NOTE: The latest PJ Media tech change ate my homework this morning. Sorry for the delay, and for any problems going on, some of which posters have complained about.
** DAILY NATIONAL TRACKING POLLS. Barack Obama has a six to 10 point lead over John McCain in the daily national tracking polls. I talked at length earlier today with a top Republican strategist who thinks Obama has it.
** PENNSYLVANIA POLL: OBAMA BY 8. The brand-new Rasmussen poll of battleground Pennsylvania has Barack Obama opening up a big lead over John McCain in the Keystone State, 50% to 42%. Obama has doubled his edge over McCain in the last three days. Obama has the edge on the economy, by a whopping 52-39, while McCain has a narrower edge on national security, 51-43. Nearly twice as many voters in Pennsylvania – one of McCain’s most targeted states – view the economy as the key issue as compared to national security.
** FLORIDA POLL: OBAMA BY 3. The brand-new Public Policy Polling survey of battleground Florida now shows Barack Obama in the lead over John McCain, 49% to 46%. Three weeks, ago, McCain had a 5-point lead.
The top issue? “The economy, stupid.” Another top issue: The swiftly declining standing of Sarah Palin.
** NORTH CAROLINA POLL: OBAMA BY 2. Barack Obama has taken a 2-point lead in longtime red state North Carolina in the brand-new Public Policy Polling survey. It’s Obama 47%, John McCain 45%. Economic concern is rated as the top issue by a record 64% of likely voters.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama is in Reno, Nevada.
Joe Biden is in Wilmington, Delaware, in debate prep.
John McCain is in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sarah Palin is in Sedona, Arizona, at John McCain’s ranch, in debate prep.
** SCHWARZENEGGER LIVE WEBCAST THIS MORNING. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs a bill this morning which makes California the first state in the nation to have its restaurant chains with 20 or more locations statewide post calorie information on menus and indoor menu boards for consumers. At a Chili’s, in Elk Grove.
Do I really want to know that, given the near collapse of the nation’s financial markets? They only serve beer at Chili’s, as I recall.
In any event, the event takes place at 11:30 AM. And will be webcast live on www.gov.ca.gov.
** THAT FOREIGN POLICY DEBATE WE’RE NOT HAVING. Let’s face it. This has been a disappointing campaign. Two very interesting candidates. Some of the biggest issues going, both within and without the US, and they have to blow up in our faces to get much attention. Then there’s the ridiculous media coverage. Which brings us to tonight’s foreign policy debate, which is finally back on.
Part of the problem is what it’s called. Because foreign policy is not “foreign,” it’s geopolitics. The underlying essential dynamics of geopolitics deeply affect domestic politics. In the flows of energy and capital and products and people, in our military budget, and in flash-point electoral politics. When there is debate, we end up debating symptoms — illegal immigration from Mexico, a surge in Iraq — rather than systems. … From Friday’s Huffington Post column.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, which I know as a former DemRussia advisor, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** SCHWARZENEGGER’S CALIFORNIA. Here is my series of five columns for the Los Angeles Times in debate with Pulitzer Prize-winning former Times reporter/editor Bill Boyarsky, whose columns are also included.
Among them is what I’m sure is the first piece examining Schwarzenegger’s legacy as governor of California. Since he will actually be governor of California until 2011. No technology known to be disruptive to the space/time continuum was used in its preparation.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. After crashing over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, crude oil is trading now in the $98 to $99 per barrel range.
The drop of over $49 per barrel since the record high two months ago comes on acknowledgement that the weak US economy will cut future demand and the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Russian war with Georgia, confounding much speculation and reporting to the contrary, actually decreased the geopolitical risk premium in the oil market.
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There is no way that McCain and Palin can get elected.
“FLORIDA POLL: OBAMA BY 3.”
You know, they share a maritime boarder with Cuba. Obviously they are all experts in foreign policy.
And talk about peaking at the right time — absentee ballots are out and Ohio started early voting today.
lol
Brasky:
“FLORIDA POLL: OBAMA BY 3.”
You know, they share a maritime boarder with Cuba. Obviously they are all experts in foreign policy.
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:10 pm
Wow. What a dynamic couple of weeks!
Looking at two of those polls, I have a feeling that the erosion of support for Palin among women has yet to bottom-out.
I told the top GOP strategist I had lunch with today that Steve Schmidt is the Mike Martz of presidential politics.
Yep.
>Wilbur:
Wow. What a dynamic couple of weeks!
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:13 pm
This, actually, may not be close.
I love John McCain. He is a great hero. A fellow Navy guy, far greater than me. I prize his personally inscribed autobiography.
But …
>Wilbur:
Wow. What a dynamic couple of weeks!
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:13 pm
Is Schmidt really running the show over there? Is anybody?
They’ve had a real lack of consistency since the primary finished and they never (until about a week ago) made any significant inroads to the political center.
Has Katie Couric destroyed the Republican ticket?
“I love John McCain. He is a great hero. A fellow Navy guy, far greater than me. I prize his personally inscribed autobiography.”
Look, there are people in this world I would take a bullet for that I would NEVER want to be elected president.
There are also very qualified elected officials that I agree with nearly 100%, but I wouldn’t want to be trapped in an elevator with them.
Perhaps.
I think she is very cool, though I don’t watch her show, but … who knew?
… I was replying to Capitol Boy.
“Has Katie Couric destroyed the Republican ticket?”
WTF? That’s like blaming the sun for skin cancer if you stripped naked and put yourself under a giant magnifying glass for 8 hours in Death Valley.
McCain picked this turkey.
President … great man … not quite the same thing.
This is what Bill Clinton was getting at, before he was besieged by cable news chatterers who have all the wit and wisdom of my PJM colleague Michael Ledeen.
An outstanding President may actually not be a great man. Separate calculations, as anyone who has worn the uniform and been in presidential campaigns knows very well …
>Brasky:
“I love John McCain. He is a great hero. A fellow Navy guy, far greater than me. I prize his personally inscribed autobiography.”
Look, there are people in this world I would take a bullet for that I would NEVER want to be elected president.
There are also very qualified elected officials that I agree with nearly 100%, but I wouldn’t want to be trapped in an elevator with them.
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:25 pm
Well, remember, Mike Martz is the offensive coordinator of the 49ers.
Mike Nolan is the head coach.
I will leave it to readers to figure who is Nolan in this scenario.
>Brasky:
Is Schmidt really running the show over there? Is anybody?
They’ve had a real lack of consistency since the primary finished and they never (until about a week ago) made any significant inroads to the political center.
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:21 pm
Outside lineback?
Katie Couric. Whodathunkit.
Katie Couric IS The Terminator.
Why still no video?
Dana,
Thanks for the 1A info. Everyone should look at the website…it is very cool.
Yeah …
You know, I’m so frakkin busy I can’t keep up with the latest PJM, ah, stuff …
>Jonas Blane:
Why still no video?
Sep 30, 2008 – 6:16 pm
Yeah …
>Len:
Katie Couric IS The Terminator.
Sep 30, 2008 – 6:03 pm
Ya never know …
>Wilbur:
Katie Couric. Whodathunkit.
Sep 30, 2008 – 5:57 pm
it’s over.
Incidentally, I will briefly reprise my role as Michael Roker on Boston Legal. Opposite Spader. November 11. Wall street was my first movie part. 1988. Funny coincidence.
from yer monday column: “Willie, who is a great raconteur (as well as a pal of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger)… As an analyst, Brown is, shall we say, fashionable. A few weeks ago, he was going on and on about what a great pick Sarah Palin is. Now he sees that, in fact, she is a liability. No kidding…”
Brown is a washed up hack and a terrible writer. His column is filled with drivel. He offers no insight, despite his years as a political insider. In his praise of Palin he referred to her as “Sistah Sarah.” what a farce.
So Art Torres is stepping down, does this mean he’ll call in all the favors owed him as party boss and run for governor like the sorry Angelides did? Hopefully that will hasten the demise of their useless party.
Solon,
As you probably know, the White Sox won tonight, and preserved the possibility of an all-Chicago World Series.
Larry,
Yes…it would be the first one since 1906. That one was won by the Sox…huge upset as the Cubs compiled a 116-36 regular season record. Both the number of wins and winning percentage, .763 still stand as major league records. Seattle tied the win mark in 2001, but they needed 162 games to do it.
Not sure what the next couple weeks will hold. I have my hopes…but I’ve had them for a long time and each time I’ve received a swift kick in the groin. Love my team, but this year I’ve invested in a very good athletic cup…solid steel! Hope springs eternal, but getting a little old for the pain!!!
You ordered up the new Inspector O book yet?
Solon,
No, I haven’t yet ordered the Inspector O book. It’s not out for a month or so, right?
I am reading another book I may well recommend, once I finish it. That should be in a day or two. Extremely tense, so far highly accomplished writing.
Larry,
You’re right…it’s due to be released in November. Church’s most recent Inspector O is coming out in paper in October.
Look forward to the next reccomendation…your last one was a true winner.
Mister Bradley, how did Mister Schmidt score the role of “The Observer” on FOX’s super smash nit “Fringe”?
“Wall street was my first movie part. ”
What was that like Pat?
The Republican poll makes you subscribe for crosstabs, but I did get this tidbit from the Penn poll: women support Obama by a sizable 59% to 35% advantage.
Sarah, we hardly knew ya. Really.
Reeps are going ape over “one stop voting” (register and cast absentee same day) in Ohio. Charge that the Dem Secty of State did it, by directive, to boost Obama’s “new voter” take.
Um, yeah, she probably did. Is that illegal? I don’t think so. reeps were equally free to go find tens of thousands of new voters.
So people were streaming in to vote in Ohio today, with Obamamania at a peak.
What new video today?
Mister Bradley, here is a picture of Mister Schmidt as “The Observer.”
http://tinyurl.com/steveschmidt
This may help answer Mister Brasky’s question regarding Mister Schmidt’s whereabouts.