So, McCain has made a big gaffe about not knowing how many homes he owns. The story is getting decent play in the media, with 17 Google News hits on the subject in just the last four hours alone. This has been aided by a barrage of press releases on the subject from the DNC and the Obama campaign, which also has a new ad up attacking McCain for the gaffe. This is a decent start, but the goal now is to turn this gaffe into something that sticks with McCain from now through the election. How do we make the image of McCain as a super wealthy elitist stick?
Here are some thoughts:
First, progressive media outlets need to keep pressing the McCain campaign, and the traditional media, for an answer on the homes question. Until John McCain says in public how many homes he owns, keep pressing.
Second, the Obama campaign and the DNC need to keep releasing new ads that keep the story alive by employing variations on the them. Obvious variations include:
John McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns, and doesn't think $5 million a year is rich
John McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns, and his chief economic advisor once said Americans are whining about the economy.
John McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns, and wears $520 shoes.
John McCain doesn't know how many homes he owns, and he is in the pocket of large corporations.
Etc. Keep attacking McCain on his gaffe, but always add another wrinkle. This keeps the story alive, and also helps expand on the central theme.
Obama needs to mention it at pretty much every single campaign stop, and Democratic surrogates need to bring this up pretty much every single time they appear on television. The story might push itself, but it is always best to make sure it has a lot of people shoving in the right direction.
Like Greg Sargent, I am dubious that this will actually turn into a narrative. The Republican Noise Machine is still very strong, and more often than not Democrats don't seem willing to keep pressing attacks like these. Still, the door is open, and this is the best chance we have had to nail McCain with a negative narrative. Pushing this attack will play a big role in determining whether or not we win this election.