All Blog Posts from Horserace
Fake Flyer Tells VA Dems To Vote On Nov. 5th
Virginia's State Board Of Elections has released a "rumor buster" document telling voters to disregard a flyer claiming that Democrats should vote on November 5th.
"A fake flyer claiming it is from the State Board of Elections has been circulating, stating that Republican Party supporters shall vote on November 4 and Democratic Party supporters shall vote on November 5," the document states. "This information is false."
Election Day, of course, is November 4th for all voters.
Director of Communications Susan S. Pollard told Horserace that the source of the fliers is presently unknown, though the police are looking into it. She said it was distributed in predominantly African American areas, notably "Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads and Norfolk." Below, a copy of the flyer. Click here for the PDF.
"A fake flyer claiming it is from the State Board of Elections has been circulating, stating that Republican Party supporters shall vote on November 4 and Democratic Party supporters shall vote on November 5," the document states. "This information is false."
Election Day, of course, is November 4th for all voters.
Director of Communications Susan S. Pollard told Horserace that the source of the fliers is presently unknown, though the police are looking into it. She said it was distributed in predominantly African American areas, notably "Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads and Norfolk." Below, a copy of the flyer. Click here for the PDF.
(CBS)
New Obama Ad Suggests "American Dream Is Fading"
The Obama campaign has released a new ad, "Better Off," which casts America's present economic situation in a strongly negative light. "We need a new direction – now," Obama says in the spot.
It will air in "key states."
"The highest unemployment in seven years," an announcer says as the spot opens. "A record one million homes in foreclosure. Financial markets in turmoil. Wages declining. Food and gas prices soaring."
Then Obama can be heard speaking.
"For too many, the American dream is fading," he says. The middle class is struggling. We simply can't afford more of the same. We need a new direction – now. And that's why I'm running for president."
It will air in "key states."
"The highest unemployment in seven years," an announcer says as the spot opens. "A record one million homes in foreclosure. Financial markets in turmoil. Wages declining. Food and gas prices soaring."
Then Obama can be heard speaking.
"For too many, the American dream is fading," he says. The middle class is struggling. We simply can't afford more of the same. We need a new direction – now. And that's why I'm running for president."
McCain Recycles Ad Hitting Obama On Iran
The McCain campaign has resurrected an ad it ran earlier in the campaign claiming that Barack Obama misunderstands the threat posed by Iran. The ad, running in key Florida markets according to the campaign, makes use of a quote from Obama saying that nations like Iran, Cuba and Venezuela are "tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don't pose a serious threat to us the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us."
"Iran. Radical Islamic government, known sponsors of terrorism," the ad begins. "Developing nuclear capabilities to generate power, but threatening to eliminate Israel. Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.' Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats?' Obama -- dangerously unprepared to be President."
When the ad first ran in August, the independent group FactCheck.org found that the ad "distorts" Obama's views on Iran because it takes them out of context and because Obama has said in speeches that Iran is Israel's greatest threat. Watch the ad:
"Iran. Radical Islamic government, known sponsors of terrorism," the ad begins. "Developing nuclear capabilities to generate power, but threatening to eliminate Israel. Obama says Iran is a 'tiny' country, 'doesn't pose a serious threat.' Terrorism, destroying Israel, those aren't 'serious threats?' Obama -- dangerously unprepared to be President."
When the ad first ran in August, the independent group FactCheck.org found that the ad "distorts" Obama's views on Iran because it takes them out of context and because Obama has said in speeches that Iran is Israel's greatest threat. Watch the ad:
Joe The Plumber Backs McCain
Samuel Wurzelbacher, who became famous when John McCain repeatedly referred to him as "Joe The Plumber" during the third presidential debate, endorsed the Republican presidential nominee today.
A registered Republican, Wurzelbacher did not come out in favor of a candidate before today, though he has long appeared to be leaning towards McCain. The GOP presidential nominee has consistently invoked Wurzelbacher on the campaign trail.
"I mean I have a pretty good idea who I'm going to vote for but you know that's my - you know, the nice thing about going into the booth is only me and the lever knows," Wurzelbacher told CBS' Katie Couric right after the third debate. "I think McCain did a fine job this evening, I think he brought up some good points. I do like his health care and I do like his, where he stands on taxes."
Wurzelbacher campaigned for McCain in Columbus, Ohio this morning. He said Barack Obama wants to redistribute wealth and would make America a socialist nation, according to the Associated Press. He also said he believes Obama will raise taxes on the middle class, despite Obama's promises to cut their taxes.
A registered Republican, Wurzelbacher did not come out in favor of a candidate before today, though he has long appeared to be leaning towards McCain. The GOP presidential nominee has consistently invoked Wurzelbacher on the campaign trail.
"I mean I have a pretty good idea who I'm going to vote for but you know that's my - you know, the nice thing about going into the booth is only me and the lever knows," Wurzelbacher told CBS' Katie Couric right after the third debate. "I think McCain did a fine job this evening, I think he brought up some good points. I do like his health care and I do like his, where he stands on taxes."
Wurzelbacher campaigned for McCain in Columbus, Ohio this morning. He said Barack Obama wants to redistribute wealth and would make America a socialist nation, according to the Associated Press. He also said he believes Obama will raise taxes on the middle class, despite Obama's promises to cut their taxes.
McCain Spot: "Compare" The Candidates
The McCain campaign has released a new ad, "Compare," that suggests Barack Obama will raise taxes, hurt small businesses, and be a "risky" president. The spot is set to air in "key states."
"Your choice," a female announcer says as the spot opens.
As a photo of Obama appears, the announcer says, "for higher taxes." When McCain appears, she says, "for workin' Joe's."
Though the ad implies that the Democrat will raise taxes on "workin' Joe's," Obama says the only people who would see their taxes go up under his plan are those making more than $250,000 per year.
Obama, the announcer continues, will "spread your income," while McCain wants the viewer to "keep what's yours."
The Democratic candidate, she adds, represents "a trillion in new spending," while McCain wants to "freeze spending, eliminate waste."
As Obama again appears onscreen, she says "pain for small business." McCain's picture is accompanied by the words "economy growth."
Finally, she says Obama is "risky," while McCain is "proven."
"For a stronger America, McCain," she concludes.
"Your choice," a female announcer says as the spot opens.
As a photo of Obama appears, the announcer says, "for higher taxes." When McCain appears, she says, "for workin' Joe's."
Though the ad implies that the Democrat will raise taxes on "workin' Joe's," Obama says the only people who would see their taxes go up under his plan are those making more than $250,000 per year.
Obama, the announcer continues, will "spread your income," while McCain wants the viewer to "keep what's yours."
The Democratic candidate, she adds, represents "a trillion in new spending," while McCain wants to "freeze spending, eliminate waste."
As Obama again appears onscreen, she says "pain for small business." McCain's picture is accompanied by the words "economy growth."
Finally, she says Obama is "risky," while McCain is "proven."
"For a stronger America, McCain," she concludes.
Starting Gate: One Week To Go
John McCain and the rest of the Republican Party are in dire need of some good news as campaign 2008 enters its final week. They aren't getting any.
The guilty verdict handed down in the trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens yesterday was just the latest blow to a party reeling from a political environment that threatens to bring deep and lasting damage in just seven days.
Stevens, who faced a tight re-election fight even had he been acquitted on corruption charges, is now clearly on the verge of defeat that could get Democrats one step closer to winning a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority. That feat would leave the GOP with very little power with which to oppose legislation, judicial nominations or the Democratic agenda from sweeping through Congress.
Continue »
The guilty verdict handed down in the trial of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens yesterday was just the latest blow to a party reeling from a political environment that threatens to bring deep and lasting damage in just seven days.
Stevens, who faced a tight re-election fight even had he been acquitted on corruption charges, is now clearly on the verge of defeat that could get Democrats one step closer to winning a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority. That feat would leave the GOP with very little power with which to oppose legislation, judicial nominations or the Democratic agenda from sweeping through Congress.
Continue »
Obama's Ad Advantage Continues
Barack Obama's battleground state advertising campaign continues to outpace John McCain in big numbers, according to a new analysis by the Nielsen Company. Obama placed 155 percent more TV ads in Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia between October 6th and 26th. That's a 62,022 to 24,273 advantage, according to the analysis.
Obama is hitting Florida very heavily. In that same time period, Obama ran 18,909 ads compared to 5,702 for McCain – a 232 percent difference. Read here> for more numbers and analysis.
Obama is hitting Florida very heavily. In that same time period, Obama ran 18,909 ads compared to 5,702 for McCain – a 232 percent difference. Read here> for more numbers and analysis.
National Lead Could Translate To Big Electoral College Win
A 13-point national lead for Barack Obama could translate into an Electoral College landslide, according to the latest models from CBS News and YouGov/Polimetrix.
The most recent CBS News/New York Times poll had Obama leading among likely voters nationally 52 percent to 39 percent, and the previous CBS News poll showed a similar lead. Guided by the results of the two polls, YouGov/Polimetrix then modeled 50 state electorates for CBS News, incorporating information from 26,671 online interviews with registered voters.
YouGov/Polimetrix applied the CBS News/New York Times double digit-lead to their 50-state national results weighted to each state's relative vote size, demographics, and matched to the CBS News/New York Times Poll in national party identification and ideology.
Continue »
The most recent CBS News/New York Times poll had Obama leading among likely voters nationally 52 percent to 39 percent, and the previous CBS News poll showed a similar lead. Guided by the results of the two polls, YouGov/Polimetrix then modeled 50 state electorates for CBS News, incorporating information from 26,671 online interviews with registered voters.
YouGov/Polimetrix applied the CBS News/New York Times double digit-lead to their 50-state national results weighted to each state's relative vote size, demographics, and matched to the CBS News/New York Times Poll in national party identification and ideology.
Continue »
Divided Government? Depends Partly On The Partisan Picture
From the CBS News election and survey unit: While John McCain has argued lately that his election would help serve as a check on a Democratic-controlled Congress, registered voters are divided on the subject, a deeper look at the most recent CBS News/New York Times poll reveals. Forty-one percent of voters say it is better to have the president and congress represented by different parties but 36 percent say it's better if the same party is in control of both.
It may have more to do with partisan advantage than principle, however. Overall, Democrats today (45 percent) support the idea of having the two branches controlled by the same party, while more Republicans (48 percent) oppose the idea. In February 2007 – after the Democrats had taken control of the House of Representatives with a Republican administration in power – more Democrats (48 percent) favored different parties controlling each branch of government. For Republicans this trend is reversed (41 percent said one-party rule was preferable in 2007), while independents have consistently been in support of a divided control of government.
Democrats are leading Republicans by 12 points among likely voters in a generic question about voter preference in the upcoming elections in the House of Representatives. Perhaps taking this into account, Obama voters want the President and Congress to be from the same party (45 percent), while McCain voters disagree (55 percent say it's better to have divided government).
It may have more to do with partisan advantage than principle, however. Overall, Democrats today (45 percent) support the idea of having the two branches controlled by the same party, while more Republicans (48 percent) oppose the idea. In February 2007 – after the Democrats had taken control of the House of Representatives with a Republican administration in power – more Democrats (48 percent) favored different parties controlling each branch of government. For Republicans this trend is reversed (41 percent said one-party rule was preferable in 2007), while independents have consistently been in support of a divided control of government.
Democrats are leading Republicans by 12 points among likely voters in a generic question about voter preference in the upcoming elections in the House of Representatives. Perhaps taking this into account, Obama voters want the President and Congress to be from the same party (45 percent), while McCain voters disagree (55 percent say it's better to have divided government).
Spreading It Around
Excerpts of a newly uncovered radio interview then-state senator Barack Obama did with a Chicago radio station in 2001 has made its way onto YouTube and also onto the Drudge Report. The portions of the interview put up seem to focus on the Supreme Court during the Civil Rights era.
"One of the I think the tragedies of the Civil Rights movement was because the Civil Rights movement became so court-focused I think that there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change and in some ways we still suffer from that," Obama says in part of the interview posted.
In a statement sent out by the campaign today, John McCain's senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin claims the interview is evidence that Obama would pursue "socialism" as president. "The American people continue to learn more about Barack Obama," Holtz-Eakin said. "Now we know that the slogans 'change you can believe in' and 'change we need' are code words for Barack Obama's ultimate goal: 'redistributive change.' … No wonder he wants to appoint judges that legislate from the bench – as insurance in case a unified Democratic government under his control fails to meet his basic goal: taking money away from people who work for it and giving it to people who Barack Obama believes deserve it. Europeans call it socialism, Americans call it welfare, and Barack Obama calls it change."
"One of the I think the tragedies of the Civil Rights movement was because the Civil Rights movement became so court-focused I think that there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalitions of power through which you bring about redistributive change and in some ways we still suffer from that," Obama says in part of the interview posted.
In a statement sent out by the campaign today, John McCain's senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin claims the interview is evidence that Obama would pursue "socialism" as president. "The American people continue to learn more about Barack Obama," Holtz-Eakin said. "Now we know that the slogans 'change you can believe in' and 'change we need' are code words for Barack Obama's ultimate goal: 'redistributive change.' … No wonder he wants to appoint judges that legislate from the bench – as insurance in case a unified Democratic government under his control fails to meet his basic goal: taking money away from people who work for it and giving it to people who Barack Obama believes deserve it. Europeans call it socialism, Americans call it welfare, and Barack Obama calls it change."
