"American" John "American" McCain for America

So, any ideas on how American maverick John "America" McCain would run against Obama in November?

Steve Benen:

So, why use the word "American" twice in the same sentence? Media consultants, especially when creating presidential campaign ads for the general election, don’t waste so much as a syllable. The sentence would have sounded just fine if it said, "John McCain: The president Americans have been waiting for." But the campaign wanted to add that one extra word.

Michael Crowley noted:

That’s an awfully conspicuous formulation when your opponent has been accused of being unpatriotic and of murky foreign origin. All the more so given that it echoes Obama’s line, "we’re the ones we’ve been waiting for." Am I reading too much into it?

I don’t think so.

I don't think so, either.

•  Memo

  Black people are Americans, too.

  by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:12:47 PM PDT

  •  Not if Republicans and their media friends decide

    by cskendrick on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:15:24 PM PDT

    •  Hey Kossacks

      Isn't it way more fun to talk shit about a Republican than a democrat?  This is fun!

      by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:23:08 PM PDT

      •  Back to the basics

        It feels good... Like getting a backrub.

        by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:24:11 PM PDT

        •  Makes my toes tingle!

          by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:25:47 PM PDT

          •  Substitute "white" for "America"

            And you understand where they're going with this...

            Its actually a pretty creepy commercial.

            by eclecticbrotha on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:42:55 PM PDT

            •  what are the demographics?

              what are the demographics of regular voters.  

              I'm not talking about possible voters.

              ....or of the entire citizenry eligible to vote.

              I am talking about those who year after year go to the polls.

              Does it mirror the national trends? 10% 13% spanish/latino; 2530% black; 10% other, etc.?

              and more interestingly, what is the breakdown in the battleground states where the EC votes weigh more heavily than in states like say Alabama where beating your chest with code words about being "Amurikan!" i.e "White!" will sway voters.

              Because, otherwise, these code words are silly.

              Especially since McCain has been hidding Bridget McCain the entire primary season.

              If I were Bridget, I'd be out making youtube videos about how my father is embarrassed by me.  Did you see the mailers where the "McCain girls" only included Roberta, Cindy and Meaghan?

              if I were Bridget, I'd be crashing the party saying: ummm...excuse me!

              by MFL on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:49:32 PM PDT

              •  why the cross out?

                what did I type wrong for my numbers to get crossed out? help. technically challenged.

                by MFL on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:51:14 PM PDT

                •  DKOS auto strike-through

                  put hyphens on either side of text and they get converted into strikethrough like this but put a space around the hyphens and they stay - dashes like this - see?

                  by wondering if on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:15:55 PM PDT

                  •  America . . . FUCK YEAH!!!

                    the American (white guy) president Americans (other white guys) have been waiting for. nice
                    
                    
                    

                    by billydanielus on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:18:30 PM PDT

                    •  Scary.

                      Scary scary scary!

                      by vacantlook on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 05:08:33 PM PDT

                      •  Whatever

                        We're still going to smash on McCain in November

                        by Libertad on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 05:41:44 PM PDT

                    •  Is that a white guy or gal? n/t

                      by bythesea on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:48:00 PM PDT

                    •  Someone needs to tell that ... person ...

                      that it is expressly forbidden by flag etiquette, to form the Flag into clothing.

                      by twigg on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 10:27:54 PM PDT

            •  The thing that I found so creepy about it

              is that McCain is so old, He got dead Paul Frees to do the voice-over.

              by The Gryffin on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 05:13:22 PM PDT

            •  Bingo.

              by delillo2000 on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:51:38 AM PDT

      •  Oh my!

        I do believe I feel the vapors coming on.

        by Phil N DeBlanc on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:29:02 PM PDT

      •  Yeah

        Though I wish it were less "Republican/Democrat" than "Progressive/Conservative + Principled/Dubious + Smart/Dumb".  Clinton doesn't do well (even against a few Republicans) in the latter mix of categories.  But I see what you're getting at.

        by jarnikles on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:03:18 PM PDT

    •  And..

      President Clinton, remember?  Hillary vs. McCain would be a great race because we'd have to candidates who "love America."

      Crapulent.

      by Penman on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:48:26 PM PDT

      •  Whereas with Obama vs. McCain,

        we get two candidates America loves.

        by Wit Whither Wilt on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:43:26 PM PDT

  •  But not AMERICAN american n/t

    by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:15:29 PM PDT

    •  Yup. John McCain just doesn't happen to be

      an American who was born in America, which makes it unConstitutional for him to run for president.

      But let's not nitpick, shall we?  After all, I can't wait to see Old Man McCain telling people they need to "believe" in his presidency when Barack Obama is standing next to him in a debate.  That's when Americans will see his opponent as a man who would be a president with real class, real composure, real intelligence, real honesty and real honor.  A president who would actually keep his sworn promise to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.  A president who would gather real intelligence to make informed decisions, rather than a flip-flopper who does whatever he's told.

      Yup.  You're an American, John McCain, but your not elligible to be President of the United States.

      by Little Lulu on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:26:41 PM PDT

  •  Code worded racist BS...and it won't work :)

    An AMERICAN President, AMERICANS have been waiting for....translation

    A White President, Bigoted Whites, who can't voted for a Black man with a funny sounding name, have been waiting for...

    by bikko100 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:16:12 PM PDT

    •  Your assuming he's already running against Obama.

      I think the add is more of a slap at Hillary's "experience" and "ready on day one" empty slogans.

      (Someone should tell old Johnny boy, who's in the lead.)

      by idontcair on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:49:03 PM PDT

      •  Grammer Stickler: the comma changes the whole

        meaning of what you're trying to convey.

        You meant:

        (Someone should tell old Johnny boy who's in the lead.)

        by vertexoflife on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:51:43 PM PDT

        •  Speeeling Stickler

          "Grammer" is spelled "Grammar".

          by karateexplosions on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:59:03 PM PDT

        •  Spelling stickler

          grammar

          by RainyDay on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:59:53 PM PDT

        •  Okay, I'll play....what it the difference?

          I fail to see a meaningful difference with what I wrote:
          (Someone should tell old Johnny boy, who's in the lead.)
          and what you wrote:
          (Someone should tell old Johnny boy who's in the lead.)

          If I had written:
          (Someone should tell old Johnny boy, who's in the lead, that Obama is really in the lead.)
          That has a different meaning. It also is a complete sentence.

          If I had written:
          (Someone should tell old, out of touch, Johnny boy who's in the lead.)
          This doesn't alter the meaning, but it is more descriptive.

          If I had written:
          (Someone should smell old Johnny boy, who's in the lead.)
          This changes the statement into a snark.

          Funny, I don't see a history of grammatical acuity.

          by idontcair on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:26:19 PM PDT

          •  No comma

            Commas are for brief periods of history ravaged by war.

            Seriously, with the comma the "who" (of who's, or 'who is') becomes a pronown for Johnny boy.

            Here's another example of punctuation changing the meaning:

            A woman without her man is nothing.
            A woman: without her, man is nothing.

            by Sarge in Seattle on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:40:05 PM PDT

            •  Spelling Stickler

              pronoun

              by EB4Dean on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:14:06 PM PDT

              •  oops!

                that's worser than grammer!

                by Sarge in Seattle on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:53:45 PM PDT

            •  Maybe a simple spell-check program

              and grammar-check program for the Comments might save: Time? Space? Effort? Keystrokes? Oxygen? Server space? Bandwidth? Pithy jabs? The satisfaction of proving yourself to be a superior being (spelling-wise, that is.)
              Maybe we might be more united if we weren't so busy pointing out the minute differences and faults of those with whom we seek to unite.

              by idontcair on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:36:45 PM PDT

            •  hahaha, He 'dontcair' ! n/t

              by Dvalkure on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:50:41 PM PDT

      •  What I notice is the voice over

        Sounds like - Obama !

        Listen to it again ans see if you agree.

        by Dvalkure on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:53:18 PM PDT

        •  Nope, voice quality & especially

          voice cadence are wrong.

          by murasaki on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:00:30 PM PDT

    •  WHAT I WANT TO KNOW

      is Bridget McCain not American?

      by MFL on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:50:11 PM PDT

      •  For this answer, you need to ask...

           the voters of SC from 2000.

        by NC Dem on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:15:13 PM PDT

  •  memo-

    listen to how it sounds to have "he" used all the time in these ads for president.  Just saying- it would be nice if it weren't always the case.

    by murrayewv on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17:48 PM PDT

    •  Agreed.

      Let's run Pelosi or Sebelius in '16.  ;)

      by Capt America on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:23:03 PM PDT

  •  Does Grandpa Munster

    realize that almost 1/2 the country wasn't even alive during Vietnam and the other 1/2 doesn't give a shit about his war stories...ESPECIALLY NOW!!!

    by Jeff Y on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:26:00 PM PDT

    •  This message brought to you by Darth Vader???

      Seriously, what the hell kind of voice over is that???

      "I'm Darth Vader and I approve this message"  

      by Dont Just Stand There on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:41:38 PM PDT

      •  see my post up/down thread

        I thought it sounded like Obama...

        by Dvalkure on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:00:04 PM PDT

    •  not true

      a significant slice of the population fold his Vietnam talk into a general "tough, capable, willing to defend the US" view that makes them all warm and cozy.  That's part of the reason he's been polling not that far from Clinton and Obama.

      by wondering if on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:20:10 PM PDT

  •  Real Americans

    Let's not forget that Sen. Obama already has the coveted Hulk Hogan endorsement, which led to this:

    by Adam B on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:27:24 PM PDT

    •  Globama

      Barack OBollywood

      by wmdrpa on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:31:05 PM PDT

  •  Thanks to an amendment n/t

    by Pangloss on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:36:05 PM PDT

  •  Well,

    I'm sure the Republicans are willing to go as high as three-fifths.

    by Moody Loner on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:38:31 PM PDT

    •  Lincoln wept

      by Dave the Wave on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:41:56 PM PDT

      •  Lincoln

        would be run out of today's GOP as too hopelessly liberal.

        by Moody Loner on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:46:12 PM PDT

      •  Lincoln is a good selling point

        The GOP made a lot of hay out of being "the party of Lincoln" and in the forefront of civil rights and so on. Dig up those quotes and then use them against them: "Would Lincoln have approved this message?"

        (Well, he probably would have. He was willing to send all the Blacks to Africa if it would preserve the Union. But we don't have to go there to make the point.)

        by DanK Is Back on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:53:55 PM PDT

      •  We own Lincoln now

        The GOP lost any claim on Lincoln with Nixon's southern strategy.

        And it was no coincidence that Obama declared his candidacy in Springfield, Illinois... and no coincidence that he picked Coopers Union to give his major economic speech a few days ago.  

        I ask you this: in spirit, intelligence, decency, even in the use of language and in physical appearance (skinny, tall, big ears) which of the candidates most brings Lincoln to mind?  

        by ivorybill on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:23:07 PM PDT

        •  Lincoln

          Was also "inexperienced" as he only served in Congress for a single term before his election to the presidency.

          by Covin on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:52:53 PM PDT

  •  That book is hilarious

    though it is hard to enforce grammar on the intertubes

    by jarnikles on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:57:09 PM PDT

•  America. Born in the Panama Canal Zone

  That might be the reason...

  by Dcoronata on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:12:52 PM PDT

  •  John McCain, the Panamanian Proconsul

    Americans have been waiting for.

    by Mogolori on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:20:59 PM PDT

    •  I can see it now: Let Panadamoanium Reign! nt

      by antirove on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:50:36 PM PDT

  •  Obama at least had the good sense to be born

    in the United States.

    by inclusiveheart on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:31:13 PM PDT

    •  Hawaii had only been a state for

      two years, so it was cutting it close.

      by Pangloss on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:38:31 PM PDT

      •  Well, Panama never became a state so...

        McCain is still at the short end of this stick should he really opt to poke it at Obama.

        by inclusiveheart on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:02:14 PM PDT

        •  The Canal Zone

          Wasn't it U.S. territory when McCain was born in it? We gave it back to Panama during Jimmy Carter's administration.

          by EB4Dean on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:17:20 PM PDT

          •  The canal zone was, but McCain was born

            on or maybe just near the base his father was stationed on at the time.  I haven't paid that much attention - this was a wingnutosphere "issue" - but IIRC the people who were promoting this challenge were convinced that McCain isn't really American enough to be president.  If his ascention gives room to Gov. Ahhnald to go for the presidency, I'll be happy to challenge McCain's birthright - although as I have close friends who were born in foreign countries under similar circumstances, I am not inclined to challenge him - unless of course he is trying to claim that he is "more American" and then screw him.  :)

            by inclusiveheart on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 05:39:26 PM PDT

  •  please drop the slam to his active duty parents

    by 88kathy on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:38:14 PM PDT

    •  n/t

      Exaggerate much?

      by chautauqua on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:56:20 PM PDT

      •  changing the rules on military kids

        not a winning strategy.

        by 88kathy on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:03:29 PM PDT

        •  Then let's try this approach...

             Just ask John McCain in a news conference what role his father played in the coverup of the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty in the 1967 war. President Johnson and McNamera (DOD) wanted any investigation to go away. 34 Americans killed. The American flag was flying and the Israeli pilots were ordered to continue attacking. Jack, John's father, was a very patriotic American. I don't know how much he was drinking before this but I'm sure it caused him him problems after he consented to this coverup.

          by NC Dem on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:37:59 PM PDT

    •  That wasn't a slam, it was a potential reason for

      his ad campaign going so over the top.  I think they call that "overcompensation."  There have been a few people trying to file lawsuits preventing his running for the presidency, and I'm sure that you'll hear more and more discussion when the time comes.

      by Dcoronata on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:10:19 PM PDT

      •  that is the path of desperation and unneeded

        to fight the 20th century geek.

        by 88kathy on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:25:42 PM PDT

      •  The Founders certainly intended

        That children of American parents born abroad were to be considered "natural born citizens." So much so, they passed a low to clarify this in 1790. The law no longer stands, but the point was made.

        Think of the long-term ramifications. What if we want to nominate a Democratic candidate who happened to be born abroad?

        For instance, I was born in Germany to American parents. I don't see why that should bar me from running for president.

        Shoot, I don't see why any American citizen should be prevented from running for president.

        by Covin on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:57:12 PM PDT

        •  Fair enough

          But the constitution says differently.  Basically, an argument could be made either way whether or not McCain qualifies to be President under the constitution.  I don't think the argument against him is strong enough to prevent him from taking office, just like I don't think he's going to go to prison even though he is currently violating the campaign finance law with his name on it.

          However, I agree with you that it's a stupid rule and should be changed.  Although it won't be.  Enough Democrats will be afraid of President Arnie that they can block such a fair rule change in the constitution.  Same goes with eliminating the electoral college or giving DC the vote, although the culprits in the first would be varied and in the second would be Republicans.  You need near-unanimous approval to amend the constitution-it's really, really hard, which is why all such amendments would fail.

          by Geotpf on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:28:23 PM PDT

          •  I agree.

            I don't think we'll see another constitutional amendment for a very long time, if ever. Society seems far too divided these days to reach a unanimous decision on virtually anything. It's sad, because the Constitution probably does need some change. Not really on the priority list at the moment though.

            by Covin on Sat Mar 29, 2008 at 02:38:18 PM PDT

•  What?

  You have a problem with my new ad, my friends? Ugh, I can't believe he's the best the republicants could come up with.

  by Phil N DeBlanc on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:12:58 PM PDT

  •  John McCain

    "So American you'll shit apple pie!"

    I'm John McCain and I approve this message

    by Dont Just Stand There on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:47:10 PM PDT

    •  McC:"And you can add my special Whip-Ass topping

      and nuke it in your microwave, as many times as desired, just love that nuking part.  But the secret ingredient is it is made from mother's milk extracted from The Donkeys.  And that's only stuff that needs to be applied in a 'liberal' manner.

      Would like a little side dish of bomb bombs to go with that?  Er, make that bon bons?  Let's not fuss bipartisanly about Iran or Iraq, they all spell trouble.

      by antirove on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:59:00 PM PDT

  •  One of his constant refrains...

       "You see, my friend, there is a cause greater than my own self-interest"
        Yea, right!

    by NC Dem on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:40:51 PM PDT

•  At least we know where he's coming from:

  20th century bigotry in a 21st century America.

  Not gonna work, Mr. Maverick. Not this year.

  by haruki on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:13:10 PM PDT

  •  Could it be...

    ... that this is the fruit that blossomed forth from the GOP "Just how racist is too racist in 2008" manual?

    by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:59 PM PDT

    •  Sean Hannity wrote that manual

      And I'm not sure there is a clear line.

      These ignorant bigots are going to push too far and find that they are FAR outside our cultural norms.

      by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17:11 PM PDT

      •  Phew

        McCain is going to go over like a lead Giuliani.

        by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:23:39 PM PDT

        •  LOL

          by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:28:54 PM PDT

          •  Replace 'lead' with 'limp'

            by antirove on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:00:06 PM PDT

    •  your the one bringing up race

      All mcCain is doing is pandering to the belief that only real Americans are the ones who love America, everyone else can go to Canada 'like all the whiny liberals threaten'.   Your just being silly, and racist (against white people), yourself.  

      by triax on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 08:08:35 PM PDT

  •  I just thought about Barack's speech

    He gave that speech saying lets have a conversation about race. If he's the nominee people will know even more about it and if the rethugs go the racist route in 527's, race-baiting and the later. I would think most people would be turned off by that in the 21st century. But here's hoping!

    by Highwind on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:30:58 PM PDT

•  We'd all

  better get used to it. There's worse to come.

  The Republicans have nothing else to run on but jingoism and fear.

  by JoeW on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:13:29 PM PDT

  •  That's weird

    I made almost exactly the same comment on the other thread related to this.

    by The Termite on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17:34 PM PDT

    •  They really are that predictable

      by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:18:18 PM PDT

    •  That's weird

      I recommended that same comment.

      by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:21:55 PM PDT

      •  lol

        I know that I've been spending too much time on DK when this sort of thing starts to make sense....

        by JoeW on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:35:37 PM PDT

  •  Have they ever?

    by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17:57 PM PDT

    •  I don't think Lincoln used jinoism and fear.

      After that, well ....

      by admiralh on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:24:03 PM PDT

  •  Ha but the economy is imploding

    Fear that!!! Ha ha ha, inflation ads!  That's all we need talk about pocket book issues.

    by Shhs on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:25:28 PM PDT

  •  Thankfully, people have less time for fear...

    ...of this nature when they have to worry about just being able to put food "on their family" and figure out how to get to and from work without going broke, if they even have a home to return to.  Americans are scared of republicans and what they are going to legislate away from us next, at this point.

    by Pennsylvanian on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:45:18 PM PDT

  •  Not gonna work this time

    The media has been focusing on the race too closely and they will get critiqued fiercely. Wow, good year for a Dem to run!

    by Highwind on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 04:32:34 PM PDT

•  McCain: The same tired crap America's tired of

  That sounds more accurate to me. :)

  by Samer on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:13:49 PM PDT

  •  The Bush that Bushes have been Bushing Bush. n/t

    by Capt America on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:24:18 PM PDT

•  That's spooky

  The overvoice sounds very big brother. At first I assumed it was satire. Guess this American is not quite American enough to get it.

  by not a cent on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:22 PM PDT

  •  wouldn't it be a funny video to show

    the man behind the curtain?  That voice is just too funny.

    McCain is American if you say McCain is wrong you are saying America is wrong.  Traces his roots to Amerigo Vespucci.

    by 88kathy on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:19:58 PM PDT

    •  Give it time, lol. n/t

      by not a cent on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:23:26 PM PDT

  •  Big brother would be a good add

    THAT ADD  talks about freedom, if by freedom you mean wire taps for all

    We should say that.  John McCain  -War is Peace, Freedom ...To wiretap...Freedom to experience stagflation

    The American That Americans have been looking for if they like symbols and not much else.

    by Shhs on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:28:48 PM PDT

    •  Announcer

      How difficult do you think it would be to hire that announcer for a democratic snark ad?

      by SoCalRefugee on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:38:27 PM PDT

      •  money talks

        by Shhs on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:39:37 PM PDT

      •  Money talks

        Last go-round they were interviewing several high-demand campaign ad announcers on NPR (which I was listening to in a Volvo, while sipping a latte) and most of them had done ads for both sides of the proverbial aisle. They took turns reading fairy tales in ominous attack-ad voices in the piece.

        by Chris in West Seattle on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:47:42 PM PDT

  •  Narrator voice

    I'm pretty sure I recognize that deep, scary voice of the narrator. It's Powers Boothe:

    

    He played the evil VP on 24, an evil whorehouse owner on Deadwood...

    by get ready v2 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:12:35 PM PDT

    •  It's Boothe, all right.

      I'd recognize that sinister 'be afraid' snarl anywhere. It fits right in with the subtext of the ad: 'be afraid, those sneaky immigrants/communists/muslims/black people are coming to get you!'

      by RogueStage on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:31:37 PM PDT

      •  reprises his picket line crossing role

        Boothe first came to national attention in 1980, playing Jim Jones in the CBS-TV movie Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones. Boothe's portrayal of the crazed cult leader received critical acclaim. In Time's story on the production, Boothe was praised: "There is one extraordinary performance. A young actor named Powers Boothe captures all the charisma and evil of 'Dad', Jim Jones."

        Boothe won the Emmy Award for his role, beating out veterans Henry Fonda and Jason Robards. As the Screen Actors Guild were on strike in the fall of 1980, he was one the only actor to cross picket lines to attend the ceremonies.[2] He said at the time, "This may be either the bravest moment of my career or the dumbest."

        by Ken Tucker on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:57:53 PM PDT

      •  "Get me the guy who played Jim Jones...."

        "...the evil VP on '24,' and John A. Walker, the patriarch of 'Family of Spies'(1990)!"

        What, you don't remember?  He played a Navy officer who worked in top secret cryptography communications. In deep dept, he sold secrets to the Soviets starting in the 1960s.  Because he was a family guy, he sought to involve his children in the state secret sellathon as well.

        by chachabowl on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 07:39:41 PM PDT

    •   evil VP on 24, an evil whorehouse owner...

      ...how appropriate.

      Potential running mate pick?

      by Chris in West Seattle on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 02:47:39 PM PDT

•  Wow, the GOP Communications Team

  has really fallen on hard times if this is the best they can come up with.

  I wonder if it's the party-wide depression or if it's just that they can't pay for talented ad-men.

  by SteamPunkX on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:28 PM PDT

  •  maybe the GOP outsourced their

    Communications Team to somewhere outside of "America"....

    by left my heart on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:17:28 PM PDT

  •  AND NO FLAG PIN - OMG!!!!

    I notice a distinct lack of a flag lapel pin on that so-called American American.  Oh, the horror!

    Yeah, hard times when you can't even afford a flag pin, eh?

    by Pennsylvanian on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:48:39 PM PDT

    •  Why does he hate America?

      :(

      by rclendan on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:53:18 PM PDT

•  I've never understood...

  the need for such over-masculinity in GOP positions, such as the Darth Vader voice in the above ad.  Usually when I meet someone with such attitudes in life I think they're trying to compensate for something.

  by Five of Diamonds on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:46 PM PDT

  •  They use Darth voice to compensate for Yoda bod

    by cskendrick on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:18:22 PM PDT

    •  When you are 800 years old...

      ...look this good you will not, mm?

      by The Termite on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:19:52 PM PDT

      •  When 900 years old you are

        still in Iraq you will be, hmm?

        If McCain is elected, that is...

        by cskendrick on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:21:23 PM PDT

        •  Funniest comment i've read today n/t

          by Covin on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 03:02:26 PM PDT

        •  lmao! n/t

          by bythesea on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 06:51:11 PM PDT

•  Sind Sie Amerikaner? :)

  by cskendrick on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:47 PM PDT

  •  In re your sig

    That's what Spitzer said

    by Agent Scully on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:28:08 PM PDT

    •  well, I ain't him :)

      by cskendrick on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:32:32 PM PDT

•  But where's his

  f'ing flag pin???

  by gchaucer2 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:14:59 PM PDT

  •  he has hero medals....

    doesn't need a flag!

    by murrayewv on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:19:08 PM PDT

    •  Oh, so that's what flag pins are for

      A substitute for actual service.

      by droogie6655321 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:36:03 PM PDT

  •  Republicans don't need no stinkin' flag pins.

    Only those traitorous Democrats need to prove their loyalty.

    by Treg on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:26:54 PM PDT

  •  lets start a pool--or--poll on FLAGS

    Let's try to guess what the numbor of American Flags will be behind McCain during his future ads.
    Bush 41 started building that practice....let's see what we're up to in 2008.
       'flag blue' background....5 flags to rep the
                                 5 yrs in Vietnam  (?)
       or
       -'flag red' tie
       -maybe 2 American flags...one for each wife

    by ROADRUNNER DEM on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:40:32 PM PDT

•  not really surprised

  unfortunately.  

  That's the tactic they'll try to use.  So much for McCain the moderate.

  by writerswrite on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:15:32 PM PDT

  •  moderate

    moderately Deranged.

    by JML9999 on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:18:43 PM PDT

  •  McCain the moderate died

    In South Carolina, the year 2000.  RIP

    by nwgates on Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 01:19:31 PM PDT

•  McCain is America (and so can you!)

  (With apologies to Stephen)