Playing the party card against Obama

learn to spell for starters.

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle to me. McCain is taking his orders from his lobbyist buddies, who can't seem to keep him on message or figure out what the message is...oh yeah, I forgot, there is no message, just a bunch of changing (not change!) rhetoric to suit the need of the day. He's so confused, he doesn't know who the real McCain is anymore. And we would want him as a leader because? "Thanks, but no thanks!" to quote Ms. Palin who is a willing to lie right along with McCain. Gee, that does sound familiar to what we already have - a bunch of liars in the White House. Not this time. Enough!

This REALLY sums it up.It's what everyone thinks but is afraid to say about Obama.He is really nothing but a "token" for the powers that be/wannabe...

It will work better than claiming executive powers the president doesn't have(like at will termination of the head of the SEC). It will work better than claiming the fundamentals of the economy are strong. It will work better than touting regulation after 26 years of being against regulation. It will work better than talking about latin America when you're asked about meeting the PM of Spain.

I mean, at this point, doing this is the least of McCain's worries. This has been a week of dizzying flipflops and gaffes from the McCain camp, so it really isn't surprising that they're punching blind now.

Yawn. Maybe once you provide some actual data to back up your ridiculous assertions, then maybe I'll read & respond. C'mon honey.

McCain's plan to say anything, do anything to get elected, then do as you please, wont cut it this time....The people really want change,which McCain will not and cannot give,and the election will be determined by a fed-up electorate....McCain wants the election to be about personality not about issues, because that is the only way he can win.....But, because the issues will not go away, it going to be impossible for McCain to win.

Yawn. Maybe once you provide some actual data to back up your ridiculous assertions, then maybe I'll read & respond. C'mon honey.

Republicans, what a joke. That whole party is a front for racist rich white biggots who couldn't get enough of their high school wonder years. this whole charade reminds me of the jocks and cheerleaders...a popularity contest that brainwashes other less fortunate whites into feeling accepted if they believe this worthless rehtoric. I'm a 33 year old white male who played high school varsity basketball...these politicians are the same morons I had to pretend to get a long with to keep from getting blackballed out of school. Go f' yourselves you self indulged indignatious no brained sheep.

A new ploy, hmm? McCain's cards are running thin.

Obama is qualified to be a KINDERGARTEN JANITOR, maybe. With his desire to teach sex ed to the young ones there may be a predator hidden in his rhetoric.

Mc Cain is a puppet that Karl Rove and Steve Schmidt use to insure their lobbyist friends get what they want. Palin is merely a distraction to keep our minds away from the real issues like the economy and the war in Iraq. None of these tactics will work this time though they did give us eight(8) years of George W.. If you find yourself and your country better off now that you were eight(8) years ago then great pull the lever for Mc Cain/Palin. If like me and the great majority of our nations veterans you prefer the candidate who will take care of our veterans and who voted for the GI Bill and who has Warren Buffet and Robert Reich on his economic team then join me in voting for Obama Biden. YES WE CAN BRING THE CHANGE WE NEED TO AMERICA

No. Sounds racist to me -- a good reason not to vote for an "all white" party (see
footage of the Republican convention). We are a country of immigrants. Barbara

I think this is laughable. The McCain campaign is clearly lost its collective mind. It seems that the McCain campaign strategy is to take all the Obama strategies and try to reverse them (ie:McCain is Bush's third term). I think once McCain added Palin to the ticket they signed their death warrant and the country is not THAT stupid.

Obama is saying what he has been saying for years, so I'm missing the conclusion made here that he is marching to orders given by party leaders. The way I see it, and I've been watching this race carefully, the party puppets are McCain and Palin, who say whatever they think they need to in order to please the people they are trying to attract to vote for them.

WHO IS THE PUPPET BUT MCCAIN! BUSH REPEAT WHO HAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE HIS RICH WIFE TAKES CARE OF HIM.
MCCAIN TALKS ABOUT LESS GOVERNMENT WELL IF WE DID NOT HAVE GOVERNMENT THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND THE BANKS WOULD HAVE NO ONE TO HELP THE MESS THE REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE! THANKS TO BUSH AND HIS WAR HAPPY SELF. AND LOOK, MCCAIN RIGHT THERE WITH HIM TALKING ABOUT GOING TO WAR WITH RUSSIA.
AND WHO IS THE REALLY PUPPET ?.......

There are puppeteers four (Kennedy, Pelosi, Reid, and Dean) pulling the same old well worn strings. Holding on they tighten their grip on a Senator named Biden. He then pulls the tender strings of his puppet at the pulpit preaching sermons from his telepromter. The dems have found a new voice that sounds the endless echo of inflammation. Tax the rich and save the poor, since they number more. But why do they not empty their fat wallets first to prove their sincerity of cause? Is it because they only want your vote to further fill their private coffers? Amazing lack of practicing what they're preaching.

what a joke....McCain stands with George W and Karl Rove on every issue.

John McCain would have you invest your social security in the stock market; he thinks Iraq is becoming safer and that al qaeda is based there instead of pakistan/afghanistan; that sarah palin is qualified. to be vice president, that the economy is fundamentally sound (despite a bankrupt wallstreet, 6% unemployment and real wages that now match levels not seen since the summer of 2000).

jeez! forget about McCain's physical health! the guy is clearly nuts!

Obama is a charismatic party frontman less poplar than the banner he carries.

DEAR LORD OBAMA IS A TREE!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!!

We need to stop the squabbling and mudslinging. Our economy is on the edge of depression and we need a leadr who can regulate what needs to be regulated and leave alone what needs to be left alone. That is Obama. Although I personall like McCain and really ike Palin, I think we can NOT have 4more years of Bush policies!

*popular

idiotic post - waste of space

I personally do not trust Obama. I believe that Obama is charismatic, but this alone is not what we need in the White House. If Obama gets elected, we are all in trouble. I hope some people will wake up.

popular is not spelled poplar. And Barack Obama is far from taking his marching orders from the rest of the Democrats. Perhaps they are all rather aligned in what they see as the way this country must go in the future, both near and far.

The first paragraph about Obama's "problem" being his "personal qualities" is an incredibly mindless conclusion. Did it ever occur to you that any person would run behind a "generic" Democrat, precisely because he or she would be a real person with specific attributes? Also, is the fact that Obama defeated Hillary Clinton (and some of her supporters resent that ) a "personal quality" of Obama's? Is the fact that he is half-African, half Kansan in origin a "personal quality"-? Is the fact that McCain spread lies about Obama a "personal quality" of Obama's? Let me try to simplify it for you. In my younger days, I met a lot of woman who were generically interested in dating a generic person of the male gender. But they weren't that interested in me. At least try to put some thought into this complex matter instead of jumping to conclusions. Another hint - did it occur to you that it would be easier for an individual to run ahead of an unpopular party?

In the real world, it is a fine line for Sen. McCain to link Sen. Obama to his Democratic party, which is okay. However, it is apparent and quite obvious that Sen. McCain's campaign IS being run by his Republican party. The sad part of his campaign is that Sen. McCain is unable to campaign on his senatorial record/accomplishments, especially for the last seven and half years and his slogan is "country first." Huh.......

Of course it will work. Our politicians are simply reflections of ourselves, and the electorate is ignorant and bipolar. We hate liberals but like Democrats. We hate congress but love the incumbent congressman from our district--he's not like those other ones. We blame our legislators for partisan gridlock but refuse to compromise on our own beliefs. We react to buzzwords like "bosses" like Pavlov's dogs. We want heightened social services without tax increases or deficit spending. We are in favor of budget cuts and lower earmarks but continue to turn out in force to support the hometown hero that got us more jobs. Until we get our act together, how can we be surprised that attack-based, hypocritical politicians continue to be successful and how can we blame anyone but ourselves?

Yes. I can not believe that the Democratic party has become a socialist party going communistic they must be stopped and will be.
I never in a million years would have guessed what is happening.
About 40 years ago I learned how to use propaganda against the enemies of our country. I can't believe it is being used by the media for this election and also used by james carvelle for the clinton election. What do you think of a president that lied to the people of the usa and we want to follow him again. Good Luck.
I will be my last will to do all that is possible to bring down the media.

Obama?
He's a celebrity, He's an elitist, He's a party hack, He's Inexperienced, He's a light weight, He's a Muslim, He's not tough enough. He's unamerican. I'm not Barack Obama.
McCain
I am a ___ but its war related. I don't know what to do but change is uncomfortable, do you really want it? I'm against taxing anyone especially the rich (like me) but then You may win the lottery like I did and marry real well. A (9/11) commission (9/11) wiil (9/11) fix (9/11) things. I'm a veteran so it OK to treat our Iraq heros cheaply. My friends are rich and getting richer, you aren't, see how sound our American economy is! I'm Not a N.....(heh) black but Obama is different from me. I have No doubt McCain will win. This is how God favors US!

because its too

I don't know where you get your 'voter' information about Obama. I have not once heard anyone say that his personal qualities are not adecuate. I have read that he is a good listener and a very intelligent individual.
About Senator McCain the only personal quality of a negative nature I have heard is that he has a short fuse sometimes.
I believe the voters want someone to take the country out of the black hole we are in, to bring us back to being true members of the international community and to improve the lives of those Americans that have being left behind by lack of funds for education and health services.

He should tie him to the party's symbol... much more appropriate!

Face it - Obama is going to lose.

People see he is an empty suit with an "uncute" wife. Presidential? Not by a long shot.

Hogwash!

DId you attempt to actually say something coherent there?

"He referred to "bosses…who give Senator Obama his marching orders."

I guess that is nothing like the "corporate bosses" that are running McCain, to the point where McCain has utterly deposed of all his Maverickness - McCain will not reform ANYTHING, so obviously apparent it has become that McCain is being directed but same people that direct Bush. McCain is literally by the West Texas Mafia.

I'd like to see more discussion of where McCain and Obama stand on the issues and less speculation about political posturing or personality issues.

According to the bookmakers around the world like Europe, Hongkong and Singapore they have Obama as odds on to win the general Election. There is a lot of money being waged on Obama to win.

I find these elementary tactics to be an insult to my intelligence.
We need straight information about the issue's and how solutions are planned.

Er... Any sources besides McCain... at all?

Its like this post doesn't even have a purpose....

Not a chance....McCain doesnt stand a chance to affect any of the voters choice. McCain is showing signs of fatigue and people are not dumb enough not to see that

Idiot.......if this article is right.....McCain is trying to tie Obama to his party which, by every poll, is leading the republican party by huge margins.......

The republican party and John McCain are running scared and will eventually dig even deeper in their bag of tricks just wait and see

I've long thought Reid, Pelosi, and Dean under direction of Soros approached a reluctant Obama to run against Hillary. They assured him that the news media would be in his corner and even if things were close, the delegates would select him. Once he was past Hillary, all he would have to overcome was a tired old man. The fly in the ointment was Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos". Rush used his loyal listeners to cast their primary votes for Hillary. As a result the conspirators had to indeed use their delegates to select Obama. Now they were faced with a decision on who would be the VP candidate. Selecting Hillary was out, they didn't want the Clintons at the head of the party. They stuck him with Biden. Poor choice, but expected from three people whose combined IQ=retard.

I do not think it will work. I am devastated by the Lies and deceit of the McCain Campaign....and his "goebels" style of campaigning. I have faith that after the first blush of the Palin American Idol reality show phenomena, the American public will come to it's senses and reject John McCain as a deceitful liar.

Obama does worse with voters than a generic Democrat? I just had to laugh. What's in the pipe that your smoking?

McBush is doing something that will make people forget that he's a ...now what is he? He's not a Republican. He's not a guy that doesn't know anything about the economy. Oh yeah, McCain is a maverick-a guy that bombs first and asks questions later-just the kind of guy we need at the nuclear button.

I sure do believe McBush when he says [out of both sides of his face at the same time], I'm not part of the Washington good 'ole boys that brought you these messes and my years of experience matter more than Obama.

Yeah. Pass me that pipe because I think I smell something here.

Look, I'm not going to vote for a guy who wants you to feel sorry that Bush really jerked him in 2000 and now eight years later his approach is to be McBush.
Like the lady said, "No Way, No McCain."

obama's party positions are basically the same as kerry in 2004 so where is the change? Think his idea of change is to change which party is in the white house

Congress has over 90% re-election rate. So yes, while congress is thought of poorly(and really, they usually are) Everyone always puts all the blame on the "other" guys.

My congressman is great, now if only those other ones were as good as him.

I also think on some level people realize that Bush is still president, and is not afraid to Veto popular bills.

That's why the generic congressional ballot tilts so favorable towards democrats.

?
This from a guy who's been deregulating the financial industry for the last 3 decades in Congress?
In the words of the "Unbridled Id" of Republican politics, "Bring it on!"

Whatever it takes to expose this puppet for who he is.

I think McCain is still trying to portray Obama as an "empty suit" without experience and without knowledge. He is trying to say that Obama has no ideas of this own. By so doing he is trying to draw Obama away from listening to the Party leaders who may be urging Obama to be more aggressive in his campaign. It is the change in tone and style of Obama campaign that is now spelling very serious trouble for McCain campaign. McCain camp prefer the Obama that will not fight back forcefully against the campaign of shameless lies, deceit, and evil character assassination they are waging. They want the Obama that in order not to be seen as engaging in the old style politics which he pledged to fight to change, will continue to play nice and gentle role against the brute that is tearing down and openly destroying his public image with all manner of lies without a bit of conscience.

It would not make sense for McCain at a time like this when a Republican president, faced with economic difficulties, has to abandon age long conservative idea of deregulation for a well known liberal idea of government regulation and intervention. No, what the McCain camp is trying to do is to make Obama try to cast himself as separate from the Democratic Party. He would be foolish to do that. No, he won't! The Bush camp used the same tactic to make Al Gore distant himself from president Clinton and all the huge positive ratings he had with the voters at the end of his presidency. Al Gore fell for the trick, and he lost the election.

We blame Bush for our economy and the war, but in realty who is the majority leaders in congress for the both the house and the senate-Democrats!!!!, why are they not taking responsibility for approving funding for the war, our economic problems and other issues facing our nation. Democrats never seem to take responsibility but are the first to point fingers.

The war was started because of the Clinton administration allowing every terroist to train in the U.S> during Bill 2 terms due to his soft immigration laws.

The U.S> is in a mess because of liberals allowing criminals to walk the streets, the country is lawless and the next war will be here in the United States between liberals and conservatives.

Greedy oil companies, greedy CEO's, hollywood, rampant crime, drugs and pornography has ruined this beautiful country.

GOD has been removed from schools and other public entities, yet thats how the constitution was founded. Where does it say man shall be with a man, woman with woman in the bible? The bases of evil are in places like Las Vegas, NV and Hollywood

I have honestly tried to watch him speak. However, his constant searching for words with "um" blows my mind it's like he looses the punch line.

He has done more bashing than is needed. He should tell us a more direct plan of what he will do.

At one point I was going to vote for him and especially had he put Hillary on the ticket that would have sealed my vote.

John McCain and Sarah Palin are now the recipients of my vote.

Less "poplar". Is he a tree?

When will these people stop taking shots at each other and inform the public as to how they plan to get us out of the very serious mess in which we find ourselves? I understand that the rich supports politics and the big boys throw shindigs for both parties to gain a legislative upper hand, however, mega financial corporations are requiring the government to buy them out, support another company's buyout or are mergering to stay afloat and its crossing industries (all except the oil buddies of our current administration, but I'm sure that's purely coincidental)...

Al-Qaida has continued to cause trouble and are recruiting leftovers from the Iraq war... Pakistan is going through internal turmoil and they're nuclear and a hideout for AL-Qaida leaders. People are losing homes by the millions and all these people who both live in glass houses can do is find a bigger stone to throw at the other. I mean what's the deal? Does ANYONE have any idea how to save our country from sinking into the 10th level of hell or should we all resign ourselves to economical collapse, widespread war on multiple fronts and corruption, money gouging and outright stealing by politicians and their corporate revelers?

I used to think McCain was a maverick, but now all he does is play political games. I just can't support him anymore. Wallstreet is in too big a mess for playing games.

Absolute non-sense. You are talking about a candidate, Barack Obama who is highly appraised by intellectuals, scholars and professionals and you have another candidate, john McCain and Palin who are popular among borken moms that are 50+ years with diploma degree and maxed out credit cards.

Do we need an average person like Palin that people can connect with in personal level (she is one of them) or do we need someone intellectual that is cream of the crop, best of the best who is ready to lead.

McCain has been around washington for so long and his message of change is bunch of NON-Sense rehetoric.

This is George Bush / Karl Rove strategy - Deja Vu. Are we ready to have another 4 years of Misery with these guys all over again.

Surely you jest. McCain is in his party bosses hands. Why do you think he chose Palin instead of Lieberman? But then what is crystal clear to one person is muddy to another. Who can say what many of the electorate will believe.

Has any one else noticed that whenever this site has an article about Obama the have a picture of McCain next to it. Is this some kind of subliminal message.

ONE BIG BALONEY. MC'CAIN IS DESPIRATE

The Republicans i.e., McCain campaign, are sick puppies. They'll do anything they can to win this election including selling this country down the river.

Absolutely! The way he was "anointed" by party elders to win the nomination is proof that he was their man to begin with. But this does not come free... he is beholden to them, so yes, he is the Democratic puppet.

I don't even understand what this means. Barack Obama is a charismatic, intelligent, highly educated and inspiring leader who has drawn millions of Americans into the electoral process who never participated before. These and similar accusations (or comments) are nothing more than attempts to drum up controversy where there is none. Senator Obama is the leader we have been waiting for since the Kennedys and Martin Luther King, and he in fact combines the most inspiring qualities of all three while remaining his own unique person. Please stop writing stories merely to create controversy and focus on Senator Obama's (and Sen. McCain's, such as they are) actual proposals and, in Senator's Obama's case, his specific, focused efforts to improve government and elevate discourse in the country.

No, it might get him elected if middle class thinks he represent classic democratic solutions to economic and political problems. I hope the republican's keep it up. I hope he sees it and has the guts to gett Bill Clinton to tell America why its needs a democrat, even Obama as he did at the convention. He might get out of his funk. and Bill might get him elected.

mcCain/palin advice,
Those who live in a glass house
Should not throw stones

How can this card still even be in play? The Republicans have had the reins for AT LEAST eight of the past twelve years. The entire world knows that it is time for a change of parties in the White house, at least.
Obama and his team continue to let the issues be about him and his own experience, lack of it, changes of postition etc. When the whole world knows that it is truly about more of the same people who have raped and pillaged the American economy or a change to the opposition party.

Only Obama could get to where he is and only Obama can lose the election by allowing the opposition to have any other name than "My Opponents, the Republicans. who have not only sold us out but also the hope of our future generations. It is hard for us to believe that the American People would EVEN CONSIDER four more years of THIS ruing party!

Typical GOP projection. They accuse their opponent of the things they hate about themselves. McCain is the real puppet of the right wing lunatic fringe (aka the 'religious right'). If he were really a 'maverick' he would have gone with his first choice of Lieberman and not Caribou Barbie.

"Obama has a problem in this campaign year, it's his personal qualities: he does worse with voters than a GENERIC Democrat would"------------------------------------------------------
Wow..as an African American Male, I have been called many vile names but never 'GENERIC'. Perhaps being an articulate, witty, educated, experienced, well balanced, well spoken , hard working,
family oriented black male is just not enough. What does it take to be black and accepted in America?

Republicans are so with out substance that they resort to distorting facts and reality on all levels only to confuse the average American, who, I am saddened to say, will fall for anything. Barack Obama has clearly outlined a plan for change that will benefit all but the top 5% in America, yet this presidential race still remains close!!! Do these people just not get it? Is 43 million without healthcare not enough, or do we need to double that amount with four more years of Republican rule. It took 8 years for Bush's Republican administration to destroy this nation, it's global standing and it's domestic economy. What do you think another four years will do.

Well, I am a democrat. the democrat congress are more partisan than my stomarch can take. They are also more polarizing than anygroup I have ever met. TRhey have been in the majority for 2-3years now. It is on their watch the financial crisis imploded. The republicans are corrupt but they will never ot not, allow this kind of mess. Enron collapsed on their watch but steps are taken fast and fury. Democrat are playing political games with American life. They never attempted to work with each other talk least of working with others accross the aile. Borake and Biden are product od this DO NITHING CONGRESS; an approval rating of 4%. They should all be fired and prosecuted for deceiving Americans and playing game with the life of hard working Americans.

Senility is setting in, President Palin

Before you should define your site as Political 'Intelligence', and in this case I would use this world VERY loosely, maybe you should learn how to spell 'popular' before you spread your smut on the internet. Unless you really meant that Obama is 'anti-poplar' ?

Please, project your biased 'journalism' elsewhere and go find a job with fox news.

You should be ashamed of yourselves

Senator Obama is almost certainly a "puppet" of the party "bosses" in the US Congress - where stances are concerned. However, Senator Obama is a sentient puppet, and certainly one to be reckoned with. Senator McCain is a maverick and reformer, both of which are undeniably admirable traits in a member of a party whose modern day platform is mired in stagnant ideas and philosophies. Neither candidate has given any indication that they intend to carry out 'business as usual' in Washington. Despite his contemptuous view of Washington politics (à la Jimmy Carter), Obama is undeniably more educated and knowledgeable about the economic woes of the United States today. Despite my initial strong support of McCain as an experienced, moderate candidate, his tax cuts, when juxtaposed with his government spending cuts, will do nothing more than to create an even heavier deficit. Obama, on the other hand, supports tax cuts that will effect middle-class Americans while increasing capital gains taxes and taxes on the high-upper-class, whose taxes are more-than-generously low. With our economy headed more and more toward recession, an economically-uneducated wolf in a fiscal-conservative's clothing is the last thing we need in office.

McCain's strategy is precisely the kind of politics that we are trying to get away from. Accusatory claims, marginally true statements, innuendo all make for chaos not clarity. And oh yes, there are significant issues to be addressed.

No. It won't work. If he polls badly on personal qualities, it is only because people refuse to look past the color of his skin or the personal associations he made to enable his political advancement. He's the right man for the job. Yes we can!

Do we want some big industry puppet who professes to know everything as "the decider", or do we want a highly intelligent, pragmatic and rooted decision maker to surround himself with highly qualified people and make sound decisions based on weighing the facts and listening to the perspectives of confidants?

McCain is grasping at straws. McCain lost his bipartisan "maverick" spirit when he got robbed of the 2000 GOP ticket. Since then, he has been reading from the playbook that the GOP has handed him. He voted 90% with Bush up until 2006, then 95% with Bush in 2007, and 100% with Bush in 2008. What a maverick!

Palin wasn't his primary or secondary choice. Sadly, she is a gimmick. That deserves a rant in itself. How is she liberating women, exactly?

He's fallen into a learned helplessness, like some sort of prisoner who follows his captors orders like a begruged, but obedient zombie. I actually pity him.

But this has been McCain's strategy these last few months. If Obama says he's the beacon of change, McCain says he's the beacon of change. If McCain has a weakness, he points a finger at Obama and says no it is HIM. This is like a child saying, "I know you are but what am I?"

Democracy's weakness is the fact that many sides are heard and considered. This takes time and energy. Democrats perspectives tend to vary greatly, as their positions often are alternates to the norm - they are different than what that status quo is: Liberal, as in liberate from the staus quo.

McCain's rhetoric is desperate and irresponsible. He is playing petty, because there is no new substance to his campaign, and I hope for all of our sakes, we can see through the smokescreens.

What does the author mean when she writes "he does worse with voters than a generic Democrat would"? Obama is no frontman and it is almost astounding that the author would incite the word "puppet" with regard to him. Is that what people who are uncomfortable with their own ways and means do because their daddy did the same and that is all they will allow for themselves, as well? I guess it is more comfortable for them to point the finger outside their own parties, their own associates, their own selves, so a need arises within to call someone who challenges their belief structure just by being himself - that is someone who is not only being true to himself, but being true to the people - all the people of the United States.

I guess Obama is just too much for you, Ms. Issenberg. It sounds like his ideas are so foreign to you - that is because he actually cares about the best interests of the nation and the world at large beyond the next few years on your horizon and has the courage and conviction to say so and go the distance that in order to continue with comfort with your own ways and means, you feel the need to put the very labels that might define our current president onto the party of the people that object to very things you incite as a strategy against them. Is that all you can do and think of is trickery toward the American people? It seems there is no low where you will not go. I guess that is your psychology. What did your daddy do to you?

You leave little else upon which to believe otherwise. Political Intelligence? Your words are closer to political insanity.

HOGWASH!!!!!!!!!!

First you say,"... if Barack Obama has a problem in this campaign year, it's his personal qualities, he does worse with voters than a generic Democrat would"
He does worse than any generic Democrat? Would "generic" be a substitute for the word" WHITE".

Then to make matters more confusing, you state he " is a charismatic party frontman less popular than the banner he carries." The Republicans are the at the short end of the stick when it come to likeability this campaign year. Under their 8 year warfare rule, we are an emotional and financial bankrupt nation.

In your myopic attempt to make a quasi projection on how important the matter of R-A-C-E will ultimately play in the race, you leave the issue of race smoldering in your too obvious to be savvy title. The race card is a natural face card in America's stacked deck. It was played against Senator Obama in the primary. But he had the better hand.

The deck was shuffled again and here we stand 48 days shy of election day and I put all of my chips on the American people as we stand stand side by side yelling, YES HE CAN!

Anyone who has half a brain knows that the puppet masters live in the Republican side of the aisle.

This is a retarded attack. I've wanted nothing more than for Obama to tie McCain to the abysmal record of the party he leads. He is the leaders of Bush's party, has supported Bush's policies with few exceptions, voted for President Bush, and picked someone as inexperiened as Bush in International affairs for a runningmate.

Learn to spell. POPLAR is a tree; I believe you meant to say popular.

The "personal qualities" you refer may just refer to his mixed race background, pure and simple? Folks are coming around, though. Personally, I wish Obama would emphasize more that it is the REPUBLICANS that have screwed this country up almost beyond recognition. You're not going to get change if you stick with the same old guys who got us where we are now.

This is the dumbest story i ever read about this election.

You are the worst story writer.

lol go to hell!!

stupid dumb asss

I keep hearing how people don't like Obama's personal qualities but for some strange reason I have yet to meet someone who voices that opinion, unless of course they happen to be a Republican.
But then it's understandable.

Typical Rovian politics of misinformation. McCain trades his personal dignity each time he says such nonsense. I feel pity for him.

So the Republicans have controlled the executive branch for eight years, they controlled the entire legislative branch for twelve years, and created this mess with their "leadership"... yes by all means tie Obama to the solution: Democrats!

Looks like there aren't any comment on this article yet. Wonder why? Perhaps because this is total BS and most people don't care to comment on such. Enough said.

"Poplar" is a tree, Sasha baby.

Also, if you're going to assert that polls have "repeatedly" shown something, it makes sense to cite which polls, wouldn't you think?

McCain is throwing EVERYTHING but the kitchen sink at Obama in the desperate hope that SOMETHING will stick. Wait a second....I think he just threw the kitchen sink too!

What is this junk? Is there some news in this post? What polls show that Obama's problem is his personal qualities. You have to supply data, you can't just make junk up.

McCain saying this is like the pot calling the kettle black - no racial pun intended. Obama is more individualistic than McCain has ever been. He has risen through the ranks on his own and won the primaries over the most powerful woman in Washington through unconventional means. McCain is grasping at straws - he has nothing to offer - what can he offer from his party==the Republicans? They have fallen into a pathetic party of liars, deceivers and thieves, and Democrats should beat their butts off and send them to hel-, where they belong. Don't make me laugh - McCain the most changed man in politics - at the hands of his Republican handlers he has morphed into someone from the dark side. They don't know how to deal with Obama, who is not kowtowing to their lies like previous Democrats have. I and my countrymen and women are counting on Obama to lead us out of the dark morass that REPUBLICANS have brought us to. and as for John McCain and his trained bear from Alaska - I say, drop dead!

Yes, I think it will work to remind voters that Barack Obama is not a role model in any aspect whatsoever to be elected POTUS. The only reason the Democratic party did not support Senator Hillary Clinton was because she and President Clinton were their own bosses, and Hillary was not going to be a yes woman to Pelosi, Reid, Kennedy and the Democratic Party. Barack Obama on the other hand, is (and will be if he's elected) a puppet to the Chicago corrupted politicians, and the Democratic party in Washington. Why else would the Democratic party nominate an inexperienced junior Senator with his political, criminal and terrorists' associations? And no, I'm not a soar grapes Hillary fan. I've always been for Romney or McCain.

The American people need to wake up to the fact that the Republican and Democrat parties are like cartels. Both parties are heavily involved in lobbyist and are more interested in preserving their positions of power than serving the public. The two party model most aptly shows how power corrupts. We need to oust these parties and vote third party candidates. Anything is better than McCain and Obama. Neither can explain how they are for security, yet will not close the borders. My Mother gets frisked at the airport but people can simply walk across the borders from Canada or Mexico. What a sham this election is. We need term limits and new parties to the process.

What polls are you referring to? What personal qualities? He's charismatic but his personal qualities are a problem? Huh?

Barack Obama is a puppet for the Democratic party. He is very inexperienced and an empty suit. The people who are for him are uneducated! People wake up! Do some research of your candidate. The man is a liar- he is an elitist.

Sounds like the right wing nut jobs are panicking with this piece of drek. Next thing you know they will say Obama wants to teach sex ed to kindergarten kids.... Oh wait.....never mind.

Resist the right wing hate radio style politics

Obama is set for a biggest defeat ever of any presidential candidate since the founding of this nation .

The first paragraph about Obama's "problem" being his "personal qualities" is an incredibly silly and mindless assertion. Did it ever occur to you that any person would likely run behind a "generic" Democrat, precisely because he or she would be a real person with specific attributes? Also, is the fact that Obama defeated Hillary Clinton (and some of her supporters resent that ) a "personal quality" of Obama's? Is the fact that he is half-African, half Kansan in origin a "personal quality"-? Is the fact that McCain spread lies about Obama a "personal quality" of Obama's? Let me try to simplify it for you. An attractive and thoughtful man might meet a lot of women generically interested in dating a generic person of the male gender. But many of them might not be interested in him. At least try to put some thought into this complex matter instead of jumping to conclusions. Another hint - did it occur to you that it would be easier for an individual to run ahead of an unpopular party? Also, Elizabeth's comment on Obama's statement about treating asthma completely fail to recognize that he was discussing the preferable approach to treating asthma proactively as opposed to relying on ER's. He wasn't advocating not letting someone with an asthma crisis go to an ER. Come on, this is rudimentary stuff. Why would you take a constructive effort to advocate for a better approach to asthma care and twist it like this?

I find it interesting and hypocritical that the conservative right is backing John McCain after his cameo appearance in the movie, ”Wedding Crashers” which was criticized by movie critics for repeated excessive nudity. McCain made no apologies for it and actually joked about it on Jay Leno stating, “"In Washington, I work with boobs every day.”

How is it that the conservative right has turned their heads from this and pretend it never happened? They point out McCain’s values and morals and this diabolical appearance is in direct opposition to Christian values. I bet if Obama had appeared in such a raunchy movie, the conservative right would criticize him for amoral and indecent behavior. I am a Christian and I am appalled John McCain would appear in such a movie and turn around and run for the office of president.

Isn’t it interesting how the conservative right pick and choose their values, whenever it suits them best. Thanks for pretending McCain has done nothing wrong, so you can keep a tight grip on your taxes. And by the way; doesn’t it give you an out for voting for that black guy? It’s no wonder the world think we are a bunch of hypocrites because we are. I can’t in good conscience vote for either one of them.

As to the ignorance of the in not using spellcheck: My spellcheck had no problem accepting "poplar" in that sentence. I tried it.
All this back and forth is useless. We don't have a decent candidate from either party so we're out of luck no matter who is elected.

Could you help me. We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
I am from Sao and know bad English, give true I wrote the following sentence: "The problem with a lot of them that tell you how to do one thing to make x amount of dollars."

8-) Thanks in advance. Skye.