A dead heat in Georgia?!
Ladies and gentlemen, we have statistical evidence of the Bob Barr effect! A new poll in the blood-red state of Georgia, where the Libertarian nominee is from, shows a dead heat: McCain 44%, Obama 43%, Barr 6%. Wow!
Now, a major grain of salt is called for here. It's very early, and I seriously, seriously doubt these numbers will ultimately hold up. But this sort of polling data (see also: close races in Alaska, North Carolina) can't make the McCain people happy. Indeed, I bet they're getting some serious heartburn from the combination of: 1) the recent state polling numbers generally, which show a definite Obama bounce in red, blue and purple states alike, and 2) the noises Obama is making (backed with action) about competing in states like Texas and Indiana.
With regard to Georgia and point #2, the real issue is that, in light of Obama's decision to change his mind and reject public financing -- a tactical no-brainer, notwithstanding its dubiousness in principle -- he can afford to put his (abundant) money where his mouth is, and at least force McCain to waste precious resources in these states.
P.S. His mom's white! He's from America! Heh.
...And Obama plays the race card.
Posted by: Andrew | Jun 20, 2008 11:07:25 PM
Obama doesn't need to play anything. Dennis Kucinich could get elected President vs. Dole/McSame 08.
Posted by: Sandy Underpants | Jun 20, 2008 11:10:54 PM
Um...wouldn't Dennis K have to, you know, win his party's nomination first?
Oh, and if it were actually the case that this is a "Yellow Dog" election, I think Obama would be up by double digits still.
I hope, for their sake, that the Obama campaign isn't feeling the same way you do Sandy. But, judging from how stupid it is to make the comment he did, they just might be.
Calling someone a racist may work for silencing dissent in public, academia, and the workplace, but the last thing you want to do is send _resentful_ people into that little booth where it's just them, the ballot card, and the deity of their choice.
Basically saying the Republican Party is a bunch of racists is not going to make anyone want to change sides or stay home. True or not, it's just not something he needed to throw out half-a**ed if he didn't want to make his job harder. Part of a major speech, yes. Maybe wording it, "There may be those who are going to use my race against me...". But calling folks out? In June? Yeah, that's going to wear on folks by November, especially in red states. Heck, I'm not even Republican and I'm like, "Um, WTF?!"
Posted by: Youngblai | Jun 21, 2008 6:46:05 PM
What Obama did was make a good pre-emtive strike against the 527s. Now, if they stay away from race, Obama wins, and if they go after race, Obama has already characterized their campaign before they have, and he can just say "I told you so." It's good politics.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 21, 2008 7:31:41 PM
The Republicans played the race card against Harold Ford in Tennessee. Obama isn't playing the race card. He is letting people know what to expect from the GOP.
Posted by: Mad Max, Esquire | Jun 21, 2008 9:03:07 PM
"Good politics" can rationalize any underhanded tactic, which this is.
Posted by: | Jun 22, 2008 12:20:40 PM
Many tactics are both underhanded and bad politics. This is good politics, and not obviously underhanded.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 22, 2008 2:43:33 PM
So much for Obama's "new kind of politics" bullshit.
Posted by: | Jun 22, 2008 5:30:35 PM
I'm pretty sure telling the truth qualifies as a new kind of politics.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 22, 2008 5:34:47 PM
Demonizing the opposition is not telling the truth and is as old as the hills.
Posted by: | Jun 22, 2008 5:43:20 PM
In this case, telling the truth does demonize the opposition. Also, it's only as old as the hills if you deny evolution.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 22, 2008 5:50:54 PM
Oh, you are one of THOSE people. Nevermind.
Posted by: | Jun 22, 2008 6:10:32 PM
? Someone who believes in evolution?
Posted by: copndor | Jun 22, 2008 6:18:25 PM
Try again.
Posted by: | Jun 22, 2008 6:54:34 PM
Ah. Someone who disagrees with you!
Posted by: copndor | Jun 22, 2008 8:07:27 PM
We know what you mean, Anonymous.
Speaking of good politics, Obama at least had the good sense to drop that obnoxious "presidential" seal.
Posted by: Joe Mama | Jun 23, 2008 3:03:00 PM
Silliness aside, I honestly have no idea what "one of THOSE people" means.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 23, 2008 3:19:28 PM
I'm still waiting for the new version of the American flag with the giant "O" in the middle, by the way.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 23, 2008 3:20:55 PM
copndor - will that be the flag with the O in the middle which makes the loud sucking noise - to represent Senator Obama's just-a-tad changing stances on NAFTA ? (Now, for, now against, now wide, etc)
Posted by: Alasdair | Jun 23, 2008 4:01:19 PM
Not every O-shaped object makes a loud sucking noise, Alasdair.
Posted by: copndor | Jun 23, 2008 6:07:27 PM
True, coqndor ... (grin) ... at least one O-shaped object is blowing smoke ... and trying to do so all the way to the White House ...
Posted by: Alasdair | Jun 23, 2008 9:13:45 PM
Who's this "coqndor" character of which you speak?
Posted by: copdnor | Jun 23, 2008 9:19:32 PM
There's a new bird in town, copndor.
Posted by: coqndor | Jun 23, 2008 9:21:57 PM
Hey, so I have a bumper sticker on my car that says
Dyslexics of the World, UNTIE !
Posted by: Alasdair | Jun 24, 2008 2:39:35 AM