John McCain derides Barack Obama's 'Barackopolis'

Reporters covering Barack Obama are getting style tips from an unexpected source: the McCain campaign.

John McCain spokesman Brian Rogers on Wednesday sent out an illustrated "style guide." It includes detailed directions of how to select and properly wrap a toga -- yes, a toga -- as well as instructions on where to don one: Obama's nomination acceptance speech, which he'll give at Denver's Mile High stadium tonight. 

Why the sudden interest in Classical haute couture? Hint: It's not about attire but satire.

The McCain campaign, which has delighted in recent weeks in mocking Obama's "cult of celebrity," is now accusing him of stoking a "cult of personality." It says the setting of tonight's event -- Obama will speak from a podium in front of a backdrop featuring neo-classical columns -- should be called "The Temple of Obama"

(or “The Barackopolis”).

"The toga may have gone out of style centuries ago, but after Obama's temple speech . . . they’re sure to be flying off the racks," Rogers said.

But the McCain campaign seems to be in need of a lesson in the Socratic method. Because even though the spoof might have brought harried campaign reporters a smile or two, it wasn't the

most logical attack.

For one thing, George W. Bush accepted the Republican nomination in 2004 on a set with a strikingly similar neoclassical theme. Like Obama's set, it featured a background with an American flag buttressed by lots of columns.

And besides, what's so bad about contemporary politicians emulating the ancient Greek ones? Remember Pericles?

Greek culture may have spawned strange fashions, but it also gave birth to democracy -- a heritage more politicos might want to honor.

-- Kate Linthicum

Photo: McCain campaign

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Comments

[Liah,]

Obviously, McCain is out of touch with history, economy...

Doesn't know what is the average American salary.

Doesn't know how many house he owns.

He has been his entire life in WAR MODE...

Of course, he doesn't care if the WAR in IRAK last 100 years more.

MORE OF THE SAME.

BUSH ?, McCAIN ? doesn't make any difference, the same s**t.

[Alessandro Machi]

Barackapolis. That is funny.

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http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com

[Lee]

McCain is being petty with remarks about Barack's acceptance decor. Do we want a president with a petty mind? I hope not.!

[frieda]

So if Bush did it, it's ok for Obama to copy. What happened to "change" that he promissed us..

[Andre from Sacto]

Is school yard trash talk the only thing that the Republicans have to offer this country? Besides McCain is so old that he remembers when the original Greek columns were new!

[Marko]

McCain is right to point out when a ni*er gets uppity.

The nerve of him to use columns! Doesn't Obama know they are reserved for white Republicans like only?

[Scooter]

Have you noticed how the McCain campaign attacks have very little substance. It mostly centers around trying to make everything about Obama seem childish, I guess trying to relate that to his age and perceived lack of experience. It's like getting into a fight and using the Nipple Twister; it's the last desparate act of the hopeless.

[Dee]

For all of you who are working hard to promote Messiah Rush Limbaugh Operation Chaos

A new cancer is growing within the Republican Party. A type of cancer that is trying to spread thought-out the United States of America. The cells are easy to detect. Look closely and you will see desperation among the strongest cancerous cells within the Republican Party. They are fighting hard to retain the structure that keeps them alive – lost morals, values and ethics that once represented the Republican Party. The cancer promoted by special interest lobbyist has infiltrated the corridors of the Whitehouse, Congress, State Government, and is slowly weakening the foundation of our great justice system to promote the interest of oil companies, big corporations, Insurance and pharmaceutical companies, transportation and agricultural entities and endless others to promote their own growth over healthy cells within this great country of ours. Average Americans from all walks of life are becoming victims fighting for whatever life they can retain, yet growing weaker and weaker by this cancerous growth.

The other component of this cancer is the most dangerous! The self-interest of the most powerful Republicans has been promoting hatred, distrust, divisive division and strife among families, neighbors, ethnic and religious groups in order to firmly implant the cancer that’s destroying the body and soul of America.

The Bush Administration has given life to a powerful and secret cancer that Americans are not familiar with and ill-equip to fight. Erik Prince the founder of Blackwater military forces, served under George H.W. Bush as an intern. His father, a billionaire, was a prominent businessman in Michigan; his family has a deep history within the Republican Party. President Bush has used Blackwater troops in the streets of New Orleans, and in the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan. President Bush has rewarded the troops well, some making $1,000 per day. Erik Prince is an extremist. Ask yourself the unthinkable, the improbable! Can a private army within the United States gain enough strength and power to control Washington and this country? Could it eventually purify this country of what he and his followers consider to be undesirables living among his pure and conservative ideology. History has proven it is possible. Remember a man name Hitler

Listen to radical and extremist conservatives! Listen well! Many are being brainwashed to embrace the hatred of men like Rush Limbaugh, Karl Rove, Swift Boater’s, Jerome Corsi and Fox News!

History has proven that hatred; propaganda and brainwashing can destroy lives and countries. There are people in this country that’s promoting this cancer! Do you, can you afford to support those who promote this kind of cancer? McCain and his cronies have demonstrated how propaganda mixed with divisive tactics and rhetoric can influence the mind and opinions of men and women. Will his methods, tactics and disposition change if elected? Will he cease to try to destroy, discredit and demean those who oppose him? Can a leopard change its spots?

[Elspeth]

T'was a man named Barack who did seek
To make himself look like a Greek
So he got a designer
To make him look finer
But he only wound up speaking geek

[Jon Fraud Carry]

Maybe Osama Obama can arrive on water skis, then at the last moment a Great White Shark can appear! But Barry O'Bamamama leap to the podium, and successfully jump the shark!
Just a thought...

[scootmandubious]

I see the photo was provided by the McCain campaign. How revealing?

I assume that the day of McCain's acceptance speech you will be providing advance ridicule courtesy of material provided by the Democratic party, correct?

If not, than you just revealed yourself to be a tool of Karl Rove and the GOP.

Congratulations.

[Michael Ritter]

Sigh. All McCain and his minions do is demean and belittle. Instead, give me some positive reasons why I should vote for McCain and his policies.

[tdub]

Interesting comments, coming from the party that staged a "mission accomplished" facade on an aircraft carrier before the battle even began to rage for years. McCain's Rove-goon squad is undeterred.

[self sycophant]

So we're in Jr. High again? McCain and the Republicans have better insults and that's how they're convincing Americans to vote for them? Are we that pathetic? How about McPoopy-Poop? Is that a good rebuttal?

[Kerry]

McCain reminds me of a schoolyard bully who is jealous of Obamas popluarity and uses silly comments like this because he isn't really a popular guy unless you want to dwell on his being a POW over 40 years ago...

After all, like history shows, the set is similar to Bush's acceptance speak and I'm sure if Romney is his choice for VP with all his millions maybe he could rent out the collesium in Rome for McCain. He could come out in prisoner-of-war garb to show how tough he is...

[roman]

Hey, if we are comparing Obama toCaesar on that stage, that would logically make Bush Nero....playing his fiddle while Rome burns.

[Dave]

McCain's people can only wish that he enjoyed Barak's popularity, and chiding Barak because he appeals to people on a popular level only proves how empty John McCain's campaign is. The only time McCain can draw a standing room only crowd is if he is speaking in a phone booth. Since he has no viable platform of his own, and people are tired of years of Republican't rule, all he can do is sling mud. Wake up, McCain, people are very sick of negative campaigns.

[Patrick]

Jeez, McCain is really acting as if he's desperate for attention, isn't he?

[Michael]

And if anyone would now how to wear a toga, it would be McCain. Probably still has his original one from his Roman Senate days.

[John S]

All this mocking by John McCain, and we are so nice to him.
How about mocking his confession as a prisoner of war, or his 'buffalo chip' wife, or his cancer, and his lack of memory, or his flip-floping on the issues, and the fact that he is short, and angry, and humorless (unless he is telling the joke about the ape raping the woman), and his mysogny, and all the things we dislike about the man. No message, no meaning, no where, no how, no McCain.

[David]

So because Bush did it.. now Obama is doing it? Isn't that more of the same?

[Patrick]

Once again the McCain campaigns argument is a childish taunt that amounts to nothing more than whining about how popular Obama is. How sad.

[Skinner]

I'll never forgive BOzo for Swiftboating the Clintons on race. The Obamacrat party can have their Lord God Obama, I'm sticking with the Democratic Party and writing in Hillary Clinton's name for President.

[Boudicca]

When the Dems picked that big dope
I lost all my hope
Now my vote for McCain
is easy to explain
to racists I'll always say nope

[Dopes4Hopes]

The anti-Democracy, anti-Gay, anti-Women's Rights hate speech website "DemocraticUnderground" has just posted a call to spam these comments. Don't support Obama? Expect to be called a racist in a few minutes, cuz that's what they do.