Ladies and gentlemen, we have statistical evidence of the Bob Barr effect! A new poll in the blood-red state of Georgia, where the Libertarian nominee is from, shows a dead heat: McCain 44%, Obama 43%, Barr 6%. Wow!
Now, a major grain of salt is called for here. It’s very early, and I seriously, seriously doubt these numbers will ultimately hold up. But this sort of polling data (see also: close races in Alaska, North Carolina) can’t make the McCain people happy. Indeed, I bet they’re getting some serious heartburn from the combination of: 1) the recent state polling numbers generally, which show a definite Obama bounce in red, blue and purple states alike, and 2) the noises Obama is making (backed with action) about competing in states like Texas and Indiana.
With regard to Georgia and point #2, the real issue is that, in light of Obama’s decision to change his mind and reject public financing — a tactical no-brainer, notwithstanding its dubiousness in principle — he can afford to put his (abundant) money where his mouth is, and at least force McCain to waste precious resources in these states.
P.S. His mom’s white! He’s from America! Heh.
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Categories: Election 2008
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June 20th, 2008 at 11:07:25 pm
…And Obama plays the race card.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:10:54 pm
Obama doesn’t need to play anything. Dennis Kucinich could get elected President vs. Dole/McSame 08.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:46:05 pm
Um…wouldn’t Dennis K have to, you know, win his party’s nomination first?
Oh, and if it were actually the case that this is a “Yellow Dog” election, I think Obama would be up by double digits still.
I hope, for their sake, that the Obama campaign isn’t feeling the same way you do Sandy. But, judging from how stupid it is to make the comment he did, they just might be.
Calling someone a racist may work for silencing dissent in public, academia, and the workplace, but the last thing you want to do is send _resentful_ people into that little booth where it’s just them, the ballot card, and the deity of their choice.
Basically saying the Republican Party is a bunch of racists is not going to make anyone want to change sides or stay home. True or not, it’s just not something he needed to throw out half-a**ed if he didn’t want to make his job harder. Part of a major speech, yes. Maybe wording it, “There may be those who are going to use my race against me…”. But calling folks out? In June? Yeah, that’s going to wear on folks by November, especially in red states. Heck, I’m not even Republican and I’m like, “Um, WTF?!”
June 21st, 2008 at 7:31:41 pm
What Obama did was make a good pre-emtive strike against the 527s. Now, if they stay away from race, Obama wins, and if they go after race, Obama has already characterized their campaign before they have, and he can just say “I told you so.” It’s good politics.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:03:07 pm
The Republicans played the race card against Harold Ford in Tennessee. Obama isn’t playing the race card. He is letting people know what to expect from the GOP.
June 22nd, 2008 at 12:20:40 pm
“Good politics” can rationalize any underhanded tactic, which this is.
June 22nd, 2008 at 2:43:33 pm
Many tactics are both underhanded and bad politics. This is good politics, and not obviously underhanded.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:30:35 pm
So much for Obama’s “new kind of politics” bullshit.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:34:47 pm
I’m pretty sure telling the truth qualifies as a new kind of politics.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:43:20 pm
Demonizing the opposition is not telling the truth and is as old as the hills.
June 22nd, 2008 at 5:50:54 pm
In this case, telling the truth does demonize the opposition. Also, it’s only as old as the hills if you deny evolution.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:10:32 pm
Oh, you are one of THOSE people. Nevermind.
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:18:25 pm
? Someone who believes in evolution?
June 22nd, 2008 at 6:54:34 pm
Try again.
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:07:27 pm
Ah. Someone who disagrees with you!
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:03:00 pm
We know what you mean, Anonymous.
Speaking of good politics, Obama at least had the good sense to drop that obnoxious “presidential” seal.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:19:28 pm
Silliness aside, I honestly have no idea what “one of THOSE people” means.
June 23rd, 2008 at 3:20:55 pm
I’m still waiting for the new version of the American flag with the giant “O” in the middle, by the way.
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:01:19 pm
copndor - will that be the flag with the O in the middle which makes the loud sucking noise - to represent Senator Obama’s just-a-tad changing stances on NAFTA ? (Now, for, now against, now wide, etc)
June 23rd, 2008 at 6:07:27 pm
Not every O-shaped object makes a loud sucking noise, Alasdair.
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:13:45 pm
True, coqndor … (grin) … at least one O-shaped object is blowing smoke … and trying to do so all the way to the White House …
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:19:32 pm
Who’s this “coqndor” character of which you speak?
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:21:57 pm
There’s a new bird in town, copndor.
June 24th, 2008 at 2:39:35 am
Hey, so I have a bumper sticker on my car that says
Dyslexics of the World, UNTIE !