On "This Week with George Stephanopolous" Carly Fiorino is arguing that any mention of John McCain’s age is "disrespectful." This line of attack to rebut concerns about McCain's age appears new, although I could have missed earlier versions.
Looking at the excellent front page story "Small Town Values" by Devilstower, the "disrespectful" meme fits right in – "the city slickers don’t respect us and our values!" It plays into widespread ideas of proper behavior and politeness; be respectful to elders, treat women nicely. Is this going to emerge as one of their major themes?
This meme has another effect - it emphasizes that "Obama is not one of us," when it comes to the heartland. It stresses that Obama is an "outsider" and is not acting according to the expected American social compact.
Never mind that politics has always been a contact sport, and that Democratic women like Hillary Clinton have been treated foully by the right. They will overlook the repubs’ and Karl Rove’s playbook of sliming anyone and everyone, which scarcely constitutes respectful treatment; the campaign against Max Cleland being one memorable example.
Questions:
Where will they extend this "disrespectful meme" to next?
What will counter this best?
Can one counter a demand for respect by pointing out respect must be earned, and that McCain’s current behavior doesn’t merit respect?
Can one counter demanding respect with a demand for competence on behalf of the American people?