Why is the latest (among many) McCain gaffe so great?
First, and most obviously, it underscores the economic message that the Democrats are trying to convey. We’re in the middle of a major housing crisis and people are struggling to keep from losing their homes. The economy is the number one issue, and the Democrats are trying to paint McCain as being out-of-touch and unaware of the problem. Obama’s sharpest ad over the last week was the one that played McCain’s prior statements about the strength of the economy and asked: “How can he fix the economy if he doesn’t even know it’s broken.” This gaffe plays beautifully into that theme.
Second, the gaffe badly damages the “everyman” image that all Republican presidential candidates, including McCain, try to convey. It’s hard to image a more out of touch statement. Comedians will have a field day with it.
Third, it goes a long way toward neutralizing McCain’s central attack theme: the “celebrity” charge. Who seems more like a “celebrity”: Obama or the guy who has to ask his staff how many houses he owns? Maybe Paris Hilton can sympathize.
