By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist
The economy is tanking, but it's still dirty tricks time for the Republican National Committee.
Its new Web attack ad tries to link President-elect Barack Obama to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Frankly, the ad is par for the course in political circles.
The video raises questions about Obama's ties to Blagojevich, using some audio bites of Obama and the governor, along with semi-inflammatory headlines.
Here's the twist: The ad has drawn dramatic criticism not only from Democrats but also from leading Republicans.
John McCain, who just happened to be the GOP standard-bearer in the 2008 presidential race, said over the weekend:
"..Right now, I think we should try to be working constructively together... on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary."
On Tuesday former House Speaker Newt Gingrich wrote RNC Chairman Mike Duncan that the video was a "destructive distraction" at a time of national peril.
Gingrich knows what he's talking about; he certainly landed enough low blows in his days at the House helm in Washington, D.C.
Of course, both McCain and Gingrich are right: Given the tenor of the times, Americans are tired of politicians who nastily attack each other without offering better ways to improve the country's economy.
If the RNC has some great ideas to offer Obama to boost America's financial system, for instance, that would make a great Web video.
Or if the RNC has rock-solid evidence that Obama conspired with Blagojevich, offer it up.
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They're going to get labeled
They're going to get labeled modern day Hoovers. The core supporters are down to 20-25% of the electorate yet there seems to be some element in the extreme right of the party that believes that they need to get even more extreme. It's like to old story about the guy hitting himself in the head with a hammer.
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Poor yael can't even offer a
Poor yael can't even offer a compliment to a repub without without a snarky critique(Newt).
Mccain, Newt (and even Yael!) are quick to speak to the need for an end to the political divisiveness. Spare us please from the platitudinous poop.
Reid, Pelosi, yael and the star were active fomenters of the rampant divisiveness over the the last 6 plus years......now that Obama has been elected it's suddenly a civic responsibility to be supportive and toe the line?????
What happened to the postulation that it is the responsible thing to speak one's mind and challenge the man in charge, Yael?
kcgrh ditto as former
kcgrh ditto as former President Clinton would say we will help President Elect Obama feel our pain.
ursalt, good analogy... I
ursalt, good analogy... I need to keep that in my mind... the gift that keeps giving, the gift that keeps giving....
Obama with all the
Obama with all the questionable political ties if he last 4yrs, like OJ, will be the gift that keeps on giving.
Steven, Good to see you libs
Steven,
Good to see you libs are already saying the reason we couldn't do more was because President Bush left everything soooooooooooooooooooo messed up...
Like I said, I think the next 4 are going to be a blast with the big 0.....
Steven49 a couple of marbles
Steven49 a couple of marbles missing, remember the democratic congress was inplace during the last 8 years.
OK - I read the
OK - I read the article....What did Rahm Emanuel offer for the seat?
Oh...You don't know. That's what I thought.
The next 4 yrs couldn't be any worse than the last 8...I take that back...The next 4 yrs could be A LOT worse due to the mess created by the Bush administration.
twas_was, there you go again
twas_was, there you go again with facts. Libs do not like facts such as asking them the last time they were fussing over unity....
I remember all the fussing over federal judges confirmations, NOT. That was certainly a time of "unity".
Not to worry, the big 0 will merely raise his hands and there will be peace and unity over the land....
Sweetwater - I agree we need
Sweetwater - I agree we need unity, but I want to ask you a question. When the Democrats were in the minority, when was the last time they were fussing with each other because some wanted unity? I can't remember back that far. Why is it the the Right always has to move to the center - the the Left never does?