The Biggest Liabilities to Barack Obama and John McCain

Reverend Jesse Jackson said that presidential candidate, Barack Obama, "talks down to black people."¹ These were strong words from such a visible and prominent fixture in the world of politics. This begged the question, whose "help" could the candidates do without?

Despite Jackson's words, I doubt his criticism will have a lasting effect on Obama's campaign. According to Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune, most will chalk Jackson's words up to frustration. Obama took words that Jackson has been saying for years and garnered national attention and applause.² Obama had given a Father's Day speech at a predominantly black church and tapped his "inner-Cosby" and said that "just because you can make a child doesn't make you a father."

If Jackson is not Obama's biggest headache, who is?

Obama's Biggest Liability #1- Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama is a lovely woman. Her pedigree as a Princeton educated lawyer, her poise, and well-groomed appearance makes her an excellent potential first lady. But put her in front of a microphone and her husband's blood pressure must rise.

She has been criticized (and defended by Laura Bush) for her comments on not being proud of America until now.³ She has consistently campaigned hard for her husband- but on her terms. Her terms mean that no advisor has given her a script which is something she may need to start considering.⁴ Her sarcasm and criticism of her own husband tend to turn off voters that they need to reach to secure the White House.

Speaking as a woman, I do take offensive for her husband at some of Michelle Obama's remarks. I do not find it necessary to tell the world that your husband "stinks" or that his pants are 10 years old⁵. While it may seem funny at the time and garner you the giggles from like-minded women, in the long run the constant digs will hurt the campaign. People still want to see a united front and an almost "Camelot"-like mystique about their candidates. Take John F. Kennedy, Jr. for instance. He had the beautiful wife, young children and a fresh outlook for the United States. Had the country known about his affairs, his lack of fashion sense, or his bad habits, do you think that would have taken away some votes? Most likely. Americans root for the "normal" guy but we vote for the man we can look up to and admire. Besides, there are just some things you keep at home and not share with the world.

Another reason Michelle Obama may be a liability for Barack Obama is her very liberal agenda. While Obama is pushing expansion of faith-based programs, Michelle is speaking to gay rights promising that her husband will "fight for gay rights."⁶ Obama is currently attempting to court evangelicals but they may run back to McCain once they hear the very liberal rhetoric from Mrs. Obama. However, this could be a divide and conquer plan. Obama courts the moderates and Michelle takes on the liberals. This philosophy could implode easily if the groups realize that one is going to take a hit once the Obamas reach the White House.

Obama's Biggest Liability #2- Jeremiah Wright

Barack Obama's former pastor of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright has said that blacks should not sing "God bless America but God d*mn America."⁷ He has consistently blamed America for bringing terrorism on ourselves saying that because we bombed Nagasaki and Hiroshima, we deserved 9/11.

Obama's aides have dismissed Wright as having a long history of "inflammatory rhetoric." Obama himself has said that Wright is like an uncle you do not always agree with and feels his church is not controversial.⁸

Even though the Obama campaign is trying to casually shove aside the connection to Jeremiah Wright and his very vocal and anti-American ideals, the question remains in voters' minds: How can someone have a 20 year connection to a man they claim has a long history of "inflammatory rhetoric" and not have these ideals rub off? Voters have to wonder why Barack Obama suddenly denounces a man he has referred to as his "mentor" for 20 years. If your character is defined by those you keep company with, then Barack Obama is in trouble.

While Barack Obama has his own backtracking to deal with, the McCain campaign is certainly no stranger to liabilities. In fact, John McCain may have even more to overcome than Obama in order to secure the White House.

McCain's Biggest Liability #1- President George Bush

After eight years of controversial Republican rule, the country is ready for change. But is it ready for another Republican candidate? Thanks to Bush's unpopular choices, the country may swing to the Democrats just to avoid any more unpleasantness. In more recent history, only one Republican managed to take the White House after another two-term Republican. Ronald Reagan had a universal appeal and his vice president, George Bush Sr., was able to secure the White House thanks in large part to his predecessor's popularity.

Presidential hopeful, John McCain, does not have the benefit of a popular Republican president. And voting with President Bush seems to be a quick way to a downhill slide. A fact that Democrats use well to their advantage.

In recent days, Barack Obama has attempted to use McCain's voting record against him. He states that the Arizona senator has voted with the President "95% of the time."⁹ These words can be detrimental especially as voters may want to see a difference in the president we have the one we elect. (For those who are interested, yes, McCain has had this voting record but it is also completely in line with the Republican Party. For further details, see the source link #9.)

McCain's Biggest Liability #2- Phil Gramm

John McCain's senior economic advisor and former senator, Phil Gramm, has coming out swinging with statements such as America is in a "mental recession" and "we have sort of become a nation of whiners."¹⁰ With shades of Michelle Obama, his statements could be perfectly true, but not something voters need or want to hear. Phil Gramm's comments could have been swept under the rug except for two things: first, he is a very prominent member of the McCain campaign and second, voters do not want to be shamed. Unfortunately, telling the truth in this regard can cause one to commit political suicide.

McCain tried to laugh it off by saying that Gramm's potential role in a White House capacity would be "ambassador to Belarus."¹¹ In a more serious tone, he did concede that he does not believe America is in a mental recession. According to Fox News, McCain said he knows "the factory worker in Michigan who loses his job is not in a mental recession."

Recession or not, the comments Phil Gramm made prompted a swift outcry from the Obama camp. All his comments served were to push Obama's charisma and rhetoric of change to the forefront.

Gramm can be a huge liability because McCain has to win on economics, his experience, and his policies. He knows Obama has won as the "family man" persona and is a more charismatic speaker. If McCain's advisors begin to give ammunition to the other camp, then his campaign suffers a loss they may not recover from.

As for Gramm and his outspoken comments, I am sure we will see a shift in McCain's advising staff- or least a new spokesman for the McCain camp.

For now, presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama have enough to focus on without having to deal with the fallout from their own camps. But when you work in such an opinion-charged environment, you will be sure to see more as the campaigns progress.

Sources:

¹http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0713pagejul13,0,805062.column

²http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0713pagejul13,0,805062.column

³http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/michelle-obam-1.html

⁴http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-05-10-michelle-obama_N.htm

⁵http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5330730&page=1

⁶http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/27/michelle-obama-barack-wil_n_109543.html

⁷http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4443788

⁸http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4443788

⁹http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_it_true_john_mccain_voted_with.html

¹⁰http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/11/AR2008071102543.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

¹¹http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/11/AR2008071102543.html?hpid=opinionsbox1