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Stephanopoulos: Is There Anything McCain Can Do?
October 15, 2008 8:25 AM
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: Going into tonight's third and final presidential debate Barack Obama leads John McCain 53 to 39 percent in support nationally, according to the latest CBS News/New York Times poll.
Among independent voters -- a crucial voting group in this election -- Obama now leads McCain by 18 points, according to the CBS/Times poll.
Watch the final 2008 presidential debate LIVE on ABC at 9:00 p.m. ET tonight.
Obama is in "do no harm" mode going into tonight's debate at Hofstra University.
You never want to coast in a debate. But the Democratic candidate's big challenge tonight is just to avoid mistakes that could become the talk of the campaign trail in the last few weeks of the campaign.
Obama has to do what he's done in the last two debates: be reassuring, counter punch when necessary, bur basically lay out his policy plans.
McCain has a much different challenge. He does have to draw some blood in the debate but if he goes too negative he will reinforce the perceptions that have been built up over the last couple of weeks that he is he candidate on the attack.
A majority of Americans believe McCain is mainly attacking his opponent 59 percent versus only 26 percent who say that about Obama, according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll.
The McCain campaign is looking for something dramatic he can do to pull this out. Could McCain pledge to serve only one term? Could he challenge Obama to more debates? Could he announce a bi-partisan cabinet? Those are all conceivable long balls but there is not a whole lot he can do at this point to change the race dynamic with only one debate left.
McCain has pledged to bring up Obama's connection to 1960's radical William Ayers. But for this to work for McCain, he's going to have to put it into a much broader context.
The McCain campaign has been arguing Ayers is part of a pattern where Obama hasn't been truthful.
There is a risk for McCain, however, in talking about something like this when people are so focused on the economy and what the candidates are going to do for the economy.
The McCain campaign has been reeling of late. McCain's brother, Joe McCain, sent an e-mail message to the campaign that read in part, "Let John McCain be John McCain. Make ads that show John not as crank and curmudgeon but as a great leader for his time."
When things go wrong, people start jumping ship. McCain's campaign has also been attacked by many conservatives, including conservative columnist and "This Week" contributor George Will.
Former Bush strategist and ABC News contributor Matthew Dowd recently said of McCain: "He put somebody unqualified on that ballot and he put the country at risk, he knows that."
A renewed focus on national security could help McCain, but it's important to remember how much of this is out of McCain's control.
The Republican presidential candidate is up against a wall. But he would be having a very tough time even if he were running a perfect campaign: 90 percent of the country thinks the nation is going in the wrong direction, the economy is souring, and President George W. Bush has record-low approval ratings.
The final, and perhaps fatal, obstacle for McCain has been money.
Unlike McCain, Obama opted out of public financing and has been out raising McCain and outspending him, sometimes by two to one, or three to one in many battleground states.
Obama has been pouring money into his ground operation and television advertising in the final weeks of the campaign.
In the battleground state of Virginia last week alone, Obama spent about $4 million and McCain spent less than $500,000.
Obama will no doubt have enough money to keep going.
Sources say Obama raised about $100 million in September, his best fundraising month ever.
October 15, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (441)
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Zogby +4
Rasmussen +5
Gallop +5
and those polls probably are inflated by people lying.
Stuff it George.
Posted by: geevill | Oct 15, 2008 8:41:14 AM
McCain's dead, and his campaign is too. The GOP gave it to the DNC. No matter what a Democrat is gonna be in the White House. You were given a choice between a communist collaborator (McCain) or a communist. (Obama) Hasn't the bailout for Billionaires taught you all about who really is represented by congress. Look out buddy, cause it aint YOU!
Posted by: hmn | Oct 15, 2008 8:45:56 AM
Obama is outspending McCain. Someone please inform me why it is so bad to attack your opposition on very important issues. Where has the media been in all this, why have they not been asking these questions of Obama? Ayers, Wright etc, and his connections to them. Why isnt the media asking Obama about ACORN ? Why isnt the media doing its job and being objective and unbiased ? I agree with McCains brother, let him be himself.
Posted by: elle | Oct 15, 2008 8:53:07 AM
McCain should give Palin the boot.
Posted by: bwheat | Oct 15, 2008 8:56:48 AM
If Mc Cain loses then there' shall be a new effect to be discussed forever, and it shall be known as.... THE PALIN EFFECT...... where future candidates shall be at risk of losing if they confess to be powere abusing, folksy talkin moose predators .. ...... hah hahh!!!
Posted by: soapboxer | Oct 15, 2008 8:57:46 AM
Polls Inflated? Remains to be seen. However, all other polls shows Obama still leading. Those other polls could deflated(?).
Just something for you all to think about!
Posted by: Your Guide | Oct 15, 2008 8:57:47 AM
Well I said a couple of weeks ago that the most corrupt institution in American today, our mostly liberal MSM wolfpack press, would use their "COOKED" polls as a propaganda technique to de-moralize McCain supporters, and now we can see they are doing just that.
A brand new "COOKED" poll is out this morning by the NYTimes/ CBS News two of the most corrupt flaming left-wing pro-Obama pro-Democrat propaganda outlets in America today. Zogby/ C-span is out with a poll this morning that shows only a 4% lead for Obama and he's only at 48%. Rasmussen, the standard for polling firms, has Obama up by only 5%.
So who is the "gatekeeper" in America when you have corrupt left-wing news organization like the NYTimes who prints and publishes what ever lying propaganda they want? This is the same left-wing paper that printed a full front page lying slandering story on McCain screwing around with some lobbyist broad without ANY PROOF...........unbelievable. And now we are suppose to believe one of THEIR polls showing Obama with a 14% lead?
Who is the "gatekeeper" when a "free press" goes "free left-wing press" ?
And now tonight McCain debates Obama with the olde liberal warhorse Bob Schieffer from CBS (Corrupt Broadcasting Station) as the moderator............................GREAT! Nothing like a "free and fair election" is there? Welcome to America 2008 which where the "free left-wnig press" is a lot like the German press of 1938 and where the Democrat Party is more like the Nazi Party.....................That's my Perception.................................
That's what We The People see.
WHO IS THE GATEKEEPER for a corrupt left-wing press?
Posted by: Allen Ridge | Oct 15, 2008 8:58:46 AM
Gallup +5? Good one. Unfortunately, the Tuesday Gallup had Obama ahead by 9 points, Monday by 10.
The reality is the more people have seen McCain/Palin and had a chance to compare them to Obama/Biden, the better things have looked for the Obama ticket.
Posted by: billthomson | Oct 15, 2008 9:05:09 AM
by all means let McCain be McCain. A hostile, mean-spirited, womanizing, gambling, privileged son of an admiral who pulls out his 30 year old POW card whenever he has noting else to contribute, as if being captured after crashing his fifth plane makes one a hero. They let "Palin be Palin" and look where that got them. She's more of a laughing stock now than before to everyone but the most red meat of racist, NASCAR voters. PLEASE so let McCain be McCain.
Posted by: rick | Oct 15, 2008 9:06:19 AM
There are still about 9% of the voters who are still undecided. Election day is 22 days away and our country never needed change more than it does right now. Putting all the personal attacks aside I ask those of you still undecided to PLEASE look at the issues. Have you lost your job in the last year? I have. Have you lost your health insurance in the past year? I have. Is the only reason you are eating because you receive food stamps that do not last the entire month? Once again, that's me. Do you live in one of the states that has the highest rate of unemployment? I do. With a few exceptions, do you think there is one Republican in Government who would like to trade places with me for even one week? I didn't think so. When I see Barack Obama speaking with people like me along his campaign trail I know he speaks to everyone like me and I believe that he will make things better. We have had 8 years of a reckless administration that took us to the sewers of financial disaster. WE CAN NOT AFFORD MORE OF THE SAME! People who are still undecided need to listen to what Barack Obama is saying and if you really pay attention you will believe in him. Marilyn from Florida
Posted by: Marilyn Rosberg | Oct 15, 2008 9:07:26 AM
Last time I looked, polls do not vote. Obama is incredibly inexperienced, has an even worse record of constant associations with people of very dubious character and lacks character himself. Bush-hating is highly fashionable, as is denial of the primary Democrat role from Carter to Reid on the sub-prime mortgage fiasco. Ironically, that is a major problem in the financial meltdown. The real irony is that voters are actually considering a far left socialist to lead our republic and defend it from inside and outside enemies. It is exactly like having the fox guard the chickens. Watch very carefully the fallout, you will lose freedoms you took for granted. This entire campaign has been spearheaded by the liberal broadcast media, the Fourth Estate, and stupidity. I hope the country does wake up and reform government, not mismanage and disrespect America.
Posted by: curtis41 | Oct 15, 2008 9:07:36 AM
Palin has killed McCain. His campaign started to tank the day he chose her. That's what you get, McIdiot, for trying to kiss a$$.
Posted by: Lily Bell | Oct 15, 2008 9:09:35 AM
Obama 53% - Mccain 39%!
McCain acknowledged Obama won on second debate! But the new debate, he prepared seriously! Watch interview on CNN here: http://tubedirect.net/index.php?q=McCain:-Obama-won-debate (video)
Posted by: fru | Oct 15, 2008 9:13:26 AM
wow, allen ridge, and you have facts backing your conspiracy theory, or do you just believe the unbiased Rush Limbaugh and O'Rielly's of the world to tell you the MSM is corrupt? Let's say these decent talk show hosts are right (and that's what they are, talk show hosts not reporters or journalists) That still leaves Obama up 4-6% in "legitimate" polls. I'll take that over being DOWN 4-6% any day.
Posted by: rick | Oct 15, 2008 9:14:57 AM
Any one read about the guy who started the false emails about Obama?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27157703/
Or how about McSame's chief aiding Saddam?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/14/mccain-transition-chief-a_n_134595.html
I mean come on people all these lies about Obama are just that. If the GOP could they would stand up there and say you can't vote for him because he is a n^#%@r. BTW - I am not racism and will be voting for Obama so don't get all up in arms because I spoke the truth. What they don't understand is that more and more americans are becoming less racist. Sure you still have the rednecks and the old diehards, but times and emotions have changed for the better!
Obama/Biden 08!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | Oct 15, 2008 9:15:09 AM
People vote their pocket books when they vote. it is a tried and true axiom. the economy is in the crapper and the republicans will get hammered becuase they have been in power for 8 years and this is what we get. 401ks have taken a huge hit, loss of jobs and the oil companies get richer and the joe six pack gets the shaft. People want change, and John McCain, a true american hero, is not that person.
Posted by: Dan Lindsey | Oct 15, 2008 9:16:10 AM
McCain was trying to paint Obama as too risky. The he put forth his positions on the economy. Now people think McCain is too risky.
Posted by: ricky | Oct 15, 2008 9:16:37 AM
In a strong economy, Obama's tax hikes would raise questions. In a weak economy, they portend a catastrophe. Whatever is left of the economy after the current round of crisis interventions by the Fed could go down the drain if Obama is elected and carries out his plans for sharp increases in taxation. Even if Obama does not understand the linkage, most Americans do and will turn sharply against Obama's tax plans because of the risk they pose for us all. During the Great Depression, Congress raised taxes sharply in the Revenue Act of 1932. The top rate went from 25% to 63%. As a result, the real GDP dropped by 13.3% and unemployment rose from 15.9% to 23.6%.
Protect our country and save our economy Vote McCain/Palin 08!
Posted by: citizenforintegrity | Oct 15, 2008 9:17:05 AM
Judge just gave OHIO to Mccain..
They cheated again this election. Republican are all criminals..
Posted by: Brian | Oct 15, 2008 9:18:19 AM
McCain's Transition Chief Lobbied for Saddam Hussein
The person charged with planning the McCain administration, William Timmons, lobbied for Saddam Hussein in an effort to get the international community off his back. Obama challenged McCain to talk about William Ayers to his face at the debate tonight and McCain accepted the challenge. What was Obama thinking? Maybe he will bring up Timmons and point that he (Obama) was 8 years old and living in Indonesia when Ayers was planting crude bombs but McCain knowingly chose Saddam Hussein's lobbyist for an important job in his campaign. There could be fireworks if Obama brings this up.
Posted by: kawasaki | Oct 15, 2008 9:18:32 AM
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