I just can't wait until the two go head to head on stage in the campaign. Enough voters will be horrified to see that McCain is a doddering old fool, that they will vote Obama into office.

Any, anyone who thinks that Hillary's Democrats would vote for McCain over Obama in droves, you may want to buy a clue.

It will be interesting to watch what happens when a Democratic nominee actually answers back instead of "taking the high road" (aka "bending over") when the swiftboating starts.

Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate's schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.

Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.

Whamdangler: I just can't wait until the two go head to head on stage in the campaign. Enough voters will be horrified to see that McCain is a doddering old fool, that they will vote Obama into office.

Any, anyone who thinks that Hillary's Democrats would vote for McCain over Obama in droves, you may want to buy a clue.

Oh, no no. The latest tack is linking to an explanation of the Bradley Effect and/or C&Ping one article over and over.

Three Crooked Squirrels: Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate's schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.

Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.

True. I'm seeing at least one N-bomb going with that technique.

Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.


I've seen a number of clients I've workd with try this.

It has worked exactly no times.

The average American isn't observant enough to care about the lobbyists.

They care that he's batshiat insane.

Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate's schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.

We have to be careful of Cheyenne.

Three Crooked Squirrels: Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate's schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.

Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.

Haven't you heard about Obama's black baby?

// oops, gotta resign now

Tigger: Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.


I've seen a number of clients I've workd with try this.

It has worked exactly no times.

But McCains a mavrick... an independent. Therefor he must depart from political solutions that work and are sane to the lesser walked path of things that stupid and impossible. McCain has also shown that he will prevent infighting and control message within this groups with telepathy... Now THAT's a change we deserve

For what it's worth, I've been saying for months now that VA is in play. Generally people think I'm stupid.

Our state hasn't voted Democrat in the GE since LBJ. But, With Gov. Kaine (D) winning in 05, Sen. Webb (D) winning in 06, and Gov. Warner (D) running for Sen. Warner's (R) abdicated seat on the same ballot with Obama in 08, VA is VERY much in play.

Despite what Hillary's Cheesecake Goblins are saying now, when push comes to shove, they'll either vote for Obama in November or not vote at all. They will not, I repeat, WILL NOT hold their nose and vote for McCain just to punish the Democratic party. No one, not even the CGs are that insane. Add to this that once the general campaigns get into full swing after the conventions, McCain is going to continue to dig the hole he has already started on. Obama won't have to do much except for the same things he's been doing against Hillary - stay on message, parlay the mud-slinging with quick, poignant rebuttals, and don't say anything incredibly stupid on Mondays. He should be able to ride that strategy straight into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Sure that sounds bad but the vendors and shoppers of the farmer's markets are breathing a collective sigh of relief on news that John isn't the one behind the wheel.

The Homer Tax: For what it's worth, I've been saying for months now that VA is in play. Generally people think I'm stupid.

Our state hasn't voted Democrat in the GE since LBJ. But, With Gov. Kaine (D) winning in 05, Sen. Webb (D) winning in 06, and Gov. Warner (D) running for Sen. Warner's (R) abdicated seat on the same ballot with Obama in 08, VA is VERY much in play.

Agreed. Even the last two presidential elections were closer than they should have been. Kerry (and Bush to a lesser extent since he won) were idiots to not campaign in Va more last time.

I've even heard Rush Limbaugh sort of implying that he'd rather have Obama win. He thinks that Obama and McCain will suck and he would rather the blame go to Democrats than Republicans so they can get a real conservative in 2012. There's going to be lots of problems for McCain.

Nemo's Brother: Agreed. Even the last two presidential elections were closer than they should have been. Kerry (and Bush to a lesser extent since he won) were idiots to not campaign in Va more last time.

It's basically NOVA, Richmond-Metro, and Tidewater vs. the rest of the state. The thing is that the populations in those areas have been booming (relatively) compared to the more rural areas that have been declining.

Flipping VA for the first time in 4 decades would be huge, IMHO.

Hate to be a wet blanket, but all the McCain campaign needs is one legit misstep by B.Ob or one successful discovery of dirt, and there be a whole lotta whites in this country who'll take away support. I hope not - I just see it coming.

/was sad to read the thread earlier about Nader not using the computer. thaaaat's not good.

//voted Nader the last 2 elections, but wouldn't be disappointed greatly with McC (except for the stay in the war 4 more years part), and certainly not with B.Ob. Best group of presidential nominees I've seen in my lifetime.

12349876: I've even heard Rush Limbaugh sort of implying that he'd rather have Obama win.

I think he's just pissed that Operation Chaos has turned out to be mostly a failure.

/He didn't think his cunning plan all the way through.

w00t.

/'nuff said

milk_plus: Sure that sounds bad but the vendors and shoppers of the farmer's markets are breathing a collective sigh of relief on news that John isn't the one behind the wheel.

I loled.

The Homer Tax: It's basically NOVA, Richmond-Metro, and Tidewater vs. the rest of the state. The thing is that the populations in those areas have been booming (relatively) compared to the more rural areas that have been declining.

He'll pick up NOVA, Tidewater, Richmond Metro, Charlottesville (of course), and he'll pick up enough votes from Roanoke, Martinsville, Danville, Blacksburg, etc, that he'll be able to pull the state through.

The part that should have the GOP really scared is that conservative Virginia went only 45-55 for Bush in 2004, and Kaine and Webb edged in to the Governorship and Senate. If things are bad enough that Virginia looks like a swing state, panic is not an utterly inappropriate response.

jiaxiaobo: Hate to be a wet blanket, but all the McCain campaign needs is one legit misstep by B.Ob or one successful discovery of dirt, and there be a whole lotta whites in this country who'll take away support.

That's what Hillary thought too, and why she was so flabbergasted that neither Wright nor "bitter" sank his campaign.

Can I please ask that people don't feed trolls in this thread? Getting hard to enjoy the politics tab lately.

And hopefully He Who Will Not Be Named doesn't show up.

Tigger: Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.


I've seen a number of clients I've workd with try this.

It has worked exactly no times.

Maybe it's like Hill's FL/MI strategy. He's doing this so he always has it in his back pocket that it was a 'staffer' anytime anything remotely controversial occurs.

Oh look, it's the Huff Post, your source for liberal news.

At any rate, how good or bad John McCain does in polls is directly effected by how good or bad he is treating conservatives. When he slaps them in the face, his poll numbers go down, when he actually talks and acts like a conservative, his numbers go up again.

I guess McCain doesn't know that running on core conservative principals and values will always win national elections.

Three Crooked Squirrels: Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.

I could see this working in an age prior to the Internet.

After? No way in hell.

All it will take is McCain's first "senior moment" during one of the national debates. People will start to openly question whether it's wise to put so much power in his hands.

I've been going out on a limb and saying that it could be Texas. Yes, Texas. In the last Survey USA poll, McCain was only ahead by one point in a hypothetical matchup against Obama. I think the demographic shifts and Bob Barr could result in Texas going blue. And, of course, the mainstream media will act completely shocked.

redmond24: Can I please ask that people don't feed trolls in this thread? Getting hard to enjoy the politics tab lately.

And hopefully He Who Will Not Be Named doesn't show up.

Voldemort?!?! Here? I didn't know he was so political until he was de facto Minister of Magic!

"I've even heard Rush Limbaugh sort of implying that he'd rather have Obama win. He thinks that Obama and McCain will suck and he would rather the blame go to Democrats than Republicans so they can get a real conservative in 2012."

Why? All Limbaugh has ever supported has been a bunch of deficit spending spunk monkeys. He wouldn't know a real conservative if one bit him on the ass.

randomjsa: At any rate, how good or bad John McCain does in polls is directly effected by how good or bad he is treating conservatives. When he slaps them in the face, his poll numbers go down, when he actually talks and acts like a conservative, his numbers go up again.

I guess McCain doesn't know that running on core conservative principals and values will always win national elections.

That's a troll, right? If so, you got me. I can't imagine people actually believe that the way to win elections in light of the collapse of the Republican party is... to embrace the party and the policies that led to its collapse?

Either way, oh please please please let him take your advice and run to the right!

Whamdangler: I just can't wait until the two go head to head on stage in the campaign. Enough voters will be horrified to see that McCain is a doddering old fool, that they will vote Obama into office.

Any, anyone who thinks that Hillary's Democrats would vote for McCain over Obama in droves, you may want to buy a clue.

Right. Its going to be Nixon v. Kennedy all over again.

Oh noes, that's right, I'm not supposed to compare Obama to people who have been assassinated.

Its going to be Reagan v. Mondale all over again - except Obama is going to win this election like Reagan, and McCain is going to lose like a little biatch just like Mondale.

robsul82: Three Crooked Squirrels: Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate's schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.

Seems like a very bad strategy. Decentralized control, leading to poor judgments, leading to decisions from a semi-autonomous region that the national campaign doesn't approve of, leading to resignations by over-zealous staffers.

True. I'm seeing at least one N-bomb going with that technique.

oh shiat I was thinking the same thing!

randomjsa: Oh look, it's the Huff Post, your source for liberal news.

Oh give me a break, the 'liberal media' whining thing doesn't hold much water - especially since this story has been carried in multiple sources including most newswires. Try again.

Its going to be Nixon v. Kennedy all over again.

...also inadvisable because the 1960 election was pretty tight, with numerous reports of fraud. Some still believe that the election was stolen from Nixon.

Reagan v. Mondale all over again

More likely...if McCain continues to have senior moments, especially at the debates, he's going to lose in a landslide.

randomjsa: I guess McCain doesn't know that running on core conservative principals and values will always win national elections.



/Sorry. Pet Peeve.

The Homer Tax: For what it's worth, I've been saying for months now that VA is in play. Generally people think I'm stupid.

Our state hasn't voted Democrat in the GE since LBJ. But, With Gov. Kaine (D) winning in 05, Sen. Webb (D) winning in 06, and Gov. Warner (D) running for Sen. Warner's (R) abdicated seat on the same ballot with Obama in 08, VA is VERY much in play.

As a fellow Virginian, I approve this message.

HillbillyBubba: They will not, I repeat, WILL NOT hold their nose and vote for McCain just to punish the Democratic party. No one, not even the CGs are that insane.

Some of them will but not enough to matter. Its not like they are going to have any influence over anyone.

The Obama campaign has out organized, out strategized and out maneuvered Hillary's campaign at every turn and it was staffed with DC super stars and funded to the gills. Mccain's campaign doesn't even have enough money to set up offices in every state and it strikes me as highly unlikely that he will attract a lot of young idealistic energetic volunteers.

President Obama - get used to it.

randomjsa: I guess McCain doesn't know that running on core conservative principals and values will always win national elections.

Can you name the last time that ideas founded on conservative principles and values actually resulted in anything holistically and tangibly positive for the American people?

I_Approve_Of_This_Message: IMore likely...if McCain continues to have senior moments, especially at the debates, he's going to lose in a landslide.



Admiral Stockdale approves.

/Actually, he was a way cool guy who got the shaft in the media, but that's for another day,

quickdraw: President Obama - get used to it.

I haven't been writing it in my notebook like a love-struck 14 year old girl, but I've been thinking about bringing back the Icky Shuffle on election night.

/I'll admit I have a man-crush on Obama.

It is... inevitable.

randomjsa: At any rate, how good or bad John McCain does in polls is directly effected by how good or bad he is treating conservatives. When he slaps them in the face, his poll numbers go down, when he actually talks and acts like a conservative, his numbers go up again.

What?

He shouldn't have distanced himself from Hagee & GWB?

lexslamman:
Right. Its going to be Nixon v. Kennedy all over again.

Oh noes, that's right, I'm not supposed to compare Obama to people who have been assassinated.

Its going to be Reagan v. Mondale all over again - except Obama is going to win this election like Reagan, and McCain is going to lose like a little biatch just like Mondale.

How 'bout Clinton v Dole all over again? Barr taking the Perot spot? Old, semi-respectable man getting circles run around him by charisma. And don't forget, Bill Clinton lost "the white vote" substantially in 1996. He lost the ever-praised "white male vote" by nearly double-digits in both 1992 and 1996. Still won.

HillbillyBubba: quickdraw: President Obama - get used to it.

I haven't been writing it in my notebook like a love-struck 14 year old girl, but I've been thinking about bringing back the Icky Shuffle on election night.

/I'll admit I have a man-crush on Obama.

That gave me a very big smile.

And I'd totally take Obama if I had the chance. I mean, I'm no home-wrecker, but if it wouldn't hurt anyone, you know, I gotta say, I'd do it.

/I've never had a PCILF.
//Presidential Candidate I'd like to...

saintstryfe: /I've never had a PCILF.

Me either. Its kinda fun.

Once you account for ageism, McCain is toast. No chance at beating Obama. Giuliani could have pulled it off, but Obama has it locked now.

And also...

Latest general election polls have Obama ahead of McCain comforatbly in the... ahem... traditional liberal strongholds of Virginia, Ohio, and New Hampshire... ahem... and leading by a slim margin in Pennsylvania.

Stick a fork in McCain - he might as well quit now.

(polling info per http://www.electoral-vote.com)

Regarding the actual headline.. How can either campaign not have a lobbyist or person with connections to something controversial? If I ran for office next year I'm sure my gf would be drug out for her work as an auditor in charge on some business that kills seals or something else stupid, heck I just wrapped up an internship at a utility company.

Between the two of us, I'm sure I could be "hopelessly tainted" in the eyes of many just because I worked for evil big energy, and one of the companies she audits does something "bad".

Now expanding that to a national campaign, I can't imagine trying to get a full team that's never done any work for anyone questionable. I think the question should be, what was the work, what are they doing now, why were they doing the stuff then, what scale were they doing it, was it a full time job or one of many clients they worked with at a larger firm.. that sort of thing.

But dredging up that someone logged hours lobbying on behalf of bad guy X begs a lot of follow up questions just to decide if it's real.

Afterall, you wouldn't paint everyone who tried to send aid to Burma lately as being in the pocket of a tyrant even though they tried to get tons of food, equipment and personell shipped there would you?