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.

---

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.

[mairin27]

I have personally seen how cocaine completely takes control of people%u2019s lives.
I%u2019d like to know how Obama got off CRACK.
He should be a drug rehab counselor.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by doctorcool2u at 09:29 AM : Oct 09, 2008

Well doctor- Many people have overcome addictions on their own. You know those 12 step programs. This is an absurd statement. How did Cindy McCain overcome her addiction to narcotics?

[californiag1]

This country has lost focus on the very thing that our ancestors came across oceans seeking a new land and the very reason they sacrificed their lives during the revolutionary war. They did this so they could freely proclaim their faith in the Lord God All Mighty and our savior Jesus Christ. Until we get our focus back on Him everything will continue to fall apart at the seems. God does love us, that is why He gave His only Son to die on our behalf, because there must be atonement made for sin. But we must remember that God is a just God, He is a Holy God and there must be a point where enough is enough. The good thing is God always gives us a chance to turn from our sin and return to Him, but if we choose not to listen and respond to His call, He is still a Holy, Just and Righteous God and He must act accordingly. (California girl)

[achangenow]

Let''s stick to the real issue and that is the economy. The character and scare tactics aren''t going to work this time around. McCain wants to continue down the same, insane path as Bush. He did admit economics weren''t his strong suit and votes 90% of the time with Bush. We all know where that got us, don''t we? McCain wants to make Bush''s tax cuts for the rich permanent in hopes that wealth will trickle down to the rest of us. Give me a break! It didn''t work for Reagan, Bush I and it sure in h.e.l.l. isn''t working now!! Enough already. The country needs a new direction and Obama is the man at this time. Mark my words, Obama will win rather easily!

[PulSamsara]

Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?

We wont.

[benighse]

Sarah Palin eloquently answers another Katie Couric question:

" Ooo eee,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla, bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang...
Ooo eee ,ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla ,bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang
Walla walla bing bang."

Her best answer yet!!!

[benighse]

DUBYA AND TREASURY DEPARTMENT: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR COLLECTIVE MINDS!!!!!......The CEOs just get raked over the coals in CONGRESS yesterday about ruining their own company and p.i.s.s.i.n.g. away HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A USELESS RETREAT AT EXPENSIVE HOTELS WITH SPA TREATMENT after getting bailed out by all of us....and today, they get rewarded with $37 BILLION MORE DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO SPEND....They ought to be h.u.n.g. by their collective b.a.l.l.s. until they fall from the trees, and then FIRED with NO BONUS....Make them pay some of their own money to just try and sue the AMERICAN taxpayers to get a single BUFFALO CHIP NICKEL of their GOLDEN PARACHUTES and let them be SHAMED to their graves....The only thing we should consider giving them is all the GOLD BULLION they can personally hold in their two greedy little hands, and have them jump with that weight from a high flying plane with NO PARACHUTE....That way it will help them fall straighter, and we can pick up the gold bullion later where we find them planted in the ground!!!!

[benighse]

SO BUSH TODAY GIVES AN EXTRA $37 BILLION TO AIG AFTER THEY RUINED THEIR OWN COMPANY AND WENT TO THE SPA ON AMERICAN TAXPAYER DOLLARS...AND MCCAIN SAYS HE WANTS TO GIVE THEM AND THEIR OTHER CEO GREEDY FRIENDS ANOTHER $300 BILLION.....NO THANKS, NO WAY, NO HOW, NO MCCAIN, NO PALIN, NO BUSH, NO CHENEY....NO MORE B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T.....NOW THAT WE KNOW FROM THE SUPREME COURT THAT THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTS OUR RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS....MAYBE WE SHOULD FOLLOW THOMAS JEFFERSON''S SAGE ADVICE....THAT A LITTLE REVOLUTION NOW AND THEN IS A GOOD THING!!!!

[ronniesmith5]

I am a liberal democrat. But, I want our president to be selected based on merits, and not by an overwhelming bias, and propaganda. I don''t understand why the media and liberal-leaning papers jump all over, when William Ayers or Tony Rezko''s connections with Barack Obama is discussed. After all, if Obama does not have anything to worry, is it not welcome that this thing comes out in the open. Should Obama be protected at all cost? Didn''t the media push us into the Iraq War? They failed us once, and fail us again. In 2000 election, it was painful for me to see the media glowing over Bush as the savior of White House''s "integrity" and "morality". We know what we got. Now, it is the media''s turn to brainwash everyone into believing Obama has done nothing wrong, and will do none. Please don''t push your agenda on us. If there is a story about Obama and Ayers, investigate it, explain it. Don''t attack those who bring it in the open. We don''t believe in Hannity. We want YOU to do it for us. Ask Obama why he associated with Ayers, Wright, and Rezko so long and in so much depth. Let the world know what he has to say. Don''t push Obama into the White House. Let him earn it. We deserve that, and you need to earn that respect, by asking tough questions to Obama too. Don''t be a propaganda machine for any party or any candidate. The reason I am a Democrat is because of the dislike I have for right-wing loud mouths. If you believe Obama is good, he''ll come out clean. BUT DON''T COVER IT UP.

[misha128-2009]

did the witch doctor bomb anyone

Posted by doctorcool2u at 10:07 PM

CORRECTION

Did McCain he admitted a similar relationship with Ayers?

Posted by misha128 at 10:41 PM

[misha128-2009]

did the witch doctor bomb anyone

Posted by doctorcool2u at 10:07 PM

Did McCain he admitted a similar repalionship with Ayers?

[whitemale08]

I would rather see Obama win as a ''lesser of 2 evils'' but let''s face it, if Americans were smart they would go for Bob Barr or Nader.

Both of these candidates could see right through this BAILOUT BILL as a complete scam.

We cannot let this bill be implemented it will destroy the United States.

[strangeworld]

Two weeks ago McCain was telling crowds that the US economy was sound...in yesterday''s debate he was saying that we''re in a crisis. The republicans are flip-flopping so fast that they don''t even know what they''re saying on a day-to-day basis. Face the facts - modern republicans are out of touch with the average American on economy issues. The republican party is the puppet of the rich, they don''t care about the poor and middle class. John McCain is lying on a daily basis to try and get elected. This guy is a bum.

[lionheart64]

After we abandon our attitude of fear and negativity, then begin again to "think positive" and act accordingly, America will once again become a great nation, a true world leader. We haven''t hit bottom yet, but once we do, it will happen.

[praiseallah1]

Obama is a corrupt politician just like those criminals Barney Franks and Chris Dodd who caused this economic mess! Go watch the YouTube video "House of Lies: How Congress Failed Our Economy".

watch?v=Z5z9lD4C2Io

I have been a life long Democrate and Hillary supporter but I will be voting for McCain/Palin this election!

[swwils]

We are voting for the next puppet show.Obama is not going to change anything,except what he is allowed to change by the multi-Trillion dollar corporations that run this country.We are not leaving Iraq,except to slide into Afghanistan,and Pakistan.The world is addicted to oil,and this change they all ae speaking of is going to take at least 20 yrs.China,and India has just become world industrilized nations oil is what they need to thrive,just like us.We will not go back to riding horses because The Middle East says we get no oil.We are preparing for WWIII as we all sit idol.Why do people think we set up all those anti- missle air defense systems in the Ukraine,and Israel.Because the smart money says the s.h.i.t.,is getting ready to hit the fan.Wake up America,why do you think the politicans are not speaking much about the troops anymore.Its all about the economy which niether of them no squat about.

[benighse]

Mccain has become MR. GRUMPY. The persona of being an angry bitter ol'' man is hardly a convincing character for him.....He is acting like Daffy Duck...Is it the medications he''s on for recent mini-strokes, or is it just being 73 and erratic! My Republican wife asked why he was noticeably dragging his leg across the stage during the debate...No one seems to be asking the medical issues questions of Mccain and his lobbyist staff.

[benighse]

Mccain doesn''t remember Obama''s name....he has not known OBAMA very long....and short term memory is the first thing to go with senility....SENILITY IS NOT A VIRTUE JOHN.....Send Mccain to the Manor House, not the White House....

[pvperson]

doctorcool2u, so from the utter stupidity of your post I assume your suggesting that Obama helped O J kill those two people and so should be held responsible. Maybe you would like him to go to jail for O J''s latest brush with the law also or maybe Obama should be held responsible for cancer and AIDS. Moooooooron....

[timesupreps]

As for now: stop all bailouts.. We should not give another dime to Wall Street. THESE CROOKS (ALL OF THEM) need to be fired, and loose every dime they stole from the investors and public.. they are common criminals. People need to stop waiting on them period. DENY THEM SERVICE EVERYWHERE, THAT IS OUR POWER. REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING FOR THEM. THEY ARE TRASH!!! and need to be treated as such.

[timesupreps]

We should all really want Obama to win. WHY? because he is going to cut taxes on everyone making less than 250k and year.. Which means he is going to raise taxes on those wealthiest. WHICH MEANS: the wealthy will get to pick up a good chunk of the tab for the bailout. We should put there tax rate right at 70%. Let them all pay back the money out of there massive payouts.