Ohio for John McCain

McCain-Obama Dead Even: Gallup

2008-08-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

McCain's continued strong performance in the national polls (see above) has positive implications for GOP candidates around the country. Obama has a big lead in three large states -- Illinois, New York, and California, as well as a huge lead in the District of Columbia -- and that suggests McCain is doing well in most of the other 47 states. McCain has a decent chance to win PA, OH, VA, FL, MI, MN, and CO -- all battleground states. (McCain, light green, Obama, dark green

The Aug. 12-14 polling shows a slight dip in Obama's support, which had ranged between 46% and 48% (averaging 47%) in August. McCain has averaged 43% support among registered voters so far in August. Thus, the closer margin seen in today's results is due more to movement away from Obama than toward McCain. Twelve percent of registered voters now say they are undecided or supporting another candidate, which is on the high end of what Gallup has measured this year.

Voter preferences have been closely divided between Obama and McCain in each of the last three individual nights of polling, underscoring the notion that the race has tightened for the moment. This could to some degree reflect Obama's absence from the campaign trail while he vacations in Hawaii. He will return to the spotlight over the next few weeks upon naming his vice presidential running mate and accepting his party's nomination for president at the Democratic national convention, and both events have typically been associated with a bounce in support for a presidential candidate.

On Thursday, the Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns announced an agreement to put her name into nomination for president at the convention. Given that the race has been tight for the past few days, it is unlikely this announcement is related to any change in Obama's support.Since early June when Obama clinched the nomination, he has averaged a three percentage point advantage over McCain in Gallup Poll Daily tracking. (To view the complete trend since March 7, 2008, click here.) -- Jeff Jones

Note: I urge Ohioans and others to visit my other blogs, including: http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com/, http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/, and

http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com/.

Why Barack Hates Small Towns

2008-08-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

Will Manly - Dear Barack: You're wrong about small towns.
Dear Barack: You're wrong about small towns.

By Will Manly of the Hays Daily News, Hays, KS

Dear Barack Obama: I grew to like you over the last year. I've always thought of you as dangerously naive at best. Eloquent, gifted, genuine, yes. But dangerously naive at best.

I couldn't vote for you - but not because of your funny name or your lunatic pastor. I couldn't vote for you because you say we should raise taxes (even on the rich, who I'm convinced already pay too much), and because you say we should abandon Iraq (which I'm convinced would be surrendering a war we must win), and because you don't respect the Second Amendment (which I'm convinced should disqualify any politician from any office).

Still, I've liked your message of unity and your ability to inspire. And, since your rise I've hunted quite frantically, for young conservative leaders with your talent. (To my relief, I found Bobby Jindal.) And I've long said if you beat Hillary Clinton, you will have done your country a tremendous service.

But ever more I'm having a harder and harder time rooting for you. First came your wife's comment about being proud of America for the first time - conveniently, right after you started winning primaries. Then came your own words about your grandmother who is just a "typical white person" - a racist, or at least someone with racist tendencies.

(I'm a "typical white person," I suppose, and I'm no racist. In fact, little makes me angrier than when it's insinuated I am.) Sometimes people say things they don't really mean. But this is a pattern.

Recently, we heard your comments about small-town America. Someone at a San Francisco fund-raiser asked you why it's so hard for Democrats to win in rural areas. You said: "You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, the jobs have been gone now for 25 years and nothing's replaced them. So it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them..."

Is that a minority? Hey, Cletus, get the gun! (If only we had a job to go to, some time in the last 25 years). Here's a thought: Maybe gun rights' voters know gun control laws kill people and steal freedom.

Here's a thought: Maybe some of us have moral objections to an immigration system that forces rule-followers to wait decades for legal status and rewards border-violators with amnesty.

Here's a thought: Maybe some Americans cling to their church because their pastor is a nice person, because they find love there, because there they have something they can believe in.

Here's a thought: Maybe, just maybe, us simpletons in small towns findit harder to be bigoted than all o' y'all city folks. Maybe in small towns, where everybody knows your name - and how hard you work, if you pay your taxes, how well you treat your neighbors, how often you volunteer in the community, and whether or not you're a good parent - people see the content of your character, so they don't give a hoot about the color of your skin.

(But I grew up in a small town where about a third of the population is of a different race than me. What do I know?)

And here's my favorite thought of all: Maybe small town folks are - really - capable of thinking. All on our own. You're wrong about why small-town Americans don't vote for Democrats. We don't vote for Democrats because we're self reliant, so we don't like the government trying to "solve" everything for us. And because you tell your rich friends in San Francisco that we're dumb.

And because, each election, whichever one of you is running for president traipses all over the country telling us you have all the answers, that you're the one on our side, that you understand and respect our way of life.

But each time, a little bit here and there slips out - and by the end of the campaign, we can tell what you really think about us. And we manage to learn who you really are.

And we see you're just a horse's ass.

Will the Clintons Denounce Obama?

2008-08-04T11:40:00.001-07:00

Sharon Caliendo, formerly from Ohio, now in Oklahoma and a Republican activist there, sent me the following link from YouTube -- it's an Ohio GOP ad, and Sharon says it makes her proud of her home state: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkytVjgn-Uc

Bulletin: There's growing evidence that Bill Clinton is NOT going to back Barack Obama. See my Monday column on: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/. I've titled the column, "Bill, Hillary MUST Denounce Obama." See also the following link: http://purplepeoplevote.com/2008/08/04/clinton-remarks-bolster-mccains-claims-that-the-race-card-was-played/ John McCain has said, "I'd rather lose the presidency than lose a war."

Blog Talk Radio: Obama's Racism

2008-07-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

CLINTONS FOR MCCAIN BLOG TALK RADIO
BLOCKBUSTER ON SATURDAY, 5 P.M. ET!

[Scroll down for "Obama's Politics of Racial Identity"]

This Week on Clintons 4 McCain Radio:"Will Black America Wake Up"

Rev. James David Manning Addresses Obama's Racism, Michelle Obama's Comments and Faith Issues

DNC Watchdog, Roger Ryan addresses the Downfall of the Dems

Right VS. Left Go Head to Head on the Issues. Can We All Come Together by November?

This weeks Guests: Rev. James David Manning of Atlah World Ministries weighs in on the racism and 'evil' of the Obama camp.Michelle Obama says, "Black America will Wake Up" but how does Manning feel about that statement?

Tune in as the honorable Rev. James David Manning addresses the racial issues and touches on the Faith issues as hype builds that Barack Obama is Anti-Christian and Anti-Semitic.

Roger Ryan, a Democrat and DNC watchdog with the National Sentinel Committee of the Democratic Party, will discuss the Smoke and Mirrors of the RBC May 31st meeting and The DNC Party Leadership.

[Note to visitors from Ohio and elsewhere. In mid-August, this column will begin focusing on the political situation in the Battleground States of Ohio and Pennsylvania. In the mean-time, you're invited to visit my national blog, my Pennsylvania blog, and my Hillary Supporters blog. I hope you'll bookmark them and return often.]

Right VS Left: Tune in as the Right and the Left go head to head on the issues. A die-hard dem and staunch GOP-ER discuss their voting issues...and we discover if they they can come together by November. Clintons4McCain Radio

When: Saturdays 5 PM ESTWhere: Computer, World WideCall: (347) 633-9273.

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=0011hf8cq8VpLqN1xO4QW5bArVCeq-hkU5YEpLzVvvuEiaQB4qHFob9_M0cvj2pfntC2NwKgsVjfMsQBd10_bW36TYFNbQVW4bj_OaWR8ukq7ZpwsS38L2LrdTJyOyBQSh14GRb3ffSozc=Radio Co-Host, Steve Maloney

Join us Saturday July 26, 2008 at 5 PM EST on Clintons4McCain Radio

This week's Co-Host Steve Maloney, full-time blogger and former College Professor who was hired as a professional speech writer for major oil, heath and pharmaceutical industries gives his take on Obama, the Republican Party and the issues.

OBAMA'S POLITICS OF RACIAL IDENTITY

I've been writing a lot about Barack Obama's "politics of racial identity." As I explained, I've approached the stage of my life where I can live dangerously and -- I believe -- speak the truth about race. The other day one of Clintons4McCain leaders talked about the psychology of Obama's messages, where he appeals to deep longing and nostalgia in the American people. Ronald Reagan did some similar things, although not at the level of sophistication used by Obama.

This is a campaign about character and charisma, and in this campaign, NONE OF THE ISSUES MATTER. Instead, what counts are culture, race, and guilt.

If yuu want to read a brilliant analysis of what's really going on, read Shelby Steele's brilliant essay on Black moral leverage and white guilt as practiced by Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama. I reprinted it today on my: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com.)

I hope everyone will think back to a commercial from many years ago, the one inviting tourists to "come to Jamaica." Actually, the key line was to "come BACK to Jamaica." In the deepest part of our being all of us want to go back to a kinder, gentler (imaginary) time, usually our childhoods. The people who most admire Obama are invariably the most childlike.

A guy in the liberal New Republic analyzed the commercial and why it might have been the most brilliant ad of all time. The whole "come back" leitmotif touched the common chord in American that things used to be "better." The idea exploited was that American was a fallen angel, that we would perhaps never be as good as we once were (except, of course, unless we went to Jamaica).

The commercial was full of happy white people and smiling Blacks.The surface message was to go take a vacation in Jamaica. The New Republic writer said the underlying message was this: "Come back to Jamaica . . . where Black people are still nice!" In that time, like our own, some inconvenient truths rarely got articulated. But the New Republic author broke the code. He told us truths that we in fact knew at some level, but that we pretended we didn't comprehend.

In Shelby Steele's great essay, he notes that John McCain is obviously a man of "character" and "principle." He then adds, "Poor guy!" Of course, the character and principle work against him in politics, where an Obama can easily become all things to all people/voters, Black and white.

Mrs. Clinton and her campaign got chopped up by the Obama buzzsaw -- and the deep psychological messages. One hopes the same doesn't happen to John McCain.

--steve maloney

Barack Obama and Deborah Honeycutt

2008-06-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama and his beloved pastor of 20 years, Rev. Jeremiah Wright

On my popular (and sometimes controversial) Hillary Supporters for McCain site today (Tuesday/Wednesday), I have many quotes from Barack Obama illustrating his continual use of racial stereotypes. The Obama statements reflect his tendency to emphasize either his Black roots or his White ones depending on which audience he is addressing.

On my Pennsylvania site this week, I've been discussing a congressional candidate, Dr. Deborah Honeycutt, whom many people believe could be not only the first Black President, but also the first female President. She's someone worth knowing about.

Come visit and, if you wish, leave youir thoughts.

In mid-July, this column will begin focusing on Ohio politics.

How Politics "Money Game" Works

2008-06-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

On my Pennyslvania blog Sunday and Monday I will be talking about how the "money game" really works in politics and how Republican candidates can play the "game" to their advantage, something most of them aren't doing. The piece has relevance not only to PA candidates, but also to GOP challengers in Ohio and throughout the nation. On my Hillary Supporters for McCain site, I take about Barack Obama consistenly uses race in his efforts to gain political advantage. On about July 15, I will begin focusing here on McCain and other GOP candidates in Ohio.

Come visit.

Tom/Travis Manion: American Heroes

2008-06-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

On my Pennsylvania blog I've received an urgent request from Tom Manion, Republican congressional candidate in PA's 8th district. It deals with an important online poll. Manion, a Marine Corps veteran, lost his son Travis in the Iraq War. Please visit the site for information. http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com/.

Please offer your assistance to this American warrior.

Hillary Supporters Despise Barack Obama

2008-06-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Below: Alaska Gov. Sarah Heath Palin with baby son Trig swaddled. Picture is with Sarah and legislators on capital steps in Juneau. Sarah is now the front-runner for the GOP vice presidential nomination. This weekend I'll have separate columns about Gov. Palin on my national blog and my "Hillary Supporters for McCain" blog. I urge you to visit and bookmark those sites.

The biggest buzz in the blogosphere nowadays reflects the vast number of Hillary Clinton supporters who intend to vote for McCain. As I explain on my Hillary Supporters for McCain blog -- the original such site -- one of the Hillary supporters for McCain may be the New York Senator herself.

Here's the link:Doesn't Hillary Really Favor McCain?

On the above column on that popular site, I assert the following: Tomorrow, Senator Clinton will endorse a man she despises: Barack Obama. Her heart definitely will not be in it.

I believe Hillary Clinton will be "blowing smoke" at us in her Saturday endorsement of Barack Obama. She's going to have her fingers crossed. Everything Sen. Clinton does between now and November 4 is going to be based not on the 2008 election, but on the one in 2012. Right now, she's in full "grin-and-bear-it" mode.

Conversely, her supporters are not grinning -- and, as we hear in the movie "Network," they're "not going to take it any more."Her heart definitely will not be in it.

Let's see, what did Barack and his surrogates (including Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger) say about Hillary? That she's a chronic liar, that she's a warmonger (for supporting the Iraq War Resolution), and a racist. They also profoundly misrepresented the assasination of Bobby Kennedy. Other than those things, I guess, they feel she's okay.

Hillary was badly trashed in the Democratic primaries. And the person running the trash machince was none other than Barack Obama. His windy rhetoric somehow prevailed over Sen. Clinton's issues-oriented campaign. As history will record, he scooped up such huge majorities in Black communities that Sen. Clinton had no real chance to win enough delegates.

In the primaries, Blacks voting in lock-step for Obama was somehow an issue of pride. In contrast, white voters supporting Clinton apparently was a manifestation of racism.

As Obama put it, the Clinton supporters were "bitter" people, "clinging" to their religion, guns, and racial prejudices. That "contrasted" with his supporters, whose hearts were supposedly pure.

No wonder so many Hillary Supporters are sickened by the outcome. Obama has a history of being associated with black racists (Wright, Farrakhan) and white racists (Pfleger), and militant anti-Americans (add in the name William Ayers).

Somehow, those associations didn't disqualify him for the presidency -- as they would have surely if he were seen as a "white" candidate. When Obama's wife made anti-American statements ("America in 2008 is a mean country"), the candidate proclaimed she was not open to questions.

Senator Clinton has a political history of supporting causes favored by American Blacks. Her "reward" for that record has been to be characterized as a racist.

Dana Walsh Deserves Our Support

2008-06-04T20:43:00.001-07:00

Republican congressional candidate Dana Walsh is taking on Nancy Pelosi. Dana needs your support.

Let's make a major effort to support Republican congressional candidate Dana Walsh. I am going to put up on every blog (and I have a bunch) an appeal to send a contribution to Ms. Walsh. She's pro-military and running against Cindy Sheehan and Nancy Pelosi, "the witches of the West." I hope a whole lot of people online will feature Dana Walsh at: http://danawalshforcongress.com/. Her web site is terrific. It has pics of Sheehan and Pelosi playing huggy-bear with dictators (Chavez and Assad)

If you want to read "The Real Skinny" on American politics, something you won't hear on the mindless cable channels, please visit my national blog and my "Hillary Supporters" blog. Thanks.

By June 15, I will be focusing on Ohio politics (especially federal offices).

Is Bill Clinton Dating Again?

2008-06-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

"She [Hillary] sounds like she's planning a coalition government. The two of 'us" are going to run this together." (David Gergen of CNN on Hillary Clinton)

Picture above is of Gina Gershon, actress linked romantically in Vanity Fair article to former President Bill Clinton. The article was written by Todd Purdum, who is married to Clinton's former press secretary, Dee Dee Myers. Yikes! Somehow, the Botoxed lips don't work for me. However, a friend in Ambridge, PA said of Bill, "I can't believe it. As he gets older, the girlfriends get better looking."

The following is from my Hillary Supporters for McCain site, which I urge you to visit.

Bulletin: Tomorrow (Thursday) I'll talk about Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and what lies ahead for her. If I had a crystal ball, I'd predict that -- in 2012 -- Mrs. Clinton would be running for President . . . against Vice-President Sarah Palin. Hey, stranger things haven't happened, I admit, but we paddle along nowadays in uncharted waters. The following are Bill Clinton's comments about how the Obama campaign and its surrogates have been "sliming" (nice word, Bill) his wife.

"The editor of Esquire— he sent us an email yesterday and said it was the single sleaziest piece of journalism he'd seen in decades. He said it made him want to go take a shower and he was embarrassed to be a journalist when he read it."

"You know he [Todd Purdum] didn't use a single name, cite a single source in all those things he said. It's just slimy. It's part of the national media's attempt to nail Hillary for Obama. It's the most biased press coverage in history. It's another way of helping Obama.

"They had all these people standing up in this church [Barack's now-former church, Trinity United] cheering, calling Hillary a white racist, and he didn't do anything about it. The first day he said 'Ah, ah, ah well.' Because that's what they do— he [Obama] gets other people to slime her. So then they saw the movie they thought this is a great ad for John McCain— maybe I better quit the church. It's all politics."

"It's all about the bias of the media for Obama. Don't think anything about it."

Steve adds: I doubt we've heard the last of this. On Dee Dee Myers: Clinton did appoint her press secretary, but decided relatively soon that she wasn't up to the job. I thought she was (and is) a capable PR person. Apparently, she was very hurt by President Bill tossing her under the bus, but she's avoided trashing him.

Do I believe McCain supporters should use Bill Clinton's comments against Obama? I sure do. Mrs. Clinton has portrayed Barack Obama as a man not at all ready to be President. She should be reminded of her comments -- and so should Obama.

Vice-President Sarah Palin?

2008-05-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in another candidate who might one day end up in the White House, check out my piece on PA's Melissa Hart: http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com/. I hope all Pennsylvania visitors will check out that site, one where I'm currently writing about key congressional races. Gov. Sarah Palin -- beautiful, yes, but also extremely talented and a true patriot.

Jean Avery of Seattle, Washington, is one of those people whose name may be unfamiliar to you, but she plays a significant -- and growing -- role in American politics. She's a first-rate thinker and writer who is strongly backing John McCain.

Jean, a Princeton grad and originator of the very popular Moms4McCain site on blogspot.com, wrote the following piece. In my view, Jean is in many ways just as much a star as Sarah Palin.

This column appeared on http://mccainnow.com (which I urge everyone to join) and on Jean's own site.

Hillary Supporters (and others) who are "moms" should consider getting behind Sarah as a vice-presidential choice. The DailyKos and Moveon.org crowds fear Sarah, which speaks volumes about her strengths. (There are growing rumors that Sarah is on John McCain's short-list for the VP nod, and I discuss that situation on: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com.

Here's what Jean said:

My VP week on Moms for McCain would not be complete without mention of fellow Mom and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, another "rising star" in the GOP, who has a unique ability to appeal to several key constituencies.This election has been about breaking barriers, shattering glass ceilings, and overcoming stereotypes - and that's a good thing.

I have discussed before why I don't think merely being a woman or minority candidate is sufficient, in principle or in practice, to earn the votes of Americans and win an election.

However, as my friends on McCain Now pointed out, the strategic reality before John McCain is that millions of would-be Hillary voters are about to come "up for grabs", a significant number have shown consistently they are willing to vote McCain.

Choosing a female VP would be a strategic move to show disenfranchised Hillary supporters that women have a prominent place in a McCain White House.That issue aside, Palin would be an outstanding pick even if she were equipped with different body parts. Palin complements McCain's strengths and would, I believe, strengthen the Republican party's national image.

With unheard-of approval ratings near 85-90%, former beauty queen Palin was not an obvious choice to lead a state that many of us associate with igloos and parkas. Like Jindal, she ran for office to fight the notorious corruption in her state (remember the "bridge to nowhere"?) and like McCain, fighting for responsible spending and accountable government has been a hallmark of her leadership.

Palin walks the walk on conservative values, as a cautious spender, avid sportswoman, 2nd-amendment defender, and true example of pro-life values in action. Already a mother of four, Palin became pregnant at age 44 and learned early in her pregnancy that her child would, most likely, have Down's syndrome.

Palin showed courage and character, leading throughout her pregnancy and even posing for Vogue. She went into labor early (been there, done that!) during a Governors' conference -- at which she had the opportunity to informally 'remove herself' from VP consideration, and didn't take it.

To be clear, I don't think we should hand this woman the vice-presidency because she gave birth a lot and in brave ways (although I have to admit, as a Mom, this appeals to my head and my heart). I also don't think we should take lightly the responsibilities of raising a special-needs child - but other women in Washington have done it, and it would be sexist and presumptuous to make that decision for her.

As long as she keeps her hat in the ring, I think McCain should try it on for size. For LOTS more on Gov. Palin, see http://palinforvp.blogspot.com/

Steve Adds: Even if you're not a mom or even a female -- to both of which I plead guilty -- I urge you to visit Jean's Mom4McCain site. Mothers are a critical constituency in this year's election, as they are in most. As for Jean, she's as good as it gets on the blogosphere.

Obama: Demagogic, Dinshonest . . . Democrat

2008-05-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

Obama with two "typical white people," his grandparents

The piece below this column is good on Obama's misrepresentation of his uncle supposedly liberating Auschwitz (which was actually liberated by the Soviet's Red Army). Like so many things in Obama's "story," it never happened.

Obama tries hard on the campaign to indicate some connection with the U.S. military. Actually, he has none.

In his stump speech,Obama talks about how his grandfather "served in Patton's Army." That is true, but in Dreams From My Father, Obama adds that his grandfather "never saw combat."

He portrays the grandfather (and the grandmother) as clownish figures. However, if the grandparents had any anti-Black feelings, they certainly had an odd way of showing it, because they never treated him with anything but love. Too bad he hasn't reciprocated.

He noted that his grandmother worked in a "bomb assembly plant." That seems to be true, but she's the same individual Obama calls "a typical white person."

In his speeches, particulary the famous "race" speech in Philadelphia, that his grandmother was frightened of Black people. That appears to be untrue. The grandmother apparently was frightened by a man (she never told Barack it was a Black man) who was very large and very demanding in his insistence that she give him money. It was his grandfather who told Barack that the man had been Black.

Obama also likes to portray himself as the product of a single-mother childhood (which is partially true, as the grandparents also raised him) and having lived in some measure of poverty. From everything I can see in "Dreams" he lived a childhood similar to mine, and to call it a "poverty" upbringing is false.

There is more going on here than just the normal political hyperbole. Obama has a "rich" fantasy life, and he exaggerates repeatedly about his pre-adult life. If you go on to the SECOND autobiography (Audacity of Hope), you can find the hyperbole about his adult, particularly the "community organizer" phase.

In my humble hometown of Ambridge, PA, we sometimes have something like community organizers, but we generlaly call them "unemployed."

Michelle Obama made in excess of $300,000 working in something called "community outreach." I don't believe we have any jobs like that in Ambridge.

Obama has made more than $5 million from his books, but Michelle talks, disingenuously about how difficult it is to fork over money for her daughters' ballet lessons. Give us a break, Michelle.

Obama's WWII Uncle Flap

Amanda Carpenter

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Barack Obama’s campaign staff is scrambling to explain a family story Obama told on the campaign trail that rivals say is untrue and warrants explanation.

At a Memorial Day campaign stop Obama told a story about his WWII veteran uncle who allegedly liberated Auschwitz. Upon returning to the United States, according to Obama family lore, the uncle spent months alone in his attic.

“Now obviously, something had really affected him deeply, but at that time there just weren’t the kinds of facilities to help somebody work through that kind of pain,” Obama said. “That’s why this idea of making sure that every single veteran, when they are discharged, are screened for post-traumatic stress disorder and given the mental health services that they need – that’s why it’s so important.”

The trouble is, the Red Army liberated Auschwitz and Obama’s mother is an only child. (His father left him at a young age, so it was unlikely the uncle in question was related to his father.)

The Republican National Committee and members of the media seized on the story, demanding clarification.

RNC spokeswoman Liz Mair said in a statement: “Barack Obama owes the American public an explanation in light of his statement yesterday regarding his uncle and the liberation of Auschwitz. It is a well-known fact that Soviet troops liberated Auschwitz. Unless Obama’s uncle served in the Red Army, his statement looks nothing short of fatuous—and Americans expect something better than exaggerations and outright distortions from a candidate who hopes to become our next Commander in Chief.”

Shortly after, an Obama campaign spokesman said Obama did have a great uncle who helped liberate a different war camp. The campaign said Obama’s great uncle on his mother’s side, Charlie Payne, was a member of the 89th Infantry Division that liberated Buchenwald in 1945.

http://www.townhall.com/Common/PrintPage.aspx?g=c3ba2e15-0352-410c-929d-7582791b0aea&t=c

OHIO Congressional Candidates: Listen Up!

2008-05-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends in Ohio (and Other States): About mid-July, this Ohio site will become much more specific to the Buckeye State, focusing not only on the McCain Campaign, but also congressional races. If I ever don't have a new post on here, I invite you to visit my Pennsylvania blog or my national blog. Please click on them now and bookmark for future reference. I hope readers everywhere will forward this advice to your congressional candidates. I'm not charging any candidate for anything right now, but I do want to share ideas that work -- especially as they relate to the critical area of fundraising.

Michael and Kathy (and others), with Rajan Vaish's guidance I can help with the Wikipedia page for Republican candidates. It can't be a campaign ad -- must be biographical, although it can contain quotes. Wikipedia's software picks up if the entry closely resembles something else online, which would include a candidate's bio on his campaign web site. When Michael gets on Wikipedia, it will start drawing people (perhaps dozens more per day) to his web site. Hits on the site are everything, because the more hits the more contributions he will get.

In time, every candidate should consider having a video appeal (for support and funds) on his or her site. Over the weekend, I sent one candidate a 200-word (about a minute-and-a-half) "model" for her web site. Candidates need to do more on the web site than to have a "here's me" page. They should (hopefully by video, but at least in text) ask visitors to DO some specific things.

The most important thing a visitor can do is to contribute. A close second is to recommend the candidate to as many friends as possible . . . and specifically to ask friends to visit the web site. It's sort of a "virtuous circle," because contributors are the most likely to recommend the candidate. They're also the most likely to contribute again.

One of the big questions in politics is this: What should the candidate ask (specifically) of people who say, 'What can I do to help" or "I want to help . . ." I will have some suggestions about this on my Pennsylvania blog. But it's important to remember that a good portion of those who do want to help will not be able to spend, say, a weekend at campaign headquarters.

These are tricky questions, in other words, but the candidate should always ask supporters to take one, two, or three actions. Don't ask them to do a fourth unless they come back and say they've already done the first three.

I suggested that when candidates meet with small groups, they should have a tin cup as a prop and mention -- humorously -- that they are getting good at asking people, even strangers, for money. Jesse Jackson used to pass around a bucket at his rallies, and it worked well.

In terms of what to say, all the PA challengers are approaching a similar message, stating: "Look, if you want change -- and everybody does -- you won't get it by sending the same people back to Congress." That is similar to the definition of insanity ("doing the same thing over and over and hoping for different results").

Obama, Clinton, and McCain go out and give the same speech (it apparently works) hundreds of times. After awhile, candidates get real good at delivering THE SPEECH. Of course, they should tweak "The Speech" as necessary.

I believe candidates should say the statements about change and insanity until they're almost literally blue in the face. It's a great campaign slogan, especially for people running (as they all are) against sitting Democrats. (I could come out with another slogan related to those "sitting Democrats," who truly are sitting a lot and acting very little.)

Pennsylvania blog is at: http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com/
National blog is at: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/.

PA Candidate running in area near Ohio:
Melissa Hart at: http://peoplewithhart.com/.
Hillary Supporters 4 McCain is at: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/.

Sarah Palin: McCain's V-P Choice?

2008-05-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

I guess this is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin week on my blogs (scroll down). Several important bloggers have endorsed Sarah for a spot on the McCain ticket recently. One of them is the absolutely wonderful Jean Avery, who manages http://moms4mccain.blogspot.com. Jean is one of the brightest political activists in America (along with Sharon Caliendo), and I urge you to visit her site. (Sharon blogs at: http://democratsforsale.blogspot.com). You also want to visit the site of the individual, Colorado's own Adam Brickley, who founded the "Draft Sarah Palin Movement." Two years ago, he was the only member of the movement. I was the third. Now, Sarah Palin is a national fiigure with an army of supporters. It would be a bold, imaginative step for John McCain to pick Sarah as his running mate, but boldness and imagination are just what we have come to expect of the Senator from Arizona. If you want to read just one article that captures the essence of Sarah's appeal, see Fred Barnes' Weekly Standard piece ("The Most Popular Governor") at: http://weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp. Thanks also to Cindy at The Pink Flamingo, one of the most popular blogs, for her continuing support of Sarah. And a salute to the irrepressible (and almost unpronouncable) FullosseousFlap, a big-time blogger, for his endorsement of Sarah this week at: http://flapsblog.com/?p=7028#comment-87351. If you haven't yet seen my HillarySupportersforMcCain blog, one of the most unusual going, well, what are you waiting for? McCain's chances for the presidency rise and fall on the basis of how effectively he can attract Hillary Supporters.

Note: I have many blogs (my arms are tired). The one for Pennsylvania and Keystone State candidates is: http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com.

My two national blogs are: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com. & http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com.

I also have a blog discussing how a lot of Hillary Clinton supporters are poised to back John McCain. It's at: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com.

I urge you to visit all of them -- and let your friends know they exist. I'll be writing more about New Jersey candidates after the Primary. All the best to everyone and have a great Memorial Day.

Tom Davis: GOP "Dog Food"

2008-05-18T18:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Ohioans: Okay, I've now had more than 50,000 (!) visitors to my various blogs. My goal is get 150,000-plus additional visitors by Election Day. If I can somehow accomplish that, as well as get many other bloggers to "adopt" the candidates, those could be major factors in getting one (or more!) my "underdog" congressional candidates elected. You can read about several outstanding candidates on: http://pennsylvaniaforjohmccain.blogspot.com. On another site, HillarySupportersforMcCain, I talk daily about one of the most critical issues in this year's election: how McCain can get major support from those who have favored Sen. Clinton in the primaries. Soon, I'll begin talking about some first-rate Ohio candidates. Keep coming back and tell your friends and supporters about my sites. On those sites, please click on all the links for Google AdSense. Any revenues I receive will go to John McCain and Republican congressional candidates.

Ohioans: Please send a copy of this article from my Pennsylvania blog to your congressional candidates in Ohio. Thanks for your help.

If you'd like to read about some truly superb Republican candidates, please visit my Pennsylvania blog. I'll reprint this column there, but generally they are distinctive. The column on my "Hillary" blog basically deals with Mrs. Clinton's options now that Obama appears certain to win the nomination.

It’s come to my attention (and how!) that a lot of Republicans are concerned about Rep. Tom Davis’ recent 20-page memo proclaiming the Republican Party as the equivalent of a “dead man walking.” He said if the “Republican Party brand” was a “dog food” it would be pulled from the shelves.

Davis is a 7th term Republican congressman from Virginia’s 11th District (Fairfax County, just outside DC). He’s retiring this year on a huge pension and life-time health benefits for him and his. As a congressman, he’s as “Beltway as it gets.” He’s one of a handful of Christian Scientists in Congress.

I hope he doesn’t regard his leaving as one of the operative causes of what he sees as the demise of the Republican Party. His comments don’t frighten me; they irritate me.If the Republican Party has its troubles – and it does – people like him are responsible. He’s one of the Republican “leaders.” Tom Davis, whose voting record is half liberal, half conservative, voted for most of the big spending bills he now decries.

He loved his “earmarks,” those wasteful “special projects” made famous by Alaska’s “Bridge to Nowhere.” He never realized that no Republican congressman or congresswoman anymore can support earmarks, because they are invariably wasteful spending that adds to the budget deficit.

Tom’s constituents are presumably creating uproar over gasoline prices reaching $4 a gallon. However, Tom voted against drilling in ANWR, one of a number of Republicans who did so. Tom is one of those Republicans who think it’s a good idea to drill for and produce oil in other countries, but not in ours. People in Mideast call that hypocrisy, and it’s one reason they refuse to produce additional oil to satisfy our needs.

As I suggested earlier, Tom is one of those who uses the hip phrase “Republican brand.”Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “History is the lengthened shadow of a man (person).” Well, Tom, a political Party is the extension of the people in it. It is not “Frosted Flakes” or a Hyundai car.If you have excellent people, you have a great Party. If you more than your share of Mark Foleys (of nasty e-mail fame), or Duke Cunningham (now in jail for bribery), or Bob Ney (also in jail), you have a Party that needs to rethink who it is and what it wants to be.

The Democrat’s “brand” is doing very well either. Right now, the national approval rating for Congress is lower than George Bush’s. It’s at 22%. That figure is a vote on the performance of people like Tom Davis. It’s a failing grade and one people like him richly deserve.

The Republican “brand” (i.e., the people running for office) in Pennsylvania is very strong. That’s because the people – Melissa Hart, Marina Kats, Tom Manion, Toni Gilhooley, and Mike Livingston – are outstanding human beings. Their life stories are tales of heroism and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Tom Davis one of the rudderless “leaders” who helped create the mess in Washington. Now, he’s turned around and, for the first time in his life, discovered there is . . . a mess.

So, he writes his endless memo in an effort to impress the Washington media types.Spare us your lectures Tom.

In Pennsylvania we’re planning to send a much better grade of people to Congress. They're going to solve problems – in national security, in spending, in terrorism threats, in education, and in crime – that you, Tom Davis, barely touched in your 14 years in the House.The Republican congressional candidates in Pennsylvania are going to take back seats we lost in 2006 –and add a couple of surprises for the Democrats.(More on this and related subjects in coming days. The columns will be on my Pennsylvania blog and on the two national ones. My emphasis will be on fairly simple (but occasionally painful) ways to solve our great national problems. Your comments are welcome.

Ted Kennedy at Hooters

2008-05-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

On my provocative Hillary Supporters for McCain blog (http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogspot.com) I have a new article entitled "Hillary Clinton Deserves Democratic Nomination." It presents a perspective you haven't seen before. Also, please click on the Google "Adsense" links you will see there to your right. All revenues generated (and, alas, they won't be much) will go to John McCain and other outstanding candidates. Thanks!

Above: The Teddy we have come to know best.

I have a ne column on Ted Kennedy (as a national menance) on my national blog: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com/. Also, if you'd like, sample my very original blog: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/. Thanks -- and enjoy!

McCain-Clinton as Running Mates?

2008-05-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

On my national blog Saturday I have a new column: "Ted Kennedy: A National Disgrace." On my innovative Hillary Supporters for McCain blog, I have several columns about Mrs. Clinton and her primary travails. I urge you to visit.

"We belong to different parties, not different countries." (John McCain)

Note: If you've read part of this piece before, please scroll down to see additions made on Thursday. The suggestions in his column are so important that I want to leave it up for the entire day of May 14. It is critical for the country to elect John McCain, but it's equally important that he not face an intransigent Democratic Congress that hamstrings his ability to govern. McCain and Senator Clinton need to speak candidly about how they can both best serve their nation. Yes, there are problems with what I suggest, but there are more problems if we continue in Washington, DC with "business as usual." McCain said today that we can't continue to have elections that are nothing more than generators of "a battleground for the next election."

A Call for a McCain-Clinton ticket and a government of national unity in a time of great crisis: The following exchange that took place on http://mccainnow.com/ speaks for itself. Serious times demand bold actions. Country must transcend Party. Love to hear your thoughts.

Stephen Maloney May 14, 2008: "There's an old saying that you drop your bucket in the well where water is. Sen. Clinton has a lot of water in her well (in the form of voters). Does she think John McCain would make a better President than Obama? Of course she does, but to say so might put her in the Democratic 'Hall of Infamy.' She can send signals though."

Michel Zala May 14, 2008: "I could not agree more with your opinion. Quite actually, in light of the absolute need to unify this country which faces the gravest challenges in recent decades and on so many dimensions, I dare to propose an outrageous idea: Nominate Hillary as John's candidate for VP. Anything to stop the empty suit with his disastrous ideas which could take the US as well as the entire free world to the brink of the abyss, is good enough for me."

Stephen Maloney May 14, 2008: "Great minds think alike? :-) I sincerely hope John McCain and Mrs. Clinton have some serious, private discussions about running as a "national unity" team. Our beloved country -- and I truly believe both she and John love it dearly -- faces problems we haven't seen since The Great Depression and World War II. Senators McCain and Clinton need to look deeply into their hearts and then do what is best for the country. I'm sure there will be a lot more written about this by others, but I deeply support what you have suggested.I'm putting this exchange up on my Hillary Supporters for McCain blog: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com./Thanks Michel, for making a a truly bold statement.

Note to visitors: Your comments (on this blog or by e-mail to TalkTop65@aol.com) are sought and welcomed."

Andi Card" ("CountryGirl) wrote the following in response to the posts above:"Now that John Edwards has also come out and backed Obama for sure something smells a bit fishy in all these Democrat's positions on Obama. He is one person that no one and I mean no one appears to know much about this man. So why in the World are all these Democrats, along with the Super Delegates backing a man they themselves know nothing about. I also think that the people's votes should certainly count more than any super delegates vote does. As you mentioned look at the bigger states that Senator Clinton has won over Obama. If the super delegates are going to make the decision, instead of the American people then why are we even bothering to vote? Interesting what you've written about here for sure. Something we'll be keeping an eye on for sure. John McCain is the one and only man for our new Commander-in-Chief."

Stephen Maloney wrote the following response to "Andi Card":"Many years ago a guy named Ralph Ellison (a Black man) wrote a great novel -- his only one -- called The Invisible Man. That's Barack Obama, the man no one knows."Fifty-one percent of WV DEMOCRATS said they believe Obama shares Rev. Wright's beliefs. West Virginians may be wiser than the media knows. Michel and I have suggested a radical step for Sen. McCain. I'm interested in what people say about it. My country means everything to do me, and I'm sure it also does to John McCain. We shall see what it means to Sen. Clinton."

Hillary Voters Turn To McCain

2008-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama in a show of support for his long-time pastor and "spiritual advisor" Rev. Jeremiah Wright. As Obama said of Wright, "I could no more disown him than I could disown by own grandmother." Poor grandma . . .

I'd like to urge you to visit my web site. Today, I have a column discussing the need for McCain and his supporters HillarySupportersforMcCain to reach out to Hillary supporters, many of whom are getting ready to vote for John McCain. As the primary results show, Hillary Clinton is very popular in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Tomorrow, on the Hillary site, I have a column by Jean Avery of Seattle, Washington. She's one of the best political analysts "you've never heard of." She talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the Clinton campaign -- with emphasis on lessons John McCain can learn from the Clinton efforts. http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com.

As many of you know, I'm deeply involved in a growing national movement to reach out to people who support Sen. Clinton in the presidential primaries -- and get them to vote for John McCain in the general election. As many as 10 million Clinton supporters nationally say they will -- or might -- vote for McCain. If he gets most of those votes, he will win the election.

I'm also asking Pennsylvania and Ohio congressional candidates to take the (admittedly unusual) step of strongly endorsing Sen. McCain and denouncing the disturbing comments Obama made about "bitter" (and backward) Americans.

My view of Sen. Clinton is this: yes, I disagree with her on many (even most) issues. No, I don't regard her as "the Witch of Endor." In Pennsylvania, she impressed many of us -- however reluctant we might have been -- with her personal grit and the ferocity of her campaign. In short, in a street-fight I want her on my side. As for Obama, in said street-fight I want him to hold my coat (and Hillary's). I have an important column up today on my new -- and, to my amazement, popular! -- site: http://hillarysupportersformccain.blogspot.com/ ("Hatchets Hacking Away at Hillary"). Please visit and, if you'd like, let me know your thoughts. You can leave comments on the blog or write me at: TalkTop65@aol.com.

There's also a lot of discussion of Hillary voters on the important new McCain site: http://mccainnow.com/. Please check out "McCainNow."

2008-05-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

Note: On my Pennsylvania for John McCain blog today (Monday) I have a list of "100 Ways to Help John McCain Get Elected." It deals with practical steps you can take to help your favorite candidate. The list can be adapted to apply to ther candidates. I urge you to take a look at it (by clicking on the word "blog" above.) Thanks!

McCain Needs More Straight Talk

2008-05-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

I just heard on CBS that their new nation poll shows McCain significantly behind Clinton and Obama. I know: polls are not written in stone but rather in the wind, but the CBS revelation sounded like a chill breeze to me.

There are several reasons McCain might have hit a bump in the road, including the fact the Democratic candidates get about 10 times as much media coverage as our favorite Senator from Arizona. Basically, CNN, MSNBC, and even (sob!) FOX run 24/7 commercials for Hillary and Barack. Would anybody expect a discouraging word from Candy Crowley or Suzanne Malveaux, who serve basically as cheerleaders for Obama?

But Senator McCain bears some of the blame. He's much too nice to Senator Clinton and, especially, Senator Obama. On Chris Mathews show, he said Obama's "bitter" comment was elitist, but he didn't think the Senator himself was "an elitist." Good grief! It's like someone refusing to say Donald Trump is arrogant.

Let's see: Obama said we small town Pennsylvanians (of which I'm one) are "clinging" to our religion, guns, racism, and xenophobia. Elitist? It goes far beyond that. It's despicable . . . reprehensible. Also, since Obama was referring exclusvely to "white folks" (I'm also one of THEM), it had a strong racist tinge.

Obama racist? Well, yeah. After all, he's the guy who called his grandmother (from all evidence a saint) "a typical white person." In his famous Philadelphia speech on "race" (of which no one can remember a single word), he compared grandma to Rev. Wright -- and not favorably.Obama not an elitist? Please, John.

When he says he "respects Senator McCain for his service to the country," the Illinois Senator has to choke the words out. Nothing in Obama's background suggests he understands -- or respects -- people who commit their lives to serving their country. In his days at an exclusive Hawaian prep school, at Columbia, and at "Hahvad Law School," I dont think he ran into a lot of military types. The notion of Obama actually in the military is something like imagining Rosie O'Donnell as Miss America.

We've seen the new Democrat National Committee ad that shows how much they "respect" McCain. It portrays him as guy who presumably would like to continue the Iraq War for "100" years. Their other ad shows McCain as a guy who thinks a lousy economy is just peachy. Trust me, come next October Barack Obama will be saying basically the same thing.

I predicted awhile back that Moveon.org would be calling McCain a "warmonger." About a day after my prediction, they did just that.Since Obama receives most of his mega-millions from Moveon, perhaps he'll tell them to desist? Fat chance. Pigs will qualify as Rockettes before that happens.

I do not believe Barack Obama is a good man. I would have to see some evidence.In fact, I believe he's a taller, more polished, more calculating version of his "spiritual advisor," Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I believe that chucking Obama under the chin when he makes outrageous and false statements only encourages him.

Frankly, when it comes to the Democrats' frontrunner, it's time for McCain's famous temper to make a reappearance. For instance, when Obama makes "elistist" (and worse) comments, the moment has arrived for some straight talk about the nature and character of the man.

Obama is the guy who sat in Rev. Wright's church for 20 years. I'm sure that hearing some strong language from McCain will not cause him to dry up and blow away. More's the pity. Fire when ready, Senator McCain.

(I blog regularly at http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com and at http://pennsylvaniaforjohnmccain.blogpost.com.

The Democrats Dream Team

2008-05-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

In regard to the question whether Rev. Wright might switch to Hillary:

I don't think Wright would switch to Hillary -- unless he would really, truly hates her. Wright is politically radioactive and may be declared the world's first "Human WMD." Maybe The Rev. might get a talk show on cable TV? He and Rush Limbaugh would make a great team as long as neither one was allowed to carry sharp objects.

As for Obama, if his Wright problems persist, he might try to get out of it by claiming insanity to explain the 20 years he spent listening to Wright's sermons.

I hope Obama caught Wright's suggestion that he might be available for the vice presidency. Call it the "Dream Team."

Obama: Albatross for Democrats

2008-04-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to get on the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) mailing list, please send an e-mail to Josh Schultz at: joshschultz@nrcc.org. He presents great information and will send you about one informational e-mail per week.

The following is from Karen Hanretty, NRCC Communications Director, and it shows how the Barack Obama/Rev. Wright "ticket" has become radioactive for Democrats. (At the National Press Club, Rev. Wright suggested he might be interested in the Democratic vice-presidential nomination.)

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: NRCC Communications Director Karen Hanretty
SUBJECT: Bloom Off the Obama Rose: Endorsement from Elitist No Longer Smells Sweet DATE: April 29, 2008

The longer the chaos of the Democrat presidential primary plays out, the more a liability Barack Obama becomes to congressional candidates running on the Democrat ticket this year. Evidence that the bloom is off the Obama rose is Travis Childers’ adamant denial he accepted an endorsement from Obama.

Childers, a candidate in the open seat of Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District, told reporters, “Senator Obama hasn't endorsed my candidacy. I have not been in contact with his campaign nor has he been in contact with mine...” (WREG, April 28, 2008)

However, an email from Obama’s presidential campaign sent April 22nd encouraged supporters to make phone calls and turn out voters for Childers in the special election runoff. “Today we can give Travis the boost he needs to finish strong,” read the Obama email, “and show that our movement is dedicated to change up and down the ballot.” (Obama email, WREG, April 28, 2008)

See the story by WREG here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE1oN4bYjyg

Childers isn’t the only Democrat distancing himself from Obama. North Carolina Governor Mike Easely, a superdelegate, endorsed Hillary Clinton today over the odds-on favorite to win the state’s primary, Barack Obama. With less than a month until the Mississippi election to fill the open congressional seat, the question to Travis Childers is, “If not Obama, who? Hillary?”

Former President Bill Clinton lost the state of Mississippi in 1996, and President George W. Bush won the state in 2000 with 59% of the vote and again in 2004 by an even wider margin of 62%. No matter how you slice it, Democrat Travis Childers isn’t going to pick a candidate favorable to his district unless he endorses John McCain.

Steve adds: Well said, Karen. I hope the hapless Mr. Childers' Republican opponent runs Karen's exact comments as radio and TV ads. In at least half the congressional districts in America, an endorsement from Obama is an albatross around the neck. Most Americans recognize that Obama is an offensive elitist, and those congressional candidate who support him -- or even tolerate him -- fall into the same category.

If you're interested in supporting a superb Republican congressional candidate, please visit the web site of Pennsylvania's Melissa Hart.

McCain: Needing New Advisers?

2008-04-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

“We’ve discovered that Barack Obama was not born in a manger.” (Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader)

"This week in the New Republic we have an article comparing him [Obama) to George McGovern.” (Mike Allen, Politico.com)

John McCain speaking about the anti-Obama ad he asked the NC GOP to withdraw: McCain said the ad was described to him: "I didn't see it, and I hope that I don't see it."

The following is an excerpt from my Sunday column on my national blog (http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com)

I’m looking forward to writing this week about “The Battle for McCain’s Soul.” I’ve become increasingly convinced that John McCain is not being well-served by some of his advisers. Frankly, they are covered by a veil of illusion about the character of their main opponent, Barack Obama, and the nature of the campaign that will be waged against them.

(I believe Hillary Clinton's Pennsylvania campaign against the much better-financed Obama effort is a model for how to compete with the Illinois Senator. In fact, the Clinton campaign in PA has implications for the coming struggle in Ohio. In Buckeye State politics, "turning the other cheek" is not a winning strategy.)

OBAMA: A DISASTER FOR DEMOCRATS

2008-04-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend's column is titled: "Obama: A Disaster for Democrats." In many states (PA, NM, NC) Republicans are running ads to support state ("down-ticket") Republican candidates that feature criticisms of Barack Obama. In 30-plus states -- including Ohio -- he is becoming radioactive. My friend, Melissa Hart, who's running for Congress in the 4th congressional district is launching almost daily attacks on her opponent, Jason Altmire, for his "fawning," uncritical behavior toward Obama.

Consider the following information disseminated by Sharon Caliendo, a political superstar and consultant in Oklahoma and Texas:

Sooner Survey: Barack Obama Would Be A Disaster For State Democrats,
Drag Entire Ticket Down

Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee for president would be a disaster for Oklahoma Democrats and possibly drag down other Democrat candidates, the new edition of the Sooner Survey reports.

Survey Director Pat McFerron reports that with either Obama or Hillary Clinton as the party nominee, Republican John McCain should win the state easily. But while McCain now leads Clinton 2-to-1, he leads Obama 3-to-1 and Obama displays startling weakness in Democrat areas of the state.

While Oklahoma Republicans once salivated at the opportunity to again run against a Clinton, McFerron writes, "Barack Obama’s numbers in the state make him an even more appealing Democrat nominee to run against."

For Oklahoma Democrats on the fall ballot, McFerron sounds an ominous warning: "When looking at their individual favorability numbers, there is not much difference between Obama (32% favorable vs. 54% unfavorable) and Clinton (34% favorable vs. 57% unfavorable).However, when looking at ballot match-ups against McCain, there is a sizeable difference that could have dire consequences for down-ballot Democrats.

Against Hillary Clinton, John McCain has a two-to-one advantage (60% McCain vs. 30% Clinton). Against Barack Obama, however, it approaches three-to-one (62% McCain vs. 21% Obama).

"Obama drew a favorable rating from 32 percent of those in the survey, with 54 percent expressing an unfavorable opinion. And 40 percent have a "strongly unfavorable" impression of him.

McFerron writes that in the Ada/Ardmore area, an area of significant Democrat strength, 81 percent of those surveyed picked McCain and only 5 percent picked Obama in a head-to-head matchup.

In Little Dixie, McCain has an astounding 5-to-1 lead over Obama.http://wwwtmrcom.blogspot.com/

Sharon Caliendo added the following:"I think this is pretty much what you are going to see across the South including Texas and Florida. I work with a good friend out of Florida that said he believes the OK numbers will be similar for Florida which is outstanding news. I expect Sen McCain to have coattails in a lot of our states that were all or predominately red the last time. OK and UT had every county go for Pres Bush and as it stands now I expect those numbers to rise for Sen McCain as we draw in the American Indian vote for the Senator. He has spent years working for the Indians on the Senate Committee and all the ones I have talked with in OK support McCain.

"Getting a good feeling about this election in our part of the Country. Now to reach out to those states that were blue in the last election to bring some of them red so on election night we can celebrate instead of waiting until the next day and longer."

NC GOP Right, McCain Wrong

2008-04-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Note: This is a reposting from my national blogs: http://stevemaloneygop.blogspot.com or http://camp2008victorya.blogspot.com. Your comments are always welcome.

NC GOP Right, McCain Wrong

I strongly support John McCain for the presidency of the U.S. I have done a great deal online – and off – to advance the cause of John McCain, and I will do a great deal more.

That said, I strongly disagree with McCain’s position that the North Carolina GOP should withdraw an Obama ad, one using Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s anti-American and anti-white comments to criticize two NC Democrats running for governor. Both candidates (Richard Moore and Bev Perdue) have endorsed Barack Obama.

John McCain has said “there’s no place for that kind of campaigning, and the American people don’t want it.” He also added that his knowledge of the ad was second-hand. In his words, “I didn’t see it, and I hope that I don’t see it.” Frankly, if he wants to condemn the ad, he should at least look at it.

John McCain is an honorable, decent man. In the case of the NC ad, he’s overstepping his authority. Yes, he will be the Republican standard bearer, but the North Carolina GOP is a separate entity, responsible for the performance of Republicans in their state.

Frankly, there’s nothing false or meretricious about the ad. Rev. Wright presented the sermon featured (the one where he says “God damn America”) as it appears in the ad. Obama has distanced himself in vague ways from what he calls Wright’s “controversial” remarks, but has not spoken in any detail about the issue.

In fact, Republican candidates around the country are holding Democrats to account on their support of Obama. In my own congressional district, GOP candidate Melissa Hart has repeatedly criticized her opponent, Jason Altmire, for not distancing himself from Obama’s so-called “bitter” comments. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is supporting such efforts.

As for McCain, he’s taking too much of a kid gloves approach to Obama, who misrepresents McCain’s position on a daily basis. Most disturbingly, McCain told MSNBC’s Chris Mathews that Obama’s “bitter” remarks were “elitist,” but that he wouldn’t characterize the Senator himself as an “elitist.”

I give up. Even Hillary Clinton, Obama’s fellow Democrat, has called him an “elitist.’ Frankly, an elitist is someone who makes elitist remarks and is guilty of elitist associations, and Obama regularly does both.

I sometimes fear that Senator McCain yearns for the good old days when the U.S. Senate was a “gentleman’s club.” In his chronic misrepresentations of McCain – for example, saying he’d like to fight the Iraq War for another 100 years – Obama is not exactly being a gentleman. In fact, he’s being a left-wing elitist, one detached from the realities of life in most of America.

In the campaign, Obama and his friends at MoveOn.org are going to throw the kitchen sink at McCain. Heck, they’re going to throw the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher at McCain – not to mention the local landfills. It will be a little hard for McCain to take the high road when he's being stung hourly by a horde of wasps.

Senator McCain can not be under the illusion that he’s a latter-day Dwight Eisenhower running a contemporary version of Adlai Stevenson. Like the North Carolina Republicans, McCain must not overestimate the character of his opponent(s).

In the Gulf War, General Schwarzkopf said his approach would be to “hit the enemy in the face with a baseball bat.” Frankly, that’s a good description of what American leftists -- including Barack Obama – will try to do with McCain.

When you see a baseball bat coming your way, the best approach is NOT to turn the other cheek. Trust me, Senator Obama and his supporters are not to miss any opportunity to defame John McCain, and he’s better be ready for that.

Note: The material below describes in detail the controversy over the NC political ad.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/04/23/ap4926459.html

"We asked them not to run it," McCain told reporters traveling with him in Kentucky. "I'm sending them an e-mail as we speak asking them to take it down.

"I don't know why they do it. Obviously, I don't control them, but I'm making it very clear, as I have a couple of times in the past, that there's no place for that kind of campaigning, and the American people don't want it," McCain said.
McCain said the ad was described to him: "I didn't see it, and I hope that I don't see it."

"Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who accompanied McCain, said he had left a voice mail message for state party chairwoman Linda Daves asking her to pull the ad."

McCain, in an e-mail to Daves, said he will draw sharp contrasts with Democrats. "But we need not engage in political tactics that only seek to divide the American people."

Asked about the ad during an appearance in New Albany, Ind., Obama said: "My understanding is that the Republican National Committee and John McCain have both said that the ad's inappropriate. I take them at their word, and I assume that if John McCain thinks that it's an inappropriate ad, that he can get them to pull it down since he's their nominee and standard-bearer."

"Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean piled on, saying McCain should call the party chairwoman personally."

"If John McCain means what he says, he should call the North Carolina Republican Party chairwoman and tell her not to run this ad," Dean said. "Sending an e-mail and turning a blind eye as the state party ignores him is not leadership."

North Carolina GOP spokesman Brent Woodcox said the ad will begin running statewide on Monday, a week before the state's crucial May 6 primary. The ad actually targets gubernatorial candidates Richard Moore and Bev Perdue, Democrats who have endorsed Obama.