Obama’s New Glass House

In his excitement over rebounding slightly in the polls, and the bad press his rival’s campaign has attracted, Barack Obama better watch his own campaign tactics.

OK, that was a joke — Obama doesn’t get excited. But seriously, he has built up a bit of a pile this week and it shouldn’t go unnoticed.

First of all, while attempting to capitalize on the economic crisis that hit Wall Street this week, Obama took credit for the stimulus package he certainly didn’t craft. According to Jake Tapper of ABC News, Obama said this week: “In January, I outlined a plan to help revive our faltering economy … which formed the basis for a bipartisan stimulus package that passed Congress.”

Tapper writes. “Is that true? Democrats on Capitol Hill who support Obama say no. Wanting Obama to win, however, none will say so on the record.”

Next up, The Washington Post gave the Obama campaign three Pinnochios this week for an ad claiming that McCain’s campaign is run by lobbyists. Specifically, the ad calls out adviser Charlie Black and campaign manager Rick Davis for their lobbying activities, but it turns out they have stopped and are no longer lobbying — present tense.

Finally, and most egregiously, the Obama campaign has cut an ad attacking McCain on immigration that ties him to Rush Limbaugh. Kudos again to Tapper of ABC News for the report. On the screen are two quotes from Limbaugh, saying “stupid and unskilled Mexicans” and also “You shut your mouth or you get out!” Then the narrator says, “John McCain and his Republican friends have two faces. One that says lies just to get our vote … and another, even worse, that continues the policies of George Bush that put special interests ahead of working families. John McCain … more of the same old Republican tricks.”

Read it yourself, http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/from-the-fact-1.html, but there are several problems. To start with, it is completely unfair to tie McCain to Limbaugh, when they have disagreed vociferously about many things, with immigration likely topping the list. But even the Limbaugh quotes were taken out of context! McCain’s record on immigration is clear — he nearly lost the Republican nomination because he sided with Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and President Bush in favor of earned legalization. Now, because the base of his party skewered him and voters nearly broke the Senate phone system when the vote came up, McCain has decided to back what he believes the voters want: border security first.

It should also be noted that Howard Kurtz reported today in The Washington Post that Obama is the more negative candidate. Yes, 77 percent of Obama’s ads have been negative, compared to 56 percent of McCains.

Looks like Obama should watch the stone-throwing.

IS MCCAIN PHIL GRAMM THE DEREGULATOR OR JOHN EDWARDS THE POPULIST? Listen to his two-step on the economy! Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, Sept. 23. Please join my weekly video Q & A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-staging.thehill.com. Thank you.