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Mitt Romney's bittersweet return to Colorado

CONTENTS:

Romney joined Hollywood stars Jon Voight and John Ratzenberger for the afternoon rally intended to motivate McCain's supporters in the final push to get Republicans to the polls on Election Day. (More...)
During a campaign event, Joe Wurzelbacher told Obama than the senator's plans to tax folks earning $250,000 a year troubled him. (More...)
Republican Mitt Romney was forced to readjust his stances on social issues in order to fall into line with the mainstream of the GOP, something that turned into a tough sell for primary voters. (More...)
Obama's selection of Biden as his vice presidential nominee was said to have been sent to 2.9 million text message subscribers. (More...)

Romney joined Hollywood stars Jon Voight and John Ratzenberger for the afternoon rally intended to motivate McCain's supporters in the final push to get Republicans to the polls on Election Day. Borrowing a line from his own stump speech in the Jan. 19 Republican caucus that he won in Nevada, Romney argued this election is an important turning point. "We're either going to make a sharp left turn, or we're going to hold true to the principles that have made this country such a great nation," Romney said. He touted McCain as the candidate that knows that "to create jobs you hold down taxes" and painted Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama of Illinois as an inexperienced politician who lacks the skills to keep the country safe. [1] Obama spokesman Jeff Giertz accused the McCain campaign of trying to distract from the issues. "While Barack Obama has focused the closing days of this campaign on his positive plans to bring the change we need to our country, John McCain and his Republican friends want to 'turn the page' from the economy to focus on more-of-the-same attacks," Giertz said. In an interview with the Reno Gazette-Journal after the rally, Romney said he believes McCain is rising in the polls and has captured momentum. "I hope the Democrats look at the polls and say they should stay home, they're not needed," Romney said.[1]

"But I think Republicans realize you fight to the end." He called Obama's recent 30-minute campaign commercial "way over the top." "It almost sounded like he's explaining how with a few fishes and a few loaves he could feed the multitude," Romney said.[1]

During a campaign event, Joe Wurzelbacher told Obama than the senator's plans to tax folks earning $250,000 a year troubled him. A desperate McCain campaign leaped at the exchange, which included the senator saying, "When you spread the wealth around it's good for everybody." At the third president debate, Joe the Plumber became an irresistible reference for both candidates. For Joe, it turned out the attention exposed the fact that he was unlicensed as a plumber, has tax problems and doesn't come close to earning $250,000 annually. [2] McCain, a longtime supporter of tighter campaign finance rules, has been significantly out-raised by Obama, who opted not to participate in the presidential matching funds system that sets limits on a candidate's ability to raise cash.[2]

The McCain campaign's attempt to ridicule the large crowds attending Obama rallies at home and abroad fell flat.[2]

' 6. In the summer of 2007, McCain's campaign coffers were down to $2 million, far less than his Republican rivals at that point.[2] ' 8. Not long after Sarah Palin was announced as the Republican vice presidential candidate, GOP handlers went on a shopping spree for her and her family, ringing up a $150,000 bill for clothing and other accessories.[2] In a December Republican presidential debate, the moderator asked for a show of hands of who believes climate change is a threat. Candidate Fred Thompson drew the line, declaring he wouldn't be "doing hand shows today."[2]

Republican Mitt Romney was forced to readjust his stances on social issues in order to fall into line with the mainstream of the GOP, something that turned into a tough sell for primary voters. His exit from the race essentially ceded the contest to McCain. [2] Romney said if elected McCain would be a "more faithful adherent to traditional Republican principles than we've seen in the last eight years."[1]

Obama's selection of Biden as his vice presidential nominee was said to have been sent to 2.9 million text message subscribers. [2]

REFERENCES

1. Romney campaigns for McCain in Reno | www.rgj.com | Reno Gazette-Journal
2. Race to the White House | AnnistonStar.com

Obama, McCain visit red states in final stretch

CONTENTS:

It is the final push to the ballot box, and both candidates continue a mad dash over the last weekend trying to win over voters in key swing states before next Tuesday'''s election. (More...)
"A lot of us hope that the internet will open up the political process, make it more accessible for ordinary people to run for office. (More...)
Joining up with the Obama campaign are the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. (More...)
What marked the day for me was when he folded under the pressure and did exactly what he said we as americans should not do: "They (AQ) only win if we live in fear and change our ways out of that fear." (More...)
Upset and angry, remaining rank-and-file members may turn to more conservative members, like Virginia's Eric Cantor, to lead rebuilding efforts. (More...)
"The internet is now firmly embedded in the U.S. electoral process and it isn't going to go away," says Chadwick. (More...)

It is the final push to the ballot box, and both candidates continue a mad dash over the last weekend trying to win over voters in key swing states before next Tuesday'''s election. John McCain rallyied his troops in Ohio. Behind in the polls, the Republican presidential hopeful will spend his second day in the state looking to gather momentum and ultimately the 20 electoral votes crucial to a win next Tuesday. "It's Halloween, so what do the Democrats do? Every four years they run out and they try to scare seniors by saying that republicans are going to take away their social security or we're gonna take away Medicare," said McCain. The economic crisis continues to be the driving theme for both voters and the candidates. Evidence of that, McCain'''s second extended interview on CNBC this week. Making sure there are no "tricks" in the final days of this campaign the front runner, Barack Obama will continue to blitz the Midwest. He was in Missouri Thursday night again promising a better fiscal future if elected. "I will put in place common sense regulations that i've been calling for throughout this campaign so that Wall Street can never cause this crisis again,''' said Obama. [1] YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AFP) — Democrat Barack Obama cranked up his campaigning Friday for a ferocious final weekend before the historic U.S. elections, as Republican rival John McCain vowed an all-out comeback effort. Front-runner Obama, bidding to become the first black U.S. president, returned to the midwestern state of Iowa promising an end to the Republican politics of divide and rule, while McCain wrapped up a bus tour of Ohio with his team saying it was "jazzed up" about a last-gasp comeback. "Iowa, at this moment, in this election, we have the chance to do more than just beat back this kind of politics -- we have the chance to end it once and for all," Obama told an Iowa rally of 25,000 people. "That's how we'll steer ourselves out of this (economic) crisis -- with a new politics for a new time."[2] BARACK Obama could be involved in crucial economic decisions before his inauguration if he wins next week's U.S. election, with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson flagging a greater role for the new administration ahead of January's swearing-in. With the latest polls showing Senator Obama maintaining a big lead over his Republican rival John McCain, the Democrats have drawn up plans to lower the high expectations of what the first black president would be able to achieve. Senator Obama will potentially inherit a $US700billion ($1trillion) rescue program that he neither created nor fully embraced, and a slowing economy that will limit his capacity for sweeping change.[3]

Don't believe for a moment that power concedes anything. It's going to get nasty in the next four days. They will throw everything at it." Despite his healthy lead in the polls, he implored a crowd of more than 20,000 in Columbia on Friday not to forget to vote and asked them to take five friends along and "dig deep and make history". Addressing the most recent attacks from the campaign of his rival Senator John McCain, he adopted a mocking tone. "They can't even decide what to call me. They are calling me every name in the book but they can't decide on a single angle," he said. His campaign is convinced that in the final, frantic four days of his historic bid to become the first black U.S. president more slurs will be thrown his way, by Mr McCain, the Republican Party and outside groups. In the past week Mr McCain has tried to tarnish his opponent for his association with Rashid Khalidi, who once spoke for the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and is now a professor at Columbia University in New York. He has continued to raise questions about Mr Obama's relations with William Ayers, a domestic bomber in the 1960s, also now a professor, and label Mr Obama's plans to raise taxes for the rich as "socialism".[4]

The largest U.S. business lobby wants voters to elect enough Republicans to block legislation, through a legislative technique known as a filibuster, which would make it easier for workers to form unions. It takes 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Many independent groups this year are focusing their advertising on congressional races instead of the campaign between John McCain and Barack Obama. While the 2004 presidential race saw the growth of such groups as Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which opposed Democratic nominee John Kerry, both major nominees this year discouraged their donors from funding independent ads. "There is a sense from the top of the ticket that their participation was not wanted nor desired'' in the presidential race, said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a Washington-based group that tracks campaign finance. "Clearly, there's been a shift away from these organizations.''[5] "We cannot spend the next four years as we have much of the last eight, hoping for our luck to change at home and abroad." Quick: Which presidential candidate has added this line to his speeches? Barack Obama, right? No, that would be Republican candidate John McCain, hoping to change his luck at home in the final stretch of Campaign '08.[6]

McCain supporters are taking some last-minute encouragement from recent polls that suggest the race is tightening in key states like Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. The Obama campaign is broadening its television advertising campaign in the final days to include the states of North Dakota and Georgia, states that have reliably supported Republican presidential candidates in recent years.[7] The McCain camp argued that a sheaf of polls nationally and in battleground states misread likely levels of Republican turnout in the election, and that the race against Obama was much closer than it appeared. The Democrat, in a clear sign of his intent to reach historic numbers of voters before they head to the polls, has mobilized a gargantuan team of some 1.5 million volunteers in 770 offices nationwide. "We really feel that, in a number of these states. this election is going to come down to our ground organization and what happens in the final days of the campaign," said Obama's national battleground state chief Jennifer O'Malley.[2] Obama is making an especially concerted push; young voters support the Democrat by a 2-1 ratio, according to an AP-Yahoo News Poll conducted last month. Pollsters believe Obama's support may be stronger than indicated in national polls because they exclude the cell-only voters the campaign has targeted. Some Republican strategists worry their young supporters may not be among the groups that flood the polls because the GOP hasn't kept pace with Democrats' use of text messaging. "In America, it's just weird to think that the Republican Party would be ceding an entire medium to the Democratic party," said David All, a consultant in Washington to GOP candidates on technology issues. McCain's campaign referred questions about texting to its Missouri headquarters, which didn't return calls for comment. Young McCain backers in the state say they're making an effort even if the national campaign is mum. Jeremy Hagen, chairman of the Missouri College Republicans, said he had not received messages from the McCain campaign or the Republican National Committee. He said, the College Republicans have employed the tactic to mobilize McCain supporters.[8]

Caroline Adelman, spokesperson for the Obama campaign in Georgia, finds that money matters weigh heavily on the electorate. She agreed when I suggested that the president isn't far from voters' minds on this issue or any other: "They realize now that they need to vote against everything that Bush and McCain stand for," she told me. Do Bush and McCain stand for the same things? One of the most frequently quoted statistics in this campaign would seem to indicate "yes." "If you voted with Bush over 90 percent of the time, you can't proclaim you're a maverick," Westen explains, echoing an assertion that resonates strongly with those heading to the polls. Near the end of our conversation, Weston paused in his thoughts on voters to consider how this incriminating branding affects the candidate himself. "I think McCain's an angry man anyway," Westen declares, "but provided there isn't a terrorist attack that throws him the election on Nov. 5, he's going to end up enraged that Bush got him again."[6] In an interview with a Colorado radio station, Senator Obama appeared to be lowering expectations. Asked about his goals for the first 100 days, he said he would need more time than that to tackle such big and costly issues as healthcare reform, global warming and Iraq. Senator McCain spent yesterday campaigning in Ohio - a critical swing state he must win to take the presidency - as his campaign insisted the race was tightening in the final days. He told supporters in the appropriately named town of Defiance: "We're a few points down, but we're coming back." It was in Ohio that President George W. Bush pulled out a narrow victory in 2004, drawing thousands more voters to the polls than outside experts thought possible, and ultimately clinching the race. The latest polls yesterday showed Senator Obama with a solid lead nationally, and across the electoral map, and even pushing Senator McCain in his home state of Arizona.[3] Highly organized and massive volunteer efforts by Republicans ground forces in the final days of 2000 and 2004 campaigns are widely credited with George W. Bush's two victories in Florida. Republican Ralph Reed, the former executive director of the Christian Coalition, has said he thought Bush was sure to lose Florida until the GOP's get-out-the-vote operation swung into full gear in the final 72 hours of 2000. That is when Republicans first used Victory Suite -- a computer software program that was able to flag likely voters and align it with other key demographics such as memberships to clubs or magazines. That allowed campaigns not just to knock on doors, but efficiently target voters they had the best chance of getting to the polls, said Tramm Hudson, the Sarasota County Republican Party chairman in 2000. Obama supporters are adamant that they are up to the task this time and armed with rival technology that will help them win the get-out-the-vote battle. "At this point we're not interested in converting people," said Linda Niblock, who drives a VW bus pained with "Obama" on the side and leads a canvassing team covering the district stretching from Bee Ridge to Newtown.[9]

I'm afraid some of the people who listen to that kind of stuff don't even understand what socialism is." Sherry McBride, an African-American librarian, said: "We just have to accept some people are just not up for this. It's like a sports game. It could turn around at the last minute." It is standard election politics not to look cocky, not least because voters hate being taken for granted. The tone of Mr Obama's argument suggests he is going beyond playing it safe. For a range of reasons - the slippery nature of polls, the narrowness of the Democrats' losses to George W Bush, the unknown effect of a biracial candidate, the desire not to jinx himself - Mr Obama will make a determined effort in the last days of a nearly two year campaign to make sure his lead in the polls is translated into victory. David Axelrod, his chief strategist, said: "The great thing about having run for 21 months is we know from hard experience that you shouldn't take anything for granted." "We've been ahead and we've been behind," he said.[4]

Four years ago, Bush won the county by less than 6 percentage points; in 2006, Democrats took over the county commission for the first time in 44 years. In 2000, the last time both parties had a competitive primary, 115,300 voters participated on the GOP side, while only 54,600 cast votes for Democrats. This year the numbers are flipped: 83,400 voted for Republican candidates, and nearly 165,000 participated in the Democratic primary. Although Hillary Clinton won Ohio easily, Obama's best showing statewide came in Hamilton, where he won 63% of the vote.[10] Hamilton County, which includes and surrounds Cincinnati, was never in anyone's battle plan. Over the past 100 years, its voters have backed the Democratic presidential candidate only four times. The county has been such unfriendly territory for Democrats that former Ohio governor John Gilligan, a Cincinnati native, once famously remarked that, "they hunt Democrats with dogs for sport in Hamilton County." This year, however, Hamilton is up for grabs. Nestled in the southwestern corner of Ohio, where table-flat corn and wheat fields abruptly give way to hilltops, Cincinnati overlooks Kentucky from its perch above the Ohio River. "It's really two cities," says Dorothy Weil, 78, whose husband chaired the local Democratic Party two decades ago, "the East and the West." Culturally and politically, the West Side closely resembles its Kentucky neighbors and is dotted with working-class Catholic towns where people still place one another by asking which parochial high school they attended.[10]

Obama campaigned Friday in the Midwest state of Iowa. Obama's victory in the Iowa party caucuses in January set him on a course to win the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. "And what you started here in Iowa has swept the nation! We are seeing the same turnout, we are seeing the same people going and getting in line, volunteers and people participating," he said. "A whole new way of doing democracy started right here in Iowa, and it's all across the country now!" In the final days of the campaign, high profile politicians from both parties are out trying to help the two candidates.[11] Better organized than in previous presidential campaigns, with much better technological tools, with way more offices and staff in most states than the McCain campaign, the Obama campaign has rewritten the rules for staffing, GOTV, computerized organization, new voter registration, and providing ways for volunteers to join, donate, and take action. Even though Obama is not a left-wing candidate, such a landslide would forever change the political life of our country, would open the doors to millions of workers joining unions, and would help enact aspects of Obama's program (health care, ending the Iraq War, cutting taxes for the vast majority, raising taxes on the wealthy and corporations, improving and expanding social programs) which will benefit the lives of hundreds of millions.[12]

The Obama campaign has 44 field offices and more than 200 paid organizers in Indiana. The McCain campaign is working out of the state Republican Party's county offices, and is relying heavily on dedicated volunteers, said Republican state party chairman Murray Clark, citing nearly 150,000 calls made by volunteers this week. "It's quite competitive,'' Clark said. Obama "has been here since March, he's developed an independent campaign structure, and he has unlimited resources. Comparing their visits is a legitimate way to look at it.'' By today, Obama will have visited Indiana nine times in the general election, and 48 times this year, including the primary.[13] The study showed that the rate of voter fraud was.00004 percent, or about 3 instances. This is roughly equal to an individual's chance of being struck and killed by a bolt of lightning. Sen. McCain has claimed that A.C.O.R.N., an organizing group in minority and low-income communities, was "now on the verge of maybe perpetrating one of the greatest frauds in voter history in this country, maybe destroying the fabric of democracy." It turns out that of the approximate 1.3 million registrations that this organization turned in, only 5,000 were fraudulent, including one for Mickey Mouse. This, of course, only causes a problem if Mickey Mouse actually appears to vote, which has not been the case for any of these registrations. Therefore, Republican claims of widespread voter fraud are overblown. For the most part these attempts have been thwarted. In Michigan and Colorado where 15,000 voters registration were unlawfully purged within 90 days of the election, federal courts have allowed these individuals to vote. Both federal and state courts have dismissed a Republican Party law suit to question 200,000 of the 600,000 new voter registration in Ohio. Even with these failures, there have been successful efforts to reduce the vote.[14] Arizona Senator McCain, meanwhile, was mum on the latest economic news showing the gross domestic product shrank at a 0.3 percent pace from July to September. Those latest figures are "the final nail in McCain's coffin,'' said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. To be sure, surprise events in the final days of the last two elections swayed those races. In 2000, a drunk-driving report on Republican George W. Bush, who had been leading in polls by a few points, may have cost him the popular vote.[13]

McCain's vice presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, defended the Republican attacks on Obama at a rally in Pennsylvania. 'There is nothing mean-spirited or negative at all about calling someone out on their record, their plans and their associations,' she said. For his part, Senator Obama urged his supporters not to let up in the final days of the campaign, even though Obama leads McCain by an average of six points in national public opinion polls.[7]

Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 500,000 statewide, thanks to huge new voter-registration drives by Obama's campaign and liberal activist groups like ACORN. McCain's national political director, Mike DuHaime, dismissed the second-guessing as a typical campaign hazard. Ballard, the Florida fundraiser, said this is all a function of the fact that it's a tough year for Republicans and that McCain has agreed to campaign spending limits and federal matching funds while Obama has not.[15] Coral Gables, Florida-- A group of approximately fifty anti-abortion protestors, with Spanish-language press in tow, descended upon the Obama for America campaign offices in Coral Gables, Florida yesterday, October 30. Escorted by their activist priest, the group was armed with printed signs depicting aborted fetuses. Their hand-printed signs read, "A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Babies", and other slogans equating support for the Democratic candidate with a pro-abortion stance. Obama, like others on the Democratic Party slate, is pro-choice, not pro-abortion, and supports a woman's right to choose, this event was clearly organized in concert with McCain campaign supporters, as cars and vans decorated with McCain paraphernalia were seen driving around the rally, honking horns.[16]

The Obama campaign will also begin airing ads in McCain's home state of Arizona in the wake of recent polls that show an unexpectedly close race there. Both candidates will maintain an exhausting travel schedule through Monday as they look to lock up votes in the state-by-state electoral tally that determines who wins the presidency.[7] With just four days left before Tuesday's polls, front-runner Obama, bidding to become the first black U.S. president, was to hold campaign rallies in the midwestern states of Iowa and Indiana while McCain wraps up a bus tour of Ohio.[17] Obama has kept the focus on the economy as grim new figures showed the world's largest economy is moving towards recession. The U.S. government said the economy had shrunk by 0.3 percent in the third quarter through September, its worst contraction since 2001. The Obama campaign has doubled up his attack with a new commercial showing the faces of President George Bush and Senator McCain together in a car's rear view mirror with the announcer saying, "Look behind you.[18] The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the gross domestic product shrank by 0.3 percent in the third quarter as fearful consumers cut back on spending. The new numbers, the steepest decline since 2001, provided fresh fodder for both campaigns. "If you want to know where John McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rearview mirror," Obama said.[19] While casting McCain as a champion of tax cuts for the rich and lax regulation of Wall Street, Obama renewed pledges to cut taxes for the middle class and crack down on corporate greed. McCain's campaign released a statement saying that Obama "would drive this sputtering economy off a cliff." "If voters looked into Barack Obama's rearview, they'd see that he supported every one of Washington's wasteful spending bills and has voted for higher taxes 94 times in just three years," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said. "His economic proposals are driven by job-killing tax increases and out-of-control spending."[19]

Young voter turnout tripled in the Iowa caucus, says Andrew Chadwick, a professor at the University of London. If this is the case and a successful online campaign tips the balance in a close election, then which party is proving most effective online? The popular perception is that it's the Democrats, with Barack Obama a more natural poster boy for the digital generation. Armed with his own social network (mybarackobama.com), Obama has the endorsement of Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt; is advised by Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist; and has hired a co-founder of Facebook, Chris Hughes, as his campaign's online co-ordinator.[20] WASHINGTON -- Barring a dramatic change in the political landscape over the next three weeks, Democrats appear headed toward a decisive victory on Election Day that would give them broad power over the federal government. The victory would send Barack Obama to the White House and give him larger Democratic majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate -- and perhaps a filibuster-proof margin there. That could mark a historic realignment of the country's politics on a scale with 1932 or 1980, when the out party was given power it held for a generation, and used it to transform government's role in American society.[21] Democrats already had a political advantage heading into the fall campaign, with just 9 percent of Americans thinking the country's on the right track, the lowest ever recorded. President Bush's approval rating this week was only a point higher than Richard Nixon's on the day he was forced to resign from office, reflecting voter anger at Republicans as the party controlling the White House.[21] In Indiana, voters must produce a valid photo identification before being permitted to vote. This type of law, while seemingly facially neutral, has a disproportional effect of turning away minority and the poor groups that generally vote in greater numbers for Democrat candidates. Thankfully, we have seen few of these election day problems in Galesburg. As a monitor of these issues for the local Democrat party, the greatest concern on election day has been inadvertent, improper electioneering. Electioneering is the act of urging a vote for or against a party, candidate, or issue or engaging in political discussion within 100 feet of a polling place taking the form of either verbal communication or nonverbal communication such as displaying signs, wearing campaign buttons, or distributing campaign literature.[14] "I never have a sign on my lawn, and on and on." He gave to Mr. Shays and previously to Senator Dodd the Connecticut Democrat because the two former Peace Corps volunteers have been "champions" for Save the Children. Mr. MacCormack says he makes his donations in between election races, so he does not have to pick one candidate over another. About half a dozen other charity or foundation employees contacted by The Chronicle about their campaign contributions also declined to be interviewed or failed to return telephone calls or e-mail messages. While philanthropic organizations are nervous about violating the restrictions on political activity, many charities also rely heavily on government money and depend on the good will of both parties to achieve their public-policy goals. Diana Aviv, president of Independent Sector, a coalition of charities and foundations in Washington, says that "many nonprofit executives of major national organizations, particularly those who have some public-interest activity that is a part of their work where they have to deal with Congress, do indeed feel constrained to talk about their political affiliation and do feel constrained to give donations." These executives believe, she says, "that should they do that, that it is possible that if the party that wins is not the party that they supported, that their organization could be adversely affected or could be jeopardized in some way," she says. "That's not my personal opinion," Ms. Aviv adds.[22] Charities with employees who gave the most money were at the headquarters and affiliates of the Nature Conservancy (more than $67,000, 93 percent to Democrats); the YMCA (almost $62,000, 74 percent to Democrats), the American Red Cross (almost $52,000, 73 percent to Democrats), and the American Cancer Society (more than $50,000, 88 percent to Democrats). Greg Donaldson, the cancer society's national vice president for corporate communications, cautions against reading much into the finding, which covered 40 of its employees. "Keep in mind that the society has more than 6,000 employees nationwide," he says. Sheffield Hale, the cancer society's chief counsel, says it would be wrong to draw conclusions about the leanings of the nonprofit work force on the basis of who gives to political candidates, particularly those who give enough to meet the $200 threshold for public disclosure. Some employees give less than $200; others support candidates by volunteering or simply voting; and other factors come into play as well, he says. "You can't extrapolate and say that because 'x' number of people gave 'x' amount to Democrats and 'y' amount to Republicans, that's the ratio of the support within an organization," he says. Mr. Hale, who said he was speaking as an individual and not for the cancer society, has given to several Democratic candidates during this election cycle and has donated to Republicans in the past. "There is no correlation, but people like the anecdotal evidence: Oh, see, they give money, so therefore a whole organization is full of these people."[22]

The most notable was Colin Powell, but others include former Republican Governors, as well as Charles Fried, who was Ronald Reagan's Solicitor General. Despite some policy differences with Obama, they have seen him as more stable, better informed, better qualified, and less impulsive on critical issues, including the nation's economic crisis. Possibly more important, as the election nears, some conservatives have grown terrified at the thought that Sarah Palin might become president in a complicated and dangerous world where her incompetence would put the nation at unprecedented risk. Even with the hope that a Palin presidency would never occur, that same alarm has impelled them to lose faith in the judgment of Senator McCain, based on his selection of an unqualified candidate for the second place on the ticket. It would be a mistake to confuse their preference for Obama with a permanent shift in political allegiance. At this point, their overriding concern appears to be the nation's safety, but their support for Obama in this election may not be a good predictor of how they will vote in the future.[6] The poll of 611 Ohioans was designed and completed by Ohio University political communication students as part of a class assignment. They found a majority of registered Democrats plan to vote for Obama (96 percent) and a majority of registered Republicans plan to vote for McCain (89 percent).[23] The election isn't simply a social networking popularity poll. "Both parties have the same tricks up their sleeves," says Germany. "The Democrats get points for style and flash, but the Republicans get points for ?using the internet to enhance their." And, while McCain is laughed at for his supposed technological illiteracy, MySpace political director Lee Brenner points out that "McCain was the first and only major Republican candidate to participate in our series of Presidential Dialogues before the primaries began", arguing that he realises the importance of reaching "independent-minded voters that spend so much of their time online". In what ways are these independent-minded voters being influenced? If you look at where the election and internet intersect, it's viral videos that attract the most attention.[20] The 2008 presidential election cycle is different only in the wide-spread effort on the part of the Republican Party to prevent access to the polls or void registrations in the face of the Obama campaign's enormous push to register new voters.[14]

A greater Latino turnout can be enough to change the results in important swing states like Colorado and Nevada, and have a positive impact nationwide. 4. The Youth Turnout Factor: The same applies to younger voters, who likely will vote for Obama in numbers that this year may surpass other demographics, and who will likely vote in much higher percentages than previously. 5. The New Registrants Turnout Possibility: Newly registered voters tend to vote in higher percentages than the population at large, and with new registrations breaking records in most states and many new registrants motivated to vote Democratic, this too will improve Obama's vote. If they turnout in higher percentages than in previous elections, this can improve his vote significantly. 6.[12] The Obama camp said Democratic voters were already registering imposing early voting totals in battleground states, warning McCain must win big on election day to catch up.[2] Internet and email traffic in rumours about Mr Obama that have been circulating for a year appear to have risen as the election nears. These include claims that he is a Muslim, does not have a U.S. birth certificate and resembles the anti-Christ. The latter and most outlandish slander is based on Chapter 13 of the Book of Revelation presaging the end of the world. A poll for the Houston Chronicle meanwhile found that 23 per cent of Texans thought Mr Obama follows Islam, when his late Kenyan father was a non-practising Muslim. Among his supporters in Missouri, and elsewhere, there is, amid excitement, worry that something go wrong on election day. They fear the scare tactics and latent racism could give voters cold feet at the last minute.[4] Mr Obama spent more than ''2 million to become the first presidential candidate in 16 years to air a 30-minute "infomercial" on U.S. TV networks. Mr McCain's dwindling finances meant he was forced to send an email to supporters saying: "I'm asking for your financial support today to help us respond to attacks against our entire ticket. "My friends, I'm telling you today, this election is not over and we need everyone's hard work in the coming days to be victorious."[24] I would like to see a big push into recycling, myself. You know I have not heard much this election year about family values. Lets see, I wonder if its because McCain has skelletons in his closet (meaning) an ex-wife, and kids who he left, after she was seriously injured, and disfigured in an auto accident, and married his mistress, oh by the way, they met in a bar while on a trip. Or is it because Palin's 16 year old daughter has showed what kind of upbringing she has given her kids, and it took Palin several years to get a college degree. Or is it because, (maybe, just maybe) you good old Boys & Girls cant get an ounce of dirt of Obama & his wife. Its still a sad day, in this world, that people are so full of hate just because a person is another color, race, or religious background.[6] I strongly believe that raising taxes will extend the recession we are now in. And, as a side note, now you are talking out of both sides of your mouth, no? You are against him because he will (incorrectly) raise your taxes, and is also wrong for lowering some taxes. I, like most people in the U.S. do not mind taxes as long as they go to people and projects that need it and is well spent. They only people that are against new tax codes are those that are mistaken on Obama's plan (you and many others that buy the propaganda) and those that are currently benefiting from the tax code (the selfishly rich). Just looking at two of his area of expertise, a community org and teaching constitutional law for ten years, is enough real experience to understand what is constitutional and how to gather/spend money in a way that reaches the people. It is clear that you have only read/listened to the 10sec sound bites, or you would have concrete, non-scare tactic, basis to vote McCain. You have never cited any real numbers (those youtube vids are cut right after he explains the minor criteria that applies to a person that makes 150k and 200k that results in their taxes going up).[6] The war in Iraq is coming to a close, no thanks to Obama. Foreign affairs and terrorism is always going to be a constant threat and to have a candidate think that Russia and Iran "are no threat to the U.S." is scarier than a vice-President that "can see Russia from her State". Of Course Obama was corrected by his advisors and now admits Iran and Russia maybe more of a threat than he thought. How many other lame ideas are in his head. The fact is, he has avoided any interviews that would ask him the hard questions on foreign policy and other things he knows little about. His propaganda machine is in full force and now he tosses any reporter than is associated with a media outlet supporting McCain. I guess censorship will be one of his first courses of action (actually the Dems have a Bill ready to cut off right wing radio shows) of the Obama Presidency. Then we will get "redistribution of wealth" as the upper middle class (last projection is $150,000 or more) and businesses right checks to those watching Oprah. Next will be a National Health Care sytem replacing private practice except for those still holding on to enough of their pay to afford it (this works great in Canada and Europe.not!!!). Of course I'm a "racist" and "hater" since I see this as Socialist and I'm willing to put it in writing. Fact is, it doesn't matter if this was Hillary Clinton or Jimmy Carter or any other left wing liberal. This is not right for our country and will be the beginning of the end. Oh well, at least I can hang on to my Bible and gun (wait Obama wants those to).[6] Maybe it's the way I been brought up hence the fundamental instilment of my beliefs, but I cannot understand that if an individual does not exercise their right to vote, they then have an assumption that they then have a right to protest/disagree with policy. in other words I believe, if you dont vote you lose your right to complain or disagree. I'm aware that some might take the view that they don't approve of either candidate. ie. Obama or McCain. so they wont vote so I guess they take the attitude of "get what your given" perhaps. I could then argue we have somewhat similar conditions here in Oz when/if you vote for an Independant (actually it doesn't even need to be an independant. re nationals in WA recently) because you don't like the mainstream choices, and their preferences are directed to a major party you didn't want in the first place. at least you'ld have the genuine right to complain.[25]

I spent a half hour chatting with another member of the wedding party, "Kelly," who went to the J School (Journalism) at Mizzou and lives in Kansas City. She is an independent but has drunk the kool aid (sorry Kelly) and is voting for McCain. She's well read, is home schooling her young children, and has made up her mind that John McCain and Sarah Palin are better for the country than Barack Obama. Her big issue seemed to be feeling that Obama hadn't voted enough and she has also bought into the "socialism" diatribe. I urged her to read "Factcheck.org" before she voted and she agreed she might, but she seemed pretty convinced. After many more minutes of waiting and watching the Secret Service, the hotel staff went out for a photo op and we thought we had missed our chance, but two minutes later, Senator Obama came strolling back into the lobby, shook hands and asked three young children their names, told them he wished he could get back in his pj's, waved to the rest of us and left. He looked tired but when he greeted those kids, his face lit up. I can't imagine what it's like to be Barack Obama, but being on just a portion of his road trip this week makes me amazed at his dedication and stamina and even more importantly, thrilled, that someone who will take that extra moment for a child is going to be our next President.[26] Senator Obama says Senator McCain is engaging in a "slash and burn, say anything, do anything" campaign in a last ditch effort to get elected. "He said 'I will not take the low road to the highest office in the land'. Those words were spoken eight years ago by my opponent, John McCain," he said. "But the high road didn't lead him to the White House then so this time he decided to take a different route."[25] The ads are running in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, but are expected to get a much bigger exposure in the next five days. The advertisement shows extracts from Mr Wright's now infamous sermons and intones that Senator Obama "never complained" about Mr Wright "until he ran for president", adding that Senator Obama is "too radical, too risky". A similar smear campaign run by a PAC, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, raised damaging and unfounded allegations about the Democrat John Kerry's war record in the closing days of the 2004 campaign, with devastating results. This time, however, the attack ads are being run in the wake of an unprecedented half-hour infomercial from the Obama campaign, which told real-life stories of economic hardship and showed Senator Obama speaking from an Oval Office-esque setting - and drew more than 33.55 million viewers.[27]

Discovered is this chilling video showing Obama caught saying ACORN and friends will shape his presidential agenda. ACORN endorsed Obama and, as part of a nation-wide voter scam, Obama recently spent $832,000 of his campaign money to subsidize ACORN activities. These shocking video clips are from ACORN meetings proving the close relationship between Obama and ACORN, the radical group that pushes a 1960's-bred agenda of anti-capitalism, victimology and dependency on government handouts in poor black communities. Nuts! How ACORN got me into vote scam by Jean MacIntosh provides a report on two Ohio voters, including Domino's Pizza worker Christopher Barkley, who claimed that they were hounded by ACORN to register to vote several times, even though they made it clear they'd already signed up.[6] The group has active get-out-the-vote efforts on campuses in 21 states, including Missouri and Illinois. Despite the recent spike in turnout, young voters still are widely considered difficult to get to the polls, which is why groups such as the New Voters Project and the Obama campaign are embracing texts. On some campuses, the New Voters Project has set up text-out-the-vote tables, where prospective voters send a message to 41411 and then receive a vote reminder via text message that they are asked to forward to everyone in their phone's contact list.[8] While the polls indicate a big lead for Senator Obama in the battleground states, the national polls show a more confusing picture. The Fox News poll shows that Senator Obama leads by only 3 points nationally, suggesting Senator McCain is still in contention if the undecided voters break strongly in his favour.[27]

National campaign officials said McCain is within striking distance of Obama in the polls, has ample time to turn things around, and had a winning strategy until Wall Street's crash. ''It's a little early for Monday-morning quarterbacking.'' said McCain's southeast regional director, Buzz Jacobs. Asked about Republican complaints that the campaign doesn't even have enough T-shirts or bumper stickers for supporters, Jacobs had another interpretation: "It's a sign of a healthy campaign whenever the demand is greater than the supply.''[15] The organization ran ads in four Senate and seven House races, all in seats held by Republicans. It spent about $9 million, the Campaign Finance Institute said. Bill Allison, a senior fellow at the Sunlight Foundation, a Washington-based watchdog group, said the record $600 million raised by Obama for his campaign might have drowned out 527 ads in any case, and some Republicans may not have wanted to open their checkbooks for McCain. "It may well be that there's not a whole lot of enthusiasm for McCain among the folks who would make those type of ads,'' Allison said.[5]

BARACK OBAMA'S controversial pastor, Jeremiah Wright, is set to make a last-minute resurgence in the U.S. presidential campaign as the centrepiece of attack ads paid for by a political fund-raising group aligned with the Republican Party.[27] Personally, Sunshine, I try to look at a candidate's past actions and associations for clues as to how they will behave once in office. Campaign rhetoric is only important to me if a candidate frequently changes their pledges in order to suit whatever audience they are speaking to. In the case of Barack Obama, he fails on both accounts, IMO. He has seemingly spent his adult life working for and associating himself with people who think the USA is the most horrible, racist, unfair country in the entire world. His own wife stated that for the "first time in her adult life" she was proud of the U.S. because her husband was nominated. She also has groused about how "unfair" it was that she and her husband had to pay back their student loans.[6] Most of my family and friends are Obama supports so I think that they feel that encouraging me and letting be me a bit of a bad friend/relative for the past year was like helping the campaign in a round about way. (At least this is how I hope they think about it!) If I ever felt like it was becoming hard for any of my family/friends I made a point of reiterating my reasons for working so hard for Barack Obama so that they wouldn't take my lack of time for them personally.[28]

First of all, you would no longer own property, … read more there would no longer be any private companies, all of the money made in the country would go to the government, and then they would hand it out. Do you actually believe this is going to happen? Oh yeah, I forgot when your party told you to go buy duct tape and tarps to protect yourself against terrorist attacks you did. When they raised the terror threat multiple times before the 2004 elections you bought into the threat, even though in the four years since it has only changed a couple of times. Of course you think if Obama gets elected they are going to come to your house and take everything away from you. There was another party that was able to convince their followers with fear based tactics, and it was in Germany in the 1930's, with a certain short mustached leader. Do you know yet? Yep, your just like them being led around by talking heads scaring you of how evil and bad people that aren't like you are.[19]

A local t-shirt shop was selling $5 t-shirts with "Missouri for Obama" logos, and during the afternoon, campaign volunteers were out with clipboards signing up people to work on Election Day. One of the many impressive things about this campaign is their emphasis on grassroots work and commitment-even now, just a few days away from the election.[26] Even with the election just days away, there still are voters unsure of who they will cast their ballots for. While the amount of undecided voters is unclear, both sides are actively trying to sway this key group. "The McCain campaign believes that universe of undecided voters could be as high as 10 percent," ABC News' chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos said, "and that they are disproportionately white, women, elderly Bush voters who could break towards McCain."[29] Poll results showed 68 percent of respondents are paying attention or a lot of attention to media coverage of the election, with 60 percent watching television news, 15 percent reading newspapers, and 11 percent going online for information. For those who use the Internet, 73 percent have not received an e-mail from either candidate, 29 percent have visited Obama's Web site, and 16 percent have visited McCain's Web site. Twenty percent of those who visited McCain's Web site were influenced in visiting the site by the choice of vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.[23] Obama is leading by nearly every poll going into the final weekend of campaigning before Tuesday's election, but McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis insisted McCain was positioning himself for a comeback. "We are pretty jazzed up about what we are seeing in the movement of this election," Davis told reporters on a conference call.[2]

Greer predicted McCain would squeak out a win in the state, despite polls showing Obama 3.5 percentage points up on average. "At McCain events, although smaller -- there's no doubt about it -- there seems to be a stronger commitment,'' he said. That won't be enough, Rothenberg said. For all the talk "in Republican circles about McCain on the march, McCain making a comeback, there's precious little evidence he can get to 270 electoral votes,'' he said.[13] For the first time in more than a decade, Florida Republicans are considering the almost unthinkable: Their presidential nominee could lose the state. The economy, an unpopular president, a strong opponent, and the inability of John McCain to reverse poll numbers despite repeatedly revising his strategy has top state Republicans looking for someone to blame.[15] Republican John McCain is shown chortling about a comeback, outraged people on the street complain about the voter who didn't make it to the polls, and President Bush is shown praising the no-show.[30]

Hellon is a former state Republican Party chairman and a veteran of numerous campaigns. The first step, he said, is to get voter rolls and cull them for likely McCain supporters. Find them and make sure they vote.[31] The technology caught on, but not with Kromko's Democratic Party. He said the Republicans ran with it and targeted voters much better than Democrats. The high-water mark for this kind of operation came in George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. His strategists used any bit of information they could find, from voting rolls to magazine subscriptions, to tailor a message to likely voters. Then they contacted those voters and formed social networks among the supporters to get out the vote.[31] I actually watched the Florida case personally, and remember the lame Democratic arguments that "more people intended to vote for Gore" than the actual votes showed. They tried to bring in some statistical "expert" to prove that point, but it backfired when the lawyer for the Republicans showed him how the Democrats actually changed his findings without his knowledge or approval. Any reason you keep dodging this issue? Tell me again how supportive the Dems were for Bush, despite the fact that he won the election fair and square.[6]

Just as the fat lady prepared to sing to bring down the curtain on the 2008 election, Georgia became a battleground state -- not for the presidency but for unchallenged control of the U.S. Senate. Democratic challenger Jim Martin could become the 60th Democratic member of the Senate, providing his party with a filibuster-proof upper chamber -- if he can unseat GOP incumbent Saxby Chambliss. In the closing weeks of Georgia's Senate battle, national Democrats and Republicans pumped fresh cash into their respective candidates' races. The TV commercials for both sides turned meaner and ran more frequently.[32] "We have not had the resources to do as much of that as we might want," Hellon said. Gathering information matters even in races that aren't national and even if it's not in a database. Matt Heinz learned in his first run for the state House of Representatives in 2006, which he lost, how important identifying voters could be. In 2008, unlike his opponents in a crowded Legislative District 29 Democratic primary, Heinz didn't run television ads. He walked neighborhoods. He mapped out the district, which covers much of the south part of Tucson, and looked for the only voters who mattered to him. He knew who voted in the 2006 primary and especially targeted the voters who asked for early ballots in the 2008 primary election. "That was my whole universe for a while," Heinz said. "That was my walk list." After that, the information that mattered was the information he collected.[31]

Fifty-nine percent of voters surveyed thought the Palin was not prepared for the job of vice president and 41 percent of respondents had an unfavorable opinion of her, compared with 36 percent who had a favorable opinion. On Thursday McCain wheeled out Ohio tradesman Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, better known as " Joe the Plumber," to buttress his case in a state that he must win if he is to take the White House.[17]

Throughout, the focus was on the economy, the issue that has dominated the last weeks of the campaign, and on the importance of voting. Speaking in Defiance, Ohio, McCain told his backers that they faced an uphill fight against the Democrats, but that they should battle on despite polls showing the GOP trailing nationally and in key states.[19] Since the FEC doesn't require campaigns to itemize donations of less than $200, a donor whose total contributions don't reach that threshold isn't included in the figures. Nationally, both 2008 major presidential campaigns have raised significant sums of money from donors who've given less than $200. Those federal campaign records are not broken down by state or city, but nationwide they've added up to more than $280 million for Obama and more than $61million for McCain.[33] Obama's campaign is outspending McCain's in many swing states (and reserving a half-hour for a political broadcast on October 29th on many networks).[12]

"And to suddenly be kicked off the plane for people who haven't covered it as aggressively or thoroughly as we are it sort of feels unfair." He said the newspaper protested but was turned down again by the campaign. "I can only hope that the candidate who describes himself as wanting to unite the nation doesn't have some sort of litmus test for who he decides gets to cover the campaign," Solomon said, noting that the Obama campaign's decision came just two days after the paper endorsed McCain.[6] Greed is a human trait, greed is exactlty why communism and socialism don't work as well, I think you will find that any political ideology adopted ends up with elites, any equity gained is usually equity in poverty. At least with capitalism the facts are that people on average are better off. What America needs is someone who understands how business and the economy works, not someone who makes them feel warm and fuzzy, or someone with no real experience. Both candidates in my view are lacking; Obama is not much more then good at delivering speeches and his proposed tax plan will increase cost on small business that is the heart of the American economy. McCain has issues with his running mate. she's a plain nutter.[25] Obama seized on the latest figures yesterday before a crowd estimated at 13,000 in Sarasota, Florida, long a Republican stronghold. "Our failing GDP is a direct result of a failed economic theory, of eight years of the trickle-down, Wall-Street-first, Main-Street-last policies that have driven our economy into a ditch,'' he said. "If you want to know where Senator McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rearview mirror.''[13]

The effort has gotten more sophisticated in recent years. "It's fundamentally the same but the technology and the ability to isolate and further define your targets has dramatically improved," Hellon said. What does a likely supporter of a candidate look like? For McCain, it's a Republican voter with a history of taking the time to cast a ballot. It also could well be an independent voter who lives in a Republican precinct. "Independent voters tend to vote like their neighbors," Hellon said.[31] For years, the social conservatism of the western part of the county and the fiscal conservatism of the eastern part formed an unbreakable Republican lock in Hamilton. Democrats like Weil focused their efforts on urban neighborhoods and only occasionally picked up support from surrounding townships and cities. This year the Obama campaign sees a chance to pick the lock.[10] Senator Obama's popularity in the charitable world is not surprising to many observers. The Democratic candidate often speaks of his work as a community organizer in Chicago early in his career. "That resonates with many charities that's our community, he may think a little like us," says Gary Bass, executive director of OMB Watch, a government-watchdog group in Washington, who says he has made small donations to the Obama campaign.[22] The man spent 20 years attending a race-based church which praised Farrakhan. While many of you here seem to think his years spent as a "community organizer" were noble, I don't see how his get-out-the-vote efforts for the Dailey political machine in Chicago qualify him for anything other than an investigation into voter fraud. As a U.S. Senator, he has compiled the most liberal voting record of any Senator, bar none. As for his campaign pledges, he has changed his proposed tax plan more than once, and still hasn't presented a clear number as to what he thinks the capital gains tax should be. When it was pointed out to him that raising the capital gains tax would likely result in LOWER tax collections, he stated that he didn't care, that it was more a matter of "fairness". On at least two occasions, he has openly supported the idea of "income redistribution", whereby money is taken from one group of people and given to another, plain and simple. This goes way beyond changing the tax code so that the "rich" pay a higher percentage than they are already paying. As for tailoring his speeches to fit his audiences, his comments to the San Fran crowd in which he insulted small-town residents in PA speaks volumes to me.[6] Obama was the attorney for ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), a radical, left-wing group that is under investigation for voter registration fraud in several states and is at the center of our nation's financial crisis because ACORN, using the Community Reinvestment Act passed by Democrats in Congress, forced banks and mortgage companies to make risky loans to people who could not pay the money back.[6]

The Republicans are fighting something of a last stand as the polls predict not only an Obama victory but big wins for Democrats running for seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, possibly repeating Ronald Reagan's dramatic sweep to power in 1980. The economic crisis and the prospect of a deep recession have increased the urgency inside the Obama team to bring people down to earth, amid concerns that many of his euphoric supporters have unrealistic hopes of what he can achieve.[3] Either that or the democrats are making more sense, god knows how much of a contrast that is compared with the bush administration. Hey how many right wingers out there have the decency / honesty / common sense to admit that the repubs have completely lost it over their term (rather than sticking with their old conservative football team just for the sake of it?) The polls suggest many people with right wing views must now being going for Obama, please tell me some out there in the right base their views on ACTUAL PERFORMANCE. I would like to believe that a right view can be a valid one.[25]

I have seen several comments from Australians saying voting should be mandatory for all citizens. Citizens are fined if they fail to vote. They manage to vote on a single day nationwide. It should not be the circus we make it. JokesOn'It is a FACT that Obama stated that he didn't care if raising the capital gains tax would result in lower tax collections. Is that what I friggen posted? Or was it: Right now, the most important issue to most voters is the economy.[6] Obama does not have the experience needed to be president. Of the almost two years he has been in the Senate, he has been campaigning 19 months and many of his votes have been "present." He wants to take our money and spread it around to others, he approves of abortion, and that is taking a life! He will reinstate the "death tax," he wants to tax the "rich" and give to the middle class. He is planning dozens of new programs that will control more and more of our lives. There are other countries that people can live in if they want the government to take care of them.[34] One percent of respondents associated Obama with 'terrorist' or 'Arab.' Respondents polled ranged in age from 18 to 99 years of age. Of those 65 and older, 54 percent plan to vote for Obama, and 46 percent plan will vote McCain.[23] McCain has ruled out any tax increase while Obama has called for more taxes for families earning more than $250,000 a year. The Democrat has also called for a tax cut for those earning less.[19] Contributions from Memphians were six times higher for Obama than McCain: $89,093 compared with $14,115. The local fundraising tale this election season has taken on a dramatically different story line compared with 2004.[33] Federal Election Commission records show Flores, who retired in 1979, wrote checks for a couple hundred dollars each to Barack Obama, reaching the maximum amount an individual citizen may contribute -- $2,300 for the primary and an additional $2,300 for the general election. Her donations have helped Obama narrow the local and state fundraising gap.[33] I've never been so inspired by someone before." Do something she did. In addition to working her full time job as a designer, Megan single-handedly started and ran the Greater Richmond for Obama campaign. Supported by a small group of Richmonders, she worked around the clock organizing fund raisers, canvassing door to door, and planning trips to support Obama, usually at her own cost. Shortly before the primaries, campaign organizers arrived to help, and noticing Megan's diligence and dedication, gave her tickets to see Barack speak at the DNC. She now volunteers at least three days a week for the campaign; she says she's been "slacking" but it's that sort of dedication and devotion to the Barack Obama campaign that make Megan Meagher one of Richmond, VA's hometown heroes.[28] I never would have imagined that I could start a group, with the help of so many others, and keep that group growing for the time when the Obama staff would finally come to VA. I've also become more confident of the idea that individual people in a society can make a difference and get things done. It was amazing to see all that could be accomplished when each person took on a bit of responsibility for accomplishing a goal (such as getting signatures to get Obama on the ballot in VA). One other amazing part of being involved in this campaign is that I now have a wonderfully diverse group of friends.[28]

"A lot of us hope that the internet will open up the political process, make it more accessible for ordinary people to run for office. This election has shown almost the opposite. It's shown that campaigns can use the guise of openness and tech-savviness to raise insane amounts of money that they re-invest in television advertising." Democratic campaign advertisements ridicule the 72-year-old McCain's admission that he is just learning to go online and has no idea how to email. Historically, it's the people who can identify with this that actually vote. [20] So far, consumers apparently aren't buying either candidate's economic plan. New numbers released Friday, show personal spending has dropped to its lowest level in 4 years. Many apparently holding on to their cash until after they spend their political capital in just 4 days. Both campaigns also plan a blitz on the airwaves. You will see a lot of the candidates on TV this weekend in commercials and John McCain will even make an appearance on Saturday Night Live.[1] I caught up with Westen 10 days before the election, as the polls continued to widen. "The ironic thing for McCain was that he was beaten in 2000 by George Bush with Bush's smear campaign and he's being beaten again by him in 2008 by the absolute poverty of Bush's policies both home and abroad."[6] With just days left until the polls close in the 2008 election, campaigns are feverishly trying to find you and get you to vote. It's not a scattershot operation; voters today are stalked.[31] The math itself is an eclectic blend of pre-calculus, probability/stats, discrete mathematics, algebra, with the emphasis on mathematical modeling of social reality." Their unit on the mathematics of fair elections -- making use of the recent book by Steve Freeman and Joel Bleifuss, Was the 2004 Presidential Election Stolen?: Exit Polls, Election Fraud, and the Official Count -- has ended just as the 2008 presidential campaign is ending, and the students, some of whom will be first-time voters in this election, were concerned enough about the evidence of fraud four years ago they wanted to tell the world.[35] Eighty-one percent of respondents claimed to be 'very interested' in the presidential election, but only 37 percent have been involved with putting up a yard sign, making a monetary donation, attending a rally, walking door-to-door, or being involved in similar ways. When asked about negative advertisements in the presidential campaign, 44 percent thought this year's ads were more negative than in the past, while 47 percent considered them to be about the same. Twenty-two percent claimed the negative ads affected their thinking about the candidates, and over 50 percent suggested the negative ads have affected others' thinking about the candidates. 'Everyone I spoke with, across partisan lines, seemed to be disappointed with the campaign ads issued this election year,' said Ohio University student Becca Cochran. The Ohio University students who designed and completed the survey, in an interdisciplinary program sponsored by the Scripps College of Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences, were also interested in where Ohioans get their information.[23] No Republican has ever won the presidency without winning Ohio, and the state has voted with the winning presidential candidate in the last 11 presidential elections. "There's just four days left," he said. "The pundits have written us off, just like they have done before.[11]

The Columbus urban core is decidedly Democrat, working-class, under-paid, and non-religious; the thought of a black president is making many eager to vote. In the suburbs, most are hardcore Republican, fattened by Bush tax cuts, staunchly patriotic mega-church congregants; the thought of a black president also makes them eager to vote ''' for different reasons. In 2004, John Kerry lost Ohio by 118,000 votes, and to this day activists say the Republicans rigged Ohio. Their evidence is compelling, and it could happen again.[36] I'm quite sure that in the true-believer Democrat bubble, hatred of President Bush is a huge motivator. Those people are not the average voter. No, those are people who honestly view Dick Cheney or Karl Rove as only slightly less evil than the devil incarnate; puppet masters who have malevolently pulled Bush's strings to ruin a great nation. They are the equivalent of the Republican true-believers who, in the run-up to Y2K, persisted in spreading emails IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS insisting that Bill Clinton was imminently going to impose martial law.[6]

An 87 year old man came into the office recently. He said that he was a lifelong republican, and he wanted to change his party in time for the general election. I told him that at the general election he did not have to change his party affiliation to vote for a democrat. He sat up in his chair, looked me square in the eye and said "I must do this".[37] Biography: Mike Burtch is a retired school teacher from Turlock, CA. After a life of working the campaign trails for city government officials in the Northern California city, he walked into the Stanislaus County Democratic office eight years ago with a burning desire to do more for his community, and more for the local and national democratic players. In the span of time between when he first walked in to now, he has become the county chair of the Stanislaus County Democratic Committee. As a Kennedy democrat born into a conservative military family, his unique background, and warm personality has made the local Democratic party of Stanislaus county very active in helping to achieve victory for Democratic politicians in a traditionally red county. There are several things that I would view as my greatest accomplishment during this campaign season.[37]

Joining up with the Obama campaign are the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. According to the campaign, the decision to shuffle around reporters was made because they did not want to add a second plane. "Unfortunately, demand for seats on the plane during this final weekend has far exceeded supply, and because of logistical issues we made the decision not to add a second plane," Obama senior adviser Anita Dunn said in a written statement. "This means we've had to make hard and unpleasant for all concerned decisions about limiting some news organizations and in some cases not being in a position to offer space to news organizations altogether." Campaign aides said they are assisting other news outlets with hotel rooms and buses so they can still cover the race. Dallas Morning News Editor Bob Mong told FOXNews.com that the "indication" from the Obama campaign was that they were kicked off the plane since they don't represent a national outlet and they don't represent a swing state. [6] Mr. Adams, of Cross International, says he is careful to separate his political activity from his work. When he was asked to sit on the steering committee of the National Catholics for McCain Committee, he talked over how to handle it with his boss before accepting the offer. "We both agreed not just him telling me, but both of us talking it through that as much as possible, I would disconnect my part in the from my employment at Cross International," he says. (In the news release announcing the formation of the pro-McCain committee, Mr. Adams is described as a retired Foreign Service officer.) He says he uses only his personal e-mail address and cell phone to conduct political activity. Ms. Marcotte, of YWCA Tucson, says she, too, refrains from using her organization's name in any of her campaign work and is careful not to bring her politics into the office. "You always have to stop and think, particularly if you're the leader of an organization," she says.[22]

Katie Harbath, a technology consultant in Washington and a former top aide in the aborted presidential quest of Republican Rudy Giuliani, said the technological gap between the parties was not as wide as it was often described. She said that Republican campaigns were testing the effectiveness of text messaging, but that because it was such a new technology it could be difficult to deploy. "Both sides are using many of the same tools, but it comes down to the excitement of each sides' voters as well as how much senior staff understands how use of the Internet can help the campaigns goals beyond fundraising," Harbath said. "However, I think Republican strategists are starting to get their sea legs when it comes to integrating the web into all facets of a campaign.[8] I think there needs to be a limit set for the amount anyone can spend on a presidential election. Just think of the millions of dollars being spent on this campaign that would go a long way in helping the needy. It is not right for any candidate to "buy" their way to the White House or any other office.[34] After years of being an Obama supporter and months of being a campaign volunteer, it's been a bit surreal this week to find that Barack was going to be in Columbia Missouri where I was already scheduled to do work this weekend and that he's speaking tonight down the street from my house in Highland, Indiana.[26] The Ground Game: Partly due to the Obama campaign financial advantage, partly due to the organizing philosophy of the Obama campaign, partly due to a huge volunteer gap (here is where the enthusiasm gap matters most), partly due to the grassroots nature of the Obama campaign from the start, and partly due to the Obama campaign using the long primary fight to build statewide organization in almost all states, and partly due to the organizational advantage of union GOTV efforts, Obama has a massive advantage in the ground game.[12]

Our state, with the largest population of all 50 states, is almost completely out of the loop for presidential campaigning. The reason, of course, is that a handful of states are in play for their electoral votes -- the ones that actually elect a president and vice president. California, with the most electoral votes -- 55 -- is considered a shoo-in for Obama and isn't among them.[38] I remember the jar of money my mother kept in the kitchen. She told me it was poll tax money so she could go vote for the president of the United States of America. One election night she came back home crying and upset because they had raised the poll tax fee when she got to the polls. She had no other choice than to take some of the grocery money so she could go back and cast her vote. She came back distraught and angry because they raised the poll tax again, and she did not have enough money to vote.[39] Sure, a winner will be announced late that evening or early the next morning, but electors receiving voter approval in the General Election won't cast votes for president and vice president in state meetings until Dec. 15. It won't be until Jan. 6 that the electoral votes are counted by a joint session of Congress and winners officially declared.[38]

I was there that Election Day working for the Democrats, yelling at voters to vote faster because lines were snaking into parking lots.[36] Donate, display yard signs, wear buttons, call friends and family, doorknock, hold house parties, sign-wave on Election Day, volunteer in other ways, and vote.[12] If on election day, you go to your polling place and you are told that you are not registered to vote, you must be allowed to cast a provisional ballot. This not only rectifies errors on the part of the election commission or county clerk, but also covers situations like moving within precinct or jurisdiction, or a name change within 30 days of an election.[14]

More men (47 percent) than women (39 percent) plan to vote for McCain. A majority of both men and women, 64 percent of all respondents, ranked the economy as the most important issue in the presidential election, with eight percent reporting health care and seven percent suggesting the Iraq War. Those who responded to the second most important issue reported the economy at 20 percent, health care at 19 percent, and the Iraq War at 32 percent.[23] Many on the right will vote for McCain because of the economy. From each side, they are both correct. Each are missing valuable information on many other voters who are voting for the man they feel is best fit to lead the country.[6]

McCain's campaign issued a statement that with the economy shrinking, "Obama's ideologically driven plans to redistribute income will impose higher taxes on families, small businesses, and investors.''[13] McCain's campaign insisted the bleak economic outlook would be made even worse by an Obama administration, saying the Democrat would raise taxes on small businesses and so stifle growth and kill jobs.[17] Politico in the USA responded to claims of liberal/Democrat bias by pointing out the simple truth that the McCain campaign has been terrible, and the Obama campaign has been solid.[25]

Obama leads McCain in the three-day national tracking poll 50% to 43% amongst likely voters. The 7-point lead is holding its ground and are virtually unchanged from Thursday.[40] McCain, 72, has struggled to compete with Obama on economic policy as polls show the issue remains the overwhelming concern for voters.[17]

An Associated Press-Yahoo News poll of likely voters put Obama ahead, 51 to 43, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. One in seven voters, 14 percent of the total — said they were undecided or might yet change their minds. The candidates focused on winning over the undecideds and encouraging their supporters to get to the polls.[41] Indiana hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, yet the latest polls from the Indianapolis Star and a local television station show Obama either tied or slightly ahead.[13]

I don't think either candidate is suitable for the huge task confronting the next President of the USA - Obama is at present a lightweight and McCain's stamina may not be there for the arduous hours which will be required to get "the world" back on track.[25] I strongly believe that raising taxes will extend the recession we are now in. As such, I think that Obama is the wrong man for the job. Do I think that McCain has all the answers?? Heck no, but he appears to be the lesser of the two evils to me. He is proposing a more laissez-faire attitude toward the economy, which I believe will allow the "market correction" to run its course more quickly.[6] "John McCain is going to fight for you. He's going to fight to see that your taxes are low and that the economy recovers," Giuliani said, claiming Obama's policies would be "disastrous."[2]

John McCain and Barack Obama somehow ended up at the same barbershop. As they sat there, each being worked on by a different barber, not a word was spoken.[6] Sen. John McCain still rails that Obama will raise capital gain taxes, but even if Obama did, it would be of no consequence to ordinary Americans. Evidently, McCain has not heard about the market meltdown that ensures ordinary Americans will not have to?worry about capital gain taxes, but only capital gain losses and the loss of their retirements.[39]

Unlike now, polls that year ended more than a week before voting, failing to catch a final surge for Truman. "If John McCain were to win, it would be a stunning, dramatic reversal comparable to Dewey and Truman, but that would take a historic, dramatic turnaround,'' he said.[13] Four years ago, the election ran more to form. Bush won both the popular vote (60,693,281 to 57,355,978) and the electoral vote (286 to 251) to defeat John Kerry, but his 2000 win will go down in election history as a reminder of the impact of the Electoral College on the final outcome.[38] In 2000, Al Gore received 50,996,582 popular votes, and George W. Bush got 50,456,062, a difference of 540,520. Florida's 25 electoral votes went to Bush, giving him the election with 271 electoral votes, one more than required for victory. It took a disputed Supreme Court decision to ratify Florida's decision not to hold a recount of all votes, but the court's decision was final.[38]

We know that in the 2004 election, there were reports of votes flipping from Kerry to Bush, "undervotes" (where people did not vote for president but voted for other positions), polling stations with more votes counted than people registered, and many other very strange things with the electronic voting machines.[35] At what point do people get it, that the very point of business is to make as much money as possible, which in itself is fine, but without control greed takes over and the wheels soon fall off and society suffers. The U.S. election process is as exhaustive as it can possibly be and it has come down to these two men.I have watched many people run for president of the U.S. and I have never seen one with as much promise as Obama.[25]

What's more, says Mr. Bass, Senator Obama seems more open than Senator McCain to using government to help people in need. That appeals to many people who are attracted to nonprofit work, Mr. Bass says both because they believe that it promotes social justice and because their organizations often rely on government money.[22] Grim new figures on the U.S. economy, suggesting a recession may be looming, are expected to boost Senator Obama's prospects of victory.[3] Barbara went out to the parking lot and a lot more men in suits with earpieces came down into the lobby and then "whoosh"- a huddle came out of the elevator, jumped into a car and was gone. We were convinced that Senator Obama had gone out of a fire exit, but the officers told us he was in the huddle. A group of journalists and camera crew, who had been hanging out in the lobby, went out the front door and got on their bus. The next group of journalists came down, (I guess they get to sleep a few minutes later) and I recognized Richard Wolffe, Newsweek's Senior White House correspondent, who I know from his appearances on Keith Olbermann's Countdown on MSNBC. My friends the officers told me to go say "hi" so I did and told him how much we enjoy his commentary. He was incredibly gracious, I don't know how often Newsweek writers get recognized; so perhaps he isn't cynical about press groupies.[26] Having spent last night straining to see Senator Obama at the rally, I figured it was worth it to wait in the lobby-our little group drank the free coffee and watched the elevator.[26]

I figured well, no matter what I do, it will be better than nothing! Realizing that gave me the confidence to do things like leading meetings of large groups of supporters which is something I never would have imagined I'd be able to do before getting inspired by Barack Obama.[28] Curatola appears in a television ad aimed at the re- election race of Norm Coleman of Minnesota as part of the chamber's more than $35 million campaign to aid primarily Republican Senate candidates.[5] Some groups that bought ads in the 2004 presidential race have gone out of business, including the Swift Boat Veterans and America Coming Together, which supported Kerry. While money flowing to 527s is down, this election season has seen the proliferation of another type of group incorporated under Section 501(c) of the tax code. Unlike 527 organizations, 501(c) groups don't have to disclose their donors, and the Campaign Finance Institute estimates that such groups have spent at least $165 million.[5]

The telephone poll margin of error is estimated at 2.9%. Presidential campaign correspondent covering the election polls Heather L. Ryan for JusticeNewsFlash.com a easy to access, convenient medium allowing lawyers, journalists, and other professionals to have the opportunity to provide breaking news to their communities.[40]

Bee's campaign did not respond to requests for interviews but at an event last week, the Republican challenger didn't hedge about what would turn the election. It wasn't ads or money. "It's all about voter turnout right now," Bee said.[31] The Democratic candidate urged voters not to take victory for granted as he expected his opponents to launch a dirty tricks campaign to scare away voters. Referring to previous smears and insinuations about his background and associations, the Democratic candidate said: "Don't believe for a second this election over.[4] Black voters traditionally do not vote in large numbers in obscure runoff elections. Aw, the poor elephants, they may have hung themselves on their own petard. This year the Libertarians offered a surprisingly articulate and aggressive Allen Buckley as a candidate for the Senate.[32] Still, 8 years later, you are still bellyaching about it. I once held the view that all adult citizens of this country should have the right to vote. No longer do I hold this view. The comments of far too many people have led me to understand that these folks are either ignorant, bigoted, uneducated, nonthinking, stupid, greedy, or any combination of these or similar factors. ALL VOTERS should be required to demonstrate a minimum rational thought process that would lead each to vote for the best view or candidate for ALL residents of the country rather than their own totally self-centered interests.[6]

Secretary of State Debra Bowen sent guidelines to election offices recently in an attempt to clarify the rules, which require voters to remove or cover up any campaign-related attire. "As I've been around the state, I've had some people tell me they are gravely offended by the suggestion that they couldn't wear their button or hat in a polling place," Bowen said this week. "I've suggested that they imagine 50 people standing in line with the button that had the opposing candidate on it and if they would feel comfortable with that."[42] Voter registration - We've been able to increase the voter registration in Stanislaus County by three to four thousand. This has never happened before, and it is quite a success to see so many people eager to learn about the election and vote. Getting younger voters & voters with skills involved in this election and other elections. I am really happy to see such enthusiasm with the young volunteers who walk the neighborhoods, and pass out information, assist and work in the rallies, and work very hard to get out the vote.[37] The volunteers plan to target households where voters are "sporadic" or "super sporadic" -- people who are registered Democrats and have voted before, just not in the last election.[9]

As first-time voters, we cannot stress enough how important it is to be educated about the past elections and the things that went wrong. Our class is writing this to inform everyone about previous problems in the elections and to warn people to watch for similar troubles. We want to ensure that in this election, the same problems do not occur. We are already seeing problems with voting this year. In this election, it is up to all of us to question the results and to hold officials accountable for fairness.[35] Lillie Flores may not live to see another presidential election. She figured she'd try to make this year's political contributions count. Add up they did.[33] Isn't it time again to put the Electoral College in the political scrap heap? There have been attempts in the past, as recently as 1969, but none has succeeded. It will take a constitutional amendment and its ratification by the states to make the long-overdue change, but Congress has failed to act to seek that ratification. Maybe, just maybe, the focus that has been placed on those handful of "swing states" in the last few presidential elections -- and the realization that votes in those states mean more than "the others," including California -- will bust the legislative logjam loose.[38] Fundamental to democracy is the trustworthiness of the voting results. It is these type of problems, in large, close elections, like those we have seen in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, where whole groups of individuals have been denied the right to vote that we begin to question the reliability of the results.[14] If you see any election irregularities or you believe that you are improperly being denied the right to vote, you can call the Knox County Democrat Party Headquarters at (309) 509-5555 or your local election authority.[14]

Republicans outnumber Democrats in Giffords' district. Her re-election depends on her campaign finding the independent voters and the Republicans who might cross party lines.[31] The data are solid enough to make clear that charity and foundation campaign contributors favored Democrats by a large margin. "There's an overwhelmingly uniform personal ideology among this group, it seems," says Massie Ritsch, communications director at the Center for Responsive Politics. "How that translates into their work, if at all, is up for debate and hard to measure with data." Federal law bars charities and foundations, as a condition of their tax-exempt status, from endorsing, or even appearing to favor, political candidate or party. The law also requires public disclosure of the names, employers, and occupations of campaign donors even when they are giving from their own pocketbooks as part of a larger effort to reduce the influence of money on politics.[22]

The third factor is a bit less tangible. "The enthusiasm for Obama among Democrats has been higher than the enthusiasm for McCain among Republicans," he said. That enthusiasm often translates to greater participation in the political process than voting alone, he said. That may include putting out a yard sign, going door-to-door or donating money. "The fundraising numbers are a sign of intensity and depth of support," he said.[33] On average, Obama's website attracts three times as many visitors as McCain's. "This time around the Democrats do seem more effective," suggests Chadwick. "They have been much more innovative in making use of the social networking tools of web 2.0, online video and mobile content."[20] Too bad, since Democrat views on "redistribution of wealth" will hurt the economy further. As McCain put it a year ago, "Tough times can breed fearand the Democrats are using those fears to push an agenda that is tired, dangerous, and will rob us of economic freedom."[6] There is excitement about "electing progressives who for the first time in eight years will stand with workers and pass policy that begins to give workers a fair shot,'' AFL-CIO political director Karen Ackerman said. Chamber of Commerce spokesman J.P. Fielder said its main goal is to stop a measure requiring companies to recognize unions that obtain a majority of workers' signatures for membership, instead of holding a secret-ballot vote. The way to do that is to deny Democrats the 60 Senate seats they need to force a vote.[5] The House last year passed the measure, one of organized labor's top priorities, only to see it die in the Senate when Democrats mustered just 51 of the 60 votes needed to bring it to the floor.[5]

The race for the Senate has been played out mostly under the public media's radar. If it wasn't for paid commercials distorting the positions of both Republicans and Democrats, many of us would not even know a Senate fight was in progress this year.[32]

Your analysis is simplistic in my view. As someone who has voted in the U.S. since 1970, I have seen all sorts of candidates, and if one generalisation holds true, it's that generalisations fail. Take the "experience" factor, for example: Dwight David Eisenhower hadn't ever stood for any public office when he was sought after by both the Democrats and Republicans in the election of 1952. He was an army general. What economic or social experience did he offer the public as a candidate? None.[25] Private investor and McCain supporter Tom Jagodinski maxed out on contributions to McCain. He considers the donation a small investment to support a cause he believes in. Of the two candidates' economic plans, the Republican's will cost less, he said. "I just think people know what higher taxes can do and that there's no such thing as a free lunch," the Germantown resident added.[33] The people can still vote, Bowen said. Poll workers first would ask them to remove or cover any campaign-related messages. Some election officials will have smocks on hand, she said. "I think it's going to be very common-sense," Bowen said.[42] The latest polls suggest that just 127 electoral college votes, of the 270 needed to win the presidency, are considered to be in safe Republican hands, compared to 238 considered safe for the Democrats.[24] In a normal election year, the smart money would go to the Republicans to win a runoff easily. These are not normal times.[32] Just remember Tuesday night, it won't be the popular vote that actually counts. It's the candidate who hits that magic number of 270 electoral votes who will win the presidential gold ring. That won't become official until Jan. 6. "Change" has been a buzz word for both candidates this time around. That word should also apply to America's way of electing a president.[38] Here's a thought that can keep a campaign manager up nights: 269 votes cost Al Gore a presidential election.[31] As many as 1,500 campaign volunteers for the presidential campaigns are expected to flood into Sarasota and Manatee counties over the final 72 hours in an unprecedented final push for votes in the area.[9]

The Obama campaign expects to get about 1,000 volunteers for Saturday, which would be enough to cover "every street" in town, organizers say. A record 400 potential volunteers turned out to an organizational meeting earlier this week at Marina Jack. Obama campaign workers told the volunteers to come back this weekend, and each bring one or two more with them.[9] GOP 'SEA LEGS' From text-messaged announcements to Internet fundraising, Obama's campaign has used technology to attract young voters who traditionally are not engaged in the political process.[8] "So we don't spend a lot of time on the (heavily Democratic) South Side." The voter rolls lead campaigns to the person but then it's a matter of making the sale and seeing to it that the person gets to the polls.[31] The social networking generation who have almost grown up online are, as Dutton says, "notoriously poor in turning out for elections". This is a close election and there is a feeling that the edge a successful online campaign can provide - however slight - could bre vital, even if it doesn't mobilise whole armies of new voters.[20]

Roger Stone, a longtime McCain supporter, said the state party and the national campaign bear almost equal blame. ''This effort lacks coordination and a cooperative spirit and it's showing,'' Stone said. "But it's more than mechanics.[15] McCain's sloppy, ticket-dragging campaign infuriated local party leaders across the country. One of the last Northeastern Republicans in Congress told us how he was terrified of Rahm Emanuel, who maybe told him, "From one friend to another, we're going to spend a fucking three million dollars to defeat you."[43]

Paris Hilton's tongue-in-cheek response to a McCain campaign advert that featured the celebrity heiress has received more than seven million views on YouTube, while Gina Gershon's parody of Palin has a million and counting. Impressive audience figures, but it's worth thinking about whether those watching are eligible to vote.[20] "Our own polling shows that only about 2 percent of the country is truly undecided," Stephanopoulos added. "Those people are highly unlikely to vote. A bigger universe of 5 to 7 percent of the country who might go either way, we see them leaning a little bit more towards McCain, but not by as much as his team says."[29] In terms of race or age, 45 percent felt the mainstream media has placed significance or a lot of significance on McCain's age, while 43 percent felt significance or a lot of significance had been placed on Obama's race. Two percent of those polled identified themselves as Hispanic, and 90 percent as white and seven percent as black.[23]

Democrats appear to have dominated early voting across the nation, but Obama has repeatedly cautioned supporters against overconfidence. "Don't believe this election's over," he told the flag-waving crowd of more than 13,000 in Sarasota on Thursday morning.[19] Charity employees favored Democrats by 82 percent to 18 percent, and foundation employees by 98 percent to 2 percent. The study, the first to look at giving among officials and other employees of big foundations and charities, covers contributions that they make in their private lives. The data cover only contributions of $200 or more, which must be reported to the Federal Election Commission. (For more details on how the research was conducted, see this article.) The research project was complicated by the way donations are reported to the commission, so it is possible that some details such as exactly how many employees contributed are not accurate.[22] Our union has built a coalition of community groups and leaders in support of the teacher pay raise election. Teachers and school employees need and deserve this 3 percent raise, and their union is working hard to see that voters approve it.[39]

The antiwar group is targeting young voters with a viral video, 'Your Friend Lost for Obama," which it said today has been forwarded more than 10 million times since it was released last week.[30] Volunteering for Obama feels like community organizing. It feels like a group of amazing, kind and caring people who want to get together and do what they can to change the way things are for the better of everyone.[28] Kind of like the actual socialist that is mad at people calling Obama one. He is not. He is not afraid of looking at functions from other countries/cultures to replace our broken ones.[6]

Police arrived to keep the marchers from blocking streets, parking spots and entrances to retail businesses along the "Miracle Mile" district in downtown Coral Gables. Obama volunteers refused to engage the protesters and quickly responded by printing signs reading "People of Faith for Obama" and "Women for Obama", attaching the signs to their personal cars, parked on the street. If the protest's organizers had hoped to block the everyday goings-on of the busy Obama office, they were mistaken.[16]

Despite the obvious presence of many McCain-Palin supporters, Obama offices are hubs of continual activity, with new volunteers dropping in throughout the day and evening.[16] This whole "He's a socialist, he wants to spread the wealth" bad guy Obama nonsense is a joke. We "spread the wealth" every day in this country, as has already been said here, on roads, schools, police departments, fire departments, community centers, public parks, public beaches, public transportation, national monuments, the military, mayor's to president's salaries and pensions.[6] The thought of Obama being President in the first place. Biden has even confessed that there will be an international event to "test the mettles of this guy" (funny he didn't even say Obama. He has already confided to the fact that the action taken will not appear to be the correct form of action but he is asking for support none-the-less. In other words Biden still believes as he did earlier in the year that Obama does not have the experience or skills to handle foreign issues.[6] Obama proposes to grant a number of refundable tax credits to low- and middle-income workers. He would give a $500 tax credit ($1,000 for a couple) for workers, which would phase out for single workers making $75,000 or for couples making $150,000 per year. As the Journal editorial says: "You can receive these checks even if you have no income-tax liability." That's true enough. Whether or not that makes them "welfare" is a matter of interpretation, however. As the Journal editorial also says in its headline, "It depends on what the meaning of 'tax cut' is."[6] We saw an article today which showed that the top 50 hedge fund managers made $29 billion last year ' $29 billion for 50 individuals. Part of what has happened is that those who are able to work the stock market and amass huge fortunes on capital gains are paying a lower tax rate than their secretaries. That's not fair. Exactly what is unclear about his statement here? He directly states that he believes the current capital gains tax rate is, in his own words, unfair. His comparison of investors to secretaries is invalid, however. When a person invests money, they are taking a significant risk that they will lose money.[6]

Re: Oct. 25 editorial "Officials keep county running." As a constituent of Travis County Commissioner Ron Davis, I was puzzled by the American-Statesman's backhanded endorsement, in which you labeled him a "lightweight." In 2004, the Statesman endorsed Davis for having "kept his promise of building the infrastructure necessary to grow the region." You cited the expansion of Howard Lane, a state grant for water and wastewater lines, the first county swimming pool in his precinct, a new park and the eastern alignment of Texas 130 among his accomplishments. This term, Davis put together the three votes necessary to add $30 million to the county's 2005 bond package, with $15 million going to road projects needed to connect Texas 130 to the central city and $15 million going to acquire more open space. Davis continued to make a difference in the area you praised him for previously and that the editorial board is being inconsistent.[39] We joined a group in the parking lot, some standing on folding chairs which included young co-eds in Halloween costumes (cat ears with painted on whiskers, a tiara wearing student in a black raincoat, and several in short skirts and high heels); a woman in a flannel shirt smoking a cigarette, families, and lots and lots of students of every race and color, many wearing "Mizzou" T-shirts and other campus gear. There was a group of four young men with a "firefighters against socialism" poster, but they seemed as forlorn as the single McCain/Palin sign next to a Fox News Satellite truck - all off to the side as if already disappearing from the scene. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan spoke to cheers from my group as she talked about Democratic candidates.[26] On Thursday the two candidates traded body-blows after grim new figures showed the world's largest economy is staring at recession. The U.S. government said the economy had shrunk by 0.3 percent in the third quarter through September, its worst contraction since 2001.[17]

Barack Obama has correctly reminded his supporters and staff not to get cocky, to remember the lessons of his New Hampshire primary loss.[12] Obama and the law by Thomas Sowell is an article that exposes the type of courts and laws that Barack Obama wants for us. Obama: Fundamental Change? Count on It by David Limbaugh provides a scary account of how Obama's promised changes could lead to entrusting this man with unprecedented power, giving him a license to operate with minimum scrutiny and an opposition party effectively impotent to oppose his radical blueprint for America.[6] If exhortation, phone calls, and emails won't get Barack Obama supporters to the polls, MoveOn.org, one of his most important early backers, hopes possible shame will.[30]

What marked the day for me was when he folded under the pressure and did exactly what he said we as americans should not do: "They (AQ) only win if we live in fear and change our ways out of that fear." JokesOn'It is a FACT that Obama stated that he didn't care if raising the capital gains tax would result in lower tax collections. [6] For clarity's sake, I need to define "spreading the wealth" around for you. Taxes which are collected to pay for legitimate governmental expenses such as building roads is NOT spreading the wealth around, whomever said taxes are collected from. For those of you who think the "rich" aren't paying enough, on oft-quoted figure I hear is that the top 10% of wage earners are currently paying 70% of all taxes collected. "Spreading the wealth around" in an Obama world will mean "refundable tax credits for the poor", which means direct checks to the bottom wage earners, and not simply a reduction in the taxes they pay. Another tax figure I've heard quoted on talk radio is that the bottom 50% of wage earners pay less thatn 5% of the total amount of taxes collected. It's not like they are paying much anyway.[6] The statement that because he was a "community organizer" Obama "may think a little like us" is pure wishful thinking.[22]

Obama is a highly intelligent, charismatic person. He seems to think he can do much for the working-class people.[39] The Republicans lag behind, and All, a Republican consultant, finds it frustrating. "I just think it's a fundamental shift, where the people at the top who make the decisions don't text message," All said. "That's sort of the big challenge the party needs to overcome, to develop a willingness to give it a shot."[8]

Everyone has been so supportive. They gave me lots of slack when it came to returning phone calls in a timely matter and just generally having the time to keep in touch. I think one of the first things I'll do after the election is try to reconnect with the friends and family I've been in less contact with because of the amount of time I've devoted to this campaign.[28] The more relevant battle may be going on behind the scenes. "What most people don't see are the complex backend systems that both campaigns have been using to collect information about supporters, likely supporters, and undecided voters," says Germany. This sort of behavioural targeted advertising, which both parties are employing, proved significant in the last election.[20] Campaign consultants already are looking toward the future uses of cell phones in politics, perhaps to raise money in the next presidential election in 2012, Alpert said. Text messaging "is becoming more prevalent than voice," he said.[8]

Logistics. I will be here in the office, getting out the vote, poll-watching, offering rides to those who need a ride to their polling place, calling those who have not voted, answering questions, organizing rallies, watching for any voter complaints, making sure there is a lawyer in place, and at 5:45 I will go to the election office as the democratic observer.[37] Some voters are deleted from the registration rolls due to clerical error or misunderstanding by elections officials. An election official in Mississippi mistakenly purged 10,000 voters while working from her home computer. All of these problems can result in individuals potentially being denied the right to vote even though they had previously registered. It is easy to dismiss these types of errors as inconsequential in small or lopsided elections.[14]

Early voting also gives some voters a chance to correct any voter registration problems in advance of Election Day, and will decrease lines on Election Day resulting in fewer discouraged potential voters who turn away. 10.[12] All volunteers are welcome, starting at 5:00 PM-but only if you've voted and finished your election day get-out-the-vote duties by then.[44] The provisional ballots are not deposited in the ballot box on election day. They are sealed and transmitted to the election authority for review.[14]

Upset and angry, remaining rank-and-file members may turn to more conservative members, like Virginia's Eric Cantor, to lead rebuilding efforts. "Elections have consequences," said Putnam, on whether his position as conference chairman -- the No. 3 House Republican -- could be in jeopardy if the GOP conference is reduced after election losses to its most-ideologically conservative members. [45] Then, I have always suspected the "experience factor" was code for 'hire an old boy out of Washington'. It also seems to me that religion has been keyed down in this race too. The last election was frighteneing when there was such a strong neo-right Christina lobby that acted like GWB had been appointed by god to lead the country. There doesn't seem to be such a Messiah-mania about this election. It's nice to see the two candidates not 'use' god to act as though they were on a divine mission.[25] Political Writer November 1, 2008 Candidates and their supporters are going non-stop from now until the polls close on Election Night, with phone bank operations, door-to-door campaigning, and appearances by political and entertainment celebrities.[46] After all the ads, the fundraising, the debates and policy prescriptions, campaigns mean little if a candidate's supporters don't get to the polls.[31] Rumors about the rules have been circulating in e-mails, church lectures and other social circles for months, prompting fears that voters could be turned away from the polls for showing up with so much as a campaign pin.[42] True enough, there are countervailing forces as well. The blatant appeals to racism, the coded appeals to ultra-nationalism and militarism, the increased desperation of the ultra-right, the scare tactics they are using and which they will intensify between now and November 4th, the voter suppression campaign and dirty tricks like the vicious robo-calls which have already started, to mention a few. These dangers lead to the final and most important factor: 19.[12] To win, campaigns must turn out the voter base and identify reachable independent voters and the ones from the other party who might cross over.[31] The stated reason for the Republican Party's actions has been to prevent what it believes to be potential for voter fraud. This explanation doesn't pass muster in light of small actual number of such occurrences.[14] The poll found that a growing number of voters - 59 per cent, up 9 points in a month - have concluded that Mrs Palin is not qualified to be vice-president and that has weighed down the Republican ticket.[27]

The Money Gap: For the first time in many decades, the Republicans are at a financial disadvantage. It is not as big as sometimes reported when you put all the Republican campaign funds together with right-wing 527 'independent advertising groups, but it is still important.[12] The speech, which we could hear perfectly, was well received, especially when Obama talked about making college affordable. Many of the crowd we were with are too young to understand the implications of health care insurance issues, but our group cheered lustily for his pitch to make the same health care senators receive available and affordable to everyone.[26] I moved around taking photos of the crowd and then we saw the press buses pull up and knew that Senator Obama was about to speak.[26]

For me that involvement felt like "politics" whereas the volunteer work I do for Obama somehow doesn't feel like traditional politics.[28]

Grassroots volunteers are assigned the task of going up "against the Republicans' proven get out the vote push," Carson said, "which delivered victories for Bush in 2000 and 2004."[44] After the first recount by the morning of Wednesday, November 8 Bush's margin in Florida had dwindled to about 500 votes, narrow enough to trigger a mandatory recount in that state.[6] The state'''s 20 electoral votes could easily come down to the 600,000 voters who live in Columbus and its suburbs.[36] In some states for years, state legislators, not the voters, elected presidential electors. It will take a ratcheting up of public discussion to make something happen.[38] A quarter-century ago, John Kromko was a young state lawmaker with a knowledge of emerging computer technology. He figured out how to move voter information from magnetic tape to a personal computer. With a military surplus database program, he was able to cross-reference various data fields. Kromko has since been a fixture in local politics but that technological edge allowed him to slice and dice the electorate.[31]

The Austin school district is using the teacher pay raise to extort more money from taxpayers. The teachers deserve a raise, but it should not require an exorbitant raise in tax rates while the school administration uses its increased tax revenues for other purposes. The school district recently persuaded the few voters in a bond election to fund unnecessary building projects, and now they are holding the teachers hostage to pay for their extravagance. Hopefully, a large turnout of overburdened taxpayers will send the district the message that their spending habits are not supported by the majority of residents.[39] In the final week before the election, young voters are being targeted with calls and text messages, e-mail messages and notes from friends on social networking websites Facebook and MySpace.[8]

Dan Reynolds is president of the Broward AFL-CIO, which operates phone banks, provides transportation, and has volunteers at polling places. He said the close 2000 presidential election is a powerful motivating force.[46] The article brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart. The image of people entering a restaurant through the back door is heart-rending, but the realization that these same people and their descendants now have a voice in the election of our president, and that the next president might be one of those who would have had to enter at the back, is hopeful and encouraging. This was journalism at its best \-- informative, socially relevant and gracefully written by Joshunda Sanders.[39]

If we want the kind of change that will make life better for us, the middle class, then you need to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are ready to lead this country in the way it should go, they are ready to work for the people.[34] Reagan's (McCain's her) "trickle-down" economics delivered the a recession, and Bush/McCain's deregulatory friend-of-the-businessman approach delivered the present debacle. Prudent management of the world's largest economy must be driven by an individual who is also congnisant of what drives the people - their collective spirit is what is needed now.[25]

We're closing." McCain knows he's behind in the polls, and he knows his time is running out.[29] If we do the campaigning, there are good reasons to expect that our work could result in a landslide. It is likely, most experts and pundits say, that the polls will tighten, making it look like the election is getting closer.[12] I am more involved in national and international affairs and learning as much as possible, and how the vote impacts everything. It also made me care deeper than ever before, because being a part of this election has made me realize that this is the most important election of my life.[37] California is the sweetest prize in the Electoral College with 55 electoral votes, but candidates rarely campaign here because of its non-swing status.[38] Final push phone banking will concentrate on get-out-the vote efforts in key battleground states nationwide.[44] The contenders' travel plans for the final days tell a lot about the state of the race.[13] The Early Voting Factor: More states are doing early voting, offering same day registration and voting, and more people are voting by absentee ballot and by mail, all resulting in increased turnout.[12] What impressed me about the crowd was the diversity- six years ago, when one of my sons entered Mizzou as a freshman, the orientation speaker joked that there was great diversity at Mizzou, "we let people from Kansas attend." That was only a partially a joke in this state, where "show me" is the motto and my son was shocked at some of the attitudes of his classmates having grown up in a liberal integrated urban suburb on the west side of Chicago. To see a crowd where a black male student had a white female student sitting on his shoulders so she could see the stage represents a sea change.[26]

A Florida District Court of Appeals judge (a registered Democrat) correctly ruled that Gore's challenge in FL was (1) past the required deadline and (2) violated state and federal laws regarding due process since Gore asked for recounts in only a few specific counties.[6] Gore, who had privately conceded the election to Bush, now withdrew his concession and announced that he would wait for a recount in Florida before any further action.[6] "We interviewed 1,200 people and no one offered antipathy toward Bush." Green emphasized that voters' opinions on social issues have not changed, just their priorities.[6] Since the Wall Street crisis erupted in September, surveys show public anger about the $700 billion government bailout, the credit crunch, mortgage meltdown and high gas prices has pushed voters toward the Democrat.[13]

"The internet is now firmly embedded in the U.S. electoral process and it isn't going to go away," says Chadwick. "Any politician who thinks they can win an election without effective use of the internet is sorely mistaken." [20] Topics reported include 2008 presidential election coverage, government litigation, veterans''' affairs cases, FDA drug safety alert information, victims rights violations, and health and law actions.[40]

REFERENCES

1. Four days to go: Campaigning continues full blast - KJRH.com
2. AFP: McCain, Obama step up battleground blitz
3. US aides ready for Obama handover | The Australian
4. Barack Obama warns of last ditch 'dirty tricks campaign' to scare away supporters - Telegraph
5. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
6. What is driving voters to the polls this year? | Woman to Woman | ajc.com
7. McCain in last minute bid to overtake Obama
8. STLtoday - Texting targets young voters in prez campaign
9. A long race comes down to boots on the ground | HeraldTribune.com | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
10. The Ohio Republican County That Could Tip the Election - TIME
11. VOA News - McCain Works to Close Gap in US Presidential Race
12. People's Weekly World - OPINION: The coming landslide
13. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
14. Right to vote vital; report irregularities - Galesburg, IL - The Register-Mail
15. newsobserver.com | With Obama ahead in must-win Florida, GOP casts blame
16. Pamela Mays McDonald: ANTI-Abortion Protesters Storm South Florida Obama Office
17. AFP: McCain, Obama step up battleground blitz
18. The Hindu News Update Service
19. Candidates trade jabs in feverish final push
20. dlvote101.xml
21. newsobserver.com | Daring to utter the 'L' word: Obama on track to a landslide
22. The Politics of Giving: Employees of Big Nonprofit Groups Give Mostly toDemocrats - Philanthropy.com
23. Ohio University poll gives Obama win by 86 percent | lancastereaglegazette.com | Lancaster Eagle Gazette
24. Articles | McCain cash plea as poll looms - ITV News
25. Obama, McCain campaign to boost voter numbers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
26. Susan Eleuterio: Being Barack Obama
27. More tricks than treats in final days - World News - World - General - The Canberra Times
28. Stefanie Fontanez: Starting an Obama Group Gives Supporter Confidence, Diverse Community
29. ABC News: Report Card: Is John McCain Running Out of Time?
30. A viral get-out-the-vote video - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com
31. Campaigns go all out to ID likely supporters, get them to polls
32. Fighting for 60 seats - The Times-Herald
33. McCain leads area's fundraising, but Obama slowly catching up : Local News : Memphis Commercial Appeal
34. Obama doesn't have needed experience | newsleader.com | The News Leader
35. Robert Koehler: Students Ask: Are Our Elections Fair?
36. I Think Ohio Could Be Rigged. Again. | Orato | True Stories, Citizen News, Eyewitness Reports, Free Notices
37. Tiffany C. Kern: Retired Teacher Uses His Background to Appeal to Voters in Red Territory
38. Tracy Press - This college isn'''t so smart
39. Final thoughts on the election
40. Democratic Senator Obama leads 7 points over Republican Senator McCain
41. The Associated Press: Obama, McCain visit red states in final stretch
42. Leave those campaign buttons, T-shirts at home when voting | Politics | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California
43. TNR.com'''s Week In Review (Oct. 26 - Nov. 1) - The Plank
44. GOTV Last Minute Local Events For Barack Obama - Brian Dennert here
45. McCain's Electoral Fate Could Impact Florida GOP | Washington Bureau
46. Both parties pushing to get Broward County out to vote in final days before election -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

POLL-Obama retains 7-point lead on McCain

CONTENTS:

Washington: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama maintains a clear lead of 11 points over his rival John McCain, with less than one week before Election Day, in a new poll conducted by CBS News/New York Times. (More...)
If you crunch the Electoral College numbers, Brownstein says, Obama needs only to win one of the traditionally "red" states to capture the presidency. (More...)
For that reason, some pollsters employ interactive technology, using a recorded voice or the Web. (More...)
"The race is closer than people think." (More...)
Barack Obama has edged further ahead of'' John McCain in''the more conservative version of the latest Gallup daily tracking po ll. (More...)
Democrats appear to have dominated early voting across the nation, but Obama has repeatedly cautioned supporters against overconfidence. (More...)

Washington: Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama maintains a clear lead of 11 points over his rival John McCain, with less than one week before Election Day, in a new poll conducted by CBS News/New York Times. The Democratic nominee now leads his Republican rival by 11 percentage points, 52 per cent to 41 per cent, among likely voters nationwide. A small percentage of these voters could still switch sides: The figures include both firm supporters of each candidate and those who lean towards one or the other but have not fully committed. These so-called leaners, however, make up less than 10 percent of each candidate's support, a sign that significant movement in the campaign''s final days is not likely. [1] As part of a poll to be released in full later today, CBS News and the New York Times asked voters who have seen television ads for both Barack Obama and John McCain about the tone of those ads. Their responses suggest there is a gulf in voter perception of the candidates' efforts, with Obama widely seen as running the more positive advertising campaign. Half of those surveyed say Obama's ads are primarily focused on what the candidate stands for, while thirty percent say they have been mostly concerned with attacking his Republican rival. Fifteen percent say both. The perception is far more negative for McCain: Just 21 percent say the Arizona senator's ads are primarily focused on what he stands for, while the majority ' 64 percent ' say the ads have been largely concerned with attacking Obama. Twelve percent cite both. We'll be making further results from the poll available at 6:30 this evening, so check back with CBSNews.com and watch the Evening News for a full report.[2]

Jacobs said Obama's supporters are also more enthusiastic about the election than McCain's. "There's about two-thirds of Minnesotans who are tremendously interested and excited about this race and Obama's got about a 40-point lead among enthusiastic voters," Jacobs said. "So he's got to turn those people out and make sure they don't take this thing for granted." Jeff Blodgett, who heads Obama's Minnesota campaign, said he's not surprised that voters are responding to Obama's message on the economy. He said he's not paying attention to the poll numbers. He said the campaign is making the final push to get Obama's supporters to the polls on Election Day. "The McCain campaign is really contesting this state hard," Blodgett said. "They have been for two months and so the best thing to do for our campaign organization to do is put its head down with six days to go and run as hard as it can, finish the job and get every voter out who is going to vote for Barack Obama." Officials with both campaigns say no visits by the candidates or their running mates to Minnesota are scheduled at this point.[3] The claims are seen by some as an effort to lay the groundwork for challenging the outcome on election day. The Republican party's lawyers are heading to closely contested states and polling stations as well, aiming to ensure its candidates are getting a fair shake in an election that most polls suggest Democrat Barack Obama is going to win. Kim Fridkin, a political science professor at Arizona State University, says Republican concerns about election day are far different than those of the Democrats. While some Democrat votes, essentially, weren't counted or were spoiled in the 2000 election, Republicans seem poised to try to challenge the eligibility of voters who are showing up to cast their ballots. "Their issues surround people being signed up to vote by organizations like ACORN with names like Mickey Mouse," Fridkin says. "But no one named Mickey Mouse is ever going to be allowed to vote, so they are really several steps removed from what the Democrats are concerned about, which is that the Republicans are going to try to stop legitimate voters from casting ballots." Both parties say they have no plans to try to stop anyone from voting on election day for any reason, including home address discrepancies or whether a voter has recently been forced out of his home by a foreclosure.[4]

DEFIANCE, OHIO - Spurred by the latest statistics that confirm the rocky state of the economy, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain exhorted their supporters on Thursday to intensify their efforts as the marathon presidential race turns into a sprint to the finish line. With four days before Election Day, the candidates stepped up their schedules, adding stops and rallies as they traveled to more battleground states.[5] Barack Obama is deploying an awesome battery of firepower to blow out a faint flicker of hope in John McCain's campaign that he can yet pull off an unlikely comeback in the final days of this election. The Democratic nominee spent yesterday hopscotching through battleground states where he hammered home his message on the economy, the issue of greatest concern to voters and on which some polls suggest that McCain has begun to close the gap. He told a rally in Sarasota, Florida: "John McCain has stood with President Bush every step of the way. On Wednesday night he blanketed TV networks with a half-hour commercial designed to allay concerns about electing an inexperienced -- and black -- president.[6]

The poll has a margin of sampling error of 4.6 percentage points. Pollsters found the economy and jobs was named as the top concern by nearly two-thirds of likely voters, and among those who think the economy is the most important issue Obama holds a 25 percentage point lead. "There's really no evidence here that McCain has been able to overcome the basic hurdles that he started the campaign with which is that the economy is working for Barack Obama," Jacobs said.[3] With as many as a third of votes expected to have been cast before the election, McCain is fast losing the chance to change minds. If they need changing, of course. Today in real paper, we noted that a full two-thirds of registered voters''called by pollsters refuse to take the polls, and no one knows why that is, and whether they would break down similarly to those who agree to polling. The poll, which has been using two methods of trying to predict likely voters, shows Obama with a five point, or 50 percent to 45 percent lead over McCain among voters who both''say they''are likely to vote, and who have voted in the past. Among''what the poll calls an expanded''likely voter method,''registered voters who say they are likely to vote, Obama for the third''straight day maintained a 51 percent - 44 percent lead over McCain.[7]

McCain is preferred on handling the war on terrorism (+14 points) and Iraq (+7 points). More voters trust Obama to handle the issue of taxes (+6 points) even though nearly three times as many think their taxes will go up under an Obama administration (20 percent) as think the same about a McCain administration (7 percent). A 55 percent majority thinks their taxes will go up no matter which candidate wins. Recently Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden said the next president would be "tested" by an international crisis in the first six months of his presidency. Who do voters think would better respond to that test? McCain has a 52-39 percent advantage over Obama on this measure. Among those important independent voters, McCain holds a similar edge: 53-37 percent. The candidate quality cited by voters as most important in their vote is "can bring needed change" (32 percent), followed closely by "shares my values" (26 percent).[8] Obama led in every age group and among every income group except voters who make more than $100,000. McCain, a former Navy fighter pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war, trails among voters with a member of the military in their family. Mccain, an Arizona senator, also was winning only 26 percent of Hispanics, a fast-growing group that gave Republican President George W. Bush more than 40 percent of their vote in 2004. "If you are John McCain you want to see something start changing in this race, and right now it is not," Zogby said.[9] The most notable was Colin Powell, but others include former Republican Governors, as well as Charles Fried, who was Ronald Reagan's Solicitor General. Despite some policy differences with Obama, they have seen him as more stable, better informed, better qualified, and less impulsive on critical issues, including the nation's economic crisis. Possibly more important, as the election nears, some conservatives have grown terrified at the thought that Sarah Palin might become president in a complicated and dangerous world where her incompetence would put the nation at unprecedented risk. Even with the hope that a Palin presidency would never occur, that same alarm has impelled them to lose faith in the judgment of Senator McCain, based on his selection of an unqualified candidate for the second place on the ticket. It would be a mistake to confuse their preference for Obama with a permanent shift in political allegiance. At this point, their overriding concern appears to be the nation'''s safety, but their support for Obama in this election may not be a good predictor of how they will vote in the future.[7]

At the same time Republicans have launched a new TV advert, with Middle Eastern music playing in the background, highlighting Mr Obama's stated wish to hold talks with Iranian leaders. This is being seen as a possible nudge to voters who still believe false rumours that he is a Muslim. Mr McCain has told CNN that race would not decide this election and focused his attention yesterday firmly on economic issues such as Mr Obama's proposed tax increases, which the Republican has suggested are reminiscent of socialism. Mr Obama is showing signs of sensitivity on this issue, telling his rally in Florida: "I love rich people, I want all of you to be rich." He added: "I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten."[6] For Obama, 89 percent of Democrats support him, up slightly from 88 percent. New voters, those 11 percent who have registered in the last two years, support Obama by 54-38 percent. Obama also has a 52-43 percent edge over McCain among the more than one of five voters who say they have taken advantage of early voting in their state and already voted.[8] Towery's firm has polled the race in Georgia and has consistently showed it to be closer than most other firms. The Obama campaign will not discuss its advertising strategies and provides no hints as to whether it plans to return to the state's paid airwaves. The Democrat's campaign is all about the ground game: identifying voters who did not take part in early or advance voting, and letting them know what's at stake and why they should vote for Obama. "After eight years of failed Bush-McCain policies, Georgians are hungry for change," Lee Goodall, the Obama campaign's Georgia field director, wrote to volunteers this week.[10] Howard Fineman, a senior writer for Newsweek, said Obama's campaign staff believe it will remain a close race to the end because there is still a number of undecided voters who could vote for McCain on the final day. Both campaigns are geared up for the finale.[11] My good friend works for the Obama campaign. We recently met for drinks, she had 1 too many apple martini's. She shared with me that her job along with others (how many I don't know) was to browse message boards and create chaos. They are paid to not only respond to McCain posters but pose as McCain supporters to inflame others by posting racist and inflammatory remarks. She is appalled at some of the things they do but won't quit as she needs the money and only has 1 week left." Look, this stuff is unAmerican. It is Obama who is the racist in this race (he sat and listend to anti-white hatred for twenty years every Sunday at his "church". He himself has played the race card at every opportunity since the beginning of this campaign. It's just that it seems to me, some things, like pride in who you are, and respect for your race would be more important to a principled man than getting votes. What of his poor aunt who lives in a project in Boston on welfare. Obama makes four million dollars a year and never gave her a dime. He never gave a dime to his destitute little half-brother George who lives in a shack in Kenya.[12]

"Likely voters" are registered voters who are considered more likely to vote in the November presidential election. The economy continues to far outdistance all other issues as the top priority for voters this year, and while Obama maintains an advantage on the economy, McCain has chipped away at those numbers.[8] The poll finds that the Illinois senator has built a 33-point advantage over likely voters earning less than $50,000 a year, an indication that McCain's "Joe the plumber" strategy has not caught on here. A Big Ten Battleground Poll of registered voters and those likely to register released last week also found Obama up 19 points in Minnesota.[3]

Obama leads McCain by 50 percent to 43 percent among likely voters in the three-day national tracking poll, virtually unchanged from Thursday.[9] A majority of financially comfortable voters whose economic concerns are more long term--the stability of retirement accounts and financial markets, for example--preferred McCain. The three presidential debates contributed to Obama's ability to pull even with McCain in terms of who voters in the five surveyed states say they believe is best prepared to lead. Obama also increased his lead as the candidate voters say best understands their problems.[13] "I think the majority of citizens would be shocked there isn't more oversight of candidates by state government," Metcalfe said. The lawmaker argues he is only trying to close a loophole that will put voters' minds at ease about the candidates on the ballot. Even with the intense scrutiny a presidential candidate must endure, the state must have a system of checks and balances, he said. "It would really be the greatest hoax in U.S. history if somebody did get past the scrutiny," he said. It's almost impossible to separate his stated intention and the questions some Republicans have about Obama's origins. Rumors have spread that Obama was actually born outside the country and that his birth certificate is a fake. That birth certificate proves he was born in Hawaii in 1961. Asked if he thinks the Democratic presidential nominee was born in the United States and is a citizen, Metcalfe didn't equivocally answer "yes."[14] The latest findings come as McCain, behind in the polls, dilutes previous ad buys at Twin Cities television stations. And, in a sign that Obama's own polls have him confident of a win in Minnesota, which has not gone for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, his campaign has cut $100,000 in ads that were scheduled to run on WCCO and KARE.[3] I have been honestly frightened and appalled by the cunning and the lawlessness of the Obama campaign. It goes way beyond ACORN. It includes Obama putting out a press release including a picture of him with our uniformed soldiers, stating magnanimously that he cares about the military. (Barney Frank let the cat out of the bag, The Democrats are going to cut the military budget by 25%). The dishonesty, the cynical misuse of our soldiers, to dishonestly use them to suggest that they support Obama (in fact, the Military Times just did a poll and found that members of the military, God bless them, support McCain 63% to Obama 21%.) Then there was this small item posted "I am 24 female ex worker for Hilliary Clinton campaign.[12] While casting McCain as a champion of tax cuts for the rich and lax regulation of Wall Street, Obama renewed pledges to cut taxes for the middle class and crack down on corporate greed. McCain's campaign released a statement saying that Obama "would drive this sputtering economy off a cliff." "If voters looked into Barack Obama's rearview, they'd see that he supported every one of Washington's wasteful spending bills and has voted for higher taxes 94 times in just three years," McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said. "His economic proposals are driven by job-killing tax increases and out-of-control spending."[5] The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the gross domestic product shrank by 0.3 percent in the third quarter as fearful consumers cut back on spending. The new numbers, the steepest decline since 2001, provided fresh fodder for both campaigns. "If you want to know where John McCain will drive this economy, just look in the rearview mirror," Obama said.[5]

One said Obama's lead was 5 points and two others said 4, meaning Sen. McCain of Arizona could actually be ahead slightly, given the margin of sampling error. There are several reasons, some having to do with the inherent nature of polling, others with factors unique to this highly unusual presidential campaign, which has given fits to even the most experienced pollsters.[15] Republicans selectively point to national polls that show Mr Obama's lead is as low as 3 per cent, although others suggest it is five times larger.[6] The 13 per cent of registered voters casting ballots for the first time favour Obama over McCain by two-to-one.[1] One based on past voting behaviour and current intention to vote shows Obama leading McCain 49 to 46 per cent, while the second based on current intention to vote shows Obama up 51 to 44 per cent.[16]

Two polls show McCain gaining, though still trailing, Obama in Florida. This polls do represent state by state looks. all still indicate an Obama electoral advantage, but they do show a lot of movement.[14] Independents back Obama by 5 percentage points today, down from a 9-point edge last week. Among white Catholics, Obama held an 11-point edge over McCain last week and today they split 46-46. "Independent voters have long been regarded as one of the keys to this race and these results may foreshadow a tightening in the battleground states where independents carry disproportionate weight," says Ernie Paicopolos, a principal of Opinion Dynamics Corporation.[8]

Even in staunchly Republican Texas, there was a sense that the country was facing a political upheaval, if not in the state itself then in the U.S. as a whole. They didn't like it, but felt powerless to stop it happening. From my own experience, and in particular my walk-on role in the 1997 election campaign, I know that the one place this feeling won't have taken a grip is within the Obama campaign team. It's not just that every politician understands that taking the electorate for granted is the quickest way to lose. It is also that the more favourable the polls, the more they will want to discount them. In 1997, during a six-week campaign - both the longest and the quickest six weeks of my life - the polls consistently gave Labour a big lead over the Tories.[17] A week after a Pennsylvania lawsuit challenging Barack Obama's right to run for president was thrown out of court, a state lawmaker has authored a bill that would force presidential candidates to prove they're a United States citizen before being placed on state ballots. "As a veteran and an elected official who takes an oath of office, just like every past and future President of the United States, to uphold and defend the Constitutional rights of the citizens I represent, it is greatly perplexing and beyond troubling that a political candidate can ascend to the White House without providing sufficient documentation verifying his or her place of birth or American citizenship," state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler County) said in a statement. "This legislation is intended to send the message that even those candidates who are running for our nation's highest office are not above the law."[14] Barack Obama volunteers, meanwhile, have 175 locations around the state where teams will work in three shifts a day to go door-to-door, conduct phone banks and generally work to get out the vote.[10]

The McCain campaign's decision to spend two of the campaign's five remaining days in Ohio underscored the importance of the state's 20 electoral votes, which went Republican in 2004.[5] While the race for Georgia's 15 electoral votes is tight, neither side appears to be investing significant cash or resources to win it in the final days. Neither campaign has announced visits by the candidates or their top surrogates.[10]

The U.S. president is determined by who wins the Electoral College, which has 538 members apportioned by population in each state and the District of Columbia. Electoral votes are allotted on a winner-take-all basis in all but two states, which divide them by congressional district.[9] Anyone making predictions about the election based on a national poll doesn't understand how the election works. It's all about states and the electoral votes they have.[7] "We're not limiting ourselves to three days before the election," Fry said. Ralph Reed, the former head of the national Christian Coalition and a former state party chairman, said he has not seen the typical 72-hour operation most Republicans are familiar with. "It is not on nearly the same level as 2002 or 2004, but it is operational in key counties, such as Gwinnett, Cobb, north Fulton, where I would expect 65 to 70 percent of the vote will take place," Reed said.[10] The Democratic National Committee set up a national lawyers council to examine ballot issues, established a voter protection hot line and routinely speaks to hundreds of state and local election officials in an attempt to flag potential election day problems in advance. "The 2000 election was pretty traumatic for this country, and no one wants to see that happen again, especially the Democrats," said Fridkin. "In this election especially, if something were to happen that doesn't seem quite right, it would be quite devastating for some people.[4] Democrats are suspicious of the Republicans on that front. Recently in Detroit, a court settlement was reached over allegations the Republican party was trying to purge voters who had recently lost their homes. In Montana, Republicans tried to challenge the voter registrations of 6,000 people in the state's Democratic strongholds, such as university towns like Missoula and rural counties with native American reservations.[4] A federal judge upheld the Democratic challenge to the Republican attempt. This week, Bush asked Ohio's attorney general to investigate the status of 200,000 new Ohio voters because of supposed "database discrepancies," something Democrat lawyers are fiercely protesting. All this legal activity on behalf of the Democrats is an almost direct result of the chaos of the 2000 election.[4]

The web's influence goes far beyond the official campaigns. It has provided new opportunities for voter participation at a time when the old party system has left many feeling alienated. There's no doubt that Obama has so far been the big winner from this revolution, connecting afresh with millions who had felt that politics was irrelevant to their lives. One of the questions to be answered this week is how real this new virtual army of supporters is. The number of these cyberspace enthusiasts who are willing to take part in the slightly less cool activity of visiting a polling booth might help to decide the contest.[17] The Los Angeles Times said the spot "offered even the swiftest channel-flipper the chance to see Obama looking presidential." McCain sharpened his attack on Obama, pointing out that Obama has broken a promise on campaign financing. Addressing a Florida crowd Wednesday, McCain said, "When you're watching this gauzy, feel-good commercial, just remember that it was paid for with broken promises."[11]

A survey on voters' concerns about terrorism would have undoubtedly yielded very different results depending on whether it was taken in the days leading up to or just after Sept. 11, 2001. Although no event of that magnitude has occurred this year, there have been several developments -- such as the selection of the candidates' running mates, the two major-party conventions, the presidential debates and the crisis on Wall Street -- that affected public opinion, especially in the short term. When looking at polls, it's important to compare surveys conducted over roughly the same time frame. Because they are not talking to every single voter, pollsters recognize there is a certain squishiness in their numbers. This "sampling error" is measurable, based on a standard statistical calculation. (Rule of thumb: The bigger the sample size, the smaller the margin of error.)[15] Even on election night, when the exit polls and first victories pointed to a landslide victory, the mood was still very nervous. I have no doubt that both presidential candidates, while aware of the polls, will be focused on the gruelling day-to-day task of winning and keeping the voters' trust. What is also striking when viewed from America is that, whatever the similarities between elections, the internet has made this presidential race very different from any before.[17] Every day dozens of polls on the presidential race are published, reporting voter sentiment nationally and in key states.[15]

If you crunch the Electoral College numbers, Brownstein says, Obama needs only to win one of the traditionally "red" states to capture the presidency. The poll, conducted in the five red states between October 23 and October 27, found that Obama made healthy gains with previously undecided men, Republicans, those without a college education, and "hard independents"--those who refused to say they leaned one way or another. [13] Submitted by alwaysfiredup on October 30, 2008 - 5:05pm. This article says McCain is gaining ground. The story two posts down says Obama is widening his lead. Two great reasons why the constant barrage of polls is both annoying and misleading.[14] Mr McCain declared in the city of Defiance, Ohio, yesterday: "We're a few points behind but we're coming back." One explanation for the wide disparity in surveys is that polling organisations make different assumptions about "likely voters", with those who give Mr Obama a large lead believing that there will be a surge in turnout among African-Americans and young people.[6] With Obama's lead seeming to be solid, many experts and a lot of media outlets are saying the race is effectively over. Some analysts pointed out that while he's still trailing, McCain still has a chance, although it looks very slim.[11] OF INTEREST: McCain had a 56-35 percent advantage on the question of who had the experience to lead, while Obama led 46-40 percent on who would make the better decisions about the economy. About one in five said they were undecided or could still change their mind before voting.[18] "Obama is holding firm and McCain is not making any gains." It was the second consecutive day Obama's support has hit the 50 percent mark, and the eighth day out of the last 11.[9] Only 35 percent of voters surveyed said Palin is ready for the job compared with 42 percent 24 days ago. Democrat Joe Biden's support remained steady with 74 percent of those polled saying he is ready to be vice president.[19] The poll also found Obama was doing a better job of reaching across ideological lines, earning the support of nearly 20 percent of self-described conservatives.[20]

For that reason, some pollsters employ interactive technology, using a recorded voice or the Web. Others, however, frown at the practice because there is no way to know whether the respondent is a voter or their 6-year-old child. Any and all of those factors can cause results to differ. That's where art and science come together. A pollster will attempt to determine who among those interviewed are the most likely to vote in the election. This year it's especially tough to define a "likely voter," given Obama's particular appeal to black voters and young people, two groups that typically fail to vote in numbers commensurate with their share of the population. Minorities and young people are especially hard to get ahold of, given their mobility, the fact they often work odd hours and their preference for cellphones. Different pollsters have different ways of determining whom they consider a "likely voter." That accounts for the biggest variation among samples. [15] A pollster can attain a reasonably accurate gauge of how 100 million or more Americans will behave on election day by conducting a scientific sampling of about 1,200 or so voters.[15] Besides, McCain needs too many good breaks on election day to pull it off. Voter turnout is the key. but I don't think it will be enough to make each one he needs break his way.[7] ''Some analysts said McCain still has a chance, although it looks very slim. ''As election day looms, both candidates have begun to focus on key states.[11] "The poll we're most concerned about is Election Day," Golnik told MPR News. "We're just five or six days away from that and we're focused on continuing to spread the McCain/Palin message and simply reminding people how stark the differences are between these two candidates on the key issues facing Minnesota and facing the country."[3] Some estimates say 16.4 million people have voted already. At this rate, more than a third of all voters may cast their ballot before election day, experts say.[16]

"The race is closer than people think." The latest polls show the Obama-McCain race to be neck-and-neck one poll showed McCain ahead by 1 point, another had him up by 5 but yet another had him down by 3. [10] Jill Darling, associate director of the Times Poll, explains: "If Smith has 52% of the vote and we have a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, that means that if everyone voted right now, Smith would get between 55% and 49% of the vote. If my survey finds that Jones has 48% of the vote, then his actual vote would be somewhere between 45% and 51%." To say that Smith is ahead, his lead would have to be twice the margin of error, or more than 6 percentage points.[15]

Seizing on signs of tightening in some national polls, the McCain campaign gave details on how it could spring the biggest upset since Harry Truman came from behind to win the 1948 election.[21] Throughout, the focus was on the economy, the issue that has dominated the last weeks of the campaign, and on the importance of voting. Speaking in Defiance, Ohio, McCain told his backers that they faced an uphill fight against the Democrats, but that they should battle on despite polls showing the GOP trailing nationally and in key states.[5] McCain also needs the support of former Clinton voters to turn the Democratic-leaning state red. We talk with some of those voters and with county-level McCain campaign coordinators to find out if their efforts have been successful.[22] Voter turn-out is higher than expected in more than 30 states that allow early and no-excuse absentee voting, thanks to the successful voter registration drive embarked upon by the Obama campaign.[16] In 2001 we thought the Labour Party was very cool when it sent out text alerts to young Labour voters. The extraordinary use of the web and mobile technology - particularly by Obama's campaign - is as different, as one U.S. expert has put it, from these clumsy first efforts as the Wright brothers' first flight was from Neil Armstrong landing on the Moon.[17]

The Politico called it a "smoothly produced infomercial" that "weaved together American iconography -- images of amber waves of grain, pickup trucks and American flags -- with portraits of iconic voters, testimonials from politicians and one business figure, footage of Obama speeches and direct appeals from the candidate."[11] By an 8-point margin Obama is seen as the candidate who voters trust to handle the economy, down from a 15-point edge.[8]

Barack Obama has edged further ahead of'' John McCain in''the more conservative version of the latest Gallup daily tracking po ll. [7] For instance, one recent national survey that showed the race neck-and-neck included a large number of evangelical Christians -- too many, in the judgment of some pollsters -- which improved McCain's performance and narrowed the gap with Obama.[15] McCain has ruled out any tax increase while Obama has called for more taxes for families earning more than $250,000 a year. The Democrat has also called for a tax cut for those earning less.[5] The American system, at least, allows the president-elect a couple of months to prepare for what is to follow. It should also mean that Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain, unlike me, will have the time and sense to get dressed and brush her hair before opening the door - something I neglected to remember.[17] As McCain goes into the final days with a strong, traditionally Republican tax-cut message, the polls--and pollsters--say it looks like the Republicans, running up against the electorate's desire for change, will simply run out of time.[13] Another reason the numbers have tightened is that McCain has also improved his position among his party faithful, and the number of voters identifying themselves as Republicans has seen an up-tick as well.[8] McCain's camp says many polls are overstating the projected turnout of black and younger voters, to the detriment of the GOP nominee.[15] The rolling tracking poll, taken Monday through Wednesday, surveyed 1,202 likely voters in the presidential election.[20] "We had the Georgia GOP do a push for 72 hours. It goes into identifying who has not voted yet and make sure they get to the polls on Tuesday." Murphy was referring to the party's traditional 72-hour program, a method the GOP uses to mobilize its voters. It's been a key to the party's success over the past several election cycles.[10]

The Illinois senator held steady among several crucial blocs of swing voters in the Nov. 4 election, leading by 15 points among independents, 9 points among women, 5 points among men and 9 points among Catholics.[9]

Only an Obama supporter would call getting caught engaging in voter fraud then cutting a deal with the prosecuter "doing the right thing."[14] In many states, there are long lines, crowded polling stations, problems of illegal purging of the voter list, allegations of voter fraud levelled by Republicans and accusations of voter intimidation from Democrats.[16]

Our country is hanging in the balance. This man should be our president." The heavy Democratic bombardment of Florida will continue tomorrow when Al Gore campaigns in the state that, by the narrowest of margins, destroyed his presidential dream eight years ago.[6] The new poll found 48 percent giving an unfavorable rating to GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, with 45 percent favorable.[18] The most dramatic shift came in Kansas, where McCain's previous lead lengthened to 58 percent to 37 percent.[14] McCain's support has not surpassed 45 percent in more than three weeks of polling.[9]

Personally, I believe anyone voting for McCain is seriously misled. How could you possibly vote for a candidate who isn't even putting forth any definitive plans?! It honestly baffles me. Clearly, our country is going downhill under the current leadership, and McCain is very similar to Bush, spelling DISASTER for this country.[13] If you put McCain and Palin in it is going to set women back another 50 years. You might as well start burning those fancy Victoria Secret Bras of yours. Why would you want to vote for a man who DUMPED his first wife when she had a horrible car accident and was not the woman she used to be. in fact, he met Cindy when he was still married to his first wife while running the bars. they had an affair and then he got divorced and then married his billionairess Barbie, trophy wife.[12]

John McCain's campaign has had to struggle to keep up. It has led almost to two separate campaigns - one in the actual world and one in the virtual.[17]

Democrats appear to have dominated early voting across the nation, but Obama has repeatedly cautioned supporters against overconfidence. "Don't believe this election's over," he told the flag-waving crowd of more than 13,000 in Sarasota on Thursday morning. [5] By an 18-point margin more voters have a positive view of Biden than a negative view (55 percent favorable and 37 percent unfavorable).[8] I just love horse races. I remember 2004 when they talked about how important the "youth vote" was. Turns out like 17% of eligible youth voters actually showed up and did their civic duty.[7]

REFERENCES

1. Obama leads McCain by 11 points - Sify.com
2. Poll: Voters Believe McCain Running More Negative Advertising - Horserace
3. Poll: Obama maintains big lead in Minn.
4. The Canadian Press: Lawyers head for battleground states to monitor vote for Obama, McCain
5. Candidates trade jabs in feverish final push
6. Now it's swinging polls not hanging chads that scare Democrats - Times Online
7. Obama lead over McCain growing, though still tight, new poll shows | KansasCity.com Prime Buzz
8. FOXNews.com - FOX News Poll: Obama's Edge Over McCain Narrows - Polls | AP Polls | Gallup Poll | Opinion Polls
9. POLL-Obama retains 7-point lead on McCain | Reuters
10. COUNTDOWN 2008: McCain-Obama contest could be nail-biter here | ajc.com
11. U.S. presidential race tightens as candidates focus on key states_English_Xinhua
12. Thursdays Gallup Poll gives bigger edge to Obama | Midwest Voices
13. Polls Show Bad News for John McCain in Race Against Barack Obama - US News and World Report
14. Fifteen new state polls show McCain gaining ground. Is it enough to catch Obama? | KansasCity.com Prime Buzz
15. How political polls work -- and why they can differ so much - Los Angeles Times
16. THISDAY ONLINE / Nigeria news / African views on global news
17. Obama must still fear failure. we did in 1997 | Cherie Blair - Times Online
18. The Associated Press: Polls: Obama leads McCain by 13 points in NH
19. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
20. POLL-Obama takes 7-point lead on McCain | Reuters
21. FT.com / Home UK / UK - We can still win, says McCain team
22. What McCain Needs In Pennsylvania : NPR

Broder: McCain's weak management skills have hurt his campaign

CONTENTS:

Clearly, Dr. Paul did not realize the importance of allowing conservatism to have the freedom to use the power of government to manipulate the whims of the public, consequently, he did not understand the challenges on conservative power in the new millennium. (More...)
When '''Joe the plumber''' does a better job of critiquing your opponent than you do, you probably don't have the rhetorical skills to be a good candidate. (More...)
Obama focuses on early childhood learning and addresses the dropout crisis through funding public school districts to invest in innovative intervention strategies. (More...)
Economic, social, and political matters will have become far worse. (More...)
Casey in a telephone interview afterward said McCain and running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have maintained a nearly constant presence in Pennsylvania since the nominating conventions because of the state's history of close elections. (More...)
Obama and a democratic Congress will push us closer to socialism, the American people will get angry and the democratic Congress will get obliterated in the mid term election. (More...)
The expected heavy turnout of black voters for Obama could have an impact down the ballot as well, perhaps even in some of the statewide ballot issues, particularly a Religious Right-backed effort to make adoption and foster parenting more difficult for single people. (More...)
In the past two weeks, I have heard four pastors remind me that my vote carries a religious responsibility. (More...)
For years, if not decades, the U.S. public has been hungry for reforms that will provide universal access to health care at reasonable cost, regardless of work situations or existing health conditions. (More...)
One would like to spread the wealth around (socialism), one would like to keep the U.S. a capitalist country (earn, spend, keep, give as an individual desires). (More...)
After two straight right-to-the-wire races - in 2000 and 2004 - the Democrat hopeful wants to bury Republican JohnMcCain in a landslide. (More...)
Our purpose was to offer a more constructive approach aiming at correcting the abusive traditional, so-called scientific, theories of Optics. (More...)
Personally knowing a lot of traditionally GOP supporters I think you are going to see a type of reverse Bradley effect or more like a "1990 Bob Rae" effect. (More...)
President Bush can look out the window on Pennsylvania Avenue this morning and see construction workers beginning to build the inaugural viewing stands for the next president. (More...)

Clearly, Dr. Paul did not realize the importance of allowing conservatism to have the freedom to use the power of government to manipulate the whims of the public, consequently, he did not understand the challenges on conservative power in the new millennium. To answer the question, it is reasonable to ask just what does conservative mean in today's American political lexicon? Was it conservative for the government to pass a trillion dollars to failing investment banks? Was this a redistribution of wealth? Certainly conservatives do not favor redistributionist schemes from the wealthy to those below the poverty level, but is it conservative to favor them from the poor to the wealthy? President Bush and Republican Presidential Candidate, John McCain supported the bail ou'''er, um'''rescue plan, so it must be conservative. At one time conservative Republicans, such as Robert Taft, considered American involvement in wars that were not related to national defense to be anti-conservative. Are preemptive wars that drain the public revenues, devalue the dollar, and demand more taxes from the working class a conservative principle now? Conservatives disdain the welfare state and encourage people to take care of themselves through their labor, but conservatives also advocate the global economic system that puts American labor in wage competition with cheap workers in oppressed systems like China or caste systems like India. Even though President Bush presided over deficit spending that approached $500 billion per year and might approach $1 trillion this year, conservative Republicans claim that should Mr. Obama win the presidency, America's economy will crash. [1] They are starting to eat their own. Polls show that Democrat Barack Obama ]] Barack Obama is leading in battleground states, including some -- such as Ohio -- carried by George W. Bush not once but twice. Even before the election is over -- and despite the fact that some polls show a tightening race -- Republicans are piling on their own presidential candidate, John McCain, accusing him of deserting principle. Some moderate Republicans think McCain has sold his soul to the right, abandoning the bipartisan record he built on immigration and other issues. "He has lost his brand as a maverick," said Rep. Chris Shays, the last Republican congressman in New England, in a tight race in Connecticut again this year.[2] Pennsylvania is key to McCain's plan for victory next week, but Obama is leading in the polls there, as well as in some states President Bush won in 2004. Obama hopes his presence in Pennsylvania will keep that state in the democrats' column. He rallied supporters there in a cold, steady rain on Monday. Sen. Barack Obama, (D) presidential candidate: "If we see this kind of dedication on election day, there is no way that we're not going to bring change to America." In the home stretch, the democratic nominee is focusing on his original themes- hope and change, but he's also firing back at his opponent's charge that Obama will raise taxes. Barack Obama: "There is only one candidate with a plan that could eventually raise taxes on middle class families, and it isn't me, it's John McCain."[3] I am also disgusted by the way John McCain has conducted himself and his campaign. I understand why McCain strategists believe their candidate can'''t win on the merits of the issues. The catastrophic situations we are facing both at home and abroad culminate from the President Bush-John McCain worldview, ideology and policymaking. It'''s too late now for McCain to pretend he isn'''t a Republican. It doesn'''t excuse resorting to lies, manufactured controversies, phony outrage, petty distractions, risky surprises, scare tactics and smears. McCain is running a dishonest campaign that is beneath him. He grossly misrepresents Barack Obama'''s policy positions and relentlessly assaults Obama'''s character. Accusing Obama, a fellow senator, of '''palling around with terrorists''' and saying he would rather lose the war than lose the election sets a sleazy low in presidential politics. It seems McCain would rather lose his moral standing and good name than lose this election. By sticking to the same destructive Rovian tactics Republicans have used to win before, and standing by the worst of Bush'''s bad policies, McCain has not shown himself to be the maverick he thinks he is.[4]

Kommentaren er en del av Dagsavisens dekning av USA-valget og presenteres som en f'lge av samarbeidet mellom Dagsavisen og The New York Times. For weeks the two presidential candidates have been following divergent paths to the same destination, and with one week to go until Election Day, Barack Obama and his rival, John McCain, have very different challenges ahead of them before Nov. 4. Obama, who has been enjoying a lead in a number of national and battleground state polls, will have to fend off calls from Republicans that he is already 'measuring the drapes,' as they put it, in the White House. Some states may tighten in the waning days, and the McCain campaign has been relentless in its attacks on the Democratic candidate.[5] We can ill afford to continue being hostages to the Republicrats. This Democratic and Republican Party democracy is no democracy at all. It is a farce. Even the Constitution of the United States of America, with all its flaws, has been for its part deliberately subverted and shredded by both the Democratic and Republican Parties. Notwithstanding their meaningless, misleading, and often insulting 2008 campaign rhetoric, Barack Obama and John McCain serve the corporate / military elite and certainly not the people. They are the enemies of the people plain and simple. Have no illusions, the time is rapidly approaching when massive and/or regular military "police" actions may very well be employed inside the United States by the corporate government against its own citizens. People generally know that John McCain is capable of this, but are dangerously deluded into thinking that Barack Obama isn't.[6]

Berkman predicts Pennsylvania will go Democrat - noting Senator Obama has been spending less time campaigning in the state. "I believe they think they are going to win it," he said. "I am noticing they are not spending a whole lot of time here these days. They are spending most of their time in red states. I would think we would see them more if they felt they were in trouble in Pennsylvania." With 1.2 million more registered Democrats than Republicans in Pennsylvania, Barack Obama appears to be counting on victory in this reliably blue state - a victory that could dash any hope John McCain has of winning the presidency.[7] McCain has poured money and energy into the state in the final weeks, spending three critical days in mid-October here and hammering Obama as Barack the Redistributionist, an old-fashioned tax-and-spend liberal who wants to "spread the wealth around" and can't be trusted on national security. McCain was back in Pennsylvania earlier this week, while Palin arrived for a series of appearances on Tuesday. Both are likely to visit again before Election Day. "It's wonderful to fool the pundits, because we're going to win in Pennsylvania," McCain told supporters in Hershey on Tuesday. Democrats say they remain confident, but there are clear undercurrents of concern. Governor Rendell and party officials have asked Obama to spend more time in the state to counter the McCain offensive, and indeed the Democrat has made appearances in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia over the past couple of days to make his closing arguments. "John McCain's ridden shotgun as George Bush's driven this economy towards a cliff, and now he wants to take the wheel and step on the gas," the Illinois Senator told a wet crowd of 9,000 outside of Philadelphia on Tuesday.[8]

I gave it because I believe we need Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States. We need his intelligence, his insightfulness, his thoughtfulness, his commitment and his sense of hope. As someone only a few years from retirement, I need him to help us through the economic turmoil brought on in great part by the incompetence of the Bush administration; incompetence that has been repeatedly supported by John McCain. As a father whose youngest son has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia during his business career, I need him to restore the respect for America and for Americans that has been destroyed by George Bush'''s policies and pronouncements, so that my child can safely set foot on foreign soil. As an American, I need him to find us peace with pride and bring our service men and women home from a war that should never, ever, have been fought.[4] Your comments are always welcome. It must never be forgotten that both Barack Obama and John McCain supported the over 700 billion dollar sell out of the people to the elite finance capitalists of Wall Street, despite the expressed overwhelming opposition to it from every day persons throughout the United States. This is an example of the de facto dictatorship of and by corporations in the U.S. It is seriously authoritarian and without conscience. It is in fact a 21st Century kind of fascism in this nation that continues to make an utter mockery of supposed U.S. democracy. Corporate finance capitalists, the corporate media (including its so-called progressive/ leftist collaborators), and the corporate-backed Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin U.S. Presidential tickets are enemies of the people - one and all. All of them support the continued economic and political exploitation of every day men, women, and children inside the United States and around the world. All of them support U.S. Empire and hegemony. To deny this is to deny the obvious. It should be noted that even the recent - over 700 billion dollar sell out - to the greedy, irresponsible corporate elite of Wall Street can only, at most, forestall the economic, social, and political upheaval that is nearer than many care to imagine. Those billions of dollars were tantamount to applying a mere band aid as a supposed cure to a cancer patient.[6] Unfortunately, many are desirous of simply seeing "black faces in high places" and thus support the likes of Barack Obama for U.S. President, as if that will bring about much needed systemic change. Never mind that Obama is more to the right on a number of important issues and policies, such as supporting apartheid Zionism and U.S. military adventurism, than even George W. Bush. Never mind that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are "black faces in a high places" who have brought, and continue to bring, nothing but grief to the vast majority of people, be they Black, Brown, Red, Yellow or White. Sooner or later, the people of the United States are going to have to take responsibility for the kind of government this nation has. While it is certainly accurate that the majority of Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples in this nation are continually exploited by what is, in essence, a corporate fascist dictatorship, there nonetheless comes a point when the people of this nation must reject, once and for all, the fake democracy promoted by the U.S. corporate government with the ongoing complicity of the U.S. corporate media. The corporate / military elite of this nation is intent upon neutralizing Black, other oppressed peoples, and people of good will generally in this nation - by promoting the candidacy of Barack Obama. While this tactic may be effective in the short term, it will fail miserably in the not too distant future, once people awaken to who Barack Obama really is, and experience and see first hand that a Barack Obama presidency will have substantively and systemically changed nothing.[6]

It is clear that John McCain is desperate and is willing to do anything to be elected. First he selected an unqualified vice president to try to shore up his right-wing base. When even his base recognized that she was a mistake, he tried name calling. He said or implied that Barack Obama was a terrorist or a socialist, and who knows what else. He also tried lies, like saying Obama's plan would increase our taxes when it would only correct the Bush gifts to the very wealthy and lower taxes on everyone who earns less than $250,000. He took these actions even though he said he would run a positive campaign. Now, when even these low tactics are not changing the poles, he is attacking Bush. While his criticisms are valid, it seems likely he is making these charges from desperation, not conviction. He feels he must jettison even the Republican regulars to save his campaign. He must feel that his campaign is like a plane. It is losing altitude so, to keep it from crashing, he throws out even the parachutes. Imagine what he would do if he was elected and was faced with a real crisis.[9] Volunteer Traci Dallas-Opdahl, an independent, is just the kind of voter John McCain wants to attract. "I really like John McCain and what he stands for, which is really actually independence, he said. "He is his own man, he thinks for himself and he really puts his country before politics." Montgomery is an affluent county, rich in Republican votes, and the McCain campaign hopes for a big win to offset Senator Obama's large expected victory margins elsewhere in the state, especially in Philadelphia with its large African-American population.[7] As we near the end of another presidential campaign, it is useful to ask ourselves what we have learned about the candidates that we did not know before. What insights have we gained about their goals, their methods, their characters? I will turn to Barack Obama next, but today's subject is John McCain. We knew that he was a product of the military elite, the son and grandson of admirals, imbued with the patriotic impulses and the sense of duty to country that is his family tradition. We also knew that he had the capacity and willpower to endure and resist the terrible abuse he suffered in a North Vietnamese prison camp. We knew that he had the backbone to set his own course and that he carried that trait into politics, often challenging his fellow Republicans. We also knew that he had a temper, redeemed by a self-mocking sense of humor, and we knew that he had a capacity for building genuine friendships across party lines. We suspected, and soon confirmed, that he had limited capacity for organization and management of large enterprises. His first effort at building a structure for the 2008 presidential race collapsed in near-bankruptcy. From beginning to end, the campaign that followed has been plagued by internal feuds and by McCain's inability to resolve them.[10] Independents and freethinking Republicans will weigh the Republican nominees' words against Barack Obama's deeds, leadership, judgment and cool demeanor in the face of controversy. This election is far too important not to evaluate John McCain's motive to be president. He is not a maverick. He is a staunch Republican who has proved that he will say or do anything to keep his party in power.[11]

Polls show the Democratic nominee with a commanding lead of anywhere from 7 to 14 points in the state, up from a near tie in mid-September. It's clear to observers on both sides of the political aisle that much of Barack Obama's support may be soft, leaving him potentially vulnerable here. He lost the April primary contest to Hillary Clinton by 10 points, and even the state's Democratic governor, Ed Rendell, has said there are many culturally conservative voters who would have a hard time embracing a black man as President. McCain's campaign says its internal polling shows the gap between the two nominees to be 3 or 4 percentage points closer than the polls, putting McCain theoretically within striking distance in the past week. "It's do or die - this is his last stand, because he's got no other place to go. This is a forced choice. This is not an option," said pollster and political analyst G. Terry Madonna of Franklin & Marshall College.[8] In Nevada, a state that once had a narrow Republican registration advantage, Democrats have registered 100,000 more voters than Republicans since 2004. Now, Obama is focused on getting those voters to the polls. His campaign stops this week have all been in states where early voting is underway, and his campaign message in those states is to urge supporters to vote early. We have used some "fuzzy math" to try to illustrate how important those voters are to the Obama campaign, and how his success in getting new voters to the polls may ultimately determine the next President of the United States. To compute these models, we've used turn-out figures from 2004. We took the total votes for Sen. John Kerry, and computed them as a percentage of the total Democratic and decline-to-state registration.[12] We do, though, think Obama would govern as much more of a pragmatic centrist than many people expect. We know first-hand that Obama seeks out and listens carefully and respectfully to people who disagree with him. He builds consensus. He was most effective in the Illinois legislature when he worked with Republicans on welfare, ethics and criminal justice reform. He worked to expand the number of charter schools in Illinois --not popular with some Democratic constituencies. He took up ethics reform in the U.S. Senate--not popular with Washington politicians. His economic policy team is peppered with advisers who support free trade. He has been called a " University of Chicago Democrat "--a reference to the famed free-market Chicago school of economics, which puts faith in markets. Obama is deeply grounded in the best aspirations of this country, and we need to return to those aspirations. He has risen with his honor, grace and civility intact. He has the intelligence to understand the grave economic and national security risks that face us, to listen to good advice and make careful decisions. When Obama said at the 2004 Democratic Convention that we weren't a nation of red states and blue states, he spoke of union the way Abraham Lincoln did. It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation's most powerful office, he will prove it wasn't so audacious after all.[13] "The past eight years we can't take another four." Republican activist Steve Neuhaus of Chester sees the disparity in donations as a reflection of Obama's success in energizing his base and the growing sense among voters that he's poised for victory. "People want to put their money on a winner," he said. He also suspects that Republican donors are disheartened by media coverage of the campaign, which he sees as unremittingly slanted in favor of Obama. Nor does it help, he added, that people are feeling the economic pinch. "We didn't donate money to McCain this year because, frankly, we didn't have any," he said. Neuhaus attended a McCain fundraiser in Manhattan on Oct. 14 and said he was surprised to find the crowd sparse enough for him "the only person in the room wearing a J.C. Penney suit" to chat with both McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin. That turned out to be a successful fundraiser for the Republican ticket. Even though McCain can no longer collect direct donations for his campaign, he reportedly raised $10.6 million that night for the Republican National Committee and several state GOP parties money that will be used in support of his campaign.[14] The most notable was Colin Powell, but others include former Republican Governors, as well as Charles Fried, who was Ronald Reagan's Solicitor General. Despite some policy differences with Obama, they have seen him as more stable, better informed, better qualified, and less impulsive on critical issues, including the nation's economic crisis. Possibly more important, as the election nears, some conservatives have grown terrified at the thought that Sarah Palin might become president in a complicated and dangerous world where her incompetence would put the nation at unprecedented risk. Even with the hope that a Palin presidency would never occur, that same alarm has impelled them to lose faith in the judgment of Senator McCain, based on his selection of an unqualified candidate for the second place on the ticket. It would be a mistake to confuse their preference for Obama with a permanent shift in political allegiance. At this point, their overriding concern appears to be the nation'''s safety, but their support for Obama in this election may not be a good predictor of how they will vote in the future[15] Barack Obama has fired a shot at GOP presidential candidate John McCain'''s lack of economic expertise that also indirectly nails his vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin ''' with a wink. The ad, titled "His Choice," begins with McCain's admission more than once that he lacks economic know-how and declaring, "I might have to rely on a vice president that I select" for expertise on economic issues.[16] On the economy, Obama is superior Unlike Barack Obama, John McCain has demonstrated a troubling lack of understanding of economic issues and the complex strategies needed to fix economic challenges. For years, McCain readily acknowledged his limited understanding of the U.S. economy, at least until it became a campaign problem. Perhaps this is one reason McCain said he thought "the fundamentals of the U.S. economy are very strong" in a Fortune magazine interview in June.[17]

Talking Points Memo reports that the calls hit Obama for being inexperienced and soft on terrorists. The script: I'm calling for John McCain and the RNC because Barack Obama is so dangerously inexperienced, his running mate Joe Biden just said, he invites a major international crisis that he will be unprepared to handle alone. If Democrats win full control of government, they will want to give civil rights to terrorists and talk unconditionally to dictators and state sponsors of terror.[18] I have no idea what will happen in the voting booth, but I can tell you I am distraught. The poll on the right indicates that I am not alone in thinking neither of these candidates should be the one for the job. 30% of our readers indicate they are either voting for a third party, or just hate their choices. Barack Obama will help everybody out, which is probably my problem with him. John McCain knows nothing about the economy, and will continue these wars which is my problem with him.[19] Undecided voters get a bad rap these days. With less than a week before the final votes are cast, those who haven't riveted themselves to a candidate are looked upon as uninformed or indecisive. It's easy for me to see why voters who look beyond the "R" and "D" might have a tough decision to make. They're scared John McCain won't do what he says he will. They are equally worried that Barack Obama will.[20]

In modern elections, absent some dramatic game-changing event, polls just don't get it wrong enough for McCain to bridge that difference. This reminds me a lot of the 2007 election here in Australia where incumbent PM John Howard (a close international ally of Bush's, and very tied up with much of the same baggage) was against a younger, relatively unknown, but appealing candidate in Kevin Rudd (though Rudd lacks the superstar appeal Obama has). Howard, like the Republicans, had a history of sneaking home, so when poll after poll showed he was doomed commentators refused to believe it and came up with various theories about how the election would be narrower than polling showed. Come along election day he lost exactly as the polls predicted.[21] We like McCain. We endorsed him in the Republican primary in Illinois. In part because of his persuasion and resolve, the U.S. stands to win an unconditional victory in Iraq. It is, though, hard to figure John McCain these days. He argued that President Bush's tax cuts were fiscally irresponsible, but he now supports them. He promises a balanced budget by the end of his first term, but his tax cut plan would add an estimated $4.2 trillion in debt over 10 years. He has responded to the economic crisis with an angry, populist message and a misguided, $300 billion proposal to buy up bad mortgages. McCain failed in his most important executive decision. Give him credit for choosing a female running mate--but he passed up any number of supremely qualified Republican women who could have served.[13] I used to vote R or D, depending on the candidate. After 8 years of Bush and now this McCain/Palin fiasco, I vote D across the board and hope for the best. What the current President Bush has been doing and Sen. McCain has been advocating for are very contradictory to the core of the Republican's fiscal principles such as fiscal disciplinary conservatism. They are both belong to the camp of the fiscally liberalized spreespending as much as fast as you can do with no restraint. Looking at when Democratic Party President Clinton left an office, how much money in surplus multibillions he had left for the country? Looking at today national debt has increased from $5 trillion in 2001 to $10.5 trillion under the Republican leadership of the President Bush unequivocally tell ordinary people, which presidential candidates will be better prepared, if not the best prepared, to handle the fiscal policies and which presidential candidates will be able to move the country with better visions and directions.[2] We can only believe people who speak in short, folksy sound bites that are easy to understand. John McCain puts his country before politics. That'''s why he chose the most qualified, mentally stable person available to be his vice presidential running mate, even though there were other, less-experienced candidates who could have helped him energize the base of the Republican Party and pick off votes from women. Beep! Mr. McKay, this is your local tax assessor calling.[22]

McCain was handed a terrible political environment by the outgoing Bush administration, a legacy of war, debt and scandal. Because McCain could not create a coherent philosophy or vision of his own, he allowed Obama and the Democrats to convince voters of a falsehood: that electing McCain would in effect reward Bush with a third term. A similar ambivalence clouded his relationship with the Republican Party. Neither rebel nor defender of the party's doctrines, he won its nomination by smart tactics and lucky circumstances in three primaries - New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida - without ever establishing himself as its legitimate spokesman. His vice presidential choice, his best opportunity to put his stamp on the future, was made, typically, more on instinct than careful appraisal. McCain saw Sarah Palin as reinforcing his own reformer credentials.[10] The other senator from Alaska Don Young who has worked closely with Palin is also under investigation. If Palin is the future of the Republican party then its future definitely a dark one. For months now I have been reading the political comments posted by readers online and I have noticed that the extreme conservative Republicans are especially hateful, and most of them fill their comments with Rush Limbaugh sound bites. Rush Limbaugh has had way too much "freedom of speech" during these last 8 years, encouraged and allowed to do so by the Republican administration. Limbaugh has poisoned a large bloc of Republican citizens, keeping them trapped in an attitude 25 years out of date. He stokes their fears and amplifies their worst characteristics, driving them to see an enemy in everything out of the conservative box. This prevents these people from accepting the changes and advances of 21st century America, isolating them and making it harder and harder for them to live productive and happy lives. It is my hope that the Obama administration will rein in the poison conservative talk show faction, and the people who follow it and live by it can be healed of their unwarranted hate and bigotry. To these people I say: there is no reason to be so hateful and fearful! Rush has it all wrong! This is a great country, full of good people, patriots all, and great possibilites for a happy and prosperous life. That neighbor whose views differ from yours is not a terrorist or a socialist or a communist, he's just the fellow American next door.[2] I am a proud Progressive, who holds a range of opinions from very Liberal to fairly Conservative, and I am definitely NOT `afraid to `find out who Obama really is'. He is the candidate who has not soiled decades of supposedly "honorable" service by repeatedly stooping to fear-mogering attacks which appeal to the worst paranoid instincts of his political base. He is not the one who was stupid enough to think he could attract disaffected Clinton supporters to his side by naming an untested, spectacularly unqualified "chick" to be his running-mate. For eight agonizing years, we, the American People have had to suffer under the misrule of a president who was a "Texas Politician". after he was a serial-failure of a business man. after he was a draft-dodging chicken-hawk who made a mockery of his National Guard service. after he was an under-achieving frat-boy. yet he was somehow a "good candidate" for two terms as president. As his disastrous administrations drew to a close, all the Republican party could offer the country were a range of shallow, blustering, petty Primary candidates who tripped over each other in their self-acclamation as the "true" standard-bearer of Reagan Republicanism - the man who sold us - no, YOU - the myths of deregulation and "trickle-down economics" which sowed the seeds for our current mortgage melt-down and lending company failures. The Republican party got the unsalable candidate they clearly deserved - and they will get the electoral drubbing they so richly deserve on November 4. despite their efforts to steal it.[2]

The funny thing is people like the Libertarian guy quoted in the article who really just don't get it. The Republican Party has never truly been about so-called "fiscal conservatism" (which actually means economic liberalism), but if he thinks that such policy would actually be better he can't see the writing on the wall. The only reason that the American economy appeared to be doing well for the past 30 years, the whole time since the "Reagan Revolution", has been the very borrowing that he now decries. Yes it ruined us in the long run, but it is that same borrowing and the same outsourcing that occurred under Reagan, Bush Sr., and Clinton (the most economically Republican Democrat of the modern era) that made it look like our economy was doing well these past 30 years. The whole past 30 years have been a delusion built on debt and underpaid foreign labor, while American families only were able to do better by having more workers per household, borrowing more, and getting the advantages of underpaid Chinese, Mexican, and Indian workers making everything for them while the top 1% has been stealing the nation and the world blind.[2] The Republican party of old is dead and gone. When McCain loses, the RNC will have a choice - return to their traditional conservative, small government roots or continue the drive to the neocon right and their big government, deficit funded single issue policies that have created the problems we now face. If they follow the latter route (and, sadly, I think they will) it will leave a huge hole in the center for the Democrats to move into supported by the more moderate wing of the Republican party. If the Democrats use their new control of Congress and the Administration to drive further to the left (which I see as a possibility) it will leave the mass of U.S. citizens adrift and create (in addition to economic chaos) the ideal conditions for a third party. Both the RNC and DNC have to understand that in their collossal battles they have lost sight of the electorate and their needs. It is just like the big three car makers slugging it out while the imports quietly eat their lunch.[2] Last night I went into two stores and in both of them, the clerks were talking to each other about the U.S. election. That's all anybody can think about, including me. I admit that for various reasons, I really don't want McCain to win (which is different from wanting Obama to win; I'm still not all that impressed by him, and haven't been ever since his deservedly-infamous CYA vote on an important issue ). That's nothing new. That's hard, of course, which is why Obama is more likely to win than McCain but it's not impossible. A good comparison for this election is 1976, Gerald Ford vs. Jimmy Carter; all the fundamentals favoured the Democrats that year, but the election wound up being quite close.[21] AFP CD News - 29.10.2008. Obama and McCain held their rallies in the key state of Pennsylvania as the U.S. Presidential elections enters its last leg. The last week of campaigning saw the candidates doing their final bid to sway the polls and hopefully the votes their way.[23] In the modern media environment, polls can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In the 24-hour news cycle, there just isn't enough real news to fill the campaign coverage (especially since the candidates make the same speeches over and over), so polls, and speculation on what they mean, take up a lot of the coverage. A "McCain pulls closer" or (if a poll comes out showing that) "McCain pulls ahead" narrative would be very helpful to him at this point, if only because it would reduce the risk that undecided voters would decide to break toward the person they think is the sure winner. It's not news that TV news coverage relies too heavily on prognostication, polling, etc. It's an unavoidable part of campaign coverage; you're covering something that hasn't happened yet, so what can you do but predict? But the coverage seems to be creating a note of certainty that worries me. Not because I don't want McCain to win, though I don't (but if he does, the coverage will be a minor influence on that one way or the other), but because if the race winds up being very close, the anger and recriminations could be like 2000 only worse. The best counter-argument to this, of course, is that McCain doesn't actually seem to be acting like he expects to hold onto the Bush 2004 states, and is instead trying to win Pennsylvania, where he's way behind. He sure seems to be acting like he's Gerald Ford circa 1976. The point is, he's certainly not Mondale circa 1984 either or Bob Dole circa 1996, either; it's closer than that.[21] Obama continues to hold the lead in the opinion polls. The economics of the country remains the hot topic to show the crowd why they ought to be in the Obama camp as the charismatic Democrat told his Pennysylvanian audience that McCain supported four of the five Bush budgets that have taken the U.S. from the surpluses of the Clinton years to the largest deficits in history. McCain on the other hand has been targeting the middle class voters in the state who voted for Hilary Clinton over Obama in the primary battle earlier this year.[23]

Here was an opportunity for McCain to play the role of comforting adult to Obama's suspect status as political rookie. Unaccountably, McCain's response has been so erratic that polls show undecided voters breaking toward Obama specifically because they feel he is more trustworthy to deal with the biggest economic crisis the nation has faced since the great depression. Despite his earlier blunders, McCain was still competitive until the economic crisis exploded. He had struck out his first four times at baton the war, on immigration, on health care and on energy. When he swung wildly on the economic crisis, if the polls are right, the public finally called him '''out.''' '''Can we try that again,''' McCain no doubt would like to ask us allas he asked that night so long ago on the Letterman show. The problem is, with all the chances McCain has had to make his case, and all of the wild swings he's taken, there's little reason to believe the result would be any different no matter how many times he came to bat.[24]

"Oh yeah, Buffett's great," Joe acknowledged. "So who is McCain going to get to fix the mess like he says? I looked a bit, but maybe you've seen something at one of the Republican websites or on some news that I missed." Joe thought, and realized that he didn't know. "For what it's worth," I said, "You might want to take a look and see, because right now, the economy is job one, and I think that Obama on the rest of the stuff that you might be worried about isn't so bad. He's got good people behind him who can help get the economy back on its feet." Joe promised that he would check it out, and, even though it is likely that he's still going to draw the line between the arrows (our system) for McCain, at the very least I got him thinking about it.[25] The vitriol. When you see how low McCain is swinging, it's just like, "Pal, you look really bad." I've done a lot of research on this, that Rolling Stone piece was pretty eye-opening;the more you learn about McCain, the less there is to like. He was a guy who didn't ruffle my feathers years ago. Like Joe Biden probably has a lot of Republican friends, because he seems like a good guy. Even if they disagree with him, they probably like him. He's a Jimmy Stewart character. He's pretty solid. I think John McCain occurs to a lot of people like that, hence his longevity with the Jon Stewarts and Jay Lenos of the world. The more you read, the more he seems like a petty, average political insider with a lot of friends. The press is sort of his biggest fan base. He's losing a little bit of that. His veneer is coming off. He doesn't take a whuppin' too well. He gets angry very quickly. He's got a mean streak and isn't a guy you want in any kind of position of power, and when you see who his No. 2 is, it becomes all the more alarming.[26]

The government ran a $237 billion surplus in 2000, the year before Bush took office -- and recorded a $455 billion deficit in 2008. The Republicans lost control of the U.S. House and Senate in 2006 because, as we said at the time, they gave the nation rampant spending and Capitol Hill corruption. They abandoned their principles. They paid the price. We might have counted on John McCain to correct his party's course.[13] Our future, economy, health and security are not some fun game. Do not vote for this very foolish, careless, ignorant woman unless you really hate America. A vote for Palin is a vote for going backwards to the Bush years once again, don't do it, don't let this failed, diseased thinking back into our White House. It wasn't Bush and McCain. It was Reagan. He recruited the super-far-right social conservatives to the party, with an in-your-face "we'll legislate our morality" attitude that drove out the most conservative core--libertarians--from the Republican party. These people care about telling Adam and Steve they can't get married, not about fiscal conservatism, limited government. They care about using power to achieve their religious goals by any means necessary.[2] The Republican party has become a caricature of itself- a racist fear mongering elitist club of the most toxic kind. It has now become, thanks in large part to Bush and McCain, a banner under which the lowest common denominator now proudly gather. It is the party of the uneducated moron who cannot (as of yet) appreciate how their highest and best aspirations, along with their base emotions - fear and greed, are manipulated and used by the ruling elite. Now the party is seriously considering Sarah Palin to become their next and brightest hope. That would be akin to tossing a drowning man an anchor. It is a sort of divine justice to witness these people do themselves in without any help from anyone else. This election is proving that we as nation have evolved. It is encouraging to see that we are outgrowing the Lee Atwater Karl Rove hate slandering and race baiting.[2]

Good riddance. Concerning John McCain, I too am extremely disappointed that he sold his soul to the devil to select Sarah Palin. I would much rather have seen him lose like a winner than lose like a loser. If the Republican party would have had their heads somewhere other than where the sun doesn't shine in the 2000 primaries and picked John McCain instead of Dubya, we wouldn't be in the cesspool we are in right now - more so militarily and most probably in economic terms.[2] "One of the reasons why they seem to focus solely on Pennsylvania is they haven't made the case in other states," Casey said about the McCain campaign. "I don't think they're here because they're making progress. They're here because history shows it will be close." Casey said Thompson's comments during the GOP luncheon represent the same economic strategy as President Bush's and predicted they would ultimately fail to sway undecided voters. "It's going to be very hard for Fred Thompson or any surrogate for John McCain to say we should stay on this path of deficit and debt and partisan positions and everything their party has led us to," Casey said.[27]

The campaign has been costly in terms of McCain's reputation. He has been condemned for small-minded partisanship, not praised for his generous and important suggestion that the major party candidates stump the country together, conducting weekly joint town hall meetings, an innovation Obama turned down. The frustration for McCain and his closest associates is their belief that he is ready to practice the kind of post-partisan politics the country wants, which they believe Obama only talks about. Should McCain still win the election, it will demonstrate the survival instincts and capacity for overcoming the odds of this remarkably engaging man. If he becomes president, the country would have to hope this campaign has honed his leadership skills.[10] Obama is offering a different way and, frankly, the only one I can see succeeding. If he thinks that the primaries and the general election were tough he has an even bigger battle looming with his own party. The only way he can succeed is if he retains the involvement and support of the huge number of people in this country that put country before themselves (and party) and demand that we change the current rules of engagement. A huge win on November 4 will set the scene and give him the tools to do the job. I truly believe he is capable of great things but only with our continued support in chopping off party driven Congressional excesses at the knees can he succeed in the medium and long term. On November 5 we need to unite behind him and take back our country and every two, four and six years continue to vote down those idealogues that put party and self before the needs of the country. It was Ronald Reagan who said, "deficits don't matter."[2] I'm an Independent. I truly have to believe that every conservative republican voter, those who belonged to the historically defined republican party, have to find themselves betrayed and undermined by the neocons; a small group of insiders who waved the party flag and called themselves republicans, only to carry out their own agenda of gutting the treasury, make billions off of a war, and cover their tracks on the way out. It's truly too bad. I believe there are millions of well intended republicans who eight years ago never would have believed we would still be in this war, 10 trillion in debt, with an education system 52nd in the world, and over 4,000 fallen heros. I just don't think that's what they voted for. I sincerely hope they will take back their party when this election is over with, and put it back on track with its inherent ideals. I don't think the Republican party should get its fiscal conservatives back. nor can it (they have already defected). They need to start a new party, the American Conservative party.[2]

Obama envisions a change in the way we deal with one another in politics and government. His opponents may say this is empty, abstract rhetoric. It is hard to imagine how we are going to deal with the grave domestic and foreign crises we face without an end to the savagery and a return to civility in politics. This endorsement makes some history for the Chicago Tribune. This is the first time the newspaper has endorsed the Democratic Party's nominee for president. The Tribune in its earliest days took up the abolition of slavery and linked itself to a powerful force for that cause--the Republican Party.[13] The party has been hijacked by "the base". The problem with the base is that it only represents a small party of the voting public, but the far right is too uncompromising and rigid in their view to make any accommodation for a discussion of thoughts and ideals. Or change. They dug their own grave. It wasn't Obama, or the "media elite" or other cop outs. Until they admit to their own failings, they will remain in a marginalized state that they themselves created. "Even if he was not a McCain plant, he surely planted himself-- he recently registered as a Republican BEFORE he asked Obama the question. He clearly planted himself, in the least, was very dishonest all the way around, and then played "aw sucks, i'm just a fake plumber." I love the attacks on this guy.[2]

We need a leader with experience and good judgment and truthfulness. We need someone that talks about the wars that America is fighting and isn't afraid to use the word 'victory'', she said. Palin also reminded supporters of McCain's military background and the fact that she now has a son serving in Iraq. McCain also traded jabs with Obama again on the subject of taxes, with both accusing the other of plans to raise taxes if elected president. McCain has pledged to,' make government live on a budget just like you do,' he said. 'My friends I have a plan that your home value doesn't go down when your neighbor defaults, so that people in danger of default have a path to pay off their loans. It's hard-hitting messages like these that McCain will need in order to win the state.[28] MS. MADDOW: The game is being played on John McCain's end of the field. Even if Barack Obama doesn't win all those red states, even if he doesn't score a touchdown, he is in field goal range and he is nowhere near having to defend his own goal line.[29] Among the remaining unknowns in this election, of course, are the intertwined issues of class and race. In this regard, few places have been more closely examined than parts of Pennsylvania, a battleground state in which polls show John McCain significantly behind, but which he must capture if he hopes to win this election, and a place where working-class, as well as possibly racist, "Hillary voters" were supposed to be especially strong. Ever since the primaries, reporters have been tromping the state in search of them. Today, TomDispatch has an interesting twist on such articles.[30]

"When you look at a meltdown of the economy, people sort of suspend the question of whether there is a lock on a gun or something and really focus on what's happening here," said Clifford B. Levine, a Pittsburgh attorney and chairman of Obama's Western Pennsylvania steering committee. For all the polls and conventional political activity, there is a factor in this campaign and this state that is unlike any before it - race. During the seemingly endless primary campaign here last spring, Rendell, a Clinton supporter, drew criticism when he said "some whites are probably not ready to vote for an African-American candidate." Congressman John Murtha, who represents a rural swath of Western Pennsylvania, put it even more bluntly earlier this month when he called his region "racist" in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.[8] 'Obama castigated McCain for 'embracing the same old Bush-McCain policies that have failed us for the last eight years' and for wanting to 'give more to billionaires and big corporations and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else.'' 'McCain offered the other side of that historic divide, accusing Obama of wanting to take money from those who have it and give it to those who do not. The Times's Mark Leibovich notes that as they make their closing arguments to voters over the next few days, both candidates are being careful not to count their chickens before they hatch, as the saying goes. On the Trail : McCain and Obama both start the day in Pennsylvania and then move on to other states.[5] Not to mention, with several states leaning towards the Democrat, McCain will have to punch harder in the last days of the campaign. McCain quoted Obama's comments from a recent radio interview that he said Obama expressed that, 'one of the tragedies of the Civil Rights Movement is that it didn't bring about redistributed change'you see, Senator Obama believes that redistributing wealth not in policies that grow our economy and create jobs. He said that 'even though lower taxes help our economy, he favors higher taxes on investments for quote, 'fairness',' he said.[28] William Ayers bombed the Pentagon. This is a widely known, irrefutable fact. He has admitted it, never repented, and has even bragged that he wished he could have done more. That Obama had to have known about Ayers''' violent past, yet still chose to launch his state Senate campaign from Ayers''' living room makes his ties to Ayers even more disturbing. If McCain had this kind of relationship to, just for example, an abortion clinic bomber, he would be vilified by the media and the Democrats, and rightly so, and would never have gotten his party'''s nomination.[4]

McCain was the most experienced and arguably the most centrist candidate the Republican Party could have nominated. Given that making Obama unacceptable was the best path to victory, McCain ran a rather tame negative campaign ''' despite howls of protest from the mainstream media about how over the top he's been. (Again, not that anyone really cares what reporters and pundits say.)[31] After the final presidential debate, I labeled McCain a "politically dead man walking." McCain failed to make the case for McCain during that showdown and for most of his campaign. He told the country why Obama should not be president. It's difficult to see how this negative message, layered upon the negative feelings voters already have about the economy and the general direction of the country, add up to a positive outcome for the Republican ticket.[32] The McCain campaign, however, has issued two statements in the past few months that included four other UF economists who favor the Republican's positions. Charles Britt Moss, a professor in food and resource economics, said he backed McCain because of his support for free-market policies. He said both McCain and Obama, in voting for the massive economic bailout plan, have shown they're more comfortable with government intervention than he favors. "I'm still behind my original idea but at this stage of the campaign the issue has been so thoroughly muddied," he said.[33]

Even the normally Republican state of North Carolina has become a battleground state. It has not voted for a Democratic White House hopeful since 1976. Obama plans to hold a unprecedented television campaign to push his economic rescue plan and even Fox network is willing to push its all important World Series baseball championships by 15 minutes to give the Democrat air time.[23] "Income inequality stays about the same under Democratic administrations but grows consistently under Republicans." This isn't saying much about Democrats, but it says even less about Republicans who's campaigns, you should remember, are funded by the companies that determine your salary. "although Republicans on average are worse for the economy than Democrats, there's one specific period when they're better: during election years…we've known that voters don't respond to average economic conditions. They respond almost exclusively to economic conditions during election years." Color me skeptical, but how can anyone be sure how voters "respond" during non-election years? Voters have very few tools to fight these trends, but one tool they do have IS their vote. It's not that voters aren't responding during non-election years; it's that no one is asking in non-election years.[34]

McCain was relaxed and comfortable. The polls showed him the favorite to win the nomination, and likely to defeat Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic nominee. He was one of the most popular political figures in the U.S., second among Republicans only to Giuliani. His persona as a pragmatic, bi-partisan, non-ideologic, fearless public servant had been secured over the years by fighting popular battles for campaign finance reform, a humane immigration policy, tougher anti-corruption laws, and against the early Bush tax cuts.[24] Consider, instead, three recent polls in the context of the Bush years. Obama and McCain are now in a "statistical dead heat" among born-again evangelicals, those Rovian foot soldiers of two successful Bush elections, according to a recent survey; and the same seems to be true in Sarah Palin's "real America," those rural and small town areas she's praised to the skies. According to a poll commissioned by the Center for Rural Strategies, in those areas which Bush won in 2004 by 53%-41%, Obama now holds a statistically insignificant one point lead. To complete this little trifecta, Gallup has just released a poll showing that Jews are now likely to vote for Obama by a more than 3 to 1 majority (74% to 22%).[30] Bush's favorability ratings continue to sit in the mid 20s. That alone should have informed us of the chances of any Republican who sought to succeed him. McCain managed to keep the race close until September, when the dam of the credit crisis broke and reminded many voters why they dislike Bush, and by extension, the GOP. This year, a Republican's only real chance was to hope the electorate would find Obama unacceptable ''' and that wasn't an idle desire.[31]

Obama leads in four states that President Bush won in 2004 and is essentially tied in two other Republican states, according to new AP-GfK battleground poll.[16] We computed President Bush's vote total as a percentage of the combined Republican and DTS registration. Making lots of mathematical and political assumptions, we plugged those numbers in to the 2008 registration numbers to show how new voter registration could impact the state of Nevada, if the new voters turn out in the same number as Silver State voters in 2004.[12]

Why that's wrong: McCain doesn't oppose stem-cell research. He supports it. He's voted to lift President Bush's restrictions on federal financing and to expand federal financing of stem-cell research. At some political peril, he stood by that stand during the Republican presidential primaries, when it threatened to cost him support from social conservatives. "Stem-cell research has the potential to give us a better understanding of deadly diseases and spinal cord injuries affecting millions of Americans," McCain said in April 2007 as he voted to support federal financing. In 2004, he was one of 14 Republicans who signed a letter to Bush urging him to lift restrictions on the research, which they said had the potential "to treat and better understand deadly and disabling diseases and conditions that affect more than 100 million Americans, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and many others."[35] I think the majority of American people can no longer afford to have an extension of the 4 more years of the same President Bush and Sen. McCain's economic policies and fiscally liberalized spree policies.[2]

Sonia Ayala, a Democratic activist and Obama supporter from Blooming Grove, attributes the tide of local donations to frustration with events of the last eight years under President Bush and the sense that Obama can change the course of the country. "It was the right candidate at the right time," she said.[14] We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president. We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready. The change that Obama talks about so much is not simply a change in this policy or that one. It is not fundamentally about lobbyists or Washington insiders.[13]

Sokol said Obama was a great professor who presented complex issues in a "fair and balanced" way. The then-Illinois state senator did "academic gymnastics" to be evenhanded to a class of students across the political spectrum, he said. "Everyone thought he was an impressive person," he said. "I don't think anyone would have believed in eight years that he would be a week away from being president of the United States."[33] Young people, who accounted for about 17 percent of the electorate in 2004, do not always turn out on Election Day. Penn State political scientist Michael Berkman says this year turnout might reach 19 percent because of the excitement generated by Obama.[7] Thompson said an Obama presidency and Democratic majorities in Congress risked shifting the country's tax burden largely to the wealthy. The election would determine "whether or not we want a growing government where a majority of people don't pay any taxes at all, and (the government is) thereby in a position to say to a small minority: 'You're going to pay all of them, and if we want to, we've got the votes, and we can raise them every year if we want to,' " Thompson said. "Is that the kind of country that people risked their lives to come over here and form? I don't think so. That's not us."[27] Speaking of the state's newly registered votes, Walsh said, "We've been the fastest growing state in the country for a couple of decades. Combine that with the excitement around this election, and that's what's going to happen.It's realistic to expect that the turn out will be equally dramatic in its increase," Walsh said. The real question will be, will the new voters registered by the Obama campaign come to the polls? Some quick computations show just how important those new voters are to Obama in Nevada, and across the country.[12] Assuming that turnout is a similar 77 percent, and using the percentage of the party registration to predict a candidate's vote total, we can guess at what the Nevada vote totals may be for Obama and McCain. This category includes new registrants who have provided all critical eligibility criteria but are missing additional non-critical information from their applications, as well as existing registered voters whose records are being updated or changed." There are another 230,000 registered voters who may be eligible to vote in this race.)[12] The veteran Democrat later backed off just a bit, noting that the district used to be "really redneck." Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Baer set off a storm of angry letters last week when he wrote about the "Cracker Factor" in the campaign, saying McCain was angling to attract white voters who wouldn't vote for a black candidate.[8]

With less than a week to go before the election, the Obama fundraising juggernaut has now collected more than a half million dollars from donors in four local counties, far surpassing the combined totals of the 2004 candidates for president and leaving John McCain deep in the dust.[14] There are going to be differing opinions on which way to go. There are those who are going to be afraid of John McCain's wild behavior and hyperbolic rhetoric, and there are those who think that Obama is a black Muslim socialist communist reverend Wright Christian vote-fraud endorsing baby killer.[25] John Oliver's brilliant "Obama and Palin Rallies of Fear" on "The Daily Show" was a funny bit that showed how strong opinions become in the heated final days. There was Joe, who told me that he was a McCain supporter, but that he was happy to help my son canvassing for Obama find his way around the apartment complex where we were working. His five week old golden retriever doesn't have any political affiliation, apparently, because it was more than happy to run over to me and jump all over me and enjoy a good head scratch.[25]

If one wants to consider the quality of conservative thought within the GOP consider the quality of leaders it has brought to the country for the past 20 years; two George Bushes, Bob Dole and John McCain. These are not thoughtful or principled men, they are just diligent enough to hang around seats of power for a sufficient amount of time to be considered leaders by lessor political hangers-on. In the case of the current George Bush, he just happened benefit from a father who did enough hanging for two people.[1] Make it stand for what the fiscal conservatives used to stand for. It would attract back some of those who've gravitated to fringe parties and be a new start, free of religious zealotry. No, actually the mainstream media says Bush and McCain have destroyed the Republican party and all their little followers say BaaaBaaaaBaaa. The conservative ideology is going through its own revolution.[2] When the republican party alienates fiscal republicans, it is making a huge mistake. The recent McCain embodies this mistake completely. When the republican party also alienates the conservative academics in favor of joe the plumber, this is a big mistake. Palin embodies this completely. These two aspects of the current republican party are going to tear it apart. In all honesty, the Republican party has absolutely nothing to offer Americans this round. Proof is in the pudding that these types of extremist right wingers are now voicing discontent with them and breaking from the Republican party.[2] McCain did not destroy the Republican Party. The far-right ideologues have ruined their own party. If the Republicans lose badly in this election, instead of using it as a time for reflection on what to do next, the atmosphere will likely be rife with what has characterized the far right's mode of operationbluster, intimidation, innuendo and lies--all the while denying they played any part in the utter failure of their party along with their skewed and dead-wrong view of what the electorate wants.[2] The inside is filled with more of the same. This innuendo-filled pamphlet is not sponsored by a third-party organization; indeed, this pamphlet clearly states that it is '''paid for and authorized by the Maine Republican Party.''' I hope the good voters of Maine have the sense to see this for what it is ''' a Rove-like effort to smear an outstanding human being and citizen as well as a desperate attempt to distract the public from the real issues in this election.[4]

If, like me, you believe the United States of America is a great country, you might consider that the Democrats have had a lot to do with making it what it is today. I believe the Republicans may play a more constructive role as a minority party focused on ideology, and being the spoiler, rather than as a majority party that needs to be able to compromise for effective governance of such a large, diverse country as this one.[2] Let the Reps be led by Gov. Palin for the next 4 years. She should be the next Rep contender in 2012. We can ensure the Dems to be in charge, and the best hope to bring back the good old USA to its greatness. The Republicans rule their own out of fear. Those who have flown the stupid chicken coop that is their failed party have felt their wrath. I hope they keep turning on all the 'reasonable' conservatives until there's no one left but the Palin devotees who all move up ot Alaska and split from our Great United States of America. They could shoot their guns and have no taxes and be safe for their end times.[2]

McCain's response was '''drill, baby, drill.''' During his Senate years, McCain, more so than any other Republican candidate, had accepted the reality that alternatives are needed to our dependence on oil. He had a clear path to respond to $4 gas with a serious, well-considered alternative energy program. Instead he wound up sounding like a shill for the big oil companies and losing support in Florida, North Carolina, California and other coastal states concerned about the impact of offshore drilling.[24] The race is not "tightening" - what's happening is that McCain is making up some ground in non-battleground states. Good for him - instead of losing California by 25 points, he's now being projected to lose it by 20. I don't think people realize what a crushing defeat for the Republicans this will be. This is the bill for 8 years of Bushism and Roveism coming due.[21] Some state tuitions went up by as much as a WHOPPING! 30% in one year. The reason the Bush McCain administration did this was to force struggling working class kids into the military to pay for the sudden jump in tuition. Which was forced on them by the corrupt Bush McCain administration, and their corrupt Republican Governors, and republican controlled state legislatures. They could use these wars to seize power, and later to get reelected. For their evil plan to work they needed more volunteer soldiers struggling to pay for an education whose blood they could spill to help them seize more power.[21]

In between, though, are me, and Joe with the golden retriever puppy. When the dust settles next Tuesday, the lunatic fringe of both sides will crawl back into their burrows for another three years of winter, and the rest of us will have to repair the damage that the Bush Administration has done to this country. This is one thing that McCain, reluctantly, and Obama are now in agreement upon.[25] By contrast, Obama cited global competiveness and energy policy. McCain's record has clearly aligned him with the failed economic policies of the Bush administration. While McCain has tried to cast himself as an outsider and change agent, his words and voting record say otherwise.[17]

While no poll can predict next week's results, the AP-GfK surveys explain why Obama is hoping not just for a win but a transcendent victory that remakes the nation's political map. McCain is scrambling to defend states where he wouldn't even be campaigning if the race were closer.[36] As we move toward the final days of the election, many Barack Obama supporters are feeling confident. Based on recent numbers, which suggest that Obama holds a comfortable lead in both national and key state polls, it is seductive to imagine Obama as a front-runner rather than an underdog.[37] Your statements remind me of a letter from a couple of weeks ago regarding the Second Amendment. The writer said "the Second Amendment would be OK under Barack Obama's administration because Barack Obama says he will defend your right to own guns." My question to that writer is "why don't you look at his voting record instead of just listening to him and the news media?" The news media won't mention how he has voted for all of the gun control laws aimed at prosecuting people who use guns for self-defense in the home or that he voted to ban the sale of almost all hunting ammunition as well as increase taxes on firearms and ammunition by 500 percent. Speaking of the news media, they fail to tell you the financial collapse was started because of changes made during Pres.[38] Being a Democrat, you'll argue against that knowledge until the cows come home. When you see another letter with the McCammon name, spewing the hate for conservatives, just know that it's not me or my immediate family, for thankfully, we've learned to see the light, through educating ourselves on how our U.S. government really works not for you or me, but for their own pockets, i.e. Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Barack Obama, Franklin Raines, and their ilk. Unfortunately, many of my cousins have not, or apparently, never will admit that the Dems aren't always right, nor do they work in our best interest.[38] A number of pundits, mostly of the conservative variety, would like you to believe that if Barack Obama wins on Tuesday, it's the mainstream media'''s fault.[31]

Local campaign contributions picked up in January when Barack Obama emerged as a serious contender for the Democratic presidential nomination and continued through the spring as he fought a bruising primary fight with Hillary Clinton. Then they just kept on coming.[14] Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden pushed early voting in Florida on Wednesday and urged supporters to come onstage for a training session in how to go door to door for presidential candidate Barack Obama.[39]

When '''Joe the plumber''' does a better job of critiquing your opponent than you do, you probably don't have the rhetorical skills to be a good candidate. Could another candidate who wasn't a lifelong Capitol Hiller ''' that is, obsessed with earmarks ''' and knew how to run against a Democrat have done better? Well, perhaps, but no candidate who fit that bill was available this time around. Some of the candidates who lost to McCain ''' say, Mike Huckabee or Mitt Romney ''' might have made better arguments against Obama, but they weren't as centrist or as experienced as him, which would have granted Obama the advantage anyway. [31] When you have an obviously superior candidate who is also a frontrunner with a lot more ad $behind him, you have to figure 'what's holding back the undecideds?' If they aren't voting for Obama yet, it's unlikely they'll change their minds yet. if the undecideds vote at all, i expect they will go to McCain by a wide margin.[21] McCain calls Obama a typical liberal politician. Granted, it's disappointing that Obama's mix of tax cuts for most people and increases for the wealthy would create an estimated $2.9 trillion in federal debt. He has made more promises on spending than McCain has. We wish one of these candidates had given good, hard specific information on how he would bring the federal budget into line.[13] Modern democracy developed in large part to substitute for civil war ''' read about the "dams and dykes" of Thomas Hobbs' The Leviathan for reference. It comes as no surprise, then, that tempers become heated and cooler heads often do not prevail at political rallies. When I talked with Bobby Clark of ProgressNow Action about their video, he said the McCain campaign had people going up and down the line telling folks not to respond to the protesters. The Obama campaign, as far as I could tell, focused their energy elsewhere. At least no fist fights broke out, though that one McCain guy in the video did punch a cardboard cutout of Obama.[40] McCain'''s problem is that Obama has come off as the more temperate figure in the general election to date. Beginning with McCain's selection of Sarah Palin ''' the Hannah Montana of American politics ''' the GOP fall campaign has been a roller coaster, punctuated by three debates in which the standard bearer somehow couldn't articulate a coherent argument as to why his opponent was unqualified for the presidency.[31] Look at all the forums that are packed with Obama supporters, look at all the media outlets that have been subsidized by the Obama campaing headquarters, look at all the registering of yound people. The RNC better get some smarts and start working on the next election because it looks as if they may have flubbed this one away royally. They did, and Palin is putting the last nails on the Republicans' coffin. I have never seen our country in such turmoil and devastation.[2]

It is fear of change, or the lack of change, that are polarizing our electorate. In an odd way, my brief meeting with Joe the golden retriever owner, while doing some canvassing for the Obama campaign yesterday evening here in Boca Raton, FLA., was probably a pretty good way to help me regain some sense of balance in these final days leading up to the election. It is easy, reading everything you can find on the web, to get caught up in the waves of the news cycle, and the high-amp that happens when shows try to find extreme points of view, which, sadly, this year, are plentiful.[25] The Obama campaign has spent months attracting new voters to register in key battleground states. Now, the fate of the presidency may depend on his campaign's success in getting those voters to the polls.[12] The Obama campaign senses opportunity in the county, and has opened six field offices there. In the town of Ambler, the field office is packed with volunteers, most using their own cell phones to contact voters. Volunteer coordinator Doreen Davis, who has worked in several prior presidential campaigns, says she has never seen anything like the level of commitment of these volunteers. "There are people in this room, school teachers who have recently retired in the area, union workers who are not going in until the night shift tonight," she said. "So yes, I think it is surprising - both the breadth and the depth."[7] Jonathan is right - Joe (Sam) the plumber was scripted by the McCain campaign, so as to use Obama's words to scare little weak minds like yours with chants of "socialist" and "Marxist". McCarthyism is dead for one reason, it was insanity.[2] Bush's presidency, where McCain voted almost always with the white house, will seem like some mad dream of the past, that must never be allowed to happen again. That is part of what Sen Obama wants to reclaim for America.[2]

Ouch. As for McCain, Gibson notes his and the president's support for a comprehensive immigration bill that would grandfather in an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. In an e-mail, he said he plans to vote for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party. "Many of us have grown weary of the politics of appeasement practiced by both Bush and McCain," he said. "As a result, we've stopped caring about this election long ago, when it became that there would actually be two liberals running for president in 2008."[2] There is no problem with people disagreeing with President Bush. Vocal disagreement with politicians is what reminds them of to whom they must answer, but this is over the line. It's not a matter of party affiliation. Even-handed parody, whether focusing on former President Clinton, whoever wins this election, or any other politician should be the goal.[41]

The next dominating issue was immigration. McCain had courageously backed President Bush in offering a comprehensive plan that included a path to permanent residency for the 12 million undocumented foreign citizens already in the U.S. But when the heat was turned up by a seeming deluge of opposition from the extreme right wing, McCain folded and actually voted against the bill that he had co-sponsored.[24] McCain, meanwhile, has a steeper climb ahead. Behind in several key states and forced to defend turf that President Bush held onto in 2004, he has fewer routes to victory, but could still pull it off.[5]

Obama focuses on early childhood learning and addresses the dropout crisis through funding public school districts to invest in innovative intervention strategies. McCain states his intent to limit the role of government in public education, with no clear indication of what those limitations entail. [17] Even if he was not a McCain plant, he surely planted himself-- he recently registered as a Republican BEFORE he asked Obama the question. He clearly planted himself, in the least, was very dishonest all the way around, and then played "aw sucks, i'm just a fake plumber."[2] Many liberals don't get it. It doesn't matter who Joe is, whether he is a real plumber or if he was a "plant." Obama revealed in one of the VERY FEW unscripted moments some of his ideaology THAT is what matters. Up until the point of this Obama supporters tried denying the "spread the wealth" type mentality and I think they're mad because it made them change strategies. Now its "republicans are socialist, bush is socialist, tax laws are already socialist, etc" because it is MUCH harder to deny the FACT of what obama said.[2]

After hearing about some of Bob's more interesting theories (did you know the economy was just as bad under Clinton as under Bush?), I talked with a very nice group of young men who created the Web site BadChange.com. I have to admit, it's very a catchy name for an anti-Obama site. The group fights "for the protection of the sanctity of all human life, especially those who have no voice we believe in upholding the sanctity of human life in all circumstances." Scott Fisher, one of the creators of the site and their "main media guy," told me some Obama supporters had accused him that day of being "racist, which I don't understand. I'd vote for a black president if he stood for what I stood for."[40] We certainly would have remained holding the trust and respect we had in the world community before we elected the worst president in the history of our country. It's not only the national debt. It's the crazy energy price bubble for the past three years that Bush did nothing about. It's the high price of food. it's the stupid Iraq war that will cost this country over two trillion dollars by the time it is over. It's the financial and mortgage meltdown that saw millions of peoples savings and home equity wiped out while hedge fund and wall street guys walked away with millions. The GOP will have it's day again.[2]

The fundamentalist and conservative churches are full of hatred for anyone and anything gay. It is just another example of how their beliefs are twisted into hatreds by their ministers, because the ignorant people need someone to hate, to make up for their own hatred of themselves, for how ignorant they are. These religions should legally be considered cults, and should legally be required to register as hate groups. Their people will be free only when their ministers, and those who feed off these churches, stand in the unemployment line. God will surely deal with them later. The republican party as it is now controlled is all about power and money, regardless of how they hurt the nations people. They deserve to be sent to the hinterlands for a generation, until they wake up and clean house big time And then there can be reborn again, pardon the pun, a real republican party where the good of the nation comes first, and cooperation in our government between the parties become the norm.[2] The Fox News watching, intolerant, socially conservative evangelical "base" that Rove and Co. have pandered to, and who noisily support the war in Iraq, torture of "enemy combatants" and the government spying on citizens are the ones who ruined the Republican party. Ruining the republican party is one thing, but will the electorate allow these criminals to ruin what's left of our country? Let's hope not.[2]

The housing bubble did not begin to start until Bush got in office, and it increased greatly after the bankruptcy bill was passed. Now I could go on and on, about how Bush ruined the economy and how he cut taxes but increased spending. The real problem for the Republican party is, they put up a candidate that was a '''conservative''' that turned out to be someone who just didn't care and never did the dirty work conservatives have to do.[19] "They are like reeds shaking in the wind." As far as Republican conservatism goes I have noticed that most conservatives that I know are happy as long as no one touches their pocketbooks. When Bush proposed his tax cuts and increased military spending for an unnecessary war the conservatives were praising him. Now, eight years later, when Wall Street is falling apart and their money is at risk they are crucifying him. They gladly accepted the profits born of corporate tax breaks, sub-prime mortgages, defense contracts and oil deals with foreign nationals.[2]

Democrats tend to focus on employment and middle-class wage growth, which is reflected in things like job creation programs, increases in the minimum wage, more generous EITC benefits, worker-friendly appointments to the National Labor Relations Board, pro-unionization policies, and so forth. The result is a spike in economic activity, but it's a spike that has mostly worn off by the fourth year of their term. Republicans, by contrast, tend to focus their honeymoon period on tax cuts for high earners and inflation-fighting measures. This may produce poor economic results on average, but it turns out to be timed to briefly produce a spike in activity three years in the future.[34] Enough of the whining and lets get on with it. The republican party has no one else to blame but itself for its destruction. It has for 40 + years aligned itself with the old south, many of whom, with ignorance and prejudice filling their hearts, harbor dislike, disdain etc for the People who were it's victims for a hundred years after the civil war, via segregation. Really, the other people they hurt were themselves. It is so interesting to notice how in some areas, where high tech companies have established themselves, their educated employees are overwhelmingly democrats. Because the old south is so full of what are really religious/racial and economic based hatreds, that they have hurt themselves as well, terribly so.[2] What is happening to the republican party will happen to the democratic party in four. People are fed up with these two parties. It doesn't matter what is said by both candidates, we won't see it.[2]

My only hope is that if Obama gets elected, and by all electoral polls it is not even close, that perhaps a Barry Goldwater will come up from the Republican party, and reform the current mess of a party. I do not call myself a republican because they left me, I did not leave them.[19] Take Palin as a perfect examply of what has gone wrong with the Republican party. The media has said relatively little about some of her far out ideology but Palin is way way out there. She personally has been involved in anti witchcraft rituals, she has given speaches as Governor to the Alaska separatist movement, her church is scary, etc. But the Republican party wanted Palin because they felt she would appeal to their base? So what does that say about the Republican base, that they are very very far from mainstream America. Even Palin's comments to rural, white evangelicals, that they are the true Americans, the true patriots, says a lot about where the Republican party has gone.[2] I've got nothing to say to the social conservatives who want to tell me that my kid has to pray aloud in school, or learn religious dogma dressed up as pseudoscience, or that I'm not allowed to marry who I love. They don't want to find a way forward in a spirit of bipartisan negotiation and tolerance, they want to remake America in their own bigoted image. It's the social conservatives and the rabid evangelicals who have destroyed the Republican party.[2]

I was beginning to wonder whether there were still any other people who fit the "old" Republican mold - fiscally conservative, limiting Federal government to the things that can be done more efficiently or make more sense to aggregate at the federal level (i.e. Defense, NASA, etc.) without it getting so small that there's anarchy, and delegating decisions about social issues to state or local government. As a "hawkish" fiscal conservative who has his own views on gay marriage and abortion (none of which involve the Federal Government getting a say), picking between the Republicans and the Democrats is an exercise in trying to find the lesser of two evils.[2] I'm a democrat, probably always will be. I can respect fiscal republicans, because I understand there are two approaches to government. (I just don't think that people are generous enough to help those who really do need help, without the government stepping in.)[2]

The conservative republican base is stuck in stone age. They have no respect for women or their rights. Surprisingly even some women like Palin dont respect their own sex. If these people come to power I can't imagine the fate of this nation. I'm happy to see the end of the GOP. Maybe the'll be replaced by something that isn't so consumed by hate.[2] The gap between Obama's speeches and his actual view is so large its a joke. In 2004 he presented himself as a centrist to the right of Bill Clinton - who govered like a moderate republican (nafta, welfare reform etc.).[13]

Today, the McCain team is out with a new television ad called 'Compare' that touts McCain as a 'proven' leader and calls Obama 'risky.' On Monday a 7-year-old interview Obama gave on the courts and civil rights became additional fodder for McCain's contention that the Illinois senator has extreme views on the economy.[5] McCain has been using the fear that voters have about taxation and stated '''Obama believes in redistributing wealth, not in policies that grow our economy and create jobs.[23]

What happened: Obama is accusing John McCain of blocking stem-cell research, using a charged appeal from the mother of a diabetic child to slam McCain falsely as someone who's blocking a cure.[35] John McCain is a typical Republican who promises change, which means less change in your pocket.[42]

If you can afford the time and expense to serve the final days of the campaign through the election on November 4th, please apply on line at JohnMcCain.com/deployment and pack your bags!" McCain campaign Atlantic County coordinator John Zarych, meanwhile, was more circumspect.[43] Now, 20 months later, on the eve of the 2008 presidential election, McCain no doubt would like to turn back the clock, and once again ask band leader Paul Shaffer '''Can we try that again.''' McCain would likely jump at the chance to trade in the past 20 months for a very different campaign model, one where he plays all the aces he once held in his hand much differently.[24] The people have had enough lessons in terrible politics. Like a rotting fish, they can smell it in McCains campaign, thanks to the terrible lessons from Bush and his gang.[2]

Instead of inferring that the U.S. could and should stay in Iraq indefinitely, suppose McCain acknowledged there needed to be an end date. That would have put him in alignment with the current Iraqi leadership which has been trying to get a recalcitrant Bush administration to agree to a specific phase out timetable. McCain had the opportunity to justify his support for the surge as a successful tactic to give Iraqis more time to get their own political house in order. McCain has shown no flexibility and has lost the public's confidence that he is better able to phase out U.S. involvement in the warwhich remains a high priority among U.S. voters.[24] "John McCain bucked the majority of our party in standing strong with me in urging the Bush administration to lift restrictions on stem-cell research, and last year voted to overturn the Bush policy."[35] Where perhaps you can write a book on how the republican party went so terribly terribly wrong. That would also be so wonderfully Patriotic, Senator. As well as helping to begin healing the terrible results of the republican Bush years, given to us by a party so terribly corrupted by greed and lies that they currently don't even appear to know the difference between those failings and the truth.[2] The Democratic and Republican Party Republicrats have, for countless years, wreaked enormous pain, suffering, and havoc upon the masses of women, men, and children around the globe.[6]

If so, the Republican Party, only recently besotted by dreams of a generational Pax Republicana, might find itself driven back into the deep South and deep West for who knows how long, " an extremist rump, reduced to a few stronghold states and obsessed with causes that seem not to matter to the general public."[30] Always happy to spend more money, rather than raising taxes Bush simply goes to China or Japan and borrows more. That kind of irresponsible behavior has brought this nation to the brink of a depression and destroys any notion of fiscal conservatism, once a trademark of the Republican Party.[2]

You see, starting back in 2000, and before 911, it was mostly the Republican governors, Republican legislatures, and county elected Republican officials that conspired with the corrupt Bush McCain administration to raise college, and university tuitions by the fastest, and highest rate increases in American history.[21]

Rudy Giuliani might have mounted an effective challenge, but we've learned that the Republicans will never nominate someone that liberal on social issues. McCain might have been his party'''s best option under these very difficult circumstances.[31] My time as a prosecutor has led me to believe that McCain's approach would be more effective. Since crime is largely influenced by local and state initiatives, no matter who wins, progress on this issue can and must be made.[17] A cloud of doubt appears to be forming in Europe over an Obama Presidency. "Rest assured that, should he win, Mr Obama is bound to disappoint," wrote the FT(The Financial Times in London). "He is expected to heal the country's racial divisions, reverse the trend of rising inequality, improve middle-class living standards, cut almost everybody's taxes, transform the image of the United States abroad, end the losses in Iraq, deal with the mess in Afghanistan and much more besides.[2] A republican win will doom the United States forever. McCain/Palin will ruin what's left of this country by pandering to the religious extremists who wish to take over the United States and force us all to follow their religion.[2]

Economic, social, and political matters will have become far worse. As civil rights attorney P. Jerome correctly concludes in the article titled, No Dog in this Fight, which states in relevant part: "If McCain wins, more war and more austerity. [6] The poor state of the economy may outweigh any vestiges of racial prejudice. "Some might vote for McCain as a way of resisting for what to them would not be a brave new world, but a world turned upside down," said Professor Randall Miller. "And others are going to overcome it because there are other concerns besides that and they are going to say 'what is in my best interest.'"[7] We've had a lot of success, and we've recruited a number of people." Volunteers carpool across the river to Pennsylvania, he said, where they join with a canvas team to pound the pavement in Philadelphia neighborhoods, reminding supporters to vote on Nov. 4. Another program, called Last Call for Change asks volunteers to make phone calls from within New Jersey out to the battleground states.[43]

Hood said the robot is an attention-grabber that fits Obama's message of change. Nearly all students have greeted the machine with positive attention, he said. "I might have heard two people say, 'That should be a McCain robot,' " he said.[33] Your reasoning is not without merit, but far more detailed analyses at a range of websites have convinced me it is indeed all over. That page includes the likelihood that McCain's vote is being underestimated, but still concludes Obama will be in the order of 375 electoral college votes to McCain's 163.[21] Palin and her husband are still very much an item. McCain married into millions thanks to his wife's ownership of an alcohol distribution company. Obama made his fortune writing books and working as a professor. In one of his autobiographies, Obama tells of his use of illicit drugs as a young man dealing with issues he blamed on the absence of his father for most of his life.[20] Shows Obama getting practical expereince by interning with Spain's president, making "actual executive decisions" and getting tepid endorsements from Spanish cabinet ministers who have trouble remembering which intern Obama is. Answer: "No Senator McCain is old so he is already qualified to be president."[21] Economics department chairman Jon Hamilton has also publicly endorsed Obama. He spoke at a press conference last month where he said he supported Obama's tax plan and thought it was being distorted by McCain.[33] Obama, not so much. He and his running mate are openly pro-choice. They readily point out that fewer abortions is always better. These pastors also extolled the benefits of the traditional marriage and how homosexual marriage is an affront to Biblical principles. I agree on this point, but I don't think the path to McCain is quite as clear as those in the pulpit seem to.[20]

Casey in a telephone interview afterward said McCain and running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have maintained a nearly constant presence in Pennsylvania since the nominating conventions because of the state's history of close elections. [27] Asked about an e-mail sent to McCain supporters titled "Can you invest a few days of your life to make history?" and asking for "volunteers who are willing to spend the final days of the campaign helping in a nearby state," Feldman insisted that the e-mail was "not from the campaign.[43] "We're trying to respond to the automated robocalls," Poag said, referring to one of the McCain campaign's tactics in several states.[43]

Labor unions have deployed hundreds of members - many from out of state - to work on behalf of the Obama campaign.[7] Was much of the mainstream media tilted toward Obama this election cycle? Undoubtedly ''' sometimes embarrassingly so. The support of the mainstream media ''' while irritating to those whose sympathies lie elsewhere ''' doesn't count for much. Way back in the early 1980s, in his brilliant book The Real Campaign, Jeff Greenfield convincingly argued that the media "made almost no difference''' in the outcome of the 1980 Reagan-Carter-Anderson election. (Reagan won big, of course, even though the press disliked him.) That was in the era when the mainstream media really did dominate ''' pre-cable, pre-Internet, and pre-You Tube. Now, "the mainstream media" finds its numbers of readers and viewers dwindling.[31] Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can.[21] REMEMBER, no matter which of us may stumble or fall, the rest of you must continue to surge forward for Barack Obama, and the democrats, and for your-selves most of all.[21]

Beep! We'''re offering a low introductory rate of just 2.999999 per cent to qualified ''' Beep! Barack Obama may be a smooth talker, but as everyone in '''real America''' understands, articulate people can'''t be trusted.[22] We'''ve driven by your address three times, but we couldn'''t find your house, only a giant pile of leaves. If you could please call ''' Beep! Christmas is under attack! Barack Obama and the liberal elite would have it stricken from our vocabulary! This is why it is not good enough for stores to start playing Christmas music in mid-October.[22] I am encouraged that Barack Obama's plan provides for small- and home-based business owners to get coverage similar to that of federal employees, and that there would be no dropping or denial of coverage because of prior illness.[17] Barack Obama's Web site exemplifies the use of Web technology to produce a community, solicit suggestions and feedback, facilitate the formation of interest groups and garner significant funds from ordinary citizens.[17]

Obama and a democratic Congress will push us closer to socialism, the American people will get angry and the democratic Congress will get obliterated in the mid term election. [2] The history of revolutions for democracy over empire has always been that the most oppressive, tyrannical, and deceitful empires against peoples' own interests are the ripest for revolution, eg. British Empire oppressing American colonists causing the American Revolution; Louis XVI oppression and looting of French masses causing the French Revolution; Batista's pawn fascism for American corporate and gambling oppression of peasants causing the Cuban Revolution; and most recently the Soviet Empire's political economic oppression of their own people causing the 2nd Russian Revolution. Therefore, the good news today in America is that the ruling-elite 'corporatist Empire' controlling our country through the façade of its two-part, 'Vichy' sham of faux-democracy is clearly the most extreme example of non-democratic oppression and tyranny on its own people in the world today and thus a cleansing democratic revolution is absolutely certain for the American people to overthrow this hidden 'corporatist Empire' that has grown like a cancer in our midst, and to RE-establish American democracy over an Empire just like we did in 1776.[6]

" -- Joseph Goebbels. "The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."[25] Job security for local state and national party leaders. If they get their people elected they have a job in the next two years. If they fail they can look at the option (thought not certainty) of being an unemployed political operative. It's one thing to be an unemployed laborer or teacher or executive, there are many organizations to apply to work for.[2]

The expected heavy turnout of black voters for Obama could have an impact down the ballot as well, perhaps even in some of the statewide ballot issues, particularly a Religious Right-backed effort to make adoption and foster parenting more difficult for single people. The measure is aimed at punishing gay people and, in this, the usual liberal-black coalition falters because of a lack of enthusiasm for gay rights among many influential black church leaders. [44] The stakes are too high for voters to get it wrong this election. I will be voting for the Obama-Biden ticket because I believe this team is on the right side of the issues and has the right leadership qualities for this time.[4]

On economic issues, Obama is far more progressive and expensive. Don't look down on those still making up their minds. There is no clear answer to the question these candidates pose. Those who make black and white decisions in an election shaded in gray are fooling themselves and trying to fool you. Find out all you can about both candidates.[20] Out of the 50 states, Illinois ranks 48th in economic performance, 47th in employment growth, 7th highest in median property taxes paid and first in sales tax burden. These statistics just scratch the surface of where Chicago and Illinois is now, as a result of the changes Sen. Obama worked hard on for us. From looking at Senator Obama's past history, he is not capable of bringing any good changes to his constituency in the future.[45] Mr Obama also wants as many states in the bag as possible to insulate against shock results that go against what the polls predict.[46] 'Recent polls show Obama leading by double digits in the fight for Pennsylvania's 21 electoral votes.[5] Vote for Obama, and the democrats like your life, and the lives of your loved ones depends on it.[21] Just like there is nothing new with the Democrats, there's nothing new with the Republicans either. They like big business, they believe in the trickle-down theory, that we are supposedly going to eat the crumbs that fall from Caesar's mouth at the big feast. I would argue that they have very good crumb catchers to make sure you get less and less.[26]

Republicans do not win by genius. 'They win by suppression. They win by the margin of Democrats’ inability to organize, and mobilize, and galvanize their base. They win by the margin of Democrats’ failure to pick up their rocks and hurl them toward the enemy. This time around, Obama supporters are faced with unusually favorable circumstances.[37] Carter won, just as Obama will likely win, but the outcome was in doubt right up until the end.[21] Whoever said, "There ain't no free lunch" had it right, and the adage of "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it" is so appropriate right now. Obama is already saying that he "might have to cut some of those programs" he's espousing like health care and tax cuts.[38]

Even Obama was impressed on how the weather didn't deter supporters. 'This is an unbelievable crowd for this kind of weather,' he said. After thanking election officials, he began by reminding people how close Election Day was.[28] Obama chose a more experienced and more thoughtful running mate--he put governing before politicking. Sen. Joe Biden doesn't bring many votes to Obama, but he would help him from day one to lead the country.[13]

In the past two weeks, I have heard four pastors remind me that my vote carries a religious responsibility. It is difficult when you sense that spiritual advisers haven't read the whole script. They tell me that abortion is wrong and thus I should support the candidates who are pro-life. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that McCain has a long record of pro-life voting and his running mate certainly did nothing to dissuade voters from believing he stands firm there. [20] Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again.[21]

On crime-fighting, John McCain focuses on issues such as pursuing Internet predators, strengthening sex offender registries, naming judges who will not "engage in judicial activism," increasing penalties on repeat offenders and gang members, and prosecuting and deporting illegal aliens who commit crimes. His is a tough, law-and-order approach.[17] John McCain doesn't understand that medical research benefiting millions shouldn't be held hostage by the political views of a few."[35] John McCain's education policies begin with extending No Child Left Behind. He plans to give parents greater choice through vouchers. While vouchers may allow a few families to send their children to private schools, the program siphons funding from schools in low-income neighborhoods.[17]

For years, if not decades, the U.S. public has been hungry for reforms that will provide universal access to health care at reasonable cost, regardless of work situations or existing health conditions. Of all the many options open to him, McCain decided to follow the most ideologically '''pure''' free market pathone that puts even more stress on those who most need the security of health insurance and promotes the failed notion that health care is merely another marketplace for individual consumer choice, not an essential need for a civilized society. [24] When asked to name the biggest threat to U.S. economic viability, McCain believed it to be radical Islamic fundamentalism, an amazing statement given the myriad threats to U.S. economic supremacy.[17]

One would like to spread the wealth around (socialism), one would like to keep the U.S. a capitalist country (earn, spend, keep, give as an individual desires). One party wanted women to have equal opportunity even to become president, now they don't think one should become vice president, since she is of the other party. [38] Of course, there are a lot of people who would disagree with me on that, fair enough. I think it's going to take America's middle class hitting the ground very hard to snap out of what they've been voting for for the last eight years. Then there are other days when I just think, Screw it, you're that stupid, you like having these kids come home with their legs blown off. Well, why don't you just fuck more and send more bodies into this thing? Like Sarah. Send all five of your kids into the maw of this beast.[26] Obama thinks that spreading the wealth is a fair idea and so, last but not least, Americans can look forward to socialism for the next four years.[4] Now, the American dream under Obama will be. don't work hard, buy a home with someone else's money, support your family with someone else's money. rely on the government.[2] Obama has also taken a position on gay marriage, "I'm a Christian. So, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." Both men and their running mates oppose same-sex marriage, but all support civil unions and have voted almost identically on the subject.[20] On moral issues, McCain may win, but it is a split decision at best certainly not the knockout the GOP would have you believe.[20] The messsage hasn't sunk in with the McCain campaign, which is dredging up the old politics of the McCarthy era, etc, trying to use character assasination to win the presidency.[2] At the McCain field office in Montgomery county outside Philadelphia, campaign volunteers show no sign of giving up. They fill the office, the only one in the county, as they make calls and stuff envelopes with campaign literature in the effort to attract support.[7] Over the past 20 months, at least five major issues have, at one point or another, dominated the campaign environment. McCain has bungled each and every one of them.[24]

Yeah, really, damn that mainstream media for calling out McCain on his lies, his deceptions and his incompetence. No offense Weinman, but you obviously haven't followed this election closely enough.[21] According to the final numbers of active voters from the Nevada Secretary of State's office, there are 1,207,423 registered voters in the state. If turn-out is identical to 2004, there would be 935, 753 Nevadans casting ballots in this year's election.[12] The numbers are meant to illustrate a more important fact that will determine the electoral outcome in Nevada and a handful of other states on Election Day.[12]

After two straight right-to-the-wire races - in 2000 and 2004 - the Democrat hopeful wants to bury Republican JohnMcCain in a landslide. To that end, he has discarded the conventional strategy of holding on to safe states ("Blue" states for Democrat and "Red" for Republican) and fighting it out in traditional "toss-up" states. [46] With the economy in meltdown, everything Ron Paul has predicted has come true. Every reason for the meltdown he pointed out. The Republicans have blamed Fannie and Freddie Mac and the failed Carter principles and why shouldn't they! The Democrats have blamed Bush's failed economic policies and why shouldn't they! Bush and his sponsored bankruptcy bill, made creditors feel safe offering stupid loans.[19] While we can't endorse a candidate in every race across the country, we strongly encourage you to pull the Democrat's lever over the Republican's.[47]

Voters do remain somewhat concerned about Obama's experience level. He holds a 15-point advantage among voters regarding which candidate is best able to handle the economy.[27] Obama was far more liberal and far less experienced than the average Democratic candidate.[31]

Even if the polls showed a dead heat, I think Obama's massive resource investment in (and enthusiasm of) a ground organization will lock him the victory.[21] In an odd way, my brief meeting with Joe the golden retriever owner, while doing some canvassing for the Obama campaig. It is fear of change, or the lack of change, that are polarizing our electorate.[25] Empower the American people. I think the best way to do that is to get them involved in their government through direct democracy.[6] I'm hopeful to get the person I want into office, but if it doesn't happen, I'm not taking a day off. So I can't be one of those people cheering when Bush steps down, because he's basically stepping away from a crime scene. He's stepping away from thousands of dead marines and dead Iraqis and disenfranchised Americans.[26]

The press likes to focus on the day-to-day campaign. That's what sells papers (or at least used to, in the days when people actually bought papers).[31] Palin/s selection was a complete sellout by the republcians to the extreme religious right take no prisoners crownd, a group that would fit in so well in places like Saudi Arabia and Iran, if you only replaced "Jesus and the bible" with "Allah and the Quoran". The same mindset, the same absolutism, the same total we are right, you are wrong about God gang. Their only goal is to control your mind, for their power rush, ego and money. The same mentality that gave some Islamic religious people total control over the legal and social life of their countries. That laid the foundations for 9/11, etc. For their leaders are all so corrupt that only pure religious hatred can succeed in hiding who they are from their people, and creating hatred so vile that they would drive airplanes into buildings. And, though not as violent, the similarity between southern fundamentalist churches and others of their ilk to how these other societies have been corrupted is frightening. We can drive them out of the political process, and as their people come to understand what they really stand for, their leaders will preach only to the dust in the pews, and the dust of their departed, who never realized how they were used.[2]

Our purpose was to offer a more constructive approach aiming at correcting the abusive traditional, so-called scientific, theories of Optics. It's like to say that in the exceptional circumstances in which we live today - in the point of view of FINANCE and ENERGY - no exploration in the mid or long term, by the american expertise, of an additional source of energy, at the same time safe and economically profitable, should not be ruled out. That is why, we wrote to that authentic witness to the signs of this age, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the prophet of the new era. [5] Americans are focused on the greatest threat to the world economic system in 80 years. They feel a personal vulnerability the likes of which they haven't experienced since Sept. 11, 2001. It's a different kind of vulnerability. Unlike Sept. 11, the economic threat hasn't forged a common bond in this nation. It has fed anger, fear and mistrust.[13]

Personally knowing a lot of traditionally GOP supporters I think you are going to see a type of reverse Bradley effect or more like a "1990 Bob Rae" effect. Voters who would never think of, and who will never admit to voting for, a leftist anti-gun, pro-abortion, wealth re-distributor will actually in the solitude of the voting booth, vote for him and then never speak of it. [21] Lacking an alternative like that, the people have no choice but to vote for Massa.[41]

In the politcal world there are really two, and if you piss one off. well, let's just say good luck finding work. They will say anything and do anything to get people of their party elected regardless of the candidate, the issues or the race in question.[2] The Democratic party is progressive and more powerful than ever before. The Republicans are doing every thing they can to suppress the gay community and stop same sex marriage.[47] If it were truly a fair election, it probably wouldn't be, but I think the Republicans, truth be known, cheat.[26] No one is buying the Ayers thing. I do think that they'll have to resort to cheating to try and win, or at least make it a close election, because I think Barack is pulling away. Well, for me, it's not one of those "ding-dong, the witch is dead" situations.[26]

President Bush can look out the window on Pennsylvania Avenue this morning and see construction workers beginning to build the inaugural viewing stands for the next president. For those who are superstitious, the weather at Bush's first inaugural was dark, cold and wet. [48]

REFERENCES

1. Do You Remember the Conservative Revolution? I Wonder Where it Went? | Best Syndication
2. Conservatives say Bush and McCain destroyed Republican Party | Countdown to Crawford | Los Angeles Times
3. WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Candidate Campaign Update
4. 'The stakes are too high' - Bangor Daily News
5. Uken som gjenst'r : Dagsavisen
6. OpEdNews ' Enough is Enough ! WHAT IS NEEDED IS AN END TO CORPORATE FASCISM, CORPORATE GOVERNMENT
7. VOA News - McCain Fights for Pennsylvania, but Obama Ahead in Polls
8. How McCain Thinks He Can Win Pennsylvania - TIME
9. McCain willing to do anything to be elected
10. Broder: McCain's weak management skills have hurt his campaign - Salt Lake Tribune
11. Bush cleanup -- dailypress.com
12. Capitol Weekly: The Newspaper of California State Government and Politics
13. Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama: Their First Endorsement of a Democrat by Carla G. - politics, chicago tribune endorsement for obama, election | Gather
14. Region's donors favor Obama - RecordOnline.com - The Times Herald Record
15. Buffalo Reflex - Buffalo, Missouri - Neighbor Newspapers > News > Every vote counts in Missouri,
16. TheImproper.com | Arts | Entertainment | Culture
17. Readers write and comment on election issues | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle
18. McCain Robocalls Running In Arizona - Horserace
19. For Those Not Happy With The Candidates. | Political Lore .com
20. Kent Bush: Candidates are the leading men in nationwide morality tale - Norwich, CT - Norwich Bulletin
21. My First And Last Directly U.S. Election-Related Comment : TV Guidance : Macleans.ca Blog Central
22. keepMEcurrent.com - Guest Columns News - Current Publishing, LLC
23. CD-News | Daily News Articles
24. U.S. Politics Today - News Media Monitoring
25. Brian Ross: Channel This Election Fervor Into Helping the Country
26. Henry Rollins - Time Out New York
27. LancasterOnline.com:News:Thompson blasts Obama
28. Obama & McCain battle in Pennsylvania
29. Federal News Service - Transcript
30. Evangelicals and Rural Americans Are Breaking Big for Obama | Election 2008 | AlterNet
31. The Phoenix > News Features > Maverick in a mess
32. Which way will the secret Bush voter go? - The Boston Globe
33. UF faculty divide support between Obama, McCain | GatorSports.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL
34. D.C. Progressive Examiner: Worker rights : Are Republicans or Democrats better for your salary?
35. Out of bounds! Obama falsely accuses McCain of blocking stem-cell research - National Elections - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington
36. The Associated Press: AP Top News at 1:34 p.m. EDT
37. Metro - Hill: Barack Obama rocks
38. Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - Readers' Forum: Oct. 30, 2008
39. USA Today Editoweb 29 october 2008
40. Colorado Independent » Throwdown: Obama crowd vs. McCain crowd
41. Area readers comment on various issues | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle
42. Concord Monitor - Support Democrats
43. Campaigns recruit N.J. residents to work battleground Pa.
44. Arkansas Times
45. Windy City Times - Sounding off on the election
46. Obama makes inroads into Republican states
47. News | Entertainment | Politics | Nightclubs - GaySocialites.com
48. SFGate: Politics Blog : Inaugural stands going up

How John McCain ran against himself

CONTENTS:

The timing of the piece, coming as it did on the same morning that Mitt Romney was appearing (yet again) with John McCain (this time in Ohio) just adds to the offense. (More...)
With the failing McCain campaign (though not out by any stretch), a high GOP turnout is in serious jeopardy, especially against an expected record turnout by registered Democrats. (More...)
Since Romney suspended his campaign and subsequently formed the Free and Strong America political action committee in April, he has donated approximately $202,000 to 75 GOP candidates, according to numbers made available to NRO from the PAC. Romney has also made an additional $173,000 in donations through flexible spending accounts to five affiliated state PACS, including $10,000 to the National Organization for Marriage, which is working to pass Proposition 8 in California, and $5,000 to stop a ballot initiative in Massachusetts to decriminalize marijuana. (More...)
As far as declaring war on the New York Times and shunning the reporters who once lionized him, that tactic only makes political sense if McCain's ultimate goal is to win an anchor job on Fox News when the campaign is over. (More...)
"And as we face the very real possibility of an Obama presidency, that's the last thing we need," writes Romney. (More...)
Had McCain taken on the social conservatives in a convention floor fight, voters would still be talking about the GOP nominee's maverick moxie. (More...)
Romney told reporters at a breakfast for Utah Republicans during their party's national convention that he wasn't interested in a 2012 run. (More...)

The timing of the piece, coming as it did on the same morning that Mitt Romney was appearing (yet again) with John McCain (this time in Ohio) just adds to the offense. The truth is I can't think of another Republican leader who has spent more time this election year than Mitt Romney in helping GOP candidates and conservative causes, starting at the top of the ticket with McCain-Palin but also involving dozens of other federal and state races and some important ballot campaigns. Aside from the work he's done for the McCain-Palin ticket, he has personally campaigned for 32 candidates running for House and Senate seats, as well as for two gubernatorial candidates. Plus, the financial support he has extended goes beyond what he has been able to effect through his personal appearances. [1] Giuliani's plan came up way short, way early. His plan was to not contest in the smaller states in the primaries. He was counting on the big states like, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and California, where he was supposed to have a big advantage over everybody else. In the smaller states candidates like Mike Huckabee, an Evangelical preacher as well as former Governor of Arkansas, Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts and newly minted rightish wing conservative, and John McCain, Senator from Arizona, big time war hero, the Democrat's favorite Republican, and a bit of a dark horse, would have an advantage over the big eastern city mayor, but the theory went, they would also split the vote.[2] McCain presumably believed that these sharp policy reversals were necessary to win the GOP nomination. In truth, McCain triumphed because fortune looked his way with a broad grin. (Never underestimate luck in politics -- think where Obama might be if, say, Hillary Clinton had aggressively contested the caucus states after Iowa.) McCain narrowly edged Mitt Romney in the 2008 New Hampshire primary because, according to exit polls, he was strongly favored by Republicans and independents who felt "dissatisfied" or "angry" with Bush. Where South Carolina had been McCain's primary of broken dreams, it became in 2008 his political land of enchantment: Fred Thompson lured just enough social conservative votes away from Mike Huckabee that McCain squeaked to victory. While alternative history is inherently speculative, a reasonable case can be made that McCain could have won the 2008 Republican nomination even if he had not pandered to Falwell and had not abandoned his fiscal conservatism to compete with Romney on taxes. The victory formula would have been built around McCain's biography, his unorthodox style, his unstinting support for the surge in Iraq and the general feeling that eight years earlier the GOP made a tragic mistake with Bush.[3] Given the stark differences between McCain and Obama and the looming prospect of a Democratic sweep in Washington, some Republicans wonder whether conservatives really would have sat out the election just because McCain's running mate was a moderate on social issues. McCain might have been able to portray such a choice as a sign of political independence, and Ridge's views on abortion might have won McCain the hearing from Clinton supporters that the Palin pick once promised. McCain also passed over Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts who has strong family ties to Michigan, where his father was a long-serving governor. Republicans in Michigan believe that McCain would not have had to concede Michigan, another Democratic state he once hoped to carry, had the ticket been McCain-Romney.[4]

Sarah either does not understand, or perhaps does not wish to comprehend, that a presidential and vice presidential duo is supposed to function as an integrated team. The resulting flap prompted Sarah to be referred to by an operative from the McCain team calling her a "diva" while another negative comment erupted during that same rocky period that "Palin is a lightweight" and that Mitt Romney will become the Republican party's chief spokesman "on November 5." Mind you that all this is happening a week before Election Day. As for Sarah the free spirit, even minimal vetting from the McCain forces should have been enough to remove her from consideration for the vice presidency. Her two years as Alaska's governor have been marked by bickering and cronyism in which major positions have been frequently filled by ill-qualified long time Wasilla cronies.[5] Whomever is shooting at Palin from the McCain camp is not doing Romney's bidding. The good news for Mitt Romney is folks care what he's doing. Someone out there sees him as enough of a threat to their ambitions to try to wound him. That rarely happens to irrelevant also-rans. When longtime Romney spokesman Eric Fernstrom was asked about the former Massachusetts governor's future on Monday, the longtime aide suggested Romney's 2008 presidential ambitions weren't running his life: "Gov. Romney had his shot at the White House, and he lost fair and square." After a hostile primary season that highlighted some shameful instincts hostile to religious liberty both in the mainstream media and on the Right, you might not blame Romney if he went into retreat. He never did. Romney got on the campaign trail for John McCain, defending the free-market policies that this successful businessman could no doubt run with, if he were in the driver's seat.[6] November is almost here and the presidential campaign is winding to a close. The Democrats are planning for their tyrannical one-party rule of the White House and both houses of Congress, and the GOP is preparing to send John McCain out to pasture where he can roam free and eat as many apples as he wants. That means it's time to speculate about 2012! Jockeying in the Republican ranks has already begun, with several candidates trying to position themselves as the frontrunner to take on President Obama in the next election.[7] We never quit," McCain declares. A week before Election Day, the Republican is an enthusiastic underdog with what advisers say is a deep personal belief that he still has a chance to stage an upset next week. He has come back from the brink politically and personally before, and they say, he's resolved to do so again despite steep challenges. In the homestretch, he tells people to ignore the pundits who project an Obama triumph and the polls that favor the Democrat. He scorns Obama's confident air in the waning days as a premature "victory lap." He says the country deserves "someone who will fight 'til the end." And, he says a GOP victory is within reach. Some GOP pessimists have suggested he follow the example of Bob Dole, who, once he fell well behind Democrat Bill Clinton in 1996, shifted his campaign from states with the tightest presidential races to those where his appearance could most help Republican candidates for lesser offices.[8]

'Things are so at risk right now, you have to put your party affiliation behind you, you have to put your country first.' Arthurhultz said. He said if they're supporting McCain because they've always voted Republican, he said he'd ask them to think about their vote, noting the nation must move beyond categories and labels. 'I can only make up my own mind,' he said. He cautioned voters that there is risk in blind allegiance, noting a party or a candidate can take that vote for granted and the person or region then loses political leverage. Part of the reason he came forward to support Obama, he said, is because he used to ask people who said they supported him to'stand up' and show that support and they often would, sometimes at risk to their business. 'I have the same responsibility,' he said. 'That's what got me to endorse the first Democrat ever in my life. One message he is sharing with Obama campaign workers is he believes the race is a lot closer than the polls are showing. 'This is not a 60-40 country,' he said.[9] Romney's spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, says Romney's "only ambition" right now is working to get Republicans elected next week. "He's been raising money for candidates and campaigning in their districts," Fehrnstrom says. "Some of these people supported Mitt Romney in his campaign for president, and he's returning the favor. Others are good Republicans who find themselves in challenging races." As for the future, Fehrnstrom says, Romney plans to stay active "as a leader of the party" and continue to talk about the three prongs of his conservative views: a strong economy, strong families and a strong military. With a few years until the start of the 2012 chase, Romney could prep himself for another bid by burnishing his conservative credentials and working to ease fears that some voters have over his Mormon faith. Romney this year faced an electorate uneasy about his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which some evangelical Christian groups view as heretical or cultic. Political pundits say the more exposure Romney has with Americans, the more accepting they might be of his faith.[10]

When the McCain campaign famously withdrew from Michigan, Romney contributed $50,000 to the demoralized GOP there. According to his PAC, "The total amount of financial support to GOP candidates and conservative causes through Romney-controlled state and federal PACs is $375,000." The web piece further blamed former Romney aides for being the source of the Sarah-Palin-is-a-diva complaints coming out of the McCain camp, presumably meant to damage her post-election prospects should the Republican ticket lose next week. The problem with that is: Most of Romney's inner circle is still his inner circle ' some having come from the business world, others being Massachusetts people now running his PAC. Others returned to Washington, and are doing McCain surrogate work, but are far from campaign insiders.[6]

So quickly and without much fanfare, Rudy was gone. He was soon to be followed by Romney, Fred Thompson, actor, and former Senator from Tennessee, whose campaign never really got started, along with all the other Republican also-rans except Huckabee. Huckabee hung around and showed he had real potential as a stand-up comic, which eventually got him a show on FOX News. That left the old (oldest) last candidate standing as one John McCain, who had moved from a moderate populist Republican to a more center/right position. He did this to get on better terms with the Christian right wing of the Republicans, but they didn't quite warm up to him until he name Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate and that did seal the deal with the Republican right.[2] A recent EPIC-MRA telephone poll of 400 likely voters showed Obama with a 51 percent to 37 percent lead over the Republican. Many in McCain's party -- including his running mate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- felt he should have fought it out. "It's a tidal wave," Ballenger said, describing the pullout effects on others on the GOP ballot. "When your standard bearer" jumps ship that really says something, he said. "It's going to be a great Democratic year," Ballenger said. Another area that bodes well for Democratic is that they've displayed some pretty innovative fundraising methods -- led by Obama's Internet campaign that reportedly has resulted in $160 million in contributions from donors of $200 or less.[11] Early indications point to ruthless purges of the Republican Party by my colleagues in the VRWC (vast right-wing conspiracy) if the present polling numbers prove consistent and the GOP is swept away by a tsunami from East to West. First to be arrested in their rooms will be McCain aides Mark Salter, Steve Schmidt, and Rick Davis, the trio responsible for the defeatist decision to send the candidate rushing to Washington at the end of September, calling off the first incoherent debate for a few hours, and then ignoring the will of his own party in the House and the passionate voices of the Republican voters online and siding with the Democrats on the reckless, opaque, dictatorial Paulson bailout plan. Schmidt and flack Nicolle Wallace have already been notified they will be sent to the Sarah Palin camp for special tortures before they are thrown down the steps. Soon after the McCain camp will come the liquidation of the Republican National Committee the inert Mike Duncan, Jo Ann Davidson, Frank Donatelli, Carly Fiorina, and their slow-footed aides. This deletion is well advanced. There are no signs the RNC flacks will attempt to flee when the Praetorian guards knock, but if they do, it will only drag out the inevitable. All Republican members of the Senate will be sent arrest warrants, and only those shrewd enough to send them back with the names of the conspirators will be spared.[12]

Mitt could very easily tilt things more Beatty's way with a little effort. Before McCain was nominated, I liked Mitt from an issues perspective -- but always thought he was a little stiff/phony in the personality department. I now believe he does lack the "realness" of Palin -- and without much effort in the name of the party, he doesn't seem to get the "neighbors help one another" quality that would endear him to a greater percentage of Republicans. One of the paths to getting a conservative back in the White House is to highlight the "libs will do or say anything to win" selfish personalities of their leaders, and that their policies are marred with trying to please every voting group under the sun without any serious analysis on their effects. Mitt may believe in conservative policy, but he sure acts like he only cares about his personal political future -- to the detriment of the party.[1] All that would have been required to achieve electoral parity and a plausible road map to the White House would have been for the Republican nominee to have transformed himself into. (Warning: Mind-bending content ahead). the John McCain of the 2000 primaries. That was the fabled McCain who wooed reporters with nonstop rolling press conferences about the Straight Talk Express, who electrified independent voters in the New Hampshire primary with his clarion call for political reform and who late in the campaign denounced Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson as "agents of intolerance." Make no mistake, McCain 2000 was an unabashed hawk ("rogue-state rollback" was his bellicose mantra) who never deviated from conservative orthodoxy on abortion (though he did give off the impression that rolling back Roe v. Wade was about 993rd on his list of life ambitions).[3]

Since dropping out of the 2008 race in February, Romney has stayed visible in the media spotlight and has crisscrossed the nation to help boost McCain and down-ticket Republicans running for Congress or local races. He launched a political-action committee, the Free and Strong America PAC, to raise money and distribute it to GOP contenders in tough races. His supporters are casting Romney - who oversaw Salt Lake City's successful 2002 Winter Olympics - as someone who, if McCain fails to grab the White House this year, could become a signature Republican figure and return in a few years to take on a President Obama. "He's known for kind of coming in and taking a challenge, taking a crisis and turning it around, and I think that's something we may be facing at least three months from now if not four years from now," says Justin Hart, one of the co-founders of the site MymanMitt.com, who supports McCain now but is eyeing Romney for a future bid.[10]

McCain strategists say private polls show the race tightening since McCain used the story of "Joe the Plumber" to criticize Obama's tax plans and Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden's comment that Obama will be tested with an international crisis to again label the Illinois senator inexperienced. They note that national polls over the past week have ranged from a one-point Obama edge to a double-digit lead. And, they say a large segment of white working-class voters has been vacillating between McCain and Obama for months. They hope many persuadable voters break their way. This week, McCain's events generated energy in conservative parts of Pennsylvania. On Tuesday morning, McCain and Palin climbed out of their campaign bus in the home of the Hershey Bears hockey team and drew thunderous cheers although the arena wasn't filled. McCain drew applause when he said, "I've been tested. Sen. Obama hasn't" and a standing ovation when he said, "I will bring our troops home with honor and victory and not in defeat."[8] Last week, Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor, said that John McCain might now be on the verge of winning Pennsylvania the mainly Democratic state where McCain is investing considerable time and energy in these final days of his presidential campaign had he chosen Ridge as his running mate. Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina and one of McCain's closest friends and advisers, has in recent days been quite direct in saying that he counseled McCain to choose Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut for the second spot. Lieberman, he said, would have been a breakthrough choice, winning McCain plaudits and support from independent voters who are weary of partisanship.[4]

There are three important reasons why Palin will have rendered serious damage to McCain once the final tabulations are in for election 2008. The first is that John McCain took the number one gut argument he could make to the electorate in these economically troubled times, whether one accepts it or not, and removed that piece from the electoral chessboard. The argument was that he has far more political experience than Barack Obama and is a better choice during a period of turbulent uncertainty both at home and abroad. Once that Palin, an ill-equipped running mate who screamed foul over an easy question such as what newspapers she read, was selected, McCain was no longer in a position to play his experience card without the specter of his frequently lampooned running mate slapping him metaphorically in the face. The second reason, that also resulted in a metaphorical slap in McCain's face, was the hope that a Palin candidacy would resonate with women, particularly former supporters of Hillary Clinton. That hopeful expectancy on the part of McCain and Republican forces demonstrates how out of touch they are with the kind of pragmatic feminism Clinton and her supporters embrace.[5] Just over the horizon lies an alternate universe in which John McCain is locked in a tense nail-biter of a presidential race with Barack Obama, one in which the polls gyrate daily and "too close to call" describes most of the contested political landscape. To create this what-if Republican fantasy, only one thing needs to be changed -- and that mystery element has nothing to do with a mythical Barack Obama scandal or an inexplicable surge in George W. Bush's approval ratings.[3]

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — John McCain repeatedly implores backers to "stand up and fight" these days, showing gritty determination even as many indicators point to a Barack Obama victory and Republicans engage in fingerpointing typical of losing campaigns.[8]

Michigan Republicans also are saddled with the effects of John McCain's decision to pull money and staff from the state in early October. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis said the McCain pullout badly dampened volunteer enthusiasm immediately after it was announced, and that volunteer staffing at its campaign offices is just now close to the party's targets.[13]

State GOP hampered by fewer volunteers, less funding after McCain pullout. Democrats in the final days of the 2008 campaign have substantially more manpower and money to get their Michigan voters to the polls -- an edge that could help not just Barack Obama but Democratic candidates in key races lower on the ballot.[13] "Our ultimate challenge is how we keep up the level of intensity among folks who are, 'Isn't it over?' which it is clearly not, and carrying that excitement to candidates up and down the ticket," said Amy Chapman, the director of Obama's Michigan campaign. Campaign officials said they hope to contact 1.4 million Michigan voters in the final four days of the campaign as part of their get-out-the-vote drive. Those efforts could help Democrats in close races, which in Michigan include two high-profile congressional races, a dozen or more state House contests and a contentious Supreme Court battle.[13]

With the failing McCain campaign (though not out by any stretch), a high GOP turnout is in serious jeopardy, especially against an expected record turnout by registered Democrats. This move, which we're seeing in other states and districts, is a smart one for the GOP. By acknowledging the obvious about their candidate, they can use it to leverage the expected loss to re-energize an otherwise lackluster base to stop the congressional hemorrhaging and prevent a Democratic hegemony. [14] Behind-the-scenes reports hint that McCain picked Palin in pique over warnings that the GOP delegates would rebel over the selection of apostate Democrat Joe Lieberman or even pro-choice Pennsylvania Republican Tom Ridge. Campaign strategists are so afraid of televised controversy that they never considered that the best way to demonstrate political independence is to actually do something bold when the entire nation is watching.[3] Buckley's way past unrepentant. Responding to the torrent of abuse coming his way he reports 12,000 outraged e-mails from GOP loyalists he writes that eight years of Bushism have given us "a doubled national debt, ruinous expansion of entitlement programs, bridges to nowhere, poster boy Jack Abramoff and an ill-premised, ill-waged war conducted by politicians of breathtaking arrogance." Defending him in her own syndicated column, Buckley's friend and colleague, Kathleen Parker, takes it a step beyond: "Republicans are not short on brainpower or pride but they have strayed off course. They do not, in fact, deserve to win this time, and someone had to remind them why." For her part, Noonan realizes that the conservative movement's vaunted message discipline has become a crippling weakness. In purging Buckley, the "conservative intelligentsia are doing what they have done for five years. They bitterly attacked those who came to stand against the Bush administration. This was destructive. If they had stood for conservative principle and the full expression of views, instead of attempting to silence those who opposed mere party, their movement, and the party, would be in a better and healthier position." Although McCain and Palin are taking much of the abuse, it's really Bushism (or Rove-ism, if you like), that's discredited principled conservatism and threatens to tear the Republican Party apart. Brooks notices that to solidify the party's hold on its electoral "base," the party of Lincoln has become the party of George Wallace envisioning the country "divided between the wholesome Joe Sixpacks in the heartland and the oversophisticated, overeducated, oversecularized denizens of the coasts."[15] There is a current stir in the direction of asking if Sarah Palin should McCain lose emerge as the logical Republican frontrunner for the 2012 presidential nomination. This reflection is occurring at a time when Palin's negative rating, meaning numbers believing she is unqualified to currently serve as president, have reached 55 percent. Considering the often stated current political reality that under existing American political divisions it is hard for any nominee of either political party to dip below, at least to any appreciable extent, the 40 percent support mark, that 55 percent figure has probably peaked for this election season.[5]

Whether that candidate was the authentic McCain or an impromptu confection whipped up for a gullible press corps, the result was one of the most beguiling losing campaigns in modern political history. This time around, the septuagenarian Arizona senator shrewdly (or cynically) decided from the outset that he would get right -- very right-wing -- with the Republican base. In mid-2006, when he still dreamed of replicating the front-runner juggernaut of the Bush campaigns, McCain paid homage to Falwell himself by giving the commencement address at Liberty University. Even though McCain was one of only two Republican senators to oppose the Bush tax cuts (liberal Lincoln Chafee was the other), he implausibly championed the cause of making them permanent.[3] As we face the very real possibility of an Obama presidency, that's the last thing we need. It's more critical than ever that we have a strong Republican leader to act as a "firewall" against bad legislation, tax increases, and increased spending. Mitch McConnell has proven he will stand up for us. Although it's objectively accurate, a losing campaign never wants that fact publicly acknowledged by their own side for fear it will demoralize the troops and further become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Maybe Romney thinks the campaign would have gone differently if he had been tapped as McCain's running mate? Maybe, but he's certainly glad not to be in Palin's shoes right now. Romney needs to be careful about how he sets himself up for 2012.[16] Rep. Steve King (R-IA), speaking at a Sarah Palin rally (tell me again why the McCain campaign thinks it can win here?), describes life under an Obama administration : "when you take a lurch to the left you end up in a totalitarian dictatorship.[17]

Valget av Sarah Palin som visepresidentkandidat ser i etterp'klokskapens lys ikke ut til ' ha v'rt John McCains smarteste trekk.[4]

Recent reports of infighting between the McCain and Palin camps -- and particularly harsh statements made against Palin -- have been attributed to (anonymous) Romney loyalists within the McCain campaign. Optics are important, and he may not want to appear to be backing up the bus over his own party before the votes are even counted.''[16] Romney is pissed that Palin is being handed the keys to the party by some insiders and is pushing back. His supporters were being the "diva" and "whackjob" descriptions for Palin. If Palin and Huck run in 2012, they could split the evangelical vote, and in the winner take all format that could doom both campaigns.[14]

Since Romney suspended his campaign and subsequently formed the Free and Strong America political action committee in April, he has donated approximately $202,000 to 75 GOP candidates, according to numbers made available to NRO from the PAC. Romney has also made an additional $173,000 in donations through flexible spending accounts to five affiliated state PACS, including $10,000 to the National Organization for Marriage, which is working to pass Proposition 8 in California, and $5,000 to stop a ballot initiative in Massachusetts to decriminalize marijuana. [6] Anybody masochistic enough to have seen all three presidential debates would, I'm sure, agree that the Obama McCain battle lacked what one might call pizzazz, excitement, creativity or any information that wasn't part of an already heard, boring stump speech. So a miscalculation by both of last year's front runners, as to just how important the small states and a good early start would be, wound up depriving us of one of the most looked forward to big time political contests of all time.[2] Pennsylvania, which offers 21 electoral votes and hasn't backed a Republican presidential nominee since 1988, is the only traditionally Democratic state McCain now is going after in earnest.[8] With just two weeks to go before the opening bell, presumptive nominee Barack Obama is still grappling with how to handle the biggest power couple of the Democratic Party '' Hillary and Bill Clinton. Both have now secured prime-time speaking slots during the convention, she on Tuesday night, Aug. 26, as keynote speaker, he the next night, right before the still-unnamed vice presidential candidate.[18] At the 1948 Democratic convention Harry Truman (aka McCain's patron saint) stared down a Dixiecrat walkout over the party's civil rights plank. At a time when Palin's picture will soon appear next to the metaphorical definition of albatross, it is clear that McCain should have taken his lumps with Lieberman or risked a ruckus over Ridge.[3]

The blame game has emerged in GOP circles. Some Republicans have pointed the finger at McCain's chief strategist Steve Schmidt; others are rushing to his defense. And, frustrations by Palin's allies over her rocky introduction to the public and by McCain's backers over the Alaska governor's unscripted moments spilled into the open through anonymous quotes in news stories.[8] Makes me want to run screaming. The author of the article, in a subsequent comment, observed That McCain and Palin and the RNC are whipping up such innuendo and misinformation that people are extrapolating all kinds of things, and yes, just such claims have been circulating about Obama all OVER the web and all OVER Fox News and Rush and so forth. At a Palin rally the guy who introduced her made it a point to use Obama's middle name and emphasize it and there are bumper stickers all over with Obama/Osama on them. I don't doubt for a moment that such accusations make many people "want to run screaming."[19]

McCain's belated criticisms are akin to Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence in 1815. As McCain knows well, there is a persuasive conservative case to be made against Bush for his free-spending big-government fiscal recklessness, for his trampling of constitutional norms (from vice-presidential sanctioned torture to White House signing statements) and for his record of incompetence from New Orleans to Baghdad.[3] According to a February 2008 Harris Poll, television news has a sixteen percent approval rating, only double that of the Congress, at eight percent, and merely one point above that of the White House, at fifteen percent. An ABC News op-ed piece (labeled as such, which is refreshing), the author, Michael Malone, notes that there has been very substantial media favoritism during the campaign and, indeed, previously. The article does bear the caveat that This is the opinion of the columnist and in no way reflects the opinion of ABC News. At a luncheon in Hollywood sponsored by the Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors on 27 October, hardly a rabidly conservative group, no one seemed inclined to defend MSNBC. for what some were calling its lopsidedly liberal coverage of the presidential election.[19]

As far as declaring war on the New York Times and shunning the reporters who once lionized him, that tactic only makes political sense if McCain's ultimate goal is to win an anchor job on Fox News when the campaign is over. [3] In fact that sort of happened. Huckabee won some delegates early, McCain bounced back in New Hampshire with his patented big smile/big handshake, diner to diner, press the flesh and show how much fight he still had in him style. Then came the big state of Florida, where there were lots of ex-New Yorkers and where Rudy felt his message of "remember me from 9/11" national security speech, which had made him the pre-primary favorite, would kick in and kick start his, until then, all but invisible campaign. It didn't.[2]

In the first two weeks of October, the Republican National Committee transferred just $210,000 to the state party for home-stretch efforts. That's far less than provided to state parties in contested states such as Florida, which got $3.2 million, or Pennsylvania, at $1.5 million, according to campaign finance disclosures.[13] The total amount of financial support provided to Republican candidates and causes through Romney-controlled state and federal PACs is an eye-popping $375,000.[1]

Donald Green, a Yale University professor and one of the nation's leading experts on motivating voters to get to the polls, expects Obama's teams across the country to be "very, very effective." "They are the beneficiaries of an unprecedented allocation of financial resources, coupled with an immense reservoir of activism and enthusiasm," Green said. Republicans in Michigan, he said, may well suffer from the opposite: reduced money and less energy. "Once you say, 'I'm leaving that state for dead,' you do run the risk of creating an effect that's even worse than the financial resources you lose," he said.[13] Once again plans played out in an unanticipated manner and Super Tuesday was closer to a draw then a sweep and Clinton was suddenly and unexpectedly behind in delegates. Well the formidable Ms. Clinton is made of pretty tough stuff and she was not about to let the Chicago Kid take the nomination she had worked a chunk of her life for from her without a fight. Fight she did. In fact she tried to clobber him with the "kitchen sink", everything from Obama's ties to Chicago slumlords, racist preachers, unrepentant terrorist, to his lack of experience, to his international naivet, to his almost total lack of specifics on almost any aspect of his plans. She was doing a very good job of it and making progress in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other big eastern states, but alas she ran out of real estate. Obama's early build up of delegates doomed Clinton's valiant effort and he won the nomination. He quickly pick Joe Biden (of foreign relations fame and banking committee, where he was know as the Senator from Bank of America, infamy) to shore up his national security credentials.[2]

I do. I think she is pretty comfortable in her own skin, and it does not hurt that she looks good. I think in 8 years she would take good care of herself and really still look great, but hey, we all get a little older and a little heavier and she will, in fact, be a grandmother. She will revel in that, mind you! I think she'll be really proud of it - her age, her family, all of it. Nature will have its way, and I don't think that will bother her. I think she is secure enough to live with it, enjoy it, deal with it, whatever. It will bother a lot of people, guys mostly, who really have the hots for her looks, now. Women can be pretty harsh about other women's appearances, too, BTW. Hillary Clinton has taken a ton of shit for her aging appearance. It's total bullshit, but there it is. I think she looks fine, but shallow people will use age against women. That's where my point about Romney comes in.[7] Needless to say, the Salt Lake Tribune is talking up Mitt Romney as the frontrunner. Romney is a likely bet, as he has many key attributes that would enable him to take on Obama -- good looks, solid conservative policies, and strong economic credentials stemming from his past career as a job-killing machine.[7] We were blindsided by an anonymous hit piece from the Prowler today suggesting Mitt Romney was sitting on his hands this election season. The not-for-attribution quotes, factual misrepresentations and fanciful imaginings of its author makes for a psychedelic bit of reading.[1]

"And as we face the very real possibility of an Obama presidency, that's the last thing we need," writes Romney. "It's more critical than ever that we have a strong Republican leader to act as a "firewall" against bad legislation, tax increases, and increased spending. Mitch McConnell has proven he will stand up for us." It's the "very real possibility" language that has people talking. [18] McCain could have come out of the GOP primaries prepared to run against Obama as a true maverick rather than a generic Republican railing against socialism. All it probably would have taken are these four steps. A major reason why McCain has appeared so inept in the face of the financial meltdown is that he lacks a coherent economic philosophy. It defies logic that McCain could simultaneously be so outraged by congressional earmarks and so cavalier about giveaways in the tax code.[3] The RNC's independent expenditure arm has started running ads in Montana of all places. I suppose this is part of McCain's grand plan to eke out a win by carrying MT, WV and Maine's second congressional district. I knew McCain didn't really care about the substance of his policy proposals so long as they made for good Republican sound bites, but I did expect more from McCain's policy advisers, from whom we get an admission that the GOP contender's health care plan isn't all that great.[17]

Maybe the usual sad-sack Libertarian nominee would do slightly better in a Jindal-Obama race than in, say, a Pawlenty-Obama race because of some sort of racist peel-off. but I'm pretty doubtful on that score as well. If Bobby Jindal can win the Republican nomination and then the governorship in Louisiana, he isn't going to have any race-based trouble as a GOP candidate on the national stage.[20] Remember McCain was a candidate who said during the 2000 Republican primaries, "I won't take every dime of the surplus and spend it on tax cuts that mostly benefit the wealthy."[3] Democrats are doubtful. McCain also is hearing an increasing number of prominent Republicans indicate they expect he will lose.[8]

Repeat and repeat: "I am not George Bush." McCain finally uttered those magic words during the final debate. He ripped into Bush for his initial blundering conduct of the Iraq occupation, his doubling of the national debt and his neglect of climate change in an off-message post-debate interview with the conservative Washington Times. This is pretty late in the game to break with a president whose performance in office is given a thumbs-down rating by three-quarters of the voters.[3] "You can't be president or vice president and govern in that style, as a sequestered figure. This has been Mr. Bush's style the past few years, and see where it got us." Other GOP-leaning pundits argue that the sheer opportunism of picking Palin showed McCain temperamentally unsuited for the presidency.[15]

The saying then was "let Reagan be Reagan" while in the case of the Alaskan it has lately become "I'm Palin and I'll stick to being Palin." When a message was sent to her by McCain forces on points to make in a Florida appearance Palin was said to have shunned the instruction and followed instead the rhetorical course established by her warm-up act, right wing talk show star Elizabeth Hasselbeck. She later denied having departed from the McCain central command's message and made a reference to "our teams" which is not the way it is supposed to work.[5]

The Arizona senator also opposed the Medicare prescription drug bill because there was no way to finance it. A McCain tough on tax cuts and frugal about unfunded domestic programs might have had the credibility to turn his crusade against pork-barrel spending into a true test of political character.[3] Ballenger, a Flint native and former state representative and state senator, said McCain basically waved the "white flag" by abandoning Michigan to focus on other states.[11] Senior campaign advisers deny a rift and attribute the griping of a few junior aides. The Arizona senator's top advisers acknowledge the difficulties in pulling off a comeback, yet they insist McCain still has a shot and adamantly deny McCain is going through the motions. "He'll close strong," said senior adviser Charlie Black. "He really believes he's going to win."[8] Anyone who took money from the McCain camp or the national party, anyone who bundled for McCain, anyone at all involved in a losing congressional campaign will be put on the exile list.[12]

The answer should have been obvious -- the evangelicals and home-schoolers prefer McCain to Obama, if unenthusiastically. Rather than trying to arouse the base with ominous references to Bill Ayers, McCain should have realized early on that such shrill tactics do not play well with independents and moderates who were his original presidential constituency.[3] Speaking of policy, McCain is jumping on some goalpost-shifting vis-a-vis Obama's tax cut proposal. This would be great news for McCain. if the change actually amounted to anything.[17] Lets stop the nit picking and get to work. JFK once said "Life isn't fair", further proof how far his Democrat party has strayed. When ABC News reporter Gibson asked Sen Obama why he'd raise the capital gains rate when it produces less revenue, the reply was that it's "fair".[1] The worst joke in all of this is how the GOP and their dupes were so gung-ho over one party control in 00 and 04 but now when faced with that same prospect under the Dems, they're all like, "The Horror." The punchline won't come until 2012 when they'll argue that in these difficult times we must change horses in mid-stream. Obama had his chance and look at how he screwed everything up (then they'll list everything bad that happened regardless of how Obama was involved). We need someone else to clean up his mess.[14] Det er egentlig ingen vits ' kommentere New York Times (eller Obama sin kampanjeavis som noen ville sagt. ) Enkelte medier utspiller sin samfunnsrolle i disse dager.[4]

The Obama campaign has kept roughly 200 paid staffers in Michigan to coordinate thousands of volunteers, who began shifting last week from contacting and persuading voters to encouraging absentee voting and laying the ground work for Election Day efforts.[13] As you said, it is really not at all counterintuitive when you think about it. It only makes sense that there would be a certain percentage of white voters (especially down south) who would feel comfortable voting for Obama but uncomfortable about how their (white) peers would react to such a choice. It requires no real stretch of imagination to suppose that there are more than a few lawns in Atlanta sporting a McCain/Palin sign that belong, nonetheless, to an Obama voter.[14]

Had McCain taken on the social conservatives in a convention floor fight, voters would still be talking about the GOP nominee's maverick moxie. [3] McCain has steadfastly focused on the closest presidential battleground states.[8] The disparity meant that, as of Oct. 15, the state GOP fund for assisting federal candidates had just $860,000 to spend.[13] Jowers said Palin has not "distinguished herself as a competent vice presidential candidate, and that is going to be a heavy anchor to drag into 2012."[21]

Romney told reporters at a breakfast for Utah Republicans during their party's national convention that he wasn't interested in a 2012 run. [10] As one Dem joked to us recently : "Republicans launch new campaign theme: All the rest of us are gonna lose, so elect me."[14] "Republicans have nominated the second-place finisher in every election since 1976, with the exception of our current president."[21] There are easier jobs that taking over a massive bureacracy with limited freedom. Is it because he wants to be president? Ask him, but I don't think that's it either ' and only time will tell, anyway, who will be Right prospects in a few years.[6]

REFERENCES

1. The American Spectator: Thinking Ahead
2. Winners & Losers | pressconnects.com | Press & Sun-Bulletin
3. How John McCain ran against himself | Salon News
4. Etterp'klokskap i valget av Sarah Palin : Dagsavisen
5. Political Cortex: How Much has Palin Damaged McCain?
6. 'Where's Mitt?' by Kathryn Jean Lopez on National Review Online
7. Let the 2012 Jockeying Begin | Indecision2008 | Comedy Central
8. The Associated Press: McCain shows gritty determination in final week
9. Ludington Daily News - News
10. If Obama wins, Romney could be 'repackaged' for 2012 GOP challenge - Salt Lake Tribune
11. Analyst says McCain's decision to not campaign in Michigan hurts other GOP hopefuls - The Saginaw News Online - Michigan Newspaper - MLive.com
12. Whose Heads Will Roll on Nov. 5? - The Daily Beast
13. War chest bolsters Mich. Dems get-out-vote drive | The Detroit News | detnews.com
14. TPM Election Central | Talking Points Memo | Top McCain Surrogate Romney: Obama Win Likely
15. Leader Call - GOP backbiting starts early
16. Romney practically predicts an Obama presidency | Politicker MA
17. TAPPED Archive | The American Prospect
18. Romney: Giving up on McCain or just trying to raise money? | csmonitor.com
19. Who is Senator Obama?
20. Jindal, Obama and the GOP - Ross Douthat
21. Romney said to be angling for 2012 run - UPI.com

McCain targets rural Pennsylvania

CONTENTS:

I'll never forget watching Senator Barack Obama give his Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech in front of 80,000 screaming fans at Mile High Stadium in Denver. (More...)
Pray that we don't regret electing such a "risky" candidate. (More...)
And, as an American, you are entitled to have that prerogative. (More...)
Why then Ms. Palin wants to come to Washington if all the best of America is not there? Does she think that by virtue of spending her life in Wasilla (except for wandering around colleges for 6 years to get a degree) she is actually better? If her ideas are so good why does she need to stir up the divisive us - them politics? Flattery in the face of the crowd is a very dishonest political move. (More...)
Our opponent's plan is just for more, bigger government. (More...)
The McCain campaign intends, I gather, to return to the commander in chief theme with an event in Florida Wednesday showcasing former secretaries of state and retired senior military officers. (More...)

I'll never forget watching Senator Barack Obama give his Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech in front of 80,000 screaming fans at Mile High Stadium in Denver. "This is an historic moment in American history," I told my wife. She was still disgusted that Hillary Clinton didn't get the nomination, but understood exactly what I meant. Regardless of politics, the fact that an African American had received a major Party nomination to be President of the United States speaks volumes about how far this country has come since the days of the Civil Rights Movement. No one could argue this wasn't a proud moment for our country. As America witnesses the closing of the racial divide, some people refuse to believe that the attitudes that gave us the Ku Klux Klan and Jim Crow are taking their final breath. This refusal doesn't stem from those who long for the days of segregation, it comes from the political left. In other words the people who claim to be the champions of diversity are doing everything they can to make sure the appearance of racism is still alive and well. Instead of embracing this obvious progress, they are making unsubstantiated accusations of racism against those that disagree with them and do not support the candidacy of Barack Obama. Unfortunately for GOP presidential candidate Senator John McCain and his running mate Gov. Sarah Palin, they have the misfortune of being the Caucasian opposition to the first serious Black presidential hopeful. Simply put, it's not a good time to be the white guy. As McCain and Palin campaign throughout the country it seems impossible for them to open their mouths without somebody accusing them of being racists. [1] The issue is one of electoral context and demeanor. The contrast between the moods of both campaigns is remarkable. Increasingly confident of a decisive victory, Barack Obama and Joe Biden focus their speeches on what they will do in office, specifically concentrating on the immediate challenges of providing remedies for the national economic crisis and addressing the disarrayed state of U.S. foreign policy in the wake of the W. Bush years. The Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin focus their energies on issuing dire warnings as to what will happen should Obama become president. The language used by Republicans is provocative: Obama is a socialist (because he believes in using tax policy to redistribute wealth), he is a friend of terrorists, black separatists and criminals (because he worked with a community activist who once was a anti-Vietnam War militant, worshipped in a church led by a strident preacher and had a professional relationship with a convicted influence-peddling property developer), he is not a “normal” American (because of his name, mixed race and background), he is elitist (because of his education), he will steal the election (because of his ties to grassroots voter registration efforts), he will cut and run in Iraq and will make the U.S. more vulnerable to attack by Islamicists (either because he is sympathetic to them or because he is soft-spined). He is painted as the enemy within. The reason for this is clear.[2] Editor's note: Much recent coverage of the presidential race has focused on reports of conflict and backbiting inside the McCain campaign as the Republican presidential candidate struggles to make up ground on Barack Obama. Is McCain to blame? Is Sarah Palin to blame? Are McCain's top advisers to blame? Who mishandled whom? What's missing is a sense of perspective about the enormity of McCain's task and the determined ' some would say heroic ' way in which he keeps going against tremendous odds. In many respects, it's a wonder McCain is standing at all, much less within striking distance eight days before the election. Byron York's cover story in the current issue of National Review is about the obstacles McCain faces, and what they mean for this race. J ohn McCain sewed up the Republican nomination last February, but his cash-strapped campaign didn't conduct its first serious poll until April. At that time, McCain still enjoyed the luxury of planning for the general election while Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were busy slugging it out. When pollster Bill McInturff briefed McCain's inner circle, he had some sobering news to deliver. "He said, 'This is going to be the worst environment since 1992 for a Republican, and it could get even worse,'" top McCain aide Charlie Black told me recently. Black paused a moment before adding, "And now, it's gotten worse."[3]

Image is one thing; intimate fears another. In a small former steel town in Pennsylvania this weekend a 71-year old woman, a Democrat who considers McCain a grouchy old man and Sarah Palin a joke, paused when a New York Times reporter asked her about Obama. 'He scares me,' she said finally. No one mentions that Obama's biracial provenance and childhood brush with Islam launched him on struggles that have prepared him unusually well to address one of his country's most daunting challenges: youthful alienation in inner cities where, at least until 9/11, the Nation of Islam held a certain appeal. Nor have I heard anyone tell Palin that there is no more 'real' America than the one Obama embodied last week off the campaign trail in his grandmother's apartment. John McCain, adoptive father of a Bangladeshi daughter, does understand this, and he hasn't let Palin make an issue of race'or even to use the outcries of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright or Obama's unsought endorsement from Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.[4] If you really analyze Senator Obama'''s record and plans for the country, you will clearly see it represents more of the same. Obama plans to raise taxes on businesses and therefore stunt job growth, discriminate against people based on income levels, cut and run in the war on Iraq, increase federal spending and waste taxpayer dollars on failed programs and refuse to take a stance on critical issues such as life. He has a record of being the most partisan, liberal member of the Senate and has selected a partisan Washington insider as his running mate. To me, all of this represents more of the same and not the change we need to see in Washington. Senator McCain has a reputation of being a maverick who has broken from his party to do what is right for the American people. He is a war hero with immense foreign policy experience and knows how to win the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and give our troops the resources they need to win. He has a record of fiscal responsibility and will cut wasteful spending, decrease the size of government and cut taxes for all American individuals and businesses in order to provide relief and create jobs. His running mate, Sarah Palin, brings a record of standing up to party bosses and union bosses, cutting taxes and making Alaska'''s economy one of the most successful in the nation. Both also value energy independence, the sanctity of life, and the importance of individual freedom. On Nov. 4, please join with me in voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin, the true agents of reform and change this country desperately needs.[5] The unwitting incitement to murder is one-sided. The Democrats engage in personal attacks on Senator McCain and Governor Palin, but none of these reach the level of calling them “treasonous” or anti-American. No mainstream Democrat feverishly predicts the end of the American way of life should McCain and Palin win, and most of their criticism of McCain and Palin comes in the form of ridicule. The Democratic rallies are love fests when compared to those of the Republicans, with less energy put into critiquing the opponents than of offering hope for a better future under Obama’s leadership. John McCain and Sarah Palin consequently have little to fear from Obama supporters when it comes to their personal safety, win or lose. The same is not true the other way around.[2] "George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights," Lewis added. "Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama." What specifically did John McCain or Sarah Palin do to deserve being compared to an icon of segregation? Lewis was right when he said that Wallace "created the climate and the conditions" that led to the murder of four children in a church bombing. Can any fair-minded person legitimately argue that McCain or Palin has said anything remotely as horrific as Wallace did in his career? No. Unfortunately Congressman Lewis has created an image in his head that a few bad apples at political rallies, which McCain has disavowed countless times, somehow make up the majority of his supporters and the Arizona Senator is at fault. I don't recall the former civil rights leader or Sen. Obama, for that matter, condemning their supporters who showed up at Palin events wearing T-shirts calling the mother of five a C-word.[1]

Sarah Palin and her running mate John McCain (or do I have that backwards?) have made a big deal about a comment made by Barack Obama regarding "spreading the wealth around." They jumped on this comment like it was the only issue they had of substance to talk about. They should have checked their facts. Perhaps they were counting on potential voters either being gullible or too lazy to check it out themselves.[6] THE simplest explanation for the widening gap in the polls between Barack Obama and John McCain may well be that, for most Americans, in a time of economic upheaval and uncertainty, the colour of their money is more important to them than the colour of his skin. Despite his success in the debates, despite Joe the Plumber having joined Paddy the Plasterer in the cast of off-stage political bit-players, the young senator from Illinois knows better than most that the race is by no means over. Despite the best efforts of some in the McCain camp to play the race card, this issue seems to be receding, but, to coin a phrase, it has not gone away, you know. The efforts of the increasingly unfortunate Ms Palin, in this regard, were not only shameful, but rather pathetic as she attempted to damn him by association for sitting on the boards of charities with a 1970s Chicago radical, for having a granny in Kenya, a father who had been a Muslim and a name which is non- American. These are emotive buttons to press in some circles, but at least they let you know where she is coming from.[7] Yesterday the Gallup daily tracking poll showed a 10-point spread with Obama in the lead, the latest Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby daily tracking poll shows the race steadily tightening from an Obama 12-point lead Oct. 23 down to a 4.8-point lead yesterday. During the rally, Palin referred to Obama as "Barack the Wealth Spreader" in reference to an exchange between the Democratic presidential hopeful and Joe Wurzelbacher, the now-famed "Joe the Plumber," during which the senator said, "When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." In the final days of campaigning, both McCain and Palin are banking on this issue to resonate with voters. Kyle Conrad, has owned Conrad's Precision Plumbing in Hartville for 16 years and thinks McCain should keep hammering Obama on this matter. As a small business owner and a plumber, he said he understands Wurzelbacher's concerns. "This'spread the wealth' issue is not something that this country is built on," Conrad said. "It's built on hard work and determination and the chance for opportunity." Worried an Obama presidency might hurt his plans to expand the business and hire more employees, Conrad said he's taking a "wait-and-see" attitude.[8]

As I wrote previously, Palin will use the national stage to distance herself from the debacle of the McCain campaign while embodying the voice of the loyal opposition to the rise of Senator Barack Obama. If Palin has any intention to returning to presidential campaigning as a legitimate candidate to win the nomination, today’s verdict of Senator Ted Stevens is the vehicle to take her from a backwoods Governor to become the standard bearer for the party out of power in Washington, D.C.[9] The Secret Service recognized the problem early when it assigned the largest security detail ever for a party candidate to Senator Obama early in the primary season. That detail has been reinforced since his nomination, with the Secret Service concerned about the vulnerabilities inherent in the mass gatherings and “press the flesh” opportunities staged by his campaign. In recent weeks law enforcement agencies in the localities in which Obama appears have expanded their intelligence and surveillance gathering efforts as well as security around campaign sites. The FBI has increased its scrutiny of right wing extremists, and both the CIA and FBI are on alert for foreign-originated threats (which the Department of Homeland Security has been obsessively focused on to the exclusion of domestic terrorism). Senator McCain and Governor Palin have their own Secret Service details and have the protection of both federal and local security agencies when out on the campaign trail, but none of this comes close to that accorded to Senator Obama.[2]

The $150,000 in clothes from the Republican National Committee don't fit a Joe Six-pack image. Polls have the McCain-Palin ticket so far down in Iowa that Republican strategists have said they were wasting time here. How did people in the crowd square all that with their support? Kathy Krafka Harkema, who was volunteering Saturday, blamed politics and media "because she's different and because she's an accomplished woman." Harkema, 48, of Montezuma, likes Palin because "she's taken on the party and the government. She's real, and she's honest, and she speaks from the heart, and she's got guts." Obama? "I can't trust him. I don't believe you can cut taxes for 95 percent of the people and do all the things he's talking about." The more Obama inspires people, the more the McCain-Palin campaign has tried to instill fear and distrust about him, characterizing him as dishonest - even though more fabrications come from its own camp - or outside the mainstream. It's no wonder the woman parodied on "Saturday Night Live" as "that crazy lady" told McCain she was afraid Obama was Arab and Muslim.[10] With only one week left until the national election, the John McCain campaign might be regretting putting the governor of Alaska on the Republican ticket. And, while Sarah Palin seems to be headstrong and unaware of the inner strife, many analysts believe she is already starting her Palin 2012 campaign. All I can hope is that the $150,000 worth of clothes for her and her family, purchased at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, are enough. Palin, the regular Josephine Six-pack, has not done a marvelous job this election season on the campaign trail. With vital swing states like Missouri still in the balance, she cannot go around injuring goalies on the only pro hockey team in the state.[11] Hope that we can regain our standing in the world, reattaining lost favor with our allies and lost respect from our foes. Obama is more than just an ideal; he offers practical, well-thought-out solutions to the myriad of immensely complex problems facing our country. This is one of many reasons why John McCain did not receive The Pacer's endorsement. Obama made a humble, thoughtful choice in choosing Joe Biden as his running mate. He avoided choosing Hillary Clinton (an easy choice given her popularity) and instead went for the experienced, hard-working and foreign relations versed Biden. McCain chose Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and former mayor of Wasilla, a town of a smaller population than UTM. Not only is she inexperienced, her stance on global climate change alone, that it is unclear if it is caused by human activities, is enough to discount her.[12]

Sarah Palin's name might as well be hypocrisy. Brought in to be the working, typical hockey mom, yet she's wearing clothes that are overpriced for even the golden-parachute executives of the Wall Street mess, paid for by a campaign that is by all accounts strapped for cash. It was just reported by McCain that Palin had yet to wear a third of the outfits. Palin is a member of a ticket claiming that Obama is inexperienced, yet she, running to be a main ambassador to the world, did not have a passport until last year. Mind you, she claims she could deal with Putin because of her proximity to Russia. It was also reported this week that Palin's makeup artist is the highest paid "adviser" in the campaign. What is the campaign all about? Trotting out a hot chick from Alaska who loves guns and then making her say the opponent is a "socialist" and that he "pals around with terrorists." This is the lowest level of reactionary politics, which only makes our citizens dumber and leaves our nation stuck in the McCarthy era.[11]

"We will bring tax relief to every American and every business," Palin said. "We need someone with a bold and free and fair plan of action to get this country moving in the right direction Our economic plan is a pro-growth, pro-private sector agenda." Palin said Obama is "not being candid with you" about his tax plans, and said it's fair game to criticize him for it. "It is not mean-spirited and it is not negative campaigning to call someone out on their plans, and on their record, and their associations," Palin said. She echoed a recent talking point of the McCain campaign by pointing out that if Obama is elected, Democrats will control both Congress and the White House. "They will have that monopoly of power," Palin said. She said McCain will also create new jobs by focusing on domestic energy sources, and said she herself will prioritize helping families with special-needs children. Palin's youngest child, born earlier this year, has Down Syndrome.[13] In some ways, the situation is similar to 1980, when Jimmy Carter's failed presidency faced the candidacy of Ronald Reagan. The nation's eventual recovery and the enduring popularity of Reagan were not so much due to the specific policies he adopted, but in how he inspired the nation and brought out the best in its people. Obama has the chance to be such a transformational figure at a time when the nation desperately needs one. There is no doubt that Sen. John McCain is an American hero who has served his country admirably. The McCain of today bears little resemblance to the McCain of 2000 when he was at the peak of his "maverick" status. At a time when the nation needs inspirational leadership and a new direction, McCain is offering less of a vision for America than he is offering reasons why his opponent should be disqualified by the voters.[14] Keating is ancient history- nobody under 42 even remembers it. When people realize McCain's culpability in this mess, it will expose the virulent hypocrisy and dishonesty of his charges against Obama. Obama's hopes for a different campaign were always naive- Repubs always go for the slime, but you can tie this economic disaster so tightly around their neck they can't escape the reckoning. Others also don't understand why you weren't clubbing McCain with this nonstop. My heart fell when McCain challenged Obama's judgment and Obama did his Roots speech- people want to see a liar slapped down; and Obama has to stop McCain when he gets on a rant- "Enough!", trying 8 times unsuccessfully looks weak. You want to connect to Joe Sixpack, punch your way out of clinches- there were times last debate that Obama looked like a jr high schooler unhappy that his opponent wasn't following the rules. Elections are won and lost on perceived toughness, black or white, if you can't face down an American liar, how can you do that with Putin or Kim or Ahmadinejad? Don't praise his record on torture when he rolled over and gave away the store- this flip flop business is potent. No candidate has ever been handed a more perfect tool than McCain's responsibility in this financial wipeout.[15] Students played surrogate for the hopefuls in a morning debate that the school televised into every classroom in an effort to get the adolescents more attuned to the presidential election. "It's sort of like our lives depend upon it this time," explained seventh-grader Mikhaela Dieudonne, a member of Team Obama. "It's going to decide if I'm going to go to college, or if people are going to keep their jobs. That's why I'm really interested in it." She and other debaters three each were chosen to represent Obama and McCain out of nearly 200 who applied hoped their schoolmates would listen carefully to the words they spent two months researching. They worried that many wouldn't care. "I think they tune it out because they can't vote," said eighth-grader Kayleigh Bentley, another Team Obama member. As moderator Josh Arnold, a geography teacher, intoned his welcome, students across the school hushed to listen to the candidates' views on energy, education, health care and other key issues.[16] Khalid Faraj joined in the conversation. He noted that many voters have said they don't support Obama because they think he is Muslim, or because he is African-American. "That doesn't even make sense," Khalid said, as his friends picked up on the string. Each said the morning debate helped them to shape their views and though they couldn't vote themselves, "I'm telling my parents about this so they can," Tajuan said. Students in Arnold's first period class said they also learned new things about the candidates. They liked the format. "It was more interesting seeing kids involved than news reporters saying, 'Oh, Barack Obama did this or that,' " seventh-grader Amanda Runyan said, adding that the information presented swayed her view from McCain to Obama. "They were very convincing." The teachers who organized the event considered the debate a successful civics lesson in that they could engage students in the process beyond the news sound bites and negative ads they see on television. "It's huge," said language arts teacher Jamie Fromm. "Some of these kids will be able to vote in the next election. We wanted to make sure they understand how important it is to vote and to know each candidate."[16] Usually, it is over some sordid scandal or gross misuse of power. Sometimes, rarely, it is for all the right reasons: their ability to unite us, to inspire us and to give us hope that the country we all love can live up to the high ideals that we have for it. This election, that candidate is Barack Obama. The Pacer has followed this election closely, something we hope our readers have appreciated. From this, we have come to know the two candidates and it is clear that Obama is the best choice for students. As Colin Powell said in his endorsement of Obama, "I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage[12]

Americans feel the need for new leadership, a renewal of our national spirit, and a desperate need to pull together in tough times. This election is about such needs, not individual planks in a campaign platform. That's why the Herald endorses Barack Obama for president.[14] Misstating Barack Obama'''s former acquaintances are cute, but it doesn'''t address the fundamental questions voters have. If McCain is to have a shot at winning this election, he needs to get on message and talk about what Americans want to hear.[17]

Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin warned a cold but cheering crowd here yesterday that Democratic candidate Barack Obama's talk of "spreading the wealth" is socialism and that the Democrat has "an ideological commitment to higher taxes." "Senator Obama says he wants to spread the wealth," Palin said. "Today is not the time to experiment with socialism His plan to redistribute wealth punishes hard work, it will stifle creativity."[13] The ugly personal attacks began: Barack Obama's past acquaintance with William Ayers; Barack Obama's economic plan is socialism; Barack Obama will say anything to get elected. His running mate, Sarah Palin, chimed in with such gutter-level rhetoric as Obama pals around with terrorists. Wednesday found Cafferty asking "Should Sarah Palin reimburse Alaska taxpayers for her children's travel and entertainment expenses?"'' He prefaced that with, "How do you present yourself as any kind of candidate of reform when the practices you employ puts you in the very same category of every other (emphasis added) two-bit, sleazy, opportunistic politician that has come before you.[18] As vast crowds cheer Sarah Palin, the odd specter of conservative elites hissing at Alaska's governor lingers, with some plugging for Barack Obama. It's a bad case of style over substance, and feeling over fact.[19]

In Florida, Obama is outspending McCain six to one. Palin seems to be catching more than her share of the media ire. Maybe it's because she has never had the opportunity to pal-around with the media elite, being a "low information" hockey-mom from Alaska, and all that. They talk about her "lack of experience," yet she has more executive experience than McCain, Biden, and Obama combined and multiplied by 10. Poor Brian Williams NBC pundit Brian Williams was on sister network MSNBC last week whining that it took 55 days for him to get an interview with Sarah Palin, and then it was "only 10 minutes." He was harping on her medical records. He was bellyaching because his was "the last network" to be granted an interview with her. She should have made him wait forever.[20]

The Sarah Palin-bashing chattering classes are at it again, and to the delight of their openly liberal colleagues. A series of officially conservative commentators have disparaged Gov. Sarah Palin: She is a "mark against John McCain" (Peggy Noonan); she is "an embarrassment and a dangerous one at that" (Christopher Buckley); and she is incapable of "the constructive act of governance" (David Brooks). Each of these writers is an admired friend, so I write this with some trepidation. I am not angry, but rather deeply sad that these otherwise keen observers of the unattractive prejudices of others don't hear how they themselves sound. Unfortunately, perhaps without knowing it, they've bought into both a flawed Progressive Era idea: that you need experts to run things -- and a stifling European one -- that we all have our proper place, and rather than average Americans having "ownership" of the government, as Tocqueville noted, we ought to defer to our betters to run it. That's not the American idea. Here good people accomplish great things (think of the Wright brothers -- bicycle mechanics -- astonishing the incredulous French that they of all people had figured out how to fly, or Edison relying on trial and error -- he had only three years of formal schooling -- to make his inventions).[19] I do.''' As the rain started to come down harder some people started to stream out, but most stayed cheering for Palin as she continued through her remarks. She told the crowd that the '''best of America''' was right here in the cold drizzle. "We believe that the best of America is not all gathered in Washington DC. It is here in the rain! It is in the goodness of your state. It is in the courage and kindness and that hard working American people here those of you who run our factories and grow our food, teach our children and fight our wars for us.''' Palin said, '''We believe that this is where the goodness of America is and we too believe in the promise of our country in the opportunities that we wish for ourselves and each other and for our sons and daughters and folks John McCain and I believe that America is not the problem, America is the solution."[21] Palin was mayor of an Alaska town, and is now the state's governor. She was able to give a prepared speech at the Republican National Convention. Palin's bright, and she can speak in public, getting a crowd to cheer when she says things they already agree with, and boo when she's fomenting people's negative emotions. She has certainly filled her vice presidential candidate role of attack dog for GOP presidential contender John McCain.[22] Palin spoke at Hurkamp Park to a crowd of 8,000, according to estimates by city officials and the Secret Service. With a week to go before the election, Palin focused much of her speech on the economy and taxes, saying that she and presidential candidate John McCain will stimulate the economy by cutting taxes on people and businesses, especially small businesses.[13]

Senators Barack Obama and John McCain met last night for the final debate before the November 4th presidential election, sparring over the economy, tax policy, negative campaigning, trade agreements, abortion and the educational system. We knew this already, but its nice of the OECD and its Growing Unequal report to provide the concrete evidence.[2] McCain happily raises his finger in the air approving the politics that was heard from the public in Dayton, where his last Republican rally was held. Whilst John McCain is happy, Barack Obama might have to fear for his own life, as two assassinators that planned to kill the democrat, and many people with his skin colour, were arrested, according to the police.[23] A little young perhaps, and not really from anywhere convenient ' Wasilla, Alaska, not being on most people's mental maps ' but definitely 'our kind of people'. John McCain must have thought when he impulsively picked her out of a crowd of hopeful Republicans as his vice-presidential nominee. She might not know a lot about foreign, or any, policy, but she would hopefully 'energise the base' ' stir interest among the party faithful that were noticeably unenthusiastic about McCain. What McCain didn't seem to anticipate was just how much she'd enjoy it. Much is she revelling in it that last week she wound up criticising McCain for not going after Obama enough. She seems to have decided to ignore the frantic efforts to get her back 'on-message'.[24]

Pray that we don't regret electing such a "risky" candidate. Obama is a very liberal senator who would have no reason to govern from the center--why would he, if he has a large majority in the House and Senate? Govern "from the center, as the American people want"? His election and more democrats being elected will show him what the American people want--leftist policies, not centrist ones. He used to belong to a socialist party, (the "New Party" in Illinois). He will not go to the center because he thinks far left policies are best. He talks about unity but has never done anything to unite anyone. He says things like "white people's greed runs a world in need" and hangs out with radicals. If he is elected, we will all have to hope and pray. [14] There are many Americans who will find it hard to vote for a black president, and there will be many who will find it easier to vote against. It may even be harder for them to contemplate a vote which will place a black first lady in the White House. It is this substratum of inherited prejudice which Barack Obama has to overcome, and all the more difficult to do so because it is unseen and unspoken, except among the extremists. The politically correct do not speak like this, but they might think that way in conservative, rural, blue-collar, bible-thumping Middle America. In reading this the polls are more a hindrance than a help.[7] Obama wants to '''take a scalpel''' to the Federal budget, cutting ineffective, redundant programs, while continuing to fund successful ones. McCain'''s solution would be to lock nearly everything in its place regardless of circumstance. During these tough economic times, America wants a cool, collected leader with the intellectual curiosity and willingness to look outside the box to solve our problems. Barack Obama has demonstrated his ability to lead and answer tough questions on the issues. McCain'''s erratic behavior and personal attacks in the midst of the ongoing economic meltdown are doing little to sway the American public, making him seem out of touch.[17] America needs to move away from the Bush model of foreign policy marked by confrontation and aggressive use of American military power and toward a policy based on diplomacy backed by strength. America needs a government that takes seriously its role of "referee" in the free market, protecting against abuses and exploitation while at the same time not stifling entrepreneurial spirit. Barack Obama has the proper vision of America's role in the world and the role of its government at home to establish sensible policies in these areas.[14]

Despite all the facile comparisons between the current economic situation and the conditions that preceded the Great Depression, the most recent figures show GDP continuing to grow, with unemployment at a historically modest 6.1 percent. If, as widely expected, Barack Obama faces a recession when he takes office in January, many Americans will expect him to deliver on his promise to "create jobs." They probably will be disappointed, because Obama seems to view job creation not only as something the government does with taxpayers' money but as an end in itself. That's a recipe for wasteful spending that will divert resources from more productive uses and ultimately result in lower employment. Obama says he will "transform the challenge of global climate change into an opportunity to create 5 million new green jobs," which he likens to the economic activity triggered by the personal computer. This way of looking at climate change is a variation on the broken-window fallacy, according to which the loss caused by a smashed window is offset by the employment it gives the glazier.[19]

The reason is simple: the danger to Obama is imminent and real. This is a delicate moment in the U.S. presidential campaign. Unless the Republicans explicitly call on their supporters to reject the use of violence regardless of the election outcome, and unless they moderate their rhetoric so that an electoral loss is not seen as the end of the world by their most zealous supporters, then the possibility of an assassination attempt on Barack Obama cannot be discounted. More than any U.S. political figure of the last two decades, he is the one who has most inflamed desperate (as well as hopeful) passions, and he is consequently the most likely to be targeted. It is important to understand the seriousness of the threat posed by Republican demonisation of Barack Obama. An attempt on his life, especially if successful, could spell the terminal rupture of the U.S. political consensus and a descent into open social conflict. Recognising this fact is not being alarmist. It is being coldly realistic. It just takes someone outside the U.S. to say so. He was formerly an analyst and consultant to several U.S. security agencies.[2]

Questioned by Leno, the potential first lady declined to criticize GOP vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin about revelations that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 at Neiman Marcus and other high-end retailers on clothes and accessories for Palin and her family. Obama said she and her husband have a policy of spending their own money on their clothes. She said she wanted to be "empathetic." "A VP pick, it's like being shot out of a cannon.[25] I like the way this report was worded, it did not sound bias to me and I am a concervative. Although it was not neccessary to have put in blue letters the 8 point lead of Obama, it made it seem at that point that hey he is leading by 8 points even though Sarah Palin is campaigning. Really the bottom line is that "It ain't over till it's over"!!! Anything can happen, remember President Bush 2nd time around? Thanks for the oppertunity to share my view point.[21]

An alleged white supremacy plot against Obama’s life was disrupted the week before the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Shouts of “kill him” and “traitor” greeted Sarah Palin’s invocation of his name at Midwestern campaign rallies. A uniformed police officer referred to him as Hussein Obama at a Florida rally. Although Senator McCain meekly attempts to restore some civility to his campaign, Governor Palin continues to question Obama’s patriotism and associations (at the same time refusing to label abortion clinic bombers as “terrorists” or repudiate the openly racist chants from her audiences).[2] HeIsTheOne: My eleven year old son gets into fights on the school yard playground sticking up for Obama. The kids that like McCain are his 6th grade liars, says Max. My 16 year old daughter is ambidexterous and I was told would make a good attorney discovering this when she was 3. NO I said. but she said "the first woman governor of the fine state of NY". "I love her too much to let her be a politician." After seeing Palin, she says she can be a politician, only GOOD at it! (I love her too much to let her be a politician.) Rumplestiltskin: My thirteen year old son wanted to watch the last debate with me, and he wasn't even avoiding homework. He goes to a science and technology school, and he says the interest in the election is very high there.[26] Kerry used a phrase of mine in a speech. I am amazed that Obama isn't repeating "Phil Gramm" in every speech- it's the silver bullet against McCain, but I haven't heard anybody mention him. Why talk about Keating 5 when his economic "genius" caused this economic disaster? Screw the focus groups- you educate people with your ads- it's the truth, though I know that's lost so much currency that it's easier to exaggerate some silly detail. Explain this economic disaster in a few clear sentences and lay the blame on Gramm and McCain- that should terrify people that they might elect the moron who helped cause it. Just keep running it over + over, like the Repubs do with their slanders and lies- repetition is what crams things into the heads of our moronic electorate (42% think Palin is qualified to be Prez?).[15] You can see Palin's appeal, though. She doesn't look or sound like the typical politician. She's young, charismatic, attractive, speaks like ordinary people and is balancing a family with being a governor. People can relate to her in ways some can't to Obama, with his Kenyan father and Harvard education. She appeals to people who want to feel good about America, who don't like its reputation damaged by the war, the financial crisis or bungled disaster responses. She talks about patriotism. She rarely acknowledges poverty, hunger, homelessness, prejudice, the uninsured, the underemployed or global warming, so she doesn't have to offer solutions. It's masterful strategy.[10] Cafferty though is obsessed with Gov. Palin like so many people in ways to try to degrade her. All of my work has dealt with Mr. Obama on a professional level in exposing him for the crook, chameleon and disaster his policies would be for America. I have tried various ways to ask him to come clean to give him a way out to save his reputation for his children's sake. Yes I weigh what I'm moved to do in trying to protect even his children.[18]

And, as an American, you are entitled to have that prerogative. To call such a thing socialism is belittling our nation and actual socialism itself. This is what the political candidates of the Republican Party are saying. These are fear tactics in the first-degree and unacceptable for any human being to perpetuate. Whether it is the hypocrisy McCain and Palin have shown, or the words of ignorance and fear they proliferate, there is no way I can, with a good conscience, vote for them to run my country, now or ever. [11] Perhaps that was because the story broke when the campaign was only 2/3 finished. Possibly she was planning to use the last $50,000 worth of clothes in the final two weeks of the campaign. Anyways, it is natural for McCain, who never made much money on his own, but married a woman who inherited 100 million dollars, to be concerned about his wealth being spread around. Sarah Palin, who seems to have made most of her million plus dollar fortune from government based programs is also naturally concerned. They appear to be predominantly concerned about keeping their loot than helping others without to obtain some. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.[27] A terrifying prospect from someone who we are told thinks nothing of skinning a moose before breakfast while wearing rimless glasses. What has Sarah Palin to lose? The Republican ticket is increasingly unlikely to win, but she has been catapulted to national fame. (Also, clearly, international fame, but Palins tend to view that as a negative.) Perhaps she can convert that into a campaign four years from now, but only if she isn't held responsible for crashing-and-burning this one ' which, with her writhingly embarrassing performance in interviews and polarising speeches, she may just have.[24] Lynn Alison Williams: Don't play 'the Palin lottery' 102808 letters 4 Athens Banner-Herald If the president dies or is unable to serve, the vice president assumes the duties of the president. The Republicans have focused the public's attention away from this most important role of the vice president and delineated a role of vice president that fits vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's qualifications.[22] On another note, the Kiev American Library ran the U.S. Embassy sponsered movie Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, trying to ease the shock of a chorney President to virulently color-conscious Slavs. Sarah Palin tried to humanize herself o n Saturday Night Live to defang the most perfect impression ever done by Tina Fey (capturing the inarticulate half baked jn high school golly gee whiz personality to a tee), but they basically used her as a prop and savaged her with a hilarious rap. She, as I thought, has put a nail in the coffin of McCain- many Repubs are terrified of this creature becoming President and 52% think she's unqualified to be President. Apparently this grating-voiced frightening brittle woman has filled the entire AK state gov with school pals from 5000 person (when she was mayor) city she grew up in. =====As she assembled her cabinet and made other state appointments, those with insider credentials were now on the outs.[15]

In the vice presidential debate with Joe Biden, Palin did not display a sophisticated grasp of foreign policy. While she said that as vice president she would follow McCain's policies, we really don't know what Palin would do about anything as president, because she also clearly stated that she had not made any promises to the American people. There were many questions she didn't answer, simply going into her talking points.[22] From the Katie Couric-Sarah Palin interview and "Saturday Night Live" political sketches to Sunday morning talk shows and the 5,026 presidential debates, political discourse this election season has made numerous contributions to the American lexicon. Previous campaigns have given us phrases such as, "Read my lips: no new taxes," "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy," and "I did not inhale." With just a week to go before Election Day, here's a tongue-in-cheek glossary to the buzzwords, jargon, phrases and quotations that have been tripping off our lips during this epic and historic presidential campaign.[28] Palin's rally was moved from the Salem Civic Center to the much larger Salem Stadium because of the number of estimated attendees. Joking that the weather reminded her of her home state of Alaska, the Republican vice presidential candidate delivered a half hour speech to cap the rally. It was her third campaign event of the day.[29] The first order of the day for Ms Hasselbeck, who first rose to fame as a contestant on the reality show Survivor, has been to strike back at the criticism of that $150,000 wardrobe purchased for the Alaska Governor. She has said that the flap is a "deliberately sexist" diversion cooked up by the Democrats. It's a sure sign of desperation when Ralph Nader is reduced to doing stunts to get himself in the Guinness Book of Records. Nader, on the ballot in 45 states, claims he delivered some 255 minutes of speeches in 21 events in Massachusetts on Saturday - enough to get him into the record books. Guinness officials told the perennial presidential candidate he needed to give at least 150 minutes of speeches, each at least 10 minutes long and with 10 or more people (who didn't come with him) watching.[30]

CNN jumped on the wardrobe attack, of course. The Democratic candidate is collecting and spending more money than both Bush and Kerry combined - $150 million in September alone - and these "impartial" experts are complaining about Palin's wardrobe. Did the Republicans spend taxpayer money or money from ACORN's? Democrat money OK In previous election cycles, when the Republicans had more money to spend, the media pundits frequently accused them of trying to "buy" the election. Now that Democrats are ahead, these same commentators say the treasure is a tribute to the support of the people and see nothing wrong with it.[20]

Mr. Bitney was a high school classmate of the Palins and had worked for Ms. Palin. She fired Mr. Bitney after learning that he had fallen in love with another longtime friend. "I understood from the call that Todd wasn't happy with me hiring John and he'd like to see him not there," Mr. Harris said. "The Palin family gets upset at personal issues," he added. "And at our level, they want to strike back." Democrats and Republicans alike describe her as often missing in action. Since taking office in 2007, Ms. Palin has spent 312 nights at her Wasilla home, some 600 miles to the north of the governor's mansion in Juneau, records show. During the last legislative session, some lawmakers became so frustrated with her absences that they took to wearing "Where's Sarah?" pins. Many politicians say they typically learn of her initiatives -- and vetoes -- from news releases.[15] As usual, the intrepid Anchorage Daily News offers the go-to coverage of the Stevens/Palin entanglements. At minute 1:13 you can see the last-minute 2006 campaign commercial in which Stevens passes the baton to Palin's "new generation" of leadership, asking his fellow Alaskans to "help Sarah become governor, which we all want to see." Half way through, we see Palin and Stevens joshing around together at a press conference from this past July post the FBI raid of Stevens' home, but just prior to his indictment.[31]

Demonizing the opponent is a dirty way to run a campaign. Obama has said he'd cut taxes on all but 5 percent, and raise them only on families making more than $250,000. Palin keeps trying to link his name to socialism and terrorists. She again brought up Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright.[10] OBAMA's LAST DEBATE Obama's last debate ( video-trans ), as the first, was intensely frustrating. Given multiple chances to put McCain away with devastating honest counterpunches on his responsibility in this economic catastrophe, Obama instead wasted much time reacting to McCain's distracting and total bull attacks- who cares about a 3-8% tax hike if you have over $¼ mil income- compared to many tens of millions being out of work and losing their homes, who cares about William Ayres or so-called "class warfare", when McCain's primary economic advisor, pal, and campaign co-chair, Phil Gramm, wrote the bill that will wipe out the world economic system, deregulating credit default swaps !!!!!!@!! That is class warfare, enriching the obscenely moneyed class by stealing from everyone. There are $62 trillion of these things (most worthless cause they bet that housing prices would always rise), far more than all the monetary reserves in the world- so this meltdown is ju st beginning. He didn't even mention it- the wimp.[15] Obama has no Experience, and no matter how much he denies it, its a fact that he has donated to ACORN & also affiliated with Bill Ayres.a known terrorist. Plus McCain has proven that he will cross party lines, and use common sense instead of sticking to party lines. McCain stayed in a prison camp, because he would not leave without his fellow prisoners. Obama kicked his pastor to the curb as soon as the going got rough. Did you see McCain stick up for Obama when the elderly lady said some thing deragative about Obama at one of his campaigns stops? Thats integrity & respect.[14]

Senator McCain has simply refused to discuss policy in any meaningful way besides making untrue claims that Obama is an evil super villain who wants to balloon the size of government and is in bed with Bill Ayers. In the third Presidential debate when asked what he would do about government spending, McCain said that he would '''take a hatchet''' to the Federal budget and institute a government spending freeze on '''all but the most important programs,''' including defense, veterans care, social security, and healthcare.[17] If you don't like Obama's opinions, then tell us what McCain has to offer, start acting like adults and stop whining about what the other can't do. We all have opinions, but there is a right and a wrong way to get them across.[14] Suddenly the economy has trumped all other issues. Mr Obama has the great advantage of not being associated with the Cheney Presidency (for which George W Bush was such an unconvincing front-man), to have opposed the war in Iraq, and to offer the hope of a dignified withdrawal. The American voter, confused, disillusioned, uncertain, fearful about the future, worried about the mortgage, the pension, the job, just wants change, and Mr Obama, more than Mr McCain, despite his professed maverick streak, promises just that. In the argot of the bookies, some of whom have already paid out on him as a winner, he should be coming home in a hack.[7] Devoid of substantive policy options and facing the prospect of a massive defeat, the Republicans hope to scare undecided American voters into rejecting the change—or better said, the uncertainty-- which an Obama presidency represents. They pander to ignorance and fear rather than optimism and hope in order to encourage voters to turn their backs on uncertainty and embrace something that offers the appearance of familiarity and tradition. “Country First” is the rhetorical cover for this counter-reformist message, even if the Republicans appear to care less about country than they do about holding onto the presidency. In an election in which a person of colour has the possibility of becoming Commander in Chief during a time of national crisis, it remains to be seen if the majority of the electorate will want to be on the side of those who prefer to reject history rather than help make it.[2]

Apart from the tolerance for error on either side, there is the reluctance of people to admit to extreme views when polled. This was a common feature of elections in the North for years, when the DUP and Sinn Fein consistently performed 4pc or 5pc better on the day than the polls were predicting. Obama has to beware the tides of prejudice on his way to the Forum, rather than the Ides of March (although, sadly, perhaps that too). It is a sign that old habits die hard that voters in the North very rarely give a second preference across the traditional divide, even to parties which share the same range of policies.[7] Terrorists don't attack Littleville USA nor does Russia. The problems Obama will create are in the slums his voters infest. They want to cheer for him, let Cafferty cheer as it will be his Obama voters bashing him over the head for what he has in the rough times ahead. Obama's people like Buffett have told the world that this will last 2 years as they have it set up to last 2 years.[18]

Chris Mathews skewered some McCain spokesman, furiously repeating ten times, "Do you think Obama pals around with terrorists ?", until the guy was out of time. Latest Reuters/ Zogby poll has Obama up by 12 points, Pew by 14 points, meanwhile a deeply suspect AP poll has it neck in neck with a 1 point Obama lead: turns out their full sample had a 10 point BO lead, while the 70% likely voters were almost tied.[15] "I already have talked to a lot of Democrats - lifelong Democrats - and just tell people to really look and not get caught up in the charisma. That's what Obama's doing. He's very charismatic. They just need to look at the words and the meaning behind the words." With only one week to go in a close race, McCain may have finally found an issue that's helping him in the polls - unlike when he brought up his opponent's past associations.[8] Hudson resident Sherry Hoth shared similar sentiments. "People around here didn't come from money and whatever they have, they've worked hard for, and they don't want to give it to other people," Hoth said. "There's lots of people who donate and do charity work and help people, but that's their choice." Hoth said McCain should also talk up his foreign policy credentials in order to have a better shot at the presidency. Though many voters leave rallies with a renewed sense of confidence, Boots Oakes of Massillon said she didn't believe McCain has so far been forceful enough with some of the issues. "He does need to become stronger in what he says," Oakes said. "I guess he can't do it any other way.[8]

You see how far that got us! So I applaud the Herald for picking the right candidate who has great ideas to make our country the way it should be for all of us Middle Class people! As for the McCain supporters, I hope that you have money put away for a rainy day because REMEMBER he voted 90% of the time with the amazing Bush and that means the country will only be worse for the wear than it already is[14] Maggie, I think she was simply stated that she appreciated us standing out in the rain, don't be so sensitive and insecure and oh by the way Fredericksburg is NOT a safe red zone, it is a huge percentage for Obama, you should take a ride through there I am sure you would feel right at home. Her point was that all you big heads up there in DC are not the only people in this country, there are many in small towns all over this country and we are just as good as you snots up in snootyville.[21]

Do you really think doctors are going to only treat Obama ways? Black markets always start up just like the several trillion dollar economy flourishes in America under the IRS's nose. People will get over Obama'd just like they get over taxed and simply ignore the problem. Cafferty is looking for someone to hate as he can not hate himself and he chose a Lady as he is not man enough to pick on a man.[18] America had widespread sympathy and support around the world after the 9-11 attacks. That support has evaporated due to the policies it has pursued. Obama would be in a position to restore America's credibility among its allies and friends. Restoring health to the nation's economy will be even more difficult considering the mess that the nation finds itself in at this point. It will likely require patience, sacrifice and a positive attitude from the American people. That will require inspirational leadership from the nation's president, and there is every reason to believe that is Obama's greatest strength.[14]

Everybody knows that Obama embraced Wright as a young man while immersing himself indelibly in an inner-city, African-American community. No one talks about what a daunting and unusual choice this was for a son of transracial Hawaii: Southside Chicago was Obama's community only by color, not by virtue of his upbringing or childhood culture and the post-racial prospects it had opened. Inner-city blackness was something he felt he had to come to terms with because he understood that the African-American experience runs as deeply within American identity as American identity does within inner-city blackness. The unintended irony in Palin's charge that Obama is different from 'real Americans' is that he's also different enough from many black inner-city youths'yet also similar enough'to have turned their heads, big-time, even more than his supporter Colin Powell has done. Some of us envision an America where this delicate balancing of differences and similarities won't always be as necessary as it is now.[4] America's image abroad has been helped, too, by Obama's readiness to take us a step closer to Eric Lincoln's promised transracial land. The most important gain for this country would be some Americans' acknowledgment that color is not disqualifying and other Americans' acknowledgment that the most effective solvents of racism don't always march under banners that are marked 'anti-racism' or that are colored black or blue.[4]

To us it looks like something quite different: a declaration of war on capital. Obama has described his plan to hike taxes as "neighborliness," "patriotism" and "justice." It's the widest-ranging assault on capital -- and those who create it -- in at least a generation, possibly longer. Look at just a few of the things he and congressional Democrats have in mind: Higher taxes on successful entrepreneurs (anyone earning over $250,000), higher taxes on capital gains, higher taxes on dividends, a possible raid on Americans' 401(k)s, a takeover of America's private health care industry, strict new limits on what CEOs can make, and the re-imposition of the death tax.[19] What Obama plans is the higher incomes pay 98% of the taxes and the upper middle class 2% and everyone below that gets all the money that congress does not spend. 39% or $201,000.00 plus 7% for social security, plus 15% for state equals 61% of their income in taxes. $122,610.00 will go out in taxes leaving $78,390.00 they will get to keep. then take another 5% off for the new social security tax Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the dems want to add on and it shrinks even lower to $68,240.00. Now add on the fact they are ending the tax break on 401K's and ending them, another flop the dems came up with, and the only people who can honestly say the government is shafting is anyone who makes over 200,000 a year.[21] We've heard the words "communist" used in reference to Hillary Clinton, and "socialist" and "terrorist" in reference to Barack Obama. These are name-calling tactics that are childish, ignorant and regressive. Obama is not a terrorist and he is not a socialist. People who believe that do not know the correct meaning of those words. And, for those who don't believe me, Obama wants to raise taxes on those making $250,000 each year or more.[11]

The rainy Fredericksburg weather didn't dampen the spirits of the crowd, which cheered Palin's push for less bureaucracy. They were also on board for her push against Senator Barack Obama. She said she is just telling it like it is, not attacking. "It's not mean spirited either, and it's not negative campaigning to call someone out on their plans and on their record and on their associations," insisted Palin.[32] Many of my colleagues have written after-action reports on the third and final debate tonight. I agree with most of them who state that Barack Obama is clearly in the drivers seat in the presidential campaign.[9] Besides the two comments Palin did not stop or mention the rain not even grabbing an umbrella as the crowd ducked under campaign signs. All three of Palin'''s rallies today are outside as she stumps across Virginia. This state used to be reliably red, a Democrat has not won here since Lyndon Johnson won in 1964, but now Obama has close to an 8-point lead. Palin will try to close that gap today'''her next stop is a rally in Salem.[21] One of the main targets of Palin's speech -- Obama's economic plan and the possible impact on small businesses. Palin - "John and I know that it is our small businesses, it's the backbone of our economy. It's the backbone of this state our small business owners and their employees."[33]

As reported recently by Reuters, a quarter of a million students voted online and by mailing paper ballots in a mock election run by Scholastic, 57% chose Obama, 39% percent chose John McCain.[26] Republican hypocrisy and ignorance a voter turn-off With only one week left until the national election, the John McCain campaign might be regretting putting the governor of.[11]

It's difficult to imagine a more daunting set of circumstances. Inside the campaign, McCain has displayed his well-known stoicism, mixed with a dose of black humor, in the face of each new obstacle. Among his staff, it has become something of a mantra to say that whatever has to be done, no matter what it is, will have to be done the hard way. "You could think of this as trying to summit a mountain," one senior aide, who asked not to be named, told me. "Both campaigns have to summit the mountain. In most elections, one campaign has some kind of advantage over the other ' maybe they get a ten-minute or a half-hour head start ' but both sides have to climb the same face of the mountain. In this election, we're not climbing the same face of the mountain. They're climbing the side of the mountain with boardwalks and latte stands and playgrounds for the kids, and we're climbing the side of the mountain with axes and ice picks, and one slip and you're dead." Ask McCain's top aides about the obstacles and they'll remind you that before the financial crisis hit, as recently as mid-September, the race was tied.[3] Most political consultants are like accountants, only more anal and more emotional. They slice and dice voter histories to the point where they think they know how Republican- and Democratic-leaning voters respond to negative ads between 7 and 9 p.m. on the night of a full moon. Other than sweat, they don't know exactly how to deal with extremely high voter turnout fueled by voters with vague or completely nonexistent histories in the ballot box. "Typically at this point of a campaign, the average political hack can give you within a point or two what turnout is going to be," said Colin Strother, a Democratic consultant who is working on the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and Precinct 3 Commissioners Court candidate Chip Haass. "But nothing," he said, "is typical about this election."[34]

The prospect of national collapse is held to be imminent otherwise. In their negative campaigning, in the tone of their vitriol, in the repetition of false accusations and smears that lead their followers to believe that Obama is un-American, treasonous (for which the penalty under U.S. federal statutes includes death, particularly in wartime), that he is a closet Arab, disguised Muslim, foreign born, etc., what the Republican campaign managers and their media surrogates are doing is something much more dangerous than trying to win an election.[2] Neo-Nazis, xenophobes, anti-communists, Christian fundamentalists, assorted right-wing militia groups, anti-abortionists, Klansmen and racists of various stripes—the number of potentially dangerous individuals incited by the Republican campaign discourse is large. Such people have proven records of murderous violence against those they despise. To pour fuel on the fires of their visceral hatred is to encourage someone to take matters into their own hands in order to prevent Obama from winning the presidency or, if he does, prevent him from either assuming office or serving out his term.[2] CFresident wrote on Oct 27, 2008 3:08 PM: " I agree with joel w that Obama is a know-it-all and what's wrong with that? Isn't it a good thing to have a president who is intelligent, thoughtful, and reflective? Obama has an excellent academic background as well as experience on the ground. From what I have seen, he has little or no ego problem. In the books he has authored, he does not trumpet his own accomplishments, which some people find disturbing. I have confidence that Obama will find the common ground that will unite the people of this country--this has been the entire premise of his campaign.[14] The McCain campaign had one more obstacle to surmount. The problem for the campaign was that, in the eyes of many voters, the economic crisis wasn't a totally new, discrete event but rather a continuation of some of the existing problems McCain thought he had overcome. People have been worried about the economy for quite a while, and many of them blame George W. Bush. Their new anxiety in the crisis showed up in even lower job-approval ratings for the president, and the Bush Burden ' which McCain thought he had escaped in September ' returned with a vengeance. It's something McCain has struggled with from the very beginning, when he began contemplating a second run for the presidency after the failure of his 2000 primary battle against Bush. In 2006, as McCain laid the groundwork for his present campaign, it appeared his biggest problem ' and also the best opportunity to differentiate himself from Bush ' was the war in Iraq.[3]

The McCain camp is dead set on replicating the Nixonian formula of exploiting the cultural and racial divisions in America, hoping that there'''s a '''silent majority''' of voters out there who can be scared into voting Republican. Not this time. McCain is finding himself with ever less ground to stand on as his running mate, Caribou Barbie, has seen her favorability ratings plummet in the weeks since the Republican National Convention. Her recent statements expressing happiness in visiting the '''pro-American''' parts of America combined with her blatant lack of knowledge on several key issues serve only to further scare away those with doubts on whom to support.[17] If America is to survive the coming debacle looming ahead under an ultra-left-wing Obama government drenched in the welfare-state philosophies of Karl Marx, only a reborn Republican Party will be capable of bringing America back from the brink of destruction.[19] Newsweek doesn't go on to tell you who killed the Reagan Era, so I will. It was the Republican Party that demolished the shining city on the hill my father built. It was the Republican Party that was 100 percent responsible for the end of the Reagan Revolution. They forgot who he was; and having forgotten who he was, they stopped following in his footsteps that should have led to smaller, less-intrusive government, and restrained government spending. They are the ones who began to undermine the sturdy foundation my father built. The end of the Reagan Era was brought to us by the Republican Party, which had thrived under his leadership and is now in danger of becoming a minor player in the nation's politics and a spectator at the birth of a socialist America doomed to follow the path to ruin of every failed state has embraced the Marxist creed. Can the Reagan Era be resurrected? It can, but only by the party that was responsible for its death. Republicans killed it and it's up to Republicans to revive it.[19]

Alaska has become the latest in a string of states to boost government spending transparency by posting information online. Gov. Sarah Palin (R) has announced the state has put its check register online.[21] Mayors across the state, from the larger cities to tiny municipalities along the southeastern fiords, are even more frustrated. Often, their letters go unanswered and their pleas ignored, records and interviews show. "Sarah said she didn't need to read that stuff," Ms. Chase said. "It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn't even read it." "I'm still proud of Sarah," she added, "but she scares the bejeebers out of me." Laura Chase, the campaign manager during Ms. Palin's first run for mayor in 1996, recalled the night the two women chatted about her ambitions.[15] The other morning on one of the MSNBC shows, a half-dozen or so pundits were discussing the amount of money spent on Sarah Palin's wardrobe. They were agonizing with great dismay over a story reporting that the campaign had spent a reported $150,000 on her. One of the bad-mouthers was Mika Brzezinski, who undoubtedly has her own private hairdresser at 4 o'clock every morning. The others around the table obviously didn't buy their clothes off the discount rack either, with the possible exception of Mike Barnacle.[20] You are being extremely hypocritical by attacking the inexperience of Sarah Palin but not mentioning the inexpereince of your own favored candidate.[12] Sarah Palin's comments display an attitude that is blatantly anti-science. It's lazy, ignorant and gleefully so.[35] Perhaps there is some meaningful distinction between spreading the wealth and sharing it '''collectively''', but I can't see a distinction from the communist textbooks that talked about the very same thing as Sarah Palin.[21]

Why then Ms. Palin wants to come to Washington if all the best of America is not there? Does she think that by virtue of spending her life in Wasilla (except for wandering around colleges for 6 years to get a degree) she is actually better? If her ideas are so good why does she need to stir up the divisive us - them politics? Flattery in the face of the crowd is a very dishonest political move. Then she will move to Washington and start her way of small town politics, pronouncing herself the first Christian VP of the U.S. as she became the first Christian mayor of Wasilla, firing everybody who ever disagreed with her views as she did in Juneau, using her personal email account to conceal her vendetta - style politics from oversight. We already have the best of America senator convicted for that kind of politics, Mr Stevens, her godfather in politics who helped her to win, is going to jail. [21] Look what a Democrat majority has done for California for far too many years. Isn't anyone tired of it? No, we read how California is a blue state so when elections come along, we all figure, why bother? I say, not this year. Anyone who doesn't like the way this state is going, or this county for that matter, needs to get out there and vote.[36] Democrats, however, need more than the party's base to succeed, Strother said. Early vote totals from around the state suggest that most of the turnout is coming from consistent voters in both parties. A down-ballot Democrat such as Haass, for example, needs to win a sizable chunk of independent voters, who by and large have not voted yet.[34]

Add it up, and Obama will usher in a new era in America -- one where capital, the engine of our economic growth and success, is punished severely through the tax code. If Democrats win a filibuster-proof majority in Congress, it'll be the only form of capital punishment their party will support.[19] As I was telling Moroccans in March when I voted in the Primary by Internet from Fes due to the great org Democrats Abroad, which with massive registration of the 12 million U.S. ex-pats around the world, may tip the scales. I was swept up in Obamamania, but quickly had second thoughts about Obama's conservatism (only #44th most liberal Senator, next to Lieberman, voted for illegal spying immunity- though McCain constantly lies, calls him the most liberal Senator)- that I had betrayed Hillary, who suffered for us- maybe the most unfairly attacked person in U.S. political history, who knows what the Repubs were and how to deal with them, and arguably was tougher and had a more concrete agenda.[15] "We're not talking about a bad jobs number, or a day of bad economic news," the aide said. "No ' this was a global financial crisis the likes of which the world has not seen since 1929." The crisis stopped McCain cold and helped Obama surge to his biggest lead of the race.[3] McCain says you don't raise taxes in a recession, but Obama isn't raising taxes. He's transferring some of the burden from those who can afford it least to those who can afford it most. The one thing Obama is that will serve him extremely well in the presidency is an intellectually curious man. After eight years of Joe Sixpack, it seems to me we're better off with a guy who made Law Review than with a guy who was fifth from the bottom in his college class.[37] Obama was to begin with a rally in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester. The event amounts to a bookend to his cross-state appearance on Monday in Pittsburgh, when he pledged to cut taxes for the middle class and help the factory worker as much as the company owner. Obama then heads again to Virginia, where he is vying to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the state in 44 years.[25] An Obama-Biden administration--working with a Democratic Congress--would mean a more debilitating nanny state at home and a weaker nation facing our enemies abroad. We, of course, have confidence that the nation would survive such an interlude, and we would even hope that a President Obama might adjust course from the path he's advertised, especially in foreign policy.[19]

Democratic nominee Barack Obama touts his tax plan as just a way to "spread the wealth."[19] A Republican congresswoman said Barack Obama might have "anti-American views" and suggested the media investigate members of Congress to find out who's "pro-America or anti-America." This should make shudder anyone who has studied McCarthyism or other historical episodes in which patriotism was exploited for partisan purposes.[38] The references to "real America" aren't only about whipping up angry nationalism. They're also part of an established political strategy, in which earthiness is supposed to increase likability. Politicians from all parts of the spectrum have tried this, with mixed results. Both Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have been accused of adopting folksy accents when they address southern audiences.[38] The subject is ugly, unthinkable in polite society, and impolitic to mention. That is the possibility of political assassination, specifically that of Barack Obama.[2]

Our opponent's plan is just for more, bigger government. That is the problem, not the solution." Jennifer Watt of Salem said she was undecided a short time ago. She attended an Obama rally, as well as Monday's Palin rally in order to make up her mind. She said Palin's support of small businesses helped to win her over. [29] Polls are showing the race here is close, although most give Obama a slight lead. "This election is going to be close," Palin said. "Nov. 4 is going to come down to the wire, and it's going to come down to what you believe in." Palin and Virginia politicians who spoke before her told the crowd not to believe the polls, but instead to work hard in the next week to prove them wrong.[13] Why Obama has to stay above 50 per cent.'' There's an old rule in politics that an incumbent candidate is always in danger when he dips under 50 percent, even if he is leading his opponent in the polls. It's all about the undecideds. In a race with an incumbent candidate and a challenger, on Election Day the undecideds tend to break for the challenger, at rates as high as 4 to 1.[35] The issue is so fundamental that it defies reason that any patriotic American would not want to clarify a candidate's status before an election. If there were no problems in Obama's case it would not rise to significance, but he and his attorney's have maneuvered the Court to rule in their favor, albeit as a legal maneuver not as a matter of substance.[19]

Obama was much tougher on McCain + the issues and looked vibrant, young, and healthy, while McCain looked old and feeble. BO kicked back firmly and effectively and dispelled the overly cerebral nerd image he gave in the first debate.[15] While lambasting Obama's "big government" spending plan, McCain has voted to support some of the biggest government expenses ever: the $700 billion bailout and the Iraq war, which is approaching $600 billion.[12] The liberal media is screeching about polls it has taken or commissioned that show Obama ahead of McCain.[39]

Palin's speech came during a crucial stretch where the Republican ticket trails Obama in Virginia by 7 to 9 points in recent polling.[33] "Somehow, Joe succeeded where the rest of the media has failed," Palin said. "Obama calls this'spreading the wealth.' Joe Biden calls higher taxes patriotic. Joe the Plumber -- he said to him it sounded like socialism.[29] Obama opposed it. that should tell you where Obama is headed. MORE WELFARE for those that don't want to work. I don't know about you, but we worked hard all our lives, and for our president to write out a check to those that don't want to work is just WRONG. This woman said it would amount to 60 billion a year. Like I said in some of my previous posts. please educate yourself, and watch some of the cable news channels.you can get both sides there, and make a decision based on fact.not biased political ads[14] America needs a smart president. It should be more clear now than ever, after the last eight years, that common sense is simply not enough to solve our problems. We need a logical, rational president who can use his judgment to listen to the right advice and make the right decisions and plans for our nation. and it is hard to get much smarter than the former president of the Harvard Law Review. We also urge students not to get their facts from e-mail forwards or by word of mouth, but from reputable news sources.[12]

Ukraine will have another election- the third in 3 years- as the once hero President Victor Yushchenko further damaged his legacy by suicidally dissolving the Parliament- Rada- and the ruling coalition with PM Yulia Tymoshenko, she of the infinite braid (bet she hates it now). Suicidal because his popularity is somewhere between 3 and 7%, but his party now has 15% representation, and it will likely lead to domination by ex-mugger Yanukovich's Party of the Regions. "It's the end of Our Ukraine," said the director of Fullbright scholarships in Ukraine, Myron Stachiw, flatly. The bitter junior high school rivalry between Victor Yushchenko and Yulia has become so dysfunctional that when she jetted off to Moscow to successfully charm Putin into permitting another few years of vastly subsidized gas to keep Ukraine afloat… Vic appropriated her plane, leaving her to scramble for a charter. YT for her part, has refused provide the $83 mil for the election, and while the leaders endlessly quarrel, an economic semi is coming down the pike that will smash the burgeoning young country flat. Yushchenko went ballistic about the Russian invasion of Ossetia/Georgia, castigating the Russians, flying off to Tbilisi to show support with his friend Saakashvili, and making idiotic threats that the Russian Navy wouldn't be allowed to return to Sevastapol after they had annihilated the Georgian Navy. Timoshenko was far more circumspect at alienating their mammoth neighbor, for which Vic accused her of treason, even tried to bring charges against her for plotting with Russia. This was the final straw in their relationship - she had already allied with the Regions to cut the President's power and make it easier to impeach him.[15] The Wasilla High School yearbook archive now doubles as a veritable directory of state government. Ms. Palin appointed Mr. Bitney, her former junior high school band-mate, as her legislative director and chose another classmate, Joe Austerman, to manage the economic development office for $82,908 a year.[15] I'm sure that all the pro-America Americans are really happy to hear that Palin believes that dinosaurs and humans coexisted only 6,000 years ago. The Los Angeles Times reported that, "She had seen pictures of human footprints inside the tracks." Yep, she could be in charge one day.[11] Our country is chaotic. After eight years of failed Bush policies that led to these disasters, the American people are now being called upon to decide what leaders will get our country though these chaotic times without causing further damage.[40]

A repentant Joe has now officially withdrawn from all campaign activities between now and next Tuesday. Few of us would have even noticed Joe but for his appearing at a recent McCain-Palin where he called the district he was visiting "a communist country". It is not just Republicans who drop themselves in the soup for misspeaking. The veteran Democratic Representative for Pennsylvania John Murtha, who made national headlines three years ago by opposing the Iraq war, should be cruising to re-election again this year. A few weeks ago, he insulted his own constituents when he posited: "There's no question western Pennsylvania is a racist area."[30] With that put to rest, let's look at issues of much greater importance. Perhaps we should check into the background of everyone with whom John McCain has had any type of contact since he was 8 years old.[6] In the last few weeks, John McCain has become downright nasty. It began around the time -- you'll recall this -- the time that one of his advisers said that if McCain campaigned on the economy, he would lose.[18]

Palin said, "Our economic plan is a pro growth, pro private sector agenda. It will get this economy back on the right track." McCain plans to do this through lowering income taxes, doubling the child tax credit and cutting capital gains taxes, essentially making government smaller and putting money in the hands of the workers.[32] Palin a "Diva", duh. NO, they only think of themselves, how they look, how perfect is the hair, are they reading the "in" books & magazines, eat in the right spot to be seen and admired, etc. This LADY certainly gains more and more respect as the days go by. Let it rain she can handle it. Admit it, jealousy of her is the main problem with the press! They wish the public did not like her.[21] Palin's unfavorable ratings are 51 percent. After a couple of interviews revealed glaring gaps in her knowledge, she's been called unqualified, even by pundits in her party. Some of her big claims, like having opposed the Bridge to Nowhere (she supported it before its prospects faded), have had holes. Recently, a report concluded she had violated Alaska state ethics by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. Despite her maverick, anti-earmarks claims, she's had her hand in the till for family travel at state expense.[10] Fredericksburg was the second of three rallies Palin held in Virginia yesterday. Virginia's status as a swing state is proven by the frequency of both campaigns' visits here as the election nears.[13] The Republican VP nominee was unfazed. 'By the way, I love this weather because it reminds me of home,' she said. As the rain came down harder, some in the crowd ducked under trees and others covered their heads using campaign signs, but Palin didn't even request an umbrella as she stood on stage, calmly reading through her prepared remarks.[41] The Republican campaign rhetoric could be the trigger. By their implicit logic it is a patriotic duty to prevent, by force if necessary, the collapse of the American way of life.[2]

Of course, the biggest issue on the American peoples' minds is the economic disaster. It affects each and every one of us. It is of my belief that democrats would do a better job of fixing this crisis than any Republican could. The Republicans keep talking about how important job creation is, and they are right.[40] People are sick and tired of the divisive politics of the Republican party. I voted for many Republicans years ago when they were moderate conservatives not the right wing dogmatic people they are today. I salute the Chippewa Herald on this endorsement[14]

Don't forget that folks named Eisenhower and Goldwater, grandchildren of two legendary Republicans, also have endorsed Obama. Well, if you're a multi-millionaire or better, it's in your financial interest. It probably helps if you hate black people too, or at least fear them.[37] Sam Greenlee's book 'The Spook Who Sat by the Door' tells the story of a young, educated, upwardly-mobile African-American in the early days of integration. The vote for a large state body depended on their demonstrating a commitment to equal opportunities, so they hire him and put him in a place of high visibility inside a glass door on the way up to the Capitol. By clever manipulation, and by playing up to all the stereotypes, he becomes personal assistant to the director. Then a charity working with alienated young people on the fringes of black militancy employs him as director in order to secure a grant from the Ford Foundation. Little did they know that he was a revolutionary sleeper, preparing the way for simultaneous uprisings in cities across America.[7] "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. Under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened."[21]

We have no idea why people believe Obama can better solve the economic problems, but American voters have been sucked-in before.[20] Why haven't more people questioned where Obama's $600 million war chest has come from? C'mon, folks, even his aides only claim 3 million voters online donated an average of $80. so that explains the first $240 million.[21]

People are exhausted with Repub smear and slander tactics, and have finally, after so much sheep-like following, have turned against it. It is quite incredible- one after another media figure and voter turning against McCain for his sleazy tactics.[15] If you don't use it you are crazy, if you do you probably can't lose. Or you can sit on your hands and wait as the Muslim ads and vicious garbage activate enough unconscious racism to sway fence sitters. Specific Phrases : "That's dumb, John. We've done dumb for 8 years- that's why we're in this mess." (McCain is a screw-up who graduated in the bottom 1/2% of his class- but people don't know that.)[15]

The former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff'''s endorsement couldn'''t have come for a worse time for McCain. With only one week left until the end of our electoral debacle, McCain has to struggle to regain control of the news cycle to try to get his message across, in addition to having lost the ability to play the '''national security''' card. McCain being McCain, he will continue to stick to his guns and press on, just as the band did on the Titanic as it sank into the dark abyss.[17] A new pattern became clear. She surrounded herself with people she has known since grade school and members of her church. Ms. Palin chose Talis Colberg, a borough assemblyman from the Matanuska valley, as her attorney general, provoking a bewildered question from the legal community: "Who?" Mr. Colberg, who did not return calls, moved from a one-room building in the valley to one of the most powerful offices in the state, supervising some 500 people. "I called him and asked, 'Do you know how to supervise people?' " said a family friend, Kathy Wells.[15] As an aside, it is interesting that Palin did not hesitate to take the hard-earned $150,000 in new wardrobe or the $32,000 for a make-up artist for two weeks that the Republican National Committee handed her. Admittedly, she did not use 1/3 of the wardrobe.[27] With Nov. 4 looming and the Republican presidential hopeful trailing in the polls, supporters left the rally not only with a sense of urgency to beat the traffic, but also to win over undecided voters with new energy and optimism. Friends Patrick O'Hara and Andre Christian didn't hide their unease over the upcoming election.[8] The Repubs have moved to another level of criminality in their desperate attempt to purge voters, with Sen. Minority Leader Cong. (Delay's rt hand vermin) Boehner asking Bush to order AG Mukasey to order Ohio Sec State Jennifer Brunner to match voter's registrations with SS or Drivers License numbers. This was subject of a suit by the local Repubs, and some Ohio court went along with them. The SUPREME COURT voided that decision and said she did not have to do the notoriously inaccurate procedure (over 10% -200,000 unmatching for various reasons that have nothing to do with fraud). This cartoon President is now trying to jimmy a third election with the crudest of illegal partisan stunts- ignoring a applicable SC decision, and send the top cop out to disenfranchise voters. There should be riots and effigy burning all over America over this.[15] It's hard for me to believe that people are so blind that they don't see what Democrat majorities have done in the blue states, and especially in Congress the past two years. They believe the elite media that blame President Bush.[36] If we as a Nation of warri ng people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails perhaps a state or period of mutual concord would exist between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts.[21]

If you want to rein in government spending and reduce government giveaways that do nothing more than make people even more dependent, vote Republican.[36]

The attempts now to distance herself from McCain. If McCain loses, she will have already undergone the separation; she can re-introduce herself, swishing into the party as a gay divorcee, the cynosure of all eyes, given the divorce settlement gives her the Republican base. And, of course, she gets to keep the $150,000 trousseau.[24] The historically high proportion of Americans who say the country is on the wrong track ' as high as 90 percent in a recent Washington Post survey. The enthusiasm gap, with far fewer Republicans than Democrats saying they are fired up about supporting their candidate.[3]

Obama is no friend of whites or blacks or any race. He is enslaved to a liberal agenda which hopes to control our nation and ruin American values.[39] Jesse Jackson stated that Obama talks down to blacks. He owes his current position to white, pro-abortion liberals who control the Democrats.[39] In the U.S. Congress, Obama received 100 percent ratings from abortion chain Planned Parenthood and feminist pro-abortion group NARAL. Abortions kill whites and blacks, but the abortion rate for blacks is twice that of whites thus depleting the black race.[39]

Unfortunately for him, the last presidential debate has passed, and from here on in, most of the campaign coverage will be sound bytes from big rallies and television advertising. This is certain to give a further advantage to Obama, who is dramatically outspending him in nearly every major metropolitan market.[17] Change We Need: 1. current Obama campaign motto. 2. signs posted at parking garage pay booths and take-out pizza joints.[28] The nation needs more than that and Obama offers the best chance to deliver on the kind of leadership we need.[14]

Our country is in terrible shape right now and Obama has been the most forthcoming and specific on how he will improve the situation (reduce troops in Iraq and add more in Afghanistan, pursue diplomacy).[14] 'If transracial marriage is here, and biracial children are here, can transracial adoptions be far behind? It is time now to reach for the hand that is reaching for tomorrow, whatever color that hand may be. Lincoln wasn't thinking of McCain's transracial adoption, although he could have been. He was addressing black nationalists as well as white racists and even white liberals. He understood, he told me, that to watch blacks running political and military machines, municipalities, media organizations, and even money markets is to watch the angels of a romanticized blackness withdraw along with the demons of something feared and loathed. It is also to surrender an exotic white condescension along with contempt. For all of us, it is to acknowledge that this country's redemption has not'and will not'come through keeping race a central organizing principle of our polity and civic culture, let alone a wedge for partisan politics.[4] Not a way to endear yourself to voters. It seems that, after only a few weeks, we know almost nothing, yet at the same time far too much, about Palin.[11] The canvasser continued to the next house. They think that maybe someone will not like them because they are black and will try to do them harm. For better. and hopefully in fewer cases, for worse, this election is affecting our children in profound ways. Perhaps, when they're adults, it will be wholly for the better.[26] I'm only half kidding. It's obvious, though, that she's gone "off script" again; when she does that she can't seem to help putting her foot in her mouth far worse than anything Joe Biden has done. Like that issue she announced a few days ago she was going to take a special interest in, coincidentally usurping what is usually a First Lady's choice of pet projects: "special needs children" especially (another coincidence!) Down Syndrome children and autistic children (like her son, and her nephew). As Governor of Alaska she DECREASED the budget of such programs by more than half from that of her predecessor, but that was before the amniocentesis that diagnosed her own son's condition. NOW she's interested.[21] The real threat does not come from incompetent skinheads, redneck sheriffs or the intellectual midgets who shout epithets from the rafters at Palin rallies and on cable TV shows. It comes from those with some measure of acumen and skill who interiorize their rage and plot silently. They could be military, ex-military, former or active duty law enforcement personnel, with knowledge and access to the tools required to undertake a targeted assassination. They may know how to hunt, so understand basic issues of cover and position. Given the security measures in place and need for corresponding secrecy, they would likely undertake an assassination “mission” as a loan wolf or decentralized small group operation.[2]

Ms. Palin carries a tote bag emblazoned with "Real women hunt moose." Conservative bloggers praise her as a "real woman" with a "real family," as though working moms who vote Democrat are, by some strange logic, faking it. These days, politicians might also be trying to capitalize on resentment of Wall Street.[38] There's no excuse not to vote Although some professors across the nation are canceling classes on Election Day in order to give students more time to.[11]

The McCain campaign intends, I gather, to return to the commander in chief theme with an event in Florida Wednesday showcasing former secretaries of state and retired senior military officers. [35] Palin continued to warn of the potential hazards of a complete Democratic takeover of the federal government. 'Friends, if big government spenders control the House and the Senate, and heaven forbid the White House, they will have that monopoly of power in Washington, D.C.,' she said.[41] Vice presidential candidates: Senator Biden is a long-time Democrat who follows the party line. An alleged Catholic, he disagrees with the church on the pro-life issue and misrepresents its position.[39]

REFERENCES

1. American Thinker: The Left Keeps Hate Alive
2. Scoop: Campaign Rhetoric As An Invitation To Violence
3. John McCain, Against the Wind by Byron York on National Review Online
4. History News Network
5. Northern Star Online: Writer endorses McCain, Palin for presidential ticket
6. Wealth redistribution is called 'taxes' 102808 - The Augusta Chronicle
7. Obama will face spectre of prejudice in final days - Analysis - Independent.ie
8. McCain supporters remain cautiously optimistic - News
9. Politics Examiner: Sarah Palin, United States Senator
10. Basu: Palin's mixed appeal: Charisma, stirring fear | DesMoinesRegister.com | The Des Moines Register
11. The Maneater - Republican hypocrisy and ignorance a voter turn-off
12. Endorsement: Obama the best candidate for students, nation - Viewpoints
13. Fredericksburg.com - PALIN FIRES UP CROWD ONLINE >> Go to REPUBLICAN SAYS OBAMA TAX PLAN BAD FOR BUSINESS
14. Chippewa.com
15. OpEdNews ' OBAMA's LAST DEBATE, POLLS -A NEW AMERICA, DESPERATE DISENFRANCHISEMENT, 2nd DEBATE NSHVL, MESSAGE TO BO OFFICIAL, UKRAI
16. Debate helps Pasco school understand presidential campaign - St. Petersburg Times
17. Fizzling Out - The Tech
18. CNNs Cafferty: Palin Became a National Joke to Everybody | NewsBusters.org
19. Family Security Matters » Publications » Exclusive: Tuesday, October 28
20. The Democrat
21. Palin Stumps Through the Rain « FOX Embeds « FOXNews.com
22. Lynn Alison Williams: Don't play 'the Palin lottery' | Athens Banner-Herald
23. Javno - World - Day in Photographs ' October 27, 2008
24. Repent at leisure
25. The Associated Press: Today on the presidential campaign trail
26. Christopher Fink: This Election Doesn't Leave Our Children Behind
27. OpEdNews ' McCain and Palin Attack Obama for Being a Christian.
28. Read their lips: Candidates have provided memorable quotes, phrases
29. CollegiateTimes.com - Palin, Gilmore pack Salem stadium on ice-cold night
30. US Election Diary - White House, News - The Independent
31. The Sarah and Ted Show : Rolling Stone : National Affairs Daily
32. NBC29-Palin Addresses Fredericksburg Crowd
33. Packed Crowd Cheers Palin|ABC 13
34. Heavy early voting has left political pros rather confused
35. Crikey - US media wrap: Obama assassination story a beat-up? - US media wrap: Obama assassination story a beat-up?
36. Opinion: Letters 10-27-08 | good, letters, palin: vvdailypress onSet Site - WAP
37. Why would anyone sane vote for McCain? | Capitol Hill Blue
38. The politics of division
39. Obama a threat to American values - Berkshire Eagle Online
40. We should vote Democrats into our offices - Opinions
41. Palin Soldiers On Through The Rain - From The Road

McCain , Obama to spend much of final days in red states

CONTENTS:

A day after drawing more than 150,000 supporters to monster rallies in Colorado, Obama will give a "closing argument speech" in Canton, Ohio that will urge voters to choose "hope over fear, unity over division," aides said. (More...)
The closet is a deeply destructive thing. (More...)
For eight years, we've seen this philosophy at work; it's put our economy on the wrong track, and we can't afford another four years to look like the last eight." (More...)
WP ombudsman Deborah Howell sums up a controversy-ridden week at the paper involving two glaring photo errors (one accidentally selected photo pictured Jack Valenti, who died last year) and a slew of subscriber cancellations after the Post endorsed Barack Obama. (More...)
Unaffiliated voters ''' typically about one-third of Colorado'''s electorate ''' have started to swing to Obama. (More...)
Tracey Schmitt, Palin's campaign spokeswoman, said a third of the clothing was returned after the Republican National Convention in September, and "many of the remaining clothes have never been worn." (More...)

A day after drawing more than 150,000 supporters to monster rallies in Colorado, Obama will give a "closing argument speech" in Canton, Ohio that will urge voters to choose "hope over fear, unity over division," aides said. "In his speech, Senator Obama will tell voters that after 21 months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he'd do differently from (President) George Bush when it comes to the economy," a campaign statement said. Obama, fired up by an astonishing prowess at fundraising, will follow up his Ohio speech with a 30-minute advertisement airing on national networks at huge expense on Wednesday night. Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant said Obama's "closing argument" amounted to an appeal for voters to hand Washington over to one-party rule as the Democrats prepare to tighten their grip on Congress. "Obama's latest speech is more of the same empty rhetoric repackaged with the urgency of tightening polls and still-undecided voters," he said, attacking the senator as "untested and inexperienced". McCain's electoral map is shrinking as he battles to hold on to states won by Bush in 2004 such as Iowa, where yesterday he shrugged off national and pivotal state polls that suggest Obama will triumph on November 4. An ABC News-Washington Post national poll gave Obama a 52-45 per cent lead over McCain among likely voters, down from his 54-43% margin last week. "We've closed in the last week and if we continue this close in the next week you're going to be up very late on election night," McCain told NBC. Continued. [1] DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — Barack Obama took aim at John McCain before record crowds after his rival acknowledged sharing the same Republican party philosophy as unpopular President George W. Bush. Just nine days before the presidential election, Democratic candidate Obama again attempted to shackle McCain to Bush's shattered economic legacy and tried to rebut attacks on his own tax policy. More than 150,000 people flocked to two Obama rallies on the campaign trail in Colorado, with a record crowd of more than 100,000 in Denver listening as the Illinois senator tore into McCain for his support of Bush. "Just this morning, Senator McCain said that actually he and President Bush'share a common philosophy,'" Obama said. "That's right, Colorado. I guess that was John McCain finally giving us a little straight talk, owning up to the fact that he and George Bush actually have a whole lot in common," Obama said. Obama then listed what he saw as deficiencies of the McCain-Bush philosophy, which encapsulated his main campaign themes heading into the election on November 4 as America battles its deepest economic crisis since the 1930s. He said "the Bush-McCain philosophy" gave tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations and justified spending 10 billion dollars a month in Iraq "while the Iraqi government sits on a huge surplus and our economy is in crisis."[2] The Illinois senator was concluding a two-day campaign swing through the crucial western battlegrounds of Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. He sought to hammer home his favorite theme, that Americans cannot afford four more years of failed Republican leadership. Obama has focused on states such as Colorado that allow early voting, urging supporters to cast their ballots before November 4th in the hopes of luring first-time and infrequent voters to the polls. Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential Candidate, said, "If you will organize with me and march with me and knock on doors with me and make phone calls with me for nine more days, we will not just win Denver, we will win Colorado, we will win this election and you and I together we are going to change the country and we will change world."[3] The Los Angeles Times fills its lead slot with a look at the presidential candidates' strategies for the last nine days on the campaign trail. McCain plans to spend most of his time attacking Obama's economic plan and warning of a Democratic supermajority, while the Obama campaign is concerned primarily with staving off overconfidence. The Washington Post leads with a look at the increased scrutiny of credit card donations given to the candidates through their Web sites. Barack Obama's record-shattering $150 million campaign haul has raised questions in both parties about the laxly overseen, anonymous world of Internet campaign donations. The New York Times leads with the slowing demand for American products, which means thousands of Americans are losing their jobs. Many of the United States' highest-profile corporations have announced layoffs, and economists expect unemployment numbers to exceed 200,000 when they are announced Nov. 7. Barack Obama's "message of hope" will remain the same through Nov. 4, the LAT reports, while John McCain is sharpening the points of a "three-pronged" final attack that will focus on Obama's tax plan, his limited experience, and the excessive power the Democratic Party could wield if he is elected. Both sides admit the outlook is bleak for McCain, and the LAT reports that McCain's aides privately discuss his return to the Senate. Even though Obama leads comfortably in several states that McCain cannot afford to lose, his campaign is concerned about "overconfidence."[4] Buoyed by a huge fund-raising advantage and a steady lead in national polls, Democrat Barack Obama began his closing argument for the presidency on Saturday with an optimistic message that his economic policies will bring better days for hard-pressed, middle-class Americans. Republican John McCain sought to raise doubts about his rival's tax policies and readiness to be commander in chief, as he fought desperately to stem losses in traditionally Republican-leaning states on the penultimate weekend of the testy presidential race. Both campaigns focused on western states on Saturday.[5]

U.S. Republican presidential nominee John McCain, says he can guarantee a win in next week's election, but that the result will be very close. Our Washington correspondent, Kim Landers reports while the opinion polls show Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama is likely to win the presidential election, his rival John McCain is not giving up. Although he trails in key states like Ohio, the Republican nominee says he can guarantee victory. "We are very competitive in those areas and we're going to have to just get out our vote and work very hard over the next nine days," he said.[6] "We can't have another four years that look like the last eight. It is time for change in Washington," Obama said. Obama spoke on the second day of a swing through vital western battleground states Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, after a short break from the campaign trail to visit his ailing grandmother in Hawaii who turned 86 on Sunday. If he can win all the states that Democrat John Kerry captured in his unsuccessful 2004 presidential bid and peel the three western states away from the Republicans, Obama will be assured of the White House. In an appearance Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press,", McCain argued that he had long had major differences with Bush on issues like climate change and government spending.[2] Inviting me into the living room of his small wooden bungalow, Leslie Johns declaims like a fiery Baptist minister - but with considerably more fiery language. "Look at Bush with his slick ass, helping out all those Wall Street bankers," he preaches - to the converted, as far as he is concerned. "You bet I'm voting Obama, but not because he's black. I'm voting because he's not Bush." "It's wonderful you're here, by the way." For all his passion, 2008 would be the first year that Mr Johns has voted. On just my second day volunteering with the Colorado Obama campaign, it is my job to make sure he fulfills his promise. Now that the time for voter registration has passed, the objective of thousands of eager Obamaites across the country is to make sure that those who are able to vote (and, of course, likely to vote Democrat), vote early, vote by post or - at the very least - know where to vote come November 4. Their worry is that Obama's narrow poll lead in states like Colorado will be negated by new voters - invariably left-leaning - failing to follow procedures: not including photocopied IDs with their postal ballot, not understanding English, or simply not knowing where to turn up.[7]

McCain's strategy relies on holding on to most of the states Bush won four years ago including hotly contested Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Ohio - all states where most polls show the race even or Obama slightly ahead. Sweeping those would give McCain 260 electoral votes, though doing so is far from certain. The Republican would need to pick up 10 more votes by triumphing in a combination of Bush-won states: Nevada (5 electoral votes) and Colorado (9), which public surveys show are close, as well as Iowa (7) and New Mexico (5), where polls show Obama comfortably ahead. POLITICO.com reported McCain losing ground in his own state of Arizona according to a poll taken by Democrats, grim news for the GOP in an election where McCain's strategy allows almost no margin for error. McCain campaign advisors believe they've found an economic argument that undercuts Obama - his own comment about wanting to "spread the wealth around," in answer to an Ohio plumber who raised questions about Obama's tax plan.[8] McCain's appearance came a week after former Republican Secretary of State Colin Powell used the "Meet the Press" venue to endorse Obama. He is just one of a number of prominent GOP leaders who have turned their backs on McCain in recent weeks. The campaign is expected to heat up as it moves into its final full week before election day on November 4. Obama released a new television ad Sunday that characterized his opponent as "out of ideas, out of touch and running out of time." The ad, which will begin airing on national television stations Monday, charges that McCain has resorted to attempting to tarnish Obama's reputation to cover for the fact that he does not have a plan to revive the flagging U.S. economy. Obama will spend Sunday campaigning in Colorado, where he has a slight lead over McCain in the polls.[9]

A framed front-pager in the WP focuses on the Republican Party's well-oiled get-out-the-vote machine in Colorado (a must-win for McCain), which may be threatened by Obama's impressively organized volunteers. Colorado Republicans say their grassroots experience in the state should give them an edge. The WP's lead story reports that lawyers for both parties have asked the Federal Election Commission to examine Internet campaign donations, as the presidential campaigns have "permitted donors using false names or stolen credit cards to make contributions." Conservative bloggers first raised the issue when they reported that "test" donations to the Obama campaign under names like "Osama Bin Laden" were always accepted. The Obama campaign says it makes strenuous efforts to flag suspicious donations and points to such irregularities in both candidates' donor records.[4] The Republican presidential candidate also said: "I've stood up against my party, not just President Bush, but others; and I've got the scars to prove it." He also offered specific examples of differing with Bush, from Iraq strategy and deficit spending to campaign finance reform and climate change. McCain also has campaigned aggressively in the state, as has his running mate, Sarah Palin. More broadly, Obama is using his record-breaking fundraising advantage to buy up media time and make what he hopes is a closing argument for the presidency. McCain and his team say the race is hardly over, particularly for a candidate who's had his share of comebacks.[10] The Illinois senator was spending the next four days in GOP-held Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida, with a quick stop in Pennsylvania. Vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said Sunday the $150,000 in clothes and accessories bought for her by the Republican National Committee don't belong to her, equating the high-priced wardrobe with the stagecraft at campaign rallies. Dogged for days by the brouhaha over outfits from upscale stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, Palin argued that she and her family live frugally. To emphasize her point Sunday night, she wore jeans at an event in Asheville, N.C. "This whole thing with the wardrobe, I try to just ignore it because it's so ridiculous," Palin told a Florida crowd earlier in the day. "Those clothes, they are not my property, just like the lighting and the staging and everything else the RNC purchased," she said. "I'm not taking them with me. A McCain spokesman said about a third of the clothes were returned because they were the wrong size or for other reasons, and the rest would be donated to charity. Aides say Obama will lay out his closing argument in a speech today in Canton, Ohio. Behind the scenes, advisers were preparing the 30-minute advertisement he planned to air Wednesday on national TV networks as part of that last pitch, and also were mapping the transition to the White House.[11]

Bush captured Florida to win the disputed 2000 election and carried the state again in 2004. "You kinda get the feeling that the Obama campaign thinks this whole election process is just a formality," she said, accusing the Democratic ticket of overconfidence. "They've overlooked, though, the minor detail of earning your confidence and your trust and winning your vote. She also continued criticism of the Obama economic plan that she says amounts to socialism, characterizing him as "Barack the wealth-spreader." She vowed that McCain would allow people to keep more of their money, and accused Obama of not telling the whole truth about what she said are his plans to redistribute wealth. "It is not mean-spirited and it is not negative campaigning to call someone out on their record, and their plans and their associations," she said. "It is not negative campaigning. It is fairness to you, to the voters, that we talk about this." Florida, like Ohio, is critically important to both candidates because under the U.S. system, the nationwide popular vote does not decide the election.[12] Last week, Sarah Palin, Joseph Biden, and McCain all swung through on multistop visits. In an election in which McCain needs to hold onto all the states Bush won in 2004, those nine votes may prove crucial. It'''s hard to imagine a McCain victory in which he loses Colorado. Both demographic shifts ''' new, educated, younger residents pouring in from the East and West coasts ''' and strategy have helped Obama'''s prospects. His campaign targeted this state early and has established more than 40 field offices, compared with a dozen or so for McCain. It has also been wooing Hispanic voters as they'''ve never been wooed.[13] The contest is decided on a winner-take-all state-by-state basis with each candidate battling to capture electoral votes that are roughly apportioned according to population. As newspapers made their presidential endorsements, the largest daily in Palin's home state declared it was backing Obama. "The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation," the Anchorage Daily News wrote.[12]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican John McCain declared "I'm going to win it," dismissing polls showing him behind with little more than a week to go in the presidential race. A confident Democrat Barack Obama drew a jaw-dropping 100,000 people to a single rally and rolled out a new TV ad asserting his rival is "running out of time."[14] C EDAR FALLS, Iowa - John McCain, lagging behind in the polls, yesterday urged voters to elect him president to create a check on a Democratic Congress that he says is determined to increase taxes and the size of government. His Democratic rival Barack Obama urged a record crowd of 100,000 supporters in Colorado not to become complacent, despite his lead in the polls. In front of 2,000 supporters in Iowa, McCain ridiculed reports that Obama is polishing his inaugural address, instead focusing on the dangers of Democrats pushing for higher taxes and bigger government. "That's what's going to happen if the Democrats have total control of Washington," McCain told the rally yesterday.[15]

The speech, to be delivered Monday from Canton, Ohio, will emphasize the differences between Obama and Republican nominee John McCain, CNN reported. "In his speech, Senator Obama will tell voters that after 21 months and three debates, Senator McCain still has not been able to tell the American people a single major thing he'd do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy," the Obama campaign said in an e-mail to reporters. The statement said Obama will ask Americans "to help him change this country" and "choose an economy that rewards work and creates new jobs and fuels prosperity from the bottom-up."[16] Obama's campaign is reminding Americans that McCain, as a senator, has voted with the George Bush White House 90 per cent of the time. McCain used his "Meet the Press" appearance to repeat some of the major themes of his campaign, and remind voters that on that other 10 per cent of votes where he turned against the Bush administration, those votes were on important issues related to the economy, global warming and Iraq. "I was not popular in my own party," he reminded Brokaw.[9]

"But I stood up against my party, not just President Bush but others as well and I have the scars to prove it." McCain also brushed off opinion polls indicating he is set to lose against Obama, insisting that his bid for the White House is still afloat. McCain, who has been trailing Obama by more than 10 points in some national and state polls, told NBC that his campaign was "doing fine." "We've closed in the last week and if we continue this close in the next week you're going to be up very late on election night."[2] What America needs now is someone who will finish the race before starting the victory lap." Earlier yesterday, during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press," McCain opened himself up for attack when he said he and President Bush share a "common philosophy" of the Republican Party, despite disagreements on Iraq, deficit spending and campaign finance reform, among other issues. "I guess that was John McCain finally giving us a little straight talk," Obama told his army of supporters in Denver, where he recorded his biggest crowd of the campaign.[15] Utah Democrats are ecstatic at Obama's fundraising totals, hoping that it will lead to electoral success for local candidates as well. They say the neck-and-neck fundraising race is remarkable considering the fundraisers hosted on behalf of McCain by President Bush, Romney and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "In most Utahns' lifetimes, there hasn't been anything like this," said Utah Democratic Party Executive Director Todd Taylor. "The widespread enthusiasm we are seeing this year is truly unprecedented." Some have done much more than donate; both campaigns have turned to wealthy and connected supporters to act as bundlers, who solicit funds from their contacts on behalf of their favorite candidate.[17] Sen. Obama is still ahead, and leads McCain in some battleground states by double digits. He's not taking his lead for granted. He's unleashed a national campaign blitz that includes ads. The Democrat is encouraging early voting and is mobilizing his army of volunteers to translate his current advantage, into victory. "And if you all organize with me, and march with me, and knock on doors with me and make phone calls with me we will win this election," says Sen. Obama. The candidates will continue to keep up the pressure, crisscrossing battleground states this week. They will also roll out the stops - including former President Bill Clinton stumping for Obama in Florida.[18] Obama will hold a late-night rally in Orlando on Wednesday with former President Bill Clinton. Obama has built his edge in the battleground states much as he has in national polls. In the latest national tracking poll, he leads McCain by 13 points among independents and by 12 points among women. McCain leads handily in the national poll among whites by 54 percent to 41 percent, but Obama has done a better job of reaching across the partisan divide -- he attracts 19 percent of conservatives while McCain wins just 5 percent of liberals. Independent Ralph Nader and Libertarian Bob Barr both received support from 1 percent of those polled nationally. Two percent said they remain undecided in the race.[19]

Most polls show Obama comfortably ahead in all of the states won by Democrat John Kerry in 2004, but the Reuters/Zogby polls show McCain in serious danger in several states won by Bush. "If Obama holds the Kerry states, he is in line now to get enough electoral votes to win the White House," Zogby said, noting McCain faces a difficult fight in a handful of states where Republicans have a long history of success. "These polls are a measure of what an uphill battle McCain faces to win," Zogby said. "These are all Republican states and McCain has a very tough challenge, but they are all close."[19] With eight days remaining for the election, polls of the 50 states show Obama either nearing or above the 270 electoral votes needed for victory. McCain, a former Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner of war, dismissed the poll numbers and said his campaign is "doing fine". The Republican, interviewed from Iowa yesterday on NBC television's 'Meet the Press', said his campaign has pulled closer to Obama's.[20]

At an unscheduled stop at a campaign office in Brighton, northeast of Denver, Obama sat down and called about a dozen unsuspecting registered voters. He shuffled from one call to the next as thrilled campaign volunteers kept placing calls and handing him cell phones. Based on what reporters could hear from Obama's end of the conservation, all of the calls went well for him. He then told volunteers to keep working through Election Day. "It'd be terrible if we just kind of let it slip away in that last few days," he said. His opponent, Republican John McCain, is needling Obama for starting his victory lap without having won anything.[10] Obama said the nation is already being "tested in a way that we haven't seen in nearly a century." That word, "tested," drew groans last week from Obama staffers because his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, said at a recent fundraiser that Obama would be "tested" in his early days as president. This gave the McCain campaign fodder to poke at Obama's inexperience. McCain said in speeches last week that he has already been "tested." "Future generations will judge us by how we respond to this test," Obama said. In the last part of both speeches, he stopped talking about McCain. He beseeched the youthful voters in the Fort Collins audience to serve their country, pledging to pay college tuition for people who served in the military or took jobs in homeless shelters, in high-risk schools or in poor hospitals. He said he was going to employ 2 million people to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, "and if people ask how we're going to pay for this, you tell them that if we can spend $10 billion a month in Iraq, we can spend some money to rebuild the United States." Obama attempted to convince weary voters that after more than a year of divisive political rhetoric, his policies would help those struggling as the country faces an economic recession, a plunging stock market and ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "With the challenges and crises we face right now, we cannot be divided -- not by class, not by race, not by region, not by who we are," he said. "There are no real or fake parts of this country. We are not separated by the pro-America and anti-America parts of this country; we all love this country, no matter where we live, no matter where we come from."[21] Powell effectively undercut McCain's desperate campaign to paint Obama as "inexperienced" and "unstable" in military matters and foreign affairs. Prior to Powell's endorsement, Obama had already exposed McCain, through their three head-to-head presidential debates, McCain has steadfastly advocated staying in Iraq until an undefined victory even after President Bush and the Iraqi government agreed on the withdrawal of American troops by the end of 2011. For some time, American voters had increasingly questioned McCain's endless use of his long years in Senate and his experience as a Vietnam prisoner of war as evidence of the character and judgment required for the president to handle the crisis at home and abroad.[22] Mr. Obama will tell voters that critical swing state after 21 months on the campaign trail and three debates, Mr. McCain still has not been able to tell the American people "a single major thing hed do differently from George Bush when it comes to the economy," the Obama campaign said. According to the Obama campaign, he will tell voters that in a week "they can choose hope over fear, unity over division and the promise of change over the power of the status quo."[23] We need experience, a record of service and bipartisan leadership. With Obama, the American people have no guarantee that he will govern from the center. McCain has proven he is a centrist. McCain's record shows he is willing to regulate when necessary and deregulate when necessary. He supports banking regulations now, but he also has a record of deregulating industries that become mired in government bureaucracy. He is the right Republican for this point in American history. Obama has pledged repeatedly he will tax the rich and spread the wealth. By contrast, McCain has supported many moderate policies in his career. As he said, he is no George Bush.[24]

"There is a general reaction of 'Why would you vote for McCain,'" Jentges said. "Liberals are supposed to be open-minded and open to people's beliefs, but they tend to just judge you." Jentges, who opposes abortion and affirmative action, said she aligns more closely with both McCain and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's social stances but is outnumbered by the majority of students; she admits only two of her friends are voting Republican. UW senior Hallie Slamowitz, who is an Obama supporter, said there are more Republicans on campus than people think but believes Republican students tend to suppress their views unless they are very outspoken and willing to get into a debate. Slamowitz said since 75 percent of people match their parents' party identification there are naturally many conservative students on campus because areas of Wisconsin are quite conservative. "It is hard for them to voice their opinion, especially when Wisconsin is such a liberal campus," Slamowitz said. Slamowitz said the main reason she is voting for Obama is because of the potential vacancy in the Supreme Court during the next presidential run, adding if McCain won he could potentially appoint conservative justices who could overturn decisions such as Roe v. Wade. Despite her alignment with Obama's social stances, Slamowitz said she admits she does not agree with all of Obama's positions. "Just because you are a Republican doesn't mean you agree with every one of McCain's stances," she said[25] The loss of Colorado would be disastrous for John McCain's chances by itself, but also because it would be a clear signal that even traditional bastions are no longer safe from the Obama onslaught. The Republicans' difficulties today in Colorado mirror those elsewhere: the party is paying a price locally for insisting on picking ever more right-wing candidates at a time when the political pendulum has begun to swing in the other direction. "Nixon came up with the strategy that people would vote for you if they could identify with you.[26]

Over 60 percent of voters, young and old, are feeling empowered and ready to repair the America that neo-conservative Republicans have wrecked. They are voluntarily using e-mail to spread Obama's messages and prevent Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, from dispersing vicious smears against Obama.[22]

The Obama camp responded that the report that transition chief John Podesta had penned an address, which has already been published in a book, were false. "While this charge is completely false and there is no draft of an inaugural address for Senator Obama, the last thing we need is a candidate like John McCain who just plans on rereading George Bush's," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.[27] McCain has a history that is extremely sorted and inconsistent. His butt was saved so many times by his family (Admiral dad and grandfather) that nobody can even keep count. McCain has no real history of having ever behaved in a way that would be considered acceptable to any of his Cristian right supporters. He had a never ending series of affairs, even while he had a crippled wife who waited 5 years for him to return from Vietnam. I could go on and on, but the point is many of the McCain Palin supporters have to twist the facts into a pretzel to find a way to justify their support. I was a big fan of McCain in 2000, but ever since then he has behaved almost like a crazy man. His behavior is so inconsistent with his past beliefs, and so erratic that I no longer know what it is he does believe in. He talked about rinning a clean campaign and then was the overwhelmingly more negative of the two. He complained about Obama's relatively short political career and then picked the least qualified VP candidate in U.S. history. He says he does everything for his country but doesn't seem to care that he is a very sick old man who is unlikely to make it trough his Presidency.[13] McCain seems to have a Teflon quality because most of his Conservative base is still too hesitant to criticize a Republican War Hero. If McCain wasn't a POW, his out-of-touch perspectives like his belief that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" would have finished him a long time ago. All McCain says in his speech is angry, divisive hyperbole. Like a Gumby without integrity, he bends his words to fit what the conservative base wants to hear, prostituting his words for their unquestioning votes. Where is the "Straight Talking" McCain we used to know? The only thing we know these days is that it's "anti-American" to ask questions of Palin's qualifications to be second-in-command. Despite his heroic past, his extreme negativity and erratic behavior clearly demonstrate a divisive strategy for this country and extremely bad judgment for our future. Although the warlike aggressions of Bush may give credence to the idea of an Anti-Christ, McCain/Palin seem to be taking this idea to a whole new level. Hopefully someone else can appreciate how easy it is to be blindly-critical towards the things we disagree with, without seeing how these concepts can apply to our own perspectives and points of view. We'd probably be a stronger nation if we could avoid such intensely-polarizing terms like "Axis of Evil" "Anti-American" and "Anti-Christ" to define perspectives that we disagree with. Despite their differences in belief, I believe each of these candidates truly does care about their visions for America, and hopefully even for a united world.[13]

"For eight years, we've seen the Bush-McCain philosophy put our country on the wrong track," Obama said, "and we cannot have another four years that look just like the last eight. It's time for change in Washington, and that's why I'm running for President of the United States." He added, "We know what the Bush-McCain philosophy looks like. It's a philosophy that says we should give more and more to millionaires and billionaires and hope that it trickles down." McCain began the day in Iowa, a Midwestern state where he is looking to make up lost ground. His aides argue the state is closer than the public polling shows.[12] The well known Colorado poet Thomas Hornsby Ferill once wrote, "Here is a land where life is written in water". Barack Obama has said he will not be in favor of opening the Colorado water compact for discussion. With McCain being a Western State Senator he said, "I would not be open to open the Colorado Compact, under any circumstances, but of course we have to as a growing west we have to discuss issues, that's why there is a Western Governors Association, so the western governors can sit down and say how do we address some of the challenges we have in common, like our Native American issues, like our issues associated with public lands and our national parks, so I mean by the way I know these issues, I'm a western senator Senator Obama does not understand or has he ever been involved in any of these issues, I've been involved with them for years and years and years, and I'm proud of my record.[28] A review of 24 direct-mail advertisements sent on behalf of Obama or McCain documents a below-the-radar battle in which the message becomes something more spiteful, more exaggerated and often more ominous. Voters in Virginia received a flier from the state's Democratic Party warning that McCain "is hiding something he doesn't want us to know." The Republican National Committee sent half a dozen swing states mail adorned with the slogan "Barack Obama: Not who you think he is."[11] Unlike the more conservative Rockingham County, the city's vote in recent elections has been nearly evenly split among Democratic and Republican candidates. "What these do is mobilize the base more than anything else to get the vote out," Roberts said, explaining that Harrisonburg has seen a substantial increase in registered voters over the past year. "Once you accomplish that goal, your final goal in terms of your grassroots is to motivate your base," he said. "This type of visit can also serve the purpose of demoralizing the opposition." While Roberts acknowledged the significance of the visit - no major candidate has come through the Valley in decades - he noted that the Harrisonburg stop is a short one along Obama's campaign trail to a larger event in Norfolk. Rockingham County Democratic Committee Chairman Dan Breeden said news of the visit has reenergized him and others in the party.[29] The political environment has become increasingly favorable for Democrats and challenging for Republicans as the global economic crisis dominates the campaign. In coming days, both candidates will focus primarily on Bush-won, vote-rich battlegrounds like Ohio and Florida, which decided the last two presidential elections and could do so again. Pennsylvania is the only state that Democratic Sen. John Kerry won four years ago that both candidates are expected to visit before Election Day.[11]

"Barack Obama was in the Democratic cloakroom. It would have taken him five seconds to come out and vote," Mr. Graham said at a rally in Cedar Falls, Iowa, attended by about 2,000 people. "He does not deserve to be commander in chief." He also said Mr. McCain took taxpayer financing for the general election "because it's good for his country not to have it overrun by money," and he questioned Mr. Obama's decision to forgo public financing as a scandal in waiting. "$600 million has been raised, and God knows who from," he said. Mr. Obama heads Monday to Canton, Ohio, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech billed as a "closing argument" for his presidential bid.[23] I will be deeply disappointed if McCain wins the election. Not because he's bad, but I felt Obama is better. Obama could've gone to Wall St with his degree, but instead he chose to serve us in the community as a community organizer -helping the poor, and really bring justice and fairness, since he was young. He then became a lawyer, a professor, and a senator. He's loved and respected dearly by those around him because not only his personality but also his desire and commitment to the community. Obama is not God, and he wont do a perfect job as a president like anybody else in America, but at least, he has the basic skills, visions, and goal and the support from a lot of people. I personally don't understand people who don't vote for him.[8]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Barack Obama is trying to snag a win in Colorado, a state that twice sided with President Bush, as the race for the presidency whirls into its final days. The Democratic contender could significantly boost his chances of locking up the magic number for victory — 270 electoral votes — by securing the nine votes Colorado offers.[30] Barack Obama pushed a sanguine message to 150,000 hearty supporters in two Colorado cities Sunday, vowing that as president he'll rebuild the country's infrastructure, hoist people out of their economic hole and bridge a divided populace. Nine days before the Nov. 4 election in a state considered crucial to both parties, the hordes of devoted, sunglasses-wearing spectators at Civic Center and at Colorado State University provided a stunning statement of Obama's drawing power.[21]

DENVER (AP) — Roaring toward the finish, Barack Obama presided Sunday over two Colorado rallies that together drew about 150,000 people, a startling turnout in a key swing state. In Denver, the city where he claimed his historic presidential nomination, Obama stepped on stage and seemed surprised at his own following. He saw an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 people — the largest U.S. rally to date in an Obama campaign full of them.[10] The campaign trail images and rhetoric said perhaps more about the state of the race than any poll could. In Colorado, Obama reveled in his largest U.S. crowd to date, with local police estimating that "well over" 100,000 people packed Denver's Civic Center Park and stretched even to the distant steps of the state Capitol. The enthusiastic sea of people prompted a "goodness gracious" from Obama as he took the stage. Another enormous swarm -- an estimated 45,000 -- greeted him in Fort Collins later on the perhaps aptly named Colorado State University lawn; it's known as "The Oval."[11]

Three states considered still in play to varying degrees - Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico - could be vital if the electoral math gets tight. With polls showing him behind Obama nationally, McCain pledged a scrappy close to the campaign. "We're a few points down and the pundits, of course, as they have four or five times, have written us off," he told a rally of about 1,500 supporters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. "We've got them just where we want them.[5] Obama, a first-term Illinois senator, was concluding a swing through the West with two rallies in Colorado, one of three states in the region _ including Nevada and New Mexico _ that are hotly contested even though McCain should have a natural advantage. He has represented neighboring Arizona in the Senate for nearly a quarter century. McCain was starting off Sunday in Iowa, a Midwestern state where he's looking to make up for some lost ground in a state his campaign aides argue is closer than the public polling shows.[31]

McCain says Colorado is an important state to win. When asked how his administration would handle natural and oil drilling compared to an Obama administration McCain said, "It's interesting what Senator Obama says, he says responsible environmentally safe, he would quote consider all of these things are ways of him sticking with the environmental organizations. Look we've gotta drill offshore now, we know we can get so much natural gas and oil from the state of Colorado, clean coal technology is very important, all of these things we would do immediately when I'm president of the united states.[28] Based on nationwide polling, the Real Clear Politics average of electoral votes gives Obama 306 electoral votes while McCain has 157 votes. 75 electoral votes are listed as toss-ups. Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove, who runs his own analysis and lists Obama with 317 electoral votes, McCain with 157 and 64 toss-ups, said McCain has a very difficult task ahead of him. He's got to win all of the toss-up states, 64 electoral votes, all the yellow-shaded states on the map. Then he needs to strip away Ohio and Indiana with 31 electoral votes to get him to 252. Then he needs to either win Colorado and Virginia, which gets him to 274, or win one of them plus Pennsylvania, which would get him to 282 or 286.[32] Palin, meanwhile, was making another push to sway voters in the battleground state of Florida, where polls show McCain narrowly trailing Obama in the fight for the state's 27 electoral votes.[12] With 21 electoral votes, it hasn't voted for a Republican president since 1988, but McCain is aggressively courting white, working-class voters who overwhelmingly chose Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primary over Obama, who would become the country's first black president.[14] Everyone knew that it was extremely unlikely that a Republican would be elected President in 2008, that's why so many Democrats were willing to fight so hard through the primary. This year it was almost guarranteed that whichever Democrat won the primary was going to win the Presidency. If we put McCain or Palin throught he same scrutiny as Obama we would be hearing and seeing a never ending stream of videos and stories about the crazy things each of them has said and done. If Obama had some of the things in his past that Palin has in her's he wouldn't have made it to the first primary.[13]

Most of the ads the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee have announced in the past 10 days are based on Mr. Obama's "spread the wealth" comment to "Joe the Plumber" or Mr. Biden's guarantee that enemy nations will create a crisis early in an Obama administration. Mr. McCain's stump speech is almost entirely a riff on those two comments, which he uses as a chance to counterpose his own tax plans and to promise that he's already been tested as a national security leader. Late last week, he added to his speech an attack based on comments by Rep. Barney Frank, Massachusetts Democrat, suggesting taxes would have to be raised and defense should be cut by 25 percent. "We should take him at his word," Mr. McCain says on the campaign trail.[33] A McCain speech two days ago in Denver drew 3,000 supporters. With nine days to go until the Nov. 4 election and leading in most national polls, Obama today continued to hammer his central message that a McCain presidency would mean four more years of the "failed'' economic policies of President George W. Bush.[34] We're going to be up very late on election night.'' A Rasmussen Reports national tracking poll shows Obama leading McCain 52 percent to 44 percent while other surveys, such as one conducted by Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby, show McCain only a few points behind. McCain dismissed the public fuss over the wardrobe expenses of his running mate, first-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.[34]

" Barack Obama can't name a single issue or philosophy on which he's opposed the Democratic-controlled Congress -- not one,'' Bounds said in a statement. "John McCain opposed President Bush's wasteful spending policy, his big-oil energy policy and his efforts to grow the federal government by 40 percent.[34] Joe the Plumber and the economy have emerged as the latest pawns in the escalating search advertising wars between John McCain and Barack Obama, as the White House race enters its final week. According to a study conducted for Mediaweek by the St. Petersburg, Fla. -based direct marketing firm SendTec, both campaigns recently have started running ads alongside various search queries related to both topics.[35] Some will vote to protect whatever little hard-won money remains in our pocketbooks. Others will vote on the basis of some vague sense of idealism. Still others may vote in the hope of finally realizing certain heartfelt desires that they believe would ring in a better world--more humane, more just, more generous. There is no ready guide, of course, for deciding which of these values should carry greater weight. We should, however, recognize that in the end we vote simply according to those values that we PREFER. With these bedrock personal preferences as a given, the arguments for the relative inexperience and idealism of Barack Obama and the crusty, proven experience of John McCain can both be seen as the thinnest of rationalizations.[36] The battle then formed along a slightly different line, a generational demarcation that separates the potentially dangerous innocence and inexperience of Barack Obama from the seasoned-by-fire, perilously Bush-compromised experience of John McCain.[36]

Barack Obama and John McCain are not technocratic, workaday managers of vast, sprawling organizations. This leaves us with our third possibility, the matter of their charisma. It has been some time since this nation has experienced charisma on this level.[36]

I'm shocked and saddened that people still make comments like Julie Alton. He has been accused of everything in the book by republicans. They have attacked his birth certificate, his experience, his policies, his choice to a civil campaign etc. To me that looks like criticized over and over again. I can't wait for the day when his race doesn't matter. For me, his race doesn't have anything to do with my decision to vote for him. I am voting for Barack Obama and Jospeh Biden because they have brought a perspective and attitude to politics that has long been missing.[13] "We know what the Bush-McCain philosophy looks like. It's a philosophy that says we should give more and more to millionaires and billionaires and hope that it trickles down." Obama's campaign is capitalizing on the scope of such rallies to get people to cast votes early, permitted in Colorado and more than two dozen other states.[15]

Swing counties around Denver ''' including Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Garfield ''' and even traditionally conservative ones like Larimer County to the north seem to be moving to the left. It's gratifying to hear so many voters in Colorado supporting Obama, and thinking about the issues and making up their own minds. It is a little worrying still to hear that some voters are still listening to how McCain and Palin are characterizing Obama, which is to be expected is not the same as what Obama himself says. I mean, if you want to decide between the candidates, at least go by what each of them says, rather than what they say about each other.[13] To maneuver a win, McCain's strategists have keyed in on the tale of "Joe the Plumber," who shot to stardom following the third Presidential debate when McCain used his story to gain footing on the issue of the economy, which Obama had previously dominated. Wurzelbacher turned out to be an imperfect messenger - he is not a licensed plumber, owes $1,200 in back taxes, and independent analysts calculated that he would receive a tax cut under Obama's plan rather than an increase. Obama's rcord breaking fundraising efforts (he raised 150 million U.S. dollars in September alone)permit him to continue to run ads nearly everywhere. His campaign has bought a 30-minute political ad that will run on Wednesday night on major broadcast networks, making him the first presidential candidate to do so since billionaire Ross Perot in 1992. He is also placing the first-ever presidential campaign ads in online video games.[8] McCain and Obama are relying on the old-fashioned U.S. Postal Service to deliver that staple of a presidential campaign's final weeks: the attack ad. During the past month, the two presidential campaigns and their allies have bombarded voters in swing states with one contemptuous brochure after the next.[11]

"Tax and spend, tax and spend." As the day began, McCain cast Obama as too liberal for a right-of-center country, saying on NBC's "Meet the Press:" "He started out in the left-hand lane of American politics and has remained there." With the race drawing to a close, Obama is working to solidify his lead in national and key state surveys, while McCain is looking for a comeback.[11] McCain has a comfortable 50 percent to 40 percent lead in West Virginia, a state some polls had shown was becoming competitive. With the race in Florida tight, both candidates plan to spend several campaign days there down the stretch.[19]

In fast-growing Nevada, an influx of new residents, growth in the Hispanic population and economic troubles have given Obama momentum and a 4-point lead, 48 percent to 44 percent. Obama leads by 5 points, 50 percent to 45 percent, in Ohio, the state where Bush's narrow victory over Kerry clinched his re-election in 2004. Obama's hopes of putting heavily Republican Indiana into the Democratic column are threatened as he trails 50 to 44 percent.[19] Mr. Pe''a helped lead a massive '''Viva el voto''' rally Saturday aimed at getting out the early vote among Latinos. Local Republicans, however, aren'''t ready to cede the state, saying they see Obama as too liberal for Western voters. '''He has so many offices, but our get-out-the-vote operation is probably the best in the nation,''' says Dick Wadham, chair of the state Republican Party.[13] GOP leaders admit the Obama factor is there, but the trickle down to state races is not. "It makes them more competitive in an environment like this," said California Republican Party Chairman Ron Nehring. "But we have very strong candidates in those districts and I'm very comfortable with the strength of our campaigns." It is a long shot for Democrats to win all ten seats in play. If they somehow pull it off, a two-thirds majority would make it easier to raise taxes and over-ride a gubernatorial veto.[37] As a Libertarian, I get to be unbiased in this race, so the tradeoff between paying more taxes and losing more rights that Ms. Guetz complained about affects me as well. Not only are rights always more important, it's the Democrats who have become the Party of Fiscal Responsibility over the last couple of decades. It's not that they want to spend less money than they used to, but the Republicans have been spending money like drunken sailors, and the "taxes are bad" rhetoric has meant that instead of taking responsibility for their radical increases in military spending, the Bush Administration has run up $5 trillion in new debt, not even counting the recent bailouts. McCain was in the majority party during most of those years, and I don't see him acknowledging even now that government debt is just hidden taxation, or that borrowing that much money might affect the rest of the credit market, which is now suffering problems in both housing and business credit.[13]

At each rambunctious stop Obama portrayed McCain as more of the same, saying, "For eight years, we've seen the Bush-McCain philosophy put our country on the wrong track, and we cannot have another four years that look just like the last eight." In Cedar Falls, Iowa, McCain campaigned before a much smaller audience, roughly 2,000 people, and chided his Democratic rival: "He's measuring the drapes. I prefer to let voters have their say.[11] Obama's record is short and it does not transcend party affiliation that we all know for certain. An Obama presidency would coincide with Democratic control of both houses of Congress, meaning unfettered control of federal policy by the Democrats for at least the next two years. That is not what's best for the country. The American people have shown election after election that they want a balanced government.[24]

Andy2 talks about listening to what the candidate says, but with Obama what he says keeps changing. Tracking over the past two years while he has been running for president (instead of his job), he continues to adjust what he says by what the people want to here. He is a very good politician, but a totally unproven leader and executive. He says he can work across party lines, but has never shown he can do that both in the State and U.S. Senate. He is a great Monday morning guarterback. He never takes a position on Saturday, but jumps up on Monday to talk. That is what you are hearing and why the McCain?Palin ticket must expose him.[13] Although the last Democratic presidential candidate to win more than 50 percent of the vote here was Lyndon Johnson, the state has been trending more liberal for years ''' a result of in-migration, demographic changes, and a rising sense among some moderate Republicans that the state and national party have moved too far to the right.[13] "Part of that clearly has to do with the Utah effects of what's happening nationally, because obviously Obama has developed a very sophisticated fundraising operation." A direct comparison between the candidates is impossible, because McCain decided to take 84 million in public financing after the Republican National Convention, requiring him to stop raising money in traditional ways. Obama became the first presidential candidate to opt out of the system, giving him far greater latitude to tap his donors for more cash.[17]

Obama released a new TV ad Sunday that describes McCain as Obama often does on the campaign trail _ as "out of ideas, out of touch and running out of time." It also accused the Republican of resorting to smears and scare tactics because he does not have a plan to turn around the economy.[31] McCain, desperately needing to reverse Obama's momentum, was to appear for an in-depth interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. He faced a new rash of painful headlines about his running mate Sarah Palin, amid signs finger pointing typical of losing campaigns was beginning to afflict his White House effort.[27]

Bundlers, made famous by President Bush, have been quite active in the race that has already surpassed 1.5 billion in contributions. McCain has received more than 76 million from his elite fundraisers. Obama's have helped him bring in 63 million. Federal laws require little disclosure of bundlers, though the campaigns voluntarily release their names and the rough amounts they have raised.[17] The commercial, which which was slated to start airing in key states yesterday, highlights Obama's fund-raising superiority - most campaign commercials run 30 seconds or a minute - and the Democrat was far outspending McCain on television advertising.[5] In each, SendTec found that Obama's campaign is bidding on terms nationally, while the McCain camp is targeting searches only in particular swing states.[35]

"Fight for what's right for America.'' McCain, who continues to trail Obama in national and some swing state polls, said on NBC he's confident he will close the gap.[34] "There are some things I definitely agree with Obama on," Burns said. "But I like how McCain has experience and he is older." Turke said though he favors McCain's national security stance, he admits he is more moderate socially, adding he is in favor of abortion rights and gay rights, which are more closely tied to the Democratic platform.[25] The 72-year-old former Navy pilot, speaking on the 41st anniversary of being shot down over Hanoi during the Vietnam War, also struck a defiant stance, casting himself as the underdog in the final stretch of the election race. At one rally in Ohio late Sunday, McCain arrived to the theme tune from the boxing underdog movie "Rocky" to the delight of his supporters. "I'm not afraid of the fight -- I'm ready for it," he exhorted. He also repeated his claim -- angrily denied by the Obama camp -- that the Democratic nominee had already begun drafting his inauguration speech.[2] Obama aides are touting the Anchorage Daily News's endorsement of the Democratic nominee over McCain and Palin. The newspaper, in making its endorsement yesterday, said Obama "brings far more promise to the office.'' "In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand,'' according to the newspaper's editorial. "The same cannot be said of Senator McCain.''[34] "Thank you everybody for being so gracious." McCain jumped on a report in the New York Times that Obama's transition chief had already drafted an inaugural address for the Illinois senator, suggesting he was hubristic and took voters for granted.[27]

The reactions of non supporters on the phone is disgust, anger, and hatred. Previous election voter turnouts are low for both sides. The republicans will vote this year, out of indignation and "over my dead body" anger, many for the first time ever. All of this points to crucial get-out-the-vote efforts. It means nothing that Obama is popular.[13] I'm 23 years old and have never seen people so energized and excited to vote for someone. The fact that Obama, and his public supporters, seem far less intent on attacked republicans and more intent on talking about the issues and worrying about the people of this country. this is why Obama will win in November.[13]

If you don't know who Obama is, then you aren't trying to know. He has been campaigning for two years, has two books, and lays out his positions in tons of documentation that can be found on his web site. The people who are bending their words to fit what the public wants to hear are McCain Palin. There is tons of footage out there that demonstrates this (for example, McCain used to support a tax plan similar to Obama's but has changed his mind, bending to the will of those in his party).[13] Lyons served as Bill Clinton's Northern Ireland economic adviser for four years and is a partner in a law firm alongside former ambassador to Ireland, ex-Wyoming governor, Mike Sullivan. Lyons is known and prized for his bluntness. John McCain, in his view, would never have got into the U.S. Naval Academy except for his admiral father's influence. His running mate, Sarah Palin, attended five third-rate colleges before she picked up a journalism degree, said Lyons. "She has had no experience outside of Alaska: a state where all you have to do as governor is figure out how much money you are going to give people at the end of the year from oil revenues.[26]

Washington, Oct 27 (ANI): Republican presidential nominee John McCain has acknowledged that the race to get to the magic number of 270 electoral votes is tough, but said polls are all over the map and he is doing better than the numbers would suggest.[32] "Unfortunately, I think John McCain might be added to that long list of Arizonans who ran for president but were never elected," McCain's fellow senator from Arizona, Republican Jon Kyl, told the Arizona Daily Star editorial board in an interview published Sunday. The candidates sparred from a distance, each criticizing the other anew in hopes of swaying the roughly one-fourth of voters who are undecided or could still change their minds.[11]

"We'll continue to be very competitive in many of the battleground states." Questioned about his standing, McCain said he has been heartened by the size of the crowds and the level of enthusiasm at his events. "This is going to be a very close race, and I believe I'm going to win it," he said. Later at a noisy rally before 2,000 cheering backers at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, McCain argued that voters should elect him president to create a check on a Democratic Congress that he says is determined to increase taxes and the size of government. "That's what's going to happen if the Democrats have total control of Washington," McCain said, speaking of higher taxes and a bloated federal bureaucracy.[12] The other numbers involve voter registration totals showing a huge increase in favor of the Democratic Party. That registration edge could help Democrats up and down the ballot. While that's not strictly a coattail effect, the surge comes largely because of excitement about Obama's candidacy and the superior grass-roots organizing skills of his campaign.[38] Many new registrants are young voters, who notoriously fail to actually show up at the polls. All the talk of big Obama leads could lead complacent Democrats to stay home, thinking their votes aren't needed.[38] With the election just a couple weeks away, Derek Cressman with Common Cause, says the election in Colorado could come down to a few thousand votes and voter registration problems could tilt the election. "I do think problems with voter registration in particular around this unchecked check box issue could be big enough to impact the election or could lead to extended litigation. I think it's vital election officials get this problem solved prior to Election Day." New voters with "incomplete" registration forms have been sent a letter notifying them of the problem, but if they show up to the polls without correcting the error they will have to cast a Provisional Ballot.[39] Steve Fenberg is executive Director of New Era Colorado, an organization to get more young people to vote. "It's hard to accept this. That's why we're fighting it and really demanding that these voters are treated just as any other voter." Spokesperson for the Denver Clerk and Recorder, Alton Dillard, says it's the voter registration groups who are partly to blame for these problems. "Now on the check box issue, a lot of that has to do with voter registration drives, because they're the one standing there with the person, with the clipboard, while they fill out the form." Fenberg says the Secretary of State's office never told them the check box was a requirement.[39]

You know who you're going to vote for." Wary of complacency or overconfidence, Obama keeps warning supporters that they must work, fight and even struggle for the rest of the campaign. Obama even ended his day in Colorado by calling voters directly.[10] Seventy-three percent (73%) have an unfavorable opinion of Ayers, including 59% with a Very Unfavorable opinion. Overall, voters are evenly divided as to whether Obama has told the complete truth about his relationship with Ayers-41% say he has and 42% disagree. Obama and Ayers met during the 1990s in Chicago and travelled in similar political circles at the time Obama launched his political career. In terms of how they will vote, 39% say the Obama-Ayers relationship is at least somewhat important, including 24% who say it is Very Important.[40] I am worried about a reactionary, subtly racist, usually voter passive, gigantic voter turnout. Previously grumbling but non-voting republicans are disturbed this could even be a possibility, surprised because they live in a bubble of like minded racist views, are so angry now they will turn up at the polls for the first time ever. I fear this because of my experience phone canvassing for Obama in Wisconsin.[13] Many traditional Republican voters, including military families, are breaking en mass for Obama. In September alone, Obama raised an unprecedented sum of $150 million, mostly from grass roots including 632,000 new donors. On November 4, these grass root volunteers and organizers will turn out voters.[22]

Obama's message of hope and change has resonated in the hearts of many faith voters. McCain, never the darling of Evangelicals, helped his case in August at the Saddleback forum and by selecting Sarah Palin. His bid, however, may have come too late.[41] As the collapsing economy consumes voter attention, McCain has seized a line of attack that Obama is poised to deepen the problem by raising taxes. "He believes in redistributing wealth," McCain told supporters at his Albuquerque rally.[5]

All the rest is spume and froth. That is what makes the election booth the point of truth for each one of us. It is where we all finally come to face our inner selves as we push the chads for what we truly believe. This whole thing is not about Obama and McCain, it is about us. We vote our values without caring a fig for those of the person in the next booth who is voting differently.[36] Tom Dewey was comfortably ahead ahead of President Truman in the final Gallup poll before the 1948 election by a margin similar to that currently held by Obama in some national polls. dewey was confident of a win but still lost the election by ten points.[8] At both rallies, the Illinois senator appeared jovial and relaxed. He asked the 100,000-person crowd in Denver if there are any "small crowds in Denver," making reference to his large Invesco Field at Mile High acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. He laughed audibly during the Fort Collins speech, thanking a veteran he saw near the front row and saying the CSU campus was so pretty he should have gone to school there. By and large, these were not undecided voters -- many of the spectators, wrapped in jackets and hats, said they came to hear the man who may be the next president. Julie Nosek, a 72-year-old from Longmont, said she has seen almost all of the presidents live since Herbert Hoover. She said she got a "special dispensation to miss church," so she could see Obama in Denver on Sunday morning. "I thought, 'I don't want to miss this if he's the next president,' " she said.[21]

A succession of other polls put the margin much closer between the two, but the trend is the same: Obama is making ground in a state affected by foreclosures and economic woes - even if Colorado has been better insulated than most. "Obama has the rising tide in the sense that he has been able to get on the surfboard of the economy, plus /voter registration," said Rick Ridder, a Democrat working with Denver's RPI Strategies Research.[26] The state polls showed Obama leads in Virginia by 7 points, 52 percent to 45 percent, and in neighbouring North Carolina by 4 points, 50 percent to 46 percent.[19] The magazine's poll of registered voters found Obama leading in every age group and among men as well as women, and even holding a slim 46-to-44 percent edge among working-class whites. The telephone poll, conducted from Oct. 22-23 with a margin of error of 3.6 percentage points, also found that 62 percent of those surveyed have a favorable view of Obama.[31]

The closet is a deeply destructive thing. It leads many closeted gay men to adopt far right politics as a psychological mechanism to deny their own reality, a syndrome that is also very widespread at the top of the Catholic church, the Republican party, and the Christianist movement. If you have read Obama's memoir, you will immediately understand why he would suspend a national campaign for the most powerful job on earth to be with his grandmother right now. [42] The Guinness World Record rules says a campaign speech must be at least 10 minutes long and have at least 10 people outside of campaign staff in attendance. Both candidates are campaigning heavily in Colorado, a state that has voted Republican for President only once since 1960.[39] "I don't want to miss this if he's the next president," said one of the nearly 150,000 people who came out to see Barack Obama during a two-city swing through a usually red-tinted Colorado.[21] Lots of people are old and have experience. The old bastard at the end of the street who yells at children to get off his lawn could give us that. It is just as true that precious few will vote for Barack Obama simply because he is young and seems like a breath of fresh air.[36]

Ronald Reagan springs to mind. He spoke with force, lucidity, and ease, communicating his self-assurance to his supporters, then locking them in a tight, affection-filled embrace. John Kennedy, Theodore Roosevelt, and Andrew Jackson are other examples of this type of appeal. They had charisma in spades. This sort of thing is an ephemeral quality that is impervious to reason. It excites people, even when they can't tell you why. It also maddens adversaries, who simply don't get it. A charismatic leader, also, is usually a newcomer, though Mr. McCain gives the lie to the view that this must always be so. He possesses a charisma that springs from his biography as a war hero, his unpredictability, his defiant "mavericky" personality. The upstart Obama leans on his eloquence, his quick smile, his almost unstated half-African-American, half-Caucasian promise that he transcends an old and shameful division that should no longer obsess us.[36] No one can take away from the fact that Obama is an inspirational figure and a skilled orator. He does bring a sense of hope to many. Not since John F. Kennedy have we seen such a charismatic candidate with a keen ability to touch people's emotions. It was these reasons that we endorsed him in the Democratic primary.[24] Being a native Coloradan it isn't that the people from Colorado are changing- it's that the Colorado demographics are being changed by the people fleeing the west coast and moving here. What's ironic is that they are bringing the desire to expand the failed California policies, which they had just fled, to Colorado and to a national level with the help of Obama and a Democratic Congress. It's a virus, maybe incurable.[13] The Second Amendment gives U.S. citizens the right to bear arms. When asked how his administration would protect that freedom he said, "Well as you know the NRA is supporting me and opposing Senator Obama. They're a pretty good judge. I have fought to protect our second amendment rights for a long time, Senator Obama at a fundraiser in San Francisco said that the people in Pennsylvania cherish their guns and their religion because they're bitter about the their circumstances. Remarkable statement, I believe people of Colorado cherish those rights because they cherish the values and standards of a great county and great Americans, not because they're bitter about anything."[28] Obama seems to have a Teflon quality because the American public is hesitant to criticize an African American. If Obama were white, he would have been crucified a long time ago. All Obama says in his speech is empty hyperbole. Like a Gumby without integrity, he bends his words to fit what the public wants to hear, prostituting his words for a vote.[13]

The newspaper said Obama "brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand." The Daily News said Palin has shown the country why she is a success as governor. The paper said few would argue that Palin is truly ready to step into the job of being president despite her passion, charisma and strong work ethic.[11] Last month, the poll showed McCain with a 6-point lead. The flurry of appearances by both candidates over the weekend in the West were likely to represent the last time in a long, testy campaign that the toss-up territory will be given such heavy attention. Both men were in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday but the turnouts for their appearances were overwhelmingly one-sided.[31] Despite trailing in the polls, McCain pledged a scrappy close to the campaign. "We're a few points down and the pundits, of course, as they have four or five times, have written us off," McCain said in Albuquerque. "We've got them just where we want them."[31]

For eight years, we've seen this philosophy at work; it's put our economy on the wrong track, and we can't afford another four years to look like the last eight." He asked spectators in both crowds to raise their hands if they make less than $250,000 a year, noting that his tax plan will benefit the middle class. "That appears to be the majority of you," he said in Fort Collins, after almost all of the people in the screaming crowd raised their hands. Some people raised both hands. "If you make less than a quarter million dollars a year, which includes 98 percent of small-business owners and, by the way, 99.9 percent of plumbers," he said, eliciting a roar of laughter as he poked fun at McCain campaign favorite "Joe the Plumber," "then you won't see your tax rate increase a single dime. That is my commitment to you." [21] Bill Clinton was the closest we've had to a fiscally responsible president since Nixon. That's partly because he got lucky and had a technology boom happen, and partly because the Republicans were constantly hounding him about his personal ethics so he didn't get to do his own big-spending projects, but he had the sense to let people like Alan Greenspan manage the money carefully. Ronald Reagan, on the other hand, talked a good game, but tripled the national debt and inflated much of it away, and McCain's still talking the same voodoo economics without a clue about why it failed Reagan and failed both Bushes.[13] I've had the opportunity to visit the state several times, and I'd hate to see the tourism industry there be severely impacted because people like me can no longer afford to come visit. It seems to me that the so-called "conservative" areas which support McCain may also be those areas less to be impacted by this kind of revenue loss.[13]

I worry because past voter turnouts are so low. I worry that these people have always been there, always been republican, but many of them did not vote. I worry this time is different. They are appalled that a black man could actually be their president in one week, and they are angry.[13]

The state hasn't voted for a Republican president since 1988 and public polling shows Obama leading widely.[8] From the mountain west to the conservatives south, Obama is looking to change the electoral map by picking up a slue of Republican states.[39]

Obama campaign officials cite the razor-thin margins by which many battleground states were won in recent elections as caution that the race is still anyone's game.[4] Interestingly, only the Obama camp is buying keyword ads related to William Ayers, directing users to a site designed to combat the McCain campaign's tying Obama to the onetime radical.[35] Thank you, charisma. Successes and failures aside, we are now stuck with only this charismatic ideal type to draw from in our current election year. Similar in the gifts they bring, McCain and Obama have found the need to differentiate from each other.[36] Heading into the final nine days of the 2008 contest on Sunday, the White House competitors campaigned in key battlegrounds that President Bush won four years ago as the state-by-state Electoral College map tilts strongly in Obama's favor.[11] As president, Mr. Obama could prove to be a deeply eloquent crusader who could inspire and lead an entire generation. For his part, Mr. McCain might prove an irresistible force, a septuagenarian Teddy Roosevelt whose image, whose very persona, would allow him to cut across the ideological divide that seems to imprison the safer, more consistent types.[36] McCain had a 200,000 advantage in Utah donations at the start of October, but a recent surge in fundraising has given Obama a tiny 8,000 lead.[17]

On nuclear power, McCain characterized Obama's position as "Well it has to be safe, environment, blah, blah blah.'' Later, speaking in a high school gym in Zanesville, Ohio, McCain thumped the podium as he urged about 5,000 supporters not to give up hope. "I am an American and I choose to fight,'' he said.[34] With just eight days to go, the rivals will hold competing rallies in the rust-belt states of Ohio and Pennsylvania after a weekend battleground blitz through western states tilting towards the African-American Obama, 47.[1] Smelling victory, supporters even lined the steps of the Capitol, which was so far away from the stage that the people there needed binoculars just to hope to see Obama. The setting, on a sparkling day in this battleground state, said perhaps more than Obama did in his actual speech. It rippled with the kind of enthusiasm found at victory rallies.[10]

The length of the ad, which will air in key states, highlights Obama's fundraising superiority _ most campaign commercials run 30 seconds or a minute.[31] There's little - if any - airtime left to buy in key states, meaning that Obama will likely have the last say in the spiteful tv-ad war that has dominated the periphery of the campaigns.[8]

The doors to the Convo open at 3:15 p.m., and the event is set to start at 5:15 p.m. Obama put his campaign on hold last week to go to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother, who suffers from undisclosed serious medical problems. It was unclear whether her condition could affect the planned stop in Harrisonburg. This will be Obama's ninth trip to the commonwealth since the end of the primary campaign. According to a statement from the Obama campaign, the presidential candidate will lay out his plans to jumpstart the economy, provide affordable health care to Virginians and make college more affordable. Security for the event is sure to be tight, but it was unclear Sunday how the visit would affect traffic - both pedestrian and motor vehicle - in and around the campus.[29] Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he now holds the world record for most campaign speeches in a single day. Nader, who is on the ballot in 45 states but is polling in single digits, said he delivered at least 255 minutes of speeches in 21 Massachusetts communities on Saturday. Nader said that was enough to get him into the Guinness Book of World Records.[11] We start today in the U.S. where there's little over a week to go before election day. The two presidential candidates are entering the home stretch as they make a final bid to rally viters in battleground states.[3] Thanks for your comment. It will appear below the article shortly. The home stretch of what has become the defining post-millenium election season has both U.S. presidential candidates concentrating on key states, investing in advertising strategies and attacking each other's weaknesses.[8]

WASHINGTON - Utahns have topped the 10 million mark in supporting what will be by far the most expensive presidential race in U.S. history. State residents have forked over more than 10 times the amount they did during the 2004 election.[17]

Ms Jenkins has a full-time job in Washington DC but has taken three weeks off work, hired a dogsitter and - along with scores of other volunteers from safe Democrat states - come to help traditionally-Republican Colorado turn blue. This is their Spanish Civil War - and in the final week of the election, the Democrat machine is recruiting in a way that has perhaps not been seen since the 1972 McGovern campaign.[7]

We are in serious trouble. Those difficulties are going to be with us for a long time," he told The Irish Times. The economic difficulties highlighted by Lyons find a ready echo amongst many in the state: where 83 per cent of those questioned for the Rocky Mountain News poll said the U.S. is "on the wrong track". Colorado, which has become a centre for high-tech industries over the last two decades, now has five million residents - up nearly one million since 2000 - and many of these have come from California and other western states, changing the political demographics on their arrival.[26] McCain has a long and documented record of leadership. He has taken courageous positions in opposition of his party's leaders, he has fought and sacrificed dearly for this country, and he has the political experience, both foreign and domestic, needed to bring about the type of change Americans want during one of the most uncertain times in our history.[24] The issues facing the country are far too momentous to leave in the hands of anyone other than a proven leader. McCain is the only candidate in this presidential race with the experience and proven track record as a leader to deliver that change for all.[24] A calm and focused approach to resolve serious issues the country is facing, an intellectual brain with high IQ which is absolutely needed for a president to absorb and process a vast quantity of information an eloquent speaker who can sell the policies of U.S. not only inside the country but also internationally. McCain, a good soldier and dedicated serviceman and the country respect for his services. He lacks the essential qualities that the modern day president should posses.[13]

A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 50% believe talk of that issue has hurt McCain's effort while 15% say it has had no impact. Ayers, now a college professor in Chicago, was part of a domestic terrorist group in the 1960s and remains unrepentant for his activities during that era. Just 13% of American voters have a favorable opinion of him while 62% hold an unfavorable view.[40] Mr. Biden's comments had voters looking ahead on national security. "Joe the Plumber kind of got us looking forward rather than backward and ever since then we've been doing better," Mr. Graham told reporters this weekend. "Those two comments allow us to look forward." Mr. Graham, who was introducing Mr. McCain at campaign rallies this weekend, called the Democratic vice-presidential nominee "Joe the Biden" and labeled him "the gift that keeps on giving."[33] The McCain campaign has been at a disadvantage, having to defend the candidate's quarter-century-long legislative record while trying to pin down the Democratic nominee, an eloquent speaker who has far fewer votes to examine.[33]

A sampling of presidential campaign-oriented direct mail from some of the battlegrounds reveals a myriad of messages. On the Democratic side, many criticize McCain's health care plan, his opposition to abortion or the lobbyists who have worked on his campaign.[43]

Reports quoting fuming campaign insiders meanwhile suggested that a standoff was developing between Palin and McCain's senior aides. The Politico.com website cited four Republicans close to Palin as saying she was frustrated by her campaign handlers, whom supporters blame for a series of public relations gaffes, and was willing to disregard orders.[27] I praise her. She is exactly what Washington needs," he said. He also dismissed criticism about the Republican Party spending $150,000 on her wardrobe at high-end retailers. "She lives a frugal life, she and her family are not wealthy, she and her family were thrust into this," McCain said. "She is a role model to millions and millions of Americans."[20] The nonpartisan State Auditor's office would create a panel of three auditors to narrow the applicant pool to 60 -- 20 Democrats, 20 Republicans, 20 of neither party -- and then the two Democratic and two Republican leaders of the Legislature each would be able to strike two applicants from each of the three subsets, thus reducing the pool by a maximum of 24, from 60 to 36. From those remaining names, the state auditor would then randomly draw the first eight commissioners, and those eight would pick the remaining six.[44] Every year funding for schools and healthcare programs is held up because there aren't enough Republicans crossing over to vote for the state spending plan.[37] After a single year as mayor of Buffalo and less than a single term as governor of New York, Grover Cleveland was elected president in 1884. He would then serve two nonconsecutive presidential terms and wind up winning the popular vote for the nation's highest office three times. He has a rising reputation among historians. He and Lincoln did pretty well for such inexperienced fellows. Amidst such arguments and the acknowledgement of the failures and successes of charisma, inexperience, and experience, small wonder that our national discussion has become a cacophony.[36] "For eight years, we've seen the Bush-McCain philosophy put our country on the wrong track, and we cannot have another four years that look just like the last eight," the Democratic presidential nominee said. "It's time for change in Washington, and that's why I'm running for president of the United States."[23]

More than once, Obama said, "when I'm president" instead of "if I'm president." In both speeches, he emphasized that the nation will have to sacrifice in challenging times, calling for all Americans to adopt an "ethic of responsibility. because now more than ever, we are in this together." "I can put more money into education, but I can't be the parent who turns off the TV set and puts away the video games to make sure the child is doing their homework," he said.[21] The campaign rhetoric changed when Joe the Plumber became famous. Mr. Obama, whose campaign message had emphasized change from the past, turned his focus to how his plans will affect Americans' wealth in the future.[33] You know who you're going to vote for." Wary of complacency or overconfidence, Obama keeps warning supporters that they must work, fight and even struggle for the rest of the campaign.[15] Obama is trying to snag a win here as part of a multi-route path to capture at least the minimum 270 electoral votes on Nov. 4. Colorado offers nine such votes.[10] The U.S. president is determined by who wins the Electoral College, which has 538 members apportioned by population in each state and the District of Columbia. Electoral votes are allotted on a winner-take-all basis in all but two states, which divide them by congressional district.[19] The two candidates were tied at 47 percent in Florida, the largest of the battlegrounds with 27 electoral votes and the state that decided the disputed 2000 election.[19] In response to Julie Alton's post: As for being politically correct, we have a secret ballot and those that vote for racial reasons have only to answer to themselves. As for knowing nothing about candidates, there are volumes of information about presidential candidates readily available to those that want it. As for bending the messages, it seems that in order to win elections candidates attempt to tune their message to appeal to the majority of the electorate. Then when their message has limited appeal then they may attempt to excite fear, prejudice, confusion, and bigotry to recruit votes.[13]

WP ombudsman Deborah Howell sums up a controversy-ridden week at the paper involving two glaring photo errors (one accidentally selected photo pictured Jack Valenti, who died last year) and a slew of subscriber cancellations after the Post endorsed Barack Obama. A New Yorker who lost her Wall Street job well ahead of the current situation pens a column in the NYT about finding relief in her misfortune and, after a much-needed period of rest, feels "energized, eager to start a new career, and open to possibility." [4] Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can.[13]

Julie, your "anti-Christ" comment about Obama is quite offensive to me, an evangelical Christian. When Sarah Palin says she is a Christian, no one questions her faith, but when Barack says he is one, there are some uninformed or simply dumb people who keep insisting he is a muslim.[13] Politicians may lie, but numbers don't. Obama doesn't use his race as a crutch or a trump card but Palin had idiots yelling audibly "kill him" at her rallies and the republicans didn't do anything until a fuss was made about it.[8] If Obama wins then it will mean that America has finally broken free of the stranglehold of the Republican cult of dishonesty, disinformation, incompetence, fear and corruption.[8]

Plouffe said Democrats on all levels are benefiting from Obama's massive voter-registration drives and local organizations built by the campaign.[38] Obama is said to have explored a major online buy in the campaign's final days and committed to a second in-game ad buy via Microsoft subsidiary Massive, said officials.[35] Obama's campaign said the 30-second commercial would begin running on national cable television outlets today.[20] The lack of experience of the younger Senator, though vilified by many, is viewed by just as many others as an asset. Mr. Obama's true believers sometimes argue that his inexperience simply means that he has not had as much time to buy into the system. From our national history, the apologists for this position can safely fall back on the example of Abraham Lincoln, an unknown, single-term congressman from the very edge of the national frontier.[36] Senator Obama has been a paragon of civility that has been so lacking in politics for so long. He has maintained his focus on the issues and what he proposes to do to address those issues. Obama seems to be much better qualified by his temperament, judgment, and rational faculties.[13]

Unaffiliated voters ''' typically about one-third of Colorado'''s electorate ''' have started to swing to Obama. Some voters here are not happy about their choices. Guetz, for one, says she feels as though '''I have to decide if we want to pay more taxes or lose more rights.''' She doesn'''t want either but is more worried about the threat she sees to women'''s rights from a McCain-Palin ticket. [13] Roughly one-quarter of eligible voters in Colorado have already cast ballots. Obama had just returned to the trail after taking a break to visit his ill grandmother in Hawaii.[21]

"We were going to have a very close election here in Colorado four to six weeks ago. You can literally track the Obama level of support to the SP 500 value as it dropped," he declared.[26]

We know nothing about Obama, the only thing we know is that it is politically correct to vote for a black man and not ask questions. His past actions and associations clearly demonstrate a hatred for this country and extreme bad judgment.[13] Obama has been fully vetted and has been under the microscope for 20 months, where as the country has seen Palin for little less than 2 months. His policies have been criticized, his character and his faith has been attacked viciously, and his patriotism questioned over and over again.[13]

It's always interesting to see how willing we are to imagine the faults in a candidate we have already decided we are against, while seeing none of the faults of the one we have already decided we will support. The notion that Obama has some advatange because he had a black father is simply rediculous. I would imagine that if a white man as smart and level headed as Obama was running in his place, he would be ahead by 25 points right now rather than only 10.[13] McCain's policies are disastrous. He lacks knowledge in economy and his only major concern is about continuing the war in IRAQ. He flips flops during debates and chose air-head Palin as his running mate. As a non-black, and a non-white, and non-veteran myself, I guess I can view both candidates fairly and accurately based on their positions, personalities, leadership skills without taking skin color or personal association into consideration.[8] UW senior Liz Burns, who plans to vote for McCain, said Republicans do not always support everything McCain stands for. Burns said she agrees with both McCain's policy on the war in Iraq and economic stance on taxes but admits she disagrees with his anti-abortion stance.[25] Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again.[13] "I was the harshest critic of the failed strategy in Iraq.'' McCain said on NBC that he has found common ground with Bush, 62, on other issues, such as the need for the $700 billion financial rescue plan.[34] McCain has inched up slightly on the economy, the issue that dwarfs all others for likely voters. In Iowa today, he told voters he is the man to handle the financial crisis.[18]

I know what it'''s like when you join the ranks of the idiots just because you come up short. Most of all, I know that Steve Schmidt and his colleagues have run a very good campaign and have taken McCain further than he had any reasonable right to, given the political climate.[42] Some 18,319 new voters decided not to join any political party. This works out to 45 percent of the new registrations. The percentage of unaffiliated voters in the 5th District has hovered near this mark for the last six years.[45] The measure would take responsibility for redistricting the Assembly, state Senate and Board of Equalization away from the Legislature and give it to a 14-person commission. Applicants to serve on this commission, or their immediate relatives, could not in the past decade have been a political candidate for state or federal office; been a lobbyist; or contributed $2,000 or more in any year to a political candidate.[44] Problems With Early Voting? (2:27) As both candidates show concerns with early voting, officials and voters in 17 states see no problems with the system as nearly 7 million people have already voted.[46] The state polls were taken Thursday through Sunday and surveyed 600 to 603 likely voters in each state, with a margin of error of 4.1 percent.[19] A coalition of civil and legal rights groups says Coffman's policy is in violation of federal law, and has the potential to disenfranchise thousands of voters. "These voters who filled out their applications with all the information that they need to confirm their identities, and according to the instructions that was actually put out by the Secretary of State's office, these voters need to have their vote counted."[39]

Since Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860, no Republican has ever won the presidency without carrying Ohio, where voters have selected the eventual winner in the past 11 presidential elections.[12] The rolling tracking poll, taken Friday through Sunday, surveyed 1,203 likely voters in the presidential election.[19] In the last presidential election, slightly more than 78 percent of the registered voters in the 5th District turned out.[45]

Voter confusion surrounding the check box restriction has the same potential to disenfranchise thousands of voters, leaving the outcome of the election hanging in the balance of a few thousand votes. Coffman made the check box confusion worse by sending letters to voters telling them the deadline to correct their "incomplete" voter application was October 6,th as opposed to Election Day.[39] There were familys, grandparents and lots of young people. My thought as I stood there and watched the crowd was that I was witnessing thousands of people who believed that the political process was alive and well in the U.S. They gave up their afternoon to be in the presence of man who inspired them, who has given them hope for a better future and were confirming that a positive outlook was what they wanted to hear about. I have not heard the comment that I have heard in previous elections that "it doesn't matter if I vote or not, they are all crooks".[13] We never gamble, we never risk, our most deeply cherished values. This is what makes temperatures rise. We cannot make our choices and do this election thing respectably or respectfully. It is what robs us of any notion of our fallibility. It is what makes us challenge the decency of those with whom we disagree, just as it brings us to claim that God has chosen sides or that our political adversaries do not love their country enough. To our shame, we will never draw this poison from our politics. Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike will continue to see each other as zoological specimens, and why all will continue to pursue differently imagined solutions for repairing this world.[36] In that case, action spoke louder than words. This is a U.S. election and race has always been an issue in U.S. history. Republicans were the ones that made it an issue with their attack ads.[8]

Tracey Schmitt, Palin's campaign spokeswoman, said a third of the clothing was returned after the Republican National Convention in September, and "many of the remaining clothes have never been worn." The governor generally wears her own outfits on the campaign trail, Schmitt said. Schmitt said Palin intended to donate the items she has worn to charity. [12] The rest of us have bothered to do research. Nearly every aspect of his life, in some way or another, is a matter of public record at this point. All of his Senate votes, both in the state and national senates are public. Every bill he wrote, sponsored or co-sponsored can be viewed by anyone curious enough to look. Even if you don't believe his speeches (which is a fair reaction), you can extrapolate from that information roughly what he's for and against. His associations have been examined, then reexamined, then looked at some more, then explained, dealt with or debunked, then reported on for a month afterward anyway. His plans for the Presidency are posted in loving detail on his website (whether or not they'll work is another matter). His opponent has been more than kind enough to bring up anything in his history that seems suspect.[13] The district's lines were set six years ago after the state had to consolidate six congressional districts into five due to national population shifts.[45] In all, Utahns donated about 1 million that year. This election cycle, Utah ranks 23 in donations by state, despite that it has only the 34th largest population.[17]

Direct mail is not cheap. "You'd probably be better off just leaving a trail of dollar bills," he said. "The advantage of direct mail is one can generate an outreach of effort that has tremendous geographic scope and one can tell in some detail one side of the story," he said. He added that the practice is more effective in less visible elections where voters may not be as familiar with the candidates.[43] By targeting brochures to specific kinds of voters in specific neighborhoods, politicians free themselves from the burdens of advertising to a mass audience on television, marketing and campaign experts said. Such ads can be more negative and alarmist. "It's really a matter of 'the more emotional you are, the more rabid you are; the more extreme you are, the better it will work,'" said Richard Armstrong, a political-advertising expert who wrote a book about direct mail. "It's really just a matter of getting people's attention in their homes, where they live, and making sure it's something they'll remember. You want to get them angry."[11] Although no one's political stance matches every Democratic or Republican position exactly, Slamowitz said whatever people's beliefs are, it is important everyone here at UW at least respects each others' opinions. "Everyone has their own opinion," Slamowitz said. "We need to a least respect them."[25] How is that a Republican power grab? Sure, it takes redistricting authority away from a Legislature likely to have a Democratic majority for the foreseeable future, but it doesn't seem to put that authority in any particular party's hands.[44]

REFERENCES

1. Obama bids to close the deal with voters in final week
2. AFP: Obama draws record crowd, links McCain to Bush
3. CCTV International
4. The papers on the presidential candidates' endgames. - By David Sessions - Slate Magazine
5. Jamaica Gleaner News - Candidates begin closing arguments - Monday | October 27, 2008
6. Mccain confident of victory in US election
7. Barack Obama's campaign machine kicks into gear - Times Online
8. Election Countdown: Obama and McCain head into final week - Nachrichten English-News - WELT ONLINE
9. CTV.ca | McCain says campaign is on track, rejects polls
10. The Associated Press: Obama stirs up supporters in Colorado
11. HeraldNet: McCain, Obama spar with just days to go
12. McCain vows comeback, huge Obama crowd in Denver - Taiwan News Online
13. Obama strong in long-red Colorado | csmonitor.com
14. The Associated Press: Candidates spar with 9 days to go
15. John McCain to voters: Fear 'total control' by Dems - BostonHerald.com
16. Obama sets 'closing statement' - UPI.com
17. Obama ekes a lead among Utah donors - Salt Lake Tribune
18. Obama, McCain Crisscross the Country - 10/26/08 - Fresno News - abc30.com
19. World | Africa - Reuters.com
20. Jamaica Gleaner News - McCain fights to overcome Obama lead - Monday | October 27, 2008
21. Obama proves drawing power - The Denver Post
22. The Obama-led Transformation of America - Opinion
23. Washington Times - Obama jumps on McCain remark about Bush
24. McCain has the ability to bring about change | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun
25. The Badger Herald - Supporting McCain amid Obamamania
26. Rocky Mountain low signals wider doom for McCain - The Irish Times - Mon, Oct 27, 2008
27. AFP: Obama, McCain fight over Wild West
28. KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Sen. John McCain
29. The Daily News Record: Top News
30. The Associated Press: AP Top News at 11:00 a.m. EDT
31. Kyiv Post. Independence. Community. Trust. » Homepage » World » McCain fights to overcome Obama lead
32. Race to get 270 electoral votes getting tougher: McCain
33. Washington Times - McCain seizes on gaffes of Democrats
34. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
35. Ads for Obama, McCain in New Search' for Voters
36. Let's Be Honest About Why We Vote the Way We Do
37. Obama Factor: Obama's popularity is hurting the GOP's chances in state races - 10/26/08 - Los Angeles-Southern California-LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - abc7.com
38. ELECTORACLE / Democrats hope for Obama coattails
39. Election Unspun - Colorado And Virginia In the Presidential Election | Pacifica Election Central
40. 50% of Voters Believe Ayers Issue Has Hurt McCain Campaign! - iReport.com
41. Believe Out Loud | HoustonBelief.com
42. The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (October 26, 2008) - Events, My Dear Boy, Events
43. The Associated Press: Yikes! there's politics in my mailbox
44. Prop. 11 gets GOP bucks, but is it a 'power grab?" - Inside Bay Area
45. Democrat voters appear to be taking 5th District The Republican-American
46. Obama Heads To Colorado - From The Road

McCain's chances appear dim, but victory still within reach

CONTENTS:

CONCORD, N.H. - Barack Obama has vaulted to a 15-point lead over John McCain in New Hampshire, according to a new Boston Globe poll, a significant gap in a state that McCain considers his second political home and has long been a swing state in the race for the White House. (More...)
DeRose pointed out that before McCain won the Republican presidential nomination, Arizona was often pointed to as a swing state by the national media. (More...)
I was in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago for business and it was eye opening to hear the unflattering things some of the locals were saying about John. (More...)
"A perfect storm of economic crisis, disapproval for President Bush, and a weak presidential candidate will tend to elevate Democrats' vote totals, helping preserve freshman seats, sweep new Democrats into office, and counteract the usual'sophomore slump,'" said Rogan Kersh, associate dean of New York University's Wagner School of Public Service. (More...)
McCain is better off returning to the economy, the issue that is on the minds of voters, and forgetting about Ayers, Zogby said. (More...)
In a similar survey conducted six weeks earlier, McCain led by a margin of 51 percent to 45 percent. (More...)
Thousands of voters cast early ballots over the past several weeks, some eager to make their voice heard during a historic presidential campaign and others simply worried about long lines on Nov. 4, Election Day. (More...)
McCain incorrectly predicted that the war would be easy and brief. (More...)
Republicans, however, say that the databases are a way to increase security at the polls and stop illegal registrations from becoming fraudulent voters. (More...)
In our state at least, the much bigger problem has been people who are qualified to vote being pushed out of voting. (More...)
The pair of presidential hopefuls is about even in Ohio, a poll commissioned by the state's eight largest daily newspapers found. (More...)
During the past couple of decades, the only winners have been the special interest groups which dump millions of dollars into political races. (More...)

CONCORD, N.H. - Barack Obama has vaulted to a 15-point lead over John McCain in New Hampshire, according to a new Boston Globe poll, a significant gap in a state that McCain considers his second political home and has long been a swing state in the race for the White House. Financial distress has clearly driven voters from McCain to Obama, who was trailing his Republican rival by 2 percentage points in Septembe - a 17-point swing in just one month. Nearly half of those surveyed cited the economy and jobs as their top concerns, and they overwhelmingly saw Obama as the candidate best equipped to address them. [1] The survey of 725 likely voters, conducted from Oct. 18 to Oct. 22, had Obama leading 54 to 39 percent, with 6 percent undecided and a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. In a sign of how all-important the economy has become in this election, Obama has seized a commanding lead even though voters saw McCain as better able to take on terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and Iraq. When it came to who would be better at handling the economy and the financial system, the Illinois senator trounced his rival. Harry Nelson, a 79-year-old retired Wall Street money manager who participated in the poll and agreed to speak with a reporter afterward, said the next president will enter the White House under conditions similar to those that faced Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Obama, he said, has "some of the same stuff" as Roosevelt and could be a "transformational leader." "If you look at the way he runs his campaign, it's been brilliant," said Nelson, an undeclared voter who lives in Hanover. "I don't think he's an economic expert, but he doesn't have to be - he picks good people.[1] Some sampling suggests that the race for the White House is still agonisingly close; others are talking about open rebellion in Republican ranks at the conjecture that Obama could be as much as 16 points ahead in states that have not voted Democratic for generations. He also has a double-digit lead in many polls of Ohio. The one conclusion I have drawn is that prominent though the issue of race will be, it will almost certainly not be the determining factor in deciding who wins this election. That will be the economy. It is impossible to travel around America and talk to people about this campaign and not reflect on how historic an occasion this is for American democracy.[2]

Colorado offers Republicans a better chance of success than other target states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, where Obama has bigger leads in polls, says Floyd Ciruli, a political consultant. If the national race tightens -- as many expect -- before election day, it could be even tighter here, he adds. Both campaigns are after stragglers during early voting, Ciruli says. "There may be a few unattached voters searching for a reason to vote for one of these candidates, but that number is dwindling. This is all about get out the vote. With early voting still under way in Colorado, they see an immediate benefit to this last-minute push," Ciruli said.[3] If Ohioans aren't feeling the love - or aggravation - from the waves of campaign visits by the presidential candidates this year, there's good reason. It only seems like Republicans John McCain and Sarah Palin and Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden are here every day trolling for votes in this pivotal swing state. The pace of campaign stumping, hand-shaking, finger-pointing, flag-waving and rah-rahing is considerably less intense this year compared with the hectic final two months of the 2004 race pitting President Bush against Democrat John Kerry.[4] "My mom had 15 of us, and we grew up in a very humble family not knowing how to use our money wisely. In this last year and a half, they've lost their homes to foreclosure. This country is in the hole." "I vote because it's in my blood my parents always voted, as did my grandparents. It's also my honor to vote for people who weren't allowed to vote, like my great-grandparents, even though they owned several hundred acres of land in Mississippi, operated businesses, and survived a KKK night raid. On the first day of early voting, I cast my vote for Barack Obama; I believed in his leadership when I was a resident of Chicago and I fully support his campaign for presidency. If John McCain and Sarah Palin finagle their way into the White House, this country will become a laughingstock and the women, children, middle class and poor who live here will be doomed."[5]

For Obama and his supporters, the margins include white, working-class voters living just outside urban areas and in small towns; undecided women; and independents and casual voters. As the presidential campaign enters the homestretch, the presidential campaigns of Sen. Obama and his GOP rival, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, and groups that support them are accelerating their efforts to get the right people to the polls. To do that, they've developed detailed dossiers on you, with information like how often you vote, whether you own a gun, the kind of car you drive, the size of your house, the magazines you read even whether you have a dog license or are a NASCAR fan. The canvassing effort on both sides will wind down this week, when organizers turn to making sure they get voters to the polls.[6]

I'm still a little nervous, so I have asked Obama to come back. We understand he's got demands from 20 different states, but we'd like to see him here." Perhaps Rendell's concern stems from Democratic Rep. John Murtha's recent statements in which he ratcheted class condescension up to a new level when he surprisingly labeled a segment of western Pennsylvania voters both "racist" and "rednecks." John McCain: Even though the Republican presidential candidate has limited range of motion in his arms, he's swimming. Technically speaking, he isn't swimming, but he is riding on Joe the Plumber's back while he makes a few laps in the pool. Thanks to Obama's (un)fortuitous exchange with Joe at a campaign stop at which he told Joe that the government needs to "spread the wealth around," McCain can't talk about anything else.[7] After visiting his sick grandmother in Hawaii Democrat Senator Barak Obama was back on the campaign trail as the U.S. Presidential race enters its final stages. Obama s latest round of stump speeches took him to Nevada, his sixth swing through the so called Silver State. Every day is now vital for both Republicans and Democrats. Obama's lead has fallen slightly to nine points over his rival Republican John McCain the second consecutive day the race has narrowed. Both McCain and Obama think they can win Nevada although the Republican candidate has not visited the battleground state since August. McCain has been in Colorado where he also faces an uphill battle but he and his aides say victory is still possible despite strong political winds blowing against him.[8] Some experts, however, say the long-term impact of the current national climate, one that benefits Democrats over Republicans, shouldn't be overstated. John McCain is still predicted to win here, but with his lead over Barack Obama diminishing greatly in new polling, some say the GOP's hold on the state has officially ended ''' the party only holds a 4-percentage-point registration edge over Democrats. "It's not just here, look at the entire intermountain West," said Arizona State University political pollster Bruce Merrill.[9]

Wiccans call it the “Rule of Three,” others “Karma. With all the smear ads there have been recently and comments made from the podium, John McCain and Palin should enjoy the harvest they have sown. It’s time for a change in this country, so I will be voting for that change when I vote for Barack Obama, because for too long the Bush administration has lied to us and failed us, along with the Republican Party. I think about when Bush proposed to put Social Security into stocks and bonds — where would we be now with the bailouts and stock market woes if he had his way? The economy is bad because of his poor decision-making and his tax breaks for the rich.[10]

"The election in Connecticut boils down to the economy. Voters prefer whichever candidate they perceive to be better suited to deal with economic issues," Best said. In that category, Connecticut voters chose Obama by 25 percentage points, his exact lead over McCain in the overall poll. They see him as stronger on the economy, 57 percent to 32 percent. The poll found that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a running mate chosen to shore up McCain's support among the conservative base, is hurting the Republican ticket in Connecticut: Her selection made 45 percent say they were less likely to vote for McCain and 17 percent say more likely, while 38 percent said it made no difference.[11] In that election, about 47 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted, up from 36 percent in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. While their impact was not felt as greatly because their vote was more evenly split between George W. Bush and John Kerry, no other age group increased its turnout by more than 5 percentage points. Some political scientists expect those numbers to be topped yet again, especially since young voters have been a long-standing centerpiece of Obama's campaign. Besides college students, his supporters include people like Elvis Garcia, a 19-year-old Chicagoan who recently completed a training and education program called Jobs For Youth and is looking for employment - and a change in the country's leadership. "I want this time to be different," says Garcia, who has many peers who also plan to vote. They may be considered unlikely voters by some. Political scientist Molly Andolina expects many of them will make it to the polls in November. "This cohort has shown a lot of resilience," says Andolina, a professor at DePaul University who studies young-voter habits. "Prior to Obama's win in Iowa - when it was known that he was popular among youth - pundits declared that they'd never make it out, in the cold of January, when colleges and universities were still on break, to spend an hour or more caucusing. "But they did. He won."[12]

Unfortunately, the "Arab=terrorist" association may have been sitting in cold cement for too long. Not even Obama, if he tried, could truly denounce the subconscious link some Americans have forged. If he tried, he would hurt himself in this election by seeming like an Arab-supporting activist to the culturally-challenged section of the populace. All he can do is state his Christian status. I don't blame him; he has a lot to do anyways considering the tricky tap-dance his campaign performs around the issue of race simply to prevent him from being auto-cast as anti-white by virtue of being black. My only sense of relief is that when McCain's campaign incites "terrorism" chants they only excite those where already on the offensive about a black man with "Hussein" as his middle name. These people were furious from the get go at how far Senator Obama had come in this race. For these people it was bad enough that he got a better education than them and that he was senator of a state. Thankfully, when his middle name is repeated and his "terrorist" contacts underscored, none of the independent voters are scared into voting Republican anymore. If polls are a true reflection of voting trends then they might actually be scared away from doing so. Aditi Nadkarni is a cancer researcher, a film reviewer and a poet; her many occupations are an odd yet fun miscellany of creative pursuits. Visit her blog for more of her articles and artistic as well as photographic exploits.[13]

"The economic crisis in September and October has changed the mood of voters in New Hampshire, who are now solidly backing Obama as the candidate best able to deal with economic issues." The poll also found that the Arizona senator is being dragged down by a deeply troubled Bush administration, an increasingly unpopular running mate, Sarah Palin, and the perceived negativity of his campaign. Three-quarters of those surveyed said Obama has the best chance to win, which Smith said could depress turnout for McCain. Obama's edge in New Hampshire is fresh evidence that the state is shedding its identity as the last refuge for Yankee conservatives.[1] Twenty percent of voters surveyed had a favorable opinion of the president and 71 percent had an unfavorable opinion of him; last month, the numbers were 24 percent and 66 percent, respectively. A third handicap for McCain is Palin. The poll found that more voters now have an unfavorable opinion of her than a favorable one, a reversal of the situation a month ago; Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden's popularity, on the other hand, has steadily grown. Thirty-nine percent this month said they had a favorable opinion of Palin; 48 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion of her. Fifty-four percent had a favorable opinion of Biden, 27 percent had an unfavorable opinion of him. Linda Comeau, 55, an independent voter from Stratham who supported Clinton in the primary, said she was "very open" to McCain until he picked Palin. "She is not prepared to be vice president," she said. "She is uninformed, she doesn't know what she is saying, she is inexperienced, and compared to Barack Obama her intellect is minimal." Many McCain supporters preferred him for his experience, especially on national security issues. Betsy Manchester, a 58-year-old school nurse's assistant who lives in Nottingham, said she thought McCain had an edge over Obama on national security issues. "He is a veteran; he has served his country; he was a POW," she said. "I think he's seen it all and he knows basically what to expect and how to react." On Iraq, she added, McCain is closer to her view that "we've just got to stick it out - unfortunately."[1] UNDATED _ John McCain and Barack Obama remain in a tight race with little more than a week before Ohio counts its votes. A poll from Ohio newspapers finds the two presidential candidates are neck and neck, with one in 10 voters willing to change his mind.[14]

If change doesn't come soon, Marvin Peters said, "the whole United States is just going to go belly up." "I have voted for John McCain because he is the most experienced of the two candidates. I found it hard to vote for anyone with 180 days experience in the U.S. Senate before launching his run for president. What corporation would promote anyone to the CEO position after such a short period of time on the job? Another consideration of my voting decision was Obama's plan to 'redistribute the wealth.' I work hard and long hours to make a living and have the opportunity to make as much money as possible. Why should I give that money to D.C. politicians, so they can give it to people who do not work? Especially since we already do it anyway via welfare, and now Obama wants more money for an issue that is already out of control.[5] Obama has proposed to reduce funds to the military at a time of war. "I have great concern for the safety and well-being of this country, so I voted for John McCain, for whom I could put my trust in to do what is best for the U.S. When it comes to electing a president, experience, character and integrity are more important than political affiliation. John McCain has demonstrated an ability to do whatever it takes to do what is right for the country, including crossing the aisle to ask his political adversaries to join him and get the job done. He will be a strong leader and provide the protection we need for our children and grandchildren." "I voted for Sen. Obama because I feel he is by far the better of the two candidates. He is thoughtful, intelligent, articulate and knows how to choose people to support and advise him who are experienced and smart. He represents the best of America, and I believe he will try to make good choices. His ability to communicate will help reclaim our respect in the foreign arena, as well. He remains calm under siege and will instill a sense of dignity to the position of presidency that has long been missing.[5]

John McCain has shuffled between 48 percent and 50 percent support in recent weeks … If Obama's share holds, it would top the 43 percent of white voters who backed Bill Clinton in 1996 … Before the party conventions, Obama's support among white men had never passed 35 percent." 'There are a number of Republicans who have been concerned that over the years, often in appearance and occasionally in reality, the people saw the Republican Party didn't live up to what it has said it's all about,' Hensarling said.[15] The poll finds that the contest "is an absolute dead heat" among early voters, with Obama edging McCain 47 to 46 percent. According to the results, 34 percent have already cast their ballot through early voting. Among those who haven't voted yet, McCain is up over Obama 49 to 42 percent. Other findings include Arizona independents now seen to favor Obama by 10 points, women preferring Obama by eight points and McCain garnering the support of most men, leading Obama 54 to 36 percent. Of the total vote in Arizona, five percent plan to or have already cast their ballots for third party candidates.''[16] A central question is whether polls accurately reflect the effect of race and racism in a campaign where Obama is the first African-American nominee of a major party. The Globe poll found that 22 percent of New Hampshire voters said they had heard a friend, family member, or co-worker say they would not vote for Obama because he is black, but only 9 percent said they thought many people would not vote for him because of his race, and 6 percent thought many people would support him because of it.[1]

Through a combined effort of the state GOP, the Republican National Committee, and the McCain campaign, state Republicans are shoring up support among committed GOP voters but putting special emphasis on identified Republicans who may not regularly vote. In liberal stronghold Madison, they have had in their sights voters they identified as independent and "soft" Democrats they believe they can persuade to vote for McCain, said Mark Jefferson, executive director of the state GOP. "It's a little bit of a science," Jefferson said. "We've always focused on the middle and independents, but we also try to identify those low-propensity Republicans who, if we can get them to the polls, we can be successful." Getting to their houses is another matter. On a recent night in Madison's Midvale Heights neighborhood, GOP canvasser Brian McCulliss said he was glad he brought his scooter. "These houses are very spread out," he said, looking at his target list.[6] Still others wonder if young voters' support for Obama might be even stronger than the polls have been showing, since many under-30s don't have land lines. Because of this, Sam Wang, a professor at Princeton University who helps oversee Princeton Election Consortium, estimates that, on average, national polls could be understating Obama's margin over McCain by about 1 percentage point. That's a minor issue compared with barriers to voting some young people are facing, says Matthew Segal, the young executive director of the Student Association for Voter Empowerment.[12] Last month's poll had Obama ahead by 14 percentage points. That poll was conducted before Congress' approved a 700 billion financial rescue package. It also occurred before the candidates squared off in a series of three televised debates. Even after those debates, Elizabeth Beck of Bettendorf remains one of the few undecided voters, though she said she is determined to vote. The 71-year-old retired real estate broker initially thought she would support Obama but has reconsidered after learning of his connections to Ayers and Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's controversial former pastor. "Some of his ties are questionable in my mind. It just kind of bothers me, really a lot," Beck said. She's leaning toward McCain but also has questions about his health and history of skin cancer. "He's had a big, heavy bout with that," Beck said. Fred Love contributed to this report.[17]

McCain now is gambling on a long-shot strategy based on flipping the blue state Pennsylvania, whose electoral voters could help offset losses in some states that President Bush won four years ago, including Colorado. Even with Pennsylvania, where recent polls have shown McCain down by 10 percentage points or more, he still would have to win Florida, Ohio and probably Virginia in addition to other states where Democrats are putting up stiff resistance.[18] McCain ahead in suburds outside Columbus down to Cincinnati, and will win Ohio. Where was Politico and the MSM when the housing meltdown occurred? This nightmare started coming out two years ago, when CBS started saying it might be wise for homeowners to rent instead of buying. Voters, as you see how bias and how many lies and coverups the MSM now is telling and hiding, doesn't it scare you to death to think what would happen with a Dem house, a Dem Senate, and a Dem President? In my 30 plus years of voting, I have never witnessed such blatant bias and prejudice. As I am an attorney, I'd be requesting a move for venue and jurisdiction, as this publication is poisoned and tainted before it began. Don't use the Cleveland paper, which is a haven for Jews and blacks in a demographic model, to skew how Ohioans are voting. its just not accurate. Now voters, as Investors Business Daily has this as a tie nationally, wait until next week when the polls statewide really tighten up. Politico and the MSM are really going to be pulling out all the lies and smears they can.[15]

Our system of government can be made to work for all Americans, but the system has to first take all Americans into consideration. Electing Senator Obama to the White House might be a significant first step toward securing that consideration, and if successful, his success will be firmly rooted in his vision for our country - not in his skin color. Senator Obama will have to work diligently to remain true to himself, and to his stated causes for America (which means there will be more gray hairs in his future). Of course, Senator John McCain could win this election (that is if Palin doesn't try to help too much) and become our next president, so don't count him out.[19] Besides that stumble, McCain also is paying the price for an uninspired vice-presidential pick, lackluster debate performances and his preoccupation with "issues that are less important than other issues," Rosenberg said. Although Palin has helped McCain raise money and energize the GOP base, some voters among the broader electorate are expressing reservations about her qualifications, which include less than two years as Alaska's governor. "The American people are disappointed with John McCain and the campaign that he's run. They were open to electing him president, but he just didn't perform in the general election," Rosenberg said. "And that's why he's going to lose."[18] If you're going to be a one-issue voter, the protection of unborn children is certainly one that's worth a line in the sand. For me, though, it's not enough that Republican nominee John McCain is the pro-life candidate. I admire his bravery as a prisoner of war and his long service in Congress, but over the course of this election I have become convinced that he is temperamentally unsuited to be president. Before McCain secured his party's nomination, Mississippi's Thad Cochran offered a telling criticism of his fellow GOP senator. He said of McCain, 'The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He is erratic. He is hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.' Since then Cochran has been the good soldier and endorsed McCain.[20]

Despite the daunting poll numbers nationally and in individual key states, Republican John McCain continued to hammer away at Obama's economic plan, especially the issue of taxes.[21] Obama's positions on the issues were seen as "about right" by 55 percent of voters, compared with 33 percent for McCain. McCain, an Arizona senator who won the state's Republican primary in 2000 and 2008, when he portrayed himself as a maverick and independent of the religious right, was seen as too conservative by half the voters and too liberal by 10 percent.[11] A statewide poll taken by Tucson-based Democratic pollsters Carol and Pete Zimmerman two weeks out from the election suggests McCain's lead over Obama falls within the margin of error: 43.5 percent to 41.5 percent, with 10 percent of likely Arizona voters undecided. Merrill is conducting a similar poll this weekend and predicts that the economic downturn will have narrowed McCain's advantage from the 8-percentage-point lead he enjoyed in a previous poll. The Zimmerman poll shows Obama's strength coming, as expected, from Pima County, where he has a 19-point lead over McCain.[9] Nationally, Obama has an average lead of about seven points, according to the website Real Clear Politics.com. McCain was also busy defending his vice presidential running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, on national television. Recent polls suggest that while Palin has energized some social conservative voters, she is hurting McCain with independents and moderates.[21] Newsweek's Obama covers are reportedly tweaked to make the candidate look flawless. One Obama cover features a white light shining down on his head, creating the image of a halo around his hairline. An unflattering cover of Sarah Palin, by contrast, features every wrinkle and every flaw, and the headline: "She's one of the folks, and that's the problem." The Media Research Center reported Oct. 2 that ABC's "Good Morning America" skipped reporting the results of its own poll, which showed at the time a tight race between Obama and McCain in Florida and Ohio. It reported a Quinnipiac poll that showed far more favorable results for Obama. The mainstream media have rightly given scant attention to silly GOP-driven scandals, like the one that portrays Obama as the bosom buddy of some loser who tried to terrorize his own country when Obama was 8.[22] No one is ruling out the possibility of a late-breaking international development, Obama campaign blunder or other so-called "October Surprise" to shake up the race and improve McCain's odds of a comeback. McCain and Palin are still hoping that Joe the Plumber - the Ohio man who drew national attention earlier this month after challenging Obama on tax policy - will help give their campaign traction against the economic anxiety that has gripped the nation. Personal attacks against Obama on topics such as his past association with former domestic terrorist William Ayers do not seem to have resonated with voters.[18]

Last week, in an interview, Governor Palin invoked the "Ayers" mention yet again. She alluded to the curious reason why a man like William Ayers would want to "associate" himself with Obama. She brings up an excellent point that leads to several questions. Why would the racist men and women in the Youtube video above, the tax-dodging, unlicensed plumber Joe associate with the McCain-Palin ticket? Then there's the McCain volunteer from Pittsburgh who carved a B on her face and made up a story about a black Obama supporter beating her up after he saw her McCain bumper sticker on her car. Is she a reflection of the kind of support the McCain-Palin ticket has in this race? Or is it possible that people just cannot be held responsible for the kind of people their supporters are? And I am not even going near the Keating 5 story here to establish the "guilty by association" angle. One would think that between a self-proclaimed hockey mom and the father of an adopted Bangladeshi daughter, at least one would've thought of Obama's daughters and the effect a careless "terrorist" epithet would have on them.[13]

WEST ALLIS Kathleen Heinz is the kind of undecided voter Barack Obama supporters say he needs to win Wisconsin. The white, 57-year-old woman works on an assembly line and lives in a modest, 704-square-foot bungalow with her husband just outside of Milwaukee. When the independent political group Advancing Wisconsin set out last week to persuade voters to support the Illinois Democrat, they zeroed in on people like Heinz while bypassing most of her neighbors including some with Obama signs in their front yards in West Allis' politically divided McGeoch Meadows neighborhood. "It's really about how do you work the angles, identifying target audiences and moving target audiences," Mike Tate, executive director of Advancing Wisconsin, said of persuading voters. "I know what 'identifying target audiences' sounds like, but this is about winning, and in a state like Wisconsin you win at the margins."[6] PUNDIT PREP - Politico's David Paul Kuhn, "Polls: White support for Obama at historic level": "Barack Obama, the first black major party nominee, is positioned to win the largest share of white voters of any Democrat in more than three decades … The most recent two weeks of Gallup polling, which includes roughly 13,000 interviews, show 44 percent of non-Hispanic white voters presently support Obama -- the highest number for a Democrat since 47 percent of whites backed Jimmy Carter in 1976.[15]

De Silver is one of hundreds of thousands of volunteers extorting Americans to get out and vote, which is expected to turn the tide for Obama. Armed with a precise battle plan, she tackles Meade Street in a former Hispanic ghetto which has become a mixed, middle-class neighbourhood. A computer printout gives her the addresses of two dozen “sporadic voters”, who are likely to support Democratic Party policies. She ignores regular Democrat voters, and it’s too late to try to change the minds of Republicans.[23] The first election in which Whettle will cast a vote is one in which the traditional barriers defining left and right, liberal and conservative, Democrat and Republican, seem to be crumbling. A Republican candidate known for bucking his own party made it through the primaries largely on the strength of crossover Democratic voters.[24]

McCain's local numbers are surprisingly low for a Republican presidential candidate. When asked how they'd vote if the election was held "today," 43.8 percent went with McCain and 43.8 percent for Obama, with 11.7 percent undecided.[24] When asked, "Do any of the following words describe how you feel about the upcoming presidential election?" 61 percent of the young respondents chose "interested," while 48 percent chose "hopeful." Able to choose more than one answer, only about a third of these likely young voters said they were "excited" about the election and 47 percent were "frustrated." These are the sort of answers one might expect from a group of voters who've historically been pegged as Election Day wild cards, but who've also shown they can be counted on - helping get both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton elected, for instance. Show up big this time - and they could put Obama over the top. A lesser youth showing, however, would likely benefit McCain.[12]

The pollster said its Gallup Poll Daily tracking indicated Obama led McCain 51 percent to 44 percent using the traditional model for identifying likely voters, and by 51 percent to 43 percent using an expanded model for measuring likely voters that takes into account the possibility of greater turnout this year by people who are newly registered or infrequent voters.[25] Of respondents for whom the economy is the top issue, 58 percent favored Obama versus 31 percent for McCain. The results, while not representative of the state, mirror two statewide polls released this past week showing Obama gaining in popularity and pulling ahead of or even with McCain.[26] "When we lower taxes to them, I'm a firm believer that we're putting money into our economy, not into Washington where it gets lost in a deep, dark hole of forgetfulness," Larsen said. In the Lee Enterprises poll, McCain saw his unfavorable rating rise slightly from the month before from 47 percent to 49 percent, while his favorable rating dropped from 47 to 45 percent. Obama saw both his favorable and unfavorable ratings rise by 1 percentage point during the time period.[27]

"I just think McCain is going to be just like Bush. He's going to keep everything the same, and that would be fine if we had a good economy, but we don't." On financial issues, 15 percent said they were "very" or "somewhat" worried about losing their jobs, and a similar number - mostly younger and lower-income voters - were deeply concerned about losing their homes. More than two-thirds of those polled said they were "very" or "somewhat" worried about a secure retirement, and 42 percent said the same about college costs. The bailout plan was unpopular in New Hampshire among voters in both parties, according to the poll; 55 percent said they disapproved of it strongly or somewhat.[1] "Democrats are still winning the enthusiasm game," said Karlyn Bowman, who monitors U.S. public opinion at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. "They are winning the money game. They won the recruitment game in terms of congressional and senatorial contests. They now have the advantage on most issues, particularly the economy - the top issue that voters care about. They have a candidate whom more and more Americans feel good about." Both candidates will target the same relatively small group of states, known as swing or battleground states, in the final days of the campaign. These are states like Ohio, Florida and Missouri that often hold the balance in the state-by-state electoral vote tally that decides who becomes president.[21] I attempted to suggest that as far as I knew Barack Obama was a practising Christian. She was having none of it. "That's what he says. I know he's a Muslim and I can never vote for him." My attempts to persuade her otherwise in our brief conversation over the radio were to no avail. There was another inflection of this in Portsmouth in rural south Ohio. When I walked into the Republican headquarters of this small town of about 20,000 people, I was told within minutes that the issues that concerned them most were "morals and guns". Everyone obligingly reminded me about the force of the Second Amendment which, in their view, enshrines the right of every American to bear arms. Or, put simply, to own and carry as many guns as they like - even enough "to start a small war". In their aptly named local gun shop, Lock Stock and Barrel, where there is a digital clock counting down to the November 4 election day in hours, minutes and seconds.[2] The day after I left Toledo, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in which I had spent the previous night, announced that it was to close in a few weeks. In Cleveland and in Columbus, two other Ohio cities, I talked to a group of working mothers who had deep concerns about their children's future. They also told me that this presidential campaign has generated more interest than any other in recent memory, and that even their young school children were discussing the issues and the merits of the candidates. This produced a surprising and unexpected comment: one young mother told me that her nine-year-old son returned from school to say that he'd heard that Barack Obama kills babies, a reference to how Senator Obama's pro-choice policy was being portrayed by his opponents. The brutality of the language shocked me and I wondered whether the mother had remonstrated with her son. She shrugged her shoulders to indicate that she hadn't.[2]

The group's flier features a picture of a battered woman and includes the false charge that McCain doesn't support certain women's issues and the Violence Against Women Act. "Those kind of messages are really a target for undecided people and those who might change their mind," Rademacher said. They also are meant to trigger "a second thought" in a campaign that's dominated with economic fears. Delores Balogh, a 71-year-old retiree from northeast Ohio's Struthers, said she would vote for Obama because of his approach to the economically struggling former steel town. "McCain hasn't mentioned anything about our jobs that have been shipped overseas," she said.[28] Beyond the political point-scoring about Sarah Palin's dress allowance, and the petty rhetorical spats about whether Obama or McCain is more likely to be tested in the Oval office by America's enemies, in the key swing state of Ohio there is a sense that the real issues are finally coming into focus.[2] Considering McCain's age, temperament and health, the real comparison should be between Obama and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, who stands a good chance of someday becoming president if McCain is elected.[29] In one classic last-minute effort to ensure an Obama landslide, CNN's Drew Griffin used an interview with Palin to fully distort the text of a National Review article written to expose media bias. National Review's Brian York wrote: "Watching press coverage of the Republican candidate for vice president, it's sometimes hard to decide whether Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt, backward, or - or, well, all of the above." Clearly, he was criticizing the press. He asked Palin to answer to the fact a National Review writer had penned: "I can't tell if Sarah Palin is incompetent, stupid, unqualified, corrupt or all of the above." He reversed the message of a tiny niche magazine in order to fool an enormous, mainstream TV audience into believing that even conservatives think Palin is awful.[22] Biden is spreading doom and gloom, warning effete Democratic donors behind closed doors that an Obama victory would invite a significant international challenge that would test the young would-be president. It's not enough that the gaffe-prone Biden just says something stupid every other day, but reading from Republican talking points is a little much even for him. Sarah Palin: Actually she's not in the water. As a charter member of the Wasilla Polar Bear Club, she prefers swimming in subzero temperatures.[7]

The crowd is in no mood for hecklers. One venue IT official seated next to me, Megan Laveck, 31, has an image of Obama, and “Hope for America”, as her laptop screensaver. Sensing the rising frenzy in the Republican crowd, she rolls her eyes and closes the screen. Palin has some good new lines for this rally: “America is not the problem; America is the solution!” gets one of the biggest roars of the day. The biggest of all comes after she outlines how, as vice-president, she would head up a major campaign for “special needs” children, like her own five-month-old Down’s syndrome baby, Trig. To roof-shaking support, Palin says: “Special needs children are not a problem, they’re a priority.[23]

By mid-August, Obama had graced the cover of Time, the country's premiere weekly news magazine, seven times in one year! John McCain had been featured twice. Newsweek gave Obama the cover for the 10th time in mid-August, but suffice to say he's on the cover of Newsweek and other major slicks pretty much every week these days. Newsweek editors have rendered their once-great magazine a national laughing stock.[22] The line outside the elections office in Sandy Springs seemed to slither along Thursday just before the lunchtime rush. Wyndeltz had driven up from her home in Midtown. It was the same day former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan declared the nation's economic crisis was broader than he could have ever dreamed. The country's woes were not far from Wyndeltz's mind, as well, though she declined to say how she was voting. "This is the most important election I've ever voted in, because of the shape that the country's in financially and because of the war. It's the worst I've ever seen in my lifetime. My parents went through the Depression and they told me about it, and I lived through World War II, and those times were very lean and scary. The small-business owner waited in line with his 18-year-old son, David, for more than hour Tuesday in Lawrenceville to cast his ballot. He said he voted for John McCain because of the Arizona senator's stance on less government and lower taxes. "I think you create jobs and you create wealth when you let private-sector businesses like mine keep more of their money," said Swilley, who owns an architectural firm that designs homes. Although the national housing crisis has put a strain on his business, he knows he's not alone. "I'm in a big boat with a lot of folks It's why every dollar counts."[5]

The anecdotal evidence of bold, overt and unapologetic mainstream media bias seems endless. That's why a Pew Research Center poll released Oct. 22 showed that by a whopping 70 percent margin Americans say "most journalists want to see Obama, not John McCain, win on Nov. 4."[22] "Sarah Palin is damaging John McCain's electoral prospects in Connecticut," Best said. "Whatever initial enthusiasm might have existed after her selection has clearly dissipated among the majority of voters." His presence on the ticket made 28 percent say they were more likely to support Obama and 14 percent less likely.[11]

Rural northern Colorado is expected to decide where the mountain swing state’s nine electoral college votes will go — potentially, votes which could either put Barack Obama past the winning post, or John McCain, Palin’s running mate, back in the race.[23] Joe Biden has pointed out that Barack Obama has a "spine of steel" and is ready to meet any crisis, domestic or foreign. Both Biden and Joe Lieberman have stated that any new president, McCain or Obama, will no doubt be tested with an international challenge. Obama will meet that test with the consistent good judgment he has shown throughout, in contrast to McCain who responded, for instance, to the economic crisis in an erratic, impulsive, wildly vacillating manner which changed from day to day.[30] As we count down to Election Day, lets pay one last poolside visit to see who is sinking, swimming or treading water. Barack Obama: To read the fawning campaign news coverage, it would be rather easy to conclude that the Democratic nominee has already won the race and is standing on the platform with a gold medal around his neck and his hand over his heart as the Star-Spangled Banner plays over the loud speakers.[7] The four-page Democratic complaint charges: "The McCain Campaign, already a serial violator of the federal campaign finance laws, including the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 popularly known as the Mc-Cain-Feingold law, evidently chosen to ignore some of the most fundamental and basic requirements of that law." McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said: "This is a joke -- a sad publicity stunt to divert attention from the recent controversies surrounding Barack Obama's shady fundraising practices, and his campaign's complete refusal to disclose the sources of hundreds of millions of his contributions."[15]

A growing number of political analysts note that Obama is holding a steady lead in the U.S. presidential race. They see fewer opportunities for McCain to close the gap in the final days of the campaign.[21] Margin in presidential race: While John McCain is generally assumed to have his home state in the bag, the margin by which he wins Arizona could say a lot about the political atmosphere here. If he loses the presidency, how he does here could influence what kind of race unfolds in 2010, when his term in the U.S. Senate ends.[9] McCain, the GOP presidential nominee from Arizona, is trailing in all but one national poll and in most polls in critical battleground states. Either he or the Republican National Committee, which is spending money on McCain's behalf, is pulling staff and advertising out of key states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Colorado, and pouring resources into Pennsylvania, a Democratic-leaning state with a coveted 21 electoral votes.[18] "Make no mistake, HAVA disenfranchises no one and protects the right to vote," said Wisconsin Republican State Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, state chairman of McCain's campaign. "HAVA checks are an important safeguard -- one mandated by Congress and state law -- to help make sure those lawful votes are not diluted by unlawful votes." This year, McCain's campaign has waged war against the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, better known as ACORN, a grass-roots low-income advocacy group that's under investigation for possible voter registration fraud.[31] By a nearly 3-to-1 margin, voters said McCain's campaign was the most negative, and over the last month, the Republican nominee's favorability ratings have plummeted while Obama's have climbed.[1] Democrats are supporting McCain because they worry about Obama's relative lack of experience, according to analysts and conversations with likely voters. Republicans are backing Obama because they hold Republicans accountable for the recent economic crisis. David Polk, principal researcher and a professor at York College, said it's easy to infer a couple of things from the numbers.[24]

While an equal number of voters rated McCain and Obama as the stronger leader, the poll found that Obama has established himself as the candidate voters can most relate to and trust. A significant majority said Obama has better judgment, and a majority said he is more trustworthy and most reflects their values. Misty Foote, a 37-year-old independent voter from Rochester, said she decided to vote for Obama in the last couple of weeks. "I think he's down to earth and he's one of us," said Foote, who is disabled and lives on Social Security.[1] Get past the issues of employment, taxes and health insurance and you will almost certainly come to the question of race. An opinion poll by the New York Times and CBS News found that a third of voters said they knew someone who would not vote for Mr Obama because he is black. The cunning formulation of this question is a specific attempt by pollsters to get around the fact that nobody is prepared to say that he or she would not vote for Mr Obama because of the colour of his skin.[2] Experts told the Sunday Times that the sheer volumes of Democrat voters suggested that a large number of liberal-leaning citizens who didn’t vote in 2004 had been mobilised. Thomas Schaller, a political science professor at the University of Maryland, said early voting gave the frontrunner, Obama, an added advantage because voters could not change their minds in the event of any major new revelations in the last two weeks of the campaigns.[23]

Obama won barely four in ten votes there in the state's February primary, while New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton received most of the rest. "This is the kind of neighborhood where, if Obama is going to win Wisconsin, he's going to need to do well in," Tate said. Heinz said Obama would get her vote, saying in an interview she was swayed by her confidence in his vice presidential pick, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. Another targeted voter on the canvassers' list, Orlando Santiago, 29, who owns a drywall construction company, said he's undecided but leaning toward Obama. Santiago called himself an independent and said he voted for Bush in 2004. Despite all the research and high-tech tools at their disposal, organizers know to expect to be disappointed.[6] Our model now perceives that the popular vote has been flat for roughly the past two weeks. It seems almost as though voters made their collective decision after the second presidential debate on October 7 -- perhaps Obama's clearest win of the series -- and decided on behalf of the Democrat.[32]

A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. Sosnowski said she liked the fact that Obama picked Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate. "I have followed Joe Biden for years," she said. "He really is a great elder statesman." Camden resident Gerald Landes, 59, who also responded to the Journal & Courier survey, said he went from being undecided to supporting McCain, for two reasons -- the economy and gun rights. "It looks like our country is broke and it looks like Obama has a lot of spending programs.[26] Obama could be the antidote to the bigotry that has divided and scarred our nation. He is Ivy League smart without being condescending. He is part black, part white and understands the grievances and commonalities of both races. Even his exotic name may be helpful in conditioning Americans to an economy that's global and a population that's multicultural and is only going to become more so. Will Obama disappoint me if he wins the White House? If he's like most presidents, probably so. At least he gives me hope that things may be different this time.[20] Going around Portsmouth, I was struck by how many people recited to me the mantra, "when seconds count, the police are minutes away". That all sounded plausible until you continue the conversation about how dreadful Mr Obama would be if he were to get to the White House. The familiar euphemisms were again deployed: "We don't really know him, we don't know what he stands for, he was educated as a Muslim, his name is Barack Hussein Obama, what do you expect?" And of course looking directly at me, they are quick to be warmly reassuring that this has nothing to do with the question of his race.[2]

This year's presidential election has been a spiritual and intellectual struggle for me. When Barack Obama proved early on that his win in predominantly rural, predominantly white Iowa was not a fluke, I began to pay a lot of attention to him. The more I heard him articulate his views, the more I watched how he handled himself under pressure, the more I read about his difficult upbringing, the more impressed I became.[20]

If the election were held today, the latest poll numbers show Senator Obama leading by a significant margin in the Midwest states, while another poll shows Senator Obama leading Senator McCain by almost double digits in all categories. It is almost as if the gun to start the race has just been fired, and Senator Obama is already standing at the finish line waiting to see who is coming up behind him. This all goes to show how very hungry our nation (and our world) is for a makeover of American politics.[19] The local Democratic chairman in Portsmouth, who is on record as having said that race was one of Mr Obama's biggest obstacles in South Ohio, told me that things had changed. He, too, pounded home the message about the state of the economy and the loss of jobs in the region. Travelling around this state for a week, and watching almost every known commentator on the evening television news programmes, it's still difficult to know what to make of the opinion polls.[2] The liveliest place around town is the local job centre where people turn up every day seeking help in finding work. The people I talked to, in what I was told was the best diner in town but which turned out to be terribly ordinary, sparred verbally over what they know so far about McCain and Obama's promises to fix the economy. With quiet resignation they say they'll vote for whoever they think will find them a job.[2] At a time when voters are increasingly uneasy about the economy, McCain has hit something akin to a stride by attacking Obama's tax increasin' and wealth spreadin' ways. Joe Biden: He's sinking. in the kiddie pool.[7] Curtis, a homemaker, said McCain has the experience that Obama lacks to lead the country in tough times. "I think he would help the economy more than Barack wants to do," she said.[33]

In April, McCain held an 18-point lead among working-class whites, but the new survey found Obama with a slight lead. The Newsweek survey also found 62 percent saying they have a favorable view of Obama, versus 32 percent who have an unfavorable view.[34] The IBD/TIPP poll, considered to have been the most accurate in the 2004 presidential race, has Obama with a mere 1.1 percentage point lead, 44.8 percent to 43.7 percent with 11.6 percent undecided.[35] The RealClearPolitics.com Web site, which calculates a rolling average of national poll results, as of last week had McCain trailing Obama by 7 percentage points. Some polls show him down by double digits.[18]

Surprisingly, the poll also found that Obama was leading slightly among surveyed voters over 65 years of age, while McCain led among voters 45 and under.[9] Obama, a liberal first-term Illinois senator who would be the nation's first black president, is seen as a better ideological match than McCain with Connecticut voters, the Courant poll found.[11]

"I think Obama is intelligent and is focused on things like hospitalization." Other voters are keeping national security a deciding factor, an issue that favors former POW and Navy pilot McCain.[28] "John McCain has displayed volatile and erratic behavior, playing and changing tactics instead of providing well-considered plans. His attacks on Obama, using hints and allegations to stir up racial and cultural prejudice in voters, are abhorrent. His choice of Gov. Palin was an unfortunate tactic and showed very poor judgment. That choice alone solidified my decision."[5] I rant at my television screen with abandon when I hear an ignorant Republican supporter claim that Senator Obama is an Arab. McCain is slowly palin' in the face (pun intended), I notice, as he tries hard to prevent further damage. I feel sorry for him. As an American war hero, he shouldn't have to constantly defend his campaign from racist undertones. He looks weary as he chides his own supporters and draws boos.[13] I am also bothered by the ugliness that has attached itself to McCain's campaign in the final stages of the race. That ugliness is sometimes disguised behind Palin's cutesy winks and shapely figure, but it's there. Inciting crowds, as she did, to call Obama a traitor and terrorist sympathizer was beyond the pale.[20]

Everywhere you go, all you can see for miles is OBAMA…OBAMA…OBAMA! Of course, this should not come as a surprise as Senator Obama has consistently raised more money throughout this entire campaign than all the other candidates (and he has the gray hairs to prove it). I was recently told by my colleagues that Senator McCain (a.k.a. The Maverick) is actually out there campaigning; vigorously stomping the grounds and taking his case to the American people.[19] Arizona is subject to the same reality impacting all states, namely that Mr. Obama's supporters are highly motivated and the people inclined towards Sen. McCain are getting bummed out.[30] The campaigns also are asking supporters to persuade people with similar interests. Obama spokesman Matt Lehrich said the campaign in recent weeks has emphasized "peer-to-peer" organizing: Veterans who support Obama talk to other veterans, women talk to women, and hunters talk to hunters including in areas not known as Democratic strongholds like West Bend and Fond du Lac as well as rural areas across the state, he said.[6]

The polling data is compared to the voter data to determine targets for direct mail, phone calls and canvassing visits, Tate said. As an independent political organization, Advancing Wisconsin can advocate on certain issues, urge people to vote, and spend money on behalf of specific candidates, he said, but it can't coordinate with candidates or parties. In West Allis last week, canvassers Charles Perkins, 51, a real estate agent, and Gregory Collar, 51, a laid-off auto parts worker, were canvassing the ward that gave 52 percent of its 2004 presidential vote to Democratic Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.[6] McCain has been a vocal opponent of the subsidies and has even called for lifting the tariff om imported ethanol that would compete with Iowa's home-grown ethanol. Only 29 percent of voters polled said they would be less likely to vote for McCain because of that position and 54 percent said it had no effect on their vote. Only 38 percent of voters ranked the candidates' positions on ethanol as important or very important in making their decision.[27]

Libertarian candidate Bob Barr's campaign manager, Russell Verney, sent a mass e-mail saying it is now clear "McCain is guaranteed to lose" and urging "principled conservatives" to vote for Barr as "a protest against the (President) Bush/McCain big-spending policies." Other political experts and observers agree that McCain's presidential prognosis is grim.[18] Simon Rosenberg, president of the Washington-based think tank NDN, doubted the prevailing narrative that the tanking economy doomed McCain. He noted that the economy already was starting to slow before McCain rose to his peak position in the polls in September. McCain hurt himself, Rosenberg said, by appearing to play politics with the financial crisis when he announced he was "suspending" his campaign so he could devote his time to helping Congress find a solution. "It obviously was a political stunt.[18]

Democrats are circulating a poll showing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) losing ground in his own state, an ominous sign for his beleaguered campaign as state after state turns blues.[30] Sarah Lenti, a spokeswoman for McCain's campaign, said it has hundreds of volunteers across the state doing the same thing, with a focus on women, veterans, small business owners, farmers, Catholics and Democrats. Tate, a veteran of several statewide campaigns, agreed to describe how Advancing Wisconsin identifies voters, a method he said was typical in a state where voters don't register according to their party affiliation.[6]

Overall, the four candidates four years ago made 82 campaign stops in the state between the Ohio primary in March and general election in November. The combined total this year is less than 60 - although unlike in 2004, neither nominee had a running mate until late August, and the Democrats' general election campaign couldn't begin until the primary fight was settled in early June of this year.[4] "If the Arizona Cardinals were down two touchdowns with three minutes to go in the game, you would not be optimistic. It could happen, but probably not. It's very difficult to make up 7 (poll percentage) points in such a short time." Obama also has a fundraising advantage, and the early voting trend this year seems to be favoring the Democrats.[18] Where Obama shows a marked advantage is among a third category of voters. According to Polk, the people conducting the poll asked respondents their political affiliation.[24] "The state is quite evenly divided right now, which I consider to be front page news," McCann said. Another poll released this past week, the Big 10 Battleground Poll, showed Obama climbing from a 47-43 deficit in mid-September to a 51-41 advantage among likely Indiana voters.[26]

The poll found Obama to be the overwhelming choice of voters who had supported Hillary Clinton in the primary, 81 percent to 7 percent.[11] Asked to name the one quality most important to them, more voters (25 percent) chose the ability to "bring about change" than any other attribute, echoing a key theme of the Obama campaign.[11] A study by the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law found that the matching process fails 20 percent to 30 percent of the time due to minor errors like database typos, use of nicknames, and multiple entries. "The general narrative of what's going on with a lot of these cases is to attempt to limit the voters to who are participating," said Georgetown law professor Jonah Goldman, director of the nonpartisan National Campaign for Fair Elections.[31] New polling suggests the presidential election is closer here than anyone anticipated. Political minds on both sides of the partisan divide say that in a future race without an Arizonan on the national ballot, the state could follow the lead of other Western states ''' like Nevada and Colorado ''' in being heavily contested. Population growth, and an influx of both young and Hispanic residents, is shifting the balance of power in the state, pollsters say.[9] The poll found widespread support for tax cuts for the middle class; Republicans were more likely to favor cuts for small businesses. New Hampshire, a battleground state in both of the last two presidential election cycles, has been growing steadily more liberal in recent years because of significant population churn.[1]

At the same time, Republicans are taking the lead in what were once some rural, Democratic counties, like Cochise and soon, Pinal ''' a potential precursor to changes in leadership there. As for partisans, they are likely to continue fighting over who controls the state politically ''' no matter the results of next week's election. Arizona Democratic Party spokeswoman Emily DeRose said, "It goes without saying that Arizona is turning blue."[9] A key indicator of the state's political pulse will be known after Election Day. If they do, it would mark the first time the party held a majority of congressional seats in Arizona since 1966.[9]

DeRose pointed out that before McCain won the Republican presidential nomination, Arizona was often pointed to as a swing state by the national media. [9] Joe Biden is still capturing headlines for all the wrong reasons (see below). New polls taken this week show the race tightening - both an Investor's Business Daily poll and an Associated Press poll show the race within the margin of error. There's more: National Review's Jim Geraghty reported that he had sources who were "seeing results for McCain that are surprisingly good" in terms of poll numbers in important areas of Ohio.[7] McCain then took the stage and shouted, "We need to win in New Mexico, and we need to win on November 4." The senator spent most of his 20-minute speech talking about Obama's economic plan, which he classified as tax and spend.[36] Nolan believes going to war in Iraq was a mistake but that McCain could do a better job of bringing the war to an end than Obama. "You've got to win this war, bring these boys home with some pride," he said.[33]

As the GOP base becomes morose and independent voters peel away from McCain, the downward spiral gains momentum. Add to this an atypical swell of early voting and absentees that appear heavily skewed towards Mr. Obama.[30] Smith said that together, the results suggest that while some voters have heard chatter about race, it is isolated or coming from people who would be unlikely to vote for Obama anyway. Geoff Gilbertson, a machinist from Peterborough, said one person he knows wouldn't vote for Obama because of his race, but it was "someone who has absolutely no interest in voting."[1] Whenever the question of Mr Obama's race arises, respondents employ a variety of euphemisms. They invariably say they "don't know him", they "don't know what he stands for" or they "don't know who he actually is". Typical of this was caller Elizabeth to a radio station just across the Ohio border in West Virginia. I had been invited to join the host Tom Roten on his early morning talk show. Elizabeth assured me, in passionate tones, that race was definitely not an issue for her, but then went on to assert that she could not vote for the Senator from Illinois "because he's a Muslim".[2]

Were the election held today, polls confidently predict that Obama would win with at least 277 electoral college votes.[23] Voters do not take part in a direct election of the president. They choose “electors”, who are pledged to one or another candidate. This is known as the electoral college. Because of this system, a candidate can take the White House without winning the popular vote.[23] The presidential race alone is costing a record 2.4-billion. Since campaigning kicked off in January 2007, White House candidates from both parties have raised 1.5-billion, double the amount collected in 2004 and triple the figure in 2000.[23]

This does pose a couple of 'personnel' problems, but hey, ain't no problem can't be solved. Palin does way too much talkin', and no thinkin', so the perfect post for her would be to appoint her the 'Official United States Mime', and assign her an imaginary box deep in the cellars of the White House to play in. Who knows, it's possible that after a few years, she might take advantage of the opportunity for self-evaluation, emerge in an enlightened state, realize her full potential, and happily return to Alaska to track Moose scat.[15]

"We will continue to be a Republican state," said Judi White, chair of the Pima County Republican Party. "The gap has narrowed a little bit, but both parties continue to work really hard to register new voters as they come to the state."[9] When the Ohio Secretary of State can openly promote voter fraud and not fear reprisals, then America is lost. The good news is that this election will be the tipping point for many honest, hard working Americas who reject socialism.[31] DETAILS: The poll was conducted from Oct. 18-22 for the state's eight largest daily newspapers. It involved telephone interviews with 886 likely voters in Ohio, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.[37]

Without the total support of cnn, msnbc, etc and without the $832,000 hussein's campaign paid acorn for voter fraud, hussein would be behind in the polls by about 30 points.[31]

The (London) Times cover - "Britain in recession: Markets swing wildly and pound plunges" … The (London) Daily Telegraph, top of front page: "Recession will be 'worst for decades.'" SHE DID MAKE IT UP: "PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A McCain campaign volunteer made up a story of being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter 'B' Scratched on her face in what she had said was a politically inspired attack, police said Friday. Ashley Todd, 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, … initially told investigators she was attempting to use a bank branch ATM on Wednesday night when a 6-foot-4 black man approached her from behind, put a knife blade to her throat and demanded money. She told police she handed the assailant $60 and walked away. Todd, who is white, told investigators she suspected the man then noticed a John McCain sticker on her car. She said the man punched her in the back of the head, knocked her to the ground and scratched a backward letter 'B' into her face with a dull knife." N.Y.Post cover, "B is for Bulls." (The hyphens are on their cover.)[15] A small-business owner in the specialty coffee industry, he voted last week for John McCain. "Neither of the major presidential candidates for this election overwhelmingly impresses me, but it comes down to which of the two will hold truer to the foundation of our country and our Constitution.[5] Palin is a religious fundamentalist who believes in the literal truth of the Bible, opposes the theory of evolution, opposes embryonic stem cell research and does not believe that global warming is affected significantly by human activities. That John McCain is willing to risk having such a person occupy the highest office in the land should be enough to decide this issue.[29]

A source described as a Palin associate said the vice presidential nominee was trying to "bust free" of what Palin regards as a roll-out that was mismanaged and therefore damaging. McCain sources complain Palin has strayed from the campaign's message and said they aren't sure whether that was done deliberately. One McCain source told CNN Palin appeared to be looking out for her own interest over that of the campaign. "She is a diva," the McCain adviser said. "She takes no advice from anyone. She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else." The source, who was not identified, said Palin was "playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party."[25]

A wide margin, 52 percent to 39 percent, said McCain would do the better job protecting the country from future terrorist attacks. "I like the fact that he fought for our country and that he has a record we can see and he has experience," said 42-year-old stay-at-home mom Angela Roehrenbeck of Canal Winchester. She also said McCain should get a second look on domestic issues, too. "People always want money in their pockets," she said.[28] Republicans insist the issue is one of fraudulent voter registration. Democrats accuse the GOP of using such legal maneuvers to suppress the vote by poor people and minorities.[25] The request came amid challenges by Ohio Republicans to the validity of the registrations because names on voter registration forms do not match voters' names on other government databases. Republican officials contend the new voters must reconfirm their registration data before they can vote Nov. 4, The Washington Post ( NYSE:WPO ) reported Saturday.[25] The huge influx of new voters is part of a larger national trend. Rock the Vote, which focuses on young voters, has registered more than 2.3 million voters this year, compared with more than 1.4 million voters in 2004, already a standout year for youth turnout.[12] Republicans have been using voter profiles for years, and the party's ability to identify and turn out voters was widely credited with helping President Bush win a second term in 2004. Now the party is hoping to replicate that success in Wisconsin this year.[6] With 213 million eligible voters and a 60%-plus turnout expected, next Tuesday is expected to attract the greatest number of voters in U.S. history. It is a certainty that Democrats will gain seats in both the House of Congress and the Senate on November 4, with Republican leaders admitting that Democrats are likely to gain at least 20 seats. Much less likely is the possibility that the Democrats could win 9 added senate seats, bringing their total to the key threshhold of 60.[23] As Democrats registered record numbers of new voters over the recent months, Republicans asked courts to enforce a law intended to prevent fraud, but that voting rights advocates feared could erroneously purge thousands of legitimate voters from the rolls.[31]

While Democratic-friendly groups are undertaking an enormous voter fraud scheme to aid Obama, there is, in fact, some encouraging news for the other side.[7]

Kulbicki believes that Obama was simply in a better position to benefit from the economic meltdown. Early on, he ran a tightly focused campaign centered on the concept of change. Now his candidacy has become synonymous with change for many voters, at a time when the status quo seems undesirable.[24] De Silver — who didn’t vote in 2000 — spends 30 hours a week volunteering for Barack Obama. She is dressed in her scrubs so she doesn’t waste time changing before her hospital shift starts.[23] I do not understand how so many adults have been fooled into believing that Barack Obama should even be considered as a candidate for the presidency of our beloved country. He seems to hate so much about us and our philosophies.[10]

In a sign that McCain has failed to cast himself as a reformer and to dissociate himself from Bush, twice as many respondents said Obama was the candidate most likely to bring change.[1] The McCain deregulatory policies have necessitated a massive taxpayer bailout involving the government having to socialistically buy shares in the banks. McCain dares call Obama a socialist for his desire to repeal the Bush pro-rich tax cuts which McCain in his better days also opposed.[30]

"We finally learned what Senator Obama's economic plan is -- to spread the wealth around," McCain said. "He is more interested in controlling wealth. '' In this country we believe in spreading opportunity." His remarks followed a weeklong theme by the Republicans, who have been calling Obama a socialist because during an impromptu debate with a man now known "Joe the Plumber," Obama was videotaped saying he wanted to "spread the wealth."[36] There is no reason for two 'campaigns', let's merge the 'republican' farce with the Democratic Obama campaign. And, of course, based on their relative assets, Obama will acquire the republicans at no cost, since the republicans do not have enough money to pay Obama for the cost of their liabilities.[15] " he final straw for Palin and her allies was the news that the campaign had reported spending $150,000 on her clothes, turning her, again, into the butt of late night humor. 'She never even set foot in these stores,' said the senior Republican, saying Palin hadn't realized the cost when the clothes were brought to her in her Minnesota hotel room."[15] SCOOP -- Politico's Ben Smith, "Palin allies report rising campaign tension": " tirrings of a Palin insurgency are complicating the campaign's already-tense internal dynamics. Four Republicans close to Palin said she has decided increasingly to disregard the advice of the former Bush aides tasked to handle her, creating occasionally tense situations as she travels the country with them. Those Palin supporters, inside the campaign and out, said Palin blames her handlers for a botched rollout and a tarnished public image … 'She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane,' said a senior Republican who speaks to Palin, referring to her campaign jet. He said Palin had begun to 'go rogue' in some of her public pronouncements and decisions. 'I think she'd like to go more rogue,' he said.[15]

By contrast to the frenzy of Palin’s reception, Biden wanders in without fanfare, and gets an affectionate welcome. Like the crowd itself, Biden is so relaxed that he abandons his whole opening routine in response to shouts of “We love you, Joe” from a group of attractive young female students at the front of the crowd. Astonishingly, he spends the next three minutes flirting openly with them — complimenting them on their looks, and insisting that he has still “got it”. Flashing his movie-star smile, Biden appeals to the crowd to vote early, because: “In these last two weeks, (McCain and Palin) are gonna throw the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink at Barack and me.[23] McCain s running mate Sarah Palin seems at the moment to be unable to shake off some bad press. Not only that she allegedly abused her powers as Governor of Alaska. Claims she strongly denies. Now new stories about lavish spending on clothes which have been overshadowing the message she wants to get across that she should be vice president.[8] McCain's own behavior over the past few months, however, has solidified in my mind that Cochran's original critique was on the mark. McCain's bizarre choice of Sarah Palin for a running mate and his overtures to cancel the first presidential debate in Oxford are signs of a person who flies too much by the seat of his pants.[20]

I was in Phoenix a couple of weeks ago for business and it was eye opening to hear the unflattering things some of the locals were saying about John. There seemed to be a pervasive feeling that residents feel John and this year's presidential campaign have been an embarrassment to the state. When you ask them about his run in 2000 their feelings were just the opposite. That experience and this article makes one wonder if his time is about to come to a screeching halt. [30] Arizona shows up on all those Electoral College maps as red. The color-coding by news networks and major newspapers doesn't tell the full story of a state that is undergoing dramatic demographic changes that portend an election soon when Arizona might be a major battleground ''' even if it's not this year.[9]

With 31 of America’s 50 states allowing voting ahead of next Tuesday’s election — an anti-congestion process which normally nets about 20% of voters — indications were that a record 30% of the electorate would vote early in a wave of campaign excitement.[23] "Young voters don't suffer from a lack of interest. They suffer from a lack of access," Segal says. In this election, he's heard complaints about everything from difficult registration requirements to fliers that falsely tell college students they'll lose their student loans if they don't vote in their home state.[12]

Segal's group, also called SAVE, was founded in reaction to voting problems college students faced in Ohio and other states in 2004. Those issues included polling facilities that had trouble handling the influx of young voters. Students at Washington University in St. Louis were so frustrated after similar problems there that the university persuaded the county to put a polling place on campus for this election.[12]

According to the Secretary of State's office, nearly 20 percent of the state's 1.6 million voters who received mail ballots have already voted, along with 85,000 who marched to the polls and voted early.[3] HAVA requires states to match information supplied on voter registration forms with department of motor vehicles and Social Security records. Individuals who provide information that does not match those documents may face confusion at the polls or be required to vote on a provisional ballot.[31] Smith said nearly one-third of potential voters did not live in the state or were too young to vote in 2000.[1]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A Republican legal campaign questioning the legitimacy of many newly registered voters hit a wall this week when courts rejected several cases filed by GOP state parties and officials.[31] Local Republican pollster Margaret Kenski says it all comes down to the candidates. Without a plurality in voter registration for either party, it's hard to permanently swing Arizona to one party or another.[9]

"A perfect storm of economic crisis, disapproval for President Bush, and a weak presidential candidate will tend to elevate Democrats' vote totals, helping preserve freshman seats, sweep new Democrats into office, and counteract the usual'sophomore slump,'" said Rogan Kersh, associate dean of New York University's Wagner School of Public Service. [15] Not sure who to vote for yet? Read and hear direct from the candidates in our election section. News 8 interviewed more than 60 candidates and asked them about the issues concerning their constituents.[34]

McCain is better off returning to the economy, the issue that is on the minds of voters, and forgetting about Ayers, Zogby said. [18] One of the campaign issues relevant to Iowa's agricultural economy -- ethanol subsidies -- appeared to have little significance with voters.[27] As other surveys have found, no issue comes close to the economy as a priority of voters, who have watched the Wall Street meltdown send the stocks of Connecticut employers tumbling.[11]

In a similar survey conducted six weeks earlier, McCain led by a margin of 51 percent to 45 percent. Only answers from those who identified themselves as registered voters were counted. [26] Only 9 percent think the media favor McCain. Rarely has an opinion poll about anything shown such overwhelming and decisive results.[22] In the latest poll, Obama had a favorable rating of 59 percent and an unfavorable rating of 32 percent.[27] Lower and middle-income households, which compromise 98 percent of the population of Mississippi, are being pinched by stagnant earnings and higher costs for everything from groceries to health care. If Obama wants to use tax policy to lessen a little of the imbalance between those making $250,000 or more a year to those making less, I'm for it. On the war in Iraq, it sticks in my craw that we embarked on this massive and expensive -- both in dollars and lives -- military enterprise under trumped-up pretenses.[20] I got out of Ohio a couple of weeks ago, for good; I left the city, not too far from where unlicensed "Joe the Plumber" apparently makes more than $250,000 fixing pipes since he claimed that his dreams of owning a business would dwindle under Obama's tax plans.[13] SS: glad you liked the post :) i hope ohio learns from virginia. ohio has a lot to prove. I have met some very religious people who did not make the muslim=terrorist forge and were obama supporters as well. so i don't like to club all those who forsake reasoning under the evangelical label. that may be similar to calling all arabs, terrorists.[13] Here the owner again reminded me of the Second Amendment. When some of the people in his shop joined in the debate, they declared that if Obama is elected, every rifle, pistol and handgun in the country would be under threat. They said they like hunting and described to me in gory details the animals they shot. They pointed out, too, the question of security.[2]

Republicans have been using that phrase to insinuate that Obama plans to take money away from higher-income people. Obama and Democrats said that his economic plan is to cut taxes for middle-income people and small-business owners, while others in higher-income brackets may have to pay more taxes.[36] "Obama is running away with the race," said Samuel Best, director of the center. "Not only is he the overwhelming choice among Democrats, but he is attracting widespread support from key swing groups."[11] OF INTEREST: Obama's lead is as strong among likely voters, 53-41. Obama appears to be consolidating his support across demographic groups, leading in every age group and among men as well as women.[37]

Thousands of voters cast early ballots over the past several weeks, some eager to make their voice heard during a historic presidential campaign and others simply worried about long lines on Nov. 4, Election Day. [5] Regardless of who wins the presidential election, one outcome of the 2008 campaign is decided. This will go down in history as the year the mainstream media came clean, throwing all pretense of objectivity and fairness out the door to indulge a no-holds-barred mission to elect the Democratic ticket.[22]

A famous 2004 report by the Media Research Center summarized media bias just four years before the façade came down: "Surveys over the past 25 years have consistently found journalists are much more liberal than the rest of America. Their voting habits are disproportionately Democratic, their views on issues such as abortion and gay rights are well to the left of most Americans and they are less likely to attend church or synagogue. When it comes to the free market, journalists have become increasingly pro-regulation over the past 20 years, with majorities endorsing activist government efforts to guarantee everyone a job and to reduce the income gap between rich and poor Americans." (They should love Obama, who says he'll take from the rich and give to the poor).[22] A certain section of America is, and has always been racist, (as an aside, it'd be interesting to find out how many of them are regular Church-going evangelical Christians, the same ones "helping" the Indian tribals) it's just that with Obama running for President, all those racist thoughts and attitudes have bubbled up to the surface and become more visible. Given that the Civil Rights Act was passed only 40+ years ago, it's not that surprising - it takes a few generations for such attitudes to weaken. It wasn't that long ago that Trent Lott mentioned how proud he was of Strom Thurmond.[13]

It is hard to find any trend at all at the national level, although Barack Obama's position improved has incrementally in a couple of the national trackers.[32]

Journalists have taken the high road with that story, preferring to focus on more substantive policy issues. Mainstream journalists burned substantial print space and air time this week alerting us that donors spent $150,000 to outfit Palin for the campaign - the biggest "who cares?" ever told in a national campaign.[22] Instead of swimming, Gov. Palin is reclining poolside, wearing a new $5,000 Gucci swimsuit (purchased with campaign dollars), chatting up a few reporters, and waxing eloquently about the finer points of domestic oil drilling.[7] ' he final straw for Palin and her allies was the news that the campaign had reported spending $150,000 on her clothes, turning her, again, into the butt of late night humor. What did she think, that hotels gave away free clothes? Palin took money fior a wardrobe and now wants to play Denise Dimwit and say 'Well I didn't know how much they spent."[15]

McCain incorrectly predicted that the war would be easy and brief. Now McCain has the audacity to complain about the ballooning national debt but never mentions that he is largely responsible for it. Long term costs of his unnecessary Iraq War have been estimated at $3 trillion, all borrowed, largely from China. [30] No other issue topped 10 percent, and taxes an issue stressed by McCain in recent weeks registered only 5 percent.[11] Most other polls have also shown the race extremely close. The poll also found that 11 percent of voters might still change their minds, while 3 percent are undecided.[37] An Associated Press poll released Wednesday called the race essentially deadlocked, and other surveys suggest a close race. "One never says 'never' in this business, but looking at the consensus of polls now, less than two weeks out, he's down 7 percent," said Michael Mezey, a political-science professor at DePaul University in Chicago.[18]

Republicans, however, say that the databases are a way to increase security at the polls and stop illegal registrations from becoming fraudulent voters. [31] In addition to Democrat and Republican, the poll included categories for "independent" and "other." Respondents who described themselves as independent -- whether as a simple adjective or referring to the Independent Party -- went in the independent category, as did those who described themselves in any way as unaffiliated.[24] Ali found it striking that a Democrat would score higher than a Republican on who voters trusted to cut taxes.[27] Republicans are defending 40 of the 50 most competitive races in the nation as identified by political experts and nonpartisan publications. The advantages are likely to help Democrats expand the majority they gained in 2006, analysts said.[15] Democrats have raised more money in 12 districts in which a Republican is retiring, and in three races against an incumbent Republican, fundraising documents show.[15]

In our state at least, the much bigger problem has been people who are qualified to vote being pushed out of voting. I hope that doesn't occur this year. [31] It’s all about turning existing supporters into actual voters. No computer can predict the obstacles she has to negotiate on her route. A huge dog lunges at the screen door at the first house she visits. At the second, she has to weave through a maze of skeletons, pumpkins and a huge Halloween tarantula. De Silver says: “You deal with some strange things, I guess, but the people are nice to you, even though they know I’ll hassle them and keep them on my list until they actually vote.[23] I can count on two hands the number of doors which have been slammed in my face. By the time she has visited five houses, it’s clear that people have no idea that they cannot physically vote, or vote early in person, if they have applied for a mail-in ballot. She catches Micah Long, 32, as he takes tools into his house for a bathroom renovation.[23]

Several times, the canvassers were turned away after introducing themselves. Metal products inspector Walter Pezall, 52, who said he's received literature and phone calls from both sides, said he decided to vote for McCain. Perkins asked him to reconsider. Pezall said he would.[6]

Actually, the news the other day was that al Qaeda prefers McCain because McCain is so successfully bankrupting America through unnecessary wars and his deregulatory policies which have necessitated massive bailouts.[30] All this nonsense will end after the elections when McCain will get whacked by the biggest lead in U.S. history.[13]

The pair of presidential hopefuls is about even in Ohio, a poll commissioned by the state's eight largest daily newspapers found. [28] Our Democrat-controlled state legislature for the fifth time failed to allowed N.C. voters to determine if a marriage must be between one man and one woman at one time.[10] Organizers start with the state's voter registration list, which includes a person's name, address, voting history and birth date. Then they enhance that list by adding other public information such as who holds fishing or hunting licenses, who's certified to teach or who works as a nurse. They'll add commercial data like magazine subscriptions.[6] Voter intimidation and kitchen sink tactics. This year, I don't see it working. We desperately need a seachange in Washington and looks like its coming.[31] Cooling temperatures and changing leaves along with all the hot tempers on cable news programs signify that this year's presidential pool party is coming to a close.[7] Democrats are identifying themselves as the new party of financial pragmatism, ready to step in and rescue the economy.[24]

Fifty-six percent identified the economy and jobs as the most important issue.[11]

Advancing Wisconsin then conducts polls to identify which demographic groups are more or less likely to support a candidate or an issue, Tate said.[6] I would insist that voters size up each candidate and choose, in each race, the best one.[38] There's always talk about the impact young voters could have in choosing the next president. This truly could be a breakout year for them.[12] Close polling numbers and one criminal trial of a Republican senator now reveal it as a possibility, which would grant a Demoratic president enormous power to make news laws. It is Not only the presidency is at stake.[23]

During the past couple of decades, the only winners have been the special interest groups which dump millions of dollars into political races. This creates an atmosphere which breeds dishonesty. Once a person is elected, they only serve the special interests and do it under the guise of “helping America. The fact that 50 percent of Americans either work for the government or depend upon the government for their income, the Medicare system (the machine which drives the medical field), the current bailout plan for insurances and banks, pork spending and catering to special interest groups is bringing America closer and closer to becoming socialistic in philosophy. [10]

REFERENCES

1. For Obama, a new cause for confidence - and for caution - The Boston Globe
2. US election: Ohio will vote on cash, not colour - Telegraph
3. Colorado still a target for Obama, McCain - BostonHerald.com
4. The Columbus Dispatch : It only seems that candidates are living in Ohio
5. Urgency, duty motivate voters | ajc.com
6. WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL
7. TheCabin.net Poolside with the candidates 10/26/08
8. euronews | Obama resumes campaign, Palin quizzed over abuse
9. Red, but how long? | www.azstarnet.com ''
10. FayObserver.com - Current Article Page
11. A Runaway -- Courant.com
12. Young Voters Could Rock The Polls This Year - beaconcast.com
13. Desicritics.org: Who's Sane About Obama's Middle Name?
14. Ohio.com - AP
15. Playbook 24/7 - Politico.com
16. New AZ poll shows Obama narrowing gap on McCain | Politicker AZ
17. WCFcourier.com - Waterloo and Cedar Falls Iowa News Homepage | News » Breaking News: Lee Enterprises poll: Obama lead grows slightly in Iowa
18. McCain's chances appear dim, but victory still within reach
19. Los Angeles Race and Ethnicity Examiner: Obama couldn't lose this race if he tried!
20. Greenwood Commonwealth > Opinion > Columns > Why I'm voting for Barack Obma
21. Presidential Polls: State Polls Show Obama Surge - HispanicBusiness.com
22. Opinion: OPINION: The death of objectivity | media, objectivity, liberal: Gazette.com - WAP
23. The Times - Sarah Palin sings for her supper
24. Expert: McCain's local numbers low - The York Daily Record
25. UPI NewsTrack TopNews - UPI.com
26. Economic worries fuel voter choices | www.jconline.com | Journal and Courier
27. GlobeGazette.com
28. Ohio.com - AP
29. President Palin? - Salt Lake Tribune
30. Could McCain lose his home state? - Mike Allen - Politico.com
31. GOP challenges to new voters set back by courts - Lisa Lerer - Politico.com
32. Today's Polls: McCain Stuck in Neutral - The Plank
33.
34. News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | LOCAL NEWS
35. The race for president: It's far from over - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
36. Republican asks New Mexico crowd for November 4 win - El Paso Times
37. The Associated Press: Polls: Obama well ahead nationally, tied in Ohio
38. FayObserver.com - Current Article Page

Republicans begin to turn on McCain

CONTENTS:

The strategy is aimed at rallying an otherwise demoralized Republican base to turn out on Election Day in large numbers to stop the scary, terrorist-coddling, tax-raising, socialist-leaning, black guy from reaching the White House. (More...)
Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series about the political debates for the vice presidential and presidential candidates and election night results. (More...)
TALLAHASSEE - If you are tired of the presidential election, stay inside. (More...)
In that environment, Obama could find success based on support from voters in the state's hard-hit industrial belt in the northeast, as well as in the heavily Democratic Cleveland metropolis. (More...)
Chad, my friend, your time and blogging space would be better put to use telling the people why you think a vote for McCain is the wrong choice. (More...)
Since going to Republicans in 2000 and 2004, Florida has changed. (More...)
Reality is there are plenty of people in our state who are Dems, but just won't vote for a black candidate. (More...)
"We have to behave over the next 11 days like we are 20 points down, every moment counts," said Michelle Obama. (More...)
PS. McCain's proposal to buy up mortgages at existing values is the worst kind of socialism because it rewards the lenders who made the questionable and often'subprime' loans in the first place. (More...)
One advantage of the early voting in some states is that it has already shown that some of the voting machines have already been compromised and that in some areas polling places grossly inadequate even for the EARLY voters are in place. (More...)
Food, comfort in surrounding yourself by others with similar concerns and priority issues are marks of a successful campaign call center for time-crunched volunteers who are lured away from loved ones at home, hobbies, and favorite television shows to jump into the fray of national campaigns during a critical and historic election. (More...)

The strategy is aimed at rallying an otherwise demoralized Republican base to turn out on Election Day in large numbers to stop the scary, terrorist-coddling, tax-raising, socialist-leaning, black guy from reaching the White House. The stategy of the McCain campaign is that in key swing states, there is enough of a "Bradley effect" that the election is 3%-5% closer than the polls indicate, that their scare tactics can convince another 3%-5% of white voters not to vote for Obama, that they can yet again suppress Democratic turnout in key precincts, and that they can drive the Republican base to the polls in numbers rivaling their turnout for George Bush in 2004. This might, in the view of the McCain/Palin campaign, enable the Republicans to just hold onto the States that Bush won (except perhaps Iowa and New Mexico). If they can then turnaround one large Kerry state like Pennsylvania, McCain's advisors hope they just might squeak through to an Electoral College victory. Democrats assume at their peril that the McCain/Palin campaign has no strategy. The chances of this strategy working one more time this year may be small in light of the historical moment, the economic crisis, and the brilliance of Barack Obama and the remarkable campaign which he has run. This cynical Republican strategy has worked many times before. [1] With the election looming just a week and a half away, Democratic candidate Barack Obama has taken an increasingly commanding electoral-vote lead in eight critical battleground states that could decide the presidency. ABC News has looked at several factors to assess how those electoral votes may fall on Election Day -- including reporting from the campaigns themselves, national party officials, outside groups, House and Senate party committees, state parties and polls. Analysis shows that Republican candidate John McCain's support in these states -- all of which went to George W. Bush in both 2000 and 2004 -- may not be enough.[2]

A GLUT of conflicting opinion polls are confusing the schedules of presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain as they plot their itinerary for the final week of campaigning. This week at least eight separate national tracking polls were released and, allowing for the margin of error, Obama either trails by one point or leads by 16. This is according to the summaries on the independent website Pollingreport.com. Harvard University expert Robert Blendon said pollsters faced huge problems in this election because the enthusiasm of minorities who never voted before. This has compromised standard methods biased towards likely voters and those who cast a ballot in the last election. 'This election has presented enormous methodological problems, it is humbling,' he told the Canadian Globe and Mail. These fluctuating margins, especially in several battlegrounds, have left strategists fretting over where to deploy speakers for the remaining days. McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, will spend today in Iowa where a new poll put Obama ahead by 13 points in the race for its seven electoral college votes. According to the latest schedule, both McCain and Palin will spend much of next week trying to convince voters in Florida, Ohio and Virginia. He needs to win all of these.[3]

The full byline of contributors appears below. "It's a good night when I don't get cussed out," laughed Karen Sellars, one of seventy campaign phone bank volunteers responding to a Huffington Post OffTheBus request for campaign volunteers to share their experiences. Sellars was still working when I phoned her late at night, but described herself as a loyal (though Libertarian) Republican who still makes calls for the McCain-Palin ticket in Franklin County, Ohio, even though she isn't going to vote for Sen. McCain. "He lost me when he voted for the bail-out" said Sellars. Sellars is one of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers choosing a traditional phone bank to contact neighbors and remind them to send in their absentee or early ballots and help update voter data for their party of choice. Along with the typical phone bank call center, the Obama campaign also offers a new option for their volunteers a cyber-phone bank refined during the grueling Democratic Party primary and it seems to be generating a lot of enthusiasm and votes for Obama. Both John McCain and Barack Obama have unleashed their party faithful with a dialing-for-victory mission that includes pestering, cajoling, and talking at length to voters on the phone, especially targeting undecided and first-time voters in battleground states North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia.[4] In seven key swing states -- Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- Obama ran more than double the number of ads between Oct. 6 and Oct. 22 than Republican rival John McCain, 53,049 to 21,106. Obama has been most active on the airwaves in Florida, where he ran 15,887 ads during that period compared to 4,662 for McCain. The Associated Press is reporting that Obama is spending so much that even his record-shattering fund-raising isn't keeping pace. Obama spent more than $105 million during the first two weeks of October, according to new campaign finance reports, but reported raising only $36 million during that period, about half the pace in September when he brought in a record $150 million. McCain's spending is constrained by his decision to accept $84.1 million in public money for the general election. He had about $25 million left as of Oct. 15.[5]

State polls show Obama likely to win all the states that voted for fellow Democrat John Kerry in 2004, plus a few that went to Bush. If he wins all of Kerry's states, plus Ohio, he would win the election. Obama, seeking to become the first black U.S. president, has seen his poll numbers rise as the United States' economic turmoil deepens. He has argued that McCain would follow the same economic and war policies as the unpopular Bush administration. In recent days, McCain has stepped up attacks on Obama, charging he would pursue socialist tax plans aimed at redistributing Americans' wealth. On Thursday as he toured Florida, a must-win state that McCain is in danger of losing, the Republican said Obama would say "anything to get elected." Obama campaigned in Indiana, another Republican state that he has a chance of winning. He characterized McCain's approach to taxes as nothing more than "putting corporations ahead of workers." After the rally, Obama flew to Hawaii to see his grandmother, 85-year-old Madelyn Payne Dunham, who helped raise him.[6]

Obama has used sophisticated measures to find and register new supporters. Florida statistics this week -- which sent a shiver of fear through Republicans -- attest to his success: Democrats now have a 660,000 edge in voter registration over Republicans in the state, compared with a Democratic advantage of 280,000 in 2006. Buzz Jacobs, the southeast regional manager of McCain's campaign, suggested that Democrats would have trouble getting all those new voters to the polls. "They traditionally have a better voter registration system, and we have a better turn-out operation," he said. Even several state Republicans said they saw evidence that Obama was bringing new and highly effective methods to Florida to find voters and turn them out. "I've gotten seven calls from live Obama volunteers -- and the reason I'm getting calls is because I signed up on their Web site to get notifications from their campaign," said Sally Bradshaw, a Republican who was a senior political adviser to Jeb Bush, Florida's former governor.[7]

"Palling around with terrorists", Joe The Plumber as white working class everyman, claims that increasing taxes is an opening gambit to taking money from the middle class and using it for "welfare" (shades of Reagan's "welfare queens"), accusations of "socialism", fear of a foreign enemy testing an inexperienced Commander-In-Chief. These seemingly disparate scare tactics may not be aimed at winning over the broad national electorate as a whole. They are aimed at holding onto a big enough slice of mostly older, mostly non-college educated, mostly working class and lower middle class, white people, particularly in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Florida which have large numbers of these types of voters. Many of these voters are independents or so-called "Reagan Democrats" who have voted Republican in large numbers in recent Presidential elections and are beginning to tilt more Democratic in light of eight years of George Bush's Presidency and the economic crisis. The McCain strategy is to roll out the same old Republican scare tactics one more time in the hope that they may have just enough life in them for one more Republican Presidential candidate to just barely squeak through.[1] There's Ed Martin, a self-described "small-time attorney" in St. Louis who serves as board president of the newly established American Issues Project. His group has spent roughly $800,000 in Ohio for television ads highlighting topics including Obama's ties to former '60s radical William Ayers. There's Anna Burger, secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, which has run roughly $500,000 worth of ads in Ohio that knock McCain on everything from health care to his purported coziness with President Bush. Its Ohio voter mobilization campaign has also knocked on doors -- 330,859 of them as of early this week -- distributed 10,840 fliers and registered 12,062 voters. Organizations like theirs try to sway elections on behalf of special interests instead of candidates or political parties. Their existence is nothing new, but their role this year marks a change from the last presidential election, when they helped set the agenda. In 2004, John Kerry had to fight to defend his military record from attacks by an independent group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. This year, McCain and Obama worked to hamstring such groups by asking big donors to avoid them.[8] The Obama campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment on the number of new voters the local office has registered in Harrisonburg. Mike Ganoe, a field coordinator for the McCain campaign in the Valley, said no official figures have been kept for the number of voter registrations his office has assisted with, but estimated that the number was in the hundreds. Registration of young voters have been an important theme in this year's election, particularly in Virginia, where Sen. Barack Obama has a shot to become the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry the state since 1964.[9]

If that result is accurate, and holds up for 10 more days, we're looking at a landslide. Even Mr. McCain's secret weapon, Sarah Palin, ended up shooting him in the foot. The Republican vice-presidential nominee continues to energize the base of the party with her appeal to "real America" values. In an ABC News poll this week, 52 per cent of likely voters said they were less likely to vote for Mr. McCain because of his choice of Ms. Palin as his running mate. What would it take to turn this article into a Dewey Beats Truman embarrassment? Well, a repeat of that epic 1948 presidential election. "The balance of opinion could change, as it has several times in this campaign, and as it has in the past," Michael Barone, a senior fellow at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, wrote in a recent analysis. He noted that the Republican candidate Thomas Dewey was five points ahead of the Democratic president in the last week of the 1948 election campaign, prompting the only pollster, George Gallup, to quit polling.[10] Mr. Obama has invested heavily there, outspending Mr. McCain by 3 to 1 in advertising. He has 51 field offices in the state, compared with Mr. McCain's 19. In virtually every battleground state in the nation, local media report a Democratic machine that is far more sophisticated than its Republican counterpart, fuelled by the $618-million that Mr. Obama has raised thus far, and by the thousands of enthusiastic volunteers who have joined Mr. Obama's campaign. That machine is already producing results. Fearing long lines and delays on election day which can cause first-time and less affluent voters to abandon the effort Mr. Obama has been urging his supporters to vote early.[10] Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in a conference call Friday the campaign's work will be intense straight through election day. 'Florida will be close, but we feel very good about where we are in Florida,' he said, noting it's a state McCain had expected to win with less effort. Lest anyone believe Southwest Florida voters are apathetic, Lee County Elections Supervisor Sharon Harrington said all kinds of records are being broken this year and the final turnout also may be record setting. As of this week, about 75,800 absentee ballots are requested, topping the previous record of about 52,000. Thousands of voters previously considered 'inactive' are making sure they're ready to vote by contacting the elections office, she said.[11] If McCain can win in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida, Obama would need a complete sweep of Western states without capturing either Virginia or Missouri. That's why the Obama campaign is taking nothing for granted. "We understand that 11 days is a long time, and we're not going to get overly concerned about any polls, whether they be national or state," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said. "Our orientation here is that the presidency will be decided in these battleground states. We've always believed that these battleground states would be close, and we're going to run through the tape as hard as we can." He also dismissed the notion that undecided voters might move at the last minute to give McCain an upset either nationally or in hard-fought states.[12] What a fool McNasty is if he thinks he's going to win Pennsylvania. Good that he's wasting so much time and resources trying to win a state he's guaranteed to lose, despite what his clueless running mate says. The repugnant ones that say the cake is baked are correct, McNasty is toast and now he needs to show some class, if he has any left. McCain should spend more money in Florida where he has a better chance. Let's all raise our middle fingers to his success in this election. <<"In Ormond Beach, he pounded the lectern as he lashed into Obama." It's not all about Pensylvania, it's all about Pennsylvania Avenue. Check out this campaign spending, per the AP: "McCain's Oct. 1-15 filing showed that the campaign paid $22,800 to Palin's traveling stylist, Amy Strozzi, an acclaimed celebrity makeup artist.[13] McCain plans in the closing days to focus on taxes and spending, national security, and what one adviser called '''the perils of an Obama presidency with no checks and balances.'''''' '''McCain's team dismisses the most dire polls -- those showing the race nationally with a double-digit lead for Obama. Advisers believe the contest's margin is in the five-to-seven-point range, about the same deficit, they say, that then-Vice President Al Gore faced at this time eight years ago against then-Gov. George W. Bush. (A Washington Post poll at the same point in the 2000 race showed a tie.)''' Campaigning in Florida yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel notes of McCain: "At his two rallies, McCain displayed a sense of urgency he has sometimes lacked on the stump. In Ormond Beach, he pounded the lectern as he lashed into Obama. In Sarasota, his energy seemed to transfer to the crowd." McCain will hold his election night rally in Phoenix. "What is hopefully billed 'Victory Election Night 2008' is set for the swanky Arizona Biltmore hotel. The Associated Press is reporting that McCain is not going to make his election night remarks in the traditional style -- at a podium standing in front of a sea of campaign workers jammed into a hotel ballroom -- but instead plans to address another group of supporters and a small group of reporters on the hotel lawn.[13]

In eight key battleground states, Democrat Barack Obama has taken an increasingly commanding electoral lead over Republican John McCain. This year, the campaigns are focusing their time and money on several critical states where the race is hard-fought.[2] Barack Obama left the U.S. presidential campaign trail to visit his ailing grandmother as new polls showed him with solid leads in states that could all but guarantee his victory over John McCain in the Nov. 4 election.[6] The Rocky/CBS4 poll findings were based on statewide telephone interviews with 500 registered voters. Of those polled, 33 percent said they already had voted, with slightly more casting ballots at early voting sites than by mail. Another 16 percent said they plan to vote at an early voting site, and 30 percent said they plan to vote by mail. Nineteen percent said they plan to cast their ballot on Election Day. According to the poll, those who voted by mail were split in terms of which presidential candidate they favored. The preference was more clear among those who said they voted at early voting sites. In that group, 59 percent of respondents said they favored Barack Obama, and 36 percent said they preferred John McCain. Overall, those who said they already had voted or planned to vote early favored Obama, 54 percent to 41 percent. Those who said they planned to go to the polls on Election Day - 19 percent - were almost evenly split between McCain and Obama supporters.[14] Election Day is just 11 days away, but Barak Obama was not stumping for votes Friday, and John McCain was taking swings at targets on both sides of the aisle. Obama fired up the crowd Thursday at a huge rally in red state Indiana, where he now has a lead in the polls, urging Democrats to vote early.[15]

Missouri and Indiana have gone from "leaning McCain" to tossup states. With 10 days to go until the Election Day, the New York Times is making a few more changes to its Electoral Map, reflecting Senator Barack Obama's continued strength in national and state polls. These changes are based on polls and interviews with officials in both campaigns as well as analysts in the state; they are intended to be a snapshot in time, and not a prediction of how the election will turn out.[16]

As of Thursday night, nearly 567,000 voters statewide have cast ballots by mail or at early voting sites, according to the Secretary of State's Office. That's almost 22 percent of active registered voters. Pollster Lori Weigel attributes the difference to the fact that some people polled haven't actually sent in their ballot and because they are more likely to vote than the general population of registered voters. Frank Nelson, 74, of southeast Denver, cast his ballot at an early voting site Thursday. He said he voted for McCain and that he had made up his mind a long time ago. "I think he has far more experience," Nelson said. Cathy Robinson, 56, voted early for the first time, dropping off her mail ballot at the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder's Office. She said she has voted in every election since she turned 18. The former Republican said she voted for Obama because she likes his calm approach and his economic policies.[14] David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, said McCain would have to win at least 60 percent of the independents, a group Obama is currently leading in the polls, and 15 percent of the Democratic voters to have a chance to win. "It's a daunting task, but they're obviously dug in here," Plouffe said. "They're going to make a huge effort and we're going to make sure that we meet that effort." Ridge said the Republicans are pinning their hopes on a state that is loaded with socially conservative voters, including many Democrats. Obama did not perform well with those voters in the April 22 primary, losing to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.[17] Even in West Virginia, a state with a working-class white population that many felt would not respond to Obama, the Illinois senator has made a competitive bid. Obama is helped by a huge 3-1 money advantage over his Republican rival, a sour economy, a collapse in the financial markets, a ballooning home mortgage crisis, historic low approval ratings of the incumbent GOP president and John McCain's own decision to choose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. The wind is so strong at his back that Obama appears to be doing better among white voters than white Democratic candidates did when they ran for president recently.[18]

Bush rang up an Indiana fund-raising advantage of $1.7 million over John Kerry in 2004, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. His popularity in Indiana allowed him to spend those dollars to help him campaign in other states while easily winning Indiana'''s electoral votes. Obama outraised McCain by $360,000 through the end of August, when McCain'''s decision to take public campaign funds forced him to stop raising funds directly for himself.[19] Pennsylvania sits somewhere in between. Why is McCain spending time in Pennsylvania while Ohio does not seem to be locked up? The current state of the electoral map means he has to. It shows Obama with a commanding lead. Of these three states, McCain probably needs Ohio and Pennsylvania. As he campaigns hard for Pennsylvania'''s votes, he may be counting on the more conservative makeup of Ohio to fall in line for him, particularly if the national polling numbers tighten. It'''s a gamble, but it may one the McCain team sees as its best bet.[20] Today the Obama campaign told OffTheBus it intends to counter with the most massive voter protection effort Ohio has ever seen. "Democrats learned their lesson in 2004," said the high-level spokesman. GOP officials defended their plans by pointing out that aggressive moves by Democrats to register tens of thousands of new voters in Ohio could easily lead to fraud. Every vote matters in this battleground state, which could emerge as a pivotal hot-spot on Nov. 2. "This creates chaos and confusion at the polling site," Doug Lewis, executive director of the Election Center, an international association of election officials, told the New York Times. "But most courts say it's permissible by state law and therefore can't be denied." Ohio Democrats were struggling yesterday to be ready for these disruptions, according to the New York Times, who said the Dems had recruited 2,000 volunteers to be placed inside Ohio polling places.[21]

Missouri has backed the winner in every presidential election since 1900, with one exception: Adlai Stevenson won the state in 1956 but lost the presidential race to Dwight Eisenhower. Some say the state's bellwether status could be in jeopardy this year. A strong Obama supporter, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, has been advising Democrats on how to increase support in Greene and St. Charles counties, both critical to McCaskill's win in 2006, as well as in other rural areas. Obama, meantime, drew massive crowds of between 75,000 and 100,000 people each to this month's rallies in St. Louis and Kansas City, urban areas usually filled with Democratic votes compared to the rest of the rural, traditionally Republican parts of the state.[2] Spoonamore wouldn't be surprised to see McCain/Palin "win" by 3 electoral college votes in a shocking recovery. Obviously I don't know if the Republicans could manage to manipulate the vote to such an extent and in enough States to swing the election (assuming Obama still has his current lead come election day). It is also unclear what the consequences would be if such a blatant fraud was undertaken. It is worth remembering though that it is not just the Presidential election that might come under attack, but also many House and Senate races.[22]

"We have to show that Senator Obama is going to make a bad economy even worse,'' senior adviser Mark Salter said. Although he repeatedly cautions aides and supporters against overconfidence, Obama has multiple options to reach the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency. He has solid leads in the states that provided Democrats with 252 electoral votes in 2004. The red states where he has McCain on the defensive have a total of 116, meaning he can afford to lose in several. McCain can't afford to lose any unless he can swing a blue state, such as Pennsylvania, to his column.[23] With polls showing Obama leading in Colorado and Iowa, McCain needs to hold all the big states Bush won in 2004, plus capture a John Kerry state like Pennsylvania in order to win the presidency. If this year's map breaks the way it did in 2004, then Obama would need to win only one of the red battleground states where he leads or is tied in polls with McCain.[2] McCain still has one path to winning left. He needs to win Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Indiana and Nevada. He's arguably behind in seven of the eight states, and even the eighth has had a least one poll showing an Obama lead - though its so different from every other poll, it ought to come in a manilla folder marker "outlier."[13]

The top notch blog Talking Points Memo looked into the McCain campaign's advertising spending in a number of key swing states around the country and uncovered some surprising news. Contrary to previous reports, McCain does not seem to be refocusing his spending heavily into Pennsylvania; maybe not a bad idea since yesterday's polls show double digit leads for Obama. When you look at where McCain is spending, his chances of winning really don't look good.[24] McCain still needs to win the toss-up states and peel Ohio and at least one substantial state away from Obama to have a chance at victory. In Virginia (13 EV) and Pennsylvania (21 EV), which his campaign says he is targeting, he trails by 7 and 13 points, respectively."[25] The move is congruent with projections by others, but marks a milestone because NBC's count is so closely followed by the press and campaigns. Then Todd pointed out a curiosity of electoral math: "If Nevada, which is a state that's also trending in Obama's direction, went in his column at 291, that means he could lose Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida to McCain and still be at 270. It's a big shift. It just shows you the expanded playing field for Obama has paid off. He is not banking on those big states."[25]

In half, and crucially in the powerful state of Florida, the race is within the margin of error. Far from celebrating polling data both campaigns are using the information to decide on venues to visit in the remaining 10 days, with each candidate now focused on rallying their own supporters rather than spending time convincing doubtful members of the other camp. McCain visited the Tampa Bay area where he has improved his polling performance in the conservative area by 4%, according to Politico.com. On Tuesday, Obama was in Miami where figures suggest he is ahead in its three constituent counties. Strategists believe if he delivers the three Miami counties, he could take the state.[3] McCain's advisers decided to focus on other states, limiting spending in a very expensive state. Steve Schmidt, McCain's chief strategist, said he wasn't surprised to see things get tight, particularly as the housing market collapsed, putting the economy front and center. "We always suspected that would happen," he said. Those developments have forced McCain's campaign to devote precious candidate time and dwindling resources in Florida in the final days of the campaign, at a time when McCain is already facing pressure to shore up his position in other states that President Bush won four years ago. He spent Thursday traveling the state, and will be back next week.[7]

Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series about the political debates for the vice presidential and presidential candidates and election night results. No one's debating this point: the upcoming presidential election has generated unusual excitement among area college students. What they don't agree on is why. Some of them say it's because Barack Obama is so inspiring. Some of them say it's because the past few years have been rough ones, and it's time for a leader with John McCain's experience. Some are afraid that they won't be able to afford their tuition next year, or are realizing that issues like healthcare are more than abstractions argued over by men in suits. [9] Frustrated Republicans voiced concern with their own presidential candidate, John McCain, as he continued to blast frontrunner Barack Obama as harmful to the middle class. The Democrat left the campaign trail to visit his ailing grandmother in Hawaii.[26]

As they campaign in the final days, both Barack Obama and John McCain will try to cobble together enough electoral votes to get to the magic number of 270 to clinch the presidency.[27]

Sorry to post from a previous topic. I couldn't let this ignorance go unchecked: "If Russert is right, Colorado voters better ask themselves if they're going to vote for a proven leader and war hero in McCain or a Barack Obama who: 1)Talks nice about rural folks in public but privately complains about how "they cling to their guns and religion". 2)Is the most radical pro-abortion (killing of innocent babies) candidate in history. 3) Wants to "spread the wealth" in American rather than grown the wealth. Will give tax cuts to those who don't even pay taxes. 4) Even his running mate Biden (in the primaries)said Obama was "not ready to lead". Both Hillary and Biden also rebuked Obama for saying he would meet with rogue leaders "without preconditions". 5) The same Biden has now warned us of an international crisis in 6 months completely due to Obama being president (note: Biden specified "Obama. 47 year old president"). He also warned us that it may appear he's not doing the right thing. and that they'll "need our support".[28]

A widely circulated e-mail warning potential Obama voters to leave campaign buttons and T-shirts home on Nov. 4 -- or risk of getting turned away from the polls -- has been circulating around Maine colleges, including the University of Maine at Augusta and Colby College, according to Rebecca Pollard, director of the Maine Democratic Party. "It's very important that we correct the misinformation or confusion about Maine's law that some e-mail chains are spreading," Pollard said. "Voters may wear T-shirts or buttons to the polls that support a particular candidate as long as they vote and leave and do not engage in electioneering, meaning they cannot stand around advocating for a particular candidate." In Kentucky, elections officials last month told poll workers they could admit voters decked out in campaign apparel after e-mails circulated warnings that Obama supporters would be turned away if they wore shirts and pins. In Chapter 8 of "Election Day Duties: Restrictions on Political Activities at the Polls," it says no one, including candidates or members of their families, can stand within 250 feet of the voting place on public property wearing T-shirts, name tags or other badges containing a candidate's name. This also includes campaign stickers and decals on parked vehicles.[29] The challenges have already begun. This week, in Cuyahoga County -- which includes the heavily Democratic neighborhoods of Cleveland -- they submitted a list of more than 14,000 names for election officials to scrutinize for possible irregularities. Both the Democrats and the Republicans have waged huge campaigns to register millions of new voters in all the tossup states. The developments in Ohio this week provide a glimpse of how those efforts could play out on Election Day.[21] James contacted the Obama campaign by signing up online. When he has a few free hours after work, he logs in, receives a list of names, a script and a report form and starts calling the all-important Ohio voters. He calls undecided and likely voters and registered Democrats. He emails his report into the campaign and from there, other data entry volunteers either online or at an Obama office merge the information into the Obama 'Mother Brain' that scrubs voter data updating and cleaning up their voter information database crucial for the Election Day GOTV efforts and setting the stage for the next campaign cycle.[4]

Democrats must not let up for a minute between now and Election Day. They must keep giving money, making phone calls, canvassing their neighbors, calling their grandparents, traveling to swing states, and most of all, be sure that every last Obama supporter shows up at the polls on November 4th.[1]

Lee called the southeastern corner of the state the "tail that wags the dog," because Philadelphia and the surrounding area typically accounts for one in three Pennsylvania votes and Obama enjoys a healthy advantage in polling there. Obama is outspending McCain by a 2-to-1 margin statewide, and the Democrats have reportedly added 800,000 registered voters to their rolls.[30] Obama and Hillary Clinton will spend the weekend in the western states hoping to shore up support before Democrats concentrate on the tight races in the east. This week Pennsylvanian Democrats screamed for Obama to return to the state because their information indicated McCain was mounting a comeback. After the final televised debate Obama's team said he would concentrate on states his predecessor John Kerry lost in 2004, and this did not include Pennsylvania. Obama has yet to reveal if he will break from his ambitious strategy to prevent an embarrassing loss in this Democratic stronghold.[3]

Rendell has asked Obama's national campaign for more appearances by Obama, Clinton, and President Bill Clinton. Ridge conceded that Obama is "a rather remarkable political figure. and we know that Governor Rendell has a strong political machine at his call." In response to a question, Ridge said that he believed "the dynamics" of the race in Pennsylvania would be different if he were McCain's running mate. Ridge, who was widely considered one of McCain's finalists, was alluding to the favorite-son status he could bring to the GOP ticket here as a still-popular former governor. Ridge also said he felt Palin was an excellent choice. "It was a typical, bold, McCain-like choice," said Ridge. He added that Palin has energized the party's base nationwide, which was something else McCain needed to do to build his winning coalition. Ridge also said he hopes Pennsylvanians will come to see a sincerity gap with Obama. He cited Obama's remarks about "bitter" small-town Pennsylvanians, and his decision to break his pledge to abide by federal public financing rules for his campaign, which would have capped his ability to raise money. "It's about credibility. It's about consistency. That's been ignored," he complained. Ridge, who resigned his office here to become President Bush's Secretary of Homeland Security after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, demurred when asked about his interest in serving in a potential McCain Cabinet.[17] The Colin Powell floodgates : Three semi-notable Republicans came out for Obama yesterday, including two former very-moderate Republican governors: Arne Carlson of Minnesota and Bill Weld of Massachusetts. Neither is that surprising to those that know the politics of the two ex-governors, but to a layman'''s eyes, it'''s not good news for McCain. What is striking here is that these endorsements underscore how McCain somehow lost his moderate identity -- even among Republicans who seem to know him well. Seriously, these are the type of Republicans the McCain of 2000 would have counted on as his base. How did McCain end up being the nominee that was overly focused on wooing the base? How did he lose this middle-of-the-road mojo? Forget the Bush issue and the economy; McCain's inability to keep his moderate identity might be the biggest mistake bungle of the campaign. Palin'''s policy speech : This hasn'''t necessarily been a great week for Palin. First came new polls, including our NBC/WSJ survey, suggesting that she has been a drag on the McCain ticket.[28]

The battle in Florida is offering -- on the widest stage of any of the contested states -- an object lesson in the disparities in the resources, aggressiveness and political cunning that McCain and Obama are bringing to contests across the country. It is a case study of the troubles of the McCain campaign, the problems of its own making as well as those caused by forces beyond the campaign's control, including a deeply troubled economy that is sharply driving up home foreclosures in many areas of the state. It provides vivid evidence of the Obama campaign's success in using its money and organizational skills to put Republicans on the defensive in once-safe states. "He has the best political organization for a presidential campaign that I have ever seen here," Tom Slade, a former state Republican chairman, said of Obama.[7]

Obama's campaign moved to exploit Florida's increasingly popular, and relatively new, early voting program in a way McCain didn't. Obama came here for two days this week using high-profile appearances to hand out literature and urge supporters who turned out to vote.[7] The students' interest led the teachers to request an election worker to come by the school to hold a mock election. After the workers spoke to students, the students walked to the single voting booth set up at the campus library and cast their votes. Eleven-year-old Marquis Collier knew he was voting for Obama long before he got to the voting booth, and he described Obama and the election as historic. He said most of his family will vote for Obama, but he knew at least one relative wanted to vote for McCain. Twelve-year-old Regan Wilbanks said he was glad to get the chance to vote. He said his family was following the election closely and that he often watched the news with his grandfather. Regan said he voted for McCain, just like his parents, but most of his friends voted for Obama. Vyctorriya Anthony, 14, said she was grateful the students had the chance to show their opinions, although she had not yet made up her mind about who would receive her vote. She let other students go ahead of her to give herself more time to consider the options.[31] "The Obama tax increase would come at the worst possible time for America and especially for small businesses like the one that you and Joe dream about owning." Mr Obama disputes this. He says only a fraction of small business owners fall into the over 250,000-dollar income bracket. Mr Obama claims that 95 percent of Americans would pay less tax under his plans. He maintains that Mr McCain is there for the rich, that Mr McCain's tax plans benefit the multinational companies who fire their workers in the U.S. so that they can hire cheap labour in other countries, and that Mr McCain is not there for the middle class. Shipping jobs overseas John McCain strongly defended the Bush policy of lavishing tax cuts on corporations, including those that ship American jobs overseas. He made a kind of strange argument that the best way to stop companies from shipping jobs overseas is to give more tax cuts to companies that are shipping jobs overseas. According to polls and the trade in options, it's Mr Obama's arguments that are winning ground and not Mr McCain's.[32] "I think we did a good job of getting our message across," said Bolling afterward, as the streaming broadcast of McCain vs. Obama Round III began. "I'm sure the folks out here learned a lot that they didn't know before. Evan Siegrist, another College Republican debater, agreed, but was disappointed that relatively little time was spent debating foreign policy, which he considers John McCain's strongest suit and the most important issue in the election.[9] McKinney agreed that McCain has a broad support base on campus: "I do feel like most college kids are for Obama, but at the same time, there's a large presence on campus for McCain - surprisingly, I think." As the debate began, this bipartisan support was evident from the cheers for all the debate teams, including that from Madison Liberty supporters. The inclusion of this newly-established group was a major difference between this mock debate and the presidential debates. One of its three debaters, John Scott, used his group's opening statement to introduce the audience to Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for the presidency - something that neither of the other two parties needed to do.[9]

The use of technology like mass texting and online phone banks has been key to Sen. Obama's startling wins during the primary against better-known rivals, who also employed digital-tech outreach but not as efficiently or effectively. According to our OTB contributors to this story, the Obama campaign is not only targeting swing-state voters but also, microtargeting specific voter groups: African-Americans, Hispanics, Jews, and elderly, Independents, and uncommitted voters. I called her five times before I reached her her phone was busy talking to Jewish and Hispanic voters in Nevada and New Mexico and seniors in Pennsylvania. She's a member of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club and receives her call list from Moveon.org or the local Obama campaign office. When I finally reached Armon she told me that she didn't use the scripts and instead developed her own "pitch to Jewish and Hispanic voters." What really works for Jewish voters is that I tell them I understand their concerns that they are uneasy with voting for someone who is Black. They aren't exactly racist but there's an uncomfortable feeling there. a basic fear of the unknown. Maybe, even some guilt. and after I listen to them, I remind them about Palin. She freaks them out because most Jewish voters are into social justice, protecting the environment, and they find her beyond the pale with her religious views and anti-abortion policies.[4] Since being soundly defeat in Florida by Clinton in the primary, Obama has made up ground. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe estimates the campaign will spend $39 million on its effort to win the state, and Obama is trying to energize black voters, whose participation in Florida elections usually lags.[2] For the week that ended Thursday, Obama spent $4.2 million on advertisements, compared with $1 million by McCain, according to Campaign Media Analysis Group, an independent group that monitors campaign advertising. It was almost impossible to turn on a television this week without seeing one Obama ad showing McCain saying he had voted with Bush "90 percent of the time." Some Florida GOP leaders said they had been stymied in their efforts to get help from the McCain campaign, though they said that was beginning to change.[7] McCain joined the recrimination game himself with an all-out attack on the Bush administration published in the Washington Times newspaper on Thursday. In it, McCain accused Bush of a litany of failures in a last-minute attempt to yank himself away from a president whose popularity has fallen below President Richard Nixon's on the day he resigned. McCain hit the same themes at campaign stops Friday, following up on his line in the last debate when he told Obama that if he had wanted to run against Bush, he should have run in 2004.[12] More than half the country has used marijuana or some other drug, yet lightnin wants us all to know that anyone who admits to having done so is unfit for office. Unfit, that is, unless he's George W. Bush, who at least had the decency to lie about it. Palin's daughter is pregnant because the hard right would rather have teenagers be pregnant than tell them how to avoid pregnancy. They want to force women who've been raped or who have been impregnated during incest to bring those pregnancies to term. In a world with 6.7 billion people, they want to force women to have more. It's their religion, and their God is bigger than your God, and if you don't like it, you're a Satanist in their book. They believe in torture, lying the country into war, and giving their President power to ignore the Constitution. (They'll change their minds abou that when Obama gets elected though.) Sarah Palin is rich and lives in a $3 million house, so she can hire people to take care of her Downs Syndrome child and her pregnant daughter 24 hours a day while she campaigns across the country.[20]

At McCain's spending rate of $1.5 million a day, the Arizona senator likely has only $12 million to spend in the next 11 days before the election. His Democratic rival, Barack Obama, is not participating in the public finance system and raised a record-shattering $150 million in September.[6] Not easy, but not impossible either. Two issues have turned up in the final days, courtesy of some inopportune remarks by Obama and his running mate, Senator Joseph Biden Jr. Both have entered the campaign dialogue and, it is probably still a little too early to tell whether they will have the impact that McCain hopes they will. The first was Obamas response to the plumber in Ohio who asked about his proposal to increase income tax rates on households making more than $250,000 a year, in which Obama cited a need to "spread the wealth."[33]

"We know Sen. Obama is a remarkable figure and a gifted orator. We know Gov. Rendell has a strong political machine at his beck and call." Asked about potential themes. you guessed it. it's the economy, stupid. Ridge took a poke at Obama for continuing to mention the fact that some people in the country tend to make more money than other people do and that, maybe, just maybe, they ought to pay more in taxes because of it. Ridge sketched out the usual GOP path to victory for McCain (ie: holding the southwest, while turning out Republicans in central PA and the "T," while wooing Reagan Democrats in Northeast Pennsylvania where Joe Biden -- and everyone else this year -- claims roots).[34] "There has been significant immigration to the state from people who are not southerners,'' said Ayers. This year Gallup is issuing two versions of its polls, one is called traditional and shows a 5 percentage point national lead for Obama among likely voters.[35] With rival Barack Obama's lead in the polls widening rather than narrowing, with early voting clearly favouring the Democrats and with too little money to defend too many states, the challenge for the Republican presidential nominee appears to be virtually insurmountable.[10] Whenever exit polls have disagreed with voting machine numbers over the last decade, it is virtually certain that the Republican candidate is favoured. The anomaly from Ohio electronic voting machines of an extremely liberal, relatively unknown, black judge way down-ticket getting more votes in her race than John Kerry did for president was statistically impossible without voter manipulation, and this was probably achieved at the tabulator level (through the tabulators transmitting the results to a private company, where numbers could be manipulated, on the way to the master tabulator at the Secretary of State's office) by changing approximately the number of Kerry votes to Bush votes in certain counties as would be required to give Bush victory in Ohio.[22] NBC News, which keeps the most widely followed of the media electoral-college estimates, on Friday night said it is moving the closely watched battlegrounds of Virginia and Colorado to "lean Obama," putting its estimate for the Democratic nominee over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency. President Bush won each of those states by 5 points or more in both 2000 and 2004.[25] President Bush won here by 5 percentage points in 2004. The Democratic Party had earned months of bad publicity by pressuring its presidential candidates not to campaign in the state before the primary because Florida scheduled its vote earlier than party rules allowed.[7]

In some rural areas, the race might be a little closer, with some reporting the two candidates as "neck and neck". This also appears to be the case down in Florida (Bush country), which has been something of a "magical" state for the Republicans during the last two Presidential elections. I share the view of many others in that it doesn´t really matter who wins this race, as they both work for the same masters. There are millions of people out there who actually believe there is some difference between them.[36] National polls are important in the closing days of the presidential race. Experts will be keeping a close eye on the race in several individual key states on election night, as they watch to see which of the two candidates will get to the magic number of 270 electoral votes first.[27]

To reach the winning electoral vote total of 270, McCain would have to flip a state that voted Democratic four years ago. The McCain campaign believes that his best shot is Pennsylvania, with 21 electoral votes. He's facing an uphill battle.[30] Of all the contested big electoral states in play, Florida, where the Obama campaign never set up shop during the primary season, has taken on a new importance to the Democratic Party.[4] We are well-organized, and have a mountain of resources at our disposal." The Obama campaign said they have been ramping up for months, to aggressively defend every vote in this battleground state. Republicans enlisted their largest numbers of recruits in the heavily Democratic urban neighborhoods of Cleveland, Dayton, and other large cities.[21] The tides are changing. It's OK to use history to try and gauge which way a state may vote. This campaign is like no other. History does not account for a campaign where there was a significantly impressive candidate such as Barack Obama.[16] Barack Obama is a the best candidate and will not "take your guns away." Please consider this when you are voting: do you want these same types of scare tactics used by the Bush administration for another four years? It is time for a change and I am proudly voting for Obama, and maybe we can help him win Idaho and those precious four electoral college votes.[37]

There's also more paid staff here for Obama, sent earlier, than in past elections. Few Democrats seriously expect to win in Southwest Florida, but they believe every vote for Obama here will bolster numbers elsewhere for a statewide victory. If they can make headway in Southwest Florida, they say, rest of the state will be even better.[11] We got to win it,''' McCain said. Trying to keep Florida in the GOP column, McCain, like never before, lashed out against the president during a newspaper interview, faulting him for spending, Iraq, mounting debt, lax enforcement of Wall Street and climate change. He saved his fiercest attacks for Obama. '''It'''s another example that he'll say anything to get elected,''' McCain said. In a new ad, McCain argued that Obama's running mate Joe Biden was right when he told supporters Obama would be tested by a crisis if elected. '''We're going to have an international crisis to test the mettle of this guy. I guarantee you it's going to happen,''' McCain said. '''It doesn't have to happen.[15] Nationally, the daily Gallup tracking poll Thursday showed the race tightening somewhat with Obama leading McCain 50 percent to 46 percent among likely voters based on traditional voting patterns, or 51 percent to 45 percent when factoring in the possibility of greater turnout by new or infrequent voters.[6] McCain aides insist as much as 15 percent of voters are still persuadable. They'll try to chip away at Obama's lead by hammering him on taxes and promoting McCain's experience, the two themes the Republican candidate's been using all week.[23] The spread was 3.7 Wednesday and 6.0 Tuesday. The Republican is making headway with middle- and working- class voters, and has surged 10 points in two days among those earning between $30,000 and $75,000. He has also gone from an 11-point de'''cit to a 9-point lead among Catholics. Let's all raise our middle fingers to McCain's success in this election. His anti-Bush missle will fizzle at the pad.[28] Pollard said the Maine Democratic Party will have attorneys at many of the polling locations, particularly in college towns, on Election Day to look out for any attempts at voter suppression or electioneering. Mark Ellis, state chairman of the Maine Republican Party, said his party also will be organizing poll-watching activities in targeted communities. "As with both parties, our effort is not in response to anticipated problems, rather it is to ensure that the important right of voters is honored through a smooth and fair process at the polling place," Ellis said. College students, especially, like to express their views with logos on their T-shirts and stickers on their vehicles. Both parties have said they expect a record turnout of young adults this year.[29] The pace of early voting appears to be on par with the last presidential election. At this time during the 2004 presidential election cycle - Oct. 22-24 - nine percent of registered voters said they voted early. In that very same poll, only an additional 13 percent said they intended to vote early, compared to 19 percent who say they will vote early in this year's Oct. 22-24 average.[38] Leaving the campaign trail less than two weeks before the election was politically risky. His lead is hardly insurmountable and poll numbers have shifted sharply throughout the race. It could also help voters see a more personal side of Obama, who has been criticized at times for seeming aloof. Obama said the decision to go to Hawaii was easy to make, telling CBS television that he "got there too late" when his mother died of ovarian cancer in 1995 at age 53, and wants now to make sure "that I don't make the same mistake twice." "My grandmother's the last one left," he said.[6] As the Diversity Governor for HRC Atlanta, it has also been one of the busiest times in terms of communication to the public, early voter poll updates, and soliciting campaign financial and volunter assistance wherever possible. With that said, we keep going because of the overall need to get this man elected. I can only imagine the toll this is for him personally to have the hopes and dreams of SO many resting on his shoulders. Thanks to everyone who have in their own way made this election possible and for making a Obama presidency possible.[18]

The numbers are encouraging for Democrats, but there is a big caveat. A third of voters surveyed said they know someone who does not support Obama because of his race, the Times poll found. That question is important because it allows pollsters to determine racial bias without asking the respondent directly if their own vote might be affected by racial prejudice.[18] Dozens of volunteers decked out in Barack Obama T-shirts and buttons have spent hours on the phone urging residents to register to vote and to get to the polls early, and talking to undecided voters about the Democratic presidential nominee's platform for change.[39] RealClearPolitics has Obama leading by 11 points. Ridge also said, when asked what role race will play, that some Pennsylvanians just won't vote for Barack Obama because he's black. "You can't deny there's two edges to it," he said. "We've got a significant black population in Pennsylvania and I suspect very proudly, they're gonna be marching to the polls in record numbers[40]

' we're gonna still have some people in this commonwealth, hopefully not, but probably will be, who may vote against the man for the color of his skin. By and large, people are gonna vote against Senator Obama because he's ill-prepared to be a commander-in-chief." Incumbent Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., said earlier this month that many voters in the southwestern part of the state won't vote for Obama, saying "there's no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area." He more recently called some parts of the state "redneck."[40] Pennsylvania resident Tryphena said, "As Christians, we really believe strongly in being pro-life because God made life and life begins at conception--as it says in the Psalms, "you knit me together in my mother's womb," and we want to elect people to the White House who will defend and protect life. If McCain is to pull out a win here, he'll have to move undecided voters who aren't big on McCain, but don't quite trust Obama.[41]

With nearly five million people, the corridor is the state's fastest-growing region. Unfortunately for McCain, it's also one of the areas worst hit by housing foreclosures, a crisis that Senator Obama has blamed squarely on Bush.[42] McCain still needs to win the toss-up states and peel Ohio and at least one substantial state away from Obama to have a chance at victory. Just preserving the original article before they see the blunder they made in their fairy tale.[25] As the presidential race winds down and everyone begins to focus on state polls rather than the national picture, Ohio, as always, stands out. Sen. John McCain is trying to turn the tide in Pennsylvania, but polls show he is far behind.[20] Voters in Ohio have selected the eventual winner in the past 11 presidential elections, and no Republican has ever won a presidential election without winning the state. This election, economic discontent could be a decisive factor in that decisive race.[2]

Palin spoke last night at Beaver High School from a stage set up in one end zone of the football stadium. She reminded the crowd that the Ohio voter Joe the Plumber had likened Obama's policies to socialism, and promised to let small-business owners keep more of what they earn. Then she made a prediction. "We're going to win this state," she told cheering supporters.[30] The volunteer is the best weapon to snag other volunteers to the Obama Army. Making calls on their own dime either at home or on their cell phones is another new twist to the Obama campaign strategy that gives more freedom to volunteers and preserves funds for big-ticket advertising and the 100 offices and paid staff they open in states like Ohio.[4] Conservative Cincinnati-area financier Carl H. Lindner is No. 2 among Ohio 527 donors so far with $660,000 in 2007-08. He gave $2.2 million four years ago. It's hard to track fund raising and spending by every group, because many classify themselves as nonprofits, which don't have to disclose donors or publicly describe all activities. Leaders of some groups, like Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope, are eager to discuss their activities. Pope said the Sierra Club, which is sympathetic to Obama, is spending about $5 million during this election cycle to "educate voters" about the candidates' environmental record, through canvassing, ads and mailers.[8] "If the other side says the war is a disaster and we should pull out our troops, we want to be there to confront that perspective," said Pete Hegseth, who chairs Veterans for Freedom, a nonprofit group with a political action committee that has placed pro-Iraq war ads in Ohio. "We see this election as a real turning point for this country," adds AFL-CIO political director Karen Ackerman, whose union is spending $53.4 million to mobilize its members to vote for Obama.[8]

The real battle is in 11 swing states which will decide 26% of the electoral college votes needed to win the presidency. In all these states Obama leads by anything from 1 point to 14.[3] NBC News, which keeps the most widely followed of the media electoral-college estimates, on Friday night said it is moving the closely watched battlegrounds of Virginia and Colorado to 'lean Obama,' putting its estimate for the Democratic nominee over the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.[25]

I don't understand why the network news I prefer over all others isn't showing all sides. We'll be calling Colin Powell's endorsement The Great Flood as he convinced lots of moderate Republicans to make a leap of logic to vote for Obama. Disgusting how the repugnant ones downplay his endorsement as racist when they are the racists. Ah is McNasty running out of money? Hah Hah that's the way the ball bounces as Obama crushes his nasty oppinent with tons of cash. Do the people of Indiana and Pennasylvania forget how good life was during the Clinton years? This just goes to show you how uninformed these folks are. They'll vote party loyalty, even when the outcome is going to hurt them. If its a matter of national security, please remember, Senator Obama is an intelligent man, with great minds supporting him.[28]

I know it is harder now with all the lies the McCain campaign and Palin are spitting out. I feel angry with this campaign and the GOP because lieing is cheating Americans of the right to make the independent vote choice our democracy promises us. Today, an elderly woman told me at a church fair that she was afraid to wear her Obama button to the fair where she volunteered because she and her husband were verbally attacked on the street by MCCain supporters when they wore their Obama buttons.[4] McCain has tried, as Clinton did, to hit Obama's weaknesses that show up in polling, mainly experience and trust, but has failed to land any measurable body blows. His campaign also has come under attack for being too tactical, lurching from one impulsive move to another, from picking untested Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate to reacting to the financial crisis by threatening to pull out of the second debate.[12]

Now we have Palin coming out with a speech that will request for 15 Billion a year to the IDEA for people and children with special disabilities. Now I am all for helping people and children with special disabilities and funding such programs, but how can Mccain and Palin call Obama a socialist or a big spender, call for a possible spending freeze, yet come out and request 15 Billion for the IDEA. Is this not a socialist-style program? It is helping people is it not? And is this not big spending? One more thing! What makes Palin an expert on children with special needs. She has been a mother of a child with downs syndrome for how many months now? I know people who have been parents of children with special needs for years as well as people who have worked professionally with such children for years and years. What makes Palin the so-called spokesperson on what these children need? She has no clue and certainly has not even begun to face the issues of a parent with a child with special needs.[28] Yeah well, there will be no less than four stations tripping over theirself to be the first to call Obama the winner so as to make history along with him. as in " NBC was the first to call the first black presidency in the history of the united states" it probably means something to them to be the first to call the race for Obama. I still don't think they will get the chance at all, and FOX will probably be the first to call it for McCain, then we will all be called racists for the next four years.[25]

Obama ran 53,049 advertisements to 21,106 for McCain. Even with flawless campaigning, which almost no one inside or outside the campaign thinks it is, McCain would face daunting odds: a widely disliked two-term incumbent of his own party, a soured economy magnified by a historic financial crisis, an unpopular war and a surly mood across the land. "There is no precedent in modern history" for a candidate winning under such conditions, Madonna said.[12] If true, that would represent about one out of every 10 registered voters in the state. Plouffe said the McCain campaign has been forced into defensive desperation to increase its spending in Florida. "I think the McCain campaign just did not think at the end of the day (Florida, Indiana and North Carolina) were going to be battlegrounds," he said. "I'm sure they're going to put everything they have into it.[43] We are keeping a close eye on Florida, a state where polls show it very close, and where Mr. Obama has made a major effort in terms of spending, voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts that have been on display as early voting begins.[16] Even with early voting and absentee/mail ballots expected to cover at least 100,000 voters, and probably more, that means well over half will show up at the polls Nov. 4. Anyone who's moved and not registered their new address with the elections office, or who has not voted in several past elections, may want to check with the elections office to be sure they can vote with no delays. First-time voters also are urged to take advantage of early voting, to be sure they are registered and can vote with no problems before the hubbub of election day. Any registered voter who's moved to Lee County from elsewhere in Florida should have their new address on record with the elections office. Otherwise, there could be delay at the polls, Harrington said. If they're already registered somewhere in Florida, all it takes is to download a change of address form from the elections' Web site: leeelections.com, and send it in. It's not just a matter of record-keeping. There are about 40 different ballots for Lee County residents, depending on what special district, or legislative district, they may live in.[11] Election Day often comes down to the results of a few crucial battleground states where key electoral votes can hold the key to the White House.[2]

Come Election Night it will be the usual circus with votes being reported and projections being made. To hold our attention - if Obama reaches 270 before midnight - the story will move to how much he wins by. Does he reach 350? Attention will also be paid to Senate and House races, and the talking heads will discuss the next congress, etc. I do not worry about there not being plenty to keep the party going until very late. As one who has waiting a very long time for this, it will be an evening to savor.[25] If Obama reaches 55% in the final tally, Franken will likely win as well in the three party race. http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=116&ArticleName;=Minnesota+Meta-Polling The Bradley Effect will not, by itself, alter the outcome of the election. Palin wants to ". allow parents to choose whether federal money for their child is used in a public, private, religious or secular school without navigating a cumbersome administrative process." What??? No, Governor Palin! If a parent wants their child to go to a religious school, the parent pays for it! (Pay attention please, I will write this very slowly for you) The pupose of a religious school is to primarily teach their RELIGION and then also other subjects. That is the reason they exist!! Ms. Palin, do you approve of federal funds being used at ANY religious school? or just the ones you approve? What about the schools of the Mormon splinter sect/cults in AZ and TX? Maybe not? I imagine in that case, you would institute a "cumbersome administrative process" to keep that school from getting funds.[28]

From the media I have learned that (gasp!), Sarah Palin's husband was once a registered member of a 3rd party that favored states' rights (man, this is really bad stuff). That same media has been silent to the story that when Barack Obama announced his first senate run, he did so in the home of William Ayers. If we've had any doubts about the bias of the media, it's pretty clear now where they stand.[20]

Democratic icon Congressman Jack Murtha first smeared western Pennsylvania as "racist" last week, and then apologized and downgraded the land to merely "redneck." Obama's famous categorization of Keystone State voters as "bitter" and "clinging to guns and God" hasn't been forgotten either, or the fact that is was delivered to his San Francisco pals.[44] It'''s a long shot but it'''s worth fighting for.'''''' '''Earlier this week, campaign manager Rick Davis complained to reporters in a conference call that reporters refuse to call out Obama for alleged shady fund-raising tactics, but in the process revealed no small amount of envy about the Democratic financial advantage. '''Now, I'd love to have that $4 million right now to put into Pennsylvania,''' he said.[13] Top Obama campaign officials expressed confidence about Pennsylvania in a conference call Friday, citing the Democrats' expanded voter registration edge.[17]

Plouffe cited Obama's high favorable ratings and heavy early voting by Democrats. "I'm sure Sen. McCain will get his share of them," Plouffe said, "but the notion that somehow these late undecideds are going to break in a disproportionate way, we just don't see that." A flood of critiques and epithets flowed from inside the GOP tent, tracing much the same arc as the inside commentary on Clinton's campaign when she struggled through the primaries last winter.[12] Democrat John Kerry won Pennsylvania by 140,000 votes four years ago, so campaign operatives say that McCain needs to find on average only 2,000 more votes in each of 67 counties. He is not making inroads in many key areas.[30] While McCain seemed to enjoy the underdog role in urging supporters to vote, the Obama campaign is walking the fine line between optimism and overconfidence.[43]

The number of people who have just been put out of work was higher than expected. For Mr McCain this is all the more reason to oppose Mr Obama's tax increases for people who earn more than 250,000 dollars per year, because it includes a lot of people with small businesses, who as a result would be less likely to create new jobs.[32] The variation is said to be the result of different models used by pollsters. This year, some surveys are tweaking their assumptions on the number of new voters they expect to vote. That can have a significant impact on polling results because first- time voters tend favor Obama.[35] This year, Obama has an organized effort to protect the integrity of the voting process, both legal and technical. This was identified early on as the single biggest obstacle the Obama campaign would face during this election. Now, from what you know about Obama's advisors on the economy, foreign policy and other areas, who do you think he is going to choose to safeguard his election? It is easier to attack than to defend, but there is an enormous difference in the skills of these religious fundamentalist hackers and the world-class computer security experts working for the Obama campaign.[22]

CQ still has the race as "safe Democrat." Some voters in Pennsylvania may still be also smarting a bit from those Obama comments earlier this year when he called them "bitter," saying they "cling to guns or religion."[40]

Despite national polls offering dim hope for McCain, Florida polls show the race tightening even amid Obama's advertising blitz.[43] The last two words in your post, "blind ambition", sum up precisely why your advise will not be taken. McC, gamblin' man that he is, is ALL IN BABY! He's a short-term thinker and he's definitely not concerned about the other Republicans (half of whom didn't want him anyway) nor, his own legacy. He's a classic politician who has a proven ability to turn on a philosophical/ideological dime! Assuming he loses (a modicum of humility here a la Obama), McCain will act like all of that mud and deception was just some good ole political fun 'n games.perfectly in line with "our tradition" in American politics.and millions just might forgive him.[16] I keep waiting for the Neocon planned terrorist attack. They have only Fear and Lies to run on and the Lies are not working. That leaves the usual Fear that many Americans can't seem to overcome as the GOP Neocons only tactic. How many of us will they kill to stay in power and where? And, yes, I believe they are that evil! They will do anything to stay in power. You guys at First Read have ruined this blog, why is it that you can't post more comments and let people have back and forth discussion of the issues like in the past, people don't like plunking out responses when they know most likely won't be posted, this is not what a blog is supposed to be, it used to be very entertaining to read, now it just sucks. Fox News even allows uninhibited posting on their blog, come on dudes lighten up already you look foolish. You guys at First Read have ruined this blog, why is it that you can't post more comments and let people have back and forth discussion of the issues like in the past, people don't like plunking out responses when they know most likely won't be posted, this is not what a blog is supposed to be, it used to be very entertaining to read, now it just sucks. Fox News even allows uninhibited posting on their blog, come on dudes lighten up already you look foolish. "It requires a combination of smart campaigning, traction for his arguments and what the McCain team hopes will be fears among the electorate at the prospect of a Democrat in the White House with expanded Democratic majorities in Congress.'''[28] Politico.com calls the group "a key demographic. that has eluded recent Democratic nominees." Accoording to Politico, "Should Obama's support hold, he is positioned to become the first Democrat to win white independents in a two-man race since the advent of exit polling."[18]

No one should take for granted what Americans have endured under different presidents. It just doesn't make any sense. It's understandable to see why some states are leaning in new directions or becoming a toss up state. Whatever new electoral map is developed from this race should only be used the next time if Obama seeks a 2nd term.[16] Explain Fox news even existing, much less having great ratings from time to time. White people in New Hampshire in the primaries showed polls mean nothing, despite a big Obama lead he lost, contray to the predictions and polls (Bradley Effet alive and well against Obama in his face).[18] Far more important, Mr. Obama is posting some impressive numbers at the state level. Not only does he lead in every state taken by John Kerry in 2004, he also continues to lead in every traditional battleground state except Indiana, and two polls released this week have him ahead in the Hoosier State. (Battleground states are states in which, traditionally, both parties have been competitive.)[10]

The state also has a "Vote in Honor of a Veteran" program created by former Secretary of State Dan Gwadosky. People can purchase a personalized button honoring a veteran that can be worn at the polls, she said. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said his office he would back any action taken by election officials on Nov. 4. His office gets calls every year from election officials asking for advice. "Once we had a guy who refused to move his car and they called the police and we supported them on that," Dunlap said. "This is critical stuff and it happens every election.[29] "We've never had a problem with the dress code. We've had people with campaign buttons but they come in and vote then leave." Barbara Wardwell, Augusta city clerk, said her voters will keep her informed of any kind of activity where people are lingering around with campaigning apparel or badges. "We let people come in for voting, they just can't loiter around," Wardwell said. "We also have people come in with bumper stickers on their cars. If they're going to be here for any extended period of time, they can't park too close to the entrance of the polling place. Most of the time it's the voters who tell me about it. They'll say 'You know a car's in the parking lot with a sticker on it.' I have what I call my sign watchers out there." Her sign watchers are concerned voters who keep an eye out for illegal campaigning. She said people can wear red, white and blue shirts and buttons to show their patriotism or "I Voted Today" buttons.[29] The dimensions cannot exceed 3 inches. Deputy Secretary of State Julie Flynn said Maine's laws allow voters political freedom of speech but draws the line when voters hang around the voting place and root for their candidate. "They're able to come and vote, but if they want to stay around and watch, they have to go home and change the shirt, or, if it's a button, remove it," Flynn said. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that restriction on the constitutional protection of speech acceptable because of what they called time, place and manner standards.[29] Every time Spoonamore has investigated a voting machine problem, the programmers have been fundamentalist Christians whose main political agenda is to have a Supreme Court which will overturn Roe v Wade in order to "save the babies". The only way to ensure this type of election fraud doesn't occur is to use paper ballots, even if it means every voter demands an absentee ballot. Not only have the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections been stolen, but certain other results, such as the 2002 election of Saxby Chambliss as a Senator for Georgia, were fraudulent.[22]

TALLAHASSEE - If you are tired of the presidential election, stay inside. The candidates, their wives and their surrogates are trampling Florida like spring-break tourists as the must-win state receives ceaseless wooing from the campaigns. [43] HONESDALE - With the presidential election roaring into its final 10 days, the campaigns are charging toward the finish line in Pennsylvania, a critical background state.[45] A lot of attention has been paid to the presidential campaign for good reason. Another big issue is at stake in this election. Republicans, conservatives, moderates - and those simply concerned about the state of our culture need to pay heed: If gay marriage is allowed to continue in California, so goes the rest of the nation.[44]

We're going to do everything we possibly can." Ridge, a national co-chair of the McCain campaign, said he believes that the Republican presidential nominee can still pull off an upset win in Pennsylvania.[17] McCain, meanwhile, has seen media attention sidetracked by revelations that the Republican Party bought $150,000 in clothes, hair styling and accessories for vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family.[6] The plan calls for adding $15 billion a year to IDEA, which would fully fund the federal commitment to the 1975 law. That would be phased in over five years, and would be exempted from a federal government spending freeze that McCain and Palin have advocated for on the campaign trail.''' Another chapter in Troopergate : But the policy speech isn'''t the only news Palin will make today.[28] McCain also has scheduled several campaign stops in the state early next week, including a joint appearance with Palin in Hershey on Tuesday. Asked by Matthews if she still has "the new car smell," apparently referencing whether she still excites crowds there, Ridge said "there a certain genuineness and authenticity" to makes the crowds go wild.[40]

The interview will be under oath, and Todd Palin will be deposed separately. Among the campaign staff and reporters traveling with Palin yesterday was her personal attorney, Thomas Van Flein, who flew from Alaska to meet Palin and traveled on the campaign plane. Coming 11 days before the election, the depositions aren'''t good timing for the campaign, which had to deal with a spate of Troopergate headlines two weeks ago, when the legislative committee issued its report on the matter and found Palin had abused her power. Less than two weeks to go and the GOP VP nominee is participating in a deposition? Seriously? This isn't bad luck for the McCain campaign, this is a self-inflicted wound.[28] My fourth grader asked my why I was voting for a terrorist and a baby killer yesterday. As I explained the complicated politics of abortion and fear to my 2nd and 4th graders, I couldn't help but feel sad for all the kids being raised in families who feel it is their divine right to cast judgement on all who don't agree with them. That is the message that John McCain and Sarah Palin have poisoned the electorate with. If this is their idea of an honorable campaign, then neither of them is fit to hold public office, let alone the Presidency.[28] You are reliable. If we expect children to do these things, shouldn't we expect the same from our candidates? I believe that John McCain, at one time, did have core values. He has lost his way and has let his campaign managers mold and shape him into someone so unrecognizable that his own colleagues can't endorse him.[28] In the same time, Senator John McCain of Arizona has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism. His policies and worldview are mired in the past.[17]

As a parent of a child with autism in public school, fully funding IDEA would be great. John McCain had the chance to do it for 26 years and never tried, but I'll take him at his word that this time would be different.[28]

Some state tuitions went up by as much as a WHOPPING! 30% in one year. The reason the Bush McCain administration did this was to force struggling working class kids into the military to pay for the sudden jump in tuition. Which was forced on them by the corrupt Bush McCain administration, and their corrupt Republican Governors, and republican controlled state legislatures. They could use these wars to seize power, and later to get reelected. For their evil plan to work they needed more volunteer soldiers struggling to pay for an education whose blood they could spill to help them seize more power.[46] Obama is tied or ahead in at least ten states President Bush carried four years ago.[15] On my own, I learned that Ted Kennedy (hero of last month's tribute at the DNC) was drunk while driving a car off a bridge in Chappaquiddick in 1969. That same crash killed a young campaign volunteer with whom he was having an affair. Oh, and that young woman was pregnant with his child. Mr. Palin's (who is NOT running for office) DUI came a mere 4 years after Barack Hussein Obama (who IS running for president) SUPPOSEDLY stopped using cocaine and marijuana (by his own admission in his autobiography).[20] There'''s also the blame game. This is what creates an unhealthy atmosphere inside the campaign. Folks are looking over their shoulders, and this is where the loyalists get separated from the mercenaries. The true mettle of a political strategist/consultant gets tested now when things look as dark as they do right now for McCain. One last play of the experience card : The McCain campaign is up with a new TV ad that seizing on Joe Biden'''s remarks from last weekend that the new president will be tested by an international crisis in his first year in office. The ad -- very similar to a Web ad he ran against Mitt Romney right before the New Hampshire primary -- features menacing pictures of terrorists, Chavez, Ahmadinejad, and tanks. '''It doesn'''t have to happen,''' the narrator says.[28]

McCain is likely to lose formerly red states Iowa and New Mexico, may pick up New Hampshire, and is battling for Colorado to the finish. With ten days left and the markets continuing their extraordinary volatility, voters' stomachs are churning and the country is at a decisive crossroads.[44]

McCain has cut into Obama's lead for a second day and is now just 1.1 points behind.[28] Full funding for IDEA has been part of Obama's platform for at least a year, along with funding CLASS, passing the Community Choice Act and otherwise strengthening Medicare and the health care system people (not just children) with special needs rely on. McCain still opposes all of those steps.[28] In 16 recent surveys, just two placed McCain above 45% compared with 11 putting Obama at more than 50%. Despite constant discussion devoted to these national polls they matter little in the context of the American electoral process.[3] This piece really illustrates how the Patchwork Nation methodology works. That being said, McCain's current strategy makes no sense. Obama is up by double digits in PA in all reputable polls taken this month.[20]

I haven't been able volunteer much since then, but I wonder how some of the Dems feel now. I wonder if they will bend their racist views and vote for Obama now that they have seen all the craziness of the McCain camp, and the economy go into the toilet.[4] He'''d still rather have McCain'''s policies in a recession than Obama'''s. '''They will not do the things to bring this country out of the recession very quickly,''' Salin said of Obama and congressional Democrats, who hold a majority in both houses. '''They'''ll raise taxes and that will hurt the economy.''' Herring, the Broad Ripple shop owner, said she'''s less concerned about whether Obama'''s tax policies might hurt her business and more focused on his promises to end the Iraq war and improve the nation'''s international reputation.[19]

Not that the recent Republican administrations have been any better, but at least McCain has demonstrated spending restraint. Just another case of Obama not walking his talk - he agreed to only accept public funding, and instead has spent money hand over fist that might have been better allocated to some of our nation's less fortunate.[5] McCain is also at a serious financial disadvantage with just $25 million left in the bank to Obama's $66 million.[12] The forgotten men: Bob Barr and Ralph Nader are running for president, too, and they'll be on ballots in 45 states. With most polls showing their support at 1 or 2 percentage points, Barr and Nader are operating on shoestrings. Nader has raised about $4 million, including federal matching funds and $42,457 of his own money; Barr, a former Republican congressman from Georgia who is running on the Libertarian Party ticket, has raised $1.1 million and lent himself another $1,000. Consumer advocate Nader, who's running as an independent, is bidding for attention this weekend by making 21 political speeches in 24 hours across Massachusetts. He's hoping if he can't go down in history as the nation's 44th president he might make the Guinness Book of World Records. "I don't think this has been ever attempted,'' Nader spokesman Mark Abizeid said.[23] The former governor made the remarks at a morning press conference at state Republican Party headquarters during a two-day swing for McCain.[17]

To him, "the candidates are more important than the party affiliations." Rester once was a registered Democrat, but became a Republican when he moved to Northwest Florida because he saw that as the only way to participate in local elections. People are almost forced to be Republicans here, he said, but that may one day change. "This part of Florida is pretty conservative," he added.[39] The result could be seen in long lines of people at early voting sites. McCain's advisers said they had put far less effort into the early voting program, instead sticking with what has worked for Florida Republicans for a decade: building up their margin with absentee ballots. Several Republicans said they were afraid that emphasis was missing the way voting behavior is changing.[7] I was, like most people, already aware of the various ways by which the Bush team stole Florida and the Presidency in 2000, and also that there had been irregularities in the 2004 Ohio vote regarding the Diebold voting machines. I did not know many details about these voting machines and their deficiencies.[22] Quit threatening people like Susan in Ohio with layoffs. Susan, I know this sucks to hear; but I have hope that Obama will create the right incentives in technology forward industries that will create tons of jobs, just be patient and ride this storm out. I question the legality of him making a coercive announcement like that. Certainly seems like he was trying to influence your vote; whether intentional or not. On Troopergate II: this is an utter scam.[28]

Hey, the quirks and eccentricities of the inside-the-campaign-volunteers are just as fascinating. "Our office isn't very busy so you can choose your favorite phone and almost everyone who does this a lot here has a favorite phone or chair and I make about forty phone calls a night. I don't mind cussing me out but it's not very nice when they get personally abusive," said the good-natured Sellars, a seasoned grassroots party vol that any campaign would be lucky to harness for the drudgery of dialing a hundred phone numbers a night and interrupting the domestic lives of potential voters. Like Sellars, volunteers can be partial to a particular phone, prefer a favorite chair with their backs toward the wall and away from the glaring sun or they can sit on their own sofas and enter a cyber online phone bank provided by the Obama campaign.[4] "We have a robust voter protection program in place, to make sure every vote legally cast will be counted," Tom Reynolds, northeast communications director for the Obama campaign, told OffTheBus.[21] I also had a thoughtful conversation with a woman who identified herself as an Evangelical Christian. She said her husband had decided to vote for Barack but she was undecided because she wanted to support a pro-life agenda," wrote Sova. Hang-ups, cussing, listening to irate and irrational strangers are just part of any phone callers job as both Republican and Democratic campaign volunteers hitch online or saddle up to an office hard line, all searching for the illusive undecided voter willing to listen and maybe commit.[4] Come on folks, undeniably so, Barack Obama and his campaign engine are doing a phenomenal job. One can rest assured that he has already earned the right to win when the Taylors, Cunninghams, and Fonzarellos join the Kennedys, Powells, and other prominent icons to support him. Just sit back and bask in the glory of this diversity - never seen before. This man is an exceptional being.[18] Though the groups had agreed to keep things positive and issue-oriented, the debate's first question - about the difference in the types of change the candidates would bring to Washington - prompted seeming criticism of Barack Obama from the first Republican debater. Various student groups had submitted about 30 questions; moderator Kai Degner selected about 15 of them for the debate.[9] The New York Times in its endorsement of Barack Obama said: 'Mr. Obama has met challenge after challenge, growing as a leader and putting real flesh on his early promises of hope and change. He has shown a cool head and sound judgment. We believe he has the will and the ability to forge the broad political consensus that is essential to finding solutions to this nation's problems.[17]

An "expanded poll'' conducted by Gallup assumes a larger turnout by new voters and shows Obama leading by 7 points.[35] I don't get involved where politics are concerned. It's a big joke and what the candidates say one day, never holds true once they are elected anyway. Calm sensible Americans must be embarrassed with all the problems that keep popping up when they have elections. These are scenes you normally only see on the news when reporting on 3rd world countries struggling for democracy. Bush, Cheney, and their ilk are trying to turn the U.S. into a 3rd-world country--with themselves at the top of the food chain. Another 4 years would just about do it. This evening I spoke with University of Michigan professor Wayne Baker, who predicts we'll see more problems this year than in 2004 because we're going to see more first-time voters -- young and minorities -- than before. "And as first-time voters, they are more likely to be challenged," he said.[21] "We are excited to play our role in history." The candidates' efforts to steer the debate has nevertheless had an impact, reducing the amounts raised by one type of group, known as "527s" for the tax code section that governs them. The latest filings from 527 groups to the Internal Revenue Service show they have collected $424 million in the 2007-08 election cycle, a 12 percent drop from 2004, said Sheila Krumholtz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a watchdog organization. Ohio's top 527 donor during this election cycle is Progressive Insurance Chairman Peter B. Lewis, according to Krumholtz's group. Lewis gave $850,000 to Democratic groups this year, down from $23.2 million in 2004.[8] As a whole, television ads from outside groups are down significantly from 2004, reported Evan Tracey, whose Campaign Media Analysis Group monitors political television spots. This year, he said they've spent $18.5 million nationwide, a huge drop from the $140 million spent in 2004. Groups that venture into television, however, are spending disproportionately in Ohio because it's a key swing state, Tracey said.[8]

With half a million Ohioans out of work -- the state's highest unemployment rate in 16 years -- and with the state also tallying the third-highest home foreclosure rate in the country, the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll of Ohio finds that the economy is the single most important issue to the state's registered voters.[2]

In that environment, Obama could find success based on support from voters in the state's hard-hit industrial belt in the northeast, as well as in the heavily Democratic Cleveland metropolis. [2] As the election draws closer, more toss-up states are going Obama's way, and others that were supposed to be "safe" are turning into toss-ups.[16] The RealClearPolitics electoral projection map now has Mr. Obama with 255 solid electoral college votes, only 15 shy of the 270 votes needed to win the election.[10] The reason is simple: McCain must win Florida's 27 electoral votes to have any chance at a victory nationally.[43]

"I haven't received any McCain calls." McCain is in this spot now in part because of the conclusion made by his campaign this summer that Florida, if competitive, wasn't too big a problem, and that there were more pressing states.[7] Polling data pretty consistently shows that Florida is a couple of points more pro-McCain than the nation. I also wonder if this is a state where Latinos are going to hurt McCain.[47] The Florida statistics that play best for McCain relate to retirees and small business. The state has the highest percentage of retirees in the country and 98 per cent of its small businesses have fewer than 100 employees.[42]

Birth to 3 right now is one of the bright spots in most states' systems, with states funding therapy and skill supports. Its 3-6, where kids aren't covered by early intervention programs and aren't yet in the education system, that is a critical gap in current programs. The bs about carrying funding easily sounds like a great idea, but the problem is that a huge number of private schools (other than those who only take people with special needs) won't take people with special needs who have any sort of behavioral issue. This shouldn't become a cover for every child with special needs to be whisked out of mainstream schools and into specialty services schools, especially since socialization is so critical to the advancement of kids with autism. I see no suggestion that McCain would force the private schools to open their doors. As a whole, this isn't a policy - just a couple of darts thrown at the myriad issues of people with special needs, probably based on polling that shows people are most sympathetic to the issues of children.[28] The next president will have to work hard to bring us together as a nation, McCain and Palin are deviding us now. Why do we want people in office that devide us? I do not fear other americans I fear the failed policies of a disgraced ideology, the neo-con ideology has led us here, we will need someone else to clean up what theses beliefs have done to our great nation. We are realists this year, no more royalists.[13] "Oh, if people only knew how frugal we are." McCain was asked several questions about the shopping spree _ and he answered each one more or less the same way: Palin needed clothes, and they will be donated to charity after the campaign. Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity.[6] Pa is lost for McCain, the RNC is using Rove colored glasses. Even party regulars are ashamed at this campaign because they were so lazy and grabbed on to the fear card way to early. Come on, Sarah Palin is not attracting the demographics the RNC thought she would bring to the table.[13]

McCain, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee at the time, made no public or private statements critical of the dictatorship.''' Check out this campaign spending, per the AP : "McCain's Oct. 1-15 filing showed that the campaign paid $22,800 to Palin's traveling stylist, Amy Strozzi, an acclaimed celebrity makeup artist.[13]

One of the many problems with the McCain campaign is that they seem to have for too many stategies going on. The result is that they look disorganized and strategy-less, whether they have them or not. That demographic is dying by the hour, and not being replaced. The only reason they're voting for him is because he looks like them. They just want to have "one of their own" in the White House.[1] Since there is little question that McCain is going to lose big, he would be wise to start trying to rebuild the integrity that he completely trashed through his shameful campaign. If he keeps putting dirty Rovian politics of character assassination at the center of his campaign, history is going to judge him very harshly. If he doesn't try to regain some of the dignity that he squandered away by pandering to his right-wing extremist base, he will not only guarantee himself an infamous spot in the rogues gallery of American history, he will undoubtedly hurt the chances of most of the Republicans running for the house and Senate. The less Republicans the better as far as I am concerned, but if he had character he would think beyond his own blind ambitions.[16] '''Even the most hearty of the McCain supporters acknowledge that it will not be easy, and there are a considerable number of Republicans who say, off the record, that the 2008 cake is baked. At this point in the campaign, Mr. McCain'''s hopes of victory may rest on events over which he simply does not have control.[13]

Polls show that large blocs of voters see the first-term governor of Alaska as unqualified for the vice presidency. She has helped McCain shore up support among the Republican base with her conservative politics and folksy, suburban-mother persona.[6] A raft of polls showing him well behind. Early post-mortems on his candidacy. Even Republicans speaking of him in the past tense. As McCain enters into this closing stretch, his aides, as well as some outside Republicans and even a few Democrats, argue that he still has a viable path to victory.[33]

Some are inspired by the fact that the election will put a black man or a woman in a position neither has ever held. Despite this excitement, many young voters have been disappointed by the focus on personal attacks rather than substance from the candidates during their televised debates. When James Madison University College Republicans, College Democrats and Madison Liberty, a Libertarian-leaning though not politically affiliated club, decided to hold a mock presidential debate on Oct. 15, they hoped it would provide everything the real ones haven't: discussion of the issues and a complete avoidance of mud-slinging and negativity.[9] Policy?? What's that? Honor? Integrity?? Nope lets scare people. it worked so well in the market crash and the elections following 9/11. We promote ignorance and hate. just remember my fellow American voters these are the same tactics that gave us Bush and Cheney. We gave the republicans a blank check for the last eight years and we see what they have done with it.[28] "But I think now people are excited about the election. They care passionately one way or the other, and even if they don't have a strong opinion, they're still going to vote. I think it's going to be probably one of the highest voter turn-outs in history."[9] Research done by the McCain camp is showing that "some undecided voters and independents are starting to break our way." He thinks Mr. McCain will do well in western Pennsylvania, "where there are a lot of independent thinking and voting Democrats."[48]

"And so, Obama has an easier path. He has got a better electoral map and he has got momentum on his side and it would take a string of things to go McCain's way for this trend to be reversed. It could happen but it's not likely at the moment."[27] Obama is winning the newspaper editorial endorsement war, getting almost three times as many as McCain so far.[23] Of course, Obama has outraised McCain all over the country, revolutionizing fund raising with daily e-mails to supporters asking for as little as $5.[19]

Sunshine State phone centers are ramping up the energy, spurred on by the newfound belief that it may be possible to bring home a win, as Obama's poll numbers have improved in recent weeks.[4] Remember Obama supporters these are just projections,and every day we have conflicting polls. Remember what is at stake in this election, don't get complacent.[25] About twenty-five people were there one night, aged from 18-82 some black, some white, males, females, straights and gays and the camaraderie of hanging with like-minded strangers eases the stress of calling strangers during dinner. Fighting every day against what Armon calls "Bush & Company," she's a committed Obama volunteer since he won the primary, even though she was a Hillary supporter, as were most of her family members.[4] "When John Scott said that can't be the world's police, I thought that was great," said McKinney. Scott said he was just happy his group was included, unlike the candidate he supports. "The best case scenario for tonight is that people heard it and will take it to heart," said Scott, who will cast his vote for Bob Barr on Election Day but isn't in the business of trying to sway other people's votes.[9] Republicans intend to place 3,600 paid recruits inside Ohio polling places on Election Day to challenge the qualifications of certain voters.[21]

In the three weeks leading up to the election, about 4,000 new voter applications were filed in the city, according to the Harrisonburg Registrar's Office. That will bring the city's number of registered voters to more than 20,000 (exact numbers were unavailable at press time), an increase of more than 20 percent since the beginning of the year.[9] " is essential for Obama," said JMU political science professor Bob Roberts, who said around 60 percent of this year's new registrants in Virginia - now approaching 500,000 in total - are between 18 and 30 years old.[9]

Traditionally, polls narrow in the final weeks of an election campaign, as the front-runner feels the effects of the challenger's attacks. This year, the opposite is happening.[10]

Both campaigns have sunk significant resources into getting electoral votes in the state.[33] Each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on the number of Senate and House members who represent that state in Congress.[27]

Chad, my friend, your time and blogging space would be better put to use telling the people why you think a vote for McCain is the wrong choice. [49] To Cuppa Joe who wrote: "I think news outlets should actually let the people vote before telling us who won, don't you?" So I guess you don't want to know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow either huh? Don't be a moron - it's just a projection or a forecast, what do you think of anyone who writes an analysis on the stock market trends are doing? What about people who make comments on sporting playoffs.[25] All the early voting sounds like bad news for the Republicans, too, as well as the Hispanic vote you mentioned, any minority vote for that matter.[47] Spoonamore is convinced that the Republican party has committed election fraud in multiple elections since 2000, by manipulation of the vote numbers from electronic voting machines.[22] The payoff was the withdrawal of federal troops from Florida and a Republican Party backflip on Abraham Lincoln's dream of racial integration and civil and voting rights for black Americans across the entire south. By these standards, the saga of Florida's hanging chads in the disputed 2000 presidential election seems fairly tame, though not if your name is Al Gore.[42]

Regardless of party, Southwest Florida voters are ready for change, said Adrianne Marsh, Obama's Florida spokeswoman. Obama representatives 'who have visited this area have all received a tremendous welcome, which demonstrates the strong support we are enjoying in southwest Florida,' Marsh said.[11] Mr. Obama is seen as just another big-city, Harvardeducated elitist who has little understanding or regard for the social values of rural conservatives. His now-infamous statement in April that "bitter" small-town voters "cling" to guns and religion in hard times cemented his aloof image and remains a sore spot. Many voters continue to believe he is Muslim, though they are vague about the origin of this "fact." "I think he stands with the Muslims. They said that in a book -- I didn't read it -- but it said he would stand with them, whatever happened," said Alice Bruneau, 70.[50] "I am not prejudiced. I have nothing against his race. I have problems with his background." Such sentiments are heard frequently from Obama critics in this former iron-producing city in southeastern Ohio, a place that fell on hard times after the Great Depression and has never fully recovered.[50] Joe the Plumber is helping the old aviator through it. Joe's probably a Browns fan, but his suspicion of Obama's "spread the wealth" philosophy is deeply rooted in the industrial Midwest. When people work as hard as they do in Ohio and Pennsylvania only to be told that success has to be penalized in order to ship wealth to those who haven't been working, well, that's not a winning pitch.[44] Roughly 15 percent of Ohio'''s voting-age population lives in an '''Emptying Nest''' county. Michigan and Pennsylvania have about 5 and 9 percent of their voting-age population in those communities respectively. Those '''Emptying Nest''' counties, full of seniors and aging baby boomers, tend to be more socially conservative than other places. In 2004, they gave 58 percent of their vote to President Bush nationally.[20] Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again.[46] McCain hails from Arizona so the same arguments apply. Not only that, he defied the Republican mainstream when supporting Bush's attempt to settle the immigration issue by granting illegal residents citizenship and has declared Latinos a natural fit with Republican values on work and national security.[42] You see, starting back in 2000, and before 911, it was mostly the Republican governors, Republican legislatures, and county elected Republican officials that conspired with the corrupt Bush McCain administration to raise college, and university tuitions by the fastest, and highest rate increases in American history.[46]

Brown, a junior political science and political communication major, said interest in the McCain ticket is high on campus. The day of the debate, she worked at a Republican booth on campus that was visited by dozens of students, about 40 of whom signed up as new members of the College Republicans. "Things aren't as liberal as everybody expects," she said.[9] Eleven days before the election, the electoral map remains unfriendly territory for McCain.[15] Contracts on McCain winning the election indicate bettors at the Dublin-based site give the Arizona senator a 14 percent chance of success.[23]

'''We have ground to make up, but we believe we can make it up.'''''' Writes Balz, "McCain's advisers acknowledge that his way back is difficult, but they maintain that there is a way. It requires a combination of smart campaigning, traction for his arguments and what the McCain team hopes will be fears among the electorate at the prospect of a Democrat in the White House with expanded Democratic majorities in Congress.'''[28] Lee, the poll's director, called Western Pennsylvania "fertile ground" for McCain because of a concentration of socially conservative, blue-collar workers who heavily supported Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.[30] '''Offered a chance to respond to the suggestion that the McCain campaign is awash in defeatism, a McCain official delivered a decidedly measured appraisal: '''We have a real chance in Pennsylvania.[13] The eventual winner? It doesn´t really matter, but as McCain has already come back from the dead once (during the early stages of the campaign), you can´t rule him out as a possibility (if they are using the same script as last time).[36] We are tired of the fear after eight years and now the economic down turn, we want a positive message of the future but McCain Palin cannot give us that message. It's us against them all the time.[13] The truth is religious conservatives were not thrilled with McCain as the GOP nominee. Palin was chosen because of her staunch anti-abortion stance and her ability to fire up the GOP base; Ridge has 20 times the experience of Sarah Palin as a politician.[40] Sarah Palin doesn't know anything about Iraq. Her son may have served there, and she may be able to see Russia next time she visits the far western portion of her state, but she still knows nothing about foreign policy.[20]

Since going to Republicans in 2000 and 2004, Florida has changed. No longer experiencing a building boom, the state is now ranked No. 2 in the nation in home foreclosures and is facing its first recession in 16 years. [2] In an effort to secure the battleground, the McCain camp has devoted millions of dollars and staffers to the state in recent weeks.[2] Boni, a registered Democrat, doesn't know how the Arizona senator can turn the financial markets around but said he is getting his vote primarily because of his stance on abortion. McCain probably won't quibble with such reasoning.[30] Vote for Obama, and the democrats like your life, and the lives of your loved ones depends on it.[46] Do not wear t-shirts, pins, hats displying who you will vote for. (read somewhere on HuffPO 3 little old ladies wearing Obama shirts were refused entry. A gentleman lent his jacket to them so that they could vote that day. RobertK e n n e d y Jr, spoke about these things on TheRachaelMaddowShow a few days ago.[21] My theory though, is that eventually, the base would have come around. After all of the robo calls and mailers about Obama being either a terrorist, a Muslim, or not having a valid birth certificate, they would have headed out to vote against Obama.[40]

Correction: Make that last statement, "Thanks to everyone who have in their way made this election possible and for making the possibility of an Obama presidency possible"don't want to get ahead of ourselves, lol.[18] At the very worst the redshirts are going to try to steal the election. At this point the only hopes they have left is voter caging, voter intimidation, and voter suppression. It makes sense why the redshirts blew the ACORN thing way out of proportion, to set the stage for their own plan of voter caging, voter intimidation, and voter suppression. That way when Democrats accused them of wrongdoing the redshirts could claim that Democrats are only trying to take attention away from their involvement with ACORN.[21] Retirees and people involved in small business typically are conservative voters but whether enough will stay that way after eight years of Bush is a big question hanging over the race.[42] Steve Weissman of George Washington University's Campaign Finance Institute says that efforts by special interests can make a difference in tight races. He believes such groups circumvent laws designed to keep special interests from buying political clout, because tax rules let them accept multimillion-dollar donations that are off-limits for candidates and political parties. "If you have these independent groups that are getting unlimited amounts of money from billionaires or corporate or union treasuries, then you have a real problem for democracy that goes beyond free speech where a small group of people can push things towards one candidate or another," said Weissman. The groups' operators say they're a valuable way to get attention for new ideas.[8] You could have insisted on more candidates to choose from, but you didn´t, so you only have yourselves to blame. It´s difficult to say which is the hardest to believe, the fact that American´s have been duped again into believing that there was actually a Presidential race, or the people shouting and waving their banners, and getting excited about all of it. The only good news is that this long, mind numbing and contrived campaign will finally come to an end.[36]

Reality is there are plenty of people in our state who are Dems, but just won't vote for a black candidate. [4] Voting machines intrinsically can't be made secure because votes are meant to be anonymous, and for anonymity to occur the electronic information of who voted for each candidate cannot be recorded. This contrasts with (eg) bank transactions, where specific people are tied to each transaction. This makes it possible for the vote numbers for each candidate to be changed in an untraceable way. It is possible for many groups, including foreign governments, to hack the voting machines.[22]

Not "running up the score" so much as making sure that so many people decide to vote for him that it will not be possible once again for the Republicans to steal the election.[5] By a law recently passed by the Republican legislature, each polling place is only allowed 2 printers. Another new law only allows polling places to be open a total of 8 hours combined for Saturday and Sunday. What this means is that people can get in line between 10 am and 2 pm, and it will likely take until between 3am and 5am the next morning for the last people in line to vote.[22]

Through word of mouth, donations poured into the party's coffers, and subsequent mass meetings attracted hundreds eager to hear the young, forceful and hypnotic leader. This party began drawing thousands of new members, many of whom were victims of hyper-inflation and blamed others for this trouble. The price of an egg, for example, had inflated to many times its original price in just 10 years. Economic upheaval generally breeds political upheaval, this time was no different. The present government and others defied his party, accusing it of being too far left. He endorsed the fall of the present party government, and declared at a public rally that he was prepared to go the capital to rid the government of ones that disagreed with him. He wrote a book that was autobiographical, but which also detailed his views on the future of his people. Wrote a second book that was crudely written and filled with embarrassing tangents and ramblings, but it struck a responsive chord among its target and those who believed it was their destiny to change the government.[25] "Nobody cares how you voted 10 years ago. They want to know what you're doing now and what you'll do in the future." Pompee said that even outside of his political club, he frequently hears students discussing the election on campus. "It just happened in my Italian class," he said. "A lot of people think this election is the turning point for the 21st century."[9]

ANd if she thinks she's running in '12 her experience argument is out the window against Obama, b/c by then he'll have had 4 years under his belt.[16] While the perception exists that college students overwhelmingly favor Obama, members of the College Republicans argued that the tables aren't all that lopsided. "I think it's that the liberals are a little more outspoken," said Ashton Brown, spokeswoman for the College Republicans.[9] That's what I keep telling myself. Joe the Plumber lied to Barack Obama and received a thoughtful and honest answer to his dishonest question. After a well-considered discussion of the ramifications of his tax plan to Joe'''s fictional business situation, Barack asked Joe to think about those who are coming behind him. He asked Joe to consider how much faster he would have been in a position to buy his hypothetical business under Obama'''s tax policies.[28] REMEMBER, no matter which of us may stumble or fall, the rest of you must continue to surge forward for Barack Obama, and the democrats, and for your-selves most of all.[46] Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can.[46]

Barack Obama, on the other hand, has shown a steadiness and a sense of self that is truly inspiring and amazing.[28]

"We have to behave over the next 11 days like we are 20 points down, every moment counts," said Michelle Obama. [51] Golden agrees that the polls could be merely a foggy crystal ball. "Obama is 10 points ahead, and the next one he's one point ahead, and the next one their tied."[45] Obama has also led most national polls, though some surveys show the race tightening.[6] Averaging the polls to remove outliers shows a closer race. How is it that Ohio looks so different from other states in the industrial Midwest? Because even though the states are all in the same region, they are made up of very different kinds of communities, according to Patchwork Nation.[20] "If your stated goal, like ours, is to push conservative ideas and issues into the public square, then every opportunity to talk about it is another step forward," said Martin, the St. Louis attorney. Ohio is especially important to such outside groups because it "isn't just a battleground state," said Burger. "It's a case study on the failed policies of the Bush administration."[8] The running joke in my house is that Palin is really George W. Bush in drag. Like Bush, she is a front-man for a questionable group of power brokers who could care less about patrotism except to hide their personal agendas. Palin talks down to working people when she uses terms like "joe six pack," and "hockey mom" when she clearly sees herself as part of an elite. The sad truth is that like Bush, other people pull her strings, and we get a clumsy, irresponsible government that fails to live up to the basic duties of government such as protecting the public in time of national disaster or making certain that all citizens get equal opportunities. Palin and Bush mouth great words about such things, but their actions show they don't live up to what they say.[16] We're afraid that Ridge will come to our house and bind us in color-coded duct tape and plastic wrap. Ridge also told the assembled scribes that he has no regrets about supporting President Bush over his good pal John in 2000, even if his poll numbers are now cratering. "You make a choice at the time, and at the time it was a very difficult choice for me to make," he said.[34]

To be fair, the poll in question came out after this map, but GA has clearly not been entirely safe for McCain for some time.[16]

The plan calls for adding $15 billion a year to IDEA, which would fully fund the federal commitment to the 1975 law." This would be exempted from the McCain spending freeze.[28] Even those like Jim Boni, who say that fixing the economy is critical but aren't sure that McCain can do it. Boni retired two years ago from the school district where he taught for 35 years, yet was repeatedly checking his watch as he sipped a cup of coffee yesterday and waited for his shift as a hotel shuttle driver to start. "I'm retired, but I'm still working," he said.[30]

With NBC's tingly leg prediction of an Obama win - how far will the market drop? The economy needs a tax and spend liberal like a hole in the head.[25] Alas, the press ran away from that story too. They had to report on more important matters, like what kind of cloths Sara Palin was buying, and Obama kneeling at his grandmothers bed side. It's nice to see the medias priorities are in line with our expectations.[28] What private school is going to take a kid like mine, unless it is a school for the disabled, which flies in the face of IDEA "free and appropriate education in the LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT." The most laughable thing was Palin stammering around about a "cure" for what she termed "Oh I don't want to call it disease." Then fund genetics, identifying where these markers are, fund stem cell research. The thing she seems to be unaware of: Special needs kids are tested under NCLB. In fact, in my state, the testing nearly put my son in the hospital. I had to threaten get an attorney to make them stop. There are other measures that can be used to show progress without making my kid's disability worse.[28] "The scripts vary by day and by state, sometimes mentioning local issues like nuclear waste in Nevada, but we engage on all the voters' issues.[4] Enter the unions. Kaitlin DeCero from Pittsburgh volunteers at the United Steelworkers Union, where active and retired members make Robo calls throughout the Midwest as well as reaching out to members in the far-flung battleground states of Colorado and Nevada, identifying voters and chatting up Independents or those party members still riding the fence. "It's different every night and just depends on the issues raised," wrote DeCero.[4] I did a conference call recently where one of the experts discussing the Latino vote talked about serious voter registration drives going on among Hispanics in Florida.[47] Gregg County elections volunteer Freida Frost explained voting procedure and regulations to the sixth-, seventh- and eighth- graders in the school's Model United Nations program. Frost told students how to operate the electronic voting machines, and she said voters could not wear political clothing or announce who they will vote for while at the polling place.[31] Not counting the last two disputed elections, the last time Pennsylvania didn't vote for the winner was 1968.[49] JUST like all the past elections, media announces who wins before the votes are even cast. Sure wish I had one of those crystal balls they use.[25]

American University expert Curtis Gans says each candidate looks at the electoral map of the country differently. "Every candidate in this polarized country at this point starts with a number of states that are clearly their states to win, and a number of states that are their states to lose," Gans said.[27] "Obama is really the first recent presidential candidate who's staked a lot on," Roberts added. "Whether or not they'll turn out, we don't know."[9] Obama had nearly $66 million in the bank at the end of the first two weeks in October.[6]

Inappropriate? Alert us. Obama spends more money in florida than all these other groups combined he's trying to purchase a presidency. If he gets in he will pass the costs on to the american people.[8] History is being made with a win or otherwise. Senator Obama will need more then just the wind at his back. He will need the people of good faith and spirit to keep this movement going.[18]

PS. McCain's proposal to buy up mortgages at existing values is the worst kind of socialism because it rewards the lenders who made the questionable and often'subprime' loans in the first place. Socialism for Corporations is just his cup of Earl Grey. PSS. I heard his Joe the Plumber ad on POTUS this morning and boy howdy is he ever proud of the low information voter. [28] Florida is going to end up close." McCain was relaxed and enthusiastic during his Florida visit this week, sticking to his "Joe the Plumber" message and drawing overflow crowds at the rallies. Even he inadvertently acknowledged the closeness of the race, telling reporters he was probably behind in Florida and telling a rally in Ormond Beach, "If I'm elected" before correcting himself and saying, "When I'm elected."[43]

Indian Hill's rich North East zip code is always very high in national donations to Republicans; the very wealthy owners of the sports teams are big McCain supporters Bush was very strong here and in most suburbs, but McCain is visibly less so but doing a little better than 2 months ago, practically living in Ohio. There was a large uranium/military plant 35 miles NW of Cincy, with it's dangerous wind going over a Girl Scout camp and small cities. It's sign supposedly "fooled" Soviet spys and satellites by saying "Feed Plant."[20] Ridge has got the presidential image, ran a REAL state pretty well, and was Bush's first homeland security czar and did well at it.[40] Now, there probably was a better way to put that. Ridge said that part of the state has "lots of independent-thinking Democrats in spite of the fact they've got a Democratic congressman calling them racist and rednecks."[40] Why in hell don't these goomers ask "do you think there is racism in the Race for the presidency by blacks who will vote for "barry" just because he is allegedly black? I have talked with quite a few blacks and they have spoken honestly and that is exactly what they told me. That's cool if they feel that way but why does the democratic media phrase it to try and make Repubicans look racist? This is a great example of it.[40] Anything can happen in elections. I wish that these type of comments wouldn't come out before or during the election process. This would only hinder some who might feel as if their vote wouldn't matter either way.[25] The winner of the election will be determined by a state-by-state tally of electoral votes, not the national total.[26]

Florida's critical constituency is the Latino vote that Bush successfully targeted in 2004 when beating John Kerry by 52 per cent to 47 per cent statewide.[42] Bush won only 40 per cent of the Latino vote but it was a Republican record and a remarkable performance given the anti-Hispanic overtones of much GOP rhetoric on illegal immigration.[42] Perhaps the empty nester suburbs should test their voters for dementia befor they are allowed to vote especially if Bush carried them in 04.[20]

One advantage of the early voting in some states is that it has already shown that some of the voting machines have already been compromised and that in some areas polling places grossly inadequate even for the EARLY voters are in place. [5] The budget, where even more cuts are expected as state revenues drop, is the point of concern in the coming months. Other high-profile issues will be water and energy, Richter said. Asked if Florida should divest itself of more assets, such as Alligator Alley's proposed 50-year lease, Richter said nothing should be off the table. 'But at this point, there aren't enough facts for me to say if I support' the Alley lease, he said.[11] Of course, this is one of the states he shouldn't have to worry about. I asked our Jacksonville correspondent Michael to give me his assessment of the race in his state, where he teaches law and digests political info like most of us drink water.[47] Will hell freeze over? Pigs fly? Have White people in mass, joe average trailer park people, ever come through for society? The average white person fought like hell against WOMEN being allowed to vote, own property, etc. not that long ago.[18] Guess what? To pay down the massive debt, some of the people who just became BILLIONAIRES under George W Bush will have to start paying a little more (more billionaires created in the past 71/2 years than any other time or country). It was unpatriotic to wage the wars and not fund them.[28] In the general election, not so much. Republicans are confident the area will deliver a big GOP majority, so they spend most time and effort elsewhere.[11] "The focus and organization is totally different" than previous presidential elections, said Graziadio. "We have never had. organizers dedicated to Wayne County" by a presidential campaign, he said.[45] The Democratic presidential nominee took time off the campaign trail in the final stretch to deal with the grave illness of his grandmother, a woman who had an indelible impression on his upbringing.[16]

Food, comfort in surrounding yourself by others with similar concerns and priority issues are marks of a successful campaign call center for time-crunched volunteers who are lured away from loved ones at home, hobbies, and favorite television shows to jump into the fray of national campaigns during a critical and historic election. [4] Donors can give up to $2,300 for a candidate to use for the primary and another $2,300 for the general election. Some have been able to give more to a candidate to help cover legal and accounting costs or to pass on to their national party.[19]

REFERENCES

1. Miles Mogulescu: McCain Campaign's Old White People Strategy
2. ABC News: Breaking Down the Battleground States
3. Irish Examiner | Irish News | News from Ireland
4. Beverly Davis: Campaign Phone-Bank Volunteers: Dodging Abuse and Dialing for Victory
5. Obama swamping McCain on TV - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com
6. Obama, ahead in key states, briefly halts campaign - Taiwan News Online
7. McCain's early lead in Florida evaporates
8. It's not just the candidates; special interests flood Ohio with their own political ads - OPEN: Ohio politics news, insider views and analysis from The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com
9. The Daily News Record: Feature
10. globeandmail.com: It ain't over till it's over, but odds are it's over
11. Parker on Politics: Some Lee County Republicans turn support to Obama | news-press.com | The News-Press
12. GOP defections buffet McCain as end draws near
13. McCain: All about Pennsylvania? - First Read - msnbc.com
14. Poll: 4 of 5 to vote early : Elections : The Rocky Mountain News
15. Election Day Countdown: Eleven Days! | Today's TMJ4 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ | Local News
16. More Shifts to Obama on Times Map - The Caucus Blog - NYTimes.com
17. McCain must win Pennsylvania, Ridge says - Midstate PA Local News, Weather, Sports & Entertainment - PennLive.com
18. Could Obama win the white vote? - The Daily Voice - Black America's Daily News Source
19. ibj.com Indianapolis Business Journal State donors see blue this election
20. Campaign 2008: Patchwork Nation: Why Ohio'''s presidential polls look different | The Christian Science Monitor
21. Diane Tucker: Dems Mobilize Against GOP-Planned Showdown at Ohio Polls
22. The Young Turks: How substantial might the electronic election fraud be?
23. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
24. Updated McCain Endgame Strategy: Give Up | NYU Local
25. NBC News projects Obama clinch - Mike Allen - Politico.com
26. The Press Association: Republicans begin to turn on McCain
27. VOA News - Analysts Say Swing States Hold Key to US Election
28. First thoughts: Not over 'til it's over - First Read - msnbc.com
29. Freedom of speech allowed at polls
30. McCain, Palin face uphill climb in Pennsylvania -- baltimoresun.com
31. Forest Park students vote Obama in landslide
32. Obama leads McCain by 7 percent - Radio Netherlands Worldwide - English
33. McCain supporters still see path to victory - International Herald Tribune
34. Mcall.com: Pennsylvania Ave. Blog
35. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
36. American Chronicle | Can "Joe" still "fix-it" for McCain?
37. Shoshone News Press - Online Newspaper - North Idaho
38. CNSNews.com - Early Voting Results Equal for Both Candidates So Far, Poll Shows
39. News: Some local Republicans switching sides for Obama | obama, republicans, republican: Northwest Florida Daily News - WAP
40. Tom Ridge May Get a Spanking - Political Machine
41. Who Holds the Key to Keystone State? - Politics - CBN News
42. Once again, another bumpy ride assured in Florida | The Australian
43. Once again, Florida is at center of election war | HeraldTribune.com | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
44. Hugh Hewitt : The Weekend Before the Weekend Before - Townhall.com
45. Campaigns roar into election day - Honesdale, PA - Wayne Independent
46. SignOnSanDiego > Weblogs > U-T Opinion Online: America's Finest Blog > Obama's doing better in seven battleground states than McCain is in Texas
47. OPINION Blog | The Dallas Morning News
48. McCain must win Pennsylvania, former Gov. Ridge says
49. Are we headed for another 200+ vote swing in the Electoral College? | BuzzFlash.org
50. Obama faces struggle wooing working-class voters
51. Campaign Latest: Candidates are down to the last stretch | WNCT

McCain presses on with antitax theme

CONTENTS:

Entries in John McCain's "I'm Joe the plumber" contest are coming in, and his campaign has already put some of them together into a web video. (More...)
Alex P. All I can see is your and the rest of the people like you supporting a racist, white hating, anti-american candidate that want's control of this country like Kenya is controlled. (More...)
Obama was instructing people to work to get there votes, not to intimidate. (More...)
Natasha, there is a report out today saying that both McCains and Obamas pay for their own clothes. (More...)
The Democratic candidate, meanwhile, is targeting historically Republican territory, following up full day of campaigning in Virginia yesterday with a stop today in Indiana. (More...)
ABC should not be eliminating comments made about Obama and Joe if they are fact based. (More...)
Okay, but what are McCain's positions on the issues? Oh, right, McCain has no positions on any issues whatsoever, except that he'll continue on with the Bush policies and wars that have just about sunk this country into the deep 6. (More...)
McCain: Build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030, creating 700,000 new jobs. (More...)
Health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americas. (More...)
A very nice guy that everyone likes, but whose left-wing tactics and lack of experience running anything flushes the economy (and our world power) down the toilet. (More...)
As for the Bush administration, the only consistent principle we've seen from the White House over the last eight years is that of elevating the American president (and, I guess, the vice president) to that of an elected dictator. (More...)

Entries in John McCain's "I'm Joe the plumber" contest are coming in, and his campaign has already put some of them together into a web video. A series of people -- a truck driver, a schoolteacher, a caterer, an antique store owner, and others -- criticize Democrat Barack Obama's tax proposals, which include ending President Bush's tax cuts for those families earning more than $250,000 a year. McCain made Joe Wurzelbacher -- Joe the plumber -- the symbol of his campaign after he challenged Obama over his tax plan during a campaign stop in Ohio earlier this month. [1] There is no broad agreement on what a "small business" even is. The U.S. Small Business Administration was founded in 1953 to aid companies "independently owned and operated. and not dominant in its field of operation," but has since toyed with new definitions relating to a firm's revenue or number of employees. "It seems to me that small business is in the eye of the beholder," Shafer said. McCain, who earlier campaigned with big-business CEOs, has found the future of American small business in one man: Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio plumber who confronted Barack Obama over his proposal to end the Bush administration's tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000 per year - a threshold that McCain said would leave many self-employed businesspeople with a tax hike. Obama has replied that the vast majority of small-business owners don't earn $250,000 a year and thus would get a tax cut under his plan.[2]

Obama spokesman Bill Burton says Sen. Obama "has a comprehensive plan to support families that have children with special needs and empower individuals with disabilities." "This is a desperate political attack made by a campaign that is out of touch, out of ideas and running out of time," Mr. Burton says. The faceoff over taxes comes as the McCain campaign has used the story of "Joe the Plumber," an Ohio voter named Joe Wurzelbacher who expressed his concerns to Sen. Obama about tax increases on business owners, to raise doubts about Sen. Obama's domestic agenda. Sen. McCain, who campaigned on a "Joe the Plumber" Tour in Florida on Thursday, launched a new radio ad in the state that seized on part of Sen. Obama's lengthy answer to Mr. Wurzelbacher: "When you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." On the defensive over claims that his tax policies favored wealth redistribution over economic growth, Sen. Obama counterpunched on Thursday by arguing that the Republican nominee would cut taxes on corporations that moved overseas. Sen. McCain defended his proposed reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 25% in a CNN interview on Wednesday by arguing that the U.S. business tax rate had driven companies to countries with lower tax rates. At an Indiana rally on Thursday, Sen. Obama said his rival had promised "more tax cuts for job outsourcers" while he reiterated his promise to eliminate tax breaks for companies create jobs overseas.[3]

Joe took center stage during the final presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama to discuss how small businesses will fare under the policies of each, and the McCain campaign repeatedly refers to "Joe the Plumber" in stump speeches. Please please! don't have Joe or his boss represent small business. You see, it turns out Joe isn't licensed in Ohio, and it appears his boss is violating the law by employing Joe. Joe has a lien against him for failure to pay income tax. Oh, and by the way, the company he works for has an "Unsatisfactory" rating from the Toledo Better Business Bureau. (Disclosure: my company, The Planning Shop, publishes the Better Business Bureau books). Hey, we've all run up against this kind of competitor the guy across town who hires unlicensed or unqualified workers, then we have to explain to a customer or prospect why our prices are higher. Most small-business people the backbone of this economy obey the law, pay our taxes, create good jobs and compete fairly.[4] John McCain wooed voters in Florida Thursday, where he used the symbol of small businessman "Joe the Plumber" to sell his tax plan -- even though the man in question doesn't have a plumbing license, and would have been given a tax cut under Barack Obama's plan. Many voters both in Florida and elsewhere seem to have really embraced the "Joe the Plumber" message. One manifestation of that can be seen in this gallery of videos submitted to the McCain campaign this week. The campaign took what it thought were the best videos and created a television ad out of them.[5] The issue of taxes is usually a winner for Republicans. Obama made the tax debate a wash when he promised to give a tax cut to all but the "rich." McCain was unwilling to point out that Obama's proposed tax plan amounts to blatant income redistribution; Joe the Plumber did it for him. When Joe asked Obama why the candidate wanted to use taxes to punish success, Obama said he wanted to "spread the wealth around" because it's "good for everybody." Obama then expounded on that ridiculous answer in the third debate, saying he wanted to help all those behind Joe have a chance to be as successful as Joe has been.[6]

Tax cuts that passed in 2001 and 2003 are due to expire on Jan. 1, 2011. Obama would let the cuts affecting individuals who earn more than $200,000 and families that make more than $250,000 expire, in effect raising taxes on them. McCain wants them to continue. Obama says he'd cut taxes on 95 percent of the American people. "Whether it's Joe the Plumber in Ohio or Joe here," the Arizona senator said, pointing to a man in the audience, "We shouldn't be taxing our small business more, as Senator Obama wants to do. We need to be helping them expand their businesses and create jobs."[7] Florida has 27 electoral votes up for grabs. The Republican ticket is focusing its argument on Obama's highly publicized conversation with Ohio voter Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, since dubbed "Joe the Plumber." Earlier this month, Wurzelbacher told Obama that he was about to buy a company that makes more than $250,000 a year and was concerned that the Democrat would tax him more. Obama explained his tax plan in depth, saying it's better to lower taxes for Americans who make less money so that they could afford to buy from his business. His tax plan would lower taxes for people making less than $250,000 a year. "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody," Obama told Wurzelbacher.[8] Joe the plumber is a term Republicans are using to describe the concern some Americans feel about tax increases Obama plans to levy against families making $250,000 a year or more. Most people in middle-class jobs and some in upper-class jobs will never come close to this income level. Numbers are based on individuals with at least 15 years experience in their field.[9]

The RNC states that 40% of the people in this country pay no income taxes. This obviously means that 40% of the people live at or below the poverty level. The big question here is how did they get that way? They got that way because for the past 26 years people like John McCain have catered to lobbyist and special interest groups and have sent good paying jobs to India, Mexico and especially China. Obama tax proposal will not help those people, but his proposal to give companies tax breaks and incentives to keep and create new jobs here will.[10] Obama's promise to give a tax cut to 95 percent of American workers resonates with almost every voter. He claims that unless you are an individual making over $200,000 per year or a couple making over $250,000 per year, you will see a tax cut from an Obama administration. Putting aside that (1) anyone paying attention to Obama's big-government philosophy does not believe that, (2) the government cannot give an income-tax "cut" to the one third or so of American workers who pay no federal income taxes, and (3) that Obama has already admitted he might not enact his tax policy if the economy is still down, conservatives have to acknowledge that it is a powerful promise. Several writers on this website predicted early in the campaign that in order to win, McCain must clearly define the tax relief he will provide to the middle class.[6] Good video --except for this line: "We are close to making that $250,000 mark, and we shouldn't be punished for succeeding." Is the McCain campaign conceding that Obama won't raise taxes on any one making under $250K? What happened to the argument that, based on Obama's record and his spending proposals, he's going to raise taxes on the middle class? Bill Clinton abandoned his middle class tax cut campaign proposal. Even if you take Obama at his word, it might be more effective to point out that McCain's tax proposals, including his health care plan, would leave most middle class people better off.[11]

The poll found Obama at 44 percent and McCain at 43 percent, statistically insignificant and a change from a similar survey three weeks earlier that found Obama with a 7-point lead. McCain previewed his approach Wednesday in Ohio, home state of the original "Joe the Plumber." Joe Wurzelbacher of Holland, Ohio, became a thematic figure in McCain's campaign after he was videotaped questioning whether Obama's plan to raise taxes on those making more than $250,000 would keep him from buying the two-man plumbing shop where he works. Wurzelbacher subsequently revealed he did not make that much, and several analyses suggested he would pay fewer taxes under Obama's tax proposal than McCain's. Neither point has deterred McCain or running mate Sarah Palin from using Wurzelbacher as the focal point of their stump speeches, as they did before thousands when they appeared together in Green, Ohio.[12] Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential nominee whose infant son, Trig, has Down Syndrome, will debut the new attack during a rally Friday morning in Pittsburgh, aides said, and the campaign said it could launch television or radio ads featuring special needs families targeting Sen. Obama on the issue. "What you're finding is that in his ideological drive to raise taxes he continually catches new people in the crossfire and this is the latest symptom of that," said senior McCain adviser Douglas Holtz-Eakin. Senior Obama advisor Jason Furman said the attack is a "blatant lie" and said that Sen. Obama has always said he would work with the Treasury Department to adjust thresholds in order to make sure tax rates do not inadvertently increase on any family making less than $250,000 a year.[3]

Obama's top economic adviser, Jason Furman, said Obama would support a corporate tax cut if it is paid for by closing corporate loopholes. With publicity about Joe the Plumber's hopes of buying the company where he works, the campaigns are battling about how their plans would benefit small businesses. Palin campaigned this week with the owner of a Las Vegas Mexican restaurant with 20 employees, saying she is "exactly the kind of small business owner whose taxes could go way up under the Obama tax plan.''[13] Voting already has begun throughout the state. That's why McCain was to spend his day later Thursday visiting smaller communities along the Interstate-4 corridor, stretching from Ormond Beach to Sarasota. "Joe the Plumber" is the Ohio worker who told Obama that he hoped to buy a plumbing business and was concerned about the Democrat's tax plan. It turned out that Joe isn't a licensed plumber and the business he's eyeing earns nowhere near the amount that would see higher taxes under the Illinois senator's plan.[7]

Only one person in the business needs to have one. My experience has been a lot of the most knowledgeable and skilled laborers were they ones without the licenses since often the person with one does little of the actual work and mostly manages the business. Yes Joe the Plumber is indeed a Plumber and no he does not need a govt certificate to vindicate his years of hard work. Grant, he can't legally run the business because he isn't a licensed plumber, he hasn't received any of the plumbing training required to call yourself a plumber, and doesn't hold a Journeyman Plumber's card; plus he doesn't have the money or credit to buy the business, that plumbing company doesn't currently make $280,000 a year & has no prospects of making that much money, and on top of all that businesses are taxed differently than people are and the plumbing business would probably receive a tax break under the Obama plan.[5]

In an interview Wednesday with the Washington Times newspaper, McCain distanced himself from the president as he lashed out at Bush's record on a host of issues. "Spending, the conduct of the war in Iraq for years, growth in the size of government, larger than any time since the Great Society, laying a $10 trillion debt on future generations of America, owing $500 billion to China, obviously, failure to both enforce and modernize the regulatory agencies that were designed for the 1930s and certainly not for the 21st century, failure to address the issue of climate change seriously," McCain told the Times when asked to name his criticisms of Bush. "Those are just some of them," McCain said, laughing. Earlier Thursday, McCain kicked off his "Joe the Plumber" tour as he worked to capture Florida's blue-collar vote. "Whether it's Joe the Plumber in Ohio, or Joe over here. we shouldn't be taxing our small businesses, as Obama wants to do," McCain said as he thanked the 'Joes' in Ormond Beach.[8] '''And let's realize the American dream. I call on the administration to act now and buy up these home loan mortgages and keep people in their homes. In the past, McCain has expressed the opinion that this administration isn'''t doing enough to address the housing crisis, but never as forcefully as today. He has never before so adamantly 'called' on the administration to act more aggressively to address the problem, but on a day when McCain is focusing on small businesses, his criticism became a bit more direct. This morning'''s rally was the second of five stops for McCain today in this crucial I-4 corridor region of Florida on what his campaign is calling the "Joe the Plumber Bus Tour." Continuing his criticism of Biden'''s prediction that Obama will be tested early if he'''s elected president, McCain also responded this morning to Obama'''s recent explanation of his running mate's prediction. '''Yesterday, Senator Obama tried to explain away this warning ''' by saying that his running mate sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes," McCain said, laughing to himself. '''Really? That'''s another way of saying that he accidentally delivered some straight talk to America.'''[14]

McCain's campaign yesterday introduced a new television commercial showing a succession of people addressing the camera and saying: "I'm Joe the Plumber.'' McCain and Obama both now cite the Toledo, Ohio, plumber in stump speeches as someone who would benefit from their tax revisions and suffer from their opponents' ideas. The candidates' claims in speeches and advertisements, however, aren't always a reliable guide to their merits.[13] The Obama Trauma put his fat little foot in his mouth when he talked with Joe the Plumber and let that lettle phrase "we're gonna spread the wealth" escape his crooked little mouth. Guess who's gonna get a piece of my hard-earned bucks. his brethern in race and ACORN. There is a strong agenda working here and either you're in it or just easily led. Buying up bad mortgages and renegotiating at better rates? Nationalizing banks? All because these people failed at capitalism? And then they call Obama Socialist because he wants a 3% tax bump at the highest marginal rate? News flash for you McCain- taxation is not socialist. If republicans would just stick to their stated economic platform- lower taxes and less government, they might actually stand a chance. I guess they are fortunate that we have been so dumbed down as a country that their current rhetoric is actually taken seriously.[14]

With the attention directed at Joe the Plumber, tax-based attacks are focusing on the working class and small businesses. In Missouri this week, McCain repeated a frequent claim that Obama voted twice this year to raise taxes on people making as little as $42,000.[13] Only if Joe's net revenue reached over $280,000 would Joe pay higher taxes. It all made perfect sense. Why McCain's people think they can use this to hurt Obama is amazing. If it did anything, it helped Obama since he was so clear and thoughtful in his response to Joe's questions. Joe seemed to understand it, but then, again Joe was for McCain from the beginning, so even if he understood it, it wouldn't change his mind.[15]

Sen. Obama isn't a socialist because he supports the progressive tax system (the rich pay more, the poor pay less). Sen. McCain supports that, too, and he's not a socialist. Sen. Obama is a socialist because he wants to tax tax-payers so the government will have the money to write checks to non-tax-payers. Not only are middle-class, hard-working tax-payers (yes, contrary to media interpretation, middle-class working Americans will pay taxes under Sen. Obama's plan, too) going to work hard to pay for their food, insurance, retirement, and their children's education, middle-class hard-working tax-payers are, under Sen. Obama, going to have to work doubly hard to not only pay for their food, insurance, retirement, and their children's education, they are going to have to work doubly hard to pay for non-tax-payers food, housing, transportation, insurance, retirement, and education.[10] McCain described the Bush plan as unwise and potentially harmful to low- and middle-income Americans. He told reporters after his speech that Bush would "use the entire (budget) surplus for tax cuts," which "ignores the importance of the Social Security trust fund, the importance of making it solvent, making a down payment on Medicare and starting to pay down the (federal) debt." Asked if he views Bush's plan as irresponsible, McCain said, "I believe that it's far more responsible to make sure that you save the Social Security trust fund," to pay future benefits for retirees. He warned that Bush's plan doesn't set aside any expected future surpluses as insurance against future shortfalls in the Social Security trust fund. If such money wasn't available, he said, "you're going to have to either have the trust fund go broke or raise the payroll taxes. That's the worst damage you could inflict on average Americans." In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday, Bush defended the fairness of his plan, which would double the current $500 annual child tax credit and cut the lowest income tax rate from 15% to 10%. "My plan recognizes those who live on the outskirts of poverty and work hard to get into the middle class. It will knock down the toll booth to the middle class," Bush said.[10]

McCain, an Arizona senator, advocates extending the tax cuts passed under Bush, which are set to expire at the end of 2010. He also favors cutting the corporate tax rate to 25 percent from 35 percent. Obama, a senator from Illinois, says he would reduce taxes for families making less than $250,000 a year.[16]

Obama puts a sinister spin on McCain's proposed corporate tax cuts. The candidates exaggerate the opposing plan's costs, and gloss over unappealing aspects of their own platforms. "Both John McCain and Barack Obama endlessly repeat tax talking points that are disingenuous at best, outright falsehoods at worst,'' said Paul Caron, associate dean of faculty at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, who tracks the candidates' tax plans.[13] Looking for fresh ways to press the tax issue, John McCain plans to roll out a new attack against Barack Obama on Friday, claiming the Democrat's plan would increase the burden on families with special needs children.[3]

Sen. Barack Obama is now in the enviable position of seeking to become president by looking presidential. Sen. John McCain, meanwhile, knows that he can only become president by making his rival look un-presidential. (Two Joes -- the Plumber and the Senator -- are being enlisted to help.) It may be a subtle distinction, but it matters for the home stretch. McCain is throwing it all at him now -- taxes and spending and flip-flops and plumbers and terrorism (and terrorists).[15]

McCain made taxes a central campaign thrust during a debate last week, introducing "Joe the Plumber'' Wurzelbacher as a working-class Everyman whose dreams of owning a business would vanish if Obama raises taxes.[13] "Joe the plumber" is just another diversion cooked up by the McCain campaign, another "fork in the road" to lead the less informed down the "wrong" path. Joe already gave himself a tax cut by not paying his taxes.[5] We have had tax cuts for 8 years and need to get rid of some of the cost. It is fact that over Obama tax system is better then McCain and cheaper because it provides relief for working class, and gains revenue from people who will take the least amount of impact from the crisis.[10] The crowd booed. Obama would let the cuts affecting individuals who earn more than $200,000 and families that make more than $250,000 expire, in effect raising taxes on them. McCain wants them to continue. Obama says he'd cut taxes on 95 percent of the American people. We need to be helping them expand their businesses and create jobs."[7] My friends, now is not the time to cast your vote on a godless communist muslim arab terrorist. Obama will not cut taxes for the rich, he will only cut taxes for those making less than $250,000. This is less, my friends, than the dress Cindy wore to my convention. We need the McCain, Palin team in Washington to fight those liberal fat cats who attack our poor Wall Street executives and their compensation adn bonus packages.[15]

Congress has long used refundable tax credits as an alternative to welfare, however, and McCain's own health insurance tax credit would work the same way. The Republican ticket says Obama's plan may even undermine a capitalist economy: "Now is not the time to experiment with socialism,'' Palin said this week in Reno.[13] Mr Obama rebuffed the latest attack on his readiness to be commander-in-chief. 'Whoever is the next president is going to have to deal with a whole host of challenges internationally,' he said in Virginia, a key swing state. He portrayed Mr McCain, 72, as 'out of touch and running out of time', after rejecting new Republican jibes on his plans for taxes and national security. Less than two weeks to go before the presidential election, Mr McCain warned the Illinois senator not to take victory for granted, despite his mammoth financial edge and solid lead in a slew of opinion polls. A military veteran, Mr McCain noted that he had some 'personal experience' with crises, citing his role in the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when as a fighter pilot, he was assigned Cuban targets.[17]

The fierce new clashes over tax came on another sickening day for the U.S. economy, with stocks diving on grim company data, sparking fears of a global recession as the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index hit a five-year low. Mr McCain sought to portray Mr Obama as taking the electorate for granted, given a clutch of favourable polls and the massive US$150million (S$223.5million) war chest he amassed last month. 'My opponent's looking pretty confident these days,' Mr McCain said in New Hampshire, a state that revived his moribund presidential campaign earlier this year. 'He'll be addressing the nation soon.[17]

A top Obama aide said the campaign made the change two weeks ago to avoid charges that the proposal provided "welfare" to non-working Americans. "Thirteen days to go, and he changed his tax plan because the American people had learned the truth about it and they didn't like it," McCain told a crowd at lumber yard in coastal Ormond Beach. "It's another example that he'll say anything to get elected."[18] More than 41 million Americans, or almost 15% of the population age five and older, have some form of disability, according to the 2007 Census survey data. Individuals with disabilities are living longer than ever which means many disabled children will outlive the parents who support them. "Special needs" or "supplemental needs" trusts have become a popular means of ensuring financial stability for grown children with disabilities without cutting off access to government benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income, administered by the Social Security Administration. Andy Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, a nonpartisan nonprofit, says he has not heard any complaints from constituents about how the Obama tax plan would affect them. "It's my understanding that he'd raise taxes on anyone making more than $250,000. That doesn't seem to single out parents of disabled children," he says.[3] 30 to 40 percent of Americans, the poorest among us, already don't pay any taxes. What Obama's plan will do is allow them to sign up for a variety of tax credits, so the government will send them a check for a couple thousand dollars or more every year. Where does the money come from to make those payments? From Americans who do pay taxes. It literally is redistribution of wealth. Instead of using taxes to pay for the necessities of infrastructure and defense that they were intended for, the government as envisioned by Obama will be "spreading the wealth around."[15]

Unfortunately for Obama, the average American understands that Joe reached the position of being able to buy a small business without the "help" of Obama's redistributive tax plan. Americans also understand that it is simply unfair to tax a single father who has become a financial success on his own accord simply to pull up those behind him. Despite years of media and school propaganda and indoctrination, this is still a country that expects a man to earn his own way.[6] Once again, for the umpteenth time, I listened to the replay of Obama talking with "Joe The Plumber" and heard every word Obama said to him. He spoke with the guy for about 5 minutes, explaining in great detail, what his tax plan was and how it would benefit Joe whether he owned the business or not.[15] If it is not, please explain why. This, of course, is made immediately relevant by Obama's famous comment to Joe the Plumber that, "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody." In particular he was talking about his tax plan, which is a plan for redistribution of wealth from top to bottom. This is a matter of fact. When Obama tells you that his tax plan will benefit 95 percent of taxpayers, he is misstating the truth.[15]

Defined by the government as companies with fewer than 500 employees, the group includes medical practices, self-employed consultants, millionaire athletes, and some hedge funds as well as mom-and-pop shops and corner diners. It also may cover authors with royalty income, including both McCain and Obama. Wurzelbacher, the plumber, famously confronted Obama on Oct. 12 about concern that the Democrat's plan would keep him from buying a business earning more than $250,000. McCain is attacking Obama's comment during that encounter that "when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody.''[13] My husband (an anal retentive nerd and I say that lovingly!) actually printed out MCCain and Obama's plans from their web sites. Being a parttime H and R block employee, he worked Joe's 250.00 business (which of course we all now was a lie)as if it were a tax return.[15]

Joe the Plumber is going to finally pay his tax lien off from 2007-(he seems to be a deadbeat)- He is going to auction Sara Palin's clothes on E-Bay and pay off those taxes!! With the rest he will buy a real business not one in his head and he won't have to work for McCain anymore. Palin says she likes the idea but McCain does not. Joe was a 'Plant" and McCain wants to get his money's worth.[15] McCain's tax cut to wealthy and filthy reach (like him and Exxon) at the expense of tax-payer's money is FEUDALISM. That would be taxing not-rich-people like me to pay the Feudal Lords like him and his filthy rich friends and lobbyists.[10] "Just yesterday, Sen. McCain strongly defended the Bush policy of lavishing tax cuts on corporations, including those that ship American jobs overseas. "He made the strange argument that the best way to stop companies from shipping jobs overseas is to give more tax cuts to companies that are shipping jobs overseas," Obama said at a rally in Indianapolis, Indiana.[8] Obama says there are 57 states and Biden says JOBS is a three letter word and Obama is gonna give a tax cut to those who pay no taxes. Wonder where these two guys learned basic math. Both speak in forked tongues and fizzy math. Both are total jokes.[10] Obama doesn't say many Democrats also support a corporate tax cut because the U.S. has the world's second-highest marginal tax rate for corporations. "Economists on both the left and right agree that corporations do not pay taxes -- their shareholders, employees, and customers end up footing the bill,'' Caron said.[13]

McCain promises families a $5,000 health-care tax credit, rarely mentioning that individual taxpayers would get only half that amount. Obama, an Illinois senator, says he has proposed "a tax cut for 95 percent of working families in America.''[13] Obama did vote for a non-binding budget resolution that, among many things, recommended rolling back President George W. Bush's tax cuts for households earning more than $42,000.[13] The McCain campaign cites a fact check article that set the figures correctly to $42,000 because McCain campaign commercials were saying $32,000. That was a non binding resolution dealing with the Bush tax cuts.[10]

Obama was referring to comments McCain made Wednesday in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "If they go to Ireland, they're only paying 11 percent. Where are they going to go where they can create wealth and create jobs? It's simple fundamental economics," McCain said as he defended his plan to cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent.[8] Commercials for McCain say Obama wants to raise taxes on electricity. "Obama has said no such thing and his tax plan contains no proposal for a tax on electricity,'' the Political Fact Check project said.[13] Add to that the fact that no battle plan survives contact with the enemy, and no Presidential Platform survives contact with Congress; don't expect either Obama's or McCain's tax plans to come to fruition in anything like the shape it is now.[5]

Obama's a smooth talker and mccain isnt. they have basically the same "plan for america" and that is what scares me. they both have bigger government in mind. when are americans going to wake up and realize that the only time politicians "care" is when they need our vote. after nov. 4 neither will give a damn about anyone but the lobbyists and who will line their pocket. neither are leaders. hence why they are legislators. the U.S. is in trouble and has been leaning towards a more "progressive" ideal.[15] McCain will win for the simple fact that he appeals to the latent racism and bigoted views of a sizeable number of ignorant americans. These people who do not have any idea of the world outside of america and their own blinkered view of the world. Face it folks, obama is too ahead of his time and too many people cannot see past the fact that he had black blood in him. America has lost a great chance to regain its standing as a force for good in the world.[15] A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll found that 48 percent of registered voters say McCain would be best at dealing with an international crisis compared with 39 percent who said that of Obama. For the fourth straight day, McCain drew on remarks made by Obama's running mate, Senator Joe Biden, who said the world would "test'' Obama in the first six months of his presidency. McCain refreshed his argument today using Obama's own interpretation of his vice presidential candidate's words. "Yesterday Senator Obama tried to explain away this by saying that his running mate sometime engages in rhetorical flourishes,'' McCain said. "Really,'' he said, prompting laughter in the crowd. `That's another way of saying he accidentally delivered some straight talk to America.''[16] The kids got nothing but help in how to be more PC and leftist indoctrination. Again - what has Barry done that should merrit our trust? Why should we ignore all the times he has lied and/or shifted his position during the campaign (there are many)? He is naive on foreign policy, socialistic on economics, and clueless on energy. Joe's question was answered in a moment of candid talk when Barry did not realize he was "on the air". Joe did what the old fart McCain could not and the MSM would never do - show Obama for what he is.[5]

Republicans have slashed television advertising for McCain at the state's three largest television stations, according to the Denver Post. With early voting under way, McCain's campaign bought a total $305,550 worth of ads this week at KUSA-TV, KCNC-TV and KMGH-TV. That was down 46 percent from last week and down 56 percent from two weeks ago. Obama is spending almost seven times what McCain is at those stations in the final days, The Post reported.[18] Mrs Palin took another feisty run at Mr Obama, ramming home the Republican claim that the Democrat would raise tax rates across the board in a'socialised' wealth-sharing scheme. 'He's hiding his real agenda of redistributing your hard-earned money,' she warned the crowd in Ohio. Mr Obama swept through Virginia on Wednesday trying to overturn nearly a half century of presidential history, continuing a march through red-state America before taking an unprecedented break from the campaign trail to visit the ailing grandmother who helped raise him. With an ear-splitting rally in the Richmond Coliseum and a late-afternoon speech in a chilly park in Leesburg, he promised to win over Virginia for the first time since 1964.[17] The majority of the people voting for Obama need a good jolt. The people that critize Palin for the RNC buying those expensive clothes should be more interested in Obama giving Acorn $880,000 of his campaign money plus $90 million to another person from his campaign money. That is a lot more than $150,000. Obama should spend some money on Michele to get a complete new wardrobe and a makover on her face and hair.[15] Punishing the employers does not help the employees. How can anyone trust what Obama says now? Bush #1 and Clinton both broke their word on taxes and Barry has shown a strong tendancy to lie whenever it suits him politically. Can anyone here give an example of what Obama has done in the past that shows he would be a good president? When I higher people in my pharmacy, I ask them not what WOULD they do in a difficult situation, but what DID they do in a difficult situation. Anyone can make up a good story about what they would do, thus it works better to look at what they have done to determine how well they will preform. The only example, other than BO's campaign where he has had control of a lot of money is when he and his pal Bill Ayers managed the funds for the Anneburg challenge. $100,000,000.00 + dollars were spent with nothing to show for it.[5]

Regarding the analogy of taxes and beer. Joe is an average person who scrapes by on his grades but gets into a really good job because mommy and daddy have money and he goes to the right schools. Because of his connections he rises to the top of the pile and is in charge of a large corporation or bank. He's not the smartest but he is well connected. Fred works at the local car company, he earns decent money can buy a car a house and together with him and his wife working can support his mortgage some beer and 2 kids. Fred is laid off his good paying job is gone, although his wife works he is having trouble finding another job and he really cant afford his wifes gasoline bill, food, and a mortgage. He defaults on his mortgage. Joe is starting to have problems his bank made a lot o money loaning out on the assumption house prices would always rise and they could foreclose and re sell at a profit. Whats more no one is buying his imported cars and the crude oil futures is loosing him money. After fudging the books and doing creative accounting he decides he will have to declare the company bankrupt. Luckily he is well connected and after some pressure from friends is likely to receive a tax payer bail out. After all he has become accustomed to earning $250 million a year but that appears to be in jeopardy too.[15]

With Obama, I see a constantly shifting vapid ego filled persona with socialist tendencies to throw more taxes on the most productive people in our economy, the ones who -create- jobs. He's going to tax them when we need those jobs the most. He may think it's "fair" (even though their rate is far higher than everyone else's). but I think it's idiotic.[5] McCain charged that Obama believes in "redistributing the wealth, not in policies that grow our economy and create jobs and opportunities for all Americans."[8]

Obama said yesterday that whoever wins the election, "a period of transition in a new administration is always one in which we have to be vigilant, we have to be careful.'' On both security and the economy, Obama sought to tie McCain to Bush, whose approval ratings are at all-time lows.[16] Get over it, take a deep breath and take your meds. Between the debates and the economic crisis, Obama got the chance to prove he is commander in chief material. The one thing that kept him from opening up an lead and kept voters skeptical was never his race, as the pundits wanted it to be, but, that fact that he was a young and fairly new figure on the scene. With everything going on, voters were not sure he had what it took. The debates gave the voters a chance to see Obama go toe to toe with McCain and the economy gave him a chance to show how he governed or handled a crisis. In voters minds, he passed the test well.[15]

A Wall Street Journal/NBC poll put Obama's margin at 10 points. While the economy and the credit crisis are dominating the campaign debate, both candidates have pivoted recently to address national security, an area where McCain has an advantage.[16] Joel: Are you like the professor's that voted against this country for their actions against Ayer's. Are you telling me that you agree to Obama's friendship with a terrorist that bombed this country. A radical of the 60's along with Bernadine? That leads me to believe that you and thousands of American's are also anti-american for voting for a candidate who doesn't care who his associates are and what they did. Obama was not 8 years old when he welcomed Ayer's donations to his campaign knowing all along the was the bomber. What is in the white people's minds to vote for a candidate like Obama who wouldn't know what to do if there was another attack in this country. Powell jumped unto Obama's bangwagon because he knows Obama is dumb. It is a race problem with Powell. Both are half white, half black (Jamacian)but retain the black side.[15] You all can thank Bush/McCain for getting Obama elected. I have been out of work for a year as a direct result of these "freedom" hacks and have dedicated all of my unwanted free time and resources to removing the Cons. The American people have spoken with their campaign contributions and will soon speak with their suppressed voting rights as well.[15]

McCain is right in doing this and hitting hard on Biden's gaffe that Obama is UNTESTED, and UNQUALIFIED, as he reminded us a few day ago. Bet they are wishing they had picked Hillary now. Jake where is the headline about Police bulking up in cities that have heavy black demographic, in case my Johnny pulls this off? I read an article somewhere where they said they are staffing up big time as this will be the first African American Prez or first female VP. Would love the punch this would give the lib media that has already crowned Obama. it would be the biggest and best upset in political history.[10]

I can't wait for this to end soo badly for the American people. we deserve this. when has life been fair for any of us. Life is harsh, period. when they both talk about making things easier for the struggling, they enable the lazy to expoit the system. the rich are no exception. it is true that the middle class is the back bone of this country. However the rich are the only ones that can run for political office. when push comes to shove, which of us is willing to give up what they earn? we are all selfish in that aspect. McCain or Obama is not the answer. both want to acheive the same thing. Sad. its pethetic to beleie that your life will be better of with either.[15] There is a bit of irony in your citing a fact check piece that was debunking McCain original claims that Obama raised taxes on people making $32,000.[10] "If you make less than a quarter of a million dollars a year — which includes 98 percent of small-business owners — you won't see your taxes increase one single dime." McCain's route covered the vote-rich "I-4 Corridor" through Orlando, in central Florida, and was intended to boost him in a state George W. Bush won in 2000 and 2004 but which Obama is threatening to seize despite a strong GOP machine and the Arizona senator's endorsement by Gov. Charlie Crist.[18] Some state tuitions went up by as much as a WHOPPING! 30% in one year. The reason the Bush McCain administration did this was to force struggling working class kids into the military to pay for the sudden jump in tuition. Which was forced on them by the corrupt Bush McCain administration, and their corrupt Republican Governors, and republican controlled state legislatures. They could use these wars to seize power, and later to get reelected. For their evil plan to work they needed more volunteer soldiers struggling to pay for an education whose blood they could spill to help them seize more power.[10]

An Obama spokesman accused McCain of distortion and said the Democrat's plan always included a work requirement, although it was discussed only within the campaign or to reporters who inquired about the particulars of the plan.[18] I firmly believe that if McCain had of just stayed at home for the past 8 weeks and not uttered a sound, we would have one hell of a fight for POTUS!! McCain's campaign strategist are complete freaking morans!!! Obama team? outstanding! Last but not least the media as a whole, f--king sucks! thanks for nothing. I like John McCain because he's a maverick, and he saved us from Cuba, he can save us from the terrorists.[14] ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - John McCain began his daylong "Joe the plumber" bus tour of Central Florida's Interstate 4 corridor yesterday without its namesake, the icon of his campaign's invigorated antitax movement who has conspicuously refused entreaties to appear with McCain. In the plumber's place, McCain found a new army of small-business sidekicks to join him for morning coffee at a Daytona Beach diner: a florist, contractor, kitchen-supplies purveyor, and sports-bar owner.[2]

McCain uses Joe as an entr'e into attacking Obama's economic policies. He continues to find new ways to say the same thing: accusing his opponent of wanting to spread the wealth around. 'Sen. Obama may say he's trying to soak the rich but it's the middle class who are going to get wet,' McCain said.[19] Did you realize that you guys are arguing over goo while the CEOs of the failed lending institutions are getting their bonuses and walking away with millions while we, the taxpayers will pay for it. after which both of the candidates voted for the bailout because they didn't want to appear to impeded 'progress'? They both put politics over principles. We got hosed, and now they want our vote. Obama's out there saying we need to'spread the wealth' and talking about 'righteous winds' and McCain isn't any better with his ranting.[10] McCain and Palin seized on that statement, and Obama's tax increases for high-income families, to say the Democrat "would convert the IRS into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth.''[13] McCain advisers on Thursday also said that Sen. Obama's refundable tax credit to cover payroll taxes for low-income workers amounted to a raid on the Social Security trust fund because workers would receive Social Security benefits without paying into the program. "They're going to have to rob Social Security indirectly," said Mr. Holtz-Eakin, calling the tax proposal a "direct assault on Social Security as we know it."[3] "40% of these "citzens" pay no income tax, but they will receive a check in the mail." They do pay payroll taxes. The Obama campaign has now added a work requirement for the one part of their programs where a homeowner could conceivibly get a mortgage credit without working.[10] Make permanent a 10% Research & Development tax credit. Obama: Raise taxes on the top two income brackets those with profits more than $250,000 a year per family or $200,000 a year individual. Give $1,000 per couple/$500 per individual tax credit to those working and making less than $150,000 a year (including the self-employed).[4] Two vacation retreats Commercial fishing rights worth an estimated $50,000 or more (an income like that last year of at least $230,000 compares to a median income of $64,333 for Alaskans and $50,740 for Americans). Palins' tax records reveal the Alaskan first family used a variety of imaginative loopholes to get out of paying much of their taxes. Sarah has a lawsuit AGAINST FURTHER PROTECTION OF POLAR BEARS so as not to hinder oil drilling in Alaska's ice-filled waters e.g. her links to the oil companies''' lobbyist. Governor Palin has waged a deceptive, dangerous, and costly battle against the polar bear," Kieran Suckling, the center'''s director, she even received a rubber dodo award from The Centre for Biological Diversity. Sarah '''Moose head''' Palin is suing Alaska because it opposed the endangered label partly because the listing would "deter activities such as ''' oil and gas exploration and development".[14]

Audience member: "Why is it that someone like my father who goes to school for 13 years gets penalized in a huge tax bracket because he's a doctor." McCain: "I think it's to some degree because we feel obviously that wealthy people can afford more." McCain: "Here's what I really believe: That when you reach a certain level of comfort, there's nothing wrong with paying somewhat more."[15] John McCain plans to tax people who have employer provided health insurance to give tax credits to people without health insurance.[10] Obama keeps claiming 95% of people will get tax cuts. Maybe his plan does this and maybe it does not; but, here is the important point: whatever his plan is you can forget it. Obama has never done anyting he promised to do. Basically, he is a serial liar. He said he would never disown Rev. Wright - a few weeks later he quits the church and disowns Wright. He said he would take only public financing - then he opts out of public financing. He said he was against offshore drilling - now he is for offshore drilling.[10] The funniest part about all this is. you libs really think Obama is going to enact a tax cut! How? He never has! Never! His voting record repeatedly leads to tax and spend, tax and spend.[10]

Learn. McCain is giving huge tax cuts not to Joe but to huge corporations such as bit oil. as well as the very wealthy.[5] "If voting records on tax issues are relevant, despite what the senator is proposing as a candidate, then shouldn't Senator McCain's position on the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 be fair game?'' said Gerald Prante, senior economist at the Washington- based Tax Foundation.[13] The center also says larger federal deficits from McCain's tax cuts may negate positive economic impact.[13]

Just look at Clinton. As soon as he got elected, he said, "sorry, I can't do the tax cut after all." First they come for the money of people making over $250k.[5]

Oh. "If we kept the payroll tax rate exactly the same but applied it to all earnings and not just the first $97,000," Obama wrote this week in an Iowa newspaper, "we could eliminate the entire Social Security shortfall." The bottom line is I just don't trust that his plans will remain as they are.[10] You can not give a "tax break" to one third of all americans who pay no federal tax. Obama plans to give them a "new and improved" version of welfare checks from the government.[5] "Obama's plan is deceptive," added Al Kerling, a Holly Hill retiree. "He's talking about giving tax breaks to 95 percent of the population, but half of them don't pay income tax now anyway."[7]

Why? Because businesses know the real truth about who's tax plan would help businesses more. Fact - when Obama looks like he's going to win, the market tanks.[10]

Obama: Give businesses $3,000 tax credit for each domestic job created in 2009 and 2010; invest $250 million in a network of public/private business incubators; invest $150 billion on alternative energy projects to create new jobs.[4] Obama's rural investment credit should help small farmers. President Bush increased fees and reduced bank guarantees for SBA 7(a) loans as a result, this year SBA loans have fallen by 50%. These are the loans that when you as a small-business person walk into a bank to help finance expansion of your business and create new jobs, the banker is most likely going to offer you.[4]

Alex P. All I can see is your and the rest of the people like you supporting a racist, white hating, anti-american candidate that want's control of this country like Kenya is controlled. He is determined to do it. He is so dumb Joe Biden will be running the country and Obama will be president in name only. [15] I'm tired of this "sound bite" election. Anyone interested in the truth can find the entire text (and video) of what Obama actually said to that plumber (whose name is not even Joe and he isn't even a licensed plumber)on a previous Political Punch, as well as other places. McCain may be selling, but apparently nobody is buying this line of bull.[10] When you've reached that time of life when you spend half your time in the bathroom, you should know your plumber. McCain should have the name of his plumber written on the back of his hand. He should also have his urologist's phone number on the refrigerator. Not really being pals with Joe the Plumber doesn't stop these clowns from bringing up his name like they're tight with the dude.[20]

Obama was instructing people to work to get there votes, not to intimidate. He was referring to family members specifically. It is okay to have that bumper sticker if you allow others to have a racist for McCain bumper sticker. [10] I'm confused. How is it that Obama is a socialist, but taking my tax dollars and essentially giving them to someone who bought a house they couldn't afford isn't socialistic? It is taking money from those who have (a house) and giving it to those who don't. McCain, what happens to home values after you buy the bad mortgage at a depressed price? Will the homeowner be able to turn around and sell the house for a profit? What happens to home values after he sells the house at a depressed price after you buy the mortgage? What guarantees do we have that the buyer with nothing to lose will not just walk away as is already happening? You can throw a drowning man a rope, but he still has to get out of the water.[14] A top adviser to Sen. McCain said the attack was designed to show the "bizarre, unintended consequences" likely to result from Sen. Obama's proposed tax increases.[3]

McCain simply HAS to go 'Bushwhacking'. He's tied to the president and has to somehow cut the chord. McCain can't lie and contradict himself enough to win this one. McBlinky is all over the place with his proposals and his innuendos about Obama and democratic policy proposals. He's as shaky in his opinions as he was a lousy pilot who crashed five jets.[14] Compared to current law, TPC estimates the Obama plan would cut taxes by $2.9 trillion from 2009-2018.[5] Less than 10 percent of all small businesses would be hit with higher taxes under Obama's plan, according to a 2007 survey of small business income by the National Federation of Independent Business.[13] Howard Maines of Panama City owns two small businesses, and neither earns anywhere close to the amount that would trigger higher taxes under Obama's economic plan.[7]

Yes the rich will pay more taxes but then again if that is all right why oppose Obama's plan.[10] Obama Spread the wealth, He is taking from the wealthy giving to the poor, trying to change the class system. He will raise the poor and low income up to middle class, and they will not have to work to attain it, or pay taxes to get it.[15] "Barack Obama and Congressional liberals call it spreading the wealth around, we call it higher taxes, bigger government.[10] I guess Obama's strategy of'spread the wealth' didn't apply when he voted for the bail out. He put politics over principles. Those schmuck CEOs are walking off with bonuses and millions. Obama is as much a scam and fraud as they all are. We need a whole new government - all there now need to go - ALL of them.[10] Signs put up in Florida and New York bus stops telling people to move to Mass. for the housing. I'm running down to my bus stop and putting up signs that Virginia has turned blue and directing them to your state. My only consolation in an Obama Presidency is he wants to spread the wealth around and with this I am assuming the whole country will have to start sharing the responsibility of taking care of the less fortunate. This will be wonderful for Massachusett, other states will have to quit sending everyone here to live and will have to start caring because you'll all be liberal blue states.[15] I will refuse to turn into a non profit organization supporting Marxist Obama's "distribution of wealth". I am a generous person and certainly I contribute my fair share to those in need. I refuse accept Obama telling free people how much money they shoud or they should not have.[15]

Obama was the number 2 recipient of money made from Fannie Mae. I would call a guy RISKY when he puts his own interests before the people he's supposed to be serving. In doing so he promoted inflated housing values, destruction of people's credit ratings making them not able to get a mortgage and fulfill the American dream in the future.[15]

Alex P: I don't have to make peace with God because I never attended a racist, white hating, anti-american church with a racist pastor like Wright that Obama attended for 20 years. Don't tell me he didn't know better than that. Obama disliked his own mother's race as a young boy. Why do you think he joined that church to begin with and even had his daughter's baptized there. Michelle belonged to a racist organization before she married Obama and is just starting to like America now? Who's kidding who.[15] Last minute drama and pandering from a guy who would destroy social security and the health care system. In my eyes McCain failed big time in his response to the bailout. I am not ready to trust him to handle any economice crisis. It'''s very openhanded of Obama to be truthful and have this type of vision for America. What can McCain about his plans? Heck, he can'''t even be truthful about himself needles to say domestic or foreign affairs.[14] How low will the McCain camp stoop?? When asked about Palin's wardrobe spending spreeGOP strategist,Brad Blake, responded by pounding Obama for using his campaign plane to visit his seriously ill grandmother.[10] McCain "would continue the policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security,'' Obama, 47, said yesterday.[16] We now get to watch as the party that's supposed to be "free market" nationalizes huge chunks of the economy's financial sector. They've failed in staying true to their principles of limited government and free markets. They've failed in preventing elected leaders of their party from becoming corrupted by the trappings of power, and they've failed to hold those leaders accountable after the fact. Congressional Republicans failed to rein in the Bush administration's naked bid to vastly expand the power of the presidency (a failure they're going to come to regret should Obama take office in January). They failed to apply due scrutiny and skepticism to the administration's claims before undertaking Congress' most solemn task'''sending the nation to war.[15] The Republicans believe in small government and no government regulations? Small Government went away with very small population. Look at what's happening with the economy right now the whole thing could unravel and be worse then the "Depression" when you take away the rules and leave people with their own vices and morals "regulation free".[10]

The poll says the margin is due to independent voters moving toward Obama by a more than 2-to-1 margin. "Right now this election is about independents ''' independents and the economy,'''''' pollster Tom Eldon told the Times.[10] I wonder if the red states are just playing Obama. Are they fudging the polls in order to make him spend money in their states? With the economy as it is, I wouldn't be surprised. Why not let him "spread his fundraising wealth around?" And then, on election day, remain red. It will be interesting to see if this is the case.[15] I do not see what the big deal is about the chosen verse, spread the wealth around. This entire issue once again taken out of context. This Nation is in a financial crisis. To make it better, we need to up employment, help folks stay in their homes, focus on energy and hopefully by doing some of these (there are more), we can see an improvement in Wall St. which in turn will improve the economy for us all. Each one of these things along with a host of others need to happen, thus "spreading the wealth around". It is a term, it means if Peggy Sue gets to stay in her home, her money situation improves, if John, Stan, Mary and Jill get jobs then there financial situation improves, if we look into alternative fuel sources, and all use less, then we all will show a financial gain, and then by some of these examples happening Wall St. begins to flourish again, thus. SPREADING THE WEALTH around! What is wrong with that? Why is that bad? Is that not what we want? Do we not want the economy to improve for us all? Do we not want all that are unemployed to be employed? Do we not want folks to remain in their homes? Do we not want Wall St. to flourish again, helping our 401Ks? If we all want this.this why is not spreading the wealth around ok? Why is different, when in fact it is the same, just worded differently.[10]

John McCain opposed to overturn the Supreme Court ruling against Lilly Ledbetter, for whom a bill is named. The Supreme Court had said her pay discrimination claim against a tire company came too late -- decades after she got her first paycheck that was substantially lower than men doing the same job at the same plant. The fact that she had only learned about the pay disparity recently made no difference to the justices: McCain voted against the children's health care bill then defended Bush's veto of the bill.[14] I feel I am bearing witness to the end of a great nation. For the past eight years the Bush administration has driven this country to the brink of destruction. Now John McCain and the air head he has chosen as his VP are ready to give it the final nudge over the edge.[10]

John McCain is against tax breaks for the middle class and go so far as to call it socialism. He has absolutely no idea how hard it is for the middle class to support both the poor and the rich.[10]

John Hussein McCain is definitely a scary Muslim, was raised in a chicken coup, pals around with lobbyists, thinks it is ok to pick an extreme holy roller right wing bweat queen wacko as his back-up, has houses he doesn't even know about, got preferential treatment as a POW, and MUST be President to one-up his daddy, just like DubbleYa.[15] Elizabeth Holmes reports from Sarasota, Fla. on the presidential race. Attending a John McCain rally these days feels a little bit like talking to an elementary school kid about what she can be when she grows up.[19] John McCain can "huff and puff" all he want to, his day are number on the campaign trail. McCain's best days are behind him and the "Rocker is Waiting".[10]

When Charlie Crist says "you" or "people", what he means is "those of you pulling down a cool quarter million or more, net". When the McCain campaign says "$42,000 a year", what they mean is, "yeah, we're lying to you. It's not even a very good lie.[10] Back in the 90's Mr. Diamond got a parcel of federal land valued at $7.2 million back then for a mere $250,000. Mr. Diamond was a big supporter of McCain's Senate campaigns and McCain repaid his pal by getting him a sweetheart land deal that cost the federal government lost revenue had the land been sold for the real value.[14]

Natasha, there is a report out today saying that both McCains and Obamas pay for their own clothes. Actually, the obama's wear their own off the rack clothes. [15] The best way for "smart" voters to effect political change and deny Obama any political mandate is to vote for McCain.[19] McCain seized on the encounter as proof that Obama wants to redistribute wealth on a grand scale, a notion that independent analysts have dispelled.[7] It was McCain who opted out of his signed pledge to go with only public money in the primary, Obama never signed a pledge, but did consider it verbally before wisely deciding against it.[15] Fly boy senator commits adultery and marries money. MMmm Obamas still married to his first wife so I guess that makes him better than big Mac. Anyway why should you worry you are moving your company to eastern eErope are you not? At least thats what you implied in a previous post or are you also full of hot air like the rest of the republican party.[15] Obama says, '''you know, I would be open to it except here'''s the problem with a flat tax is that if you actually put a flat tax together, in order for it to work and replace all the revenue that we'''ve got, you'''d probably end up having to make it like about a 40% sales tax.[10] "Obama has voted 7 times "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals."" He's voted to raise them some 136 times in Illinois and in the Senate. The lesson - Liberals are afraid of the truth! They try to sell the prototypical tax raiser as a tax cutter.[10] Details may be lost when the tax code is reduced to a sound bite. Obama says he won't raise taxes "if you make less than a quarter of a million dollars,'' when that's the threshold for couples filing jointly.[13]

As far as the corporate tax goes, I would agree with you that it is highly unlikely to see a rate cut there under Obama.[10] All I want to do is ''' I'''ve got a tax cut. The only thing that changes, is I'''m gonna cut taxes a little bit more for the folks who are most in need and for the 5% of the folks who are doing very well - even though they'''ve been working hard and I appreciate that ''' I just want to make sure they'''re paying a little bit more in order to pay for those other tax cuts.[10] We have to raise taxes to provide tax cuts where it will be used most effectively. We gave it to the rich and they caused the biggest banking crisis in the country[10]

"I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief."[15] The "working'' caveat turns out to be crucial: The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates that, including tax filers with no wages or business income, 81 percent would get a tax cut.[13] As dollars-and-cents concerns claim the campaign spotlight during the global financial crisis, tax cuts, tax increases, and tax fairness present some of the clearest distinctions between parties.[13]

The Democratic candidate, meanwhile, is targeting historically Republican territory, following up full day of campaigning in Virginia yesterday with a stop today in Indiana. Obama is taking time off from the campaign, flying later today to Hawaii to visit his ailing grandmother. [16] "A spectre is haunting Europe -- the spectre of Communism." With those words, Karl Marx launched a revolution with "The Communist Manifesto." Interestingly, the opening of his essay, cowritten with Friedrich Engels, begins with the assertion that the European powers are using the "branding reproach of Communism" to label their opponents. Marx then says, "It is high time the communists should openly, in the face of the whole world, publish their views, their aims, their tendencies, and meet this nursery tale of the spectre of Communism with a Manifesto of the party itself." If Marx were alive today and living in San Francisco, perhaps he would have instead written this: "A spectre is haunting Democratic politics -- the spectre of socialism." Certainly, the "branding reproach of socialism" is now publicly acknowledged to have been used against the Democratic Party, and against its standard bearer, Barack Obama. It is high time for Obama and his allies to publicly assert their political and economic philosophy.[15] Shove Obama below 50% of the popular vote. Deny him any political mandate. Weaken his presidency on day #1. In the congressional races, vote against any politician who supported the bailout bill in its original form: a bailout for (1) buyers who bought too much house and (2) lenders who lent too much money to the spendthrift buyers. Vote for all politicians (from both political parties) who advocate the Clintonian position of fiscal conservatism and universal health care. Condemn Barack Obama in all possible forums: radio talk shows, newspaper opeds, letters to the editor, etc. Weaken his presidency on day #1.[19] My, my. In their dumbfounding endorsement of Barack Obama, it seems to me that members of the Tribune's editorial board must not have first read some pages in their own paper. Obama's negatives have been cited ad nauseam, so I won't repeat all of them. There are some downsides in his candidacy that were not addressed in the unpersuasive endorsement statement, and they are a big deal to me.[15] REMEMBER, no matter which of us may stumble or fall, the rest of you must continue to surge forward for Barack Obama, and the democrats, and for your-selves most of all.[10] Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can.[10] Barack Obama has won. What is not known is his margin of victory. Therein exists an opportunity for smart voters to effect political change.[19]

ABC should not be eliminating comments made about Obama and Joe if they are fact based. You mean like Sarah Palin wanted to ban books from the Wasila library because the did not fit with her view of the world. [15] Obama was never a community organizer like the media is stating. He was organizing himself to get known because he was planning a run for the senate not to help the people on the southside of Chicago. Obama is for himself and what people can do for him. Powell seen the Bradley Effect taking place and that's why he jumped on Obama's bandwagon. That is a race issue.[15] Biden's words of wisdom is true. Obama could not run this country without the help of Biden and Powell because he lacks any kind of experience in politics and foreign policy. This country will be in the biggest mess it ever was if he is elected and maybe God will let that happen to America to wake the people up.[15] Obama is a half breed, half white half black, part Arab and part Kenyan whose mother never wanted to marry a man of her own race because she was racial towards the white people. You are so wrong, there are more whites in this country than there are black, mexican's and foreigner's.[15]

You just don't want to hear the truth about Obama because you are a democrat that doesn't want another republican in the white house. You think that Obama will solve all the problems of this country.[15]

McBush: Yes, your are so right, Obama is a Negro but not fully. He really is a Mulatto but of course the blacks are insulted by that name. Obama wants to be all black so bad he can taste it. Now he is going to see his typical white grandmother who he threw under the bus last year. For your information his grandmother was mad at his mother for marrying a black man. After she died his grandmother raised him and put him thru Harvard college. He never really worked in his life for what he has because Rezko paid for part of his house and the rest of the money he probably got from Ayers.[15] Now Obama wants to find a way to hand out money to the poor. As Ben Franklin reputedly said, "When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic."[15] @natasha, what is your point? the DNC did not buy Obama anything. We the people, gave him the money to do with what he wished to win the election. It's called DEMOCRACY, sorry if you do not subscribe.[15]

Its a shame that either party will allow such tactics this late in the process. Obama should be held accountable for supplying these records. that said since when are politicians honest with its people??? how about never. Its only a matter of time before they become corrupted. Most go into office wanting to change the world, yet find when they get there, the only change is they get strong armed by the corrupted. and the cycle will continue.[15] Obama has voted 7 times "for measures that would have lowered taxes for many, while raising them on a relative few, either corporations or affluent individuals."[10] History lesson time. What happens to government coffers when taxes are lowered? What happens when taxes are raised? Why is Ireland in the midst of an economic boom when they were once riddled with unemployment and were viewed as backwater of Europe? Where would you want to base your business; a nation that charges you very high tax rates, or a nation that charges you low tax rates? What did Reagan do that paved the way for the boom of the late 80s and 90s? It's not rocket science folks, punishing business means you will have less business.[5] Analysis: If you sold your business in the next two years as a stock sale McCain's lowered capital gains tax would benefit you.[4] These comments that have come up about McCain opposing tax class war fare in the past are used against him. His current point is that we do not want to raise taxes in a recession.[10] You'll see Mr. Crowe out at the sites carrying things." As McCain now tries to distance himself from both greedy Wall Street executives and those workers who do not earn enough to pay income taxes, he has stumbled upon a new archetype to celebrate through the economic downturn: the small-business owner as working-class hero.[2] ORMOND BEACH, Fla. ''' After giving a hard-hitting interview to the Washington Times yesterday in which he was stingingly critical of the Bush Administration, McCain continued his offensive today, forcefully calling on the Treasury Department to adopt his plan to purchase distressed mortgages. '''Let'''s go out and buy up the bad mortgages and give them a new mortgage at a level they can afford so you can stay in your home so if your neighbor defaults he doesn'''t bring down the value of your homes with him,''' McCain declared, banging on his podium.[14] I guess Bush was wrong on the economy and McCain wants to continue with Bush's policy (cuts across the board majority for rich) therefore McCain is wrong on the economy.[10] McCain, who stumbled last month in Jacksonville by declaring the "fundamentals of the economy are strong" on the same day that major financial institutions collapsed, found firmer rhetorical footing yesterday. "The only really good news in this terrible financial situation that we find ourselves in," McCain said after lunch with Latino entrepreneurs in Orlando, "is small business."[2] "We have found a way to break through on the economy," said Buzz Jacobs, McCain's southeastern regional campaign manager, from the parking lot of a periodontal office in Altamonte Springs.[2]

I would like someone to please explain just how McCain has been "tested". When and how was he ever in "charge" making the big decisions and absorbing all of the stress in ANY difficult situation?? The biggest challenge McCain has ever faced that he was in "charge" of is his current campaign and we all see just how well he is handling the pressure and the awful choices he is making. Someone please question this man on how he has been tested.[14] The 2002 campaign finance law that bears McCain's name specifically barred any funds that "are donated for the purpose of supporting the activities of a federal or state office holder" from being used for personal expenses including clothing.[15]

McCain: $5,000 tax credit per family $2,500 per individual for health insurance premiums.[4] At which point, a Democratic president will be elected whose tax plan actually benefits the majority of "Joe the ____s."[19] I think that 'Joe the plumber' etc is just a way of NOT saying 'Juan the plumber' or 'Abid the plumber' or anything that might suggest that your common person is not a caucasian. It's secret racism! Pay attention, because the plan is that you won't notice your own reason for voting against your own interests. The GOP is on its death bed.[19] "We're all Joe the plumber," said Odyssa McLean, standing in hospital scrubs across the street with coworkers from the Isis Cosmetic Medical Center, which specializes in liposuction. McLean, 25, said she had thought about one day opening her own business, "something medical, to help people," she said.[2] I get it. Barry doesn't - or worse he chooses to ignore it because he really is a socialist at heart. The people he has hung around and his own words tend to point to the latter. People who have success should be FORCED to help those that do not have success. It doesn't matter if you worked hard for that money, it does not matter all the time and risk you put in your business, it does not matter that in this nation opportunity is open to all.[5]

David H: Are you telling me we've seen excellence in the last 8 years? I don't think so. I don't want more of the same - I want to see everyone in this great country have a chance to show what they can do. If they fail then, well, it's on them, isn't it? But if they succeed, then all the better for everyone. I'm fully aware of what the people who founded this country accomplished - my kin have been here since the 1640's. I also know that if they had not banded together, and worked with one another, they would not have been successful in spreading out across this huge country and creating the United States of America. It's time for us to work together and bring this country back up again.[10]

".jhw539 wrote - Can you name one free first world country in the history of mankind that did NOT tax people with higher income more than those with less (progressive tax structure)? Just one.[10] The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. They might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.[15] McCaniac forgot, we are socialist, we own the banks, nice try Mr McCaniac. Listen to his speech when he was running for president in 2000, he was quoted as saying, that people that make more should be able to pay a little more in taxes.[10]

Reward poverty - get more poverty. Let's pretend that Barry sticks to his promise (unlikely given his record) and only taxes those evil rich people who make more than 250k. What happens to the people they employ? What happens to the other, smaller business that sell to the bigger guy? Jobs will be lost and ALL small business will be hurt - even if they are not fithy rich bastards who make more than 250k.[5] People who don't file taxes, most people that decide not to work, will not get the rebate. For the unemployed looking for jobs they will receive the rebate.[10]

Drinks for the ten now cost just $80. The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. If they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. The bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.[15] "We didn't get anything at all. The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up. The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. When it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. That, boys and girls, journalists, lawyers and college professors, is how our tax system works.[15]

Sure, lets buy all the bad mortgages, so the rest of us can pay for them. It would be the tax payers people who would end up paying for these mortgages. I am not going to take responsibility for these.[14] We need to take care of ourselves," said Gretchen McKenzie, an Ormond Beach retiree. "He's talking about giving tax breaks to 95 percent of the population, but half of them don't pay income tax now anyway."[7] Only a fool would think that the right response to a severe downturn is to try to reduce the budget deficit. When the economy goes south, tax revenue dries up, because income, capital gains, and consumption of taxed goods and services goes down.[5] I don't think either guy's plans will remain as is. Though I certainly love exploring the details at the end of that day its the more generalized picture that we vote on vs who gives the larger child tax credit to families of 5.[10]

Oh. well, they have been saying 42 for a while now. I get the irony. however, don't you believe that Obama's plans are finished after his first budget proposal.[10] Vote for Obama, and the democrats like your life, and the lives of your loved ones depends on it.[10] Vote Obama for a future for our children. Time to invest in their future because big corporations certainly won't.[15] Obama is in the same category as Ayer's and the news media on Fox is having a good time showing it every day and night. Good for them.[15] As an Independant which I have been for most of my life, I will decide who I think would make the better and wiser president when the time comes. I have heard a rather interesting rumor, that a movement is going on within the McCane GOP and campaign, to contract a million dollare Tiara, in preparation for our first-lady visce prisident They do not want her to be wanting on her grande entrance, into the White House U.S. Pageant and VP chair. The story also goes that they have approved three new outfits for the Pageant VP, one for morning, one for evening, and a very expensive new and innovative nightgown, embedded in a hologram- manner with moose, guns, gloves, hocky sticks, and laced with freckles and green crystals. Its intent is to keep her warm in the White House-igloo.[19] Jake, If you're gonna write about campaign commercials, could you atleast give a little background or, at the very least, throw in just a little fact check. Higher taxes on those making $42,000 a year? Really? You know that's not true so if you must print it, take the time to give the full picture as opposed to just feeding the beast.[10] I don't know any that make $250,000," agreed Will Euverard, a retired realtor in Deltona Beach. "To me, if they're taking home a profit over $250,000, that's big business." A few feet away, Bob Lucas, a 69-year-old retiree who once imported Japanese pumps, laid out his own version of the plumber's math. Lucas sold his company five years ago for $480,000. In two years, he will receive a $235,000 balloon payment that, along with his Social Security checks, will put his annual income at about $270,000.[2] Palin spent more on clothing in the past two months than Joe the Plumber will make in three years. Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief, religion or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself.[15] A broom next to Sarah's cornhead would have been more appropriate! '''Joe plumbers''' of America who are on the horizon can start with looking at 3 vital sectors of the economy and national infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, and energy. Sarah before the next levy breaks, the next child is denied access to medical care, or the next opportunity to pursue alternative energy is missed, take a gander at your borrow and spend Chinese agenda! Palin's wants to be more than vice president; she wants legislative power. Sarah Palin would be more dangerous than Cheney as vice president because she'''s corrupt and doesn'''t know what she is doing. Tell the truth, Sarah about these things''' You'''re not working-class You have assets to be desired; a half-million-dollar home on a lake with a floatplane at the dock.[14] 'I know how close we came to a nuclear war and I will not be a president who needs to be tested. I have been tested,' he told an enthusiastic rally on a high school football field in Green, Ohio. His running mate, Mrs Sarah Palin, insisted on Wednesday that the race would 'come right down to the wire' on Nov4, and that the outcome was 'in God's hands'. 'I'm going to know, at the end of the day, putting this in God's hands, that the right thing for America will be done,' she told Christian evangelical leader James Dobson in a radio interview.[17]

Okay, but what are McCain's positions on the issues? Oh, right, McCain has no positions on any issues whatsoever, except that he'll continue on with the Bush policies and wars that have just about sunk this country into the deep 6. [10] You see, starting back in 2000, and before 911, it was mostly the Republican governors, Republican legislatures, and county elected Republican officials that conspired with the corrupt Bush McCain administration to raise college, and university tuitions by the fastest, and highest rate increases in American history.[10] LETs see, you have never met me, never spoken to me could walk past me in the street, dont know where I live or anything else about me and suddenly Alex P is linked in with Ayers and co et al. Is this the best you can do? At the end of my last text I invited you to come up with something constructive and I get this. All I see are bitter twisted republicans who cannot put forward any constructive policies of their own and whose party led by the Rove underground supported by Bush and aided by McCain have trample both my Christian faith and the constitution I swore to protect into the ground.[15]

Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again.[10] Wait didn't republicans nationalize the banks, and McCain offer to nationalize mortgage debt? In fact Republicans didn't vote for the stimulus package until after it was loaded with pork. It tells us where the pork barrel out of control spending is really coming from.[10] McCain has flip-flopped so much, it's hard to know what he stands for any more. To make matters worse, he chose Palin as his running mate. He totally lost my vote when he focused on Ayers instead of the plummeting stock market.[10]

Evidently, among the group listed below, John McCain doesn't inspire much confidence for the necessary leadership, ideas, judgment or temperament to be our president.[10] Another fabricated issue from the formerly honorable John McCain and his trash talking vp candidate.[10]

McCain: Build 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030, creating 700,000 new jobs. [4] "In addition, I am a firm believer that corporate tax rates should be cut. see EUROPE for examples. leads to jobs, etc[10] "But what'''s happened is that we end up ''' we'''ve cut taxes a lot for folks like me who make a lot more than 250.[10] Now some people say 23 or 25, but in truth when you add up all the revenue that would need to be raised, you'''d have to slap on a whole bunch of sales taxes on. I do believe for folks like me who have worked hard, but frankly also been lucky, I don'''t mind paying just a little bit more than the waitress that I just met over there who'''s things are slow and she can barely make the rent."[10]

Look back in history and read about past presiden't. Obama is no Bill Clinton and he should try to walk in his own shoes instead of the shoes of MLK. And he trys to sound like MLK when he is on the platform.[15] Principled discourse about what is best for the 'country' has taken a back seat to 'what's in it for me' spewed by you and the Democrat party. Mr. Obama IS the leading Pied Piper of Government give away and is attracting those who no longer 'practice' principled moral decision making. Divided government WORKS. It helps to SLOW down either parties attempts at domination.[10] '''a system of guaranteed retirement accounts to which all workers would be obliged to contribute.''' That means your employer can no longer write off their contributions to your 401(k), and your capital gains would be TAXABLE year-on-year. It becomes just another investment or savings account, with no tax benefit at all, and no employer contribution. Maybe you'''ll be lucky, and they'''ll have Franklin Raines running the agency issuing those bonds. The Democrats want to end the private retirement system that has allowed Americans to become a vast investor class and put them back in thrall of the federal government. This is nothing more than a second welfare system that would sit on top of the crumbling Social Security entitlement. It would leave the American working and middle classes with no retirement option other than a government handout. If the Democrats control both Congress and the White House, kiss your 401(k)s goodbye.[15] We live in a gray area fill with clearer darker portions and clearer whiter portions. The tax system was design to help those who could not get ahead a chance, and a way to provide money to the government.[10]

Health care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americas. [15] While corporate taxes rates are lower in Europe the personal income tax rate is much higher.[10] In other words those who pay no income tax will recieve a refund / rebate in the form of a check in the mail.[10]

Would provide 20% tax credit on up to $50,000 investment in small owner-operated rural businesses.[4] Reagan's tax policy saved America from the high inflation, and high unemployment of the Carter years.[5] I hate Bush as much as the next guy, and raising taxes 4 years ago would have made sense, but right now raising anyone's taxes while we are still floundering will be disasterous.[10] Even California has a law you have to prove residency for a year to qualify. Total apathy of State Welfare they don't care anymore they just let everything ride plus they believe these people have more rights than you.If you are amother collecting welfare you don't even have to tell if anyone(boyfriend) is living with you. Thats an invasion of privacy.[15] From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship." I love these right winger deeply held truths. People have been voting for the candidate promising them the most for much of this country's history.[10] You! (the American people) are going to have to take back control of your elected government at every level, and set your government back on the right path of service to you, and the greater good of the World.[10] Healthcare is recognized as a right in the U.S. now - it is illegal for emergency rooms to turn away people who need care. Are you proposing the law of the land should be if a person having a heart attack cannot pay for treatment they should be left to die? It's a yes or no question.[10] The people who pay taxes pay the same rates, which put middle class in a lower class system then some poor people.[10]

'''If you make less than a quarter-million dollars a year ''' which includes 98 percent of all small business owners ''' you won'''t see your taxes increase one single dime.[10] I am being punished for suceeding. This moose trapper should use her own doe and take the money out of her savings account to do whatever she wants. I should not be subsizing her family. This is not right folks. This is crooked business by these republican to take from the ordinary folks and give it to the have mores. Someone should be calling the IRS on this clan.[1] This week, I intended to write my election-year evaluation of the presidential candidates and small-business issues. When, wham! Suddenly a guy named "Joe the Plumber" a guy from Toledo, Ohio, who hopes to buy his boss's business one day entered the arena.[4] Joe the plumber does not want to accept stolen money. besides we should not vote vote against our national security and elect Obama.listen to Joe Biden.[15] Shooting yourself in your foot, painfully blasting off one toe at a time. "Even though Joe the Plumber is used already ad nauseum, don't expect him gone any time soon." Well, he'll be gone in less than two weeks, actually.[19]

A very nice guy that everyone likes, but whose left-wing tactics and lack of experience running anything flushes the economy (and our world power) down the toilet. We're all in this mess together, and yes we are in turbulent times, not because of the GOP, but because of the American gluttony and spending beyond our means which drove the unreal demands for low-cost products from China and the self-inflicted redistribution of wealth (and power) overseas. [19] Before you go around throwing names around like nothing and calling people things, you should look in your own backyard first.[15] Think before you vote - and use facts, and proven examples from history. I fail to see how otherwise intelligent people can not see the economic disaster that awaits us if Barry can impliment his big government socialist utopia.[5] MORE GOVERNMENT SPENDING!!!!!!!!Thats exactly what we need. all the politicians do is increase the size of government. both parties suck, and so do their candidates. neither has a plan to cut spending.[15] When does it end? Why not increase government efficiency, spend less, and lower EVERYONE's taxes, thereby creating jobs.[5] Ryan, if you want to consider BO voting 20 times to 1 to raise taxes a good thing for your candidate, then you go right ahead.[10]

As for the Bush administration, the only consistent principle we've seen from the White House over the last eight years is that of elevating the American president (and, I guess, the vice president) to that of an elected dictator. [15]

REFERENCES

1. More Joe the plumber - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com
2. McCain presses on with antitax theme - The Boston Globe
3. McCain to Launch Fresh Attack on Obama's Tax Plan - WSJ.com
4. Strategies: Going beyond 'Joe the Plumber' - USATODAY.com
5. "Joe The Plumber" Resonates Online | Threat Level from Wired.com
6. The Real Forgotten Man by Conor A. McLaughlin on National Review Online
7. www.kansascity.com | 10/23/2008 | McCain talks up 'Joe the Plumber' in central Florida
8. Obama says McCain puts Main Street last - CNN.com
9. In Pictures: What Plumbers Really Make - Forbes.com
10. Political Punch
11. The Weekly Standard
12. The Associated Press: McCain targets 'Joe the Plumber' across Florida
13. Bloomberg.com: Politics
14. McCain goes Bushwhacking in Florida - First Read - msnbc.com
15. Political Radar: The Note: Plumber Can'''t Unclog Race for McCain
16. Bloomberg.com: Politics
17. Breaking News
18. The Associated Press: McCain says Obama will'say anything' to win
19. Washington Wire - WSJ.com : 'Joe the Plumber' Story Line Resonates With McCain Supporters
20. Heck, they don't even know the plumber's real first name

AP poll puts Obama nearly tied with McCain

CONTENTS:

WASHINGTON The presidential race tightened after the final debate, with John McCain gaining among whites and people earning less than $50,000, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that shows McCain and Barack Obama essentially running even among likely voters in the election homestretch. (More...)
GOP leaders admit the Obama factor is there, but the trickle down to state races is not. (More...)
In the two weeks left, there are two points to make. (More...)
Some will say McCain's efforts paid off with a surprise win - evidence that polls can be dramatically wrong. (More...)
"We cannot afford four more years of policies that have failed to adjust to a new century," Obama said. (More...)
" -- has been reduced to the cartoonish image of a candidate saying something and then telling you he approved the message. (More...)
Democrats are looking to ride Obama's coattails to an even larger majority in the state legislature. (More...)
You should also try listening to the other side. (More...)
Every year funding for schools and healthcare programs is held up because there aren't enough Republicans crossing over to vote for the state spending plan. (More...)
I would suggest it may be more rewarding and accomplish more if your wife's small business was able to hire more people. (More...)
I don't know what poll GW McBush and Barbie Buy Me Clothes Palin have been reading but here in Pennsylvania we are looking for a major change, not a couple of sidekicks of Bush-Cheney. (More...)

WASHINGTON The presidential race tightened after the final debate, with John McCain gaining among whites and people earning less than $50,000, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll that shows McCain and Barack Obama essentially running even among likely voters in the election homestretch. The poll, which found Obama at 44 percent and McCain at 43 percent, supports what some Republicans and Democrats privately have said in recent days: that the race narrowed after the third debate as GOP-leaning voters drifted home to their party and McCain's "Joe the plumber" analogy struck a chord. Three weeks ago, an AP-GfK survey found that Obama had surged to a seven-point lead over McCain, lifted by voters who thought the Democrat was better suited to lead the nation through its sudden economic crisis. [1] "Voters are not sure what to believe about the candidates," Dr. Dunn said, "And in regards to the issues, the American people on a wild ride." Mr. Obama, however, has long suffered from concerns about his qualifications and the fact that the Democrat is, at minimum, keeping pace with his Republican rival on the experience/leadership issue shows the inroads he has made since the Wall Street meltdown. Pushing aside the experience factor, the NBC/WSJ poll also shows Mr. McCain flipping his relationship with Independents and the GOP faithful. When Mr. McCain began his general election campaign, he was warmly greeted by Independents, but was met with skepticism by his party base. As he stood firm on life, judges and taxes, he eventually injected new life into his party base with the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. As the general election comes to a close, the NBC/WSJ poll suggested by removing skepticism from the right, Mr. McCain neglected the Independent voters who defined his career.[2] Obama has a large following of youth voters between the ages of 18-29 with 62% to McCain's 34% of young voters. "I think young voters are voting for Obama more because they think he's cool, and because he is young," Jarrar said. "And because he appeals to the idea of change, and young voters are really into that right now." In the last few days, there have been many new developments to each campaign, both helping and possibly hurting the candidates. Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State in the Republican Bush administration, has announced his endorsement for Democrat Barack Obama, crossing party lines. Although this is a major development, some students believe that Powell's endorsement doesn't necessarily help or hurt Obama.[3] It's funny that Obama supporters out weigh the detractors in the comments, but they are spewing the more ignorance I have seen in a long time. Michael A., Esq-first "Affirmative Action" president? "Snake Oil Salesman"? I think it's time you look at McCain's voting record over the last eight years and look at his stances now. He votes along side Bush when it's convenient or popular opinion. Lisa- The reason Obama is not pulling ahead further is because the republican base he is trying to reach with said advertising is so stuck on a few lies and key issues. Too often (even in these comments!!!!!) Obama is said to be Muslim or Arab, which is wholly untrue. The republican candidates keep saying "he wants to raise your taxes," if most of the people in the crowds are "average joes" this is completely unfounded and misleading. Partial truths, in complete information and out right lies have ruled these campaigns, it's truly disgusting.[4]

McCain excludes and tried to use distractionary low blow tactics and divide people. At the end of this race Obama is the only one who didn't try to win the election by selling the country's soul. The same people McCain and Palin dump on are the same people they were going to NEED to co-operate with them after their slash and burn tactics if they were ever to get anything done. I will be glad this is over because we can finally get a voting process that can't be gamed as we will be sweeping out Republicans to gain control and once again it will be DEMOCRATS who balance the budget. THIS time I hope Republicans never get back in because each time they do they BLOW all of the savings. Let's be clear I believe people have the right to vote for whoever they want.[4] Obama will win this election because he has always focused on WHAT REALLY MATTERS and that is THE ISSUES. He did not let distractions take center stage. He has been unwavering in his strategy whereas McCain's 3 wheeled straight talk express didn't know what to do. Obama has managed his campaign and argued his points with honor, dignity and respect even when his adversaries didn't deserve that type of treatment. Republicans are trying to deny people the right to vote because they don't like how people want to vote. Who do they think they are? By what right do they think they are entitled to do something so unAmerican.[4] Normally, it would be a bad idea to take time off two weeks before" the presidential election. "at this point," Obama is "far enough ahead that the only thing really that can stop his campaign is if he finds a mysterious bad luck Tiki doll on the beach." Jimmy Kimmel: "Some people think that visiting his sick grandma might actually help" Obama "win more of the elderly vote. To try to counter that today, John McCain stopped by our nations' capitol to visit his grandmother, Susan B. Anthony McCain."[5] Congressman John Lewis has likened GOP presidential candidate John McCain to George Wallace. Congressman John Murtha has condemned a whole section of Pennsylvania as "racists" because they seem reluctant to jump on the Obama bandwagon. Much is being made of the fact that, in past elections, some white voters who told pollsters that they are going to vote for a black candidate did not in fact do so, so a black candidate with a lead in the polls ended up losing on election day. This might show that people don't want to be considered racists by pollsters because they are leaning toward someone other than the black candidate.[6] Obama has proven surprisingly adept at shrugging off rival John McCain's attacks and opinion polls show McCain is the one whose image has suffered from the negativity. "Obama has handled himself very calmly and in many ways has seemed steadier than McCain -- and McCain has really helped him create that impression," said Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center. "He's tried a lot of things. Obama has done a good job of countering them." Obama's resiliency has surprised Republican strategists who entered the campaign for the Nov. 4 election believing he was vulnerable to the sort of attacks that helped bring down recent Democratic candidates like John Kerry and Al Gore. Republican consultant Kevin Madden, an aide to Mitt Romney during his presidential run and to President George W. Bush in 2004, said Obama was helped by McCain's failure to settle on a clear line of attack.[7] NEW YORK It may yet turn out differently, but at this stage in the campaign for the White House it appears that if John McCain loses in November the turning point will not be the financial crisis hitting in late September but his choice of Sarah Palin as his veep in late August. Two new national polls show that voters cite that choice as the main reason they have turned from McCain. His slippage in the poll began in September after his convention bounce, and before the financial crisis truly hit, as media vetting on Palin began and she ventured out for her first TV interview. Here is another measure: the brutal criticism of that pick in newspaper editorial endorsements of his opponent from GOP-leaning papers that endorsed George W. Bush. Many of them cited his Palin pick as a key reason for switching sides this time around. '''McCain failed in his most important executive decision." McCain said today, referring to Palin, "I think she is the most qualified of any that has run recently for vice president.''' Here is a gallery of some of these comments, all from Bush-backing papers in 2004. '''McCain failed in his most important executive decision. Give him credit for choosing a female running matebut he passed up any number of supremely qualified Republican women who could have served.[8] PASADENA STAR-NEWS (CALIF.) '''His selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as running mate, a move intended to energize the ticket and galvanize the Republican party, has rallied some supporters, but left others, including some in his own party, wondering whether McCain had put politics ahead of prudence.''' '''McCain'''s choice of Sarah Palin as running mate rang of desperation; an attempt to appeal to Democratic female voters upset that Hillary Clinton is not their party'''s nominee and to make the Republican ticket seem more change-oriented by having someone that'''s about as far removed from Washington as possible. Palin is talented in many ways, and we admire her regular-gal persona. Is she the person we want as president if something happens to the person we elect Nov. 4? Absolutely not. Although she plays well to the Republican conservative base, she leaves others gasping incredulously at McCain'''s choice.''' '''As much as we respect the loyal and courageous service of Sen. McCain in the military and in Congress, his record of supporting the Bush administration's policies, particularly his support for the costly and unnecessary war in Iraq; his impulsive and improvident selection of an ill-prepared running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin; and his negative, conflicted and uneven campaign lead us to believe that he is not the man to lead the nation at a time when extraordinary change is needed.'''[8] Having called Obama not ready to lead, McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. His campaign has tried to stage-manage Palin's exposure to the public. It's clear she is not prepared to step in at a moment's notice and serve as president. McCain put his campaign before his country.''' '''If McCain, who is 72 and has a history of cancer, should die in the presidency, he would be succeeded by Sarah Palin, whose selection as the vice presidential candidate calls McCain's judgment into serious question. She is not qualified to lead a nation facing its toughest challenges in decades.''' '''Then, out of nowhere, and without proper vetting, the impetuous McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She quickly proved grievously underequipped to step into the presidency should McCain, at 72 and with a history of health problems, die in office. More than any single factor, McCain's bad judgment in choosing the inarticulate, insular and ethically challenged Palin disqualifies him for the presidency.''' '''Perhaps the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign for the White House was the choice of the inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. Had he selected a moderate, experienced Republican lawmaker such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison with a strong appeal to independents, the Chronicle's choice for an endorsement would have been far more difficult.'''[8]

You are wrong! Obama is not racist, he is smart young and knows how to lead a country, McCain is a racist guy how finds funny to kill Iranian kids, and picked the first woman he saw for vice president. The media is just saying Palin is incredibly dumb and McCain is just another Bush, for the first time they are saying the truth, and people white trash like Love America are getting mad, sorry dude.[4]

"The economy is in terrible shape. It's our lifeblood.'' The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, resident is casting his ballot for Democrat Barack Obama, 47, and is part of a group John McCain can't afford to lose. Senior citizens are crucial to the Republican's ability to overcome what both parties acknowledge is a daunting lead for Obama among young voters. Fears about their economic security, and the financial well- being of their children and grandchildren, are eroding the edge that McCain, 72, had built with older Americans based on his experience and foreign-policy credentials. That helps explain why McCain is running behind in battleground states like Pennsylvania.[9] McCain advisers say internal polling shows different results. The real Obama lead is about half what the public polls indicate, they say. They say by turning about 2,000 voters per county from voting Democrat to Republican, the McCain campaign can steal the state.[4] The Zogby poll shows Mr. Obama winning Independent voters, the bread and butter of Mr. McCain's career, by 27 percent, newly registered voters by 16 percent, Hispanics by 31 percent, blacks by 93 percent, women by 16 percent. The Democrat also leads in demographics favorable to Mr. McCain, as the poll showed an eight point lead among voters age 50 to 64, four points among those over 65 and two among men. Where the Zogby poll highlighted Mr. Obama's success among key demographics, the NBC/WSJ poll showed the Democrat is reducing voter concern when it comes to his ability to serve as commander in chief. Forty-eight percent of voters polled responded they believed Mr. Obama could serve as commander in chief, essentially tied with Mr. McCain's number of 50 percent. Fifty-six percent of those polled were either "optimistic or confident" Mr. Obama would make a good president, while only 44 percent held the same view of Mr. McCain. Despite telling small town Americans they "cling to God and guns" and his desire to "spread the wealth" around, 55 percent of those polled said Mr. Obama shares their values. That is not too far from Mr. McCain's 57 percent score. All of which has a lot of pundits scratching their heads.[2]

I cannot think of any place I would rather be as Election Day draws close than running an underdog campaign in the state of New Hampshire!" But public opinion polls suggest that McCain will have to climb out of a deep hole. Several recent national surveys give Obama a double-digit lead over McCain, and McCain trails in several key swing states - states that are competitive for both campaigns - that could be decisive in the electoral vote count on November 4. In New Hampshire, McCain continued to criticize Obama's tax plan as an obstacle to economic growth and he questioned Obama's readiness to be president. "We face many enemies in this dangerous world and many challenges here at home.[10] The McCain campaign finds itself on the defensive trying to hold states like Missouri, Indiana and North Carolina that traditionally support Republican presidential candidates. Obama has made inroads in several swing states that could vote for either candidate, including Colorado and New Mexico, and he is focused on winning larger competitive states like Ohio and Florida that often determine the outcome of presidential elections.[10] The study also found a resurging interest in public service and government among young people, belying common impressions that young people are apathetic. Nearly six in ten said they are already involved in some sort of community service, and nearly half of those surveyed said working for the federal, state, and local governments qualifies as public service. Almost a third said they might get involved in a political campaign, and 17 percent said they would consider running for office. While both presidential campaigns have reached out to young voters -- the Obama campaign, in particular, has aggressively sought out the youth vote through such technologies as text messaging and the Internet -- the study results indicates young voters are still not being tapped at their full potential, said Bill Purcell, director of the IOP. "Young people are not only ready to vote, they are ready to serve,'' he said. Among Obama supporters, 57 percent said they would do work for the campaign if asked, and 47 percent of McCain supporters said they would volunteer for the Republican nominee.[11]

"The Republicans the McCain campaign have been hammering away for weeks with the same old Washington politics," Democratic party lawyer Joe Sandler said in a statement. "In fact, none of the charges that they've been talking about have actually panned out." Democrats called on McCain to cut his ties to both voter-registration operatives, citing frequent Republican attacks on Acorn. Obama represented Acorn as an attorney years before beginning his political career, and the group has endorsed him this year, but his camp has denied any link to Acorn's voter-registration activities. The California Republican party told a local newspaper yesterday that their contract with Jacoby ended this week, after the state's voter registration period expired.[11] McCain's own past associations are scarier than Obama's. The Republican party over the past 8 years has went against every prinicipal they used to stand for, and wrecked the country like a ship running aground. -Ex Republican voter Obama/Biden will get my vote.[4] There are two unknown groups of voters - "smart people who don't care to argue with fellow Republicans" (largest portion of this group belonging to Republican families), and "smart people who don't care to argue with racists" (some of whom are in the first group) - both are counted wrong or uncounted/undecided in polls and more likely to vote for Obama - these two groups will exercise their true feelings in the voting booth. It's hard to imagine anyone thinking that four more years of the past 8 (a small group of backscratching contributors reaping benefits from this administration) can benefit the country, while the middle class has been drained (at least the "war of the Middle Class" is going well). The ones who WILL vote for McCain/Palin are making some crazy (unrelated to issues) reasons for supporting them - some of "the dregs of the base" seem fairly determined and delusional to keep going in the same direction (insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results). I have faith in moderate, middle class, simple folks (who just want to raise their families) and can see they're coming out to vote for the first good candidate we've seen in years. Too often I've had to vote for the lesser of evils, but this time I WANT my candidate to win.[4] Obama 08. I am so glad to see that people are coming to their senses. Politics are and always will be on shaking ground but we can not be blinded by voting for a 'party' when we have so much at stake in our country right now.we must vote for who would be the better of the two tickets and it is becoming more and more clear as the days go on and more facts and information comes out about BO that McCain is the clear and better choice at this time.[8] Sad. If the media would do thier REAL job by reporting the facts, instead of campaining for Obama, McCain would be winning by a landslide on his own merits, his proven experience, and on the much better direction he would move this country in. It is so obvious who the better leader would be and that is certainly NOT OBAMA but the media will continue to shame themselves to the very end in order to win this election for him. I am confident that when people actually go in to vote in private, without the risk of being labled a "racist", they will do the right thing and vote for McCain/Palin.[4] The 90% vote for Obama is not based on race but the fact that the democrats have attempted to address our issues. Based on Mr. Sowell's and your logic, the right wing evangelicals are also blind in their support for McCain. The audiences of Obama represent America, the diversity of people that make this country great.[8]

The AP reports Sen. Barack Obama, in Florida yesterday, said Sen. John McCain "is offering only 'wishful thinking, outdated ideology' to an economy in crisis, seeking to capitalize on the main issue that is propelling him forward in the race for the White House." The Politico adds Obama said McCain "'has failed to fully acknowledge' the extent of the economic crisis." The New York Times reports Obama invited "Democratic governors and supportive business leaders to amplify his plan to pass an economic stimulus package to help create jobs across America." The CBS Evening News said the panelists, "all supporters of Obama's, underline his call for temporary tax credits to companies that hire American workers and his commitment to renewable energy because of the potential they hold to create what he says will be five million new jobs."[5] I have read several articles and statistics from economists and pundits that have predicted and worked out overall that in eight years time, Barack Obama's economics policies will have benefited the country more that John McCain's. I have also been impressed by his temperament, his judgement, and his intellect, and have not seen similar qualities in McCain. John McCain has offered not one bit of evidence as to how his White House would differ at all from that of Geroge Bush's.[8]

Facing criticism from John McCain that his tax plan constitutes "welfare," Barack Obama recently added a work requirement to one of his proposals. "They started saying this was welfare," said Obama adviser Austan Goolsbee. "So, just so they would absolutely not be able to say that, we decided that for the last two percent we'll simply add a work requirement."[8]

The arrest comes after McCain and running mate Sarah Palin attempted to tie Barack Obama's campaign to Acorn, playing up a federal investigation of the group's voter registration tactics in several states.[11] Among women under 50 years of age, however, Palin's disapproval reached 60 percent. Regarding the campaigns both sides have been waging, 56 percent thought McCain's was too negative, against only 26 percent for Obama. There was one silver lining in the Pew poll for Arizona Senator McCain: 23 percent of voters said they were still undecided.[12] Overall, the poll showed Obama leading statewide 48-40 percent. McCain's comment during the Republican primaries, when he said he knows less about the economy than foreign and military policy, troubles 72-year-old Donald Fister of Germansville. "He admitted that he doesn't know how to run the economy,'' says Fister, who lives off Social Security and a small pension from 34 years at Air Products and Chemicals Inc. in Allentown. The little money Fister had invested "disappeared'' in the recent market collapse, he says.[9]

About the only socialist thing I see going on is the rescue plan, given to us by a Republican president, a Republican secretary of the Treasury, and supported by McCain as well as Obama. This nonsensical talk is going nowhere, as proven in the polls which show Obama increasing his lead as the right wingers sling this garbage. Funny how when wealth was being "redistributed" to wealthy individuals and corporations these same nuts were silent.[4] Obama's string of victories in early Democratic primaries against far better known white candidates shows that large segments of the American population have moved beyond race. It is Obama and his supporters who have hyped race, after his large lead in the polls began to shrink or evaporate, as more of the facts about his checkered career came out. McCain said no such thing. Palin said no such thing.[6] The Democratic candidate has 52pct of Americans standing behind him, compared with only 42pct for the Republican candidate. This was seen in the latest Zogby public opinion poll. It is the third consecutive time that Obama has gained ground, and the first in which he has a two-digit lead over his rival. After having slid between a 2 and a 6-point lead for over 15 days, he now seems to have a stable, wider margin. A similar trend was seen for the black politician in another poll, the one carried out by the financial journal The Wall Street Journal and the television network NBC. Among independents, who decide the candidate they want to vote for depending on the election and not the party, the Illinois senator has made a huge step forward, going from a previous 15pct lead to a 27pct one.[13]

To #19, Michael A., Esq: I'm sorry you can't vote for Obama due, in part, to his inexperience. That means you wouldn't have voted for Lincoln, who served roughly the same number of years in state and national elective office as Obama has so far before becoming one of our nation's greatest Presidents. I think Obama would be the last person to say he was entitled to being President in an Affirmative-Action kind of way. If Obama wins, and the vote-count is proven fair, he will have earned the position, just as he earned his way through college at Columbia and Harvard to get an education, and earned the Democratic nomination for president by way of an intense primary. He also earned his $150 million from small donors across this nation who wanted him to clarify the facts of who he is and what he stands for via advertising to counter the half-truths spread by his opponent's campaign. Yes: that's excessive and exorbitant, but so are some of the Republican falsities about Obama as a person and the mileage those falsities are getting. Republicans also have their questionable spending habits with Gov. Palin and family attired in Saks Fifth Avenue/Neiman Marcus outfits at a cost of $150,000. Both campaigns are making and have made questionable decisions.[4] I was leaning toward McCain before the primaries and again after Obama won the Democratic nod. The McCain I knew disappeared somewhere on the campaign trail as he sold out on his old ideals to embrace the religious nuts on the far right and made some really bad judgment calls along the way. He used to be the maverick he describes himself as, but he certainly isn't that now. The final nail in the coffin for him was the choice of Palin. If that's his idea of a qualified running mate, then I needed a smarter person for president. He should have picked the issues-oriented Fla. governor who could have helped him cast a positive message about the issues and helped him win a key swing state. Palin is divisive and I'm tired of being labeled anti-American because I don't agree with her ideas.[4]

"It is also astonishing to me that no one is criticizing Obama for spending so much on his ad campaigning. With our county in the economic crisis it is in wouldn'''t the money be spent in better places than on TV commercials??? This media has a slanted view of what is going on." The reason you don't hear anyone criticizing him on this issue is because that's what he's supposed to do with the $150M. Americans are contributing to his campaign specifically for him to pour money into battleground states to get his word out, because, y'know, they care about the country and want to see him get elected. He can't just throw that money into charities. Perhaps the reason McCain hasn't raised nearly as much is because people know their dollars will be wasted on smear campaigning (see: robocalls) that the media will justly report on by saying they are clear distortions of the truth.[4] Obama is an elitist and part of the elite. He was raised by his rich white grandparents and is Dick Cheney's cousin. He got to go to Harvard for free and now lives in the elite Hyde Park area of Chicago. His wife, Michele, now gets over $300,000 every year from a large Hospital corporation, just for being his wife. He is was promoted by the rich Hollywood establishment and cares nothing about us average people "who cling to guns and religion". Then there is Joe Biden who has spent all of his life as a politician, living off the taxpayers. Contrast that with John McCain, who was raised in a military family and was tortured for five years, leaving him physically disabled and Sarah Palin who has a middle-class American background. Both her parents were school teachers. She hunts, and knows what it is to be a working mother, who now had a special-needs child.[4] I am very tired of Republicans. They all seem to be either foaming at the mouth crazy people, or those thatw ant to pull the wool over our eyes. They want to cheat and game the system, lie and cheat. They have no scruples, and no actual value structure. They think most parts of our system are wrong. Tax dollars are socialism (who fixes the interstates, how do you keep jets from crashing into each other?), and even though Palin and McCain openly have met with anti-American crazy people, they dwell on associations of Obama's so old and meaningless. They thrive on stuipid nonsense like Joe the Plumber; Palin can't hold a legitimate interview because her grasp on English makes Babelfish translations make sense in comparison.[11] McCain is the candidate better able to handle the war in Iraq. While nearly half of those polled think Obama lacks the experience to be president and that there are "too many questions to take a chance on him as president," 58 percent said he was a "strong leader, and 61 percent said he "cares about people like you."[14]

Thomas Sowell thinks love for Sen. Barack Obama is blind. Writing on National Review Online, the African-American intellectual says of "true believers" in Obama: "They have made up their minds and not only don't want to be confused by the facts, they resent being told the facts'''.Of the four people running for president and vice president on the Republican and Democratic tickets, the one we know the least about is the one leading in the polls ''' Barack Obama." Sowell argues that he finds the specifics that are known to be troubling: "We know that he opposed the practice of putting violent young felons on trial as adults. We know that he was against a law forbidding physicians to kill a baby that was born alive despite an attempt to abort it. We know that Obama opposed attempts to put stricter regulations on Fannie Mae ''' and that he was the second-largest recipient of campaign contributions from Fannie Mae." He argues that "many 20th-century leaders with inspiring rhetoric and great self-confidence led their followers or their countries into utter disasters. These ranged from Jim Jones who led hundreds to their deaths in Jonestown to Hitler and Mao who led millions to their deaths."[8] Anything can happen in the last two weeks. It would be preferable for the McCain campaign if poll numbers start turning around, however. Reuters is reporting this morning that Barack Obama's numbers are moving up for the third day in a row.[4] If you judge Obama by the content of his character and not on his skin color you will vote for McCain. It is very disturbing that so many are willing to vote a man to the presidency knowing very little about who he is and what is known is sketchy at best. President Clinton said that Obama is not ready to be president because he does not have enough experience as Obama would '''roll the dice''' during the presidency. Today, which have shocked me, that President Clinton is having lunch with Barack Obama and is going to help him in the campigan until the election day.[8]

The Gallup daily presidential tracking poll of 2,774 registered voters taken October 17-19 has two likely voter models one (based on past voting behavior and current intention to vote) shows Obama leading McCain 51%-44%, while the second (based on current intention to vote) shows Obama up 52%-42%.[5] The latest poll, conducted Monday and Tuesday, is based on interviews with 625 likely voters. Despite Obama's 5-percentage-point swing, both camps said yesterday that the battle for Virginia's 13 electoral votes would be decided by the ground game, as candidates shift from television advertising to voter mobilization. "We know that it's a close race in Virginia; we're geared for a close race," said former Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a co-chairman of the McCain apparatus here.[15]

In the latest CNN national poll of polls, in which the AP-GfK study is included, Obama's support with likely voters stood at 50 percent and McCain's at 43 percent. Seven percent of those surveyed are unsure about their choice for president.[16] On who is best suited to fix the economic crisis, Obama was picked by an overwhelming 53 percent of respondents, against 32 percent for MCain. Forty-one percent of voters thought McCain showed bad judgement in the choices he made, compared to only 29 percent for Obama. The age factor was also a concern for voters, with 34 percent of respondents saying McCain was too old to be president -- at 72, he would become the oldest president elected to a first term in office.[12]

Boy, the McCain sore losers are out in force today!! Let me just say that the "socialist" charge against Obama is too little, too late. The Republican president and the republican-dominated congress for the last 8 years have already done that (can you say $700 billion bailout?) Secondly, if McCain is so into veteran's, why has he voted against VA programs over and over again? Thirdly, the "top down" economic theory of the current president and current republican candidate does not help anyone other than wealthy American's and business.[8] As a WWII veteran and a life long Republican, I am now forced to admit: President Obama is the greatest American to run for President in years, with the support of America;s greatest military leader, General Colin Powell, as well as America's greatest capitalist, Warren Buffet, there has never been a more highly qualified candidate perfectly tailored for the horrible horrible woes that are the curse handed to our great country by the most treasonous administration to ever appear in our government.[4]

Hey David T: NPR says Obama voted present 129 TIMES in the Illinois senateNPR ain't no bastion of conservative thoughtget YOUR facts straight. I'm sad to say it, but I don't see how BO can loose at this point. On the Thomas Sowell comments I wonder if some people will call Mr. Sowell an Uncle Tom in same way they did Bill Cosby. Much for the 1st amendment applying to everyone, not just those on the left side of the political spectrum. To "clearheaded" - I can assure you that if anything like that happened, I would certainly condemn whoever was involved, no matter whether I was planning to vote for them previously. Equally, I try to research so-called "facts" presented as truth in these little spats online. For instance, checking the voting records of both major candidates, it's apparent that Senator Obama is actually active in support of servicemen and women, and has always spent considerable time on the floor of the Senate. A number of the bills he sponsored are relatively minor, but they indicate acttive interest in the government.[8] Has anybody noticed that the European currencies are falling to lows against the U.S. Dollar at the moment? Does this mean that socialist economic policies are collapsing like cheap card tables? Does anybody still think that Obama's socialist economic policies are the right way to go? Lots of people thought that Hitler, Stalin and Mao's policies were the right way to go too. The last time the U.S. economy looked anywhere near this bad was in Carter's years.[4]

Message underneath? C'mon, people, let's get on with the coronation already. Obama shouldn't be made to lower himself to agree to a press conference, shouldn't have his background investigated as were his opponents, that way we can portray him as above the fray, the One, the Messiah, the incarnation of all that is good, the new paradigm. Question his qualifications? you're a racist. Question his ideology? you're a racist. Question what he's done in the past? you're a racist and a thug. I'm no McCain fan, but all of this Obama adulation is seriously creeping me out. Since when is America supposed to be a country searching for a Dear Leader to fill the holes in their collective lives and solve all their problems? It's unseemly, FDR-invoking (he who was recently condemned by UCLA economists as having prolonged the Great Depression by at least 7 years) and precisely the sort of behavior we were warned about at the Founding. It's a Republic, folks, if you can keep it.[4] Geez, that's the kind of thing one would expect from the anti-civil-rights Bush administration. That's the same administration that, by the way, still can't bring itself to prosecute leakers of national secrets. Obama suffers from no such compunctions. He's sending a strong signal that those who get in his way will have hell to pay, First Amendment or not. Some might find comfort in knowing that Obama knows how to take the gloves off, even if it's just on his domestic opponents. Now if he could summon up a proper cold fury for those who kill his countrymen, he might be on to something. Barack McCain, John Obama, either one will sign new laws requiring fairness or neutrality as a bulwark against precisely the kind of programming that has bedeviled each of them. Not far behind will be monitoring of those unfair Web sites.[17] Obama, with some justice, says McCain represents tired old ways that need to be changed. When it comes to civil liberties, this race might as well be between John Obama and Barack McCain. Based on their track records, the only thing that's clear about the future is that the flowering of dissent that took root in recent years will wither and die come Jan. 20, either way.[17]

I've not been able to figure out the "reasoning" that media has given Obama a "pass".what do they have to gain by doing that????? Do you call Fox and Friends bi-partisan.they claim they are fair and balanced but it is just a claim.if you watch, the three amigos are soooooo biased it is sickening. I listened yesterday to Russ Limbaugh bashing Obama for going to Hawaii and infering his reason was unjustifiedstating "just" a hip fracture. Just where are John McCain's surrogates? His own party are not out there stomping for him.for a reason. John McCain is focusing on Obama and not on his campaign platform.[4] The Huffington Post's Thomas B. Edsall ]] The Huffington Post’s Thomas B. Edsall wonders if the presidential race is really tightening, noting that "Occasional blips in the polls during the closing weeks of the campaign have produced intermittent bursts of confidence among backers of John McCain and spurts of panic among Obama loyalists." Most likely, it's nothing to worry about, Edsall writes.[8] We are not going to deny the nuclear ambitions of Iran by refusing to pursue direct diplomacy alongside our allies." Obama repeated his pledge to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq and shift more U.S. troops into Afghanistan, where he said the situation in grave. Obama was also asked about the recent comments of his vice presidential running mate, Senator Joe Biden of Delaware. Biden predicted that Obama would face what he called a "generated crisis" if he became president, a comment Republican John McCain seized on to question Obama's readiness to be commander in chief.[10]

This election and the next president will be very divisive and polarizing. If Obama wins, his actions in office will be far left of center and divide the country. If McCain wins, in part because of the 'it's over and Obama wins' talk in the media, there will be riots and resentment of the election being stolen from a black man.[4] If Obama wins this election it will not be on his own merits, it will be because the media (both newspaper and telivision) have protected him, covered for him, left out important facts about him they don't want revealed, all the while dragging McCain and Palin unfairly through the mud. This is such unfair reporting by the media, everybody knows it and yet nothing can be done about it.[4] McCain is a very talented politician. Why he chose Palin, who until recently didn't even find the need to get a passport, is beyond all of my imagination. The only reason I can find that would explain this choice is a knee-jerk reaction about Obama not choosing a female running mate. This decision by McCain and his team most likely will cost them the election. Too bad for them. All in all, if anybody is responsible for Obama winning, it's not the biased media (because, as 'LoveAmerica' said before, everybody knows how unfairly they report), but it's McCain losing due to some really, really bad decisions along the way.[4]

While blaming the media for the Obama sensation and McCains gap, lets not forget that same media unquestioningly bought into and promoted wildly concocted stories about the reasons for invading Iraq which cost a trillion dollars or more as well as thousands of lives and livelihoods. The media were adoring of McCain on the'straight talk express'. There are 2 excellent candidates but one is a maverick who thinks he can change his entire party philosophy while winning an election.[4]

We have a candidate (McCain) that made wrong decision about way he gets funded, and now blames opponent for outspending him? It reflects on your own bad judgement ! Why is Obama not pulling away with higher spending? - it is because spreading lies and hatred is cheap (100% of McCain ads) and telling the truth costs money (Majority of Obama ads); Also, McCain has 'brain-washed' his extreme right wing base, who is naive enough to believes Obama is Muslim, Communist and terrorist. Calling anyone who disagrees with the extreme right-wing ideology, 'not-real americans', then expecting somehow that independent press would somehow not see through this smoke-screen, is naive.[4]

Eleven new national polls show Obama leading with margins of one to 14 points, but a poll in battleground states shows a shift toward McCain.[8] A compilation of current state polls, show McCain down by 11 points. Unless Bill Ayers starts stumping for Obama or Joe Biden continues talking, the chances of reversing these numbers seem daunting.[4]

Contrary to other polls, some of which show Obama ahead by double digits, the IBD/TIPP Poll shows a sudden tightening of Obama's lead to 3.7 from 6.0. McCain has picked up 3 points in the West and with independents, married women and those with some college. He's also gaining momentum in the suburbs, where he's gone from dead even a week ago to a 20-point lead. Obama padded gains in urban areas and with lower-class households, but he slipped 4 points with parents.[8]

Home prices are tumbling at the steepest pace on record, and foreclosures have reached all-time highs. While McCain ranks better among voters 65 and up than any other age group, their support may not be strong enough. McCain and Obama are running about even nationwide among those 65 and older, according to an Oct. 15 poll by the Washington-based Pew Research Center.[9] The Presidential debate was also a significant moment in voter's minds, with the general public saying that Obama had won. "I think they the debates played a big role in helping people make their decision on who they should vote for," said Salwa Jarrar, a full-time Skyline student who supports Obama. "They give voters an opportunity to see the future president in action."[3] The military and veterans do need support, but not by cutting the needs of millions of people completely out of the budget. McCain is qualified to be president, but he is not losing because of the media. He is losing because his agenda and values do not match those of more than half of this country. I'm certain that in the privacy of the voting booth, where nobody can see whether you are racist or not, voters will vote for the person that most reflects their values.[4]

Odds are you would side with the person being attacked. That's why Obama is being supported, because people realize we need a president that will not bully the world. Face it, the media doesn't "love" Obama, its just McCain gives them more to "hate". Don't forget that generally speaking the media says what the public wants to see, so if that means love for Obama, then that's what they're going to give.[4] I feel that Obama has the temperament to handle not only the good times as president, but also to handle the bad times, the trying times, the times of crisis. I don't expect Obama to be able to do half the things he says he wants to do as President, but I trust him to do more than McCain would do for the American people.[4] Obama said it was not a plausible argument because no one accused McCain of being a socialist in 2000 when McCain initially opposed President Bush's tax cuts for wealthy Americans.[10]

I think its more that McCain and the republican party insulted our intelligence, by running a smear campaign instead of giving us reasons to vote for him. He had nothing to offer Americans at all. Another tax cut for super-wealthy people isn't going to help anyone (except the super-wealthy). The evidence against the things he says is pretty overwhelming.[4] MadcapMagician - I don't think I understand how you can be so convinced that "young people" are the ones making "huge mistakes" here; seems to me that all of the biggest, most politically charged mistakes that have been made over the last eight years haven't been made by us at all. Do not make the mistake of comparing your personal "blunders" when you were young with a modern young American voter, who has more easily accessible information on ANY side of the political fence at his or her disposal than voters even half a decade ago would have. If you are frightened by the power that informed young voters hold this election, remember that we are YOUR Frankenstein's monster here; maybe if the Republican Party (not to mention the Bush administration itself) didn't almost singlehandedly ruin our entire economic and social future over the last eight years, we'd have a bit more faith and wouldn't be so deeply disenfranchised with your negligence.[11] Hey, you people shouldn't be dissing young voters. They aren't STUPID. These are the people who will be most affected by a change in abortion laws and a military draft. If they are old enough to get sent to Iraq and blown to pieces, they are certainly old enough to have a say in their own fate. They have every right to be concerned and they will come out in DROVES to shut down a possible McCain/Palin win. Just THINK! All the kids who are only 14 years old this year? THEY will be voting in the next presidential election.[11]

Madcap, you might want to stop and think that the majority of young, educated voters (who tend to support Obama and his policies) actually watch the debates and read about the issues at hand. Instead of blasting young people as ignorant and continuing to believe in trickle-down economic theories that didn't work under Reagan and once again didn't work under Bush, why don't you try actually reading about the the candidates actually stand for? And while you're at it, allow the younger generation a chance to have their voices heard without being blasted for being young.[11] Obama won my vote in the end b/c of the Republicans retarded choice of VP. I think it's common knowledge that young voters have been a major support group for Obama. It's also common knowledge that the more educated lean toward him too.[11]

GOP leaders admit the Obama factor is there, but the trickle down to state races is not. "It makes them more competitive in an environment like this. We have very strong candidates in those districts and I'm very comfortable with the strength of our campaign going forward," said Ron Nehring, the California Republican Party chairman. It is a long shot for Democrats to win all 10 seats in play, but if they somehow pull it off, a two-thirds majority would make it easier to raise taxes and over-ride a gubernatorial veto. [18] I have to stridently disagree with "Love America" Facts is facts! If Obama wins this election it will be on his own merits and the competency and dignity he has shown and continues to express on a daily basis. Palin has abused power in her own state, has manipulated documents to go on a holiday with her children, is outrageously spending a fortune on hair, makeup and clothingall the while making a mockery of the Republican party.[4] As the poet said, "the best lack all conviction, and the worst are full of passionate intensity." I have to laugh at Margaret opining on our presidential race from a country where the party, and not the people, pick the PM. What she needs to get over is that the UK is the 51st state (or 58th if your BO). If Obama wins it is very likely he will ignore the promises that he made to steal the election, and accomplish very little. That is actually the better outcome. If he follows through on the promises he has made, which I'm not sure he can, it will likely result in a much deeper recession or depression.[8] Having observed many elections over 60 years, never, have I seen the such a lack of truth and honesty which appears to being lead by the media in this election cycle. If the public perceives that ACORN stole this election for Obama, his presidency will not only have a very dark cloud hanging over it, it will also become a disaster for the Democratic party in the long term. What ever happens, people are going to very disappointed with who ever wins, and the big three media outlets will become a shadow of their former selves.[4]

Obama's lead is essentially unchanged from polls in July and March, the institute said. Both parties have sought to mobilize young Americans who voted in the largest numbers in at least 20 years in the 2006 congressional elections, energized by the Iraq war, and turned out in record numbers in the 2004 presidential election.[19] No wonder Obama leads. Pollsters have to protect their reputations but they can do that by playing it straight on their last poll before election day. There is another factor at work in this year's election that makes polls and predictions more unreliable than usual. That factor is race.[6]

The state long has been a fat red dot on the electoral map, voting Republican in every presidential election since 1976. Some believe it may be turning blue before their eyes; polls over the past month consistently have shown Obama and.[5] I am a person that has voted republican in many of the past elections, but lets deem that what is fair is fair. When we look at the current status of this campaign year, everyone cried when Palin was aggressively picked apart by the media when she was selected as VP. Who's fault is that, well the problem is that McCain regardless of whether we believe she is qualified or not, picked a VP that had not been publicly vetted and had not had their world turned upside down to determine as Biden would state their metal. Maybe they know that she is not a threat and appreciate her distracting herself.[4] Starting Nov. 5th, we'''ll begin the hard work of repairing the immense damage these Republican Party thieves and scoundrels have done to our economy, our country, & our people. Gov. Sarah Palin takes state oil revenues to finance thousand-dollar-checks to Alaskan voters each year, and to finance her campaign.[8] Glad to hear that we might yet get our country back from the GOP. I think Sarah Palin is doing more damage to the McCain-Palin ticket than Biden is inflicting on the Obama-Biden one. Last night she still didn't understand the role of the VP. McCains only policy seems to be deregulate, privatize and drill alongside a willingness to keep the troops in Iraq for a hundred years (in his words). Well deregulation is what has gotten Wall Street in nuclear meltdown mode and privatization would be a nightmare in such an economy. Imagine if social security had been privatized during this latest crash. I know people personally who lost over 50% of the 401K's and they are in their mid-sixties. Don't tell them it will be alright in the long run.[4]

In order to make sure that Obama/Binden get in the office, we the people must not forget to do our civic duty and vote! And remember folks, when we get there, do we really want another four years of incompetence? The incompetence of Mr. McCain and his ability to make bad decisions and most recent one select Sarah Palin as a running mate and one heart beat away from presidency. (Seriously, is she really ready to lead our nation? http://palinaspresident.com/ ).[4]

Mr McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, have spent the past week launching repeated attacks on Obama's tax policies, accusing of seeking to introduce socialism.[20] If the media has been leaving so much out, why don't you fill us in on what we are all "missing." As far as dragging McCain and Palin through the mud, they pretty much live in the mud, Obama just points out the truth.[4] Obama, Democrats, and yes, us liberals (God I love being called a liberal!) love our country too much to see it destroyed anymore by the crazy insane policy of the Right and the conservatives. McCain is just more of the same horrible failed policies that got us to this miserable point.[4] My husband and I have worked very hard to finally get to the point of financial success, we are not wealthy. Democrat Barack Obama wants to take our hard earned money away from us with his high taxes for the people who wark hard and earn their money! Obama is a socialist and will ruin the "dreams of many fathers and mothers" when he takes away the American dream of capitalism, making a living in America and reaching earning above $200,000.[8] Now having more money is unfair. To say that the Obama campaign should have spent the money on "all the problems we have today" Well, they did. They spent it to get a guy eected who has a hope in heck of actually turning our foreign policy and economic institutions in a rational truly American direction. My America doesn't torture, spy on it's own people with little or no reason, start wars with countries that are no threat to us.[4] True Success is finding your passion and getting paid for it. Capitalism is also success, because everyone who wants to make money doing what they love should have the right to earn as much as they wantthat is double success in America! If my income earns me 250K's a year or more that is my success and not my neighbors success! Obama is a socialist and will destroy the right of every American to call their own shots when it comes to income.[8]

In the two weeks left, there are two points to make. If we make them - not just among ourselves - but to everyone we know, Chris Matthews may stop feeling a thrill run up his leg on the night of November 4. First is that even Joe Biden understands that his running mate is unprepared to be president in time of war. Last weekend, Biden said, "Mark my words, it will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking…We're going to have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy. He's going to need help. to stand with him. Because it's not going to be apparent initially; it's not going to be apparent that we're right." [21] I am going to remain appalled and dismayed that Americans are checking their brains at the door, believing every bit of drivel "The One" feeds them, ignoring facts and failing to understand instead of just following. When Barack Obama uses words of division, blames every problem he sees on President Bush, then promises to do everything, without a plan, without any credible, tested plan, we all ought to be appalled and dismayed. It is time to quit the nonsense and see the truth, not ignore it.[8]

Barack Obama promises '''change,''' which is an appealing concept to an American public weary of a beleaguered administration and worried about the future. They are faced with a candidate who promises them everything: Tax cuts for 95% of Americans, universal healthcare, peace, saving the planet, and'''according to his wife'''the '''healing''' of Americans''' souls.[8] With just two weeks to go before the opening bell, presumptive nominee Barack Obama is still grappling with how to handle the biggest power couple of the Democratic Party '' Hillary and Bill Clinton. Both have now secured prime-time speaking slots during the convention, she on Tuesday night, Aug. 26, as keynote speaker, he the next night, right before the still-unnamed vice presidential candidate.[4] The Hill says Democratic Party leaders, including Sen. Barack Obama, "have been championing a stimulus package focused on infrastructure spending and direct aid to state governments that could come up for a vote after the recess." Obama, "speaking to a group of Democratic governors at a jobs summit in the swing state of Florida, offered support for aid to states, and said this could prevent local governments from raising taxes.[5]

All the while, the polls remain a ball of confusion. Two new polls released Tuesday showed his opponent, Sen. Barack Obama, opening up the largest lead over him with under two weeks prior to Nov. 4, while another showed a statistical dead heat.[2] A NBC News/WSJournal of 1159 registered voters taken October 17-20 also shows Obama up 52%-42%. The Wall Street Journal says the poll shows "a growing number of voters saying they're now comfortable with the Democratic nominee's values, background and ability to serve as commander in chief." NBC Nightly News led its broadcast with the poll, which "notably. shows Obama at over 50% for the first time in our polling. Perhaps more dangerous for the GOP ticket, most of those polled do not believe.[5] McCain's team then chose Palin as a running mate. Compared to those two, Obama/Biden do look like a better choice and recent polls show it. Only staunch party line voters are now supporting McCain/Palin and even a few of those are starting to have second thoughts.[4] I'll tell you what is racist. Its when someone assumes that they know what another person is thinking solely based on their race. Did you talk to all of the black voters in the poll to find out why they were voting the way they were? I thought not. What about all of the white voters in the primary that voted for Hillary or in the general election that are voting for McCain? Are they also racist? Its time to move beyond the 1960s.[8]

You'll have to fix the URL since WSJ censors links to their competition. MCD - Try this website. I'm afraid I wasn't counting votes (only the roll call votes are tallied, not the voice votes) but I'm willing to bet that Senator McCain voted 'Abstain' more often, in relation to his total number of votes, than Senator Obama did. It's the ratio that's important, generally, but also the voting record shows that Sen. McCain is far less active all around than Sen. Obama. I wouldn't presume to know how the members of the military vote, as that is both confidential and not yet tallied. I do assume that they have the same freedom of choice we all have, as well as the same preconceived notions and susceptibility to rumor.[8] I am a 29 year old married women with a 19 month old daughter, and I resent your comment about raising the voting age to 30! You think I don't have enough "life experiences" to vote for the correct candidate? I voted for Gore in 2000, Kerry in 2004 and you better believe I'm voting Obama in 2008.[11]

Eight years, what do we have to show for it? Zippo! Unfinished Wars, erosion of constitutional protection, ridicule in the world arean, jobs in China and India, a busted bank. Gordon Plumber, among many other Obama supporters, has to bring Palin into the debate because they know Obama has little substance, beyond popularity. Therefore they skip the comparison b/t the presidential candidates and debate who would be a better replacement if the president had a heart attack.[8]

Despite being considered liberal and a candidate who will raise taxes by respondents, Obama is leading McCain 46 percent to 45 percent in rural areas of 13 states, including Colorado.[14] State Democratic leaders call it the "Obama factor." They credit him for the recent surge in voter registration in California, giving Democrats an advantage over Republicans, 44 percent to 33 percent. Now, they're hoping the excitement will trickle down to legislative races.[18] Democrats are accusing McCain of hypocrisy after the weekend arrest of Mark Jacoby, a California Republican operative. Jacoby has been accused of voter registration fraud after registering himself to vote at two homes where he did not live.[11] "Over the past few weeks we've heard John McCain denounce voter fraud on the campaign trail while the hurls false attacks, so the question is: where is the outrage now?" Democratic spokesman Karen Finney asked yesterday. Jacoby is the second Republican operative revealed this week to possess a questionable record on voter registration. Nathan Sproul ' who has been investigated by Congress for allegedly destroying voter registration forms and intimidating voters ' got paid $175,000 by the McCain camp this year.[11] While John McCain has attacked the liberal U.S. community group Acorn for alleged voter registration fraud, the Republican party continues to employ operatives facing fraud accusations including one who faces criminal perjury charges.[11]

THIER future is at stake, not John McCain's. The youth are the biggest part of the population seeking education, thinking about starting families, and deciding on how they want to contribute to society. This election is critical for them, as it is for all of us. They have every right to vote, and I am proud of the droves of students who have registered in record numbers this year. You should be ashamed to say such things. You are clearly a conservative afraid of seeing his party crumble. Well, sir, it is them who created the mess that is leading to their demise in this next term. Hopefully from the ashes a renewed party with more thoughtful and selfless ideals will arise so that all parties can represent their constituents fairly in the future.[11] McCain will hand me more money, which is also fine with me, I just think that it wont be good for the rest of the country. John McCain once had my vote, if he had run in the general in 2000, I would have been his man. Yet, despite the "unfair attacks" on him, I cannot help but feel that he has become so taken with the idea of being the President of the most powerful nation on Earth, that he is willing to make it a personal battle over who had coffee with who to avoid talking about issues and jeopardizing his chances. Every day I wake up, thank God for another day on His world and get my day started.[4]

This is wonderful news, once Obama wins I can quit my job and watch tv all day while a welfare check is delivered to my door. That is until the middle class finally deteriorates. Judging by the way things happen in this country that shouldn't stop me from getting a high paying and important job that I am grossly unqualified for once the free money stops rolling in.[4] If Obama was suppose to be the winner than why with his triple the amount of advertising money he has is he not pulling away with a bigger lead??? It is also astonishing to me that no one is criticizing Obama for spending so much on his ad campaigning. With our county in the economic crisis it is in wouldn't the money be spent in better places than on TV commercials??? This media has a slanted view of what is going on. For those of you Obama supporters that believe your jobs will be secure if Obama wins think again. The small businesses, who will be taxed more, will not have the money to be able to cover their payroll - meaning YOU WILL BE FIRED! The small businesses have to make cuts somewhere and it will be at the employees expense.[4] I'm getting sick and tired of people saying that the media is biased or reporting unfairly. I think they are just taking lead from the majority of the population, what we want, and that is Obama.[4]

Hmmm. A leader who knows how to communicate well and pull people together with a message of hope or a leader who stomps his feet and cries "they (the media) are making me look bad and aren't playing fair and why is he getting all of the attention!" The calm, cool attitude of Obama is not only simply comforting and that of a leader, it will give the U.S. a better image in the world, and provide us and our kids with a better image of what true leadership can mean. I am not at all swayed by just good rhetoric, but it does seem silly that people seem to use good rhetoric as though its a bad thing. What do they want? More incoherent, grammatically incorrect statements from W? LoveAmerica, I do love America enough to vote for Obama.[4] Between raising taxes and slashing our military while two wars rage and a third looms on the horizon. I won't vote for Obama but is not because he is black, it is because he is green. Sterling @ 10:55 - And what breeds poverty? It must be all the greedy people in the world who are making over $250k per year, who just fell into their money and who don'''t to be '''fair''' and share that with everyone. It could never be that poverty might be perpetuated by institutionalizing people to the idea that they have been wronged by society and that someone else should take care of them.[8] There are people that ask the question: Why doesn't Obama, who has raised large sums of money, give the money to other causes. They continue to argue that our economy is so bad that people would benefit from this. While this might be true, people have donated money to Obama so he can use it for the election and not to be donated to other causes. I have donated for the first time to his campaign and I'm not interested in the money going to other causes except for him winning the presidency.[4] To Lisa, you complain that Obama is spending too much money on the campaign. Keep in mind that most of his money is from small donors (under $200) raised over the Internet. It is actually quite democratic because so many ordinary peoplenot corporations and billionaireswant Obama. It's heartening to me that so many people can see through the GOP deceit machine.[4] Obama has worked on the campaign trail for over two years, Sarah Palin hasn't even hit the second month yet. It is unfair that we aren't allowed to hear about all aspects of this woman, and only when she is caught spending $150,000.00 of campaign contribution money on herself (she could've saved someone's home from being forclosed on with that money) is the press allowed to take her on.[4]

Up two points in about 24 hours. Any momentum McCain thought he had is long gone as Obama takes what is equal to his largest lead of the campaign with less than 2 weeks left.[8] Obama will probably be elected. I just wish McCain looked like Obama, young, good looking, and a smooth talker, he would be up by 15 points.[8] Madcap - you sound like a bitter old person. relax. if there's one thing you should've learnt from McCain by now, it's that being crazy, erratic and angry is not very flattering. which is yet another reason Obama is likely to be a far better president than McCain. unlike McCain, Obama can control his emotions, and react in a calm, well-thought-out manner. This is very VERY important for a president.[11] Obama is not a military man, and can no more advise a military campaign than a hawk like McCain can keep us out of one to begin with.[4] Not only are there the usual grammatical and spelling problems that can plague posters on either side, but there is a distinct lack of reasoning evident on the McCain side. They always seem to refer to big secrets that the media won't talk about, but the secrets seem to be things that the media has in fact talked about extensively, such as Obama going back on his campaign funding pledge.[4] The media is concerned about selling a story. Obama is a more interresting story so they tend to be biased towards Obama (among other reasons for their bias). Most of communucation is not verbal, but non-verbal facial expressions, tone of voice etc. Next time you hear a supposedly "unbiased, non partisan, neutral" commentator on TV comment about Obama and McCain, listen to their tone of voice and watch their face. McCain = NOT cool cuz he wants to talk about issues and character. ALIENATION - the group's active encouragement of it's members to remain separate from those family, friends and parts of society opposed to group ideals.[8]

I find it utterly amazing that some people don't see the writing on the wall. They can only talk down about Obama, and yet offer no solutions of their own in the form of Mccain.[11] Some people have been saying that McCain'''s been a little too '''vinegary''' lately. Colin Powell mentioned that he'''s become too narrow for his taste. If you were running for office and were genuinely concerned that people were being lubricated in the wrong direction by a sort of '''Obama oil''' of good looks, smooth gestures and clever rhetoric, wouldn'''t you want to try to '''cut through''' it for their sake? In life, books and films, we'''ve all seen smooth (but disingenuous) talkers before, who say what '''our itching ears want to hear'''.[8]

Obama has made a connection with the young voters in ways that previous presidents have, the difference here is that the level of activism is not as apparent to the average Joe. We are too often saddled with stereotypes that young people are not capable of make good choices or that they make poor choices. I seems more likely that each age groups has its share of people make poor choices.[11] The intensity of the support for Obama -- and the increased participation by 18-30 year-old voters in recent elections -- means young voters are likely to be a critical part of Obama's support Nov. 4.[11] Here's the most important thing to keep in mind: the 2000 and 2004 elections were so close that questions about tampering with voting machines in Ohio and Florida continue to be raised - legitimately. Obama now has enthusiastic support including support among those who voted Republican in the last election. If Obama loses we WILL need to check those machines.[22] Surely the Republican Party could have given us a more qualified and suitable candidate. Since they did not, it is no wonder that so many will be voting for Obama, who by contrast, appears sober, considerate, and presidential.[4] How can the nation be anymore divided after the nutty Right wing politics of the last 8 years? Don't tell me that Obama is somehow going to magically divide the nation when Republicans have done that already. It's time for the Republican party to stop whining and take responsibility for incompetency and failed leadership.[4] Most of all, insulting to the people of America who actually study the issues that matter and don't glue themselves to either the right or left wing media sources. The problem is, the right wing has the paranoid delusion that every media source is out to get their guy/gal. Take your meds. These delusions are a weak cop-out and excuse for the miserable failures of the Republican Party the last 8 years. Don't blame the media for those failures. It's fact.[4] The media themselves helped create the charged atmosphere in which some people give misleading answers to pollsters to avoid being stigmatized. All in all, going into the voting booth this year is not an exercise in futility for those who don't want to get the bum's rush into voting for Obama.[6] The disconnect between the parties is only slightly larger than the disconnect between conservatives and reality. Obama is an outstanding individual, and people connect VERY well with his vision, even after the vicious attacks by the Right Wing media. All I ever see is the same pundits trying to resurrect and rehabilitate what might be the WORST presidential ticket this side of Dukakis/Bentson (Ole Lloyd Bentson should have been on the other side of the ticket) It is a bunch of malarkey to say the media is 'left wing', and has been for the decades the rabid right wingers have repeated it, ad nauseum.[4] Obama is looking to create a welfare/quasi-socialist state. To Anonymous @ 11:39 - Only in the U.S., where the media has so abused their 1st amendment rights in their zeal to support BO, does having ties to an unrepentant and cowardly terrorist, an admitted Marxist and a racist preacher put you in a position to have no damage to your campaign.[8] The other reader is correct. Obama has gotten away with a string of broken promises during the campaign but the media don't call him on it. $150 MILLION in one month on a presidential campaign??? I guess his word goes out the window when money starts talking.[4] Obama is calm, thoughtful, presidential and his policies are the fresh. If Obama were running against Hitler, the Hitler followers would probably claim the media is biased and it's a conspiracy. At some point, it's no the media's fault, it's the candidate's.[4]

Obama's surging popularity, according to Pew, was mostly due to voters' dwindling confidence in McCain, as witnessed after each of the candidates' three TV debates.[12] THE COLUMBIAN (WASH.) '''As for judgment, Obama chose a running mate who neither hurt him in the polls nor diverted the spotlight from the main man on the ticket. McCain'''s choice has done both. McCain tries to masquerade this recklessness as the virtue of a maverick.[8] The latest Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll a three-day rolling poll gives the Democratic nominee for President a 10-point lead with a 52 - 42 margin. Says pollster John Zogby, "Obama just keeps growing, he has expanded his lead among almost every major voting group.[4] Any bill that went through could be vetoed by the President, and the Dems don't have a large enough lead to come near to forcing it through, anyway. 9 Republicans is a lot of Republicans to convince to back a vetoed senate bill. Obama's health plan is a genius compromise between free-market insurance and universal health care (by allowing citizens to buy into the Government's insurance pool, they put the private insurers in direct competition with the government. Are you aware that the wealthy used to pay tax rates of 70% until ~1970? Now they pay ~20% after reductions and the economy is going down.[8]

My belief is that McCain has had a fairly narrow career in the Senate, but Obama has done far more and has been more positively engaged in promoting the interests of the USA. Does anyone think business truly do not pass on tax increase in the same manner they pass on price increase of say materials or labor? I am a division manager for a fairly large organization. I have a responsbility to all those amongst my employ and to my employer to demonstrate long term profitable growth. In that, when input costs go up, they are passed on to consumers through price increases.[8] "My Social Security checks seem to be shrinking. It just doesn't keep up with things.'' McCain's plan to extend Bush administration tax cuts will do little to help the "common people,'' and the Republican's proposal to give Americans a $5,000 tax credit to buy health insurance won't cover the cost of most plans, he says.[9] Socialism - The procedures you describe are elective, and not likely to be covered by any health plan, not even one as silly as BO'''s. Therefore, isn'''t it up to the patient, and not society or future generations to decide if it is right for them? I would like to hear your argument as to how BO'''s tax plan is any better for society than McCain'''s or the current tax structure, but only if you can be unemotional about it and not regurgitate how 95% of Americans will get a tax cut when we know this encompasses an estimated 44% of Americans who will owe no federal income taxes under his plan. It is clearly a function of who has money since in capitalism money is power. If the money is in the hands of the top tier goods and services are provided to the top tier for their wishes.[8]

How do we fix it. The deficit is 10 Trillion, the interest on this is 400+billion a year. We can fix this by taxing more and or reducing cost. We both have to reduce cost and raise revenue. They gave money to consumers to spend, which in effect is what lowering taxes to the middle and poor do (and the economic incentive plan gave money to all not just those who pay taxes, obama's tax break to the low 95% of tax paying american's doesn't do that, so its less socialistic).[4]

Considering that the human brain does not fully develop until about 25-years of age (journalists' brains never truly develop), the fact that young Americans gravitate towards Obama shows the mentality of the people drawn to him.[11] Young people are the future and by voting Obama they're showing that they understand the issues facing America (and the world) in the 21st century. It's definitely a good sign.[11] Precisley why Change is most certainly in order. I was considering voting for McCain, however due to the addition of Palin to the ticket and the postings of her followers (thank you), I have become increasingly aware of the desparate need for Change. Young people are voting in record numbers because it is their futures at stake and they are paying attention this time.[11]

Older does not make us wiser, more educated or seasoned in areas of local and world news, the economy, finances, the environment, terrorism and war, etc. What age really does more often than not is make us more set in our ways, uncompromisingly stubborn and critical in our perspective on life, society and people in general. My work, as a 40 something, involves daily interactions with university students with from all over this country and others from all walks of life who are reminders to me that when I was their age, my world view and inner-circle comrades were very limited in our understanding of political issues and life in general. What I see in them are intelligent, mindful, motivated, fun, altruistic, creative people with a broad understanding of world views and issues than we give them credit for. Let's not put down the younger generation thinking we are wiser and that just because the majority of them are voting the other way means they are less intellectual, uncaring or dumb and blind to what is going on around us. It is not the number of our years that makes us wiser, it's the ability to open our eyes and ears and God forbid, possibly listen to what they may have to teach us in these less than innocent years and times in which we live.[11] You miss the point and confuse the facts. If the only measure was black voter support of candidates, the evidnce would suggest this year is nothing unusual. As one commenter on the blog cite you provided noted, the same black voters voted at the 90% levels IN THE PRIMARIES. Was it a coincidence or racism that in one of the closest and hard fought primary races in our history that 90% of blacks voted for the black? You need to admit it: black people aren't just voting for whoever happens to be the Democrat, they're voting for the black candidate.[8] The poll of voters who live in what the Census Bureau considers nonmetropolitan counties was in the field Oct. 1 through Tuesday and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points. While Republicans need a big margin in rural America to win, Democrats seek to neutralize those voters.[14]

If you really love America, you would look at the string of examples of inco0mpetence coming from the McCain campaign and you would do the right thing and NOT vote for him. He may be a good man and a patriot, but he will not make a good President. At this point everyone is as well informed as they are going to be.[4] We can still get the best qualified man to win by doing one simple thing: If each of us found one undecided voter or one person who has never voted before who favors McCain (here's the most important step) and physically went with that person to vote, we could win New Hampshire once again for McCain.[23] Many in the party, including inside the McCain campaign, have held out hope that a deep-pocketed benefactor would emerge to bankroll ads in the campaign's final days ''' spots that might, for example, resurrect the most incendiary clips from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Thanks largely to lack of passion for McCain within the conservative base, diminished hopes that he can win and a sharp decline in the stock market that has badly pinched donors' pockets, veteran Republican operatives say it appears almost certain that what could be the most damaging line of attack against the Democratic nominee will be left on the shelf."[8] Lots of things are unfair. It's unfair that McCain has a wife w/ a $100Million bank account. She alone could have bankrolled his entire campaign. She didn't. That wasn't fair. You don't see him crying about it. The rank and file republican base has lost their intellectual moorings. They have begun to believe the party sound bites. If news is unfavorable to their cause it's because the news is "biased."[4]

'''Sarah Palin. The governor of Alaska took the national political scene by storm, and by surprise, when McCain picked her as his running mate. Palin has obvious appeal to the conservative wing of the Republican party, and her outspoken, folksy ways brought her a lot of attention for a while. Her 15 minutes of fame in the national spotlight are over.[8]

Obama has also risen to 21pct support among the ranks of the self-defined "conservatives", the best result so far seen by Obama, who among women has gone from a 13pct to 16pct-lead. He also has the most support among all age groups, including the elderly, and every income bracket, with the sole exception being the rich. Not even among men is McCain still ahead, although he is behind by only 2pct. He is still leading the way among whites, however, but has gone from 50pct to 44, and therefore a margin of only 9 to 6pct.[13] McCain has a record of leading diverse points of view to consensus and leading teams under stressful and difficult situations. Obama has led his campagin staff who all love him and are beholding to him. I see nothing in his record to suggest he has a record of consensus building and real leadership.[8] Look at a bunch of polling and the answer will always fall "in the middle." Obama's actual lead is somewhere around 6-7 points today and it's likely to stay there until election day.[22] Despite all the liberal media pounding us every day on how Barack Obama has already won this race, he hasn't.[23] Would you please cite one fact, incident, or truth that you believe has gone unreported or under-reported by the media about Barack Obama? Perhaps the media is reporting accurately and Obama just looks better because he is.[4]

Barack Obama and the democrats are your best hope of doing that now. Tell your family, friends, and everyone you know to support them as best they can.[11] Hillary Clinton's latest game - when she's not busy saying that Barack Obama isn't a Muslim "as far as I know" - is tantalizing supporters with the idea that Obama could wind up as her vice-presidential choice on a so-called Dream Ticket. It's a genius strategy: Democrats, forced to choose between Hillary and Barack, don't need to choose after all, since they both could run together - as long as Barack is at the bottom of the ticket, of course.[8] REMEMBER, no matter which of us may stumble or fall, the rest of you must continue to surge forward for Barack Obama, and the democrats, and for your-selves most of all.[11]

When we look back in time we will see that it wasn't Barack Obama that changed politics but it was the movement of change that a man captured by hope and inspiration.[4] Barack Obama has shown himself to be no more reliable on the prime civil right.[17]

Obama is smooth: absolutely. Snake oil salesman? That's not my call, but I honor your right to your own take on it. Perhaps if he wins, after 2 years or so, we all can properly judge the man and those that voted for him.[4] Anon @ 16:09 - Would a right wing nut job be fundamentally different than a left wing one line Obama and his plundering pals Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. I wish all lefties would go to their own country and give their own money, not mine, to the disenfranchised.[8] The RNC should be ashamed. It is a shame the same "blinded by love" Obama supporters had to show up. Although they have a right to their own opinion (at least until we become to socialist) they are espousing liberal manure in the hopes of making something grow. All they are doing here is destroying the flower bed.[8]

Let me get this straight: The AP claims that their poll shows a closer race because they are polling cell phones while the other pollsters aren't. This claim in spite of the fact that cell phone-only users disproportionately represent young and minority citizens, who clearly break for Obama? That makes absolutely no sense at all. It's an outlier, folks.[22] Are we dealing with "Yellow Journalism" with baised polls that lack deatails on whom they are polling or whom has conducted the polls? If so that is worthy of reporting also. The news would have us beleive Obama has already won, so why would there be reports on his gaining ground in several states? I am now beleiving the press wants Obama to win as the better story.[4] The Republicans are well aware that their leaders are corrupt, but the new bread of Obama supporters blindly trust him with their lives, I hope they wake up and realize that Obama is no different than Bush, he has an agenda.[8] The Bush administration was a disgrace, but Obama will screw the public too. Both parties are total sell-outs as evidenced by the bailout bill. I had a little respect for the Republican congressmen who initially held out support, but then they caved and the taxpayer was forced, once again, to grab ankles.[8] Still waiting to hear the reasons the Republicans deserve 4 more years given the Bush track record and that McCain so closely supports it.[8] Some state tuitions went up by as much as a WHOPPING! 30% in one year. The reason the Bush McCain administration did this was to force struggling working class kids into the military to pay for the sudden jump in tuition. Which was forced on them by the corrupt Bush McCain administration, and their corrupt Republican Governors, and republican controlled state legislatures. They could use these wars to seize power, and later to get reelected. For their evil plan to work they needed more volunteer soldiers struggling to pay for an education whose blood they could spill to help them seize more power.[11]

Everybody keeps saying another 4 year of bush when it comes to republicans but has anyone considered that the house is democatically controlled. Lets vote in a democratic president so he can take more money from the business owners who employee the majority of the nation.as a business owner if I am taxed more I will lay off more.I will not take a salary cut for my hard work.[4] Black people have historically voted democratic primarily because the republican party has ignored us. If you did some research, you would note that Clinton recieved 93% of the black vote in 1992 and Gore and Kerry were in the mid 80s during their election years.[8] No rhetorical flourishes can bury that truth, not even if delivered with the same great oratory gifts anyone has ever had, no matter good or bad. His prediction is correct. a terrible thing is going to happen. they are going to get elected and the country is going to fall apart. The people who have checked their brains at the door is anyone who thinks that the Republican party doesn't deserve to be held accountable for the absolute CRAP they've been shoveling for years.[8]

Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Tom Miller, 79, who calls himself a longtime Republican, has parted ways with his party. The former banker worked his way up from messenger to senior vice president and worries that the slumping economy means his grandchildren won't have the same opportunities for steady careers, financial security, and health and retirement benefits. "I don't see my grandchildren having much at all in terms of lifestyle,'' says Miller, who earned a college degree at night as he climbed the corporate ladder during 40 years at Bankers Trust Corp. in New York.[9] With less than two weeks to go in the campaign, political experts caution that there still could be some sort of "October Surprise" - an unanticipated outside event that could shake up the race to McCain's benefit. Longtime political observer Tom DeFrank of the New York Daily News says the pivotal event in this year's campaign likely already happened.[10]

You are telling me that someone who brings in 30 grand a year doesn't deserve a tax break over the 10 percent of people who control 78 percent of the countries wealth. That argument is not going to work anymore. You never ever once will hear Mccain say his tax cuts will give the richest people about 23 billion dollars more 90 percent of people get nothing.[4] The Democrat has vowed to reverse President George W Bush's tax cuts, which mainly benefited the wealthy, and use the money to help people who earn less than $250,000-a-year.[20]

Don't pretend some of you people don't know why Obama isn't pulling more ahead in some states even with all the money he's raised.[4] EXPLOITATION - a broad trait ranging from pressure to give all of one's wealth and time to the group to the usage of guilt, secrecy and emotional manipulation to maintain control: the threat of expulsion is a particularly powerful leverage of control, as is verbal, sexual and even physical violence. Obama people can never give a reason to vote for him.[8] I think we now have several elements in our society that have "entitlement" attitudes. Obama speaks about this in his book and this was his main frustration as community organizer because he understands that gov. cannot take care of people. There are at least this many reasons to vote against the supposed "fiscal conservatives".[8]

I could NEVER vote for the most unqualified person to run for the office of the presidency of the United States in recent memory (i.e., Obama). It is incomprehensible to me why so many voters are willing to follow this snake oil salesman over the cliff. His naivete and inexperience is matched only by his arrogance and hubris.[4] Senator Obama convened a meeting of his foreign policy and national security advisers in Virginia. Afterward, Obama told a news conference that he is up to the challenge of leading the United States at a time of economic crisis at home and foreign policy challenges abroad.[10]

"Whoever is the next president is going to have to deal with a whole host of challenges internationally," Obama said. "And a period of transition in a new administration is always one in which we have to be vigilant, we have to be careful, we have to be mindful that as we pass the baton in this democracy that others do not take advantage of it."[10] Obama has been a junior senator for 1 year, 2 years running for president. He will serve one term and then Palin will ride into the white house.[8] Why is it that it is ok for on the job training for Obama as president but it seems to be appalling for Palin to do on the job training for the VP position.[8]

Beyond that at least Palin has actually run something. She has had to deal with a budget that isn't endless and staff that might not agree with or like her. On that alone she trumps Obama. The only thing he has run is a campaign staff all of whom love him.[8] I'm curious as to what what facts exactly have been intentionally "left out" by the media? Surely if there were facts that were true and provable the McCain / Palin campaign would have raised them? They don't seem to have a problem raising even tenuous connections like the Ayers connection, so I'm curious why they wouldn't raise these "facts".[4] I, for one,think that the prospect of Sarah Palin as the most powerful person in the world is so appalling that the media, if it truly had any courage, would be up in arms and wondering editorially about John McCain's most basic judgment.[4] '''If elected, at 72, would be the oldest incoming president in U.S. history. He's in good health now, we're told, although he has withheld most of his medical records. That means Gov. Sarah Palin could very well become president. That brings us to McCain's most troubling trait: his judgment. While praiseworthy for putting the first woman on a major-party presidential ticket since Geraldine Ferraro in 1984, his selection of Palin as a running mate was appalling.[8]

Hey, LoveAmerica. Why would anyone responding to a phone poll be afraid of being labeled a racist? I understand why you think McCain would be the better president; it's because of what you value.[4] Poll tests have a very ugly history, but it is interesting to think about what it would do to elections in the U.S. perhaps prospective voters would study up before voting. Some of those new young voters might do very well on a poll test--better than many of their elders.[11] Having worked with some of these young voters as volunteers on the Obama campaign trail, it is a good feeling knowing the next generations care about their future.[11] Obama's ads were right in one regard: Old ideas don't work anymore. They don't work on the campaign trail and they won't work as president either.[4] If you believe (right now) that the iraq war is justified, or more importantly that you are "bringing the fight TO the terrorists" then you are gullable. It is sad, because at McCain/Palin rallies I see people booing and applauding when McCain/Palin says as a blanket statement that Obama is going to raise your taxes.[4] The bonus is that Obama captures the idealistic JFK of american politics. You can argue against the man, but it only makes the movement stronger, you can argue against his politics that only makes people more critical of yours, you can argue against hope, but it only makes you offer hopelessness and cynicism.[4] After the economy implodes when Obama is elected, the people will begin to riot. Riots will begin to take their toll on our way of life so much so that we will turn into a sort of apocalyptic society of cannibals.[4]

Let's not forget that the '08 election results will be primarily driven by 8 years of Republican failure, far more than love of Obama.[8] You aren't the ones stuck with that burden that you yourself created; we are. We love this country too much to leave its future in your inept hands any longer. Is Obama perfect? No, but he has the ability to polish America's tarnished reputation abroad, and stands as a symbol of hope - a stark contrast to the abysmal shadows of "leadership" over the last eight years.[11] Obama's meteoric rise to power, despite his inexperience, socialistic agenda and his friends/spiritual advisor'''s hate toward America, whites and Jews, has never been question by most of the media. The bias and control press we have in this country is dangerous to our democracy.[8]

I know it must be disheartening to hear the TRUTH about the republicans, FINALLYbut stop blaming the media. There wouldn't be anything to report if the republicans weren't such hypocritical, fear mongering dirty politicians. Just because the vast majority of the media chooses to not spread the vicious LIES that the republicans are trying to put out there about Obama, doesn't mean they are "protecting" him.[4] Many of you have probably read that 4 in 1 'foreigners' would vote for Obama, but that is a false stat. That figure is based on media coverage, which would have a very different focus to one in the UK.[8] Vote for Obama, and the democrats like your life, and the lives of your loved ones depends on it.[11] Hey Soup: Get a grip! GWB has not governed like a limited government conservativeinstead, he has presided over a massive increase in governmenta vote for Barack "I voted present 130 times" Obama is a vote for an extreme extension of that policy.[8] Trickle down never worked very well to start with because the rich got richer and the middle class got poorer. I say tax the wealthy and let them pay back some of their on damn bailouts. I am a conservative but I just got to go with Obama and give the man a chance, if he doesn't do well we can vote him out in 2012. These NeoCons like McBush have done more damage to our great republic than any terrorist group could have imagined in their wildest dreams.[4]

Pat Holzinger, 67, a registered Republican, remains on the fence. He likes Obama's health-care proposals. Living off a pension, Holzinger worries about how to pay for medicines his wife needs for diabetes and a form of multiple sclerosis.[9] Why all the whining about how much money Obama is spending? He wouldn't need to do so if he didn't have to fight the republican swiftboat smear machine.[4] As Ebenezer Scrooge said''''''I'''ll retire to bedlam'''. As for Obama's ability to raise money (without reporting the sources) and Acorn's actions (with or without his more active involvement) I believe we may be seeing the blueprint for future unravelling of the election process.[8]

Some will say McCain's efforts paid off with a surprise win - evidence that polls can be dramatically wrong. Others will say the election was stolen. Unfortunately, given Pennsylvania's election system, both reasons are plausible and there would be no way to know what really happened. [4] The McCain campaign downplayed the poll results Wednesday, saying it was "natural for polls to tighten" in the final days of a campaign.[14] "Many in the party, including inside the McCain campaign, have held out hope that a deep-pocketed benefactor would emerge to bankroll ads in the campaign'''s final days ''' spots that might, for example, resurrect the most incendiary clips from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright." Which is ironic, and foolhardy, quite frankly, given that McCain himself has said the Wright issue is off the table and that he won't talk about it. If he's not interested in raising it as an issue, he shouldn't expect anyone else to.[8]

If there are two people talking and one is telling lies and the media centers on exposing the liar, there will always be someone who cries "unfair! media bias!" The McCain campaign is now just the McCain complaign.[4] Step aside and let some educated people take over now." (which seems directed at LoveAmerica, not McCain) hints at a key point people aren't talking about.[4]

Overall, 92 percent of the state's black voters favor him, compared with 3 percent for McCain.[15] "I lived in a house where the total amount of money was 10 cents.'' McCain, he says, is too tied to Bush administration economic policies that continue to "slowly dismantle'' New Deal programs aimed at preventing another depression.[9] Because the Bush McCain vote fraud, vote cheating, vote buying, vote manipulation machine is already hard at work to cheat you again.[11] Shame that we are stuck with two lousy choices, but that is what our system has become. For all of you that are democrats, vote for McCain, he is more liberal than JFK, he didn't do too bad.[8] There has been a history of polls projecting bigger votes for the Democrats' presidential candidate in October than that candidate gets in November. Some of these polls seem like they are not trying to report facts but to create an impression.[6] The media will look foolish when all the dust settles down. Never before has the national media pushed their own political presidential candidate like they have this time.[8]

The Republicans have been able to dupe the middle class into voting against their own economic interests for years with BS non-issues: flag burning, guns, gay marriage, abortion, etc. (I say they are "non issues" because it isn't likely that having a Democrat or Republican in the White House changes anything on any of them.) This year, the middle class is scared and is voting based on their wallets for the first time in a long time. The Republicans don't have anything to offer them. Your side put her on the ticket.[8] I think the whole Acorn thing is a distraction so that if Democrats point out that the Republicans rigged the election, it will just look like back-and-forth partisan bickering.[4] Has anyone ever considered that people partial to excluding others due to their age, gender, or other traits are too caught up in their perspective that they forget that the election is meant for the whole, and not for the select few? One would think that the U.S. as a nation has progressed to a time of inclusion and diversity that this type of narrow minded thinking (dare I say prejudiced) would no longer exist, but I suppose this is why I have chosen to vote in this election.[11] As a former marine '69-72, I think young people have every right to vote. They obviously show more intelligence then you.[11] I think perhaps most people who own cell phones are able to vote - except welfare recipients who get free phones, are as likely to vote. If they saw the debate, which is a random variable as well plays a part so the polls are statistically significant in its randomness.[22]

I hope people aren't saying that a 20 year old soldier who has volunteered to fight for this country shouldn't have the right to vote because they don't have enough "life experience."[11] While you may not like what it says, the sources are not the problem. I can see that Sterling has consumed yet more BO CoolAid while sipping latte's at Starbucks and figuring out ways to give our money to the disenfranchised masses who refuse to do anything to better their position in life. (What?!? I dropped out of college and I have to work as a janitor?!? Don'''t worry, BO will help me overcome all that.) I will be interested to see Sterling'''s blog if one of the violent youth'''s that BO feels so sorry for shows up at his home and robs him. He will of course then blame it on the GOP. (As for me, I have just purchased a Glock 357 sig to guard against thisSterling will now say I'''m a redneck.) All the BO lemmings should immediately start practicing their excuses for when the country is on an even worse path after four years with him than it is now.[8] Better start saving money now boys and girls, because BO makes old Jimmy Carter the terrorist coddler look like a moderate. The overall messages are that wealth is bad (unless you are a Democratic elitist like Soros) and that you should be ashamed of our country, which is not the beacon of freedom where all 3rd world people would come if they could, but actually the cause of most of the world'''s ills.[8]

Does that mean young people just like a young president, and are in total denial of the inexperience question. He is young & cute and probably likes to party (or so they would like to think).[11] I have a brother that litsens to fox news and believes every word they say; he is so brain washed that he tells me that G.W.Bush will go down in hystory as the best president the United States has ever had. Last night he told me that Sahara Palin is God gift to the human rase. You see, I fell sorry for all the people out there that are beeing brain washed by Fox News, and if we don.t stop this cult, it will create problem in the long run.[4] I am so so very very upset, people are just not getting the correct news here in my state of WI. I have been researching our local media sources and who owns them.[1]

"We cannot afford four more years of policies that have failed to adjust to a new century," Obama said. [10] The love for Obama is rooted in a real desire for change - a new found hope by America.[8]

Obama is bright, articulate, and a smart ass. He knows how to pander to the C electorate, white or black. To the black C voter, he does not have to say much, just show them his color.[8] Independents break 44 percent to 35 percent in Obama's favor. In addition to independents, white Catholics are another important swing voting group and they support Obama 50 percent to 39 percent.[1] Among all 1,101 adults interviewed, the survey showed Obama ahead 47 percent to 37 percent. He was up by five points among registered voters."[22] The AP survey was conducted Thursday, the day after the final presidential debate, through Monday, the day after Colin Powell endorsed Obama, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.[22] Kerry did NOT lead Bush by 6 points on the day of the election. He consistently was at or below Bush's levels (a couple points behind, mostly) right up to the election.[8] You are right in that at some point a voter has to make a decision and support a candidate "blindly".[8]

Would a vigorous last-minute push from anti-Obama groups even work? Lots of voters have already decided and may be suspicious of some desperate late attack from McCain or Republicans.[8] McCain's clearest advantage is on experience: A large 80 percent majority says McCain has the right experience to be president.[1] If you haven't noticed, there are no Mccain ads or even speeches, it seems, that highlight what HE'S going to do as president. It's not about experience or lack there of, it's about judgment. This gut feeling, unilateralism and snap decisions that change from day to day, will not get us anywhere but deeper in the hole.[11]

McCain was shown saying, "We don't want a president who invites testing from the world, at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars."[5] McCain and Palin know what it is to actually have to struggle to survive like every other real American.[4] What are the tendencies of cell-only voters? This poll says they overwhelmingly choose McCain, and that smells like a rat to me.[22] Since we are throwing around wordslabels like socialism, I'd like to throw out monarchy. It seems to me the current tax code which McCain wants to continue supports a monarchy.[8] McCain supports further cuts for Medicare and Social Security which will continue to shrink the middle class. Young Americans can expect lower wages and have a lower standard of living while they try to compete for johs with aging boomers who will remain in the work force until they die.[4] Why I'm voting for McCain part 3. His associations include no long lasting friendships with terrorists who set out to bomb and kill americans on american soil. His associations include no america hating religious figures. You all can quote Gordon Liddy but he paid his debt (unlike Ayers) and has never preached anarchy and marxism.[8] For one, I disagree with McCain on foreign policy. He said rather forcefully in the debates that we must fight on in Iraq and elsewhere until we achieve '''victory''', or else American service persons who gave their lives will die in vain. Such is patently incorrect. It is not possible to die in vain in service to America. Military action sends a clear signal to those who would threaten America'''s freedom and security, regardless of outcome.[4]

" -- has been reduced to the cartoonish image of a candidate saying something and then telling you he approved the message. Strange creatures called 527s, organizations so identified for the section of the IRS code under which they are established, are better camouflaged than a chameleon, all thanks to John McCain. [17] McCain is the status quo and our country cannot stand another four years of that.[4] As for drilling, we will not see a drop of oil for ten years and will have to invest copious amounts of change in expanding our infrastructure to process it. The same money is needed for alternate energy which will still be economically vulnerable when the oil McCain is drilling for now potentially floods the markets he wants to deregulate.[4] The idea was supposedly to reduce the influence of money in politics. There's a strange justice to McCain being the second dog in a billion-dollar presidential race of his own creation.[17]

We can't compare McCain to Jackie Robinson. McCain graduated at the bottom of his class, has anger management issues and left his poor disabled ex-wife for his current wife. If Barack had this past, it would be exponential in its damage to his campaign.[8]

Alaskan Separatists, abuse of public trust and powers, extremist Christian beliefsshe is scary. I used to like Mccain, but he has "sold out" to the lowest common denominator in this country.[4] James Carville and Paul Begala are major left wing liberals. My point is they are mainstream left wing liberalsnot obscure HP folks. I'm sure you guys don't like them. It's amusing to see they're starting the victory dance. Obviously, they have dismissed any real possibility of a McCain victory.[8] McCain's voting record on things like VA funding, and the GI bill is dismal. On http://www.TheRealMcCain.com you can see that he is willing to say anything whether true or untrue.[4]

McCain refuses to condemn his acts, saying he is "proud" of him. PATRIOT - A person who loves his country and zelously supports and defends it and its interests.[8]

Democrats are looking to ride Obama's coattails to an even larger majority in the state legislature. [18] Obama didnt win with the help of the media. he fought every battle from the primaries with all his might and he deserves the win.[4] More nonsense from the right wing nuts, and all the more reason why Obama will win.[4]

You should also try listening to the other side. They'''re good people, not evil, care deeply about their country, believe in free markets and free people, and some of them believe that the unborn have a right to life. We believe that the Constitution doesn'''t say abortion is a fundamental right, and that it should be up to the States to decide whether to regulate them. [8] I am confident that when people actually go in to vote in private, without the risk of being labled an '''anti-American''', they will do the right thing and vote for Obama/Biden.[4] I know I made huge blunders when I vote as a "young" person. If these people want a failed community organizer in the position of POTUS then they get waht they paid for. higher taxes, job loss, and no real solutions, just really good speeches that do nothing but waste O2.[11]

Madcap - at least young voters are able to vote for THEIR future. Nowadays, they are more politically astute and aware of what's happening in this world and thereby motivated than the days you were going to school.[11] With Oct. 20 being the deadline to vote in California, an overwhelming amount of young voters turned out to let themselves be heard.[3]

Older voters make up about 20 percent of Pennsylvania voters and, with a history of above- average turnout, may account for a bigger share of the presidential vote.[9] Almost seven in 10 voters 65 and older voted in the 2004 presidential election, compared with 56 percent of younger citizens, according to U.S. Census data.[9]

Seriously. Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest. Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation'''s first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.[8] In what's being portrayed as a serious setback for the US-led mission in Iraq, that country's cabinet yesterday decided to ask for changes to the draft security deal with the U.S. The AP reports "the decision, reached in a closed-door meeting that lasted nearly six hours, raised doubt that the agreement can be ratified before a new American president is elected next month." AFP notes the cabinet's demands "came just hours after the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, bluntly warned that Iraq risked security losses of'significant consequence' unless it approved the deal."[5] The New York Times notes "the draft pact sets a timeline for American troop withdrawals from Iraqi cities by next June and a complete withdrawal from the country on Dec. 31, 2011, but leaves room for adjustments in the schedule depending on conditions in the country."[5]

As the great American Stephen Colbert once remarked: "Reality has a well-known liberal bias." Perhaps those bemoaning the liberal media should consider taking responsibility for the way the country is tilting rather than blaming someone else.[4] I love to hear how the conservatives blame the media for their woes.after pummeling the media and threating them at the GOP convention you expect the media to be sympathetic to your cause? That's like shouting epithets at your neighbor one day and asking him to keep an eye on your house the nextif there is any media bias, and I'm not actually conceding that point, wouldn't that be due to all of the negative stereotypes you keep trying to perpetuate about the press? You can't have it both ways.[4] The media is always the whipping boy when one party starts dropping. Seriously, turn off Fox news and do some real research. (and by the way, just because you read something online or in a book doesn't mean its true).[4] I really get tired of complaints about the liberal media. The Republicans seem to think that if negative news is reported about them that means that the media is biased.[4] I don't think anyone thinks that the race has tightened after the last debate including many republican leaders. This is pretty lame on the part of corporate media.[22]

Every year funding for schools and healthcare programs is held up because there aren't enough Republicans crossing over to vote for the state spending plan. [18] I know enough about our goverment and our economy to see that the last 8 years has been a complete waste of time by the GOP, and I can't wait to see that seat filled with someone who can actually make a difference. Excuse me for not wanting to vote for someone almost as old as dirt, with the potential for the office to be filled by a Caribou barbie, in the event that he passes away in office.[11] I would trust my 11 year old daughter to vote on the issues more than some of the racist bigots that have the right to vote merely because they are of age. I have never personally seen such hate as I have on the blogs and at the McCain/Palin rallies. At least when she has a question about something she asks for the facts or googles it herself.[11]

Get out and vote everyone and remember that who ever you chose, will not be perfect and will make mistakes, but you live in a country where you have the right to vote (even if it gets tampered with.)[4]

If you are a small business owner right you will not have any one to buy your good or service because poeple have no money to buy. By lower the tax for the middle class they will have more money to spend which = to more business. By giving money to the rich then they will start business and create job. That is totally wrong. People don't start business or create job because they have money, job is created because there is a demand for the good or service.[4] Hell, while we are at it, let's change the age that "young" people technically become adults to 30 as well. Then they can continue to live under their parents' supervision until they hit 30. Parents would even get a tax break just like they do now for children under 18 (or 24 if your kid goes to college).[11] More appropriately, they're called liberal arts colleges because they're institutions of extreme liberal indoctrination, where people like yourself display a level of unmatched ignorance by silencing opposing ideas and then claiming to be defenders of free speech. Notice it's not Republican college students going to speeches made by democrats and shouting them down so they can't be heard.[19] For the Republicans, it's always my fault and the fault of the rest of Democrats and independents. The economy, the messy war, the deficit, the national debt, the banks failures, the corruption in the White house, the mortgage failures, the corporate scandals, the Republicans sexual misconduct, the destruction of the environment and the selection of Palin, the most incompetent vice-presidential choice in the history of the nation this is all our fault.[4]

Rural voters, who make up about 23 percent of the electorate, tend to be older and to lean Republican.[14] Of the 841 likely registered voters polled in 13 battleground states, 90 percent were white, 26 percent were over age 64 and more than half were over 50.[14]

People could see clearly when the voted in Bush? Few decisions are ever made with full information, and although policy affects voters, it is just part of the process. Maybe people deserve what they get; a near dyslexic arrogant ex-alcoholic priviledged son showed America 'clearly' where they are heading.[8] As many people who have been left out of the bush administration the last 8 years, I think people would have been shouting YES WE CAN for chicken on a stick if happened to run against the political machine.[4] I agree with the comment that the voting age should be raised to 30. It was probably those damned, inexperienced young people who elected George Bush.[11] Thank God for the young people that will slowly chip away at our institutional racism that pervades the country presently.[11] As the saying goes, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Questions abound: Is this man prepared to be president? Does he hold mainstream values and policy preferences? Who has influenced his thinking, and where does he want to take the country? Has he been honest with the people from whom he seeks votes? No.[8]

We really have had enough of the incompetence for the past eight years. We the people need to demonstrate to the world what democracy means and get Obama/Biden elected to our highest office and give them the opportunity to lead us in the correct direction.[4] How come noone is mentioning the people who make 1 million, 10 million, 100 million per year that get huge tax breaks.[4]

I don't like welfare much but do like social programs designed to make people self sufficient. I think we need a healthcare system that is more accessible (not just to the poor, but the middle class and those of us above that who are either self employed or between jobsor have prior conditions).[8] I blatant fleecing of the American people by incompetent politicians just makes us look like bigger fools then the people robbing us.[4] You! (the American people) are going to have to take back control of your elected government at every level, and set your government back on the right path of service to you, and the greater good of the World.[11]

I would suggest it may be more rewarding and accomplish more if your wife's small business was able to hire more people. Beyond that you money may be better spent standing on a street corner and randomly handing it out to people who look to you like they deserve/need it. [8] I remember reading an article by Mr. Sowell. I was intrested beacause he was like the first black Republican I has ever seen. His article was about how liberals invented or were exagerating the effects of green house gases in oreder to force us to recycle. This was in 97. Mr. Sowell is no intelectuall, he's an idiot. A puppet for an ideology that oppresses his own kind.[8]

"Republicans attuned to conservative third-party efforts say that with less than two weeks to go until Election Day, the prospects for any 11th-hour, anti-Obama ad campaign are highly unlikely.[8] "We are confident that at the end of the day, the McCain-Palin ticket will carry the rural vote," said campaign spokesman Tom Kise.[14]

Looks like America's ready to vote for 2 who will win by thievery and lying.[8] Mirroring the broader electorate, the economy is the No. 1 issue for America's youth. More than half, or 53 pecent, say economic issues are their top concern, compared with 30 percent in March, the poll showed.[19] To paraphrase our greatest secretary of war, you go to the polls with the candidates you have, not necessarily the candidates you want. And, though this is heresy in Washington, let's please remember that neither pundits nor pollsters elect presidents: voters do.[21] The young voters have a greater stake in this election. It's their future. They and their children will have to pay for the excesses of the current administration and they don't want McPalin making it worse.[11] As far as I am concerned, THE bottom line in this election: Do you really think that the white majority will actually vote for a black man? As with all things, there is a shallow veil of sincerity and niceness which covers deeply racial beliefs. There will always be a reason to elect a white man (even if he is a blatant twister of his opponent's words).[1] I don't need the media to tell me how to vote - the candidates' ability and behavior at the three so-called 'debates' was enough.[4] Is the media perfect? No! Do some news agencies lean one direction to another (like fox) unfortunately that is true.[4] You make an excellent point about the media and how it is about money in a free market, and how in reality, we are all getting shafted news-wise so the media can make more money. The same also goes for most of the large corporations in America and what they have done for/to us. Free market assumes that corporations have America in their best interests, but you have accurately pointed out that they more often do not.[4] Simple, because he's having to spend so much money to overcome the horrendous bunch of lies being spread about him and actively and passively supported by McCain/Palin (Muslim, Terrorist, Socialist, Black-Activist, Anti-American, etc, etc, etc). That and the fact that a very large portion of this country is still highly racist and bigoted. If he was white and was named John Adams, this thing would've been wrapped a LONG time ago.[4]

I don't know what poll GW McBush and Barbie Buy Me Clothes Palin have been reading but here in Pennsylvania we are looking for a major change, not a couple of sidekicks of Bush-Cheney. The Bush-McCain economic policy has closed down many of good factories and gave the billion dollar companies that did it tax breaks and credits for sending them overseas so they could make a bigger profit. They talk about trickle down economics but it won't work here in Pennsylvania in the 21st century under their global plan because the trickle down effect will only help the workers and cities in foreign countries. [4] Oh Young people young peopleit is wonderful that you are getting involved and your voice is so very important.however what is even more important is that you think for yourselves, find out the truth before you act.[8] I have found that many young people are engaging in public service in ways nearly unheard of from previous generations.[11]

What it may show is that the day of relying on professional pollsters to tell us anything is coming to an end. Another group of people may be looking for work when this is all over.[22]

REFERENCES

1. FOX NEWS POLL: OBAMA 49, McCAIN 40 « FOX Embeds « FOXNews.com
2. The Bulletin - Philadelphia's Family Newspaper - There's Still Hope McCain Can Win
3. Race closer than expected - NEWS
4. McCain tries to steal Pennsylvania; Obama's poll numbers widen | csmonitor.com
5. USNews.com: Political Bulletin: Wednesday, October 22, 2008
6. Poll swings can't rule out McCain comeback | The Detroit News | detnews.com
7. ANALYSIS-McCain can't make attacks stick to Obama | Reuters
8. Political Perceptions : Political Wisdom: Is Love for Obama Blind?
9. Bloomberg.com: Politics
10. VOA News - Obama, McCain Clash Over Foreign Policy, Taxes
11. Young voters boosting Obama - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com
12. AFP: Polls show Obama pulling away from McCain
13. AGI News On - USA 2008: POLL
14. Poll: Obama neck and neck with McCain in rural areas of tossup states - The Denver Post
15. Poll: Presidential race still tight in Va. - News - inRich.com
16. Obama Stays Ahead but Presidential Race Tightens: Obama Stays Ahead but Presidential Race Tightens
17. John Obama, Barack McCain see civil liberties the same way
18. Democratic party gains new members - 10/22/08 - Fresno News - abc30.com
19. Tales from the Trail » Blog Archive » Obama leads youth vote by nearly 2-1 ratio | Blogs | Reuters.com
20. New poll puts Obama and McCain neck-and-neck - North America, World News - Herald.ie
21. Black Dog Republicans - HUMAN EVENTS
22. An outlier or more on the money? - 2008 Presidential Campaign Blog - Political Intelligence - Boston.com
23. Concord Monitor - It's not over yet!

Obama establishes double digit lead over McCain : poll

CONTENTS:

WASHINGTON Entering the homestretch, Barack Obama leads John McCain by 50 percent to 42 percent and appears to be gaining strength on key issues despite a barrage of criticism from his rival. (More...)
Polls across the country favour Obama on the economy, which has leapfrogged all other factors in the public consciousness since last month's meltdown of financial markets. (More...)
The Supreme Court on Friday correctly overturned a lower court decision siding with the Republican Party which might have blocked roughly 200,000 registered voters there from voting. (More...)

WASHINGTON Entering the homestretch, Barack Obama leads John McCain by 50 percent to 42 percent and appears to be gaining strength on key issues despite a barrage of criticism from his rival. Another 7 percent of likely voters didn't support any of those candidates or didn't know whom they supported. It has an error margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. "Likely voters" are those who are registered to vote and display some measure of intense engagement in the election. This is despite a concerted effort by McCain and running mate Sarah Palin to cast Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal who would raise taxes on ordinary folks such as Joe the Plumber, an Ohio man whom McCain cited repeatedly in the last debate and since then in ads and on the campaign trail. That's up from 3 points in mid-September. That reflects the traditional Democratic advantage on those issues and a barrage of Obama ads in battleground states ripping McCain's health care proposals. McCain's advantage on national security, 12 percentage points, had narrowed sharply from the 23- to 28-point edge he'd had in weekly Ipsos/McClatchy polls since Labor Day. [1] Leading in polls with 25 days to Election Day, the Democratic nominee is offering careful proposals to address the economic crisis while letting allies respond to John McCain's sharpest charges. Obama now reads his speeches from teleprompters, reducing the chance of gaffes. He has not held a press conference in two weeks, although he has done several one-on-one interviews with national and local reporters. He now refers to Republican John McCain as "my opponent" more often than by name. He offers carefully limited, comparatively non-controversial remedies for the nation's financial crisis. Publicly, Obama's aides say he keeps a calm demeanor and measured tone because he doesn't want to fuel the anguish and panic caused by the economic meltdown. Privately, they acknowledge there is no desire to shake up a campaign dynamic that is inching him closer to the White House. "I don't like to yell," Obama told more than 10,000 people in Columbus on Friday, his fifth large rally in hotly contested Ohio in two days. He was referring to a sound-system glitch, but it could have been a metaphor for his home-stretch strategy. "He's responding just right, and the polls are reflecting it," said Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who campaigned with Obama this week and helped lead the counterattacks against McCain. When GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin spoke in Ohio on Thursday, Brown said, she spent too much time on issues such as Obama's ties to Vietnam War-era radical William Ayers, now a college professor in Chicago.[2]

Washington, Oct 22 (IANS) As the U.S. presidential race enters the home stretch, Democratic nominee Barack Obama has opened up a double-digit lead, with rival Republican candidate John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin losing shine, a new poll shows.A growing number of voters say they're now comfortable with Obama's values, background and ability to serve as commander in chief, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. The poll suggests that the McCain campaign's attacks stoking concerns about Obama's past and his qualifications, raising questions about his character and his association with 1960s-era radical William Ayers, haven't worked.[3]

A substantial number of people in India and Pakistan have opined in a Gallup poll that it did not really matter who is going to be sitting in the Oval Office next year. Nearly three in four respondents in Bangladesh (73 per cent) and roughly 9 in 10 respondents in India (91 per cent) and Pakistan (91 per cent) did not have an opinion when asked if they would personally rather see Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain elected president according to a report posted on Gallup. Similarly when asked if the outcome of the U.S. election would make a difference to their country, majorities of these populations did not express an opinion. Thirty-three per cent of Bangladeshis, but only 10 per cent of Pakistanis, and a mere 6 per cent of those in India have said it makes a difference to their country who is elected president. "Observers could assume that the U.S. presidential election would be at the forefront of South Asians' minds in these countries because of the prominent roles that the United States plays in the region, including trading partner, ally, and provider of aid. Daily life in these countries does not afford most of their residents the luxury of closely following domestic political news of the United States" a the write-up in the Gallup said.[4] About a quarter of newly registered black voters will be asked to re-register at the polls causing massive backup at urban polling sites. This will come on an Election Day that promises a record-breaking turnout with discouragingly long lines. All of this congestion and confusion will undoubtedly result in people deciding to stay home, leave the polling location once they see the line or have waited in it for an hour or more generally disenfranchise a substantial portion of voters. Given all of this, the fundamental question becomes: If there is no real threat of voter fraud, and the national interest in accommodating and encouraging as many voters as possible on Election Day is being compromised, why would our state's attorney general be so interested in this lawsuit? Though many may disagree, it is not that old J.B. is just uninformed and lacking intelligence. Nor is it that he intentionally wants to disenfranchise strongly democratic voters in urban areas. The reason he is pressing this lawsuit is because John McCain's presidential campaign wants to disenfranchise strongly democratic voters in urban areas, and Van Hollen just so happens to be the co-chair of their campaign in Wisconsin. If you are skeptical of that claim, consider the fact that McCain is opposed by a campaign that has been incredibly successful at registering new voters, largely in urban areas, as a central premise of their political strategy to win in November. It only makes sense that the McCain camp would want to thwart that effort. This is, after all, presidential politics, and worse has happened in presidential politics.[5]

In the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, Obama's favorable-unfavorable split is 53 percent to 33 percent; McCain's, on the other hand, is 36 percent to 45 percent. Those numbers represent gains of 10 points for both candidates since the September survey--Obama on the "favorable" side of the ledger, McCain on the "unfavorable" side. The thinking in Chicago is that the risk of alerting reporters to attacks they haven't heard--I, for one, didn't known about the Phillies phlap until I received "Phlailing"--is minimal compared to the benefits of pushing the campaign's preferred narrative: a desperate, "erratic" McCain flails at Obama and avoids the economy; meanwhile, the Democrat floats above the fray and only discusses "the issues that matter to America." As Sevugan wrote in his introduction, "With 15 days to go, John McCain still hasn't found a compelling message to persuade voters that he is offering something other than four more years of the same failed policies and destructive politics of the last eight. Instead he's offered up the kitchen sink. and not one of ha a thing to do with turning the economy around."[6]

When I sat with Obama on his plane just three days after his first debate with McCain and not quite a week since the nation's credit system went into meltdown, the White House must have felt, finally, within his reach. National tracking polls showed him holding a consistent lead of four to six points for the first time in the campaign. In a string of familiar battleground states where Obama had been struggling to capitalise on anti-Bush sentiment and economic angst, a new round of polls showed him breaking out at last. He had finally put some distance between himself and McCain in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and he was on the verge of driving the Republicans from the latter state altogether.[7] McCain advisers and Obama see some tightening in the polls nationally and in some states. Underneath all the conflicting polls is the reality that the Republican Party is experiencing some of its hardest times since Ronald Reagan brought them to the White House in 1980. The country is under stress and unhappy, and the Republican coalition is splintering, Balz says in his report for the paper. Factors responsible for the malaise afflicting the GOP include the decision to spend 700 billion dollars to bail out shaky financial institutions, the diminishing influence of social conservatives, McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate and the split between the party''s neocons and so-called foreign policy realists over the prosecution and management of the war in Iraq and Bush''s overall foreign policy agenda. What is most astonishing is Republicans Colin Powell and Kenneth Adelman breaking ranks with their party, abandoning McCain and siding with the less experienced Obama. According to Balz, this shows not only that national security issues count for far less in this election than they did four years ago, but also that the Republicans may lack a foreign policy consensus that can help bind their coalition as anticommunism and antiterrorism have.[8]

We will always be grateful to you, John, for clearly putting the needs of our country above petty politics in choosing your running mate; but, Sarah, unfortunately it looks like we may never get a chance to fulfill our wildest dream of someday having President Palin lead the free world. Barack Obama is merely an intelligent, articulate, and insightful 47 year old biracial man, a top of his class graduate of Harvard Law School and president of its Law Review, a former instructor in constitutional law for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School, a 3 term Illinois State Senator and U.S. Senator for the past 4 years, a Washington outsider who wants to make significant changes in Washington. America will soon welcome its new president. It is time for the entire Republican party to take a close look in the mirror, and determine whether they truly want to be the party of hate. "Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) has conceded that he did tell a North Carolina crowd that "liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God," even though he initially denied making such a statement."[9]

In some other election year, that probably wouldn't have been enough to sway the undecided voters who came to see Obama at Lebanon High. This isn't any other election year. George Bush's approval ratings are the lowest on record, the Republican nominee is an erstwhile foe of the NRA and taxpayers are doling out loans to Wall Street while their own credit suddenly dries up. As this campaign's symbol of change (the word is all but tattooed on his forehead), Obama has become, in a sense, the default candidate - the guy you choose if he can clear even a modest threshold of acceptability. Voters in places like Lebanon were not, as Obama joked, looking for excuses not to vote for him; they were looking for reasons they should. The uncommitted voters in the gymnasium might not have run back home to tell their friends how "terrific" Obama had been, but they may have said that Obama didn't seem alien or condescending - that he wasn't the contemptuous, tax-loving liberal they had heard so much about. Maybe, this time, that would be enough. A week after Obama visited Lebanon and Norfolk, I went to see Jim Webb in his Capitol Hill office. Obama's campaign considers Webb, a war hero and former Republican, to be one of its most critical validators all over Virginia, specifically because he appeals to white men who are sceptical of Democrats in general.[7] Sixty-three percent of 18-to-29-year-olds support Obama compared with 28 percent who back McCain--little change from past surveys. "Most important," Greenberg says, "as the outcome of their choice was never really in doubt, young people enter the final stretch with an invigorated commitment to turn out to vote and an increased participation in the campaign itself." Sixty-six percent of young people say they are "almost certain" to vote--up from 58 percent two months ago. Greenberg adds: "Unfortunately, not all of this energy finds its way down ballot. A significant number of young people say they will turn out to vote in the presidential election and then go home without completing the ballot." This could hurt other Democratic candidates on Election Day. One reason for Obama's strength is his ability to spend almost unlimited amounts of money on campaign ads across the country. He raised $150 million in September, part of a $600 million war chest. McCain decided to take $84 million in public financing, limiting his funds to that total, but various Republican committees are augmenting his spending. Obama has announced that he will take a two-day break from campaigning starting Thursday in order to visit his seriously ill 85-year-old grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, in Hawaii. Her health has taken a turn for the worse recently. He will cancel events in Iowa and Wisconsin to make the trip but plans to resume campaigning Saturday.[10] I see people having a little trouble getting around that colour barrier." How race affects Obama's effort to broaden the electoral map is the most persistent question surrounding his campaign - and perhaps the least answerable. A bracing poll released last month by the Associated Press and Yahoo, in conjunction with Stanford University, concluded that Obama might be losing as many as six percentage points nationally because he's black. This was based on the finding that 40 per cent of white Americans admitted to some negative views toward blacks. Such polls are frequently cited as proof that Obama would be walking away with the election were he more than half white. Yet from all available data, Obama isn't actually doing any worse with white men than the last two Democratic nominees, both of whom also ran at a time when the national climate offered considerable advantages - Gore because the country had enjoyed a long period of prosperity, Kerry because of the failing war in Iraq.[7] Eight years ago Al Gore managed to win a clear, if slim, majority of the popular vote. Fat lot of good it did him when, with half a million votes fewer, George Bush won the election. That was an anomaly - the first time the popular and electoral college votes have diverged since 1888 - but this system nonetheless has a big impact on the way every presidential election is run. It explains why people have begun seriously talking about an Obama landslide, even though he's only a few points ahead: if he wins all the states where the polls have him ahead, he'll win the electoral college by more than two to one. It also explains why most states in the union could be forgiven for feeling a little neglected this year.[11] Many polls also show McCain lagging in key battleground states, which hold the electoral votes that could decide the race. It's a tough year to run as a Republican after eight years of President George Bush, said David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist. "They're just on the wrong side of history," he said in an interview with the Journal. "In an election that's all about change he simply doesn't represent it."[3] In 1980, Ronald Reagan had been trailing Democratic President Jimmy Carter in opinion polls as late as October but pulled off a landslide victory when voters went to the polls in November. Reagan's case differs markedly from this year's campaign, as the Republican had a chance to distinguish himself from his rival in a debate televised only a week before the election. With McCain failing to score a knock-out in three debates, some experts say only an extraordinary event -- such as a major international crisis or a terrorist attack -- could reverse trends in Obama's favor.[12]

On family values, a subject Republicans have used to court Christian conservatives and suburban moderates since the 1980s, likely voters now prefer Obama over McCain by 8 points. That's up from 3 points in mid-September. Voters also prefer Obama over McCain to handle jobs and the economy by 16 points and health care by 24 points, both wider margins than earlier Ipsos/McClatchy polls found. That reflects the traditional Democratic advantage on those issues and a barrage of Obama ads in battleground states ripping McCain's health care proposals.[1] Watching John McCain debate Obama, she found his body language hostile, and said he seemed upset by his rival's answers on the economy. "Obama is more tactful," she said. That's part of why Cavenaugh increasingly sees Obama as the answer to her nagging question: "Who's going to represent our country better?" Swing voters have tilted Obama's way as the economy has overwhelmed all other issues as the top priority for Americans. In interviews with Cavenaugh and a dozen others who participated in a recent Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll, demeanor emerged as a dominant theme in their explanations for why they trusted Obama more than McCain to guide the nation out of its financial crisis.[13] In a late October poll in 2004, fewer than four in 10 voters said the economy was an extremely important concern, while nearly 50 percent identified terrorism as the most salient issue facing the nation. That playing field would certainly would have been friendlier to McCain, who has long received higher marks from voters on issues of national security. "Since McCain is still seen as the best candidate to handle terrorism and Iraq, he might be doing much better in the polls today if the economy hadn't muscled national security issues out of the top spot," Holland said. If 2008 resembles any recent political year, it's 1992, when roughly the same number of Americans thought the country was headed in the wrong direction --mainly because of the economic recession that year. That issue is largely credited with helping then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton defeat President George H.W. Bush.[14] Netzel says, social issues like abortion will drive many conservative Coloradans to vote for McCain. University of Colorado political scientist Ken Bickers says the surge of support for Obama and Democratic candidates in general this year is partly due to the economy, but that it also stems from a 13 percent growth in population over the past several years.[15]

Polls show that voters have more confidence in Democratic candidate Barack Obama when it comes to economic issues. Pointing to his humorous remarks at a fundraising dinner last week, McCain calls himself a pretty good standup comic. He says times are too serious for comedy on the campaign trail.[16] Obama’s economic message found a ready audience in Florida, where unemployment is above the national average and the rate of home mortgage foreclosures is among the worst. Ahead of Florida Obama met Democratic governors of four battleground states, as well as business leaders and economic experts, including Google chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt and former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker, who is his economic adviser. Former rival Hillary Clinton and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who will focus on the state’s large Hispanic voting bloc, were with him in Florida. The Illinois senator’s decision to pull away from the campaign tomorrow and on Friday to be with his gravely ill, 85-year-old grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, will cut seriously into the time he has left to persuade voters to support his candidacy. The show of devotion to a central figure in his life could force McCain and running mate Sarah Palin to suspend their attacks on Obama’s character.[17] The already sluggish economy, impatience with the Iraq war and disaffection for Bush have all made it a tough climate for McCain. Since the intra-party nomination process, which started in January, new voter registrations have disproportionately boosted Democrats, while Obama's record-shattering campaign fundraising has allowed him to blanket swing states with television advertising.[18] Obama now leads the state by an average of 8 percentage points. Working-class voters in the so-called Rust Belt, an area hit hard by declining heavy industry, including Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, have borne the brunt of a slowing economy, drawing them to Obama's simple message of change from the Bush administration. With two weeks left, McCain, Obama, their running mates and allies will be campaigning furiously across swing states. Early voting already began this week in several important states including Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Florida.[18]

The news is even worse for McCain in Gallup's widely watched poll that measures how all voters (not just likely ones) feel about the upcoming election. That traditional poll of all voters has showed showing Obama with a lead usually about 10 percentage points for most of October.[19] The telephone poll has a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points. It was the third consecutive day Obama gained ground on McCain as the two begin the final sprint to the November 4 election. "Obama just keeps growing, he has expanded his lead among almost every major voting group," said pollster John Zogby.[20]

With Obama vying to become the first African-American president, another open question is how the Democrat's race could affect the outcome. Some black candidates in state elections have seen their lead in opinion polls evaporate on election day, with a portion of white voters hiding their racial prejudice in public surveys.[12] The centre-left Democrats have made inroads in a number of recently Republican regions, including Southern states like Virginia and North Carolina and Western strongholds including Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico. The result: In the decisive electoral college, where states are weighted by population, Obama already has enough states leaning in his favour to capture the White House if the results bear out on election day, according to realclearpolitics. com. "Since (McCain) is clearly behind nationally and in virtually all of the battleground states, he's still looking for a game changer," said Thomas Mann, an elections scholar and senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, a centre-left think tank.[18] There has been a growth in the number of Hispanics in that area as well. Polls show that they favor Obama by a margin of almost two-to-one. Other areas of the state remain strongly Republican, especially the south, the eastern prairies and the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The economy is the chief concern of Colorado voters these days and Ken Bickers says this helps the Democrats because voters tend to blame the party in the White House for economic problems. He says, the energy boom in gas and oil in western Colorado has created jobs, while home foreclosures and job cutbacks plague the Denver area.[15]

Opinion polls have given Obama a clear edge in recent weeks over McCain, attributed largely to the debate shifting to the faltering U.S. economy and domestic issues that tend to favour Democrats, especially with a Republican president wallowing in disapproval after nearly eight years in office.[18]

If the gap does not narrow, the Democratic ticket looks all that stronger. Trouble is, off-camera in his weekend interview with Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace, the Republican nominee John McCain said the same thing. He said his campaign's polls have already detected a slight shift. He better hope that's so, as some research shows the Democrats at or near the magic number of 270 electoral votes, according to state polls and a hypothetical Electoral College count. Presidential races often do tighten near the end, as Americans (including the growing numbers of early voters) confront their actual individual decisions after 22 months as political spectators.[21] “She’s the one who put off buying a new car or dress for herself so that I could have a better life. She poured everything she had into me," Obama said about two months ago in accepting the Democratic nomination. Republican rival John McCain was revving up his comeback effort in Pennsylvania yesterday, trying to wrest the economically hard-hit state from Obama.[17]

"People are saying, 'What about our jobs, what about the banking situation?'" Brown said. On Friday as McCain rolled out a new TV ad with his sharpest language yet about Ayers, the sharpest Democratic response came from Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, who told an audience in Springfield, Mo., that McCain is trying to "take the lowest road to the highest office in America." Obama is seeking a careful balance these days. He criticizes details of McCain's chief economic proposals, and he briefly and broadly disputes Republican attacks on his character, not getting into details. That seems to satisfy Democratic stalwarts who feel recent nominees were too slow to respond to character attacks. Obama devotes more time to explaining his own long-standing proposals for tax cuts and energy investments. He added a temporary program of tax breaks, low-interest government and government-backed private loans for small businesses having trouble borrowing to meet payrolls, maintain inventories or expand. When this careful rhetoric threatened to bore crowds seeking rhetorical fireworks and when the economic problems turned into a crisis, he added more upbeat lines to his stump speech. "Now is not the time for fear," Obama said at every Ohio stop this week.[2] By all accounts throughout the campain Obama has handled himself with a much better temperment than McCain. He has demonstrated leadership in accepting criticisms but not being crippled by it while truely listening to new opinions and the needs of the American people using this in formulating the best plans and strategies for America. While I believe McCain is sincere and has some thought behind his ideas, he will never get anything to pass through Congress or Senate. He has stated that his views are different from those of the Bush administration however this deviation does not appeal to half of the republican legislators.[22]

Coincidence? Well, a lot of people didn't think so. Say what you will but George Bush Jr will never be able to shake that public perception that he'stole' the election with the help of his younger brother Jeb Bush in 2000. The lesson for McCain is that, he will be also viewed with a very strong suspicion if he wins again in Florida in a dubious circumstance, precisly because Florida has a record. He will be remembered forever as the one who 'cheated' despite his own effort to cast the doubt on Obama in that respect. The problem for McCain and the Republican party is that people in the U.S. and the world just can see plainly and draw their own conclusion and it ain't gonna be a pretty picture for the Republican party.[21] In the end Barack Hussein Obama will be the 44th President of the United States of America. He will win between 28-30 states, well over 300 electoral votes and the national popular vote 52.4% to 47.3%. He will have a huge election party worth tens of millions of dollars. The man who is going to save the country from evil corporations will throw a huge millionaires party live on TV yet claim he is for the people. On January 20, 2009 he will take the oath of office as the most liberal president in history backup by a now super majority liberal congress. The multi-millionaire democrats will then continue on their pace claiming to be for the working man and thus raise taxes on the evil rich. This will raise prices of everything, drive businesses and jobs out of the country and thus hurt the very people they claim to want to help.[19] Holbrook says that in the last three presidential elections (1996, 2000 and 2004) the major forecasting models were correct about the popular vote winner in 27 out of 28 cases. In 2000, the forecasts generally predicted a much larger Gore popular vote victory than he got, and Gore went on to lose the Electoral College. In sum, the 2008 models tilt toward Obama because they are based on the underlying political and economic conditions in the country (presidential approval, economic performance, perceptions of the financial situation, incumbency). History suggests those factors are important drivers of presidential outcomes, and in this case, those factors are bad for the party of the president. In that respect, an upset victory by McCain would challenge what scholars think they know about how national elections are decided. "It would basically call into question the idea of being able to forecast elections based on past elections," Holbrook says. From the Oct. 22, 2008 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Have an opinion on this story? Write a letter to the editor.[23]

Obama or McCain need 270 electoral votes to win the Electoral College and capture the White House in the November 4 election. The president is determined not by the most votes nationally, but by a majority of the Electoral College, which has 538 members allotted to all 50 states and the District of Columbia in proportion to their representation in Congress. Each state, except Maine and Nebraska, awards its votes to the candidate who gets the most votes in the state. Maine and Nebraska split them by congressional district. Here are some battleground states with their electoral vote totals, 2004 results and recent details about the contests in each state.[24] The one notable exception was in New Hampshire, where Hillary Clinton's tearful moment seems to have changed many votes in the last days. There was a curious anomaly: In most primaries Mr. Obama tended to receive higher percentages in exit polls than he did from the voters. While there is no definitive answer, it's worth noting that only about half of Americans approached to take the exit poll agree to do so (compared to 90% in Mexico and Russia). It seems likely that Obama voters -- more enthusiastic about their candidate than Clinton voters by most measures (like strength of support in poll questions) -- were more willing to fill out the exit poll forms and drop them in the box. What this suggests is that Mr. Obama will win about the same percentage of votes as he gets in the last rounds of polling before the election. That's not bad news for his campaign, as the polls stand now.[25] These folks, still focused on Senator Barack Obama's middle name, are obviously supporters of a diminishing facet of american society that should all move to parts of the country that don't ever get a chance to see other americans of a different race. That way they can all continue to engulf themselves in their blatant hatred for americans with a names that are familiar enough to make them feel comfortable. It's so bogus!! For as long as I can remember, I've had nothing but names like Goldstein, Blumenthal, Bayh, Daniels etc when I walk in to the voting booth. Am I to assume because of the aformentioned examples that voting for them is safe simply because I'm familiar with their pronunciation?? And in the same breathe, am I to assume any Wall Street criminal with the same last name (Goldstein, Blumenthal, Bayh, Daniels etc) is a crook or a shady day trader?? I don't believe so!! My vote has always been on issues & never about race. I've never had the opportunity to feel how white voters must feel when they go into the booth for a Presidential election.[6]

Young people are encouraged to vote, but most don't take the time to learn about the issues, since politics is less interesting than the latest episode of "Grey's Anatomy." These are the people who cast their vote for Sen. Barack Obama because he's fit, black or sexy. These are the people who vote for Sen. John McCain because he's white, their parents are voting for him or - my personal favorite - he's a "maverick."[26] Entering the homestretch, Barack Obama leads John McCain by 50 percent to 42 percent and appears to be gaining strength on key issues despite a barrage of criticism from his rival.[1]

Obama leads McCain by 50 percent to 45 percent among likely voters and 49 percent to 38 percent among registered voters, according to the poll conducted for Hearst-Argyle television stations, including Tribune-Review news partner WTAE-TV. A Franklin & Marshall national poll conducted in late September gave McCain a slight lead, 45 percent to 43 percent, among likely voters.[27] Forty-four percent of voters see McCain in a positive light, about the same as the last poll two weeks ago. Views of Obama have grown stronger, with 56 percent now reporting very or somewhat positive feelings about him. The one candidate whose popularity has fallen is Palin: 38 percent see her positively, down from 44 percent two weeks ago; 47 percent see her negatively, up 10 points from the last poll. That's the highest negative rating of the four candidates.[3] Among women under 50 years of age, however, Palin's disapproval reached 60 per cent. Regarding the campaigns both sides have been waging, 56 per cent thought McCain's was too negative, against only 26 per cent for Obama. There was one silver lining in the Pew poll for McCain: 23 per cent of voters said they were still undecided.[28]

Obama does not leave all the heavy lifting to surrogates. Referring to McCain and Palin, he told the Chillicothe audience, "it's not hard to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division." He said Americans want "someone who can lead this country" in a time of economic crisis, not divide it. Noting that McCain advisers have said their candidate will lose if the campaign's focus stays on the economy, Obama said: "So in the last couple of days, we've seen a barrage of nasty insinuations and attacks, and I'm sure we'll see much more over the next 25 days.[2] Anyone watching this Presidential race and investigating the facts, knows that John McCain has voted with Bush 90-95% of the time. How some Americans can be so stupid as to believe that McCain would be any different than Bush is dumbfounding! Another point: if so many Americans are worried about the economy, why would they vote for McCain who promises to keep us in Iraq indefinitely at a cost of 10 billion dollars a month. It was McCain who pushed the strongest in Congress for this war, which has damaged our credibility in the world and had devasting effects on our Country economically and socially.[21] With few exceptions, there was a general feeling of warmth towards the U.S. from many parts of the world. Regardless of the might of the country they controlled, the Clinton/Gore administration succeeded in projecting to the world a veneer of humility radiating from the White House. They were a likeable and respected pair even to people who disagreed with U.S. policy. The Bush/Cheney administration, in contrast, is more feared than respected and less likeable judging from results of several polls conducted around the world that showed respondents less favorable towards the U.S. If John McCain were to move into the White House, it will be generally seen around the world that nothing has changed and his presence there can only help those championing anti-American causes. As Americans are going to vote in November, the rest of the world is already casting their votes on several Web sites. Some of us are voting on www.economist.com/vote2008.[29] More potentially damaging news for McCain's White House hopes is that 76 percent of voters who responded to the CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll say the United States is in a recession, and 40 percent say another depression is likely to hit within a year. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released earlier Tuesday also showed two-thirds of voters said they're scared about the way things are going; three in four said the current conditions in the country are stressing them out.[14] The findings highlight an unfavorable political landscape for McCain, whose party has controlled the White House for the past eight years. Voters have also consistently ranked the Arizona senator lower than his Democratic rival on the question of which candidate is better equipped to steer the country through the economic crisis.[14]

That may be no surprise, given that most academic forecasts are based on concrete indicators that are fairly dismal for the Republican Party right now: presidential approval ratings, people's perceptions of their financial situation, and the performance of the economy. There are a few wild cards in the mix for election forecasters this time around, says University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor Tom Holbrook, who created one of the nine presidential forecasting models published last week by the American Political Science Association. One of those caveats is that this is a truly open election: No president or vice president is on the ballot. That could make it less of a referendum on the party in the White House than it otherwise would be. "It really should be a bad year for Republicans.[23] Obama has been losing ground in some opinion polls, but he remains ahead, largely because he is persuading many Americans that he is the best choice to right the faltering economy and change the unpopular policies of President Bush. The Democratic nominee has been urging voters to ask whether they are better off than they were four years ago--or four weeks ago--in a reprise of Ronald Reagan's famous question directed against President Jimmy Carter in 1980.[10] The campaign had become pretty much a referendum on the current economic carnage and eight years of mostly bad news turning to worse, and for the moment, at least, the crisis on Wall Street appeared to have accomplished what Obama's strategists had been unable to do for months leading up to it: change the focus from Obama's state of readiness and supposed elitism to George Bush's myriad failures. In 2004, voters in the newly influential exurbs chose cultural identity over their concerns about war and the economy, and this choice cost John Kerry Ohio and the presidency; this year, it seemed increasingly likely that those voters might tip the other way -- and take the election with them.[7] In all, most of the campaign efforts have focused on as few as a dozen states. From this weekend, I'm visiting some of those unfamous places that will decide who leads the free world for the next four years. In two weeks of frantic motion I'll go to states, such as Kentucky and New York, which have been roundly ignored as too red or too blue to be worth campaigning in. I'm also visiting key swing states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, and Republican strongholds, like North Carolina and Virginia, which might just go for Obama this year. I hope that this will give me an idea of what the voters are thinking as they decide which lever to pull.[11]

Obama leads in all of the states won by Democrat John Kerry in 2004 as well as in several states won by Republican President George W. Bush, recent polls show, maintaining a lead that he opened as the financial crisis moved to center stage in the campaign.[24]

All the McCain activity is happening in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 1.2 million, double from four years ago; where Obama, flush with cash, is outspending McCain on television by several orders of magnitude; and where the Democrats have an organizational advantage. It's hard to imagine McCain winning Pennsylvania, but it's also hard to see how he wins the election without it.[30] Any comeback win would almost certainly be a squeaker." Hoping to prevent a potential McCain come-from-behind victory, Obama has warned against complacency at his rallies, urging supporters take advantage of early voting rules in Florida and other key states. Studies show about one in five voters remain undecided or ready to change their preference. The McCain camp is pinning its hopes on these voters. "You would give the higher probability to Obama winning because he's been ahead in every poll over the last several weeks that we've done," said Frank Newport, managing editor of the Gallup Poll. "But it's close enough under certain turnout scenarios that you can't rule out that McCain will win," Newport told the Chicago Tribune.[12] The Pew poll, which surveyed 2,599 registered voters, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points. Both polls showed Obama increasing his advantage with political independents, with the Journal/NBC showing him leading McCain by 12 percentage points with that group, up from 4 points last month.[31] Obama, an Illinois senator, led among all age groups and in every income group except for the most wealthy voters. He now has the support of 21 percent of self-described conservatives -- his best showing with those voters. McCain narrowly trails Obama by 2 percentage points among men and saw his lead among whites drop to 6 points from 9 points, 50 percent to 44 percent.[20] On taxes, for example, likely voters now prefer Obama over McCain by a margin of 8 percentage points. This is despite a concerted effort by McCain and running mate Sarah Palin to cast Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal who would raise taxes on ordinary folks such as Joe the Plumber, an Ohio man whom McCain cited repeatedly in the last debate and since then in ads and on the campaign trail.[1] Independent voters still harbour concerns about Obama's experience and readiness for the job, Newhouse, the Republican pollster, noted. He said these voters have reservations about Palin's readiness, complicating any effort by the McCain campaign to focus on this issue.[3]

America seems to agree. Six in 10 voters recently told CNN that McCain is unfairly attacking his rival, and 69 percent of CBS respondents say that the Republican is spending more time gnashing his teeth than explaining what he plans to do as president. As long as those numbers hold steady, the defining dynamic of the race will remain unchanged: the more McCain attacks, the more negatively voters see him--and the more positively voters see Obama. It's no surprise, then, that Sevugan is circulating lists of the Arizonan's latest punches.[6] In it, the loyal Obaman listed the "ten different attacks" that Team McCain had unleashed on the Illinois senator during the previous 24 hours--complete with links. These included swipes at Obama regarding ACORN ("threatening the fabric of our democracy"); taxes ("sounds like socialism"); readiness ("the next President won't have time to get used to the office"); the press ("the media has a thumb on the scale for Obama"); Bill Ayers ("people should be informed about Barack Obama's background, including his relationships with domestic terrorists"); and baseball ("After repeatedly saying he would root for the Phillies in the World Series, Barack Obama switched teams while campaigning in Tampa today"). This is unusual--to put it mildly. Typically, rapid responders will reference attacks in their messages--but only to show why they're "demonstrably false" or "categorically untrue." This may be the first time I've ever seen a guy like Sevugan simply collect a bunch of criticisms of his candidate and transmit them, unaltered, to the nation's leading political scribes.[6] Enlightenment as to who Barack Obama really is might be gained by considering the facts about Obama'''s half brother, George Obama. He'''s in his twenties. He lives in a slum in a hut in Kenya. He wants to become a mechanic but doesn'''t have the money. He reports that he gets by on a dollar a month. He met Barack Obama for the one and only time in 2006 for a few minutes and said it was like talking to a '''total stranger.''' He said when people notice he has the same name as Barack Obama, he denies they are related because he is '''ashamed.''' The Democratic presidential candidate, who made $4 million last year, hasn'''t lifted a finger to help his half-brother. I sincerely believe that every one of us who is posting here today would be helping a brother if he were in George Obama'''s situation.[19]

Often on the stump now, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his vice presidential running mate Joe Biden have started to predict a tightening in the polls in coming days, polls that show the freshman Illinois senator with a six- to-eight point lead nationally. That's a smart strategic move because if the gap does narrow, Obama and Biden look prescient and their supporters likely don't go into a last-minute tailspin at the thought of losing after leadi ng by so much in money, ground operations and poll numbers this fall.[21] Barack Obama came to Lebanon High for a town-hall meeting with voters on the Tuesday after Labour Day (the first Monday in September), marking the first time that any presidential candidate had stepped foot in the area since Jimmy Carter came to nearby Castlewood in 1976. The campaign made tickets available to its local offices a few days before the event, and a lot of the roughly 2,400 attendees queued to get them.[7]

We will have the exit poll, the partial results of which will be released to the media clients of the Edison/Mitofsky consortium at 5 p.m. on Election Day. These clients should, I believe, use the numbers cautiously for the following reasons. The exit polls in the recent presidential elections have tended to show the Democrats doing better than they actually did, partly because of interviewer error. The late Warren Mitofsky, in his study of the 2004 exit poll, found that the largest errors came in precincts where the interviewers were female graduate students. The exit polls in almost all the primaries this year showed Mr. Obama doing better than he actually did. The same respondent bias -- the greater willingness of Obama voters to be polled -- which apparently occurred on primary days could also occur in the exit poll on Election Day, and in the phone polls of early and absentee voters that Edison/Mitofsky will conduct to supplement it. The exit poll gives us, and future political scientists, a treasure trove of information about the voting behavior of subgroups of the electorate, and also some useful insight into the reasons why people voted as they did.[25] The BBC's Newsnight reports similar bias, with mostly poor and black voters who are more likely to vote Democrat being most of the victims. "Democrat leaders are too high on their 'Yes we can' hype to kick up a fuss about this massive disenfranchisement of their voters," British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said. "They naively assume that Obama's poll lead will give him victory, regardless of the election bias. It might.[32]

Fact: Mccain/Palin have pulled thier staff out of CO IA and NM. This means he is hoping to take (and must take) FL NC VA and PA (obama currently has greater than a 10 point lead in PA, and leads in the other states as well) if the election were today Obama would win 364 to 171. What the folks at LAtimes are doing here is looking at one national poll, when they should be looking at a collection of state polls (these can be found at a variety of websites) Statisically, a single national poll means nothing, it is not an accurate measure of even the mood of the nation. The media is promoting this election like a tyson fight, the stats show that Mccain/Palin wont last one round, but NBC and FOX want everyone to be there to watch the blue states light up anyway (who can blame them).[21] Normally, in political campaigns, you hope people get to know you and then decide to vote for you; Obama now believed that perhaps only the inverse was possible. Once, he might have thought that if he could only win a bunch of red states and pile up 350 electoral votes, he could obliterate the red-blue paralysis of the past decade and wield his mandate like a machete against the culture warriors in Washington. Now, it seemed, he understood that even a Reaganesque triumph wouldn't suddenly erase the effect of 40 years of exploiting peoples' darkest fears or ignoring their anxieties, the twisted and bipartisan legacy of a lost political generation. If he won, Obama would likely start out as a "51-per-cent-of-the-nation" president, no matter what the map showed.[7]

Republicans could lose 20 or more seats in the House and half a dozen or more in the Senate. That would come on top of major losses two years ago. McCain trails Obama in the polls nationally although by margins sometimes so wildly different as to cause everyone to question how they"re being calculated. He is also on the defensive in enough battleground states.[8] I'm tired of the other scare tactics as well. Even if McCain hadn't supported Bush's policies for the past 5 or 6 years, he's running a Bush style campaign managed by a group of Rove apprentices and lobbyists. If McCain really is different from Bush, it's hard to tell. The most telling point is how many prominent Republicans, both conservative and moderate, are either endorsing Obama, or sitting this one out.[21] Obama raised $586,142 from Hoosiers who contributed more than $200, according to new figures reported today by the Federal Election Commission. McCain raised only $52,595, but because he is accepting federal funding for the presidential election, he had to stop raising funds directly for his campaign after he accepted his party's nomination Sept. 4. McCain's best month for Hoosier dollars was August when he raised $347,584. McCain has raised a total $1.7 million from Hoosiers this year compared with the $2.6 million raised by Obama.[33] The Obama campaign said it had added more than 600,000 new donors in September for a total of about US$3.1-million, with an average donation of US$86. "This pattern of nondisclosure, this pattern of non-responsiveness, this pattern of setting their own rules to apply to this campaign is consistent with all the other patterns that we've seen," Mr. Davis told reporters. The McCain campaign, which accepted US$84-million in public funds for the general election in early September, has listed its small-dollar donors. Mr. Davis said he was not concerned about Mr. Obama's financial advantage, and said the U. S. economic crisis had more to do with Mr. Obama's recent gains in opinion polls than his spending.[34]

Obama achieved his main objective in Lebanon: he showed up where no modern Democratic nominee had before, taking on social issues and planting himself squarely in the mainstream, and he hit on the list of issues that Warner and others urged him to mention. When I caught up with Congressman Boucher not long after the event, he told me it had been "terribly important". Boucher had recently commissioned a poll in his district, which he gave to the Obama campaign, and while he wouldn't tell me any of the specifics, he did volunteer that McCain was "significantly ahead".[7] McCain has portrayed Obama as an elitist out of touch with mainstream America. He also has tried to raise suspicions about Obama's ties with 1960s radical William Ayers and others, asking, "Who is the real Barack Obama?" For his part, in recent weeks Obama has taken to calling McCain "erratic," suggesting a steadier hand would be better-suited to leading an economic recovery. As Sicht's remarks suggest, doubts about McCain's personal disposition could erode the edge he has long held over Obama on foreign affairs as well. To Vandria Rainer, an independent who lives in San Luis Obispo, it looked like McCain was trying to score "fighting points" against Obama when he suspended his campaign and threatened to skip the first presidential debate until Congress passed a bailout bill.[13] Many of those polled are leaning toward Barack Obama largely because of differences in demeanor in dealing with the financial crisis. Julia Cavenaugh is a Republican from Texas who voted twice for President Bush, so it is no easy stretch for the second-grade teacher to cast her ballot for Barack Obama. Fed up with Republicans over the economy, she likes Obama's tax and healthcare plans. After the economic crisis erupted last month, she found another reason to reject her party's presidential nominee: temperament.[13] The latest addition to the cabinet is the Department of Homeland Security, established in January 2003. Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin discussed whether members of the Democratic Party would serve in a prospective McCain administration, saying, "If these Democrats are best suited to serve, and if they will not let obsessive partisanship get in the way of just doing what's right with a team effort, and support of the president to get this economy moving, and to win these wars, to meet these great challenges, I wouldn't have as my litmus test a party affiliation."[35]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John McCain is dismissing the notion that he can't win the presidency if the top issue is the flagging economy.[16] "People are losing jobs east of the continental divide ; there are jobs hunting for people west of the continental divide. In a sense, the politics as well as the economy of the state are really bifurcated by the continental divide," he said. Bickers says Coloradans are also concerned about issues such as terrorism, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other foreign policy issues, where John McCain is seen as having an advantage. He says many people here give McCain credit for his early support for the surge in Iraq and that this would help him were it not for the economy being the main voter issue now.[15]

The margin was 51-44 percent in Tuesday's Gallup Poll, up from 49-47 percent on Saturday. Up until now, McCain's supporters had been holding out hope that their candidate would continue to fare well with likely voters. Generally, these are the older people who always go to the polls and vote, a turnout that might help McCain. These likely voters include proportionately more middle- to upper-income voters, again a statistic that could favor McCain. That's not happening right now.[19] "A substantial majority -- 82 percent -- of American voters believe the country is off on the wrong track and (40 percent) say they are worse off financially this year than last," Madonna said. "Obama is the choice of those who say the country is off on the wrong track by 55 percent to 30 percent. McCain has substantial support -- 73 percent to 21 percent -- from those who feel the country is moving in the right direction."[27] A 50-year-old Democrat and former postal employee who has been out of work for several months, Standifer said McCain seemed like "a decent man," but one who is less in tune with average Americans than Obama. With the election just two weeks away, the vast majority of voters have made up their minds, but public opinion could shift back in McCain's direction.[13]

Submitted by smarterthanyou on October 21, 2008 - 10:34pm. "Our economy is strong" said Bush repeatedly until suddenly one day last month when he wanted Congress to sign a 3-page document giving the Treasury Secretary dictatorial powers along with $700 billion. McCain said all summer long that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong" and so in the end I would say that Obama is correct about McCain = Bush in the area where Americans vote the most vigorously: their own wallets.[19] The numbers show that for the first time a minority see McCain as carrying on the policies of Pres. George W. Bush, a theme the Obama campaign has relentlessly driven home all summer and autumn. Put another way, for the first time 51% of Americans now see McCain as his own man, less likely to continue the unpopular Bush presidency.[21] In Ohio and Florida, states that Bush carried twice, Obama appeared to have broken a stalemate and moved solidly into the lead. Such readings were merely snapshots, of course, subject to change at any moment, but even so, both campaigns seemed to sense that McCain's window for taking command of the campaign was beginning to close.[7] In Virginia, according to private and public polling, the shift was especially pronounced. Several polls would soon show Obama pulling ahead of McCain by a significant margin, and two would have his lead in the state soaring into double digits.[7] Forbes affiliate Real Clear Politics, which aggregates data from the five most recent state polls, shows a net gain of 1.2 percentage points for McCain (within the margin of error), who now trails Obama by 2 percentage points, 46.6% to 48.6%, in Florida.[36] The survey of registered voters, conducted from Friday to Monday, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points, the Journal said. It's the largest lead in the Journal/NBC poll thus far, and represents a steady climb for Obama since early September, when the political conventions concluded with the candidates in a statistical tie.[3] Washington - Democrat Barack Obama not only leads the polls. He leads in most of the election-forecasting models that political scientists have released in the closing weeks of the campaign.[23] Obama would gladly take that outcome, of course. It would not be the transformational victory he envisaged when he set out to run, the one in which white men in exurbs and rural counties wouldn't just grudgingly vote for a Democrat out of frustration with the alternative but actually come around to the idea that a Democrat can share their values. "If I'm able to change this," he told me on his plane, meaning the cultural breach in American politics, "then it's probably going to be most powerful after I'm elected, when you're no longer in the context of day-to-day battle, and I can prove it by what I do." I asked Obama if it was frustrating to have seen, throughout the campaign, so many polls that showed him trailing badly among white men with lower incomes or less education. "It's not frustrating," Obama said, shaking his head. I found this believable; Obama seems almost impervious to frustration.[7] Polls show more Americans trust Obama to handle the economic crisis. Obama was in Florida yesterday, hoping to build on a lead in the critical battleground state before leaving the presidential campaign trail to visit his ill grandmother in Hawaii.[17] Obama broke fundraising records nationally in September, raising more than $150 million. Obama's fundraising lead has helped him contest states like Indiana which are usually reliably Republican in presidential years and rarely get attention from presidential candidates.[33] McCain is attacking Obama as too inexperienced to lead and too liberal on most issues, and the GOP candidate is getting ever more aggressive in trying to distance himself from Bush. He has been repeating the line he used in his final debate with Obama last week: "I am not George Bush." In a television commercial, McCain acknowledges, "The last eight years haven't worked very well, have they?" McCain promises to do better.[10]

The figure is up from 50 percent in the previous survey. Just over half - 52 percent - of Obama voters said they were "excited" about the candidate, double the 26 percent of McCain supporters enthused with their candidate.[22] On who is best suited to fix the economic crisis, Obama was picked by an overwhelming 53 per cent of respondents, against 32 per cent for MCain. Forty-one per cent of voters thought McCain showed bad judgment in the choices he made, compared to only 29 per cent for Obama. The age factor was also a concern for voters, with 34 per cent of respondents saying McCain was too old to be president - at 72, he would become the oldest president elected to a first term in office.[28] According to the RealClearPolitics website that publishes the average of all opinion surveys on the candidates, including Pew's, Obama today was ahead of McCain by seven points, 50.1 to 43.2 per cent.[28]

According to RCP, Obama is up 1.5 points nationally since October 2, but nearly 4.8 points in Michigan. McCain is husbanding his resources for the absolute minimum number of electoral votes he needs to win, which means ignoring the national numbers and focusing on everything from Virginia on down the list of battlegrounds. There's no reason to think he couldn't lose the popular vote by 2-3 points but still win Virginia by 1.[37] According to a random telephone poll by SurveyUSA (though often derided by rival pollsters, the outfit compiled a strong track record in the primaries), McCain was leading among men in Virginia by 10 points just after the conventions; by the beginning of October, Obama was leading by 11.[7]

Fifty-five percent say Obama better understands the economic problems people are having, compared with 36 percent for McCain. That represents an improvement for McCain of 8 percentage points and a 4-point drop for Obama.[10] In the rural Shenandoah Valley, running along the state's western border and down into coal country, McCain had led by 24 points in September. Now he and Obama were tied. Yet it seemed fair to question whether anything about this sudden movement actually validated Obama's central argument about American politics - this notion that the cultural faultline in the electorate can somehow be bridged by a generational change in leadership - or whether it spoke to some more immediate, more desperate impulse in a shaken electorate.[7] Biden's point is that Obama would be JFK's second term. It's nonesense, of course, but it is artfully crafted political bait, which McCain has swallowed. Firstly he is now wasting time talking about foreign policy to an electorate interested only in the economy.[21] A previous NBC/WSJ poll showed Obama with a narrower 49 percent to 43 percent advantage. In the poll, Obama enjoys a 21-point advantage in who can better handle the economy, a 14 point advantage on taxes -- historically a strong Republican selling point -- plus his big advantage on temper.[22] The poll found 61 percent of registered voters say the economy is extremely important to their vote, a jump of 3 points since June.[14]

According to exit polls, Kerry lost the overall white vote by 17 points in 2004. Recent Gallup tracking polls, while somewhat erratic from week to week, have shown Obama running above that level; polling in early October had him down by only eight points among white voters.[7] The first involved changing the ground rules, by making it institutionally harder to vote. In 2002 they passed the ironically named Help America Vote Act, which added more stringent rules for voter identification. When hurdles are placed in the way of voting, such as requiring more forms of identification or state-mandated voter ID cards, turnout decreases. The White House and Justice Department also colluded in efforts to change voting requirements at the state level, such as a 2005 Georgia ID law that a U.S. District Court judge later overturned, comparing it to Jim Crow-era poll taxes. The second prong was political.[38] There is a solution to the perpetual ignorance and laziness of the average American teenage voter, though. It's the same way we get lazy people through school: threaten them with standards. Why not have a basic set of things you should be able to do before you vote? This "test" would take place well before the election, and those who pass will receive some sort of certificate or marker to take with them to the polls. This would include simple checks of basic political knowledge. Identify at least two candidates and their respective parties.[26] Just let John and Sarah keep talking. They'll talk themselves right out of the election! No decent human being with an ounce of common sense, tolerance or self-respect will vote for them. They are the true Anti-Americans. far right, conservative, religious fanatics who only care about people that share their beliefs. totally the opposite of the vision of our founding fathers that laid the groundwork for our great country. Has a sobbing David Gregory locked himself in his dressing room and refused to come out? Maybe another night of dancing with Karl Rove will cheer him up after seeing these un-American poll results. This is good news, but don't get ahead of ourselves. It's a long time until election day.[39] Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen spoke on the importance of preventing voter fraud: "We are out there front and center everyday doing what we can to make sure that those people who have illegally and illegitimately registered to vote don't have the opportunity on election day to show up and take away your vote by casting one that is not legal." He is right. It is important that our democratic process operates accurately and without corruption.[5]

The race will continue to get further and further away from McCain. On election day it will tighten a bit as the newly registered voters and young people who Barack is banking on will do what they always do in mass. stay home.[19] Ignoring the fact that McCain'''s statement is historically inaccurate ''' Election Day tests during the Jim Crow era come to mind ''' McCain and fellow Republicans should have shown similar dismay at the Republican Parties attempt to sue the Ohio secretary of state to hand over information about voter registration there.[40] Four years later, McCain's campaign doesn't even try to hide the fact that it has no ground game. That fact may prove to be the most damaging on Election Day. One of the top Republican leaders in Florida told me this week that McCain's operation was the weakest he had ever seen. "It's going to cause Republicans to get wiped out up and down the ticket," he grimly predicted.[41]

The thing that really tore it for me was picking Palin. I still had a small hope that McCain would give me some reason to vote for him rather than Bob Barr (which is as good as giving my vote to Obama in this election, given Barr's chances). As a Republican, I'm very tired of the GOP operatives and their tactics. Look at the comments on this very page. Apparently, Liberal is no longer a dirty word, so they're calling him a socialist! Seriously, guys, is that all you got? I'm pretty tired of hearing about how taxing the top 5% somehow is socialism.[21] McCain has been relying on the help from the Republican National Committee which has paid for ads in Indiana criticizing Obama. Those figures from the Federal Election Commission include money from individuals giving more than $200, the threshold for identifying contributors by name, occupation and address. They do not include money raised from Indiana donors through joint fundraising committees that both candidates have with their parties.[33]

On issues, Obama has gained ground among voters across the board, even on issues where McCain still has an advantage and on some where the Republican usually would expect to be ahead.[1] Fifty-three percent of voters say Obama is better able to improve economic conditions compared with 32 percent who say the same about McCain.[31] Obama's surging popularity, according to Pew, was mostly due to voters' dwindling confidence in McCain, as witnessed after each of the candidates' three TV debates.[28] The first Ipsos/McClatchy poll taken since the third and final debate between the major candidates offered several signs of growing strength for Obama and troubling weaknesses for McCain.[1] Some daily tracking polls have found a tighter race between McCain and Obama in recent days.[3] Obama's got the money, the momentum and the numbers. It all counts on who shows up on election day, but Obama supporters are already more pumped up than McCain's, and McCain doesn't appear to have any back-up plan ready.[21] Obama's lead in several crucial states looks increasingly solid even if racism is taken into account, said Dan Keyserling, deputy director of communications at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "I don't think you're going to see broad, vast inaccuracies among all these state-wide pollings where Obama drops five, six, seven points on election day," he told AFP.[12] Let's focus on Virginia, since it represents the knife-edge between winning and losing--the potentially decisive red state where Obama's currently got the biggest lead. According to RCP, Obama now leads there by 8 points--very close to his national lead of 7.2. (In fact, polling in Virginia has pretty much mirrorred national polling over the last few weeks.) That should speak well to Obama's chances: Since it's hard to imagine Obama losing the popular vote barring that catastrophic event, it should be hard to imagine Obama losing Virginia, too.[37]

The two surveys are in line with other recent national polls, which show Obama's lead in a range from 4 percentage points to 10 points.[31] The 10-point lead is the largest in the Journal/NBC poll to date and represents a steady climb for Obama since early September, when the political conventions concluded with the candidates in a statistical tie, the newspaper reported.[42] To start with, political polling is inherently imperfect. Political pollsters who must report results overnight have to take the respondents they can reach. They weight the results of respondents in different groups to get a sample that approximates the whole population they're sampling. Another problem is the increasing number of cell phone-only households. Gallup and Pew have polled such households, and found their candidate preferences aren't much different from those with landlines; and some pollsters have included cell-phone numbers in their samples. A third problem is that an increasing number of Americans refuse to be polled. We can't know for sure if they're different in some pertinent respects from those who are willing to answer questions. Professional pollsters are seriously concerned about these issues. It is commonly said that the polls in the 1982 California and the 1989 Virginia gubernatorial races overstated the margin for the black Democrats who were running -- Tom Bradley and Douglas Wilder. The theory to account for this is that some poll respondents in each case were unwilling to say they were voting for the white Republican.[25] The Public Policy Poll also showed that West Virginians are somewhat less focused on the economy than voters in other states, according to a press release. In almost every battleground state, more than 60 percent of the electorate lists the economy as its top issue, but only 54 percent do in West Virginia.[43] Sixty-one percent say the economy is the most important issue in the election and 55% say Obama is better suited to handle it.[44]

A young woman nearby, who seemed barely old enough to vote, piped in. She's just screams "freshman" by the way she desperately tries to find a group of people to connect with and "mature" topics to talk about. She was already on my nerves from previous classes by parroting my snide comments. Like a little dog that follows the bigger one around and just goes, "Yeah! Take that!" She cheerily informed us that we should vote. I explained that while I think it's important that the voice of America's youth be loud and clear, I myself was not yet educated enough of the issues to back any particular candidate. She laughed a little and told me that I should just vote for Obama, and that I didn't really need to know anything.[26] Truth be told, I can imagine a losing scenario that doesn't involve outside events. It goes something like this: Obama wins all the Kerry states plus Iowa and New Mexico, giving him 264 electoral votes, then narrowly loses the rest of the red states where he's currently competitive.[37] Obama's claim that he will "lower taxes for 95% of the population" is truly misleading. His admission of "spreading the wealth" clarifies what he intends to do. and THAT IS, 40% of the so-called 95% WHO DO NOT PAY TAXES, will receive tax credits paid for by the ones who pay taxes. While I have no problem with the 40% still not paying taxes, I do have a problem with them receiving tax credits! I want my tax dollars to go to services like more policemen, firemen, teachers, social programs etc. NOT WELFARE! The reason why more people have gotten off welfare is they limited the program to 5 years, and encouraged people to learn new skills in order for them to be employable. It is no small wonder that most of his "new donors" are people who have given him $5-100. Can you guess WHO these people are? Obviously they are the 40% who will benefit from Obama's tax cuts. You can call it an investment in their future. I call them lazy.[21]

"I believe Obama has the temperament, the intellect and the ideas to be president," Webb said. "But I don't talk about his positions, and I don't defend his positions." When I commented that Webb wasn't where Obama was on gun rights (Obama favours what he calls some "common sense" restrictions), Webb cut me off. "No, he's not where I am on guns," he said pointedly. It occurred to me that this was probably the kind of validation Obama could do without. (Webb appears to have softened his stance. A few weeks later, he decided to tape an ad promising voters in south-western Virginia that Obama would not, in fact, confiscate their guns.) Webb and I discussed the conventional wisdom taking hold - in discussions not only about Virginia but about Pennsylvania and Ohio and Michigan as well - that white men weren't breaking Obama's way mostly because he's black.[7]

If you have read Obama's memoir, you will immediately understand why he would suspend a national campaign for the most powerful job on earth to be with his grandmother right now. It is vital, in my opinion, that Barack Obama strongly and unequivocally oppose Proposition 8 in California, rather than keeping mainly quiet as he has done so far. We need him to make an ad opposing it. The East Coast right-wing elite is the real reason Sarah Palin has been plaguing so many Americans' sleep these past six weeks.[30] Biden's right; of course Obama looks weak to the rest of the world, which will start an international crisis. McCain is strong and, like Ronald Reagan, would be respected from day 1. Remember how our U.S. Embassy hostages were freed on Reagan's inauguration day after being held captive 444 days by Iran? They were held 444 days due to Jimmy Carter's weakness.[21] The gap between candidates often narrows as polling day approaches, though McCain must make up substantial ground to overtake Obama.[12] Asked which candidate is better on knowledge and experience needed to handle the job, 49 percent picked McCain and just 27 percent picked Obama.[3] Over the past few weeks, McCain's net favorable rating has plummeted (to 7.3 percent) while Obama's has ticked steadily upward (to 19.5).[6]

In Africa, a median of 56 percent of poll respondents chose Obama -- meaning the percentage who chose the African American presidential contender was higher than 56 percent in half the 22 countries polled and lower than 56 percent in the other half.[45] It seems to me this scenario presupposes that Obama is not running a electoral college strategy, which clearly is not the case. He's focused on winning states not national polls, so I think the scenario you envision is pretty far fetched.[37] Early voting has started in the Sunshine State, so polling data may soon emerge that accounts for actual votes cast. If McCain hopes to win the race, he'''s going to need the polls in more states to start trending his way.[36] Life is a test and if you don't know that by now you are all delusional to the fact. McCain votes with Bush nearly every time (over 90% of the time, right up until he stopped showing up at the Senate). No matter what he said or how he tried to hide that fact during the debate, he's a Bushie through and through--on the economy, healthcare, the war, the environment (mostly), and on virtually all social policy. In a few rare cases he's diverged from Bush policies, but even on most of those he changed his tune when he started actively running for president.[21] In the interest of fairness, and as Barbara Streisand once said, 'to maintain the balance of power'; if you vote for Obama, then vote for Steve Beren to maintain the balance. Since the vote this time is a historical one for Civil Rights, meaning either a FIST black President OR a first female VP consider the following. Since black men actually received the right to vote in this country before women, in the interest of fairness, it is the turn for women, it is only fair. One last thing for the ladies, tell your husband what he wants to hear but vote for the woman. It's your turn.[22]

One predicts a McCain popular vote victory, two predict a very close race (in one case because it assumes race will cost Obama several percentage points), and six predict an Obama victory, in some cases substantial.[23] McCain focused on bellwether Missouri, which Bush won twice. He chided Obama as overconfident, saying the Democrat is already “choosing his cabinet, and repeated his charge that “Obama wants to take the money from somebody to give it to somebody else.[17] McCain will hit Obama as an extreme liberal who would raise taxes, add $1 trillion to federal spending, redistribute wealth, and fail to allow enough domestic energy development to achieve energy independence. He will argue that Obama is a risky choice for president, too inexperienced and lacking the judgment to serve as commander in chief.[10]

Sorry. At least you can watch House without being interrupted by John McCain calling you "my friend" every seven minutes. The reason for this disparity, of course, is that the voters don't elect the President: they elect the people who elect him.[11] Fifty-five percent of voters say Palin is not qualified to be president if the need arises, up from 50 percent two weeks ago. For his part, McCain holds a distinct edge on the question of experience needed to be an effective president.[3] As far as McCain's choice of running mate, Pew found voters were more divided: 49 per cent of voters disapproved of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, 44 per cent approved her.[28] The remaining undecided voters are part of the reason Obama still has trouble topping 50 per cent.[18]

Obama benefits from a significant gender gap, leading among women by 16 points while trailing among men by 1 point. He also leads among voters aged 18-34, those aged 35-54, Hispanics and blacks.[1] As the financial crisis developed, Mr Obama opened a lead in Virginia and he is seeking to consolidate his advantage before stepping off the campaign trail for two days to visit his "gravely ill" grandmother. He will temporarily pass the baton to his wife Michelle and his formidable surrogates like the Clintons.[46] Based on the last few days, I would guess Obama lead is somewhere in the ball park of 6-7 percent.[19]

"Obama leads among women, is tied among men. McCain runs well among those who do consider the USA to be a Super Power, who do not consider themselves to be an intellectual, who do own a gun, who are pro-life.[23] The media also has ignored another shocking political story involving the TV ad wars. Obama's massive money pit has allowed him to buy five times the number of 30-second spots as McCain.[41] In 2008, being on the wrong side of a 200-1 ratio is a political death sentence from which McCain cannot escape. Unfortunately for Republicans, their man is in an even deeper hole because his grassroots operation is the worst in recent history. Four years ago, Karl Rove and Ken Mehlman delivered the 2004 election to George Bush on the strength of their extraordinary turnout machine.[41] If you don't like McCain, vote 3rd party. Every 3rd party vote gets them more money for the next election. We desperately need a 3rd party in this country.[21] The Ipsos/McClatchy poll of 773 likely voters was taken last Thursday through Monday. It has an error margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. "Likely voters" are those who are registered to vote and display some measure of intense engagement in the election.[1] Campaigns usually are shaped by three factors that are in place long before voters go to the polls on Election Day. They are won or lost because of (1) fundraising, (2) ad wars, and (3) grassroots support.[41] For ever voter registered, two have been removed. It finds Louisiana, Michigan and Colorado are deleting registered voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election. This is illegal except when voters die, notify the authorities that they have moved out of state, or have been declared unfit to vote.[32]

Among white voters in the state overall, McCain's 22-point September lead had shrunk to single digits.[7] McCain has the edge among voters 55 and older (50 percent to 41 percent), non-Hispanic whites (52 percent to 40 percent), fundamentalist Christians (56 percent to 34 percent) and military veterans (67 percent to 30 percent).[27]

McCain has also done himself no favors, according to the poll. Fewer voters view McCain as 'inspiring' as they did one month ago, with 37% saying so now, while 43% said so in mid-September.[9] Especially in years with high numbers of voters self-identifying as Democrats, the party believes that when more voters go to the polls, Democrats win.[38] Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, according to wire reports, essentially brushed aside the idea of an investigation into ACORN. Any sort of irregularities in out election process, whether systematic or from a grassroots organizing group, should be swiftly dealt with. With record numbers of voters likely to show up at the polls this election, precincts might already be strained and thus are prone to mistake.[40]

Polls across the country favour Obama on the economy, which has leapfrogged all other factors in the public consciousness since last month's meltdown of financial markets. [18] Biden's predictions about a major crisis within 6 months of Obama being elected is totally frightening. The media is relentless against Palin but gives Biden a free ride even when he is shouting angrily and making commments that with the help of the media destroyed Joe the Plumber's reputation. The Democrats control Congress and it's Pelosi's control that has helped ruin the economy.[21]

Well, Mr. McCain do you see any fairness in your tax plan. Your Plan wants to tax the one that is making a $75,000 or less a year to pay same amount of tax as the one who is making millions and more!!!! WOW! That is not fair. What is wrong if those rich families can help the less fortunate American to have more moneys in their hand to spend more and this in return will help to boos up the economy. McCain still using Joe the Plumber in his speeches even after it was clean that Joe is not a licensed Plumber and his Income is below those how is making 250,000 a year. In fact he owns $1500 in tax to America. He did not pay his share as every body does. Is this a patristic? McCain, Please stop Using Joe the Plumber in your speeches because it is all phony.[21] The cult of Obama is a scary mindless frenzy for a guy that is NOT fit to be President. America will have serious buyer's remorse if this guy gets in. Can't even stand to look at his smug, self-righteous face, secretly laughing all the way to the White House that he put one over on the American public.[21] Obama is a man with no values and is not a leader that can be trusted. I hope American people wake up and see that the only change he will bring is a jihad movement and a loss of freedom to America. It can not be understated that Obama has actively participated in Anti- American semitism and is supported by countries that hate everything America stands for.[36]

The world is saying that the person who can pilot America in that direction and with whom we can do business is Barack Obama. If America wants to move ahead in this global village that our world has become, she needs to take into consideration the majority opinion of other villagers. Those in America who still think that their country can continue to ignore world opinion with impunity and still forge ahead are living in the past.[29] The blame doesn't rest with the biased media or Barack Obama. It lies instead on the heads of every Republican who chose fleeting power over enduring principles.[41]

Republicans have begun to advertise there, but polls have shown Obama closing the gap.[24] The average of all twelve polls shows Obama ahead by over seven points. (The referenced CNN poll looks to be an "outlier" and is also from the smallest sample of all the nationwide polls.) The numbers indicate that Obama is expanding his lead, not losing it.[21]

What's really going on is Obama is kicking McCain's a$$left, right, up, and down.[39] I do think Sarah Palin injected young and freshness into the old McCain campaign. She sometimes gives some careless comments that provided great media coverage topics (that's sometimes a plus too), but that is better than adding another old vice candidate to the already aging Republican campaign.[9] McCain and Palin would net many more abortions by restricting access to contraception and sex educations. From that point of view Palin is candidate whose policies would results in most abortions in history if she were to get elected - thank God she wont.[9]

We're at the point in the race when national trends may start diverging from trends in battleground states where McCain is still competing.[37] State polls seem to lag national polls, one-off polls tend to lag tracking polls, and polling averages (like the kind you find at RCP, Pollster.com, and FiveThirtyEight ) lag any single poll by design. Which is to say, those state-level averages could easily be 5-7 days behind the current on-the-ground reality. While eight points is a lot to make up in two weeks, it's not nearly as daunting over three weeks--well under half a point a day (.38, but who's counting?).[37]

McCain, however, is having trouble in key battleground states, including Pennsylvania, Florida, and Colorado. McCain's advisers say he is only about 4 points behind nationally, according to internal GOP polls--not an insurmountable margin.[10] Further proof rests in the McCain campaign's interest in focusing on ACORN, a community organization, which has been accused of engaging in fraudulent voting practices. Although we can't really blame the McCain campaign for wanting to frustrate the strategy of the campaign it opposes, even if it means opposing the improvement of the fabric of our democracy, we can certainly blame Van Hollen for abusing the powers of his office and subordinating his responsibilities to the citizenry of the state of Wisconsin in order to achieve partisan gain. In my estimation, this is the only conclusion to draw from the pursuit of an enemy who is utterly imaginary.[5]

Beyond temperament, the interviews with swing voters suggest, McCain's party affiliation also remains a major impediment to gaining support from voters who are normally open to backing a Republican.[13] Just reference the republican vote on the reform package. It was not passed until it had some provisions for the democrates to push it through. McCain would have to vier too far to the liberal view to gain majority support and in doing so will alienate his own party. It just wont happen.[22]

Votes casted by blacks disappeared mysteriously in a state where racism was(and still is) all time high and also as it happened(and still does, again) with a Republican governor whose brother was running for President.[21] AT&T; Park, home to the San Francisco Giants, seats 41,503 people, according to the Giant's official Web site. That means you could fill AT&T; Park 55 times with young voters registered by Rock the Vote. While my fellow young voters earned a well-deserved "kudos" just for registering to vote and getting involved, their task isn't over. I'm hoping at least half of those registered take their job seriously. This isn't like voting for homecoming royalty, this is the big time.[26]

"Senator Obama is a friend of coal and the thousands of jobs it brings to south-western Virginia," Boucher assured the crowd. He repeated this line - "Barack Obama is a friend of coal" - no fewer than five times in 10 minutes.[7] "Barack Obama is two people. the soft-spoken manipulator who can sell you the chrome off a trailer hitch. and the radical socialist in a suit and tie.[39]

Jay Sicht, a 37-year-old independent voter who sells auto parts in Columbia, Mo., described Obama as "level-headed, calm, cool and collected under pressure" -- qualities that he wants in a president facing the prospect of a global depression.[13] No time to tell the truth yet. That's what some Hillary supporters think Joe Biden was talking about when he warned about the coming test under a President Obama and unpopular actions in response. Biden said: ".we'''re gonna need you to use your influence, your influence within the community, to stand with him.[37]

Holbrook's model, which is based on presidential approval ratings and consumer satisfaction, forecasts that Obama will win a little more than 55% of the two-party vote.[23] My biggest concern is the possibility of errors in the count. That America, after being a democracy for a couple of centuries, has not perfected the voting process is a sad joke. Why do we always wait till the last minute to realize this failing? Katrina, 9/11 spring to mind. Obama is ready, willing and able to win this election 'handily', to quote Mr. Clinton.[21] You need to situate America's future in the context of a fast changing and less friendly world to understand that the country desperately needs the type of change that Obama symbolizes so as to slow down and possibly reverse America's downhill slide from the pinnacle of the world. America is a victim of her success and status.[29]

Obama wants to renegotiate NAFTA and is against new trade agreements that will open new markets for goods produced by American workers, when the other country already has free access to our markets.[10] Bailey, You a are the most ignorant uniformed person Ive ever had the good fortune to read. Obama is as american as all of us and if you dispute that you are going against the ideals of this country. He is a christian and a good one. and a family man.[36]

Webb's Scots-Irish family hails from coal country. Not long after he entered the Senate, he became embroiled in a mini-controversy when an aide accidentally carried one of Webb's favourite guns on to the Capitol grounds. I was surprised, then, when Webb told me that while he was enthusiastic about Obama and would campaign for him, he did not intend to vouch for him on social issues.[7]

I love the hypocrite Republicans that use the word socialist to describe Obama, when Republicans just nationalized the banks and are using our tax dollars to fund corporations. That's socialism folks, not taxing people that make millions of dollars a little more.[9] The repugs are cheating in several states, including WV. Just remember folks that Obama is simply not the person you think he is and you asked for him. If you get him and the nation falls apart, you can only look in the mirror because you have been warned. This is exciting news, but please don't get complacent.[39] Obama's lead had floated between 2 and 6 points in the more than two weeks of polling until stretching to 8 points on Tuesday.[20] Obama is the most pro-abortion presidential candidate in history. He favors the legality of the infanticide of partial birth abortion and he has pledged to sign the "Freedom of Choice Act" which would eliminate even the smallest measures to curb abortion.[9] The most famous comeback in U.S. presidential politics, cited often by candidates who are lagging behind, came in 1948 when Harry Truman managed to pull off an upset victory against Republican rival Thomas Dewey. A victorious Truman, who had trailed in opinion polls, took delight after his re-election holding up the Chicago Tribune newspaper that erroneously announced his opponent as the victor with the headline: "Dewey defeats Truman."[12] The proportion of working-class voters who trend Republican has declined, according to a Brookings Institution analysis. Virginia, which hasn't by won by the Democratic presidential nominee since 1964, has found less conservative newcomers moving into its northern region just outside the U.S. capital Washington.[18] Voters are less likely to see the Republican vice presidential nominee in a positive light, and much more likely to report negative feelings, the Wall Street Journal said. Forty-seven percent view Palin negatively, compared with 38 percent who see her in a positive light.[42]

Based on my interviews with others, polling officials, and my fellow assistant U.S. attorneys, it was my opinion in 1962 that the challenging effort was designed to reduce the number of black and Hispanic voters by confrontation and intimidation." Once the Republicans gained the White House and Congress under the George W. Bush administration, they turned to using the system itself to garner an advantage through a two-pronged strategy.[38] Former assistant U.S. Attorney James Brosnahan testified against Rehnquist's elevation to chief justice in 1986, claiming that Rehnquist was part of a group of GOP operatives who attempted to violate the civil rights of voters, saying, "The complaints we received alleged in various forms that the Republican challengers were aggressively challenging many voters without having a basis for that challenge.[38]

You are not going to find a better wedge issue. This is the single best wedge issue, ever in." Following that election, New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias was given the boot by the Justice Department because he wouldn't participate in the plan to prosecute cases (which he found to be without merit) for voter fraud.[38] You are well aware of our discussions touching on thorny issues like Iran's good trade relationship with Kenya and the fact Kenya may play a role in mending the relationship between Iran and the U.S. so that healthy trade relationship may be achieved if your husband gets the presidency. Remember the length and the depth of our talk on other issues of importance in this hotly contested election where as you have stated - is an opportunity for the black people to start being proud of America and to be patriotic.[9]

You're voting for your commander. This is the guy, or - heaven forbid Gov. Sarah Palin comes to power - gal, who will be running our country, so please refrain from voting for someone because they're good looking, funny or nice. That's only OK in high school. Most people end up thinking that the homecoming queen is just a royal bitch and hating her anyway. This person will decide how to fix the economy, the fate of the war, how much money to take out of your paycheck, which countries are a threat to us and other important issues that will affect all of us.[26]

Can we trust the polls this year? That's a question many people have been asking as we approach the end of this long, long presidential campaign.[25] The latest poll numbers make clear just how different the political climate is in 2008 from four years ago, during President Bush's successful re-election bid.[14] Early lessons included learning the alphabetical list of states by watching televised roll calls of national political conventions. That childhood exposure led to a lifelong fascination with politics, including 40-plus years of covering them and a brief stint practicing them as press secretary to Laura Bush in 1999-2000.[21]

Bush beat Kerry 52 percent to 47 percent in a state known for the disputed result that decided the 2000 election.[24] To narrow it further, all attention will be on the unconvinced in battleground states, which hold the keys to victory given the US' unique, winner-take-all electoral system. Win a state by just one vote, and a candidate still gets all of its electoral college votes, making the most closely divided states the biggest prizes in any election.[18] Featured prominently in the report were the results of the Wisconsin 2004 presidential election. If voter fraud is truly a problem in our state it would have been prominent in a general election such as the one in '04, considering how closely predicted and contested our state was.[5] Democratic state senator Brandon Schaffer, who represents the Longmont area north of Denver, says his party has won state offices by going beyond ideology to appeal to voters on practical issues. "In 2004, we were one of the only states where we actually flipped both chambers in the legislature.[15] There are more localized reasons for the shift, too, the result of changing demographics. Western mountain states, for example, have witnessed an influx of both minority Hispanic voters and left-leaning white college graduates, two key voting groups that tend to favour Democrats.[18]

The poll of 1,159 registered voters was conducted from Friday to Monday and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points.[42] The current plethora of polls gives us a rich lode of information on what voters are thinking at each stage of the campaign.[25]

If there is cause to make a challenge, you should not hesitate to do so merely because it upsets the challenged voter or the election judges." The booklet even advised using threats: "If the election judge should try to ignore your challenge, point out that they would be committing a criminal offense punishable by not less than 30 days in jail."[38] The proof is in the pudding. On Sept. 24, both candidates enjoyed identical 17 point net-positive ratings (the number you get when you subtract the number of voters who see a candidate unfavorably from the number who seem him favorably).[6] The two candidates split older voters. Just 2 percent said they still could change their minds. Seven percent said they could change their minds.[1] Libertarian candidate Bob Barr didn't register enough support to count. Another 7 percent of likely voters didn't support any of those candidates or didn't know whom they supported.[1]

The recent interventions of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a Milwaukee teachers' union become evident. Most of these urban, newly registered voters are people of color, of which roughly 50 percent do not have driver license records to check. This leaves only their social security information to verify their registration with, which is shown to fail at an impeccable rate of 25 percent.[5]

I watch the three debates and have very strong believe that McCain careless about the middle class. Most of what he cares about is those people who are making 250,000 dollars a year and more. How about those less fortunate people, those make 95% of American people.[21] If it is true that most wars are won before the opening shot is fired, John McCain and the GOP should brace for a political blitzkrieg next month.[41] "Now is the time for resolve and steady leadership." Unless asked, he does not mention McCain's and Palin's fiercest line of attack: that he has associated with Ayers, a former 1960s radical who helped found the violent Weather Underground.[2] In finite samples of 2000 or so people, it is sometimes showing up as 9 percent lead, while at other times, it is showing up as 4 percent lead.[19] The idea has always been to hold down turnout, using methods ranging from negative advertising to purges of voter rolls and sending workers out to challenge voters, all the way down to less scrupulous methods. Negative advertising operates in a psychological manner; if voters get disgusted enough with both parties, they stay home. Harsh TV and radio advertising bankrupts general goodwill toward politics and politicians and leads people to think, "It doesn't matter because they're all crooks anyway."[38] The Washington Post published parts of it, which included the phrases: "Your most important duty as a poll worker is to challenge people who present themselves to vote but who are not authorized to vote.[38]

Since the Gallup poll has plus minus 2 percent errors, it means that day to day sampling can fluctuate by as much as 4 percent without being indicative of any trend. The readers of your blog should be aware of this.[19] Polls are always accurate, like when Reagan-Mondale were said to be in a close race right before election.[21] Gallup may well have gotten it right when in the field; opinion could just have changed. We have no way of knowing, since George Gallup was just about the only public pollster back then, and he decided on the basis of his experience in the three preceding presidential elections that there was no point in testing opinion in the last week.[25]

The problem is that suing the Government Accountability Board to have it retroactively cross-check 241,000 newly registered voters in a grossly deficient manner is one of the best ways to ensure the opposite. It is quite easy to find op-eds and political speeches that decry the substantial harm fraudulent registration and voting does to the election process.[5] The end part of a national political campaign between Republicans and Democrats can often be compared to a football game, with each side hewing to specific strategies and tactics.[38] Call it the Masochistic Maneuver. Each day, political reporters like, say, Stumper are inundated with messages from each campaign's "rapid response" squad--a group of operatives who rebut attacks, forward fact-checks and and flag reports that could damage their boss's rival, all for the benefit of the "overworked" national press corps.[6]

The Supreme Court on Friday correctly overturned a lower court decision siding with the Republican Party which might have blocked roughly 200,000 registered voters there from voting. What'''s striking about about allegations voter fraud and voter registration fraud is that they have been clearly partisan. [40]

REFERENCES

1. www.kansascity.com | 10/21/2008 | Poll: Obama leads McCain by 8 points, gains strength on key issues
2. www.kansascity.com | 10/21/2008 | Leading in polls, Obama plays it safe
3. Obama opens double-digit lead as Palin loses shine
4. The Hindu News Update Service
5. The Badger Herald - GOP suppressing vote in Wisconsin
6. Stumper : Why Obama Wants McCain to Attack
7. Obama: how he's selling his message to small-town sceptics - People, News - The Independent
8. McCain will fight till end, as Republicans face major identity crisis: Washington Post
9. Washington Wire - WSJ.com : Obama's Lead Widens, McCain Falters in Latest Pew Poll
10. John McCain and Barack Obama Make Final Arguments to Undecided Voters - US News and World Report
11. New Statesman - Harassed or ignored? It's all a matter of geography.
12. Comeback still possible but McCain faces uphill struggle | ABS-CBN News Online Beta
13. Swing voters are bothered by John McCain's temperament and his party - Los Angeles Times
14. Poll findings could be trouble for McCain - CNN.com
15. VOA News - Colorado's Nine Electoral Votes Up for Grabs
16. The Associated Press: McCain says his campaign is focused on the economy
17. Business Day - News Worth Knowing
18. Swing states shifting to Obama, but undecideds remain | Top News
19. Stunning gains for Obama in Tuesdays Gallup Poll | Midwest Voices
20. Obama takes 10-point lead on McCain | Reuters
21. Obama, McCain predict a tighter race and a new poll confirms it | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times
22. Obama: The temper to be president
23. JS Online: Vote forecasting in new territory
24. SCENARIOS: How Obama, McCain are faring in key states | Reuters
25. Are the Polls Accurate? - WSJ.com
26. Push to increase voters ignores ignorance - Opinion
27. Poll gives Obama 5-point nationwide lead - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
28. Obama extends lead in new polls - Local News - News - General - The Canberra Times
29. Why America Really Needs Barack Obama - OhmyNews International
30. The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan (October 21, 2008) - How McCain Thinks He Can Win
31. Bloomberg.com: Worldwide
32. McCain hopes receive 'voter purge' boost
33. Obama's Sept. fundraising most ever in Ind. | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
34. Obama tells Florida McCain attacks 'careless'
35. Americans Want Nominees to Outline Cabinets: Angus Reid Global Monitor
36. Latest Florida Polls Favor McCain
37. How Obama Could Still Lose - The Stump
38. Baltimore City Paper | Political Animal: Ground Game
39. Obama up by 10 pts. in NBC/WSJ poll - First Read - msnbc.com
40. Crossing party lines | mndaily.com - Serving the University of Minnesota Since 1900
41. Scarborough: Three strikes could doom McCain's campaign | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal
42. Obama opens double-digit lead over McCain: poll | Reuters
43. Poll: McCain holds lead over Obama in W.Va. - The Herald Dispatch
44. WGBA -Obama leads McCain by 13 points in latest Wis poll
45. AFP: Rest of world prefers Obama over McCain for US president: poll
46. Obama Heads To Virginia In Fight To Win Over Battleground States | Home | Sky News

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