Larry J. Sabato on IS THE ELECTORAL DAM BREAKING FOR OBAMA? Crystal Ball Has Obama Over 270 for First Time--With Potential for Many More All season, political observers have been speculating when, if ever, the Electoral College and the state and national polls would reflect the basic pro-Democratic fundamentals of the presidential election year. Those fundamentals, … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: IS THE ELECTORAL DAM BREAKING FOR OBAMA?
Why McCain Won’t Play the Wright Card
One of the more disturbing trends at recent McCain/Palin rallies is the tendency of audience members to shout dangerous things, including "terrorist," "kill him," and "off with his head." The Ayers issue - played mostly by Palin - has deliberately stoked this sort of rage at Obama. And more and more those asked to introduce Palin have invoked Barack "Hussein" Obama, clearly … [Read more...] about Why McCain Won’t Play the Wright Card
The Importance of Bipartisanship to Me
We hear a lot about bipartisanship these days. A lot of people talk about it, but these days very few practice it. In some way, it's become a relic of a long dead past, something that old men talk about with a wan smile of good days long past. The days we live in are incredibly partisan. Democrats and Republicans look at one another as strangers and enemies. Being a … [Read more...] about The Importance of Bipartisanship to Me
Memo to Senator McCain
MEMO To: Senator John McCain From: Mark Daniels Re: Unsolicited Advice It's over, Senator. You know it and I know it. Karl Rove knows it and has fairly well admitted it. So does anybody who knows how to count. And the debate didn't help. Bitter as the pill is for you to swallow, it is over. In 2000, you were downed by the scurrilous Bush campaign. This year, you're being … [Read more...] about Memo to Senator McCain
Obama Leads McCain By 11 Points In Gallup Poll As Two Campaigns Refocus
In the wake of the second presidential debate between Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain, both campaigns now seem to be fine-tuning and refocusing, as a new Gallup Daily tracking poll now shows Obama has opened up an 11 point lead over the Arizona Senator. The poll comes in the wake of an accelerated McCain push to take the focus off the economic … [Read more...] about Obama Leads McCain By 11 Points In Gallup Poll As Two Campaigns Refocus
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THIRTY DAYS AND COUNTING
Alan I. Abramowitz on THIRTY DAYS AND COUNTING: The Outlook for the 2008 Presidential Election in Early October With one month remaining in the 2008 presidential campaign, national and state polling data indicate that Barack Obama holds a clear lead over John McCain. In the past sixty days, despite a series of dramatic events including the Democratic and Republican … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THIRTY DAYS AND COUNTING
Larry Flynt vs. Sarah Palin
I am no fan of Sarah Palin, but neither am I a fan of Larry Flynt. He has published some very distasteful articles (and photos) under the protection of the First Amendment and has been embroiled in numerous legal battles arising out of his publications. Perhaps his most memorable "brush" with the law was the Hustler Magazine vs. Falwell case. A case that went all the way … [Read more...] about Larry Flynt vs. Sarah Palin
No Point in Complaining that Credit Crisis ‘Isn’t Our Fault’: O Globo of Brazil
'THE RETURN OF FAITH' [Het Parool, The Netherlands] With finger-pointing over the global financial crisis rapidly spreading, William Waack of Brazil's O Globo warns that developing countries are in no way shielded from the effects - and that blaming others won't do a thing to help Brazil or the world emerge from the hole they are in. Waack writes in part: "'Contagion' … [Read more...] about No Point in Complaining that Credit Crisis ‘Isn’t Our Fault’: O Globo of Brazil
A Whole Lot of McCain-Palin “Little” Impressions—Not Good Ones
We all know, and probably agree with, the saying that "first impressions matter." I also believe that a lot of little impressions can matter a lot. We now have had three debates, two presidential ones and one vice-presidential, and most will agree that none of the candidates have made a single particular big or lasting impression on all Americans in any of those three … [Read more...] about A Whole Lot of McCain-Palin “Little” Impressions—Not Good Ones
Civil Rights Roundup: 10/08/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news A Federal judge has ordered the release of several Chinese Muslim detainees from Guantanamo who have been cleared of links to terrorism for several years. The judge demanded that the men be admitted to the United States immediately, and ordered that immigration services not interfere with them in any way. The US filed an … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 10/08/08
(Updated) Yo, John & Sarah: We’re Waiting
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