I took a look at McCain’s “The One” commercial and came away with two impressions: it obviously had a lot of symbolism I wasn’t getting and it seemed low budget, kind of Monty Pythonesque. Then, thanks to Kevin Drum I read Amy Sullivan’s analysis of the commercial in Time which put pieces into place for me.
I still wanted another take on what seems like a fascinating new low in campaigning – when was the last time a presidential campaign produced (and put their name on) a commercial implying the other candidate is the anti-Christ? So I contacted Lindy Scott, who I met when he ran as a Democrat for congress in Illinois’ 6th District, for his perspective as a politically involved evangelical Christian who formerly directed Wheaton College’s Center for Applied Christian Ethics. Lindy was kind enough to write the following analysis:
“In his campaign commercial ‘The One,’ John McCain stoops to a new low in his attack on Barack Obama’s Christian faith and character. Using the same style as his ‘Celebrity’ commercial, McCain portrays Obama as arrogant, self-righteous, and messianic. True to his Christian beliefs, Obama knows that every follower of Jesus is supposed to serve all humanity, to love all neighbors, and in that sense, to be a blessing to all people. During his campaign, Obama has not shied away from affirming his own Christian values, especially in the area of practical love and service for all. As a consequence, Obama has attracted more Christians (and followers of other faiths) than Democrats typically achieve. (For example, polls indicate Obama doing 8-15% better among evangelical Christians than Kerry did.) This has become very problematic for McCain’s chances and Republicans in general.
Fighting back, ‘The One’ commercial paints Obama as a messianic figure, even greater than Moses. His religious quotes are taken totally out of their original context and placed in a setting where the insinuation is not very subtle: ‘Obama could be the Anti-Christ.’ Although a small fringe of fundamentalist Christians might believe this absurdity, these people would not have voted for Obama anyway. I believe [while] McCain is attempting to secure and stir up his right-wing, religious base, he runs the serious risk of turning off the very important independent voters in the middle. He is appealing to fear in ways reminiscent of Bush’s ‘mushroom cloud.’
Voters with religious convictions want their beliefs to be treated with respect. Most will see through this shameful commercial for what it is: a distorted abuse of people’s faith for political purposes. Most will recognize that ‘a text without its true context is a pretext.’ A candidate’s commercial, even when it is an attack on one’s opponent, is really an expression of the candidate’s own, core values. In my opinion, McCain’s claim to integrity has significantly slipped.”
Lindy Scott is currently Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. He previously taught at Wheaton College for twelve years, where he also directed the Center for Applied Christian Ethics. In 2004 2006, Scott ran as a Democratic congressional candidate for Illinois’ 6th District.
Comments 16
DEAR READERS-
I WANT TO COMMENT ON THE STORY ON LINDY SCOTT ATTACKS SEN. MC’CAIN ON HIS “SHOWBIZ ” AD ON SEN. OBAMA. HOW SEN. OBAMA IS SELF RIGHTIST AND GODLY. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
IF THIS IS SO, WHY DID OBAMA GO TO A CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS WITH HIS FAMILY AND LISTEN TO REV. WRIGHT PREACH HATE OF AMERICANISM AND OF WHITE PEOPLE?
DOSE GOD TEACH US TO HATE? NO HE WANT US TO LOVE OTHERS AS WE LOVE HIM. GOD IS NOT OF HATE BUT OF LOVE AND ONLY THAT.
OBAMA STARTED THIS BY PLAYING THE RACE CARD ON SEN. MC’CAIN. PLUS THE REMARKS OF ” TIPICAL WHITE PERSONS.” HIS WIFE IS JUST A BAD FEELING WE OWE HER SOMETHING AS A MIDDLE CLASS! I DO NOT!
FINALLY IN RESPECT, I FEEL THE ABOVE STORY IS JUST THAT. IF WE DO OUR HOMEWORK, WE WILL KNOW IN OUR HEARTS WHO IS BETTER COME NOVEMBER, SEN. MC’CAIN!
-ROBERT JONES
Posted 12 Aug 2008 at 7:49 pm ¶A BLUE DOG DEMOCRAT/PROUD AMERICAN
Robert;
Just because you post in ALL CAPS does not make you correct. Unless you have viewed a significant portion ot the 20 years of Rev. Wrights sermons, as opposed to the snippets as show on Faux news, you have no basis for your claim of hating America or white people.
Please crawl back under your rock.
Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 10:43 am ¶DELVER-
I WRITE IN CAPS DUE TO THE FACT MY EYES ARE WEAK AND I WEAR GLASSES. THAT SAID, LETS GET TO THE COMMENT OF OBAMA AND REV. WRIGHT. YOUR CLAIM I MISUNDERSTAND THE MAN.
I SEEN THE WHOLE TAPE. I HEARD WHAT I HEARD. THE REV. WRIGHT PREACHING ANTI-AMERICAN AND HATE TOWARD THE MIDDLE CLASS, THAT IS US MY FRIEND.
IN DUE RESPECT, IF YOU LIKE CREEPING SOCIALISM IN AMERICA AND LOSING THIS WAR, BY ALL MEANS VOTE FOR OBAMA. (LOOK AT HIS RECORD MY FRIEND?) I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HIM. SOME OF US STILL DO BELIEVE IN THE U.S.A.!
ROBERT JONES
Posted 13 Aug 2008 at 7:13 pm ¶A PROUD AMERICAN AND DEMOCRAT TOO.
http://WWW.JOHNMCCAIN.COM
I’m not your friend Asshat. And don’t use McCain’s tagline if you want to be taken seriously.
And I love my country and am a proud democrat and am not afraid of so called ‘creeping socialism’ We could use more of it. For many the ‘American Dream’ has failed us badly and now we could use the ‘European Dream’ of health care for all. As to loosing the war. We already have. The day we went into Iraq and lost the good will of other nations willing to help us in the fight against terrorism we lost. We lost as our economy falls to bits because of the money we have spent there. We have lost as our brave soldiers have died for an amorphous goal. We have lost because the military is so run down by this war that we cannot confront new problems in the world like Georgia because our military is tied down in Iraq. Given all that I would still support ‘Winning’ this war if the Bush administration would tell me exactly what ‘Winning’ is. They have constantly refused to tell anyone what the win condition is. They just keep saying we have to stay there till we win without giving a clear definition of what a win would look like.
And viewing only one tape of the Rev. does not give you the ability to judge his whole career and if you watched the whole tape and only saw hate then I think the problem lies with you.
And finally you may call yourself a Democrat but you are not a Democrat. I don’t even think you know what it is to be a Democrat or what positions and ideals are of the Democratic Party. That is partially the Party’s fault. Democrats should define themselves better and not let any old fool like you call yourself one unless you really are one.
Posted 14 Aug 2008 at 5:56 pm ¶OH, REALLY MY FRIEND?
QUESTION DELVER, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THESE PROGRAMS? WE WILL. HOW? MORE TAXES. IF YOU LIKE CREEPING SOCIALISM , GO TO KOREA OR CHINA. THEY HAVE THAT THERE FOR YOU TO ENJOY. I BET YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF STALIN ON YOUR WALL?
DELVER, YOU FORGET 9-11 IS THE REASON WE ARE THERE. DELVER, WE CAN FIGHT IT THERE OR HAVE IT COME HERE. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT DELVER?
I AM, AND WILL ALWAY BE A DEMOCRAT DELVER . I BELIEVE IN THE BASIC ROOTS OF DEMOCRAT PARTY POLICY. IF YOU READ YOU HISTORY BOOK DELVER, THE PARTY OF ROOSEVELT WAS A HELP UP, NOT A HAND OUT TO PEOPLE! YOU LIBS WILL LEAVE ALONG WITH YOUR SOCIALIST IDEAS WITH YOUR PRES. CANDIDATE! MAYBE MOVE TO THE AMERICAN SOCIALIST PARTY???
-ROBERT JONES
Posted 14 Aug 2008 at 8:19 pm ¶PROUD AMERICAN/ STILL A DEMOCRAT
………….AS SEN. ZELL MILLER ( D) ONCE SAID” I NOT CHANGING FOR YOU, YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE FOR ME!”
Posted 14 Aug 2008 at 8:27 pm ¶Hi Robert and Delver,
At this point I’m coming a bit late asking for civility and being on topic – but please try to adhere to both in the future.
I (more or less) understand where Robert is coming from even if I don’t agree with him. I also understand Delver’s reaction – and would only suggest to Delver that perhaps Robert helps Delver’s side.
Take care.
Posted 14 Aug 2008 at 11:01 pm ¶DEAR HIRAM-
I DISAGREE ON YOUR LAST POINT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS PAGE, WE ARE THERE. SORRY, BUT THERE ARE CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS OUT THERE. DOWN STATE, SOUTH, OR SOUTHWEST FOR EXAMPLE. THE SOUTHWEST SIDE MIDWAY AREA WHERE I LIVED MOST PART CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT.
CAN’T TELL ME THAT THOSE WHO VOTED AND WERE CHEATED (WITH MRS. CLINTON) WILL VOTE FOR OBAMA? I SEEN A STORY IN THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE TWO MONTHS AGO. THE PEOPLE OF MI. STATE WILL NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA OR HAVE QUESTIONS OF HIM. MCAIN THEY KNOW OF HIS EXPERIENCE WHAT IS OBAMA’S?
WITH RESPECT,
ROBERT
Posted 15 Aug 2008 at 7:19 pm ¶DEAR READERS:
……..QUESTION? WHAT ABOUT LINDA HOLMES OR BILL FOSTER IN DUPAGE? ARE THEY BLUE DOGS OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING? I SEEN THEIR BIOS AND RECORDS. BOTH DOING A GOOD JOB. FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
ROBERT
Posted 15 Aug 2008 at 7:25 pm ¶GETTING BACK TO TOPIC, OBAMA IS A MAN WITH ISSUES. NOT GOD. HE CAN’T WALK ON WATER OR LOOK TO HEAVEN THE WAY WE SEE HIM AS THE PRESS LIKE TO PRESENT HIM. SORRY LIDDY.
BOTTOM LINE, PEOPLE SEE THOUGH HIM AND KNOW WHAT HE IS, ONE WHO USES ANYWAY TO WIN. WHY IT’S NECK TO NECK NOW MCAIN-OBAMA.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Posted 15 Aug 2008 at 7:37 pm ¶ROBERT JONES
……..I REST MY CASE ON THIS ONE.
ROBERT JONES
Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 12:48 am ¶To ROBERT JONES,
Here is your “creeping socialism”:
“[T]o form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity….”
Ring any bells?
Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 8:11 am ¶After reading this thread about our “beloved canidates”, I can’t help to believe that this is just the beginning of the media “mudpie” and as the slinging starts and it will get messier as the big day draws closer. I can see where Mr. Jones is coming from with his above posts. All he seems to be addressing is the fact that we need someone to represent both sides of our political arena. Correct here if I am wrong Mr. Jones. What we today are the lobbiests who buy our canidates for their purpose. Barrack does have some issues that have been brought up in the media and on the www forums. There WILL be more as things heat up. McCain too has plenty of issues and certainly an agenda to fulfill. Lindsy Scott is quoted as saying, “it obviously had a lot of symbolism I wasn’t getting and it seemed low budget, kind of Monty Pythonesque”. I think this can be applied to anyone who wants to take a really oblique view of advertising. Mr. Jones is quoted as saying, “FINALLY IN RESPECT, I FEEL THE ABOVE STORY IS JUST THAT. IF WE DO OUR HOMEWORK, WE WILL KNOW IN OUR HEARTS WHO IS BETTER COME NOVEMBER, SEN. MC’CAIN!” My comment on his comment is that if I remember right when I served in the Nam conflict (not war!), I remember John Mc being a proud Democrat. Was not the late great actor Mr. Reagan a Democrat also? Why did they cross over the “wide river” to the other side.
Posted 18 Aug 2008 at 9:04 pm ¶YA, ANSWER THE QUESTION? WHAT EXPERIENE DOSE OBAMA REALLY HAVE? HE TALKS OF “CHANGE,” THAT IS IT. DO YOU THINK HE IS “AS GOD” AS THE ABOVE NEWS STORY GOSE? HOW ABOUT IT?
ROBERT JONES
Posted 19 Aug 2008 at 9:17 am ¶DEAR MELODY-
WELL PUT. LOOKS LIKE PEOPLE SUCH AS DELVER DON’T HAVE ALL THE FACTS BEFORE THEY SAY OR PRINT PUBLIC. IN RESPECT, SAY BEFORE THEY THINK!
ROBERT JONES
Posted 24 Aug 2008 at 1:00 am ¶Just a thought. Perhaps if ROBERT JONES THE CAPITALS GUY would care to open up his Bible once, and have it explained to him, he would find out the the God of the Old Testament is the God of Vengeance and Retribution and yes, Hatred Against Sin. That is the whole point of the Old Testament, to presage and foretell the New Testament. Otherwise the Son of God has no meaning at all, if it is not to fulfill the Scriptures, be the perfect embodiment of Understanding, Peace, and Love. “I am the way” – the only way to God, that’s what He said.
Posted 12 Sep 2008 at 5:38 pm ¶How can ROBERT JONES THE CAPITALS GUY presume to tell black pastors anything about their hatred, their lives, their way of coping with the world? Are they telling you and Fox News how to hate? No…? You guys are doing a bang-up job all on your own. This election is about one thing: hate. Not racism, although, yes, that’s a part of it. Not sexism, although that’s a part too. Not anti-choice, not anti-smart, not pro-dumb, although all those things are here in abundance. It is hate. Hate those who aren’t like you. It’s all US against US.
Mr. Jones, you, sir, are a flaming idiot. And to make the Bible part of your argument, fans the fires of hatred, bigotry, and pettiness. Good job. Idiot.