Horserace
August 4, 2008 9:54 AM

Starting Gate: Stick And Move

If the goal of John McCain’s aggressive push last week was to get Barack Obama engaged in some of the back-and-forth, it succeeded. But Obama may prove a more elusive opponent than Republicans have become accustomed to battling.

The Obama campaign is out with a new ad attacking McCain on energy. “Every time you fill your tank, the oil companies fill their pockets,” the ad begins. “Now Big Oil’s filling John McCain’s campaign with 2 million dollars in contributions. Because instead of taxing their windfall profits to help drivers, McCain wants to give them another 4 billion in tax breaks. After one president in the pocket of big oil, we can’t afford another.”

A game-changing ad it isn’t but it does signal a new willingness by the Obama camp to return the fire they’ve been taking for the better part of a week. And it suggests that there’s something happening on the energy front which is working for McCain – and against Obama. Underneath all the talk about celebrity and the “messiah” Web ad, McCain appears to be getting some mileage on the issue of gas prices.

Much like he did right after the primaries, Obama over the weekend shifted slightly on the issue of offshore drilling, saying that he would now consider expansion of it as part of his comprehensive energy policy. “My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," Obama said Friday in an interview with The Palm Beach Post. “If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done.”

Obama took some hits at the end of the primary season when he appeared to moderate his position on issues the progressives see as central – such as the FISA bill. While critics and opponents will call it “flip-flopping,” the label has yet to stick to Obama in the way it has to candidates in the past (see Kerry, John). Instead, Obama is proving adept at doing just enough to diffuse the situation without capitulating in any meaningful way. Offshore drilling? He’s not totally against it, but he’s not really for it either. McCain may have landed some blows in the last week, but Obama is proving to be a tough target to pin down.


Around The Track


  • It’s Barack Obama’s birthday today but the 47 year-old isn’t taking any time to relax as he kicks off “energy week” in Michigan today.

  • John McCain starts the day with a roundtable discussion in Pennsylvania then heads to South Dakota for the annual Sturgis motorcycle festival. McCain will participate in a tribute to veterans at the rally tonight.

  • Virginia hasn’t voted for a Democrat for president since 1964 but the Washington Post looks at just how close the Old Dominion could end up being this year.

  • Vice presidential focus turns to Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D) and Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor (R) this week.

  • Three separate studies based on economic projections predict an Obama victory in November, with the Democrat getting between 52 percent and 55 percent of the popular vote, Reuters reports.
  • Tags:
    Obama ,
    McCain
    Topics:
    Starting Gate
    Add a Comment See all 20 Comments
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:16 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:16 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by meek33 August 4, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
    Last week McCains actions reaffirmed what I already though, I just cant bring my self to vote for McCain. He seems like his age might be wearing on him a bit. The last thing we want is for McCain to end up a puppet., like hes already showing signs of. Did you see where that reporter stumped him and he just sat there not saying a word for like 2 minutes??? Unreal. Or the clip of him cussing, man what a potty mouth. LOL I think the video was at http://www.McCanes.com This election season is just one big dissapointment after another. The only that makes it worth watching is the candidates gaffs and antics. I thought that Obama was thinking about about adopting the tboonpickens plan? But Im reading now that he wants to open drilling in floridia. I think Obama should adopt the pickens plan, so should McCain. I read the article about Obama and the boone pickens plan at?? http://www.tboonpickens.com I cant figure out which one of these two Im voting for., Im hoping a third party candidate will surge so I can get behind another candidate other then these two. I would of Voted for Huckabee, Clinton, or Ron Paul. Geesh.
    I think Paul is thinking about running on the LP ticket. http://www.BarrPaul08.com , My vote belongs to no one yet.
    I might just keep it this year.
    Reply to this comment
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by meek33 August 4, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
    Last week McCains actions reaffirmed what I already thought, I just cant bring my self to vote for McCain. He seems like his age might be wearing on him a bit. The last thing we want is for McCain to end up a puppet., like hes already showing signs of. Did you see where that reporter stumped him and he just sat there not saying a word for like 2 minutes??? Unreal. Or the clip of him cussing, man what a potty mouth. LOL I think the video was at http://www.McCanes.com This election season is just one big dissapointment after another. The only that makes it worth watching is the candidates gaffs and antics. I thought that Obama was thinking about about adopting the tboonpickens plan? But Im reading now that he wants to open drilling in floridia. I think Obama should adopt the pickens plan, so should McCain. I read the article about Obama and the boone pickens plan at?? http://www.tboonpickens.com I cant figure out which one of these two Im voting for., Im hoping a third party candidate will surge so I can get behind another candidate other then these two. I would of Voted for Huckabee, Clinton, or Ron Paul. Geesh.
    I think Paul is thinking about running on the LP ticket. http://www.BarrPaul08.com , My vote belongs to no one yet.
    I might just keep it this year.
    Reply to this comment
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:17 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by akhajawall August 4, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
    Dear American Citizens and the Press

    As a concerned citizen, I consider it is my duty to bring following message to you all.

    "We the citizens of the United States of America have the ultimate responsibility to elect the " Right Candidate" to lead our nation, out of our huge present and future internal and external challenges as well as opportunities. This is to prevent depression and isolation in-spite of being the only superpower in the world morally, democratically, economically, and militarily.

    We need to consider the "critical qualities and characteristics" of our presumptive presidential nominees at the time we vote.

    In my personal and professional opinion the critical considerations are as under:


    1. Calm, cool, and collected " temper " [ Presidential Temperament ].
    2. Sound and sustained "Judgment and Caliber".
    3. "Thought-fullness and togetherness" of purpose and positions.
    4. Minimum "ex-poser and exploitation" around "Washington and Washington insiders".
    5. Renewed " Vigor and Vision " for our Greatgrand Nation.
    6. Foreign policy based on " American Values, Virtuous, Vastness".

    PS: Hon. Seantor McCain''s temper and senior moments will bring more challenges to our Greatgrand nation.
    Reply to this comment
    by mattcat25 August 4, 2008 10:49 AM PDT
    The Big Oil Companies and their pansy-mansy Rebublican Party stooges are attempting to hold OIL and Offshore Drilling for ransom. The US Congress may approve further Oil Production on our beaches if, the Big Oil Companies are willing to make a few concession to the People of the United States of America. It%u2019s all up to negotiation. the Republicans want to just give it all away for nothing in return like they always have when it comes to Big Oil, that%u2019s why we%u2019re in the situation we%u2019re in today.

    Negotiate OffShore Drilling,
    If not, then%u2026
    Reply to this comment
    by armydog2 August 4, 2008 11:50 AM PDT
    Mccain''s ads last week sounded like the work of a high school student. Very immature and childish.akhajawall. good post.
    Reply to this comment
    by ariel133 August 4, 2008 12:52 PM PDT
    You will be eating your words for the vain support you dished out for a person who knows nothing about everything and promises it to you with a smile.

    Wow, I am more and more amazed with the level of stupdiity in this county for those who believe in fairy tales and handouts, and an empty minded unqualified candidate who had 2 failing years in the Senate.


    Obama: Incredible stupidity

    Reply to this comment
    by mattcat25 August 4, 2008 2:20 PM PDT
    Obama: Incredible stupidity
    Posted by Ariel133 at

    scAriel133, tell me who is going to actually vote for a lower standard of living?

    (I already know: People living in Kansas!)

    Reply to this comment
    by ordisi1 August 4, 2008 3:22 PM PDT
    The McCain camp finally woke up and got into the ring. I love the ads, the attacks, the strategies. VA will NEVER go blue. Bet they''re polling Arlington.
    Reply to this comment
    by brittanicus-2009 August 4, 2008 3:45 PM PDT
    You might want to ask your State representative energy conservation? How much gas, oil and electricity we could save, if we sent illegal aliens packing.
    We cannot keep up the demand for it right now! Oil! Diversity Alliance for Sustainable America.(earthtimes) stated in it''s article that if the U.S. grants amnesty and gives citizenship to 12 to 30 million illegal migrants already here, as McCain, Obama and the majority of Democrats propose. That all those naturalized citizens could possibly add 120 million U.S. and foreign-born relatives to the U.S., in the next 20 years whom all will CONSUME MAJOR ENERGY. Does the American people need to escalate the 315 million plus population, the census estimates we have now? To a new total of 435 million?

    The executive director of (DASA) admitted "Proposal to reduce energy costs in the U.S. will not work unless we also simultaneously curb U.S. population growth by reducing immigration and curbing teen pregnancies." Unless another Nikola Tesla, an underrated genius of the 19th century invents a some new form of energy, we will be reliant on fossil fuels for years to come? Clean coal, geothermal, eco-fuel, nuclear and of course wind power and solar. The latter is energy that is a perpetual source of unimaginable power that knows no bounds.


    The Save Act (H.R.5088) is an enforcement federal bill only, to start the EXODUS of foreign nationals illegally in AMERICA. NUMBERSUSA has all the unsuppressed facts
    Reply to this comment
    by ariel133 August 4, 2008 4:07 PM PDT
    Obviouslly, Obama can''t do no wrong, but what is wrong is the people who follow him like sheep. When he falls off the cliff, so will you, in case you don''t know.
    Reply to this comment
    by samthetvcat August 4, 2008 4:50 PM PDT
    ---"but it does signal a new willingness by the Obama camp to return the fire they%u2019ve been taking for the better part of a week"---

    I mean, it took him a whole week to respond after he tried to stay on a pedestal and made reference to his skin-color, he still won''t do any townhalls, he won''t go on Fox to go head to head against Sean Hannity . . .

    I don''t think showing SOME initiative and engagement a week later assuages the concerns raised by his botched response all last week, because this just makes him average rather than exceptionally passive. The true gauge of his toughness will be how he deals with crises - either via the GOP and their low-blows or from another source - at a future time. Done right, aggression doesn''t escalate a dirty fight, it stops it and re-establishes order. I just haven''t seen anything in Barack to date which shows that he''s capable of taking the reins in that manner . . .
    Reply to this comment
    by bretster7 August 4, 2008 10:06 PM PDT
    How about Obamas own words

    A February 24, 2005, Washington Post article begins:

    There''s nothing exotic or complicated about how phenoms are made in Washington, and, more to the point, how they are broken.

    "Andy Warhol said we all get our 15 minutes of fame," says Barack Obama. "I''ve already had an hour and a half. I mean, I''m so overexposed, I''m making Paris Hilton look like a recluse."


    nuf said?
    Reply to this comment
    by lottobee August 4, 2008 10:23 PM PDT
    Be careful Obama. You are falling into the trap. These republicans are forcing you to respond and that''s where you make mistakes and show how naive you are. Not good bama. You''re switching positions too fast and that''s exactly what they want you to do. They want you to change your mind every day. Better watch out. You''re on the slippery slope.
    Reply to this comment
    by concerns47 August 5, 2008 8:56 AM PDT
    For facts go to:
    http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_oil_spill.html
    Reply to this comment
    by olcottr August 5, 2008 3:14 PM PDT
    "instead of taxing their windfall profits to help drivers"

    Um, is the Obama campaign staffed by idiots? How does taxing the oil companies (thus raising the price of gas yet again) help drivers?
    Reply to this comment
    See all 20 Comments

    About Horserace

    Description for Horserace

    Add to your favorite news reader
    google
    yahoo
    msn
    • MOST POPULAR
    • Viewed
    • Commented