Swinging In The Swing States

I want a relatable candidate- but I also need them to be smarter than me.

Sent by Jessica | 2:14 PM | 9-10-2008

I can't believe you are spending any precious air time on the Lipstick on a Pig remark when our country is in such deep, deep trouble on every level. I'm ashamed of you. Please show your listeners a bit of deference...
really disgraceful journalism.

Sent by Susan | 2:16 PM | 9-10-2008

"The big question, then, is what do you think it will take to win this election?" Sorry to say, trickery and deceit, it's sad but true.

Sent by Ali Harrod | 2:25 PM | 9-10-2008

Honesty, without distortion of the facts. I am not seeing this from John McCain and yet the public is still listening. I think people revel in the familiar even if it is a situation of comfortable being uncomfortable in nature. An African American as President pushes some peoples comfort level too far and the issues get skewed. So true change is when American's no longer feel that undeserved discomfort when referring to a winner no matter what his unrelated skin color is.

Sent by Mr. Steven Kohl | 2:31 PM | 9-10-2008

Has everybody but me missed obvious reference to Palin's sex; with the "stinking fish" mentioned right after the "lipstick pig"? Obama is clearly a woman-hater. And Palin, the poor dear; she requires 'deference.' Never has a woman been so mistreated.

Sent by Mo | 2:37 PM | 9-10-2008

Remember Black Box voting in Ohio in 2004? So much voting fraud by the Republicans, that's why Bush won that state. I am afraid it will happen again because the polls are so close.. Never realized how much fraud in the voting process until 2000, learned so much about fraud in the Bush administration..

Sent by Luana | 2:38 PM | 9-10-2008

I grew up in New York and lived in Maryland for 15 years before moving to Wisconsin in 1999.

Wisconsin went Democratic in 2000 and 2004 but by a very, very narrow margin.

And once again, Wisconsin is up for grabs. Obama was here in Milwaukee on Labor Day and McCain and Palin appeared together for the first time the day after the convention in suburban Cedarburg.

It's really, really exciting to live in a battleground state. The Obama campaign seems to be opening more offices but both campaigns are running ads nonstop on tv. The bottom line, from my perspective, is who does a better job getting out the vote.

The Republicans have always been better at this but if the Obama campaign needs to make sure they step up to the plate this year. In particular, if they can get inner city, low income voters (who traditionally do not vote in large numbers proportionally) to the polls in Milwaukee (and Cleveland and Detroit and other populous cities in important swing states), that may be the difference!!

What a year!

Sent by Ted | 2:48 PM | 9-10-2008

Dr. Ronald Takaki in his books, Iron Cages and From a Different Shore, recounts the fears the founding fathers expressed regarding the "giddy masses". Unfortunately, it appears their fears were accurate. The "giddy masses" have to wake up and look at the reality of our lives. Our lives with low wages, no health care, loss of our homes, schools failing, the dollar slipping and loss of the respect/power of the Unitied States.

Sent by Diana Quealy-Berge | 2:49 PM | 9-10-2008

I live in Davis, CA - a strongly Democratic town. One of your callers seemed offended that the OBAMA campaign was asking supporters to travel to other states and campaign. I think it's a GREAT idea and makes me feel like I can actually make an impact. What impact can I have when I only speak to other supporters? Additionally, I want to say that once Sarah Palin is interviewed by the media, I think excitement about her will drop.

Sent by Sarah Lee | 2:49 PM | 9-10-2008

Here in Ohio, since the introduction of the Alaskan Distraction, Sarah Palin, Republican ads are focused on selling McCain/Palin as mavericks. Obama ads are emphasizing McCain's 90% voting record in support of Bush. Obama has opened another local office in Woodlawn, in northern Hamilton County. The McCain campaign has no visible presence, save for some bumper stickers, usually found next to a faded "W" bumper sticker.

Sent by Arch | 2:51 PM | 9-10-2008

Neal, I didn't get signed on in time to email during the first hour, but I wanted to pass along that on Fred Anderle's talk show this morning on WOSU AM 820 here in Columbus, Ohio, the comment was made that media representatives are have a harder time getting the candidates to talk off their talking points. They expect access to the candidates will become even harder in days to come.

You asked about candidate offices in our area. While I don't have specific info about Columbus, I have been hearing a lot about both campaigns making stops in the Cincinnati/Dayton area without much presence here in central Ohio since the conventions.
Thanks,
Dave

Sent by David E. Scott | 3:11 PM | 9-10-2008

the republicans offer magic to the american people and the democrats offer hard work

Sent by Carolyn Conley | 3:13 PM | 9-10-2008

With regard to Obama's "sexist" comment about lipstick and pigs: this expression is an old saying, usually uttered by older folks, including McCain. Why is there no accountability of McCain for his grinning reply to a republican question at a town hall meeting, naming Hillary Clinton a "bitch"? Would he have smiled if the questioner had referred to Obama as a "n-word". What's the difference?

Sent by Revone Bauwens | 3:16 PM | 9-10-2008

I voted for Ron Paul in the primary election because I agree with most of his ideals. Who do I support now? I like a little bit from both campaigns. I live in Illinois so my vote doesn't matter because Obama will win. I guess I will just stay home. Besides, this country will not see real change with a two party system.

Sent by Kristine | 3:25 PM | 9-10-2008

I was enthused for Obama until he picked Joe Biden. Now Biden is a good man, a good politician - but one of the 'good ole boys'. What the people want doesn't matter - what the Electoral college or Supreme court decides is who will win the Election. More and more the Democrats sound like Republicans.

Before this country changes it's path - our election process must change. We're becoming a 1 party system and I think I'll vote for Kucinich anyway. My vote will matter just as much. :(

McCain offers war with Iran and a new cold war with Russia to go with our war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Democrats are wimping out on the people's dictates for change.

Sent by Sherry | 4:02 PM | 9-10-2008

I'm suspending my cynicism on this one and giving you an answer that could work. The best candidate could win if Americans took off their blinders, did their homework and refused to be duped by the trickery and deceit of campaign tactics. The candidate who has the best ideas to deal with the most important, and urgent matters facing this country can win the election only if we, the electorate do our part and ask important questions about relevant issues without getting sidetracked on stupid things pit bulls and pigs. Our very democracy depends on an informed electorate and like Louie Armstrong said, "What a Wonderful World" it would be if we as voters did our job this year.

Shouldn't we be demanding that the media do their part to inform us about what really matters instead focusing on irrelevant distractions? It's up to us to ignore manipulative campaign tactics and inform ourselves about the issues, there are so many:

Like the future of our fuel supply and the health of our environment, how to lower costs of food and all other products to match the average person's budget, the improvement of our healthcare and educational systems, how to lessen the widening gap between the rich and poor in this country, the need for individuals and families to set personal and professional boundaries so we can cut the rate of stress related diseases and make our neighborhoods safe again, how we as a civil society can address the war on poverty and address the needs of the disenfranchised and indigent, resolving the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and preventing any new ones from starting, how can we improve our relationships with allies and restore our image on the world stage, etc. etc. plus- simply, what we can do to as individuals in our daily lives to make this country a better place to live for everyone?

After all, we are all in this together-Republicans and Democrats. ENOUGH bickering!!!! As an American citizen I'm fed up with it all, let's talk about what really matters to all of us and not about irrelevant nonsense. The person who convinces me they have the best participatory leadership style that engages all the citizens of this nation and devises a plan in which we all work together as one nation to move this country forward toward peace and prosperity, and is willing to work for the common good of all citizens while respecting and protecting our rights and freedoms has my vote. And unlike eight years ago if my fellow citizens also do their homework then the best candidate will win and America as a whole will have a brighter future and so will we as individuals.
Hopeful in Cincinnati

Sent by Ali Harrod | 5:06 PM | 9-10-2008

McCain's attack ads are disgusting on a whole new level. Not only have they likened Obama to a terrorist, but now they claim he's a pedophile too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVLQhRiEXZs

How can we as Americans and members of the media stand by and watch as these idiotic games dominate our airwaves... while discussion of any merit is derided as elitist. We need a new intellectual media to lead us from this slime pit of lurid self satisfying media prophecy we've become mired in.

Let's call "anti-intellectualism" what it is... "stupid".

Let's call "falsehoods and untruths" what they are... "lies".

As long as the media refuses to take a stand we are doomed to an "idiocracy" of our own devising.

McCain needs to be a man and pull those ads right now!
No amount internment or senility can excuse "approving" that tripe.
His remaining shreds of honor are on the line.

Sent by Alex | 1:53 AM | 9-11-2008

What difference do it make, the major
issues link to technology will be left off both political agenda's.IT will take
mass media asking tough questions.How can major advancement in atomic mass levels being produce outside the U.S. control be an non-issue in election 2008.IS there a ban on tough technology
questions?

Sent by jerry a. Myers | 3:55 AM | 9-11-2008

Interesting article with focus on the swing states.
These are particularly interesting during this campaign because if only two of them go from red to blue (Colorado and Virginia)- Obama will be president.

I use a widget to keep track of the progression of polls. The widget shows the election polls by strength of states.
In addition to other different graphical visualizations of data, this one displays the progression of votes over time.

It gives a great overview and it is updated as the polls come in!

http://www.youcalc.com/apps/1218019592041

... and its easy to put on your blog!

Make a difference, keep on voting!

Sent by michael | 4:17 AM | 9-11-2008

The Republican base always wanted to vote Republican even if they didn't really want to vote for McCain. For now they so want to believe in the ticket that Sarah Palin is an easy sell -- and she is saying exactly what many base Republicans want to hear.

Will the ticket motivate people to vote in November? Or did the McCain-Palin ticket just peak 2 months too soon?

Sent by David LaFerney | 9:12 AM | 9-11-2008

Everyone I talk to is already set their beliefs in stone. If they are pro-McCain-Palin, no cast-iron proof of their lies and misrepresentations shakes their belief. If they are for Obama, nothing that McCain-Palin do can shift their vote. And underlying it all is the unspoken but obvious reluctance of many (black and white) to vote for Obama. One black co-worker even mentioned that although his own children are bi-racial, he just doesn't trust Obama. His further remarks made it plain that he doesn't think Obama has "had to work hard enough". People weren't excited about McCain, but Palin has given them a chance to appear progressive by supporting Sarah Palin despite her continued misrepresentations. The legacy of George Bush: a highly polarized country that is still strongly prejudiced.

Sent by JKB | 9:36 AM | 9-11-2008

Sherry, if you can't at least see a difference for American women between Palin's poisonous, regressive policies and the way Obama has fought for women's rights during his career, then please stay home in November. This matters.

Sent by Kasreyn | 10:12 AM | 9-11-2008

The people responsible for polarizing the country are the Democrats. Their craving of power is transparent to anyone willing to see it. They ascribe motives to Bush as if they can read his mind. What they don't understand is they have revealed what is in their minds. Really awful stuff. And they will shove their views done our throats if they get the chance.

Sent by Clifford | 12:40 PM | 9-12-2008

Lies we like to believe: Election 2008
Top 10 -

1. If we "dig" (like, relate to, get down with) a person, they will make a good President or Vice-President.
2. Past patterns of behavior don't predict actions of a future President.
3. We need a President whose life situation and accomplishments approximate my own.
4. If I can relate to the image He or She projects, they understand my needs will represent me and my interests in Washington.
5. Both sets of candidates represent change.
6. The more we flaunt America's Superiority and Power, the safer we will be as a nation.
7. When it comes to evaluating politicians, my gut instincts are more important than the politician's record.
8. There really is no "truth" in political argumentation. If someone repeats a statement over and over again, there must be something to it.
9. I really can't trust someone whose gifts, abilities and accomplishments eclipse my own.
10. Under Obama, my taxes would be higher, and I make between 2.5-250 thousand dollars per year.

Sent by John Bray-Morris M.D. | 5:09 PM | 9-12-2008

Care to elaborate on that "really awful stuff", Clifford? I'm very curious, you got me all interested with those sound bites. Do you have anything of substance behind them?

Sent by Kasreyn | 3:17 PM | 9-16-2008

How about the claim that Bush lied about WMDs in Iraq. First let's define lie. It is a deliberate attempt to deceive. Not a mistake made because of bad information. Information provided by a CIA director appointed by Clinton. When asked if Iraq had WMDs, the CIA director's response was "It's a slam dunk" What would you have done as president? Your country has just been attacked, you have information to indicate that an arch enemy has WMDs, the people are looking for a response. With WMDs, you can't do a 10 year study.
So yes, without actually knowing what Bush was thinking, people ascribe motives to him that he may or may not have had. In all fairness, we do not know. Unless O'Reilly comes up with an addition to his body language segment on Fox, someone who can read minds, we do not know what Bush was thinking or for that matter the other members of congress who voted for the war. What people are saying in essence is that Bush could care less about a soldier's life in Iraq. Do you really believe that he is that awful of a human being.
Or how about the wild accusations that Bush blew up the levees in NO. Or caused 9/11 in the first place. If you believe some people, Bush is behind every bad thing that happens. At the same time they say Bush is stupid. Makes one wonder how a stupid guy like that seems to be able to create so much havoc.

Sent by Clifford | 1:32 PM | 9-17-2008