tagged w/ Obama vs. McCain
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Why Florida Is One Of The Final Battleground States
Lifelong republican Jim Piccillo always thought he'd vote for John McCain. But as the Florida housing market crashed, so did the mortgage company he worked for. Two months ago, he lost his job.
"And then I watched the Republican National Convention, and it really hit a nerve," he said. "I was unemployed and watching the entire Republican delegation basically sit up and laugh at someone who helps the unemployed really affected me."
So much so that he's voting for Barack Obama. Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco is switching sides too. He's a democrat who thinks John McCain has the experience to fix the economy.
"He is one hell of a man," Greco said. "There is no question. He sold me and what he is saying makes sense to me."
Both campaigns are trying to use the poor state of the Florida economy to their advantage, and there's no shortage of angry voters in the Sunshine State - with more than 600,000 people out of work, and nearly as many who've lost their homes to foreclosure in the past year.
What makes Florida a battleground is that Obama has the southeast - and its large number of African American, Jewish and liberal white voters. McCain is the favorite among military and socially conservative voters in the southwest and north. Both are fighting for the middle - the I-4 corridor - home to a diverse group of blacks, whites, hispanics, retirees and young workers - and nearly 40 percent of the state's independents.
"In the 2000 and 2004 elections, the Independent voters split right down the middle. This time out both parties are going after them heavy-duty" said political scientist Susan MacManus of the University of South Florida.
Both sides plan to spend the next crucial weeks trying to convert their neighbors - in a region that could decide whether Florida stays red or turns blue.Why Florida Is One Of The Final Battleground States
Lifelong republican Jim... more
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New York debate is McCain's most pressured appearance... attacks are likely. Questions are raised that even if McCain has a strategy can he implement it? His new bailout is a ploy for seniors.New York debate is McCain's most pressured appearance... attacks are likely.... more
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I have never waited in a line on Election Day. The first election I ever voted in was by absentee. Then I slacked off, like many young voters. I moved a lot, worked multiple jobs and was in school, many of the same reasons that other voters have for not making it to their polling places.
In 2000, I had to leave town to attend my grandfather’s funeral. I was freaked out. The first election that I cared deeply about the outcome, I thought I wouldn’t be able to vote. A friend pointed out that I could go to my county elections office and vote early. I did and I was able to get out of town with a clear conscience that I had done my civic duty.
In 2002, I moved just before Election Day. I would be arriving in my new home of Portland, OR too late to register to vote. So, I made sure to visit the county elections office to cast my vote before leaving for Oregon.
Since living in Oregon, my voting record has been 100%. Even for local and “special” elections. Partly because my jobs for the last 4 years have been getting people to vote but in a big part because in Oregon we get our ballots mailed to us two weeks before Election Day. And a week or so before ballots hit our mailboxes, we receive voters' pamphlets. Only states with same day registration have higher voter-turn out.
“Bully for you,” you say.
Well, it could be bully for you too...
Read the rest here: http://stonecipher.typepad.com/the_stonecipher_report/2008/10/vote-early.html
I have never waited in a line on Election Day. The first election I ever voted in was... more
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The McCain Campaign has said they expect Barack Obama to get a 15-point "bounce" in the polls from the convention. In reality, the highest of bounces has been about 14 points, but where do YOU think Barack Obama will be in the polls after the convention?
The McCain Campaign has said they expect Barack Obama to get a 15-point... more
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In the election for Vice President there is only one voter per party. For the Republicans that voter is John McCain and for the Democrats that voter is Barack Obama. Ordinarily, endorsements are not made for Vice President, but since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi seems to be endorsing the little known Chet Edwards recently, we here at The Stonecipher Report decided it would be appropriate to make our own Vice Presidential endorsement.
If you have read the site in the past it should come as no surprise that we have chosen to endorse Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer as our choice to be Barack Obama's Vice Presidential running mate
Read the rest at: http://stonecipher.typepad.com/the_stonecipher_report/2008/08/obamas-vice-pre.htmlIn the election for Vice President there is only one voter per party. For the... more
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Alright, this is getting absurd and starting to piss me off. So I've got to get it off my chest.
The John McCain camp is peddling this idea that Barack Obama is scared of John McCain because he didn't agree to have ten "town hall" meetings with the Senator from Arizona during this campaign.
This is the political equivalent of Mark Price, the former point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, challenging Michael Jordan to a game of one-on-one to determine who the greatest basketball player of all time was...except that under Price's rules, things like dribbling, shooting three-pointers, shooting two-pointers, dunking and playing defense would be ruled out. The only way to score in this game would be with free throws...
Read the rest here: http://stonecipher.typepad.com/the_stonecipher_report/2008/07/obama-jordan-mc.html
Alright, this is getting absurd and starting to piss me off. So I've got to get... more
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you’ve come anywhere near a TV tuned into a cable news channel in the past 24 hours you, no doubt, have seen John McCain’s latest ad attacking Barack Obama for being a celebrity. In case you missed it the first 36,574 times CNN, MSNBC or FOX News aired it, here it is:
you’ve come anywhere near a TV tuned into a cable news channel in the past 24... more
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McCain challenges Obama on town hall meetings
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- John McCain asked Barack Obama to join him in 10 town hall meetings with voters in the coming months, and their campaigns began negotiations to make it happen. McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, made the request Wednesday, the day after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination.
"We need to now sit down and work out a way that we can have these town hall meetings and have a great debate," McCain told reporters in Baton Rouge.
Campaign managers for the two sides later spoke by phone and agreed in spirit to participate in joint town hall appearances, McCain's campaign said.
"They both expressed a commitment to raising the level of dialogue, and they will be in close contact as we work together to make this idea a reality," McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said.
McCain said the more intimate town hall format, a give-and-take between a candidate and the audience, allows real interaction and is more revealing than formal televised debates. He held 101 town hall meetings in New Hampshire before winning the primary there and launching his climb to the GOP nomination.
"I don't think we need any big media-run production, no process question from reporters, no spin rooms," McCain said. "Just two Americans running for office in the greatest nation on earth, responding to the questions of the people whose trust we must earn."
McCain suggested the first town hall be held June 12 in New York and said he would love to fly there on a plane with Obama. He said President Kennedy had made such an agreement with Sen. Barry Goldwater for the 1964 election, though neither was their party's nominee at the time. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.
A McCain adviser first floated the idea last month. At the time, Obama said, "I think that's a great idea."
"Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that, but ... if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome," Obama said in Bend, Ore., in May.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Wednesday that while the idea is appealing, the campaign would recommend a less-structured, lengthier exchange more in line with the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates.
McCain challenges Obama on town hall meetings
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- John... more
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