To say that tensions are extremely high on the Republican stump with the race slipping away is an understatement. That the hardest of the hard core are crawling out of the woodwork probably was inevitable. But there has been some pretty ugly acting out, as reported here and here, because of the way that John McCain and Sarah Palin have been baiting campaign rally audiences, … [Read more...] about (Updated) Yo, John & Sarah: We’re Waiting
Is ‘Liberal’ Still a Dirty Word?
The latest McCain ad ignores Wright, Rezko, and Ayers and instead accuses Obama of a single, supposedly disqualifying, grievance: Being liberal. But I argue over at Ablogistan that this assumes too much and, after this election (assuming Obama holds onto his lead and wins), Republicans are going to finally come to the realization that "liberal" isn't the dirty word it once … [Read more...] about Is ‘Liberal’ Still a Dirty Word?
Why Republicans Should Be Nervous Over The Obama McCain Debate
Just look at this reaction from a focus group. The bottom line: the town hall format proved favorable but not necessarily for John McCain. … [Read more...] about Why Republicans Should Be Nervous Over The Obama McCain Debate
538’s Nate Silver on Colbert Report
A baseball statistician, Colbert asks how he would sum up the race in baseball terms: I think it's bottom of the ninth inning, McCain's down two runs, and Sarah Palin just got picked off of first base. The crowd roars. 538's predicting an Obama wins with 345.4 electoral votes. Watch: … [Read more...] about 538’s Nate Silver on Colbert Report
Two Gallup Polls Show McCain’s Huge Challenge In Battle Against Obama
Just how challenging is the political and economic context for Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain in his battle against Democratic Sen. Barack Obama for the White House? Two recent Gallup polls tell the tale. A Gallup poll finds Americans' level of satisfaction is now at 9 percent -- a record low that exceeds how dissatisfied Americans were during the … [Read more...] about Two Gallup Polls Show McCain’s Huge Challenge In Battle Against Obama
Sweeping Up the Wreckage After the Debate
Thanks to a "senior moment" on the part of my cable modem, I was unable to complete my post-debate analysis and publish it last night. In retrospect, that's probably a good thing. By the end of the entertainment, I was nearly catatonic. In case you don't care to be kept in suspense and have no interest in reading this entire column, I'll let you know right up front: I'm … [Read more...] about Sweeping Up the Wreckage After the Debate
POW McCain
Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria … [Read more...] about POW McCain
California Gay Marriage Ban Picks Up Support
Stephen H. Miller comments on a Survey USA poll [pdf] finding that California voters now favor passage of Proposition 8 by a five-point margin, 47 percent to 42 percent: One reason is the success of this anti-gay marriage ad showing San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaiming same-sex marriage is here to stay "whether you like it or not." It's not lost yet, but this is … [Read more...] about California Gay Marriage Ban Picks Up Support
Can We Just Shoot Ourselves Now?
With Barack Obama finally breaking 50 percent in national public-opinion polls and John McCain sinking like a stone, the town hall face-off in Nashville last night was the Democrat's to lose, but the feeling persisted throughout the 90 minutes (which felt more like 900) that both men understand that fixing what ails the economy is bigger than either of them. With financial … [Read more...] about Can We Just Shoot Ourselves Now?
Memo To McCain: She’s Checking The Sheet Music
With four weeks to go before Election Day, things are looking increasingly grim for the GOP and the McCain/Palin campaign. Given the fact that this race has seen more twists and turns than Six Flags I'm not going to call the race as over but it is increasingly close. As I have previously written, the House and the Senate are already a done deal. The GOP is only hoping to … [Read more...] about Memo To McCain: She’s Checking The Sheet Music
Consensus On Obama McCain Debate: McCain Didn’t Get Needed “Game Changer”
A general consensus is emerging in the new and old media -- even among many Democrats and some Republicans -- that Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain failed to get the game-changing event out of his second debate with Democratic Senator Barack Obama. In fact, on CNN Republican bigwig and former adviser to Presidents of both parties David Gergen called … [Read more...] about Consensus On Obama McCain Debate: McCain Didn’t Get Needed “Game Changer”
Obama McCain Debate Round 2
I'm going to write something of a backwards post on the debate, offering my conclusions first and then more of a question-by-question analysis so you can read as much as you like. In looking at the substance issues, I have called it pretty much a tie with a 7-7 vote so pretty much it comes down to another tie. Indeed, in many cases, I gave points to one candidate or the … [Read more...] about Obama McCain Debate Round 2
No Traction for McCain on the High Road
By all measures, Barack Obama won by a wide margin tonight's debate, which was focused on issues, with no mention of Sarah Palin or the smears she has been spreading out on the McCain campaign's low road. For the first hour, the Republican candidate's demeanor consisted of an odd Uriah Heep cringe with a cajoling, almost imploring tone suggesting that McCain was trying very … [Read more...] about No Traction for McCain on the High Road
The Clincher
I'm biased. I support Barack Obama wholeheartedly. But I was ready for McCain to do better in the town hall format. I was wrong. John McCain did much WORSE in this format than last time. In the first debate I though the two were roughly tied, with an ever-so-slight advantage to Obama for beating expectations on foreign policy. In this setting McCain looked aged, … [Read more...] about The Clincher
Snap Polls: Obama Won
We seem to be seeing the same trend as after the first presidential debate and the VP debate: Pundits and political junkies saw it as a tie, but voters in snap polls give the edge to the Democratic candidate. The results from about 500 uncommitted voters surveyed by CBS: Who won the debate? 39% say Obama, 27% McCain, 35% rate it a tie. How did the debate impact vote … [Read more...] about Snap Polls: Obama Won
Why Did McCain Not Use the Smear Card Tonight?
Sorry, Bill Kristol. McCain did not use the smear card tonight in the debate. Doggone, I know you are very disappointed, but who really cares about that. Just a short and from-the-gut reaction to this aspect of tonight's debate. After all the muckraking---uncomfortably close to inflammatory incitement---by his pit-bull running mate, I was amazed that McCain did not get … [Read more...] about Why Did McCain Not Use the Smear Card Tonight?
2nd Presidential Debate… and My Head Exploded!
Okay -- I understand now why McCain wanted the Townhall debate format. He is much, much better in this setting. Yes, he looked extremely stiff -- and next to Obama, downright ancient. But McCain's demeanor, and his answers, were much improved from the last debate. Furthermore, these questions were exponentially better than we've seen to date, and I was thrilled to hear … [Read more...] about 2nd Presidential Debate… and My Head Exploded!
Donna Brazile’s Not Going To The Back Of The Bus
Donna Brazile is on ABC right now: The homework assignment that Senator McCain had tonight was to come in and change the fundamentals of the race. He couldn't do that because Senator Obama would not allow it. Brazile is on a roll. On the “If I Were Running This Campaign” panel this past Saturday morning [full-length video] Jeff Toobin remarked, “It’s Donna’s world; we just … [Read more...] about Donna Brazile’s Not Going To The Back Of The Bus
Volunteer This: Live-Blogging the Second Obama-McCain Debate
If you're interested, I'm live-blogging the debate and its aftermath (media reaction) over at my place tonight: Click here. Feel free to offer your comments. (Obviously, we'll have a lot of reaction here at TMV, too.) … [Read more...] about Volunteer This: Live-Blogging the Second Obama-McCain Debate
Tonight’s Debate Audience
This is the only town-hall style debate where audience members are allowed to ask questions, so some are wondering how the audience members were selected. Mark Blumenthal has the answer. Participants were selected with the help of Gallup based on the pollster's criteria for "likely voters" and with the intent of finding people who mirrored Nashville's undecided voter … [Read more...] about Tonight’s Debate Audience