"Joe suggested that that sounded a little bit like socialism. Whatever you call it, I call it bad medicine for an ailing economy..."-Sarah Palin, at a recent rally in West Chester, Ohio
The McCain/Palin campaign's new favorite word is 'socialism'. Since the last presidential debate, both McCain and Palin have been routinely describing Obama's tax policies as 'socialist'. It is reminiscent of Senator McCarthy's communist witch-hunts during the Red Scare, which served to call out suspected Communists and bring them to justice. Throughout history, political policies have been criticized as 'socialist' or 'communist'. McCain's recent employment of this strategy is just another example of this.
What is interesting is how McCain will call Obama's policies socialist, but not the candidate himself. When McCain was asked why he used the word 'socialist' in his radio interview, he responded: "That's what it is. 'Spreading the wealth' around is socialism." However, when McCain was asked whether he considered Barack Obama a socialist, he said "I don't know." Thankfully McCain is not taking things as far as McCarthy once did, but it is not a favorable practice either way.
I would not say that I am surprised by McCain's new strategy. These types of practices are to be expected in a last ditch effort to win over voters. This is just a reminder of how powerful the criticism of 'socialism' remains to this day. America is known as a democratic nation, and it has forever been an opponent of any signs of communism. Tying Obama's policies to socialism makes it appear as though Obama is not a patriot, and therefore not deserving of the presidency. I just hope this sad attempt at derailing Obama's campaign in the final hours remains unsuccessful.
To read more on the topic, check this out.
3 comments:
You're right -- the "socialism" stigma is something that still resonates with voters in the U.S. Isn't it intersting that "redistribution of wealth" is categorically seen as wrong by many voters? Wouldn't many people simply refer to this as being "fair?"
BILL MAYER SHOW ----
Bill had Rep. Sanders (I-VT) on Friday night... He says he is a Democratic Socialist. Claims he follows the Scandinavian countries' policies...
RESULT -- Audience cheers wildly...
FACT: Would Bill Mayer want to open up his property to people who want to camp on it in tents????
BILL????
That is what happens in Norway... BY LAW YOUR LAND CAN BE USED BY ANYBODY....
Want to set up a tent on your neighbors land in the country -- you can!!!
http://www.eksportnettverk.siriusmanagement.no/NordlandEnglish.htm
Twelve percent of the land in the county is set aside as nature conservation areas, but backpacking and camping isn’t limited to park lands. Hikers roaming Nordland’s countryside take advantage of Norway’s lack of “trespassing” laws - one may walk or camp on any land which is not cultivated.
SO BILL ---- SHOULD I BRING MY TENT TO YOUR HOUSE TOMORROW AND CAMP OUTSIDE???
Hans
I think they're playing to the Baby-Boomer generation, for whom the term "socialist" still carries incredibly negative connotations. It's somewhat strange, I thought, that McCain expressed uncertainty in whether or not Obama is a socialist- since that lends itself to being plausible.
Also- Hans' comment is an example of how far-reaching our audience is, eh?
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