Election Central Morning Roundup
New McCain Ad: Only McCain And Palin Can Fix The Economy
John McCain has a new ad out this morning, touching on the subject of the financial crisis. It probably won't be as memorable as the Obama campaign's new "dishonorable" ad:
"Our economy -- in crisis," the announcer says. "Only proven reformers John McCain and Sarah Palin can fix it."
Obama In Colorado, Biden In Michigan
Barack Obama is campaigning today in the key swing state of Colorado, with a 1 p.m. ET event in Grand Junction and a 6:30 p.m. ET rally in Pueblo. Joe Biden is campaigning in Michigan, with an 11 a.m. rally in St. Clair Shores and a 5 p.m. ET rally in Flat Rock.
McCain In Florida, Palin In Colorado
John McCain and Sarah Palin are finally holding separate campaign events today. McCain has a town hall event scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET in Jacksonville, Florida, and Palin will be holding a rally in Golden, Colorado, set to begin at 11 a.m. ET.
Biden To Attack McCain's Dishonesty Today
After being shuffled to the background of this campaign for a while, Joe Biden is set to step up his rhetoric against John McCain today, using his speech in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, to go after McCain's campaign tactics. "The campaign a person runs says everything about the way they'll govern," Biden will say, according to pre-released excerpts. "John McCain has decided to bet the house on the politics perfected by Karl Rove."
WaPo: Electoral Map Shrinking Back To Familiar Shape
The Washington Post reports that despite the Obama camp's early optimism that they could expand the electoral map into some very unusual states for a Democrat to compete it, the map now seems to be receding back to some of the same swing states we've watched in the past two cycles. "As in the past two campaigns, four big states -- Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Florida -- are expected to dominate the attention of the candidates," the Post says.
WSJ: McCain Campaign Expanding, Thanks To Interest In Palin
The Wall St. Journal reports that McCain campaign is boosting its staff presence in key states like Pennsylvania, thanks in large part to the public's interest in Sarah Palin. However, the Journal points out that this poses a "strategic dilemma" -- McCain and Palin have been campaigning together for the most part, which means they cover less ground than if they travelled separately.
NOW they're going to have Biden talk about McCain's dishonorable campaign???? Geez, a good week too late: Given the economic meltdown, the Obama campaign absolutely needs to pivot for McCain's incompetence to the economy. This is THE BIG STORY of the week, and if Obama wants to be part of it, he'll have to push to have it happen. "Dishonorable" won't get any traction at all.
September 15, 2008 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have to disagree. Have you seen the new ad? It has lots of quotes ripping into McCain for being a scumbag. They've given McCain enough rope to hang himself. Timing is everything. And if you're going to go after a POWs honor, you can't shoot to soon.
Pufferfish
September 15, 2008 9:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
"How do you shoot the Devil in the back? What if you miss?"
I couldn't agree with you more, Danny. I keep wondering when people are going to realize that Obama sorta nailed this rope-a-dope strategy in the primaries to great success... You don't throw punches to the face when the other guy's guard is up. You throw body blows and then counterpunch to the head. McCain delivered his haymaker with the Palin pick. Obama didn't fall. The conventions are over. Both sides are coming out of their corners for the final rounds. And now Biden can be Biden, working in a narrative (and one based in REALITY) that is being framed around Palin by the Obama Campaign AND the mainstream media. Ten days ago, it would've been "he's picking on the plucky hockey mom. It's sexism." Now Barack and Joe can call liars liars...
September 15, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I need to add that external events typically dominate a campaign in the fall. It's time for Obama to rebrand McCain's party as the party that wrecked America. Conservatives need to own the Wall St. meltdown after all the negligence from regulators the last decade.
Republicans are the party that wrecked America.
September 15, 2008 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
"party that wrecked America" (repubs)
How true!
September 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
That McCain ad MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER!
How can they claim to fix the economy when they are the ones who destroyed it in the first place?
How can they give more tax breaks to the wealthy when the ones thay already gave is one of the factors of this economy?
How can they create new jobs when they give corporate welfare to companies that outsource?
GIVE ME A FREAKIN BREAK?
I am so afraid that there really is a lot of STUPID MOTHAS in America who just might vote for personalities! But, they don't have those either. Just blatent greed and power trip egos.
September 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen. It has Madison Avenue legs.
September 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't forget. Ya gotta mention McCain's econ guru, Phil Gramm. He's responsible for the demise of the Glass-Stegal Act . Without it in place, the financial wizards of Wall Street has run the economy into the ground.
September 15, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Dishonorable. The campaign can't get too far ahead of the public. They're doing the right thing. Letting this simmer. Letting the press jump in and do some heavy lifting. Letting people "get it" for themselves.
We're not a party of propaganda. We want people to think. (unlike the opposition)
September 15, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, the Obama campaign had to thread a tight rope without causing a backlash, with people thinking the Black guy was insulting the "honorable" poor ole' POW.
September 15, 2008 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
And we all know that Obama can only run one ad at a time, don't we? We all know that he can't talk about McCain's "honor" and the economy and WS meltdon?
Obama has been hammering the economy for months while McCain has been talking about pigs and lipstick and surges. You think his first ad on the economy is a big deal.
People like you and Lalo are never satisfied. Whatever Obama does is wrong and whatever McCain does is right.
September 15, 2008 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is there a reason to be satisfied? I was very satisfied during the convention. It ended the next day.
September 15, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
You should clarify: you were satisfied during the republican convention.
But you make my point. You say you were satisfied during the convention but it ended the next day. Why? Obama didn't do anything differently. Obama didn't cave or fail to make his case. Obama kept hitting McCain and running the same kind of campaign he ran during the convention.
McCain made a wild pick that grabbed all the media attention. But you started blaming Obama for that. You're a fair-weather supporter who decides to support Obama, only if he's up. There are peaks and valleys in every campaign. Losers like you are only there for the peaks. Loser.
September 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama didn't do anything differently? Are you out of your mind???
His very first press release after the Palin picked sent the media into a frenzy that gave us what we have today. He personally went after her, with the stupid "small town mayor" comments and comparisons to his campaign. He didn't return to "More of the Same" for at least a week and it's probably too late now because McCain proclaimed himself a reformer and people noticed.
What news have you been following???
September 15, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
"He personally went after her, with the stupid "small town mayor" comments and comparisons to his campaign."
..but she was a small town mayor. Only in troll land does telling the truth equate to a smear.
September 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, are you saying that Obama is solely responsible for the media frenzy over Palin?
I understand you have to stick with your game plan that everything that occurs is Obama's fault...but that's just ridiculous.
September 15, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's responsible for joining the frenzy, along with Biden, no?
September 15, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
No. They really said very little about her for a week.
Blaming blogs for the frenzy is more plausible. It's still wrong, but it would be plausible. Blaming Obama is just goofus.
September 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama never joined the frenzy and neither did Biden. When they were asked questions about her, they responded but they never brought her up. and even in their responses, they were very nice to her. They never attacked or denigrated her in any way whatsoever.
After Obama came to her defense and said families are off limits, what did she do--she attacked Michelle Obama and mocked and ridiculed Barack in the most demeaning ways.
Palin has had her 15 minutes of fame and she has peaked. It's downhill for her from here on out. Count on it.
September 15, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, blaming blogs wouldn't be totally wrong. Here's my official balance sheet of the causes of Palin frenzy, in roughly chronological order.
10% novelty of Alaska
5% beauty queen?
5% rimless glasses?
10% moose hunting?
10% uh oh, a woman -- panic on the left!
10% bloggers' obsession with amniotic fluid
10% little is known about her -- so, instant Easter Egg hunt for reporters!
10% Palin herself outs Bristol -- at this point, it becomes a Cat 5 storm
10% Palin's views are largely unknown, but seem to lean pretty far to the right, contributing to the freakout factor
10% McCain campaign institutes an unprecedented press blackout, not even allowing her to say "hello" to reporters, driving up the mystery factor and the value of scoops
10% Charlie Gibson interview. Oh my god, she really *is* Bush in a skirt.
September 15, 2008 10:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are totally retarded. The press release pointed out that McCain picked someone with very little experience. Just like the McCain press release said Obama picked a washington insider. Neither was a smear and you know it but you let the republicans convince you that there is something wrong with saying she was the mayor of the small town. You're a pussy who runs and hides everytime the republicans say "boo."
Obama didn't do anything wrong. The republicans manufactured outrage and faked hurt while they attacked everything from Obama's uprbringing to his first job. They attacked people who live in cities, people who live on the east coast, they set up a culture war. Us v. Them. But that's OK with you, isn't it? How dare we say that Sarah Palin was mayor of a small town! How dare we!
September 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
So McCain is now talking about fixing the economy and Obama/Biden that republicans (mccain) are dishonorable.
I wonder if this makes Obama look partisan to independents.
September 15, 2008 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
"I wonder if this makes Obama look partisan to independents."
I know that you're trolling makes you look like a complete and utter douchebag to many..
September 15, 2008 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldn't it be better for you to find something useful to do than to follow me around, you empty headed loser?
September 15, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Is a troll, whose main job description is to be a dick, complaining about someone being a dick? Oh the irony.
September 15, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
LOL, what does that make you then? A quick look at your profile and the comments you posted tells me all I need to know.
Useless Troll, you.
September 15, 2008 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
"LOL, what does that make you then? A quick look at your profile and the comments you posted tells me all I need to know."
Desperation laughter aside, despite the fact that you took a "quick look" you still find yourself complaining about me like the bitch that you are. I guess you didn't find out all you needed to know after all.
September 15, 2008 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Like it or not, i have something to say. All you do is stalking, useless troll.
September 15, 2008 9:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
I suggest that you pull your skirt up, wipe those tears, because I'm not going anywhere..
September 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
You can keep stalking me, useless troll, I couldn't care less.
September 15, 2008 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's right douchebag, reprehensible knuckle-dragging troll jizz - I'm not going anywhere.
September 15, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lol, my personal stalking troll, I feel privileged!
September 15, 2008 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever talking points get you through the night scooter, again, not going anywhere.
September 15, 2008 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good dog!
September 15, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
..this coming from someone who is used to being on all fours and eating their own crap.
September 15, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
:-)
September 15, 2008 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
September 15, 2008 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
So McCain is now talking about the girls on the view "picked their bones clean".
I wonder if this makes McCain look weak to independents?
September 15, 2008 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
So what are McCain-Palin going to do for the economy that neither one of them understands?
September 15, 2008 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
More Earmarks!
September 15, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
So far, everytime McCain says Obama is way out in left field, it turns out Obama in right in the middle of the action and its' McCain that's out in left field.
September 15, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain lies? You should live where I do. Listen to the secretaries at my mom's school tell her to vote for the people with the R's next to their names. Listen to the people at my friend's work say that Obama wants to take their guns away and put more troops in Iraq and McCain wants us out of Iraq ASAP. Listen to people make excuses for Bush. Watch a business lose most of their customers because the customers think that the barn with OBAMA '08 painted on it is theirs. That's Indiana for you. Actually, that's in one of the 9 counties in Indiana that Obama won & by 59%-41%.
Its enough to turn someone into a madman. Postal. A serial kil....
September 15, 2008 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I meant my young brother's elementary school when my mom went there. Also, I meant county where Obama won over Clinton in the primaries.
September 15, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
You told us a lot about what you are hearing but nothing about what you are saying...
September 15, 2008 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Believe me, I have a friend that I can describe as careless when it comes to either candidate or voting in general, but when it comes to him hearing anything stupid, he just can't take it. My friend can be called Mr. Obvious and my other friends that know him will totally agree.
Anyhow, that friend tries to talk some sense into them but it don't do any good. Its like teaching someone in special ed (no insult intended toward slow-learners, just stating a fact. My family is slow, honestly but I love them).
These people have their what I call "shady truths" they always use. Bush was the right choice last time because Syria was hiding Iraq's WMD's, and other lies. They can dish out the lies JUST LIKE MCCAIN but they can't back them up. I can't do a fact check on them instantaneously and sometimes they have me fooled into thinking I'm missing something....
BELIEVE ME, these lies work with the rural crowd an mainstream Republicans.
I repeat:
BELIEVE ME, these lies work with the rural crowd an mainstream Republicans.
September 15, 2008 9:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
But does the truth work? And are you telling it? Or are you just a bystander, cataloguing lies?
September 15, 2008 10:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
It might seem futile, but sharing the truth and holding and expressing your views are the only shot we have. We aren't going to see a lot of folks entrenched in the current Republican, fear-based philosophy changing their minds because of what they saw on TV, but there is a chance, slim as it might be, that they may change their minds if they see and hear people they know express different beliefs. At the very least, provide a good example for younger folks who will eventually become voters. By your mere existence (if you express your views and do not hide them in order to avoid conflict with the dominant viewpoint) you will let them know that there is more than one way to think and live. It may be a long-term goal, but it is vital.
September 15, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
At some point, the truth has to be worth telling and re-telling for its own sake. At some point, those who believe the truth need to stand up for themselves and for it, and stop cowering just because the liars have a head start...
September 15, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
The battleground shrinking is not good news for DEMS unfortuntely. It makes for another campaign focused on winning Ohio and Florida which I think are two very tough states for Obama...they are full of older white voters.
The path for Obama seems to be hold the Kerry states (252 EV) and win Iowa, Colorado and Mexico.
September 15, 2008 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mexico might be a tough one . . .
:-P
September 15, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
If Mexico doesn't work out, there's always Canada.
September 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain the big tough war hero who can take on Washington and the Russians and the special interests but can't campaign with his "skirt." What a pussy!
September 15, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Two things:
1) This McCain ad is good news. It turns the focus to the economy, which is where we want to play.
2) The electoral map has shrunk from the likes of NC, GA, IN, MO, etc.
But the battle includes CO, NV, and NM, along with VA which will be very very tight.
http://strategy08.wordpress.com
September 15, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
1) Exactly.
2) Somewhat. It's still too early to determine whether or not the states you listed are firmly red. It's mid-September. There is still much work that can and should be done in all of those states. If NC, GA, IN, & MO aren't being impacted by the economy over the next seven weeks, maybe they are all lost causes for this cycle... But every foot that hits pavement now and every door we knock on in 2008, is a door that will be more likely to open in 2010. Don't forget the big picture: We weren't going to change the map all at once. We're building a new foundation.
September 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is doing well in MO, GA, NC and In (traditional red states) only by flooding the air 24/7. You have no idea how many McCain ads we have had to watch. He only has so much money. That will be gone soon enough. I am still not convinced MO is firmly in McCain's camp, but to beat him here we are going to have to take some shots at Palin.
September 15, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Please take time to read and recommend Steve's post:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/the-fate-of-the-republic-is-at.php
September 15, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe I'm biased, but I think a line like "only persons X and Y can fix the economy" always sounds like bullshit, no matter who you put in for X and Y.
September 15, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Such a good point. We're poised on the brink of disaster and it's going to take "All Hands On Deck!"
September 15, 2008 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. They need to include Congress as well.
September 15, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I really wish there would be a more concerted effort to debunk the whole "offshore drilling to lower gas prices" myth. People really need to understand that this is a gimmick, much like the gas tax holiday that will only encourage more oil consumption. Plus, the oil companies are already sitting on something like 40 or 50 million acres that they aren't drilling on already.
September 15, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why don't they just show McSlug peeling back his shirt to reveal a big red "S"? The next day you will hear people in Utah and Georgia and West Virginia saying: It's a bird. it's a plane. No! It's Superman!
What the thuglicans know that the dems don't is that they are right, as in righteous So long as they believe they are right (about guns, abortion, marriage, country and God) then IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THEY LIE.
Palin is not lying to them. She is telling them what they want to hear.
The ends justify the means.
Just say "no" to kool aid.
September 15, 2008 9:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gallup seems to prefer one voter model to another under different circumstances:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/15/74531/5933/788/599244
Is this as fishy as it looks?
September 15, 2008 9:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
If so, DIGG it here:
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Gallup_admits_to_using_Likely_Voters_when_it_helps_McCain
September 15, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
So much for smaller government. During this republican administration, we are basically seeing the nationalization of major portions of the economy, starting with Bear Stearns, and then the re-nationalization of Fanny Mae (+Fredddie). Too bad about Lehman Brothers, you're on your own folks. It seems as if whoever the next president is, the feds are going to have to accept the fact that you can't just let these cowboy financiers take on such enormous risk without some kind of government oversight. Miccy has said he doesn't know much about economics; maybe there is a clip of him saying this that could be useful in an Obama ad. But then appealing to the better judgment of voters doesn't seem to have worked in the past . . .
September 15, 2008 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad about Lehman Brothers, you're on your own folks.
Lehman Bros probably has more than 50% stock ownership with Democrats than with repugs. I wouldn't put it past them for being so selective on who gets tossed a lifepreserver and who is left to sink or swim on their own.
September 15, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay boys and girls today's Talking Point is:
Phil Graham, McInsane's lead financial advisor and BFF, wrote the law that destoryed the economy . . . And Graham believes that ecomony is fine, it is just that American's whine.
Go forth and spread the Talking Point Say it to at least five people today . . . AND oh yeah . . . God be with you.
September 15, 2008 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Obama needs to get 2 ads running on this economic crisis:
1. One that indicts Bush-McCain on their philosophy that got us in this crisis in the first place.
2. The other that will offer solutions to this crisis.
September 15, 2008 10:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
The electoral map is returning to its familiar shape? Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio are going to be crucial? Who could have guessed? Who could have thought that winniing the Reagan Democrats in those states would have any relevance to a presidential campaign? Who could have imagined that building as broad a coalition as possible was essential to Democratic victory and the salvation of the world from Republican ideology and mismangement? No one could have predicted that. It's a good thing everybody had a really good time hating the hated rival candidate at least.
September 15, 2008 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, guys! It's BOTH the MELTDOWN and DISHONESTY!
Look, the polls are all over the place. Once the first two debates - the first one between Obama and That Old Guy and then Biden and the Wicked Witch of the North - the polls were swing pretty dramatically in our direction.
If it doesn't then, THEN we're screwed...
In the meantime, the best that Obama-Biden can do is give the GOP the most amount of rope they can hang themselves with...
OH, and I agree with Maritza. Those two ads should be up and running within the next 48 hours, no later than that.
September 15, 2008 10:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
I bet the McCain lovers in the media (David Gregory) will run McCain's new ad and completely ignore the Obama ad or they have a debate about if Obama's ad is true where NO DEBATE is needed.
Oh wait MSNBC just ran a 5 second cut of Obama's ad and guess you they interviewed to see if McCain is running a negative campaign? Rep weirdo Blackburn. Gee I wonder whose side she will take. This is a trick the media uses. They always put on a McCain surrogate to either rejoice in a McCain ad or they to rip apart an Obama ad. The first question asked was "who is running a negative campaign.” Mind blowing. We are doomed.
September 15, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
So, now it's back to being about "experience," and "leadership" with the voiceover saying "change." What's the meme here? And, by definition, doesn't a "maverick" go it alone, and not "lead?"
September 15, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
He lumps her in with this claim? Why, because she's been shopping before?
September 15, 2008 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well the RNC played to the base and won over independents. I think authenticity wins independents, so Obama should just speak. And include figures, charts, powerpoints maybe...
Where is Hillary, where is Bill, where is Richardson? This thing is going to be won on the ground.
http://tinyurl.com/6jb7l6
September 15, 2008 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good point.
September 15, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain has a presser today where he promises, "We will never put the economy in this condition again..." to cheers and all that the headlines read is McCain thinks basics of the economy are sound.
"Again" indicates they put us here in the first place and now republicans are promising never to do it "again". I hope the dems pounce all over this one. "Whoops, sorry, but even though it's bad it's not that bad and we promise never to do it again...cross my pow heart...never" "yup, yup".
Now stop your whining, the wealthy are doing fine and they'll have a little something for you too.
September 15, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Republicans...the party that wrecked America", Love it.
Like a murder mystery, one always needs to follow the money to obtain the motive and the murderer. Those pushing the McCain camp (and for that matter Pelosi's bunch flipping on off shore drilling) support him for that reason alone (money) so no matter what else he says or does they ignore it and focus on retaining what ever person gets them the money. They throw out whatever will keep us satisfied while they continue to maximize profits on a massive scale. McCain can only see through the eyes of the wealthy...everything else is just a distraction from their motive of maximizing profits.
"Republicans...the party that wrecked America"..to prosper the extremely wealthy.
September 15, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink