Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama speaks during a live event in a 30-minute infomercial broadcast Wednesday on prime-time television. (Obama campaign/AP)
As McCain warns independents, Obama woos them with pricey infomercial
Obama's TV piece portrays him as part of the middle-class. McCain calls it 'gauzy.'
By Alexandra Marks | October 30, 2008 edition
New York
The idea behind a Barack Obama infomercial was too easy to mock: “Vote Now and Get The Second Four Years for Free!”
But from a technical point of view – at least in terms of a pitch to the 6 to 8 percent of undecided voters – the half-hour ad his campaign aired Wednesday night was a quality piece of television. Even conservative commentators agreed that was the case, although some thought it was overkill – especially because it was accompanied by a day-long series of rallies and television appearances by Senator Obama. They culminated with Obama’s first appearance on the stump with former President Bill Clinton, at a rally in Florida, and with a satellite appearance on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, the Walter Cronkite-like icon for the under-30 set.
The McCain camp, meanwhile, spent the day hammering a theme with which it began its campaign: that Obama is inexperienced and “dangerously” unprepared to take on a world threatened by terrorism. At a rally in Miami, Sen. John McCain reminded voters he has served America since he was 17 and has “the scars to prove it.” He also dismissed the Obama show as a “gauzy, feel-good commercial.”
Theirs were starkly different approaches to trying clinch the deal with any wavering voters, with few days left before Tuesday’s election.
The Obama half hour, which appeared on seven networks and between airtime and production is estimated to have cost more than $4 million, marked the first time a presidential candidate used an infomercial to press his candidacy since 1992. That’s when Ross Perot, pointer in hand and graphs at the ready, used a series of infomercials to argue his case. Those infomercials were more like a series of lectures on the economy. Obama’s, by contrast, was a series of vignettes about the struggles of distinct middle-class American families. Woven in-between was Obama’s own personal story.
The quality of the production, which ended with a two-minute live rally in Florida, is a testament to Obama’s vast fundraising advantage over McCain. The Republican chose to take federal matching funds, which limit his ability to raise more cash. Obama declined and has instead pioneered an Internet-based grassroots fundraising strategy.
That’s allowed him to outspend McCain by as much as 2 to 1 in some critical states.
That cash helped buy Wednesday night’s infomercial, which focused on Americans’ daily struggles.
From having enough money to pay the monthly bills to surviving retirement without enough healthcare coverage to paying to educate their family, the personal stories the Obama infomercial portrayed are a mainstay of local television news – and they matched how many Americans have come to understand the political world, at least in this election cycle. Obama’s political team wove into that story-telling format a broad discussion of how the Democratic nominee proposes to meet each challenge – from healthcare to education to job security – and interspersed it with biographical information about Obama and endorsements from colleagues.
The message was directed at the undecideds and it was simple: Obama is a member of the middle class, just like you, and he will have your back.
“This is a way of defining himself. It’s a kind of ultimate closing argument, particularly for those who are just starting to pay attention – and it’s very legitimate. Not everyone can pay attention to this all of the time,” says pollster John Zogby of Zogby International in Utica, N.Y.
Those “undecideds” – some of whom are only now focusing on the campaign – have the potential to tip the election if they break decidedly for one camp or another.
McCain, too, is tailoring his message to attract them. Besides again raising questions about Obama’s preparedness, McCain has criticized the Illinois senator for wanting to “spread the wealth” and is characterizing him as “Redistributionist in Chief.”
McCain also is critical of pundits who have written him off, as they have before. Many have said that, with just five days until the election, McCain will have a tough time engineering a last-minute comeback.
“There’s a 10 percent chance the polls are wrong, but there’s been such consistency across a range of surveys that it’s hard to believe the polls are that wrong,” says Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.
Comments
2. Deborah | 10.30.08
I have been a staunch republican for 2 decades. I am disgusted with McCain’s campaign tactics and his choice of Sarah Palin as VP pick. He has become a hypocrite when he chose her and still make false claims on “Country First”.
I have voted for Obama as he is the right candidate for this country at this trying times. He is assuring and provides hope for me and my family.
It is time all Republicans consider Country First and vote for Obama
3. snorfy | 10.30.08
If you are a white guy, before you go pull the lever for Obama - remember the Democratic Party is the party of “Affirmative Action”.
What that means in an employment situation is you’re not getting the job.
4. Membery | 10.30.08
Thank you Obama for representing the little people. When I see the Obama campaign sweeping the nation I feel like it is my voice that is finally being heard. You may feel like they are over-doing it, but as a supporter this is exactly what I want to see and expect.
5. Tree | 10.30.08
The infomercial was pure candy cane. If people like form minus substance, then have a piece of candy and vote for this guy; but do not expect any help when your country erodes before your very eyes.
6. Jay in PA | 10.30.08
What Obama neglects to mention is that Joe the Plumber and Jane the CEO will pass their tax increase on to the middle class as higher prices. Higher taxes = inflation. While the middle class may not see a “tax increase”, expect a “price increase” and a decrease in your fund returns.
Money comes from the workers. If the Fed takes more, the workers pay more.
7. ds | 10.30.08
Well played, Obama.
We are obviously looking to him to steer us in the right direction for the future.
8. Amy | 10.30.08
Obama is “middle class”? He owns a multi-million dollar home in Chicago and he is “middle class”? I was under the assumption that people that are millonaires are not considered middle class.
10. Jim | 10.30.08
Obama owes lots of favor to someone. What bothers me is that his contributors aren’t made public. He also has a real questionable past with his views and colleagues.
11. lagil2002@yahoo.com | 10.30.08
a total waste of money are airtime , if he is so concern about the economy he seems to have no problem spending millions of dollars that can actually use to create jobs,feed the hungry and give shelter to the homeless, he is much more too liberal about spending and i’m sure if we put him in the Oval office he will do just the same, only to his own egotistical advantage,i don’t trust him when i heard the The Democrats will take my 401k and put in my SS so that when i retire i will only got one check instead of 2 because he has to spread the wealth around? that did it to me !!!, i pray to God that he will lose this election and McCain will win then i will have a piece of mind, i beg you people open you eyes VOTE McCain he will not let us down.
12. Chris | 10.30.08
And what specific information has McCain given to support himself???? from this article, and from what I’ve seen over the past week or so, NOTHING except he supports Palin who is much less prepared to be VP or President than Obama. A President needs to surround him/herself with advisors (specialists) and Obama indicates he can/will do this. McCain and Palin are a couple of chickens with no heads controlled (or lack of) by puppet strings held by “The Party”.
13. Michele Sal | 10.30.08
It surprises me how a person can raise this much money for a Presidential Campaign when we have people that are starving and don’t have jobs in the U.S. All the media cares about is how much he Obama is raising. The money that is poored into the media is apalling. Also, all this discusion about Obama saying he is for the middle class, that is hard to believe, taxing business more that make over an income of $250K will only hurt the middle class because those companies will do more cut backs in salaries and benefits where we make just a little over to get federal assistance. As for CHANGE, do I not recall the House party is mostly Democrats so why are they blaming the Republican for the possible Recession? Isn’t all decisions made from the house party? Do people neglect to realize this? I think we should stop blaming each other and vote for the one that will help our county the most!!!
14. amyOhio | 10.30.08
Sarah Palin ia a bitter woman who would not admit she is unfit to be a VP pick. McCain was selfish to select her only to get Hillary Votes. Had McCain known how ugly her character is he may have done it differently.
I have been a Republican for atleast 2 decades and this time I voted for Obama/Biden as I love my country first.
McCain : please pull the ‘Country Fisrt’ signs from your campaign as you are such a hypocrite.
15. markm | 10.30.08
I am sure the Obamanistas produced a wonderful commercial, but I know no one who watched it.
16. Donna | 10.30.08
I for one, certainly wonder where is Obama getting the money for 30-minute commercials? If he is running a grass-roots internet based fundraising campaign, how are they tracking where this money is coming from? Am I the only person worried that he has backing from sources that may not be legitimately “American”? In our times, particularly after the Tony Rezko fiasco, why isn’t the media wondering this as well and asking these questions.
17. Curt | 10.30.08
As a business consultant I am familiar with the three “P’s” of marketing; Price, Product and Promotion. When one of the P’s is deficient or could be a problem one needs to adjust the others. Obama’s campaign knew this long ago. With an inferior candidate bringing a price society would find unpallatable, over promotion was the only solution. Figuring out that they could not compete if were tied to federal financing they broke their promise to McCain regading financing so they could get the funds necessary to sell their weak product to a gullible audience. This is just the first of hundreds of broken promises. How fitting that they use an infomercial let’s call it the “Ronco Obamatic” it slices, it dices it even rices our economy and our security.
18. Richie | 10.30.08
It is NOT the fact that Obama did not opt for public funding that gave him money to spend. It is the fact that INDIVIDUALS contributed so often to him that his contributions exceeded that which he would have gotten from public funding.
19. Josephine Public | 10.30.08
Oh enough already Mr. McCain. The constant bashing is getting is tiresome. Obama’s infomercial brought tears to my eyes…what an inspirational individual. He is our future, our change, our fighter, our peacemaker and the best candidate to run our country.
20. Alfonso | 10.30.08
I am an accountant and one of the main problems with McCain is continuing the tax cuts (which he opposed) from the Bush Administration. The main souce of the economic contraction that has occurred in the United States comes from that tax cut. And everyone knows that the tax cut cost over $1 trillion dollars, and the beneficiaries were the very wealthy in our society. And it is our society as much as it belongs to the wealthy. We are citizens as much so as the wealthy. This tax cut was a redistribution to the wealthy. McCain needs to take back that tax cut. He knew it was the wrong idea then and still wrong today. He knew economics when he stated clearly that it was a wrong idea.
However, McCain wanted to win an election and pander to the bush wing of the Republican party. The neocons that got us into Iraq. Today, we have both the tax cut plus an expensive war. We need to stop both of these bad decisions. McCain needs to take back the tax cuts and stop the war.
21. American Eyes | 10.30.08
I thought candidates in elections were supposed to be allowed “equal time” for stating their case. I can’t believe Obama paid over $4 million dollars for an infomercial. What a joke! Obama lied about taking public financing, just as he lies about taking your hard earned paycheck and redistribute it to people who don’t work even 1/4 as hard as you do. Do NOT be fooled by Obama’s flowery rhetoric! He is trying to hoodwink and bamboozle you! to see more reasons not to vote Obama visit http://www.youtube.com/brightamericaneyes
22. CaitStClair | 10.30.08
For me, yesterday summed up why I voted for Barack Obama. I voted for the positive, not the negative.
Although I did not catch all of the infomercial, I didn’t hear McCain’s or Palin’s name once. Instead he focused on this is what I’m going to do, this is how I’m going to fix the mess that we’re in. Conversely, all I’ve heard from the Republican nominees is how their opponent is wrong. If John McCain had spent more time talking about what he’s going to do (and picked a running mate I could stand behind), I would have given him more consideration.
23. Terry Fales | 10.30.08
Obama middle class? Ten reasons why Obama is not middle class.
1.7 Million dollars from his book, Ivy League education,(wife has the same), His kids attend an exclusive school (good for them), Membership in one of the most Liberal churches in America. His wife serves on numerous boards for which she gets paid large sums of money.(good for her). Definitly not middle class. One more Bald Face Lie that no one will call him on. Ten reasons O bama is not middle class
24. Campbell | 10.30.08
The infomercial was rather depressing. The theme was one of disparity and hopelessness. That is not what America is about or a future vision for America. Grade: F.
25. Curious Orange | 10.30.08
It`s past time for John Mcain to release his military records. The man cooperated with the enemy.(He sang like a canary) He was paling around with the terrorist viet kong for years.He thinks he is entitled to be POTUS (like bushCo LLc did)
Palin is a very bad joke pulled on the American people by a desperate campaign.
26. Joshua Clayton | 10.30.08
Ms. Marks, the level of overt salesmanship in this piece was disturbing. I think with the inability to step away from your bias, you should have stuck to covering the infomercial. Every time McCain was mentioned it was pasted in with “scare quotes”, and surrounded in each case, by pundit quotes designed to discredit him. Your disbelief and contempt for McCain’s message comes through, whehter purposely or not. Obama’s message on the other hand was integrated with the text of the story, with quotes to support it. The starkly contrasting narrative styles discover to the objective reader that this is an Obama campaign brochure masquerading as journalism.
27. Kate in NC | 10.30.08
I can see why folks might think this was overkill. As an Obama supporter, I was nervous about how it would work. But it was well done, and not over the top. As to the amount of money spent, chicken feed compared to the money the RNC is pouring into NC to try and keep the state red. Every day I receive a robocall - nasty, and if not complete lies, nearly so. Every other day, I receive mailers, nasty and with insinuations that should make any Republican embarrassed. Instead, Obama produced a positive, forward-looking piece that presented his ideas without resorting to bashing his opponent. I wish John McCain would spend some of the RNC’s $25 million for NC and do the same.
28. Robin Greene | 10.30.08
I would much rather watch the 3 Stooges than that dope Barak Obama. At least the stooges make sense. I will be glad when the press stops patronizing this goof and sticks to telling the truth about him.
29. fnp9 | 10.30.08
How can anybody trust a man that went back on his word to take public money. He realized that with out 605 million dollars he would not have a chance because he has no experience and has done nothing to speak of with the time he has spent in office except vote with the rest of the democrats. He figured out with all the money he would get he could spread as many lies as he wanted and eventually people would start to believe him. He has never said and I don’t believe he knows how he is going to do all the things he has promised. I don’t think he will be able to pertect our country if it come to it. Vote for McCain.
30. JOE AVERAGE | 10.30.08
i thought Barack did a good job of explaining that he has a clear perspective on who needs help in this country. He sounds like a decent guy that gives a hoot about the people of the country. Is it all true? Well, how can we really know. But, does he seem like he’s worth giving a chance? Definitely.
The repub. candidate has proven himself to be the type who is interested in serving himself first. Just doing a little research on McCain anyone can learn the facts about him. Same goes for Palin. They are both of the typical self-serving politician model, the type we need to oust from Washington.
Some people refuse to let go of old ways. They are scared of change, because they let fear control their lives. Some are so scared, they still adhere to bigotry and racism. This is the 21st century. To cry wolf, with statements like “he’s a muslim” or “he’s a socialist” is just ludicrous. He is neither. Obama wants to return tax levels to what they were with Clinton, when we had a balanced budget.
Bush and the republicans ruined this economy over the last 8 years, and it’s going to take another 8 years to fix it. Repubs need to be ousted. Corrupt democrats need to be ousted too.
Look at what your congressmen have voted for. Vote based on the facts, not on party affiliation or bigotry or fear.
I will vote for Obama because I believe he’s being honest. McCain is a liar and fear monger. I will vote for my republican representative because, among other things, he voted against the bailout. I will vote against the republican senator because he voted for the bailout, and he’s a crook.
Educate yourselves people. Go to factcheck.org, go to politifact, read many different news articles and learn what is true and what is propaganda to incite fear and division. PLEASE PEOPLE, GET IT TOGETHER AND DO WHAT’S BEST FOR US ALL.
31. stan | 10.30.08
I am amazed! Never in life, did I ever imagine that to ask serious questions about a presidential candidates background would be defined as attacks and scare tactic’s and the American public would buy into it. I have just learned that far to many votes are based on the same logic that we buy cars. In this case we are not even asking for a warranty or previous owner records. By the way, if you do inquire about records good luck because they are not available strangely enough. Let’s pray for America!
32. Concerned | 10.30.08
Upon reading this article, 2 things come to mind…1) Since when does being a millionaire put you in the middle income class? 2) Reminded me of just why I lost respect for OB right at the beginning-he lies. Told McCain he would accept whatever funding McCain decided to go with, let McCain choose first then went back on his word. Knew right then and there he was not to be trusted.
33. Barrie O. Ward The Canadian Geezer | 10.30.08
Methinks the ‘Gauze’ is actually “Whole Cloth” and well worth the taking!
34. Tamzarian | 10.30.08
1. Redistributionist in Chief - Yes, shame on the candidate who wants to tilt the tax system back to favoring people who actually need the help. I don’t know about you, my friends, but I don’t make $200,000 a year; and if I did, yeah it would be my societal duty to give back to the nation, sure. That is American. It’s called the Progressive Tax System and it’s been an American institution since the mid-1800’s.
2. Obama should be miles farther ahead by now. We finally have an intelligent, articulate and purposeful candidate. But for a Black man with the name Barack, he’s doing remarkably well. On that note, one common rebuttal to Obama’s character is that he is an elitist. Well, we’ve seen what the presidency of “George the Everyman” has done already. I for one do not want a President that is average. Would you trust the guy down the block with nukes? Besides, anyone who runs for President is an elitist. They are saying, “I am the most qualified person for office.”
3. As this article states, this election has been raging for 2 years. Anyone who is still, somwhow, undecided should not vote. If you are too lazy to be involved in your democracy, you should not be allowed to make decisions for those who are not. Or maybe you are looking for something that the candidates have not offered yet. The trouble with our democracy is that it’s ultimate arbiter is the collective voting body, which has no accountability. It is our responsibility to be informed, decerning and realistic in our expectations of our democracy. Asking what the candidate is going to do for you only serves to reinforce the shameless pandering that turns off so many voters. I would even argue that it is that very selfishness that threatens to undermine our country.
35. Denver Dave | 10.30.08
McCain promised at the beginning of the election cycle to run a clean campaign. The last 2 months have been based on breaking this promise. He’s stopped talking about what he would do to improve the economy, bring our troops home, punish those who attacked us on 9/11, improve the country’s infrastructure and schools, and all the other critical issues that the last 8 years have left us with. Obama is the one concentrating on fixing our issues!
Who wants to improve education? “That one!”
Who wants to bring our troops home? “That one!”
Who wants to fix the economy, bring in new jobs and new investment? “That one!”
36. murrinmaine | 10.30.08
Mocking seems to be McCain’s key strategy at this point (that and instilling irrational fear, of course).
Hope for a situation better than the one republican’s have given us over the last eight years — childish.
Belief that we can, by cooperating, make the whole place better for everyone — naive (and suspiciously socialist).
Interact with the rest of the world on a rational basis — dangerously pie in the sky.
Without mockery — a fourth grade way to respond to others — McCain has no game at all.
37. Bill in Md | 10.30.08
The Statement, “The Republican chose to take federal matching funds, which limit his ability to raise more cash. Obama declined and has instead pioneered an Internet-based grassroots fundraising strategy.” is incorrect.
Obama originally agreed to federal matching funds with McCain, but broke his agreement when he realized he could buy his way into offce. The cost? Roughly $600 million.
38. Greg | 10.30.08
The Undecided. How much more information does Obama have to put out compared to the LACK of information McCain puts out before people decide?????
Seriously. I could go along with that argument early on, but the longer it hangs in the balance the more I personally have to wonder. Yes it is just my personal opinion, but people tickle me claiming they haven’t heard enough when he has put out the most information details. All McCain says is we will bring our troops home in victory, drill, and he puts America first which
was proven a lie by his own actions especially with David Letterman. The commerical with him stating he agreed with Bush was his own words. Not out of context. His own words against his own lie of not agreeing with Bush. And if Palin is the future of the republicans I will pray for them because they can do a lot better. She sounds so lost off script. STILL!!! She doesn’t realize another candidate would have ripped her history to shreds. She needs to be thankful Obama isn’t like that.
Finally. What MAN cares about her being a mother to her kids? All this sexism claims are actually created by WOMEN!!!!
Women question her running for VP and taking care of her special needs child.
When she first appeared women were bringing this up not men. If the male media brought it up it was because they were voicing the concerns of the general public. So people need to realize this isn’t a male issue, but actually an issue between female beliefs. And again, you can’t claim sexism if you support those buttons and signs at the RNC. Can’t have it both ways. She can’t write off the $150k on clothes as sexism. Edwards was slammed for $400 haircuts. Compare the two numbers and people want to blame sexism???? No where close. As Joy said from the View she could have turned the clothes down. Fake hockey mom.
39. Joanne,Kenosha WI | 10.30.08
McCain has no one else to blame for the miss handling of his campaign but himself, he could have ran the same half hour program like Obama did but he choose to run ROBO calls to slam Obmam instead, if anyone is to blame it would be his campaign staff.Obama did a great job addressing the issues and that is what Americans wanted to hear.
40. Kristofer Hoch | 10.30.08
The infomercial did a good job of conveying Senator Obama’s message. He touched on many issues that have been in the news as real issues: health care, job loss (due to economic or overseas reasons), retirement, and yes even terroism. His message included a little bit about the man himself: his motivations and private life. Obama’s message did not include any attacks at the McCain-Palin ticket.
John McCain’s strategy has become increasing reliant on discounting evidence that is contrary to his beliefs as well as what seems to be a hypocritical stance. “Obama lacks experiance to be president”. He says things like this while having a running mate who has less experiance than Obama.
The main decider for me is that I know more about Obama’s policy than I do about his dislike for John McCain as president.
41. DCX2 | 10.30.08
Why is it that people can rag on Obama for using private fundraising, while McCain violates the spirit of HIS OWN LAW in the way that he uses RNC funds? You should have added that Obama dissed public financing because the RNC is how McCain would get around the limits.
42. Shirley Pettaway-Green | 10.30.08
I loved Obama’s infomercial. I live feeling positive about the future. I always thought the was the core reason why you select one candidate over the other. You feel their values and goals are in alignment with yours. I thought McCain should have run in 2000 now all he does is talk about Obama. I do not feel hope when I listen to him. Obama 08
44. frank burns | 10.30.08
Obama is dangerous in the context of world terrorism. McCain, on the other hand, will see to it that we continue to act in an isolationist way, without giving in to the cheese-eaters, and if terrorists do attack, he will certainly make sure to invade Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East generally.
45. Sharon Lawrence | 10.30.08
Everyone who viewed this should also come away with an appreciation for the high quality staff work done by the Obama campaign. He’s drawn the most talented people around him and thus, he can pull off flawlessly some of the most difficult events and carry through his themes seamlessly.
This is the kind of leader and team that we need in the White House for these most difficult times.
46. Rebecca | 10.30.08
You betcha. Millions of Americans are donating money to Obama. I gave $35. I am gladly giving money to Obama to prevent McCain/Palin from getting into office. I am a small business owner and I do not want to pay threw the nose for 4 years with McCain/Palin. It’s a bargain. I’ll get it back with the tax cuts. However, even if I was not getting the money back directly, I like Obama’s programs, especially re education and health care. I think the country as a whole will improve with Obama’s programs.
47. Steve | 10.30.08
In reading this article it is one of the fairest that I have read to date. There are certain words that I think could have been substituted for more balanced reporting. On whole the context of the article is fair until the last tow paragraphs. I am not sure what the comments on the polls have to do with the subject of the article. I would suggest the author should have left that out as it gives the appearance of trying to sway the reader to dismiss McCains claims. Kind of analogous to the hanging chad, the reader is not sure if the author is attempting to influence them or not.
48. anamerican | 10.30.08
Obama will destroy our country. He promotes communism and is an antiamerican. It scares me to death to think there are people out there who don’t realize what he’s planning to do, or that ignore what he’s done said and written in the past. I hope to God people wake up in time.
49. Bob Goldish | 10.30.08
If I was back in the Service and stuck in a besieged foxhole, there is nobody I would rather have next to me than John McCain. But both presidential candidates are brave fighters. And for President, I prefer the vibrant, intelligent, calm and reasoned approach of Sen. Obama, teamed up with the experience and views of Sen. Biden. Regarding potential President Palin, well…. OUCH! She has made the reasons for that opinion pretty obvious.
50. WhatAFarce | 10.30.08
Is Obama not a Manchurian Candidate? I still don’t understand who this guy is. He has no Birth Certificate, at least not one he is willing to share with us. He won’t release any of his records from his educational experience, the most substantive experience he has, and his whole thing last night was like a “get comfortable with me in the white house” propaganda piece.
It’s like he has become a part of the American so called “branded” lexicon whereby it’s not the product that matters but the marketing and the advertising.
Who is this guy? Where is he from? He’s lived under three different names, he has not history- where are all of his Harvard, Columbia friends? Who knows this guy? The only people we know of are now Wright, Ayres and now Khaliki(?) and a guy named Rezko who we worked for in Chicago who got him started in politics who has connections to Syria and Iraqi terrorists and is a convicted federal prisoner.
What is going on in this country?
51. gemini3 | 10.30.08
My understanding is that Obama has outspent McCain by far more than 2:1 in some states. I wonder why with all his vast financial resources he’s not further ahead in the polls. In the primary he outspent Clinton many times over in some states, and just ekked out a victory in some and lost in others.
Does that mean he has bought this election? One has to wonder.
52. wolf | 10.30.08
I think, this was a really good “infomercial”. To me, it seemed almost like a mini-documentary on the American Public. And regardless of what one thinks about politicians being out-of-touch with us down here… Obama has spent an awful lot of effort being informed on and campaigning for “our issues”
53. Norma | 10.30.08
Obama made a pact with McCain that, if the two were to be their party’s nominees, each would accept public financing for the general election.
Reneging on his earlier promise, Obama announced that he would not participate in the public financing system. He argued that the system had collapsed, and would put him at a disadvantage running against McCain.
This removed the cap on how much money he can raise and spend leaving McCain’s campaign to press on without public financing limiting his spending. Under the public financing program, McCain could spend the maximum of $84 million and whatever the RNC was able to raise.
Should we care that Barack Obama decided to reject the public financing system in his bid for the presidency, breaking a pledge he made earlier? Probably not, but we should object to the fact that he continues to pay lip service to a model of campaign finance regulation that restricts speech and corrupts our politics.
54. William | 10.30.08
I caught part of Obama’s broadcast last night - and a brief snippet aired from his acceptance speech at the DNC. It was something along the lines of “we are not a conservative America and a liberal America, but one United States of America”. I’ve not heard anything remotely like that from McCain. Indeed, it would see from the rhetoric of his running mate, there’s no room in America for me, ‘cos I don’t think anywhere near the way she does.
The differences in the candidates and campaigns couldn’t be any clearer.
55. Cyrus Howell | 10.30.08
Baracks informercial was just icing on the cake.
John Kerry lost his bid for the presidency. His wife is a multi millionare.
John McCain will lose because his wife is a multi millionare. American women don’t identify with the rich wives of canadidates.
My mother voted for Nancy Reagan and Pat Nixion. She voted for first lady, not the president.
I doubt my mother voted for Richard Nixon or Ronald Reagan.
I am pretty convinced of that. She didn’t vote for Lady Bird Johnson.
56. machelle | 10.30.08
Obama is very capable of being president. Any true leader knows the he/she must surround themselves with good people. John McCain screwed that up when he named caribou-barbie to be his VP! He thought because she’s pretty and perky and preppy that people would be fooled by his shenanigans. What an insult to the ‘real America’. Not enough has been made of her goofs! If that’s the kind of person he thought would make a good vp for America, he is as foolish as he is old!
Look at all the people Obama is going to surround himself with versus Palin! Give me a break!
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
57. CSerpent | 10.30.08
Interesting article. Had to miss the ‘mercial. After years of R’s being FAR better funded than D’s, and doing better as a result, delightful irony in a D slate that can finally out-spend the R’s. The D’s have to–the R. hate machine is endless and ingenious. Lee Atwater and Karl Rove are gonna’ have a lot to answer for if they reach the pearly gates. The complete lack of scruples, honor, and integrity they fostered and institutionalized in their Party have ruined our politics and politicians of both stripes. Anything Goes. No wonder people turn off and tune out. Ya’ can’t keep up with the sleaze. Enormous amounts of time and money are devoted to slinging and defending, rather than creating good programs to meet our pressing problems. Classic case of ‘Winning The Game’ becoming far more than actually ‘Thinking and Governing’.
58. roddy | 10.30.08
That informercial was an absolute clunker. I was waiting for Barack to whip out some cue cards like his boy Ross did.
As far as the content goes, Obama is taking a big hit today because he changed his tax plan yet again. Instead for giving tax breaks to everyone earning less than 250k a year, now people earning less than 200k a year will get a tax break. Opps! Maybe Barack and Axe should have worked out the details on that plan before they presented it to America.
60. lucy2008 | 10.30.08
I donated a little every month to the Obama campaign. Considering the infomercial was less that 0.6% of the total amount that Senator Obama brought in, I consider this incredibly well spent and well executed as part of the campaign. I am thrilled that my donation went into the kitty along with many other small donations to help fund this. This is democracy at work. I am not offended by the spending at all.
61. Drew | 10.30.08
“The Republican chose to take federal matching funds, which limit his ability to raise more cash. Obama declined and has instead pioneered an Internet-based grassroots fundraising strategy.”
This passage would make a fantastic journalism 101 case study. The author employs the word “chose” to describe John McCain’s participation in the public financing system - a system that Mr. McCain helped design and promised to take part in last fall - and then describes the effect of that “choice” in terms of the negative limitation it imposed on his campaign - his “ability” to raise funds was curtailed. The author goes on to describe Mr. Obama’s position with the word “declined,” which carries an implication of having given up something of value. Mr. Obama’s alternative fundraising option is then called “pioneering,” indicating that it represents something courageous and bold.
Hopefully the case study of this passage, having examined the effect and impact of the author’s choice of words, would then consider the factual circumstances behind the author’s description. Specifically, last fall Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama both promised to take public campaign funds if the other did. Mr. Obama “declined” to keep that promise when he realized that he could take in far more money without it.
The case study would hopefully conclude by emphasizing that classical journalism seeks to portray unbiased facts, and seeks to limit the author’s opinion’s impact on the facts. The author’s choice of words here de-emphasizes a significant fact about the circumstances she is describing (that Obama did not merely decline to take public funds - he broke a promise to do so), while minimizing the significance of another fact (that Mr. McCain did not really “choose” to take public funds since he was merely keeping a promise that he made, and that the limitation on his ability to raise funds is a cornerstone of campaign finance reform that he has fought for as a senator).
Hopefully the next generation of journalists will learn this lesson, because this generation slept through the lesson on “objectivity.” Too bad, and from the Monitor, too - usually a bastion of unbiased reporting.
62. Laurent | 10.30.08
As a champion fighter’s corner would chant to their menacing, imperturbable and seemingly invincible fighter, who is strengthening increasingly as the curtain draws on whatever fading light is left in his defenseless, battered, and bludgeoned opponent, “Punch, Obama…………punch!!”
63. Harold Reimann | 10.30.08
Did you get that Big-Brother feeling with BO on all those networks at once? Soon **** be watching us. Talk about Conspicuous Consumption? Wonder if he ever thought to give his excess to the country to pay down the national debt?
64. Chip | 10.30.08
I have been and continue to be so inspired by Obama. After years of war and greed, I think Obama will return ethics and goodness to the White House. And as someone who also spoke up for the under represented, Jesus is so proud of Obama. God Bless America!
65. Patty | 10.30.08
You forgot to mention that Obama not just declined but broke his promise of using federal matching funds.
66. NJ_Gal | 10.30.08
McCain is so whiney. He is upset because he is always on the coat tails of someone else. Obama’s camp beats him to the punch every time…ie the way he is now doing what Obama did and holding summits but I believe he is calling his policy meetings…LOL Can he come up w/ his own ideas. Also, Joe the Plumber use to live in AK…was he a setup??? Time will tell…Obama and his camp are brillant. The Obamercial was FABULOUS!!!
67. theemailman | 10.30.08
I liked Alexandra Marks | October 30, 2008 report:
” …and with a satellite appearance on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, the Walter Cronkite-like icon for the under-30 set.
I’m 73 and liked Walter Cronkite and look forward to seeing Jon Stewart Dayly Show. Jon may not be an ICON but he sure lift my day at night. Thank you for a good reading Report there is not enough of them.
68. Betty | 10.30.08
Since when is an income of $4 million considered “middle class”? I don’t think so. His personal financial planner sees to it that the Obama’s wealth is not “redistributed”. I wonder how many people he mesmerized this time.
69. MOswingvoter | 10.30.08
Sarah Palin is a very promising new politician on the national scene. She may have been unprepared for the demands of this campaign but she is not unqualified. Any sitting governor is automatically “qualified” for a job like VP. She is neither stupid nor ignorant. She simply has not been campaigning for 2 years honing her message like Obama has. She has learned quickly and will continue to do so. Whether she wins the job she seeks or not, she should not have to put up with the hateful drivel being spewed by bloggers. If you support Obama, support his message of a new kind of politics and stop insulting Sarah Palin.
70. RAMESH MALAYAPPAN | 10.30.08
One thing is clear….American’s need to realize that it is important for the Middle Class to survive this financial mess. Who better to look out for their interests, other than a member of our own?
Barack Obama wins the argument just by being a success story that rose from the middle class. I think, that while his story is inspiring in and of itself, his actual ascendancy to power as President will be a redefining moment for America.
71. Thomas | 10.30.08
Gemini3 and everyone else complaining about the amount of $$ Obama’s campaign has generated and spent… where were you when Bush had collected the largest warchests - 1st in 2000, then he beat his own record in 2004? You’re hilarious in your ignorance and hypocrisy.
72. Al | 10.30.08
Republicans are the ones who think privatizing / investing Social Security in the stock market a good idea. Not the Democrats. Get your facts straight.
73. Genoa Nevadan | 10.30.08
More than anything else, this campaign speaks loudest to the need for major reforms in the election process. There is little doubt that the Presidency of the United States is for sale. More money buys slicker speech writers. We would all profit by some very strict limits on: the duration of campaigns (a sort of “open season”); the total amount of spend on advertising; and so on.
The junior senator from Illinois has certainly short-changed those who elected him by having been “distracted” from their needs for the past 2 years. Having tele-prompters at every whistle-stop is pretty amazing and speaks to the extent of “packaging” which has occurred.
Media bias is rampant. Editorializing needs to get back into editorials. We should not accept that “anything goes” in political races. Each candidate needs to be truthful and factual. Neither presidential candidate has a clean slate with regard to spinning and stretching . . . even lieing. Involved citizenry is a plus. An educated citizenry is essential. A knowledge of our Constitution is paramount.
As to the “infomercial”, it should be taken with the same skepticism as any other infomercial on TV touting “amazing results”.
74. Meghan | 10.30.08
Many of you people critical of Obama have probably never read his books, researched his accomplishments or have seen him speak (live or on television). He is the quintessential American success story and undoubtedly a decent and intelligent person of character. You don’t have to like him, but how could you not respect him?
He represents what I want in life and what I want for my children. I should think the same things that you want for your children.
There is no doubt that Obama will help reposition the United States as a global leader.
75. Don Ashton | 10.30.08
McCain, by his own admission on several occasions is not prepared to deal with economic issues, yet he claimed to be a key player in the $750 billion bail-out package. And we have watched McCain’s select a VP running mate by instinct, that has proven to be highly controversial.
In contrast Obama solves problems by calling in a range of experts, hears them out, and then makes a thoughtful and informed decision. His choice of Biden is widely hailed for a wide variety of reasons. And his managing of his campaign shows how he has been able to bring together a team of highly capable experts harmoniously together; it has proven to be a highly effective team out performing Clinton’s and McCain’s campaigns by several measures.
I would expect him to only approach the many serious challenges he will face in the White House with similar success.
76. Obamantra | 10.30.08
The millions of dollars spent on marketing, to buy the presidency… It’s amazing how a “Roncobama” infomercial can sell many Americans a bill of goods. However, I guarantee the price tag on what he’s selling won’t be $19.99.
77. Lucas | 10.30.08
Senator Obama did not “break a promise” to accept federal funds for his campaign. In his statement, he said he would sit down with the Republican candidate to discuss how that could be accomplished.
Once the Obama campaign relized that they would he hit by swiftboating from the RNC- which would have unlimited financing- they understood that they would need all the support of their grassroots contributors.
I was very happy they did this, because as a retired person, I am very concerned that we have a real change in our country. I have been giving regularly at http://www.barackobama.com and am proud to do it. The Obama contributors saved the American tax payers $85 million. They should be happy about that.
The McCain campaign knows that they could not have raised that kind of money- that is why they accepted public financing. Indeed, they broke their word in the primaries and did not accept the public money that they had committed themselves to in order to get a much needed loan.
They are so desperate- they will resort to anything. Simply pathetic. What about the “clean campaign” that John McCain promised? He broke that one- that’s for sure.
Not this time
78. OBAMA_2008 | 10.30.08
How easy it is to tell Obama supporters to stop attacking Sarah Palin and John McCain, yet with every breath they continue to attack Obama. We are offended by his informercial but they continue to raise questions about his associations, birth, economic status, dedication to this country, sincerity, this list could go on and on. We continue to call him out for things that he does but no one talks about the need to spend 100,000 of campaign money on clothes for Sarah Palin. These are the ordinary people that are seeking to serve us. Was this a responsible way to spend campaign money? Obama has raised over 600 million yet do you hear about him spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on Michelle’s clothes? Republicans are becoming famous for attacks, distorting facts and worst of all acting like they are one of us but showing us the exact opposite in their actions.
OBAMA FOR AMERICA… change we can count on!!!!!!
ABOUT TIME
79. Obamahater | 10.30.08
Obama paid millions to make an for a Tv spot to persuad the ignorant because he knows you democrats wont read any facts of your own and you will just listen to the fake media!
80. tahoegal | 10.30.08
Obama got his contributions from people just like us - over age 70 and first time contributors to any political compaign, ever. GO OBAMA!
81. Megan | 10.30.08
Sometimes I wonder why Obama still has to campaign. If it was about all other countries in the world, he’d be president since months. Check it out yourself: theworldspeaks.info
82. Cedric | 10.30.08
The most persuasing evidence on who to vote for this election is if you ask yourself the question,”if I was running for office and won, what would I want to do to serve the citizens?” Compare your ideas with the candidates agendas and clearly Obama has the right agenda for most American’s.
83. Donald W. | 10.30.08
I’m not going to quote the relevant comments here but just comment on them myself.
Yes Obama decided to opt out of tax payer funds for the election. Same as McCain did for the Primaries. I guess McCain blew all his money winning that then figured he would just use tax payer funds for all his attack ads.
I’m not voting for McCain because of the negativity of his campaign. Every day it’s another attack…another attempt to bring down Obama and I personally am sick of it. Most of Obama’s attack ads have been against McCain’s policies. God knows McCain has enough stuff in his history he would like to keep hidden but Obama has chosen not to bring out.
As for those who wish to attack this website for a few choice of words decribing “chose” and “declined” and “pioneered”…well I’ve been out there looking and this is one of the most unbiased sites I have seen. You want bias go to FoxNews or Huffington Post. Neither of those I choose for my news anymore.
People are only complaining about how much Obama spends because for once it seems the Republicans got out spent. Maybe McCain “chose” to take public funding because he knew he was unpopular enough that even his own base probably wouldn’t donate to his campaign and he would be doing alot worse than what he is.
Personally I am voting for Obama. McCain’s campaign and choice of Palin has left a foul taste in the mouth of this centric independent. Hopefully my vote will help turn Virginia blue.
84. Ernie C. | 10.30.08
It’s interesting that almost all comments on almost all stories are about Obama - for Obama, against Obama. Hardly any are about McCain, or his message and his plans for America. Does that tell you anything? Can we elect somebody president whose campaign has been so uninspiring that we can’t think of anything to say about him?
85. Jackie B. | 10.30.08
For those of you who are so determined to wallow in the muck of smear politics, who are wondering where Senator Obama is getting all this money from, let me enlighten you. He’s getting his money from people like me, someone who supported McCain in 2000. I’ve never donated to a political campaign in my life, always feeling that my vote was enough and the politician who could earn it (no matter from what party) would get it. Now, here’s the kicker…I’ve donated to Sen. Obama’s campaign twice ($25 each time). I’ve also encouraged my friends and family to do the same and donate whatever they could. And I volunteered, just a few weekends ago, to phone bank for Obama. America is better than the kind of petty politics you’re trying to peddle. Listen, I’m a cynical person by nature, but your brand of ignorant cynicism is so frightening and so disheartening, that it’s the reason why I’ll probably sign up for the Obama “Get out the vote” event this weekend.
86. lightnin | 10.31.08
Barack Obama has not associated with “Rev.” Wright and his “church”, Louis Farrakhan, “Father” Phleger, Tony Rezko, William Ayers & Bernadine Dohrne, Rashid Khalidi, Mazen Asbahi, ACORN, and abortion extremists IN SPITE of their offensive or criminal activities, but BECAUSE of them! That’s what ATTRACTS him to them!
87. Jackie B. | 10.31.08
58. roddy | 10.30.08 Do your research. Obama didn’t change his tax policy. It’s always been if your family’s income is below $250,000 your taxes will not go up. If your family’s income is below $200,000, your taxes will actually go down. For those families between $200,000 and $250,000, your taxes will stay the same. And for individuals making less than $200,000, you won’t pay more in taxes and those making $150,000 will pay less. Senator Obama was merely emphasizing different aspects of his tax plan.
And by the way, I was going to end my post with something really sarcastic because I’m so tired of the ignorance, the lies and the misinformation that have come to signify so many aspects of this campaign, but I stopped myself. I thought about what Senator Obama has been saying, his positive message, and his belief that we as a people, as Americans, are better than the petty politics that has taken over our electoral process. It’s that kind of inspiration, that power to influence us to be our better selves, that marks the sign of a great leader.
88. Stbdtac | 10.31.08
For the un-informed, “Joe the Plumber” made approx $44,000 last year which puts him in line for a nice tax saving from Obama. He does not own a small business, but he does owe back taxes. Bottom line is; he’s a fraud. Perfect spokesman for McCain.
90. Will | 10.31.08
“Jon Stewart, the Walter Cronkite-like icon for the under-30 set.”
If that’s true, we’re all screwed.
People can’t be that dumb.
91. Patrick | 10.31.08
I have to say that I’m very encouraged by the comments from moderate and reasonable Republicans. You have been very silent for very long. Having started out in that category in my own political life, I was wondering if you had gone extinct.
I believe that Obama has the election at this stage, barring some major error or scandal. However, should McCain pull off a miraculous comeback, as a citizen I give my personal word to reserve judgement and to give a McCain presidency a fair chance. Likewise, if Obama does win, I won’t follow him blindly. Hopefully, others that read this will agree to do the same.
We need to move past the artificial “Red America, Blue America” paradigm that’s been sold to us. We’re all neighbors and we should start treating each other that way.
92. Jack | 10.31.08
All McCain and his supporters talk is Obama!!
Don’t you guys have anything to explain about your policies??
Your stories about birth ceritifcates,muslim and terrorist is proven false already. Invent something new!!
BTW Obama was a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations which needed Top Secret clearance in the country.!!
If you have any allegations, support it with proof.
93. ~Marion Portland, Maine | 10.31.08
Barack Obama is an inspiration to my children and me. I wear an Obama button on my coat and it makes me aware that how I treat others while I wear it will reflect on him. That is powerful. He has been a positive role model; his success is even more inspiring because of the obstacles that he has overcome in order to achieve what he has achieved. It is painful to see and hear him maligned so hatefully. It is reminiscent of the mob mentality that jeers, taunts, and prods for blood at every persecution in human history. ENOUGH. I ask all supporters of Obama to follow his example and rise above the temptation to lash back at the gouging. He is clearly a GOOD man and I am proud of him. He is a gift, I thank his family for sharing him with us.
94. stan | 10.31.08
Let me get this right. Obama’s pastor for the last twenty years has much to say about America,one statement that rings in my ear is when Obama’s pastor said, “GOD DAM AMERICA” and your going to convince me that Obama had no other Christian churches to pick from that he could of attended where good christians pray for it’s government in the last twenty years? Whats wrong with that picture? And as you sit there and remember - Obama’s other supposedly simple acquaintences, you begin to see a pattern that does NOT line up with what the founding fathers of this great nation stood for and many a men and women have died for. America yes and radicalisim NO!
95. Eric | 10.31.08
I am European and I would vote for McCain only! I would never ever vote for Obama as he is an empty suit. I am sure he would be a great actor and entertainer but not a President!
96. Songhammer | 10.31.08
It’s hilarious reading all the folks who are worried about Democrats raising their taxes. Did they just miss that over 700 Billion of their money is going to be used to pay off wealthy investors? Where do these Bozos think that 700 Billion is going to come from if not from their paychecks. Unbelievable!
The only thing I can think is they must just not be able to get their tiny minds around that big a number. Anyone want to help them with how many zeros that is? Do they even know what a CDO or a CDS is?
These are the same losers that cry about 15 million going to an education bill.
They won’t mind paying half their paychecks to pay off the 700 Billion, but boy, don’t dare take the fifteen cents to fund that education bill! LOL!!!
97. CP | 10.31.08
The Democratic controlled Congress (since 2006) has an approval rating of only 9% which is the lowest rating of any Congress since Gallop starting polling. How can any of you Democrats dispute these statistics and the fact that your Democratic party, which has been in control for two years and done NOTHING, is the party of choice? WAKE UP! Obama will tax us to death. Oh, and by the way..if you live in a state where you pay sales tax, does anyone ask how much you earn and base your sales tax on your income? NO. Everyone pays the same percentage. But the Democrats beleive that progressive tax (making the hardworking people pay more) is fair. The Democratic Party is in LaLa Land!
98. IN Clark | 10.31.08
Whether you like Obama or not, why is he “black” if one parent was white & one black? Isn’t he as much white as black? Or at least bi-racial vs black?
Does it help or hurt people to identify themselves as “African-American”? Are they more or less American than other citizens? I would argue it makes for racial divide. What if people called themselves Caucasian-Americans or Anglo-Saxon-Americans? Would people be offended thinking we were being exclusive (vs. inclusive)? Either we are Americans or we aren’t (immigration issues aside…). Or maybe after a few generations, I am an “Alabamian-American”?
Whomever you vote for next week, I hope in the end, we end up AMERICANS & we try to get along. I’m so tired of the negative side of the election. Hate, divide, conquer, win. I vote for each one of us, to try to make this country a little better– even if you start with baby-steps like using your turn signal! Please?!
99. Truth | 10.31.08
Everyone is starry eyed now. Don’t worry Obama will change our country in ways no one can imagine. Mark my words. All you Obama supporters will see how you got caught up in this “Messiah.” But, religion warns of false prophets.
The true Christians are afraid. The Catholics are afraid. Cubans who endured Castro feel they are reliving that nightmare.
…Yet so many refuse to see his connections. Connections that are too scary for someone with that much power to have.
It’s the end of the United States of America if he wins. It may sound extreme, but it’s true. How can someone whose main support is a network of welfare recipients, college students, and the lower class raising so much money? Do your homework, it’s out there, and it’s terrorist connections.
Oh and look up Frank Davis, his mentor and communist extraordinaire. Biden, who wants to microchip Americans. Mark of the best. And this is no evangelical scare. Read up on how his religion believes white people are the root of evil and they should be exterminated. Tell me this man should be the leader of our country? A man who never provided medical records or a legit birth certificate. And don’t give me Factcheck.org, because Obama has ties to that website, look it up. It’s at your fingertips, and you fail to see it.
God bless, make good with God, and pray for your country.
100. Truth | 11.01.08
Oh and btw, CFR is an organization for WORLD CITIZENSHIP. They want one, all powerful government to rule the world and they want to eliminate borders. Members have admitted to as much.
…Not at all ironic that Obama is a member, seeing as all he talks about is world/global citizenship.
And PS: the members have admitted to the org. wanting global citizenship and one government in plain black and white. You just dug your own grave with that argument.
101. Ray Salemi | 11.01.08
John McCain seems to be constitutionally unable to do anything but attack his opponent. It’s been weeks since I’ve heard any sentence about McCain that didn’t include the word “attacked”, “warned”, “hammered” or a variant.
John McCain has been a divisive force in this election and I hope the country heals well from his terrible campaign.
102. Collin | 11.01.08
Obama is not the guy a lot of Americans think he is. His character and his reputation have been called into question so many times. Yet I am alarmed at how it has fallen on such deaf ears. I really don’t know how people can vote for him with the things he stands for. You hear of Catholics voting for him when he is in favor of late term abortion. You hear sane rational people stating how he is one of us. The guy went to an Ivy league school, lived many years in other countries. He lives in a mansion. And has more than one associate that has been called into question on their own character. Are you people kidding me. He is a fantastic speaker but don’t just sit and listen to the beat of the music listen to the lyrics. The following of this guy is extremly creepy as well. I can remember last presidential election w/ people on both sides listening to the facts, not the hype of “change”. If anyone can tell me what this guy did while he was in the senate that did anything to even change one iota I might be satisfied, yet he voted numerous times as only “present”. What does that tell you? This man has no opinion of his own. So what is he gonna change? So if he as President is going to vote for change who is going to be doing the voting? Maybe the mysterious campaign contributors that are coming out of the woodwork. The guy has loads of money and some of it has been proven to be illigitamet. Take for example the thousands of dollars that came from Pakistan, or the credit card fraud scams that donate money to his campaign. People wake up! Do some research! Something does not smell good in the Obama kitchen and too many people are just eating up and asking for seconds!
103. Nancy Basham | 11.01.08
After 2 yrs, anyone who says they still don’t know who Obama is hasn’t been trying or doesn’t care. I didn’t know who he was either when the campaigning first started. I was concerned about the first accusations until I found them to be untrue. When I started listening I was impressed with his even composure, his common sense and, most of all, the organization and harmony of his staff !
A final note– anyone who can’t spell, puncutate, or string words into an intelligible sentence shouldn’t write a letter to be read by the public.
104. CP | 11.01.08
why are my comments / observations about the Democrats frequently deleted from this posting?
105. Matt S. | 11.01.08
The anti Obama comments on this board have only further pushed me in the Obama camp. I looked at the material used to support anti Obama in one of the posts above.
http://www.youtube.com/brightamericaneyes
please take a look. It’s crazy. When you’re using crazy to support your argument, your not going to convince anyone sane person, though you may cause a few more to go crazy.
Please Rational Conservatives, take over your party and airwaves. Please raise the level of discourse so we can have healthy productive discussion to find solutions and make informed decisions to help the whole country. Democrats have Obama to represent this push, can republicans and conservatives please bring one to the front for their side.
106. Patrick | 11.01.08
Sorry… I forgot to mention that I’m a registered Green and, as I am currently living overseas, have ALREADY cast my vote for Obama.
I was simply making the point that, when the passion of the election subsides, we SHOULD put country first as Sen. McCain is saying AND we should become more active in our democracy as Sen. Obama is saying.
Regardless of who wins, we HAVE to unify our country.
107. buffy | 11.01.08
I voted for McCain. There are many reasons I would not vote for Obama but one of the most fundamental is that In the 2 years I have been watching him I have not heard him say anything positive about America. I have concluded that Mr. Obama is happiness-impaired. I do not like to be around people who focus on the negative. I especially think they do not make good leaders. It is a selfish mindset that seeks to bring others to despair as Mr. Obama did in his commercial. I do not see his America. I see a good America.
108. buffy | 11.01.08
I do not understand how people with children can vote for Mr. Obama. Why would you hold up as an example to your children someone who is continually bashing America? It is a sad state when parents want their children to emulate someone with this type of character.
110. bradford_usa | 11.02.08
Obama is going to win big, but you have to wonder what kind of a “prize” the office of the presidency is going to be for the next four years.
On day 1 you inherit:
1. A recession or depression
2. A financial crisis
3. A mortgage crisis
4. Two wars which will require half your time even if you resolve them
5. Inflation
6. Gas prices that seem to feel at home in the $3+ range
7. The health care mess
8. Oh, and you got no money to spend since we are just paying the interest on the trillions we owe
If Obama manages to get re-elected, he will have done a great job.
111. Tikki | 11.03.08
I find it interesting that some of the comments here seem to suggest that Obama reneged on a promise to take public financing to run his campaign. Before you go making false accusations you should do your research. Read what he said before you started passing around McCains lies as truths:
In early 2007, in a Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing, Obama stated that he wanted to work out an agreement with the Republican nominee to accept public financing.
#
Obama also stated on a questionnaire, “If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,” according to The New York Times,
#
On Feb. 26, during the Democratic primary debate in Cleveland, Ohio, Obama said, “I will sit down with John McCain and make sure we have a system that works for everybody.” The McCain campaign maintains that Obama’s operatives never joined them in substantive negotiations before Obama’s announcement that he would not accept public financing.
112. Patrick | 11.03.08
Comments on the commentary…
To comment number 98 IN CLARK… for most of the history of this country, to have one black parent was enough to get you classified as black, even if you were light skinned. It’s a bit late in the game to change the rules. Ultimately, Barack Obama is an African-American. That he could make it to the Presidency should be celebrated.
To 99 Truth… I’m Catholic. I’m not afraid of Obama. I voted Obama. I do not feel that this makes me any less Catholic. Despite what the conference of American Bishops has said in recent elections, there are plenty of other voices within the Church that point out that religous teaching should not delve into the political fray. Ergo, to vote for a pro-choice candidate is permissable when other factors, including warfare, poverty, and environmentalism are taken into account. Beside, Obama has supported reducing the total number of abortions while keeping the process itself legal. I don’t care if abortions are legal, I just don’t want any to actually take place.
Finally… let’s be fair. The Democrats have had a very slim majority for the past two years and they’ve been facing a very spirited opposition from the remaining Republicans. I’d guess that the low approval rating has been because the Democrats have been perceived as being to weak to overcome this position. Hopefully, whoever is elected starts moving the country off oil as quickly as possible.
Gotta find some common ground folks. And we have to stop spreading venomous attacks over the internet.
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1. Average American | 10.30.08
All you Democrat leaning sheep had better get those Obamam pom-poms of the National Media out of your eyes and look at the facts for your self!
Gov. Palin is herself much more qualified to be President than Obama! Watch this quick clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8zXi90EVeg
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think McCain is the best choice for President, however, Obama is by FAR the worst choice for President! Even his own running mate has told us over and over again that he is too dangerous for the country! When are you going to listen? After we invade Pakistan like he said he would do during the debates?
We Americans have to take responsibility and work through this hard time! We can’t spend or tax our way out of it! We must elect McCain if we stand a chance at all of heading off a depression and further world conflict!
Come on, even you Democrats have to admit, there are far more qualified people in your Party than Obama. The one trait that got Obama his nomination was his RECORD of voting obedience to the Party. So for you who can’t see what is happening, the Democratic Party is making a bid for the Oval Office, it’s not just Obama. He will only be a puppet for the Democratic Party, doing their bidding.
Remember now, the Democratic Party has controlled Congress for the last 2 years and has an approval rating that is 1/2 of President Bush’s! Just look what they’ve done to our country in those two short years! And that’s fighting against an opposition Administration! Think what will happen to the country if these same chukleheads gain control of it all!
They will long for President Bush’s approval ratings! And you and I will pay the price for decades to come!