August 31, 2008
First Obama/Biden Interview; McCain Bounce?
Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes conducts what appears to be the first joint interview with Senators Obama and Biden. The Democratic ticket responds to Obama's nomination acceptance speech and to Senator McCain's selection of Governor Sarah Palin as a running mate. Kroft (like many in the MSM) seems a bit in awe of Obama (he incorrectly opines that Palin is less experienced than Obama -- Palin has instituted reform), and some of his questions strike me as irrelevant, but this 15-minute segment is nevertheless interesting:
On a related note, CNN conducted a poll over the weekend (after the Gov. Palin announcement was made). They have Obama (49) - McCain (48), just a one-point advantage over the dead tie they had on the eve of the democratic convention. The analysis:
“The convention — and particularly Obama's speech — seems to be well-received. And the selection of Sarah Palin as the GOP running mate, also seems to be well-received. So why is the race still a virtual tie? Probably because the two events created equal and opposite bounces — assuming that either one created a bounce at all,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.Rasmussen also shows McCain gaining ground since the Palin announcement:
There have been significant changes in perception of John McCain in the two days of polling since he named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Since then, 49% of Republicans voice a Very Favorable opinion of McCain. That’s up six percentage points from 43% just before the announcement. Also, 64% of unaffiliated voters now give positive reviews to McCain, up ten points since naming his running mate.
August 30, 2008
John McCain is Not George W. Bush
The Democratic Convention seemed united in the view that McCain is "more of the same" -- i.e., that McCain is running for Bush's third term. Dick Morris assembles helpful list of differences:
1. McCain fought for campaign finance reform — McCain-Feingold — that Bush resisted and ultimately signed because he had no choice.
2. McCain led the battle to restrict interrogation techniques of terror suspects and to ban torture.
3. McCain went with Joe Lieberman on a tough measure to curb climate change, something Bush denies is going on.
4. McCain opposed the Bush tax cuts when they passed.
5. McCain urged the Iraq surge, a posture Bush rejected for years before conceding its wisdom.
6. McCain favors FDA regulation of tobacco and sponsored legislation to that effect, a position all but a handful of Republican senators oppose.
7. McCain’s energy bill, also with Lieberman, is a virtual blueprint for energy independence and development of alternate sources.
8. After the Enron scandal, McCain introduced sweeping reforms in corporate governance and legislation to guarantee pensions and prohibit golden parachutes for executives. Bush opposed McCain’s changes and the watered-down Sarbanes-Oxley bill eventuated.
9. McCain has been harshly critical of congressional overspending, particularly of budgetary earmarks, a position Bush only lately adopted (after the Democrats took over Congress).
How Sarah Palin Got Picked
Stephen Hayes (Weekly Standard) provides a detailed, inside-look on how Gov. Sarah Palin got picked.
Sarah Palin Viewed More Favorably Than Joe Biden
Rasmussen:
Palin earns positive reviews from 78% of Republicans, 26% of Democrats and 63% of unaffiliated voters....Among all voters, 29% have a Very Favorable opinion of Palin while 9% hold a Very Unfavorable view. By way of comparison, on the day he was selected as Barack Obama’s running mate, Delaware Senator Joseph Biden was viewed favorably by 43% of voters.Check it out.
August 29, 2008
R.C. Sproul's Latest Book - Now Available
Dr. R.C. Sproul is well-known as a first-rate theologian. With Five Things Every Christian Needs To Grow, he has penned a book that is meaty and rich, while digestible by any layman, and particularly well suited to a newer believer. I had the privilege of proof-reading this short book and highly recommend it.
(HT: Chris Larson)
Senator Clinton on the Palin nomination
Senator Hillary Clinton released this brief statement today:
“We should all be proud of Governor Sarah Palin's historic nomination, and I congratulate her and Senator McCain," Clinton, the first woman to win a presidential primary, said in the statement. "While their policies would take America in the wrong direction, Governor Palin will add an important new voice to the debate.”Translation?
Dobson Pledges Vote for McCain - Palin
As a guest today on the Dennis Prager show, talk show host James Dobson pledged his vote for McCain - Palin.
McCain - Palin Rally
National Review on Gov. Sarah Palin
The National Review Editors say it well:
By picking Alaska governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain has wowed the public and enthused the Right. He has reinforced some of his winning themes — that he has the mindset of an outsider and a fighter against corruption. He has also reinforced his appeal as the candidate more in touch with traditional values on moral issues.They go on to note that the Palin selection means that McCain must carry more of the foreign policy load. (Just fine, IMHO, given that he is particularly passionate about those matters.) Another great line:
"They (McCain - Palin) should not accept the portrait of middle-class Americans as hapless victims that so many of the Democratic speakers this week portrayed; but they need to show that they share middle-class frustrations."This is super-important, given that Obama/Biden have aimed squarely at portraying McCain as out of touch with people's needs. Read the whole (short) piece.
McCain - Palin? Would Be Bold!
I'm really hoping he picked her (HT: Benjamin). There is conflicting evidence as to her current whereabouts.
Palin brings a lot to the ticket. A female conservative, a staunch pro-life activist, someone who has stood up to excesses in government spending, an advocate of off-shore drilling. She could debate Biden if for no other reason than he would look mean. A new face -- which would get the media buzzing about her for days, suppressing (to some degree) the expected bounce for Obama-Biden.
I really like her. She brings some inexperience, yes, but McCain has experience aplenty. She is young, compelling, attractive, and engaging. Of course, being female does not hurt in turns of bringing in disaffected Hillary supporters (which seems to be a big part of the McCain strategy).
Update: CNBC is saying it is Palin. So is the Chicago Tribune. The McCain Team neither confirms nor denies the report.
Wow, what an ability on McCain's part to keep a secret -- multiple decoys!
Update #2: CNN reports:
Thursday night's arrival of a private jet from Alaska at the Middleton, Ohio, airport raised speculation that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin would be McCain's pick. Middleton is 25 miles from Dayton.Rich Bevis, an airport manager at the Middleton airport, said that a woman, two men and two teenagers were onboard. Video Watch conservative analyst Bill Bennett mull Palin as a VP pick.
"This is the most secretive flight we've ever had," Bevis said.
I agree with Erick Erickson of Redstate -- this is an incredible, game-changing move, and it is being executed brilliantly. The media will be forgetting about Obama's speech. Also, Jonathan Martin is saying it is Palin. It does not seem like a big deal (to me) that her "spokesman says she is in Alaska". Of course, that's what he thinks.
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Recent Posts
- First Obama/Biden Interview; McCain Bounce?
- John McCain is Not George W. Bush
- How Sarah Palin Got Picked
- Sarah Palin Viewed More Favorably Than Joe Biden
- R.C. Sproul's Latest Book - Now Available
- Senator Clinton on the Palin nomination
- Dobson Pledges Vote for McCain - Palin
- McCain - Palin Rally
- National Review on Gov. Sarah Palin
- McCain - Palin? Would Be Bold!