GOP strategists fantasize about McCain landslide; Update: Landslide canceled!
posted at 2:01 pm on May 24, 2008 by Allahpundit
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“Landslide” being a relative term: If all goes well he could win by 50 electoral votes, greater than either of Bush’s margins over two inferior Democrats. I don’t buy it, but admittedly that’s due more to my own natural knee-jerk pessimism and the hunch that the GOP brand is so poisoned that not even McCain will be immune than to any substantive analytical reason. Yeah, Obama’s money advantage will be enormous, but he’s been outspending Hillary too and she’s still pounding him in battleground states. And yeah, he’s going to mobilize black voters like no one before him, but McCain maybe can make that up among Latinos and independents leery of Wright. None of which is to say he will win, merely that he’s not a sure loser the way any other Republican would have been this year.
Among the 10 strategists interviewed by Politico for this story, there was near-uniform belief that had any other Republican been nominated, the party’s prospects in November would be nil…
The case they make for a comfortable McCain win is not beyond reason. Begin with the 2004 electoral map. Add Iowa and Colorado to Obama’s side, since both are considered states Obama could pick off. Then count McCain victories in New Hampshire and Michigan, two states where McCain is competitive. In this scenario, McCain wins the Electoral College 291-246, a larger margin than Bush four years ago.
If Obama managed only to win Iowa from Republicans and McCain managed only to win Pennsylvania, McCain would still win by a much greater margin than Bush — 300-237…
Even the potentially dramatic rise in turnout of African-Americans may only gain Obama 1 percentage point in many swing states, according to Maslin. Yet Obama’s weaknesses may end up neutralizing some of those relatively modest gains.
All right, here’s a substantive reason for why Obama will win: organization. This is Karl’s hobbyhorse, that the media overlooks the effect of nuts and bolts GOTV efforts for sexier angles about race and gender. The most surprising thing to me about the campaign thus far is how Team Barry has been able to compete with the Clinton machine, which probably could have and would have won (its many mistakes notwithstanding) against almost any other novice politician. If he’s savvy enough to outmaneuver an operation staffed by associates of a two-term president, I’m guessing he’s savvy enough to beat a guy whose own operations aren’t up to normal GOP standards and whose party advantage in voter targeting ain’t what it used to be.
Just in case McCain does win, though, the post-election narrative is already being set. Exit question: Anyone surprised to find Newsweek, a magazine that reduced 40 years of Republican victories to “successfully scaring voters,” wielding something called a “Racial Resentment Index”?
Update: Right on point, yet somehow I missed it. I’m slipping.
Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign is in a troubled stretch, hindered by resignations of staff members, a lagging effort to build a national campaign organization and questions over whether he has taken full advantage of Democratic turmoil to present a case for his candidacy, Republicans said.
In interviews, some party leaders said they were worried about signs of disorder in his campaign, and whether the focus in the last several weeks on the prominent role of lobbyists in Mr. McCain’s inner circle might undercut the heart of his general election message: presenting himself as a reformer taking on special interests in Washington…
Some state party leaders said they were apprehensive about the unusual organization Mr. McCain had set up: the campaign has been broken into 10 semi-autonomous regions, with each having power over things like television advertising and the candidate’s schedule, decisions normally left to headquarters.
More than that, they said, Mr. McCain organizationally still seems far behind where President Bush was in 2004. Several Republican Party leaders said they were worried the campaign was losing an opportunity as they waited for approval to open offices and set up telephone banks.
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McCain is going to win. The Democrats have seemed to do the impossible once again, and that is to nominate a total loser. Congress is a different story, but thank you national Democratic party for your consistency is presenting us with horrible presidential candidates.
NotCoach on May 24, 2008 at 2:06 PM
McCain really is the only one of the Republican candidates who stands a shot against Obama. Rommney or Huckabee would have been destroyed.
BadgerHawk on May 24, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Oh god, did you really have to include this red meat:
“Among the 10 strategists interviewed by Politico for this story, there was near-uniform belief that had any other Republican been nominated, the party’s prospects in November would be nil…”
They are coming now, I see them just over the horizon, they are getting closer. Yikes it’s the MDS horde!!!!!!
patrick neid on May 24, 2008 at 2:07 PM
And, sadly, so would Fred or Rudy, imho. As painful as it is, McC’s the only chance this thoroughly damaged gop has this season.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 2:10 PM
18 points……against us.
Limerick on May 24, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Heh. You’re probably right, Patrick.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Both candidates are perfectly capable of making some horrific gaffe(s) between now and November that can alter the outcome of the election — the difference being the transmission to the public of Obama’s mistakes will be more from alternative sources than from the mainstream outlets, while most of McCain’s errors will be obsessed on by the big media outlets (though he actually gets a bit of a pass on the subject that could hurt him the most, immigration reform, because those same media outlets can’t deal with attacking McCain’s past record or his current statements from the right).
jon1979 on May 24, 2008 at 2:12 PM
That’s troubling, because you’re usually dead on target.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 2:12 PM
I really don’t buy the notion that only McCain is the Republican who can win in this political climate. That view is a bit dense in my opinion and fails to take into account just how bad Obama is as a nominee. Obama is only going to get worse. The man proves daily he is in far over his head.
NotCoach on May 24, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Nah….I was a Fredhead…we all know how that worked out.
I just do buy into the Kool-aid that the big Dem registration advantage is…well…hot air. We are in for a bloody nose unless Obama suddenly starts wearing Castro designer labels.
Limerick on May 24, 2008 at 2:15 PM
don’t buy…..
Limerick on May 24, 2008 at 2:15 PM
McCain has a real shot at it because he’s a RINO. Several Dem friend, including an unhinged leftist, told me that they’d consider voting for him and would be comfortable with him as Prez. BO will probably lose a good portion of the Jewish vote as well.
obladioblada on May 24, 2008 at 2:16 PM
My wife’s a dem from Chicago, and she’s voting McCain. Obama is seriously off-putting to moderate dems.
BadgerHawk on May 24, 2008 at 2:19 PM
I was too, but neither of us were the groupies some made anyone who favored teh Fred! to be. Your insight and judgment has always been top notch, imho. Mine, admitedly, somewhat less so at times.
As for Comrade Obambi wearing castro designer labels… I expect to see him in castro/adidas warm up suit at any moment now. Man, did he ever blow it in South Florida the other day… Most Cubans want nothing to do with castro or his ilk. But Comrade Obambi is all too eager to embrace his fellow ideologists.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 2:25 PM
I’m no fan of McCain, but so far the areas where he’s chosen to target Obama – and those where he’s chosen to smack down his own side for targeting obama – tell me he has a strategy in place for beating the guy.
Where Hillary’s claims of “experience” compared to B.O. are laughable, McCain’s are undeniable. Obama makes myriads of rookie mistakes (hence the headline about a “potatoe gaffe” almost daily on Obama’s part.
When it’s down to two known nominees, the Obama gaffe machine will be too active to let the LSM’s efforts to hide them succeed.
I agree that McCain has a shot. I don’t expect a landslide, be it 50 delegates or 50 states. but I think he has better than even odds of winning in November with enough clearance to escape the “stolen” tag, meaning 3-4 states.
sulla on May 24, 2008 at 2:26 PM
AP,
Thanks for the double PW linkage. It’s like being at the center of an Allah sandwich. NTTAWWT.
Karl on May 24, 2008 at 2:28 PM
*Getting my pike ready to throw against the MDS horde*
Hahah sorry I am watching 300 on Blu-ray.
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I do think McCain can win — he is in the middle politically and his work in the Senate proves how he’ll work as president.
Obama is a hyperpartisan leftist — there is no way he’ll unite.
Richard Romano on May 24, 2008 at 2:35 PM
With a steely stare, borrowed from Cindy McCain, I’m currently peering over the top of my bunker amazed that the berm is still holding.
patrick neid on May 24, 2008 at 2:36 PM
You might feel more comfortable over at JohnMcCain.com where you can bask in the reverberations of the echo chamber to your hearts content. It’ll be sheer bliss.
FloatingRock on May 24, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Clearly someone drank his grumpy juice this morning
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 2:40 PM
And, he also is using many old Carterites as advisors to do it. He is blessed by the short term memory of the electorate.
a capella on May 24, 2008 at 2:41 PM
I think it is more a matter of who was left alive not tied to a dem names Clinton.
Squid Shark on May 24, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Interesting. I’ve very skeptical of projections right now. Once their primary is over, we’ll know better how much that party is going to consolidate, and I expect is will be considerable considering the tail-wind.
I just don’t think we’ll know until after the conventions what the odds really look like. McCain has surprised me thus far, but it has been an interesting, and unique cycle where he has been aided somewhat by Fred and even Huck.
Spirit of 1776 on May 24, 2008 at 2:43 PM
McCain winning is just that. A Fantasy. I’m about willing to bet he loses by more than fifty electoral votes. I wonder what the “expert’s” will think then?
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Someone just snuck under the wire…
patrick neid on May 24, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Also worth considering not just his own organization concerns, but the lack of cohesion between state GOP organizations and McCain – as we have seen with his criticism of various ads.
Spirit of 1776 on May 24, 2008 at 2:47 PM
And yet Carter still barely beat Ford, a man considered to be a continuation of the Nixon legacy and he also pardoned Nixon. Carter had, months before the election, what was considered an insurmountable lead but he still barely pulled it off and if the election were held a couple of weeks probably would have lost. McCain is currently running neck and neck with Obama in current polling.
Now I know that Republicans and conservatives in general are a pessimistic lot, but I am telling you that Obama is the dream candidate for a Republican. Once McCain and Obama start campaigning 100% of the time against each other the messiah is going to sink faster than the Titanic.
NotCoach on May 24, 2008 at 2:49 PM
I wonder if all this disorder is a ruse by the McCain camp. Wasn’t he “on the ropes” last year with virtually no money and a near collapsed campaign? Perhaps this is an underdog strategy.
Then again, maybe the campaign’s not doing so well, oh, gee, I don’t know, because McCain is not such much of a straight talker when it comes to his intentions over illegal immigration? (Let’s just start with that.)
I think it was Einstein who once quipped (paraphrased) “If you cannot trust a man with little things, how can you trust him for big things?”
Weebork on May 24, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Sorry, you’ve already been trumped. Huckster will be the next president. Source is impeccable.
a capella on May 24, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Mccain will surely be surprised when only 1/3rd of the GOP ends up voting for him.
He’ll also be surprised when he gains NO VOTES from his precious democrats he’s counting on.
In reality the only GOP candidate who could have won was Mike Huckabee. He had the lowest number of republicans who would boycott him and strangely enough he appealed very strongly to Reagan democrats,Christian democrats and many Christian independents who normally don’t vote.
SaintOlaf on May 24, 2008 at 2:52 PM
McCain stands a good chance of winning, especially if the GOP machine goes negative on Obama, Wright and Democratic corruption (Spitzer, Rezko etc). The only thing that could backfire is the pseudo-cons launching a sabotage event, pursuing their own selfish ends and leaving us with Democratic hegemony.
There is a problem with the GOP brand, and for good reason. Left and Right want to punish GWB, and use the scandals against us. We need to focus though on just how incompetent the Dems have been in Congress over the past 18 months, and ask whether more of their defeatism is what we need.
Pax americana on May 24, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I hope you’re right, but I would enjoy it more if the stakes weren’t so high.
a capella on May 24, 2008 at 2:55 PM
Pax,
I don’t know, maybe going negative will work. The Clintons tried this strategy to no avail. The only damage done to Obama was done by himself. So, perhaps the trick is to get Obama to trip over himself enough times to squeak McCain into the Oval Office?
Weebork on May 24, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Dream on in FANTASY land. The Huckster was, and still is repellant to Republicans based on his widespread amnesty for criminals, his tax hikes, his cluelessness about foreign policy and security, and his hostility towards Mormons. The liberal media built him up as a kind of joke figure who would have been torn to pieces in the fall together with his squirrel burgers.
You’ve no idea about demographics – Christian independents are one of the most likely groups to vote, and they did so last time for GWB.
Pax americana on May 24, 2008 at 2:58 PM
Bet against the pundits
MB4 on May 24, 2008 at 2:59 PM
I do have to admit taking great enjoyment from these “we are going to win” reports from the GOP about McCain. He is a dead man walking politically. Obama will have every mistake off the liberal news in less than 48 hours, so it really does not matter what blunders he makes.
McCain is going to try to win Blue states, where the vast majority of voters will just see two skin colors and vote to “make history”, and will just take ‘red states’ for granted – where the voters have principals & will stay home in record numbers turning those states purple/blue.
But enjoy the fairytale while you can, I mean it felt so good when Rove said that we were going to win in 2006 right?
Voidseeker on May 24, 2008 at 2:59 PM
But imagine for a moment.
What if the GOP had somebody the conservative base was truly, truly EXCITED about?? Would your predictions hold true?
ColtsFan on May 24, 2008 at 3:00 PM
Interesting – I take your point. My reading was that Clinton was at her strongest when attacking Obama on Wright, Rezko, and Ayers – mistakes that he made himself for sure, but which by getting exposure destroyed his credibility among rust belt workers. She let the side down by her lies and cravenness, like the Bosnia gaffe and the RFK reference.
I fear the liberal MSM are in the bag for Obama however many mistakes he makes, so that there’s not much to lose by exposing his many weaknesses.
On the bright side, all the polls indicate that Hillary would have been a much harder candidate to beat than the big O.
Pax americana on May 24, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Gee so if McCain loses, it’s the fault of people like me, who are Conservative, and detest his record in the Senate of insulting and crossing Conservatives? I’ll take that blame thank you very much. I’ll take that blame and happily embrace it. Later, McCain can call me and the other millions like me a racist for rejecting his plans.
Despite the efforts of the REPUBLICANS here, Conservatives just can’t find a good reason to vote for McCain. That’s why he’s going to lose in November. You nominated a Liberal, and tried to further insult us by redefining Conservative to mean bigger government, more intrusion, less freedom, and higher taxes. If that’s Conservative, then I’m an Progressive Independent. Just call me the Maverick.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Wrong. You have no idea who I am talking about.
There are are millions of young Christian independents who have never voted and were never intending to, until Huckabee ran for POTUS.
It’s called grassroots support.
Combine that with the highest % of republicans who would vote for Huck(compared with any other republican candidate) and all of the Reagan democrats who admire Huck’s honesty and the fairtax supporters…you have a winner.
Mccain has NO grassroots support.
In fact I’m surprised that Mccain has ANY support whatsoever.
SaintOlaf on May 24, 2008 at 3:11 PM
McCain will probably win because the Dem candidates are both so bad. McCain isn’t much better but consider the competition. When all is said and done all those bitter people clutching their guns and bibles together with all the people that told the polls that they would vote for Obama to be politically correct will elect McCain. I think there are only two ways he can blow it. Either shoot off his mouth once too often or make a really bad pick for Veep.
duff65 on May 24, 2008 at 3:14 PM
I disagree. While I can’t stand McCain myself when examining his positions without any other considerations, he is not the only person in this race. If Clinton were the nominee I could see many conservatives voting for a third party candidate or not voting at all in protest thus giving the Presidency to Clinton. But he isn’t running against Clinton, he’ll be running against what I consider to be the worst top tier presidential candidate in my life time. Many of those who claim that can’t possibly vote for McCain today will change their minds and do so after it sinks in just how bad an Obama Presidency will be. Please note I am not trying to speak for you, but giving my general opinion of anti-McCain conservatives in general.
NotCoach on May 24, 2008 at 3:16 PM
fwiw my prediction is a clear-cut win for the Maverick. Not a Reagan v Mondale type landslide; more like Bush 41 v Dukakis.
If on election night it becomes apparent that McCain will win, I’m going to watch MSNBC’s coverage. Watching Overbite and Matthews melt down will be the greatest piece of television of all time. I’ll record it all and watch it for years to come.
infidel65 on May 24, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Every dollar spent by Soros and the Dems playing defense in a Blue state is one less dollar they have to try and flip a Red state. And McCain’s gonna have them playing a lot of defense.
Too many unpredicatbles at this point to say it’s a sure shot, but McCain’s got a pretty darn good shot.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Olaf,
If Huckleberry were the nominee, I’d be voting Libertarian. Christians aren’t the only religious group in this country, you know. On various issues, non-Christians have made strategic alliances with Christians, but Huckabee’s straining the alliance just a bit too far for me.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Heh, should be amusing.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 3:23 PM
The problem is we Conservatives don’t see much difference between McCain and Obama. Same Junk Science Global Warming high taxes. Same Amnesty plan. Same bigger government is the answer.
No thanks. I don’t care who’s running in November against McCain. I won’t vote McCain under any circumstances. If it’s a choice between Stalin and McCain, I won’t vote McCain. If it was a choice between Satan literally Satan, I wouldn’t vote for McCain. I’ve watched Bush supporters at work show up wearing Obama T Shirts. A friend has covered up his “Friends don’t let friends vote Democrat” bumper sticker with a Hillary 08 sticker. The Pastor at the church down the street has said that he doesn’t see a reason to vote Republican this November.
You guys have no clue how hated McCain is in the south. Bush won Georgia by something like 20 points. Want to bet McCain loses Georgia in November? I’m not ready to bet, but if I was McCain, I wouldn’t be running left. Of course, when he tries to go right, he runs into the wall of his own record.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 3:25 PM
The berm is still holding despite a few violations…..
patrick neid on May 24, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Pax americana,
I most certainly think the Drive-bys are in the tank for Obama, which may help explain why non of Clinton’s attacks had any effect on him. (Moreover, Clinton’s attacks all but seemed to backfire on her, predicted by the Drive-by’s of course).
The Drive-by’s protecting the Democrats in elections is nothing new, albeit they are a lot more energized and determined to do so this time with Obama. There isn’t anything new the Dems are trying out of their playbook, some plays extend to before WW I. To me, the only thing actually new is that there is a guy running for office who says absolutely nothing but the audience hears exactly what they want to hear. It’s the audience part that’s new.
Weebork on May 24, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Hell yeah, landslide. McCain will take Florida, and thanks to the arrogance of four California Supreme Court justices, gay marriage will be on the ballot and will bring out the Republican vote – if California is in play, this thing is over.
p.s. Snake? So sorry that we don’t have the perfect candidate for your saintly values. The rest of us mere humans choose between the lesser of two evils. You should try it sometime.
John the Libertarian on May 24, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 3:25 PM
I guess that you would prefer a total disaster to a partial disaster. McCain, with all his faults, does not intend to raise taxes and he will appoint reasonable people to the supreme court. His global warming position is awful as is his position on our border problems but BO is worse.
duff65 on May 24, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Seems to me that anyone can Obama at this point.
Chakra Hammer on May 24, 2008 at 3:36 PM
FTFY.
Actually, we (well I, anyway) understand where you are coming from, believe me. McC’s wasn’t anywhere close to who I wanted for our nominee. However, handing the utterly incompetent dems all three branches of government right now, and the top one to a completely empty neophyte like Comrade Obambi has me concerned for the literal survival of our great Nation. That, literally, is the ONLY reason I am even considering voting for McC. Well… that and the SCOTUS picks, which are also of paramount importance.
Country over party for me at this point. The party has been letting me down for years.
Something tells me McC won’t need us to win this year. I think he’s going to get the middle after Comrade Obambi crumbles and implodes, (dispite his enabling msm life support system).
Just my humble opinion.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 3:46 PM
You McCain supporters haven’t seen it yet. You’re argument is based upon this statement. “Sure, the country is going left in November. But McCain will only go mostly Liberal on you, Obama and Hillary will go totally Liberal.”
To hell with that. If we’re going left, and we’re going Democrat in most policies, I say go all the way. Embrace the chaos, and enjoy the predictable outcome.
Oh, here’s another one for you McCainiacs who think this is true. “Sure our candidate sucks, but their candidate sucks so much worse.” How long until the Manchurian Candidate is the most played movie on TV?
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Sure you’re not thinking of Matthew 25, where Jesus gives the parable of the Talents, saying,
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”?
IrishEyes on May 24, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Except that embracing the suck, some of us will not survive the inevitable bankruptcies and economic implosion. Some of us are struggling as it is, trying to survive and thrive and pursue our own version of the American Dream.
It’s exponentially more difficult in a marxist/dem triple-threat scenario where there’s nothing at all that we can do to stop anything they want to do to us and the country.
The only weapon I’ve got in this battle for our country is my solitary vote. So I’m going to use it in a way that I believe will cause the least amount of destruction to my country and the pursuit of my own goals and dreams.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 3:54 PM
You know, when it’s my turn to face the Big Guy, that’s the only thing I really like to hear him say to me. That’s really all I want out of ‘heaven’.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 3:57 PM
I think you have officially gone off the deep end. Whether you like it or not most elections are about picking the lesser of two evils. And when one of those evils is the buffoon named Obama this will be an easy choice for many, even those who currently claim they can not and will not vote for McCain.
NotCoach on May 24, 2008 at 4:01 PM
You’re going to get the liberal destruction of America no matter who you vote for. McCain will tax the crap out of us and cause everything to double, even triple in price with this Environmental policies, read massive tax increase. He’s throwing the war on terror with his kinder and gentler to the terrorists by closing Gitmo. Do you think troops will enlist or re-enlist when some Court orders them to start reading rights to the Terrorists they capture?
McCain is going to destroy this nation, just more slowly? That is not a reason to vote for him. If you’re going to pull a bandaide, you pull it fast, to get the pain over with. If you’re going to die, you want to die fast, so you don’t suffer. If the country is going liberal, I want to turn hard left and stomp on the gas. That way, in a generation, no more, we can start all over again and build a nation based upon individual responsibility and freedoms.
Not one candidate talked about American exceptionalism. Not one candidate said the individual was master of his or her destiny. We’re going over the cliff my friend, say a prayer, and stomp on the gas. Enjoy the ride down.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I thought it was only the Left who wished destruction on this country in the hopes of ruling over the ashes.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 4:05 PM
Good luck my friend. That way you and the nation bleed to death slowly, instead of proving again to the historically inept that socialism doesn’t work.
Of course, you can hope that the population feels as you do. That the candidate who sucks the least is our best choice. I have a hunch that the views of the population aren’t quite what you think they are. In most polls, McCain is about even with Obama, and Hillary. Those two are still fighting one another, and McCain can’t come out on top.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Unlike you, Snake (Thelma?), I am not suicidal. I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got and do not at all relish the idea of having to pause and go into basic survival mode just prior to my retirement years.
For some of us, the decisions made in this coming election will be life and death. I vote for life. I think we stand a much greater chance of keeping McC in check than we do a congress enabled Comrade Obambi.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 4:13 PM
I’ll be surprised if McCain pulls out a win. If he does, it’ll be without my support.
Zorro on May 24, 2008 at 4:13 PM
The Obama headquarters are very pleased to hear that you won’t be supporting Obama’s rival for president. They thank you for not casting a vote against them.
wise_man on May 24, 2008 at 4:19 PM
IrishEyes on May 24, 2008 at 3:51 PM
I knew it was somebody important! :)
Weebork on May 24, 2008 at 4:20 PM
The GOP is returning to it’s Rockefeller roots. Great.
spmat on May 24, 2008 at 4:26 PM
More surprising than the RR Index is Newsweek’s alarm that The Big O’s claimed Christianity is not universally recognized. Amazing – Christians are pretty much hated by the media unless, of course, their affirmative action candidate claims to be one!
T J Green on May 24, 2008 at 4:34 PM
You’re forgetting that the Obama machine’s strategy is to attack every criticism out of the opponent’s mouth as racist, demeaning, distracting, inappropriate, etc. This then gets echoed and magnified in every media outlet, drowning out the exact words and context of the opponent.
When Hillary is finally vanquished, this echo effect will be gleefully concentrated on McCain, and like the Gray Lady has just done, the media will turn on him with full vengeance.
To believe that Obama’s gaffes, and McCain’s criticism, will be treated equally is nothing short of a pipe dream.
Nichevo on May 24, 2008 at 4:36 PM
For some pollyanna reason you think that choice will be available to you or the next generation. Once the Marxists get their hooks in deep, it’s done. Activist judges will make sure of that. You apparently think we’ll get a second chance to fix it. You’re wrong.
a capella on May 24, 2008 at 4:37 PM
You got a point. Once the nation has universal health care, most of college students tuition paid for by taxpayers, I don’t think the public will be able to say, “Hey, I want to take away your health care and college tuition!” Once it’s done, it’s done. No going back.
terryannonline on May 24, 2008 at 4:42 PM
This is why his VP pick is so key. His best bet is Crist in my opinion.
Typhonsentra on May 24, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Obama is not going to win.
He’s not going to win because organization’s not going to matter; he’s not going to win because money’s not going to matter; he’s not going to win because there is absolutely no substance to the man.
The true fact probably is that everyone who’s going to vote for Obama has already made up their mind. He’s not in any way a traditional candidate that average voters might mull over and break for in the last months/days/weeks.
And that’s been proven time and time and time again. He can pour money and supposed charm and his supposed immense political skills into a state and if his demographics aren’t there, he takes an ass kicking each and every time.
And that’s among Democrats.
He’s not going to sell “That’s a distraction; these are not the droids your looking for” to average voters.
Not when there’s safe and sensible McCain right there instead.
Typhoon on May 24, 2008 at 4:44 PM
I’ve been struggling for the right analogy to demonstrate how stupid and lame the McCain supporters are. I’ve done the over the cliff analogy, and it wasn’t right. Here you go guys.
We’re being told the forest is going to burn down. All the trees that represent individual liberty and freedom, those are definitely burning up. The trees that represent smaller and less intrusive government? Those trees are toast my friends. The trees that represent less taxation on the populace? Oh those trees are already burning, too late to save them.
So we’re looking at two trees left in the huge forest, and I’m being told that the entire forest will be lost if I don’t save these two trees. That’s the tree that represent the War on Terror, and the Court. I have to accept the loss of the entire forest, but I’m told that these two trees are the only ones that really matter.
Look at the forest that is burning. Freedom of speech, gone. Private property rights? Up in smoke over there. Look, right here, you can see equality burning like a match as we set up two bankruptcy standards. Individuals can’t write off debt, but business can.
Over there, you can see national sovereignty burning brightly. When we ask how the trees representing National Sovereignty won’t impact the War on Terror trees as they whip through the forest of National Defense, we’re told that we don’t understand what’s needed here, and to ignore the line of fallen trees that lead to this most important tree in the woods.
Sorry, it’s all going to go up in flames guys. Your two trees of import are going to burn with the rest of the forest. McCain has lied about so much, you can’t trust him to say he’s going to save those two trees when he refused to take any effort to save the others.
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Beg to differ. The Democrats so completely suck that even a mediocre Republican could win. Even a Bob Dole would have a decent chance.
Conservatives might grumble a bit, but they would vote for him. McCain, on the other hand, goes out of his way to show his disdain for 60% of GOP…. the people that USED TO be the the ‘grass roots’ driving force and open wallet of the Republican party.
Unfortunately those wallets that have snapped closed because of McCain’s global warming idiocy and his immigration idiocy are going to hurt the entire party. The RNC won’t have the money to help support the guys running for Senate and House.
Although I have some hope that those closed wallets will open wide with direct donations for real conservatives running for Congress…. I know that I’m giving twice as much to the guys I DO support since the RNC and the Presidential Candidate aren’t getting what I usually send them.
It will be interesting to see if there will be enough ‘hold your nosers’ vote for the guy to get him elected. Or maybe conservatives really DON’T matter anymore. Maybe the Mediocrats™ can do it by themselves.
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 4:45 PM
er, *you’re* looking for, that is to say.
Typhoon on May 24, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Here’s a little music to consider a McCain win by. Billy Joel, It’s just a fantasy. http://youtube.com/watch?v=X163bAYcD1M
Snake307 on May 24, 2008 at 4:48 PM
The losing party gets a civil war. I’d rather it be the Democrats.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 4:50 PM
You neglected to mention that the Supreme Court nominations are NOT going to be as promised:
Mr. “Alito is too conservative” McCain WILL NOT nominate Originalists as he promises. One more Originalist on the Supreme Court would shift the balance so that McCain’s own horribly UNCONSTITUTIONAL ‘Campaign Finance Legislation’ attack on the First Amendment would be overturned.
He can’t be having that now, can he?
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 4:53 PM
1. The RNC actually is kicking the DNC’s ass in terms of fundraising. Problem is, as you’ve suggested, RNC is going to have to route a lot of its money to McCain rather than to downticket races.
2. You’re spot on about McCain’s disdain for conservatism. If he’s a moderate, fine. Rudy and Romney were both moderates, but they didn’t thumb their nose at the base. Truth be told, McCain is not a big government guy; he’s the Senate’s #1 budget hawk for heaven’s sake.
I also think the big reason a lot of those “wallets have snapped shut” is that corporate donors like to back the winner, and Obambi is widely seen as the winner this year.
Outlander on May 24, 2008 at 4:53 PM
The WINNING party WILL destroy the economy. I’d rather it be the Democrats that gets the blame for it.
If the Democrats get the blame for it, we have a chance to rise from the ashes ad rebuild, much like we did after Carter.
If the Republicans get the blame, we won’t rise from the ashes.
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Also, given the long, drawn-out process of the Dem nomination, any numbers we have right now on Obama versus McCain aren’t very valid.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 4:58 PM
We might be able to avoid the ashes, and not be in a position to have to rise from anything, if we win this fall.
Sekhmet on May 24, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Sorry wiseman, I’m a conservative, not a republican. I’ll be voting for congress and local issues, just not for that open borders liberal.
Zorro on May 24, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Allah, too pessimistic. Obama’s base and therefore policies will hurt middle/working class white voters. Therefore, they’ll vote for McCain as long as McCain does not blow it. Which he’s capable of doing.
Consider his foreign approval requirement for gassing up your SUV, eating, and your AC. There’s more coming. It has to be coming. His base demands it. [Controlling the un-hip, un-cool people.]
whiskey_199 on May 24, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I think McCain gets it on judges. I beliveve McCain would nominate solid, right-thinking, but not-terribly-controversial judges like Roberts or Alito. I’d prefer a few more Scalias and Thomases, but that just isn’t a reality in a Democrat-controlled Senate. By the way: Obama has suggested he intends to nominate liberal activist judges.
Outlander on May 24, 2008 at 5:06 PM
So the other open borders liberal, Obama, will most likely win.
Sounds fantastic.
wise_man on May 24, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Unless by some miracle McCain ACTUALLY comes to his senses about ‘global warming’ and completely reverses his stand on all the related issues, there ARE going to be ashes.
And John McCain NEVER really changes his mind once it has been made up. Sometimes when he must, he will pretend to ‘have learned his lesson’ but he never gives up his original decision, and will go forward with it when the ‘coast is clear’…. and sometimes when the coast isn’t clear.
You don’t need the experience of my 33 year history of knowing him to grasp that: His ‘Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ that keeps resurrecting itself every few days is proof of that to anyone paying attention.
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I’m not supporting him either.
Zorro on May 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
How about if the Dems lose they will stop running candidates who want the UN to lecture Americans on foreign policy? Or candidates who want to hike taxes? Or maybe they will stop listening to MoveOn.org? I think that would be a win/win for the nation!
terryannonline on May 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Get in the SUV, or ride that TORO, to the market and get your happy hat on.
It’s Memorial weekend. I’m headed off for some yeast for the pizza dough (tonight) and tomorrow it’s BBQ chicken.
Allah and Ed, no doubt, will be with their quiche and designer beer labels right after leaving the Sex and the City chick flick. For us little people it’s horseshoes and ginning up the Mrs.
Have a great weekend. Sunblock, beer, and fly the flag!
(if you are feeling froggy send some $ to the USO or the Fallen Heroes Fund).
Limerick on May 24, 2008 at 5:13 PM
How about if the Dems lose they will stop running candidates who want the UN to lecture Americans on foreign policy? Or candidates who want to hike taxes? Or maybe they will stop listening to MoveOn.org? I think that would be a win/win for the nation!
terryannonline on May 24, 2008 at 5:10 PM
They didn’t learn that lesson from 2000 or 2004, why would they learn it in 2008? BTW, another reason we need McCain to win is that McCain will stop the Democrats from prosecuting a ton of former Bush officials for war on terrorism activities, which would really hurt our image globally and turn Iraq into an even bigger cluster…
Outlander on May 24, 2008 at 5:16 PM
I believe you are right and there is no reason to expect that McCain’s whack-jobbery won’t infect his judicial nominations. Gotta get along with those commies and be a maverick.
It doesn’t matter whether he wins or not.
Landslide. Landfill. Followed by civil war or whimpering into leftist slavery. God help us.Enduring the Bush Dynasty based on the same arguments of hope and lesser of evils has discredited the McCainiacs in my eyes. The corporatists have merged with the two parties just as they have embraced the Global Warming hoax. It’s good for the battum lannn — of the ruling class.
My one hope is that there is still a lot of time between now and November. Maybe The Party can go on a crash course of anti-psychotic medication, start listening to the base, and dump McCain.
Feedie on May 24, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Yeah it would be… If it was even remotely likely.
Both parties are going to continue their drift to the left until an actual massive disaster strikes. Both ancient history and recent history prove that.
Losses only accelerate the drift left. The only corrections come when there is a disaster big enough to get people’s minds off the ‘bread and circuses’ and ‘American Idle’ (misspelling intentional) long enough to consider the situation carefully and actually work to fix things.
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 5:24 PM
When you and others don’t support the candidate who is opposing the demcorat Barack Obama, then the result os going to be that the democrat Barack Obama … is going to be the one elected president.
Hate to be the one to break it to you, but this is the truth.
It’s the reality of the consequences your and others actions. Maybe I can help you to relate to this concept of inaction to a threat, where other people are participating, and some are not. Ever read the book ‘Horton hears a who?’ You would be “Jo-Jo.” It’s kinda like that.
You’re welcome.
wise_man on May 24, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Bless you, Lim! And have a great one.
As for me, I am ginning up the Mrs. as we speak. ;o)
Might as well have as much fun as I can, since it’s apparent my fellow Conservatives are dead set on enabiling the worst possible situation to happen to my beloved America.
I’m sure we’ll figure out some way to survive. But I am definitely NOT looking forward to it. I lived through the carter years, but I was young and just getting started. The disaster on the horizon as I enter what I was hoping to be warm and sunny sunset years troubles me.
God help us all.
And thanks to all those who fought and gave life and limb so that we can sit home and let the whole thing crash to the ground in the hopes we will be able to resurect it the ‘right’ way.
As I said, God help us all.
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 5:47 PM
They’re inside the perimeter but the berm and bunker are still in good shape with the center holding. Perhaps the tide has changed…..
patrick neid on May 24, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Like military analogies, huh?
You have been out flanked, your supply lines have been cut off…. You may survive the current battle, but by digging in rather than advancing when you had the chance, you have already lost the war.
LegendHasIt on May 24, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Why is it that the future plans of the ‘Conservatives’, the dems, the marxists, the jihadis, the Chinese, the Russians, the Venezuelans, the UN, and ‘the world’ all involve the destruction of the U.S.A.?
techno_barbarian on May 24, 2008 at 6:26 PM
I don’t know about that. The only Democratic president we’ve had in the past 25 years has been Bill Clinton and he’s a moderate (well, compared to Sen. Obama). So if another lose moves the Democrat party to the center, I think that is a good thing.
terryannonline on May 24, 2008 at 6:36 PM
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