http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/28/obama-urges-voters-day-work-help-campaign-election-day/ So, do you think Obama is really concerned about needing a mass Blue-Voter Flu in order to get elected, even though he's leading every poll, or does he just think it would be a really cool thing to pull off something that no other candidate in our history has tried?
Look, Obama knows that the only way he likely loses this election is if voter turnout is low. I don't think that point has been hidden by anyone from either campaign. So, he's asking people on his web site, which is mostly viewed by ardent supporters of his campaign, to volunteer on election day, even if it means they need to take the day off. It's not like he's broadcasting this message to everyone in an address to the nation. The fact that Faux News made this a story is ridiculous to me. Is this any more controversial than John McCain asking you to drag 5 people you know to the polls on election day and force them to vote for him? Probably not. In fact, I'd place this way down on the controversy meter, well below calling your opponent a terrorist and a Marxist. -Pop
I would be surprised if he did. If you assume you are talking to people who are undecided (which of course is his assumption, otherwise why do the ad?), I would consider it a waste of time to ask them to volunteer for your campaign. He'll spend more time stating his case for their vote, not for their volunteerism. -Pop
well, you tell me, i won't be watching. Of course, pretty soon we'll all have "required volunteering" in the name of "national service"
Wasn't it Obama who scolded McCain for taking time away from the campaign to solve the banking crisis? The idea seemed to be that you could run a campaign and solve the problem at the same time, right? So why can't you go to school or work AND vote, as well? Isn't it possible to vote and chew gum at the same time?
That's about the weakest argument I have heard all day... Obama called McCain's response erratic, which it was. The whole point isn't to take the day off to vote; he is asking supporters to take the day to volunteer for his campaign. Your sig still should be corrected; Lincoln didn't say that, despite the fact that Reagan lied in attributing it to Lincoln as well.
Yep, heading back to Washington to do your job is "erratic" while continuing to campaign and to stay away from the tough decision is considered "leadership", "cool" and "calm". What kind of fucking bizzaro world do we live in?
Even McCain acknowledges that was a dumb move on his part, but you still think he did the right thing?
I think he did what he felt was right at the time. Where he failed was that he didn't use his clout to mobilize an alternate Republican plan that didn't include bailouts. He said he'd rather lose an election than lose a war, and in this case I believe that move lost this election for him because he feared we would lose our economy.
McCain "suspending" his campaign to "solve" the banking crisis was 100% a political move, pure and simple.
I disagree. If it were a political move, he would have had a solution and he would have grandstanded while he was in Washington.
Assuming he is capable of having a solution. And you don't think he was grandstanding? "I can't debate . . . I would rather win the war than win an election and if I have to do my duty to my country and help with the banking crisis even if it cost me an election, so be it." Problem is McCain has no respect for his stance on economic issues (heck he thinks the fundementals of the country are strong . . . forget that we need a 700 billion dollar bailout by taxpayers) and he had no contribution to a resolution on the issue. He tried to use the issue to gain ground in the polls and like his VP pick, it back fired on him. He ended up eating his words and going to a debate he said he shouldn't do for the good of the country . . . so what exactly was it McCain, suspend the campaign for the good of the country until polls say that tact is hurting you so then it is not suspend the campaign . . . for the good of the country????
I think you must have meant it wasn't a good political move. Because it surely was 100% political. Hell, it was Steve Schmidt's idea. barfo
Take the day off. Let's just shut down the nation's business for a day! This fraud has no clue what life is like in the real world. Widgets need to be made. Policies need to be sold. Sick people need to be treated.