September 15, 2008
Posted: September 15th, 2008 07:00 PM ET

From
Obama and McCain are now both using the same slogan.
Obama and McCain are now both using the same slogan.

(CNN) - The closing line of the new John McCain-Sarah Palin ad — “the change we need” - has become a constant campaign catchphrase this month.

But not for the Republican ticket.

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, who has used the slogan “Change You Can Believe In” for most of his White House run, first used the line “that’s the change we need right now” in his convention acceptance speech at the end of August; running mate Joe Biden used it in his first campaign ad. By last week, the campaign — which hasn’t retired the old motto - was holding “Change We Need” events across the country.

What does Obama himself think of the matching slogans? He told a Colorado crowd Monday that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” - but asked rhetorically why McCain didn’t borrow some of his ideas as well.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Lynne Kuber   September 15th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

The only "change" Obama will bring is "chump change". I have watched his campaign for the past 20 months and STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE MAN STANDS FOR AND WHAT ACTUAL PROGRAMS, PROPOSALS HE INTENDS TO PUT FORTH?.......I have also watched journalists on your station and MSNBC fail time after time to hold Obama to the same standards you imposed on Hillary Clinton, John McCain and now Sarah Palin. Can you say FAVORITISM......I mean...it is so obvious to the viewer where your station stands.....not unlike Chris Matthews; Keith Oberman; Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC, you are all in the "tank" for Obama.
As a former newspaper reporter, I find your coverage appalling. In "Intro to Journalism" I learned you keep yourself out of the story and do not inject your opinion or view......something all of you have obviously forgotten.

Concerned Citizen, IN   September 15th, 2008 10:06 pm ET

Seriously, this is a blatent rip-off because the polls show America wants change. "New York Woman" must be drinking the kool aid again and "Maggie" must have just tuned into the race. It's just sad to think that people will vote to continue the failed "trickle down" policies of Reagan and Bush with McCain when our country is in a tremendous economic free-for-all. The republicans created the housing crisis through deregulation and that has led to the meltdown we are facing.

I encourage everyone to visit FactCheck.org so you can see true analysis since CNN has stopped journalism in favor of tabloid trash.

Tim in Canada   September 15th, 2008 10:05 pm ET

The whole world is looking for change at the moment, perhaps peace for a little while so we can heal. The world is looking up to Amerca as a child to a mother, so let's give peace a chance and vote for unity.

CNN does not post my comments anymore and I wonder why.

MurphyMorseJohnson   September 15th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

The forecast is for change... Unless the electorate is so filthy rich that it is impervious to another 30% rise in energy costs, $5 gas per gallon, 2X storm intensities due to global warming, more mortgage, bank, and brokerage roller coastering due to Republican deregulation, more job outsourcing and importing more foreign made products due to Republican managerial greed and lobbyists, higher health costs thanks to Republicans, mortgaged size college tuition, and throwing away a trillion dollars to Iraq without capturing bin Laden and throwing another trillion to the Chinese, the electorate will vote for change...and vote Democrat

Steve - VA   September 15th, 2008 10:03 pm ET

I know this goes against "popular belief" but I believe that McCain will keep us OUT of additional wars if at all possible. Reason – He knows what it is really like – unlike Bush/Cheney and Obama/Biden. McCain is not a neo-con but will avoid war if possible. If forced to fight -I'm convinced he will use overwhelming force to win it and get it over. I have 2 children approaching service age and do not want them serving under Obama.

Ron was a REP now a DEM   September 15th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

MAGGIE

You must be one of the faithful TOWN MEETING people. Sad most of Americans can still only see BLACK and WHITE. The country built on diversity but still lacks in tolerance

Moon Maiden from Lake Michigan   September 15th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

Mc Cain continues to lie. And lies about every ( even the little things) and believes his own lies. This is pathological.

The problem is Mc Cain doesn't know his own truth.
He still lives in his WAR ( of hell) which clouds his mind and judgement.

Bottom line here is: LAIRS ARE THIEVES AND THIEVES ARE LAIRS.

Freedom Loving Patriot (God fearing too!)   September 15th, 2008 10:00 pm ET

McChangeMyMind if it gets me elected

natie   September 15th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

McCain and Palin are an embaresment for this country.

Alimi   September 15th, 2008 9:59 pm ET

If the McCain campaign wants change as a slogan, what about trying PALIN/McCAIN ticket for size, as, what we have is a case of the cart driving the horse.

maria   September 15th, 2008 9:55 pm ET

Republicans are stealing all Obamas good ideas for this country.
They should be ashamed.

New York Woman   September 15th, 2008 9:55 pm ET

Obama thinks McCain is trying to imitate him? Borrow some of Obama's socialistic ideas? How rediculous. No, McCain simply is using the slogan because HE is the one who can bring about the changes that we need. Gee, and to think Obama is portrayed as so intelligent.

Larry   September 15th, 2008 9:54 pm ET

Mc-insanes Daughter on Larry king promoting childrens book.THE MOST DISCUSTING PANDERING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN 52 YEARS .WHY NOW AT THIS TIME ..THIS IS SHAMEFULL DISTURBING AND THE LOWEST LEVEL OF PHYCOLOGICAL BS I HAVE EVER SEEN ...JUST DISCUSTING REALLY...

McCryptKeeper/Cruella 08   September 15th, 2008 9:53 pm ET

"Enough is enough" now as well? And he says Obama DIDN'T slam Palin but the ad still stands?

That old man is lying through his fake teeth

me   September 15th, 2008 9:52 pm ET

does Obama have a monopoly on the word"change"?
these petty fights are not worth to even to listen to them.
Each of them have good qualities, and bad ones. Palin is fresh in politics, I like her, I love Hillary. Women are better than men, we need the change, and it is to elect a woman. Not that I do not like men, but we need change.

OLD MAN YELLS AT CLOUDS   September 15th, 2008 9:39 pm ET

Hey Maggie, learn how to take your caps off or did you go to the John McCain school of internet? McSame is going to change what exactly, himself? Get over it America & start thinking intelligently – Obama/Biden is the only way to get change save our country

Southerner   September 15th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Obama is a farce. His "change" is nothing but old school socialism with a new coat of "hope and change" paint.

His campaign promises are complete BS. He cannot implement his$1 Trillion in new spending AND give tax cuts to 95% of Americans. He will have to RAISE taxes to fund his spending, or the spending is an empty campaign promise, just like his promise to opt out of NAFTA (nudge nudge, wink wink Canada- just campaign rhetoric).

roger dowdle, lockhart, Tx   September 15th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Poor McBush, first they ridicule Obama for wanting to talk to iran, then they start talking; they ridicule him for time table on withdrawing troops, then they agree to a timetable; they laugh at his change message, now they want to be an agent of change (without really changeing anything).

MikeH   September 15th, 2008 9:11 pm ET

Obama started the 'Change' mantra and McCain, behind in the polls, stole it. Today (Monday) I heard McCain say "Enough! is Enough", so I guess he's going to steal that slogan also.

Republicans = Racisim, Ignorance, Thievery.

Some Republican boot-licking toady stooge in CNN purges my posts so I doubt this will be posted, but that's fine.

MurphyMorseJohnson   September 15th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

While McCain proclaims change because he is a maverick, McCain still dons the label, Republican Party. A real maverick in the Republican Party would be a Democrat. McCain is no Democrat and he is not so much a maverick, either, unless one considers the character issue. While Obama acknowledged Reverend Wright as bad news and fired him, McCain proposes change based on supreme character. Less we forget, after his first wife waited for McCain all the years he was in a cage, he dumped her and his three children for a blondie 100 millionairess. Great character and a change for the worse!

Mario fl   September 15th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

NO way ,no how no McCain no Palin

mike   September 15th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

vote Obama/Biden 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg   September 15th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

The reason The Honorable Sen. McCain may lie aboutObama is he feels soory for Obama and he trying to make him look good.. Think about this: If the economy is so bad and the US is in a war nobody wanted why is Obama only tied with The Honorable Sen. McCain in the latest polling data. I think Obama has some issue problems and the intelligent voters realize that.

Muckinello   September 15th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Maggie, a spell checker would do you good. Do we need more proof of how McCain supporters are really scooping the bottom of the barrell?

Michelle   September 15th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

Obama knows what needs to be changed in our existing gov't...McCain is a copy cat..and he will copy cat Bush's existing military policy.... 350 million a day for the war in Iraq! Policing the world, and getting our nose involved in every countries problems.....we have lost that right thanks to Bush, our Allies do not trust us.

I am glad to see the media doing more fact checks, and getting back to real questions for the candidates.

Let the debates begin............please start the debates. No more political policy lessons for the dictator from Alaska....Joe Biden can handle her.

God Bless Obama

bibek   September 15th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

cheating, lying, stealing, manipulating, distorting

Palin lied when she said, "I said Thanks, but no thanks tot he congress."
McCain lied when he said," Palin probably knows more about the environment any anybody else in America."

Thoese were just two example. i can't write more coz i need to get back to studying. i have a test tomorrow.

Obama/Biden '08

Bulldog   September 15th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Once again on a number of judgments, McCain or Bush is following Obama's lead.

Talks with Iran
More troops in Afganistan
Talks with S. Korea
Talks with Syria
Attacking Al Qeida in Pakistan
"Change" campaign

These are just a few that either Bush or McCain original attacked Obama for his judgment on each of these on now one or the other is now doing exactly what Obama called for.

Wow, and McCain is a POW.

Sandy - PA   September 15th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

The "Change" John McCain voted for? Sellig control of US ports to Dubai. Now that's HIS idea of change.

John 64 years old Independent   September 15th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

The only change that John and Sarah want is the name plates on the White House Door!

John McCain thinks the economy is fundamentally sound, isn't that what Herbert Hoover said in 1929?

Same old republican politics, let the rich get richer and dam the rest of us!

If you want change vote for anybody with a D after their name – Vote Democrat!

Douglas Marshall Jr.   September 15th, 2008 9:04 pm ET

A Liar and a Thief.

McSleazy and Pinnochio!

Too dumb to come up with their own campaign slogans!

Patty, Big Bear, CA   September 15th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

How typical of the republican machine to simply steal from another rather than being creative on their own.....pathetic.....rove at work....I like that McCain (unstable) and Palin(unable) line :)

Ron L   September 15th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

How can the McCain campaign give us CHANGE when they have been proven to have said OUTRIGHT LIES in regard to Governor Palin?? So far we having the following...
1) She did not stop the funding for the bridge to nowhere. Congress had already killed it, she is just trying to claim it.
2) She did not visit the troops in Iraq. She only went as far as the border. Why lie about this???
3) She DID request earmarks while Governor of Alaska, and Senator McCain is constantly saying she did not!!

AMERICA both Republican and Democratic I ask you this...
HOW can you trust a person you have caught in 3 LIES in 2 weeks???
This should be VERY UNSETTLEING, there is something very wrong about her character.
WE NEED MORE INTERVIEWS!!!

RO   September 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

wow, john mccain can't even come up his own slogan and has to hijack that of obama – this alone tells you who is the leader.

Vote for the leader not the lier. .

Katalin Poor   September 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Who's best equipped to lead the US economy out of its current mess? Obviously the man who knows how to read economics, finance and history texts....and people. That would be Obama.

Why is Obama not coming out with his solutions? As far as I can tell, Bush is still the President, so why is nobody asking him for his solutions?

Face it, the Republican machinery is in a fatal quandary. At some level it knows that the best solution would not be best for its big wheels.

Obama will come clear with the solution once the ruling party has knocked itself out whipping its tongue from one side of its mouth to the next.

Then we'll see if the American people are tough enough to make the right choice and the sacrifices needed to ensure their kids a better future. The American people don't need politicians who call themselves mavericks. They need a whole nation of mavericks.

Democrat Voting For McCain / Palin !   September 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

John McCain & Sarah Palin Are The Real Deal !!!!. Each Of Them Have Been In The Change Mode Since They gotten Into Public Office ,

Obama"s Has Spent His Time In Public Office Voting "Present " . And Gettin Applause From The Anti – American Crowd He & His Wife Hangs With !

Democrat Not Voting For Obama ,The Greenest Guy In The Race !!!!!

Franko   September 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Sorry, star struck human herd, but Obama and the Democrats don't own the theme 'Change'. As a matter of fact, I would put money on McCain/Palin to usher in responsible change Americans can believe in!

Christina   September 15th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

McCain can't get an idea of his own!

The only change MCCaain has is the changing of his mind from one hour to the next.

Mr. McCain not this election; Not this presidency and Not this TIME!!!

Republcians that rally behind John McCain are a bunch of fools...the man is calling all of you failures! He is belittling the party he belongs to and is turning his back on all of you. it's quite funny to watch you all chant drill baby drill when MCcain is going to tax the heck out of you all in your big texas hat.

McCain calls Bush a failure at a campaign stop in Florida while Jeb Bush was in attendence. He stood up and clapped at the end of the rant and I had to giggle at the ridiculousness of it all!! Its like McCain looking in a mirror and calling himself a fool! Laughable.

Obama/Biden 08   September 15th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

Way to copy Obama, McCain.

YadaYadaYada   September 15th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

McCain is the grinch who stole the "Change we need" slogan.

zviivz   September 15th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

It's called PLAGIARISM, no??!

Akinola   September 15th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

If Mccain doesnt stop telling lies about Obama, Obama will have to start telling the truth about Mccain.

SAY NO TO Mccain(Unstable)/Palin(Unable).

Christine   September 15th, 2008 8:53 pm ET

The McCain-Palin is a farce. They do not have a leg to stand on...oops, I take that back. If Obama was a white candidate, McCain-Palin would be chased off the campaign trail. Yes, I said it!

Brenda fl   September 15th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Gop steal again, after lies and lies and lies . bunch of craps

McCain=the draft   September 15th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

McCain is a follower, not a leader!

Brian   September 15th, 2008 8:51 pm ET

McCain will bring the change (and dollars) to our nations business executives (especially Fannie and Freddie's). We can not let these Libs punish people who are living the American dream. They may have lead their companies to the pit of despair but it does not mean they don't deserve millions of dollars of compensation for their work.

Things would be better once we can tax the poor as much as we already tax the rich!

McCain/Palin '08 "because god said so"

Maggie   September 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

OBAMA i DO NOT THINK MccAIN WOULD STOOP SO LOW AS TO EMULATE YOU IN ANYTHING. AND IF cOLIN pOWELL SUPPORTS OBAMA I WILL BE SO UPSET WITH A MAN I HAVE ALWASY PUT MY TRUST IN TO DO THE RIGHT THING. I AM SHOCKED THAT HE STATED IT WOULD BE "ELECRTRYING FOR AN OBAMA WIN". REGARDLESS, THAT STINKS OF RECISM AND I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED THAT POWELL SEEMS RACIST. HE SHOULD BE FOR WHAT MCCAIN STANDS FOR AND THAT IS AMERICA AND ITS PEOPLE AND NOT FOR SUCH CHANGE GARBAGE AS OBAMA SPOUTS.

Democrat Voting For McCain / Palin !   September 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

John McCain & Sarah Palin Are The Real Deal !!!!. Each Of Them Have Been In The Change Mode Since They gotten Into Public Office ,

Obama"s Has Spent His Time In Public Office Voting "Present " . And Gettin Applause From The Anti – American Crowd He Hangs With !

Democrat Not Voting For Obama ,The Greenest Guy In The Race !!!!!

Canta   September 15th, 2008 8:50 pm ET

You guys got to read the article in the NY post that reports how Obama tried to make a deal with Iraq leaders to delay the coming home of our troops.

McCain/Palin

Texas   September 15th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

The difference is that only one candidate represents the real change America needs right now and that candidate is BARACK OBAMA.

thack   September 15th, 2008 8:47 pm ET

Bush 44!

merm   September 15th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

I'd rather GET change from a known reformer than promises from a good teleprompter reader anyday. Go McCain Palin!!!!!!

will   September 15th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

That is a very good thing for Obama; he is not been deceitful about “change you can believe in”. If for only one reason and one reason alone a Demarcated party in the White House and a Lying Republican party going down to their home is a change the American People can believe in. On the other hand McCain has as a good Baptist Christen committed to all of the seven deadly sin, (Pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust). As he said out of his own mouth “I will chase Osama Bin Laden down to the gates of Hell, McCain has one of the greatest chances of doing exactly that. Therefore what McCain is saying “change we need” is not the change the American people wants which is the same as Bush because McCain = no change.

Now, I’m not saying Barack Obama is anything of a saint we all have our own problems. I myself my have committed all of the seven deadly sins, but I did learn when to stop and ask for forgiveness. Obama is doing Good and God has blessed him for that. I just would like to see him Keeping up and Keeping on with his Good work of God! And if John McCain and the Republicans would just keep up with all of the lies and then God will have a blessing for them to come November. And that would be the change the Repubicans needs!

willow, MI   September 15th, 2008 8:26 pm ET

McShame is a fool with no shame!!! He has no idea what he's talking about. He's just like a mad dog – just attack, attack, attack. He must thinks his followers have no brain and will support him no matter what.

Why are his followers so brain-washed about being "Republican" and give no second thought about common sense?

Are you better-off today than you were 8 years ago???

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