Does McCain need a knockout?
To mix several cliches and metaphors, John McCain probably needs to complete a "Hail Mary" in tonight's third and final presidential debate, but he finds himself between a rock and a hard place.
The Republican likely needs to go after Democratic rival Barack Obama -- and telegraphed yesterday that he'll punch him over Obama's association with 1970s radical William Ayers. But the attack mode is not helping McCain, according to a new poll.
The New York Times/CBS News poll, which gave Obama a 53 percent to 39 percent lead among probable voters, found that 61 percent of voters believe McCain has spent more time attacking his rival, and 31 percent said he has spent more time explaining what he would do as president. The numbers in the poll published today are reversed for Obama -- 63 percent of respondents said they believe the Democrat has been focusing on explaining what he would do as president, while 27 percent said he has spent more time attacking McCain.
The debate set-up at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., might also prove a hurdle for McCain. Unlike the prior two, where the candidates stood at podiums or could walk around the stage, tonight they will be seated at a table with moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS. In past debates where the candidates sat, it appeared more difficult to aggressively confront each other.
In any case, Obama's campaign has already issued a memo raising the expectations for McCain. The memo's title -- "John McCain’s plan to 'whip' 'That One’s' 'you-know-what' " -- manages to incorporate the most-talked about moment from last week's town hall forum, when McCain referred to Obama as "that one," and McCain's boast to campaign workers this week about what he would do to Obama tonight.
"On the big issues, this debate is one last chance for John McCain to do what he has failed to do throughout this entire campaign: explain to the American people how his economic policies would be any different at all than the failed Bush agenda he has supported every step of the way. It’s his last chance to somehow convince the American people that his erratic response to this economic crisis doesn’t disqualify him from being President," the memo from chief spokesman Bill Burton says.
"Senator Obama is going to use the debate to discuss his plan for the economy. That’s what he’s been doing this entire campaign. And on Monday, he built on his proposals in a new Rescue Plan for the Middle Class. That’s the kind of steady leadership and real change Americans are looking for – not John McCain’s erratic handling of the crisis, his constant character attacks, and the same Bush policies that have failed us for eight years.
"But after two debates in which John McCain didn’t mention the middle class once – and after his campaign declared openly that they want to turn the page on talking about the economy – the real question is not how many attacks McCain can land in the debate, but whether he can finally communicate a vision to turn this economy around.
"And while McCain has promised to attack Obama in the debate, every minute that he ignores the economy and the middle class is not just a minute wasted but time spent on attacks that even some of those closest to him have said don’t work."
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McCain is proving to be unfit for office with his child like comment Whipp "that ones" you know what! This is not a neighborhood fight or having to prove that you can one up someone. MCain has been portrayed as chameleon like and he has proven it time and time again. He changes his colors like a chameleon to suit the audience and his own purposes. He also knows it all..he keeps reminding us "I know how to catch Osama, I know how to fix this economy, I know Iknow I know
A Hail Mary, an Our Father and a glory be will not do it for this childish, churlish man who would be the Know it all! and continue the Bush policies and disater for the next four years!
Not after 9/11.
Did you know that Mohamed Atta, the 9/11 ring leader, had a valid Florida driver’s license?
Did you know 13 of the 19 hijackers had obtained valid driver’s licenses? Armed with these licenses, eight of the hijackers even registered to vote!
Here is the shocking fact: Obama strongly supports giving illegal aliens in America driver’s licenses.
He said as much during two Democratic debates earlier this year.
The head of Homeland Security said such thinking was dangerous for national security.
Even Hillary Clinton backed away from Obama’s radical driver’s license plan.
Obama’s position is not a new one: We discovered that Obama has been a major proponent of driver’s licenses for illegals since his days as an Illinois state senator.
We have no doubt that, as president, Obama will also champion this radical plan.
With Osama bin Laden still at large, with al-Qaida promising “spectacular” attacks on the U.S homeland, with the threat of them using weapons of mass destruction against our cities — biological, chemical, and nuclear — can we risk putting such a man in the Oval Office?
Doesn’t he remember what happened on 9/11? More than 3,000 Americans were murdered.
Doesn’t he want to prevent that from ever happening again?
If he supports driver’s licenses for illegals, the answer is clear.
We need to inform millions of Americans about this man and his risky judgment.
We are days away from our new TV ad exposing Obama’s support for driver’s licenses for illegals.
joe lanJoe
McPulsive's flailing might score a blow or two, but nothing lasting. He offers nothing to a beleagured nation caught in a downward spiral made of its own materialism and greed supported by its 30 years of poor political choices.
Look at who did the polls starn polls show McCain 60% to 35% obama losing
If you remember Keri was to win by a good margin also according to their polls MORE MEDIA PROPERGANDA?
Oh, excuse me. What exactly has either of these two blow-hards done for the middle class from their high positions as US Senators? So far, I think giving a trillion dollars to the rich seems to be their way of fixing things for the rest of us.
Thanks, but promises are worth about as much as stock in Lehman Brothers. Results are what it is all about, and these two bums haven't achieved diddly-squat. Elect them and expect nothing but more of the same B.S.
McCain needs a stolen election, and they are already laying the groundwork in Ohio. If they do, get your gun, and man the barricades. This time it will be another revolution if the voters are robbed yet again.
Oh please Joe Lane. What a load of utter BS. Theres so much of this made up crap on the internet now.
NONE, repeat NONE of the hijackers registered to vote. Please show me otherwise.
Also NONE of the hijackers were "illegal immigrants". All had valid visas.
Joe Lane,
give it up. you'll be just fine after this process is all over and Obama is President. Relax and have a cup of coffee.
So Joe is it your contention that if they did not have drivers licenses they wouldn't have hijacked those planes? Would they be affraid of being charged with driving without a license? This country is on the verge of a depression and involved in an endless war in Iraq, and you're worried about Who has a license! Sorry, but I don't get point.
McCain certainly could lay on whatever - just more boring more of the same. Tear down whoever/whatever is in the way.
I'm ready for a thoughtful leader who brings with him intelligent people who are willing to share their considerable abilities and build up and forward.
GO OBAMA/BIDEN and us.
In response to comment 2. Are we saying that all immigrants are terrorists? That is an overly simplictic view of the world. Shame on you for using such methods.
Terrorist Barrack Hussein OBama shouldn't be in the White House.He will ruin America and bring starvation and all manners of evil agenda to punish America as Islamist Terrorists wishes.He is a bad boy for Uncle Sam to be in his house.
Hey Joe Lane the scary brown people are going to get you. WATCH OUT!
Most people are hypocrites, particularly politicians which we will see tonight during their last debate (say "last political supper"). When Obama says to older people: "I feel your pain, your loss of 401 (K) investments, your loss of retirement and pension. I promise I will work for you, That is the reason I am running". He looks at the unemployed and say: " I understand your employment problem. Looking at you I see your pain. I want solve your problem. That is the reason I am I running". Then he looked at uninsured and say: " I know how difficult it is without health insurance. My mother had the same problem. That is the reason I am running for presidency". Then he looked at the people who lost the home and say" I know your loss of your home. I will fight for you. That is reason I am running. I want to help you" and so on, and so on. He recalls his grand parents' difficulties. He recalls his childhood. His single parenthood. He recalls his mother's difficulties. But he won't mention his father, even though he keeps his name.
But he won't tell the actual reason: "why he is running for presidency?." His ambition, the life-time economic reward. He says that "without him this country will fail. McCain is not good for our economy, foreign policy, military strength". He will say, without Obama, Economy will go down. He won't tell you that he in running because:
US Presidency is the most-powerful position in this world, most rewarding in anybody's life, most financially successful career during the presidency, after the presidency, until death. It will be a multimillion dollar, 40 year career for a person of age ~45. He says that he wants to help the voters because he can see the pain in their eyes. And he suggests that he will create JOBS ("JOIN OBAMA'S BS") for you, but won't tell how.
One may ask what about McCain. You know the answer. He likes the power but very little long-term rewards. He is 76 after the first term.
I wish these candidates should say: "I like the power of the Presidency. I like the long-term economic rewards. I like to live in White house. I like to help the people, if I can. So I am running. I need your vote. period."
Joe Lane-Tell me about McCain. Stop with the ignorant associations between Obama and Muslim extremists. Being related to someone who practiced the Muslim faith is leagues away from supporting terrorism. In simpler terms: being Musim does not equal terrorism just like being Christian does not mean you supported the Inquisition.
The first thing Obama will do is add 5 muslim holidays
The second thing debt foregiveness for all black Americans.
I hope he does deliver a knockout. Obama has yet to prove to me that he is a true leader and cares for the sake of Country. He is just another empty suit. Mccain needs a good debate to prove to America that Obama is a fraud
McCain does need a knockout; and it's difficult to see how he can achieve it. There's a core anti-Obama constituency -- it's easy to see from the postings here, many filled with absurdities. But that group doesn't matter to the election at this point. McCain needs to get reasonable people in the middle, those who understand that Obama is not some kind of Manchurian candidate, and for that matter perhaps more appropriately, neither is McCain. They're two men with radically different American stories and views about how to help their country. But McCain's history on economics and financial matters simply isn't very good for most voters. Most people are coming to the conclusion that if our money is going to be used to prevent economic catastrophe, then perhaps more attention should be paid to the regulations that will help prevent those catastrophes. And Republicans just don't seem to be the party to do that. If McCain focuses on other issues, he'll just seem irrelevant to most people.
Obama likes to TALK about the middle class. Don't [ the votes of ] POOR people count? I'm tired of hearing the same old attacks--from both sides. McCain's integrity showed through in the first debate. Will it reappear tonight...?
It's telling that the only remaining argument that McCain has is Obama's connections to others of questionable character. McCain also has these connections, but other than responding to Ayers with Keating, Obama is not raising them because he does not need to. These tactics are only employed by desperate candidates. But make no mistake, if McCain tries to go there in the debate, Obama will be fully prepared to respond. But he will only do so to the extent needed to render McCain's allegations irrelevant.
Any reasonable person knows that we all have civic and social associations with people that we don't really know very well. It's a normal part of life. And every one of us would scream "not fair" if we were linked to the local child molester simply because we were members of the same Lions Club, or linked to the neighborhood wife beater because our children played on the same little league team.
Interestingly, two significant facts are emerging. One: The allegations are exaggerated and the connections circumstantial at best. Two: This stuff is good for riling up the base but independent voters, who are the key to any chance of McCain closing the gap, see through the rhetoric. It is not relevant to them, as shown by Obama's ever expanding lead among independent voters in key states.
Sorry John, but America has grown up significantly in the last eight years and we’re not buying the politics of hate and fear anymore. Unfortunately you have no choice but to come up with a winning economic strategy that speaks to the middle class if you want to be President. Maybe you could start by actually using the phrase “middle class” in one of your answers tonight.
Oooooohhhh... Obama is the boogeyman!!! Watch out kids. If you aren't good, he'll eat you! Did you hear? In addition to being a terrorist, he also eats children! MSM is covering it up, but in my heart I know it's true!
Plus, here's proof that Obama thinks of "America as being so imperfect that he is palling around with terrorists who would target their own country." HE'S MARRIED TO THE MEMBER OF A DANGEROUS SECESSIONIST GROUP! This group's leader was quoted as saying, "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government," and he was murdered in 1993 during an illegal sale of plastic explosives that went bad. The group's name is the Alaska Independence Party.
Oh wait, I'm thinking of Sarah Palin's husband... ooops!
Joe Lane,
You'd do well to read Richard Clarke's book "Against All Enemies" and find out how these terrorists got into the country and the smoke and mirror tricks that Bush pulled on us. NO MORE SMOKE AND Mirrors & No More STUNTS!! Enough is enough. The whole world can see this and most of the Republican elite corp do too so are moving to endorse Obama. Why can't you see this?
Obama 2008
Dear Wake Up,
Wake Up! Obama isn't Muslim
- Did you know that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi Arabian and not Iraqi, Afghani or Iranian?
- Do you know who was president on 9/11 when we were attacked?
- Do you know that they knew beforehand that we were going to be attacked?
- Are you happy with the direction this country is going under Republican rule (whitehouse, both houses of congress, majority of governorships, and supreme court)?
You are a clown Joe Lan.
OBAMA - get used to it
What John McCain needs is to be glad he's not a cat. He has used up his nine lives already. What hurt him? Sarah Palin. Plain and simple.
McCain is legend now! Part of the past.... Obama President