Palin Pushes Florida Undecideds To The Left

St. Petersburg Times:

Five weeks ago, the St. Petersburg Times convened a group of Tampa Bay voters who were undecided about the presidential election. Their strong distrust of Barack Obama suggested it was a group ripe for John McCain to win over.

Not anymore. The group has swung dramatically, if unenthusiastically, toward Democrat Obama. Most of them this week cited the same reason: Sarah Palin.

Read the whole story: St. Petersburg Times

Comments

[Gould123]

Actually, if Obama does well on the foreign policy,economy part of the debate, I believe he will win over undecided! He has to give confort to the older people with S.S. answers to! People are scared!

[mafina]

The latest newswire is that McCain and Debate Committee came to some agreement not to pose long answer questions for Palin, fearing that Biden "might trip her up." It will not Biden tripping her up, she will do herself in on that platform. This is really the low end of the stick when they have to fix the debate so that it would not be too hard for Moose Mamma.

[PacoPup]

That kind of says it all, doesn't it? We have to dumb down the debate and not ask tough questions, change the format so that she doesn't get "beat up". Wow! And some think she's ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency with McCain at the helm (72 and a cancer survivor)?

[DiBaskin]

Well if McCain comes off as confused and out of touch as he has been he will be in big trouble.

[VSamuels]

This 'people are scared' stuff is pure b.s.

The US is the lone superpower in the entire world and her people, protected by some 1000+ nuclear weapons (long range) are living in a state of terror? This is only a product of an effective campaign over many years by the republicans to create a sense of 'fear' of other people and other nations, who have much less military might, to build up a military which ferrets out billions of dollars of tax money to their friends in the defense industry.

There is no credibe reason for the corporate media to engage in the 'fear' and woe-me nonsense either, except that they indirectly benefit from 'war-making' with their many diverse corporate interests.

Over the last 40 years, Americans have been fed a steady diet of propaganda and isolationist garbage which has led to the strongest nation having a disportionate number of its citizens believing weaker nations and loose terrorist groups are just begging to be annilhilated and wiped off of the face of the earth. It is silly but it is the place we find most preferable by the 1%ers who use this picture to manipulate and twist public policy to suit their ends.

[PersonaNonGrated]

Exactly what do the Undecideds have against Obama?
They always say they're not hearing what they want to hear? Well, what are they hearing? Are they even listening?

[spinns17]

just what happened this week alone. should make them think about ,putting another repub in office

[ECB]

They want to hear he is not black.

[DyslexicPalindrome]

EXACTLY!!!

People need to tell the truth instead of giving us this baloney about how 'they don't know him' or that he's not saying what 'they want to hear'.

S-palin came from the farthest reaches of 'out of nowhere' and the same people had no problem falling instantly in love with her ignorant @ss.

Let's have a little honesty in this dialogue, please!

It is all about RACE and everybody knows it!

[Rebecca]

It's painfully obvious that the "Undecideds" are looking for that "gotcha" statement to give them reason not to vote for Barack. "Well see there honey, he was in the same room as Jesse Jackson!" or "Oh my God, can you believe if he gets elected that he'll let loose his minions of angry black men on our communities?"
Undecideds are just wrestling with their own prejudices. My own business partners stress this every day in those very same statements. I shake my head every time and ask them to look around at the world in which we live. There are a lot more children of single mommies or children born as the result of an interracial relationship than they might realize.
I want a smart President, regardless of color, and that man is Barack Obama. I just have to keep drving the point home every day to my business partners that the color of our president isn't what got us into this mess we're in now, and it won't be about color that gets us out of it. Vote for intellect - because we didn't the last two times and that's the reality.

[VSamuels]

Good luck Rebecca!

Most folks who are haunted by racism and bias, do not consider themselves to be conscious racists; those who would openly say or do something offensive to another racial group member. For them, this is 'racism' the bias that they feel they are in control of and that defines who they feel would describe who they are. They however, are in denial of the racism that makes them walk faster when they see a non-white approach them in a grocery aisle, or pass by their car or who climbs in a vacant elevator.

This is the person who they run from and who they do not wish to deal with; this is the racism that they can't control but in which they can pretend does exist.

Helping folks to face their unconscious racism is no easy job, and one which may be quite difficult to corner in just 40+ days; notably today's military is requiring all troops to take a 1 week course in race relations, something that most companies only do after some legal action has forced its hands. Otherwise, they shirk the responsibility and do not see the value in understanding how complex the effects of racism weigh on the decisions of their everyday lives.

Again, good luck!

[Americatortures]

doesn't "undecided "this time around really mean racists??? Who hasn't decided yet?? The differences here are tremendous!! What could be ...undecided???

[UplandBob]

Oh yes, anyone who doesn't vote Obama MUST BE a RACIST. LOL

[Colingavignet]

the saddest thing about undecideds is that they are the ones who decide every election all around the world!

[Doomestic]

It is not that Palin pushes people to the left, it is just the fact that Palin is so extremely to the right, that most moderate conservatives look tremendously liberal in comparison. Basically she is an "extreme" figure.

[brizzle]

Actually, it IS that Palin is pushing people left. Undecideds, by definition, are in the middle. If the nomination of Palin forces an undecided to choose Obama, you can say they have gone left. In this way, it is true that Palin is pushing people left.

This doesn't mean that all of these people are suddenly "liberals" or "democrats". It just means they are independents voting for Obama.

And yes, I agree that Palin is an extremist so far as you define that outside the realm of normal.

[JenMI]

MSNBC just reported that Palin is still taking no questions from reporters on the campaign trail.
That's good, real good. McCain can't answer a question and Palin won't.

[spinns17]

press people should start ,demanding she anser questions.where is the justice.

[darleneslee]

Why ? I think MSM, got just what it deserves. All they have to do is agree to leave the two press shy candidates alone. Let them form their own media. Hey , Mrs McCain could shrink her clothing budget and buy John a few radio and television stations. I think this way they could just broadcast to the right - wing idiots who have driven this country in the muck and mire. By the time they got everything in place the election would be over and we could live in peace and prosperity.

[silvertongue]

If Sarah can't/won't answer questions from the media, then the media should not attend and report on any of her campaign appearances. After all, we KNOW what she is going to say, ".........I SAID THANKS, BUT NO THANKS......."; WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HOCKEY MOM AND A BARRACUDA?......etc.

[oscartucker]

I would love to see networks say that they are no longer going to send a team out to cover any event that McCain and Palin attend. Local coverage could send in a 30 sec tape without sound, just to show that Palin was in Florida, for example. At an event In Ohio at a country club, when Palin spoke, only one person from the press was allowed in the event, others, according to a report here on Huffpost, were kept in a board room in the country club with a POLICE GUARD at the door. Why hasn't this been widely reported? How can the"press" stand for this? Just think of what would have been said if this had been Biden.

[GabrielXL]

The thing that bugs me about some of the comments in this article is the comments by people who say they are "waiting for Obama to say" this or that... Listen, if you're a die hard Clinton supporter who has reservations about Obama, I doubt that anything he says is going to make much of a difference to you. These people probably haven't taken the time to actually find out what Obama is all about or where he stands on the issues, so they "resign" themselves to voting for him. Even if they did the research, they are still "blinded by the slight". (Forgive me for stealing a poster's name. *Laughs*) This is almost as bad as a person who still at this point in the process claims to not know what Obama stands for. They are choosing ignorance over justification. Still, at the end of the day, a vote for Obama is a vote McCain won't get.

Obama/Biden '08

[CraigB]

Reality Check:

If McCain wins the election this November, and (God forbid) dies suddenly before inauguration day, Palin will be sworn in January 20, 2009 as President - with four full years to serve. No one can even imagine the danger that would present to our country.

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse than Bush we have this very real possibility to face.

[Mozart123]

As Randi Rhodes said, McCain might want to hire a food taster.

[TheGuide]

We have to be careful not to look up to Obama as our savior, but rather a man who wants to do everything in his power to advance us and our nation. He's very smart, dynamic, charismatic and energetic. He also has proven that he not only keeps people's needs front and center he also gives them what they need to be empowered. We have been falling fast these past eight years, so Obama is the man we need in office in January.

[InformedVoter08]

I don't think that most supporters look to him as a savior.

[Beachrunner]

No, not a "savior." He's the new Messiah.

[usacicsass]

He is lord obama the most merciful messiah. He desended from the heavens onto the roman temple and delivered his message of nothingness while the obamatron drones chanted oooobaaaaaamaaaaa oooobbaaaaaaamaaaaa.

[honeydiva]

NONE DO...that's republican B S!

[JenMI]

"savior?" Remember..that is nothing more than a Republican talking point.

[bellenoir55]

Exactly! And the reference to Obama as "the Messiah"
is just Republican sour grapes at his electoral juggernaut(don't forget the 11 straight primary wins), inspirational message and ability to raise lots of cash.
Qualities they didn't have until the debut of Sarah Palin.

But alas for them, the honeymoon for the AK Governor is now OVER.

[publanski]

Of course he's not a savior. He's just an intelligent man with good judgment. That's enough, really, after what we've had.

[DiBaskin]

I certainly am not looking at Obama as a savior. I just believe his heart is in the right place. No matter who is elected they have a difficult job ahead. The difference is one is looking out for America's best interest and the other is looking out for himself and his rich friends.

[Americatortures]

He's saving us from these two fools whose policies will ruin America even further!!!

[ladeyday]

And that's just a small group of people.

MULTIPLY IT!

[GuyFawkes]

It always amazes me how unfocused people in focus groups can be.

[GuyFawkes]

Today's Time.com has an article: "Indiana in Play". Obama up in latest poll 47-44, with 6% undecided.

[publanski]

That's amazing, considering the number of whites who have problems with blacks that live there.

[DiBaskin]

It amazes me how many people are still undecided. This isn't like the primaries where you have two alike candidates. It was a difficult choice for many between Obama and Clinton because of their policies. McCain and Obama and miles apart. I just don't get it.

[JenMI]

Boy you just gotta love that populist republican Palin... keep up the good work Sarah....help McCain push the entire country left.

[learnsomething]

I'm an ol' lefty. I love it...lol

[ivillage]

Oregon Poll: Barack Obama 51%, John McCain 47%
http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/09/oregon-poll-bar.html

Kanye, Sheryl, Stevie's Record Showing for Barack Obama
http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/09/kanye-sheryl-st.html

Rep. Charles Rangel Calls Palin 'Disabled,' Recants
http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/09/rep-charles-ran.html

UK: Cabinet Minister Hazel Blears Calls Palin 'Horrendous'
http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/09/uk-cabinet-mini.html

[lungfish]

"I can see Russia from my house." Sarah Palin/Tina Fey, SNL

It will be very interesting to watch how things unfold if a clear Dem majority and WH arise from the Nov elections. I will be watching closely to see what happens to various Administration members as well as Palin... very strange how access to the Gov is now under full control of the McCain campaign. Very wierd.

[SunshineDaydream]

even her family members' home phones. very creepy.

[one4obama]

Wonder what Mama Palin promised here wayward daughter Bristol to put on a false face to make the public believe that the Palin family is a loving, tight knit, family. Perhaps Bristol's phones will be listened to very closely to make sure she stays in step and does not say anything that would leak out as to how terrible the family problems truly are.

[GuyFawkes]

If she can see Russia from the tanning bed in her office, then I will be impressed.

[lonbwoy]

Who cares, Obama will not win FLORIDA, even majority of the the Hispanics in Florida are for MCcain in a recent survey!!.

[CTtransplant]

I'd re-check your survey results...the polls show differently. Surprise!

[SPQR1052]

Link please... verify with poll stats or to the back of the straight alk bus. Maybe even under it.


vie 0bama 2005
si se puesde

[learnsomething]

Hispanics are notorious for voting against their own best interest. How pathetic.

[disgusted48]

The interest of the Cuban community in Florida is continued isolation of Cuba, which is even more pathetic.

[Big0725]

You all DO realize there are some of us gringos left here, correct?

Christ, the Cubans (the Republicans) couldn't even deliver Miami-Dade County for Bush in 2000 or 2004.

[ladeyday]

Where's your source. We're no McCainiacs & just believe lies without proof.

Sayin' (Palinese so you'll comprende mejor) it doesn't make it so.

[jsinclair]

It's such a clear choice, in so many ways (not the least of which is McCain = Bush and Palin=Cheney. Plus add in Schmidt and Rove, Phil Gramm, Joe Lieberman and dozens of same old neocons for the whole BushII experience). Could the differences BE more obvious?

Even in leadership style.

VP is the most important campaign decision. Obama chooses Biden. McCain chooses Palin.

An economic crisis occurs. Obama stays calm and really DOES put the country first, given Bush leeway for a few days as the dust settles. McCain lunges from one pander to the next--completely out of step with (quickly) unfolding events from one day to the next. He gives the impression he would say ANYTING if someone told him it would get him some votes.

How can ayone get to the end of September and still be undecided? I don't get it.