I am a great believer in making one's own luck, but at this point John McCain can't catch a break. His invocation during the debate of Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher was a winner, but Joe promptly threw a wet blanket over that modest coup in telling CBS News that Barack Obama's response to a question that he had posed about the economy had left him feeling uneasy: "I've … [Read more...] about (Updated) Joe The Plumber Springs A Leak
John McCain And The Risks Of Negative Campaigning
John Avlon, the former aide to former President Bill Clinton and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani who wrote the best book ever on the independent voters' role in America politics (Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics), has a MUST READ on the politics of negative campaigning -- on how Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign … [Read more...] about John McCain And The Risks Of Negative Campaigning
On the Air in a New Spot
Just a fast note for TMV readers... My partner in literary crime, Cindy the Lady Logician and I will be interviewing a senior adviser from the McCain campaign at 1 pm at a new radio address. Stop by The Lady Logician show from 12:30 pm eastern to 1:30 pm Eastern. We should be doing the interview right around 1 pm. For those who miss it, I'll write up the results to post them … [Read more...] about On the Air in a New Spot
Joe the Plumber
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Joe the Plumber
News You Need Kleenex For
It took a heart of stone to watch PBS' News Hour last night without breaking into tears over America in ruins-- a collapsing economy with no end in sight, the falling-apart of charity and culture in Seattle, poor people without medical care in New Mexico and, to cap it off, a critique of how helpless the presidential candidates are to do anything meaningful about it. How did … [Read more...] about News You Need Kleenex For
What Do McCain’s eBay Sale and Overhead Projector Claims Have in Common?
One thing you have to grant McCain is that he is persistent. Whether he is persistently truthful, is another matter. He was persistent about claiming outright that Palin sold the Alaska government's jet on eBay, and at a profit. Even after it had been proven to be a lie, McCain continued the farce. At a campaign stop in Wisconsin, with a cheering and applauding Palin … [Read more...] about What Do McCain’s eBay Sale and Overhead Projector Claims Have in Common?
Quote Of The Day: John McCain’s Political Suicide By Debate?
The political Quote of the Day comes from the Philadelphia Inquirer's Dick Polman who argues that, in last night's debate, John McCain started off strongly but, once he bit the baited hook with the Ayers issue, he lost the debate and probably has lost his chance to turn the election around. Here are some extensive quotes: It was approximately 9:54 p.m., Eastern Standard … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: John McCain’s Political Suicide By Debate?
The Debate: John McCain’s Sorry Last Stand
Save for his concession speech 19 days from now, the third and final presidential debate was probably the last time a goodly number of voters could see John McCain in action. It was a splendid opportunity for him to go out with a bang and to make the argument that he would make a better president during a depression, which is certainly where the U.S. seems to be … [Read more...] about The Debate: John McCain’s Sorry Last Stand
Doubt Cast On ‘Kill Him’ Palin Rally Report
A story by a Scranton Times-Tribune reporter that someone shouted "kill him!" about Barack Obama at a Sarah Palin rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Tuesday is now in doubt. The rival Wilkes-Barre Times Leader now reports that not a single person interviewed by the Secret Service heard the outburst. More here. … [Read more...] about Doubt Cast On ‘Kill Him’ Palin Rally Report
No Mo-Joe for McCain
After giving up Joe Lieberman as a running mate in favor of Mrs. Joe Sixpack, John McCain brought out Joe the Plumber for tonight's debate--to no avail. The networks' instant polling shows a third straight loss for the Republican's attempt to sell himself as the champion of the average Joe. The candidates squared off after a day of dismal economic news--another stock-market … [Read more...] about No Mo-Joe for McCain
A Lighter Side of the Last Debate
Thank goodness the debates are done! Everybody ready to go vote now? I sure hope so, because I think we've covered tonight's ground many times over now. Everything from here on out is gonna be pretty ugly. Rather than focus on the remaining three weeks of hostility, spin, and loose facts, I think we should give some credit for tonight's lighter moments. (Transcript via … [Read more...] about A Lighter Side of the Last Debate
Quick Takes on McCain-Obama Debate 3 (‘Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over’ Edition)
Okay, I admit it: Part of my indifference to tonight's debate stems from the fact that I voted yesterday. Ohio, like twenty-nine other states, allows for early voting. It began here on October 6. I like voting early. No line. Walk up, show your identification, fill out two forms, vote, and walk home. So, in a way, for me the election campaign ended yesterday afternoon. But … [Read more...] about Quick Takes on McCain-Obama Debate 3 (‘Turn Out the Lights, the Party’s Over’ Edition)
I Agree with Joe (Not the Plumber): McCain Aiming for 46%
I was ready to make a post about how McCain spent the night playing to his base. And if the CNN Republicans (Bill Bennett and Alex Castellanos) are indicative, McCain succeeded. McCain then alienated most other people. But Joe Gandelman beat me to it. So I'll add this much. McCain was playing to hit 46%. He just wants to lose by less than 10 points right now. And the … [Read more...] about I Agree with Joe (Not the Plumber): McCain Aiming for 46%
The Last Debate
Some thoughts about the third and final presidential debate: It was a long day for me, but I don't ever think I've ever been drowsy at a debate, and I was tonight. It was boring. Was anyone else tired of hearing about Joe the Plumber? Obama was his usual cool self. Again, it gave people the perception that he can be presidential. Whether you agree with him or not, he … [Read more...] about The Last Debate
Post-Debate Polls Again Show Obama Won
If this debate proved anything, it's that most political pundits don't have the foggiest idea what they're talking about. I popped over to Politico's roundup of reactions, and the consensus is that McCain did great, even if it wasn't a game changer. But look at the post-debate snap polls: Mediacurves: 60% of Independents say Obama won; 30% say McCain; 10% called it a … [Read more...] about Post-Debate Polls Again Show Obama Won
Obama McCain Debate: McCain Improves But CBS Poll Finds Uncommitted Voters Declare Obama Big Victor
For Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain you might say this about the third and final debate he had with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama: The third time was the charm. For the first half hour at least. But uncommitted voters by a large margin feel McCain lost the debate, according to a just-released CBS poll: As in the previous debates, CBS News and … [Read more...] about Obama McCain Debate: McCain Improves But CBS Poll Finds Uncommitted Voters Declare Obama Big Victor
McCain’s Final and “Littlest” Impression
I'll be frank. I am not an expert when it comes to in-depth, nuanced, quintessential analyses of political utterances and performances by our various candidates---I gladly leave that to others. However, I do believe that I can pick up on sometimes subtle, sometimes not-so-subtle, aspects of their performances (I call them "little impressions") that often turn out to be big … [Read more...] about McCain’s Final and “Littlest” Impression
McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Before I get into some comments on tonight's debate I have a few thoughts for 2012 and beyond. First off, in order to save us all some time in 2012 they could simply film one debate and then show reruns. They could film it in front of a bluescreen to allow for different backgrounds and then replay the video. It's not like anyone actually says anything or changes any answers … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Recap of the Last Debate
We just finished up the last presidential debate, and right off the bat I will say that one of the real winners here was Bob Schieffer. As a moderator, he opened up the flood gates and gave both candidates the chance to get into some real back and forth. He also brought up some of the domestic issues which we have not seen in previous debates, including the abortion question. I … [Read more...] about Recap of the Last Debate
The Quick and the Dead
I had the debate on, but wasn't watching closely -- in fact, I was playing solitaire while listening with an ear to it. The bottom line is that Obama is like a Winky Wright -- you simply can't hurt him. He's too good defensively. A fellow chessmaster might be able to out-box him, but McCain is no debate whiz. McCain needed a knockout, and he wasn't going to get it. And in … [Read more...] about The Quick and the Dead