It will be difficult for Sarah Palin to lose tonight’s vice-presidential debate. There are low expectations for her and she has several opportunities to score big.
First, she could show her humor by saying that she had thought of asking Tina Fey to stand in for her. Or, secondly, she could say that she understood that her candidacy was even making atheists pray—for John McCain to live through his term if he wins.
Joe Biden, who is more knowledgeable should be careful not to assault Palin on her qualifications. In fact he might think of saying, that no one should complain about Governor Palin’s credentials. If they have any complaints its McCain’s judgment that needs to be called into question.
McCain’s choice of Palin, even with her drop in the polls, is still beneficial for McCain. It solidifies the Christian and conservative right wing Republican base and still appeals to many hockey/soccer moms not caught up in ideological warfare.
It should be obvious to Obama supporters such as myself that John McCain has decided to win as ugly as he needs to be. While I am personally grateful that he has given me reason not to be for him I realize that he will go for the jugular in many ways. The last ten days of the campaign will undoubtedly consist of a combination of pro McCain patriotic, putting country first ads plus a lot of very, very negative ads featuring the voice of Jeremiah Wright (Goddamn America) and the picture of weatherman Bill Ayers as an adult stomping on an American flag, plus the Rezko headlines as well. I am sure that McCain will be wincing internally as he says and “I approve this message” but after being assaulted by George W. Bush in the 2000 South Carolina primary he has accepted the mantra of George Wallace who long ago said he would never be ‘outsegged again’. Willie Horton, swiftboating, style assaults will indeed be part of the McCain campaign and the Obama campaign needs to preempt this now, somehow and someway.
Obama is ahead right now, but another month is like an eternity.
George says:
I think the psychological phenomenom of projection is going on with libs. One of the reasons I left the dems some time ago is because of their absolute viciousness. Hell, Biden is the guy who invented the tactic of Borking - smearing a good man because you disagree with him. They assume Republicans are as nasty and power-hungry as they are and impute the sort of ugliness to them as is in their own hearts.
And have you ever notice that Dems scream that Repubs are being vicious whenever those Reps tell the facts about Dems, while Repubs generally only holler when Dems are lying about them (which, admittedly, is most of the time)
Phil Krone says:
In reply to Dan Kelley I didn't say that Republicans have the exclusive patent on negative campaigns but the Obama campaign did not raise the issues that the Republicans would have against Hillary Clinton, nor have they yet taken advantage of John McCain, even where he was personally responsible; as with the Chelsea Clinton, Janet Reno low humor.
morgan says:
I cannot agree with your unsupported claim about Obama being this pristine little lamb who will be sullied by the dirty politics of the rights. That "wonderful" ad by Obama about McCain's melanoma was truly in the toilet and it is clear that he cannot tolerate any type of criticism or differences in views. The big issue for me is, What is he hiding? He has gone to great lengths to make sure that the media did not review the Annenberg records. Why won't he release his records from Occidental? Why won't he release his grade transcripts from Occidental? Why won't he release his senior thesis from college? Why no transcripts from Columbia or Harvard Law? Why won't he release any records from Columbia or Harvard Law?
WHAT IS HE HIDING? He hides from voting on big issues and from day one in this campaign he has been hiding his background. Bush, Kerry, Gore, Clinton all released theirs. They had nothing to hide. Obama apparently does have a lot to hide.
Phil Krone says:
Mein lieber Morgan,
There is no reason for anyone to release their academic transcripts, but in Obama's case it is isn't necessary for law school as you have to be in the top 10% of the class to be invited to apply for the Law Review. Since he was on the Harvard Law review, indeed elected its president, we know he was in the top 10 percent.
McCain has admitted that he was fifth from the bottom of his more than 800 member class at Annapolis (U.S. Naval Academy) which is not why I do not support his candidacy.
One of the most humorous and idiotic concerns has been concerning Barack's birth certificate. Since his mother was 18 when he was born, and living in Hawaii, where else could he have been born than in the USA. Of course I suppose the right wingnuts might take at face value what Barack said at this year's annual Al Smith dinner -- that he was actually born on Krypton and sent to earth to save our planet. I don't believe that he was born on Krypton, but I do think he will go a long way in saving the planet diplomatically and environmentally.
Dan Kelley says:
For the sake of accuracy, it is an often overlooked verity that Willie Horton was introduced to the American electorate by US Senator Albert Gore, Jr., (D-Tn), who was trying to beat Governor Michael Dukakis (D-Ma) in the primaries.
The Republicans used the issue after it was introduced by the Democrats.