VA Dems push back on McCain Robo-Fear Calls

Hear Va Dems Push Back

cross-posted: Cobalt6

While John McCain and Sarah Palin attempt another course correction in their erratic journey, by turning on the charm campaign in public appearances, their surrogates are conducting the well-worn Republican Campaign of Fear: version 2008 in the Old Dominion.

Thankfully, voters are seeing this for what it is... bigoted and subconsciously racist. The old "people not like you... are out to do you harm". Malarkey!

Virginia Democrats are finally pushing back on typical Republican robo-calling.

Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, from Roanoke, gives Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, some local insight on the tactics of negative campaigning this late in the race.



email from Va Democrats for Obama:

Independent research groups have determined that 100% of McCain's ads are negative, but over the last 48 hours, John McCain and his partisan friends have taken their negative campaign to a new level.

Across the state, voters are concerned about a series of automated calls they are receiving, pushing false, discredited attacks against U.S. Senator Barack Obama, which attempt to distract voters from the real issues facing hard-working families.

Call John McCain's VA Headquarters at 703-297-8900 and tell him that Virginia deserves better than Washington politics as usual.

If the McCain Campaign had its way, it would have you focus on misleading attacks instead of your retirement, your children's future or the cost of a gallon of gas for your car.

Maybe that's not surprising. McCain voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time and promises to continue the failed policies of his administration. McCain even has the same guys running his campaign. And his aides said that if the campaign continues to talk about the economy, McCain will lose, so they need to "turn the page" on the financial crisis.

Virginians deserve the truth about the issues they're facing. While Barack Obama has a plan to provide tax cuts for 95% of Americans, John McCain's tax plan will leave out 101 million families. While Barack Obama will provide affordable healthcare for every American, John McCain will tax your health care benefits for the first time ever. While Barack Obama will deliver the change we need, John McCain will mean four more years of the same ideas that got us into this mess.

Its time we get our priorities right, and it's time John McCain stop pushing false information.

Join me in letting him know that we deserve to hear about the issues, not more misleading attacks.

Contact the McCain Campaign at 703-297-8900

"Plumber Joe" sez it ain't so...

John McCain's debate ploy de jour, Joe The Plumber, says he would get a tax cut if Obama's tax policy is implemented. Great vetting by Team McCain.

READY, FIRE... oops AIM! Forehead slap... Du-oh ... missed again!

LIVE BLOGGING ... Obama Rally - Roanoke

(from viewing of live video feed)

Obama Rally (speech text) -- Roanoke, Virgina -- 10/17/08


<> Nice kick-off by Rep. Rick Boucher (D)... even got a shout out for our candidate, Sam Rasoul, the next congressman from 6th D!

<> Big warm-up act - Sen. Jim Webb (D) -- on fire, these our his folks, this is his town -- gets up in Johnny Mac's grill -- turning 'ol buddy John McCain ever which way but loose over Palin pick. Crowd loves it.




12:44pm - Barack in the house!

> Barack "hearts" Tim Kaine & Mark Warner

> Virginia Tech gets some attention

> Virginia is ready for change!

> Ohio diner story... waiting on some pie... about a "die hard" Republican owner
Obama ask: "how's business?"
Owner's reply: "not so good",
Obama:" who's been in charge last eight years?"
Owner: " Republicans"
Obama: "after eight year .... you might wanna try Democrats for awhile!"

> Obama hits all the standard stump speech points on Economy, Economy, Economy!

> Barack can handle the personal attacks for the next few weeks,
because this campaign is not about him, it's all about you.

> Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - loss of 3/4 million jobs this year!

> Help for Small Businesses -- tax policy support -- job creation credits

> Investment in jobs via infrastructure (roads, schools, broadband, bridges) improvement

> Renewable sources of energy - major US investments -- new green jobs --- high mileage cars built right here in America

> Health care plans -- systemic process improvements and national plan for those that don't want or can't get private medical insurance

> Education -- "I will not allow other countries to out teach us, then out compete us later"

> PAY AS WE GO -- (show me the money) return to tougher fiscal discipline for the federal budget

> Investment in Technology & Innovation -- (yeah... engineering & science!)

> We are all in this together... all must sacrifice, all pull their own wait.

> 18 days from away from changing this country

> CAUTION TO ALL -- WE CAN'T JUST SIT BACK AND WATCH THE POLLS (don't blow the lead , like in NH primary)

> STAND UP FOR CHANGE -- get out there and get the job done

McCain - 0 for 3 ... Game Clock Running Out

CBS Poll: Obama Won 53%-22%

Jim Webb: Obama Supports 2nd Amendment Rights

The Obama campaign in Virginia runs a radio ad by Senator Jim "Born to Fight" Webb, who offers a strong and personal defense of Barack Obama on guns and assures Virginians that Obama will protect our country's "greatness."

Hear Jim Webb audio clip

Obama supports gun rights

Not the NRA - American Hunters & Shooters Association Endorses Obama

Speaking from the viewpoint of a NRA "Bar Nine - Sharpshooter" from my target-shooting days of youth, a gun owner, hunter, and farmer; who is concerned about land/habitat conservation and hunting sports, I have long been disappointed in the politicization of the NRA.

To borrow a version of a well worn phrase, " I didn't leave the NRA, the NRA left me".

Thanks to Sen. Webb and Ray Schoenke for "speaking truth to political power" of the right-wing lobbyists who have manipulated the NRA agenda for the last 40 years!

Obama Works the Good 'ol Blue Dogs

Among the conservative-leaning House Democrats who make up the Blue Dog Coalition are,
from left, John Tanner, Mike Ross and Allen Boyd. (By Sarah L. Voisin -- The Washington Post)


With polls showing a good chance for victory on November 4th, and following through on his systemic view of much needed governmental reform in Washington, Barack Obama has begun investing some time and effort in laying the groundwork for a new governing coalition in the next Congress. To bring real change, will require forging new alliances and developing a broader consensus, that must include more moderate Republicans and fiscally conservative Democrats in Congress.

From Wash Po

"... Obama took a break from campaigning last week to call ... the leaders of the "Blue Dog Coalition," a group of conservative-leaning Democrats who are committed to balancing the federal budget. The group's 49 members already wield significant power in the House, and their ranks are expected to expand in the next Congress.

"He said he planned to be the next president and he wanted to work with us," [Rep. Mike] Ross said in recounting his conversation with Obama before the House approved a $700 billion economic rescue package. "He also recognized that we had the numbers to block or clear" legislation coming from the White House , if he is elected.

Obama's outreach to the Democratic centrists is part of a broader effort by his campaign to prepare for a possible transition. A Washington-based team of government veterans, led by John Podesta, who was chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, now holds daily meetings and conference calls to outline what an Obama administration might look like. While Obama's primary focus remains beating Sen. John McCain, senior advisers said the worsening economic crisis has led the candidate to contemplate some of the most immediate challenges that await the next president, many involving Congress.

Upon taking office, the next president will confront a legislative body riven by partisanship, snubbed for years by the Bush administration and chronically undisciplined in handling taxpayer money. Although the Blue Dogs demanded austerity measures in the House when Democrats won control of the chamber in 2006, the Senate more or less ignored such "pay-as-you-go" restraints.

Jason Furman, Obama's economic policy adviser, has held his own extensive talks with Blue Dog Democrats and said Obama would seek to establish "a government unified around the concept of fiscal discipline and centered around the pay-go rule. Insisting on paying for things will lead to better economic policy."

BRD is a fan of the Blue Dogs' fiscal policy and PAYGO. The prospect of an Obama administration applying some "systemic thinking" and a strong moderate coalition in Congress gives us some hope for saner days ahead. As we have said before, 6th District Blue Dog hopeful Sam Rasoul and Senate candidate Mark Warner are both barking up the right tree for this old farm dog. Woof Woof!

Monday Morning Scoreboard - Obama Leads, McCain Boo'd

Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight.com, has an update from last week's polls.

Barack Obama continues to solidify his lead over John McCain. McCain is getting no traction with his negative ad campaign targeting Obama's personality, instead of economic issues that remain in the forefront of voters minds.


From WashPo/ABC:

Candidate is mainly:

Addressing the issues
Now:
McCain 35%
Obama 68%

8/22:
McCain 45%
Obama 64%

Attacking his opponent
Now:
McCain 59%
Obama 26%

8/22:
McCain 48%
Obama 29%

As we near the end of the "4th quarter" of this contest, the Boo-Birds are starting to show their dis-satisfaction with the McCain campaign.

The Red Team fans are starting to leave the stadium:

Former Reagan advisor, Ed Rollins, says we may be looking at a blow-out victory for Obama.

RedState.com throws in the towel.

Philly Flyers fans share their "love" for Sarah "Hockey Mom" Palin. Ouch!

William Kristol Red Team pundit at NYT, says "Fire the Campaign"!