Obama goes on the offense today, launching a new ad that slams McCain as “Dishonest” and “Disgraceful.” It’s Obama’s first ad on the many lies of the McCain Campaign.
Joe Biden will go on the attack as well. According to Talking Points Memo, Biden will question McCain’s honesty in speeches starting today. “John McCain has decided to bet the house on the politics perfected by Karl Rove.”
I’m glad to see Obama taking control of the race again. See the ad after the jump.
Alexa
About time.
Matt
I’m going to have to wait until factcheck.org reviews this before I believe it or not. It really doesn’t matter though, McCain has won in Georgia so it’s not like my vote will matter anyway.
marco channing
The Wall Street Journal today called out McCain on lying about earmarks that Palin requested as Gov. and pointed out that her per day earmark money was actually HIGHER than Obama’s.
And Matt, your vote counts. Every vote counts. Do not give up hope.
There are reports that some blue collar workers are saying to their union members that they are not voting for Obama, but plan to secretly.
I think the polls are misleading. Look at the amount of donations Obama has gotten and the number of new voters he has registered.
Bob R
I live in Southeast Ohio, the foothills of Appalachia and a stone’s throw from West Virginia. I have seen nothing but McCain/Palin ads on television here. Although I must admit I watch very little tv, but it seems every 15 minutes I’m exposed to “I’m John McCain and I approve this message.” Sure would like to see an Obama ad once in a while.
I should also note that I have seen no McCain/Palin bumper stickers, nor Obama/Biden for that matter. A few McCain/Palin yard signs and a couple for Obama. There’s little chance Obama will carry West Virginia mainly due to racism. Looks like Obama won’t carry Ohio either, unless he starts spending time and money here soon. He has a chance here, but it’s rapidly slipping away.
I tried to get some yard signs and bumper stickers at the local Obama/Biden headquarters, but they have none and don’t know when they will. If the Obama campaign has a ground force at work, it certainly isn’t evident here in Southeastern Ohio.
Matt
Do you guys really think that race is why Obama is not way ahead in the polls. I mean I just commented above that I am from Georgia and I haven’t really seen anything racial said about Obama. I could be wrong seeing as we have a White and a Black Pride in Atlanta.
Matt
Oh, I also wanted to get thoughts on this. If race is an issue, do you think some Black voters don’t like him because he is not 100% Black. My best friend is half African America and half Chinese and he said a lot of the racial stuff he has gotten has come from the black community. I also remember that Tiger Woods receive some flack for not identifying as Black.
emb
I think, Matt, that the biggest hurdle facing Obama is not experience or the palinfest or unhappy hillaryites, it’s race, and it doesn’t have to be spoken aloud. It’s called the “Bradley Effect”, and refers to the unspoken, unacknowledged racism in our culture and the tendency of significant numbers of white voters to tell polls that they are undecided or favor the black candidate, only to “vote white” in the booth. In the 80s, Bradley was an overwhelming statistical favorite to be elected governor of California (based on polls taken up to election day) and summarily lost. Gene Wilder, who ran for governor of Virginia, was projected to win by over ten points, and ended up barely eking out a victory.
I don’t think we’ll know the true numbers until Nov 4: there are huge numbers of new registrants not being polled, so we’ll have to see.
And in the meantime, Obama has the unpleasant job of having to be perceived as striking back hard against mccain, while at the same time not looking like an “angry black man” and scaring half of Mayberry America out of their (limited) wits.
Sadly, given the economic, political, and international state of things, and the phenomenal unpopularity of the current administration, you’d think the Dem would have a cakewalk. I suspect if the Dem nominee were male and white, it’d be a simple and easy equation; Obama is a little tougher test for the character of America. And that’s scary.
CHURCHILL-Y
Hey Obama, how about you start ” taking control ” of your wife like making sure she shows some respect for the 911 victims! McCain was there, Cindy was there you were there and she was (?)
She was campaigning the day before. “Disgraceful.”
Guess that will be up to McCain and Sarah to expose.
Go Sarah Go !!!
John
I don’t think anyone has switched his vote from Obama to McCain because of Palin. She is the kind of polarizing figure that many accuse Hilary Clinton of being.
I think Palin was selected because the polls show the crackpots — by which I mean ignorant, far right-wing part of the Republican party– were staying home this year. But Palin will bring out as many anti-McCain/Palin Democrats as she brings in for the Republicans. Praise the Lord!
The electoral college determines the outcome. McCain can only win the former confederate states once. Winning big in those states or any state is no different than squeeking by as far as the electoral college is concerned.
Review the map. McCain cannot amass the electoral college votes necessary to win.
Playing dumb is not going to be smart this year. Rove and Bush have used up the dumb card.
seitan-on-a-stick
Churchill-y was never a Hillary supporter (A wolf in sheep’s clothing) or is that Margaret Thatcher in a House dress and smeared lipstick? I imagine he would not have supported McCain had he picked Condi Rice.
Obama does need to move into second gear or forever be dubbed the “Black John Kerry” for losing a winnable election.
Churchill-y can’t vote anyway (has a fake green card) so that’s one less vote for McCarthy/Patton (I can see Russia from my front porch!)
Carl
Palin and McCain have lied to the American people. They both think that it is ok to lie to you and your family in order to get elected. Therefore, I will not support Palin or McCain. Palin did NOT tell Congress no to the bridge to nowhere. They told HER no. If they don’t mind lying to get elected, they sure won’t mind lying once they are in office.
jason
If Obama doesn’t start hitting back hard, we’re doomed.
http://therealmccain.com/
tallskin
Interestingly Obama’s view of the Taliban, Afghanistan and Pakistan is the most hawkish (and realistic) of the two main candidates so far.
Obama has called for intervention along the border with Afghanistan/ Pakistan to stop the pakistan supplied taliban. Good for him.
If I were a yank I’d vote for him.
Folks, better prepare yourselves for the forthcoming showdown with Islam, it’s gonna be a big one, and so far only Obama is aware of just how big.
John
Obama’s poll collaspe has nothing to do with either Hillary or Palin. And while racism might be an underlying factor, Obama himself must take responsibility for the lion’s share of the blame.
His lame attempts to move to the right of McCain on religion, guns, FISA, and oil drilling have been disasterous. It has made him look indecisive and weak.
And don’t give me that “triangulation” nonsense. Obama isn’t a candidate who would benefit from triangulation. Moving to the right only worked for Bill Clinton he actually had a reputation as a moderate.
Given the unpopularity of Bush and the Republicans in general, Obama had a real shot at convincing America that it is time for change. Instead, he decided to go the Kerry-Pelosi route of compromising core principles to gain a few votes (and lose many, many more disillusioned Americans who simply won’t show up).
John
John #9 is clearly up on the issues and correct. John #14 is perhaps one of the cranks on this blog posting again under an assumed name.
Thanks and I hope you guys work it out,
John #9
mark
Pummel the lying old B*STARD
garynyc
Democrats/Obama = HYSTERIA
Love watching the S.S. Titanic/Obama sinks into the sea of liberal, loony shit Yea, Rha !
mark
garyNYC go choke on a f*ckin racist waffle
mark
Obama/Biden should put their feet down, and say if this is going to be a daily news cycle LIE-FEST. Go F*CK YOURSELF there won’t be ANY debates
tallskin
Not sure I really understand how any self respecting gay (as opposed to a self-hating homosexual) could contemplate voting for the republicans – at least from where I sit over here in London.
If you have gay issues in mind then there doesn’t seem to be much of a contest – which is not to say I don’t find Obama rather treacherous and slimy on gay issues – but you have to make do with the options you have in front of you. And from a gay perspective the democrats seem to be better.
Having said that, it does look McCain might win. Urghhhh.
parisinla
I think its good. But i think it could be better.
CHURCHILL-Y
Tallskin you know I think you’re brilliant in most of the comments you post here but on this one I think you’re way off/you’ve lost the train, the rail tracks and the passengers. Do look up McCain’s and Palin’s stances on gay issues and you will see little to no difference to Obama’s.
He just likes to muddy the water by using empty phrases and trying(key word) to appear to be different when he really isn’t.
And while being an actual Democrat voter myself who has follow strictly the party line ever since I was of legal age to vote and agreeing with your perspective that the Democrats used to be ‘better’ on gay issues that is no longer true of the new DNC and the new players in it. Otherwise how would you explain it being headed by a rabid anti-gay Pentecostal(sky-pixie believer to use your own definition) creep and a so called closeted Lesbian who tries in anyway shape or form she can to undermine the DNC’s gay constituency because she doesn’t believe they should not be afforded the same standings as her racial group. And those are only the most prominent ones. While I more often than not understand where you are coming from you’ve totally lost me here and not to be disrespectful to you because I really like you but if all the UK voters follow the same line of thinking I can understand why you’re dealing with so much crap from Muslim and other ethnic immigration. It pains me to have to write this and I never thought I would but I’m glad you can’t vote here Tallskin. I will still appreciate your posts no matter if we agree or disagree on the subject.
JJJJ
Matt- All I can add to that subject is that the Chinese, Japanese, and Indians are the most racist (anti-African American) people I’ve ever met. That’s just from my own experiences. That doesn’t answer your specific question, I know, but….just more racial complications.
Brian
Tallskin #20: That reminds me of an experience in a gay bar in Amsterdam (no, not that kind of experience).
As I was leaving, someone stopped me and asked if I was American. When I said that I was, he replied, “don’t vote for Bush again.” I chuckled because I thought he was joking and said, “don’t worry.” But still with a very straight face, he said, “no, seriously. We don’t trust you guys this time around that you won’t screw it up again.”
It goes beyond just the “self respecting gays”… I can’t see how any rationally thinking person could even think to support a McCain/Palin white house. I don’t agree with the much-used ‘we should support our president in a time of war’, but I can understand it. Supporting McCain? That I just don’t get.
Bob R
No. 9 John: I do look at the maps, daily. I even have a little Electoral Vote counter on my toolbar, so I have a fairly accurate, up-to-date tally. I visit electoral-vote.com and fivethirtyeight.com every morning, first thing. I examine not just the daily polls, but the trends.
About a week before the GOP selection of Palin, Obama was sitting with 320 EV’s and McCain around 218, approximate estimates by both sites. For the past week, McCain has 270 and Obama 268. Obama is not doing well in Ohio (where he had a slight lead, Florida (never a lead but did trend up for a short period), he lost Nevada, New Mexico, saw Virginia go from tie to McCain and is currently losing ground in Washington (the State), Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota. McCain has taken the lead with white women by at least 12 points (57 to 43%). And I’m sure you know the story with white men and their vote.
So, it is quite easy for McCain, holding all the states Bush carried, which is the South (Confederate States, if you please)to win, whereas Obama has to hold all the States Kerry won, plus at least 18 more to reach the required 270. If Obama can hold everything he holds today (and several of those are within the margin of error) and add back NM or NV, he’ll squeak by. But, we still have to deal with (a) The Bradley Effect (b) Diebold machines (c) GOP voter suppression (d) the coming swiftboat attacks and maybe even (e) an October surprise. Obama has a very long road to hoe.
As I said in a previous post, Obama’s all but invisible here in Southeastern Ohio as of today. I even called his headquarters in Columbus and was told no regional office in the state has yard signs or bumper stickers or campaign materials. Same, apparently for West Virginia. The big emphasis is getting volunteers to go door to door and make calls. Word of mouth might work for Ronco, but I think Obama’s going to need a little more than that with the time we have left. And when I talk to neighbors and even a few acquaintances, those who are not supporting Obama are not supporting him primarily because “they’re not gonna vote for…” “a nigger, Muslim, tax and spend librul” well, you add the word.
I’m hoping and working for the best outcome, but I honestly fear the worst. McCain/Palin terrify me, I’m hoping America’s had enough hate and stupidity, but I’m not sure we have.
John
Bob R.
Please look at the yahoo.com election guide. Even if you give McCain Virginia (which came back into “battleground” status today), Ohio and Nevada, McCain still can’t win.
As for Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota, I think the Palin selection has cinched those for Obama.McCain will not win in New Mexico, for sure. Its like California in that way. McCain has alienated a lot of farmers, so there goes Iowa.
I think the Republicans are in the process of stealing Ohio and its precious 20 votes (what’s with the registered mail confirmation of voter address b.s.?) from Obama, but as long as Obama can hold Colorado — which it looks like he’s running strong in — Obama will win, even if you give McCain Ohio, Virginia, and Nevada.
Obama is working on getting the one vote available in Nebraska for Omaho. Nebraska’s votes like Maine’s can be divided.
Palin was a defensive, desperate choice. Any woman who was going to vote for Hilary, but is now voting for McCain/Palin is a woman who is already in a state that McCain will win. Palin is not going to shift anything. McCain is winning something like 80/20 in Oklahoma, but its still only a few electoral votes in the end.
I’m sure things look bleak in Ohio, and I think its good that people are worried so they do come out and vote, but the trend is Obama victory, despite any post convention temporary boost in the national polls for McCain.
Everyone needs to get out there and vote though and please make sure your friends do too.
John #9
Scudder
Hi All….You can get yard signs and auto stickers on Obama’s website. There’s a small charge, but the procedes help the candidate. I ordered mine last week.
Steeper
I just read a great interview from Obama on the Washington Blade. It addresses all the stuff that blow McCain out of the water. w w w. washblade.com
Mr C
Churchill-Y,
I heard there are college courses online available at KKSTUPIDGAY University. So it can help you get a better job than the blue collar one you have now!!! DUMB BITCH
HAHAHAHAHA
polobear
How come McCain did not wear an American Flag lapel pin at the memorial Ilooked but didn’t see it
How unpatriotic and disrespectful
greybat
Maybe he forgot!