George's Bottom Line
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.'
RECENT POSTS
- Top Three Questions on Stimulus Package
- Obama Has Votes Now to Pass Stimulus Plan
- Obama's Intelligence Announcement
- Senate Deal in Works for Burris
- 'This Week' Sunday Exclusive: President-Elect Barack Obama
- Obama Adamant Economic Stimulus Package Signed By President's Day
- Obama Teams Defends Panetta CIA Pick
- Impossible for Obama to Keep Richardson
- McConnell Proposes State Loans, Middle Class Tax Cut
- Durbin: Burris Rejection 'Not About Race'
- Israeli President: No Ceasefire
- Coming Up on 'This Week'
- Exclusive: Obama's Blago Report: Only One Rahm Call to Governor
- Biden Not Ruling Out Prosecuting Bush Officials For Prisoner Abuse
- Biden Counseled Hillary, Bill on State Dept. Job
- Biden: 'I'll Get to Be In the Room' on Every Critical Decision
- Biden: 'We're Going to Inherit $1-Trillion Deficit'
- Biden: Cheney 'Dead Wrong'; Terror Policies Have Created More Terrorists
- Biden: Wife Wants to Maintain Her 'Own Identity'
- Why Hasn't Joe Biden Resigned His Senate Seat?
- Too Much Legacy in The U.S. Senate?
- VIP Puppies for VP-Elect: Biden Family Getting Two Pups
- Biden: U.S. Economy in Danger of 'Absolutely Tanking'
- Pew: Obama Inherits Lackluster U.S. Image Abroad
- Gary Gensler to Head CFTC; Tarullo to Federal Reserve Board
- Obama's Cabinet Picks
- Mary Schapiro to Head SEC
- LaHood Expected for Transportation Secretary
- Obama Approval High. Blago Contacts? Not So Much
- Arne Duncan Obama's Pick for Education Secretary
GEORGE REPORTS
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
What If the Polls Are Wrong?
November 03, 2008 8:22 PM
There have been in the neighborhood of 159 national polls in the last six weeks.
Most of those polls have Barack Obama ahead of John McCain, including our ABC News/Washington Post daily tracking poll, that has Obama comfortably ahead 53-44.
But what if the polls are wrong?
It's happened before.
Remember that famous Chicago Tribune newspaper headline "Dewey Defeats Truman" back in 1948? But in that case, the last polls of the election had been completed in mid-October. Not on the eve of the election.
If it turns out that McCain wins tomorrow night in the face of so many polls that even at this late hour show Obama ahead comfortably, I think you have to say that the industry of political public opinion polling in this country will be shot.
They'll have to build from the ground up. People will have to rethink how they do this work.
The same thing will hold true for the political media. We know that polls are just a snapshot in time.
But I think Americans will really questions what they're hearing from now on from the political media.
Probably even more important, if this happens tomorrow, I think a significant number of Americans will be in a state of political shock.
They may not believe what they're seeing tomorrow night.
Right now we're looking at polls where not only is Obama ahead nationally, he's ahead in the key states he needs to win.
Of course, anything can happen tomorrow. The media has had to eat crow on election night before.
But we've never really seen so much polling at this late date all pointing in the same direction.
--George Stephanopoulos
November 3, 2008 in Barack Obama, Democrats Vote 2008, John McCain, Republicans Vote 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (629)
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/433071/35316224
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference What If the Polls Are Wrong? :
"But we've never really seen so much polling at this late date all pointing in the same direction."
Never say never.
Posted by: mortimer snerd | Nov 3, 2008 8:29:35 PM
Vote wisely!
Which is better for our economy: Obama redistributing our wealth or McCain growing more wealth?
Obama will take more money from the Americans who already pay the great majority of income taxes and “spread the wealth” to many who don’t even pay taxes to begin with in the form of a government check. :(
Obama thinks it is his right to redistribute wealth, but it certainly isn’t the view of the average American worker, and it is obviously wrong.
McCain thinks the way for America to prosper is to leave Americans with more of their income, allowing them to do what they do best -- create the businesses, jobs, and opportunities that drive our vast economy.
Government has to be paid for, and that money comes from guys like Joe the plumber. Politicians can either bleed him dry to fund their programs, or they can encourage Americans to create more jobs and more wealth – and keep government limited and effective.
Obama does not include survivors of botched abortions in his "the least of these!" :)
It is your choice!
This former democrat and Hillary supporter voted for McCain/Palin 08! They are America's only choice for authentic reform! :)
Posted by: aware2u | Nov 3, 2008 8:32:05 PM
Vote wisely!
Which is better for our economy: Obama redistributing our wealth or McCain growing more wealth?
Obama will take more money from the Americans who already pay the great majority of income taxes and “spread the wealth” to many who don’t even pay taxes to begin with in the form of a government check. :(
Obama thinks it is his right to redistribute wealth, but it certainly isn’t the view of the average American worker, and it is obviously wrong.
McCain thinks the way for America to prosper is to leave Americans with more of their income, allowing them to do what they do best -- create the businesses, jobs, and opportunities that drive our vast economy.
Government has to be paid for, and that money comes from guys like Joe the plumber. Politicians can either bleed him dry to fund their programs, or they can encourage Americans to create more jobs and more wealth – and keep government limited and effective.
Obama does not include survivors of botched abortions in his "the least of these!" :)
It is your choice!
This former democrat and Hillary supporter voted for McCain/Palin 08! They are America's only choice for authentic reform! :)
Posted by: aware2u | Nov 3, 2008 8:33:43 PM
The only way McCain will win is if he wins the way Bush did- by cheating and stealing the election.
Posted by: TRUTH | Nov 3, 2008 8:34:12 PM
It doesn't matter if the polls are right or wrong. I am a USONIAN and In the end whom ever is elected President is our President. GOD Bless all of the USONSIANS and the USA.
Posted by: cony007 | Nov 3, 2008 8:37:04 PM
The polls suck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God bless America................
Posted by: Joey | Nov 3, 2008 8:39:25 PM
aware2u, stop trying to make yourself look bad.
Posted by: aware2uiswierd | Nov 3, 2008 8:41:44 PM
Who uses the term "USonian"?
Posted by: kbar13 | Nov 3, 2008 8:42:46 PM
If Obama loses tomorrow, I don't think it will be the media or the pollsters we will have to examine. It will be quite obvious there would be a problen in tallying ballots.
Say what you want about the Bradley effect. That happened 35 years ago and we didn't see it in the primaries. Why should we see it now.
Technology has brought our prediction capabilities much more accurate.
Don't blame the media or the pollsters. Blame our voting system.
Posted by: Wayne from Fullerton, CA | Nov 3, 2008 8:44:27 PM
aware2u--
Thanks for showing us a great example of a brain on McCain kool aid! :) And can you please explain your "survivors of botched abortions" line? I didn't get that one at all! :(
Posted by: dejune5678 | Nov 3, 2008 8:45:20 PM
The time has come for Americans to sweep away the far-right wing lunatic Christian nut jobs in the government who are hell-bent on stuffing their backwards views down our throats. We've had enough. The neo-cons have put us in a colossal mess and they need to pay by getting the hell out and staying out for good. All you cons care about is yourselves and the wealthy cronies. You don't give a hoot about your country. It's always, "Me! Me! Me!"
You far-right cons represent all that is unpleasant about human character: bigotry, ignorance, arrogance, mean-spiritedness, vindictiveness, dishonesty, lack of class, selfishness, lack of compassion, etc. Observing the way you've been running the various campaigns around the country, your true colors have shown right through. You have run this great country of ours into the ground with amazing incompetence and sown hatred across party and ideological lines. You'll be swept out and the rest of America will do whatever it can to keep you lunatics in your hole where you belong.
Posted by: Alex Khan | Nov 3, 2008 8:45:59 PM
I wish the wealth-haters would get it right. Tax breaks for the middle class is a good thing for stimulating the economy.
Let's also restore our 401Ks, retirement accounts and begin investing in the U.S. again (instead of allowing Cox to permit the short-sellers pillaging).
CNN, NY Times and USA today published the facts if you want to look that up. During the periods we had Democratic presidents, the stock market performed far better. CNN analysed the data from 1927 - 1999 and USA'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 3, 2008 8:50:22 PM
Just a reminder of the primary election in New Hampshire. The polls had Obama ahead but the media and pollsters had misjudged. Just remember that the media has been very biased in this election but the one thing they can't do is vote for us. They can lean the election in the direction they want but that is as far as they can go. When it comes time to vote, that is our own private and personal choice and we in this country think for ourselves. Obama's lead may not be as great as the polls are saying. There may be a surprise tomorrow night that is totally unexpected.
Posted by: dzwjno | Nov 3, 2008 8:52:45 PM
God bless President Obama.
Posted by: Julie | Nov 3, 2008 8:53:03 PM
How many ways can the Republicans steal the election... I'll bet they are counting the ways.
I am amazed that people with little education and minimum wage jobs think that the big money republicans have their interests at heart. And they get taken over and over.
Posted by: mr sleepy | Nov 3, 2008 8:54:00 PM
McCain will grow the wealth? Really!? How many of us are wealthy after 8 years of Republican policy? Feel rich yet? How much is left for any of us?
Posted by: davel54 | Nov 3, 2008 8:54:48 PM
Who knows how this election will go, some polls show obama up by 10 or more points some show them tied. I think we may see a very tight race if not tight then that will mean that McCain took it as Regan did in a landslide, I don't think that will happen. I don't think we will know who really won for a few days since some states my have to do a recount. The state I live in will not have to do a recount it will go McCain by 60 to 80%, but now we have to place our furture in the hands of places like San Franc-sicko that scare the hell out of me since the moral fiber of that city left many years ago and became a far left freak impound.
Posted by: Robert | Nov 3, 2008 8:56:55 PM
If the polls are wrong? Then America we have a problem. This country is very diverse with all races and colors. Now at the McCain rally you only see the color white and maybe some spec of other colors. Now at the Obama rallies you see all races and colors in an attendance. Now if McCain win can we honestly say that all those other races combined with the white race do not represent the majority of the voting public. If McCain win it just something wrong with that picture.
Posted by: attacked tired | Nov 3, 2008 8:57:23 PM
davel54- I for one have had a very good 8 years don't expect that to happen in the next 8 no matter who gets in. If McCAin gets in my business will maintain about the same or increase a little. If obama gets in then I will have to layoff a few people may all of them and bring the family in to do most of the work. To bad for the people they been with me for years but nothing you can do when the goverment starts taking your money you use to pay employees.
Posted by: Robert | Nov 3, 2008 8:59:39 PM
I'll keep my fingers crossed that this election is an honest one! I hope we have lots of folks at the election centers with cameras documenting all infractions. America can not endure another questionable election. Peace to all and see you at the polls. May the best man win. Go Obama!!!!
Posted by: bravebrick | Nov 3, 2008 9:01:08 PM
Oh Yes, McCaine/Palin are definitely America's only choice for authentic Downfall!
Posted by: Melvin | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:02 PM
Wisely???
You seriuous, the reason Obama want the middle class to get a break is so it would create more wealth.
But I guess its pointless to explain as most smart people vote for Obama.
Posted by: Matt | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:24 PM
If the Republicans can figure out a way to steal this election like they did in 2000, they will. And if Obama loses McCain will not be able to govern even if he does win legit. THe people won't trust him and the Democrats will tie him up. They will also being numerous investigations into the Bush administration. So George you had better hope McCain does not win.
Posted by: nick ames | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:27 PM
attacked tired - You got to ask youself a few question about the obama's rallys. Is it because he is having a rock singer before are after as he did in Germany and Denver or are they really there for him. I really question that with what I have read. McCain rallys, I don't think I have seen more than one or two on the news, they don't report stuff like that about McCain, it might help him and they don't want that. I will vote for McCain to protect the country. You vote who you think is best. The country will be split for the next 4 years if it is obama since most of us can not trust him at all and will not be able to turn our back on him at all.
Posted by: Robert | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:34 PM
This former Hillary Clinton Supporter will be voting for McCain/Palin tomorrow and we're gonna win! :)
Posted by: Amy-GA | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:51 PM
The early "Dewey" poll was also based on a biased sample. This was before we realize that polls are only accurate if EVERYONE has an equal opportunity for inclusion. That poll was based on subscribers to a magazine (I believe). Hardly close to representative (it was conservative leaning).
POTENTIAL distortions in Todays polls:
1) many don't poll cell-phone users, some information says they slightly prefer Obama
2) The "Likely" voter calculus. Republicans are typically more likely to vote than Dems - that's why Registered/adult based polls widely favor Obama. This is how we get house effects. This especially the case for black turnout estimates. This year will be different. I strongly doubt young people will have greater turnout than they usually do (they are under-represented).
3) The weighting of party identification. If a pollster uses party id figures from 2004 to weight repondents, this will likely result in a poll that underrepresents Obama supporters.
4) Then there's the "bradley" effect. If it exists, it helps McCain a bit.
Posted by: thorfinn | Nov 3, 2008 9:03:52 PM
I am sure the media is happy with their gratis campaign for Obama. The bastards at ABC are shameless. You hide the facts and even today you hide the coal industry destruction plan of Obama while he went and promised those poor folks the moon. George, you know about this don't you? http://www.ohiocoal.com/ WHY didn't you report on it???? You are one sorry piece of work with zero integrity.
Posted by: Bill | Nov 3, 2008 9:04:55 PM
aware2u- "redistributing the wealth" is a McCainism used to convince people that it is wrong to raise taxes on the wealthiest people and give tax breaks to the middle class. How he managed to convince working class people that is a bad thing to do, is beyond me. Of course he doesn't want the wealthy to be taxed more because HE is incredibly wealthy. And why would any middle class person think that getting a tax break is a bad thing and "socialist" or "redistributing"??? Bush gave the tax cuts to the wealthiest few and McCain went along with it. Obama wants to repeal those tax cuts and give the middle class a break. Did you think it was "socialism" to give those tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and give the middle class nada? I do not get you or people like you. You don't make any sense at all. Of course, if you are one of those lucky few that is incredibly wealthy, then I get where you are coming from. But there are many wealthy people (Warren Buffet being one of them) that says he is willing to pay more taxes because that is fair and he should do his share to help the American economy by doing so. We all pay taxes, but the middle class carries an inordinate amount of the burden and Barack Obama thinks that is unfair. He wants to "spread the tax burden" equally. That is not "socialism" or "redistributing" or any of the other silly buzz words that McCain uses. It is just FAIR. TRUTH, pass it on.
Posted by: TRUTH | Nov 3, 2008 9:05:12 PM
Bill, McCain and Obama have roughly the same plan. But I'm sure you have no interest in the truth.
Posted by: thorfinn | Nov 3, 2008 9:06:30 PM
Tomorrow's results will be radically different than any of the polls thus far.
The polls are not accurately reflecting the split of "Hillary Democrats" that will be voting for McCain tomorrow.
The polls have not accurately estimated the turnout.
Posted by: Bob | Nov 3, 2008 9:07:27 PM
Speaking as an expert Bob? Most Hillary supporters are utterly repulsed by Republican Policies. Keep dreaming. You cannot wish away solid polling by fantasy. These people lose their livelihood if they don't deliver as accurate an estimate as they can.
Posted by: thorfinn | Nov 3, 2008 9:10:59 PM
Ask yourself this question in the voting booth: Will we be safer in the next 4 years with Obama or McCain?
Posted by: Lim | Nov 3, 2008 9:12:27 PM
Um, I confess ... I told a pollster I was voting for Obama when I knew I was going to cast a vote for McCain. I did tell the truth because of the way they asked the question almost trying to get me to say I was for Obama. I decided to give them what they wanted.
Posted by: Janice | Nov 3, 2008 9:12:47 PM
thorfin, I am sure you visited the link before posting to me. I would suggest reading it again and this time fathom it.
Posted by: Bill | Nov 3, 2008 9:13:34 PM
To whoever posted "McCain growing more wealth"
SillY Sarah is pregnant again!
Triplets!!! _ they are waiting to id the papa before releasing the medical records.
SillY Sarah for president!!! Why wait for 4 years or for (god forbid) MCCain to become incapacitated.
WRITE_IN SILLY SARAH for President on NOV 4th!!
Posted by: rufus | Nov 3, 2008 9:14:20 PM
{{{{
Speaking as an expert Bob? Most Hillary supporters are utterly repulsed by Republican Policies. Keep dreaming. You cannot wish away solid polling by fantasy. These people lose their livelihood if they don't deliver as accurate an estimate as they can.}}}}
As a former Hillary supporter & a first time voter I can tell you we are voting for McCain in large numbers, the polls don't want to show that. We feel Hillary was mistreated during the primaries and we did want to see her the first female President or VP. We'll settle for McCain Pres and Plain for VP because we want to see a woman in one of those positions.
Posted by: Amy-GA | Nov 3, 2008 9:14:41 PM
I would bet every penney I have that aware2u has never voted democrat in his life. His comments, albeit inaccurate, aren't those of someone who ever leaned left of center. Why must the right wing lie to compete?
Posted by: Clarity | Nov 3, 2008 9:15:24 PM
If the polls are wrong, then they are wrong. If he loses then the Dems will cry foul and wo is me crap they always pull. Come on people, stop accepting that the news media is right about everything. Get off your butts and do some research to find out the truth. Make a list of what is really important to you then see where each candidate stands on the issues. For a long time I thought I was a Democrat because my mother was a Democrat but I found out i leaned the other way. Stop drinking the kool aid and get informed!
Posted by: Sherri | Nov 3, 2008 9:15:39 PM
Janice- your pants are on fire! No one here believes you lied to a pollster and told them you wanted Obama when you really secretly wanted McCain! Tsk, tsk. Now, go to your room!
Posted by: TRUTH | Nov 3, 2008 9:15:57 PM
What is the point of Stephanopoulos writing this speculative article? He cites 1948 which was 60 years ago... when this country still supported segregation ... a totally different electorate. Plus the technology of polling is better and better. He seems to be grabbing a vague scenario and running with it in a sort of blathering way. Typical of the level of
'analysis' we get from our TV commentator corps.
Posted by: Steve | Nov 3, 2008 9:16:03 PM
SillY Sarah is pregnant again!
Triplets!!! _ they are waiting to id the papa before releasing the medical records.
SillY Sarah for president!!! Why wait for 4 years or for (God forbid) MCCain to become incapacitated.
WRITE_IN SILLY SARAH for President on NOV 4th!!
Posted by: rufus | Nov 3, 2008 9:16:30 PM
When this country stops voting on abortion and guns as key issues, then we can move forward. I think I have the right to walk down the street without being shot dead more so than a person has the right to kill a defenseless animal. Want to hunt and kill? Go do it with your bare hands and then I'll show you some respect.
Posted by: Diane Fah | Nov 3, 2008 9:16:37 PM
Janice: That's OK. They factor in GOP lies when they conduct the polling. The polls are accurate - for just that reason. People are sick of liars who play games while America hurts. We wont be walking down that road with you - you walk alone. Obama-Biden 08.
Posted by: chester burns | Nov 3, 2008 9:17:01 PM
The polls are wrong. There is a higher hang up rate of 80% when it's usually 50%. This is likely McCain supporters hanging up because they're fed up with the biased media and print outlets. And PUMAs (former Hillary supporters voting for McCain) are intentionally telling pollsters they're voting for Obama when they're voting for McCain.
Posted by: JustSayin | Nov 3, 2008 9:17:48 PM
'What if'....'What if'....what if Palin had a brain...whAT IF.... AD INFINATUM.
Posted by: Jim Macko | Nov 3, 2008 9:17:57 PM
How many ways can the Republicans steal the election... I'll bet they are counting the ways.
I am amazed that people with little education and minimum wage jobs think that the big money republicans have their interests at heart. And they get taken over and over.
Posted by: mr sleepy | Nov 3, 2008 8:54:00 PM
------------------------------
This, I know there are ALOT of exceptions and the parties are changing but this is what it SHOULD be and how it basically is at its core (in early politics, the dem-like parties were the opposite of what the dems are now, vice versa for the republicans):
Dems are the party of the "little guy," big on economic intervention (higher minimum wage, affirmative action) but small on social intervention (abortion, legalizing drugs). They, more often than not, dislike war spending.
Reps are the party of the wealthy; big on social intervention (except, strangely, on gun rights), small on economic intervention (lower taxes, deregulation) They, more often than not, like war spending. No, they are NOT the party of SMALL spending ever since Reagan, both spend about equally.
I really don't understand why the Reps are supported by such low-income people when they clearly don't have their best interests at mind, well also the fact that lower-educated people support the reps isn't suprising...
Infact, how much money one makes isn't really that big of a factor in party preference as much as it should. What REALLY divides people is lifestyle. Those in rural America are MUCH more likely to be conservative than urban america. And yes, women are more for Dems, men for Reps, minorities for dems, and whites for reps, those are given.
Posted by: rage.against | Nov 3, 2008 9:18:42 PM
Forty percent of Obama's vote will come from people who do not pay any taxes thus have little at stake except the free money he is promising. Wonder why they vote that way!
The country was much better off when only those who owned property and paid taxes could vote. They had a stake in their government.
Posted by: Allen, SD | Nov 3, 2008 9:18:45 PM
TO the former Hillary Clinton Supporter who will be voting for McCain/Palin tomorrow and we're gonna win! :)
SillY Sarah for president!!! Why wait for 4 years or for (God forbid) MCCain to become incapacitated.
SIllY Sarah has active ovaries (Unlike Hillary!)
WRITE_IN SILLY SARAH for President on NOV 4th!!
Posted by: rufus | Nov 3, 2008 9:19:08 PM
clinton!!!!excuse me I MEAN MCCAIN ALL THE WAY!!!!!!
Posted by: chad | Nov 3, 2008 9:19:27 PM
Vote wisely!! McCain is four more years of Bush, and we all know what a complete and utter Disaster Bush has been.
Posted by: James | Nov 3, 2008 9:20:45 PM
You would think these people learned their lesson about speculating who will win and by how much.... It ain't over until the fat lady sings. Anything can happen. Remember, their are other options besides Democrat or Republican. Take the time to check them out. Let the people of America speak. Send a message to the do nothings in Washington. Send them a clear message that it is the people who put them there and it is we the people who can remove them.
Posted by: trumpy | Nov 3, 2008 9:21:09 PM
If the polls are proven wrong, ABCNEWS already low credibility will take a further hit and they have to look for a new political analyst rather than a Dem operative.
Posted by: Greg h | Nov 3, 2008 9:21:13 PM
attacked tired - if McCain wins then a majority of US Citizens registered to vote wanted him to win based on the issues. How is that unfair and why is there something wrong with that picture? If Obama wins a majority of US Citizens registered to vote wanted him to win based on the issues. Again that is fair and there isn't anything wrong with that picture. McCain has only a spec of other races at his rallys because the other races support Obama. They like where Obama stands on the issues more than McCain. This doesn't have anything to do with race. It is all about the issues.
Posted by: dzwjno | Nov 3, 2008 9:23:27 PM
Yup, when the pollsters call we former Hillary Clinton supporters up, we do say I'm voting Obama but we're definately voting McCain/Palin all the way in force on Tuesday! :) Our voices will be heard through our votes on Tuesday. We will not put up with the way they treated Hillary in the primaries.
Posted by: Amy-GA | Nov 3, 2008 9:24:24 PM
Allen: "Forty percent of Obama's vote will come from people who do not pay any taxes thus have little at stake except the free money he is promising. Wonder why they vote that way!
The country was much better off when only those who owned property and paid taxes could vote. They had a stake in their government."
My grandfather pays no tax. He also hasn't heard out of one ear since 1944 when the side of his face was caved in from the pressure of a shell exploding a few feet from him. My grandfather deserves to vote more than some smug racist sitting at his computer terminal spewing out hatred.
Posted by: Jim Macko | Nov 3, 2008 9:25:46 PM
I see that aware2u is typical of most Republicans. Tell a lie enough times, and it becomes true.
Even Alan Greenspan has stated that the disparity between the wealthy and the have-nots is too great in this country. The bottom 40% of the population only owned 0.2% of the wealth. The bottom 80% of the population only owns about 15% of the wealth. When the top 20% owns 85% of the wealth, why shouldn't they bear the burden of the highest taxes?
The majority of the Republican party, and the pious right, are being hoodwinked by the rich to help maintain the status quo.
Posted by: AnyMous | Nov 3, 2008 9:26:27 PM
Hey Bill if you think it is right to take money from people who worked hard for it and give it to the low life, lazy bums that can work but don't want to so they get on welfare, then you you are crazy! Also you need to check your facts. The middle class doesn't have the burden of paying the most taxes. The wealthiest 1% actually do and if they want to pay more good for them. But Obama's team keeps lowering the amount they consider wealthy. The last I heard it was 120K. Pretty soon it's going to be 50K. Also don't know where you have been but I am middle class and I got a tax cut.
Posted by: sherri | Nov 3, 2008 9:27:09 PM
dzwjno -- Other races support Obama because he is a black man. This came straight from the mouth of a political analyst on BET. They may not agree with Obama or his policies, -plain and simple he is black so they will vote for him. Just like if there were a Latino running, 98% of Latinos would vote for them....Hmmm if Obama wins who will "The man" be now??? Tell Me Jessie and Mr. Sharpton.
Posted by: bobby | Nov 3, 2008 9:28:12 PM
VOTE OBAMA for President for the obvious reasons that I did - the top 5 percent of income earners make 90 percent of the money in the United States- giving the wealthy people tax breaks will not grow our economy- its been proven multiple times through various presidencies. When you tax the upper class 4 % more (not redistribute wealth and propose socialistic ideas as McCain supporters would say), it grows the economy because the middle class gets more money and they have to spend the money they receive from these tax breaks and pay for housing, food, and clothing.
No one wants and old man who is really "a heartbeat away" becoming president, with the most inexperienced vice presidential candidate in history backing up the oldest presidential candidate in history- that does not sound too good- I am just as prepared to be VP as palin-
REMEMBER - VOTE OBAMA TOMORROW FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Posted by: john | Nov 3, 2008 9:28:33 PM
There will be no one left to protect you
By Alan Caruba (11/02/08)
Barack Obama wants to institute a Civilian National Security Force, a vast militia not unlike Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a personal army. He knows he would need such a force to protect him and to enforce his will on Americans.
Americans will have not seen such arbitrary power used against them since the days of the Civil War when Lincoln
put the Constitution in the bottom drawer of his desk and set about arresting anyone who opposed his policies to enforce the Union on southern States seeking secession. The moral issue was slavery. The Constitutional issue was states rights.
If you want to see another civil war, just wait for this new security force to come into being. Obama would need it because the concept of posse comitatus forbids the use of the U.S. military to enforce laws within the nation. An army of domestic followers of “the One” would fill that need, assuming that all other law enforcement agencies failed to resist such a horrendous plan.
There is absolutely NO need for a homeland security force. We have the Federal Bureau of Investigation that has a long and distinguished history of obedience to the U.S. Constitution and respect for the rule of law. We have a huge law enforcement community that is likewise pledged to the rule of law. We have a Central Intelligence Agency and a National Security Agency, both defending against foreign enemies. Nothing Obama proposes is more dangerous to the comity of the nation than a National Civilian Security Force.
A friend recently suggested that the KKK is probably hoping Obama will win because they anticipate their numbers will gain in response. That would be unfortunate, but not surprising. These days the KKK is, if you visit their website, are all about “white, Christian Americans.” They still hate Blacks and Jews, and one supposes everyone who is not a white Christian by their definition.
What this ignores is that America was founded by Christians for the free practice of Protestantism. Even the Declaration of Independence makes reference to the “laws of Nature and of Nature’s God…” While the Bill of Rights forbids the “establishment” of a state religion, it does not forbid the practice of religion, any religion. America has been mostly free of overt religious bigotry, despite attacks on the early Mormons, a rampant distrust of Catholics, and evidence of anti-Semitism that virtually disappeared after the Holocaust in the last century.
So the question is not who the KKK is voting for, but what the unwitting and ignorant followers of Obama voting for? And do they know what awaits them in an Obama administration backed up by a Congress in the total control of the Democrat Party? I doubt that most do.
Rev. Martin Niemoeller, a German Lutheran pastor who was arrested by the Gestapo in 1938 wrote, “In Germany, the Nazis first came for the communists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak for me.”
The liberties that thousands of Americans have fought and died for hang in the balance.
All the conditions are in place for a huge Democrat blowout this election. That much power concentrated in a single political party is not a good thing. It is, in so many ways, not democratic and not American.
Alan Caruba
http://alancaruba.com/
Posted by: plan | Nov 3, 2008 9:28:55 PM
Bill, I read it, it's still wrong. If you line up the platforms, they are essentially different by 12% on the cap and trade system. If you actually listened to the interview of Obama, it would be clear he was talking about a hypothetical scenario where there was NO CLEAN COAL. So go do that. I'm not taking someone's filtered opinion about it. I don't believe every second hand story I read on the internet. Get the primary docs.
Posted by: thorfinn | Nov 3, 2008 9:30:53 PM
and remember i am a white jew who just wrote the previous post-- VOTE OBAMA
Posted by: JOHN | Nov 3, 2008 9:30:54 PM
Obama’s Plan to Destroy America
by Roxanna Moser (11/3/08)
Obama isn’t even waiting to get elected to put his plan to destroy America into action. Training ACORN was his first step. It is this organization that is committing the voter registration fraud we are seeing throughout this nation. What better way to get in power, and stay there, than rigging the electoral system in your favor.
Obama claims that he is running his campaign. Therefore, he is
responsible for the intentional disabling of all of the security
protocols on his campaign website in order to take any amount of
money from any person whomsoever, real or fictional, American or not.
What better way to get yourself elected than to flood the airwaves
with your message, thereby placing your opponent, who is following
the rules, at a financial disadvantage.
Obama has said that the first thing he’ll do once in office is sign
the Freedom of Choice Act, which would make any type of abortion, at
any time during the pregnancy, legal. And, there will be no parental
notification. What better way to impoverish the nation than to kill
off the future generations so necessary for the payment of
entitlements.
Obama doesn’t like the 2nd Amendment. He’s not real fond of the 1st
Amendment. In fact, he’s planning on drastically limiting all of our
freedoms. Why else would he want a “Civilian National Security Force
that is just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded” as the
military. Russia had one of those. It was called the KGB. Obama
has spent years associating with a man who believes that people
should be put in “re-education camps” and those who cannot be
re-educated must be killed. Where will America’s gulags be located?
Obama would reinstitute the Fairness Doctrine, which would destroy
conservative talk radio. Would he stop there? Not likely. What
better way to keep the masses in the dark than to take away their
avenues of information.
Obama would destroy the American economy in favor of draconian
regulations in the service of the hucksters of anthropogenic global
warming.
He has said that he “would put a cap-and-trade system in place
that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else’s
out there”.
He “was the first to call for a 100% auction on the
cap-and-trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or
greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will
create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are
being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that
they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted
down caps that are being placed, imposed every year. So, if somebody
wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It’s just that it
will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for
all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted”.
Under his “plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates
would necessarily skyrocket”.
Regardless of what he says about coal being good or bad, he’s
“capping greenhouse gases. Coal-powered plants, natural gas plants,
you name it. Whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit
their operations. That will cost money. They will pass that money
on to consumers”.
Human beings emit carbon. In fact, every oxygen-breathing animal on
the plant emits carbon. In fact, this carbon dioxide is necessary to
the survival of the planet. Will we have to pay a tax for the simple
act of inhaling and exhaling?
By the way, Obama thinks that agriculture is a huge contributor to
greenhouse gases. What will farmers be forced to do? How much will
that raise the cost of the food we eat?
Obama has plans to destroy our military.
He “will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending”.
He “will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.”
He “will not weaponize space”.
He “will slow our development of future combat systems”.
He “will set a goal for a world without nuclear weapons”. To
seek that goal, he “will not develop nuclear weapons”.
He “will seek a global ban on the production of fissile
material”.
He “will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off
hair-trigger alert and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenal”.
In short, he will leave us vulnerable to anyone and everyone who
wants to attack us.
Obama’s going to raise taxes. Make no mistake about that. In just
two short weeks, his promise of a $250,000 threshold has been lowered
to $120,000. Imagine what it’s going to be by January 21, 2009.
Under Obama, everything will go up except our wages, our savings, and
our standard of living.
And, don’t forget, Obama said that he plans on being around for the
next “8 to 10 years”. So, I guess the 22nd Amendment is gone as
well. If he gets everything he says he wants, Obama’s plans would
destroy America’s economy, its military, and its people.
As I said at the beginning, he has a plan to destroy America.
Roxanna Moser
Posted by: moser | Nov 3, 2008 9:32:41 PM
The sad truth is this:
I would have voted for McCain 8 years ago. Now, where is he? And had he not selected Sarah Palin in this election, I might have considered his candidacy with some degree of seriousness.
Now, this former Hillary supporter is 100% behind Obama. Taxing those who can afford to pay more is what we do already. Obama just wants to ENFORCE the already graduated tax code and put some teeth in it. Doing this so that middle class Americans pay fewer taxes is exactly what will jump start the economy.
Furthermore, all of you half educated morons who support McCain are IN THE TAX BRACKET THAT WILL PAY FEWER TAXES under Obama's plan. Read the information that is available to you, Nascar fans! Stop cutting off your proverbial noses to spite your faces!
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
Posted by: mccain is an idiot | Nov 3, 2008 9:33:01 PM
TRUTH- Uh, that makes two of us. I'm with Janice. I did the same thing. The media and pollsters are biased and we've been made to feel like we can't say no to Obama. Sorry, my vote is really for McCain.
Posted by: dzwjno | Nov 3, 2008 9:33:58 PM
george if your wrong, you can always go over to msnbc and you ,olberman and matthews can finally have that threesome U HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF!!!!are you tingly YET???????
Posted by: chad | Nov 3, 2008 9:34:18 PM
Obama:
- Become US senator by elimination opposition
- Vote for raising tax 95 time even for people made $42000
- The second largest recipient of money from Fannie Mae so he refused to regulate them and crashed our economic
- Running for president for 2 years
- Teach ACORN how to register democrats, say fraud
- Represented ACORN in court to force banks to lend money to the people who could not afford it that crashed our economics.
- Communist community organizer with terrorist Ayes and Racist Wright and spread money to these radicals.
- Praise an anti-Jew terrorist who just gave an anti-Jew speech at the dinner party
- Attracted to and joined Wright's racist church after reading their church racist bulletin who talks of their god as being for blacks and against the white enemy
- Demand Iraq to stop US troop withdraw at this summer's Iraq visit
- Call America Nazi and said that US constitution did not do enough to redistribute wealth to black community in his 2001 radio interview
- Said that our troops "is just air raiding the villages and killing the civilians"
- Cut fundings for the active troops on duty.
- Take $60 million foreign contributions.
- No drill, no nuclear power.
- Cordinated with ACORN for voter fraud that just came out of court paper.
- Selected by supper delegates, lost primaries managed by state, only win Caucus managed by Democtic Party, and by voter fraud and busing people from Illinois to Iowa.
What an experience Obama has. Independent for McCain/Pali
Posted by: facts | Nov 3, 2008 9:35:13 PM
how can you say that it fair for the top 5% of Americans to pay more taxes when they already pay 99% of the taxes? And as for the polls, well we all know who is doing the polling and how they are going to lean... towards Obama.
Go McCain!
Posted by: Tuesday! | Nov 3, 2008 9:36:03 PM
Operation Chaos still going strong!!!!! Go Obama...wink, wink!!!!
Posted by: Rush | Nov 3, 2008 9:38:11 PM
People who ask "are we safer" obviously dont care about their peosonal freedoms or our civil rights. bush and cheney have raped the american people for the past 8 years. all the lies and fake threats. no more. no more yellow cake from niger, no more wmd, no more mushroom clouds, no more no listening to american citizens phone conversations, no more outing CIA agents, no more firing attorney generals for political gain, no more scooter,delay,foley,cunningham, gonzo,ney,craig, vitter. no more. time to give america back to the people. the conservative movement is dead, long live the republican party.
Posted by: jimt | Nov 3, 2008 9:41:27 PM
Obama is telling people what they want to hear. That's why he has to use teleprompters because he can't keep the lies straight.
Obama is trying to buy votes by promising majority of Americans lower taxes or welfare. But if you look at his actions he voted for tax increase starting with wages at $42,000.
So many lies, too little time.
As you vote just remember that Actions speak louder than Words.
Posted by: DeadHeat | Nov 3, 2008 9:42:33 PM
The major screw up with the Chicago Tribune newspaper was that they were trying a new
approach in poll taking, by using the new
craze called the telephone. Back then, only the
well to do had access to a majority of these novel communicators. The "Average Joe" either couldn't afford it or had one, but was working their 14 hr shift when the poll was taken, hence the omission of the majority.
They were also gambling with the headlines. No other paper carried the headline this early and it was their own selfish greed that persuaded them to place the newspapers out earlier than the competitors. Are they still in business?
Posted by: spacerook1 | Nov 3, 2008 9:44:10 PM
