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George Stephanopoulos reports on events in politics, Congress and the White House for ABCNews, on the air and online. He interviews top newsmakers, discusses the events of the week and looks to the week ahead each Sunday on 'This Week.'

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Freaky Friday Redux?

October 30, 2008 11:25 AM

Ballot_box_vote2008_main Four years ago, Osama bin Laden released a tape the Friday before Election Day.
Sen. John Kerry is convinced it stalled his last-minute surge.

Four years before that, the big story on the Friday before the election was that George. W. Bush had been arrested for DUI in Maine as a young man. His supporters are convinced that cost him the popular vote.

Back in 1992, special prosecutor Lawrence Walsh indicted Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger for his involvement in Iran-contra the Friday before the election.
President George H.W. Bush and his team thought it cost them the election.

In each of these cases, the impact of the these last-minute surprises was more debatable than that.
But there's no question they made some difference.

Can it happen again?

Unlikely, because of early voting. What we're learning this week is that more than 10 percent of voters have already voted. A third will probably have voted by Election Day.

That, combined with the small number of voters who still appear undecided, and the saturation of the airwaves with campaign messages in the final weekend, mean that even a freakier Friday this time around probably won't matter much.

--George Stephanopoulos

October 30, 2008 in Democrats Vote 2008, Republicans Vote 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (908)

User Comments

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God. Listen to you 'bots. Distractions? You must know that something really horrifying, something that makes Wright's rants pale in comparison, is ready to pop on your Dear Leader.

It must be really good.

Posted by: JRinLA | Oct 30, 2008 12:17:42 PM

I am interested in Palin's medical records because I want to see the physician who cleared her for a lengthy flight from Texas to Alaska after her water supposedly broke. most doctors won't let you even go to the airport in the last month. The changed in airpressure can and rarified recirculated air can have effects on the delivery. I just want to make sure I never use him/her....

Posted by: Annie | Oct 30, 2008 12:18:40 PM

As of Thursday, 11:00 am Eastern time, the polls are projecting 344 electoral votes for Obama, 167 for McCain. And both candidates are still campaigning.

Posted by: forexthinker.com | Oct 30, 2008 12:19:34 PM

Pictures will surface that show "Joe the Plummer" with crack in a client's bathroom.

Posted by: Zod | Oct 30, 2008 12:20:34 PM

So if you had a male EDS, and constant urination, would that affect your ability to lead? Give me a break.

Posted by: Mr. Twister | Oct 30, 2008 12:21:30 PM

What kind of math is George doing? 10% of the voters have already voted but 90% of the voters have not. That is a lot of minds that can still be changed.

Posted by: DelegateMath | Oct 30, 2008 12:21:42 PM

George: If you had anything to do with it Obama would already be elected. You act like a silly kid when talking about him. Liberal you are and so is ABC and now that we all see - we, after the election, will never, never, ever turn on ABC again because of you and Charles Gibson.

Posted by: Janice | Oct 30, 2008 12:22:44 PM

Joe the plumber for PRESIDENT! Go Joe!

Posted by: Mr. Twister | Oct 30, 2008 12:22:44 PM

It is a federal violation under HIPPA compliance for anyone to get a hold of anyones medical records.
-------------
When they announce on national TV that they are going to release them, then they don't, what do you call that?

A) A lie
B) Hiding something
C) All of the above

Posted by: Late on Friday, if at all | Oct 30, 2008 12:23:51 PM

Bring on the surprises! I voted yesterday.

Posted by: NV-Sparkle | Oct 30, 2008 12:25:07 PM

My guess is that Palin's medical records will show she has had a boob job and she doesn't want the public to know.

Posted by: Blindhowlin | Oct 30, 2008 12:25:31 PM

Blindhowlin,

LOLLL

Posted by: N.W. | Oct 30, 2008 12:26:25 PM

LOL...wouldn't it be ironic if the reason they aren't releasing Palin's medical records is because she's had an abortion? I wouldn't put it past her.

Posted by: Independent Fighter | Oct 30, 2008 12:27:31 PM

my daughter's water broke two months before birth--no infection-baby was fine

Posted by: bob | Oct 30, 2008 12:29:36 PM

Why are all of you soooo concerned with Palin's medical records? Get a life. Who the hell cares how long she was in labor or whether or not she had an epidual, or if she had her tonsils out, etc..... if that is what you are basing this election on, I would say to you...get a grip, get a life, and get a JOB!

Posted by: mom | Oct 30, 2008 12:30:58 PM

I don't care to hear about Palin's last breast exam OR Obama's last colonoscopy. Some things are just better left private.

Posted by: jock59801 | Oct 30, 2008 12:31:35 PM

So, when you refuse to open your records Janice, you are saying that you are lying? FDR had polio and was in a wheelchair and no one known until after his death. So iguess he was a liar, hiding someing, or all of the above.

Posted by: Mr. Twister | Oct 30, 2008 12:33:26 PM

What's that smell...you have no business spaeking about what she does in her bedroom with her husband. We don't ask you what you do in yoour bedroom with the many baby daddys you entertain.

Posted by: bo | Oct 30, 2008 12:35:16 PM

What's that smell...you have no business spaeking about what she does in her bedroom with her husband. We don't ask you what you do in yoour bedroom with the many baby daddys you entertain.

Posted by: bo | Oct 30, 2008 12:35:18 PM

Where are Sarah Palin's medical records and why is she always slow in providing information about herself

Posted by: TakingPictures | Oct 30, 2008 12:35:44 PM

The biggest reason people want medical records divulged is because nobody wants a President who is taking large amounts of drugs that could affect his/her decision-making processes. This became an issue AFTER we found out about all the pain-killers JFK used consistently. It is a valid issue. We don't need to know EVERY detail, but we do need to know that a candidate is healthy enough for the rigors of the job!

Posted by: NV-Sparkle | Oct 30, 2008 12:38:13 PM

I CAN NOT TELL YOU WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON FRIDAY BUT I CAN TELL YOU BARACK H. BAMA WILL LOOSE THIS ELECTION.. MARK MY WORD.... HE IS RADICAL, THIS GUY IS PHONY.... AND A BIG LIAR

Posted by: riral | Oct 30, 2008 12:38:40 PM

You people are so funny and yet absurd at the same time. How many of you are on pain medication, have medical issues, yet you get up and go to your job and no one knows about your problems except your Human Resource department.

Posted by: Mr. Twister | Oct 30, 2008 12:40:56 PM

How will all of you people feel who voted for Obama when you finally realize what kind of thing he is? Have you even heard about the tape of him toasting the anti-Isreal Kalidi. Or any of his other questionable associations? If ABC NBC and CNN among many others is all you look at then you probably haven't. This guy is scary just for the fact that we know virtually nothing about him. And as for his sneering wife...I don't like her.

Posted by: icant believeit | Oct 30, 2008 12:41:15 PM

The only October surprise that would sway me is that someone proves that McCain has not been lying, smearing, and fear mongering. Do we really want a president that gets to the white house on the back of a negative campaign and no platform?

Posted by: Rob | Oct 30, 2008 12:44:24 PM

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