Obama Mocks McCain as Computer Illiterate

[Nambe]

Source: NEW YORK September 12, 2008 (AP)

John McCain is mocked as an out-of-touch, out-of-date computer illiterate in a television commercial out Friday from Barack Obama as the Democrat begins his sharpest barrage yet on McCain's long Washington career.

The new fighting spirit comes as McCain has been gaining in the polls and some Democrats have been expressing concern the Obama campaign has not been aggressive enough. Obama's campaign says the escalation will involve advertising and pushes made by the candidate, running mate Joe Biden and other surrogates across the country. ...

... "1982, John McCain goes to Washington," an announcer says over chirpy elevator music. "Things have changed in the last 26 years, but McCain hasn't.

"He admits he still doesn't know how to use a computer, can't send an e-mail, still doesn't understand the economy, and favors two hundred billion in new tax cuts for corporations, but almost nothing for the middle class," it says. It shows video of McCain getting out of a golf cart with former President George H.W. Bush and closes with a photo of him standing with the current President Bush at the White House. "After one president who was out of touch, we just can't afford more of the same." ...

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=5785969

[truthisfreedom]

1. Ouch! I bet McPalin didn't notice that coming.

Something in the works for months!

[burythehatchet]

2. Just buy the Video Professor clip on YouTube and we're good to go

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Jbw2-f8IQ

[RebelOne]

5. He will do real well with Video Professor

He can afford to be scammed by that crook.

www.infomercialscams.com/scams/video_professor

[rucognizant]

45. Oh Good!

I took exception several years ago with th etonme of t heir commericial and called the 800 # to criticise! ( My way of releasing the stress of the Bush years..) Unerringly, sniffed out the crook! They were peeved!

[Regret My New Name]

63. He seems like such a nice guy on the teevee though....

[thecrow]

48. He will have LOTS of time after the election

for everything.... while Obama leads the country

[Xipe Totec]

3. If it's getting air time, it's a planted story

Another "outrage" story to garner sympathy for McCain from the computer illiterati.

[shaniqua6392]

4. He needs to be a little bit harsher than that.

It is a good ad, but it does not jump out at me. I think he should focus on ads about the economy and foreign policy. Let the average ignorant voter know what is really going on with the lenders and Wall Street, etc. Most people don't even pay attention and have no clue about Fannie and Freddie, Lehman's, etc. Educate the idiots with what Bush has done.

[Larkspur]

16. I agree with you

Attacking McBush as computer illiterate while the GOP are attacking Obama for being unpatriotic, elitist and a "tax and spender" is STUPID!!!!

[TransitJohn]

38. You got it.

How about an ominous voiceover on shots of muslims saying, "Senator John McCain doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shia, and he says he'll keep you safe?" Cut to Lieberman whispering the facts in his ear.

[shaniqua6392]

62. I love that idea!!

Now that is playing hardball.

[NeoConsSuck]

77. Agree. Who put that ad together?

some 15 year old high school kid??

It is elitist. How many elderly voters are going to think John McCain is more 'like them' because of this fucked up ad??

I cannot believe that with the tons of baggage the republican party (and John McSame) is carrying now, this is the best we can come up with?? Look at my sig line: Has *anyone* in Obama's campaign even made the voters aware of that?

And before anyone thinks I might be 'Internet Challenged', I was running a successful Internet based business back in 1996, way before there was a CNN.COM, USAToday.COM or even a DemocraticUnderground.COM

[Paladin]

78. All Those Elderly Voters Aren't Running For President

And most of us know plenty of elderly folks who are proficient with computers. Elitist, my ass....

[scot]

98. Agreed. Preaching just to the choir....

leaves alot of empty pews. He's alienating just the kind of fly-over voters he will need to get over 50%.

[ryanmuegge]

87. Way harsher, and about things that matter to the general public.

[qanda]

6. Boo!

I love Obama but that doesn't sound like a very effective ad. In fact, it sounds elitist and ridiculous.

[Connie_Corleone]

9. No it doesn't. Even little kids know how to use a computer in this day and age.

What's elitist about that? Also, McCain is running for president, not dog catcher. I want a president who knows how to use a computer. The whole point of the ad is that McCain is out of touch.

[marshall]

21. Most elderly like McCain don't know anything about computers

It's like something from the moon as far as they are concerned.
Of course I know there are some who have educated themselves, but for the most part computers and the internet are a younger generation thing.

[LeftyMom]

36. My late grandmother knew how to use one like a pro, and she died more than ten years ago.

We're getting to the point now where a fair share of elderly people used computers at work before they retired, to say nothing of all of those who picked them up later for email, getting pics of the grandkids, buying airfare, etc.

[bowens43]

37. Nonsense. Nearly every person I know his age uses email.

[FogerRox]

42. My 77 yr old land lady use Photoshop, InDesign, Abdobe Illustrator

Edit video, then burns DVDs.

Is she the norm, no, but many seniors I know are more than just checking email with their computers.

[Wabbajack_]

56. I told my grandma, somegrannies have blogs...

.....I don't think she's touched a computer, refused satellite tv for her birthday.

[TommyO]

46. My mother is just two years younger and has been using computers

for more than 20 years, both at work and at home. Can she build her own computer, or even reload Windows, no, but she'll run rings around McCain on anything else.

[rucognizant]

47. Marshall......

Your prejudice is showing! I am 69, my Grandchildren call me "techy grammy" I helped them navigate their baby steps with the computer a few years ago.
10 years ago I attended a digital art exhibit in Portland Me, with a lecture by a local printing/digital imaging company. All but one of the artist exhibiters and most of the attendees were over 35!
One of my high school classmates Mothers, looked me up And found me online from Fla. All the old people in my town are very computer savy! We were among the first to recognize it as a world wide info gathering tool and to understand the value of communicating, filling in the gaps missing fromn the last 30 years of public school education!
AS WELL AS GRANDCHILDREN PHOTOS!

[tuckessee]

59. It's not prejudiced. It's fact.

I know many people who don't know how to use a computer.

Many are "old", but many others are younger and simply do not posess computers and/or are not well versed in them.

I know these people exist because a friend and I have a sideline "business" listing items on ebay for such people. I actually don't like doing consignments but we do this mostly as a favor for the legions of people we personally know who need our help.

Just because someone has eldery relatives who are computer literate does not mean that every person in America is the same.

[alcibiades_mystery]

60. Should be easy enough to prove empirically

While you're at it, prove that elderly non-computer users want a president who doesn't know about 20 year old technologies.

[kiranon]

92. But they aren't running for the presidency of the US.

Any one who wants to be president of the US needs to be computer literate. Period.

[JerseygirlCT]

65. I don't know that that's the case anymore

Most I know are quite competent.

And really, shouldn't we be expecting more from someone running for President?

[jpertello]

66. True

and since this is his demographic the ad falls on (literally) deaf ears.

[sakabatou]

71. My grandfather is nearly 90 and he knows how to use one

[JitterbugPerfume]

79. uhh, no it is not

I am 68 and my sister is 70 We have never been to the moon , but we both can use our computer to communicate with other OLD people , pay bills, use the google and read DU and Daily Kos . We also watch the Daily Show , Colbert and Democracy Now .


Old ain't the same as stupid '

[karynnj]

96. My 80 year old parents both use the computer

They both have used email for years and my dad plays with various digital photography programs to improve his photos. You really can keep up with change. My mom loved it when the grand kids, spread over the country showed her that they were all connected on facebook.

[ryanmuegge]

88. Yeah, I can see what you're saying about the elitist stuff. I don't take it that way

but I can see how some people would take it that way.

Jesus Christ. Is he trying to lose? It's like he's saying, "here, let me conform to all of the negative characterizations your campaign has about me, so I can give you an even bigger lead!"

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mwb970]

18. Right. Thanks for your input. /nt

[Larkspur]

19. Agree with you

This lame ad reminds me that in April 2008 when Obama's spokesperson told progressives that Obama would fight Fox aggressively in his interview and when Obama went on Fox, he wimped out.

This is a WIMPY attack ad Obama campaign and McBush would be right to charge you with ageism.

[heliarc]

20. Rubik's cube is en vogue too...

I don't understand this tack in the Obama strategy. Hipsters just brought back "nerd-chic"... Kids are wearing eighties style clothing, large glasses, ill-fitting suits, and listening to 8bit video game music. I am SO loathe to say this, but this makes McCain seem "in touch" <shudder> though I haven't actually seen the video. Anybody got a link?

[girl gone mad]

24. Relax!

We wore retro fashion in HS, too, but we knew it was dated. I went through my mom's closet to find cool 70s fashions, but she was anything but young and hip to me.

The ad does not make McCain seem in touch, just the opposite.

[heliarc]

39. OK... I saw the ad...

I feel better, but only because it mentions the tax issue and his admitted lack of economic knowledge. I think that is our strongest appeal to the broadest swath of the American people. I think the ad is a waste of time on the "old" stuff... Who cares?!??!?!?!? More of an issue is how old he is a how likely it will be that he croaks.

[Crowman1979]

29. Don't worry, those trends will end soon.

And then it's a return to 90's fashion. The good ole days when no one gave a rats and dressed in whatever they had on as long as it was comfortable. Then everyone will probably look like Jeff Bridges in "The Big Lebowski."

[JuniorPlankton]

22. You are SO right! n/t

[mrs_p]

27. oh noes

must give up now. must give up now.

[bronxiteforever]

8. But Ted Stevens will advise him on the Internets and Tubes

n/t

[firedupdem]

10. It's okay but most of those toothless freaks at the convention

probably can't dial up the internets either!

[JerseygirlCT]

11. Wait for the AGEIST!!!! whines now.

Shall we be ready with hundreds of older Americans who have amazingly enough, mastered the arcane art of internet usage?

[jpertello]

12. BAD MOVE, PLOUFFE

No one cares if Gramps can use the computer. Attack his war record (all 20 days of it). Attack his idiot of a VP on her ignorance of the Bush Doctrine and everything else. Go after his Keating 5 scandal.

[Larkspur]

17. Yes

This ad shows that Obama is not serious about attacking McBush. Obama is making the same mistakes as John Kerry.

[kurth_]

43. Exactly. What's next? McCain doesn't know how to run Ubuntu?

He doesn't know Opera is a browser?
He doesn't know how to play Xbox3?

[NYC Liberal]

68. BS. Did you even watch the ad?

The computer part is only the very beginning as a segway into a whole ad about how McSame is out of touch just like Bush.

[girl gone mad]

23. Wrong.

Reminding people that McCain is old and completely out of touch is very smart strategy.

[jpertello]

34. Except that a lot of his fans are equally old and out of touch

[martymar64]

84. Ours may be old, but definitely not out of touch

Older Obama people see just what the RW has done to this country over the long term, going at least as far back as JFK, Nixon, etc. They know more than any of us just what is at stake in this election.
BTW, my 73 y.o. dad uses computers just fine.

[Blasphemer]

61. I agree.. this ad appeals to people he already has - the young

Swing voters and older folks are far less likely to be swayed by the illteracy nonsense - the older generation might even be offended. Bad starting point... McCain is out of touch for a million other reasons.

[depakid]

64. Go after that, too (in addition to NOT backing off this)

No reason not to have used the fact that he couldn't remmber the difference betwen a Sunni or a Shiite. Or that he didn't even know the timing of the surge with respect to the Sunni awakening.

Ot admits to knowing nothing about economics (though his buddy Phil Gramm likes to think he does).

ALL those frames fit and reinforce the narrative.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

13. Talk about all the lobbyists!!!

[DeeDeeNY]

28. There is an ad playing in Florida that does just that

Randi Rhodes was talking about it on her show. The ad shows McCain surrounded by pictures of all the lobbyists on his staff, but Randi points out it would have been a much more effective ad if the person's name and what he is a lobbyist for appeared under each picture.

[City Lights]

33. I saw his lobbyist ad this morning on CNN. nt

[SIMPLYB1980]

14. Wow the trolls are out in full force today, and K&R!

Edited to add.

[wiseoldman]

15. Good Ad!

It hits right here: "still doesn't understand the economy, and favors two hundred billion in new tax cuts for corporations, but almost nothing for the middle class,"

The rest was just a setup! And you have to put some controversy (age)in the Ad to get MSM attention.

We gotta get the media talking about Obama's middle class tax cuts!

[BumRushDaShow]

25. Don't forget that Obama HAS been doing some negative attacks in ads, but on the state/local level.

Don't believe the hype that this is the "first time". It was the "Seven" (as in houses) ad that was an ultimate game-changer, causing the repukes to not only throw their sure-bet VP potentials under the bus, but to do the Saran bin Palin hail Mary desperation pick. Am assuming this is a "national ad".

[BigBadMikey]

26. It is getting NEGATIVE

I thought that he said he would never go negative? What has happened to him?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

44. You're right.

He should just bend over for Karl Rove and say "Thank you sir! May have another?!"

[uppityperson]

49. Well, I'd welcome you to DU but am not sure why.

Easy, he has flip flopped like the big bad dude he is. Vote Mccain, he doesn't lie. Right?



:sarcasm:

[tavalon]

57. Sometimes the truth hurts, baby

It's not negative if it's true. And it's all true.

I like cheese with mine. No whine, okay?

[beltanefauve]

70. Negative

is when you use fear-and-smear, personal attacks, lies and inuendo. Negative is when you take a person's strength and turn it into a weakness (ala Karl Rove). Negative is when you repeat a lie enough times to plant the seeds of doubt, then, make the retraction when its too late.

Do you seriously believe our candidate has been "going negative"?

[nam78_two]

97. Why can't he run a truthful and honorable campaign like McDinosaur?

:cry: :eyes:

[Alcibiades]

30. They used the loaded word "mocked"

When does the AP ever say that the McCain campaign "mocks" Obama?

[ThePowerofWill]

52. Thats why i hit this thread..... "mocked".

I noticed that loaded word right off the bat! It gives the mind sorta the image of Obama "teasing", and being "mean" to poor old McCain.

I'm surprised it took till post #30 for someone to mention it, as it was like a beacon in the night to me, bright and blaring.

[redqueen]

55. Make sure to point it out when anyone discusses it with you.

We need to raise awareness of this tactic ourselves at every opportunity.

[redqueen]

54. Yup. The spin is obvious.

I hope more and more people start noticing that kind of BS.

[The Wizard]

31. Pox Newz style

Some people are saying there are pictures of John McCane being intimate with farm animals. When we get the pictures you'll see them here first at Pox Newz. Then you can decide whether John McCane was taking advantage of dumb farm animals. Flash a picture of McCane hugging Bush.
Since the media is all gooey over Palin, show her for what she is, a loud mouth tied to snake handling religious fundamentalists like the Taliban. Religious fundies are voting R anyway.
Also, encourage Republicans to vote for Bob Barr, as he truly represents them, and he's the guy who was instrumental in impeaching Satan incarnate, Bill Clinton.

[grandaddy]

32. desperation

That statement seems very desperate...

[uppityperson]

51. Bye bye.

[EnviroBat]

35. that's good, but I wonder how long it will be before we start seeing

"Why does Obama hate women"? attack ads from Lumpy McPlanecrash? I'm surprised they haven't rolled that shit out yet. Just be ready for it when it happens. It's so transparently obvious that the entire reason for the Palin pick was to pick up woman voters, and former Hillary supporters. They certainly jerked my stupid-ass sister in. I'm shocked they haven't gone that low yet. They've gone pretty damn low, but they are capable of drowning themselves in 2 inches of shit if they think it will help their pig-fucking campaign. If you're wondering, I'm Envirobat, and I am at the end of my tolerance of the stupidity of the McCain campaign. I angry, and I will pull no punches. I am fucking rude, and often offensive, but I love my country, and all of you too much to sit idyll y by and pussyfoot around anymore. I loath, no, hate the republicans, and what they've done to us for the past eight years. McCain, and Palin don't deserve to be running a presidential campaign, they deserve PRISON. And to see them up there, spewing shit from their mouths, day after fucking day is offensive to me, and everyone else. It's time to get angry my friends. We cannot allow traitors to run the government any more!

ENOUGH!

As far as this ad, it's brilliant, and I always feel that my money is being well spent.

Donate to Obama today, and use the DU link!

[kirby]

40. McCain responds!

His new ad will highlight Obamas inability to use the horse and buggy. Oh snap!

[kurth_]

41. This one might backfire - Most 60+ people don't use email

Only 27.7% of those 65 and above are online (ZDNet)

[michreject]

50. That's gonna win him a lot of points

with the Q-Tip set.

[redqueen]

53. No it doesn't... It says two things about technology, and at least two things about major issues.

Nice spin though.

:puke:

[DinahMoeHum]

58. It puts the focus back on McCain, instead of Palin.

And shows how out of touch he is with the fast-moving world.

:kick:

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

67. Amateur hour

Some days the Obama campaign just makes me cringe and this is one of them, because someone forgot to do rudimentary research. As has been noted in campaigns past, McCain's war injuries make him essentially unable to type due to a loss of fine motor control, so it is no wonder that he does not use a computer much. It is but a matter of hours before the Republican mouthpieces garner sympathy with the public using this, saying that Obama is belittling the disability of a war hero yadda yadda. And the American public will eat it up.

What were they thinking? Do we really need to feed them this kind of ammo? There are plenty of real issues to attack McCain on without putting out ads that will be actively construed as poking fun at his war injuries. Geez.

[rayofreason]

69. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

McCain doesn't use email - or type on any keyboard because of his war injuries-

"McCain gets emotional at the mention of military families needing food stamps or veterans lacking health care. The outrage comes from inside: McCain's severe war injuries prevent him from combing his hair, typing on a keyboard, or tying his shoes. Friends marvel at McCain's encyclopedic knowledge of sports. He's an avid fan - Ted Williams is his hero - but he can't raise his arm above his shoulder to throw a baseball."

http://graphics.boston.com/news/politics/campaign2000/news/McCain_character_loyal_to_a_fault+.shtml

Would you criticize a deaf person for not knowing about popular music? Whoever on the campaign came up with this idea should be fired. Keep focused on the big issues, not the little shit.

[FVZA_Colonel]

72. Given examples we've seen of him raising his arms,

I doubt it is impossible for him to actually use one, at least with some form of assistance software. I just don't imagine his injuries would be so extensive as to prevent him from at least knowing how to use one, given the common postures assumed while sitting (even if he had to get up and stretch frequently.)

Though this was the kind of bullshit, dodge the issues response I was expecting, and might resonate with the morons out there. But even then, I doubt it will gain serious traction with anyone we could have reached at all (it is my earnest hope, and something of an expectation, that they might just yawn over his newest "I was a POW defense.")

[rayofreason]

80. Read post #74

Anyone defending this ad and not calling for the head of the idiot who produced it, to the damage of the campaign, is no friend of Obama.

If McCain wins, it will be because of idiots on the left who, thinking that they were helping, went over the top and alienated the electorate.

[FVZA_Colonel]

89. Hey, I do think it's a stupid waste of time.

I just don't think it's going to be some ultra-alienating, campaign destroying event. There'll be a little outrage, and it will be forgotten.

[rayofreason]

90. I hope so.

But things have not gone well for Obama the last couple of weeks.

[FVZA_Colonel]

91. Things seem to be going a bit better.

He is clawing his way back up in the polls, and more and more of the media seeming to be realizing the truth that McCain is a dishonorable, lying sack of shit.

[JeanGrey]

94. I remember reading this about McCain way back in 2000

or thereabouts when he was running against Bush the first time. Apparently he cannot lift his arms and he is limited in his use of them. This could backfire as "making fun" of a vet.

There is so much we can bring out about McCain I doubt this is necessary.

[Lithos]

73. Except you know it is a crock of shit

Injuries like he is describing means he can't use a cell phone (oops, he does), etc. Also, computers are one of the first things given to people with severe physical disabilities (Stephen Hawking, etc.).

So, yeah, me may be injured and can't lift his arms above his shoulders, but the last time I checked I don't type with my hands above my head. The fact he is computer illiterate is a personal choice he made a long time ago due to his own lack of intellectual curiosity. This is just another example of whenever he is confronted by an issue that he pulls out the noun:verb:pow card. Only problem is Putin, Bin Ladin, Ahmadinejad, or the Saudi Royals could care less if he was a POW or not.

L-

[rayofreason]

82. Read post #74

Anyone defending this ad and not calling for the head of the idiot who produced it, to the damage of the campaign, is no friend of Obama.

If McCain wins, it will be because of idiots on the left who, thinking that they were helping, went over the top and alienated the electorate.

[Lithos]

86. And read this HuffPo article

Which is a lot more current, in his own words, and not the Forbes puff piece.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-admits-he-doesnt-k_n_106478.html

[JeanGrey]

95. I can see it now. An Ad from McCain saying "he can't tie his

shoes, or comb his hair, or use a keyboard because of six years of torture defending America. But Obama makes fun of his injuries".

THAT would be a horrible thing and could really backfire.

[Ewellian]

74. I agree, it's a stupid commercial.

From Forbes, 5/29/2000

In certain ways, McCain was a natural Web candidate. Chairman of the Senate Telecommunications Subcommittee and regarded as the U.S. Senate's savviest technologist, McCain is an inveterate devotee of email. His nightly ritual is to read his email together with his wife, Cindy. The injuries he incurred as a Vietnam POW make it painful for McCain to type. Instead, he dictates responses that his wife types on a laptop. "She's a whiz on the keyboard, and I'm so laborious," McCain admits.

http://www.forbes.com/asap/2000/0529/053_print.html

I guess Plouffe doesn't know how to use the google.

[DeltaLitProf]

75. Ridiculous

Hit McCain on his lies, his reckless statements on foreign policy, his hiring of an oil company lobbyist for his transition team. This ad isn't even worth running in Silicon Valley, let alone somewhere like Virginia.

[NJCher]

76. post link to ad please

would someone please post a link to the ad?



Cher

[Paladin]

81. You Concern Junkies Are Missing The Point

This ad further reinforces the image of McCain as an old, inept, physically-failing individual, forced to use the POW defense one more time. In other words, somebody who shouldn't be President of the United States. If you want to join forces with the Freepers on this, go right ahead. No big deal---just the survival of our country we're talking about.....

[rayofreason]

83. Continue to sit in the echo chamber

This is not playing out is not the way you think. The damage to Obama is real and anyone who wants him to win will want the campaign to focus on big issues like restoring faith in government, health care, energy independence - not trivial shit like if McCain types emails or a 20-yr old DUI for the VP's husband.

Just look at the polls. Continue to delude yourself that they are not real. In November you will have a rude surprise.

[Paladin]

85. Be Sure To Give Those Friends Of Yours My Regards.

President Dukakis, President Gore, President Kerry.....

[lunatica]

93. LOL! That ought to get McCain the Ludite vote!

Good for Obama. Anyone who doesn't know anything about computers is totally out of touch with just about everything. They can't even understand half the English language anymore. I wonder what they make of people talking about 'computer servers' (people walking around serving computers?), 'refreshing the page' or 'reloading the page' (I can't even think of what they imagine this phrase means) or clear the cache, disable cookies, desktop, windows, click and drag, cursor, link, blog, site, crash, freeze, virus, copy and paste, platform, firewall, bitmap, jpeg, pdf files, word, excel, virtual, real time, google, texting, email, snailmail, LOL (and all the rest of the computer usage generation of common language, or any of hundreds of new words that are added to the English language dictionaries every year. The US President should be very familiar and comfortable with newfangled gadgets. He/she needs to know that communication has become practically instantaneous worldwide. They need to know how to use it too.

I mean is anyone comfortable with someone who is already overwhelmed by the information age? The way science is taking off our dear leaders need to have at the very least a passing knowledge of how science and the future are tied together. If you can't navigate your way around computers which have become so easy to use that children can learn how to use them before they're in Kindergarden then how do you expect to navigate your way as President?