John McCain As Bob Dole

I shared Richelieu's skepticism about this McCain ad, and I thought that Ed Kilgore's comparison of the McCain "biography tour" to Bob Dole's "build a bridge to the American past" campaign in 1996 was spot-on. Moreover, I disagreed with Kilgore's suggestion that "McCain is advancing a more appealing version of Dole's political package, gussied up with plenty of Prodigal policy offerings that will make it harder to typecast him as reactionary." I think McCain's pre-existing popularity makes him more appealing than Dole ever was, but I'm not sure what "Prodigal policy offerings" Kilgore has in mind; so far, the McCain message seems to boil down to his biography, the Surge, and ... that's about it.

Now of course it's still early, and there's a case to be made that a biography-centric roll-out for the campaign is good way to lay the groundwork for the fall contest. But the latest web ad from the McCain camp pushes all my Dole-redux buttons. It's a paean to heroes in general, to McCain's favorite high school teacher specifically, and more specifically still to the principle that you ought to turn in your friends when they break the honor code. Now maybe this is, as Jonah suggests, a canny below-the-radar pitch to the crucial crotchety-white-guy vote. But it makes it seem like John McCain is running to be the headmaster of the school in Dead Poets Society, and while anything that sticks it to Robin Williams' annoying and irresponsible Emerson-wannabe of an English teacher is catnip to me, I'm not sure that running as the guy who'll clean up the local prep school is the best way for a seventysomething politician with a reputation for being, well, a little crabby to make his case for the American Presidency.

I would also note that the only thing worse than the substance of the ad is the opening sequence, which calls a roll of four American heroes - an inventor (Thomas Edison), an athlete (Ted Williams), a politician (TR, of course), and a rock star (a headless guy carrying a guitar). The implication seems to be that the McCain campaign is just hip enough to know that rock and roll exists and that the kids are into it, without being hip enough to identify any actual musicians.

Comments

Also, McCain's four "heroes" are four white guys.

Posted by Ben | April 3, 2008 5:20 PM

If you read the WSJ this is starting to sound like the "I bonked a broad every place I was stationed" tour.

Posted by How Insane Is John McCain? | April 3, 2008 6:06 PM

Ross,
If you’re going to quibble about the teacher, perhaps you could bring yourself to acknowledge that the father in that movie is hardly the most responsible individual in the annals of parenthood. And I’ve known at least two fathers rather like him, so don’t tell me he’s simply a caricature.

Posted by jason | April 3, 2008 6:49 PM

C'mon, Ross....I know you're capable of watching a movie without seeing it through political glasses. So let's do it, huh?

Posted by Herb | April 3, 2008 7:23 PM

Ross~

You are without question one of the youngest fogies I've ever encountered.

Posted by Steven Donegal | April 3, 2008 7:50 PM

Also, what's with the glowing smoke curling behind the ad? Is that a design element or a subliminal ad for Marlboros?

Posted by Kevin | April 3, 2008 9:33 PM

One possible reason for using a headless non-specific rock star is that probably not many actual rock stars support McCain. So if he'd used one of their pictures, the musician or his/her estate would probably object.

"Also, McCain's four "heroes" are four white guys."

So?
(I can't even tell if that headless rock star is a man or a woman, actually.)

Posted by Mosh | April 3, 2008 10:47 PM

If National Geographic were doing a special on John McCain, it would look just like that ad.

That is to say, as an ad, it really sucks.

Posted by lampwick | April 3, 2008 10:53 PM

By the way, McCain-hero and alleged "white guy" Ted Williams was actually of mixed racial ancestry - his mother was Mexican. So there! :-)

Posted by Mosh | April 3, 2008 10:55 PM

it's still early, ross, and his biography tour will be over soon.

re the latest ads, this is the best time to run those ads on character, to re-introduce himself to the public, while the dems are still fighting. character ads are safe and the opposition will have a hard time picking it apart, unlike issue ads. (what are the DNC gonna do? question mccain's patriotism and honor?)

of course it’s not enough to run on character, but there’s plenty of time to run those issue ads after mccain has told his impressive biography to the public.

the next mccain ads will feature his ability to work with the other side on contentious issues and actually bring republicans and democrats together, unlike one candidate who is just talk.

Posted by john marzan | April 4, 2008 12:25 AM

Sure, john marzan, and while they're running character ads they can discuss the fact that McCain was a serial adulterer who dumped his disabled wife for a much younger, wealthier bimbo named Cindy. Because we all know such things are very important to the "values voters" who infest the Republican Party, right?

And nothing would be a better role model for the young'uns than having a certified homewrecking tramp as First Lady! Yee hah!

Not a peep of it yet but she is being referred to as a "beer heiress," which has a nice 'n' sleazy sound to it.

Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | April 4, 2008 12:39 AM

the McCain campaign is just hip enough to know that rock and roll exists and that the kids are into it, without being hip enough to identify any actual musicians
Ted Nugent was just busy this week. He'll be available this fall, though. The young kids love the Nuge.

Posted by tgb1000 | April 4, 2008 3:51 AM

Yeah I was gonna say... The kids really aren't that into the rock and roll these days. McCain should have gone with a headless hip-hop producer instead, or at least a headless pop idol.

Posted by Just Another Greg | April 4, 2008 9:30 AM

It would be interesting to know how McCain, EHS '54 (or Coach Ravenal, for that matter) felt about Brown v. Bd of Education, argued in 1952, and decided his senior year. His school waited another 11 years to change its whites-only policy (and until the year MLK was killed to actually admit a black student).

But at least they turned in classmates who cheated . . .

From http://www.episcopalhighschool.org/about/history.html

1965 EHS Board of Trustees voted to admit "any and all qualified applicants."
1968 The first two African-American students entered EHS—Reginald Burns and Samuel Paschall, Jr.

Posted by turbo3 | April 4, 2008 10:52 AM

...anything that sticks it to Robin Williams' annoying and irresponsible Emerson-wannabe of an English teacher is catnip to me...

Bravo to that. I thoroughly disliked the character and the movie. Even as a student I found showboating narcissistic teachers, especially those of the Salvation through Art persuasion, distasteful.

Posted by Maclin Horton | April 4, 2008 11:09 AM

The pictures of "young McCain" look so dated, so old. I didn't expect to see hip-hop artists, but the ad had me expecting sock-hoppers. Hell, I halfway expected to see flappers.

Posted by Jackie | April 4, 2008 11:23 AM

What about the creepy, mewling tone? It sounds from the narrator's voice like he's awkwardly batting his eyelashes at the viewer, who's supposed to be in love with hall monitors.

"*Sometimes*, the heroes we need are right in front of us." Yeah, and sometimes they're asking where in the hell your bathroom pass is.

It's like a bad movie preview. In a world where old men are young again and sepia is heroic...

Vomit.

Posted by Dan | April 4, 2008 11:34 AM

Ross, Senator McCain and I are trying very hard to understand why it is that you insist on defying us. Whatever the reason, we're not going to let you ruin your life. Tomorrow I'm withdrawing you from The Atlantic Monthly and enrolling you in Braighton Military School. You're going to Harvard (again), and you're going to be a doctor.

Posted by Mr. Perry | April 4, 2008 11:36 AM

Don't ignore the context—the current Obama-Hillary demolition derby. Your analysis, Ross, would ring true in a more balanced campaign environment, but less so in the current one. McCain is accomplishing much with this coordinated weeklong spate of ads and speeches: 1) Contrasting his character and experience with those of his two Democratic rivals, 2) continuing to rally his somewhat still skeptical base, and 3) introducing some stark philosophical differences and themes for the general campaign, raising not only the level of debate but the plane of regard. Aren't we all hungry for this? Plus, technically, it appears he's hired some of Madison Avenue's best.

On Point 3, read his Annapolis address with its great Michael Kelley-inspired line:
" But when healthy skepticism sours into corrosive cynicism our expectations of our government become reduced to the delivery of services. And to some people the expectations of liberty are reduced to the right to choose among competing brands of designer coffee."

Posted by Freedom, Soar! | April 4, 2008 11:51 AM

Mr. Ravenal's "Honor Code" is almost a direct lift of the Naval Academy Honor Concept, based on the code that "A naval cadet does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate it in others." Often overlooked, intentionally, is the fact that not tolerating such behavior is not the same as reporting it to a higher authority. To this day at the U.S. Naval Academy, it is not an honor offense to not report another’s offense.

This may seem a subtle change, but McCain's embrace of such a change really outlines the shift in the right wing, and specifically in the Republican party. They no longer seek to bind the individual to his or her conscience and give weight the judgment of the individual, but rather, they seek to codify an interpretation of what a conscience should be.

Not coincidentally, the author of the still-accepted Honor Concept at the U.S. Naval Academy, emphasizing individual responsibility to the whole as dictated by conscience, was authored by one of the last true conservatives. I speak of course, of the venerable Broad-Eared One, Mr. H. Ross Perot.

Posted by cody | April 4, 2008 11:52 AM

Mosh, Ted Williams was indeed a white guy. His mother was a Mexican citizen of Spanish Heritage (Basque).

I can't believe that you think that no one from Mexico is white (by which I mean of European descent).

Posted by eb in nyc | April 4, 2008 12:36 PM

Does anyone have any theories as to who the headless rock star actually is? Before clicking on the link I expected that it would be someone who, although with head offscreen, was recognizable as Elvis or Buddy Holly or Carl Perkins or whoever, but it seems to really be generic file footage of no one in particular. That does make the ad look silly.

Posted by James Kabala | April 4, 2008 2:46 PM

That is one of the worst ads I've ever seen in my life. Who thought this was a good ad to run? To proclaim that McCain was once a great tattle-tale? Some urgent need for McCain to grab up the "snitch" vote?

The "rock star" would appear to be a younger Bruce Springsteen. Since he's a big left-winger, can't show his head.

Posted by Will | April 4, 2008 2:50 PM

This is without a doubt the worst political ad I have seen seen.

Posted by Korha | April 4, 2008 3:00 PM

The perfect ad for the ultimate Republican empty old man: a headless rock star for a headless candidate. Even the smoke works- that, my friends, is the sign of a campaign going down in flames.

Posted by morzer | April 4, 2008 4:24 PM

Now maybe this is, as Jonah suggests, a canny below-the-radar pitch to the crucial crotchety-white-guy vote.

If McCain doesn't already have a hammerlock on the crotchety-white-guy vote he's going to lose Goldwater-style no matter what kind of ad strategy he adopts.

Posted by JB | April 4, 2008 5:04 PM

John McCain isn't even Bob Dole. Yeah, he was imprisoned and tortured. So? The rest of his bio consisted of being a sucky pilot with terrible grades who hung out with strippers and hookers, got married after coming back, cheated on his disabled wife multiple times, left his wife for a younger bimbo who has a terrible habit of overdosing on drugs.

John McCain is the second coming of Randy "Duke" Cunningham.

Mark my words: The next president is the person who will be seen as the most presidential. When people find out the kind of jackass John McCain was, expect his numbers to go the way of Giuliani. Whatever else you may think of Obama, he's got spunk. When he's on, he's on, and he becomes a force of nature that nobody will be able to contain.

Obama's got IT. And when you've got IT, nothing will stop you. Nothing.

Posted by Abe | April 4, 2008 11:56 PM

Like Bob Dole, McCain's time has come and gone.

Posted by Rich | April 5, 2008 3:06 AM

John McCain is America's most popular politician. Bob Dole never was.

Wishfully thinking you can put the beloved figure of McCain amoung blue-collar democrats and moderate liberals in a box with Dole is a just-so story.

Posted by Fitz | April 5, 2008 3:14 PM

Amusingly, the Democrats have come down to a typical cat fight between one candidate who reminds one of the depressing Clinton years and another who is a rookie senator without serious accomplishment who spouts frothy rhetoric. Meanwhile, McCain, an articulate Republican conservative with real political scars from attempting serious compromise in the Senate and a solid record on national security, should have little trouble of disposing either Democratic candidate. He, also, has the virtue of being an authentic man who conducted himself bravely during five and a half years as a prisoner of war.

The only Democratic candidates who have won a contemporary election, Carter and Clinton, ran distinctly from the center. Both Democratic candidates in caving to Daily Kos et al on the loony left during the primary will wander into the general election badly exposed.

My guess is that certainly Obama and probably Clinton will go the way of Gore and Kerry, the Democrats once again having shot themselves in the foot.

Posted by Peter Leavitt | April 5, 2008 3:25 PM

If a Democratic nominee ha John McCain's sloppy personal history - serial adulterer, cheated on his disabled wife over and over again before marrying his much younger mistress - Fitz and Petey Leavitt would be aghast at his LACK of character. If a prospective Dem nominee's wife had been fucking him while he was married they'd be calling her a homewrecking whore.

The ONLY reason they don't apply their usual "moral standards" to the McCains is that they don't actually have moral standards. They're just catamites for the Republican Party. Period.

Oh, and neither one of them supported McCain before it became apparent that he'd be the nominee. He's no better than the 4th choice for either one of them. But between now and the election they'll be deifying the senile warmongering adulterous NOMINEE.

It's funny to watch their behavior, isn't it?

Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | April 5, 2008 4:50 PM

Heard Barack Obama in Montana this a.m. saying McCain is running for Bush's third term. That might have some staying power.

Posted by BC | April 5, 2008 6:16 PM

Heard Barack Obama in Montana this a.m. saying McCain is running for Bush's third term. That might have some staying power.

Posted by BC | April 5, 2008 6:16 PM

Moe,Larry, and Jim Keane, the adultery of any man including presidents needs to be balanced against his other traits of character and accomplishment. This would be true of FDR, Eisenhower, and Clinton, as well as of McCain. Referring to McCain as a catamite for the Republican Party, reveals once again your vicious and hardly amusing juvenile character.

Posted by Peter Leavitt | April 6, 2008 7:41 AM

Petey Leavitt is confused: "Referring to McCain as a catamite for the Republican Party, reveals once again your vicious and hardly amusing juvenile character."

I didn't call McCain a catamite for the Republican Party, Petey. I was applying that label to you and Fitz, because it fits. You two are constantly greased up and ready to service anyone the Republicans send your way.

Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | April 6, 2008 12:49 PM

Well then Moe, Larry,, and Jim Keane, calling Fitz and me catamites for the Republican Party is an still a vicious and juvenile remark. Just who do you think you are that allows you to use such abusive speech? Grow up and die right.

Posted by Peter Leavitt | April 6, 2008 12:58 PM

Petey's leavittry: " Just who do you think you are that allows you to use such abusive speech? Grow up and die right."

Nothing abusive about it, Petey - it correctly describes your relationship with the GOP.

I'm in no hurry to die, though. I have a few graves I want to piss on before I'm done.

Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | April 6, 2008 1:58 PM

OK, this is what I don't get. I don't object to abusive language, when the situation calls for it, including 'catamite.' But it's weirdly incongruous comming from Moe. Calling someone, abusively, a catamite for the Republican Party implies that there's something wrong with being a catamite. But Moe believes (ostensibly) that to be a catamite is just another lifestyle choice, no better or worse than anything else.

How about it, Moe? Isn't the fact that you resort to calling your political enemies catamites evidence that at some level, you too share the natural human intuition that the sexual norm is between a man and a woman? See the thing is, you can run but you can't hide from the innate knowledge of morality that is written on our hearts. You may deny it verbally but you share it in your heart.

Posted by Hector | April 6, 2008 4:11 PM

Hector, you're right, as C.S. Lewis stated in Mere Christianity, that underneath it all there are universal norms, natural law, moral law, decency, whatever one might call it, and that ML&Jim Keane, however inchoately is aware of this.

Now, if we could just get you to understand with John Paul II in Centesimus Annus that socialism is flawed due to the power it gives to the state and its neglect of the principle subsidiarity,you would then be on the right track.

Posted by Peter Leavitt | April 6, 2008 4:48 PM

Hector writes: "Calling someone, abusively, a catamite for the Republican Party implies that there's something wrong with being a catamite. But Moe believes (ostensibly) that to be a catamite is just another lifestyle choice, no better or worse than anything else.

How about it, Moe? Isn't the fact that you resort to calling your political enemies catamites evidence that at some level, you too share the natural human intuition that the sexual norm is between a man and a woman?"

No, Hector, you're on the wrong track here. I used "catamites" here because Fitz and Petey are subservient male cupbearers for the GOP, and I figure they were both altar boys at one time.

There's nothing wrong with being a catamite, but there is something wrong with the partner Fitz and Petey have chosen. That "catamite" has a pejorative slant mainly because it is used that way by the likes of Fitz and Petey (or at least by people of their ilk who are more literate than they are) is just one of life's delicious ironies.

Posted by TheBannedMoeLarryAndJesus | April 6, 2008 4:59 PM