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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 Campaign Manager Davis Predicts Victory

November 02, 2008 11:07 AM

Rick Davis, Sen. John McCain's campaign manager, predicted this morning that Americans will see "a victory by John McCain" on Tuesday. "Not the first comeback, but the last for this election cycle," he explained in a "This Week" interview.

But Davis declined to share his thoughts on how many electoral votes McCain will ultimately win, saying "anything over 270 will be fine with me."

He also responded to Obama's lead in national polling. "A lot of polls, right now, they're weighted down against the Republican Party," Davis said. ABC News' latest tracking polls show Obama with a steady nine-point lead over McCain.

"For these polls to have less than, or more than a 5-point or a 3-point margin between the Democratic, Republican Party, you know, I just think it skews the results of these polls," he said.

Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod fired back in a separate interview this morning. "I think that [Davis] needs to [spin] some sort of interpretation to keep his troops up. And I understand that. That's -- you know, when you're at the end of the campaign and things are tilting against you, that's what you do. I don't think any objective look at the polls would suggest that."

Davis also responded to a new Obama campaign ad out this morning highlighting Vice President Dick Cheney's recent endorsement of McCain. Davis said that McCain's relationship with the Bush administration is "certainly the contrast that Barack Obama has been trying to punch through in this election," but that "the closing argument, the stale, old politics of the past that Barack Obama has...he has really undermined his credibility as the agent of change."

"The idea that somehow that that is a great way to end your campaign, Barack Obama, is almost an insult to the American voter," he concluded.

Davis also defended the McCain campaign strategy when asked if they should have defined a clean break with President Bush earlier in the general election. I don't think it's a matter of, you know, when any of these things happen...really most of the selection is encapsulated in the last month."

--George Stephanopoulos

November 2, 2008 in This Week with George Stephanopoulos | Permalink | Share | User Comments (63)

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He actually thinks McCain is going to win?

What a joke!

Posted by: Kathy | Nov 2, 2008 11:18:29 AM

"For these polls to have less than, or more than a 5-point or a 3-point margin between the Democratic, Republican Party, you know, I just think it skews the results of these polls," he said.


hahahahahahahaha

get a grip fella...........

Posted by: Concerned in Ohio | Nov 2, 2008 11:18:34 AM

"The idea that somehow that that is a great way to end your campaign, Barack Obama, is almost an insult to the American voter," he concluded.

unbelievable... their run of mccain's campaign has been insulting to the american people for MONTHS. lies in ads, attacking while claiming to be a victim, and choosing palin are just a small number of insults to the american people.

mccain should fire every single one of them if he ever wants his integrity back.

Posted by: foomonkey | Nov 2, 2008 11:20:43 AM

-- He actually thinks McCain is going to win? --

What he says and what he thinks are most likely polar opposites. He is after all the campaign manager.. he can't exactly come out and say that they have such a small chance of winning that it's not really going on with things.. which would be the truth, but wouldn't be taken to kindly by McCain or the rest of the campaign members.

Nothing to see here people.. move along.

Posted by: Concerned American | Nov 2, 2008 11:26:44 AM

Just want to make SURE that when McCain take the oath, Obama supporters will NOT go on rampage with the riots!

Posted by: Voter In America | Nov 2, 2008 11:28:08 AM

WHERE ARE PALINS MEDICAL RECORDS????


WHAT IS SHE HIDING???

IS IT REALLY HER KID???? WHY TELL BRIAN WILLIAMS YOU WILL RELEASE THE RECORDS AND THEN END UP NOT???

Posted by: bhrandon | Nov 2, 2008 11:32:03 AM

bhrandon,

Why are you so anxious to know her med records?

Let try to get Obama's records FIRST. He is running for the TOP ticket.

Where are those drug-used days?
Crack, cocain, marij.

What else?

Posted by: Voter In America | Nov 2, 2008 11:34:35 AM

I have been volunteering in our Neighboring state of Colorado, (Wyoming is red, so not a chance, yet)-you would be surprised by the ground work. If the ground work has been effective here, I can't imagine what it is like in other states where the ground work is strong-I think we will all be suprised! Investment in ground work brings amazing outcomes.

I went into a a Conoco Shop Mart yesterday and had my Obama sticker on-I had 4 people just voluntarily tell me I voted for Obama. I didn't ask them who they voted for. enthusiasm is incredible in this state.

GO VOTE-COLORADO VOTERS-IF YOU HAVE A MAIL IN BALLTOT YOU MUST DROP THIS OFF AT A DESIGNATED AREA. YOU CAN NOT VOTE AT THE POLL WIH YOUR MAIL IN BALLOT--

I VOTED EARLY--INSTEAD A CRACKING THE CEILING LETS BREAK THE BARRIER BY SHATTERING THE CEILING THIS ELECTION-
VOTING FOR OBAMA WILL GIVE YOU A VOICE, EMPOWERMENT, AND CHANGE--I GUARANTEE YOU THIS!!!!

Posted by: Sophia Beck | Nov 2, 2008 11:34:43 AM

For these polls to have less than, or more than a 5-point or a 3-point margin between the Democratic, Republican Party, you know, I just think it skews the results of these polls," he said.
__________________________________________

INteresting. Does he that also take into account all the Republicans voting Democrat this year?

Posted by: Paige | Nov 2, 2008 11:37:43 AM

Rich Davis is in denial.

He is afraid that if he speaks the truth he knows, Republicans will not bother to go and vote and that could give the Dems 60 seats in the Senate.

It is difficult for him to say this, but I will say it for him.

IT'S OVER.

E_DAY - 2: ELECTORAL COLLEGE EV POLLS

Obama 364
McCain 171
Tie 3

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Nov 2, 2008 11:38:13 AM

Get your retirement money back from the Republicans! CNN, NY Times and USA Today published the facts about market performance. During the periods we had Democratic presidents, the stock market performed far better. CNN analysed the data from 1927 - 1999 and USA Today's data was from 1901 to 2004. The NY Times data was examined from 1929 - 2001.

CNN
---
2% gain = Republicans
11% gain = Democrats


USA Today
---------
6.9% gain = Republicans
13.3% gain = Democrats

NY Times
--------
0.4% gain = Republicans
8.9% gain = Democrats


Obama/Biden 08!

Posted by: Common Sense | Nov 2, 2008 11:38:21 AM

Sophia Beck,

WOW! You guarantee it!

Will I be allowed to keep my change?
Will I be allowed to keep my guns?
WIll I be allowed to keep my earnings?

You gurantee me all of these?

I guess somebody has been smoking AGAIN?

Posted by: Voter In America | Nov 2, 2008 11:39:16 AM

I've seen lots of campaigns in my life time, but none as badly run as McCain's campaign.

Posted by: Clint | Nov 2, 2008 11:40:33 AM

Steve_NJ,

I like for you to pick my lottery numbers!

Is it OVER, really?

Did you remember Kerry's win?

Posted by: Voter In America | Nov 2, 2008 11:41:03 AM

Voter In America,

Tell me your state and give me your e-mail and I will send you the Lotto winners buddy.

Kerry was not leading Bush by 7 pts 2 days to the election OK.

You can spin this anyway you want.

McCain is toast.

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Nov 2, 2008 11:44:55 AM

This makes me wonder what the Republicans have up their sleeves. I don't doubt that there is some way they could engineer a McCain victory. Afterall look at 2000 and 2004. They always get people to vote against their own econnmic self interest with things like gay marriage, Obama'a aunt, swiftboat attacks, I could go on but the list is long and disgusting.

As for Rick Davis, wasn't he George Bush's campaing manager in 2000 when the stories were spreading that McCain may be "mentally unstable" due to his confinement in the POW camp. I find it not only appaulling that Rick Davis was instrumental in spreading that idea to voters, but that McCain would even condsider this man for his campaign staff. I guess McCain figures if Davis could turn the tide against him in 2000 that he surely will be able to spread enough lies and inuendos about Obama to turn the tide against him. It shows McCain will do anything to win. And McCain said it himself in his book that he isn't seeking the presidency for any higher reason (like helping our counrty and her people, but rather his only goal is that he wants to be president. Makes the slogan "Counrty First" sound hollow. It should actually be "McCain First - Because I want it".

Democrats need to be very careful as anything can happen when the sleaze machine gets in motion.

Posted by: I've had it | Nov 2, 2008 11:49:23 AM

Hey Rick Davis, I'll tell you what's an insult to the American voter: SARAH PALIN.

1) Palin abused her power as a governor. That is a fact.
2) Palin supported the "bridge to nowhere." She didn't kill the project, as she lyingly claimed. That is also a fact.
3) Palin's husband was a member, for nearly a decade, of the Alaska Independence Party - a SECESSIONIST organization. So much for "country first."
4) As mayor of Wasilla, Palin left the town of 6000 $20 million dollars in debt. Nice fiscal conservatism.
5) She also, as mayor, hired a lobbyist to get earmarks for Wasilla - to the tune of 27 million. So much for being a reformer.
6) McCain says he'll enact a spending freeze. Meanwhile Palin gives a speech on special needs children, promising more funding. Who's lying? Both - in more McCain/Palin pandering for votes.
7) Earlier this year Palin said she didn't know what the vice president does. Then, about a week ago, she told a children's class that the VP is in charge of the senate. This woman is uninformed, unintelligent, and very confused.
8) Palin supports abstinence only sex education. Enough said.
9) Palin does not believe global warming is man-made. But she does want polar bears taken off the endangered species list.
10) Palin, as mayor, had women pay for their own rape examination kits. Some feminist, that Palin.
11) As mayor Palin inquired about banning books from the town library. This week she complained that criticism from the media was endangering her right to free speech. The woman's combination of arrogance and ignorance is appalling.

McCain picked Palin as his runningmate in a cynical pandering maneuver. He thought he could shore up the Republican base, and appeal to the so-called "disaffected Hillary supporters." Thinking Americans see his choice for what it was, and is. An irresponsible, pandering, insult to the whole nation. Where's the honor, John?

Posted by: jon in maryland | Nov 2, 2008 11:49:58 AM

This makes me wonder what the Republicans have up their sleeves. I don't doubt that there is some way they could engineer a McCain victory. Afterall look at 2000 and 2004. They always get people to vote against their own econnmic self interest with things like gay marriage, Obama'a aunt, swiftboat attacks, I could go on but the list is long and disgusting.

As for Rick Davis, wasn't he George Bush's campaing manager in 2000 when the stories were spreading that McCain may be "mentally unstable" due to his confinement in the POW camp. I find it not only appaulling that Rick Davis was instrumental in spreading that idea to voters, but that McCain would even condsider this man for his campaign staff. I guess McCain figures if Davis could turn the tide against him in 2000 that he surely will be able to spread enough lies and inuendos about Obama to turn the tide against him. It shows McCain will do anything to win. And McCain said it himself in his book that he isn't seeking the presidency for any higher reason (like helping our counrty and her people, but rather his only goal is that he wants to be president. Makes the slogan "Counrty First" sound hollow. It should actually be "McCain First - Because I want it".

Democrats need to be very careful as anything can happen when the sleaze machine gets in motion.

Posted by: I've had it | Nov 2, 2008 11:50:08 AM

Remember the Iraqi information minister? You know the guy who said: "I triple guarantee you, there are no American soldiers in Baghdad."

This is Rick Davis "triple guaranteeing" a McCain victory. LOL!

Posted by: JoeShmoe | Nov 2, 2008 11:55:03 AM

Dear Voter in America:

LOL...you need to get a grip... what a shame you have the "privilege" of voting with your hatred and the lie, cheat, and steal therory of the Republicans... the NEXT 8 YEARS WILL BE GREAT..ha ha ha.... so sad, too bad...... your group has stolen one to many elections.... though thanks for the help on this one, your group made it oh so easy....

Posted by: Glasshouse | Nov 2, 2008 11:57:25 AM

memo to davis

THE DETROIT LIONS ALSO PREDICT GOING THE THE SUPERBOWL .

get the picture....lol

Posted by: alan | Nov 2, 2008 11:58:59 AM

I don't know about the rest of the voters, but given the circumstances behind the Republicans winning the last two elections, I'd have to say I'm awfully nervous about a McCain representative delcaring 'victory' at this moment. Rather premature or................??? Am I the only one who questions that optimism from the McCain camp?

Posted by: Cheryl Anderson | Nov 2, 2008 11:59:21 AM

DON'T GLOAT - VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!

THE ONLY POLL THAT COUNTS IS ON NOV. 4!!!!!!!!

VOTE!!!!!!!

VOTE!!!!!!!

VOTE!!!!!!!

Posted by: This is SO Old | Nov 2, 2008 12:06:19 PM

how damn and stupid are americans voting for obamanaba for president? His ego is bigger than his head, with 143 days in the senate that's not experience, arrogant and he just want to be labeled as the first black resident. Do you think he can do all the changes that he promises, maybe in eight years. right now america is not ready to have a black president maybe in 12 years or never. this is a white county, why should they have a black president we might as well be in africa. i am not damn so count my vote out for him.

Posted by: lito | Nov 2, 2008 12:10:25 PM

obama at least released something, she hasnt released ANYTHING

that is unacceptable!

and more so because she said she would, i want to know why...

what is she afraid of?

WHERE ARE YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: bhrandon | Nov 2, 2008 12:14:20 PM

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