Month: August 2008

Negative campaigning is working for John McCain, according to Rasmussen.

…the race for the White House is tied with Barack Obama and John McCain each attracting 44% of the vote. However, when “leaners” are included, it’s McCain 47% and Obama 46%.

This is the first time McCain has enjoyed even a statistically insignificant advantage of any sort since Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3…

A week ago today, Obama had a three-percentage point lead and the candidates were even among unaffiliated voters. Today, McCain leads 52% to 37% among unaffiliateds.

Beyond the general negativity, one specific tactic is proving effective: going after Obama on race.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of voters have seen or heard news coverage of McCain’s ad including Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Just 22% believe the ad was racist. But, most say Obama’s comment about not looking like other Presidents on the dollar bill was racist.

Sounds like Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He has to talk about race, being the first person of a different one to make it this far in running for president, but saying anything other than how open-minded everyone is apparently pisses people off.

Forty-six percent (46%) of voters nationwide now say that Obama views U.S. society as unfair and discriminatory. That’s up from 43% in July and 39% in June. By a three-to-one margin, American voters hold the opposite view and believe that our society is generally fair and decent.

I find it really hard to believe that two-thirds of my fellow Americans look around themselves every day and see fairness and decency.

I have long held that Americans are not facing up to their issues with race. It’s my special theory that the rest of the country uses the South as a scapegoat to make itself feel better. By saying the only “real” problems are down here, they get a free ride on the Peace Train. Evidently too many are already riding it in their minds. Wake up, folks.

If you’re willing to elect another dumb s**t who doesn’t know a Sunni from a Shite because the other guy makes you mildly uncomfortable, you deserve what you get. I just don’t want the rest of us to be stuck with your poor choices.

Bil Browning is making me very happy with his prediction that Obama will pick Evan Bayh as his running mate, and will do it this week.

Browning gives a number of reasons for the timing and the pick, including getting it out before the Olympics start Friday, Obama’s travel plans to Indiana, the fact that the domain name, “obamabayh08.com” has been registered, and a special invitation from the Obama campaign for an appearance by the candidate on Wednesday.

I have been hoping Obama would go with Bayh since I saw him defending Hillary Clinton a few months ago on the Sunday shows. He’s very well-spoken, and picking him sends a great message to those Clinton diehards out there that they are welcome aboard. Being a former governor is a plus as well.

Would you be happy with this choice? Or were you hoping for someone else, and if so, why? I’d really like to hear from you.

Jon Stewart already pointed out one problem with the McCain “Celebrity” ad when he named it the Dick Move of the Week.

Demeaning Obama is not why this is a dick move by McCain. It’s a dick move by McCain ’cause it turns out one of the fine young ladies featured in this ad…her parents, the Hiltons, contributed $4,600 — the maximum amount you can give — to the campaign of none other than one John McCain.

John McCain’s saying to the Hiltons, “I thank you kindly for your support. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go take a nationally televised dump on your daughter.”

Although Stewart made his comments as soon as the ad appeared, it turns out, that’s exactly how it struck the Hiltons too. Kathy Hilton’s response, posted today on the Huffington Post, was short, sharp, and…right on.

In its entirety:

I’ve been asked again and again for my response to the now infamous McCain celebrity ad. I actually have three responses. It is a complete waste of the money John McCain’s contributors have donated to his campaign. It is a complete waste of the country’s time and attention at the very moment when millions of people are losing their homes and their jobs. And it is a completely frivolous way to choose the next President of the United States.

Ouch.

What the hell is that thing on his wrist, that McCain tucks under his sleeve toward the end of this video? It looks like it’s alive, but the correct response in that case would be to shake your hand like you’re slinging off a tarantula, or some other member of the insect kingdom, of which this appears to be a member.

McCain is either befuddled or distracted during the question, which is quite straightforward and clear, to me anyway.

BTW, this is the same media availability from which a black reporter was ejected as he and other journalists milled about, waiting for the candidate.

Tallahassee Democrat reporter Stephen Price

The McCain team swears that race was not an issue when a senior reporter from the Tallahassee Democrat was ejected from a campaign rally in Panama City but they can’t supply an alternate explanation.

[Stephen] Price was among at least three other reporters, and the only black reporter, surrounding McCain’s campaign bus — Gov. Charlie Crist and his fiancee, Carole Rome, were already aboard — when a member of the Arizona senator’s security detail asked the reporter to identify himself. Price had shown his media credentials to enter the area.

Newspaper’s executive editor: “We’re deeply concerned and disturbed that our reporter — of all of those in that area — was asked to move. My understanding is that Stephen was the only reporter approached and asked to leave, and the only reporter in that area who is black.”

Price showed his employee identification as well as his credentials for the Friday event.

“I explained I was with the state press, but the Secret Service man said that didn’t matter and that I would have to go,” Price said.

The big question is, what if anything had Price done to earn his removal?

Tallahassee Democrat Executive Editor Bob Gabordi said the incident was unwarranted.

“We’re deeply concerned and disturbed that our reporter — of all of those in that area — was asked to move,” Gabordi said. “My understanding is that Stephen was the only reporter approached and asked to leave the area, and the only reporter in that area who is black. Another reporter who stood up for Stephen was then asked to leave.”

The McCain team denies Price was removed because he is African-American.

“Access to the senator is tightly controlled,” [McCain advance man Jonathan] Block said. “I would first express regret that your reporter was moved, and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that race had nothing to do with it.”

And that’s supposed to settle it?