Two Weeks (hiho)

[Mattus]

The election is in the final throes. The last two weeks before the moment of accountability. McCain is making his final push and finishing strong - clawing back into the race point by point - and seeing good results. CNN just today moved the crucial state of Florida from "Democrat Leaning" to "Undecided" with Obama up only 4% in that state, and 6% undecided. Nationally Obama has lost ground to McCain dropping at 10 point lead to just 6 points in only a matter of days.

Six points may still sound like a strong position, but remember some of the unpleasant subtleties of society. When speaking to the pollster, a certain portion of the electorate will reply that they are voting for Obama, or are undecided, so as not to appear racist. But when it comes down to them, alone and in the privacy of the ballot booth, they can be honest with themselves and not have to explain why they're not ready for black man in the white house to the pollster - they'll vote McCain. This may not be a large proportion of the electorate to have closeted misgivings about Democratic candidate, but even just 5% of people will make the difference. With this in mind, for Barack to be a bonafide front runner in this election, he must be no less than 10 points up on poll day, otherwise - despite leading the polls - he remains an underdog.

Obama finishes weak, we know that. Despite taking an early and commanding lead over Hillary in the primaries, he simply was not able to close the deal and barely limped across the line in the end. McCain on the other hand finishes strong. After having laid off all his campaign staff and all but conceding defeat, rose redsox-like from the smoldering shipwreck to storm home and secure the primaries early and decisively. Watch the tide turn in these last few days, and watch McCain hold nothing back firing off accusations of "terrorist", "socialist" and "elitist" with every sentence, as he appeals to the mythical "Joe the plumber" vote and styles himself and stalwart defender of the American Dream through these hard times.

[Rainbow Moonlight]

If Obama loses because of a scare campaign that is totally irrational then it is a reflection on the US people. I hope they rise above it. The US that votes MCCain in because of this scare campaign is the same US that accepted the war on Iraq because they were scared after September 11. Wake up America. I thought you already had.

[JW Frogen]

I hope Mattus is right, that the Mac-late-attack pulls it off, but I think the Obama electoral tide is too strong.

I think we are simply entering interesting times (Chinese interesting times) and there is not much Mac can do about it.

[Aussie]

Mattus's theory is sound. The "Bradley" effect.

I just don't like Obama, but how can I support McCain, with one foot in the grave and if he loses the other, the World is under the influence of a corrupt person.

[Mattus]

Oh shit, son.


http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10 ... ranscript/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama Sunday during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."

[Rainbow Moonlight]

Yeah. Wonder if it is a tactic to get democrat woman voters to pull away from Obama?

[AiA in Atlanta]

Oh shit, son.


http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10 ... ranscript/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama Sunday during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."

That certainly adds gravitas to Obama's bid.

[JW Frogen]

Powell has been wrong on every foreign policy issue he has ever weighed in on.

First Gulf War, he advises Bush Sr. not to fight as the US will receive 50,000 deaths, he advises negotiations.

Somalia, he rejects the request of the US military to have heavy armor in theater, leading directly to the tragedy of Black Hawk bullshit.

Bosnia, he advises both Bush Sr and Clinton there is nothing the US can do.

Iraq II, he goes before the UN and presents a WMD case that turned out to be no case.

This guy can't get anything right, except his own career.

Sort of like, heeeeem............Obama.

[Mattus]

Frogen, even you were screaming at Bush to adhere to the Powell doctrine in Iraq 2 - in particular the employment of overwhelming force to get it done and get the fuck out of dodge quickly.


Powell Doctrine:
Is a vital national security interest threatened?
Do we have a clear attainable objective?
Have the risks and costs been fully and frankly analyzed?
Have all other non-violent policy means been fully exhausted?
Is there a plausible exit strategy to avoid endless entanglement?
Have the consequences of our action been fully considered?
Is the action supported by the American people?
Do we have genuine broad international support?
When a nation is engaging in war, every resource and tool should be used to achieve decisive force against the enemy, minimizing US casualties and ending the conflict quickly by forcing the weaker force to capitulate (surgelol).

[JW Frogen]

Frogen, even you were screaming at Bush to adhere to the Powell doctrine in Iraq 2 - in particular the employment of overwhelming force to get it done and get the fuck out of dodge quickly.).

I did scream for the Powell doctrine, unfortunately when the chips are down Powell never has.