(CNN) - Muhammad Ali was not only a great boxer, but an awesome tactician.
Remember the fight against George Foreman in Zaire? My man damn near went to sleep on the ropes as Foreman flailed away, using his energy to pound away at Ali. And at the right time, the Greatest of All Time started blasting away, eventually knocking Foreman out.
That's exactly what Sen. Barack Obama is doing to Sen. John McCain.
At no time during the Democratic primary has Obama tried to pick a fight. So when he told ABC last week that when it came to bringing up 1960s radical Bill Ayers on the campaign trail, McCain "wasn't willing to say it to my face," I instantly saw it as Obama throwing down the gauntlet.
Knowing full well that the senior senator from Arizona has a hot temper, he couldn't resist the bait.
"He has probably ensured that it will come up this time," McCain told a Missouri radio station.
And by doing so tonight, Obama will be ready to pounce.
I debated conservative Michael Steele last night at Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, N.C., and he said McCain should stay focused on the issues. I concur.
By bringing up an issue voters don't care about, McCain will alienate independents, and make it easier for Obama to appeal to them.
If it happens, just watch Obama pound away at McCain, just like Ali did to Foreman.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Mr. Cool will float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
Too bad the candidates will sitting on chairs, however. It was a blast watching McCain walking around in circles at the last debate as tho he was looking for Mr. Puddles.
Please VOTE EARLY.
A SONG FOR THE DEBATE:
TO THE TUNE OF "GO DOWN MOSES":
GO DOWN...OBAMA...WAY DOWN...IN DEBATE LAND...AND TELL OLE....MCPAIN IN (THE YOU KNOW WHAT)...TO LET THE ELECTION GOOOOOO!
tonight will be the 3rd and final round of this debate. Here's a little Muhammed Ali jargon to go with your editorial, Roland:
"He'll float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,
McCain will go down by Obama in 3!"
When will the blind, jealous and yes, at times ignorant, realize that Barack Obama is not some street corner thug/hoodlum who stumbled into the political arena because he got bored with "pimping and drug dealing?" Bawahahaha. I know that's what many who fear his intellect want to tell themselves and truly believe because they buy into that nonsense from bygone days about racial superiority, etc. but it is all BS. Anyone from every walk of life has the capability to obtain and most importantly retain the knowledge necessary to improve the quality of their lives but those of every single person around them. We always hear about what a hero McCain is like that trumps a man with a law degree from Harvard. Both are equal and admirable additions to life's resume but only matter when you use these experiences for good. So for those angry because Barack has intellect and common sense...get over it. We should all be so lucky to know so much book-wise and yet have the humility to admit there is so much we don't know and aren't afraid to learn.
All you Obama supporters either don't have any money, or don't have any sense. Why everyone puts their heads in the sand about his background and blindly follows this guy is baffling. He has you all in a trance. We'll get change all right, but you won't like it.
Let me ask Obama supporters this: Do you like what he said about "spreading the wealth" the other day? For a guy who said his policies don't ooze Socialism, he basically defined Socialism with that comment.
Is this what America needs?
It is too bad that people think the Obama/Ayers relationship is not an issue. Obama clearly lied about his relationship with Ayers ("he's just a guy in my neighborhood". Do you Obama supporters want another liar in the White House?
Elections are not won or lost by debates or knockout punches. Elections are won or lost by WE THE PEOPLE, the voters. IT'S ALL MAKE-BELIEVE UNTIL THE VOTES ARE TALLIED.
VOTE. MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY VOTE.
Can't stress it enough.
Ayers is such old news. Not only old, but not even true when it comes to Barrack. Get the story right all of you folks who keep hoping that Obama's followers will think that this is important. We don't !
Go Obama.
You can bet if McCain loses tonight it will be an all out attack on Obama from here on out........and if you thought it has been low down and dirty in the last couple weeks, it will be worst......that is his only option , unless he gets the balls to drop Palin and gets someone the GOP can get behind and support......
I hope McCain does bring up Ayers – and i hope Obama responds to him by bringing up the Keating 5 and the 7 lobbyis that McCain has in his camp including the one that used to lobby on behalf of Saddam Hussein
A SONG FOR THE DEBATE...
TO THE TUNE OF "GO DOWN MOSES":
GO DOWN...OBAMA...WAY DOWN...IN DEBATE LAND...AND TELL OLE....MCPAIN IN (THE YOU KNOW WHAT)...TO LET THE ELECTION GOOOOOO!
I am a Obama supporter but I would like for both Senators to stay on course and speak to the issues affecting our lives.
I just finished reading another horror story about a woman who killed herself because she lost her house in foreclosure. Thus far I have read about nine people killing themsevles, their families, and pets.
Obama/Biden 08
Great analysis and I agree fully. McCain has got to do something to rattle the cage but everything he does makes him look weak. He is down by 10 points now in Virginia and might loose NC as well. So, as Palin said "What do I have to lose?" since it looks like he is already losing the election. Stay tuned for a possible interesting debate.
AND MCCAIN IS FALLING FOR IT!
OBAMA/BIDEN '08-'12
Obama has a real plan for this great USA. We do realize a change need to happen and its not Palin/McCain.
Americans are looking for solutions and getting us back in the spot light that has faded away in eight years.
Obama/Biden
Oh shoot! The Ol' Rope-A-Dope! My friends, Barack's gonna knock him out, also. You betcha!
I CONCUR Martin!! You are the man!
As usual, you came up with an original piece, pertinent and true.
Obama will win.
All Obama needs to do is to point out that Annenberg, a highly respected and much admired Republican, was the one who put Ayers on that committee. Does that make him also a person who "palled around with terrorists?"
The Ali strategy is an excellent metaphor, Mr. Martin! That is why you are one of my favorite journalists.
It was obvious that Obama and Biden were stirring the pot and daring Sen. McCain to bring it up knowing full well that it would be to Obama's advantage.
What I wonder is how many people in McCain crowds urging him to bring it up tonight were plants. Afterall, Obama is one of the best strategical thinkers I have ever seen.
Nothing that would happen in this debate would change my vote. I think for most Americans they feel the same.
I just hope it's not boring like the last one.
I'd like to see McCain start lashing out. At least I would be entertained by it. heee heee eeeeh eeeeeh!!!
This is toooo funny. I can't wait for 9pm to get here!
McCain is the one who is green behind the ears. Whose telegraphing their punches now??? It looks like McCain is the one who is also naive......now Obama will be ready to make you look like a complete fool.
Made my day. Obama has had a better plan from day one. Maybe this country is waking up and smelling the coffee. Mrs Obama was quit impressive on Larry King Live. Obama/Biden all the way!
Jonh McCain, history will judge you from here on out. Do you allow yourself to be so easily baited? If so, then how well can you form strategies in real world events? Who else in the rest of the could jerk your chain and set you up? How can you prove you are a leader, if you follow this breaded trail? History is watching John McCain. Your move.