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In fact, the right-leaning Rasmussen Report suggests that the Electoral College map is swinging in Obama's direction because of two traditional red states (New Mexico and Iowa) that may turn blue in November along with six traditionally red states (Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, and Virgina with a total electoral vote count of 89) that are currently in the toss-up column. Obama would only have to win a couple of those states to put him over the top. Nebraska, of course, has been solid red since they last voted for a Democratic candidate (Lyndon Johnson won over Barry Goldwater in 1964) and will certainly continue that in the upcoming election.
It has been another nasty campaign with a lot of rumors, gossip, innuendoes and outright lies and falsehoods being bandied back and forth between campaigns. It's a shame it has to be this way. You would think we would have grown more sophisticated than that over the years but we obviously haven't so we resort to behavior that would be more suitable for seventh graders than major political campaigns.
I always find the name-calling interesting; especially the labels emanating from Republicans. Some people, including one of our local columnists, appear to be stuck in the Joe McCarthy days of the '50s by using Democrats in the same breath with Socialists and Communists. I'm sure there are some kooks on the extreme left who might fall into that category just as there are kooks on the extreme right who still see a Communist behind every door but for the most part, Americans seem to be fairly centered, both Democrats and Republicans.
All the polls suggest that the candidate who is able to attract the most voters who are centrist in their politics is the candidate who will win. The bump that Senator McCain received by selecting Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice-Presidential choice was short-lived and Obama now has his biggest lead since the nominees were selected; 51 percent to McCain's 45 percent. This marks the 8th straight day Obama has had at least a five point lead and the eighth straight day at 50 percent or better. Other polls show an even larger lead for Obama but I always prefer to go with the more conservative polls so I am again quoting the Rasmussen Report results.
The economic collapse couldn't have come at a worse time for McCain since he has already admitted publicly that the economy is not his strong suit and the public has indicated in every way possible that they don't want another four years of Bushian policies. McCain remained competitive in this race initially because of his "maverick" image that was much ballyhooed by the press. However, in attempting to shore up his support with the Republic base, which continues to be more right-wing than the country is, he has moved away from that maverick persona and, in doing that, began to look and sound more like a typical politician.
Perhaps his greatest mistake though was in choosing Gov. Palin as his running mate. If his strategy was to woo female supporters of Hillary Clinton away from the Democrats, I believe the election will prove unequivocally that didn't work. Gov. Palin is unlike the typical Democratic woman voter in practically every way.
By selecting her, it also negated one of his stronger campaign strategies in painting Obama as being too inexperienced.
John McCain is 72 years old and has skin cancer in his medical history and yet chose as his running mate a female governor of Alaska who has served less than two years, believes she has foreign policy experience because she can see Russia from her house, and was a champion at securing pork for her small town of Wasilla when she was mayor. Since then she has done little in the two public interviews she has given or the debate with Joe Biden on Thursday night, to suggest she has a firm grasp on ANY of the crucial issues facing this country.
Selecting her may not lose McCain the election because vice-presidential candidates seldom do, but I think it's a good bet it's not going to win it for him either.
Four more weeks and we'll know.
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Palin still has more political experience than Obama. And he's running for (and could quite possibly, heaven forbid, win) the highest seat in the country. THAT'S what's scary.
Jim
Jim writes: Palin still has more political experience than Obama.
Palin was the mayor of a town smaller than McCook and has served part of a term as governor of a state (she likes to describe it as a "huge state," which it is, in terms or square miles, most of them totally empty) with a population about like Omaha.
Do you figure a few years as mayor of McCook (or Omaha, for that matter) qualify someone to step more or less directly into the White House? I don't know the mayor of McCook (or Omaha), who most likely are perfectly competent folks, but I don't see that as real heavy-duty political experience. The governor of a state that actually has more than a tiny handful of people in it would be a different matter.
Obama has served in the United States Senate and in the state legislature of Illinois, a big-population, big-economy state that includes one of the top three urban areas (Chicago) in the country and includes several cities that have more people than the whole state of Alaska. How does that not trump Wasilla?
Steffanie wrote: "I can think of nothing more enabling for a commander in chief to have been rallying the allegedly oppressed with the help of sixties radicals."
For the last eight years, I have been unable to think of anything more enabling for a commander in chief than to have been a deserter (AWOL for more than 30 days is considered desertion) from the Texas Air National Guard. So I guess we're even on that score.
On the other hand, Steffanie has persuaded me that "community organizer" for the oppressed is in fact a political function. I had certainly not forgotten it; I had simply not thought it germane to the discussion. Since all communities have organizers, I accept her suggestion. Examples: The business community has, among other organizers, the Chamber of Commerce. The gun owners' community has an organizer in the NRA. There are the professional and trade organizations such as the American Medical Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, as well as the labor unions. All organize and promote on behalf of their members or constituents.
Here's the important difference. When constituents want or need something from government, all of the above community organizers rally to the cause with political clout, the well-established "old boys network" and big sacks of money for lobbyists. When the "oppressed," as Steffanie describes them, want or need something from government, they are on their own and have to make their own noise. That does not, in my book, make "community organizer" a pejorative term.
Further, without the '60s radicals, the Vietnam War would have gone so long that even Bush, Cheney and most of the other administration chicken hawks would have been unable to avoid it despite their best efforts, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would not have come to pass. That, to me, does not make "'60s radical" a pejorative term either.
Wow, I guess stef does not believe in everyone getting one vote. Now thats not very democratic. I think you should have to take a comprehensive exam before you can vote stef. \
Please tell the readers how you are helping our society?
The very same could be said of the McCain-Keating S&L scandal, the soon to be trillion dollar Wall Street Christmas gift, the no-bid Halliburton contracts and every farm subsidy to come down the pike in the last 50 years or so. Most not ignorant, some criminally greedy, all "wanters," who have gotten what they wanted (and in some cases, actually needed).
For the sake of clarity, how does being among the urban poor, many of whom are minorities, make one ignorant? A better gauge of ignorance is how often one votes against his/her own best interests. After eight years of the Bush disaster, 12 years of Republican majority in both houses of Congress and the last two years of the ability to filibuster and to block veto overrides, how are all those "red state" interests doing these days?
"NEWSFLASH!!!!!! Bush isn't running."
And let's thank all that is holy and good for that!
Interestingly enough the united states has had another president from Illinois with little political experience. That seemed to turn out okay.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lin...
"NEWSFLASH!!!!!! Bush isn't running."
Ahh, but he is. He's just calling himself "McCain" this time. McCain is a little smarter and a little more polished, but otherwise looks like the same guy.
isn't it wonderful we can all participate in this idiotic political posturing lunacy? reminds me of the old saying about opinions; they're just like --------, every one has one and they all stink!
This might be an opportune time to remind folks like Steffanie that Jesus was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate was a governor.One also wonders what basis Steffanie is deciding ignorance on? I know I have my criteria and know who I think fits where.
For the 'n'th time from Steffanie in this thread:
"B. Hussein Obama"
Does Ann Coulter do all of the REST of your thinking, too? Of course, Hussein is his middle name. McCain's is Sidney, and he has an aristocatic numeral, too: "III". Nobody uses "Sidney" or "III" because "Sidney" sounds wimpy and "III" sounds country clubby. But especially Fox LOVES Hussein. Because it's scary and inflammatory.
So give it a rest, Steff ... we're on to that crap.
hey steff, rush, hannity, and others of their ilk are great shortcuts to critical thinking. Just keep listening to them and they will tell you how to think.
I think you are upset that a homeless persons vote counts as much as yours. With you being so much better then them it seems only fair that your vote count 10 times as much.
I can honestly say I have never voted for someone because I liked or hated their name. Seems small minded to me.
Isn't it fascinating that the same story is said every election. Who is good and who is bad.
Politics and religion are one in the same. No one can win at an arguement about either one. Sometimes it is good to keep opinions to ourselves instead of starting a riot because of one thing said wrong.
That is two things I will not argue. Politics and religion.
ahh yes, the right wing talking points just keep coming. Ya know, alot of the homeless people have not been as fortunate as you, some have mental illness, others have lost jobs, does that make them "bums"? You are obviously not a christian lady since you have no compassion for your fellow man. Just keep living in your bubble.
Perhaps you, god forbid, should do some critical thinking and realize that the instances where homeless people are bussed in and vote are few and far between. If one person does it the right wing talking heads keep taking about it like millions and millions of homeless are fraduently voting. I think the gazette said to avoid personal attacks, but damn lady, your ignorant.
Wow, Steffanie, keep talking like that -- makes us more informed how that "compassionate conservatism" really works. If the polling places where many of the less fortunate reside could assure voting access, especially without the deterrent of hours-long lines, perhaps your argument would have more credence. As of now, many of them can't. Are you not for democracy?
During the last Republican depression ... the "Great" one between the World Wars ... 25% of Americans were "bums," as Steff is fond of calling them. Wonder how many of us will be "bums" (and therefore not really qualified to vote) during the Republican depression that's starting now.
Excuse me for not accepting the view that every person in an overpopulated voting district is homeless, jobless and doesn't have a brain. The good thing for the GOP is that its mishandling of the economy should ensure some convenient long lines of disappointed voters with "nothing to do." If those people can't participate in democracy and find a nice school in the United States, perhaps they can find those opportunities in Iraq, where we like to spend money on such things.
Since Steph is into sterotypes, perhaps I could get her to come over and iron my shirts and sweep my floors. I would even let her cook me some meals for my family. After all, a womans place is in the home doing things for her man.
I always thought woman sufferage was a great thing, till I read Steph's comments. I wonder if we could take away her vote.
Chastising people is by saying that it makes you sick by the way they vote. That is the same as berating someone.
It is their right and their business to vote whatever way they want to. Take it good or bad, not everything in the world pleases everyone. The same things could be said about you and your comments. These are opinions from all U.S. citizens who read this paper.
Rabblerousers, mudslingers, dirty politics....it all happens all the time from the top government officials to the miniscule city governments. If you DON'T LIKE what is happening, CAST YOUR VOTE in November. It takes voters to make or break an election.
You people do realize that in the presidential election your vote doesn't really matter right? I mean growing up you probably went to school and learned how the whole electoral process is done correct? I know they didn't have no child left behind back then but I still assume you learned something.
During the US presidential election they keep a tally of the peoples vote. I believe they call it the 'popular' vote. This however has little to no bearing on who is actually elected president. That is done by the electoral college representatives. Now, every single person in our state could vote for one of the current candidates. That doesn't matter, the only thing that does matter is who our electoral college representatives vote for. This is how someone could win the popular vote (Thats the one thats a tally of who the people vote for) as apposed to the electoral vote (the one that actually matters.)
When the great depression started in 1928, Republicans and Democrats both, were in office. That went on for a few years before things were back to almost normal.
Stephanie, you only see what is in front of you and not to the side. True evidence of being a simpleton.
We are the free world. All the other countries hate us because we are free. Free to chose what we want. Free to speak what we want. You sound as if you hate anything that happens in this country that doesn't suit you. If you don't like it, leave. Go to another country across the Atlantic or Pacific ocean and enjoy life there. I'm sure all others could put up with what is going on here. Alot of us have for a long time. We have been through more in a lifetime than you would ever think of.
Wow Steffanie...did you make it past the title?
Did you read it or not?
"I never voted before," Woods said, because of a felony conviction that previously barred him from the polls. "Without this service, I would have had no way to get here."
Does it say whom he voted for?? No, just simply that they are a means of helping him cast his vote, doesn't say he was bribed, or anything...and for you to call them "bums" makes you appear to be a person with much "self worth". Rather comical, considering you basically read the false title they used without reading, wait, maybe you did and just couldn't comprehend it.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10062008/new... I'm referring to that article she posted.
Why are we not all ignoring Steffanie? To paraphrase an old, and wise, saying, "Arguing with a moron is like trying to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig."
I am out.
Is steffanie a bot? or just that brain washed?
Steffanie, I garnered no response from you on me calling out the falsification on that link you posted...can you please answer my questions...instead of basically spamming "B.Hussein Obama" everywhere...
Steffanie:
Wouldn't be the first time would. Last time I checked the 2000 election was bought as well. Then after much appealing to the fundamentalist Christians we got another 4 years of it.