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Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Oops! Obama's spin spilled

Posted: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 3:18 PM by Carrie Dann


From NBC's Carrie Dann and Domenico Montanaro
Wondering what you'll hear from the pre-debate spinners? Whoops! This morning, the Obama camp mistakenly distributed some talking points meant for staff eyes only.  The pointers spell out how the campaign hopes to focus on McCain's "erratic" response to the economic crisis and his expected aggressiveness in tonight's debate.
 
Here are the talking points accidentally sent out to a distribution list of reporters by an Obama flack this morning. In bold red lettering atop the email: "Reminder: These are for staff only and not for distribution."
 
*This is John McCain’s last chance to turn this race around and somehow convince the American people that his erratic response to this economic crisis doesn’t disqualify him from being President.
 
*Just this weekend the weekend, John McCain vowed to “whip Obama’s you-know-what” at the debate, and he’s indicated that he’ll be bringing up Bill Ayers to try to distract voters.
 
*So we know that Senator McCain will come ready to attack Barack Obama and bring his dishonorable campaign tactics to the debate stage.

*Obama continues to lead on the economic crisis with a rescue plan for Main Street.
 
*Over the course of the campaign, Barack Obama has laid out a set of policies that will grow our middle class and strengthen our economy.
 
*But he knows we face an immediate economic emergency that requires urgent action – on top of the plans he’s already laid out – to help workers and families and communities struggling right now. 
 
*That’s why Barack Obama is introducing a comprehensive four-part Rescue Plan for the Middle Class – to immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners. 
 
*This is a plan that can and should be implemented immediately.
 
*Obama has shown steady leadership during this crisis and offered concrete solutions to move the country forward – and his Rescue Plan for the Middle Class builds on the plans to strengthen the economy and rebuild the middle class that he’s laid out over the course of this campaign.
 
*Already in this campaign, he’s unveiled plans to give 95 percent of workers and their families a tax cut, eliminate income taxes for seniors making under $50,000, bring down the cost of health care for families and businesses; and create millions of new jobs by investing in the renewable energy sources.
 
*John McCain has been erratic and unsteady since this crisis began – staggering from position to position and trying to change the subject away from the economy by launching false character attacks.

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Comments

Interesting.  I have been incredibly impressed by the containment and lack of leaks in this campaign.  I guess it was a matter of time before something got past the goalie?
There's nothing earth shattering in those talking points.  I can't quite figure out why it's so newsworthy.  And the Obama campaign doesn't make mistakes, so I wonder if this was truly a "mistake".
Yep and leave it to you the media to let it out.  How pathetic.
At first this seemed bad, but nothing important.
I'm fairly certain these 'staff only' things have been going out to the media all along!
So is the MSM on the paid Obama staff these days?
Confidential or not it is spot on and nails Mccain right where it hurts.

Mccain has refused to address real issues with the voters and instead has turned into Sarah Palins grumpy old running mate striking out at everything and everybody..

By the way, can we get that mooseburger recipe before Sarah disappears back to her igloo for the winter?
Do you really believe the release of this was an accident?
THE GREAT PART OF THE TALKING POINTS......THEY ARE ALL TRUE...WOOHOO....NOTHING BAD ABOUT THE TRUTH!!!!
Nothing here we didn't already know.  
Nothing works like the Truth, talking points or not
Okay, so why is this something for staff eyes only? It's eveything we, the voters, have been saying for two weeks now. McCain IS erractic and unabe to lead the country during this crisis; not real big news here! That's why we're backing Obama!
YEAH.
If you fool beleive this was for STAFF ONLY you are being PLAYED.
Obama is too smart for all of you
He is baitng a TRAP for McShame
I LOVE IT
Did you say'KEATING???
G Gordon Liddy???
Lobbiest ties to Sadamm????
A mistake?  Are you sure?  Pretty crafty "mistake"  Reminds me of Reagan and "off-air" microphones!  :)
OK. Looks like a pretty factual set of talking points to me.

Why don't you try to dig up one from the other side that can be contrasted with it?  I'm sure you'd see talking points about how best to smear Sen. Obama, incite fear, create guilt through association, and start to save face in light of certain defeat.
We knew all this anyway.  It is not like it was a big secret.
Nothing new, just old. Everyone knows BO will beat JSM.
Obama-Biden 08!!
Big deal. Any pundit on tv could tell you that.
So the obvious question is, if these were McCain talking point you came across, would you publish them as well?  Considering who posted this, I think not.
And somehow in your mind publishing this seemed like the right thing to do.
Don't you have any feelings of guilt to spill this information, when you know this was intended to be private?  Just to get the scoop story?  Shame on you.
This is not spin, this is what an Obama administration will do FOR WORKING AMERICA.

When you mention SPIN, that’s what the republicans do so very well; that’s why we are dizzy!  Bounds and Wallace are laughable to say the least!
This isn't new news, and I doubt it is really a mistake.  Why not get a little more media coverage?

McCain cratered last week, and at this point he just has to ride the wave to the end of his long political life and fade into the sunset.  And, take Mrs. No-Media-Access with you, John.
LOL...you've been played. This is obviously Team Obama's attempt to 'prime the pump' with the press.
If you guys actually believe that these talking points were released "accidentally" you are surprsingly naive.
This was well-played - again - by the Obama campaign folks. If Obama runs the country as well as he's run his campaign we'll be in good shape. McCain? A nice guy, but he's run a disastrous campaign. (Just ask Hillary Clinton!)Even the luckiest of gamblers sometimes go on  a losing streak. He's made some poor choices and he'll be able to do a lot of second-guessing after Election Day. (I understand a new club is forming -- the Could'a Should'a Woulda's -- and that McCain, Hillary and Rudy will be the charter members.)
probably wasnt really released by accident
BRAVO.....now that's what you call a good leak
So??

It's all true....

Make it happen, Barack!
I don't even pay attention to the spin doctors.  When the debate is over I stop listening.  Pundits and paid advocates opinions don't mean squat.  I listen to what the candidates say and how they say it.  If that doesn't impress me, guess what?
Dear Sen. Obama,

Oops, my bad.

Your former staffer,

Me
"This is chess, it ain't checkers."

Obama knew every state he'd win and lose in the primaries, you think he'd let something like this slip without it being on purpose?
Where's the "Spin"... I only see FACTS.

Can't wait to see Erratic McCain.  Thank God he will be seated so we wont see him wondering around stage.
Thanks Carrie for being such a pro and spilling this non-newsworthy material. I hope Chuck or Dominick gave you a biscuit and a pat on the head for it.
Classic rules for public presentations to ensure you get your points across --
(1) Tell the people what you're going to tell 'em;
(2) Tell 'em;
(3) Then tell 'em what you just told 'em.
Great talking points - all true and necessary.

Thanks for the heads - up FR!  :)

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
This is genius at work. I've seen this on all the major news websites already. Now all the MSM will be trying to break this before the campaign and so essentially Obama's campaign talking points will be center stage nationally and none of the surrogates have to be there to get the word out. As an Obama supporter I think this is simply genius. Oh by the way I see nothing wrong with any of the talking points. They just reinforce his steady position and plans.
Go Obama/Biden 08
If McCain ever called Obama "erratic" and "unsteady" Obama would be whining and crying about racism. As it is now, Obama gets away with this garbage. That man Obama is an embarrassment to this country.
If this was a mistake, then whoever spilled this information is an idoit.  I would find out an fire them on the spot.
The Obama campaign forget one talking point on that
memo, the immortal comment "SPREAD THE WEALTH", right
out of the Karl Marx doctrine for distribution of wealth and they also forgot accorn (voter fraud).
Go McCAIN & PALIN 08
This was not a mistake....only the Credulous MSM would fall for this move.....Pretty clever move from the BO camp.

Remember these 2 campaigns are playing chess...not checkers!
Nothing.  NOTHING is leaked by mistake.  This really is free awesome advertising for the Obama campaign if you ask me.  Brilliantly played on their part.
Nothing really surprising here, but it feels pretty sleezy and unethical (just like Palin!) for anyone to be publishing it ahead of time.
C'mon this was no accident.
This was all reported yesterday (and the day before that, and the day before that) - just not in a leak from a staffer. Borrrrrr-ing.
Obama has never been erratic or unsteady. To do so would mean he'd had attempted to accomplish something, but he's never done that.
I do not think it was accidental rather it was intentional. For the first time during this campaign it seems like firstread is out of stories and acting like a drowning man who will hang to anything they find.
everything is intentional, especially "leaks".
There is nothing in the talking points that we have not heard before. No system is fail safe.
Clean and honest. Can't you just imagine the rot and filth that the McCain talking points probably contain - if they're even that organized to do such a thing.
My goodness!  This is no leak or spill! LOL!

20 months and this campign has never leaked or spilled anything! Now you expect the readers to believe this is a spill! Good Golly Ms Molly! Hush Now! Too much discipline in that campaign! Plus, this reads like an email sent to supporters! LOL!

Good Day Folks!


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