I just can't see anything right about this. The first impression upon reading and opening the flier is that it's directly calling Barack a terrorist.
Scans and transcript below the fold...
On second read, it's actually not saying that -- it is criticizing Barack's 'position' on diplomacy with states that sponsor terrorism.
Except for the final tagline -- "Not who you think he is" -- which has nothing to do with the diplomacy argument and clearly belongs with the intended "first impression."
Pretty sleazy, hunh?
Additional thoughts:
- I really despise the way the Repubs have been capitalizing on the nation's not-so-latent Islamophobia. It is so not the best of what America is. And despite McCain's very lame claims to the contrary, it is not just the message of a fringe category. This is the RNC fanning the flames of hate.
- Why did I even GET this flier? We are registered Democrats and have responded twice to Dem canvassers that we're solid for Obama. Either (a) the Repub lists are fubar (if they think I'm persuadable), or (b) they mailed it to everyone. Either way, they're not spending their dwindling funds very smartly.
- I strongly disapprove of the link between this mailing and the content of the Obsession DVD.
- I wonder if this mailing was designed and mailed with the expectation of following up on an Ayers 'knockout punch' in the debate last night. But maybe I'm giving them too much credit.
Transcript:
Front
Heading: TERRORISTS Don't Care Who They Hurt.
Background: Airport image.
Inside
Overline: Why Should We Care What They Have to Say?
Main head: Barack Obama
Subhead: Thinks Terrorists Just Need a Good Talking To.
Body text:
Barack Obama said, "I Would" meet unconditionally with leaders of Iran, Syria, and other state sponsors of terrorism. (Source: CNN/YouTube Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Charlestown, SC, 7/23/07)
"We need to send a strong signal that we are going to talk directly to not just our friends but also to our enemies." -- BARACK OBAMA (Source: 2007 Des Moines Register Democratic Debate, 12/13/07)
"The threat that we face now is nowhere near as dire as it was in the Cold War. We shouldn't allow our politics to be driven by the fear of terrorism." --BARACK OBAMA (Source: The Contenders, by Laura Flanders, p. 82, 11/11/07)
Subtext: Islamic extremists want our laws changed, our culture destroyed and our families converted. We don't.
What is there to talk about?
Bottom headline: Barack Obama. Not Who You Think He Is.