Campaigns Confident Ahead Of Election Day

Face The Nation: Obama Strategist David Axelrod And GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham Both Like Their Candidate's Chances

(CBS)  With just two days before Election Day, top advisers to both Barack Obama and John McCain appear to be confident of their candidate's chances.

"We feel good," Obama chief strategist David Axelrod said on CBS News' Face The Nation. "And it's not just the polls. It's the early voting that we've seen. About a third of the country is going to vote before Tuesday, and those numbers are coming in very strong for us and reversing some historical patterns. In states like North Carolina, it looks like as many as three million people may vote before Tuesday, and where that vote is coming from and the addition of so many new voters is something we're encouraged by.

"And the crowds we're seeing: I'm here in Springfield, Missouri, which is a traditionally Republican part of the state. We had a crowd of 40,000 people here last night, very enthusiastic crowd late at night. Three times as large as any crowd anybody has ever gotten here," he added. "And those things are encouraging, but we still have to win this thing. We have to vote and we can't be complacent. We have to fight to the end, and we will."

But Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina who is one of McCain's staunchest supporters, gave host Bob Schieffer a different view:

"What we've seen in the last two weeks is very much a tightening of the race in the states that matter," Graham said. "I really believe that Senator Obama is the virtual incumbent. And if he's not at 50 percent today in North Carolina, he's not going to win. We see closing in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Ohio. We have him under 50, in the margin of error. The intensity level in the last couple of weeks has been unbelievable on our side.

"I think the undecided voter in these key states will come our way. We're taking nothing for granted. We're campaigning hard," he added.

Of particular interest to both Graham and Axelrod is Pennsylvania. The state has gone for Democrats in the last four presidential elections, but the McCain campaign is fighting hard there for a Republican pickup, despite some poll numbers showing them well behind.

"The voter demographics in Pennsylvania [are] set up very much for the centrist candidate that Senator McCain is," Graham said. "Senator Obama is becoming more and more an out-of-the-mainstream, left-leaning economic candidate when it comes to redistribution of the wealth, and we see in our narratives that that is sticking, that people have a second look at Senator Obama in Pennsylvania, and they question his economic policies, his role of the court, and his experience to make us safe."

Axelrod points to a registration edge and organization as the keys to victory for his campaign.

"I feel good about what I see in Pennsylvania, starting with the fact that we have a registration edge that's twice as large as we had four years ago. It went from 300,000 in favor of Democrats to 600,000, so that right away gives me encouragement," Axelrod said. "I know that there have been a couple of late polls that suggest otherwise, but I've seen many more that work in our direction. And beyond which, I just feel, based on the organization we have on the ground, the reaction that we're getting, that we're going to do very well in Pennsylvania. We're going to work really hard at it."

On Election Day, in addition to the presidential race, there are several Senate seats up for grabs. Democrats appear likely to increase their advantage in the chamber, but Republicans look to minimize their losses. The heads of each party's campaign committees - Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, N.Y., and Republican Sen. John Ensign, Nev. - talked with Schieffer on Face The Nation.

Schumer (left) said that he thinks Democrats will get a "whole bunch" of seats, but also that it's "unlikely" they will reach the magic number of 60 for a filibuster proof Democratic-controlled Senate.

"As for 60, that's very, very difficult. It's possible, but unlikely," he said. "And the reason is because the terrain is so tough. In other words, of the 11 contested states, none are deeply blue. A whole bunch are deeply red. So even though the wind is at our back, it's hard."

Ensign agreed the Democrats are poised for some pickups, but said that many races were close.

"There's no question that we are facing a fairly strong political headwind at this point," he said. "And the Democrats are poised to pick up some seats. The exact number we don't know, because there's so many races that are within the margin of error.

"There's six or seven races out there right now," said Ensign (left), "including the race in Louisiana, where the Democrats are defending down there. We have that race dead even now. So it's going to be an interesting night on election night."

Schieffer also asked Ensign and Schumer asked about specific senators in the news recently - one up for reelection and one who is not.

Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska was convicted of seven charges this past week. Ensign said he thought Stevens should step down.

"I think it would have been better, first of all, for this to have happened last year. The Justice Department had the information. They should have done this last year, so the people of Alaska, if he was convicted, like he was, they could have had a clear choice between a Republican and a Democrat," he said. "Mark Begich couldn't have won that state if it would have been a clear choice between a Republican - a normal Republican running up there. The only way he can win - possibly win, is because Ted Stevens was convicted. I have said that it would be the best thing for Ted Stevens to step down and I said that last week."

Schumer, meanwhile, responded to speculation that Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Independent who endorsed and campaigns with McCain, would leave the Democratic caucus, or be kicked out.

"Leader Reid, who's a good friend of Joe's, has said we're not going to debate that, discuss it until after Tuesday, And I'm sticking with Leader Reid on that one," Schumer said. "So I'm waiting. We're going to wait until Wednesday to even discuss that, publicly or privately. There have been no discussions about it among our Senate leadership or in the caucus."

Ensign's response: "If Joe wants to leave the Democrat Party and join us, we'd welcome him with open arms."

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Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[skeezix06]

Vote your conscience.

[birdyspice7]

Sorry.. McCain/Palin fans..

Most people aren''t discrimination against McCain/Palin because of age or ***.

We''re just prejudiced against dumb people.

They are the least educated ticket in all of U.S. history. Our forefathers would turn over in their grave if this proudly ignorant woman got close to the White House.

Sorry.. the American people don''t want the blind leading the blind. We want leaders that read books and understand the constitution. We want leaders that don''t cost the taxpayers millions of dollars like the Keating incident. We don''t want a leader that spent his youth gambling, drinking and hanging out in wh*rehouses. We don''t want a leader that couldn''t be faithful to his wife if his life depended on it.

Sarah Palin and John McCain are no role models for families. Just look at their families and then compare them to Obama/Biden. McCain/Palin''s families look better suited for the Jerry Springer show.

If they can''t run their own families, then they certainly shouldn''t be making decisions regarding mine.

[freedom_2008]

The last 8 years have been such a nightmare. The world''s largest economy at the brink of collapse? War in Iraq? Absolute nonsense. It''s time for a change.

I wonder if McCain can see the giant tidal wave of Obama''s support that is sweeping the nation.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. McCain.

[olivia4441]

Obama will also turn democracy and capitalism on it%u2019s head, and villainize the affluent and successful in our society, in order to rally the masses behind him.

With evangelical zeal Obama will convince his followers to replace reason with hope and belief %u2026 to blindly follow him %u2026 never challenge him %u2026 and embrace his words as gospel.

In the real, and unforgiving world of economics however, when you immediately gratify everyone by feasting on the goose that lays the golden eggs, the economy looses it%u2019s ability to continue generating growth and wealth.

Obama is promising everyone a piece of the pie, whether they helped bake it, or not %u2026 but, only in a socialistic, or communist state do the non-contributors demand to share equally in the property that belongs to others.

Immediate gratification, and getting something for nothing, is like a drug to the malcontents, but in the big picture, every farmer knows that even if you get hungry, you never eat your seed crop %u2026 unless you want it to be your last meal.

If Obama gets elected, America will turn into a third world country, with massive government welfare programs, unable to generate jobs for it%u2019s citizens, and unable to compete in the global markets. Keep America safe, free and strong %u2026

Elect McCain/Palin on November 4th.

[aussiebat]

Obama should be confident because people have really become energized to cast their vote for change. the description provided on this blog is just one of the stories of people wanting to be heard by their vote:

http://coactivedreams.blogspot.com/2008/10/voting-for-bama.html

[joe68sg1]

Article from Yahoo! Just another example of republiCON distain for our country.

Bush team rushes environment policy changes

Whether it''s getting wolves off the Endangered Species List, allowing power plants to operate near national parks, loosening regulations for factory farm waste or making it easier for mountaintop coal-mining operations, these proposed changes have found little favor with environmental groups.

Even some free-market organizations have joined conservation groups to urge a moratorium on last-minute rules proposed by the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

John Kostyack of the National Wildlife Federation, which joined Lehrer''s group to call for a ban on these last-minute rules, said citizens are cut out of the process, allowing changes in U.S. law that the public opposes, such as rolling back protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Industry is likely to benefit if Bush''s rules on the environment become effective, Madia said.

"Whether it''s the electricity industry or the mining industry or the agriculture industry, this is going to remove government restrictions on their activity and in turn they''re going to be allowed to pollute more and that ends up harming the public," Madia said in a telephone interview.

What is unusual is the speedy trip some of these environmental measures are taking through the process.

[Confidential416]

I am tired of republicans same ole'' politics... I''m tired of their fear tactics and mudslinging....They destroyed this country financially and our global creditbility.. now mccain wants to privatize social security, and tax your health benefits... keep the rich getting richer while telling the american people it will trickle down....
I am an independent voter PA - voting Obama.
A vote for mccain is a vote for the same
A vote for Obama is a vote for change
Vote obama

[olivia4441]

Help spread the word! "Flush Obama!" The 2008 presidential election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 4. Americans who love freedom and still believe in The American Dream must vote for John McCain. The alternative? Well, it%u2019s equivalent to flushing more than two centuries of greatness down the toilet.

[aladdin49]

Endrepubs - I don''t believe you became a citizen of France. I''ve been married to a Frenchman for 30 years and it took me 2 years to become a citizen, going back to my husband''s great grandfather to prove that he was indeed French, and lots of administrative stuff. This said, being a citizen of France isn''t the worst thing in the world - good universal health care - we choose our doctors, can go to as many as we want, no unacceptable waits, etc. , good retirement, relative job security, and at least 5 weeks annual vacation.

[ffoulkes-2009]

Thanks to the Rove doctrine, Lindsay Graham has completely lost touch with reality. There is little or nothing about Obama that is even remotely liberal???

Posted by skeezix06 at 05:31 AM : Nov 03, 2008

________________________________________________________

Obama is on record as the most liberal Senator in the Nation. He''ll twist us so far to the left we''ll be seeing chiropractors for decades.

[skeezix06]

Thanks to the Rove doctrine, Lindsay Graham has completely lost touch with reality. There is little or nothing about Obama that is even remotely liberal. I don''t like Axelrod either.

I could have voted for the McCain who ran against Bush. I can''t vote for this one. It''s time the republicans realized that the rightwing neo-cons who came with Reagan and have now taken over the party are now destroying it.

I''ll be voting independent this time around.

[birdyspice7]

WE''RE NOT BEING SEXIST AGAINST SARAH PALIN,

WE''RE JUST PREJUDICED AGAINST STUPID PEOPLE.

[ffoulkes-2009]

I left America to become a citizen of France.

Posted by endrepubs at 02:40 PM : Nov 02, 2008

______________________________________________________

If you truly gave up your American Citizenship to live in France, then you are not welcome to participate in this election cycle.

[neederbaur]

THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LOVE THIS COUNTRY.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z
HAFmFsb9XMI WANT TO SEE U.S. MARSHAL''S RAID ALL ACORN OFFICES.FRAUD IS FRAUD.From Dreams of My Father: "I ceased to advertise my mother''s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."

From Dreams of My Father: "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother''s race."

From Dreams of My Father: "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white."

From Dreams of My Father"It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names."

From Dreams of My Father: "I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn''t speak to my own. It was into my father''s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I''d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela."

From Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

[noloyalisti]

Has McSame and McQuaylin endorsed Obama yet. It sure would save a lot of time and trouble. And money that we don''t have. I thought they were for country first. Oh, I get it for then and their supporters the government is made of up of multi-national fascist corporations that have more rights than people. Sieg heil to the GOP.

[angels4light]

Perhaps we need a new political party, one founded on the principles of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism, one that believes in the rule of law, the application of the constitution to the laws and constitutions of all states and the United States of America. One that is already centrist, which works with both the R and D, builds coalitions to solve issues of concern to ALL of America, not just one state or constituency. Lets call it the Constitutional Centrist Party, Centrists for short.

[angels4light]

neederbaur needs to read the books he claims to cite, or read the debunking of the myths he HAS been reading at truthorfiction.com, snopes.com, or even probably somewhere on this website - just search for "dreams of my father" and you will probably find it. iamdemocrat, why do you claim Senator Obama is masked in any way? Where do you get your "secret" information - emails or worldnetdaily?

[angels4light]

"In the states that matter". Really - so out of our nation of 50 states and commonwealths and our protectorates, there are only some that matter, the rest are irrelevant? Which states don''t matter, Senator Graham?

[ecs1749-2009]

''More educated whotes are voting for Obma than McCain. I guess the key word is "educated".''

Educated?

Obama said today in San Francisco, "I will bankrupt the coal industry" "You can build clean coal plants, but I will bankrupt them". Video was shown on Hannity. It is also on Drudgereport.

He can handle the economy better? He will bankrupt the US economy. That''''s what he will bring to the table

[iamdemocrat]

I believe many Americans are uneasy because Obama has masked himself (with the media''s aid). He''s masked his past, his friendships and alliances, his philosophy, and even his family details. But every now and then the mask slips and reveals a cultural radical; a constitutional radical; a socialist radical; a foreign affairs radical. And though the mask is quickly fixed back on, and the slip duly papered over by the MSM, I think doubts linger with middle America.
There is much to dislike about John McCain. But he is transparent, and Americans can know and weigh his flaws. I think Americans sense that they haven''t been let in on Obama''s true identity; they''re buying a pig in a poke. And the MSM''s increasingly absurd lengths to prop him up and tear down anyone opposed to him are backfiring. The MSM isn''t just running defence, they''re seen to be running defence -- the Los Angeles Times'' partisan decision not to release a videotape of Obama meeting with a Palestinian radical being the perfect example. Americans don''t know many details about Obama -- but they know they don''t know, and they know they don''t know because the media won''t investigate Obama. A steady stream of disconcerting reports of voter registration fraud, combined with an extremely heavy-handed approach to dealing with mild critics (like the illegal release of Joe the Plumber''s private tax and divorce data) only adds to the feeling of unease.
I bet McCain will win.
-Ezra Levant