31
Oct
2008
Approaching the witching hour
According to FirstRead:
We now have a good idea of where the two campaigns will spend their last four days until Election Day. Today, Obama campaigns in Iowa and Indiana, and in between the events he heads home to Chicago to spend part of Halloween with his daughters. On Saturday, he travels to Nevada (Henderson), Colorado (Pueblo), and Missouri (Springfield). On Sunday, it’s an entire day in Ohio (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati). And on Monday, per the New York Times, Obama hits Florida (Jacksonville), North Carolina, and Virginia (Manassas). As for McCain, he spends his entire Friday in Ohio; campaigns in Virginia and Pennsylvania on Saturday; then he’s reportedly hitting New Hampshire; and on Monday, he’s supposed to barnstorm through six states (including western ones like Nevada), with a final stop in — get this — Arizona.
Good luck with your predictions!
21
Oct
2008
State Profiles
Many of you are looking for the ‘key issues’ in your swing states.
The New York Times has good profiles for all 50 states, including several key issues for each state! Use the drop down menu on the right to select your swing state.
14 days from today!
7
Oct
2008
Round 2: Debate in Nashvegas
In just a few hours John McCain and Barack Obama will face off for their second (of three) debates in Nashville, Tennessee.
In the past few days, as we discussed in class, the campaign has taken an especially nasty turn. McCain and Palin have questioned Obama’s ties to 60′s radical William Ayers. While Obama has called McCain ‘erratic’ (calling into question his age perhaps), and brought up McCain’s involvement in the Keating 5 scandle of in the early 1990′s.
In the mean time, the Dow Industrial Average plummeted yesterday and the world wide economy looks to be in dire straights. This appears to be helping Obama as his poll numbers continue to rise nationally, and in key states, ahead of McCain.
Tonight, Obama will simply need to not mess up. He’ll need to avoid any serious pitfalls and keep McCain from landing any ‘zingers’ on him. McCain on the other hand needs to be on the offense. He needs to reverse the tidal wave of new support heading Obama’s way.
McCain’s task is significantly more difficult than Obama’s – but possible. Remember the Reagan/Carter debate from 1980?
The debate will be held in a ‘Town Hall’ format. Traditionally pundits have said this format favors McCain. Questions are asked from audience members to the candidates with a free flowing format ensuing after the questions are asked. The candidates will be able to roam around on the stage and walk up to the audience in order to respond. It allows the candidates to be more spontaneous and more personable. You’ll hear a lot of ‘plainfolk’ talk tonight. See if you can point it out!
Some analysis on what to watch for tonight from the political ‘experts’:
Will they stay civil tonight? Who will throw the first punch? Will Obama avoid McCain’s attacks?
1
Sep
2008
Republican Convention!
The Republican Convention starts Tuesday!
Starting Tuesday in Minneapolis, MN the Republicans are coming together to nominate John McCain for President and head into the November 4 elections.
There will be several days of speeches, bands, parties, and good times on national television. It’s a lot of free press for the Republican Party. The RNC Schedule
However, with Hurricane Gustav hitting the Gulf Coast, the John McCain and the Republican Party have decided to post-pone the Convention for a day (to Tuesday). The NY Times notes that the storm has serious risks and possible rewards for the Republican Party. Check it out!
Hopefully, for the Republicans, there will be a ‘bounce’ after the convention. The Dems didn’t get the bounce they wanted. With Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate, there will be plenty to talk about!
What do you think? Will Hurricane Gustav help or hurt the Republican Party? Will Sarah Palin give John McCain the ‘bump’ that the Republicans need to pass Obama up?
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23
Aug
2008