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Reporting and analysis from ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" Host George Stephanopoulos

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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Rodney
Me too where I live very Republican Area, recently my Neighbors are taking down their Mccain signs replacing them with Obama signs,I asked one of my Neighbors whats going on he told me they are Disgusted with Mccain and his Attacks and constant lies and Mccain not sticking to the Issuses!

Posted by: Angie | Oct 24, 2008 11:25:52 AM

That is all he knows is dirty attacks,he has NOTHING to offer this country.I thnk he has hurt the republican party so bad it will take years to get them back in power and I sure hope that this don't happen until this country is back on its feet, united as one and top of the billing for the world again.....

Posted by: NH voter | Oct 24, 2008 11:26:07 AM

mccains past has finally caught up with him--from being the hanoi songbird to the absolute disrespectfull campaign he has ran--as for his experience it can be summed up with two words--george bush---as for maverick,he is nothing more than an old geser chasing kids off the lawn.he has shown very bad judgement all the way including his pick for vp.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:26:54 AM

This is the best they've got?! My lord, with each passing day and each passing McCain campaign antic (they don't qualify as tactics), I become more and more enamored with Obama.

Posted by: Sarah | Oct 24, 2008 11:27:25 AM

Seriously?

1) Joe the Plumber is a myth, a guy who is not a plumber, had no plans to buy the business he claimed to want to buy, and admits himself that he would get an Obama tax break. This is an attack?

2) Obama is untested: Four words: Skin cancer Sarah Palin.

3) Democrats united: he may think that's a bad idea, but polls throughout the country show that Americans want a Democratic Congress and blame the Republicans for the current crappy state of Congress. They are also aware, before McCain tells them, that Obama is also a Democrat.

Posted by: Noonan | Oct 24, 2008 11:28:01 AM

Steve - Do not worry. I am sure with General Powell as Sec of State all will be well. At least if we go to war with Russia, I will not have to worry about McCain or Palin carpet bombing Atlanta instead of the the capitol of Georgia. And no I do not know what it is but I am also nor running for President or VP.)

Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Oct 24, 2008 11:28:27 AM

Gosh and the repugs should know since they ran uncomtested for Bush's first 6 years...kinda like saying it was ok for them but not us? LOL Just more Bush/McCain spin

Posted by: Grissom | Oct 24, 2008 11:28:53 AM

3 attacks by McCain, no discussion of issues at this time of crisis when America urgently needs solutions.
3 attacks, 3 strikes you're out.

McCain is just like his brother who used 911 to protest that he was stuck in traffic. McCain's campaign is stuck and no amount of angry 911 calls is going to get him unstuck -- it's just going to sink him deeper.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | Oct 24, 2008 11:29:04 AM

McCain = DISHONORABLE; Palin = SCARY!!!

Posted by: Howard Gallas | Oct 24, 2008 11:30:07 AM

angie
is mccain in your town today.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:31:48 AM

Article, proof and photo of Obama - belonged to socialist party; http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78945

Posted by: Lil | Oct 24, 2008 11:32:19 AM

Spending rose in Palin's Alaska administrations:

You folks need to check out the USA Today article online.

Sarah Palin is not all the Republicans say or think she is!

Posted by: Shay | Oct 24, 2008 11:33:13 AM

MCCain needs to look in the mirror and relize he needs to retire. His time has come and gone... He chose Palin as his running mate. Shame on him. He has the nerve to say Obama will do what ever it takes to get to the white house. MCCain is GW.

Posted by: Ray | Oct 24, 2008 11:33:34 AM

1. SAY GOODNIGHT, JOHN!

2. SAY GOODNIGHT, JOHN!

3. SAY GOODNIGHT, JOHN!

Posted by: Ed from MA | Oct 24, 2008 11:35:32 AM

when you see the people going with obama including some very reputable republicans,it shows just how awfull mccain has been.when he had the old lady stand up and say obama is an arab-,it had me rolling on the floor--what a freaking act--if it wasnt so serious i would still be laughing.these are stunts a child would pull-not someone running for pres---smells of rove all the way.

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:35:59 AM

No REAL Message...No Ideas...No Vision...No Political Future as of November 5th...Welcome to the Republican Party 2009 :):)

Posted by: Leprkin | Oct 24, 2008 11:36:07 AM

If you want an experienced, veteran President with an economic policy rooted in conservative principles working to keep in check a liberal congress with a 12% approval rating in a post 9/11 world, John McCain is your man.

McCain has a long record to back up his rhetoric so electing him is no leap of faith. He will keep his promises and his long bipartisan record proves it.

On taxes McCain has vowed to extend the Bush tax cuts . He has vowed not to increase corporate taxes that are already among the highest in the developed world.

He has a long bipartisan record and in 2005 co-sponsored bill S190 which sought to tighten the regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Had this legislation not been killed by the Democrats in the Senate Banking Comittee the damage we see today to our economy would have been mitigated.

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

On national security McCain is a tested veteran who has vowed to stay on offense against our enemies. Despite Colin Powell he has the endorsement of 4 previous Secretaries of State and many respected Admirals and Generals. He was right on Russia / Georgia and he was right about the troop surge.

On the economy, his pro-trade policies and corporate tax policy will keep US businesses growing, helping main street and wall street. He has vowed to reform government spending and cut unnecessary programs and pork.

Why is there even a debate?

Posted by: steve | Oct 24, 2008 11:40:16 AM

Steve you need to get a grip on it -- you explained why you won't vote for Obama -- Why no description of why you will vote for McCain.

Your guy is worse than my guy just won't cut it anymore. If you want to get Obama supporters to change their minds, you need to give them some reasons to vote for your guy.

Over the past month, all I have seen from the McCain campaign is how bad Obama is, not how good McCain would be and why.

Posted by: Luke | Oct 24, 2008 11:41:15 AM

The closing arguments will more likely take the form of closing excuses.

(1) "It's the economy, stupid." We were ahead until we were behind.

(2) "It's the incumbent, stupid." We had too strong a headwind -- the Bush administration legacy.

(3) "This is a generational transition." Obama was so much younger and energetic -- and unknown. And we were even older than Bush.

Posted by: Mack2 | Oct 24, 2008 11:41:54 AM

Today we learn that McCain believes in pallin' around with dictators, without preconditions. McCain had a friendly visit in the 1980s with Chile's military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet, one of the world's most notorious violators of human rights credited with killing more than 3,000 civilians and jailing tens of thousands of others. McCain didn't raise ANY questions of human rights, freedom or democracy with Pinochet. He was just pallin' around.

Posted by: Firtest | Oct 24, 2008 11:44:51 AM

who cares anymore?

Posted by: sick and tired | Oct 24, 2008 11:45:19 AM

Why we Endorse Barack Obama

Educated - Harvard Law School

Has sponsored/co-sponsored 37 bills in just 2 yrs - no lame duck

In touch with most americans core issues

Avid supporter of veteran issues, civil rights, health care, women's issues, and education, per voting record.

Inspiring

Has excellent advisors, including Warren Buffet

Chose a competant VP for that "3 am call" if needed

Does not make decisions in haste - no anger management needed

Shown an interest and ability to listen to others - not one-track mind

Owns only one house

New blood - not ingrained in the "good ole boy" Washington politics

Well spoken

Shown is able to vote against party, if needed - Invading Iraq

Good tax plan for most americans

Best hope we have of bringing back the middle-class

Just a few....

Women “need education and training” rather than an equal pay bill - John McCain

Posted by: becky | Oct 24, 2008 11:46:31 AM

Luke - see my response above.

Thanks,
Steve

Posted by: steve | Oct 24, 2008 11:47:13 AM

steve you most make more then 250...


we all will need to if mcliar is in the white house

you "Gird your loins!"

Posted by: Ray | Oct 24, 2008 11:47:23 AM

becky
very well said

Posted by: rodney | Oct 24, 2008 11:48:47 AM

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