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2012 Feb 6 |
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http://www.theatlanticright.com/2008/08/18/3-am-because-it-works/
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Even though Hillary Clinton lost the battle for the Democratic nomination, it is wise of John McCain to adopt some of her strategies against Barack Obama.

The best example of a strategy that actually worked and that could help McCain beat Obama is the ’3 A.M. attack’; it refers to the ad published by Clinton’s campaign in which something terrible happens and the president is called. Who do you want answering the phone? Some Chicago politician with no experience or someone with a bit more clout?

It is, of course, a nasty, negative attack. But it works. Clinton’s campaign has proven that. Obama was winning big time. Clinton was being soundly defeated.

But then they put out the ad, and suddenly she was able to come close. She started winning primaries after a big losing streak. People talked about her, and Obama fell, at least a little, back to earth.

McCain knows this and has adopted the 3 A.M. strategy. He is using it whenever he can.

From an intellectual perspective not good, from an opportunistic perspective it most certainly is.

  1. Michael Merritt So, you advocate using the fear strategy?  Scare the American public into voting for McCain, because if they vote for Obama, nukes will fall on American cities? Both Democrats and Republicans have used the fear strategy.  LBJ's re-election was secured partially because of it, as was George Bush's. Yet, fear has also been used in non-election settings.  WMDs, for example, were given as a rationale for going to war with Iraq. Fear does work, but to me, it smacks of desperation, by someone who thinks they can't win on their virtues.  Instead, they feel they must scare everybody to win.
  2. Posted by Interested
    | Quote | Trackback | Link #64577 ›
    Interested
    But it works. Clinton’s campaign has proven that. Obama was winning big time. Clinton was being soundly defeated.
    It works - unless your Clinton.  He stuttered, but then came back against it.  And her mindless has-been husband with his - well she was tired it was 11pm - didn't help her fake image either.
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