The First Law of Politics

"When your opponents are shooting themselves in the foot, do not take away their guns."

I'm sure I'm only one of millions of dedicated Democrats who are thoroughly enjoying the circular firing squad that the Republicans have formed since being routed by the voters on Tuesday.  

From the vicious attacks on Sarah Palin by the mortally wounded remnants of the McCain campaign, to the increased sniping between what remains of the Conservative intelligentsia and the "dumb is good" wing of the GOP, it's all candy for me. This is political in-fighting on an Olympic scale, garnished with the distinctive flavor of the ancient Roman colosseum. Dulce et decorum est...

Let the games continue.

Yet Another Prominent GOP Figure Endorses Obama

The Associated Press television writer, David Bauder, says former White House press secretary Scott McClellan is voting for Barack Obama. In a short article posted on ABC News Online, McClellan, a lifelong Republican, is quoted as saying that Obama has "the best chance of changing the way Washington works and getting things done".

Is anyone keeping a running count of the number of rats leaving the sinking McCain-Palin ship?

Florida's Undecided Voters Now Leaning to Obama

The St. Petersburg Times reports that its focus group of undecided Florida voters has shifted dramatically towards Barack Obama in the past two months. Interviews conducted with these voters in late August found them "decidedly antagonistic" towards the Illinois Senator, with a number of them leaning towards voting for Republican John McCain. Now, however, nine of the carefully selected undecideds are planning to vote for Obama, while one remains "torn" and only one is supporting McCain. 

What has pushed these voters into the Obama camp? In two words: Sarah Palin. Many in the focus group view the Alaska Governor as "unqualified", "divisive" and "grating". Also figuring prominently in these voters'  decision to vote for Obama was a dramatic change in their perceptions of his character, integrity and willingness to seek advice from all quarters, even from those who might disagree with some of his policy positions.

Citing his observations of the two Presidential candidates over the past two months, one previously undecided voter who is now going to vote for Obama, said, "I was looking at their character... watching them, their movements, hand gestures, faces... you can tell."  

Obama Opens Up With Both Barrels On McCain's Sleazy Tactics

Campaigning in Florida this morning, Barack Obama demonstrated he can give as good as he gets. Watch this video clip (courtesy of TPM):

 

Video: Moose Ad From MoveOn

Latest from MoveOn hits Palin's experience

Women Speak Out For McCain-Palin

Well, maybe not so much...

h/t: DailyKos

Palin Likes to Visit Pro-America States

The Washington Post's Juliet Eilperin reports this morning that Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin says she "loves to visit pro-America" areas of the country like North Carolina.

Hmmm...  I wonder if anyone pointed out to the moose-huntin' mama that North Carolina, along with ten other states (and parts of two others), seceded from the United States and waged a long bloody war against America?

You know, just wondering...

Palin Gives Credit To God For Poll Movement

They believe God is on their side and for us...well, you know. 

While this is certainly no surprise, it still leaves me bug-eyed after hearing a sitting Governor, of all people, say this.  From the Washington Post:

"But it's at events like these and our rallies that we are so energized and inspired and we know that we are not alone. We feel your strength and we feel the power of prayer.  So many of you tell us that you are praying for us and praying for our country. And that's why we so appreciate you being here."

"Giving credit to a higher power for the day's poll ratings," the Alaska governor told the roughly 500-person audience that things might be changing. "We even saw today, thank the Lord," she said, looking upwards and raising her fist, "We saw some movement."

Later, the Post points out that Palin, "made a point of mentioning that she loved to visit the 'pro-America' areas of the country, of which North Carolina is one. No word on which states she views as unpatriotic."

Sorry New York, New Jersey, Delaware, California.  God is definitely not on your side. Colorado, Virginia - you're next! 

Maybe she's just preparing for her sketch on Saturday Night Live tomorrow?

Moose Voter Update: Antlers Over Anchorage

It has been just over two weeks since we published our first analysis of the moose voter's role in the 2008 Presidential election. A flurry of new polls in moose belt states, some interesting anecdotal information and, most importantly, the results of  ElectBlue's own exclusive Moose Voter Focus Group, all cry out for an update.

First, a bit of a refresher. Moose voters are found in states with naturally occurring populations of wild moose. There are thirteen states in what we like to call the 'moose belt': ME, NH, VT, NY, MI, WI, MN, CO, MT, ID, WA, OR and AK. 

As we noted in our initial piece, moose voters have numerous characteristics in common. They are uncommonly fond of cold weather, own lots of heavy winter clothing, love riding around in snow mobiles and are positively addicted to ice fishing. They prefer Molson to Budweiser, almost always drive American cars and are politically very independent.

The latest polls in several moose belt states indicate increasing support for Democrat Barack Obama. Since our last review, Obama and VP nominee Joe Biden, have widened their lead over John McCain and running mate, Sarah 'Moose-Huntin' Mama' Palin, in no less than seven moose belt states: NH, MI, MN, WI, CO, WA and OR. The Democratic ticket maintains previously strong leads in ME, VT and NY. The GOP duo are ahead in only three of the moose states: MT, ID and Palin's own AK. Even here there are signs of trouble, however, as some recent polls and a few local pundits are suggesting a tightening race in Montana. Not good news for the Mavericks.

The internals of recent moose belt polls show what we see in other parts of the country: economic worries are making moose voters ever more blue. This information is particularly worrisome for Republicans since it is a well known fact that the typical moose voter can endure temperatures far below zero without turning blue. The realization that moose belt voters can so easily go blue politically has top GOP strategists in a dither. There are scattered reports of moose-inspired panic attacks at the RNC in recent days. ElectBlue has been unable, however, to verify these reports.

Anecdotal confirmation of the negative impact the economy is having on moose voters comes to us by way of some fascinating retail sales data and an alarming report from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials in the moose belt:

-  sales of heavy flannel shirts and fur-lined parkas are way up, while the snow mobile market has collapsed right across the whole region. Moose voters are clearly trying to hedge against anticipated soaring home-heating costs and high gasoline prices.

- unnamed ICE officials say there has been a sharp spike in attempts to smuggle Canadian products (especially beer) into the US.  Apparently the weak US dollar and a completely unfounded rumor that Canada will seal its border with the US if McCain-Palin win the election have spawned this increase in smuggling activity.

Finally, there is this astonishing finding from ElectBlue's exclusive Moose Voter Focus Group. In addition to concerns about the economy, moose belt voters are worried about the national security implications of a GOP White House win. It seems that many moose voters have heard ugly rumors that Sarah Palin, busy campaigning in the lower forty-eight, has been neglecting her responsibilities to protect Alaskan airspace from Russian incursions. Last week there were even reports of Russian MIGs being spotted as far south as Spokane and Boise. (ElectBlue cannot confirm these rumors. Calls to the Department of Homeland Security about these reports have gone unanswered.) Naturally, moose voters are unnerved by the thought of what might happen if Palin were to move to Washington for four years. Who would scan the northern skies, keeping an eye out for those pesky Russians?

(For the record, our Moose Voter Focus Group was conducted last Friday evening at Olaf's Bait Shop and Seafood Grill, located a few miles north of Red Lake, MN. It's a friendly, folksy kind of place with lots of Scandinavian charm. Our voter focus group consisted of about a dozen local patrons, a few Canadian tourists and some guy asking directions to Minneapolis.)

The bottom line, electorally speaking, remains unchanged from two weeks ago. Obama-Biden will sweep the moose belt on November 4th, racking up at least 107 of the region's 117 electoral votes. If current trends continue, the Democrats will win these states not just by a landslide, but by a veritable moose-slide. 

More Palin Video: New Hampshire Interview

WMUR in New Hampshire has another interview of Sarah Palin on their website. In the interview, Palin continues to deny any wrong with regards to troopergate and blamed Democrats for starting the investigation.

Insisting that she and John McCain have ran a positive campaign, in the same breath she says:

"I do not think it's negative or mean-spirited at all, not whatsoever when you call someone out on their record.  And of course when you talk about Barack Obama's associations that he's had in the past and maybe has today.  When you talk about ACORN and you talk about Bill Ayers. Those things are fair game."

Maybe has today??

Speaking of Ayers, she also seems to imply that McCain will indeed say it to Obama's face in tonight's debate. 

Here's the video.

Pitbull Speak Day

I ran across this just moments ago on US News & World Report. 

Well doggoneit, we've been waitin for some light entertainment during this election cycle. And doggoneit, it's finally here.

It's official. International Talk Like Sarah Palin Day has been set for October 21. 

So between election day and now, you can learn to talk just like she does but also dress up as Palin on Halloween.  No, I won't be, so don't ask. But if you're feeling like a real maverick, just follow these steps.

More than 9000 people have signed up on Facebook's page devoted to the new holiday.  

Are we lookin' forward to October 21st?  You betcha!

Video: Fox News Edits Fans Booing Palin

More comedy from the three ring circus at Fox News. 

Jed Report shows a side-by-side video of the Fox News version of Palin dropping the puck and what really happened. According to Fox News, there was a mixed reaction by fans.

  

Quote of the Day

This from US Representative John Lewis (D-GA), writing today for Politico.

"Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse."

Video: Booed Again

Troopergate Report Just Released

MSNBC and other news outlets are reporting that an Alaskan legislative investigation says that Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin "abused her power" while trying to get her ex-brother-in-law fired as a state trooper. 

Abuse of power by a public official is a criminal offense under Alaska law. More on this story as details become available.

Markets Plunge, McCain-Palin Sink Even Lower

The stock market continued its stunning collapse today, with the Dow plummeting more that 678 points to finish the day below 8600. The equity markets have now lost some 38% of their total value in the last twelve months. Millions of individual small investors have seen trillions of dollars in retirement accounts, college funds and nest-egg savings evaporate. Ordinary people are worried and - frankly - very scared by what they are seeing.  Average folks are looking for reassurance and realistic plans from their leaders.  So how are the Presidential candidates reacting to this catastrophe?

Incredibly, as the economy falls apart like a cheap suit, the Republican ticket of McCain-Palin is obsessed with some sixties-era radical named Ayers. They have made the activities of Mr. Ayers forty years ago the new focal point of their increasingly desperate campaign. If it weren't so utterly pathetic - and downright dangerous - it would be laughable. But laughable it's not. They are serious. The Republican Party apparently believes that it can hold on to the White House by attempting to smear Senator Obama with an association that is paper-thin at best. 

And that's not all. The Republican candidates are suggesting - more and more openly - that Obama is somehow unpatriotic and downright un-American. The Republican appeal to racist sentiment is becoming less and less subtle. It's disgusting and very far from the best traditions of their own party. While the US faces its most serious economic crisis in 75 years, these latter-day Herbert Hoovers are engaging in electioneering tactics that would appall the decent, but incompetent, 31st President.

Thankfully, Senators Obama and Biden have retained their cool and their laser-like focus on solving America's economic woes. They are calm, confident and reassuring. They have a plan and the will to execute it. They will not be cowed by hate-speech and the undisguised efforts of McCain and Palin to incite extremists in the Republican base to chants of 'treason' and 'terrorist' at campaign rallies.

It is increasingly apparent that the current leadership (if I can call it that) of the Republican Party is isolated, angry and desperate. One must wonder, as Bob Cesca does in a brilliant piece written for The Huffington Post today, if the Republicans really deserve to be considered a serious political party at all. Their own failed policies and ever more radical fringe tactics have very nearly put them in the class with Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney and Bob Barr: mildly interesting (maybe), possibly dangerous and thoroughly unfit to govern.

Come November 4th, I'm confident the American people will utterly reject the Republicans' politics of smear and fear. Hope - and real change - are surely on the way. 

Glue Not Lipstick

Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is quoted in a number of media sources as having said that Senator Barack Obama is "palling around with terrorists". Ms. Palin's remarks were made today at a Republican fundraiser in Englewood, CO. 

Say what, Sarah? Barack Obama is friends with terrorists? Terrorists?? You know, those fanatics who wantonly kill and maim innocent men, women and children for the sake of their own extremist ideology and perverted religious views. He's 'palling around' with those types of people?

Do you seriously think, Ms Palin, that Barack Obama is friends with terrorists? Are you so desperate to win this election that you will say anything? Or have you just drunk too much of the kool-aid all those far right coaches have been feeding you for the past month? Just what the hell are you thinking? Have you no sense of decency at all?

Barack Obama is a distinguished and accomplished American political leader. He holds a law degree from one of the finest schools on the planet. He worked tirelessly, with little reward, to help the most down-trodden among us in his community in Chicago. He served in the same state legislature that molded the political views of Abraham Lincoln. 

Barack Obama is a sitting United Sates Senator from a state that is the epitome of America as a whole. He is the Presidential nominee of the oldest political party on earth. He has already received the votes of nearly twenty million Americans this year. He is working a brutal and demanding schedule, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to make our country a better place for all of us.

Barack Obama is a faithful husband, a loving father and a devout Christian. He is a deeply patriotic man, utterly committed America's security and prosperity. He believes passionately in the very American dream which he so clearly personifies.  And you, Ms. Palin, think this honorable man is hanging out with terrorists who would destroy everything he believes in?

Shame on you, Sarah Palin! You must retract your thoughtless words and apologize to Senator Obama, to his supporters and to the entire American people now. If, incredibly, you have neither any remorse nor an iota of regret for your hateful words, then do this, Ms Palin.  Put down the lipstick and smear those pitbull lips of yours with a thick layer of permanent glue. You and the American Republic will both be the better for it.

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

This from Aden Nak.



h/t Taegan Goddard

InstaPolls: Biden Wins Debate

The first two instaPolls about tonight's Vice-Presidential debate are out. Both give a clear win to Joe Biden over Sarah Palin.

CNN:  Biden 51%, Palin 36%, among all viewers of the debate.

CBS:  Biden, 46%, Palin 21%, draw 33%, among undecided voters.

Pre-Debate Highlights

from Tale of the Tape by Politico.