Campaign Shifts Back To Economic Crisis

Politico: Debate Shows That Character Attacks Will Take A Back Seat To Continuing Financial Problems

(The Politico)  This story was written by Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin.

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Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama left here with the presidential campaign unavoidably shifted to the topic of economic crisis and onto the electoral terrain of traditionally conservative states.

McCain’s decision to use Tuesday’s debate to roll out a dramatic new housing plan - and to downplay an extended weekend of personal attacks on Obama - appeared to mark a recognition that, after two consecutive days of the Dow plummeting and financial hemorrhaging abroad, the market meltdown is not likely to move from the center of the campaign.

After days of attempts to persuade voters that Obama’s ties to ‘60s radical Bill Ayers are a crucial character issue, McCain didn’t mention Ayers’ name during the 90 minutes of Tuesday’s forum. His top aides suggested afterward that, going forward, the candidate wouldn’t focus on the former domestic terrorist nor invoke the name of Obama’s controversial pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Nicolle Wallace, a top McCain adviser, hinted McCain would not bring it up. “If asked about it, of course [he’ll talk about Ayers],” she said.

McCain’s chief strategist, Steve Schmidt all but said the controversial pastor remained off-limits.

“What Sen. McCain has said is that it’s not an issue he intends to talk about in the race,” said the aide, though he did note that Obama himself had called Wright 'fair game.'

But Schmidt did say without prompting: “You’ve not seen Sen. McCain advertise on [Wright]."

When asked, he wouldn’t promise to not air ads on the pastor, but reiterated that “Sen. McCain’s position is clear.”

It’s no mystery why McCain is easing back on, or withholding entirely, such character-based assaults: Even with the $700 billion rescue plan signed into law, the economic crisis appears to be worsening not stabilizing.

“As long as the Dow is down 500 points a day, that's going to push a lot of the Rezko and Ayers stuff off the front pages,” acknowledged a Republican National Committee official.

Instead, McCain used the debate to unexpectedly propose, what amounts to a homeowner buyout, laying out a plan for the federal government to purchase mortgages and help Americans renegotiate their financing at a fixed rate.

McCain’s plan reflects the continued demand that both candidates do more to address the economic crisis. It also offers McCain, who has been criticized for having little in the way of an economic plan, a substantive idea to hold up in the remaining days of the race on an issue that has done considerable damage to his campaign.

Obama’s aides welcomed the turn, and argued that the contest is now squarely on what they consider their turf. Obama advisor Robert Gibbs said the campaign would continue to attack McCain’s plan on health care, and might use a section of an exchange on health insurance from Tuesday’s debate to do it.

A campaign centered on the economy plays to a traditional Democratic strength, and Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said he even looked forward to a sometimes-troublesome aspect of that argument for Democrats.

“We are winning the tax discussion in the battleground states,” he said. “We relish the opportunity to talk about taxes.”

Both candidates will spend the coming days on the electoral offense, visiting states that the other party won in 2004. McCain and Sarah Palin will be in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, while Obama heads to Ohio and Indiana. McCain will also visit Minnesota, where a Republican official bragged that Obama had recently been forced to buy television ads.

But the GOP ticket will also return to red states, as well, where they’re being forced to scramble to buy TV time and schedule rallies. McCain and Palin will make a stop in Ohio this week and return to Virginia for the firsttime in a month next Monday.

Operatives on both sides, meanwhile, said they expect Obama to continue to outspend McCain, if not as heavily as he has in the past week.

“The Obama campaign has a ton of money, and that allows them to outspend us,” said McCain political director Mike DuHaime, who said McCain didn’t need to “match them dollar for dollar,” just to “get our message out there.”

Obama aides said they are particularly pleased to have forced McCain to compete in the expensive state of Florida, where McCain has spent little money and trails in some recent polls. Now McCain may be forced to devote a substantial share of his limited resources there.

In the same vein, the RNC's independent arm announced Tuesday that it would expand its multi-million ad campaign to Florida and North Carolina, two red states Palin has visited in recent days in an effort to keep them in GOP hands.

“We need to move the race five or six points in 28 days,” said McCain advisor Charlie Black.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, said his party needed only to avoid mistakes and that steadiness would soon spell victory for Obama.

“He just needs to continue to keep a steady hand on the rudder,” Bredesen said.

[hypnotoad72]

While I agree with some of what McCain and Ms Palin said, I''m still trying to fathom the talk about being the most hard working people on Earth, et cetera -- doesn''t add up in terms of why our country offshores. Still, innovation and capitalizing on innovation -- environmental garbage as the iphone is, some people have gotten rich by making apps for the thing. Where''s the SDK? I''ll jump in too. I''ll get the tools and become successful.

[pvperson]

McCain says he''ll keep it clean today, but tomorrow he''ll be throwing mud again. He''s lost all sense of ethics in his desperate drive for the white house. He''ll say and do ANYTHING and there''s always Palin to come forth with a lie every now and then. God what a pair, they make me think of Beavus and Butthead and I''m not sure which is Butthead.

[interobserv]

What ever your political inclination, you must admit that Senator Obama is in control right now. Senator McCain has the unenviable task of fighting an uphill election battle with less than one month before the election.
Sarah Palin isn''t helping. In fact, her latest rhetoric smacks of veiled racism. And it has backfired. The republicans must now spend precious resources shoring up what was once considered solid republican turf - North Carolina. And it appears they may be losing that slowly but surely.

[helloall34]

Wow! If it''s true this could be one of the first presidential campaigns to not end-up in the mud. That would be nice regardless of who wins.

[hatesthecolt]

I see mdwoman is running aroudn furuiously cutting and pasting the same trash postings at the end of each column. It must drive you crazy that people actually see Obama Biden as the real hope of the country and are finally seeing through the Republican lies. What a shame it took 8 years.

[lalabradle]

mdwoman,

Go and seek help. You are scaring yourself. You sound like a raving lunatic.

[irmcvet97]

When you buy into a LIE like George W. Bush... When you see the results of voting from FEAR, you realize that this nation has NEVER progressed, NEVER gotten better under a leader who was elected like that! McCain has allowed himself to be drug into that cesspool and it has taken any chance he had of being elected away.

[antoniof123]

Posted by mdwoman at 12:52 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Question are wing nuts inbreed or are the just stupid. I mean your mad raving post only seek to ensure that we will not pay attention to a word you say along with that of the ones you support.

[irmcvet97]

OBAMA''''s EXTENSIVE Link to ACORN is detailed in New York Post articles. McCain really needs to start bringing this up:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10082008
/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_pro_bara
ck_vote_fraud_drive_132618.htm?page=0

nhttp://www.nypost.com/seven/09292008/po
stopinion/editorials/the_meltdowns_acorn
_131274.htm

Posted by mdwoman at 12:48 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Why? Hasn''t he embarrassed himself enough? You and those like you keep reaching for some Wedge Issue to bring down Obama. You offer NO resolutions for or any options to the Bush Economic Plan. All you try to do is find something that will Tar Obama so much that people will vote for McCain. Just isn''t going to work this time.

[antoniof123]

Has everyone forgot that De-Regulation of Wall Street started in 1999 under the Clinton Administration?

Posted by baldur74 at 12:55 PM : Oct 08, 2008

No deregulation began with Regan, remember the banking flops then may not you must just have selective memory. One other thing Presidents don''t make the laws they enforce them. So any way that you look at it the Republican controled congress wrote the laws. So no it did not begin with Clinton it began with Regan then the Republican controled congress followed up and made it a true reality.

Once again complete the whole story only half proves your desperation.

[timberagain]

Obama looked presidential, and conducted himself that way.
McSame looked old, angry, in need of his nap.

[standlee5]

CNN should be called ONN. Obama News Network. That panel of clowns proved what a three ring circus the network is. And that graph of independent undecided voters. WHO CARES. If these people haven''t yet decided they''re never going to decide. How much starker can the differences be. Young black socialist vs. old white navy war hero. If you can''t decide between those two you have a propblem with decisions and maybe shouldn''t go out on such a limb to begin with.

[irmcvet97]

Posted by mdwoman at 12:52 PM : Oct 08, 2008

It''s always someone else''s fault! Someone has GOT to be blamed! No one goes against the "Party" without being LEAD there! I mean who ever heard of something as stupid as the PEOPLE listening to all involved and making a decision on what they see? It COULDN''T mean that American''s are TIRED of trying to get "Trickle Down" to work and want a new and different direction!! Could it?? LOL

[standlee5]

Obama never did addres how his increase in corporate taxes is going to create jobs. In fact the only jobs he''s planning to create are govt. jobs paid for by you and me.

[lalabradle]

Bashing Obama and bringing up unfounded rumors is a last attempt by Republicans who have lost this election because they couldn''t come up with anyone better than McCain and unknown Palin.

[standlee5]

Looking presidential. Why not just hire an actor to sit in if that''s all you want. McCAin is clearly the only candidate with substance. A proven track record and a well thought out plan to stimulate the economy and not only secure jobs in America but create jobs.

[irmcvet97]

CNN should be called ONN. Obama News Network. That panel of clowns proved what a three ring circus the network is. And that graph of independent undecided voters. WHO CARES. If these people haven''''t yet decided they''''re never going to decide. How much starker can the differences be. Young black socialist vs. old white navy war hero. If you can''''t decide between those two you have a propblem with decisions and maybe shouldn''''t go out on such a limb to begin with.

Posted by standlee5 at 01:01 PM : Oct 08, 2008

You poor people just don''t get it do you? After George W. Bush, just going out there and slinging mud and saying whatever is necessary to win?? It ain''t working for you! This is the fault of ONE fact... ONE thing can be blamed here above all else. The Republican Party was and continues to be a FASCIST Organization. America can NOT function under those conditions.... WAY to many views and opinions... Trickle Down does NOT work either, yet McSame and the Republican''s want to continue it!! ENOUGH SAID!!

[standlee5]

Obama''s associates and his alliances are all we have to go on since he has no track record or history. His associates are the most important aspect of this campaign. So far we have Rev. Wright, Rezko, Ayers, FAnniemae and Freddiemac, and a whole host of socialist gurus. That''s all we know about the guy.

[jseymouriii]

Where is McCain''s lapel pin? I seem to remember a big stink awhile back when Obama did not wear one.

[standlee5]

... Trickle Down does NOT work either, yet McSame and the Republican''''s want to continue it!! ENOUGH SAID!!
Posted by irmcvet97 at 01:06 PM : Oct 08, 2008

If you don''t like trickle down I hate to think how you''re going to like the alternative but I think we''ll all get a taste of it soon. If you don''t own anything then you don''t have anything to lose. If you have worked, saved and produced then you''re scr*wed. So if your parents have something to pass on to you, forget it.

[standlee5]

It''s become abudantly clear that Obama is a socialist pure and simple. THere''s no question. Ownership will be dead in America. It really p*sses me off because I''ve worked hard my whole life and paid for every dime of my own stuff. So the responsible will fund the irresponsible.

[standlee5]

No without question CNN is ONN. Obama News Network.

[mytoosense]

So if your parents have something to pass on to you, forget it.
Posted by standlee5

Spoken like a true Born with a Silver Spoon up his A$$ Republican.

[john6pack]

Am I the only one to notice that during the last debate, as pictures and recordings are showing, McCain did not wear the lapel pin while Obama did?
Was that a detail forgotten by Cindi and his staff, or a silent statement by McCain?

[mytoosense]

Posted by melchg at 01:11 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Interesting. I noticed Obama used all these words more than McCain.

How many total words did each speak?

If they were close to the same number, which words did McCain use more than Obama?

[gocubs58]

If two FBI agents have gone on national TV this week; expressing their concerns about Obama''''s affiliations - in particular WM. AYRES, and they are raiding ACORN; they must be getting a lot of calls and email from people to investigate.

posted by mdwoman
-----

mdwoman - perhaps McCain should worry about his OWN associations. I can do the cut and paste link thing too.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/steve_chapman/2008/10/mccain-has-his.html

http://www.oliverwillis.com/2008/10/05/mccains-terror-connection-g-gordon-liddy/

[dchu76]

NY TIMES: MCCAIN IS "RUNNING ONE OF THE MOST APPALLING CAMPAIGNS WE CAN REMEMBER"

[standlee5]

Spoken like a true Born with a Silver Spoon up his A$$ Republican.
Posted by mytoosense at 01:13 PM : Oct 08, 2008

What a surprise you''d respond like that. So I take it your parents don''t own anything. Well I''ll bet they wish they did. If they did I doubt if they''d want to share it with the rest of the country they''d probably want to give their assets to YOU.

[standlee5]

Nothing is more appalling than Obama suggesting the country is racist if they don''t vote for him. THat''s the audacity of this man.

[liberalme]

If they were close to the same number, which words did McCain use more than Obama?

Posted by mytoosense

"My friends" "I know how to fix it--I know what to do". "But I''m not going to telegraph it"

Really? Telegraph my friend?
John, you could "telegraph" "It" for a month and no one would see it---WE USE THE INTERNET!!!

[standlee5]

Obama is socialist. He may call himself a Democrat but he''s not like the old school Democrats he''s a socialist 100%

[mytoosense]

Posted by standlee5

Both of my Parents were School teachers, thankfully their retirement savings lasted as long as they did.

My brother and sister are also school teachers.
They are not as optomistic about their retirement.

[liberalme]

Islamists and all those who hate America see this clearly and rejoice at the prospect.

Posted by listenupfool at 01:24 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Why?

[pensacola98]

John McCain''s campaign is on a graveyard spiral towards the rapidly approaching ground. He has become disoriented and lost control to the point of immenent self-destruction.

Barack Obama is clearly calm and focussed on his campaign.

A campaigning maverick may appear acobatical, but the country doesn''t want a ride in the backseat of John McCain''s political machine. John McCain''s final month may be a crash and burn exhibition, where McCain seems to babble his way through a challenge and constantly insult voters with his monstrous ego.

[dchu76]

Is that all you have to do with your time; count words. Maybe it is because McCain is more succinct and Obama talks things to death and still doesn''''''''t make his point clear. A lot of words from Obama, but the message isn''''''''t clear.

Posted by joule3


hahaha, what debate were you watching, never did mccain answer the question asked, he always verered off the topic. Obama would answer the question. My dad said the same thing, where was the substance in Mccain. He mentioned energy independence but never mentioned how, never mentioned solar, wind, geothermal, biofuel. Where is the substance mccain.

[standlee5]

Posted by melchg at 01:26 PM : Oct 08, 2008

You''re ignorance is a product of the cushy life fluffy American life you''ve been priveledged to lead.

[mytoosense]

My Friends...Palin used up too many "mavericks" in her debate. Posted by melchg

I heard a good one:

How can McCain call himself a Maverick after spending the last eight years as a Bush Side-kick.

[aerhed]

Throw the bums out! Yomama may actually be a thug, but he''s a democrat thug. DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY REPUBLICANS, PERIOD. Their party is dangerously infected by greedmongers and oil ******. The average ball-free politician simply flutters in their breeze of corruption. Clean the slate NOW. The other choices are revolution or submission. Tread on me and I will bite!

[gocubs58]

And after researching and finding out that Obama basically worked for Bill Ayers for seven years. I see were Obama learned his speaking skills and charisma from Bill Ayers and his other Chicago mentors .

Posted by doctorcool2u

-----

Your post is nothing more than a lame attempt at character assasination and guilt by association.
William Ayers is a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, with whom Barack served on the board of an education-reform organization in the mid-1990%u2019s. According to the Associated Press, they are not close: %u201CNo evidence shows they were %u201Cpals%u201D or even close when they worked on community boards years ago %u2026%u201D
The detestable acts that Ayers was involved in happened 40 years ago - when Obama was 8 years old!! Any attempt to connect Obama with events of almost forty years ago is totally ridiculous.

[standlee5]

As we are seeing now.
Posted by fedupwithit1 at 01:27 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Don''t underestimate the pain that a really bad recession or financial collapse can create. Don''t underestimate how bad things can get. These are historic times.

[dubya_luvr]

Obama is socialist.
Posted by standlee5 at 01:24 PM : Oct 08, 2008

Justify this, without lying and please cite sources. I love watching neocons try to support this slimy libel.

The fact is, McCain is a corporate fascist. His campaign is run by corporate lobbyists and his policies favor corporations over voters. Anything to the left of that ideology gets labeled "socialist" by the rabid far right.

[dchu76]

Where is the substance in mccain answers, talks about energy independence but never mentioned how. No talk of solar,wind,geothermal, biofuel.

[standlee5]

Posted by dubya_luvr at 01:30 PM : Oct 08, 2008

His policies offer the central govt in control of every aspect of the populations needs. He said last night htat helath care is a right. Not medicare not for old people but for all Americans he didn''t mention citizenship or not so if that''s not socialist I don''t know what is. Then he''s said he wants universal daycare and preschool. It''s cradle to grave. We might as well sign everything over to the govt. Why go through the risk of ownership Wy not jut depend on the govt. He doesn/t believe in free markets he believes in govt. McCain is very moderate far far from a free market purest.

[dubya_luvr]

Where is the substance in mccain answers, talks about energy independence but never mentioned how. No talk of solar,wind,geothermal, biofuel.

Posted by dchu76 at 01:30 PM : Oct 08, 2008

It''s rather obvious what happened here. He has to talk about energy independence, but in such a way he can wink-and-nod to his Big Oil masters.

Any REAL discussion of renewable energy, which would be the beginning of TRUE energy independence would threaten the profits of his pet donors, leaving them with fewer dollars to funnel into the coffers of the RNC.

Republicans: selling out your country so they can maintain political power.

[dchu76]

What scares me most about mccain is his love of deregulation, imagine the social security and healthcare in this persons hand.

[standlee5]

Posted by dchu76 at 01:30 PM : Oct 08, 2008

McCain has wanted offshore drilling from the get go. He also supports nuclear, wind and solar.

[briannorwood]

Enough of this ACORN baloney! ACORN is a decent organization who''s main purpose is community action for the disadvantaged.

Among the things they do is push for voter registration. I do believe there were probably some paid operators who got "piecework" payments for each registered voter. Of course, some unscrupulous ones would fake their registration sheets to get more money. But, the registration checks and balances seem to have filtered these out. Big stinking deal.

But to grasp at straws and condemn the entire organization or Obamas affiliation with it is just plain stupid!

Get a grip GOP and start focusing on the real issues!

[dubya_luvr]

Posted by standlee5 at 01:35 PM : Oct 08, 2008

You sound like every other all-for-me neocon on FoxNews.

You hate your fellow Americans SO much, you wouldn''t raise a finger to keep them healthy or educated.

You squawk "pro-life", while denying many the essential medicines and shelter they need to live.

You are the archetypal FoxNews Republican: hating all Americans, hating the Constitution, hating democracy.

[troutfisher4]

Posted by dchu76 at 01:30 PM : Oct 08, 2008

McCain has wanted offshore drilling from the get go. He also supports nuclear, wind and solar.

Posted by standlee5


That is not true.

1) McCain was against off-shore drilling until recently.

2) He has consistently voted against renewable energy.

FACTS MATTER!

[standlee5]

Posted by rudy654 at 01:37 PM : Oct 08, 2008

I used to be pro-choice all the way because I bought the whole overpopulation thing. But in the past say three years or so I''ve become sickened by the fact that we''re so far advanced in early pregnancy detection but have not put any new restriction on abortion. And as far as partial bith abortion I think that alone should bury the democrat party. They''ve become completely off the charts radical and activists.