Palin schedule shows McCain on the defensive?

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: October 6, 2008
Palin schedule shows McCain on the defensive?
From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

(CNN) — The McCain campaign announced Sarah Palin is set to make a stop in North Carolina Tuesday night, two days after the Republican VP candidate stumped in Nebraska — two reliably red states that haven't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in at least three decades. Palin's most recent travel schedule is the latest indication Barack Obama and the nation's ailing economy have put John McCain on the defensive, even in states where the prospect of a Democratic win was unthinkable only four years ago.

Palin's visit to North Carolina comes as most recent polls of the state show Obama and McCain essentially in a dead heat there. A CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation poll of North Carolina last month showed the candidates dead even, while some recent polls have even suggested a slight Democratic lead....

Then there’s the unknown variable of an anticipated rise in turnout in the African-American community. In 2006 that voting bloc made up 26 percent of North Carolina's electorate, with 85 percent voting for Sen. John Kerry. Obama is expected to win an even higher percentage of the black vote this cycle, with a higher expected turnout as well.

"The North Carolina of today is far more diverse than the North Carolina of twenty or even ten years ago," CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib said. "The state’s changing economy has attracted thousands of new voters willing to pull the lever for a Democratic nominee. Second, the state’s sizable African-American voting bloc is extremely energized by Obama’s candidacy. Third, the economic downturn has made Tar Heel voters — just like voters in the rest of the country — much more receptive to the Democratic message of change."

Palin's appearance in the state comes more than five months after McCain held his last public event there, delivering a speech in early May at Wake Forest on his vision for judicial appointments....

The North Carolina visit comes after Palin traveled to Nebraska's Second Congressional District Sunday, prompting pundits to speculate the McCain campaign is worried the Obama could peel off an electoral vote there. Nebraska, like Maine, awards its electoral votes by the winner of each congressional district, and the second district — which includes Omaha and its surrounding areas — is the most Democratic....

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/06/palin-schedule-shows-mccain-on-the-defensive/#more-23026

[BumRushDaShow]

1. And can you say "Wachovia"? n/t

[Boz]

2. When he signalled the end in MI he signalled the shift to a campaign to stop Obama, No longer to win

McCain has made it clear he is done competing, now its just about damaging Obama to weaken his presidential powers and influence.

In some ways this is worse, because strategy is to compete to win, but like in chess McCain is just trying to get a draw or damage no longer a win and thats a very frustrating place and point to fight against because it often makes no sense.

[northernlights]

3. with a strong democratic congress

McCain won't be able to weaken Obama's presidential influence.

[Boz]

4. Thats the point, they are trying to damage the downline, Yesterday the talking point was literally

vote against Obama so the Democrats dont control the whole thing, "the founders wrote the checks and balances for this reason", never mind the Republicans already had that scenario in their situation, NOW its bad for America.