Obama's Trip Backfires

[Bob]

I know that some think that Obama has already been elected as the chosen Messiah of America, but maybe we should hold off on the victory speeches?

If more people like me who are not going to vote for McCain, are somehow turned on by the VP choice, or concerned by Obama's radiocal positions and when Obama's words and Black Pather-like connections get more play, I would be surprised if he gets in with his deep "Hope and change speeches."

Obama's Trip Backfires; McCain Surges to 4-Point Lead in USA Today/Gallup Poll

Monday, July 28, 2008 9:35 PM

A surprising poll released Monday confirms Sen. Barack Obama's worst nightmare: he actually lost ground to Sen. John McCain after a global trip meant to buck up his sagging credentials in foreign and military policy.


The USA Today/Gallup poll has McCain leading Obama by four points, 49 percent to Obama's 45 percent, among likely voters.


Just last month, the same poll had McCain trailing by six points to the neophyte U.S. senator.


Among registered voters, McCain was just three points behind Obama -- a statistical dead heat.


The USA Today/Gallup poll is consistent with the Rasmussen tracking poll, which also shows Obama ahead by just three percentage points -- again a statistical tie.


The polls suggest that Obama's efforts to act like a president abroad -- even though he has yet to be elected -- may have backfired among American voters.


In Berlin, Obama spoke to 200,000 cheering Germans. The Democratic candidate used the foreign platform to express the view that he was a "fellow citizen of the world" and apologized for America's imperfections.


Later, he decided not to visit wounded American soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in southern Germany. When the Pentagon informed Obama's campaign that the hospital would be closed to the press and campaign staff -- only the senator and his official staff would be allowed in -- Obama decided to cancel the event.


McCain has been quick to seize on Obama's ill-advised decision to cancel the humanitarian visit to the hospital.


A McCain television commercial released on the Internet this past weekend chided Obama for his callous act.


"And now, he made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops,” the ad says. “Seems the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras. John McCain is always there for our troops.”

[Spider]

LOL .... 4 point surge ..... and tomorrow Obama could get a surge ...... Now bob I have told you .Dont trust polls .....Kinda like takin candy from a stranger

[ScottXray]

This would be the same Gallup poll that threw out about 90 pro Obama voters (which would have resulted in Obama being up about 52 to 40%) because they didn't meet the criteria of being Likely voters ( since they hadn't voted in the last elections).

The other Gallup poll which ran at the same time and didn't use the same limitations had Obama up 48 to 41 %.

Strange that Gallup ran two simultaneous polls and came up with completely different results.

Polls are for pols!

[frerottenextelway]

See the story I broke on that poll here (edit: that's not my story - but i gave him the info):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/28/1610/41863


and this story here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/30/111024/383/27/559333


Or if you don't want to click - the short story:

I broke (go me) that the numbers were fudged - which spread around the net - to which USAT/G admitted that the numbers were in fact, fudged.

Edit: Fwiw, CNN's poll came out today putting Obama up 7 points.

[theAPAOps5]

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/mar08/favre2_speaks30608-308.jpg

[ScottXray]

See the story I broke on that poll here (edit: that's not my story - but i gave him the info):

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/28/1610/41863


and this story here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/30/111024/383/27/559333


Or if you don't want to click - the short story:

I broke (go me) that the numbers were fudged - which spread around the net - to which USAT/G admitted that the numbers were in fact, fudged.

Edit: Fwiw, CNN's poll came out today putting Obama up 7 points.

Thanks for posting the links and the more accurate figures. I went from memory. Still more accurate than than original G poll but I hate to be misleading.

[Rigs11]

I know that some think that Obama has already been elected as the chosen Messiah of America, but maybe we should hold off on the victory speeches?

If more people like me who are not going to vote for McCain, are somehow turned on by the VP choice, or concerned by Obama's radiocal positions and when Obama's words and Black Pather-like connections get more play, I would be surprised if he gets in with his deep "Hope and change speeches."

Obama's Trip Backfires; McCain Surges to 4-Point Lead in USA Today/Gallup Poll

Monday, July 28, 2008 9:35 PM

A surprising poll released Monday confirms Sen. Barack Obama's worst nightmare: he actually lost ground to Sen. John McCain after a global trip meant to buck up his sagging credentials in foreign and military policy.


The USA Today/Gallup poll has McCain leading Obama by four points, 49 percent to Obama's 45 percent, among likely voters.


Just last month, the same poll had McCain trailing by six points to the neophyte U.S. senator.


Among registered voters, McCain was just three points behind Obama -- a statistical dead heat.


The USA Today/Gallup poll is consistent with the Rasmussen tracking poll, which also shows Obama ahead by just three percentage points -- again a statistical tie.


The polls suggest that Obama's efforts to act like a president abroad -- even though he has yet to be elected -- may have backfired among American voters.


In Berlin, Obama spoke to 200,000 cheering Germans. The Democratic candidate used the foreign platform to express the view that he was a "fellow citizen of the world" and apologized for America's imperfections.


Later, he decided not to visit wounded American soldiers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in southern Germany. When the Pentagon informed Obama's campaign that the hospital would be closed to the press and campaign staff -- only the senator and his official staff would be allowed in -- Obama decided to cancel the event.


McCain has been quick to seize on Obama's ill-advised decision to cancel the humanitarian visit to the hospital.


A McCain television commercial released on the Internet this past weekend chided Obama for his callous act.


"And now, he made time to go to the gym, but canceled a visit with wounded troops,” the ad says. “Seems the Pentagon wouldn’t allow him to bring cameras. John McCain is always there for our troops.”

I see how you failed to post a link to this article, it's obviously biased especially given the last paragraph. My question to you repubs is why is it that obama gets flak for "acting like he was already president" in his trip, and yet no one say jack shet about Mccane giving a weekly radio address. Isn't that what presidents do? I mean how come the "liberal" media hasn't pounced on this?

[Rank&File]

I see how you failed to post a link to this article, it's obviously biased especially given the last paragraph. My question to you repubs is why is it that obama gets flak for "acting like he was already president" in his trip, and yet no one say jack shet about Mccane giving a weekly radio address. Isn't that what presidents do? I mean how come the "liberal" media hasn't pounced on this?

Has anyone heard any of these? What station would air his addresses, and what would he have to say? It's just surge, surge, surge good, i like surge, surge, blah, blah, blah. Congrats, what's your economic plan again?

[frerottenextelway]

I see how you failed to post a link to this article, it's obviously biased especially given the last paragraph. My question to you repubs is why is it that obama gets flak for "acting like he was already president" in his trip, and yet no one say jack shet about Mccane giving a weekly radio address. Isn't that what presidents do? I mean how come the "liberal" media hasn't pounced on this?

A month or two back, McCain gave a speech titled "2013" - which described what was going to happen in the 4 years of his presidency.

I think maybe McCain was taught how to use the computer this week - and hit the red button:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/448665548_b4537c7c0d_m.jpg

[Drek]

Has anyone heard any of these? What station would air his addresses, and what would he have to say? It's just surge, surge, surge good, i like surge, surge, blah, blah, blah. Congrats, what's your economic plan again?

They're primarily given to his grandchildren as he sits in his rocker, telling them about how he ain't takin' no guff from no uppity whippersnappers.

[Rigs11]

A month or two back, McCain gave a speech titled "2013" - which described what was going to happen in the 4 years of his presidency.

I think maybe McCain was taught how to use the computer this week - and hit the red button:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/198/448665548_b4537c7c0d_m.jpg

quick someone tell the liberal media!

[gunns]

I stand by my prediction. Landslide for Obama.

Poll was probably done by that upper tax bracket that's been floating and now faces paying some real taxes.

[Taco John]

Anyone who has followed Gallup this year knows that they've pretty much discredited their whole operation this season. Their polls swing wildly from day to day. I think that they're losing their grip over there.

[tsiguy96]

its really really sad state of affairs when no matter what a president does, 50% of the population is going to hate him for it. how divided can the two parties become? moron people base their beliefs along party lines instead of the opposite, its pathetic.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Obama's Trip Backfires; McCain Surges to 4-Point Lead in USA Today/Gallup Poll
Not posting a link should be grounds for deleting the thread but it's probably from Newsmax or some tripe like that anyway.

[Pseudofool]

CNN: Obama 51, McCain 44. Obama breaking fifty is pretty big.

[cutthemdown]

The polls if they include everyone will go for Obama. If they factor in likely voters using how often they vote then it will go McCain. If Obama get's a really good turnout from the black voters then he has a really good chance. If black people don't get out and vote he probably loses.

[That One Guy]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)

[Pseudofool]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)
This issue is that polling doesn't work as a good as it once did because of cell phones and esp. because unforeseen enthusiasm for Obama. If you want to turn it into a lazy/Black people meme, you can go ahead and try. But think that people don't see right through your bunk logic.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

So much for Bob's claims to be above partisanship. :laugh:

[baja]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)

Good that's one default vote for Obama, Thanks~

[Drek]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)

Well, all polls are based on already registered voters (this linked poll takes it a step further and runs candidates through a ringer of questions, any one of which the pollsters can use to remove someone from the sample, though they only removed Obama voters).

Also, the DNC got a big push in registrations thanks to a true 50 state primary. During primaries campaigns can be much more aggressive with registration drives and both Obama's and Clinton's campaigns were as aggressive as any single campaign has been in the last 20 years or more.

The big question is if Obama gets 90% plus of the primary voters. If so McCain will start every state fighting an uphill battle because RNC registrations weren't driven nearly as hard due to a short primary that didn't even go to every state.

A lot of the later states were out west and a few "battleground" states as well, so polling in those states is pretty sketchy since the phone banks for these polls either just underwent a huge overhaul, or worse, are in significant need of one.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)Yeah, that registering crap is just too much for some people and a very good reason not to take part in elections in U.S..

[Pseudofool]

Of course when you register, at least in my state, it doesn't ask which party you'd like to belong. You register with your state not your party.

[Rank&File]

That's the issue... does the black community go out and vote. They have to register and vote and many of them wont be interested in the work. Registering is part of the reason I don't vote, I don't know who I'm supposed to register with (I don't know who I'm a resident with)

Are you in the military or something? If so, what is your "home of record?" That would tell you where you would get your absentee ballot from. It's not that difficult, but then again, you said that's "part of the reason" you don't vote. Your business though...

[ElwayMD]

Don't take too much from any polls. These polls can't factor in if these "voters" are actually going to vote when the time comes to do so. They also are random, you could go out and get 75 democrats and 25 republicans one day and then the next week you'll get 20 democrats 50 repubs and 30 indys. Not to mention the fact that people don't always tell the truth in polls so people who say they are voting for McCain or Obama may actually vote for the opposite or a 3rd party candidate.

[Traveler]

The polls if they include everyone will go for Obama. If they factor in likely voters using how often they vote then it will go McCain. If Obama get's a really good turnout from the black voters then he has a really good chance. If black people don't get out and vote he probably loses.

No worry here. You'll record numbers with black voters.

[cutthemdown]

No worry here. You'll record numbers with black voters.

you could be right.

[Bob]

its really really sad state of affairs when no matter what a president does, 50% of the population is going to hate him for it. how divided can the two parties become? moron people base their beliefs along party lines instead of the opposite, its pathetic.

Yup, and they bicker and blame while Rome burns. I hate Obama's policies, I hate McCain's take on most things, but I hate it more when people will back the guy in their club no matter what.

Every once in a while I will post something to ballance the Bush is Satan, Obama is God stuff that gets over-posted here.

[Bob]

No worry here. You'll record numbers with black voters.

You are right. Last time Kerry got 88%, I cant remember the numbers Obama is pulling with blacks, but it was higher...

[frerottenextelway]

You are right. Last time Kerry got 88%, I cant remember the numbers Obama is pulling with blacks, but it was higher...

95%, plus there will at least be somewhat higher turnout for blacks (Kerry isn't exactly the compelling figure Obama is).

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Yup, and they bicker and blame while Rome burns. I hate Obama's policies, I hate McCain's take on most things, but I hate it more when people will back the guy in their club no matter what.

Every once in a while I will post something to ballance the Bush is Satan, Obama is God stuff that gets over-posted here.You still have not link or source for your story?

Time to delete this thread.

[Bob]

95%, plus there will at least be somewhat higher turnout for blacks (Kerry isn't exactly the compelling figure Obama is).

Unless you were a Botox lobbyist that is...

[Bob]

Barack Obama’s lead over John McCain has diminished considerably in three battleground states, according to a poll published Thursday.

The Quinnipiac University polls, conducted from July 23-29, found that Obama’s lead has weakened in Pennsylvania and Ohio, two key swing states in November’s presidential election. The poll also found the two candidates in a virtual tie in Florida.

According to the poll, Obama is ahead of McCain by 7 percentage points, 49 to 42 percent, in Pennsylvania — a drop from that same poll last month, which showed Obama leading McCain by 12 percentage points at 52 to 40 percent.

In Ohio, the Illinois senator had a 6-point lead last month. McCain is now just 2 points behind him. The poll shows Obama with 46 percent, McCain at 44 percent. Both men and women in the Buckeye State are closely split in their support of either candidate.

McCain has also gained ground in Florida. Both candidates are statistically tied; Obama has 46 percent compared with McCain’s 44 percent, but likely independent voters in Florida have shifted toward McCain. Forty-six percent support him compared with 41 percent who prefer Obama. In the same poll taken last month, Obama led among independents, 47 percent to 37 percent.

The Quinnipiac University polls involved telephone interviews with 1,248 likely Florida voters, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points; 1,229 likely Ohio voters, with a 2.8 point margin of sampling error; and 1,317 likely Pennsylvania voters with a 2.7 point margin of sampling error.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Barack Obama’s lead over John McCain has diminished considerably in three battleground states, according to a poll published Thursday.
This including a link thing to the stories you post is proving to be damn difficult, eh?

[Bob]

Here is another report below: My point is that Obama is not a shew-in, and that watching the Internationalist Secular Messiah get cheered on by secularist Socialist drones in Europe doesnt exactly make me want to go vote for him. Was he pretending to look presidential, or wanting to get votes in Germany? He is already seen as an elitist by many -- why feed into it? Stop being a rock star.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Thursday shows that Barack Obama now attracts 45% of the vote while John McCain earns 43%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 48% and McCain 46% (see recent daily results). McCain is viewed favorably by 56% of voters, Obama by 55%. Tracking Polls are released at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day.

Other polls have now confirmed what Rasmussen Reports was the first to report on Monday--that Obama’s Berlin bounce faded as quickly as it came and the Democrat enjoyed no gain from his world tour.

[Bob]

This including a link thing to the stories you post is proving to be damn difficult, eh?

Only the first one I did not post a reference to -- that was News Max I can do links if it helps folks -- It's not like I doctored them.

I think that it is pretty amazing that McCain is still in striking range considering how he has been ignored. I think that Obama has so much crap that can be thrown at him – and that has not even started yet (that will be 1-2 months from the election) that he will be sunk. Recently heard him talk about how all folks have against him is that he is different, and doesn’t look like the guys on our currency -- what an arrogant race-baiter. Could it be Obama, Oh Chosen One, that you are the furthest left, and least qualified guy who has ever been within striking distance of the presidency? Could it be your stance on Abortion, Gun rights, and illegal immigrants getting driver's licenses? Could it be that you apply a double standard, and have spiritual advisors who are bigots? Could it be that your want to create a PC world where folks cant even make fun of you or your policies?

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Only the first one I did not post a reference to -- that was News Max I can do links if it helps folks -- It's not like I doctored them.
No Bob, a link, you know, the blue color letter thingee that you can click on to take you to the original story?

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

No Bob, a link, you know, the blue color letter thingee that you can click on to take you to the original story?

:rofl:

[Bob]

Yup, tee-hee. "I can do links if it helps" Hope this helps...

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/Obama_McCain_gallup_USA/2008/07/28/117094.html

[Rigs11]

Only the first one I did not post a reference to -- that was News Max I can do links if it helps folks -- It's not like I doctored them.

I think that it is pretty amazing that McCain is still in striking range considering how he has been ignored. I think that Obama has so much crap that can be thrown at him – and that has not even started yet (that will be 1-2 months from the election) that he will be sunk. Recently heard him talk about how all folks have against him is that he is different, and doesn’t look like the guys on our currency -- what an arrogant race-baiter. Could it be Obama, Oh Chosen One, that you are the furthest left, and least qualified guy who has ever been within striking distance of the presidency? Could it be your stance on Abortion, Gun rights, and illegal immigrants getting driver's licenses? Could it be that you apply a double standard, and have spiritual advisors who are bigots? Could it be that your want to create a PC world where folks cant even make fun of you or your policies?youre a sheep, nothing more. you fall for all of mccains attack bs.mccain has no substance and no plan, all he keeps doing is attacking obama.maybe he should start taliking about himself in ads instead of trying to smear obama like a 12 year old. do you remember when he said he was going to run a civil campaign and that he was the straight talk maverick? what a lying buffoon.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

youre a sheep, nothing more. you fall for all of mccains attack bs.mccain has no substance and no plan, all he keeps doing is attacking obama.maybe he should start taliking about himself in ads instead of trying to smear obama like a 12 year old. do you remember when he said he was going to run a civil campaign and that he was the straight talk maverick? what a lying buffoon.

QFT.

http://www.bartcop.com/mccain_bologna.jpg

[Rigs11]

Will going negative help McCain?

Remember when John McCain talked about how he wasn’t going to run a negative campaign? How he wanted to focus on the issues and not get down in the political mud? I guess you can chalk it up to something else McCain has changed his mind about. Now he’s apparently decided that going negative is the way to the White House.

You don’t need to look much farther than McCain’s ads, which have become increasingly negative – calling Barack Obama a celebrity, and comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. Or the ad that that says Obama “made time to go to the gym, but cancelled a visit with wounded troops.” One study points out one-third of John McCain’s ads refer to Obama negatively. On the other hand, 90% of Obama’s ads don’t even mention John McCain.

These negative ads feed the perception of McCain as an angry candidate. Even some Republicans don’t think this strategy is such a good idea. Former top McCain strategist John Weaver called the celebrity ad “childish” and “tomfoolery”, while other Republicans have called it “unprofessional,” “absurd and juvenile.” An editorial in the St. Petersburg Times says of McCain: “The self-described ‘happy warrior’ from 2000 has turned sour… and the candor and straight talk that once made him such an attractive candidate are rapidly disappearing.”

Meanwhile, McCain’s flip-flop on the issue of offshore drilling has netted him some big bucks from the big oil companies. A non-partisan campaign finance watchdog group says that after McCain announced he was changing his position and now was going to support offshore drilling, the Big Oil companies opened their wallets. “Campaign Money Watch” found that in Texas alone, oil-related donors gave $1.2 million to McCain’s Victory ‘08 fund in June – 73% of it coming after his reversal on offshore drilling. Think that’s a coincidence?

Here’s my question to you: Is going negative against Barack Obama a winning strategy for John McCain?

Interested to know which ones made it on air?


Bob from Chicago writes:
McCain is an angry old man with a nasty temper. He has no positives. He has to go negative. It appears there never was a Straight Talk Express. That was just a mirage. This is the real John McCain.

John from Fort Collins, Colorado writes:
Although negative campaigning has been successful in previous elections, this time around the attack ads are backfiring on John McCain. The fair-minded, moderate McCain who earned so much respect in his career has been morphed into an old, bitter Eddie Haskell character. He should fire his campaign staff, then reverse course and make every attempt possible to restore his dignity.

Jake writes:
Absolutely. America is full of “low information voters” who believe anything they hear. Thinking and being informed is too hard and time-consuming for us Americans. It’s so much easier to just vote against someone based on distortions, lies, and negative ads.

Dee writes:
I think McCain’s negativity is what is keeping the polls so close. And anyways he’s not really being all that negative, he’s only pointing out the obvious: that Obama is not experienced enough for us to put our country in his hands!

Tim writes:
If the American people buy into this fear-mongering from the Republican hatchet men yet again, we deserve what we get: another 4 years of catastrophically bad leadership.

C. from Mississippi writes:
Hey, Jack. From one old pessimistic curmudgeon to another: going negative is definitely a winning strategy. Sometimes you need to slap around these young whippersnappers to get your way. Take you for example. You’re a winner in my book, and look at what going negative did for your career.

http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/31/will-going-negative-help-mccain/

[frerottenextelway]

Barack Obama’s lead over John McCain has diminished considerably in three battleground states, according to a poll published Thursday.

The Quinnipiac University polls, conducted from July 23-29, found that Obama’s lead has weakened in Pennsylvania and Ohio, two key swing states in November’s presidential election. The poll also found the two candidates in a virtual tie in Florida.

According to the poll, Obama is ahead of McCain by 7 percentage points, 49 to 42 percent, in Pennsylvania — a drop from that same poll last month, which showed Obama leading McCain by 12 percentage points at 52 to 40 percent.

In Ohio, the Illinois senator had a 6-point lead last month. McCain is now just 2 points behind him. The poll shows Obama with 46 percent, McCain at 44 percent. Both men and women in the Buckeye State are closely split in their support of either candidate.

McCain has also gained ground in Florida. Both candidates are statistically tied; Obama has 46 percent compared with McCain’s 44 percent, but likely independent voters in Florida have shifted toward McCain. Forty-six percent support him compared with 41 percent who prefer Obama. In the same poll taken last month, Obama led among independents, 47 percent to 37 percent.

The Quinnipiac University polls involved telephone interviews with 1,248 likely Florida voters, with a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points; 1,229 likely Ohio voters, with a 2.8 point margin of sampling error; and 1,317 likely Pennsylvania voters with a 2.7 point margin of sampling error.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

You're quoting a poll that has Obama up in all 3 swing states - two of which Bush swept in '00 and '04 - like it's bad news for Obama. Florida and Ohio are both must win for McCain (neither for Obama) - Pennsylvania is must win for Obama - and it looks like it may not even be a swing state anymore - but a true blue Dem state.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Yup, tee-hee. "I can do links if it helps" Hope this helps...

http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/Obama_McCain_gallup_USA/2008/07/28/117094.html

That's it!!! Thx Bob.

[Bob]

youre a sheep, nothing more. you fall for all of mccains attack bs.mccain has no substance and no plan, all he keeps doing is attacking obama.maybe he should start taliking about himself in ads instead of trying to smear obama like a 12 year old. do you remember when he said he was going to run a civil campaign and that he was the straight talk maverick? what a lying buffoon.

Hmmm -- whatever, just a guy who hates McCain less than Obama. But agreed that McCain should talk about himself more, and draw distinctions

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Ha ha ha! :laugh:

Newsmax.