U.S. Presidential Elections 2008

August1991 · May 14, 2008

This exit poll from West Virginia is pretty damning:

Some exit polls showed deep mistrust about Obama, a relatively rare finding in Democratic primaries. Half of voters said Obama shared the controversial views of his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. Just more than half said Obama was not honest and trustworthy, and half said he did not share their values.

IHT

One would expect that Obama will have to address these perceptions head on while McCain of course will play up to them. It is very hard for a politician of the style of Obama to overcome a perception of distrust. He can't pretend to be a wizened politician who sometimes is dishonest but nevertheless delivers the goods.

Also, the "sharing values" result is loaded. It'll be interesting to watch how McCain boxes Obama in on these points. It's usually best for the candidate to take the high road but let others and the ads go negative. Anyway, the Republicans will have alot to play with.

Results like these among Democrats in a place like WVa is not what a candidate wants to see. (No Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without WVa.) I wonder whether similar opinions will start to show up in national polls.

jdobbin · May 14, 2008

Results like these among Democrats in a place like WVa is not what a candidate wants to see. (No Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without WVa.) I wonder whether similar opinions will start to show up in national polls.

And Republicans losing one time strongholds in the Congress continue to mount up which indicates a strong desire for change. The victory in Mississippi tonight was a surprise even to Democrats.

McCain is going to have to fight that desire for change whether it is Clinton or Obama.

jbg · May 14, 2008

It's usually best for the candidate to take the high road but let others and the ads go negative. Anyway, the Republicans will have alot to play with.

These days, with the Internet, it's a lot easier for a candidate to "disassociate" himself or herself from negative campaigning while others gratuitously do the dirty work.

Results like these among Democrats in a place like WVa is not what a candidate wants to see. (No Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without WVa.) I wonder whether similar opinions will start to show up in national polls.

I have absolutely no doubt that these results will replicate nationally, though on not quite as extreme a scale as in West Virginia.

jbg · May 14, 2008

And Republicans losing one time strongholds in the Congress continue to mount up which indicates a strong desire for change. The victory in Mississippi tonight was a surprise even to Democrats.
McCain is going to have to fight that desire for change whether it is Clinton or Obama.

The Mississippi results are the equivalent of a bi-election. The more politicallyactive vote. Others don't.

BubberMiley · May 14, 2008

I have absolutely no doubt that these results will replicate nationally, though on not quite as extreme a scale as in West Virginia.

Again, if you have absolutely no doubt your party will win, you should bet heavily on them. Shares in McCain are less than two-thirds what they are for Obama on all the betting sites I've visited.

BubberMiley · May 14, 2008

I traced this all the way back and I have not a clue as to what you'd want to know.

The answer to my questions. Knowing you were spreading false information, I asked what made you say Obama is not a patriot. You didn't answer. I then asked whether you knew you were spreading lies when you repeated the worst of the Republican talking points. Again, you didn't answer.

bush_cheney2004 · May 14, 2008

And Republicans losing one time strongholds in the Congress continue to mount up which indicates a strong desire for change. The victory in Mississippi tonight was a surprise even to Democrats.

Often repeated words from 2004 and 2006. Even after the mid-terms, nothing really changed at all except the gender of House Speaker.

McCain is going to have to fight that desire for change whether it is Clinton or Obama.

Fighting the time honored liabilities of very liberal Democrat candidates is easy to do. Won't even need a Willy Horton this time around.

Shady · May 14, 2008

I assume Obama is a patriotic person. However, photos such as these don't help his image problem.

Obama

You add the Rev. Wright controversy, as well as Mrs. Obama claiming that this is the first time she's ever been proud of her country, and it leads to a rather problematic perception of him as a candidate.

bush_cheney2004 · May 14, 2008

I assume Obama is a patriotic person. However, photos such as these don't help his image problem.

Ouch! That is going to leave a mark.

jbg · May 14, 2008

Again, if you have absolutely no doubt your party will win, you should bet heavily on them. Shares in McCain are less than two-thirds what they are for Obama on all the betting sites I've visited.

My party is the Democratic Party. So you're agreeing that the US will elect McCain?

The answer to my questions. Knowing you were spreading false information, I asked what made you say Obama is not a patriot. You didn't answer. I then asked whether you knew you were spreading lies when you repeated the worst of the Republican talking points. Again, you didn't answer.

I say Obama is not a patriot by virtue of his close association with a member of the Weather Underground, an anti-American pastor, and his wife. And I do not have access to the "Republican talking points" and doubt that I would ever gain such access.

jdobbin · May 14, 2008

John Edwards endorses Obama.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24628804/

Democrat John Edwards is endorsing former rival Barack Obama, fresh signs of the party establishment embracing the likely nominee even as Hillary Rodham Clinton refuses to give up her long-shot candidacy.
Edwards was to appear with Obama in Grand Rapids, Mich., as Obama campaigns in a critical general election battleground state.

The endorsement comes the day after Clinton defeated Obama by more than 2-to-1 in West Virginia. The loss highlighted Obama's work to win over the "Hillary Democrats" — white, working-class voters who also supported Edwards in large numbers before he exited the race.

Oleg Bach · May 14, 2008

John Edwards endorses Obama.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24628804/

I wonder who is really running the show..is it possible that Cheney will still lurk in the shadows scaring the surrogate president into submission - ask your self this - Is Hillary afraid of a guy like Cheney - or is Obama afraid of this type of heavey? I would say that no matter who is elected - old electric heart tick shot gun Cheney will STILL be president as he is now - Dick is not leaving - frankly what life does he have other than ruling the world like Darth frinkin Vader? Richard Cheney will still be pulling the strings..and no one is going to say a thing..cause Richy Cheney is a scarey guy :unsure:

bush_cheney2004 · May 14, 2008

...Richard Cheney will still be pulling the strings..and no one is going to say a thing..cause Richy Cheney is a scarey guy

Gosh I hope so....just when America needed the biggest prick in the land, Vice President Cheney appeared from the oil soaked heavens.

BubberMiley · May 15, 2008

I say Obama is not a patriot by virtue of his close association with a member of the Weather Underground, an anti-American pastor, and his wife. And I do not have access to the "Republican talking points" and doubt that I would ever gain such access.

You keep changing your political allegiance. Only recently you swore you're voting Republican. And you have a very "liberal" definition of "close association," unless you mean association made by desperate right-wing smearmasters.

But everybody has access to Republican talking points. They're repeated incessantly on FoxNews. I assume that's where you get your opinions.

Oleg Bach · May 15, 2008

You keep changing your political allegiance. Only recently you swore you're voting Republican. And you have a very "liberal" definition of "close association," unless you mean association made by desperate right-wing smearmasters.
But everybody has access to Republican talking points. They're repeated incessantly on FoxNews. I assume that's where you get your opinions.

Hillary is not a patriot - Bush is not a patriot...Obama might just be one if he truely embraces what America once was. Patriotism means being loyal to your own family or nation. Seeing China owns America on paper - and Mexico has invaded with civilian troops at it's own liesure...I would safely say there are no patriots.....it's all up for grabs..this is what happens at a fire sale - and Rome is burning and now the scavengers are on their way to salvage for profit.

BubberMiley · May 15, 2008

Hillary is not a patriot - Bush is not a patriot...Obama might just be one if he truely embraces what America once was.

I doubt Obama embraces slavery and segregation, which is what Michelle Obama was talking about when the Republicans took her remarks out of context so that their toadies can perpetuate a myth that she is unpatriotic. I think his patriotism stems from the fact that his country has progressed to the point where he can achieve to the degree he has.

Shady · May 15, 2008

I doubt Obama embraces slavery and segregation, which is what Michelle Obama was talking about when the Republicans took her remarks out of context so that their toadies can perpetuate a myth that she is unpatriotic. I think his patriotism stems from the fact that his country has progressed to the point where he can achieve to the degree he has.

So when Michelle Obama said "“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country”, she was talking about slavery and segregation? Nobody believes that.

jbg · May 15, 2008

You keep changing your political allegiance. Only recently you swore you're voting Republican. And you have a very "liberal" definition of "close association," unless you mean association made by desperate right-wing smearmasters.
But everybody has access to Republican talking points. They're repeated incessantly on FoxNews. I assume that's where you get your opinions.

I have always stated that I am a left-wing Democrat and have never varied from that position. As for where I get my opinions, that is non-ideological and on the merits of each subject or issue.

BubberMiley · May 15, 2008

I have always stated that I am a left-wing Democrat and have never varied from that position.

Do you think people are stupid enough to find hard-right neo-con positions more palatable if they come from someone who identifies themselves as a left-wing democrat?

sharkman · May 15, 2008

Do you think people are stupid enough to find hard-right neo-con positions more palatable if they come from someone who identifies themselves as a left-wing democrat?

They might appear to be hard-right positions to a person of your political leanings.

bush_cheney2004 · May 15, 2008

They might appear to be hard-right positions to a person of your political leanings.

True...didn't Joe Leiberman run as Al Gore's veep in the 2000 election? I think he did.....

jbg · May 16, 2008

Do you think people are stupid enough to find hard-right neo-con positions more palatable if they come from someone who identifies themselves as a left-wing democrat?

So-called "liberal" positions these days are more reactionary than liberal.

BubberMiley · May 16, 2008

So-called "liberal" positions these days are more reactionary than liberal.

I think your scheme only makes you seem dishonest, which ultimately makes people not believe anything you say.

jbg · May 16, 2008

I think your scheme only makes you seem dishonest, which ultimately makes people not believe anything you say.

What scheme? And why the personal attack, jdobbin?

BubberMiley · May 16, 2008

What scheme? And why the personal attack, jdobbin?

I knew you and Bluth have often accused dobbin of making personal attacks when all he ever does is ignore you, but have you guys become so obsessed with him that you're starting to imagine he's there when he isn't?