidate based on her political value rather than her qualifications. And they've chosen to play fast and loose with facts to mold public opinion. For now it seems to be working.
So, what is Senator Obama's response to all this? He continues to take the high road. While many have called for him to get angry and fight back, today he chose to use a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "If you don't stop lying about me, I'm going to have to start telling the truth about you." It remains to be seen which strategy will pay off.
This is the part of the campaign that I can't stand. I can't wait for the debates.
9/13/2008 UPDATE: This morning, the New York Times has a piece on this topic: McCain Barbs Stirring Outcry as Distortions accompanied by a chart showing the claims and the actual facts.
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