Obama: Hope for a Change

Seems like everyone has advice for the Obama campaign. Democrats grouse in the New York Times that he better start putting "meat on the bones" of his hope and change rhetoric. Paul Krugman sensibly calls for some passion on the economy. Even Mark Penn, fresh off his incandescent performance in Hillary Clinton's run, agrees, sort of.

With Democrats racking up double digit leads in party ID, and what Republicans call their "brand" debased, McCain is running basically even with Obama in the polls. No wonder folks are starting to get worried.

This isn't time for hemlock. Imagine if, a year ago, someone had bet you that a black anti-war candidate named Barack Obama, barely three years into national office, would be running neck and neck with John McCain for the presidency. Not many of us would have put our money down. That said, there is significant cause for concern.

Part of the reason that McCain is still in this race is that, to date, the campaign has been almost entirely a referendum on Barack Obama. The Obama campaign has been focused on reassuring people that they should feel comfortable voting for a young African American with a funny name. The McCain campaign, once Rove's minions took over, has been focused on scaring people from voting for what they paint as the inexperienced celebrity with a funny name and a mysterious past. Obama's campaign foolishly discouraged support for independent expenditure committees. No one is really talking about McCain. Obama wins a race that is a choice; he could lose one that's simply a referendum on him.

And this is part of why people think Obama hasn't really said anything beyond "hope and change." In fact, he's put out detailed policy papers on all range of subjects, readily available on his web site. He's devoted many speeches to detailing different policies. But he's done very little clear contrast with McCain -- and it is the contrast -- the contesting of ideas and direction that gives a sense of passion and of substantial differences.

People -- most of whom will only start paying attention with the conventions -- want to know what he is for. Not what his policy positions are. But what he will stand and fight for. Where his steel is. And how that relates to the challenges they face. None of this is helped when he retreats on issues like trade or flips as on the wiretap legislation. But none can be determined without drawing a forceful contrast with McCain and taking him on.

McCain, of course, is a perfect setup for contrast, since he's offering mostly more of the same Bush policies that have proved so calamitous -- more top end tax cuts that have generated the slowest growth in sixty years and contributed to Gilded Age inequality, more corporate trade policies that have hemorrhaged manufacturing jobs and left us dependent on the kindness of Chinese central bankers, more billions devoted to the debacle in Iraq, etc. John McCain, same old, same old.

So why hasn't Obama gone after him? Why haven't we seen some populist fire so clearly in order?

Part of this is surely self-restraint. Obama, the essence of post-modern cool, wants to avoid appearing to be "an angry black man." And he clearly sees that as central to what has contributed to his remarkable success.

Part of this, I suspect, is a strategic choice. Obama had the same test in three primaries against Hillary (Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana): convince white workers that you understand their plight and that you will fight for them. He failed it in each occasion.

Now this is a brilliant and remarkably talented leader, both thoughtful and skilled rhetorically. He is not a person who flunks tests. So I suspect he chose not to pass them because he had another strategy in mind. Seeking to assemble to a broader suburban, upscale, independent, young, disaffected Republican coalition, he may have decided that a more populist posture would cost him as many votes as it attracted.

If so, this is a mistake. Obama is winning about 75% of self-described Democrats. He's doing fine with women, including former Hillary supporters, contrary to all the posturing. He's got to consolidate older and white working class Democrats. They want to know whether he will stand up for them. And they have good reason to be suspicious. It's not simply race, although that is surely part of it. Obama is the epitome of an urban professional, a man whose success, education and life sets him apart. Ask Al Gore and John Kerry, the resulting cultural suspicion would apply even if he were white.

On the other hand, showing folks that he would fight for them won't alienate the broader, new coalition that he's trying to assemble. Women, the young, independents, older Americans, disaffected Republicans -- all are concerned about the economy, all think we're deeply off course, all are looking for a dramatic change. Putting an edge on the contrast between his policies and McCain's would help, not impede, assembling that coalition.

Moreover, Obama needn't abandon his cool to bring some heat to the campaign. He simply needs to use his rhetorical gifts to sharpen the contrast between McCain's old and failed agenda and his own.

For example, McCain has sought to make trade a centerpiece of his campaign, even stumping in Mexico and Canada in support of NAFTA. Obama should take him up on this -- but he needn't imitate the populism of a Bernie Sanders or Sherrod Brown, as successful as that is, to make his point. McCain is frozen in an old fraudulent debate about free trade against protectionism. Obama should dismiss that as a fool's choice.

The reality is that our corporate trade policies -- of by and for global corporations and banks -- can't be sustained; they are making us increasingly dependent on the kindness of foreign creditors, like the Chinese bankers.

The challenge is a fundamental one to our society -- how do we sustain a broad and prosperous middle class in a global economy? More of the same won't get that done, as the middle class is now sinking -- despite working harder , longer and with greater productivity than workers in every other industrial country.

We need to start with a clear measure The success of this economy is not whether multinationals are profiting. Corporate profits have reached record levels, but wages have stagnated. The success of an Obama economy will be measured by whether working families are prospering, whether wages are rising, jobs are more secure, health care and education is affordable and available.

For this we need a dramatic change in course. Current trade deals are simply an expression of corporate lobbies. So no more -- until we forge a national strategy that works for working people, not just special interests. A centerpiece of this must be an Apollo Plan for energy independence, a concerted drive, creating jobs here by investing in efficiency and renewable energy, while seeding the research to capture the new green markets of the future. We need to reward companies for keeping jobs here rather than shipping them abroad - unlike McCain's profligate tax breaks for corporations which will reward them no matter where their jobs are going. We have to invest in education and training, in infrastructure and research and development so we can sustain a high wage path in a global economy -- unlike McCain's plan to lavish more tax breaks on the wealthy while cutting investments in vital domestic programs. We have to push for new global rules that raise standards for the environment, workers, consumers and small investors. We have to curb the casino financial speculation which is destabilizing the real economy, contrary to the advice of Phil Gramm, McCain's financial guru who is an officer in UBS, a bank now under investigation illegally abetting billionaires seeking to avoid paying US taxes. And we have to challenge the mercantilist nations like China that are playing by a different set of rules, putting companies on notice that that we will pursue more but balanced trade with Beijing. FInally, we have to make certain that workers capture a fair share of the increased productivity that they have produced. That requires empowering workers to organize. And it requires insuring basic economic rights -- starting with affordable health care -- that aren't at risk if you lose your job.

Can we sustain the foundation of our democracy -- a broad and prosperous middle class -- in the new economy? To meet that challenge, we can't keep digging the hole we are in. And it isn't enough just to stop digging -- although that would be a good start. We've got to chart the way out. And on that, McCain does not have a clue.

Now Obama's rhetorical gifts are far greater than mine. He can make this less abstract, develop it with stories about real struggles. But by expanding the trade question into what it is -- the question of a national strategy in a global economy, he can change the terms of the debate on the future prosperity and security of this country in a manner that McCain simply can't answer. He can draw the contrast by raising the stakes -- and summoning people to challenge the entrenched interests that stand in the way.

Krugman says what is missing is passion. Obama isn't about to become a passionate, kick ass populist rabble rouser. That's not what brought him this far. But he can challenge McCain forcefully -- on trade, on growth, on health care, on Social Security and Medicare, on national security -- in a way that grounds his argument in the struggles of working families. He can draw the contrast between his ability to mobilize the energy of people with McCain's ability to collect checks from special interests. He can show some steel, even while retaining his cool.

There are only a few times when campaigns can retool. The leadup to the Democratic Convention, when Obama got off the campaign trail, is one. The week of the Republican convention is another. After that, the race turns into a sprint, so the basic themes, contrasts, attack lines have to be in place. If Obama is going to sharpen this race, now is the time.

Comments

[mimigrammy]

All this "crash and burn talk" makes absolutely NO sense."Mr. Borosage, you make many great points. As for others comments regarding the Obama campaign; For all practical and intellectual purposes, THIS ELECTION HAS NOT EVEN BEGUN. All the speculation about this and that, who is going to do what, when, and where. ENOUGH ALREADY. Until we can get through the conventions, into the debates and into early voting, no one knows where this thing is going. Pollsters, media don't know, the campaigns don't know and most noteable of all the voters still don't know. John McCain was headed no where when he started his campaign. Hell, no one even knew who Barack Obama was. All considered, "experience", POW, maverick, patriot, tenure, old(oops) maybe not the old part, John McCain should be winning big right now. However, the same could be said for Barack Obama, young, Change, intelligent, charismatic, good orator, seasoned enough but not too much, family man. This election is going to come down to who GET'S THE VOTE OUT. First accurate indicator will be early voting. THIS IS NOT A NATIONAL ELECTION based on POPULAR VOTE. Winning will without a doubt come down to money, organization, boots on the ground and an all out determiation and drive to make sure their base, the cross-over vote, independent vote and the all mysterious and uncertain "NEW VOTER" shows up at the polls.

[Yasmine]

Mr Borosage
I have not read your post just the title yOU are right about OBAMA should not lose his cool
THE damage will be done if he loses SELF -confidence.
IT IS ALL about POLLOCRACY being used to demoralize by their NUMBERs for McCAIN going up and OBAMA coming down
PLEASE EVERY ONE READ GOOGLE on POLLOCRACY and POLLOCRATS
www. POLLOCRACY.com

[leduck]

all that time i said obama was a long shot..., and i was called a troll
even though i'm a democrat who just didn't support obama

now mccain is in the lead according to reuters/zogby

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

A lot of us said that. And we were all called trolls, even thought most of us gravitated to this site to slap the real trolls down on a daily basis. Now the real trolls left....no­t sure where they went. But rest assured, with McCain up in the polls, they'll be swarming back in mass.

[JenMI]

You're still here...

[BlueInARedState]

Here's what I know. Yesterday at the VFW speech Obama STILL complimented McCain on his service to the country and his good intentions toward America. Then he picked apart his policy. But the damage is done because Obama STILL implied that McCain is a good man. Frankly, that's all voters care about.

But McCain is NOT returning the favor. McCain is taking every opportunity to denegrate Obama personally. According to McCain, Obama is a "celebrity" and an "elitist" and "inexperienced," i.e., unfit to lead the country. These are PERSONAL attacks having nothing whatsoever to do with policy. But they are very effective. The polls are moving.

If Obama keeps saying nice things and McCain keeps making ugly personal attacks (even if Obama defends himself), people will believe them and vote for McCain. (Yes, people are stupid.)

At the very least, if Obama won't come out and attack Mccain, he should stop helping him.

[MizLiz]

I think Obama is repeating that stupid phrase "I respect him for his service" because he was never in the military and doesn't want to offend veterans. I wish he'd just drop it. I don't see military service as being a prerequisite for the presidency any more than I see religion being a litmus test for ANYTHING.

[speedingpullet]

To be honest, I'd like to hear BHO pick apart McC's 'energy policy' cherrypicking. I've heard McC mouth the same lines - 'he's not for offshore; he's not for nuclear', blah blah - so often in the last couple of weeks, I can almost say his stump speech along him with him.

Go through McC's half-truths line by line - point out where he's concatenating your policies. Point out the diferences, and don't let McC keep on skewing your message. Stop letting him get away with the outright lie that 'he doesn't have an energy policy/wants to raise taxes' etc...

[marbiol]

I failt to see how calling Obama "inexperienced" is a "personal" attack---the others you mention certainly are--but inexperienced? Of Course he is!!! What is on his resume that makes him a viable candidate? He gives a great speech---and with a couple of TERMS in the Senate he would be a credible candidate--- I just don't see it now (which I guess means I'm blind!!!---since i'm obviously wrong!!!)).

[dayala]

"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."
-- Abraham Lincoln, Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois (January 27, 1838

[MyOwnPerson]

I don't think truer words have been spoken since.

[DPonyourset]

How about a real debate? Lets find out how quick and nimble minded McCain really is.

[minnehot]

You really want to get spanked again? Like Obama did at Saddleback?

The notion that McCain can't debate or would be destroyed in the fall debates went up in smoke at Saddleback.

McCain and his campaign have crushed Obama and his campaign in the month of August. It is simply stunning. Obama must do a major rethink before its too late.

[MizLiz]

I'm a lifelong democrat, and I'm starting to feel really sad and scared now. Obama's gifts are right there for anyone to see. He's absolutely the right man for the job, but once again, there's a section of the American electorate who blindly vote against their own best interests. The last two times, they actually believed The Current Occupant was a regular guy just like them, and a fervent believer in Jeebus. Then there was the two times previously, when they actually believed the man running wrote his own speeches and had a soaring intellect. it never occurred to them that he was doing the best acting job of his B-movie career, and parroting speechwriters perfectly, as only an actor can do.

This time? Well, these ignorant yahoos who screwed us all over before now have one thing to fixate on, despite all their phony excuses to the contrary. Skin color. God save us all.

[emerger]

Yeah, it's a shame. Overall, Americans are too stupid to get it right. We are truly a nation of sheep, run by pigs.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

In many voters it may be skin color, but I personally think it's more the term "elite". This is the same brush they so successfully painted Kerry, and he's obviously not black. Joe Sixpack doesn't like "arugula eating, chardonnay sipping, pansy-boys" and that is how Rove and company are labeling Obama.

[ouroborous]

Do you think that maybe, just maybe, those of us who have been pointing out the smoke might have had a point?

When Obama "ran to the center" (through things like his abysmal flip-flop on FISA), he infuriated and discouraged his core supporters -- progressive liberals -- in droves. Whether it was a political calculation (the old tried-and-true "liberals never win elections" meme) or simply showing his true beliefs, the damage is done. Many people like myself who were vociferous supporters of Obama to anyone who'd listen now shrug our shoulders. Similarly, people on the right can now point with glee and say, honestly, that Obama is inconsistent, that he is not sticking to his campaign promises. This puts Obama in a very bad spot: just as the attacks on him are reaching a fever pitch, his most diehard supporters are losing their love for him.

We're stuck between two choices now: an old man who wants to do exactly what Bush did, and a young man who wants to do MOST of what Bush did, while pretending that somehow when HE does it, it's different. This is not a winning choice, and it's not designed to create a huge turnout at the polls, which Obama desperately needs.

I am still going to vote for him -- not because he's necessarily "the right man for the job" (I don't know if I believe that any more), but simply because he's a BETTER man for the job than McCain.

[katmeyster]

MizLiz I agree with you -- it is sad and scary to think that those people who would most benefit from an Obama presidency are going to vote for John McCain. I call it Live Poor, Vote Rich. This is a planned strategy by the Republicans, and Obama is facing a damned if you do, damned if you don't problem. If he just uses his gifts of intelligence and rhetoric, then he'll scare the yahoos even more. If he gets aggressive and fights back, then he'll scare the yahoos because he's an "angry black man."

It is all very depressing. If we could have a more educated public, who knew how to think past their latest emotion, then we could use a rational appeal. But if we keep electing Republicans, then they'll ensure that the poor stay poor, and the ignorant stay ignorant -- it is all to their benefit.

And fear will rule the day.

OK, I'm going to go out and try and register some more Democrats today -- too soon to give up.

[MyOwnPerson]

You don't know who people will vote for. Who's to say? Just because they don't vote for Obama, doesn't automatically mean they'll vote for McCain? Most people that I've talked to, who don't like Obama, like McCain even less...don­'t believe they'll be voting for him now, do you? I think we could all be in for a real shock when the dust settles and we see who's been voted our next president.

[dartagnan]

I will tell you this: If Americans are fookin STOOOOOOPID enough to elect another Republican after eight years of Bush/Cheney I will give up on politics and consider leaving this country. I am absolutely dead serious.

"In a democracy people get the government they deserve," Churchill said. The ignorant imbeciles in this country who keep electing Republicans may deserve what they get, but that doesn't mean I have to hang around and let them inflict it on me. Screw that.

[peter777]

Obama needs to define McCain. That is not being done. The press gives McCain a pass on just about everything.

[UltraClassic]

Rhetorical Gifts? Well that pretty much somes up this guy. Even the most devoted can only listen to the swan song for so long.

[JLTP]

Borosage makes strong, intellectual points. However, when dealing with the vast majority of yahoos out there in the boondocks of poltical USA, they won't work. Unfortunately, the Republicans have tapped into a brand of politics that has found the right audience: mindless, uninformed consumers who are too lazy to research and find information by themselves. This is not every American, granted, but it certainly is the majority. It is a fact that more than half of the population did not read a book last year--this is what we're dealing with. It is not being elitist to confront that reality if you are going to win elections. The republicans figured that out long ago and they are kicking the Democrats' collective asses election after election. People want passion. People translate the economy, foreign policy, and other issues through personality and the comfort level they construct for each candidate. Most of them are too stupid to understand the nuances of these issues. For God's sake, they want short, crisp platitudes and answers to questions--very much what they have grown accustomed to getting in modern newscasts. If you want to stay above the fray, be ready to lose, again, like Dukakis, Kerry and their ilk. I hate to say this, but I think it is true. Obama's surrogates have to find a way to question McCain's character besides the glaring problems with his stand on the issues.

[MizLiz]

You're right. Makes me sick, but you hit the nail on the head. i really hate these idiot voters. They make our lives so hard and miserable.

[newbridge]

So sad, but true. Noone ever got rich betting on the intelligence of the American people. It is no wonder that the people in Washington view us with such derision. They know they can get away with anything and have - Americans are sheeples.

[BlueInARedState]

Thank you for putting that into erudite language the eggheads on this site can understand. I've been saying this for weeks and getting my head snapped off for my trouble.

It's a lovely idea to think the noble will lead. But the reality is that mudslingers win elections. And it's always been that way. Go all the way back to Jefferson and Adams. Lies. lies, and damned lies! And the Republicans have perfected it.

[sfewell]

A hearty amen. The man's character is his greatest liability. If we are to get the McCain train derailed, we had better get to it quick and go nasty. I would start with his record at the Navel academy (some good stuff already surfacing), move to the POW experience (he caved under pressure), his divorce (very tasty stuff, which he admitted to on CNN), and then his love of lobbyist in the Senate. The Keating Five. His apology on the floor of the Senate. His love for anything war (the Country is tired of war (even the Yahoos)). If you want to win, this is the work to be done. John McCain said character is destiny. He is correct. Now let's show the real McCain character. Hot-head, womanizer, adulter, flip-flopper, play boy, priviled elite, say anything to get elected John McCain. He really is a lot like G. Bush. We can't hang that task solely on Obama. Its nasty work, and its ours. Let's get to it.

[interestedinthis]

Hear hear!! I'm starting by writing a letter to the editor of the local paper, titled "McCain's Meltdown". Many more people read the paper than come here. Let's get to it!

[katmeyster]

And I'm related to some of these people; you aren't going to change them with facts and rationality. Scary.

[WyteFyre]

My worst fears are coming true. The people that run this site and other high profile liberal sites insisted on Obama while they badmouthed Hillary (who I'm confident would already be standing up to McSame much stronger). Obama is not standing up for women's lives they way he should be! He should have never played into Rick Warren's hands. Warren is a GOP operative and I'm not sure why the Democrats don't see that reality. I'm not impressed so far with Obama's campaign!

[ouroborous]

Hillary flip-flopped just as bad as Obama has, when she suddenly metamorphosed into the beer-swilling, shot-pounding Everyman.

She would be floundering just as badly, because the problem isn't Obama the person or candidate, it's the strategy of "run to the middle" when the whole country is crying out that the status quo (the middle) *isn't working*.

Why Democrats can't see that, I just don't know. It seems to be almost a genetic failure. But be assured, Hillary would have stumbled too since she was already on that road, before her campaign gave up the ghost.

[Nofuzzydreams]

The crash and burn of the General election has started!! Just as the Clinton's predicted. People don't like the Republicans and Bush for their incompetence in power but that does not mean they want to turn this country over to a bunch of socialists!! I guess the $1000 tax cut pander to voters is not working either!! How is this pander different from the temprary gas tax holiday that Obama objected to.

[blueshield]

Define "socialists" and demonstrate you can identify O as one.

Do you know what debt is? Do you know what the US national debt is? Do you know why we have a debt today that's larger than any in the history of the country, and still growing? Do you know who we borrowed this money from? Do you know how it will be paid back?

That's right, skippy, the US debt to finance our adventure in Iraq is going to be paid by you and me, and the only way the US government gets money is from taxes.

If you don't want to personally pay high new taxes, call the White House and tell them to quit borrowing money, and to lose the tax breaks for the billion dollar club.

[MizLiz]

The temporary gas tax holiday would have netted you approximately $30....wha­t you gonna do with that? Take the kids an extra time to McDonald's? meanwhile, you would complain about the dangerous potholes in your roads that throw your times out of alignment, and when a bridge collapses, you'd holler your head off. How do you plan to repair the nation's infrastructure?

Charitable donations? Yard sales?

[john pa]

Democrats.­...blah blah blah...soc­ialists...­.blah blah blah....

[ouroborous]

You are actually correct. The 1000 dollars isn't qualitatively different than the "gas tax holiday" and certainly no different than Bush's perennial (and useless) tax rebate checks.

It's sad that the populace loves them so much, because otherwise these "buying votes with checks" schemes would be exposed for the pandering behavior (on both sides of the political fence) that they are.

REAL relief would come by fixing our economy, fixing our financial system (so it stops squeezing the middle class out of existence), and putting MEANINGFUL research and finance into getting away from oil.

But, you know, that takes WORK and THOUGHT, and it's not as visceral as a big fat check in the mail...

[fleaba]

Taking vacation time might not have been the best move. Also, the only ads I see on TV are for McCain. It's like Obama dropped out of the race. If Obama doesn't get with the program and strongly readdress the issues that he started with, then we all will lose.
Healthcare, Iraw, Gas, Economy and large corporations.
The Obama campaign is taking a page from HRC book and just assuming he's in the lead. Not accoreding to drudgereport this a.m. which is showing McCain 7 pt. lead. So what's up with that?
Obama campaign managers need to get off their butss.

[bpowell1]

These polls don't add up and I don't believe them. These man who supposedly is loosing ground raised 52 million dollars last month. That is twice what McCain raised. The Republicans can't pay people to come to their convention and the Democrats can't keep tickets. They are expecting an extra 20-30 thousand just too be outside trying to get in. And now we are suppose to believe that he is beating this man in the polls I just don't believe it. I think what is going on is that they are going to McCain's functions and polling people. And of course we as Americans believe anything we are told and then we start to believe well maybe McCain is a better choice. Americans stop being stupid. Don't fall for this. It's not true. Just look at all the things happening around you and just read all of these blogs. You know those polls aren't correct. Use your head.

[speedingpullet]

I agree fleaba.

I've been getting that familiar sinking feeling, that I always get around this part of the election cycle - I've found someone I really like the look of, and who started off seeming to have a good chance - only to watch them crash and burn on election day.

So - my (unwanted) advice for the O bama campaign - don't forget us!

At the moment it feels like BHO is concentrating all his energies into molilifying voters who may or may not vote for him, courting the lower-income whites, PUMAs, swing voters, etc... while taking the rest of us for granted.

Despite skew in the media, there's a huge number of us who are going to vote for you in november.

Stop apologising for being 'different', 'exotic' (read - black) - we know you are and we like it. You're not going to please all of the people all of the time - so stop trying so hard to do that.

And fer crying out loud - go p0wn McCain already!

Stop worrying about 'losing' votes - truth be told , a little bit of righteous ire on your part will probably get you more. Few people are ecstatic about McCain, but they'll vote for him if they don't see any clear alternative.

We know you have the chops to do it, so stop worrying about the easily scared and get on with it.

[OleSmartee]

"This isn't the time for hemlock."

Are you sure? According to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday, McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly poll. Plus, McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy -- an issue nearly half of voters said was their top concern in the November 4 presidential election.

Read it for yourself: http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUKN1948672420080820?sp=true

(Cut and paste)

If it's not time for hemlock, what is? And if Barack thinks putting Hillary on the ticket will fix this, I gotta say it'll make it WORSE instead. The McCain people will be even MORE adament to win.

This is not good.

[khaleef49]

The polls are a bunch of bs. If you notice, the polls gives the number based on likely voters. If you are young, Hispanic or Africian American then you are not a likely voter.

[MizLiz]

Also, the polls never take into account the vast number of people who have ditched their land lines and use a cellphone exclusively.

[BlueInARedState]

Meaning they probably won't vote. Which still leaves Obama out in the cold.

[beanchihuahua]

Pollster and gallup still have Obama with a marginal lead. The only poll I will believe will be on Election day, when the voters come out to vote and the polled "likely voters" are sitting at home..

[john pa]

Ok, fine.

Then what are YOU doing to help Obama win, aside from cutting and pasting poll numbers?

[oxford]

It's too bad that the posters here haven't a clue as to the long term aims of the US. Take for example,
1.) The US has military personnel in more that 153 countries around the world, and that's before this current groupare being added.
2.) The US has military bases in more than 63 nations, 7 countries have been added since 9/11. In addition, the US operates/or controls between 700 and 800 military bases worldwide.
3.) The same CABAL that pushed their agenda upon Bush and got us into Iraq, are still influencing US actions and are now pushing McCain with the same worldwide agenda. They are on his campaign committee and appear as his surrogates on MSM and on cable news.

Some things from Geo. Orwell. "All the animals are equal; except the pigs who are more equal."
And the theme in "1984" that kept Big Brother in contol was a constant state of war, that wasn't ever won or lost, just used to keep the nation in FEAR. Sound familiar?

[Singha]

I hear ya man....Wel­come to the United Corporations of america.

Would you like a cart???