Even if Obama was Talking About Palin when referring to a Pig With Lipstick... | 54 comments (54 topical, 0 hidden)
The thing is (none / 0)
I don't see how her numbers stay this high. The only reason so many people think she's qualified and personable is because they know damn near nothing about her other than the McCain campaign's spinned, polished version.

Wait till people find out about her corruption, earmarks, pregnant out of wedlock teen daughter, insane religious views, pissing on the environment for oil, etc.

The list is very long. Some people are are of some of these things, but most are not even close to being aware of all of them. Hell, WE aren't even aware of the scope of all of her issues.

Also, many people say the MSM wants to keep this race close. IF that's true, they should be helping Obama now that McCain has tied/passed him in the polls.

And once for all can we get a 100% yes or no answer on if pollsters call cell phones?

by Tom Hanc on 09/10/2008 04:24:54 PM EST

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i just got polled today (none / 0)
on a cellphone... from the Dems, though, so it doesn't count as like a zogby or something.  The pollsters have learned to work around the cell phone issue.  What they haven't figure out yet is how to really measure turnout in a year like this with so many more registered voters who intend to vote. 

by schmoab on 09/10/2008 04:28:54 PM EST

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But (none / 0)
Do pollsters generally have access to cell phone lists? I tend to doubt it.

I mean, there are exceptions but still. That's my guess anyway, that it's much easier to get landline numbers.

by Tom Hanc on 09/10/2008 04:41:38 PM EST

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palin (none / 0)

re:  cellphones.  I am quite certain that pollsters weight the numbers or somehow account for people who only have cell phones.  I can't provide links, but I have seen it discussed.

I think certain Americans like Palin because she's a mom-Gump with strong religious convictions who "walks the walk."  Many Americans are serious church-going Christians.  They see the Democrats as secularist and unfriendly to Christian values.  McCain is not religious, so Palin suddenly grabbed all those people waiting for the "real" Christian to show up.  

I really don't think harping on all the facts of her past gets us any new converts at this point.  I don't think most Americans care, apart from us wonky types.  It's all about overall impressions rather than facts for most voters.  This has been proven again and again.  I think we need to refocus on McCain and why his policies promise to continue those of the past 8 years.  But that's just my two cents.

Yesterday I was on a hunting and fishing website and noticed dozens of glowing comments about Palin, simply because she is pro-hunting.  People tend to gravitate to those politicians that share their values, and are willing to ignore a lot of "facts."  In this, bobo is quite right, unfortunately.  Your average American can't really "get" how a highly educated black man will relate to their problems.  They aren't going to try either.  

it sucks.  We will win anyway.  

by desertpear on 09/10/2008 04:37:35 PM EST

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While it's true that "many" (none / 0)
Americans are regular church goers, it's also a fact that the majority of of Americans do NOT go to church on a regular basis.

The majority of Christians are CINO's who generically believe in God, etc., but do very little in practical terms to behave any differently from us secularists.

Which is why I believe the numbers will change as more info comes out on Palin.

by Tom Hanc on 09/10/2008 04:43:46 PM EST

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article (none / 0)

Be sure to check out the New Yorker article I link in Tim's blog.  It highlights opportunities we have in terms of the religious folks in America, particularly Catholics.

Even many non-church-going Christians are one-issue voters for whom abortion is a deal-breaker. 

You don't think enough facts have come out about Palin to convince people?  I would argue that people who care about such things have already noticed she isn't what she was sold to be.  People like my 80-year-old Catholic mom.  Whereas my Catholic aunt and uncle will not vote for the Democratic party regardless, because of the pro-choice stance.  Palin's corruption appears relatively benign after all the other crap that we have observed politicians engaged in these days. 

Obama is a more engaged and active Christian than McCain has ever been.  McCain has been opportunist in his attempt to get the Christian vote, but it is not necessarily his to have. 

by desertpear on 09/10/2008 05:19:52 PM EST

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Pear (none / 0)
Let me rephrase my point. It's not that there aren't enough damaging facts on Palin and McCain available, it's that most low-info voters are simply not aware of them!

It's astounding and pathetic, but I'm coming to personally know about more and more people who know NOTHING about this presidential race other than the names of the candidates. That's not an exaggeration either.

They are JUST NOW starting to pay attention. We need to force feed them with easily digestible (and memorable) fact nuggets from now through November 4th.

This is a good start, send it to everyone you know if you haven't already.

by Tom Hanc on 09/10/2008 06:10:40 PM EST

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well (none / 0)

I hope you are right ;)  I'm just not sure that making Palin the target is all that helpful when we are fighting McCain at the top of the ticket.

I still believe Obama will win the election, despite voter ignorance.

by desertpear on 09/10/2008 06:41:39 PM EST

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I know I am off in the wilderness on this (none / 0)

But I think Obama should make it all about Palin.

Just like happened to him, the media will get bored with the pre-packaged, rags to riches political celebrity story and wander around back to look through the trash cans.  And Sarah has a nuclear waste dump around back.

Particularly since the McCain campaign is not giving the media anything.

You all realize the woman has given exactly ONE speech (the exact same one from the convention) in her national political career, she just repeats it over and over, like some lame pop act touring the country playing their singles exactly like they sound on the record.

She is only willing to do one interview and only on the condition that the interviewer is "deferential" to her (Rick Davis' word!).

The media has to make 24 hours of news.  Palin is the only thing anyone gives a shit about.  They will eventually wander off GOP script and then...

I may be wrong, no one seems to agree but time will tell.

by ProfRich on 09/11/2008 12:15:55 AM EST

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Obama needs to go on the offense (none / 0)

I think the point about Sarah needs to be the large point--that she is not qualified to be president should anything happen to McCain, and one can't be trained in that sort of thing overnight.  I think we should play on people's fears because it is fearful!!  But I think trying to educate voters on every past skeleton in Sarah's closet might not be necessary or desirable. 

Big picture is all I'm sayin.  For simple harried minds.  Don't misunderestimate them.  ;)

by desertpear on 09/11/2008 12:45:25 AM EST

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That was awesome Rich (none / 0)
Your analogy to Palin being a cheesy pop star with a one-hit wonder is brilliant.

by Tom Hanc on 09/11/2008 10:59:21 AM EST

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Matt Damon outdid me (none / 0)

Palin is a cheesy Disney TV movies.

"What happens when an average hockey mom becomes Leader of the Free World."

Starring Charlotte Rae, Zach Ephron and Miley Cyrus.

It ends when she placates Putin with her homemade oatmeal cookie recipe.

by ProfRich on 09/12/2008 11:26:36 AM EST

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I am going to put a marker down (none / 0)
If their is any appearance of a Palin sexual affair, Obama wins in a cakewalk.

by ProfRich on 09/11/2008 12:11:40 AM EST

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if she had an affair (none / 0)
what do you want to bet she wore a strap-on?

by schmoab on 09/11/2008 12:31:14 AM EST

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well (none / 0)
someone needs to volunteer to go and seduce her then! 

by desertpear on 09/11/2008 12:46:15 AM EST

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I'm on it. (none / 0)

by Spencer on 09/11/2008 01:25:34 AM EST

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I was going to suggest another phrase (none / 0)
rather than "on" it, but I quickly realized it's the same thing.

by Tom Hanc on 09/11/2008 10:58:14 AM EST

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Even if Obama was Talking About Palin when referring to a Pig With Lipstick... | 54 comments (54 topical, 0 hidden)