Dear John ...
With national and battleground polls trending in Barack Obama's favor -- and outside the margin of error -- John McCain must show up this evening for the second of three presidential debates as a compassionate crusader for working Americans. Empathy, senator. Summon it.
During last week's first face-off between the candidates, McCain "The Fighter" turned out. He was snide, aggressive and, though substantive, unwillinging (or unable?) to even look his opponent in the eye. It didn't play beyond his base. Obama's surge has continued. What does that tell us?
Americans are scared.
Scared that they're seeing their retirement savings evaporate. Scared that they might not be able to fill their gas tanks. Or pay for their prescriptions. Or keep their jobs.
Instead of addressing their worries, the McCain campaign -- led by Sarah Palin on the stump -- has pushed a harder line against the Democratic nominee, linking him to 1960s radical Bill Ayers. During a Palin event in Florida, a Republican surrogate emphasized Obama's scary Arab-sounding middle name. And the theme of their ads and attacks has been to underscore Obama's otherness, that he's not like you and me. He's consorting with domestic terrorists? Please.
So McCain has a critical task, responsibility even, this evening. He must show voters that he has an understanding of the economic doldrums gripping the nation. He must present a cogent explanation for the Fannie and Freddie debacle. He must illustrate an ability to be decent, kind-hearted, relatable, frank, thoughtful. In short, he must call up the best version of himself. Circa 2000.
How convincingly he does that could determine the outcome of this election. No doubt that negative campaigning is effective, especially in the waning days of a contest. But in times of true crisis -- the nation is contending with two battles, one financial, one military -- voters look for leadership and decency, not just experience. Four weeks to go. McCain wouldn't want to wake up Nov. 5 to find that he October surprised himself out of his last shot at the White House.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
American's dont get "scared" in a crisis. Americams don't need "empathy". They need a fighter who will get rid of the liberal politicians and their corrupt cronies who caused this mess. That is what McCain needs to "project".
80% of Americans are STRESSED ABOUT THE ECONOMY
9% of Americans are Satisfied with the Direction of this Country.
Bush approval: 24%. Disapproval numbers the highest of any president since the dawn of modern polling.
John McCain is running the most despicable campaign in history and he cannot name a single policy difference from George W. Bush.
Barack Obama is ready to heal this country. The choice literally could not be more obvious.
Btw, I'm sure we are going to hear a lot about Taxes tonight at the debate.
Let me just remind everybody what George W. Bush's big economic plan was... TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY!
And look where we are today.
Think about that when John McCain rails on and on about tax cuts this, tax cuts that. The exact same policy as George W. Bush. The exact same.
McCain wants to use the same old tired and failed philosophy of Trickle-down Economics that caused a Recession under Reagan, a recession under Bush I, and now a near-Depression under Bush II.
We simply CANNOT allow the Republicans to abuse this country on behalf of the wealthiest 2% any more. We cannot afford the Republicans any more.
". . . he must summon himself." Read the Rolling Stone article on McCain. He is who he is. There is nothing else to summon.
If Sen. McCain had any integrity, he would have avoided the road he now travels like the plague. But he has made his Faustian bargain; whether he wins or loses, he has sacrificed his honor and that's something he can never reclaim. It is a frightening thing to watch -- a man so consumed by personal ambition that he will repeatedly lie about his opponent, treat him with contempt and sacrifice the good of the country by selecting a thoroughly unqualified running mate to lead the country in a time of crisis should he fail to complete his term. It is truly breathtaking.
Sorry I've been away a few days in Florida playing golf. I couldn't help but notice the Dumbocrats bail out passed. Funny no one was even talking about it on the course but we all made a toast to it in the club.
Dale - stay on the golf course, at least then no one see's how you keep track of your own shot-count.
You must be referring to Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson's $700 B bailout bill. I always wonder how the reichtwingnutz can so callously get themselves to believe things they know not to be true.
Then you show us all how it's done with your post. Good job! Good luck in November....