Barack Obama took questions from supporters in Terre Haute, Ind. (Michael Conroy/AP)
How the 2008 electoral map has changed
Virginia could be a bellwether in a year that is likely to see a few more battleground states.
By Linda Feldmann | Staff writer/ September 7, 2008 edition
Reporter Linda Feldmann explains why the battleground states this November might be the same as in 2004.
Reporter Linda Feldmann
Washington
Flush with cash, Democrat Barack Obama has spent months trying to expand the battleground in the 2008 presidential elections. Ad buys in normally Republican states like Montana, North Dakota, and Alaska signaled a bold effort to turn the usual 10-or 11-state map of swing states into a 20-state contest.
Now, following a whirlwind two weeks of back-to-back conventions and a stunning vice presidential pick by Republican John McCain, both nominees have consolidated their bases of support. And the likelihood is that, with a few exceptions, the 2008 battleground will look similar to 2004.
“We’re probably talking about a race that is very much about the Great Lakes and Mountain West regions,” says Evan Tracey, a political media specialist and founder of Campaign Media Analysis Group in Arlington, Va.
Demographic shifts have nudged traditionally Republican Colorado and Virginia onto the map, with the campaigns planning plenty of appearances in both states. But a look at the 11 states in 2004 that were decided by a margin of victory of fewer than 6 points provides a basis for assessing 2008. Of those 11 states, Democratic nominee John Kerry won six: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Oregon. President Bush won New Mexico, Nevada, Iowa, Florida, and Ohio.
In 2008, Oregon is on no one’s list of battlegrounds, and is expected to go for Obama. Of the others, pundits disagree on the degree to which various states are in play. Michigan, for one, with its deeply struggling economy, should be in the Democrats’ back pocket, but Senator McCain has played well there in the past. Same goes for Pennsylvania.
McCain’s choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a cultural conservative with a charismatic persona, could help the GOP ticket in the rural portions of those two states. But the degree to which independent and swing voters are receptive to her persuasion remains uncertain.
“Rural Pennsylvanians are Republican,” says Byron Shafer, political science chair at the University of Wisconsin. “Republicans are going around scooping up Republicans. In order to carry Pennsylvania, you have to win a big chunk of the Hillary vote.”
In the end, he adds, it’s a stretch to see many supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton, who beat Obama soundly in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary, being swayed by Governor Palin, whose policy positions hold little in common with Clinton’s.
Florida, the final battleground of 2000, is another question mark in 2008. Susan MacManus, a political scientist at the University of South Florida in Tampa, views her state as still very much in play. Democrats have the edge in voter registration, but she discounts self-identified Democrats in the Panhandle, since many vote Republican for president. So essentially, voter registration is even there.
McCain’s military profile makes him strong in Florida, which has a large active and retired military presence. But South Florida remains a Democratic stronghold, with a large Hispanic population and many transplants from the Northeast.
Still, Mr. Tracey, the media analyst, notes that Obama has spent millions of dollars in Florida – $9 million from mid-June to right before the conventions – “without moving the needle.” It’s possible that, without such spending, Obama would have fallen behind in Florida, but as Election Day gets closer, he will have to decide where he gets the best value for his money.
“Obama is up in the Tampa and Orlando markets,” says Tracey. “Those are the biggest undecided markets in the state. But obviously, if you’re trying to win a state, you need more than those markets.”
The most intriguing battleground, in some ways, is Virginia, which has gone from solid R in the presidential race four years ago to a toss-up on many pundit lists – the result of a population explosion in the moderate northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Four years ago, the state had two Republican senators. Now, it has one Democratic senator, Jim Webb, and looks likely to elect its second, former Gov. Mark Warner. Those two men, plus popular Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, give the state’s Democrats a sense of momentum.
Independent pollster John Zogby is looking to Virginia as a possible bellwether in November. Right now, the average of major polls, as calculated by RealClearPolitics.com, shows an absolute tie in Virginia between Obama and McCain.
“If either candidate starts to pull away in Virginia, and we get clarity in Virginia, we’ll get clarity in a lot of those other states,” says Mr. Zogby.
Another big factor heading into the fall is money. Obama is not taking federal financing, and his funding juggernaut has shown no signs of slowing. When McCain announced Palin as his veep pick – a move to court conservatives that alarmed the Democratic base – millions of dollars flowed into Obama’s coffers overnight.
McCain is sticking with the federal presidential funding program, which limits the amount of money at his disposal. If the Republican Party and sympathetic independent groups can make up the slack, McCain may be able to match Obama’s ads in key states. But if not, Obama could outgun McCain in the battlegrounds, and push him back in some of the outlying states he is still hoping for, such as Georgia and North Carolina.
By the end of this week, says Tracey, as the race settles down from the conventions, the battlegrounds should be clear. But for now, with the overall horse race showing Obama up by an average of fewer than 2 points, this one is too close to call.
Comments
2. jewel | 09.07.08
Why does Obama call women ’sweetie’?
Why does Obama pay women less than men?
The women working for McCain get equal pay.
3. Jay | 09.07.08
True Definition of Obama “Change”: New paint on the same old car. May look new to the star struck but it is the same money guzzling liberal under the hood who will take us for our last penny!
4. Bill Payne | 09.07.08
The Democratic machine is running Obama as a front person. If Clinton were the nominee, she would be up by 10 points and the race would be over. The DNP pushed for Obama because they can control him. If elected, the liberal left will “rule” the country through Obama. On the other hand, McCain is a true statesman who is not in the pocket of any political party. Only McCain has the ability to free America from the grip of the political parties. That is why the GOP has been slow to warm up to him. It is also why McCain has not played to them. He is the bane of the GOP. Actually, this election is not between a Democrat and a Republican. It is between the Democratic party and an independent patriot who has the experience and will to free America from its bondage to political parties.
5. ann taylor | 09.08.08
this morning obama was making fun of sen mccain and ms palin saying that in sen. mccain speech at the repulican convention if any high bills pass over his desk if he were president, he would veto and let it be known. obama must not understand english, any one that heard that great speech from sen. mccain knows that he meant “the people of the great united states of america”obama went on and and on saying who was he going to tell. god help our great nations if he is elected. he does not see all the honesty in sen.mccain because his campaign is based on lies. GOD BESS AMERICA and i wish you would publish this comment ann taylor, gainesvile, ga
6. Joe | 09.08.08
God help us if another Republican gets in office. The republicans destroyed this country and like you could tell Mccain doesnt know anything about economy. Give tax breaks to the wealthy. Give a break. Worst running presidential man just lke Bush.
7. Brian | 09.08.08
As opposed to what, Joe? Give tax breaks to the poor? Oh, that’s right, they don’t pay taxes. And, of course, if you increase taxes on the rich, that will NOT pass through their businesses and translate into higher costs…for the poor. Nope.
What fantasy world do Dems live in that they think you can tax the rich without impacting the poor? Yet, if you relieve the rich, they reinvest in their businesses and grow more jobs and more competition…
Taxing the rich is just a political ploy for the Dems to use so they can capitalize on class warfare. It doesn’t help, though.
8. ann taylor | 09.08.08
sorry joe, no comparision to bush and mccain, have you read anything about the last 25 years…………………SOUND LIKE YOU REALY NEED TOO…………………
9. new_york_loner. | 09.08.08
Questions remain.
Will Sarah Palin’s bright eyes and bushy tail convince voters that she is qualified for the job?
Will Sarah-Cuda’s views on censorship, book banning and secession be overlooked or downplayed to the point of irrelevance?
Will Mrs. Palin’s be exposed as being a creationist theocrat who piously believes in fusing Judeo-Christian theology with governance?
Will the ongoing abuse-of-power investigation become a factor?
Will Sarah-Cuda’s contempt for environmentalism and green technologies be fully exposed?
We shall see.
10. Jaycee | 09.08.08
People need to look outside of party lines. If anything, the Democrats will stick to typical agendas such as tax and spend, as Obama is rated #1 as the most liberal in the Senate and Biden is rated #3. McCain and Palin are both reformers. McCain has proven time and again he can reach across party lines. He has also said he will have Democrats in his cabinet. So, the ignorant chant of “God help us if another Republican gets in office” is simply not a valid argument. McCain truly does put Country First.
11. Sandy | 09.08.08
Our economy is certainly in very bad shape but, I’d rather be poor and have freedom than the alternative. Money is not everything. Ask our forefathers. Hard work will make more money and save our freedom. McCain/Palin are like the crystal clear air of Alaska and Obama/Biden are like the smog in California.
12. Dr Mambo | 09.08.08
For the life of me I can’t figure this out. After 7 plus years of the sitting president and Mccain voting along with him over 90% of the time look at OUR country. After 80% of Americans realize the country is going the wrong way, why are we still talking about John Mccain. Ms. Palin my be nice to look at but who is the GOP really pandering to with her elevation to the GOP ticket?
For the life of me I can’t figure this out. Perhaps America is not ready for an African American President even if he has the right message. Or perhaps the news agency’s are not polling the right people! After all most young people (who are registering in record numbers) only use cell phones and are not being polled.
For the life of me I can’t figure this out. The republicans destroyed this country in 7 years and Mccain admitted he doesn’t know anything about economy. Yet news articles today says Mccain is now ahead in the national polls! And the news media is giving Obama a pass? It is now up to you Americans in the swing states to vote your interest. Please do not get distracted by Karl Rove’s tactics again.
13. Max | 09.08.08
Sure, McCain will have Democrats in his cabinet: Joe Lieberman and Zell Miller (remember him?)
14. Alan | 09.08.08
Since Ronald Reagan, under the Republican leadership, the deficit has grown from 1 trillion USD to 9 trillion USD. Obviously, the Republican don’t know how to manage money. Good USA jobs have left the country and they are not coming back. The USA can’t afford another 4 years of Republican leadership. We need real leaders.
God Bless America and God Bless Barack Obama!
15. bored independent | 09.08.08
It’s amazing how much people seem to be buying into the campaign promises of both sides. At the end of the day there is very little difference between McCain and Obama in terms of policy. It’s mostly a matter of language and who they are attempting to appeal. McCain goes after the married voters in the suburbs and rural areas. While Obama is courting single undecided women voters in urban areas. With two wars and spiraling debt both would very likely be forced to raise taxes. Obama’s promise of middle class tax cuts is unlikely, McCain’s promise of wealthy tax cuts is equally unrealistic. Driving up deficits devalues the dollar and scares off foreign investment something neither baby kissing politician can afford to do if they are elected President.
16. David | 09.08.08
I have been a Dem. for many Years but i vote for i think who is the best person for the American people. But most of the DEM. would put a DEM. in office no matter how sorry he is. Obama look at his friends his Paster wants to Dam the whites. blame us for the 9/11. friends with a Terriost. i voted for obama the first time before i new who his friends were so Race had nothing to do with me voting for him. as for as the Rich getting moor tax breaks. first i am happy that i am getting a tax break it is helping me out a lot and i bet it is helping lot of people out. Do you think if the DEM. hit them hard with taxes do you think they will put moor into there business. what will happen lot of the poor will be hurt and moor people will be out of a job. I guess most of you Dem. don.t care now. but when moor money comes out of your pocket who are you going to blame. I bet the REPUBLICANS. This great country will be in sad shape if OBAMA wins. Do you think Russia will be scare of him they will laugh in his face they know he has no Guts for any thing. He can not answer a simple Question when does a baby have Rights. That is above his PAY grade. Like most of the solders that have been to a war zone i bet they will not be happy to have put there life on the line for OBAMA. i was in Vietnam and i will be very un happy to have put my live on the line for him. HE though about going in the service but the war in Vietnam was over. what a joke the service need men any time.
17. Rob Hale | 09.08.08
[1] Our nation is not ruined, although it could use some improvement.
[2] If you can’t figure out the polls, perhaps your personal issues are not the top issues for large numbers of citizens.
[3] McCain/Palin landslide coming.
18. Jev | 09.08.08
I find articles like this a bit obnoxious, usually because it brings out the partisans.
While security is a valid concern, it’s not the most important issue facing the country going forward.
The world is changing, and so is the United States’ place in the world (unfortunately for the worst), while we spending billions of dollars fighting for other countries, nations like China are building their infrastructure and their economic power.
We need a president who understands and is willing to move the country fully into the 21st century. Not one who thinks we’re still fighting the Cold War. One who understands and accepts multiculturalism, not one who tries to scare people into believing we’re somehow very different. We need a president who knows how to use email!
We need to look forward and recapture the spirit that made America great. I think Obama can do that, I don’t think John McCain can.
19. Kev, Golden, CO | 09.08.08
What happened to John McCain, and why does the media give him a free ride?
– He actually answered in an interview that he would not now vote for immigration legislation that he himself proposed.
– 3 or 4 months ago he said (correctly, I believe) that drilling offshore would have have a negligible impact on oil prices (that oil does, after all , go on the *world*, not just the *US* market.) Now, he chants “Drill, Baby, Drill”.
– He stood up to Bush on the irresponsible tax cuts for the rich (first tax cuts during wartime in our history). Now, he is for making them permanent.
– He has reversed his position on torture and argued against a conservative Supreme Court that Gitmo prisoners should not get Habeus Corpus.
The Republicans were able to label Kerry a “flipflopper” in 2004, with a no evidence. Why are we not hearing the same this year?
Maverick, my ear. He’s a sellout.
20. Daisy | 09.08.08
Based on recent electoral college history, this election will not be a landslide. It will come down to a few handful of voters in very specific states…..I believe that this country is still divided just as is was in 2000, which statistically was a tie.
Besides, our current President enjoys an approval rating of a mere 33%. That makes me believe that some Republicans are smart enough to recognize his inability to lead and our willing to admit that! Bravo for them…..
While I believe most Republicans will vote their party, it is unlikely that 67% of the American population would be foolish enough to vote for a return to our current adminstration version of leadership. So much for a landslide…..it looks like hyberbole and overstatement to me!
21. Betty Brunet | 09.08.08
Republicans are skilled at stagecraft, but Palin’s nasty partisanship address is more of the same ole Republican divisiveness. That’s not change. Negative Rovian tactics can’t cover up the fact that McCain’s and Palin’s Republican Party has wrecked havoc on our country. Republican politicians have blocked positive change for our citizens for way too long. Our country is so depleted now, we can’t afford the luxury of another Republican administration.
As a former Republican myself, I truly can’t think of one good thing the Republican Party has done for our citizens for many years now and no one I know is better off either.
Since when can a person be truthfully called a maverick (unbranded, dissenter, independent) when he votes outside his party only 10% of the time? That’s not change. Just saying McCain’s a maverick does not make it so. Palin’s Alaska record indicates her moral compass lacks integrity. We’ve had more than enough of that already; that’s not change.
Palin’s self identification as a dangerous pit bull and McCain’s anger management problems are not the balanced temperaments we need to run our country, especially given the times we’re living in.
We desperately need positive change to move our country forward. My vote goes to a true agent for positive change, the sterling statesman, Barack Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden.
Now, how do we guarantee the voting machines are allowed to record votes accurately?
22. Pithy Opiner | 09.08.08
Well, you all gave your opinions. Here’s mine. Died in the wool Republicans will vote for McCain. There’s nothing you can do about that. Hard core Dems will do the same for Obama. But, you have to focus on the big middle that goes back and forth regardless of how they are registered. 1/2 of them will vote for McCain and the other half for Obama. But, when WOMEN from the great middle get in the booth they will vote for Obama. Why? I’ll tell you. Their evolutionary dictum will kick in and they will not vote for Mccain because he is too old and in their heart of hearts, they will not be able to put Palin, with her inexperience, a heart beat to being in charge of the tribe.
They will opt for strength and vigor. They represent the power in the selection of our next president. They will not simply give their vote to McCain simply because his running mate is a woman. Won’t happen when they are in that booth all alone. They’ll do the right thing by the tribe.
23. jonny bullit | 09.08.08
The change that McCain wants is to bash the intellectuals and any one that has European ideas[ap].Maybe you look different “foreign” I believe is the code word,your not a hockey mom ,soccer mom, NASCAR dad, you live in a city and your educated you have a world view and you think it takes a village to help raise your family,-ie schools, extended family, neighbors, friends, then your some how bad or on the fringe maybe even evil, dose that not give you that warm fuzzy feeling? Well be afraid very afraid.The right wing “Conservative” brings something else to mind,Germany a wounded war veteran who wrote a book and was a God fearing right wing conservative who found his country receptive because of their plight after a bitter war and bad economic times. The intellectuals, educated foreigners,ones that were liberal,and folks that didn’t “share their values” NOT LIKE US. The Jews fit the bill, different religion, businessmen, intellectuals, liberal, not like us. This right wing group with it’s leader invoked Gods name and went on a crusade to right many perceived wrongs and to settle old scores. The church blessed them and their weapons and they went out in Gods name to make the world in their image and well you know the rest.Fiction? Not hardly religion has no place in politics.It seems that to be a christian now we have to wrap our selves in the flag and if you don’t you’re bad,or unpatriotic, un American. But if You are a true Christian the Christ said give Ceasers things to Ceaser, and that His Kingdom was no part of this world he was not involved in politics. You don’t have to be a Christian to be a patriot or pick up a gun for the military to be a patriot just like wrapping your self in the flag and the bible makes a bad person good or a patriot because it doesn’t. That man in Germany was wrapped in his flag and the bible and was blessed by the church was he a good man?
24. Gene Baker | 09.08.08
Readers of blogs need to be aware that Obama supporters resort to lies and mean spirited attacks on Pres. Bush, McCain and Palin. The economy was going pretty well until the liberal democratic leaders took control of Congress. No wonder their approval rating got down to 9%. Vote Republican, from the court house to the White House.
25. ANDREW NWOBBI | 09.08.08
The Media has been saying for quite sometime now that the `Surge’ has worked. I cannot believe that some intelligent person will say with a straight face that the `Surge’ has worked. Our Military has performed exceptionally well and have done everything we asked them to do and right now, the political reconciliation between the Sunnis and Shiites has not happened. That is why the `Surge’ success is incomplete. You cannot say right now that it has worked and please stop deceiving your fellow Americans by insisting that the `Surge’ has worked.The way the Republicans are going on and on about this `Surge’ you will think the American troops are coming back tomorrow. What the President has succeeded in doing is to distabilize the whole region and has made Iran more powerful and they do not need to come to the negotiating table about their nuclear weapons. America will continue to regret invading Iraq and democracy will never happen in that path of the world. The British tried this and gave up and America will also pack up and leave after we will be frustrated in the end.
26. James Hill | 09.08.08
Voters need to google the candidates and ignore the media - the opiate of the masses. Look at what is true.
Obama & Biden voted for the “Bridge to Nowhere.” Palin did stop the project. Palin did expose and drive off several corrupt politicians. Obama says he is going to “change” things. Obama was a 20 year member of a racist church. Is it being negative when you simply state facts about a person. Google “Obama Resko Auchi” and you will know all you need to know about Obama. Get informed then form an opinion. Do your duty as a voter - seek truth.
27. Jay | 09.08.08
Reality Check. My economy and the vast majority of people in this country are doing okay. Life is not supposed to be easy and never has been (Yes, even under Clinton it wasn’t great and his Tech Boom did pop!). Most of the people in our country work. Most of us can save a little money but will never be rich and that is okay unless you bought a house or refinanced one your could not afford. The future looks gloomy if you read the paper but look back for the past 30 years and you will notice that it is a consistent message (There is a hole in the Ozone, the Russian are going to blow us up, Nuclear plants are going to kill us, we are all going to get Aids, the Baby Boomers are going to eat our kids, etc, etc, etc.). Life does not suck for most people with the right attitude and if the President make your life so then you need to go back and look in the mirror and ask not what your Country can do for you but what you can do for your country and its future and I hope it is not electing Obama. We may need some change but not just for change sake.
28. No Mccain | 09.08.08
ann taylor,
WHAT??????????? honesty in Mccain??? You mean JOHN S. Mccain? The man is an opportunist!!! He will say whatever his constituents want to hear. I dont think he has an honest bone in his body.
Obama/Biden 08!
bringing “Change” that means something, before it became the popular right-wing catch phrase!
29. Joseph A Nash | 09.08.08
This is the most important election in American history.
If McCain wins I fear this nation will find itself in an apocalyptic war that
will end its existence. Throughout his career McCain has enjoyed an immunity from close examination because of his history as a P.O.W. From what I have seen he is dangerously unstable and warlike and given the fact that congress has abrogated its responsibility to declare war, I do not want to see him given the power to start wars because he is having a fit of temper. The only reason such a dangerous person would even be close to being elected is fear. Fear of the new, the foreign and the different.
If Obama wins the United States sends a clear signal to the world that we want to reverse the direction of the Bush years. In his own person Obama embodies the stated ideals of the 21st century. He is multiracial and multinational. He has gotten to where he is based on intelligence and natural ability.
My own feeling is that the change Obama promises is not radical enough to restore our nation’s stature in the world but at some point when you are heading towards a cliff it is necessary to change direction to avoid disaster.
Joe Nash
30. cheryl obert | 09.08.08
As for Obama Resko, go to Fact Check. That’s where you can get authentic, unbiased info.
31. pro-america, pro-republican | 09.09.08
Pithy Opiner: isn’t Palin more experienced that Obama?
For Kev, from Colorado:
* Yes McCain was wrong on immigration; so was Obama. McCain agreed with Obama. This is because McCain is a moderate, while Obama is a partisan extremist.
* no evidence that Kerry was a flip-flopper - really, Kev?
* On taxes, don’t just repeat what you read in the NYT. 1) those cuts spurred the economy and led to an INCREASE in revenues. 2) Obama has just said he will keep them until the economy is strong, acknowledging that raising those taxes would hurt the economy. So how are the irresponsible?
* “The conservative supreme court.” Ha! That decision rules that foreigners captured on foreign soil and held on foreign soil are somehow entitled to….wait for it….American Costitutional Citizens’ Rights. Yes, McCain disagrees with this. If you don’t get the joke, then I don’t have to ask why you don’t.
What irritates me the most about this election, intellectually anyway, is that the left still refuses to understand elementary economics. When they do, their cynical politicians engage in demagoguery to play to their base’s ignorance, rather than admitting the truth and leading to a move forward in understanding in this nation. Leftist economic policies don’t work, almost as as a rule. Actual economists have trouble finding areas of disagreement here. If people in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Wisconsin understood this, then this election wouldn’t be close. As it stands, I guess maybe they understand that the Dems specialize in indentity politics and handouts. Which, I might add, are bad for the economy, not to mention the spirit of America.
32. johnnie | 09.09.08
Is it just me, or is John McSame hiding behind his newer, younger, prettier face? What is he afraid of? Is he worried that people will begin to remember his bush-coddling ways and his overall boringness. Wake up America, Sarah Palin is being used, and she’s allowing herself to be used in the hopes of political gain. She calls the duo Agents of Change . . .what a minute? Wasn’t CHANGE, Obama’s message? The same message that McSame ridiculed before he hopped on the “CopyCat Express”? Something tells me these guys are full of ****.
Do yourself a favor, fact check some of Palin’s rhetoric, it mostly consists of puffing and out right lies. Sold the plane on Ebay? Ummm - FALSE! Was against the bridge to nowhere? Ummm - FALSE! Is adamantly opposed to earmarks and pork barrel spending - FALSE! In fact she should be known as the Queen of such waste! I bet she’s not even a hockey mom, much less a PTA prez, like she touts.
ANYways, see I’m getting of subject, exactly what the Republicans want us to do. This is no longer about John McCain running for President, it’s the “lets hide behind Sarah Palin race to the White House”. The problem is, eventually they have to come up with some specifics, not just a lot of generic partisan rhetoric and stories of Sarah’s days as hockey mom and moose hunting. UGH. . . talk about celebrity! Let’s not forget this race is about the issues people, not just a high school popularity contest. The last 8 years of disparity and reckless policy should be a clear indicator of past mistakes. Here’s to making the right one this time around.
OBAMA/BIDEN 08′
33. Voter with Facts | 09.09.08
TO ‘JEWEL’:
You stated, “Why does Obama call women ’sweetie’?
Why does Obama pay women less than men?
The women working for McCain get equal pay.”
Why do you make things up, do you think people will actually believe that nonsense about him paying women less when it is one of his big platforms to fight for equal pay? Your brain is not working properly, send it on down to maintenance.
34. Voter with Facts | 09.09.08
And as an amendment to the comment about women’s pay, the fact that Obama may have less actual woman “top execs” doesn’t mean in the slightest that he doesn’t pay equally for the same work. People get hired for certain positions based on applicable skills, not their sex.
35. Terri | 09.09.08
Jewel - No. 3. You have no idea what your are talking about? Your comments are based on heresay and not on any research you have conducted. Go to http://www.factcheck.org for the truth on your comments.
36. cbrown | 09.09.08
To set a few people straight: Overseas military troops/personnel are contributing to Obama’s campaign 6 to 1 over McCain’s. Palin as governor KEPT the earmarked money for the “Bridge to Nowhere.” Did not sell the private jet on Ebay, instead brought in a broker (a friend) to sell it for them w/commission. Obama has been advocating, for more than a year, to draw down forces in Iraq, guess what the Republicans are doing now? Obama has been advocating for more than a year talks with Iran and other “rogue” nations. Guess what the Republicans are doing now? Russia and Venezuela are now going to do joint military maneuvers in the Caribbean. What does that mean for America? I don’t know for sure yet, but I do know that Alaska being close to Russia geographically does not give its governor of two years (or twenty for that matter) the necessary qualifications to deal with a threat as large as Russia could become. Oh, and the only reason McCain/Palin are close to Obama in the polls now is because they had to steal Obama’s change message. The word change was never in their vocabulary, and still isn’t. And thinking women, such as myself, are highly offended at the McCain stooges thinking that we think with our reproductive organs rather than our individual minds. Check out the latest polls broken down by gender between Biden and Palin.
37. indy4palin | 09.09.08
Can any Obama supporters explain to me how he gets a free pass on his many, many (well-documented) ties to radical Muslim extremists? It seems to me that if McCain (or anyone else for that matter) that had the same level of involvement with, say, the *** or the Aryan Brotherhood, they would be publicly castigated for it.
As a person in the middle, I just don’t see any difference between Farrakhan or al Mansour or Odinga and David Duke. They’re all radical extremists, just on opposite ends of the spectrum.
BTW, for the record, although I don’t care for the “rapture christians,” I’ll take her church any day over the “God damn America!” church of Obama.
38. pgitta | 09.09.08
cracks me up how dems keep using the line “Republicans have destroyed this country” LOL? Really?
Seemed pretty darn stable to me for the past eight years. Ooops, I forgot. I actually decided to get a job. Silly me.
Amazing how hatered for one man (Bush)and one war (Iraq) deludes a whole group of people into seeing a bad economy that isn’t there, unemployment that isn’t there, inflation that isn’t there…
Get used to it. You’re gonna have to deal for at least anothere 4 years. LOL
39. Doug | 09.09.08
I would love to discuss the issues. The only problem is the fact that you have,on the right,a presumptive ( and I use that word with tongue in cheek)Veep, who presumes that dinosaurs roamed the earth 4000 years ago, that global warming is not factual (as her state melts around her) and who does not support stem cell research or a diverse sex education program for public schools.One cannot argue factually about current issues, when the lady on the right still lives in the Bronge Age. Talk about a bridge to no where. I’m sorry, but you just can’t bridge Bronze Age moral mentality and Biblical allegory with 21st century science ,health issues and social equality. I mean…how can we take those views of reality seriously?
40. Dale | 09.09.08
Hey Pgitta,
about inflation…when was the last time you shopped at a grocery store? How do you define a bad economy if $ 4.00 gas, mortgage meltdown, foreclosures , bank failures a 12 trillion dollar deficit (was only 4 trillion 8 years ago)and the highest credit card borrowing in US history doesn’t make the cut ? How about the incredible cost of pharmeceuticals and medical expenses that cannot be paid for because the average American does not have an option of affordable health insurance ? What about the fact that “equal protection under the law” does not include the gay community or that your Republican Government wants to choose for you about unwanted pregnancies and stem cell research.How about the 3rd World way this administration handled Katrina ? If ONLY we had a president to hate because of Iraq. You make it sound so simple.
41. Tammy | 09.09.08
Watching the two conventions back-to-back was amazing! The crowd at the DNC looked like America: A melting pot. The RNC crowd looked like some sort of Beverly Hills croquet garden party. “Jolly what, Jeeves! Bring out the hors d’oeuvres!” Hilarious! As usual, the Dems try to run on the issues, which can be a pitfall at times (but at least their methods, and stances, are right with Jesus). When will they learn? The American people don’t care about the issues ~ most of us unfortunately tune in to watch an insults contest, and of course the Republicans always have the best lines, because they’re willing to say anything, especially if it’s not true. McCain has lost all credibility at this point. He’s finally been completely consumed by his ambition to become president at any cost, and has sold out every core belief that he ever claimed in order to win his “prize” (his word). He has flip-flopped on every possible issue of importance, not to mention that the John McCain of 1999 wouldn’t have been caught dead even so much as being seen with this Sarah Palin re-tread (a George W. Bush clone). This lady has one speech (written for her by George W’s speech writer, no less) ~ another Republican whopper that is simply a collection of “Your mama’s so fat” one liners and outright falsehoods. And McCain has to chaperon her around the country so that she can recite it over and over again ~ there to shield her from any sort of questioning since she hasn’t ‘memorized all of the answers’ yet. (If she were a real, viable candidate, she would have been ready on day one of her job as running mate to answer all of the big tough questions that anyone might ask (like Joe Biden, or like any of the other candidates who ran during the primaries, both parties included!). I love how McCain has said that he’d make anyone “famous” who tries to waste the tax-payers’ dollars with frivolous earmarking, etc. He’s already made good on that promise with Sarah Palin! Now that’s a maverick move!
By the way, still waiting for that trickle down effect to kick in (you know, the one that Ronald Reagan started in the 80s)! Either it takes a ‘really’ long time to work, or the Republicans just have it wrong when it comes to the economy ~ hrm, I wonder which it could be…? Maybe we should just make the rich pay their fair share again, and see how that works out (we ‘are’ at war)!
42. Disappointed WITHYOU | 09.10.08
I can only hope that over 50% of you get lucky and vote with the 10% of educated americans in this upcoming elections. IN some sense I hope that OBAMA gets elected just so that you will be able to see what he will do to this country. Hopefully he doesnt dig us so far in that the republican reign after him can still pull us out. OBAMA is a manchurian racist candidate, who is going to negate all the hard work I have done in my life to get into medical school and tax the **** out of my hard earned and well deserved money. There is no magical cure for a society that lives outside of there means, buy houses they cant afford, and have 10 babies with 10 different men.
43. Chris | 09.10.08
This has to be the most bizarre campaign I have ever seen - and I’ve seen quite a few. It looks like the presidential candidate of one party is running primarily against the vice-presidential candidate of the other side. The other two guys in the race are almost invisible. Reading the post mortems on this race in a few months is going to be very interesting.
44. muckraker | 09.11.08
Funny, the most objective news service in the country has the most wacko conservative nut-job comments.
If you think McPalin is a good thing, you are not paying attention. They are the same disgusting Bushist rubbish you’ve been wallowing in for the last 8 years. They are the lipstick, and the American people are the pig.
45. Nat in Ohio | 09.11.08
I’m a Christian, I have a job, I live in a “red state”. And I will be voting Obama/Biden.
The saying goes, “You can fool some of the people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all of the time”. The GOP have been tricking Americans for years, and our national debt and economy have only gotten worse. I would like to leave something to my children other than debt they will never be able to repay and endless wars which do nothing but get young people killed and oil companies rich.
46. Disappointed WITHYOU | 09.11.08
for all the leftists out there.
give me one shred of evidence that the economic struggles that a lot of america is experiencing right now is because of the gop.
and none of our problems have anything to do with the war on iraq.
stop maxing out credit cards, driving suvs, and using sub prime loans to buy houses you cannot afford.
there is nothing in the democrats agenda that will fix any of the problems that we are currently facing.
unless you want the gov to control what american people can and cant do with there money, then we will still have a problem.
personally, my life over the past 8 years have been great.
again, i hope you get what you wish for.
just to shut all the libs up.
47. Robert R | 09.11.08
Anyone who says Bush and Mccain vote 90% the same, learn something from 8th grade Government class. Governor’s, such as Bush, and President’s, such as bush, do not vote with Congress, therefore how could you compare a vote that doesnt exist, more lefty garbage, Go to factcheck.org and learn that every negative on Palin is also fantasy.
49. Michael Hutchinson | 09.14.08
May I remind you that McCain is divorced. That he considered divorcing the republican party for the democratic party as well. That McCain is 72 years old and has a 1 in 3 chance of surviving his term. May I remind you that McCain would borrow the money for his tax cuts from China, as Bush has - further weakening America’s influence in the world.
May I remind you that Obama is a family man, with a wife and two daughters. May I remind you of his contributions to his community. Remind you of how Obama called the press to back off Sarah Palin’s family. Remind you of how Obama’s first campaign ad was narrated by a republican who stated Obama had the respect of many republicans. Remind you that Obama has honored and recognized McCain’s service to his country while McCain’s campaign mocked Obama’s. Obama has demonstrated good christian values by not degrading McCain’s person.
50. Jeremy Holmes | 09.14.08
Mccain people give me a break. A vote for the feeble old man who has had cancer twice and can barely walk is one for Sara Palin. If he croaks, she is in the driver seat. Washington will walk all over her and so will the lobbyists. She was a small town mayor and ran a state with eskimos and less the 1 million people!!! Please!!! Obama has more experience than Kennedy, Lincoln, or Reagan. Also, Biden could run the show if something were to happen. So keep your guns and religion out of it and wise up. We are heading to be a third world country.
51. bobby | 09.18.08
I hope at the end of the day,, the people in this country are not going to elect a president that spent 20 years in a church listening to the most radical/ racist preacher this nation has ever seen —- this tells me all I need to know about the man!!!!!
52. Nick , Detroit | 09.20.08
Folks it is real simple.
if you like what has happened in the last 7 years, vote repuglican!
53. Bob | 09.21.08
I really can’t believe the load of bovine the left is trying to pump out about Mccaine and Palin, when Obama’s accounts as a community organizing much of to do with “ACORN” a far left voting advocacy, which is know for they’re illegal voter registration practices,lets also look at the wonderful low income housing projects he was working on, Oh thats right they went bankrupt but he was successful in awarding Rezko $14m contract for a house price about a million under it’s value. Searching the records not once has he reached across the lines to get anything done. He’s nothing but a straw man in a suit. He’s also the recipient of the largest cash donation from the failed Fanny Mae de bockle. Look at the facts and not the star-ship enterprise fantasy version of policy of the loony left. Oh and by the way he did sponsor a bill for kindergarten see Illinois senate bill 99 “2003″ wake up space cadets !!!!
54. Bob | 09.21.08
Sorry I left out it was sex ed for Kindergarten’s “yes our 5 year old children need to understand safe sex practices and how you can contract HIV, while little Johnny and Suzy don’t know why they even dress differently. Stupidity is the common practice of those educated beyond they’re ability to comprehend the reality that confronts them…
Save the planet “educate a liberal”
55. the voice | 09.23.08
people here are talking like this is a theocracy.. obama or mccain’s religion have nothing to do with how they will do with presidency.. you guys are being the racist prics.. if u want to be then go ahead, let it cloud your judgement, but wen we are going through another ****** bush session.. you will be wishing otherwise.. has obama even said anything about reigion.. where did that even get brought up.. i can tell ya.. the racist couch warmers sitting at home looking up all the dirt they ca about obama.. face it people.. wat obama says makes sence,, we just need some of the american people to also make sense..and if u do wanna talk about religion.. mccain is a baptist.. why would he have to shy away from the religion subject??
56. america | 09.26.08
Wow! it is so amazing how americans act when they need to come together. no wonder campaigning is about bickering about each other and not giving you facts. it is also very interesting how americans are so caught up in this or that. most of you get your facts from sides you favor. some don’t even listen to other views - because they hold a biased view. in order to make a sound rational decision you must be open, diverse and not allow your feelings to get the best of you. obvious many of the people responding here do not understand that because you want to see things the way you want to see them.
Looking from afar, you also have no idea its not just about america - most of you only have a local mentality. your economy is global. not local, not national, not just american. you are a service country. you no longer produce, manufacture or supply the local or national jobs you use to. most of you companies hold their corp home in usa but manufacture or produce elsewhere - which in turn will eventually bleed your economy. because your family values and education has drastically fallen, you will have much difficulty competing in the long run. so many other countries have well educated people who in most cases get their education for free because the country knows it will put them in a better position to compete.
So, I said all that to say that unfortunately a lot of you don’t really want much of a change, it will help you with your complaining. You’d rather feel safe and elect officials based on bickering back and forth. Yet, you’d rather vote for a man just because he’s been around for a long time, he’s a vet, he picked a woman, he blantly does not support gov intervention, which is lack there of that brought you to this position. Look you can’t have it both ways - you want the gov to protect your banks so your money is safe but you want them to have limited control. Wake-up, the gov already has control in your life where ever you turn. The only areas the gov is not so prevelant is in the free market - which allows people like Wall St. which most of these corps have no rules on regulations & does not have to report most stuff to protect the very assests you are working hard to retire on.
57. PST | 09.29.08
Everyone is bittering back and forth and no one is standing together for the common good of the people in this country. What can we do as a united people regardless of race, gender or religion to get rid of both parties, both parties have destroyed this country in their own way - one way or another. Look at our current state and tell how can either party put this country first…GREED and POWER has got the best of them. What about our children, what does the future holds for them. Do anyone know or care? Does anyone know how we can come together on our own and stand for what is right for us, this country and the future for our children.
58. cody | 10.03.08
I am stunned by the continued support of Palin. After the shockingly scary debate last night I am even more terrified that we may have her as #1 to the president who is 73 years old. She is unable to answer direct questions with anything but sound bites, talking points and catch phrases. I personally was insulted when I was referred to as ‘joe six pack’. Really? Does she think that you and I are that stupid? I know I’m not!
Sincerly,
An American who is not voting for the pageant queen runner up and the old man!
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1. RFK | 09.07.08
My friends the picture of Hillary in this article does not look like a Woman who is afraid of the Pit Bull with Lip Stick, Mr. Schmit, Mr. Rove and McCain/Bush!
Hillary Clinton, New York Democrats have Sarah Palin in their site at Labor Day powow.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/09/06/2008-09-06_hillary_clinton_new_york_democrats_have_.html
“No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin.” Senator Hillary Clinton
Change we can believe in …
Vote Obama/Biden ‘08