Ground Game

The MoveOn sponsored ad, "Not Alex," has to be my least favorite of the campaign season so far. First, it uses an underage child to score political points, which is bad enough. But it's also loaded with logical fallacies.







From the script:

"Hi, John McCain; this is Alex. He's my first. So far, his talents include trying any new food and chasing after our dog -- that, and making my heart pound every time I look at him. So, John McCain, when you said you would stay in Iraq for 100 years, were you counting on Alex? Because, if you were, you can't have him."

Of course, John McCain won't be president by the time "Alex" is eligible to serve in the military, unless they start employing 9-year-old strike force teams. And I seem to remember something about the U.S. having an all-volunteer military. So, if baby Alex really wants to sign up, that's not his mom's decision.

Anyway, Ania Egland, wife of Eric Egland, who is running for the 4th congressional district in California, has recorded her own response to the "Not Alex" video. In the script she says:

"Hello Senator McCain, these are my precious boys Noah and Daniel. Their daddy served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I grew up under communism. So, when you say we have to protect freedom in Iraq, I understand. And, someday, I would be proud if they volunteered to serve this great country. Senator, thank you for your leadership."





At least she's acknowledging it would be her children's decision whether or not to volunteer. But using children to make an emotional argument, children who are not old enough to make up their own minds about politics, is still very bad form in my book.