Video: John McCain Concession Speech, November 4, 2008

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

Final Reason I’m Voting for Obama – 3 of 3 – John McCain

I can remember during the Republican primaries in 1999 – 2000 thinking that John McCain is a Republican I would consider voting for. He distinguished himself by rejecting party dogma on a few important issues. He set himself apart as an independent operator who talked straight and seemed like he would put the needs of his country first and the special interests and big business last in line. Finally, he rejected the right wing of the Republican Party’s efforts to divide America over issues of faith and morality.

That was then, this is now. 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

Campaign stays hot in Ohio: 2008 Elections Coverage by Ohio’s Major Dailies

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

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.

Ohio Politics and Elections Coverage: Five Days to Election Day

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

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.

Eight Days: Ohio Politics and Elections News A.M. Update

Columbus Dispatch

• Early Vote very Democratic
• McCain asking Ohioans for help

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.

• Palin returning to Ohio on Wednesday

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

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.

Video: John McCain on Meet the Press | October 26 | 10 Days to Election

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

Ohio Sunday Papers October 26 – Politics, Elections

Politics & Elections News

• Endorsement: Obama better choice to lead U.S. – Youngstown Vindicator
• Ohio Dems outspend Republicans in Ohio House races – The Plain Dealer
• $1 million bail set in Brunner death threat – Columbus Dispatch
• Is Ohio doomed to elections battles?
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Ballot dispute history
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Changes proposed to state’s constitution – Toledo Blade
• Obama, McCain must commit to job creation in NE Ohio
  – The Plain Dealer
• War fades as voters’ central issue
  – Dayton Daily News
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Handicapping the next Ohio House
  – The Plain Dealer
• Strickland stumps for Ohio House race – Cincinnati Enquirer
• Op-Ed, Dennis Willard – Bigotry, hate polarizing Americans
  - Akron Beacon-Journal
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Big victory could could quell cries of election fraud – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, Joe Frolik: Obama is battered but not bruised – The Plain Dealer
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: McCain’s gamble on Palin looking like iffy bet in Ohio – Columbus Dispatch
• Op-Ed, David Skolnick: Republicans brace for political thrashing – Youngstown Vindicator
• Campaigns plan presence at polls
  – Columbus Dispatch
• McCain slams Ohio snooping on ‘Joe’ – Columbus Dispatch
• It only feels like candidates visit daily
  – Columbus Dispatch
• Odds against no tax casinos
  – Columbus Dispatch
• D.C. Dispatches
  – Columbus Dispatches
• Voters weigh limits for payday lenders – Toledo Blade
• Endorsement: Vote to keep curbs on payday lenders – Columbus Dispatch
• Endorsement: McCain for President – Warren Tribune-Chronicle

 

Other News

• Op-Ed, Mike Curtin: Ohio leads in state government fiscal restraint – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Ohio leads service effort
  – Columbus Dispatch
  
• Toledo Mayor proposes 3-day government shutdown
  – Toledo Blade

Colin Powell – The Real Republican Maverick

What did John McCain do after the Bush-Rove political machine ground his good name into the South Carolina mud in 2000? Something very unmavericky – he played ball with them all the through eight years of failed policies. What did John McCain do after who he called the “agents of intolerance” besmirched his name in that same 2000 campaign? He gave a commencement address at Liberty University. Why did John the Maverick lose his straight-talkin’ ways? He figured he had as good a chance as any to be the Republican nominee in 2008. John McCain sold out for a job.

What did Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell do when Dick Cheney and George Tenet fed him bad information and sent him to the United Nations a la Adlai Stevenson? He waited an appropriate amount of time because he’s a gentleman, he packed up Dick Armitage, and left the Administration that stabbed him in the back and left him out there hanging. Now that was Mavericky. Not relying on the broken down Republican Party, Powell took his own counsel this weekend and endorsed Barack Obama for president. In part, on Meet the Press he said: Read more

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