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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Was it a mistake for Obama to discourage 527's?

The Obama campaign has been fairly vigorous in pushing its donors not to fund 527's this cycle. From a message control viewpoint it makes some sense in that they don't want to be caught in a "General betray-us" moment in October, but, at the same time, there are things 527's can do that the campaign won't or can't.

For example, I would think a minute long ad recapping the Bush administration and all that we've been through could be very useful. Or maybe a collection of the worst quotes on the wars or the economy or Katrina survivors or Hispanic groups highlighting the GOP's words on immigration.

527's can do that in the way that the Obama campaign really can't. I wonder about the balance between limitation and message control.

Later: Here's an effective Planned Parenthood ad on McCain's "Viagra moment." The Obama campaign could not run that ad, but they probably like it.

Second example, Moveon is running an anti-McCain/anti-Iraq ad that the Obama campaign probably isn't as happy with in that it muddies their message.

2 Comments:

  • I don't think the progressive 527s will go dark just because of Obama's rhetoric about them. Obama gets to claim the high road, while McCain looks like a slut with his whoring for big donor dollars at secret fundraisers and his tight links (campaign staff and/or surrogates) to 527s.

    By Blogger -epm, at 2:14 PM  

  • Fair point.

    (PS. I think I saw where Charlie Black was a/the Fannie Mae lobbyist.)

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 2:35 PM  

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