The McCain campaign is seriously retarded. How hard would it have been to tell Letterman that "given the 'serious economic problems' the country faced, they no longer felt it appropriate to have Sen. McCain appear on a show primarily known for its levity."
If I can craft that while typing this, how seriously overpaid are his handlers? It doesn't even matter if it's true or not (which doesn't seem to be an issue that would hold them back in any case).

Posted at September 25, 2008 7:45 PM in response to TPMtv: Dog Ate My Debate

Someone (ie: not me) needs to check on the earmark requests made by the Democratic Governor prior to Murkowski. They may well be less than those requested by Palin herself....

Posted at September 15, 2008 11:05 PM in response to A Bridge Too Far: McCain Falsely Claimed Palin Vetoed Earmarks

Obama needs a VP pick that appeals to the blue collar, working class - the common thread in the states you list at risk (Hillary wasn't wrong about that - the rust belt IS key). That's why I think Jim Webb is THE pick. He'll play well in those states you note at risk exactly because he appeals to those working class guys that McCain also (inexplicably) appeals to. That's also the big factor in Ohio.

If you can retain all the states Kerry held in 2004, 18 more electoral college votes is all that's needed. Ohio or Missouri/Iowa or a Nevada/NM/Colo. combo are likely the best bets. Obama is a much more appealing candidate than Kerry, but McCain is also much more appealing to the blue collar than Bush and his war was in 2004.

I think Obama himself will play better out West than Kerry did, but a VP selection with appeal to the white working class should seal the deal out there. Webb also puts Virginia in play, although that might be a long shot.

I think Dick Gephardt is also a good pick for VP. He would likely swing Missouri and combined with Obama should also close Iowa. His long pro-union, anti-NAFTA stance should play well throughout the "rust-belt". He also adds formidable experience to the ticket and would be a definite asset in guiding Obama's agenda through a highly favourable congress.

My $.02

Posted at May 10, 2008 12:42 AM in response to We need to win one more state. Which one'll it be?

Exactly. Just what does it mean when an unpaid advisor resigns? What is the impact? You can't eat lunch with her anymore? It certainly doesn't prevent anyone from continuing to take their advice. It's basically meaningless.

Still, I think Obama made a mistake handling it as they have; it weakened the perception of them. Maybe you're right that it serves them in the longrun by removing a battlefront, but I think they would have been better served by aggressively defusing it instead.

Posted at March 7, 2008 11:13 PM in response to Power Resigns Over Hillary-Is-Monster Comment