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The Note: Economy is Key as Message Battle Continues

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September 19, 2008 8:22 AM

fABC News' Rick Klein reports in Friday's Note:

Six lessons of a tumultuous week in the presidential race:

1. The distance between John McCain's short list and John McCain's pink-slip list is sometimes short (and his desires may not have any relationship to actual presidential power).

2. The distance between Joe Biden's brain and Joe Biden’s mouth is also sometimes short. 

3. It's always going to be about Bill Clinton, to some degree, stupid. 

4. Palin power has its limits.

5. Pig futures and cosmetic prices don't qualify as economic issues.

6. Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama got where he is because of the economy, but neither will either man get where he needs to go without it.

Read the rest of The Note -- and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day -- from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.

There is exactly one issue that matters right now (which means only one way to make news before the first debate).

And on that issue, the candidates may be only minor players. Staying out of everyone's way is the smart play at this moment -- and that's Obama's policy as of Friday morning -- and will soon be McCain's, too.

Perhaps the most consequential political fallout of this week that brought us a new overriding subject (in a campaign that was desperate for one) is the way in which the candidates' running room has narrowed.

Outside events -- including fresh actions Friday from a we're-still-here Bush administration and a we’re not-going-home-yet Congress -- are reshaping the political field.

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

September 19, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (30)

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McCain needs to tap Mitt Romney, maybe even announce prematurely that if elected Romney would have a prominent role in his administration.

Posted by: JA | Sep 19, 2008 8:49:57 AM

The conservative Wall Street Journal is even unhappy with Mccain's handling of this situation stating:

"In a crisis, voters want steady, calm leadership, not easy, misleading answers that will do nothing to help. Mr. McCain is sounding like a candidate searching for a political foil rather than a genuine solution. He'll never beat Mr. Obama by running as an angry populist like Al Gore, circa 2000."

Posted by: Paige | Sep 19, 2008 8:51:34 AM

Well if the Wall Street Journal doesn't like McCain, then you know he's doing something right!

The government's handling of this is just downright despicable. Paulson steps in when the company he was a former CEO of (Goldman Sachs) is in peril.

Government corruption at its worst. And McCain called it out.

Posted by: JA | Sep 19, 2008 9:06:14 AM

Republicans and Democrats: Neither McCain nor Obama caused this financial melt down. I don't think either of them have the brains to do that. That being said lets really explore the two candidates to see which one can get us out of this dilema. Our future depends on it.

Posted by: bombem | Sep 19, 2008 9:14:56 AM

The only political party who can get us out of this mess is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

Republicans don't have a clue. McCain has blown it with his choice for VP. Palin has a lot of issues. And if you bloggers read, you will find out that her track record is not all that the Republicans want you to believe.

McCain is old school Bush Republican! We can't afford to have another BUSH in the white house!

DON"T BELIEVE Republican HYPE!

Posted by: Shay | Sep 19, 2008 9:29:46 AM

The self-centered Donald Trump has endorsed mccain. I'm sure this is because Trump is worried about the increased taxes for people making over $250,000. This is reason enough for me to vote for Obama. The rich need to start paying their share. Obama/Biden 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | Sep 19, 2008 9:29:51 AM

This is something that over the years no one has had the brains to do anyting about.They all padded their pockets and why dry up your money wagon....Now we the tax payer has to pick up the tab while all these GD ceos fill their pockets Time for CHANGE and it is NOT mC BUSH"S

Posted by: me | Sep 19, 2008 9:33:25 AM

pt get a life: When was the last time you were emoloyed by a poor man?

Posted by: bombem | Sep 19, 2008 9:43:45 AM

Vote out the incumbents NOW! They have failed you miserably! Don't reward them for this.

Posted by: hmn | Sep 19, 2008 9:51:25 AM

01.20.09 The END of an ERROR...

Posted by: pt | Sep 19, 2008 10:09:32 AM

Lets see. mccain graduated 894th out of 898 in his class. palin can see Russia from her house. Yeah, this has a chance to work...NOT They are looking right now at a $1,000,000,000,000 recovery plan. What this country does not need is a bush-3 term. Obama/Biden 2008!!!

Posted by: pt | Sep 19, 2008 10:13:51 AM

pt: Stop plageurising the other blogers info. Be some what original. By the way Mr information, what was your class graduation # from the Naval Academy?

Posted by: bombem | Sep 19, 2008 10:29:54 AM

PALIN BACKED RON PAUL DURING PRIMARY? http://www.veeppeek.com

MORE AND MORE KEEP COMING OUT ABOUT PALINS ALLEDGED AFFAIR. http://www.hotpres.com

Posted by: Janey | Sep 19, 2008 10:33:02 AM

mccain was asked "Do you wear boxers or briefs?"
answer: Depends

Posted by: pt | Sep 19, 2008 10:34:00 AM

I do not like Pelosi or Ried. I like McCain and especially Palin. I think Obama is not the right person for president.

Posted by: Cent | Sep 19, 2008 11:26:37 AM

Dear concerned citizens of America and Mass Media of the U.S.A.

As a concerned registered independent voter, forensic psychiatrist, disabled American I made my decision to vote after taking into consideration following joint tickets attributes and characteristics.

1. Has the ticket shown adequate calmness, coolness, and connectedness's under pressure to lead our nation [Presidential Temperament]?

2. Has the ticket shown sustained sound "Judgment and Caliber"?

3. Has the ticket shown adequate understanding of depth and degree to address the crucial challenges in their their purpose, policies, and positions [ Honesty, integrity and sincerity]?

4. Has the ticket sufficient "understanding and knowledge" of inside Washington workings [Experience]"?

5. Has the ticket reservoir resilience, wisdom, and vigor to address the present and future f our beloved "Great-grand Nation"?

6. Has the ticket enough joint foreign policy experience and exposure based on " Values, Virtues, Vastness, and " [American moral soul]"?

7. Has their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsively? [No "imminent danger to national
security and safety"].

8. Has the ticket genuinely kept on message of country first and politics last and avoided copying [Message change"]?

9.Has the ticket message stayed away from Culture divide and war[ Disaster prevention ]?

10. Has the ticket resisted being surrounded, supported and surrogate's by divisiveness, distortion's, and destructive characters, [ Real patriotism VS shiftiness and shameless parrot-ism]?

11. Has the ticket thoughtful, real non-partisan, & non-impulsive plans to address our current economic crisis or political tactics and temperamental statements.

I have personally and professionally concluded that OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will lift and inspire our greatgrand nation back to its greatness within and restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm
international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated {" Peace thru Strenght "}.


Yours sincerely,

COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret] MD.
Forensic psychiatrist, Disabled American Veteran and Iraq
Freedom team. Grass roots California leader per Senator McCain's mailings.


Posted by: COL. A.M.Khajwall [Ret] | Sep 19, 2008 11:31:54 AM

"In a crisis, voters want steady, calm leadership, not easy, misleading answers that will do nothing to help. Mr. Obama is sounding like a candidate searching for a political foil rather than a genuine solution. He'll never beat McCain by running as an angry populist like Al Gore, circa 2000.
He'll end up like Gore and kerry!"


Posted by: Ed | Sep 19, 2008 11:48:21 AM

pt - comments like that show your not a true blue democrat, you liberal's have hyjacked the democratic party! real democrats can fix the problem with the help of the republicans working together, but not the left-wing liberal self-centered nut's, just as you just showed! GOD bless commonsense people with power like joe lieberman and donald trump!

Posted by: timmaaa7 | Sep 19, 2008 12:36:23 PM

bombem - go get-em!!!

Posted by: timmaaa7 | Sep 19, 2008 12:41:04 PM

pt - in your own liberal controlled congress's word's! nancy pelosi said
" don't blame us" and harry reid said "we don't know what to do". bring the liberal leader's comments together and you finally get the truth, "DON'T BLAME US, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" what leadership you have in your hyjacked party!

Posted by: timmaaa7 | Sep 19, 2008 12:46:16 PM

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