Comments on: The Media vs. John McCain

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:29:45 +0000

Casualobserver said: “Well, that's why you are affectionately referred to as Canuckleheads, my good man!”

Hmmm…and here I thought the popular term was “Canuckistan”

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:28:05 +0000

Hahahaha…what you say is very true, Spencer.

One of the first times I visited Toronto, years ago, I was at a party…and remarked that I didn't really see much difference between Torontonians and Americans…except American beer was shite, and Americans were generally more mannerly in my experience.

Well . . . .

Based on your travels in Canada, Spencer, you can imagine the reaction!

Yah, Canadian identity is based on not being American. Canadians aren't really sure who they are as a country, and seem to disagree about everything else…but they are at least bloody sure of that.

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:52:08 +0000

Marlowe, I have friends in Canada and have spent a fair amount of time in various provinces, and I can assure you, Canadians wouldn't take at all well to being referred to as “America's great white north”.

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:37:57 +0000

Well, that's why they're referred to as Canuckleheads, my good man!

The poll differential demonstrates to me, actual independent voters out there have shifted from a McCain vote lean to an obama vote lean without necessarily viewing McCain as lesser candidate, but less right for the time.

That "timing thing" is what Jay Cost put empircal evidence to above.

By: kritt11

kritt11 — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:31:44 +0000

I think in a good economy, John McCain's Ayers attack would be getting more traction. I agree with those who think it makes him look like he just isn't getting it. Also, his plan to give homeowners mortgage relief flopped with conservative backers, so he had to change it so that the banks take no hit for issuing bad loans.

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:13:37 +0000

Casualobserver…

Well, OF COURSE I elevate my opinion about 160 years of relatively demonstrable fact!

I was just struck by the contrast between the Canucks and the Yanks in simultaneous elections.

Please expand on your idea, though. Carville's axiom? (you mean “it's the economy, stupid”?). I am curious: How do you account for this difference between “vote for” and “view favourably” about Obama?

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:03:13 +0000

Marlow, you're usually quite a reasonable chap, so I am surprised you would choose to elevate your opinion above 160 years of relatively demonstrable fact.

Despite obama's lead in the vote for polls, Rasmussen “view favorably” has not moved obama ahead of McCain. It's Carville's axiom once again, no more, no less.

By: Marlowecan

Marlowecan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:40:25 +0000

Hmmm...I am not sure if the connection is that easy, Dennis.

In Canada, America's great white north, the conservative government looks to be re-elected next week . . . despite having been in power for the past few years.

I think voters also do a rational calculation, over who they feel will be the best to handle a government in difficult times.

Speaking personally, my opinion of McCain's leadership has dropped dramatically in seeing his response to the crisis. . . while my opinion of Obama has risen somewhat.

That is just me, though.

By: GeorgeSorwell

GeorgeSorwell — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:13:01 +0000

Of course, focusing on an aging radical and his ties to Senator Obama only help feed the view that McCain is out of touch with what is going on.

I agree.

Though of course I also agree with JSpencer that the last eight years of Republican leadership is reason enough to vote for anyone but this year's Republican.

By: casualobserver

casualobserver — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:03:43 +0000

Spencer, you feel compelled to moralize even when the subject matter of the post implies you shouldn't.

By: JSpencer

JSpencer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:36:22 +0000

Even if the economy wasn't tanking there would be no shortage of good reasons to vote against McCain, and more than enough good reason not to reward the GOP for their past 8 years of what has essentially been an extended insult to America, democracy, and reason in general.