Hilarious, right? That's what Matt Drudge is pushing on his website now. His claiming that IBD/TIPP poll was the most accurate in 2004 and they have the race between McCain and Obama essentially tied.

Naturally, this piqued my interest and I decided to check the poll out, and guess what? McCain leads Obama 74% - 22% among young voters (18 - 24 y.o.). Aww, come on, even FOX News said it's 76 - 24 to Obama (and confirmed by MSNBC and CNN). This is the only proof I need to dismiss this poll.

Also interesting to note that Drudge was pushing the McCain volunteer story yesterday, even before the facts were known. Now, it has been proven that she filed a false report.

Keep trying Matt....

Unfortunately, this election cycle has brought a lot of topics to the for...sexism, the ever-present racism, and xenophobia. There is one more that I don't know what the word is - prejudice based on religion. In my opinion, that was the underlying message of Powell's endorsement of Obama.

This started around September 11, 2001, when Al - Qaida attacked us. God bless all americans who died that day, the brave ones who died trying to help/rescue people on that day, and our troops. Like Obama will say, rather than tap into that extraordinary spirit borne on that day, president Bush's found a way to squander the goodwill.

He and his fellow neo-cons found a way to indict all muslims, thereby fanning the embers of hate. This has gone out of hand now that hate and humilation are openly directed at muslims or suspected muslims. Do we not have muslim teachers, friends, doctors, nurses, engineers, policemen and soldiers? Yes, I said soldiers (and a lot of them fought in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries). Why must we ignore the things that these extraordinary citizens do in our society. Why do we have to sit back and let republicans foster hate in our society? I was appalled when that dumb woman at McCain rally called Obama and arab. I was not apalled because she made the allegation, I was appalled at McCain's response. "He's not arab, he's a decent human being". Are you saying arabs are not decent human beings? I hope not. With all McCain has sacrificed for this country, I hope not.

All of a sudden, the republicans have brainwashed us and told us that muslims are bad people...says who? Rush "the pill-popper" Limbaugh? or Sean "the high school dropout" Hannity? I wonder how these maniacs are able to brainwash millions of people!!! In Houston recently, a school arranged some plays to showcase different religions, and some right-wing nut actually complained about the Islamic showcase...are you kidding me? There were budhists, hindus, christians among others, but she old raised objections about the Islamic showcase! Sad! And the school district actually held a hearing on whether to dismiss the art teacher involved. That's total crap.

I hope that Obama will use his presidency to heal a lot of wounds (I know that he will be incredibly busy cleaning up Bush's mess). He should imagine what his life would have been like were his father and mother stayed together and he had followed his father's religion...so, he would have been "disqualified" from running for president.

I find it very amusing whenever I read any article professing Matt Drudge to be the most influential journalist now. That's a load of crap. I know that Drudge likes to boast that his site gets 80 million hits a month or so. That's another load of bull....Dridge's site self refreshes every 30 seconds or so, so it shouldn't be that hard to get the "80 million" hits. I checked out his site recently and, no kidding, it must have self refreshed like 10-15 times (honestly, I find that annoying).

Secondly, I find it hilarious when people say Drudge influenced the 2004 elections and that he turned out to be the "king maker". That's another load of BS...Kerry lost because his campaign wasn't coordinated and effective and he had a problem getting his message across. Now, people are claiming he favors Obama...are you guys snoozing? Drudge, support Obama? BS!!! He is a libertarian and closer to the republicans on key issues. And, clearly (conciously or sub-conciously), 80-90% of his lead stories are pro-McCain. McCain is going to lose because of the reasons I enumerated above (about Kerry). Hence, I think it's clear that he wasn't the real reason behind Bush's victory in 04.

Strangely enough, it was only on Drudge's polls that Obama/Biden lost all their debates (funny, right?). And, take a peep a drudgereport anytime, his main stories are anti-democratic party/pro-McCain. His lead stories? All critical of Obama. So, I wasn't the least bit surprised when all his lead links on Sunday (10/19) were all critical of Powell's endorsement of Obama (trying to link the endorsement to race). At other times, I've seen him play stories about any utterances by democrats (especially african-american politicians) and try to link these to Obama despite the fact that they do not have any official role in the Obama campaign.

I am glad this election is playing out this way so that we can finally lay to rest the notion that Matt Drudge is this "all powerful" guy.

It came as a pleasant surprise to me today to find that Obama has crossed the 50% mark for the first time...hopefully his numbers will keep on improving. PS: Isn't it funny that MN has Obama up by 8-10%. Didn't he pull out of Michigan to contest in MN and PA?

According to CNN, Alaska Governor Palin will be preparing for Thursday's dabate at the McCain's mansion in Sedona, AZ, because it is an "invigorating and enjoyable place to prepare.". She will be joined there by her family...It's good to be a multi-millionaire.

I think the Obama camp has made two big mistakes going into tonight's debate with John McCain. The first mistake is not requesting video evidences...McCain has been known to dispute facts, even if it just happened five minutes ago. Remember Gen Patreaus? Remeber his economy quote? (google the real mccain to see other examples). I have a feeling he will deny and dispute a lot of things tonight including blowing up the bailout plans. Secondly, I think Obama's camp hasn't done a good job of tamping down expectations...I can't believe that 60% of the public expect Obama to do well tonight despite his being a poor debater.

I have always complained about Obama campaign advert team...there are a host of things that can be used to hit McCain real hard...from Palin initially backing Obama to Romney and Rove calling McCain out, the list just keeps growing.

I'd like everyone to reply to this post and tell me what you'd like to see in Obama commercials.

The Obama campaign is beginning to annoy me...these guys seem to be clueless on how to run an effective campaign. No wonder they are beginning to lag!!!

First, they can't come up with an effective ad...McCain has been hitting Obama pretty hard (even if the charges are false)...but the ads are effective. Even if they are oulled within 24 hours they would have sowed doubts in the minds of voters. Obama needs to wake up - with Schmidt running McCain's campaign, you CANNOT  run on issues alone...you have to hit McCain on character and he has made it easy for anyone willing to do that - from the Keating five to palin's "thanks but no thanks". It is infuriating because I've not supported Obama over the last 2 years to see him limp to a loss.
He cut off funding for third parties that would have been effective running these kinds of ads. No that it's too late, he's "re-considering".

What happened to the idea of pushing issues? McCain/Palin are running on lies. these are reckless individuals running on a platform of the 1800s and not todays platforms. The Obama guys can't even point out these lies and outdated thinking on the republican side. My colleagues at work don't even know that both Mccain and palin are pro-life, they believe palin's bridge to nowhere story and don't even know about the debt burden she left wasilla. They don't even know that she makes Alaska pay her for living in her own house or about her apetite for earmarks. And there are 50 more things/policies wrong with Mccain too.

I think Obama should fire his entire PR team. Forget the "McSame" adverts - we know that he voted with Bush 90% of the time...but if they believe that they (Mccain/Palin) have better character than Obama, people will still vote for McCain.

Isincerely hope he does not lose in November and I sure do hope that when the Monday morning quarterbacking starts on November 5, he won't regret his so-called "new-politics".

The second day of the DNC convention turned out to be more interesting than the first...there were some good speeches. Here are my highlights...let me know yours...

I just saw the Kucinich speech...he was really electrifying (honestly, I've never seen him like this before)...and he could have brought down the building had the Obama team not strike out one of his sentences - "and now they are asking for 4 more years...in a just world they will get 10 to 20"...I think that's a good line...I don't know why it was struck!!! In my opinion, this should have been the keynote...Warner's speech was drab and ineffective.

Bob Casey also gave a very good speech...4 more months rather than 4 more years! And HRC really hit a homerun with her speech.

Personally, I think the "supposed" rift between her supporters and Obama's is overstated. Some people voted for Obama because they are anti-Hillary, just like some people voted for Hillary because they are anti-Obama. Hillary supporters who are anti-Obama will NEVER back Obama and I think the media (especially, fox news) and the McCain camp are exploiting this and making a big deal of it.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's speeches...hope they live up to expectations!!!

What do u guys think?

It seems like cheating runs real deep in the McCain family...Cindy's father did the same to his first wife.

Yesterday I was checking out the democratic convention program and speakers and I noticed something...the only major Obama supporter who does not have a primetime slot (yet) is...JOHN KERRY!!! I asked myself "is that a hint". I definitely think so!
Stories are popping up with this rumor, what do you guys think? I think it will be a great choice.

I have read the storylines in the past two weeks with such absurdity...McCain ads, the statements by both republican and democratic lawmakers, the olympics, and, even, Bush on a farewell tour of China (the Chinese invited him to thank him for all the manufacturing jobs he has sent their way since 2000). Next farewell tour will be to India...eh, eh.

Anyway, the past 2 weeks have offered a contrast in the determination of both republicans and democrats to win back the white house. While McCain launched a negative but sustained attack of Obama - even sending out republican talking heads to fan the embers, the democrats have been lackluster at best.
If Obama is to win in Nov., democrats have to realise that he CANNOT do it alone. I am extremely dissappointed in Biden, Richardson, Webb, Pelosi and almost all democrats. They have to come out from wherever it is that they are hiding and launch an offensive on McCain. Obama has his hands "tied" because he's practicing "a new brand of politics", so he needs these other "weakling democrats" to come out on his behalf. Like it or not, attack ads and mudslinging works and can net you a 4-5 percentage point...ask McCain. The last two weeks has been like one man against an entire army of McCain and surrogates...Even, Dean and the top VP prospects - Kaine and Bayh haven't even muttered a line directed at McCain...it's like the democrats, deep down in their hearts, actually want Obama to fail!
To make it worse, not only are they not helping Obama, some like Kerrey (Nebraska) and Feingold (Wisconsin) appear to be saying good things about McCain. They should know by now that any good word uttered about McCain will show up in a "democrats for McCain" ad.

I'll be honest with you, forget Kerry's ill-fated run in 2004 - if I were in Obama's position, I will tab John Kerry as my running mate...he's the only one out there now for Obama. While he is not my first choice, I can't deny the fact that he has been magnificient for Obama...probably the only real surrogate Obama has. I hope Obama doesn't choose all those weak-spined lawmakers who have largely kept silent...not Biden, not Bayh, not Sebelius...if you want to be a VP pick, be an attack dog!!! I hope his campaign thinks this through and not pick a John Edwards-like running mate who will be afraid of throwing mud at McCain.
Bottom line: Democrats need to help Obama push back!!!

I am an engineer, but I think I have more political IQ than these supposed "potential VP picks".

The republicans have voted down the bill to fund our troops...this is really insane...The reason for voting against it? That the congress has to hand over the OCS to oil companies for drilling.

According to the republicans, until this is done, they will continue to filibuster all bills in front of them.

It's good to see that there are still some people who think straight...Obama is selling us out and it annoys me that a lot of people don't see that (especially, the short-sighted hypocrites who populate this site). Obama can do no wrong...disagree with him and you'd be called derogatory names on this site...even MSNBC is crossing the line now. It is not being fair...they cannot even criticize Obama...not even for something like FISA. Where is the vetting? Where is the journalistic ethic? If Fox embarks on a blind defense of Bush (like they've done for the past 8 years), everyone on this site will be screaming and kicking.

We all know that Obama doesn't even believe in FISA, he's doing it to position himself against attacks from GOP this fall...that tells you the kind of "ball-less" president he'll make.

That's the slogan of the Obama campaign but several recent events have left me and a lot of others to ponder if there's change on the horizon.

I am an Obama supporter and will vote for him come November, but Obama has shown that he is the classic politician...opportunistic and two-faced.

Obama could have led the way on the so called "social dialogue" but he only seems to bring that up when his blackness is called out...which makes Nader's point all the more interesting. Obama has run his presidential race by acting in ways that can help him-even if that means shifting positions...that's why I am not surprised when I read blogs stating that we don't know the real Obama.

Since securing the nomination, Obama has flip-flopped on quite a number of issues. Before I get a deluge of mails, McCain has also flip-flopped. But McCain's is not surprising...in Obama's words, he is the typical establishment candidate. Imagine him (Obama) saying the NAFTA rhetoric was overblown and acting like he lost his balls now. It's sad for a lot of people who voted for him based on his "overblown" rhetoric on NAFTA, immigration, economy and, even, lapel pin (lol). Personally, it doesn't bother me cos I am centrist and prefer his "new" stance on immigration  and crime.

Obama can also learn to be more diplomatic. Today, he threw Johansson (I don't know who the hell she is) under the bus and told women that "they'll get over it". He could have used better words. And then, there is "scarf-gate"...lol. Obama has let the GOP dictate far too much. The GOP has succeeded in demonizing muslims as terrorist which, agree or not, fosters xenophobic behaviors towards muslims especially arabs. Now it is a "sin" to be muslim or, even, to let a muslim parent talk about "life in islam" in school. Obama could have led on this...change...embrace all.

I know Obama can't please everyone, but who's asking him to? All I'm saying is stop flip-flopping, be diplomatic and don't treat muslims like lepers.
I am not a muslim and I support the separation of church and state, that's why I'm shocked that he keeps pandering to jews and evangelists. Forget them..."joshua gen" my behind!...AIPAC, my behind! He's a professor of constitutional law, he should know better...you are trying to get "beyond racial barriers" and you are encouraging some other form of discrimination...what a load of crap!

Now, I'm waiting for the usual flood of angry and abusive mails from Obama supporters...