McCain Campaign Concedes Key Red States Are Battlegrounds -- And Must-Wins
The McCain campaign just wrapped up a big damage-control conference call with reporters, and in it, they seemed to make a striking concession: That the race is uncomfortably close in two reliably red states, Indiana and North Carolina.
They also seemed to concede that the core battleground states that they must win are all red states.
Asked to explain their route to an electoral college win, campaign adviser Greg Strimple cited the following six states -- Ohio, Virgina, Florida, Missouri, Indiana, and North Carolina -- and described them as "all states where we're tied or ahead."
Strimple added that victories in all of them would effectively give them a route to victory, when combined with wins in other battlegrounds. But he seemed to clearly state that those six were crucial to them winning -- the foundation for their victory. All of them, of course, went for Bush four years ago.
That the McCain team has quietly slipped Indiana and North Carolina onto the list of key battlegrounds that are "tied or ahead" is striking. North Carolina hasn't voted for a Dem since 1976; Indiana, not since 1964.
What's more, Pollster.com actually has Obama ahead in several of these key states the McCain team has already placed in their definite (and crucial) "win" column: Virginia, Florida and Ohio (where it's virtually tied).
Asked on the call how it was that things got to the point that they were aggressively defending red states, McCain advisers offered a creative defense. They said, in essence, that they'd played rope-a-dope with Obama, spending nothing in them while letting Obama advertise aggressively in them in order to waste his money.
"One of the strategic decisions our campaign has made is to let Mr. Obama spend his resources until we got closer to the election," Strimple said. Those states, he added, "will snap back aggressively in our favor."
For the McCain camp to be conceding that the must-win battleground is comprised of red states, some of which Obama holds leads in, and that two states that haven't voted Dem in decades are now real battlegrounds, doesn't seem like a very strong position at all.
Late Update: Here's the audio from the call:
Welcome to the Alamo.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
October 2, 2008 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Boone, looks like we've got them right where we want them.
October 2, 2008 6:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dang, that was suppose to be Bowie, not Boone. Oh well.
October 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
"One of the strategic decisions our campaign has made is to let Mr. Obama spend his resources until we got closer to the election," Strimple said. Those states, he added, "will snap back aggressively in our favor."
haha... C'mon man, they're bashing the hell out of Obama's fists with their faces. Obama surely can't take this kind of beating for much longer.
October 2, 2008 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
If conceding battling for red states only is that obama is being played then how about we just say when it comes to spinning in quicksand, mccain will win in a landslide. But that will be the only place they win.
October 2, 2008 6:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
While I know this is paraphrased:
Isn't the implication that they "spent nothing" a bit misleading, since they're in Indiana already? At least the RNC is?
October 2, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen McCain commercials here for about a month, about 4 to 1 in Obama's favor.
October 2, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rope-a-Dope?
Anyone must be an ass to vote for this campaign on the basis on intelligence.
They're made to spread and spend resources on traditional red states in the last leg of the election. And it was a strategy?
If they didn't spend on these states and didn't make a dent in any blue states and didn't seal any swing states- what they heck did they did?
It's time to pull the banner down from NM, PA and WI as well along with MI.
October 2, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
More lipstick on a pig.
October 2, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL
October 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean this pig? Going down the drain?
http://picasaweb.google.com/warpstation/MccainHeadache#5251640084526955554
October 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ahhh, there's my favorite piggy having a little trouble leaving Michigan.
October 2, 2008 7:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks, but no thanks for that lift from here to nowhere.
October 2, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's all part of the master plan to get that 270. You all just can't see the brillance of my situation.
October 2, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sounds like a Rudy strategy haha
October 2, 2008 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if this is preemption. Getting out of some markets before Obama's number for Sept comes in. Something tells me they are gonna be blown out of the water with that number! And they don't want to slink away after the number. Plus, today is like a Friday afternoon... they drop this info when everyone's focus is supposedly on the debate only. Like sneaking under the radar. But not working.
October 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's the other way around. They can drop this just before the debate, and it will get hoovered up to make way for the tsunami of debate coverage. Saturday morning? Everyone (except for Republicans in Michigan) won't even remember. I think that's what they're hoping.
But it's weird, in a way. If they expected Sarah Palin to do a knock out job, like all those pundits think she will, why pull out now? Why not wait to see what type of impact Palin's performance has on the polls in Michigan? I mean this seriously. I know why they didn't push this announcement after the debate, because it would be interpreted as in response to the debate, and I'm sure they don't want that.
They must think she's not going to do all that well--because otherwise, they would have waited, right?
October 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you right. It is really a question of whether Palin can get those Clinton Democrats. Their internal polls combined with the public ones are saying that route is a lost cause.
October 2, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
My god though, how would we feel if we were in that position? Hoping to score a few Clinton crossover votes? McCain must be shitting blood right about now.
October 2, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
and cursing at the clouds at the same time.
October 2, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cursing at the clouds of fluff coming out of Palin's mouth.
October 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
They forgot Colorado. Without Colorado, they're toast.
October 2, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're toast.
October 2, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if McCain wins all these states, Obama still wins with IA, NM and CO.
October 2, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mike Allen of Politico said they must win either PA,WI, or MN in order to come within 10 of 270. They are toast. Colorado is a must win state for them and it's slipping away.
Also, why doesn't McCain do many events per day? Isn't this the time to ramp up your campaign stops?
October 2, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well if it's true that they haven't spent any money and that Obama has spent heavily, then it does seem that they have a chance to recover ground by starting to spend money.
If you outspend your opponent by a lot only to draw even, and if your opponent has resources to pour in during the endgame, then it stands to reason that you have a chance to pull back ahead.
Especially if your opponent has a LOT more money to spend, you have to make some tough choices as to where to spend your dough.
In politics money talks. So if they have been allowing Obama to spend uncontested in red states, that does seem like a reasonable strategy, given their monetary disadvantage.
What would you have done differently, if you faced the cash disadvantage that they face?
October 2, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, definitely, you have a chance. I think the larger point is that Indiana and North Carolina should never have gotten to the point where John McCain "has a chance" to win them. These were sure things for McCain, and now they have to spend resources on them, and not on, for example, more money for Nevada, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania. Resources going to Indiana and NC are resources not going any place else.
October 2, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
But that would have meant contesting Obama's spending in the Red States. Sounds to me like they decided to let Obama spend without contesting it. Their gamble was that Obama could get it close but not over the hump.
My only point is that it doesn't sound Crazy. Especially if that allowed them to try to contest places like Michigan or Pennsylvania.
Sounds like they spent a lot in MI that they otherwise might not have spent. But it also sounds like it was money wasted in the end.
But if they had defended NC and IN they wouldn't have been able to even make a play for MI.
October 2, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whatever. You think it was grand strategy: let Obama burn away dollars in Indiana and NC. We know he's never going to get over the top, so we'll let him do that. Once the election gets closer, we'll waltz back in and cement our lead, and we snookered him into spending all that cash.
That's an incredibly risky strategy, ceding all that time, advertisements and organization to an opponent on the assumption that none of it, in the end, would really do the trick. If Indiana and North Carolina really were that steady, McCain could have dumped a little money into each, and remained in Michigan.
The fact that they're not doing that suggests the internal polling is even grimmer than the published polls.
October 2, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROFLLFFL...u think you can have an organization made in 30 days??
that's hilarious considering you just wasted the entire year since february to do any significant damage in the "blue" states and then having to come back in OCTOBER to bunker down in all your red states to even be within reach.
rope a dope my ass.
October 2, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Troop surge. Took a bit of advice from Iraq. Screw the first little, come dump some money, and speak of victory.
October 2, 2008 8:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very well said.
October 2, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
That defense is comical.
Thats like me saying "The reason I kept losing at the Blackjack table is because I wanted the Casino to get over confident."
Seriously. Its the defense the team with MORE MONEY makes. If you have LESS MONEY, you don't spend it 'distracting' your opponent.
If they honestly planned on this - it will prove to be a catastrophic miscalculation that will cost them the election.
October 2, 2008 7:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought the point was that they HAVEN'T spent money in the suddenly competitive red states. But Obama HAS. But despite that they are still tied or ahead in the suddenly competitive red states. And that now that they will spend money, they are confident that can pull way ahead.
This deprives Obama of some funds that might have been better spent elsewhere.
At least that's how I read it. I don't understand what you're saying here.
October 2, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are making the assumption that Obama has spent ALL his money. Like McCain ran out the clock or something.
The Casino always wins because no matter how hot you are - they will always outlast you. They will always have more money than you.
Same here. Obama basically has endless supplies of money. Now they are just working from behind and Obama's efforts will continue at the same (or even higher) level.
October 2, 2008 7:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
If only that were true. The Obama campaign has a financial edge, but much of that is being pumped into the ground game -- registration, canvassing, get-out-the-vote, and all that. To support this effort, the campaign has opened offices and deployed operatives all over the place. All this burns through money pretty fast.
McCain's on a tighter budget, but he's also got the deeper pockets of the RNC backing him up, and seems to be relying more heavily on advertising and on grabbing free media by various campaign gimmicks -- and also, of course, on the unrelenting GOP hate machine with its talking heads and forwarded e-mail and all the rest of it.
October 2, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
And frankly their analysis fails to take in consideration the change in the political atmosphere. They not only have to mount an offense in each of those states (not a defense, but offense) where Obama has effectively had the states to himself. So how do you undo a couple of months of intensive spending and ground game in 30 days? First they have to stop the bleeding/momentum and then reverse it. I'm not sure how they do it at this point. Not saying that it is impossible, but Obama has given McCain very few openings and I don't expect him to do so in the next five weeks.
Hail Mary's do not an offense make.
October 2, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh. In addition. Here is the proof that defense is bullshit.
If you planned on eventually competing in the state - you would still staff it. Indiana is NOT staffed. Hence, they are full of shit.
They didn't expect a Black man to play in Indiana or North Carolina. Sorry. You guessed wrong. And now you are hosed.
October 2, 2008 7:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, I think I'm getting the hang of this, finally. This is more of your famous subtle snark, no?
October 2, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday, sweetie.
October 2, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
{mwaah!} thanks. I'm a baby - I needed it.
October 2, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I knew I appreciated your posts for a reason. 10/2 baby here too. Happy trip around the sun
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday, you guys. :)
October 2, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe this will cheer you up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCwxkEDLvwo
October 2, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then I guess I need to drop some more money in Mr. Obama's coffers.
October 2, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
As others point out above, McCain could win ALL SIX of those states and still lose if Obama simply holds onto the Kerry states and adds IA, CO, and NM. What's their grand plan to combat that scenario?
October 2, 2008 7:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
They argued that they only need 10 EVs from the following states: Colorado, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. At this point, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania seem out of reach. So Colorado, Nevada and New Hampshire. Plus the 6 they listed above.
I hope they don't believe the bullshit they are spinning, because I doubt anyone else will.
October 2, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
This too is bullshit.
Someone try and make a map with 260 for McCain without any of those states listed. What the hell map are they working from?
October 2, 2008 7:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah is drawing the maps!
October 2, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has New Mexico.
I think most people would agree - especially if they are in New Mexico. Which by the way is 3d poorest state, which means the economic fallout will be huge here - and they know it.
October 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is getting "resources" by the day. What can I say? He's getting everything he needs. He needs more... just let us know.
October 2, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being in Indiana, I couldn't be happier.
October 2, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and if they are supposedly playing rope-a-dope to get Obama to spend money in red states, why did they spend a gazillion dollars in Michigan these last 2 months. Sounds more like rope-a-d'oh!
October 2, 2008 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heehee.
October 2, 2008 7:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, ya think?
It was all just a giant head fake, and Obama fell for it, hook line and sinker. That's why he's up, way up, relatively speaking, in Michigan, because he's such a sucker and so easily fooled by the McCain campaign. Sure, that's the ticket!
October 2, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's because he doesn't know a tractic from a strategery!
October 2, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, even Homer Simpson is for Obama:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aBaX9GPSaQ
October 2, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very funny (and also very scary)
October 2, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
And just why will they "snap back aggressively?"
October 2, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Probably when McCain finally snaps.
My bet is it will happen during the town hall debate on Tuesday...
After he snaps, everybody else won't be ashamed to do so. Specially that whining idiot of Steve Schmidt. I really fucking hate that guy.
October 2, 2008 7:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this line of comments - I'm laughing my way through.
October 2, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
O and word up on Schmidt. He looks like a cheap thug.
I'm glad he's out front for that campaign.
October 2, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Steve Schmidt is concentrated evil in my opinion. Touch him and you'll turn into a newt.
October 2, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
CBS just showed Palin's answer to what is her favorite movie,and what is her favorite part.
Palin: the sports ones, with the underdogs,like Rudy and Hoosiers.
What is your favorite part and why;
Palin: The endings. The part where they win.
That is not a transcript, but the gist of what she said.
She likes sappy happy ending movies.
Biden said Chariots of Fire was his favorite movie, and said that his favorite part was where the character had to make a very tough decision to not run, and to stick with his principles.
Biden chose the lesson of a profile in courage, and McCain's PygPalin chose the sappy happy ending, for her inspiration.
October 2, 2008 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
how many mccain campaign advisors does it take to change a light bulb?
two. one to hold the light bulb, and one to spin the living shit out of the room.
October 2, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
ROTFL!
(I hope I did the right letters...)
October 2, 2008 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL! Nailed it!
October 2, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is doable...but it is also their only prayer
October 2, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
The RNC raised $66 million in the month of September which bests their best month ever which happened in October 2004 of $43 million.
Hoping Obama raised at least that much money in September. Unlikely the Obama team will release their money amount until closer to the deadline of October 20th to keep the McCain camp guessing.
October 2, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not worried.
Imagine how many people may have freaked out watching Palin-Kouric dumbfest? I'm sure, people must have sold their body hair to donate to the campaign, if that's what it took.
People are worried sick.
October 2, 2008 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
They're still in the denial stage. If they only hang around with "the base," they never see beyond it. Losing is gonna be a big surprise for some of these folks.
October 2, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, but that's the RNC - not the McLame campaign.
The RNC has a lot of people running they are supposed to help.
October 2, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena. Just missed you on the other thread. Again, Happy B'day and a fun factoid; You share your B'day with Gandhi.
October 2, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks...yeah I know - how ridiculous is that?
It's also Groucho's birthday. That I identify with - argue argue argue.
;)
O and Sting was born on the same day in the same year as me. How come I'm not an international superstar? LOL!
October 2, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm - wonder if Sting is as freaked out as I am over being as old as we are?
*sigh*
so much for "never trust anyone over 30." ;P
October 2, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
You would've become one if you wanted to, IMO. Anyways, you're a star here for sure.
October 2, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh.
now I'm kinda embarrassed - thank you so much. That's one of nicest things anyone ever said to me.
October 2, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday!
October 2, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
So according to the McCain camp, this was their plan all along? LOL. Being down or tied in the battle ground and some red states was the plan all along?
Is John McCain going to suspend his campaign to save it again?
October 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
All along they've had a plan to lose? .... I knew mcShame was politically suicidal. But I didn't think they'd come right out and admit that.
October 2, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what my sister in law floated? - This has not occurred to me - she said she thinks Palin is McLame's excuse for losing. She thinks that's the point.
October 2, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Problem is... once you see the end point, there are a lot of routes there. And a lot of strategies we could hypothesize. She'll always believe that, because the endpoint will prove it to her! (not that I agree... but life is funny that way)
October 2, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
A Modest Suggestion;
It would be very helpful if people submitted their final Obama donations ASAP, so that they will know how much they can spend on last big TV and Radio Ad purchases.
If you are going to sent money in October, do it now, rather than sending it at the end of the month.
Thanks, and spread the word.
Yes You Can.
October 2, 2008 7:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
that was my plan. just sent the rest to get me to the campaign contribution limit. the rest (money-wise) is up to you guys and gals. :)
October 2, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is so funny. You've got this war hero. Losing badly. Retreating further and further, while yelling .... Charge!
October 2, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
David Brooks, shortly after McCain chose Palin and took the mantle of The Reformer, said he prefers to be the general on the white horse leading a crusade. And now he rides his horse amongst the beated, muddied and dispirited troops, pontificating how they will win this noble battle. Karma.
October 2, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
All they've got left is "psychological warfare" - something they have already failed at miserably.
But hey.... when you've got a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
October 2, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wham!...Wham!...Wham! Wham! Wham!
October 2, 2008 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't figure out how to get a photo in my profile. Every time I upload it - its just a dead image.
Made sure its only 64 pixels wide. Is there a size limit or something? Or format requirement?
October 2, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
that's been broken since the weekend. A little patience and maybe they'll fix it .... coming soon... new and upgraded software, so they say.
October 2, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh. Sweet. Now I can't even be a grey head anymore. I'll have to live as a broken image for another week.
October 2, 2008 7:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can see you!
October 2, 2008 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh shit - so too can I now! All I had to do was complain!?
Lets try this.
I don't have enough money...
October 2, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you were Obama, it would work like a charm!
October 2, 2008 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me try.
The Republicans have had the White House far too long.
October 2, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or perhaps the upload thing doesn't work in Firefox?
October 2, 2008 7:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
We see you, buddy! You've appeared! Like Putin rearing his head over Alaska!
October 2, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey... now I've lost him!
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see you - hat and big cigar
October 2, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Smart guy your are, Josh, but learn proper usage. "the must-win battleground is comprised of red states" -- WRONG. "The must-win battleground COMPRISES red states."
October 2, 2008 7:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Josh?
I thought Greg wrote this.
October 2, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not Big Josh - there is a co-writer who is little josh.
October 2, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
But it's Greg and Eric in the byline! Not Josh.
October 2, 2008 7:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
O wait - you're right. There's a post somewhere on this page that has little josh as the co-writer. Or there was at one time.
October 2, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or is composed of. Take your pick.
October 2, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
"This sort of thing doesn't happen in America. Maybe in Ohio, but not America." Homer Simpson
October 2, 2008 7:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know this thing would happen sooner than later:
A Quebec newspaper confuses Tina Fey for Sarah Palin. For real.
http://thedailywhat.tumblr.com/post/52780926/le-soleil-a-french-language-newspaper-serving
October 2, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is toooo funny. As they say, it was bound to happen.
October 2, 2008 7:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Only problem is- Tina is likable - very.
Sarah ain't. I mean every woman I talk to is just horrified by her. Horrified.
The only woman yet that I've talked to who wasn't horrified was a dedicated REpug who wouldn't even hear the bad things - she just kept saying "now now..."
October 2, 2008 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have a coworker that claims that he would vote for the Tina version of Palin. But never for real Palin. Too bitchy.
Perhaps the McCain campaign could work out a swap. That could be the next big 'game changer.'
October 2, 2008 7:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
This has got to mean something. Probably something really bad. Matthew Yglesias -- a sharp guy -- just mistook a HuffPo parody for an actual interview with Katie Couric about her experience dealing with Palin.
I guess this is what people mean when they say something is self-parodying.
October 2, 2008 7:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
This all seems reminiscent to me of Giuliani's primary "strategy." Don't compete and then hope for the best from a massive state. Didn't work too well for him.
October 2, 2008 7:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love this last paragraph from the Huffington Post article about this call:
October 2, 2008 7:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whats so ironic is had McCain chosen a running mate that would help him govern (Mitt Romney) rather than for political expediency, McCain probably would be in a better position than he is in now. Having to pull out of MI plus the economy tanking when it is, McCain has to be kicking himself.
October 2, 2008 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"I am inside ur base, killing ur doodz"
October 2, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!!!!
October 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here is a link to the rumored "What is the best and worst worst thing Dick Cheney has done as Vice President?" Question from Couric to Biden and Palin.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/02/palin-cheneys-worst-decis_n_131412.html
Sorry it's a link to the HuffPo story, but I couldn't find a direct link to the video
October 2, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a shorted direct youtube link, but it's missing Biden's answer that makes Palin's all that much more ridiculous - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HUg8W7bX_0
October 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
She just doesn't have the gravitas to be VP.
October 2, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention.With NC, IN running so close, Barr is a big problem in those states for McCain.
If it remains close, Barr can deny McLame a victory in those states, by winning 2%-3% of the vote.
I'm sure they're not happy.
October 2, 2008 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
A number of polls have shown that in some states Nader is more detrimental to McCain than he is to Obama.
October 2, 2008 7:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really love the fact that Nader is now solidly the crazy uncle that you just let rave if he's out in public. He was Maher and he is so crazy anyone that you are kind of moving back all time from him, cause you just aren't at all sure...
October 2, 2008 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oooo but I sure am.
I'm hoping beyond hope that in Texas a lot of the right stays home. A lot of the right in Texas is trending very strongly Libertarian, and Ron Paul told his followers to vote for a 3d party or forget it, basically. There are a lot of Ron Paul fans in Texas.
October 2, 2008 7:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good point.
Maybe Barr can get some traction by playing on the disgust many conservatives feel over the bailout, which McCain supported.
October 2, 2008 7:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Folks maxed out with Obama should throw some chedder to Barr...
October 2, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Folks maxed out with Obama should throw some chedder to Barr...
October 2, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
OK. Here's the question: if the McCain campaign expected Palin to do really well tonight, wouldln't they wait to see the effect on polling before pulling out of Michigan?
The fact that they didn't suggests either that McCain is much further behind in Michigan than the polls seem to indicate, or, that the campaign knows that Palin isn't going to do such a hot job.
Why not wait? Until after the debate, to make this move?
October 2, 2008 7:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I felt the same way when McLame flip-flopped on the moderator question.
October 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's a great question. Looking at from a national poll perspective, he stuck at 43 to 44%. If they can't get the disaffected Clinton Democrats, what demographic are they hoping to inspire to reach the 48% to 49% mark that is necessary to have a chance.
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Latest news is that Palin has a bandage on her right hand and she is uncharacteristically wearing her hair down tonight. I bet that she's wearing a feed. I wonder if you'll be able to pick it up on HDTV.
October 2, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Would a feed do any good though? From the way the campaign has been run, nobody in McCain's camp seems to be competent.
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You're kidding right?
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check out the photo at CNN.com. Her hair is down.
October 2, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
She wants to look softer and less threatening.
October 2, 2008 8:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I should add: I think that means she's going to be extra nasty and snide tonight.
October 2, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
And it won't be pretty.
October 2, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have abandoned Michigan! I have abandoned my boy!
October 2, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL'
You know, if you're going to do all his roles, you come out with an avatar from Last of the Mohicans, and I'll probably stalk you.
October 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry, you're going to have to get past me to do that.
October 2, 2008 7:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok that only works if you'll cede Johnny Depp to me.
Otherwise, it will be war! LOL
October 2, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
heehee!
October 2, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
HAHA!
October 2, 2008 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Annoy Lou Dobbs by voting in his poll about the liberal media's treatment of Sarah Palin:
Do your civic duty: freak out Lou Dobbs
(It's near the bottom right).
October 2, 2008 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Done. Nothing pleases me more (than an Obama victory) than to annoy Lou Dobbs. I hear his liberal media crap on the Situation Room and I wanted to throw a brick through my tv. I think he was pissing off Blitzer, too. Does he really get the rating to have a whole freaking hour.
October 2, 2008 8:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking of you when I posted that link.
Credit goes to a diarist at DKos for that.
October 2, 2008 8:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks.
October 2, 2008 8:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
i am just watching MSNBC and no sight of any Obama's surrogate. Do we know why?
October 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Palin is wearing a feed tonight, it would be funny for Biden to say something along the lines of "I don't need to ask anybody else to form my own opinions."
October 2, 2008 7:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
somebody a few days back said the Obama people would have jammers. I sure hope so!
October 2, 2008 8:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lovin' Josh's post:
It's the Personality Disorder, Stupid
National Review argues the advantages of having an unstable personality as president.
....
Yeah, bipolar behavior is really working for McCain.
October 2, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
What an absolutely ridiculous article that was.
October 2, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
By all means go annoy Lou - that poll is 50-50 and the poll is very annoying.
October 2, 2008 7:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
A bit OT, but did anybody happen to hear Obama on Mike and Mike this morning? Of course, it was a soft, sports-related interview, but Obama still nailed it.
He was funny and relaxed and had me sincerely laughing. And he was just dripping with "cool."
October 2, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn, I missed it. Can you hear the audio at http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=mikeandmike
October 2, 2008 8:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wasn't meant to be a question. You can hear the audio at their website.
October 2, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a link on this page, middle to the left.
http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/index
October 2, 2008 8:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
A Modest Proposal:
On who should do the patriotic thing, by not voting in this election:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/10/a-modest-proposal-do-not-vote.php
October 2, 2008 8:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok, Eric just posted about the $66 million the RNC took in and ends his post by saying that that means we are where we always are in campaigns - the Repugs have the financial advantage.
Huh? Maybe if they had had that 2 months ago. We're 4 weeks from the end of the campaigns.
I really think that's a weird assertion at this point - am I wrong?
October 2, 2008 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's weird because it's just an assumption, and compared to 2004, it's not even, well, comparable.
October 2, 2008 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
It doesn't really matter how much money one has if the message you're using isn't resonating with the public.
October 2, 2008 8:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make of this what you will, but over on the National Republic blogs they are speculating that he is pulling out of MI and going after ME because he thinks that he is essentially lost in every state where Obama is presently ahead, and that means that Obama already has 269 votes in the bag. Therefore, the only hope for McCain is to win one of the electoral votes in ME (remember, ME apportions electoral votes by congressional district) so as to avoid a tie which goes to the House of Representatives.
If that is for real, they are real grasping at straws here. If he cannot hold on to Iowa and New Mexico or even Missouri and North Carolina, Maine is nowhere near his path of least resistence.
October 2, 2008 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I cannot express how happy it makes me to see this campaign desperately flailing like this.
McFinished.
October 2, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
If this is what they are thinking they are doomed.
October 2, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lost every state where Obama is presently ahead?
That list includes Kerry's states (tied in NH) plus New Mexico, Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, Florida and Virginia.
So, umm, hello President McCain?
October 2, 2008 8:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's bullshit. McPowlin's already lost Iowa and New Mexico. Assuming he loses Colorado and holds the rest of the '04 Reds, winning all of Maine's EV's would put it 269-269. If McCain wins Colorado and the '04 reds other than Iowa and New Mexico, Maine does nothing for him.
One Maine vote would give him a win if he won all of the '04 reds other than Iowa, New Mexico and Nevada, but the idea that he could lose Nevada and win all those other states is just absolutely ridiculous.
October 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
New Mexico is Obama's.
October 2, 2008 8:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Teena - We're glad you're part of OUR group. WUnfortunately, we don't have an accordian to give you, but something tells me, it's no biggie.
Happy, happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCwxkEDLvwo
October 2, 2008 8:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
O - goodness gracious - thanks.
October 2, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
She really rocked that accordian.
October 2, 2008 8:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena's Birthday Cake:
http://www.sotirov.com/uploaded_images/birthday-cake-773619.jpg
October 2, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she might like this one better:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1146/1384696564_4c8b2066fb.jpg
October 2, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I cannot deny it! You win this one!
October 2, 2008 8:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
From Countdown, MCWar is asking bush to veto the rescue plan bill he voted for yesterday.
LOL...
October 2, 2008 8:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um, yah. And if McLoser concedes CO, NV and NH, even if they win all 6 of those "defense states," they LOSE.
Niiiice strategy.
October 2, 2008 8:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's too bad mastermind McCain is suckering Obama into spending all his money in these supposedly Republican states with the illusory result that Obama is pulling ahead in them. I guess it was all just a big waste of money, according to Grandpa McCain. I had better help replenish the coffers that Obama has so depleted in his silly, quixotic quest! I thank McCain's campaign for bringing this problem to my attention!
October 3, 2008 1:55 AM | Reply | Permalink