Obama adviser Robert Gibbs, speaking at a Monitor lunch in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, questioned the reform credentials of McCain and Palin. (Mary Knox Merrill/Staff)
McCain-Palin must lay out economic plan, Obama strategist says
Presidential candidates can't win in '08 without spelling out their vision, according to adviser Robert Gibbs.
By Peter Grier | Staff writer/ September 4, 2008 edition
St. Paul, Minn.
Sarah Palin gave a great speech. It excited a hall of GOP delegates. But it had an angry tone that won’t play well with swing voters. And it didn’t provide any details about what she – or John McCain – would do to try to fix America’s economic troubles.
That’s what Robert Gibbs, a senior adviser to the Barack Obama campaign, says, anway. He’s in the Twin Cities to watch his opposition’s convention close up and was the guest at a Monitor luncheon on Thursday.
“I think [Alaska Governor Palin’s] selection as vice president was primarily to excite the Republican base,” says Mr. Gibbs.
She may be able to connect on a cultural level with working-class voters. But in this election, a sort of she’s-one-of-us recognition may not actually win those voters’ approval, according to the Obama operative.
“You have to have more than simply a personal connection. You have to have some semblance of what you want to do to get these people back on their feet,” says Gibbs.
The economy has become the overriding issue of 2008, in the Democratic calculation. However, the word “economy” in this context covers many things, from healthcare to education.
“I do think some of the foreign-policy issues have not been as dominant in the general election as they were earlier,” says Gibbs.
Yet much of the GOP convention has focused on security and Senator McCain’s foreign-policy experience. In addition, many speakers have attacked Senator Obama’s lack of foreign-policy credentials and charged that his résumé does not include any executive experience at all.
Rudolph Giuliani and other speakers have also made much of the Democratic nominee’s celebrity status, depicting him as something of an Ivy League snob. “I am sorry that Barack Obama does not feel [Governor Palin’s] hometown is cosmopolitan enough,” the former New York mayor said in his speech Wednesday.
Gibbs claimed that he hopes the McCain camp continues to devote attention and money to such charges. “That’s a bunch of white noise most voters don’t pay attention to,” he says.
Palin is not quite the reformist maverick she claims to be, charges the Obama camp. In her speech to the convention, she proudly noted her opposition to the so-called “bridge to nowhere,” a $220 million federally funded bridge to the sparsely inhabited island of Gravina, Alaska. But she initially supported the bridge, says Gibbs.
“She castigated many people for describing the destination of the bridge as ‘nowhere,’ ” he says.
But it is obvious why the Republicans are describing her in reform terms, according to the Obama campaign.
“I think they understood they had to grab some element of the change mantle. And that couldn’t be done just with a senator that has spent three decades in Washington,” says Gibbs, referring to McCain’s experience.
Comments
2. jojo | 09.04.08
Republicans have started spending to buy gas and grocery with Palin speach currency it has $0 value therfore the stores are retunig back and dening them the merchendaize.
3. John | 09.04.08
It is amazing when people from the Obama camp believe that McCain and Palin have not laid out an economic plan.
McCain’s plan is just as specific as Obama’s non existent plan.
To solve the economic woes, Obama will increase taxes on businesses and the taxpaying citizens, increase the death tax, and increase the size of government.
McCain will keep the tax cuts on the county’s tax paying citizens permanent. He will also decrease the size of government and not raise taxes on business.
4. Charlette | 09.04.08
The REAL reason why McCain picked Palin:
http://www.newsflavor.com/Opinions/McCain-Hijacks-Christianity-Via-Palin.240929
5. Gamble20 | 09.04.08
I would like to see their economic plan, but I’m still waiting for Obama’s TRUE plan, not one he flips and flops all across the board on. First he says he’ll double the capital gains, now he’s cutting it, the guy has no clue.
6. Joline | 09.04.08
McCain-Palin must lay out economic plan, Obama strategist says???
And when can we expect Obama-Biden to do the same?
7. joker2012 | 09.04.08
Best thing for Barry now is the discovery of his “love child”. That is about the only thing that will get some attention back on him. How can he compete with all those kids and their distracting life stories? And Michelle, you may think you are the next Jackie O. but ole Sarah has you dead beat in the bouffant hair, pearls and lipstick department. Oh, Hillary, Hillary, where art thou? Anybody in Obama camp want to change their mind about Hillary as VP? Ooopsie, too late. Bwaaa haaa haa haa. What a circus. HRC 2012–but it will be way too late.
8. David Bowman | 09.04.08
The trouble with a president saying they will “do something” about the economy is that there isn’t really a lot that the president or Congress can do outside what is being done by the Fed, existing tax laws, free trade rules, etc. That being said, the efforts of the Obama campaign to hand the current high inflation/job loss enviroment around the neck of the Republican party ring hollow. Since 2006, the Democrats have had a majority in both houses. What exactly have they done or proposed to alleviate this (hopefully temporary) set of conditions? What can they do? Until the storm caused by the Fed in the early part of decade passes, precious little. Historically, except for the Great Depression, what the Democrats has done has usually made things worse not better.
9. David Bowman | 09.04.08
The trouble with a president saying they will “do something” about the economy is that there isn’t really a lot that the president or Congress can do outside what is being done by the Fed, existing tax laws, free trade rules, etc. That being said, the efforts of the Obama campaign to hang the current high inflation/job loss enviroment around the neck of the Republican party ring hollow. Since 2006, the Democrats have had a majority in both houses. What exactly have they done or proposed to alleviate this (hopefully temporary) set of conditions? What can they do? Until the storm caused by the Fed in the early part of decade passes, precious little. Historically, except for the Great Depression, what the Democrats has done has usually made things worse not better.
10. EGG | 09.04.08
“You have to have more than simply a personal connection. You have to have some semblance of what you want to do to get these people back on their feet,” says Gibbs
Oh… Now I get it …. we need concrete ideas ….with substance… something like Obama’s grand plan : “CHANGE” “CHANGE”
What a load of ****
11. Jared Briggs | 09.04.08
It makes sense that a senior adviser to the Barack Obama campaign would respond that way. After all they were hoping that she would botch her first public appearance. After she stepped up to the pressure they had to go on the defensive because she narrowed the gap the Dems. had created with their convention and has rallied the large republican base. She is a threat. They know this and are worried. My hope is that she appeals to mothers across this country with her sincerity and conviction. I think this has shaped up to be an exciting and history making presidential race. McCain/Palin ‘08
12. Donald Ping | 09.04.08
For McCain, Country First = Rich 1% First. Then maybe, if all goes really well, some may trickle down to the rest of us.
13. jim | 09.04.08
why must mccain -palin lay out their economic plan but obama-biden get a pass on everything
14. JM | 09.04.08
Yes and Obama has laid out in great detail his plan!
A. I’m going to stick my hands in your pocket cuz these other folks need your money!
B. I’m going to raid the super rich (mom and pop shops = $250K) companies and do wonderful things for others that are waiting on the government handouts!
If you’ve heard of other details of the Obama plan please post them so that we can understand this most impressive thought process! LOL
Cheers
15. Gary | 09.04.08
Palin gave a great speech showing she is up for the challenge. McCain and Pailin will be a great team. Obama got the democratic nomination by sputtering across the finish line. People were realizing that he had no significant experience. These are exciting times.
16. TiML | 09.04.08
Really John? What McCain economic plan? The republicans (GOP) has not indicated any sort of plan. They line up a bunch of rich people to speak at their convention and tell all their stupid followers that happiness and life is not about being rich. Its is about moral integrity and yata yata yata… yet a massive percentage of the GOP including your great and wise McCain and his amazing well throughout vetted for 1 day cheerleader Palin pick have BOTH been investigated for pretty serious ethics concerns. McCain got away by the skin of his teeth and Palin is trying to cheat the system by forcing the review to go into a panel of her best buddy cheerleader girlfriends.
The whole republican campaign is a big ugly joke. They have nothing substantial to stand on. I just hope to God the rest of Americans figure it out before it is to late.
17. Crystal | 09.04.08
Palin is a very presentable looking extremist (Karl Rove’s dream). She is significantly more extreme in her views on social issues than even Bush or Cheney were! Even they didn’t advocate rape and incest victims carrying being forced to carry their pregancies to term
18. Brendan Steinhauser | 09.04.08
Who is the REAL Barack Obama?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1438906056/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
19. TrickMeDown | 09.04.08
The problem with Trickle Down Economics. It does not really trickle down.
If I have 20 millions dollars, I will invest it long term or something less tax. Paying less taxes does not trickle down. With 20 million, they are not going to invest in jobs that can truly benefit US Workers.
If all those autoworkers loose their jobs, then where are all the jobs being replaced than can benefit layoff coworkers. Walmart?
20. Sarah | 09.04.08
I’ll give it to her, she did have a great speech last night. But a few things…
John - did you watch Obama’s speech on the 28th - you need to youtube the speech and then come back again, because your answers are out there - you just are choosing not to hear them. Also side note… no one can take you seriously if you over generalize everything just to make a point…
McCain is old.
Although, Palin is fairly likable - her crazy right religious/abortion beliefs are enough to keep an independent young woman from the 21st century far far away from her party, even though I like their economic ideas.
21. Jon Peterson | 09.04.08
WOW! Sometimes I don’t get it!
Americans are the funniest voters!!!!
The presidency is job of sound judgment, firm convictions and foresight! It looks like both tickets can deliver. We only need voters with clear minds. Avoid emotions.
My part is that I wouldn’t want to live another 4 years like I have the last 8.
God bless the United States of America.
22. Darr West | 09.04.08
Can you possibly imagine Palin sitting next to and talking tough to anyone? She can’t even talk “tough” to her daughter. Doesn’t she need to prove she can run a household effectively before she’s allowed to govern? I have two kids, I talk sex ed to them and they are well behaved. They don’t have boyfriends that are self proclaimed “red necks” or other bad words her future husband uses. It’s looks like the Beverley Hillbillies are making a run at the Whitehouse.
Her speech - all snappish and “hockey mom” and if you’ve ever seen a hockey parent in action - think stage mother on steroids.
Palin is clearly not presidential material and Nov 4 America will prove this!
23. Fred | 09.04.08
You democrats just don’t get it, do you… So let me be the first to break it to you very very gently… YOU don’t tell US what me must do. Our own AMERICAN sensibilities do that.
Now …did you get that?
Palin will chew her way through both the empty suits you have run this year. WHY do you continue to run empty suits like Gore, Kerry, and NObama and Biden? Got no suits with actual AMERICANS in them?
Sad for you.
25. Deb Leyh | 09.04.08
LOVE LOVE LOVE Sarah Palin. She wasn’t in the least bit negative, she was extremely articulate and ready to knock out the critics. She is a woman of action, and for that, she gets blasted. The DEMOCRATIC party is one big joke, full of hypocrisies and double standards. They just don’t know what to do with themselves, they are at their wits end, so they just scream anything. I don’t recall hearing violent criminal protests at the DNC…just another observation. Media bias is so rampant, if you can’t see it you are a fool. If you think your kids won’t make mistakes because you are such a great parent, you’re an even bigger fool. Thank God she’s in this election. McCain/Palin all the way!!!
26. commoner | 09.04.08
Sarah Palin’s innuendo that Obama was the anti-Christ is so revealing, not to her committed faith, but to her committment to her own intersts. As a Christian, I am so appalled by her naive and inflamatory rhetoric that I am calling on Christians to watch and pray before they get carried away by this very aggressive and cunning woman. Pray and listen very closely America, we cannot afford to be fooled again.
27. David | 09.04.08
As a Republican, I am ASHAMED that the last big government reduction initiative was welfare reform, championed and signed by… Bill Clinton. The last President to balance the budget? Bill Clinton. The Republicans before and after him (both named Bush) ran $500 billion a year deficits, mostly with Republican congresses. Bush II has signed two of the largest expansions of government and the social state EVER.
What I find hysterical is the notion that Republicans shrink government and Democrats increase it. It’s simply accepted as fact these days. But take a look at what people are DOING, not what they are saying.
Wake up people. Until we hold our own party accountable, we’re just being used. With $9 trillion in debt since 1980 and nothing to show for it, I feel like Ned Beatty in Deliverance. ENOUGH.
28. Betty | 09.04.08
McCain/Palin have No Plans for Economic growth; No Plans for Healthcare; No Plans for improving education.
No Way. No How. No McCain!
29. Lorrry | 09.04.08
I just happened to come across this website. OMG! This is a christian website? The hairs stand up on the back of my neck from reading such vicious meanspirited comments. It’s not indicative of the christianity that includes the Christ I’m familiar with.
31. Bettie | 09.04.08
Is the lime green screen meant to draw attention from the fact that McCain has no ecomomic plan?
32. madeadecision | 09.04.08
McCain stated if we don’t feel something is right in the United States, that we need to fight for it, fight for the change…well, I don’t feel his choice for VP was a good one just to win the working class and mom vote…he should have just kept her in the backround as his speech writer…I don’t want someone like her to have any possible chance of becoming the President of the United States….so I will now fight for Obama, although I don’t think McCain couldn’t have been seriously considered by me previously. He is now trying to play on sympathies…patriotism for our country. That’s all right too, but I’m tired of not being able to have the head of our country, someone who is NOT ethical or moral enough to do the right thing ALL the time. A “mistake” is made, but the beat goes on? NO! This has to stop and it’s time we found someone who worked hard…followed and lived his faith without making excuses and apologies after the indescretion? This couple is not trustworthy…has questionable issues all ready pending and all they can say is Obama is a newbie..also charging OBAMA with flip flopping? So what’s so wrong with changing your mind if you discover the better more viable way to acheive a change or reach a goal, or remedy a problem is through an avenue other than what you first believed? This is called LEARNING. Not to mention that I also don’t want a President who is so close-minded as to ignore a better solution just because it doesn’t compliment his personal agenda. He claims his choices are made for the country?..he has left “self” in the box?…but feel good about drilling for oil and letting the U.S deplete its natural resources and simultaneously harm our oceans/shorelines? Become as polluted as those countries overseas? To save money? Since when has harvesting our own crops with our own citizens cost us less than importing those same services? What about our children’s future? Something all people should continue to pursue all their lives is respect for others. Either senator will have a hard term…taxes will increase no matter who is President…I just want someone who is forthright, moral and trustworthy for once. So I don’t want Palin…so I won’t vote for McCain.
33. Lisa Green | 09.05.08
The Obamas are Harvard folks. How dare you question their unified field theory. They state that smoke & mirrors will solve our energy shortfall and mortgage application fraud in one fell swoop. Talk about affirmative distraction.
34. north dakota | 09.05.08
Neither side addressed the real problems. 64% of the budget is in entitlements, another 20% in military spending, and arguing over the measly 16% is merely a diversion. I read nothing in the text of McCain’s speech or Palin’s speech that would indicate any solutions to the real problems. The same goes for most of Obama’s speech and Biden’s speech. Both parties are ignoring the biggest problems America faces.
35. Fernando F. | 09.05.08
Bush has demonstrate that reducing taxes doesn’t work. Today the unemployment is 6.1 (higher in 5 years). Bush reduced taxes on day one of his administration. Where are the jobs? Why is the economic power of the average people 2,000 less than before, while the productivity is up?
The jobs are being ship elsewhere, with cheap manual labor.
The CEO’s are taking bigger bonuses for themselves, while freezing salaries.
Less government for the Republicans means “we can do what we want and nobody is checking on us” (i.e. FDA, FAA, …).
36. Howard | 09.05.08
OBAMA’S ECONOMICS ARE DANGEROUS !!!
Unemployment at 6.1% simply reinforces McCain’s argument that if you raise taxes on businesses, they will have to cut back their work force in order to keep their doors open. In the short run, Obama’s desire to raise taxes on businesses, and give the money to struggling Americans sounds good … but, it panders to people’s desire for hand outs and immediate gratification … for, in the long run, this kind of bad judgement is like eating the goose that lays the golden eggs … or, like eating your seed crop, instead of using the seeds to grow more crops. Raising the taxes on businesses is the best way to dramatically increase unemployment in America.
37. olivia | 09.05.08
Any middle class or poor person who votes for McCain (who voted with Bush 90% of the times) is absolutely insane. I mean, economically we (the middle class) has suffered tremendously these last eight years, while the billionaires incomes have trippled! The damn CEO! Do you want more of the same stupid poor *** people!? 10 houses McCain does not care about you!!Shakes head.
38. olivia | 09.05.08
Any middle class or poor person who votes for McCain (who voted with Bush 90% of the times) is absolutely insane. I mean, economically we (the middle class) has suffered tremendously these last eight years, while the billionaires incomes have trippled! The damn CEO! Do you want more of the same stupid poor *** people!? 10 houses McCain does not care about you!!Shakes head.
39. Lori | 09.05.08
McCain’s economic plan is the same as Bush’s. So, he has it all written. The economy is getting worst, my friends. McCain does not understand the Economy, as he claimed before. So, if you wanted more foreclusers and stagnant economy and borrowing chinese money, vote for McBush.
40. Simon | 09.06.08
American unemployment is growing fast. Companies maximize profits
by moving jobs to places like China and India through outsourcing
manufacturing and software development. As a result, more than ever before
young Americans can’t compete with their skills as they have no opportunity
to acquire them if jobs are outsourced. Skilled immigration has increased
through generous issuing of H types of visas and Bush and Republicans did
nothing to stop them. Homes are repossessed by thousands. McCain’s
speech produced no plans but simple platitudes. You can’t expect Palin
to understand this economics that makes jobs to go towards East. McCain
and Palin blame blame government which is run by their fellow
Republicans. But they want to be the government that keeps its hands off
so that more jobs and services are shipped to China and India. This
is not Liberal vs Conservative argument, but sanity vs insanity.
41. Tanya | 09.06.08
I’m so glad that so many Christians are seeing through the lies of the McCain/Palin ticket. Obama has been upstanding and honest, moral and dutiful. I love my country. I don’t want to see Her get used up and shipped out as she has in the past 8 years. Enough is enough. Bring our jobs home, and find a way to bring back the families who have fallen victim to this awful administration.
42. Sam | 09.06.08
What this talk about tax cuts and tax increases misses an important point. What do you get in return for the taxes you paid? I rather pay $2 and get $1.25 in return than paying $1 and get $.25 in return. So far the $1 government seems to work for the well-to-dos and big corporations rather than the regular folks. If you think another $1 government will do something different, I have a London Bridge to sell you.
43. Karen DeBiase | 09.07.08
I think focusing too much on Palins speech is counter productive. She didn’t write it - those are not her words. Focus on what she did do - earmarks - lots of them and most wasted in unviable projects. Focus on deeds not words. When you look at her actions and what she wants to do - the world becomes as scary place beyond her poofy hair and pretty family.
44. Ron | 09.07.08
Obama needs to explain exactly how he plans on destroying Islamo-Fascist terrorism. Also, although everyone knows that he would like us all to forget about Jeremiah Wright, Michael Pflager, Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn and Tony Rezko and his decades long relationships with these racists, anti-Americans, and Marxist terrorists, he’s got a lot more ’splainin to do.
45. Muhammad aMoosa | 09.07.08
American people-please wake up.
We live in a global village and as painfully obvious as Mccain/Palin being a tragedy for Americas image outside the U.S is,it is like a repeat of the Iraqi war which to the rest of the world was wrong -except to the people of America.
I fear history will repeat itself at the whim of “hockey moms”,conservatives,etc-except that this time America will surely deteriorate as a super power.
Sad-from an outsiders perspective Obama is the only choice especially once you strip away the”noise” and emotion.The world holds it breath.
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1. JT | 09.04.08
I heard her speech last night. She didnt mention anything about the current economy. As if she doesnt care about all these people losing their homes due to higher taxes and tax cuts for the upper class. why should she care? She even made fun of the global warming efforts. Isnt it sad? how can a so called educated woman make fun of global warming? that screams ignorant. very sad speech.