Barack Obama’s positive closer ad. “Something’s happening in America … endorsed by Warren Buffett and Colin Powell.”
** ABC NEWS/WASHPOST NATIONAL TRACK: OBAMA BY 8. The new daily tracking poll shows only the slightest slip in the race, with Barack Obama leading John McCain, 52% to 44%. President Bush is a major drag on McCain.
** DEMOCRATS: THE NEW WESTERN STRATEGY IS PAYING OFF. From my new column.
** THE ECONOMIST ENDORSES OBAMA. The classic center-right magazine The Economist endorses Barack Obama in the issue hitting newsstands tomorrow.
IT IS impossible to forecast how important any presidency will be. Back in 2000 America stood tall as the undisputed superpower, at peace with a generally admiring world. The main argument was over what to do with the federal government’s huge budget surplus. Nobody foresaw the seismic events of the next eight years. When Americans go to the polls next week the mood will be very different. The United States is unhappy, divided and foundering both at home and abroad. Its self-belief and values are under attack.
For all the shortcomings of the campaign, both John McCain and Barack Obama offer hope of national redemption. Now America has to choose between them. The Economist does not have a vote, but if it did, it would cast it for Mr Obama. We do so wholeheartedly: the Democratic candidate has clearly shown that he offers the better chance of restoring America’s self-confidence. But we acknowledge it is a gamble. Given Mr Obama’s inexperience, the lack of clarity about some of his beliefs and the prospect of a stridently Democratic Congress, voting for him is a risk. Yet it is one America should take, given the steep road ahead. …
The Candidate McCain of the past six months has too often seemed the victim of political sorcery, his good features magically inverted, his bad ones exaggerated. The fiscal conservative who once tackled Mr Bush over his unaffordable tax cuts now proposes not just to keep the cuts, but to deepen them. The man who denounced the religious right as “agents of intolerance” now embraces theocratic culture warriors. The campaigner against ethanol subsidies (who had a better record on global warming than most Democrats) came out in favour of a petrol-tax holiday. It has not all disappeared: his support for free trade has never wavered. Yet rather than heading towards the centre after he won the nomination, Mr McCain moved to the right.
Meanwhile his temperament, always perhaps his weak spot, has been found wanting. Sometimes the seat-of-the-pants method still works: his gut reaction over Georgia—to warn Russia off immediately—was the right one. Yet on the great issue of the campaign, the financial crisis, he has seemed all at sea, emitting panic and indecision. Mr McCain has never been particularly interested in economics, but, unlike Mr Obama, he has made little effort to catch up or to bring in good advisers (Doug Holtz-Eakin being the impressive exception).
The choice of Sarah Palin epitomised the sloppiness. It is not just that she is an unconvincing stand-in, nor even that she seems to have been chosen partly for her views on divisive social issues, notably abortion. Mr McCain made his most important appointment having met her just twice.
Ironically, given that he first won over so many independents by speaking his mind, the case for Mr McCain comes down to a piece of artifice: vote for him on the assumption that he does not believe a word of what he has been saying. …
There is no getting around the fact that Mr Obama’s résumé is thin for the world’s biggest job. But the exceptionally assured way in which he has run his campaign is a considerable comfort. It is not just that he has more than held his own against Mr McCain in the debates. A man who started with no money and few supporters has out-thought, out-organised and outfought the two mightiest machines in American politics—the Clintons and the conservative right.
Political fire, far from rattling Mr Obama, seems to bring out the best in him: the furore about his (admittedly ghastly) preacher prompted one of the most thoughtful speeches of the campaign. On the financial crisis his performance has been as assured as Mr McCain’s has been febrile. He seems a quick learner and has built up an impressive team of advisers, drawing in seasoned hands like Paul Volcker, Robert Rubin and Larry Summers. Of course, Mr Obama will make mistakes; but this is a man who listens, learns and manages well.
It is hard too nowadays to depict him as soft when it comes to dealing with America’s enemies. Part of Mr Obama’s original appeal to the Democratic left was his keenness to get American troops out of Iraq; but since the primaries he has moved to the centre, pragmatically saying the troops will leave only when the conditions are right. His determination to focus American power on Afghanistan, Pakistan and proliferation was prescient. He is keener to talk to Iran than Mr McCain is— but that makes sense, providing certain conditions are met. …
This cannot be another election where the choice is based merely on fear. In terms of painting a brighter future for America and the world, Mr Obama has produced the more compelling and detailed portrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfill his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency.
** THE RECESSSION BEGAN IN THE SUMMER. According to the US Commerce Dept., the American economy, contrary to much denial on the right, actually began a recession over the summer. During the third quarter of the year. the US gross domestic product contracted by 0.3%. This followed 2.8% growth in the spring, some of it prompted by a government stimulus program.
This means the economy was already in the tank before the epic financial crisis which has gripped global attention, not to mention the global economy.
The US economy is expected to contract further in this quarter, with the advent of the crisis.
** INDIANA POLL: OBAMA BY 1. In this brand new Indianapolis Star poll of deep red state Indiana, Barack Obama has the slightest of edges over John McCain, 46% to 45%. It’s young voters and black voters against evangelical voters.
** NATIONAL JOURNAL RED STATE BATTLEGROUND POLLS: EDGE FOR OBAMA. The National Journal polls of five red states shows Barack Obama with an edge over John McCain in each. Colorado, 48-44. Florida, 45-44. North Carolina, 47-43. Ohio, 48-41. Virginia, 48-44.
** TV AD WARS. Barack Obama, as the frontrunner, has two closer ads which begin running on Friday. The positive uplift version, seen above, and the he’s-backward-looking-and-a-continuation-of-Bush version, seen below.
Incidentally, I believe that President Bush is the first president in history never to make a public campaign appearance in the general election on behalf of any of his party’s candidates for any office.
John McCain, who is trailing, is still all negative in his advertising. His latest, which tries to tie Obama to Islamic jihadists, is seen below.
** COMING UP LATER TODAY … COLUMNS ON THE RESOLVING CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS AND THE DEMOCRATS’ WESTERN STRATEGY.
Barack Obama’s 30-minute infomercial aired last night on TV nets around the US.
** TIME MAGAZINE/CNN BATTLEGROUND STATE POLLS: OBAMA LEADS IN NEVADA, NORTH CAROLINA, OHIO, AND PENNSYLVANIA. The new Time/CNN polls of more key battleground states show Barack Obama ahead of John McCain. Here are the numbers. Pennsylvania: Obama 55, McCain 43. North Carolina: Obama 52, McCain 46. Nevada: Obama 52, McCain 45. Ohio: Obama 51, McCain 47.
** FIELD POLL: CALIFORNIA LANDSLIDE FOR OBAMA SEEN BIGGER THAN REAGAN WINS. The new Field Poll of California likely voters shows Barack Obama ahead of John McCain, 55% to 33%. This is the biggest pre-election lead for any candidate since World War II. Ronald Reagan’s leads in the Golde State were smaller than this.
Sarah Palin is very popular with Republican voters. Very unpopular with Democrats, of course. And equally unpopular with independents.
Barack Obama’s negative closer ad, “Rearview Mirror,” lashes John McCain to the mast of the economic policies of President Bush.
** TV AD WARS: MCCAIN TAKES HIS LAST SHOT(S). For all the rumor-mongering about Obama as a “Manchurian candidate,” there is no silver bullet to defeat the vampire that haunts the nightmares of the far right. Reality is dawning. … From Tuesday’s column.
John McCain’s new TV ad holds out the prospect that Barack Obama would agree with the Islamic jihadist agenda of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama is in Sarasota, Florida, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Columbia, Missouri.
Joe Biden is in Arnold, Missouri and Williamsport and Allentown, Pennslvania.
John McCain is in Defiance, Sandusky, Elyria, and Mentor, Ohio.
Sarah Palin is in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Erie and Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in downtown Los Angeles this morning to announce creation of the bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy that will address California’s chronic budget crisis and modernize our state’s tax laws.
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass of LA joins in for this event, which will be webcast live at 11:05 AM on www.gov.ca.gov.
The former action superstar also holds three campaign events today.
At 10:30 AM, he has a No on 5 event in downtown LA with former Governor-turned-Attorney General Jerry Brown, former Governor Pete Wilson, former Governor Gray Davis, former Governor George Deukmejian, LA District Attorney Steve Cooley, former eBay CEO and McCain campaign national co-chair Meg Whitman, and various law enforcement officials from around the state. Proposition 5 would decriminalize various drug crimes. Opponents say it would also shorten parole for methamphetamine dealers and let drug dealers out of prison sooner.
At 1:30 PM, Schwarzenegger gives a speech boosting Proposition 11, the redistricting reform initiative he chairs, in Universal City.
At 3:30 PM, Schwarzenegger holds a virtual town hall meeting on Prop 11 with leaders of AARP and other reform groups.
** GLOBAL OBAMA: BIG OPPORTUNITIES, BIGGER CHALLENGES. If he wins, Obama will have the global popularity that no American president has had in a great many years. But what sort of challenges will counter the global opportunity that an Obama presidency might afford America? … From my Friday column.
** INSIDE THE “BRADLEY EFFECT.” Barack Obama has won all three presidential debates over John McCain. He has a solid lead in the polls. What could go wrong for him? Well, many say the polls could be wrong, skewed by a hidden racist vote.
The “Bradley effect” — the notion that white voters lie to pollsters when a black candidate is in the race — has become widely known. But what you think you know from the campaign that gave rise to the phrase, then Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley’s ultimately near-miss race for governor of California in 1982, isn’t so.
I was in the middle of that, doing opposition research for Bradley’s campaign. I vividly recall election day that November, as reports from the exit polling done by California’s leading polling organization, the Field Poll, circulated. It seemed that Bradley, the first black mayor of Los Angeles, was headed for a big win as California’s first black governor. … From my recent 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 on the governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger 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 NATIONAL 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 down again in the $66 to $67 per barrel range.
The drop of over $81 per barrel since the record high three months ago comes on acknowledgment that the weak US economy will cut future demand and on the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. It is clear that that, contrary to much chatter, neither the US nor Israel is about to launch a strike against Iran. And 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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Obama’s new ad is good because it’s about real stuff.
Another McCain fear-mongering ad.
John McCain should be ashamed of himself.
I like Barack’s ad hitting poor McSame, but where’s the uplift?
I like Obama’s infomercial very much. Maybe I’m a sucker for wind-swept amber fields of grain. (I didn’t see any purple mountains majesties.) How could you believe all the wingnut crap seeing that?
I saw it last night. It’s good to have it here to see it again.
The latest Inane McCain ad provides further proof that Sid ‘tain fit for the job he seeks. Be nice when both he and Senseless Sarah ride off into the sunset…very nice.
Obama’s infomercial was very good. Watched it twice. And could not agree more with what Jack said in Comment #5.
Speaking of five, that’s the number of days left until it’s over. What we going to do for fun a week from now???
I enjoyed watching the Obama show again. Thanks for playing it here.
Obama’s “closer” ad shows he is the only candidate who wants to bring America together.
well that seemed to be the general consensus…
from the Politico Roundup on the question:
http://www.politico.com/arena/
Fred Barbash, Moderator:
My son, 13, left his video games to watch it. If Obama achieves nothing else, I thank him for that. In fact, I hear that lots of people watched it with their families or with friends. More importantly, I hear they went out of their way to watch it with their families and friends, as opposed to stumbling across it while waiting for the World Series. Whatever side you’re on, when you remind yourself that this was just a long ad, you must admit that this is beyond remarkable.
Any word from the Field folks on Prop. 8 results coming? After the Survey USA polls, I have no idea who to believe about what on this issue, but am still searching for data points.
I’m still steamed about the Governor. All he could do for us was include us on a lousy list — in numerical order. Raven’s Pass got more attention from him than all of California’s gay and lesbian voters put together.
My column later today deals with No on 8. I think you have reason for optimism.
In the words of Jonas Blane, what video today?
Day Two of the Hap Hazard Silver Bullet Watch!
McCain has said Obama’s name more in his ads than his own. That’s a sure sign of a loser.
It’s like they have Johnny Flash running the show over there…
I pulled this off Electoral-Vote.com. I believe it really sums up last night and McC’s response.
What is noteworthy about this campaign is McCain’s response. He just attacked Obama more, saying he is not ready to be commander in chief and his economic policies would undermine our national security. He is also making robocalls–in Arizona (!)–a state that wasn’t thought to be competitive. What is so astounding about this strategy is that most Republicans worship Ronald Reagan, not so much due to his specific policies, but for the tone of his campaigns and administration. He was always talking about hope and “Morning in America,” rarely attacking his opponents. McCain could easily have countered Obama’s film with an upbeat message saying: “I also believe in a good future for America, but a future produced by hardworking Americans like Joe the Plumber, not by government bureaucrats.” He didn’t do it. Just attack, attack, attack. You can see Atwater-Rove-Schmidt writ large on McCain’s whole campaign. Spend all your time tearing down your opponent, rather than saying what your plans are. The weird part of this is that before 2008, McCain was not an attack kind of guy. His most noteworthy bills in the Senate are the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill (which passed) and the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill (which didn’t). And Russ Feingold and Ted Kennedy aren’t just any old Democrats. Feingold is tied for being the most liberal member of the Senate and Kennedy has been a champion of progressive causes for decades. So McCain has a long history of being practical senator working with the other guys to get things done. Nary a word about his many accomplishments. Just attack, attack, attack. Historically, when one candidate offers hope and one offers fear, hope wins.
lol
14. Brasky:
McCain has said Obama’s name more in his ads than his own. That’s a sure sign of a loser.
It’s like they have Johnny Flash running the show over there…
Oct 30, 2008 – 9:55 am
Where’s Schwarzeneger? I can count the number of times he’s on time to his own webcasts on one hand.
He always shows.
There’s too much anger in the McCain/Palin outfit.
>15. Elroy El:
I pulled this off Electoral-Vote.com. I believe it really sums up last night and McC’s response.
What is noteworthy about this campaign is McCain’s response. He just attacked Obama more, saying he is not ready to be commander in chief and his economic policies would undermine our national security. He is also making robocalls–in Arizona (!)–a state that wasn’t thought to be competitive. What is so astounding about this strategy is that most Republicans worship Ronald Reagan, not so much due to his specific policies, but for the tone of his campaigns and administration. He was always talking about hope and “Morning in America,” rarely attacking his opponents. McCain could easily have countered Obama’s film with an upbeat message saying: “I also believe in a
And more video of it …
>13. Pat Skipper:
In the words of Jonas Blane, what video today?
Day Two of the Hap Hazard Silver Bullet Watch!
Oct 30, 2008 – 9:48 am
You forgot about the PPIC poll.
>11. Prospero:
Any word from the Field folks on Prop. 8 results coming? After the Survey USA polls, I have no idea who to believe about what on this issue, but am still searching for data points.
I’m still steamed about the Governor. All he could do for us was include us on a lousy list — in numerical order. Raven’s Pass got more attention from him than all of California’s gay and lesbian voters put together.
Oct 30, 2008 – 9:37 am
It was very nicely done.
>10. four waters:
well that seemed to be the general consensus…
from the Politico Roundup on the question:
http://www.politico.com/arena/
Fred Barbash, Moderator:
My son, 13, left his video games to watch it. If Obama achieves nothing else, I thank him for that. In fact, I hear that lots of people watched it with their families or with friends. More importantly, I hear they went out of their way to watch it with their families and friends, as opposed to stumbling across it while waiting for the World Series. Whatever side you’re on, when you remind yourself that this was just a long ad, you must admit that this is beyond remarkable.
The McCain camp is still in negative mode.
>9. marcus waldron:
Obama’s “closer” ad shows he is the only candidate who wants to bring America together.
Oct 30, 2008 – 9:16 am
You’re welcome.
>8. marcus waldron:
I enjoyed watching the Obama show again. Thanks for playing it here.
Oct 30, 2008 – 9:14 am
Well, I need to cool it some after this marathon.
But it’s going to be a very fascinating time post-election.
>7. Sacramento Solon:
The latest Inane McCain ad provides further proof that Sid ‘tain fit for the job he seeks. Be nice when both he and Senseless Sarah ride off into the sunset…very nice.
Obama’s infomercial was very good. Watched it twice. And could not agree more with what Jack said in Comment #5.
Speaking of five, that’s the number of days left until it’s over. What we going to do for fun a week from now???
Oct 30, 2008 – 8:32 am
I posted the uplift later.
>4. Capitol Boy:
I like Barack’s ad hitting poor McSame, but where’s the uplift?
Oct 30, 2008 – 8:09 am
“(Reagan) was always talking about hope and ‘Morning in America,’”
I thought this was a 1980 kind of year and Obama has played to that, McCain has not.
People want to feel like it’s going to be ok — they don’t get the reassurance from McCain. He’s not a leader and people can see that.
You’re trying everything they can.
>2. Jonas Blane:
Another McCain fear-mongering ad.
Oct 30, 2008 – 7:56 am
The Economist endorsed Obama: http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12516666&source=features_box_main
Al Qaeda is finally out with the correction to the Kinsleyan gaffe of several weeks back (wherein some rogue low-level Al Q associate carelessly revealed that they’d prefer McCain to win), with a senior Al Q leader making it clear that they once again seek to scare Americans into continuing neoconservative rule:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/10/qaeda_wants_republicans_bush_h.php
or, if that link is too long/ugly
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5l8gfs
Who cares what those socialist hippies at The Economist think? Can THEY skin a moose?
“Who cares what those socialist hippies at The Economist think? Can THEY skin a moose?”
No, but they are strong advocates of free trade and outsourcing — they’ll probably just have someone do it in America and ship the meat FedEx to their door. I mean, the dollar is in the crapper, the Euro is strong and the labor in America is cheap because we don’t have to give our workers health care.
” INDIANA POLL: OBAMA BY 1.”
Where is Larry Bird? He could get Obama 2 pts in that state.
“According to the US Commerce Dept., the American economy, contrary to much denial on the right, actually began a recession over the summer. ”
This has to be one of the dumbest arguments around — of course the economy is in recession and has been for sometime.
This report is like having your house flattened by an earthquake and three months later having the USGS upgrade the quake from 6.5 to 7.1. Great, I’ll spray paint that on the side of my house for my insurance adjuster to see.
Thanks for posting the Economist editorial in full. This is a powerful indictment of McCain from the “centre-right” global business community.
For those not familiar with their political leanings, I’d say it’s somewhere around the Arnold Schwarzenegger end of the spectrum.
in advance… sorry for the long post.
from KOS…
COLORADO
Early/absentee voting has now outstripped 2004 levels, with 1,123,173 voters having cast ballots.
Democrats currently outnumber Republicans in early voting, albeit by a slim margin – 38.6% of all early voters, to 37.9% Republicans
FLORIDA
It’s likely that early voting will reach and surpass 2004 levels today. Democrats currently have a healthy advantage among early/absentee voter registrations, with 45.4% to 39% for Republicans.
GEORGIA
Early voting is double 2004 numbers, and is equivalent to 42% of all votes cast in Georgia in 2004.
Of early voters, 35% are African-American, compared to 25% of the total voting population in 2004.
Also, 56% of early voters are women, another excellent sign for Democrats.
Republicans will need a big sweep on Election Day to stop Jim Martin from winning the Senate race. They’ll probably get it, especially as it appears that a lot of white males are waiting until Election Day.
But both in the Senate race and the Presidential, they’ve got a lot of ground to make up.
INDIANA
Early voting has not only exceeded 2004 levels statewide, but has nearly doubled in Marion County, Indiana.
IOWA
Registered Democrats have a 20-point advantage in early voting over Republicans in Iowa, and early voting numbers are currently approaching 2004 levels. Current early votes cast comprise 26% of all votes cast in 2004; early voting was roughly 30% of the total vote four years ago.
LOUISIANA
Early voting is now more than double 2004 levels. Of early voters, registered Democrats have a huge edge, 58.5% to 28.4%.
36% of early voters are African-American.
Even if Obama can’t win Louisiana, this is awfully good news for Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, and Sixth District Rep. Don Cazayoux.
NEVADA
Early voters constituted 53.1% of all voters in 2004; this year, early voting to this point is equivalent to 47% of all 2004 numbers.
In Clark and Washoe Counties, Democrats enjoy substantial leads in registrations of early voters. Washoe County early voting has already outstripped 2004 levels.
NORTH CAROLINA
The proportion of black voters among all early voters has leveled off – they constitute 27% of all voters now.
Early voting has far outstripped 2004 levels, and Democrats are turning out disproportionately. 1,847,860 ballots have been cast so far, over 52% of the total ballots cast in 2004.
lol
34. Brasky:
“According to the US Commerce Dept., the American economy, contrary to much denial on the right, actually began a recession over the summer. ”
This has to be one of the dumbest arguments around — of course the economy is in recession and has been for sometime.
This report is like having your house flattened by an earthquake and three months later having the USGS upgrade the quake from 6.5 to 7.1. Great, I’ll spray paint that on the side of my house for my insurance adjuster to see.
Oct 30, 2008 – 12:44 pm
“DEMOCRATS: THE NEW WESTERN STRATEGY IS PAYING OFF. From my new column.”
A must read for politicos. Kudos sir.
Meanwhile, Obama sent supporters an email this afternoon asking for money so they could stay competitive in Montana and West Virginia.
They should really do AZ — I bet a lot of folks would cut more checks to put TV into McCain’s home state.
Oh, and although I’m not a big fan of national polls, I could resist this one showing Obama up by 11pts: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/30/opinion/polls/main4559179.shtml
This part of the CBS poll is for four waters:
“17% of registered voters (polled) say they have already voted (by absentee ballot or at early voting sites), and by a large margin they have voted for Barack Obama over John McCain. Half of those who already have voted are Democrats, a majority is female, and 16% are black. Most live in the South and West; the largest states in those regions permit early voting.”
Excellent material on the New West strategy.
Stay competitive? lol
40. Brasky:
Meanwhile, Obama sent supporters an email this afternoon asking for money so they could stay competitive in Montana and West Virginia.
They should really do AZ — I bet a lot of folks would cut more checks to put TV into McCain’s home state.
Oct 30, 2008 – 5:17 pm
Bill, I really liked the HuffPo “Western” piece. The 1984 Hart ads are a sad reminder of what might have been, and it was a little eerie to see federal deficits, the misuse of American troops and national energy policy as such prominent issues.
Ironically, in the more recent video filmed at the Denver bookstore, Hart seems to promote a concept somewhat similar to the “League of Democracies” idea pushed by McCain.
It is good.
Thanks.
Thanks, Chris. It’s interesting how these issues keep coming around again.
There’s nothing wrong with a league of democracies. The question is how expansive, and what it’s for.
If it’s just a gussied-up name for the coalition of the willing, it’s pretty worthless.
>45. Chris M:
Bill, I really liked the HuffPo “Western” piece. The 1984 Hart ads are a sad reminder of what might have been, and it was a little eerie to see federal deficits, the misuse of American troops and national energy policy as such prominent issues.
Ironically, in the more recent video filmed at the Denver bookstore, Hart seems to promote a concept somewhat similar to the “League of Democracies” idea pushed by McCain.
Oct 30, 2008 – 10:22 pm
Thanks.
>43. marcus waldron:
Excellent material on the New West strategy.
Oct 30, 2008 – 6:26 pm
Thanks. You know, the ideas are really all from Jim Morrison …
>39. Brasky:
“DEMOCRATS: THE NEW WESTERN STRATEGY IS PAYING OFF. From my new column.”
A must read for politicos. Kudos sir.
Oct 30, 2008 – 5:13 pm