52 Comments

1. Mike_K:

I thought McCain scored well tonight and Sheiffer did a good job. He could have done a far better ob explaining his health plan but Joe the Plumber and “spread the wealth” were strong points

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:18 pm 2. Charlie (Colorado):

Dude, what did you want, Zuckerman?

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:19 pm 3. jvon:

Horrible, horrible… McCain is a poor spokesman for Republican ideas, and I think my biggest reservation about him going into this is that this was exactly the problem we had with GWB — and the disasters of the past 8 years were primarily due to that flaw.

The alternative though is to elect a man whose ideology is almost diametrically opposed to my own, and who is deeply dishonest about it, though in a very reassuring manner.

The choice is unpleasant, but not difficult. I’ll vote for McCain, with approximately the same enthusiasm I voted for Bush in 2004.

Palin in 2012!

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:25 pm 4. Minerva:

McCain was the Trojan Horse of the MSM/press. Any words of comfort? Retire to Italy…?

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:25 pm 5. Bill Ayers:

G)(W#E(* Amerikkaaa

Obama-Acorn ‘08

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:31 pm 6. 4McCain:

McCain won, but I’m disappointed that every commentator is saying Obama won. It’s a bit ridiculous.

Ultimately, the people have to decide. McCain is much better than O’blah’ma.

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:33 pm 7. Jonathan:

I felt that McCain won as well. But, I also think it’s not likely to make a difference. Sigh.

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:37 pm 8. AJ:

McCain won — easily. Obama just lied and muttered cliches as usual. he also had no emotion (obama)

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:40 pm 9. jane m:

I found myself listening very intently to this debate, something I can’t say about the first two. The format allowed a smoother back and forth and enough time for each candidate to elaborate a little better on their position. All-in-all, I wasn’t bored and neither was my apolitical husband. Not sure who won and my intention of vote for McCain has not faltered even though Obama is very smooth and polished. His ideas and philosophy is not palatable IMO.

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:42 pm 10. le combat:

McCain had a great phrase, a new name for Obama — Senator Government. It was a slip of the tongue that turned out to be a powerful way to peg Senator Obama. McCain should use it for the rest of the election.

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:45 pm 11. Promoguy:

I call bull shyte on those Lutz undecided groups.

I thought McCain did well, but as stated above, no home runs. I actually get tired of hearing that he’s even handed. He tried to be buds with everyone and it’s not how it works.

But what do I know. How many times did he mention reaching across the aisle? I spent the first hour at the off leash dog park, figuring they’d be about the same.

Oct 15, 2008 - 8:53 pm 12. max:

I call bull shyte on those Lutz undecided groups.

+1

I tend to be suspicious as well – they usually seem pretty well decided to me. Perhaps they’re undecided as to whether to tell people what they’ve already decided.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:13 pm 13. Barry Dauphin:

Unfortunately McCain is not a good communicator. He used to be loved by the press because he was frank behind closed doors and he took shots at Republicans, but he’s not good on PR over an extended time. He has great moments but he doesn’t convey his messages very well day in and day out. Aside from the town hall meetings, I don’t think he likes campaigning.

The MSM trope is Obama’s inevitability. Imagine if this gets a lot closer than advertised, some folks will have strokes.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:22 pm 14. Anita Hope:

In a real debate Sen. McCain would win considering points for direct answers, Sen Obama was being repetative regarding his replies, but it was what the public wanted to hear, he is going to cure the ills of the middle class, this is the bottom line. Most of the call in’s said they liked his plans on what he was going to do, we all are waiting to really hear what & how he will accomplish them. If both houses end up being the majority of Democrats, will they con-tinue the past two years of saying they could not change any of the previous six years of Republican control. What does matter is how Sen. Obama usespeople to convince the voters of his ability to bring about change, then he changes direction when it does not meet his needs for them. We all have seen how Motivational Speakers convince you to buy a product on TV, well you are now going to put the best in the White House. Hopefully the product youare going to buy does what he is selling you, but usually, the product ends up in the 99 Cent store or in the recycle bin. For all our sakes and this countryI hope I am wrong. I would have respected him more if he had acknowledged his past errors in judgement regarding certain people than denying. We all make mistakes but admitting them makes you a bigger person. Yes, this was a better form than the last debate, but still the media will say Obama, thus I must as a former Democrat and for the past two years an Indie, vote for Sen. McCain, a poor speaker in comparing the two, but one who admits his mistakes.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:27 pm 15. Barry Dauphin:

It would be great to think that McCain lured Obama into saying something or things in the debate for which he can blast him with ads (perhaps ACORN). But I’m not seeing the inside the OODA loop stuff that was apparent in late August/early September. I’d love to be wrong about that.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:38 pm 16. Alan Kellogg:

When I turned the tv off at 6:44pm PDT my thought was, “The obtuse, it burns.” Neither man showed any ability to see past top down socialism. Neither exhibited any real trust in the common man.

The only difference between the two parties is the flavor of socialism they support. If they accepted the lessons our attempts at implementing socialism has taught us, neither party would exist today.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:41 pm 17. david levavi:

…or am I just easily bored…

I dunno, Roger. First you say you’re not excited by any of the films coming out of Hollywood. Now you’re bored by the presidential debates.

Didja ever consider maybe your standards are too high? An affirmative downward adjustment in your expectations might vastly improve your view of things.

Loosen up. Lay back. Lower you sights. Otherwise you’ll never get through the next four years.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:43 pm 18. jack:

I was a little glad McCain didn’t have the football under the table or he might have called in an airstrike on New York City that would make 9/11 look bad.Or maybe he would have gone to war with Russia. That is one very angry, hostile dude. As for Ayers, If I gave a crap about the Middle Ages, I’d try to get my facts right. McCain AND his campaign have been called on this by every fact-checker with details – two of them calling McCain’s accusations to be Pants on Fire (Liar).

What I expected after the many, many years of McCain’s permanent campaign for president was that he could finally rise up and give a reason to vote for him, not a single pararaph, but a coherent end to end rationale for how he could do the job AND differentiate himself from George Bush. The after debate polling scores it as not even close, 2-1 for Obama. What was sad about that isn’t how he stands against Obama in the polls – he keeps forcing his numbers down. He was the best of a weak crop. What I see is the wreckage of a Republican parties in the California, New York, New England from CT to Maine and it’s having trouble hanging on to what’s left of them in three critical Souther states – Virginia, North Carolina.and Florida.

The diehards who used to threaten people on the streets and in bars because they didn’t bow down to the graven image of Bush are now trying to blame him for all of it. Whatever was right about Sister Sarah, she was that she is the CEO of the largest feeds per capita at the federal funds trough. She pandered to the same groups that insist that they come before real national needs. Other Alaska, our national infrastructure is falling apart.

McCain people were cackling about “I’m not Bush” and “old terrorist from 40 years ago” Did they not notice that Obama managed to use one of those to relate Warren Buffett and other notable Americans were the people he’d be talking with, not some guy that McCain had as an obsession. He gave him an opening into how much alike his economic program is to Bush — and this miserable economy and socialized banking system is Bush and McCain.

Obama lied? Go to the non-partisan Factchecker website or the Polifact. The Closest McCain got the truth was the dispute over “McCain has to change the subject.” McCain denied that was true and then proceeded to prove that the statement was correct. As one of those older retired voters concerned about his erractic economic claims, he hasn’t said a single specific word about Social Security. I’m not on it but my friends are. Imagine how people would feel if they’d bought into the Bush-McCaine plan and had nothing in retirement.

And the military. McCain served and honorably. But it was tiresome with John Kerry and with him. Your military service informs you, it does not qualify you for the presidency. . He left the navy 35 years ago. He gets a Social Security pension, a Tax Free Navy Disability Pension (different rules), and a Senate Salary that takes his federal payout to $281,000 annually — not counting his book income. When is enough enough for a guy with a fat salary,a rich wife, 12 houses, 1 private jet, 13 cars. He has never been without health insurance, never owned a business, never faced a retirement in poverty.

The Republicans face a political map that gets smaller and smaller. California is off the map. The northeast is gone. What does it take for a political party to recognize that its right wing extremism is killing it. Lincoln and Ike would both be appalled.

Too many people score debates on the number of zaps they think their guy got in. Okay, take credit for anything. Most people are fed up with this constant bickering, the gutter politics with a GOP candidate spreading the fiction that Obama palled around with a terrorist. There is plenty of this trash that can be throw around. The constant blur of McCain attack ads were personal, not an attack on issues. Obama’s most negative ads criticized McCranky’s supposed plans.

You’ll hold your nose and vote for McCain — or move to Italy (after years of George Bush, this honest to God conservative is unsure that his one time affluence can survive.Our current and future taxes and been raised by an unbelievable multple. Our nation will never grow fast enough to keep up with the debt of the Bush gang. A deficit is nothing but a hidden tax that eventually comes to us.

Each time McCain opens another attack tomorrow, consider the price is likely to be paid. McCain is alienating millions of people which is why he is losing. His supporters and the old school rightwingers who can’t resist taking shots at people who don’t see things the same way, well, there is a price to be paid.

But go ahead. The French will have to build nuclear plants for us. They took over our firms. If we want passenger rail, we’ll have to go to them, the Germans or the Japanese for the technology. We don’t have a single real high-speed train. Those container ships? Built in Korea or Europe using engines of European design. Wartsilla dominates the medium to large diesel.(large is 175,000 horsepower) Caterpillar is strong

Oh, and McCain likes to talk about his family’s military service and that guy who was “sheriff up there for two terms” Okay. the one who was sheriff for two terms and then president of the county government for 10 years was his great grandfather. He was a prominent planter when armed white men broke into the Carroll Country Courthouse and shot every black man there; 23 died altogether in the Carrollton Massacre. Look it up. No one could identify any of the shooters. On the other end, the man who served two twerms as sheriff was a leader of the country government when a Mrs. Mcray was lynched along with her two children. Another man who fled was lynched three days later.

As for McCain’s great-great-grandfather, who McCain says served in the Confederate Army and died during the war. Some have interpreted that as meaning William A. McCain died of wounds. Actually, he joined the Army in fall of 1863, and not long afterwards went missing. He was taken to the Memphis Provost where he was locked up on desertion charges. He died of illness in the prison hospital, age 52, in April 2874. . matter of record in the Carroll County military Annals and is listed that way in O.R. Not a bad man for deserting. Many did. He was serving in Company I, 5th Mississippi Calvary. WAM’s reason for joining Company I in Atalla County is murky. Most Carroll County men joined Company A-B-C-D which were raised in the country.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:54 pm 19. Christopher:

As a centrist Canadian, here’s my take:

Compared to the previous two debates, which were boring as hell, this one was actually pretty exciting. The moderator was good, he actually asked some tough questions, he asked some of the questions nobody dared ask.

I was quite surprised how both of them could say they would not impose a “litmus test” for supreme court justices, and then turn around and say they would not consider justices to be qualified who did not agree with their view on roe v wade. Both of them just flat out lied, one after another!

I think Obama won that debate, but McCain did well too. They were both stressed, both tired, but the point is that they ARGUED. They criticized each other, and their policies. I loved the questions about campaign negativity, VP qualifications, etc. The moderator knew where they both had weak spots and I think (maybe the rhum had some influence) I actually had fun watching it.

Oct 15, 2008 - 9:57 pm 20. Tommy Shanls:

I was watching this at the USO in Seoul this morning and I think the prevailing attitude there was: “What, is this still going on?” Nobody paid much attention–everyone has election fatigue. That said, my takeaway was this:

Obama: The government should make your decisions for you.
McCain: You should make your own decisions.

Reflecting on the historical level of success of government telling us what to do, I think McCain was the winner.

Oct 15, 2008 - 10:06 pm 21. michael somers:

The people who complain that there were “no home runs” really don’t understand what these things are. These guys have been doing debates for over a year. They’re well scripted and well drilled (not a criticism in this context). It’s silly to think the debates will resolve anything – and they shouldn’t. The President doesn’t have to defend his policies in the House of Commons. Debating skills have nothing to do with governing.
FWIW, I thought McCain won clearly (Obama was on the defensive all night) and I don’t care what Frank Lunz’s silly focus group thought. I never do. If you watch, the poll results in the following few days are never what the group’s vote says they should be. The idea that you find thirty true undecided, articulate voters who’ll sit through a debate at this point is ridiculous. All of the people are leaning, no matter what they say, and people watch these things for confirmation of their views, not information to clarify the.

Oct 15, 2008 - 10:21 pm 22. irishlad317:

I’m just hoping the RNC and McCain are holding their powder dry for a last two week push of “YOU PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO ELECT A SOCIALIST!!!” Or something like that.

One thing that is interesting, though, is how this latest crisis is revealing the economic ignorance of the American population. The second someone says, “I’m going to tax the rich and distribute the money to the middle class” socialism alarm bells should be ringing, and anyone with a job, with a business, who desires to someday invent a product, or create a successful business of their own should be running away from that someone as fast as possible. Take investment and disposable income from the “rich” and what you get is less investment, fewer jobs, and a middle class actually becoming poorer and poorer. Oddly enough, it is the “rich”, particularly the rich that are not spectacularly wealthy, that pull middle class people up the income ladder.

Oct 15, 2008 - 10:31 pm 23. Judy Brown:

Mr. Simon,
Obama won the debate? Baaa Hum Bug! I didn’t see a cool and calm Obama. He was shaken. He stumbled with some responses. Maybe he faltered because Mr. McCain finally brought out that the CHANGE Mr. Obama has been so eloquently stating is only the same old same old rhetoric of BIG government spending that’s been around for years.

Oct 15, 2008 - 10:36 pm 24. David Thomson:

“This endless campaign system of ours profits no one but the media and their attendant hangers on.”

On the contrary, the long and sometimes boring presidential campaign allows the voters an ample opportunity to size up the candidates. And no, I cannot think of a way to significantly improve the process. This is probably the best that can be expected. As Winston Churchill once said, democracy is is often yucky and deeply flawed—but it is far better than any other alternative.

Oct 15, 2008 - 10:56 pm 25. ic:

This is probably the best that can be expected.

Only if the MSM look into most, if not all, claims and counter claims on both sides, instead of shilling for one side, and slinging mud on the other.

Oct 15, 2008 - 11:11 pm 26. beerstine:

After watching 3 of these debates, one can only get the impression that both these guys are programmed into a stupor at this point, and neither one can stray from their talking points coherently. The same pap from one week to the next almost line for line.

Since Obama’s a superior performer, he wins in the eyes of the casual observer. McCain can never win on style points, which makes his inability to really drive home an argument in clear, relatable terms all the more frustrating. After all this time he still can’t explain his health plan in simple terms and explain why Obama’s is a back door to single payer, price controls and rationing.

10 minutes a day reading Pajamas Media gives people a clearer, more reasoned defense of conservative ideas than the candidate himself is capable of after 2 years.

Oct 16, 2008 - 12:01 am 27. Dee:

I’ll just be glad when this election is over.

Of course then we will be able to watch the Fairness Doctrine, higher taxes, etc., be implemented.

But hey, we live in interesting times.

Oct 16, 2008 - 1:31 am 28. Kyle Brezina:

I just read your story about the last debate on the Yahoo homepage. I have never been moved until now to track a blogger down and complain, and I laugh at myself for finding solace in typing this pointless response. I just hope that you, Roger L. Simon, read this. So its known, I am a democrat, and I support Barack Obama for presidency. That said, I think you have written the most biased and unintelligent article I have ever witnessed to be featured on Yahoo’s homepage. Your analysis of the debate is so negligent of a fair and balanced viewpoint that I am honestly embarrassed to be upset about it. Maybe I should take the time to dissect every misquote and misleading paraphrase you made, but I’d rather let your work speak for itself. Anyone reading this, If you have not already watched the debate, do so, and then read this article.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081016/pl_politico/14619

here is my email; krbrezin@ncsu.edu if you would like to respond

Oct 16, 2008 - 1:36 am 29. Sissy Willis:

It was worth staying awake for the whole thing to catch McCain’s timeless “Senator Government.”

Oct 16, 2008 - 4:10 am 30. Indepedant Voter:

I think McCain won last night. He did put Obama’s feet to the fire on a few issues. I’m getting so tired of the Liberal media trying to tell us how to vote and the issues they deem important to us. They don’t raise a family on $30K / yr, and wonder where the money for the absolute necessities will come from.
Personally, I have never been Polled. I don’t even know anyone that has. Where are these polls coming from? Who are they, and what are their economic backgrounds? They aren’t the average, small town, working person!

Oct 16, 2008 - 4:17 am 31. Sandra M:

I think McCain will win.

Obama’s line about “spreading the wealth” was the best tip America has gotten that this guy is a socialist. It doesn’t work as Jack Kemp once noted because even union members dream of owning their own business some day.

Obama has the “gimme more” crowd sewn up. And it’s obvious that this man who has prevailed by getting rid of opponents rather than beaating them in elections is planning to STEAL this election with the help of Acorn.

When Obama told his followers to “get in their faces” a lot of people who don’t want confrontation probably went underground. That being the case and the fact that pollsters don’t call cell phone users make me believe that the polls reflect nothing real.

Although our universities inculcate socialism, we still have conservative talk radio and Fox News on our side.

Palin can pull McCain over the finish line by talking about all of the high-paying jobs their energy plan will produce. Sarah is McCain’s best hope of winning. I’d love to see her and Todd head for Michigan.

Reagan Democrats are back!

Oct 16, 2008 - 5:03 am 32. Don Kenner:

McCain lacks the killer instinct. He was better, but not nearly good enough. Socialism does not play in this country (or at least it never did before!). If McCain doesn’t have the stones to use the “S” word, then he doesn’t have the stones to win this election.

I’ve bought a bottle of scotch for election night. I’m hoping for a revolt of the productive class in 2012.

Oct 16, 2008 - 5:11 am 33. Jeff:

McCain did much better last night, but he is fighting an uphill battle Obama. Obama is more polished and more eloquent and has his lies packaged up nicely so that they sound just like what America needs. Unfortunately, Obama is just another liberal illumnati candidate waiting to enable those who are too lazy to help themselves.

Oct 16, 2008 - 5:23 am 34. Barry Dauphin:

In the WSJ this morning, Karl Rove was suggesting that Obama doesn’t have it wrapped up. He provided an optimistic tone to the initial part of his piece. But at the end, there was sobering news. From an electoral college standpoint, McCain has to spend all of his time in several battleground states. If he manages to win them, he could thread the needle and get barely enough electoral votes to win. There is no margin for error, and he has to overcome deficits in these states. Without saying it, Rove is also saying that if trends continue Obama would likely win an electoral landslide.

McCain was pulling ahead until the financial crisis. Most people are extremely scared about this in ways that will likely make them readjust their long held beliefs for the moment. George Carlin had a joke that might apply to current times. He said that when someone has to throw up, their sense of perspective completely changes… like “I don’t care about my new shoes… barf.” The person just wants immediate relief no matter what the price.

So the Obama “slips” about redistribute the wealth would have cost him dearly in another election cycle, but not this one. His “plan” is to cut taxes in ways that can’t be cut. In another election cycle he wouldn’t even run on such a thing and if he did it would be seen as completely phony. Not this one. Obama is promising people that he will take from “rich” to give to everyone else. In most years and in most times, that message would not work. But it might work in October 2008 when the stock market swooned, the equity in people’s homes has evaporated, governments around the world are acting like firefighters, and even Republicans want the government to buy stock in banks. There are probably a lot of folks who not only don’t care that Obama lacks experience, they might even be glad he does. They believe he’s crazy enough to give money to them when they are afraid they are losing what they thought they had. He’s promising to alleviate their fears. It matters not that he can’t deliver or won’t. A lot of people are scared enough to want to believe.

Oct 16, 2008 - 5:41 am 35. Debbie:

My suggestion: Term limits for everyone – no more than 2 6-yr terms for Senators; 5 2-yr terms for Congressmen; 15 year limits for federal judges/Supreme Court justices. And, one six year presidential term. So there’s no more running for office while the president is in office. Given our past presidents’ track records during their second terms, eight years is too long. Four is probably too short. Under that scenario, Congress and the judges flip fairly often (in political terms); no one person or party can monopolize the system for too long; seniority rules do not clog up the system; and, we get lots of fresh faces. Constitutional amendment anyone?

Oct 16, 2008 - 5:43 am 36. Roger L. Simon:

David Thompson, I understand your reasoning. It is the conventional wisdom that a long campaign is what gives us the opportunity to see all. But in this case it has done that and failed (so far). It’s not quite as simple as you make it. The national distraction has been extreme – and for little discernible profit. I wish I could see a solution.

Oct 16, 2008 - 7:14 am 37. Markus:

Well, the post-debate crew on Fox News looked like they were at a wake last night (a wake without alcohol).

I think the debates have been key turning points for Obama, even though he lost the first one on points, and McCain got in a couple good ones last night. People like me who were not that impressed or interested in Obama’s soaring rhetoric saw someone else in the debates: a cool, calm, collected, sober adult. He certainly doesn’t talk like a socialist. Combine that with trillion dollar losses in the markets and 90% of the country thinking we’re on the wrong track and you have what seems like unbeatable combination.

What does McCain stand for and why does he want to be President? If he’s a reformer, why are his economic/domestic policies so similar to the current President?

I think Huckabee, Romney, maybe even Duncan Hunter (!) would have been stronger candidates.

Oct 16, 2008 - 7:23 am 38. Christopher:

One of the points that Obama and Biden have been driving home the whole time is the middle class. They keep saying that America was strong because of its large and wealthy middle class, and that a good future for your country relies on that middle class being invested in. Lower taxes, better health care, better education, etc.

When McCain talks about the middle class it’s as if he’s just added that in on a side note because he realized it might be important. Sarah Palin sounds fake.

Oil companies making record profits don’t need an additional $4-billion in tax breaks. Why won’t McCain answer that question? Why does McCain’s tax plan give the rich and wealthy more tax breaks than the middle class?

Oct 16, 2008 - 8:02 am 39. gadfly:

while Mccain got in some zingers

Obama won

those who say otherwise are delusional

Oct 16, 2008 - 8:05 am 40. Roger L Simon:

Oh stop it, Christopher. Enough of these boring talking points. Stop insulting us. We are far too down the line to listen to you puerile nonsense. Come up with something more sophisticated, please.

Suffice to say that the middle class rhetoric is campaign bs and everyone knows it. The issues of the economy are far too grave to reduce to that. Across the board tax cuts may be the least we can do – and that may not be enough.

Oct 16, 2008 - 8:08 am 41. Dick Stanley:

People keep saying the bad economy has done Mac in. But why wouldn’t people go with old, boring tried-and-true to bring things back to normal, instead of the novelty act that the Big Media is suspiciously united in favoring? Don’t the polls say a majority don’t trust them? If you can believe the polls…

Oct 16, 2008 - 8:20 am 42. Anita Hope:

Kyle, I believe you have the wrong “Roger Simon”, the above is “Roger L. Simon. I may be mistaken but I think not. Check it out.

THIS “AM” A STATEMENT REPLAY OF “JOE THE PLUMBER” SAW HIM STATING HE DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE WILL VOTE FOR, JUST THAT HE DOES NOT WANT A SOCIALISTIC GOVERNMENT, I THINK THAT SAYS IT LOUD & CLEAR. OF THE TWO, SEN. OBAMA IS THE CANNIDATE OF SOCIALISTIC CHANGE.

Oct 16, 2008 - 9:19 am 43. rpfree:

Three or four undecideds after the debate say “I am moving to Obama”, the other 20 or so say “I am still undecided”, while another undecided says “Obama won the debate but I not going to vote for him” is followed by the moderator declaring “a clear win for Obama”. Is it just me when when I am left scratching my head thinking “a clear win for Obama?”. At some point true undecideds are either… “change, whatever it may be” or “change, but play it safe” (the devil I know).

Look, I am a Hillary supporter voting McCain so in all candor I can only speak from my own perspective and the “change, but play it safe” is more my mentality. As unenthusiastic much of McCain’s support may seem, if people are still undecided after last night’s debate then they will remain unenthusiastic for Obama as well. True independents know McCain isn’t Bush and aren’t about to punish the GOP by potentially punishing themselves, McCain is the “devil they know”, which is definitely how I feel.

I think the real story is as Zogby said, “Obama still hasn’t closed the deal”. My theory is McCain will get the majority of the votes of those not sold on Obama. I also because while only 9% happen to believe security and WOT is the top issue, let’s not overlook the fact that it still remains on their list. I live in Virginia and here is how they are weighing the polls here in Virginia…

2004 35%(D) 39%(R) 26%(I) +4 Republican
2006 36%(D) 39%(R) 26%(I) +3 Republican
2008 39%(D) 30%(R) 25%(I) +9 Democrat

Most battleground states are being weighed in like patterns, a 12 point swing in the electorate of Virginia in 2 years? By the way in 2000 and 2004 Virgina the GOP won by about 8% points, someone is going to be very wrong this year.

Oct 16, 2008 - 9:33 am 44. Christopher:

Roger, two things…

One: Are you suggesting that America’s strength is not in its middle class? And follow-up, why is McCain’s concern for the middle class genuine while Obama’s is campaign BS?

Two: You still did not answer why oil companies making record profits need another 4 billion dollar tax break. Can’t they keep on drilling with their own money?

Oct 16, 2008 - 9:35 am 45. rpfree:

Christopher,

Roger didn’t answer your questions because they are rhetorical and cynical, fill in your own blanks and amuse yourself. As a Hillary supporting PUMA voter I find you boring and predictable. I know very well what caring and fairness means for Obama. He talks of middle class is cynical when one has his whole story and means of self advancement in proper perspective. The behavior of Acorn, the voter fraud with clear complicity on the part of Obama is not new to me. I witnessed what went on in the the Democratic Caucuses, Obama’s guiding principles are the same as those he hangs with, Ayers, Wright, Rezco, etc. You are wasting your time.

Oct 16, 2008 - 9:54 am 46. Christopher:

And how are you NOT boring and predictable?

Isn’t it a bit rhetorical and cynical to just accuse others of using rhetorical and cynical talking points?

I’m not denying that Obama is what you say he is– what McCain says resonates with me a lot, especially McCain’s take on Joe Biden. However I have questions and reservations about McCain & Co that I want answered, such as why he thinks our friends at ExxonMobil need billions in tax breaks when they have billions in profits?

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:12 am 47. Lightnin' Hopkins:

rpfree is absolutely right about the polls. Most are heavily weighted in favor of Democrats. This race is much closer than these numbers are letting on. Karl Rove – the magnificent, unflappable bastard that he is – has repeatedly warned that Obama hasn’t “closed the sale.” PUMA’s like rpfree remember very well how he backed into the nomination, losing primary after primary at the end.

The only numbers that matter are the vote count and the electoral outcomes on Election Night.

Oh, and Christopher: The whole ‘Joe the plumber’ episode illustrates perfectly what Obama is “for.” He’s for wealth redistribution – that’s the diplomatic name for it, anyway. The vast majority of “small businesses” rank well above Barry’s 250K waterline. The people who work for these businesses make up a majority of the middle class you speak of, and under Obama’s plan, they will be adversely affected in ways that will make people wistful for the economy of the late 70’s by comparison.

19 days left. It ain’t over till it’s over.

Oct 16, 2008 - 10:40 am 48. glenn:

I’m starting to think that John McCain had a good look at what’s ahead in the world and decided to let someone else deal with it. I did the same thing in my career 7 years ago. Looking back it was exactly the right decision.

Oct 16, 2008 - 11:01 am 49. Gary Aminoff:

Christopher, I will respond to your two questions.

Firstly, Republicans don’t break America down into “classes”. Definitions of the “Middle Class” are different for everyone. McCain speaks in terms of Americans without class distinction. I am sure that your definition of “Middle Class” might be different from mine, which would be different from any one else who commented on this board.

Whatever your definition of “Middle Class” is, Obama’s policies would adversely affect the wealth and productivity of most Americans. His plan to tax the rich” and redistribute to the “poor” is not what America is about. It is the agenda of the communist-mentored socialist that Obama is, however.

As far as oil companies are concerned. Have you actually calculated the oil company profits in terms of return on invested capital? You are looking at oil company profits in terms of absolute dollars, which is absurd. Oil company’s return on investment is low. Lower than most tech companies. The amount of capital needed by oil companies to explore fields, construct new oil rigs, pipelines, etc. is huge. Most of the past twenty years the oil companies have been reinvesting profits back into capital investment in developing new sources. By taking an additional $4 Billion from oil companies you reduce the ability of the oil companies to develop new resources and to create new jobs. Those who are not in business fail to understand the dynamics of the velocity of capital. Reducing capital of the oil companies and giving it to the government for entitlement programs hurts America.

Oct 16, 2008 - 11:03 am 50. jane m:

Kyle

The Roger Simon you cite is chief consultant for Politico while this site is written by Roger L Simon, mystery writer, award winning screenwriter and the CEO of PajamaMedia as the web site above states.

Politico’s Roger Simon is indeed embarrasingly an Obama apologist to the nth degree.

Oct 16, 2008 - 1:24 pm 51. Anita Hope:

When figuring the small buiness income does Obama mean gross or net? Since he wants us to become Socialistic he needs to state how he comes to the limitation regarding small business and their figures. A group of five or six COFFEE STORES owned by one person may do $ 50,000.00 a year in each operation, does his total make him a big operation that Sen. Obama wants to tax? If so the owner would be smart to close down one or two stores, fire his employees in each and not pay rent to the landlords, who in turn would be filing a loss if unable to re-rent or be forced to sell the property etc. This is a snow ball going down hill. What is truly needed is to get the lower income better educated and the middle class able to hire these people and get them off WELFARE The larger corporations will higher more people if our tax structure keeps a tight look at why they should get tax breaks, they are manufacturing here, not over seas, and where the job calls for it, providing the option for medical coverage, thus getting tax breaks where they show figures for medical expenditure. Thes companies would even have to hire a few extra bookeepers to take care of required accounting for there taxes. This would turn the snow ball to go up the hill. It should be the workers choice regarding medical care except where the work they do is dangerous. Our
freedom of choice should be ours, not Sen. Obama or whomever become President.

Oct 16, 2008 - 2:37 pm 52. Alan Kellogg:

Oh hell with it.

GO AHEAD, VOTE FOR A SOCIALIST! SEE IF I CARE! Piss away your rights, screw up your standard of living.

Put incompetent buffoons in charge of your childrens’ edu … Ooops, too late.

But when the bread line wait goes into its second day, don’t come crying to me.

Oct 16, 2008 - 6:06 pm

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