Starting Gate: Oh, Ohio

By: Vaughn Ververs
Topics: Starting Gate

After a flood of national polls this week which have established that John McCain came out of the convention crunch at the very least even with Barack Obama for the first time, if not slightly ahead. It's September, less than eight weeks from Election Day and polls are beginning to take on more importance as a gauge of the race.

Of course those national polls are unimportant compared to those being conducted state-by-state where the election will be decided. There's a new wave of those out today from two news organizations that paint a similar picture of a very tight race.

McCain's selection of Sarah Palin and the rallying of the traditional conservative base appears to have given the senator a boost in some of those red states which the Obama campaign has targeted. In Virginia, a new CNN/Time magazine poll has McCain up 50 percent to 46 percent, while another poll by the same shows him leading in Missouri by a similar 50 percent to 45 percent margin. In Florida, a new Quinnipiac poll has McCain up even more, 50 percent to 43 percent.

But there are troubling signs for McCain in the state of Ohio, which played such a pivotal role in re-electing President Bush in 2004. A Quinnipiac poll there has Obama leading 49 percent to 44 percent. Quinnipiac also has Obama up by a slim 48 percent to 45 percent margin in Pennsylvania while CNN/Time has him leading McCain in New Hampshire 51 percent to 45 percent and up 49 percent to 45 percent in Michigan.

For all the excitement generated by the Palin pick among Republicans, these polls numbers should be have a cooling effect. It's encouraging for McCain that in two big "blue" states – Pennsylvania and Michigan – remain highly competitive. Pulling either of them into the GOP column would highly complicate Obama's path to the White House. But losing Ohio, so vital to GOP hopes in the past, would make winning one of those other large states essential.

The Buckeye State is where Hillary Clinton scored a big but too-late victory in the primary season and where questions about Obama's ability to attract those white, blue-collar, Reagan Democrats started really being raised. His lead in Ohio at this point in the campaign is perhaps the most significant of all these polling results.

Of course there will be plenty more polls out in the coming days and weeks, each one given more import than the last. In the meantime, check out our Ways To Win interactive map and plot your own path to the presidency for both candidates.

Around The Track

Obama will have lunch with former president Bill Clinton today in New York. McCain will attend a 9/11 memorial service in Shankville, Pennsylvania this morning. The candidates will appear together at Ground Zero this afternoon and take part in a ServiceNation candidate forumn tonight.

In response to an audience member at a town hall yesterday who said he was glad Hillary Clinton was not chosen to be Obama's running mate, Joe Biden went further than just defending the New York Senator, CBS News' John Bentley reports. "She is qualified to be president of the United States of America," Biden said. "She's easily qualified to be vice president of the United States of America and quite frankly it might have been a better pick than me."

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm will play Sarah Palin in debate preparations with Biden, the Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that a "squad" of McCain policy advisers has accompanied Palin back to Alaska to help her prepare for interviews and debates.

"If Mr. Obama wants to win, he needs to remember he's running against John McCain for president, not Mrs. Palin for vice president." – Former Bush adviser Karl Rove, with some advice for Obama.

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by jefflz-2009 September 12, 2008 4:58 AM EDT: He can run from Bush but he cannot hide!! So much for the myth of the Maverick, the clean-fighting War Hero. McCain is up to his eyeballs in the muck that is being flung about by his Karl Rove handlers. And to top it all off he has now picked a woman to do his dirtiest fighting for him. What heroic behavior!! It is indeed time to remind people how corrupt McCain really is. Many younger voters do not remember the Keating Five Scandal - but John McCain was the greatest hypocrite amongst the lot. The amazing aspect of this story is that McCain was caught red-handed so his dishonesty is a matter of record. We don''t need Karl Rove to fabricate a pile of lies about him again. As for creationist PitBull Palin, she is very comfortable with lies since she lied about her "earmarks", she lied about the bridge to nowhere and she lied about her involvement in Troopergate. Rove, Bush, McCain, Palin are all cut from the same cloth. No way, no how, no McCain/Bush/Palin. Enough is enough!!; Reply to this comment


by Harvybing September 11, 2008 10:52 PM EDT: TERRORISTS WILL ATTACK AMERICA AGAIN !

At a recent meeting of the House Armed Services Committee, testimony by the head of a Bi Partisan Committee revealed that Iran has been testing a new type of weapon. They have already had at least two successful tests of the delivery system for this weapon called an EMP weapon.

That testimony revealed that the United States is ill prepared for such an attack. We effectively have little defenses which could stop such an attack.

That testimony also revealed that should Iran be successful, such an attack would kill between 70% to 90% of the ENTIRE POPULATION on the lower 48 states. Quite a sobering thought.

The United States is busy developing a counter to such an attack. It promises to be an effective deterrent for such an attack. It is amazing that Barrack Obama has stated on video that he would cut all funding for the development of this defense system.

It appears that Russia has been funding the Iranian program and supplying technology on many of the aspects of how such a weapon works. If Iran is successful in attacking the United States in such a fashion, Russia becomes the One Major Power, and runs little risk of retaliation.

Go to this website to hear Barrack Obama talk about slashing funding for this program. You can also read more about the potential attack and see links to the testimony.

http://www.harvybing.com

IS ANOTHER 9-11 COMING ONLY THIS TIME KILLING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS? You Be The Judge.; Reply to this comment


by Harvybing September 11, 2008 6:22 PM EDT: Joe Biden''s son is a Lobbyist working for a top law firm in Washington DC & has lobbied Biden''s office according to ABC News

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=5640118&page=1

He''s named in a lawsuit alledging he defrauded a business partner of millions

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082302200.html

Of course Hillary was a better pick Joe, but you & Obama are Earmark Buddies right? It turns out Obama helped Jr. Biden Bring home the bacon for his clients. How did you repay Obama Joe?
Obama sought more than $3.4 million in earmarks for clients Joe''s son according to THE WASHINGTON POST.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/26/AR2008082603894_pf.html

We don''t need Scratch My Back Buddies like Obama, Joe Biden and Hunter Biden who figured out a way for Obama to side step Senate Ethics rules & request earmarks Hunter Biden needed. This is Old Boy Politics - Earmark Abuse! Lets Clean It Up. McCain - Palin 2008; Reply to this comment


by homespunlady September 11, 2008 5:56 PM EDT: Speaking of the SAUDI BILLIONAIRE Terrorist LEADER and his 15 of 19 SAUDI attackers on 9/11 - Remember THIS REWARD to SAUDI for their CONTRIBUTION to that attack??

From Voice of America:

Bush in Saudi Arabia for Nuclear Deal
By Scott Stearns
Riyadh
16 May 2008

U.S. President George Bush is in Saudi Arabia for talks with King Abdullah marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Washington and Riyadh. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the two leaders are expected to reach agreement on civilian nuclear technology.

U.S. President George W. Bush (C) and Saudi King Abdullah (L) review the honour guard during an arrival ceremony at King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh, 16 May 2008
President Bush and King Abdullah inspected a military honor guard in Riyadh before private talks at the king''s horse farm outside the capital.

They will discuss a deal to help the kingdom develop civilian nuclear power for medical and industrial uses as well as generating electricity. The agreement provides access to safe, reliable fuel sources for nuclear reactors and demonstrates what the Bush Administration calls Saudi leadership as a non-proliferation model for the region....

Yep, a country FLOATING ON OIL with a HUGE WIND-WHIPPED desert and surrounded by WAVE-SWEPT seas REALLY NEEDS NUKE TECHNOLOGY for their "POWER".
Was KING George back on alcohol and drugs again???; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 September 11, 2008 4:21 PM EDT: Examine the issues, and vote for your own better interests Americans,
The Republicans do not want to be under scrutiny for the detrimental results of their policies and the threat of the continued attack on the Working Class through the Conservative Agenda.

Perpetual War, Mismanaging of Federal Treasury Funds, and Fear Mongering.
Increased Governmental $pending while cutting Taxes to the Wealthy.
$9 Trillion Dollar National Debt.
Unfair Taxation of the Middle Class.
High prices for GASOLINE, Electricity, and Everything Else!
High Medical Costs and Prescription Drugs.
Bank Failures and Record Home Forclusures.
Pollution.
Invasion of Privacy, and disregard for our Constitution.
Corruption, Corruption, Corruption.
Religious Hypocrisy and Abuse of Tax Laws.
Repeal of Habeas Corpus and personal privacy.
Politicalization of the Justice Department.
Degradation of our Infrastructure.
Continued export of American Jobs to overseas Slave Labor.
Decline in US stature and respect of the World Community.

Be smart, not un-smart.; Reply to this comment


by starleo146 September 11, 2008 3:50 PM EDT: While most government royalties for drilling on federal lands are paid in cash, the government in recent years has been receiving a greater share of its oil and gas royalties in actual product. More of that oil is also being sold on the open market, versus being deposited in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the nation''s emergency oil stockpile. Congress earlier this year passed a law halting deposits of oil to the reserve to alleviate high gasoline prices.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, who was asked about the reports earlier in the day before they were given to him and congressional offices, said the investigation was prompted by a 2006 phone call from employee who said there were ethical lapses in the Denver office.

"I look forward to having the opportunity to review the inspector general''s findings so we can take the appropriate actions," Kempthorne said.
When are these republipigs going to stop with the ***, the oil, now I know why drill baby drill ls so important to Mc Same and Palin,they want to expand the *** and drug in oil. Where is this dept of Interior on this watch I wouldn''t trust a republipig to do anything; Reply to this comment


by jy2008 September 11, 2008 3:47 PM EDT: Obama just does not get it. DNC liberals just do not get it. It is not about lipstick on pig. It is about the following

"In %u201CThe Hunt for Sarah October,%u201D the Wall Street Journal%u2019s John Fund writes about a 30-lawyer S.W.A.T. team of Obama Democrats descending on Alaska in search of dirt related to %u201CPalin%u2019s troopergate.%u201D They found nothing that hasn%u2019t already aired about Palin%u2019s alcoholic ex-brother-in-law who tasered his stepson."

No doubt most Americans want to see change.

Have you seen tiny bit of change by Chicago political poker players?

But People do breathe some fresh air from Alaska and they hope more.

And now Obama and DNC liberals are trying to kill the fresh source.

It is the time and opportunity to push real change in this country.

Do not just sit in church. Come out and join the force.; Reply to this comment


by iglooo101 September 11, 2008 3:11 PM EDT: will, heap of UNREAL ISSUES, succeed in covering the REAL ISSUES? is the public that easy to deceive? real issues: Economy, Health and War should be discussed
NOT MISS PIGGY; Reply to this comment


by moosemcbush September 11, 2008 3:08 PM EDT: Real issues are of no concern to a deranged pervert like McCain.
McCain is too busy staring at his running mates back side to notice that he is what is wrong with government.
Liars like Palin and McCain are unable to deal with real problems so they resort to Hiding From the Press and Spreading Lies and Fear.

John McCain is what needs to Change.

Palin-McCain 08 "Join Us In the Sewer"; Reply to this comment


by ob08 September 11, 2008 2:50 PM EDT: joseph8221 - you are an idiot. Look who is running McPainful''s campaign right now. All the lobbyists, Rove and company who are currently running this country for Bush. Obviously you don''t know anything about the issues and perhaps you may not have any loved ones fighting in a war. Maybe you are one of the chickens too scared to fight for your country. You are too blind to see through the lies your candidates are putting out.; Reply to this comment