Blogspeak 2008 November 17

Campaign Wrap-up and Fallout
McCain's verdict on Palin: more trouble than a pitbull (Watt, N., Political Blog, Guardian, 2008 Nov. 5)
Wondering What Sarah Palin's Future Holds... (Geraghty, J., The Campaign Spot, National Review Online, 2008 Nov. 5)

Environment & Infrastructure
Water Resources News (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Nov. 13)

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.

Blogspeak 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is Election Day)

Polls
Final Pew Poll: McCain Closes but Obama Still Leads (Davis, S., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Nov. 2)
Landslide or close race? (2008 Presidential Election Blog, 2008 Nov.2)
Yes, I've Seen the SurveyUSA Minnesota Poll (Geraght, J., The Campaign Spot, National Review Online, 2008 Nov. 3)

Swing States
McCain plans swing state barnstorming for Monday (You Decide 2008, 2008 Nov. 3)

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.

Obama Intelligencer 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is election day)

Polls
Obama leads a in a recent poll in New Hampshire (Poll: Obama with slight lead). Their even, as far as can be determined, in North Dakota, one of several western state with the minimum three electors (Obama, McCain in dead heat). Nationally, an average of recent polls shows Obama as about a 6 percentage point lead (Salant & Sobzcyk).

Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Obama is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Biden is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania (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.

Obama, McCain in dead heat in North Dakota, poll says. (2008 Oct. 13). Associate Press in Minneapolis Star Journal. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/30891024.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.

Poll: Obama with slight lead over McCain in NH. (2008 Oct. 27). Associated Press in Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/27/poll_obama_with_slight_lead_over_mccain_in_nh/, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.

Salant, J., & Sobzcyk, J. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama holds 6-point average lead over McCain in polls. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aUHtmMRfe.BU&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.

Presidential Election Maps

For the visually oriented, here is a list of links to maps parsing the presidential election.

Associated Press (on Boston Globe site), http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/2008_electoral_map/

Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-votemap,0,7581942.htmlstory

http://electoralmap.net/index.php

http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http:%2F%2Fmapmash.googlepages.com%2Felectionmap_mapplet.xml&ie=UTF8&ll=39,-96&spn=33.011854,78.75&z=4

Biden Intelligencer 2008 November 1

Foreign Affairs
Biden met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Milwaukee (Borowski).

Marriage
Biden reported said in an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that he and Obama do not support California Proposition 8, which would define marriage as being between one man and one woman, even though they do not support what some have called “marriage equality” (Melloy).

Unusual
Biden is like Wikipedia, at least according to CNET readers (Fried).

War in Iraq
Biden’s son, Beau, is being deployed to Iraq with his Army National Guard unit. The younger Biden is Attorney General of Delaware (Finnegan).

Sources
Borowoski, G. (2008 Sept. 26). Joe Biden to meet Georgian President Saakashvili at Phister Hotel. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/32483519.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.

Finnegan, M. (2008 Oct. 4). Joe Biden bids farewell to son Beau Biden, headed to Iraq. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-na-trailbiden4-2008oct04,0,4715264.story, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.

Fried, A. (2008 Oct. 10). Friday poll: Which tech product is Joe Biden? CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10063395-1.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.

Melloy, K. (2008 Oct. 20). Palin supports, Biden opposes marriage equality ban. EDGEBoston. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82166, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.

Blogspeak 2008 October 30

Cloward-Piven Strategy
Barack Obama and the Strategy of Manufactured Crisis (Simpson, J., American Thinker, 2008 Sept. 28)

Environment & Infrastructure & McCain
Agreement Reached on Total Coliform Rule Revisions (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Oct. 30)
Federal Activity on Water Issues (Infrastructure Watch, 2008 Sept. 26)
McCain's environmental pluses more numerous than thought? (McClure, R., Dateline Earth, Seattle PI, 2008 Oct. 20)

Obama’s Questionable, Radical and Socialist Connections
Obama About to Be Hit on Questionable Associates (Tapper, J., Political Punch, ABC News, 2008 Oct. 4)
Palin Goes After Obama-Ayers Connection (Delawala, I., Political Radar, ABC News, 2008 Oct.4)
Subversives for Obama (Phillips, M., The Spectator, 2008 Sept. 26)
Who is Barack Obama, and what does he stand for? (Fiano, Wizbang, 2008 Oct. 11)

Philanthropy
Biden and Obama: Charity Cheapskates (Ellis, B., Dakota Voice, 2008 Oct. 5)

Swing States: Virginia
Several Thoughts To Keep in Mind in Virginia (Campaign Spot, National Review Online, 2008 Sept. 29)

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.

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.

Obama Intelligencer 2008 October 28

Assassination Plot
Police have arrested a pair of white supremacists for plotting to kill the black presidential candidate. Former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro is amazed someone hasn’t assassinated Obama because he believes the U.S. to be a very racist nation (Obama under threat).

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

Eligibility
A case questioning Obama’s citizenship has been dismissed from a federal court in Philadelphia (Puchas).

Endorsements
Obama has receive the endorsement of the Stockton Record (Choice is clear). Colin Powell has also endorsed the candidate who says he’d like to bring the former general and Secretary of State into the White House as an advisor (Obama would give Powell new role).

Financial Market Crisis
Obama decried the prospect of rescuing financiers from their folly, but said the government intervention was necessary (“Barack Obama”).

Polls and Swing States
A poll shows Obama holds a slight lead in Nevada (Wangsness). He also shows leads in other swing states (Cornwell). A poll of Ohio voters shows Obama leading McCain 49 percent to 46 percent (Naymik).

Socialist Connections
A mainstream newspaper has finally looked into Obama’s connection to William Ayers. They found that, though Obama has downplayed his association with Ayers, the two are not close and Ayers has probably had little influence on the candidate (Shane).

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

Choice is clear: Obama for president. (2008 Sept. 28). Stockton Record. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080928/A_OPINION01/809280301, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Cornwell, R. (2008 Oct. 26). McCain can still win (and maybe pigs will fly). Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mccain-can-still-win-and-maybe-pigs-will-fly-973830.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Naymik, M. (2008 Oct. 25). Obama leads McCain 49% to 46% in Ohio newspaper poll. Plain Dealer. http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/10/ohio_poll.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Obama under threat, Castro says (2008 Oct.12). Sky News. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Fidel-Castro-Says-Its-Miracle-Barack-Obama-Not-Assassinated/Article/200810215118725?lpos=World_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15118725_Fidel_Castro_Says_Its_Miracle_Barack_Obama_Not_Assassinated, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Obama would give Powell new role (2008 Oct. 20). Press Association. http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gH7W22-4I8L-DizOf2XuzwTQM1MQ, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Puchas, K. (2008 Oct. 28). Citizenship challenge to Obama dismissed. Philadelphia Times Herald. http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2008/10/28/news/doc49069c804a906934513448.txt, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Shane, S. (2008 Oct. 3). Obama and ‘60s bomber: A look into crossed paths. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/04/us/politics/04ayers.html?_r=1&bl&ex=1223265600&en=80352c05b6d4b135&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

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.

Wangsness, L. (2008 Oct. 5). As economy craters, Nevadans say they’ll gamble on “change.” Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/05/as_economy_craters_nevadans_say_theyll_gamble_on_change/, accessed 2008 Oct. 28.

Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 26

Campaign Spending and Fundraising
Obama’s campaign raised $66 million in August and has $77 million in the bank, but this is little compared to the goal of $200 million. From a funding point and party coordination point of view, Obama was hurt by the long battle for the Democratic nomination (Cummings, Groppe).

Financial Markets
In light of recent concerns over the financial markets, Obama has called for increased oversight of banks and streamlining of federal regulations over financial institutions (Schroeder).

Sources
Cummings, J. (2008 Sept. 14). Obama needs more cash to reach goals. Politico on CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/15/politics/politico/main4448530.shtml, accessed 2008 Sept. 16.

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.

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.

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.

Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 11

Taxes
Obama has suggested he would delay reversing what are called the “Bush tax cuts” because it might somehow be harmful to the economy, though he has no plans to extend them beyond their scheduled expiration (Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession).

Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden, Comments on Israel
Biden affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and self-governance, saying it needed no permission from the U.S. to take action against nuclear facilities in Iran. (US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack).

Sources
Barack Obama says he would delay rescinding Bush tax cuts if economy slips into recession. (2008 Sept. 7). Associated Press in Minneapolis Star-Times. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/27970719.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUJ, accessed 2008 Sept. 11.

US Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says Israel free to attack. (2008 Sept.6). Pakistan Daily. http://www.daily.pk/world/worldnews/7160-us-democratic-vice-presidential-candidate-joe-biden-says-israel-free-to-attack-iran.html, accessed 2008 Sept. 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.

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)

Obama Intelligencer 2008 September 4

Accusations of Socialist Connections and Opposition Advertising
American Issues Project ads that attempt to link Obama to William Ayers have begun running in Virginia. The Obama campaign has answered with ads of its own and taken legal action to stop the ads (Farnum, Sizemore).

Endorsements: Foreign Socialist
Francois Hollande, leader of France’s Socialist Party, has endorsed Obama (France).

Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised the selection of Biden as Obama’s running mate based on the senator’s history of support for gun control laws (Senator Obama’s choice).

Sources
Farnum, T. W. (2008 Aug. 29). Legal controversy erupts over TV ads linking Obama to ‘60s radical. Wall Street Journal, p. A5. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121996889132881757.html?mod=googlenews_wsj, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.

France: Socialist chief endorses Obama. (2008 Aug. 31). Associated Press in International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/31/america/France-Socialists-Obama.php, accessed 2008 Sept. 3.

Senator Obama’s choice, Joe Biden, a good one for gun violence reduction. [News Release]. (2008 Aug. 25). Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/release.php?release=1001, accessed 2008 Aug. 27.

Sizemore, B. (2008 Aug. 31). Fight for Virginians’ votes spills over into airwaves. Virginian-Pilot. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/fight-virginians-votes-spills-over-airwaves, accessed 2008 Sept 3.

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.

Blogspeak 2008 August 27

Democratic National Convention
DNC Convention Speeches Day 2 - Including Keynote Mark Warner, Hillary Clinton, and Eleanor Holmes Norton (2008 Central, 2008 Aug. 26)

Sen. Hillary Clinton
Clinton says election isn't about her (Presidential Election 2008, 2008 Aug. 27)
Hillary's Speech (2008 Presidential Election Blog, 2008 Aug. 26)
Michelle Obama Meets With Hillary Clinton In Denver (Gavrilovic, M., From the Road, CBS News, 2008 Aug. 26)

Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Joe Biden loves RIAA, DRM; hates encryption, George Bush (Nusca, A., Toy Box, ZDNet, 2008 Aug. 25)
Joe Biden: Loves to Talk, Hates to ‘Ask’ (Cooper, C., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Aug. 25)
The Mess in Mississippi, Redux: The Joe Biden Connection? (Slater, D., Law Blog, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Aug. 24)