The polls are now very consistent and show Barack Obama pulling away from John McCain. The focus on the economy has boosted Obama and made him the overwhelming favorite in the race for President. Clearly, voters are very upset at the economic downturn and blame the Bush administration for the pitiful situation we now face. President Bush has been a turned out to be a very poor steward of our economy and since he is a Republican, all GOP candidates are suffering.
Of course, McCain has had many differences with President Bush over the past few years, but the voters, assisted by a pro-Obama media, are overlooking that fact.
McCain needs to change the dynamic of this campaign. Here are five points that he needs to make in the debate tonight, which will increase doubts about Obama and raise questions with voters.
1) McCain must embrace the issue of the economy and go on the offense. He should attack the economic agenda of Barack Obama. The Democratic nominee wants to spend over $1 trillion for new programs and raise taxes on those making $250,000 or more. McCain needs to point out that raising taxes is not the best way to improve economic performance. He also needs to remind voters that it is not the right time to increase spending. In fact, McCain should highlight his own record in combating wasteful spending. In contrast, Obama is well known for his fondness for big government and tax increases.
2) He should remind voters that he sounded the alarm about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac several years ago. At that time, he tried to warn his colleagues to take action and increase oversight of the operations of these quasi-government entities. In contrast, Obama and his Democratic friends like Barney Frank did nothing while the problems intensified.
3) McCain needs to raise questions about Obama's connections to nefarious characters such as William Ayers and Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Obama has never adequately explained why he attended Wright's church for 20 years or allowed Ayers to host a a "meet the candidate" party for Obama at his home.
4) The GOP Senator must convince Americans that Obama does not have the qualifications, training or experience to assume the highest office in the country. The issue of experience is extremely important, especially in these perilous times. Obama started running for President after serving only 143 days in the U.S. Senate.
5) He needs to stress once again that Obama represents defeat in Iraq and a setback in the war on terror. McCain outlined the right strategy for the war and was successful in persuading a change in our policy. It proved to be a significant turning point in the war, which is why we are winning today. If Obama had been President, the war would be lost and our prospects for defeating the terrorist worldwide would be diminished.
If McCain points out to the American voters his differences with Obama in these five areas, he will make progress and start to turnaround his poll numbers. If he loses the debate tonight, it will probably be too late for McCain to catch up. For McCain, the stakes are very high as his campaign for presidency, and maybe the future direction of the country, rests on the outcome.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and the Political Editor for NewOrleans.com. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
"not what the voters want to hear right now" Interesting......... Very interesting... Sort of like "So you want to hear the truth? You can't handle the truth"........................ So instead, we have lip sync Obama...... McCain tripped him up good when he asked "I am curious what the fines are going to be" After telling the audience that Obama is even considering imposing fines on people that do not buy health care...... Ohhhhhhhhh,,,,, but Obama is what the people want..... The ignorant people that don't want to hear the answer much in the same fashion that people like T-dub can't provide an answer when asked the simple question "Where is Spunkie going to get his money from?" Obama is proposing a 'Police State'..... He is the worst kind of socialist..... He has militant leanings, and IS KGB in nature..... Oh, "Only folks that earn a 1/4 million will get increased taxes". Obama chants....... Well guess what folks, dissect the phony for what he is and read between the lines..... Here you go..... Health care - mandated Government policies, and 1/4 million income.... Can anyone out there tell me how many Doctors earn less than a quarter million per year? And no, I am not talking about Chiropractors, or Boob Doctors, but then again, they make pretty hefty paychecks their selves... Well guess what folks....... "Rich people do not pay taxes..... Poor people do". And why? O.K. Tax that doctor and see if he doesn't jack his rates up and give himself a nice big raise....... "Oh but Doctor Boo-Boo gave himself a 22% raise, we should get one too." Is what the Nurses, the lab techs, the admin clerks, the hospital corporate executives, and then the health and pharmaceutical industry jumps on, and on, and on, and on are going to say as they reason out the excuse why and how much to pile their increased costs onto the heap….. All of a sudden “Oh, we have to raise government sanctioned medical insurance!!! And if you don’t pay up, we are going to fine you and or jail you!” Yeah, there you go, Obamanomics…. He is a slithering snake of rat and he is going to suck our lives dry………………….. I love picking on T-duhhhhhhhb, he is such a cherry little candy arse………… He hates rich people, why? Because they earn more than he wishes he could…… So what if rich people squander their money on Jet Skis, Rolexes, Hummers, Lear Jets, Yachts, Lobster Dinners, etc., etc., etc… The folks that make and sell or service or provide Skis, Rolexes, Hummers, Lear Jets, Yachts, Lobster Dinners, etc., etc., etc… need to make a paycheck too, and they aren’t making no minimum wage I can guarantee that… Obama the great orator? I could walk circles around him and piss on everyone of his talking points and then take a crap on his shoes and there is nothing he would be able to do to counter my positions… Why? Simple…. He is a nobody that has never done nothing, ever…. He couldn’t tear out and rebuild a motor or a transmission if his life depended on it… Operate a crane? Not, Weld? Nope…. Lay Bricks? Don’t think so, and on and on and on…. Piyush? He’s another one…. He has no more understanding of the realities and practicalities of things than the man on the moon….. The Republican party sucks because those in charge suck……. Yeah, this Abomination, er uhhhh Obamanation that we are possibly faced with contending with is a sick little cancer that needs to be irradiated…. And fast….. Hit him with the Chemotherapy fast before his cancer eats up the rest of the nation…. And McCain, what can I say? Not the best that is for sure, but he was dumped on us……….. Written by
on 10/8/2008
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Well here's my take on "The questions asked at last night's debate by the audience." Instead of having a former network news anchor decide which questions the candidates will be asked, how about have an easy quick stay-at-home voting scheme (aka "Dancing with the Stars" or similar) whereby the electorate could choose by popular vote from a list of questions. This way the questions would accurately reflect what the American public wants. Of course, this may set a bad precedent since if the public realized how very easy it could decide matters more important than who gets kicked off "So You Think You can Dance" they may want to have a greater say in how they are governed. That must not happen. We can't have any "uppity" voters, now can we? Thinking they have the right to determine how their money is spent, what parts of the world they will shed their blood, no sir, this is a job for OUR POLITICIANS. Why? Because Gawd told me “that’s the way it is supposed to be.” Written by kpf
on 10/8/2008
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McCain has dropped his previous opposition to many Bush policies. He has become Bush's sidekick, not a maverick. The personal attacks on Obama will only backfire because that's not what the voters want to hear right now. The questions asked at last night's debate by the audience make that very clear. The attacks on Obama by Palin-McCain demonstrate that the GOP is intellectually and morally bankrupt - just like Wall Street. The front lines of the campaign are edging closer to Louisiana. Obama has pulled ahead in Missouri. The Kennedy adds linking Obama to Landrieu may actually be helping motivate African-American voters to come out in large numbers for both Obama and Landrieu on Nov. 4th. Not quite the result Kennedy intended. Written by David Quidd
on 10/8/2008
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We certainly do not "have it" anymore. Remember Kennedy's "ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country" speech? How far our once mighty nation has fallen. Far too many want "their due" without "doing anything" to earn it. Written by kpf
on 10/8/2008
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I watched about 4 or 5 minutes of the debate, felt rather dismal when looking and listening to the two ‘candidates’, went outside, smoked a cigarette, went back inside, and turned the friggen boob toob off….. Ehhhhhh, but that was so unpatriotic of me I considered for a moment thinking that if I chastised myself the whole illusion would disappear and when I turned the TV. back on I would witness a ray of hope…… Yeah, sure,,,,, so I forced myself to endure another 30 minutes of it before going to bed…… McCain is not nearly the leader we truly require in these times…… But as I listened to him, and considered the conditions we are faced with, and what he was saying/not saying I realized that at least he has a realistic understanding of just how deep the shit hole is that we are currently faced with…. Obama? That is one scary foker…….. But even more scary is the massive scale of ignorance that seems to be indicative of the general American public…… We are now on the precipice…… McCain is frail, and unfortunately not truly progressive enough in his approach…. Perhaps it is because he understands that the American public in general is a weak lot, and it is next to impossible to lead the unfocused….. And so he is luke warm…. And so, there is a real chance that the sheep will opt for Obama’s doctrines rather than have the real intestinal fortitude, or the BALLS to do what they should be doing as Americans, and that is to focus, implement, and pursue corrective courses and personal procedures….. I pray to God almighty, wherever and whatever that vestige truly may be that he extend compassion and mercy upon us one more time, and that we get it right……… Obama equals the beginning of the end of liberties and freedoms for the common man…… And I sure as hell do not want to be sitting around in 4 years saying “Well you stupid asses, Myself, and a whole bunch of others told you so”. I am not going to get into all that is wrong with Obama, and why, because no one out there is focusing on all the things that are wrong right now, and offering up realistic solutions to offset there detrimental effects….. Republican or Democrat leadership aside………. We, as a collective mass, do not have it anymore so it would seem… God Bless America………… Written by
on 10/8/2008
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You've convinced me. Thank God the Democratic Party remains and always will be untainted by the money from lobbyists who represent the upper class and will always do what is best for the middle and lower classes. Written by kpf
on 10/8/2008
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"Big Moneyed Interests"=the Republican Party in a nutshell. No candidate has ever had more lobbyist types connected to his campaign than McCain. The GOP has maintained control these years by getting votes from their most natural allies, the corporate set, along with votes from members of the white working classes who would seem to be in fact voting against their own economic interests (the record of Democratic Party administrations on job creation and economic growth for the middle class easily tops the record of GOP administrations). People finally saw that when Bush got into his second term the things that business and particularly big business wanted became more his top priorities, as they were all along. And while it is that many businesses hedge their bets and donate to both parties, the record is clear on which party has responded to business' desires, and especially the desire for lessened regulation, more ardently, i.e. when the Big Moneyed Interests say "jump" the GOP typically says "how high?" Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 10/8/2008
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I agree that McCain should have spoken more about Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac and the Democratic Party's culpability in this financial mess. He did not help his cause with his unfounded allegation that Obama wanted to "invade Pakistan" since that was not what Obama said; rather he made himself look foolish with that allegation. Ah.... how I long for the days when there was at least a chance for real change. Don't get your petticoats ruffled, whether it is McCain or Obama who is sworn in the same big moneyed interests - you know, the ones who "Campaign Finance Reform was supposed to remove from our governance - will still be in control. Written by kpf
on 10/8/2008
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I watched the debate tonight and, like most who saw it, I thought McCain lost it badly, and with it any hope of a comeback in this election. This I will add was much to my consternation. He did address 4 of the 5 points Jeff listed as imperatives, but that was hardly enough. The one he did not go to, #3--the character attack mode over Barack's judgment based on his associations, etc., while to some reflective of the "honorable" McCain image, was his last chance at making any change--and it is after all an area that needs to be explored further so the voting public will get a full airing of the extent of it. Alas it was not to be, and bringing it up in next week's final debate will more than likely be too late and perceived as nothing more than sour grapes by a desperate man. Nevertheless, unlike my conservative bretheren, I was intrigued by Sen. McCain's mortgage rescue plan. However, given the format of the debate and the severe time constraints, he was only able to put it "out there", but unable to give it a detailed and reasoned explanation. The pundits, including the very conservative ones, were highly critical of the now crawling, soon to be jogging, socialism it implies, and spoke as though it was yet $300 billion more, over and above the $850 billion drain to which American taxpayers have already been committed by last week's action (which I believe was, at its roots, mandated by an unspoken but very real demand by the PRC, holders of over $500 billion and maybe as much as $1 trillion of our US Treaury obligations). Anyway, the money in McCain's latest proposal would not need to be additional money, but rather a wiser way for the US Treasury to spend the same money already committed to in last week's vote. Rather than simply having the US Teasury transferring the money to the holders of the mortgage backed securities (MBS) in a free fall environment (have you seen the stock market these last days SINCE the bailout), his plan would reduce the speed and extent of the fall. It would therefore check the spiraling downward values of the MBSs by stanching the fire sale atmosphere of the current real estate freefall---at least to the extent it is being caused by ever-growing foreclosures resulting from the mortgagees' inability to pay at the now higher principal and accumulated interest balances on their mortgags, and the ever increasing gap between their homes' values and the accumulated debt amounts. A reduction in the disincentives for the otherwise bankrupt "owners'" to pay anything on their mortgages should "promote the general welfare" while increasing the value of the MBSs and therefore reducing the amounts the US Treasury will be in the tank for the virtually worthless securities it would otherwise be "purchasing" from the brokerage houses and other holders. If nothing like McCain's plan is done,the foreclosure rates will snowball further, and the glut of relatively new but ever decaying empty housing (along with the accompanying national depression) will grow like the size of a pack of ducks as they head south for Winter. However, by resetting the clock, limiting the balances on the mortgages to the current real estate values, and adjusting the interest rates to realistic levels, the overall values of the collatralized debt obligations would become greater (maybe as high as 60-70% of their face values rather than the 30-40% they would otherwise fetch)), the rate of bankruptcies, foreclosures (and suicides) would decline, making the $850 billion more wisely spent. The renegotiated mortgages could inclde an "equity kicker" such that later sales of the real etate for greater than the renegotiated mortgage principal amounts would be shared in by the lender and the borrower at an ever reducing percentage forn the ender over time, thus enhancing the value of the underlying mortgages and therefore the collateral on the bundled mortgages making up the collateralized debt obligations. This would have the added benefit of reducing the amount of the increased future tax burden on the overall population required to finance and pay down the original $850 billion. But that's a whole lot to try to explain to a national audience in the "sound bite" atmosphere imposed under the rules of the current debate format. Written by NotSoFastEddie
on 10/8/2008
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You seem to be a staunch Republican. Is this web site a venue for a partison supporter to vent through? How is that possible? Are you supposed to be a neutral and thought provoking journalist not cleary supporting a specfific political party?
Don't forget the good pals McCain was with Charles Keaton. Phil Grahamm pushed through the bill that allowed CDS to be legal and un-regulated and he is an advisor to MC Cain. Are you sure you want to keed pointing out junk issues that don't reflect what this country needs and that is a change in how Washington reacts to the american people in general? History shows that when the people demand help that they can't get elsewhere the government steps in and provides it. Government spending comes from taxes and taxes are paid by the citizens, some pay more than others. Cut out people needs and the government will get smaller and we'll have less govenment intervention. When the people demands create a new need help cry then Goveernment gets bakc bigger again and the money spent is tax payers money paid from taxes. where did that $700 Billion bailout come from more or less governmnet? Who did the banks and wll Stree turn to? The likes like You or the government?. there are ony a bout three ways to pay for govenrmnet spending. Taxes, cut out goevernmnt program or borrow from foreign sources. You got any more uninformed points to raise Mr. Man?
Did not Sarah's husband belong to a group that wanted Alasksa to succeed from the US? Written by Winger 2
on 10/7/2008
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McCain did not help his cause tonight. He came across as an angry, petty, almost desperate old guy and not even Reagan-esque, as in an older politician who can still connect with voters. Obama sounded much more calm and reassuring. Polls are showing Obama holding strong leads on such measures as perceived ability to handle the economy (the clear main issue), leadership and even likability. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 10/7/2008
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McCain was NOT sounding the alarm about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. All he did in fact was barely sign onto legislation by Chuck Hagel who was the real one doing the talking and the warning. Written by Moderate Independent Voice
on 10/7/2008
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Sir, I believe we read different histories and journals. I haven't seen any sign whatsoever that McCain is competent to balance books. His support of Keating led to an enormous bailout then, and he's supporting one now. What math do you do that calculates advantages in not taxing the wealthy? You are becoming less and less credible as a result of repeating the same old neo-conservative doctrines. It reminds of the priests I know who say in the pulpit that women should not be ordained and that birth control is a sin, but who say to me in private that God could not logically have created seven sacraments for men and six for women or that birth control appears morally neutral. When priest and politicians begin to repeat old doctrines in the face of reality, they lose credibility. McCain has lost credibility, and a vote for an incredulous president is nationally suicidal. Since the oath of the military is to the Constitution and NOT to the president, it will be easy for soldiers to refuse the orders of this man. Written by Robert Desmarais Sullivan
on 10/7/2008
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Frankly, dears, McCain has associated himself with more lobbyists than any presidential candidate in modern history. But I digress, like others have posted, it won't matter. Gallup today reported only 9% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country. That's the lowest total in the history of Gallup polls. THIS is more important than someone Obama served on a board with. Written by Frankly
on 10/7/2008
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Written by, dear, frankly we would agree with you. The ploys and tactics taken by Jefferson since the indictment, while perfectly legal, have been done to protect the possibility of his re-election and well as to forestall and trial as long as possible. This is his right. However, it must be brought to the attention of his constituents that this does not mean that he will not be convicted shortly after election. The whole Jefferson family appears to be involved in illegal activities at the expense of the very people they claim to represent. People who could have gained through improvement of their lives are being denied it because of them. However, because of the issue of race, they will support him. It is time that we unite in effor to see beyond the skin color and understand who and what Jefferson and also what Barack Obama really are and not cover everything up. The financial sky is falling in and we will put the blame on one party. Both are to blame. It is time that we chose based on who will be best in the position of president and not along party lines, color lines, sex lines, etc. In our opinion that is Mc Cain. Written by RhettsFamily
on 10/7/2008
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Sure Rhetts Wife, you can say more, how about William Jefferson? Action, we need resolute action.... We need to advocate those amongst our ranks that truely can afford virtuous and realistic change directed towards the betterment and benefit of all in prudent fashion..... The media can bite me... Written by
on 10/7/2008
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Hackneyed tactics is the media influence of the electoral college..... I fear that apparatus almost as much as I fear Congress, and our elected officials.... They are all unfocused...... Obama is a socialist, and this is getting bad.... The problem with the economy is failing to disarm the most favored trade status for China, and NAFTA...... Those are the nukes that are undermining the real issues, and the economy is not the issue, it is a by product of mismanagment, and foolish programs and diplomacies..... Focus on what the REAL problems are.... Ahhhh,,, but that would be politically incorrect and offend all the friggen T-blubs of America........ It is sad that this whole thing is a media staged event based on 'images'..... The Democrats could have done better, the Republicans could have done better... We are in the middle of a fire sale...... And we are in on the verge of neighborhood warfare or welfare..... And sadly, it appears that martial law conditions are going to advent in the near future.... In one fascist form or another....... Because Obama's plans are nothing, and McCain cannot turn this thing around... Not on his own...... It is up to the citizens of the United States to make things happen.... We have to get Congress, the budget, and our affairs in order........ Written by
on 10/7/2008
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Frankly, dears, Mc Cain should have been elected 8 years ago. However, we have never given up our belief that we can only gain with Mc Gain. Character is indeed a issue in our opinion and that of others. We think that Jeff is correct in his analysis and Mc Cain should go forward. Who you chose to associate with will indeed determine your character now and in the future. The liasons of Obama with nefarious individuals is indeed something we have to have uncovered. Let's see whose background is truly the best. A do nothing state legislator and first time US Senator is clearly drawing from people who do nothing and those who are fearful of our economic status. To elect based on these two facts is not sufficient. We will proudly vote for Mc Cain and Palin. We learned our lessons the hard way and most recently with Nagin. Need we say more? Written by RhettsWife
on 10/7/2008
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The format for tonight's debate is incredibly lame. No follow up questions, no candidate interaction, pre-selected questions picked by Brokaw based on what he thinks are important. This clearly favors Obama since 1) he's the better debater and 2) all he has to do is not lose. While McCain comes across as uncomfortable in these situations, he clearly needs an opportunity for a game-changer. He won't get it tonight. Written by Andrew
on 10/7/2008
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These are hackneyed tactics. I agree with the previous poster, it's too late to dredge up Rev. Wright at this point. McCain needs to stick to economy economy economy, economy, economy. Anything else is a waste of time. He should also drop Palin. It's still not too late... Of course, she could also do the right thing and fall on her sword. A shake up this late is the perfect gimmick to change the dynamics. Written by David
on 10/7/2008
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Jeff,
All of those points have already been tried, first by Hillary Clinton and, since July, by Sen. McCain, and none of them has had a lasting impact. Now we are left with the pathetic, desperate spectacle of Gov. Palin trying to resurrect those tired old personal attacks because that is all they have left. It is evident that, in order to win, Sen McCain must run the table on all of the so-called Swing States, and that is improbable, at best. So, barring a last minute miracle, the Democrats will control the Presidency and will have substantial working majorities in both houses of Congress. I hope 1)that they will govern wisely and that 2)Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin will acquit themselves with dignity in the face of almost certain defeat. Written by CL
on 10/7/2008
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Don't let the propagandists alarm you.... McCain is doing just fine..... But then again, hopefully all this 'buzz' about some kind of an Obama advantage will do some good.... Just get out there and vote..... Written by
on 10/7/2008
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The polls are now very consistent and show Barack Obama pulling away from John McCain. The focus on the economy has boosted Obama and made him the overwhelming favorite in the race for President. Clearly, voters are very upset at the economic downturn and blame the Bush administration for the pitiful situation we now face. President Bush has been a turned out to be a very poor steward of our economy and since he is a Republican, all GOP candidates are suffering. 
