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The Note: Obama Grabs Control of Race for Close

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October 30, 2008 8:52 AM

ABC News' Rick Klein reports in Thursday's Note:

Should we care that . . .

Sarah Palin and Barack Obama are both pondering futures they don’t want to anticipate?   

John McCain wants to make the race about another professor (even if he still has Bill Ayers on his mind)? 

Plenty of Democratic senators and governors will say nice things about Obama on camera?

Joe Biden is suddenly boring

Even Borat wants us not to vote (but not really -- and not even for Bob Barr?)?

All of our assumptions just might be dealt atop a house of cards?

For the moment, toss those worries away: Five days out, Obama has wrested control of the race with his typical disciplined style -- and someone’s going to have to scramble to take it from him.

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.


Consider his extraordinary Wednesday evening, framed by 30 minutes of primetime television where Obama did not mention the words “John McCain.” (Can you imagine McCain going on TV for 30 seconds at this stage of the race without mentioning Obama?)

It was gauzy, sad at times, and it was as unusual as a four-inning World Series clincher. It featured too many starry-eyed politicians, and too much cheesy music. It was also masterfully executed. And the fact that it could be done speaks to more than the wallet behind it.

Cognizant of what got him here, and mindful of what might get him there, Obama highlighted not just himself but the idea he represents. It delivers a message on a tactical level, with solutions for all the hot-button issues, yet mostly it works on an inspirational level -- getting voters to believe in something bigger than themselves, which made Obama’s candidacy possible in the first place.

Wednesday may not be the night he clinched anything, but it may end up being the night he made the turn for home. By the time No. 42 finally turned it on for a would-be No. 44, this looked like Obama’s race, with McCain and the rest of us just living in it.

“Every single line during that 30 minutes was something that the campaign knows works and appeals to those undecided voters,” ABC’s George Stephanopoulos reports. “What you saw here was a highly competent, professional, virtuoso performance. The fact that they could go 28 minutes in and hit live to a campaign rally in Florida and right down to the final Obama Biden logo even showed a rising sun. One of the things the campaign knows is that the most optimistic presidential candidate always wins.”

Continue reading today's Note by clicking HERE.

ABC News' Hope Ditto contributed to this report.

October 30, 2008 in Ballotwatch, Biden, Joe, Bush, George W., Clinton, Bill, Clinton, Hillary, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (297)

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inspiring and masterful.
Great job Obama!

Posted by: Gus | Oct 30, 2008 9:01:17 AM

How about that Pushing Daisies?

Should we care about th emedia's love affair with Obama? NO

Posted by: geevill | Oct 30, 2008 9:03:33 AM

01-20-2009 The END of an ERROR...

Posted by: pt | Oct 30, 2008 9:06:48 AM

Job very well done! Let the jealous Republican bashing begin, lol!

Posted by: joker | Oct 30, 2008 9:07:22 AM

A half hour tv show produced and edited to make Obama look presidental.

Did they do what they were paid to do???

Posted by: Brady | Oct 30, 2008 9:07:25 AM

It's why Americans prefer Obama.

Politics of vision and hope vs. Politics of Fear and division.

Obama/Biden 08

Posted by: Paige | Oct 30, 2008 9:09:19 AM

This "undecided" voter has turned the page on the Repubs and is voting for Obama. The McCain campaign has been too negative and seems like they are reaching for topics to bring Obama down. All this negativity and let alone the Palin pick...how could you still support them!? The tv show was well produced and hit the target. Good job!

Posted by: Ed | Oct 30, 2008 9:14:22 AM

E_DAY - 5: ELECTORAL COLLEGE EV POLLS

2008
Obama 375
McCain 157
Tie 6

2004
Bush 280
Kerry 243
Tie 15

State-by-State Polls Are What Matters And Always Predict The Winer.

IT'S OVER.......

Posted by: Steve_NJ | Oct 30, 2008 9:19:54 AM

As an in-the-tank Obamabat, how do I sound 'clever'....

"As a republican voter, I have seen the light. I will now be voting for Obama."

There, that ought to convince voters to vote for Him.

Posted by: Such a dumb bunch | Oct 30, 2008 9:21:02 AM

Prepare for more Hope and Change. From the Columbus Dispatch:

---A state agency has revealed that its checks of computer systems for potential information on "Joe the Plumber" were more extensive than it first acknowledged.

Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, disclosed today that computer inquiries on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were not restricted to a child-support system.

The agency also checked Wurzelbacher in its computer systems to determine whether he was receiving welfare assistance or owed unemployment compensation taxes, she wrote.

Jones-Kelley made the revelations in a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, who demanded answers on why state officials checked out Wurzelbacher.

Harris called the multiple records checks "questionable" and said he awaits more answers. "It's kind of like Big Brother is looking in your pocket," he said.

If state employees run checks on every person listed in newspaper stories as buying a business, "it must take a lot of people a lot of time to run these checks," he said. "Where do you draw the line?"---

Well obviously you focus those checks on people who embarrass The One and threaten his drive for power.

Posted by: Big Brother Checking Up on Obama's Enemies | Oct 30, 2008 9:27:17 AM

Only one LEADER in this election and that's Barack Obama.

Obama is talking to the average American. He is uplifting. Obama offers hope. He has a plan and a new direction.

Obama knows that a government that puts the corporation before the public is wrong. It has been a complete failure. He wants to change it.

And what is McCain talking about? Some obscure article written six months ago in the LA Times about a guy who HE himself gave over $1,000,000 in American tax dollars.

McCain and Palin are pathetic hypocrites.

Posted by: Rachel | Oct 30, 2008 9:35:02 AM

Obama did not sell Mighty Putty or The Juicer in his infomercial last night, but it would have made the production a lot more interesting.

The Associated Press watched it, and surprisingly, the 30-minute infomercial also failed to impress them:

“Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was LESS THAN UPFRONT in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office.

Obama’s assertion that “I’ve offered spending cuts above and beyond” the expense of his promises is accepted ONLY by his partisans. His vow to save money by “eliminating programs that don’t work” masks his FAILURE throughout the campaign to specify what those programs are - beyond the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.”

Calvin Woodward reports that Obama misled viewers on at least five key points in his 30-minute final argument:

--Health care costs - Obama claimed his plan would lower costs by $2500 per year per family, but it DOES NOT. In fact, Obama can’t point to any particular cost reductions. He plans to spend $50 billion over five years on modernization and chronic-disease prevention and presumes that this will lower costs in the future, but in the meantime it RAISES COSTS at least in the short run on everyone (the $50 billion doesn’t come out of thin air).

--The Pay-Go of his plans - NO, he hasn’t demonstrated that he’s found the revenue for his spending, despite his claims last night. Non-partisan analysts believe that his spending programs will ADD at least $428 billion to the DEFICIT in his first term, and that’s if you accept his non-specific pledge to cut spending in other areas.

--Tax cuts for working class families - Before the commercial aired, he had already begun BACKING AWAY from that idea because of the financial crisis, although Obama didn’t acknowledge it in the ad.

--The “right” to affordable health care - Obama DOES NOT guarantee coverage in any of his plans, at least not for adults.

--Getting out of Iraq - Obama noted that the US spends $10 billion a month in Iraq and talked again about “bringing that war to a close” — but he’s BACKED AWAY from his previous pledges to get out on a strict 16-month timetable, which is as fast as the remaining units can be properly withdrawn.

Posted by: AP Calls Obama Infomercial Misleading | Oct 30, 2008 9:39:40 AM

If something sounds too good to be true.............................

Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!
Hillary voters for McCain/Palin !!!!!

Posted by: Joseph | Oct 30, 2008 9:41:29 AM

Judging by his campaign's endgame, a McCain Presidency would be a TRAVESTY. The man has absolutely no instinct for leadership, and his one and only hope for victor lies in smearing his opponent enough to inch out an electoral college squeaker.

Socialism is only evil when it helps the middle class? Please! I'm more worried about McCain's bankruptcy of economic policy and his inability to control his power-hungry running mate!

Posted by: Brendan | Oct 30, 2008 9:44:02 AM

On a different note, while the American economy is verging on collapse, the financial markets have crashed, the housing maket is gone, growth is going backwards, and unemployment is on the rise.....

I thought should I'd mention the feel good story of the day:

Exxon Mobil breaks profit record, earns $14.8 billion

Now don't you feel better about Republican economic policy? It will trickle down right? We just need to trust the "Maverick".

Posted by: Dave in VA | Oct 30, 2008 9:47:07 AM

Obama was awesome!!! McCain did not utter from his lips. It goes to show he does have class. He doesn't need to go negative in order to raise a point. People don't care about who he associates with. I know some unsavory characters but that doesn't mean that I am like them. The republicans are pissed they don't have a canidate who is poised like Obama. I wasn't going to vote for Obama early on but I cast my vote this past weekend and it was for him. Last night just made me feel more at east with choosing him as president.

Obama/Biden 08

Posted by: truth | Oct 30, 2008 9:47:08 AM

It was just too slick. It showed how extravagant Obama can be spending other people's money.

Posted by: Shelley | Oct 30, 2008 9:48:55 AM

I've not found one person who has said they watched more than 5 minutes of the 30 minute TV commercial. We may be clinging to guns and religion in PA but we know what to do with the remote control when a TV commercial comes on -- it was pathetic.

Posted by: Steve | Oct 30, 2008 9:51:55 AM

Obama that was a great 30 minutes Good to see My Donations spent well like that

Posted by: Angie | Oct 30, 2008 9:53:38 AM

I listened to as much propaganda as I could but didn't hear how Obama can take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution when he thinks it is incorrect and needs to be changed?

Posted by: Karl Marx | Oct 30, 2008 9:53:40 AM

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