Transcript: John McCain Concession Speech, November 4, 2008

(Source: Fox News)

JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening.

(APPLAUSE)

My friends, we have — we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly.

A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama to congratulate him.

(BOOING)

Please.

To congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.

In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving. Read more

Never Seen So Many GOTV Volunteers …

2 p.m.

Took the day off today … I voted at 10 a.m. and have been in and out all day.  My door has been visited three times today by the Obama campaign and labor volunteers.  While I was gone I got another sample ballot on the door.  This is awesome.  Eat it Karl Rove.

Text: Obama Speech at Statehouse, Columbus, Ohio | November 2, 2008

Ohio, I have just two words for you: two days.

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 two days away from change in America. Read more

Ohio Sunday Papers & Election News Updates – November 2 – PM

Columbus Dispatch 

Obama maintains lead in last Dispatch Poll

Dispatch Poll methodology

Click for Full Graphic

• Candidates can’t seem to stay out of Ohio
• Election Day lines should move faster
• Voter Guide: Nation Awaits Ohio’s Choice
• Obama draws 60,000 to Statehouse on Sunday
• Biden blasts McCain for name calling
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Traditional GOP Ground Not Looking as Stable
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Checks on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Out of Bounds

The Plain Dealer

• Obama and The Boss after Browns Game; Palin draws fewer in Canton
• Palin to Ohio: Do You Share Our Commitment?
• Endorsing faith – Not politcians
• Ohio’s out-of-state absentee voters could affect election
• Op-Ed, Connie Schultz: Intimidation can’t silence the voice of the people
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Ohioans mustn’t fall for payday lenders stealth campaign

Dayton Daily News

• Ohio still the political heartland
• Obama adviser visits rural areas
• McCain makes two day trip to Ohio
• Obama stirs crowd of 60k in Columbus

2 ½ Days: News Coverage of the Election from Ohio | November 1

Columbus Dispatch

• Long lines – yes; longer hours – maybe
  
• GOP gets earful for answers on survey
  
• Mailers are making the TV ads look lame
  
• Boehner demands monitors at polls
  
• GOP volunteers steer up votes
  
• Paper ballot must be offered if poll is busy
  
• Biden, Clinton visit Southern Ohio
  
• Governator stumps for McCain
  
• Worker who checked on ‘Joe’ speaks
  

The Plain Dealer

• McCain predicts comeback victory; Obama advisers skeptical
  
• Multiple absentee ballots sent to some Ohio voters
  
• Op-Ed, Joe Frolik: Election Day Primer
  
• Op-Ed, Kevin O’Brien: Obama a Socialist
  

(Editor’s Note: Op-Ed, Pelikan: Kevin O’Brien is a douche bag)

Youngstown Vindicator

• Most at YSU couldn’t see or hear McCain
  

Dayton Daily News

• Biden derides McCain in Kettering
  
• Boehner’s name-calling desperate: Obama Aide
  
• McCain keeps up attacks on Obama
  

Akron Beacon Journal

• Race to finish in search of votes
• Voters make up minds to try something new
• Editorial: Plumbing for Answers
• Editorial: Lying about his record
• Op-Ed, Steve Hoffman: Why wait for Tuesday? Here’s the deal …

Cincinnati Enquirer

• CT man voted here
  
• Political fliers at churches slammed
  
• Down to the wire, Obama, Palin coming
  

Toledo Blade

• MI woman heads south to door knock
  
• Bus tour rolls into Bowling Green
  
• Boehner appears in Perrysburg
  
• ‘Terminator’ Rallies McCain Faithful
  
• Biden denounces Bush legacy in Lima
  
• Op-Ed, Reg Henry: We’re all runners in this race

Signs of a Landslide

Number 1: The Polls

1. 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.
2. 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

Anchorage Daily News Endorses Obama – Alaska’s Largest Newspaper

Obama for president

Palin’s rise captivates us but nation needs a steady hand

Alaska enters its 50th-anniversary year in the glow of an improbable and highly memorable event: the nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential candidate. For the first time ever, an Alaskan is making a serious bid for national office, and in doing so she brings broad attention and recognition not only to herself, but also to the state she leads.

Alaska’s founders were optimistic people, but even the most farsighted might have been stretched to imagine this scenario. No matter the outcome in November, this election will mark a signal moment in the history of the 49th state. Many Alaskans are proud to see their governor, and their state, so prominent on the national stage. Gov. Palin’s nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency — but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. 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. Read more

Transcript: John McCain on Meet the Press | October 26 | Ten Days to Election

(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)

MR. TOM BROKAW:  Our issues this Sunday:  With just nine days to go, polls show Obama widening his lead over McCain while the Republican vice presidential nominee comes under increased criticism.  What will be McCain’s final message to undecided voters?  We’ll ask the candidate himself.  For the first time in nine months, our exclusive guest, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain returns to MEET THE PRESS.

Then, insights and analysis on the presidential battleground states and the battle for congressional control, including a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate. Our political roundtable weighs in:  Charlie Cook, political analyst for the National Journal, editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report; Kelly O’Donnell, NBC News correspondent traveling with the McCain campaign; and Chuck Todd, political director of NBC News.

But first, we’re live here in Waterloo, Iowa, with the Republican nominee for president, John McCain.

Senator, welcome back to MEET THE PRESS. Read more