lexslamman: McCain doesn't have the money nor the ground operation to fight Obama in all of those places.

McCain, Republicans Have Twice as Much Cash as Obama (new window)

McCain can focus on campaigning in the swing states. Obama's going to have to spend some time in his strongholds to come up with enough money to compete media-wise. I can't speak to the quality of each campaigns operations, however.

bwesb: Without trying to sound malicious or meanspirited, there are a lot of Americans that will not vote for a Democrat, a black man, a young man, an educated man, or an eloquent man. Barack is all of those, combined into one. He is a one stop shopping for those who want to hate everything Democratic.

I'm not voting for him because he is naive. Both economically and foreign policy-wise. And I would argue your suggestion that Obama is eloquent. Caught without a script there are a lot of umms and ahhhs and long-winded answers that really don't say anything. I think the standards have been set high for him because of this perception and he won't be able to meet them in the debates with off-the-cuff answers, especially with his propensity to draw out answers to what should be simple questions.

GavinTheAlmighty:

America doesn't deserve him.

And thanks to the underlying Puritan mentality that has always pervaded American society but has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to the Evangelical movement, we don't think so either.

whyarefartslumpy: Brilliantly Triggish.

Eloquent reply there, Hemingway.

Definitely. Obama should make Denver a command center or something. Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Ohio - he should always be in one of these four places.

Colorado needs his undivided attention. If I was Barack Obama I'd punch Michelle in the mouth then I'd schedule a series of events all over Colorado. Good events with schwag, food and celebs.

Rev. Skarekroe: At least the hot side is staying hot and the cool side is staying cool.

Since you're the only one to make this reference, you deserve a McDLT:

robsul82: "Indiana: McCain vs. Obama

Polling Data

Poll Date Sample McCain (R) Obama (D) Spread
RCP Average 08/16 - 08/30 -- 48.0 43.3 McCain +4.7

Howey-Gauge 08/29 - 08/30 600 RV 45 43 McCain +2
Rasmussen 08/19 - 08/21 500 LV 49 43 McCain +6
SurveyUSA 08/16 - 08/18 645 LV 50 44 McCain +6"

Hmm. Hopefully that continues.

Actually, it is still pretty competitive when you focus on the non-partisan polls (new window)

GavinTheAlmighty: whyarefartslumpy: Brilliantly Triggish.

Eloquent reply there, Hemingway.

Well, at least I kept it short and simple, as opposed to your oddly extrapolated comment. Justified as you are in remarking on politics in the US, please refrain from deriving BS conclusions from half-baked "facts".

Oh, hell with it - I just described 90% of Fark. Carry on. Just don't be suprised when I chime in on you to explain how to properly field dress a moose.

slykens1: I'm not voting for him because he is naive. Both economically and foreign policy-wise.

May I ask who you do plan to vote for?

Because if it's for a man who claims that "the fundamentals of our economy are still strong" and thinks that the Sunni al-Qaeda is getting aid from predominantly Shiite Iran... Then the children are right to laugh at you, Ralph.

And Obama/The Democrats should not write off Florida yet (new window). Put Biden down there for a couple of stops and it could flip..

My completely naive prediction is that Obama will win by a small margin, which will be hotly contested until the next Republican president.
Once Obama's president he'll try to make some small changes to slow down the American economy's descent into recession with very little padding (few physical economic assets such as manufacturing vs services). He won't be able to make big changes because he won't dare. But those changes he makes will at least slow the drain, and he'll be vilified for years afterward for doing good, and we'll elect a Republic president in 2012.

Knowing that, I still think Obama's the better choice for 2008

lexslamman: And Obama/The Democrats should not write off Florida yet (new window). Put Biden down there for a couple of stops and it could flip..

Biden can make Florida erect?

Put Biden down there for a couple of stops and it could flip..

Um. I will give you four of my five children if I'm wrong on this one. There is NO way Obama takes Florida.

I vol'd for Obama in Florida. Booing. They loved Hillary and Ol man McCain is pure Ambrosia.

C'mon. A war hero won't take Florida where all the war hero's went to retire?

whyarefartslumpy: Justified as you are in remarking on politics in the US, please refrain from deriving BS conclusions from half-baked "facts".

I'll stop when you pry my keyboard from my COLD DEAD HANDS.

It's less of a conclusion and more of a theory.

because the voting majority of the country is too stupid to recognize a good thing when they see it

A thread yesterday said how 53% of Americans think their taxes will go up under Obama. This, to me, does not seem intelligent.

and because McCain has succeeded in scaring you into voting for him.

This is where I started BSing, but I think given the use of 9/11 at the RNC and the proponderance of negative McCain ads, he's trying to scare you and it seems like he's succeeding.

danlpoon: Um. I will give you four of my five children if I'm wrong on this one. There is NO way Obama takes Florida.

I vol'd for Obama in Florida. Booing. They loved Hillary and Ol man McCain is pure Ambrosia.

C'mon. A war hero won't take Florida where all the war hero's went to retire?

Did Obama even really try for Florida? I just figured he would stick to the other swing states discussed in this thread.

I wouldn't get your hopes up for Colorado. It's a stretch historically, and the Democrats have been stepping all over their dicks here. There's some state-level stuff going on that favors McCain. There's been a recent brouhaha over an illegal who killed some people, which has put pressure on Ritter and Hickenlooper. This may tilt some metro-area (suburban) people Republican, but the big deal is oil and gas.

For some mysterious reason, Colorado Democrats thought this would be a swell time to pack the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission with environmentalists, change the rules to make drilling more difficult and even suspend operations during "sensitive wildlife migration times" (essentially shutting operations down 3 months in every year), and scrap an old industry severance tax break - in essence raising taxes on oil and gas production by about $300 million/year.

Guess what? The oil and gas industry is 20% of Colorado's economy, and formerly depressed towns like Rifle and Grand Junction and Rangely and Meeker and Craig are now humming boomtowns, and the locals are pissed. For the first time in two generations, the kids in these towns can get good jobs at home and not be forced to leave to make a living, meaning many families are now staying together.

Many rural Coloradoans are now making damned good money in the oil patch, and don't take kindly to the idea of being put out of work 3 months a years by some Sierra Club fathead from Boulder making up stupid rules (not supported by any studies by the Division of Wildlife, BTW).

On top of this are the citizens who are getting clobbered at the gas pump and every month when the utility bill comes due, and they are looking skeptically at what amounts to an increased tax on oil and gas - which they know they will ultimately pay.

I don't know what the polling shows, but a lot of people are going to show up simply to vote against all of this stupid, brain-dead arbitrary punishment of the oil and gas industry, and most of them are likely to vote for McCain while they're at it.

I wouldn't assume Obama can take Colorado. In fact, I reckon it would be a big surprise. McCain is already reeling him in.

lexslamman
And Obama/The Democrats should not write off Florida yet (new window). Put Biden down there for a couple of stops and it could flip..

The guy has been on a roll lately....

GavinTheAlmighty: whyarefartslumpy: Justified as you are in remarking on politics in the US, please refrain from deriving BS conclusions from half-baked "facts".

I'll stop when you pry my keyboard from my COLD DEAD HANDS.

It's less of a conclusion and more of a theory.

because the voting majority of the country is too stupid to recognize a good thing when they see it

A thread yesterday said how 53% of Americans think their taxes will go up under Obama. This, to me, does not seem intelligent.

and because McCain has succeeded in scaring you into voting for him.

This is where I started BSing, but I think given the use of 9/11 at the RNC and the proponderance of negative McCain ads, he's trying to scare you and it seems like he's succeeding.

Why is thinking Obama will raise taxes not intelligent?

I mean, are you basing the future on what he says? That does not seem intelligent to me. (see, GHWB)

As someone living in FL, I have to agree, its poised to flip (if the voting machines don't screw it up again) I have see exactly ONE McCain bumper sticker, many, many obama. Yes, I know this is not a precise measurement of success, but it is FAR more than kerry or Gore had

canyoneer: Many rural Coloradoans

I tried like 5 times here at my desk. How is that pronounced?

MFL: lexslamman
And Obama/The Democrats should not write off Florida yet (new window). Put Biden down there for a couple of stops and it could flip..

The guy has been on a roll lately....

Yep. Rolling right over McCain's pasty ass. Looks like th GOP has started harassing elderly Jewish voters in Florida with patently false phone campaigns.

Too bad elderly Jewish voters love Joe Biden. Love him.

Ohio is a mess (new window) - a true 'toss-up', if you will. You have to think that Obama's strong statements on the economy this week will temporarily put it back as a blue-leaner.

The recent poll-or-two showing McCain up in Nevada seem like outliers to me, (new window) I think Obama can win Reno, Carson City, Sparks, Las Vegas, and Henderson without spending very much time or money there. He wins those areas - which should be mostly democratic areas - he wins the state.

The same goes for Colorado (new window) - this state has been turning blue pretty steadily, Obama built a strong ground operation there with the convention, and after this McCain bounce subsides it will be a blue-leaner again.

New Mexico is a blue state (new window). The recent poll showing a slim McCain lead is an outlier.

No one knows where Virginia is going to end up (new window) - this will be the best one to watch on November 4th.

And don't forget North Carolina, North Dakota, and Montana - all states which shifted strongly into McCain's camp after the convention - all states which might shift back as the bounce - and the shine of the Palin announcement - wear off.

I think this election will be close, but a landslide is not out of the question, and Obama is much better positioned than John McCain.

Relatively Obscure: "Is that a black joke?"

No, it's an old oil field term similar in meaning to "shooting yourself in the foot."

I reckon Colorado will look just like it usually does: Denver, Boulder, Adams County, Pueblo, and Aspen will go Democrat while the rest of the state (including the rest of metro Denver) votes solid Republican.

Mighty Taternuts: canyoneer: Many rural Coloradoans

I tried like 5 times here at my desk. How is that pronounced?

You'd figure a native Coloradan would know how to spell it properly. Or at least have a browser with spell-check.

Well, it can't get his undivided attention, but it can sure get a lot of it.

He needs to re-connect with his everyman message. He doesn't seem to have the same vigor as he did during the Primary. The events just aren't as well funded or attended.

Obama should have Alec Baldwin and all those types hustling Colorado and Iowa.

He should find every Republican supporter in Colorado state gov't and offer him a job in exchange for a public endorsement. People got accustomed to Obama unearthing mid-level supporters every day.

He needs to recreate the Primary energy and focus. It isn't too late for him to adjust his message further center especially now that the economy has trumped world affairs as the key interest to voters. I say he can unveil a re-worked economic package and sell it all the way to the WhiteHouse. But he has to start fast.

Mighty Taternuts: "I tried like 5 times here at my desk. How is that pronounced?"

Coloradun.

slykens1 I'm not voting for him because he is naive.

Fair enough, and I completely understand your point. However, what you call naive, I call inspired. I, personally, want a President who looks for common ground, who looks for real world solutions instead of "we can't do this because..." and yeah, some might call that naive.

A lot of people, some of the ones I referred to in my previous post, have the right to consider Obama naive. They have heard all of these arguments before. I don't begrudge them their skepticism.

For once though, I want a President who believes in all of us, not just some of us.

Newsweek get a FAIL for posting LAST weeks RCP map. ahem* New Mexico *cough

culebra: "You'd figure a native Coloradan would know how to spell it properly. Or at least have a browser with spell-check."

Everyone here uses "Coloradoan." Maybe you have one of those out-of-state spell checkers, eh?

bwesb: For once though, I want a President who believes in all of us, not just some of us.

That is a fair argument. And by no means is Obama a stupid man, but sometimes it feels like... fluff. Like when my kids "believe" the local sports team will win because, well they really want it to happen.

They forget there is a game to be played, other circumstances that occur, time, money, etc. (and Republicans when it comes to some of his more social plan ideas)

It's not bad to hear, I just am curious how he will react when he doesn't get what he wants (I know how McCain will act and I don't like it).

Yeah, fark Florida and Ohio. The Repubs already have the election-stealing groundwork laid out in those states

That's right, Between the Primary date shenanigans and the No Match, No Vote Law Florida has been "R" for a long time.

No amount of Joe Biden will change that.

Did Obama even really try for Florida?

He started to, but he fell for the "Let's not campaign in Florida" compromise that seemed smart during the Primary but is reaping Republican benefits now.

I think that Obama advisors and former Fannie Mae execs James A. Johnson & Franklin Raines might have something to do with it.

In other news, there was a convention bounce.

gustakooka: Why is thinking Obama will raise taxes not intelligent?

I mean, are you basing the future on what he says? That does not seem intelligent to me. (see, GHWB)

Have you seen the image comparing McCain and Obama's tax proposals? Of course, there is the possibility that he could lie about it and raise taxes across the board. But then, by the same logic, McCain could raise taxes across the board and either of them could lie about anything they've said at all during the campaign.

Of course, I know, they're politicians and they say exactly what people want to hear. But saying "Obama is going to raise my taxes" is either wilfully ignorant (unless you're in that top percentage - then one's gripe about him raising taxes would be legitimate) or desperately cynical, and I'm thinking that those who are so cynical about Obama's tax promises are not equally cynical about some of McCain's promises (said opinion pulled directly from ass).

bwesb
For once though, I want a President who believes in all of us, not just some of us.

The guy can say he believe's in me all he wants. I don't believe in him. I'm a Obamathiest.

I've always heard Coloradoan.

Isn't it funny that the biggest lie we've heard in this campaign thus far are Palin/McCain's statement that 'our policies work'?

How have your policies done for the last 8 years, guys?

GavinTheAlmighty: Americans are funny. You've been getting punched in the nose for the last 8 years by the Republicans. Then along comes this other Republican who says he's going to continue punching you in the nose, with his VP who will kick you in the gonads. And then you've got this Democrat who says he's not going to punch you in the nose.

And you've still got a huge chunk of the country saying "No, no, I think I'd rather get punched in the nose than not get punched in the nose."

McCain is going to win this election because the voting majority of the country is too stupid to recognize a good thing when they see it, and because McCain has succeeded in scaring you into voting for him.

I wish Obama could run as Canadian prime minister. America doesn't deserve him.

That's how the Republican party operates. They have no ethical or moral legs to stand on or policy to back them up, so they threaten people with eternal damnation, abject poverty, and bodily violation if they don't vote for them. Then when they get elected, they do everything short of sending the voters to hell broke with a telephone pole up their asses and the voters think they got a good deal.

bwesb: slykens1 I'm not voting for him because he is naive.

Fair enough, and I completely understand your point. However, what you call naive, I call inspired. I, personally, want a President who looks for common ground, who looks for real world solutions instead of "we can't do this because..." and yeah, some might call that naive.

A lot of people, some of the ones I referred to in my previous post, have the right to consider Obama naive. They have heard all of these arguments before. I don't begrudge them their skepticism.

For once though, I want a President who believes in all of us, not just some of us.

I don't believe that he believes in all of us. Why are his positions on issues so far to the left if he just wants to "transcend partisan bickering and find working solutions"?

To me, he sounds like a lot of "lets all start working together by doing what I say".

I'd love a candidate who's stances on actual issues transcended the partisan bickering. Obama's positions on many issues sounds like what the Democrats have been pushing for 30 years, and this is why I agree with the other guy above in calling all his rhetoric "fluff".

GavinTheAlmighty: gustakooka: Why is thinking Obama will raise taxes not intelligent?

I mean, are you basing the future on what he says? That does not seem intelligent to me. (see, GHWB)

Have you seen the image comparing McCain and Obama's tax proposals? Of course, there is the possibility that he could lie about it and raise taxes across the board. But then, by the same logic, McCain could raise taxes across the board and either of them could lie about anything they've said at all during the campaign.

Of course, I know, they're politicians and they say exactly what people want to hear. But saying "Obama is going to raise my taxes" is either wilfully ignorant (unless you're in that top percentage - then one's gripe about him raising taxes would be legitimate) or desperately cynical, and I'm thinking that those who are so cynical about Obama's tax promises are not equally cynical about some of McCain's promises (said opinion pulled directly from ass).

The poll asked "Do you believe Obama, if president, will raise your taxes". The intelligent answer to that question is yes.

What other campaign promises do you believe to come from a rectum of a candidate?

Campaigning in Florida wasn't going to change anything. I don't blame Obama for realizing what's what.


Matters not.

Obama just violated a Federal Law and will probably be indicted this afternoon for Treason.