Report: 'Florida May Be Falling From Obama's Grasp'

St. Petersberg Times:

Barack Obama could be on the verge of falling out of contention in Florida.

Despite spending an estimated $8-million on campaign ads in America's biggest battleground state and putting in place the largest Democratic campaign organization ever in Florida, Obama has lost ground over the summer. Florida has moved from a toss-up state to one that clearly leans toward John McCain, fueling speculation about how much longer the Democratic nominee will continue investing so heavily in the state.

Obama can still win Florida despite the polling gains McCain has made since naming Sarah Palin his running mate, and there is no sign Obama is pulling back in Florida yet. Far from it. Obama allies say he has about 350 paid staffers in the state and about 50 field offices, including in places not known as fertile ground for Democrats, such as Sun City Center, Lake City and Sebring.

Read the whole story: St. Petersberg Times

Comments

[wendynyc]

Well Obama does not seem to realise that Florida has a lot of seniors that like McCain do not use the internet.

They get their news from Cable News like FOX and CNN - which have done a great job of bashing him continually - like they did with Gore and Kerry -

Today article www.mediamatters.org by Jamison Foser

The battle for the southern states is on cable news and on radio.

Democratic surrogates need to be on these shows - explaining Obama's policies on the air..

[vinny]

ariana and chuck norris spats wont get us there...

[acklebee]

Chuck looks terrible. i had no idea he was all about black belt patriotism. Has anyone told him where his moves come from?

[hmmmmmer]

And that cable news and radio is in the hands of the Republican audiences.

[robXdion]

Let's face it. Older citizens came up in a time when blacks, even 1/16th partial blacks (or whites hiding their black heritage), had to bow down and not think of rising above menial jobs. Fox News feeds that sense of supremacy of "keeping them in their place". Blacks making large sums or having more clout with any legal job other than being an entertainer was barely acceptable until the late 60s. These people are a product of their time. And many of them can't be changed. Obama flies in the face of everything they've learned about life. And that won't change in 50 days.

[rinpochet]

Not all older people are racist. Many older white people such as myself do think for themselves and understand that this country cannot afford a McCain presidency as that would mean complete destruction of the social safety net and war as far as the eye can see. McCain/Palin is a very scary proposition for all thinking people.

BTW, they don't count the newly registered voters or the young and that is a huge mistake.

After the debates show McCain to be the empty shallow suit that he is, it should be all over. Palin/Biden debate should be amusing!

[criquet]

Yes and the McCain campaign feeds into that with ads like the "Celebrity" ad, the use of "uppity" and Obama's "disrespectful " to Sarah Palin -we all know the code words.

[acklebee]

it is odd to me that in this era we can have the most popular entertainers be African American or mixed race-- the BEST music of the last 50 years easy and most influential....some of the greatest writers....yet in politics it is this odd thing, this abnormal noticeable thing..
what i loved about being 10 years old was that i did not even notice when people were not my color.... i was in nyc..but really kids are kids and as long as it is not beaten out of them, people are accepting, if not oblivious to race...
i miss that time when i did not even know what race was, just who my freinds were and what boys were cute.

[acklebee]

Many people back to 1670 (first abolitionist march, in philly- germantown, my hood- the quakers, gotta love them) have been against racism and oppression . do not underestimate that there are people out there who just do not have it in them to be racist, so many people who were the most racist and anti- gay when i was little now have to contend with the fact that they love their mixed race great grandson and their son who is dying of HIV. people cannot stand to be ignorant forever.....it does take exposure though......and a willingness to revise a position ...that i think is the most difficult task, people are stubborn,
if a republican was amazing this year- if Barack was a republican i would vote for him.....
so how do we convince people to listen and be willing to revise position if they deem it wrong?? that is the question. people do change........i have seen it in life, not sure about the voting booth, but from blogs it sounds like it.

[acklebee]

That was not the ad to spend our money on, i agree. There are so many other issues to talk about not whether john mccain uses internet. My father is voting for Barack at 70. he got followed by the FBI in the early 60's cause he liked to go to blues clubs. Many people back to 1670 (first abolitionist march, in philly- germantown, my hood- the quakers, gotta love them)
many have been against racism and oppression to respond to another comment below.

The agism thing was a mistake,, but take it off and make another ad, final cut is easy there are plenty of issues. i think he should outline his economic plan, coverage for veterans, etc. PLAIN BOLD AND POSITIVE< that is why he is different, show them do not keep with the catch phrases.. or counter attacks. although i do agree with the lobby ad..
(excuse my lack of grammar)

[PumaAnn]

I understand that not only is the ticket for Mac/Pal up............so is the Republicans for Congress.

Democrats? Get a clue.

[Rep0X]

So, do U admit that U are a republican, PumaAnn?
Why pretend that U are a Hill-supporter?

[janicegwashington]

American Nurses Association Endorses Barack Obama

Yesterday, the American Nurses Association officially endorsed Barack Obama for the 2008 Presidential Election. The ANA represents the interests of the nation's 2.9 million registered nurses.

"As President, Barack Obama will bring real change to our health care system," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "Nurses are consistently voted the most trusted profession by the American people, and we, as a profession, trust that Barack Obama will see that affordable quality health care is made available to everyone."

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the American Nurses Association," said Sen. Barack Obama.

"The nurses of America serve our country tirelessly, and I share their belief that we must bring affordable and accessible health care to all Americans. My plan lowers health care costs for the average American family by up to $2500 and finally makes health care work better for American families than it does for the drug and insurance companies."

"Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton spoke at ANA's House of Delegates in June about the need to move forward in unity to bring about real, much needed change to our health care system, and our nursesresponded; 'Yes we can'" Patton added. "Nurses represent the largest group of health care professionals in this country, and working together, we can use our power in the voting booth to make health care a priority, and make Barack Obama the next President of the United States."

[Rutabaga]

I am a nurse, so I'm very proud to see that. Thank you for posting it.

[Oldmaverick]

I was an independent, not now. I’m tired of the McCain / Palin act already. We’ve endured 8 years of deceit and it’s time for an overhaul. McCain started out as well meaning and honorable but has evolved to disgraceful and dishonorable.

He bypassed many worthy and capable women to choose Sarah Palin. She appears to be very smart and likeable however I have zero confidence in her. Her mode of operation is to emerge as knowledgeable and above reproach, she is neither. Her best decision would have been to decline the offer of being the VP. She brings a lot baggage, deceit, inexperience and many questions about her.

It’s appalling that Republicans across the nation are praising Sarah and showing massive approval without a sound reason. Is McCain / Palin all you have? Bush/Chaney looks palatable.

McCain / Palin operate under the “Nine Commandments”. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” has been deleted from their hearts and campaign. My vote is for Obama/Biden 2008.

[abigail1]

:)

[LiberalDemIda]

Oldmaverick - America and the whole world, thanks you. :-)

Obama/Biden '08/'12!!

[acklebee]

Thank you, i want to cry when i went to the hair salon with my obama pin and get looks. Am I supposed to feel i am betraying them because i am a woma? I really did not think women would fall for this, but they do, and are. how do we convince them? In this area people are hearing and spreading lies that Barack is not even american... he is arab. What does one do, just smile and laugh as he would? say that is the silliest thing i have ever heard?

. This is not the Bad News Bears . this is our future, our country, our money, our safety, our self-respect, our hope-
not a contest for a reality show.

[Phalanxman]

acklebee -- first, wear that pin proudly. Ignore the looks -- it is their ignorance you see being reflected through their eyes and faces, and their resentment that you reject their "club." Then, look at the salon owner and say in a loud voice: "I just came in to cancel my appointment -- forever." And then go find a better salon.