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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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McCain's Three Closing Arguments

October 24, 2008 10:37 AM

Mccaincampaignrally John McCain will be making three closing arguments in the homestretch of his campaign, a senior Republican campaign strategist tells ABC News.

#1 -- Joe The Plumber: McCain will attempt to hammer home his message that Barack Obama's tax plan would hurt small business owners and is an attempt to "share the wealth" and smacks of socialism.

#2 -- Obama Untested: The McCain campaign will be taking advantage of what was a gaffe this week by Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden who said earlier this week that the world would "test" a  new young President Obama.  The McCain campaign will capitalize on Biden's comment to argue Obama isn't ready to be Commander-in-Chief.

#3 -- Democrats "United":  The McCain campaign will argue the nation needs a McCain administration to check a Congress led by Democrats House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Already Republican are running television ads in places like North Carolina where Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole is fighting against Democratic challenger, state Sen. Kay Hagan to hold onto her seat.

Watch for Republicans to raise the specter of a Obama-Pelosi-Reid administration that is not going to be checked by a Republican Congress.

--George Stephanopoulos

October 24, 2008 in John McCain, Republicans Vote 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (424)

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the problem with all 3 without details is all are attacks and no vision of the future.

Posted by: watching | Oct 24, 2008 10:47:57 AM


1, WE ARE

2, GOING

3, DOWN


I will head back to my stepford beer wife in one of my 11 homes,and sarah palin you will see soon on Tv as a host or something.

I hope OUR LITTLE CIRCUS SHOW was fun for you guys.

Posted by: sam | Oct 24, 2008 10:50:03 AM

#1 - This "Joe the Plumber" schtick has just about played itself out. Sick of hearing about this nonsense. I'll bet Joe himself is sick of it, too. McCain is started to sound like an addled old fool.

#2 - All new Presidents get tested in one way or another. Doesn't mean McCain wouldn't get "tested". Just a heck of a lot scarier thought as to how he would react!!

#3 - Yes, a Democrat controlled Congress and President. Sounds good to me. Maybe then we could get something postitive accomplished for America instead of the jockeying for position and power grab we have to put up with when the Rethugs are in control of Congress and won't let the Dems. pass anything of worth to help this Country, cause only the "thug's" want to get all the credit.

Posted by: geecee | Oct 24, 2008 10:52:47 AM

Why do they tell What their gonna do?Mccain why dont you start Talking to people about the Issuses and what your gonna do not what Obama is gonna do?

Posted by: Angie | Oct 24, 2008 10:56:05 AM

They are beating this 'Joe the Plumber' thing to death, aren't they? At a certain point it comes across as desperate doesn't it? I guess they don't have a choice...

Posted by: MIguy | Oct 24, 2008 10:56:33 AM

Attacks Attacks Attacks! That's all McCain can do. Shame on him!

Posted by: leighg1 | Oct 24, 2008 10:59:30 AM

My question is, how does being shot down, being held prisoner, and being tortured, which is a test of one's character to survive, equate to being tested to handle national and international problems? I don't see how the scars McCain says prove he is tested show that he is ready to make decisions on how to handle a rogue nation starting up nuclear weapon plants. The only people in the U.S. who can whether they have passed the tests to handle those situations are past presidents.

Posted by: Mack | Oct 24, 2008 11:00:28 AM

I think they are *planning* to close with 3 arguments. But none of their plans have survived contact with reality.

By this time next week they will have introduced 2 new narratives, minimum.

Posted by: bubba | Oct 24, 2008 11:00:39 AM

yep, that'll work ol' man.

Posted by: dem in chicago | Oct 24, 2008 11:02:14 AM

1) Joe the Plumber has been unmasked as Joe the Phoney. McCain could care less for plumbers; he's looking out for Joe the Investment Banker and Joe the Offshoring Specialist and the other less-than-5% who will see their taxes skyrocket to the socialist levels they suffered under Chairman Reagan. Oh, the humanity!

2) There will likely be an event during the next four years that will "test" the President. If that test is a crisis of the magnitude of, oh say, Hurricane Katrina, I have a good idea of which candidate I can trust to respond in an efficient, level-headed manner... and which might just write off the victims as "unreal" Americans.

3) Funny that the Pugs never saw any problem when they controlled Executive and Legislative and made big gains on Judicial as well. When the shoe's on the other foot, suddenly it's an issue? Fuggitaboutit.

Posted by: Yukon Sam | Oct 24, 2008 11:04:43 AM

1. Fighting
2. Between
3. Republicans

Posted by: Thinking | Oct 24, 2008 11:05:03 AM

The McCain campaign is just pathetic at this point. Although I am a Democrat I do remember a time when Republicans had credibility. And it just gets stranger and stranger. The young woman in Pittsburgh who was allegedly attacked? Why is the "B" carved backward as if it were done in the mirror. This from Politico:

" Skepticism in Pittsburgh

The police are skeptical:

Police planned to administer a polygraph test to Ashley Todd, 20, because her statements about the attack conflict with evidence from the Citizens Bank ATM where she claims the incident occurred, police said.

By Ben Smith 09:24 AM"

Posted by: Go Panthers | Oct 24, 2008 11:06:56 AM

Joe The Plumber Might I suggest some "Roto Rooter" or perhaps "Draino". Maybe even some "Ex Lax" to rid McCain of this issue.

Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Oct 24, 2008 11:07:31 AM

what about the issues? Why just attacks? Because that is all either of you have left!

Posted by: jozy | Oct 24, 2008 11:10:45 AM

if i hear about the dipstick plumber guy one more time i will scream---what dumb crap.mccain cannot tell us how he will do anything--as voting along with bush over 90% tells it all---goodbye mcliar.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:13:17 AM

I Hear the Republican party is a mess crumbiling as we speak, Mccain Bashing Bush,Republicans crossing over to Obama! Republicans slamming Mccain for Bashing Bush, Some getting their Money and ads cut off. Yep One ole Big mess in that Party, I say Its time for the Big Elephants to take some time off!

Posted by: Angie | Oct 24, 2008 11:13:30 AM

Joe the Plumber, Jill the Waitress, Hank the Barber, Barry the Carpenter...etc. Why are they leaving out Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer and Winnie the Pooh?

Posted by: pamp205 | Oct 24, 2008 11:14:28 AM

Rodney,
What do you think of some of the Republicans Jumping on the Obama wagon?

Posted by: Angie | Oct 24, 2008 11:15:38 AM

John McCain is a sad desperate bitter old man.

Posted by: DMR | Oct 24, 2008 11:17:37 AM

McCain needs to stop using Joe "related to Charles keating" the Plumber for votes. The guy doesnt even have a plumbing license!

http://www.congratstothewinners.com/john_mccain.html

Posted by: FriendlyFred | Oct 24, 2008 11:18:36 AM

1. You're losing.

2. You lost.

3. So sorry.

Posted by: Julie | Oct 24, 2008 11:19:07 AM

angie
i have republican friends,and they cannot believe some of the childish crap mccain has promoted----this will be a landslide.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:19:13 AM

That's about the size of it. These are all facts, no attacks, no "smears".

If you want a young, inexperienced President with an economic policy rooted in marxist / socialist principles working with an unchecked liberal congress with a 12% approval rating in a post 9/11 world, BO is your man.

I would also add to the closing argument that this man has no record to back up any of his rhetoric so electing him is a complete leap of faith. He may keep his promises he may not - no way to know - campaign finance.

On taxes his limited record shows that he has never voted to cut taxes for anyone. His 95% talking point is pure hogwash since far less than that number actually pay taxes. He was rated the #1 most liberal Senator in congress.

My two most important issues are national security and the econcomy in that order.

On national security his own VP nominee admits electing him is an invitation to our enemies to "test his mettle." If he gets elected and Russia does something provactive lets all hope his "mettle" doesn't involve setting up moral equivalencies or saying let the UN security council that Russia controls veto power on handle it.

On the economy, his anti-trade policies and punitive corporate taxes will drive businesses out of the US further harming main street and wall street. Add in a nationalized healthcare regime and out of control government spending and watch what happens.

"Gird your loins!"

Posted by: steve | Oct 24, 2008 11:20:45 AM

The so-called liberal media haven't asked any tough questions of Palin in this campaign. The woman who is indignant of "pallin around with terrorists" is married to someone who until recently was a follower of Joe Vogler. Vogler, the founder of the Alaska Independence Party, is infamous for saying "the fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government. And I won't be buried under their damn flag." Who does Palin pal around with, when she isn't claiming that her children should be compensated for their travel on official state business, or using RNC money to buy Louis Vuitton bags for her daughters?

Posted by: Firtest | Oct 24, 2008 11:23:06 AM

Sounds like McCain (Karl Rove & Co.--soon to be retired - Karl Rove, ex officio of filth) are starting to shoot themselves in the big toe. If you need extra ammo just call.

Posted by: Jorge | Oct 24, 2008 11:25:33 AM

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