Republican John McCain has failed to convince the majority of Americans that Barack Obama is a tax-and-spend liberal who lacks the intestinal fortitude to face our country's enemies. In a show of desperation, the Arizona Republican and his running-mate Sarah Palin are now trying to link Obama with former Weathermen leader William Ayers, even though the New York Times and other news organizations have pointed out that the two men knew each other casually. That's why tonight's debate in Nashville is critical.McCain, who is favored by many investors, is facing some pretty daunting odds. According to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 49 percent of voters said they would vote for Obama compared with 43 percent for the Arizona senator. That's up from a two-point advantage two weeks ago and mirrors other polls, according to the Journal. To be fair, the survey does have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. Obama has wiped away McCain's lead with independent voters.
Investors should not underestimate the anger in the hearts of voters. The credit crisis has wiped out tens of billions of dollars in value to the retirement nest eggs of the American people. Most people don't understand why the government needed to extend a $700 billion lifeline to the financial services industry. They become even angrier when three former chief executives of American International Group Inc. (NYSE: AIG) blame one another like a bunch of two-year-olds for the firm's collapse. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping below 9,500 scares them even further.
It is against this backdrop we are holding this election. Obama has been able to convince voters, including this one, that he can deliver tax relief for the middle class. But Democrats should not rejoice quite yet. McCain excels at these town hall meetings. Moreover, some of Obama's support in polls comes from people who are too embarrassed to admit that they don't want to vote for an African-American candidate.
Americans crave leadership during these times of economic crisis. Since Wall Street has failed to provide, it's unfortunately up to our elected officials.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-08-2008 @ 7:36PM
Nick said...
@camille
Considering we are now experiencing the results of 8 years of conservative leadership in the executive branch, that's going to be a tough argument to sell.
Speculating that a pro-regulatory administration will bankrupt this country while a more conservative leadership is proving that it has been driving us in that direction by leaps and bounds is certainly not a platform I'd want to stand on.
I'm not saying you're right or wrong, just that you have your work cut out for you ;-)
10-07-2008 @ 10:34PM
Collier said...
I am an investor and I am not for McCain-Palin. We do not need another 4 years of Bush's economic policies. We will be in a depression if these policies are continued and that is what we will get with McCain. McCain-Palin: Thanks but no thanks.
10-07-2008 @ 10:56PM
NUTSO said...
As a small business owner http://nutso.ecrater.com/ I am afraid that I can in no way support Osoma Obamma in good conscience. He has no experience and has links that I just do not want to have anything to do with.
10-08-2008 @ 5:56AM
Beltway Greg said...
Actually McCain went broke tonight when he referred to Sen. Obama as "That one." This race is over. McCain is an ill-mannered Admiral's son who wrecked three planes, one marriage, finished 394 out of 399 at the Academy, and didn't see why Dr. King should have a national holiday. McCain could've been president if he had stood up to Rove in 2000 in South Carolina. His choice of Palin for VP is a joke. In 2001 McCain was against the Bush tax cuts and now he wants to continue the fiscal insanity. Sure, we'll buy up all the houses and reprice them at current market value (whatever that is) and reconfigure the mortgages. If your playing along at home this is the suggestion of Pimco's Bill Goss probably assisted in the thought generation department by Sir Alan of Greenspan.
Oh well Sarah and I was so looking forward to meeting you at one of those Georgetown cocktail parties hosted by the media elite. Looks like I'll have to wait until next Spring at the White House Correspondent's Dinner where DC invites the Hollywood star du jour. You'll be this year's Sanjuyay. At least McCain will have time to reconnect with his spiritual advisor, you know, the one who thinks Hitler was good for the jews.
Beltway Greg
10-08-2008 @ 3:43AM
Rondonit said...
Why is it Mc Cain keeps refering to his helping the Afgan Freedom Fighter's? The way it was done was to give Stinger Missiles to Osama Bin Laden, our CIA Operative in that area. Sooner or later the Obama camp will remind their candidate and he'll stuff Mc Cain's foot all the way down his throat.
10-08-2008 @ 11:48AM
MT said...
1). 2 people in our home noticed independently that McCain was trying to sound Palin'esque', especially in the beginning of the debate, down to the accent and pronunciation of words.
2). Worse, McCain's breathing sounded HORRIBLE! I heard that noone has been allowed to totally peruse his medical records and that noone was allowed to make copies of them. Something sounds very wrong.
3). Not one of the 4 up for office are the right leaders for us, but even dinosaurs don't believe in Palin.
10-08-2008 @ 6:17AM
Frances Wilkerson said...
We can not have a President that can't remember names. That was embrassing that he kept referring to Senator Obama as "That One." Senator McCain should be ashamed of himself. He only succeeded in making Senator Obama look good. Senator McCain's Arizona racial perjuice really showed tonight.
10-08-2008 @ 9:09AM
Lee in San Diego said...
I have to agree with Beltway Greg. Many things will come back to haunt McCain like choosing Palin (wink, wink) and veering from his 2000 self. But one of the worst he may regret is using those two words "that one." That was unpresidential and unprofessional and exemplified how he is compromising his integrity. I am reminded of Sen. George Allen who lost his re-election bid and Presidential hopes on one word: "macaca." Though I often disagreed with him, I used to respect McCain, but sadly no more.
And watching the two of them the contrast was stunning: one young, visionary, articulate, on point, looking like a leader; the other seeming like a grumpy old man grasping at straws not comfortable on that or the world stage, suddenly not really ready to lead. Those things were most telling from what was otherwise a rather boring rehash of debate #1.