From the It Ain’t Over Department
Filed under: Barack Obama, John McCain, Presidential Campaign 2008
Right-wing headline writer Matt Drudge is reporting tonight that Zogby one-day polling on Friday has McCain back within the margin of error in his race against Obama. From the Drudge Report:
ZOGBY SATURDAY: Republican John McCain has pulled back within the margin of error… McCain outpolled Obama 48% to 47% in Friday, one day, polling. He is beginning to cut into Obama’s lead among independents, is now leading among blue collar voters, has strengthened his lead among investors and among men, and is walloping Obama among NASCAR voters. Joe the Plumber may get his license after all…
Things have felt a little heady lately if you’re an Obama supporter in a state like Ohio. Democratic organization, mirroring Obama’s own efficiently run campaign, is at a level many of us have never seen. In conservative Indiana - which went for Bush in 2004 by 21 points - Obama may win. Zogby’s poll is national, but remember we’re in 50 state contests. Zogby’s polling is a reminder that we can’t let up until the last polls close on the West Coast on November 4.
Pour it On!
John Boehner, Asshole, Calls Obama ‘Chicken-Shit’
Apparently Ben Smith of Politico picked up a copy of the Miami University student newspaper and found this nugget: John Boehner called Barack Obama a “chicken-shit.”
For the U.S. House Minority Leader to be playing BMOC at Miami U. talking smack to the kiddie reporters is unbecoming. What’s he thinking? But here’s what’s really stupid.
Boehner could be playing it smart. It’ll be a minor miracle if John McCain wins this election. Why does the House Minority Leader, a Congressman from a state in dire economic circumstances, want to further piss off the next President of the United States. Boehner’s always been kind of a partisan jerk, but one would hope that getting to where he’s at in Congress would do his state some good.
This isn’t the way for a responsible Congressional leader - of either party - to start their relationship with the next president.
Campaign stays hot in Ohio: 2008 Elections Coverage by Ohio’s Major Dailies
Filed under: Barack Obama, Gov Strickland, Joe Biden, John McCain, Presidential Campaign 2008
Columbus Dispatch
- McCain camp sees gap tightening in battleground states
- Clinton talks up Obama in Youngstown
- In So. Ohio Hillary says Nation needs Obama
- Obama army blankets Ohio
- Editorial: Sex, Lies and Gifts
- The Arnold heading to Columbus
- GOP says sorry to House Democrat
- Obama likes Clinton vet to serve as CoS
Cleveland Plain Dealer
- Clinton, Strickland stump for Obama
- McCain ends bus trip with muscle
- Springsteen campaigns for Obama this weekend in Cleveland
- McCain’s third stop leaves open field
- McCain gives shout out to ‘Joe the Plumber’ relatives
Dayton Daily News
- Election Board to probe Husted’s Residency
- Boehner calls Obama barnyard name
- Biden calls McCain Bush’s Sidekick in Kettering
- McCain, ‘Joe the Plumber’ draw crowds across Ohio
- Judge throws out suit to take Obama off Ohio ballots
When the Far Left Needs to Just Shut Up
Filed under: Barack Obama, John McCain, Presidential Campaign 2008
Why can’t we just continue to let the McCain campaign, the RNC and assorted Right-Wingers make asses of themselves throwing around words like Marxist and Socialist, faking beatings by Obama supporters, race baiting at rallies and talking about things like ACORN? They simply further marginalize themselves day by day - now hour by hour - on the way to Election Day.
Well, here come the Lefties. I don’t mean the Keynsian economics lefties or the folks who believe health care is a right. I’m talking about the straight-up emotionally unstable idiots who tilt to our side and feel the compulsion to say some crazy shit right before the election. Just like when every time I hear blowhards like Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity speak the crazy talk and hang it on the Republican Party, my Republican friends here the Erica Jongs of the world say something stupid and they doubt Democrats. I read about Jong’s incendiary remarks to an Italian media outlet earlier today. Here’s what Jong said:
“The record shows that voting machines in America are rigged.”
“My friends Ken Follett and Susan Cheever are extremely worried. Naomi Wolf calls me every day. Yesterday, Jane Fonda sent me an email to tell me that she cried all night and can’t cure her ailing back for all the stress that has reduces her to a bundle of nerves.”
“My back is also suffering from spasms, so much so that I had to see an acupuncturist and get prescriptions for Valium.”
“After having stolen the last two elections, the Republican Mafia…”
“If Obama loses it will spark the second American Civil War. Blood will run in the streets, believe me. And it’s not a coincidence that President Bush recalled soldiers from Iraq for Dick Cheney to lead against American citizens in the streets.”
“Bush has transformed America into a police state, from torture to the imprisonment of reporters, to the Patriot Act.”
The Second American Civil War? “Blood will run in the streets …?” Good Lord, give me a break. I talked last week about Ashley Todd’s antics being irresponsible and reprehensible. I have to say the same thing for Jong, although I might agree with her on some issues such as the Patriot Act and the Bush Administration’s legalization of torture - the new family value.
Jong’s words are just as irresponsible as Todd’s carving a backwards “B” into her own gourd. There is a tinge of racism in her words with “Civil War” and “blood will run in the streets.”
This race is still tight. Barack Obama has stayed on message for nearly two years and we’re still running too close to call in too many places. The few undecideds or those wavering need to understand that most Obama supporters are in it for the change in economic and energy policies, the hope that this man who would be president will finally deliver on the Clinton promise to put people first over special interests.
Crazy talk doesn’t help us get there.
Photo: Another ‘Sign’ of America’s Crumbling Education System
Ohio Politics and Elections Coverage: Five Days to Election Day
Filed under: Barack Obama, John McCain, Presidential Campaign 2008, Sarah Palin
Recent Coverage by the Columbus Dispatch
- Clinton boosts Obama with Ohio appearances
- Obama dips but still has comfortable lead
- Down in polls, McCain tells Ohio crowd he’s coming back
- Feds won’t make Brunner reveal voter mismatches
- Schwarzenegger says McCain in uphill battle
- Palin revs up Chillicothe
- Local pastors emphasize duty to vote
- Agency head defends ‘Joe’ searches
Recent Coverage by Cleveland Plain Dealer
- Day of the Plumber
- FAQ on Casino question
- ‘Joe the Plumber’ joins McCain roadshow in Sandusky
- Secy State cancels cross-checking of Ohio’s voters
- McCain in Defiance, Ohio reverts to name calling
Recent Coverage by Toledo Blade
- McCain tells Defiance crowd he’ll cut taxes
- Rush Limbaugh blasts Kaptur
- Palin joins ‘Joe’ in Bowling Green
- Ohio elections chief: Scrap voter database
Recent Coverage by Dayton Daily News
- Ben Stiller ‘Rocks the Vote’ at UD
- Judge to rule Friday on Ohio man’s attempt to kick Obama off Ohio ballot
- Payday Lending pays over $3 million for signatures
- Joe the Plumber hires Nashville publicity team
Text: Prof. Nouriel Roubini’s Congressional Testimony, October 30 | Dr. Doom Speaks
Prof. Nouriel Roubini testified today before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee.
Video: Barack Obama 30 Minute Campaign Program | American Stories, American Solutions
A Commercial That Should Have Aired on the Real Tube - David Robinson for Congress
As you pop your corn and crack open your favorite cold beverage to sit back and watch Barack Obama tonight, don’t forget about the great Democratic candidates who are left behind this cycle. Candidates like David Robinson running to unseat career politician Pat Tiberi from the seat which was handed down to him by John Kasich.
It’s astonishing really. Barack Obama has so much money left in the tank six days out that he will be able to go out tonight and spend 30 unininterrupted minutes and several millions of dollars to seal his deal with America. On the other hand, you have an accomplished businessman with ideas and an energy policy who can’t get the people who hold Democratic pursestrings to throw a little love his way.
It’s true, Robinson is a neophyte in politics. Rumor has it his campaign is a bit haphazard and he’s fairly set in his ways of wanting to do things differently. Well friends, he won the fucking primary why hasn’t Labor or the DCCC ponied up. Well, there’s also the argument that his district is solidly red. The former Democratic candidate spent over a million dollars and lost against Tiberi who is really a backbenching, pathetic sack of internal organs. They say, we have to marshall our resources — Ohio 12 isn’t on the list.
Well, guess what. Voter registration is up in OH-12. Shamansky was past his prime. Shamansky is no David Robinson. A long time ago when I was peripherally involved with the DCCC, Robinson was a candidate party leaders would have died for … handsome, well-spoken, smart, full of ideas - and wait - the vice-president of a small manufacturing business? Are you kidding? Let’s put some money down on this guy.
Perhaps party leaders need to rethink how the wealth is spread in the Democratic Party. Candidates should have to meet standards, but they should also be able to run the race they want to run. We can fund the hell out of a cranky old candidate whose baggage has made her race more difficult than it should be, but we can’t help Robinson mount any sort of a media campaign? If Tiberi weren’t so pathetic, I wouldn’t be so exercised. All I’m saying is let’s expand the metrics we judge candidates on when we have a do-nothing, Bush clone incumbent and a dynamic Democrat to challenge.
Well, when the earth moves next Tuesday and we pick up more seats in the U.S. House and hopefully get to 60 in the Senate, our party will have left David Robinson behind.
If we’re on TV for 30 minutes tonight, it’s obvious the resources were there.
Signs of a Landslide
Filed under: Barack Obama, Presidential Campaign 2008, U.S. Economy
Number 1: The Polls
- The National Polls – All national polls have Obama up anywhere from 3 points (Battleground) to 15 points (Pew). Of course we’re not running a national election for president we’re running 50 state elections.
- Selected G.W. Bush States – Virginia, Real Clear Politics Average (RCP) Obama by 7; Indiana, Toss Up, Bush won by 21 points in 2004; Ohio, RCP Obama by 6, Bush won by 2 points in ‘04; Florida, RCP Obama by 3.3; North Carolina, Toss Up, Bush won by 12 points in 2004; Missouri, Toss Up, Bush won by 7 points in 2004. One more thing about Indiana – this state hasn’t gone for a Democrat since 1964, it’s a rust belt state - is there any question that the economy trumps wedge issues – which generally find a happy home in the Hoosier state.
Ohio
We’ve heard it all before – Republicans don’t win the White House without Ohio. In the 1960s, 70s and 80s Ohio delivered solid double digit margins for Republican presidential candidates. Bill Clinton reclaimed the state for Democrats in the 90s. Bush II’s margins were slim – 4 points and 2 points. Here in Ohio, we’re not living in a red or a blue state – this state is up for grabs most elections.
What’s different this time in a state also known for a well-organized army of right-wing culture warriors? We’re (Dems) better organized all of a sudden. Word from Democratic insiders is that things are looking so good for taking back the Ohio House that some operatives are moving from targeted House campaigns to Team Obama for the stretch. This began over a week ago. Democrats have taken the Republican voter ID and GOTV playbooks and re-written them – better.
What we may be witnessing this year is the second step in turning Ohio into a blue state. The first step was Ted Strickland’s trouncing of Ken Blackwell and his bipartisan success as Governor. Step two, Obama wins Ohio this year by a thin margin. Step three is a return trip for Strickland. Step four is for Obama economic policies to net gains for the rust belt. Step five is for Obama, who will still be African-American in 2012, to win Ohio by double digits. If you don’t get the joke in the previous sentence, it’s aimed at the hand-wringing over whether blue dogs in Southern and Southeast Ohio will vote for a black man. If there really are people out there who otherwise agree with Obama on the issues – but are uncomfortable voting for a black person – maybe some peace and prosperity will beat the latent racism right out of them.
The Electoral College – It’s looking good in the projections.
Look at the maps below:
First is the Bush-Kerry Final Results Map:
Next is the Current RCP Analysis
Finally, the Clips & Comment Prediction
It’s the Economy Again, Stupid
Rather than cut and paste a bunch of great data into this post, do one thing for yourself – follow this link to the Congressional Joint Economic Committee. The link goes directly to several slides prepared by committee staff using data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and the Bureau for Labor Statistics. If you’ve been feeling like things are more expensive, well paying jobs with benefits are scarce and you feel like you and your family aren’t getting any economic traction, these stats will help explain why. Regardless of the vagaries and complexity of which specific changes will be made to the tax code, financial regulations, energy policy, and industry and trade policies, don’t you want to begin with a party and a candidate who understand the problem? For John McCain, the fundamentals are sound. Barack Obama understands these numbers and that they need to move in the other direction.
Text: Sen. Barack Obama Speech in Canton, Ohio | ‘One Week’ | The Closing Argument – October 27, 2008
(Source: Obama for America)
(Photo: The Plain Dealer)
As Prepared for Delivery
One week.
After decades of broken politics in Washington, eight years of failed policies from George Bush, and twenty-one months of a campaign that has taken us from the rocky coast of Maine to the sunshine of California, we are one week away from change in America.
In one week, you can turn the page on policies that have put the greed and irresponsibility of Wall Street before the hard work and sacrifice of folks on Main Street. Read more
Ted Stevens Guilty on All Counts in Ethics Trial - News Coverage
6 p.m.
- Alaska Senator is Convicted of Ethics Laws Violations - New York Times
- Sen. Stevens Guilty on all Counts - Washington Post
- Stevens conviction enhances Dems’ chances - Washington Post
- U.S. Senator Stevens found guilty - BBC
- Stevens guilty in corruption case - Associated Press
- Stevens guilty of concealing $250,000 in gifts - Bloomberg
- Stevens found guilty on all seven corruption counts - CQ Politics
Eight Days: Ohio Politics and Elections News A.M. Update
Filed under: Barack Obama, John McCain, Presidential Campaign 2008, Sarah Palin
Columbus Dispatch
I know something about Lancaster and Fairfield County. If John McCain is spending an evening with the Republican faithful there, this close to the election, his campaign either sucks or he’s in trouble. You shouldn’t have to excite people who would vote for Atilla the Hun if he had an “R” after his name.
Cleveland Plain Dealer
- Ohio candidates build up war chests
- Cuyahoga County vote counting likely to be slow
- Obama outspending McCain 2 to 1 on Tube
- Over 203,000 have voted early in NE Ohio
- Editorial: Election Day Etiquette
U.S. and World Markets Poised for Another Rocky Week
Hong Market Plunges Most Since 1989 Tiananmen Crackdown
– Bloomberg
Global markets continue slide, U.S. futures off 4%
- New York Times
‘Dr. Doom’ doesn’t see things getting better yet – Times of London
Grim GDP figures shows U.K. on verge of recession
– Times of London
Forecasters race to call the bottom
– New York Times
Last night, CBS News’ 60 Minutes ran another great, explanatory piece on how the investment class nearly ruined our economy. Check it out below:
Watch CBS Videos Online
For an explanation of credit default swaps go here.
Just When I Start to Like The Arnold …
According to WOSU this a.m. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California is going to help McCain and Co. pull a play out of the Bush 2004 playbook – appear in Columbus, probably this Friday, with John McCain. The Los Angeles Times confirms. I wonder if Sarah Palin will be there. According to a website called the California Chronicle, the Governator’s endorsement of Palin is less than ringing.
What’s to like about Arnold? Mainly it is his forward thinking on energy policy and the promise of investing in a “green” economy. From afar, California appears to be years ahead of the rest of the country in the laws, policy and investment which will help the U.S. kick the foreign oil habit and clean up the environment. At times, it’s seemed downright refreshing to imagine Schwarzenegger as somewhat of a – well – maverick in Republican circles.
If Schwarzenegger cares about fostering the moderate or even progressive reputation he’s earned on some issues, appearing with McCain, a politician with policies rooted in the 1980s, seems a bit counter intuitive.
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