Open Intelligencer: Republican Party

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2008/12/03

Palin Intelligencer 2008 December 3

Endorsements
Palin is using her political capital to support Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia in a runoff election (McAffrey; Steinhauser; Tharpe & Sheinin).

Potential Book Deal
After her run for the vice presidency, the Alaska governor has caught the eye of publishers and literary agents and can potentially make millions for a book deal (Palin no loser).

Pro-Life Groups Encouraged by Palin Example
Pro-life legislators and groups have taken courage from the example of Governor Palin in her choosing to bear her son, Trig, who was diagnosed with Downs Syndrome before birth. An estimated 90 percent of such children are aborted (Wood).

Unusual
Palin is in demand in the media (Blood). A wrestling-entertainment organization has invited her to attend one of their events, promising to pay $50,000 to a charity of her choice if she makes an appearance. The offer included a chance for her to be an ostensible—maybe ex officio—member of a female wrestling team (Verzub).

OI Comment: I love America. Palin probably shouldn’t make a spectacle of herself in this manner. However, it might be fun to see elected officials settling lesser disputes in inflatable sumo suits. Its safer than the guns and swords our representatives used on each other in our nation’s early days.

Sources
Blood, M. R. (2008 Nov. 22). Oprah, Leno, Letterman: What’s Palin to do next? Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iQ6mzZ4_GHxu-nRBQzapi0zy4aKAD94K1N500, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

McAffrey, S. (2008 Dec. 2). Palin urges Ga. voters to back Chambliss in runoff. Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHW-ZJ03DLcUGUM9z9p2nkbRAG-QD94Q92T00, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

Palin no loser with “$11m book deal.” (2008 Nov. 17). Canberra Times. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/world/world/general/palins-no-loser-with-11m-book-deal/1362216.aspx, accessed 2008 Nov. 19.

Steinhauser, P. (2008 Dec. 1). Palin makes a Peach State sweep for GOP senator. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/01/palin.chambliss/, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

Tharpe, J., & Sheinin, A. G. (2008 Dec. 1). Runoff vote today will end fast, furious Senate campaign. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/12/01/palin_chambliss_runoff.html, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

Verzub, R. (2008 Nov. 24). Palin to participate in wrestling event. Cauldron. http://media.www.csucauldron.com/media/storage/paper516/news/2008/11/24/News/Palin.To.Participate.In.Wrestling.Event-3559907.shtml, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

Wood, E. (2008 Nov. 24). Palin encourages special needs families. Baptist Press. http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=29399, accessed 2008 Dec. 3.

2008/11/15

Palin Intelligencer 2008 November 15

Campaign Wrap-up and Rumors
All kind of rumors about Palin have surface, apparently from sources in the McCain campaign. Palin is not impressed with anonymous rumors (Mac Cormaic, Marinucci, Shipman).

Both because of and aside from rumors, some feel that the selection Palin cost McCain the race, though there is some thought that the campaign did not use her well and a recognition that she energized the Republican base (Analysis: Palin rocked; Into the wilderness).

Back home in Alask, Governor Palin faces a rougher landscape than she left. Oil prices are down, the national economy is down and her hot language may have put off state Democrats who had previously worked beside her (Rosen).

Obama’s Socialist Connections; Unusual
During the campaign, Palin referenced Obama’s connections to radicals, particularly William Ayres. Some have suggested that this encouraged white supremacists who might try to assassinate the president-elect (Shipman).

OI Comment: White supremacists probably are stirred up by the election of America’s first black president. OI hopes the Secret Service is particularly vigilant. Race is an issue in the US, and openly so. Unfortunately, racism is rampant worldwide, though more subtly in many places. Extremists, though, are ubiquitous, but, thankfully, a minority in most places.

Sources
Analysis: Palin rocked campaign, for good and bad. (2008 Nov. 6). CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/05/palin.campaign.anatomy/, accessed 2008 Nov. 15.

Into the wilderness. (2008 Nov. 10). Economist. http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12585033, accessed 2008 Nov. 15.

Mac Cormaic, R. (2008 Nov. 10). Palin denounces remarks by McCain aides as cruel and mean-spirited. Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2008/1110/1225925618738.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 15.

Marinucci, C. (2008 Nov. 7). Palin gone, anything but forgotten. San Francisco Times. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/07/MN8L13VKU9.DTL, accessed 2008 Nov. 13.

Rosen, Y. (2008 Nov. 9). Palin returns to a changed Alaska. Christian Science Monitor. http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/11/09/palin-returns-to-a-changed-alaska/, accessed 2008 Nov. 15.

Shipman, T. (2008 Nov. 10). Sarah Palin blamed by the US Secret Service over death threats against Barack Obama. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/sarahpalin/3405336/Sarah-Palin-blamed-by-the-US-Secret-Service-for-death-threats-against-Barack-Obama.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 13.

2008/11/03

McCain Intelligencer 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is Election Day)

Polls
McCain has a slight lead in Ohio (Harnden & Spillius).

Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
McCain is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico and Nevada. He’ll close his campaign in his home state of Arizona. Palin is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada. She’ll close the campaign in her home state of Alaska (Fireman).

Sources
Fireman, K. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama and McCain campaign in swing states as race nears close. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as.wTY1nJKPI&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

Harnden, T., & Spillius, A. (2008 Nov. 3). Poll gives John McCain glimmer of hope. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/3368308/Poll-gives-John-McCain-glimmer-of-hope.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

2008/10/30

McCain Intelligencer 2008 October 30

Abortion and Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Palin attacked Obama for his stance on abortion, pointing out his opposition to born-alive protection laws in the Illinois Senate. Palin is opposed to abortion except when it threatens the life of the mother (Nephin).

Debates
Republicans thought McCain was great. They thought Obama sucked (Walsh).

Financial Market & Housing Crisis
McCain decried the prospect of rescuing financiers from their folly, but said the government intervention was necessary (“Barack Obama”). Instead of buying out the banks, he thinks half the money should be put into buying mortgages directly and renegotiating terms with the lenders (Pickler).

Obama’s Socialist Connections
Some in the Republican party have been disappointed that McCain has not made more of Obama’s long association with Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Bailey, Holmes & Shear).

Swing States: Virginia
McCain’s brother, Joe, may have alienated some in Northern Virginia when he referred to the region as “Communist country” (Ohlemacher).

Sources
Bailey, H. (2008 Oct. 18). Do the Wright thing. Newsweek. http://www.newsweek.com/id/164504, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Barack Obama. (2008 Sept. 30). Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24420898-663,00.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Holmes, S., & Shear, M. (2008 Oct. 11). McCain mum on former pastor. Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/10/AR2008101002897.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Nephin, D. (2008 Oct. 11). Palin criticizes Obama on abortion at Pa. rally. Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h21ZbzgPbTVRftcJPT5vkHkonY5QD93OGKAG0, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Ohlemacher, S. (2008 Oct. 5). McCain’s brother says N. Va. “Communist country.” Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hby_5Pku5ywmfC_rEtEV5BcYKR5gD93KFH4O0, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Pickler, N. (2008 Oct. 27). Fact Check: Obama charges against McCain debatable. Associate Press in Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/27/AR2008102702374.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Walsh, K. (2008 Sept. 29). Barack Obama and John McCain spin debate performances. U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/09/29/barack-obama-and-john-mccain-spin-debate-performances.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

2008/10/29

Palin Intelligencer 2008 October 29

Accusations of Gubernatorial Power Abuse
Palin has been accused in abusing her power as governor to manipulate Alaska’s public safety department and remove that departments director along with other bullying behavior. As one might expect, a lot of politicians are weighing in on the issue (Apuzzo).

Debates
Some think Palin winks too much, and the LA Times seems fascinated by it (Fiore).

Foreign Policy and the War on Terror
Palin stated she would support attacks on militant targets in Pakistan even after McCain took Obama to task for making similar statements (Palin makes Pakistan terror gaffe).

Marriage
In an interview with CBN, Palin stated her support for a federal marriage amendment that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman (Palin signals support).

Sources
Appuzo, M. (2008 Oct. 6). Republicans to high court: Stop Palin ethics probe. Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jOTk11gvqDAgD0cY3i4WjI_2YOxwD93L5SVO1, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.

Fiore, F. (2008 Oct. 14). Sarah Palin stirs up controversy with the wink of an eye. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-et-wink14-2008oct14,0,2337629.story, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.

Palin makes Pakistan terror gaffe. (2008 Sept. 30). Sky News. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Republican-Sarah-Palin-Makes-Pakistan-Gaffe-Saying-She-Would-Support-Terror-Strikes-On-Country/Article/200809415109630?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15109630_Republican_Sarah_Palin_Makes_Pakistan_Gaffe%2C_Saying_She_Would_Support_Terror_Strikes_On_Country, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.

Palin signals support for federal marriage amendment. (2008 Oct. 20). CBN. http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/467179.aspx, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.

2008/09/26

McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 26

Embryonic Stem Cell Research (Abortion and Health Care)
Supporters and opponents of embryonic stem cell research are concerned about McCain’s position. Opponents of the activity are concerned he may support it based on his voting record in the Senate. Proponents fear he may drop his support based on his selection of Palin and the strong plank to ban it in the Republican Party platform (Gaudiano).

Financial Markets
McCain said it was good that the government decided not to bail out Lehman Brothers and called for reform of disjointed federal financial regulation (Schroeder).

Fundraising
August has been the best month yet for McCain fundraising (Groppe).

Polls
A recent poll by the Siena Research Institute found that McCain is gaining in New York, but Obama still leads there (McCain gaining on Obama in New York). Another poll shows McCain leading in Ohio (Fargen). It’s a tie in Minnesota (Von Sternberg). For what its worth, he holds a lead among the Israeli Jewish population (Rosenfelder).

Social Security
McCain proposes to put place Social Security contributions into accounts that could be invested in the stock market. Obama calls the plan gambling (Acosta).

OI Comment: What McCain proposes is similar to what many people have now in their 401(k). Like other uninsured investments, this involves risk. It seems better to OI than Congress doing whatever it wants with the money with a shaky promise that it will pay the promised benefits somehow. It bears a strong resemblance to a Ponzi scheme; OI suspects it’s exactly that. Why not just drop the social security tax and let us do with the money as we will?

Sources
Acosta, J. (2008 Sept. 22). Obama: McCain wants to “gamble” with Social Security. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/22/social.security.candidates/, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.

Fargen, J. (2008 Sept. 15). Suffolk poll shows McCain leading Obama in Ohio. Boston Herald. http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view/2008_09_15_Suffolk_poll_shows_McCain_leading_Obama_in_Ohio/srvc=home&position=recent, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.

Gaudiano, N. (2008 Sept. 13). Advocates worry McCain support for embryonic research may waver. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-12-stem-cells-mccain_N.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.

Groppe, M. (2008 Sept. 22). August tops for McCain, Obama fundraising. Indianapolis Star. http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080922/NEWS05/80922039, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.

McCain gaining on Obama in New York. (2008 Sept. 15). Buffalo Business First. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2008/09/15/daily6.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.

Rosenfelder, S. (2008 Sept. 15). JPost.com readers favor McCain over Obama. Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221467181669&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.

Schroeder, R. (2008 Sept. 15). Wall Street crisis spurs talk on campaign trail. Market Watch. http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/mccain-obama-urge-reform-wall/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB116219-02C3-4C44-9C94-34BF5B366A4A%7D&dist=msr_1, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.

Von Sternberg, B. (2008 Sept. 15). Minnesota poll: Obama, McCain are dead even in state. Minneapolis Star-Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/28353589.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUoaK7D_V_eDc87DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Sept. 26.

2008/09/11

Blogspeak 2008 September 11

Back to School
Obama Takes His Daughters Back to School (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)

McCain Up in Polls
New Poll Shows McCain Up; Palin To Give First Interview (Ververs, V., Horserace, CBS News, 2008 Sept. 8)

Obama’s Faith
Oops! Barack Obama says 'my Muslim faith' in interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos (Nickerson, M., Chicago Sun-Times, 2008 Sept. 8)

Palin and Feminism
Feminists Flip Out Over Palin (Newmark, B., Fox Forum, 2008 Sept. 8)

Palin’s Reception Among Republican Leaders
Rice Offers Less-Than-Hearty Palin Endorsement (Political Radar, ABC, 2008 Sept. 8)

President Bill Clinton
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton To Do Lunch Thursday (Chozik, A., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Sept. 8)

Stupid Posts
Obama Military Service Claim Defies Credibility (“MCCAIN”, Right Pundits, 2008 Sept. 7)
OI Comments: Obama’s mention of signing up for Selective Service as a teenager is hardly a claim of military service. Every male American born since 1959 has been required to register upon reaching a certain age. Obama may have been stretching to find a way to connect to or communicate respect for military service, but he was hardly claiming to have served.

Incidentally, previous military service is not required to be a supporter of the military or commander-in-chief. Reagan broke the Soviets with a combination of military strength and economic pressure, but never served in the military. John Adams was not a military man, but he valued a strong military and his efforts in the Continental Congress helped keep George Washington’s little army going.

In contrast, great military officers don’t necessarily make great presidents. U.S. Grant was the great general of the civil war, but he was largely a flop as a political leader and businessman. Jimmy Carter was a successful Naval officer and in recent years made a name for himself as an author and peacemaker; his presidency might be seen as the low point in his career.

McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 11

Endorsements
The New York Post has endorsed McCain. The Post endorsement contrasts the major candidates differences on national security (including their responses to terrorism and events in Iraq, Iran and Georgia), taxes, trade and energy (Post endorses John McCain).

Influencers
Some of those closest to McCain include Mark Salter, a speech writer who has helped shape the candidate’s image, Charles Black, a former lobbyist, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Orson Swindle, who was a POW with McCain in Viet Nam (Halloran).

Polls: McCain Takes Lead
In a recent USA Today/Gallup poll, Mcain took a lead over Obama 50 percent to 46 percent (Baldwin & Booth, Page). A CNN/Time poll showed the candidates to be tied (McCain, Obama tied).

Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
Some public relations experts think Palin presents an appealing story and image, but it doesn’t solve all of McCain’s image problems (Sunnucks). Pollsters found that about half of Americans had a favorable impressions of Palin, though this was higher among independents and much higher among Republicans. Even though a majority of those polled thought she was a good pick, fewer than half thought she had the experience for the job (Langer).

Sources
Baldwin, T., & Booth, J. (2008 Sept. 8). John McCain overtakes Barack Obama in opinion polls. The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4703189.ece, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.

Halloran, L. (2008 Sept. 8). McCain relies on tight-knit circle of confidants to guide his campaign. U.S. News & World Report. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/campaign-2008/2008/09/08/mccain-relies-on-a-tight-knit-circle-of-confidants-to-guide-his-campaign.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.

Langer, G. (2008 Sept. 5). Highly partisan reception greets Palin as V.P. pick. ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/story?id=5725793&page=1, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.

McCain, Obama tied in U.S. opinion polls. (2009 Sept. 9). Reuters India. http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-35378820080908, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.

Page, S. (2008 Sept. 8). Poll: Convention lifts McCain over Obama. USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-07-poll_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.

Post endorsed John McCain. (2008 Sept. 8). New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/seven/09082008/postopinion/editorials/post_endorses_john_mccain_128044.htm, accessed 2008 Sept. 10.

Sunnucks, M. (2008 Sept. 5). Palin’s brand shakes up presidential race. Phoenix Business Journal. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/09/01/daily50.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 9.

2008/09/04

Blogspeak 2008 September 4

McCain’s Comments on Western Water Resources Compact
McCain in hot water out west (Plenty, 2008 Aug. 22)
On the Eve of the Convention, an Opening for Obama in Colorado? (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Aug. 21)

Republican National Convention
How a Curtailed Convention Helps McCain (Romano, A., Stumper, Newsweek, 2008 Sept. 1)

Vice Presidential Candidates: Joe Biden and Sarah Palin
“Gorgeous” Joe Biden Praises “Good Looking” GOP VP (Bruns, A., Embeded Producers, Fox News, 2008 Aug. 31)

McCain Intelligencer 2008 September 4

Environment
McCain drew fire for comments indicating support for a renegotiation of the multi-state compact that governs water use on the Colorado River. McCain says his comments were misunderstood and he does not support a change of the agreement (Wyatt).

Vice-Presidential Selection
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be the Republican vice-presidential candidate. Some have suggested that she is a double portion of appeal, being attractive to both evangelicals who have previously supported Republicans and blue collar families that had supported Hillary Clinton’s run for the presidency (McCain’s secret woman business).

Sources
McCain’s secret woman business. (2008 September 1). Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/mccain146s-secret-woman-business/2008/09/01/1220121053338.html, accessed 2008 September 4.

Wyatt, K. (2008 August 20). McCain now says Western water pact should stand. Associated Press in National Examiner. http://www.examiner.com/a-1546777~McCain_now_says_Western_water_pact_should_stand.html, accessed 2008 August 21.

2008/08/21

McCain Intelligencer 2008 August 21

Israel
In a recent visit to Jerusalem, former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee stated that McCain has a stronger vision of Israeli self-defense than his opponent (Lefkovits).

Polls
McCain has slipped passed Obama, gaining a 5 point lead, according to a recent Reuters/Zogby poll. When asked who was better prepared to lead the country, McCain’s lead jumped to 9 points (McCain takes lead over Obama). A Los Angeles Times-Bloomberg poll should the two major candidates to be statistically even (Harnden).

Sources
Harnden, T. (2008 August 20). John McCain topples Barack Obama’s poll lead. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2592093/John-McCain-topples-Barack-Obamas-poll-lead.html, accessed 2008 August 20.

Lefkovits, E. (2008 August 18). Huckabee: McCain stronger on Israeli security. Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1218710395015&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull, accessed 2008 August 20.

McCain takes lead over Obama. (2008 August 20). AOL News. http://news.aol.com/elections/article/mccain-takes-lead-over-obama/141577?icid=200100397x1207639031x1200429890, accessed 2008 August 20.

2008/08/05

McCain Intelligencer 2008 August 5

China
China spoke out against McCain when he recent met with the Dalai Lama when the Tibetan leader was visiting the United States. McCain has been a critic of China’s human rights record in Tibet (China says concerned, China swipes).

Polls and Israel
Some recent polls show McCain running almost even with Obama in several states. McCain was seen as stronger in leadership skills (Marinnuci). While Obama is favored in many foreign nations, one where McCain is favored is Israel (Keinon).

Vice-Presidential Speculation
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is still spoken of as a potential running mate (Kranish).

Resources
China says concerned by McCain, Dalai Lama meeting. (2008 July 28). SwissInfo. http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/China_says_concerned_by_McCain_Dalai_Lama_meeting.html?siteSect=143&sid=9383566&cKey=1217230685000&ty=ti, accessed 2008 August 4.

China swipes at McCain over Dalai Lama visit. (2008 July 27). AFP. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5j8R7rtB4yRRAO2yLlURjw407Am9Q, accessed 2008 August 4.

Keinon, H. (2008 August 4). McCain still leads Obama…in Israel. Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331181183&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull, accessed 2008 August 5.

Kranish, M. (2008 July 28). Minn. governor rides his rapport with McCain. Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/07/28/minn_governor_rides_his_rapport_with_mccain/, accessed 2008 August 4.

Marinnuci, C. (2008 July 28). McCain has reason to smile as he visits state. San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/28/MN4111VKKQ.DTL&type=politics, accessed 2008 August 4.

2008/07/24

McCain Intelligencer 2008 July 24

Fundraising
Obama’s fundraising efforts are seriously outpacing McCain’s. Recent reports reveal that some of McCain’s major supporters are from financial services, gambling and energy. McCain intends to accept federal funding of his general election campaign; he must spend his funds from the primaries before his official nomination at the Republican convention (Morain, Salant).

Poll
McCain lagged in a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, even though people considered Obama to be a riskier choice for president. McCain faired worse when third party candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader were included (Murray).

Staff
Phil Gramm stepped down as co-chair of the McCain campaign. His resignation was prompted by his statements regarding the economy in which he said that the U.S. was in a “mental recession” and a “nation of whiners.” McCain refuted the remarks (Rohter, Cooper).

Resources
Cooper, M. (2008 July 11). McCain advisor refers to “nation of whiners.” New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/us/politics/11campaign.html?fta=y, accessed 2008 July 21.

Morain, D. (2008 July 21). McCain in a race to raise and spend money by Labor Day. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-money21-2008jul21,0,1399269.story, accessed 2008 July 21.

Murray, M. (2008 July 23). NBC/WSJ poll: Obama keeps lead over McCain. MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25816799/, accessed 2008 July 24.

Rohter, L. (2008 July 19). McCain co-chairman, under fire, steps aside. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/politics/19mccain.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=us&adxnnlx=1216673967-zW3zVG876NOQMCpJagpn9g, accessed 2008 July 21.

Salant, J. (2008 July 21). Obama raised more than McCain, didn’t outspend him (update 3). Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=aQwcbLtdxwH0&refer=home, accessed 2008 July 24.

2008/07/15

McCain Intelligencer 2008 July 15

Poll: Opinion of McCain shifts from “about right” toward “too conservative”
A Gallup poll show that from February to June, opinions of McCain have shifted more toward that he is too conservative (Morales).

Social Security
McCain called the present state of affair in the Social Security program, in which younger workers are paying the benefits of retirees, a “disgrace.” He suggested he might approve of other funding mechanisms, including individual accounts (Wallsten).

Resources
Morales, L. (2008 July 11). Fewer Americans See McCain, Obama Views as “About Right.” Gallup. http://www.gallup.com/poll/108775/Fewer-Americans-See-McCain-Obama-Views-About-Right.aspx, accessed 2008 July 15.

Walsten, P. (2008 July 14). McCain takes a Social Security risk. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-na-mccainsocial14-2008jul14,1,3491915.story, accessed 2008 July 14.

2008/07/07

McCain Intellegencer 2008 July 7

Endorsements
Senator Joseph Lieberman, former Democrat and now independent from Connecticut, supports McCain (Lieberman says McCain ready to lead). Jeffrey T. Kuhner made the case for McCain in his Washington Times column based on his stands on the war in Iraq and opposition to abortion.

Polls: People Think McCain is Old
The answer most volunteered when people were asked about McCain was “old” (Poll…).

The word the first comes to OI’s mind when seeing polls like this is “fruitless.”

Vice-Presidential Speculation
Possible running mates for McCain include Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mitt Romney and Sen. John Thune (McManus).

Resources
Kuhner, J. (2008 July 6). The case for McCain. Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jul/06/the-case-for-mccain-97682785/, accessed 2008 July 7.

Lieberman says McCain ready to lead. (2008 June 29). United Press International. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/29/Lieberman_says_McCain_ready_to_lead/UPI-94841214781601/, accessed 2008 June 30.

McManus, D. (2008 June 29). Obama and McCain search for running mates. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-veepstakes30-2008jun30,0,7191880.story, accessed 2008 June 30.

Poll: Old used most for McCain, change for Obama. (2008 July 7). Associated Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jPRCDqOiUhGhI2rO9u2DftwSikDQD91OUN100, accessed 2008 June 7.

2008/06/24

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 24

Vice-Presidential Speculation

Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney have been mentioned as potential veeps (Campbell). Florida Governor Charlie Crist has also drawn speculation about his vice-presidential aspirations (Bender).

Resources

Bender, M. (2008 June 21). Crist risks gree, bipartisan monikers with drilling stance. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/state/epaper/2008/06/21/m1a_oil_0622.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Campbell, B. (2008, June 15). McCain reschedules Midland visit with $1.5 million already collected. Midland Reporter-Telegram. http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2008/06/15/news/top_stories/doc4855134f3c4c5977465576.txt, accessed June 23, 2008.

2008/06/12

Major Candidate Comparison

(Updated 2008 Oct. 30)

Abortion

McCain
-Opposes with limited exceptions.

Obama
-Favors.

Energy

McCain
-Generally opposes subsidy and tax credit programs, seeing them mainly as favors to special interests
-Favors allowing market solutions to energy problems
-Favors development of nuclear power
--Called for construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030
--Favors Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Has supported allowing new offshore drilling for oil, but has not been consistent in this position

Obama
-Favors federal government investment in alternative fuels and energy technologies
--Has close ties to ethanol producers, particularly corn ethanol
-Proposes funding of alternative fuels programs
-Favors development of nuclear power contingent on development of safer ways to dispose of waste
--Opposes Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage plan
-Initally opposed offshore drilling for oil, but later made provisions for it in energy plan

Environment

McCain
-Air & Climate
--Long supported climate change measures
--Favors 60 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Supports nuclear power development as part of climate change response
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles

Obama
-Air & Climate
--Favors 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050
--Favors cap and trade proposals
--Favors incentives for development of hybrid and other low-emissions automobiles

Health Care

McCain
-Proposes tax credit for health care for individuals and families.

Obama
-Aims for universal coverage through employer supplemented programs providing benefits similar to those received by federal employees.
-Proposes a tax credit for small businesses for up to 50 percent of the premiums they pay on behalf of their employees.

Iran

McCain:
-Opposes direct talks.
-Supports sanctions.

Obama:
-Supports direct diplomatic contact; scaled back from early position of face-to-face talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Taxes

McCain
-Previously opposed Bush tax cuts, now proposes to make them permanent.
-Calls for 25 percent cut in corporate taxes.
-Calls for balanced federal budget.

Obama
-Calls for increased taxes for some, tax breaks for others.

Trade

McCain
-Free trade supporter.
-Supports free trade agreement with Colombia.

Obama
-Proposes to renegotiate NAFTA to include environmental and labor standards.
-Opposes proposed free trade agreement with Colombia,

War in Iraq

McCain:
-Supported war.
-Critical of Bush handling.
-Opposes troop withdrawal.
-Early proponent of surge.
-Anticipates long-term American presence in Iraq, eventually as peacekeepers.

Obama:
-Consistently opposed war.
-Opposed surge.
-Calls for withdrawal by end of 2009.

Resources
Bender, M. (2008 June 21). Crist risks gree, bipartisan monikers with drilling stance. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/storm/content/state/epaper/2008/06/21/m1a_oil_0622.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Chozik, A. (2008 August 4). Obama offers support for offshore drilling. Wall Street Journal, p. A4. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121769917863707497.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_topbox, accessed 2008 August 5.

Fahys, J. (2008 Oct. 17). McCain and Obama’s environmental policy differences a matter of degree. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710346, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Hertsgaard, M. (2008, June 8). Taking climate change seriously—finally. CBS News (The Nation). http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/06/opinion/main4160120.shtml, accessed June 9, 2008.

How do McCain and Obama match up? (2008, June 9). Dallas Morning News (Trail blazers blog). http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/how-do-mccain-and-obama-match.html, accessed June 9, 2008.

Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: McCain plugs in to electric cars. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.uselections2008, accessed 2008 June 24.

Nasaw, D. (2008 June 23). U.S. elections: Where McCain and Obama stand on environmental issues. The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/23/johnmccain.barackobama, accessed 2008 June 24.

Power, S. (2008, June 9). In energy policy, McCain, Obama, differ on role of government. Wall Street Journal, p. A2. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121296676181055711.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed June 9, 2008.

Rescue the trade deal. (2008 June 5). [Editorial]. Palm Beach Post. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/07/05/a10a_colombia_edit_0705.html, accessed 2008 June 7.

Rhee, F. (2008, June 23). Obama, McCain go after each other on energy. Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/06/obama_mccain_go.html, accessed 2008 June 24.

Rohter, L. (2008 June 23). Obama camp closely linked with ethanol. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/us/politics/23ethanol.html?_r=2&th=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=th&adxnnlx=1214215415-yB7fDlhMP0kFgLEGHZ7f8Q&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 June 24.

Rosetta, L. (2008 Oct. 18). Health care: Utahns see good, bad and risky in McCain and Obama plans. Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10710537, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Roug, L. (2008 July 14). Obama proposes health care tax credits for small businesses. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-campaign14-2008jul14,0,7130939.story, accessed 2008 July 15.

Watt, N. (2008, June 9). Globalization needs America. America needs globalization. Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/09/economics.useconomy, accessed June 9, 2008.

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 12

Endorsements: Rejected
McCain has rejected endorsements from Rev. John Hagee and Rev. Rod Parsley due to controversial statements made by the pastors (Luo). Though popular ministers, they hold views that are not necessarily representative of mainstream and evangelical Christians.

Voter Groups: Conservative Christians
McCain has been reaching out to conservative Christian groups, which strongly supported Bush in 2004 but have not warmed up to the senator. He has taken stands on issues important to these voters that sometimes agreed with them and sometimes didn’t (Luo)

War in Iraq
The “surge” in Iraq appears to be having good results: fewer American casualties and greater stability of the government. McCain has long been a promoter of the surge and the results would seem to support his policy and his potential to handle the war in the White House. Even so, a view that things are going badly in Iraq persists, including among independents (Baram).

Resources
Baram, M. (2008, June 9). Will good news in Iraq affect Obama vs. McCain? ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/Story?id=5017532&page=1, accessed June 9, 2008.

Luo, M. (2008, June 9). McCain extends his outreach, but Evangelicals are still wary. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/us/politics/09mccain.html?_r=1&ref=us&oref=slogin, accessed June 9, 2008.

2008/06/09

McCain Intelligencer 2008 June 9

Endorsements
McCain has been endorsed by Florida governor Charlie Crist (Stratton).

Environmental Policy
McCain has recently been leading the polls in Florida, where he stated his commitment to preserving the Everglades on a trip to Orlando. He previously voted a against a federal Everglades protection measure because it was part of a bill he found to be too full of projects he could not support (Stratton).

Swing State: Michigan
Traditionally a state that supports Democratic presidential candidates, Michigan, with its large number of electors, has been identified as state that may go Republican this year. McCain’s strengths in the state include his favorable standing with independent voters and his opponent’s weakness among white workers (Trowbridge).

Resources
Stratton, J. (2008, June 6). John McCain visits Orlando—says he is “committed” to saving Everglades. Orlando Sentinal. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/lakebuenavista/orl-mmcain0608jun06,0,1925050.story, accessed June 6, 2008.

Trowbridge, G. (2008, June 6). Obama, McCain vie for Michigan swing vote. Detroit News. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/POLITICS01/806060372, accessed June 6, 2008.