Could Obama landslide be in the making?

Just saw this Politico piece about how Dem strategists see an Obama
landslide in the making.  With the economic turmoil and voters demand
for change, McCain is taking a licking.  Could it be?  The article says:

Four large states McCain once seemed well-positioned to win—Virginia,
North Carolina, Ohio and Florida—have in recent weeks shifted toward
Obama. If Obama were to win those four states—a scenario that would
represent a remarkable turn of events—he would likely surpass 350
electoral votes.

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Women in Obama’s Senate office get paid less than men

Is this true?

What does this say about Barack Obama’s “talk” and his “walk?”

“Barack Obama claims he’s for equal pay for women, but women working in his Senate office earn an average of $9,000 less than men, while women in John McCain’s Senate office earn an average of nearly $2,000 more than men. American women understand that real leadership is about what you do, not just what you say.” — McCain-Palin spokeswoman Crystal Benton

john mccain, barack obama, equal pay, us senate,

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Is response to John McCain in Macomb County (MI) from Reagan Democrats as sign of coming defeat?

(Please note: I cross-posted this at my blog–Daily Grit)

According to this Detroit Free Press story, John McCain does not represent the kind of change that voters are looking for in Macomb County (MI) where Reagan Democrats used to rule.

The economy is driving voters on both sides of the infamous Eight Mile Road in the Detroit area.

The independent-minded blue-collar Democrats are not seeing change from McCain that will help them in their day-to-day lives, according to the story. Obama to them is a change, a roll of the dice, but still a significant change from George W. Bush and the Republicans.

The question: Can Republicans turn around this perception between now and Nov. 4? How can they do this? Will attacks do it or are voters turned off by the mud-slinging?

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John McCain link: Rolling Stone story saying he is a make-believe maverick

This story from Rolling Stone says that John McCain is a make-believe maverick.  In 10 online pages, examples are provided showing that he puts himself ahead of others.  I haven’t read it read, but I want to.

If you’ve read it, what’s your impression?  Fair or biased?

I will try to record my reading notes after I’ve read it in the next few days.

Michigan ballot questions about marijuana and stem cells analyzed

Looking for info about Michigan’s two controversial ballot questions, one about legalizing medical marijuana and the other allows embryonic stem cell research?  The Citizens Research Council provides their non-partisan analysis and information for voters.

Is Obama acting more presidential than McCain in financial markets crisis?

In this post from his Next Right blog, Patrick Ruffini, a GOP web maven, says Obama acted more presidential than McCain in responding to Wall Street crisis.  McCain, he says, acted more like a senator jumping into a legislative battle.  Interesting point.

mccain, obama, wall street bailout,

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What’s experience of other states with medical marijuana?

I just got up and will shortly put an eyedrop in both eyes for chronic open-angle glaucoma.

That’s why I’m interested in Michigan’s ballot question on Nov. 4 where voters are asked to approve the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes.  A Detroit Free Press poll shows overwhelming voter support with 66 percent for it and 25 opposed and 9 percent undecided.

How much can I expect the pressure in my eyes to drop if I used legal marijuana?  I sure somebody is tracking this someplace.

The second ballot question in Michigan would allow Michigan to expand use of human embryos for research.  Late September polls also show support for this.

medical marijuana, stem cell research, michigan, ballot questions,

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Does columnist Peggy Noonan capture the way you feel about this election?

Columnist Peggy Noonan makes you think without leaving you feel like you’ve just been kicked in the groin.  In her column this week she writes about the microcosm of people found at the average airport gate and she likens that to what’s happening today.

Do the candidates understand what’s happening with ordinary folks?

Has Obama or McCain ever had to take their shoes off at a security checkpoint?  Here’s an excerpt:

Gate 14 doesn’t think any of the candidates is going to make their lives better. But Gate 14 will vote anyway, because they know they are the grown-ups of America and must play the role and do the job.

But here’s something they notice, we notice. Our leaders are now removed from all this, removed from life as we live it each day.

There is as I write broad resentment toward President Bush, and here is one reason: a fine and bitter sense that he has never had to stand in his stockinged feet at the airport holding the bin, being harassed. He has never had to live in the world he helped make, the one where Grandma’s hip replacement is setting off the beeper over here and the child is crying over there. And of course as a former president, with the entourage and the private jets, he never will.

Does McCain have a history of being cozy with Indian game interests?

What’s the story about John McCain and his staffers being cozy with the powers to be who run Indian casinos?

Check out this New York Times story this morning where McCain is pictured as the go-to person in Congress for Indian tribes who wanted a casino or who had an issue with running one.

Response from the McCain camp seems pretty thin.

Are his connections to the casinos real?  Do they matter? 

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john mccain, indian casinos, republicans

Hillary Clinton in a visit just down the road comes out of the closet as a socialist

During a visit to a small town just southwest of here, Hillary Clinton trash-talked those who believe in a free market economy.  She made the economic philosophy sound like a dirty word, amost to the point of putting free market advocates on a special offenders list.

Campaigning for Barack Obama in Grand Ledge, the Detroit Free Press writes she said:

The state has much at stake in efforts to prevent more bank failures, credit straits and job losss in the financial market tumbles, and,

She blamed Republicans and free-market ideologues for the crisis gripping the nation.

Sen. Clinton believes that government’s better-equipped to get the job done.

For those who voted for George W. Bush, she said he had “the worst presidency in the history of the United States.”

Wow.  Tough talk.  Wasn’t it during her husband’s administration that housing policies were reshuffled to require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make more loans to low income and under-employed folks?

hillary clinton, grand ledge mi, george w. bush, michigan, barack obama, john mccain, free market economy,

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