NPR: Obama Camp Quickly Capitalizes on McCain House Gaffe

Obama Camp Quickly Capitalizes on McCain House Gaffe

The short national nightmare is over. We now know definitively how many houses (including condos -- apparently they're confusing) the McCains own. The DNC has helpfully circulated Politifact's finding that the magic number is seven.

But despite the quick resolution, we surely haven't seen the last of this gaffe. Stay tuned for more crowing Dem press releases, snide surrogate comments, and negative ads like this one the Obama campaign's freakishly speedy team has already put together:

Recent polls, including the ones we wrote about this morning, show McCain trailing Obama on economic issues. This misstep provides the Obama camp with an opportunity to widen the pocketbook gap -- and they're more than happy to take it.

-- Evie Stone

UPDATE: Brian Rogers of the McCain campaign counterpunches in a statement. It's an elitism-off!

Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got back from vacation on a private beach in Hawaii and bought his own million-dollar mansion with the help of a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses? Does a guy who worries about the price of arugula and thinks regular people "cling" to guns and religion in the face of economic hardship really want to have a debate about who's in touch with regular Americans?

11:34 AM ET | 08-21-2008 | permalink

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Frankly I have no faith in either of these "candidates" economic policy.

Neither of them have displayed a comprehension of the subject.

For a century economic theory has been stunted by revisionist economists. As a result, our current economic model is more dangerous to our species future than it is beneficial.

Do either of these candidates provide solutions? No, they do not. mccain advocates a "stay the course" mentality. obama just wants to tax the rich and poor and set up social programs.

Neither of these approaches constitutes a sane economic policy.

Sent by Jody Sol | 1:15 PM ET | 08-21-2008

MULTI HOUSING FAMILY

Though the wealth is both his and his spouse's,
And he fancies he's close to the throne,
Politicians who live in glass houses
Should be briefed on how many they own.

www.newsandverse.com
Light verse, ripped from the headlines

Sent by Kevin Pierce | 2:31 PM ET | 08-21-2008

Of course, as McCain pointed out, making $4 million does not make you rich - Obama's still a million short.

Sent by Marla Erwin | 2:34 PM ET | 08-21-2008

Jody Sol: All politicians are the same, doesn't matter who you pick, blah, blah, blah. Nice try but I doubt Americans today will fall for that old chestnut. Americans are first hand seeing the effects of what happens when you don't carefully consider which politcians you vote for and this realization is on all levels of government. If you don't like Obama's policies, vote for McCain. Same if you disagree with McCain. But you're deaf, dumb and blind if you can't see the serious differences between these two candidates.

Sent by Jerry | 2:36 PM ET | 08-21-2008

I think it's great that the Obama camp capitalized on this; for one the McCain camp has labeled Obama as an elitis and out of touch with America. It makes perfect sense for Obama to point out the facts about McCains high profile life since this was an attack initiated by McCain. So for all the McCain kronies out there, don't get upset when you have to shovel your own (you know)!

Sent by Jonathan | 6:34 PM ET | 08-21-2008

Gee.. I do not know whether a person who has lots of houses.. legally of course, through marriage is better or worse than the one who had his multi-million dollar home paid for by the felons. Who do you think has more integrity? Doesn't it matter when electing a President? As regards the charges of being out of touch because one came from a rich family is simply nonsense!!.... don't all modern Presidents from JFK down the line came from very rich families or acquired lots of money before they became Presidents? I have seen people with very modest means just did not care how others around them lived, while people from wealthy families had the luxuries to be compassionate, and care about fellow human beings!! What a silly argument!!!

Sent by BeeDee | 4:35 PM ET | 08-29-2008

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