Evening Buzz: One Week To Go
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/10/28/georgia.voting/art.clayton.lines.cnn.jpg caption="Hundreds of people stand in line outside the Frank Bailey Senior Center Tuesday in Riverdale, Georgia."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
There's just one week to go until election day. 7 days. 168 hours and counting.
Today both Senators McCain and Obama campaigned in Pennsylvania, just 90 miles apart.
"In the closing days of this campaign my opponent is trying to distance himself from President Bush despite the fact that he's faithfully supported him ninety percent of the time. He's supported four out of the five of the Bush budgets that have taken from surplus under the Clinton years to the largest deficit in history. John McCain's ridden shotgun as George Bush has driven our economy towards a cliff and now he wants to take the wheel and step on the gas," said Obama in Chester, Pa.
In Hersey, Pennsylvania, a town known for its chocolate, there were no sweet words from McCain about Obama.
"My opponent is working out the details with Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Reid of their plans to raise your taxes, increase spending and concede defeat in Iraq," McCain said.
Also tonight, 360's Gary Tuchman has the raw politics of early voting. In 31 states, there's not just one election day. There are several election days. Gary reports from Nevada where surprisingly there's a good chance you can vote for the leader of the free world at your local shopping mall. Yes, outside your favorite department store. But it's not that easy in other states where there are long lines and you can wait for hours.
All that and more tonight on 360° at 10pm ET.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • T1 • The Buzz |
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I am so anxious for Tuesday to come and looking forward to some change! These past 4 years have been the pits and now everything is upsidedown! McCain is offering more of the same. He can't control his ill appointed VP now what would he do in the future. All I've heard from her is venom against Obama and he just stutters around. Obama is going to take it and that will leave McCain ready to retire one would hope and Palin to go back to Alaska and wink her way into the Senate now that Sen Stephans has messed up. As long as I don't have to hear their caustic attacks. Good for Obama getting back at them. No one can't say he has not been a Gentleman through all this.
Amazing! It's extremely ridiculous that the globally esteemed race for the U.S. Presidency has degenerated to national campaigns based on ignorant opinions of "JOE," an unlicensed plumber; a CHEAT !
Our founding fathers would wonder about the sanity of this generation.
Why won't the Palin/McCain ticket lose gracefully without throwing mud; just to continue George Bush's corrupt and catastrophic policies?
Palin/Mccain, instead of McCain/Palin? Yes; because the McCain campaign is now based on the "Diva;" Palin's ignorant, bubble-head, " energizer " kindergarten fairy tale nonsense about some unlicensed "Joe the plumber." Also "Joe Six-Pack."
Think, America ! President Obama and Vice President Biden will lead us out of the mess created by Bush and sidekick McCain. Thanks.
In all the talk about polls, demographics, minority vote, etc., I have read/heard many discussions about every other demographic except the Native vote. Why is that?? Look at Montana and Arizona, both have large populations of Native peoples, and have been traditional Republican states, but yet, this year, it appears there is a change in how these two states may come out in the final election tally. I find it interesting, that in the previous presidential elections, there has been a mild 'outreach' toward Native peoples, but those puny attempts, have never resulted in any 'serious traction' for that candidate. This year, however, it seems different, as Sen. Obama, has made a sincere and concerted effort to "include" Native peoples in his presidential campaign, and has visited Montana's Native peoples, more than any other presidential candidate has in recent memory. This outreach may not influence the national vote whatsoever, but, in states with smaller populations, like Montana, if the Native vote supports Obama, it could very well turn Montana to a "blue state." Just some thoughts..........
I just watched this "joe the plumber" guy who says he is going to vote for Senator McCain- "A real American". Can someone please explain to me what a "real American is??? This is the kind of "code words" used by people that try to divide the country. As if Senator Obama is not a "real American" This guy is quite sad...
Hi I'm Yvette the IT Project Manager married to Mel the Insulator and we both live in MD and yes we do have some Republicans in the state, but its great to know i'm surrounded by so many who believe in the hope that Obama gives us. We don't have early voting here (and we are actually voting for it on Nov. 4), but I'm so proud of Americans coming out to vote. My girl in Miami waited 4.45 hours in Ft Lauderdale, FL this weekend to vote while I got to watch football (go Miami and Redskins). This is a person who is 31 and is voting for the first time because she is inspired.
I'm excited for November 4th. It wll be a great day in America's history.
And all you CNN folks, you would love to know that while watching football this weekend at a local bar – we all knew all of your names – from Soledad, Anderson, David, Candy, Brazile – all of you – that's a great sign that we do care about the issues, not just the candidates.
After 8 years of Bush we do not need 4 years of McCain.
Yes McCain was a POW,does that make him a war hero?
What is the TRUE definition of a war hero? From my understanding most heroes sacrificed their own lives to save others. I guess when you have connections with BRASS you can call yourself a war hero!
With the election winding down, the Obama ticket appears to be heading to the White House in January 2009. In light of the scandal surrounding senator Ted Stevens, the GOP is demanding his resignation in part probably to improve the GOP image and gain some ground in the senate once the democrats take over.
Is senator Palin being groomed to take senator Stevens' seat? It is obvious based on Palin’s actions of late that she has no intention of returning to Alaska for the long haul. The timing of the scandal of senator Stevens could not have been more perfect.
Is this in the works for the GOP ticket?
Has it occured to the Republicans that maligning the word socialist might have deliterious effects on our allies around the world? Many of them live in socialist democracies. Do we really need to alienate these countries/people anymore?
From what I understand of Obama's tax plan, tax rates would be close to the rates they were under Bill Clinton. What's wrong with that plan? Under Bill Clinton the country got out of a deficit and then the country went back into a deficit under President Bush. McCain would keep the same tax rates as President Bush.
Only those who are wealthy should be worried about redistribution ! If the Republican party is so worried about taxing the wealthy to invest in our country (instead of buying 6 houses and a few gucci purses , oh well ,,, wah wah wah, ) We are paying ball players, actors, televison stars millions of dollars. a year, Reality is, you greedy people,( and you know who you are) , us hard working rapidly dissipating middle class are struggling to keep one house! If you are making that kind of money you should be paying more taxes. Cmon now,,,, how much money do you really need??? Get over yourselves!!!.. vote obama !!!!!
For someone who wants to re-distribute the wealth, why doesn't Obama start walking the talk and distribute camplaign dollars to those in serious need! It is obscene that hundreds of millions of dollars are spent in informercials. Can we really trust Obama to curtail government wasteful spending? I fear we are electing a giant ego.
I'm watching Obama on CNN and now totally understand the power of a great community organizer, especially in the days of the internet. It doesn't matter if a great community organizer has politcal experience, has vetoed bills or ruled over political procedures, has done anything that a govenor or mayor has done. A great community organizer unites and moves a group of people to reach a desired goal not out of command or rule from one but rather from the power of many.
A Community Organizer isn't a position that commands power over people, it's a position creates power of the people.
Wow, I now understand why the Republicans should have feared a Community Organizer like Obama and not ridiculed him for his title and experience. He is truly showing everyone as he organizes millions of people in communities across the U. S. that he is a very talented Community Organizer.
Since Obama has raised 660 million dollars, he has definately bought his way into the White House! He should house the poor and feed the hungry with his money. Cooper after watching your show last night, as a journalist, aren't you suppose to report both candidates fairly? Last night you had three democrats on your panel. The people will decide on November 4th who becomes the next president. You and your "magic map" aren't anything I need to watch. That "magic map" was dead wrong in 2000 and 2004, haven't you learned your lesson?
The conservative, John McCain, is not the politician we have seen in this campaign. It makes one wonder, what is true, and what is said to further political ambition.
While those with a narrow outlook percieve that Barack Obama wants to "punish" the worker for those that do not, what they fail to see in their narrow world is that both of these people need to be lifted and supported. Pretending that these are the folks that are going to have their wealth taken is snide and mean-spirted but we should not be surprised at that after the campaign that is being waged on the McCain/Palin side. . I am sure that either of these folks (the homeless man or waiter) would not mind paying thier fare share if they made anywhere near $250K. We as Americans need to reconnect with the caring nature of our country and know that together is the only way out of this mess!
I believe that many voters are voting early because they have made up their minds and want it behind them. I made up my mind several weeks ago when the Palin nomination revealed several things about John McCain: a) he has very bad judgment in picking someone so extreme AND unqualified; b) he was blatantly pandering to the religious right, disproving any claim that he was a maverick and somehow non-Bushian; and c) he is blatantly sexist in thinking Palin would attract Hillary voters because of the shared chromosome (when they share virtually nothing else).
Time for the negative ads to end, the GOP to lick its wounds and move back toward the center, and the economy to heal.
Two years ago the Republicans enjoyed a majority. I guess their projecting on Barack their own dysfunctional process and calling foul. I believe that the Republicans have spread the wealth upwards to corporate CEO and other big business executives. I guess it's not socialism when it's from the other side going up not down. So I wonder what the Republicans call that. Deregulation?
I'm so sick of hearing McCain slaughter Obama's message on raising taxes. What part of Obama's tax plan does McCain don't understand other than his own. With 7 days to go the message is old and nothing new. McCain's campaign strategy of continued failed response to American struggles on economy, healthcare and jobs.
The same with McCain off-core message with distributing wealth. What is McCain thinking that a smoke screen message will deter voters to vote for him? Hence, when middle class American's are struggling to make it from pay check to pay check, if their job is safe, if their kids will get the education they need, if their healthcare benefits will cover illness. The straight message on distributing wealth is hell with the 1% of the wealthiest American's getting the Republican handover on tax cuts to corporate royalty when the middle class is what makes America. If McCain is elected the middle class will be shoved into poverty! Vote for Obama, the one who cares about the people not the people who are RICH!
Joseph
Maureen, I've sent in a few posts in the last week asking the question: why didn't John Mc Cain wish Barak Obama's grandmother well when she was/is ill? Mc Cain wished both Nancy Reagan and Ted Kennedy his good wishes and get well soon messages. Does Mc Cain hate Obaba that much? Or is it against some sort of political rule that when people are running against each other in American politics they're not allowed to honour their adversaries families? Maybe somebody could put me right on this point?
Seeing this voter turnout is incredible. I have restored faith in this country. It means there is more intelligence in the population then ignorance and the decent are outnumbering the immoral. Stay the course Obama.
Today, on my way to lunch, I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read "Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed. Once in the restaurant my server had on an "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone whom I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight. I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10, and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided that he could use the money more. The homeless guy was really grateful.
At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment, I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved the money more. I guess that redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application. The waiter was vivid I told him I Volunteer for the obama campaign (not true). and I told the homeless I am a Realtor in case they need it a home in the near future (so true).
BY THE GO PALIN...!!!
One week – seems like forever it took so long to get here. I'm hoping we make history not just on who we elect to the office of President/VP but also on the voter turnout – break some precedents especially among the young voters who traditionally have registered but then not shown up. I'm hoping they show up this time.
JFK made television a large part of the presidential race back in 1960 when he used the advantages of the television in the debates against Nixon. I think Obama has changed the landscape of campaigning again – not only did he use the regular lines of communication but he also pulled in the Web and other "new" (since 1960) forms of communication. This may be an election to remember on a lot of levels.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
CNN repeatedly reported about infighting in the McCain campaign. If John McCain can't control his campaign, can we be confident that he can run the White House?