Of course, like all truly-refined political junkies, I'm sure that The Moderate Voice is your one-stop-shopping choice for the best news and opinions. But looking beyond that, a new study out from the Pew Research Center examines where voters are getting their political and campaign news this year as compared to times past. Some of the results will likely come as no surprise to … [Read more...] about Where Do You Get Your Campaign News?
The Three Presidential Debates: Spontaneous Or Not?
After the votes are counted on Election Day, there will be the inevitable talk about the impact of the Presidential debates on the final verdict. Specifically, how did they impact the candidacy of Barack Obama and John McCain? Historians and future candidates will want to know. But were these debates as spontaneous as they seemed at first glance? Or were talking points … [Read more...] about The Three Presidential Debates: Spontaneous Or Not?
Candidate Closing Arguments
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Candidate Closing Arguments
Two Polls: Obama Retains Strong Lead And Favored By Early Voters
Two polls show a stable Presidential race heading into the final two full days of campaigning with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barak Obama holding a commanding lead over GOPer Sen. John McCain -- and one poll shows Obama strongly-favored by early voters. A new CBS News poll puts Obama 13 points among likely voters, 54 percent to 41 percent. And a new Washington … [Read more...] about Two Polls: Obama Retains Strong Lead And Favored By Early Voters
CNN News Plans Hologram Projections In Election Night Coverage
On Election Night, all networks bring you voting projections. This year CNN will be bring you news-maker and correspondent projections. Literally. By hologram. According to TV Newser, CNN will be projecting three dimensional images into news central: Adding to what promises to be one of the most technologically advanced events in CNN's 28-year history, CNN will enhance … [Read more...] about CNN News Plans Hologram Projections In Election Night Coverage
Palin “Pranked” By Canadian Radio Comedian Sarkozy Impersonator
Is it possible for radio "shock jocks" to get through to a major party presidential ticket candidate, pretend to be French President Nicolas Sarkozy and then take the hoax conversation right up to the "reveal" (where the hoodwinked "mark" is told the truth)? Yes: Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin got "pranked" by the Canadian comedy duo known as "The Masked … [Read more...] about Palin “Pranked” By Canadian Radio Comedian Sarkozy Impersonator
Canvassing for Obama in Southern Appalachia
Appalachia is a land of contradictions. It's a crossroads of peoples, and it's an isolated pocket of cultural residue. It is a place and it is a mentality. Appalachia conjures up the most beautiful mountains and valleys, and the most environmentally denuded places in the country. Its signature music - bluegrass - perfectly encapsulates these contradictions. The standard songs … [Read more...] about Canvassing for Obama in Southern Appalachia
Obama Draws Even, More or Less, in Louisiana
Ahead in the polls, and with the Kerry states pretty much wrapped up, including Pennsylvania, Obama has been setting his sights lately on traditionally-red states like Indiana and North Carolina, and even McCain's home state of Arizona. Obama has substantial leads in key battleground states like Virginia, Colorado, and New Hampshire, the race is more or less even in others … [Read more...] about Obama Draws Even, More or Less, in Louisiana
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE LAST WORD–ALMOST
Larry J. Sabato - THE LAST WORD--ALMOST: The Crystal Ball's Next-to-Last Projections for the 2008 Election These are our 2008 election projections as of Thursday, October 30. We will make final adjustments and tweaks on Monday afternoon, November 3, and post them to the website. At that point, we will attempt to call the few remaining toss-ups. We wish everyone the best … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE LAST WORD–ALMOST
The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday!
Visit your local NPR station for The Capitol Steps on the Air: Halloween Special. If your station has already broadcast the show, tune in online to a station that has not yet done so. … [Read more...] about The Capitol Steps: Politics Takes A Holiday!
Disgusted Democrats Not Sold On Obama
Polarization abounds in this topsy-turvy, Alice-in-Wonderland campaign season and I am grateful that it will soon be over! I am a U.S. citizen, Democrat, Jew, lesbian-feminist, liberal, pro-choicer and am proud of all of these characteristics. I am, however, disgusted with both Presidential tickets. I prefer John McCain on foreign affairs, the Middle East and national … [Read more...] about Disgusted Democrats Not Sold On Obama
While Waiting for Obama … Beware!: Le Figaro, France
The nail-biting on this planet over the 2008 U.S. presidential election is quite a spectacle. And the question on almost everyone's lips is this: Will Americans actually do what all the opinion polls say they will - elect a Black man to the U.S. presidency? Clearly - the 'Bradley Effect' has once and for all become a part of global electoral lore. For France's Le Figaro, … [Read more...] about While Waiting for Obama … Beware!: Le Figaro, France
McCain Faults Obama’s (Pollan) Comments on Farming
For those of you who have yet to notice, I am a big fan of Michael Pollan. I get that some of his notions are a bit airy-fairy idealist, but I thought his Dear Mr. President-Elect open letter to the next Farmer in Chief was brilliant. In it he deftly points out the links between farm policy and the three main issues of our day — health care, energy independence and climate … [Read more...] about McCain Faults Obama’s (Pollan) Comments on Farming
I Confess. The Panic Has Set In.
I was on the road for some family business, but still manged to keep up with the news. It was only this weekend that I think a shock of cold, harsh reality has struck. Like many of us, I follow the polls, the political news, the talk shows, and I try to divine what's going on in Election 2008 across the nation. Like most, I try to keep a positive attitude. I understand that the … [Read more...] about I Confess. The Panic Has Set In.
WWRRD?*
Republicans Against 8 have released one final ad before Tuesday's vote that, if approved, would ban same-sex marriage in California, which has been legal since the summer. The ad goes back in time to 1978, when the Briggs Initiative threatened to ban gay teachers from teaching in schools. Ronald Reagan came out against Briggs. The ad then flash-forwards to the present when … [Read more...] about WWRRD?*
Feeling Like Barack Obama’s Cultural Cousin
I am starting to feel like Barack Obama's cultural cousin. When he left the campaign trail to visit his grandmother, who was a key figure in his rearing, I kept thinking about Susie Grant, my grandmother, in whose house I grew up. Today, news comes that Obama has a half-aunt on his father's side, found in circumstances about which he knew nothing, and that development is … [Read more...] about Feeling Like Barack Obama’s Cultural Cousin
Connecting with Moderate Independents
The New York Times had a fascinating article: A Psychologist Helps Repackage Democrats’ Message Democrats up and down the ballot have been trying to reverse the Republican rhetorical dominance that made “liberal” an unsavory label, and many have found help in a slender document percolating through their party’s hierarchy. It is called the “Message Handbook for … [Read more...] about Connecting with Moderate Independents
Is Obama American Enough to Succeed?
Is Barack Obama enough of an American? Can a person be well-educated, dark-skinned and a real American at the same time? Obama’s election hinges on whether a majority thinks the latter is possible or is so self-evident that the question is silly. The McCain-Palin ticket’s central strategy still is to stoke doubt and keep the first question alive. It cannot be denied that … [Read more...] about Is Obama American Enough to Succeed?
McCain, Obama: The Authenticity Gap
What's left of the real Barack Obama and John McCain after all this nonstop being seen and heard? If Obama wins the prize Tuesday, it may be, behind all the political jabber, a victory in the media war of attrition not to lose his authentic self. After eight years of having a beer with a nobody-there George W. Bush, voters gave the nominations to candidates who appeared to … [Read more...] about McCain, Obama: The Authenticity Gap
Gallup Daily Tracking: Obama Now Has Leads McCain 52% To 42% Among Likely Voters
A new Gallup Daily tracking poll suggests that perhaps Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's infomercial had some impact: he now leads rival Republican Sen. John McCain by 10 points among likely voters -- and has the same lead among "traditional" and "expanded" voters. Meanwhile, Gallup finds Obama ahead 52% to 41% among registered voters. But if you … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking: Obama Now Has Leads McCain 52% To 42% Among Likely Voters