# Is McCain forked yet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 25, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604 "2008-05-25T23:58:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 29
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/561 "2008-09-23T03:48:15Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > So you think winning Michigan guarantees an Obama victory? What are you basing this on? Numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/562 "2008-09-23T14:07:43Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Dropped off roughly a hundred more completed forms to City Hall in Barack Obama, MI this morning. Very nice! [The Free Press](http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080923/NEWS15/809230385) is saying the Obama campaign has plans to register 150,000 new voters in Michigan by the Oct. 6 deadline. And it seems even the Republican Secretary of State is hitting the college campuses for new registration as well. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/563 "2008-09-23T14:14:21Z")
[George Will](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/22/AR2008092202583.html) helps to stick the fork in, comparing McCain to the Queen of Hearts for his “off with Chris Cox’s head” approach to the financial meltdown. Will criticizes McCain for “substituting vehemence for coherence” and kicks the legs out from under the argument that McCain could be counted on to appoint judges acceptable to conservatives: > [@George Will](#): > > But the more one sees of his impulsive, intensely personal reactions to people and events, the less confidence one has that he would select judges by calm reflection and clear principles, having neither patience nor aptitude for either. After getting raked over the coals on the Sunday morning talk shows, the week is not off to a good start for McCain. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/564 "2008-09-23T14:21:10Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Cleveland is solidly Democrat, Cincinnati is solid Republican. Columbus, in the middle of the state is the swing area, although has leaned more Democratic as of late. Southern Ohio as well as the anti same sex marriage amendment was enough to swing Ohio to Bush and thus the election. Here in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, most of the lawn signs and bumper stickers I’ve seen have been for Obama. Even in wealthy suburbs like Shaker Heights and Beachwood, and the filthy rich old-money Chagrin Valley, it’s mostly Obama. Cleveland’s more working-class semi-rural exurbs tend to lean Republican, but much of the sentiment is the same “I ain’t votin’ for no pansy elitist gay-marryin’ Democrat! McCain’s a man I can have a beer with!” belief that one sees in much of flyover country. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/565 "2008-09-23T14:43:52Z")
His campaig strategy of [working the refs](http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13747.html) seems to be falling flat, at least with the media. The public may be swayed by the [liberal bias spin](http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/22/mccain-backers-lash-out-at-media-for-obama-advocacy) Camp McCain is trying to put on all this. They don’t want to be called liars but they keep on doing it. And then getting mad when journalists won’t give them a pass on it. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/566 "2008-09-23T15:23:45Z")
[Latest Battleground Numbers](http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/23/quinnipiac-battleground-numbers-out-tuesday/) From Quinnipiac University/washingtonpost.com/Wall Street Journal polls: _COLORADO:_ **Obama 49 – McCain 45** _MICHIGAN_: **Obama 48 - McCain 44** _MINNESOTA:_ **Obama 47 - McCain 45** _WISCONSIN:_ **Obama 49 - McCain 42** Dates conducted: September 14-21; Error margin: Ranges from 2.6-2.7 points. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/567 "2008-09-23T16:23:35Z")
[NBC News Florida Numbers](http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/23/nbc-news-florida-numbers/) From NBC News poll: **Obama 47, McCain 45** Error margin: 4 points. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/568 "2008-09-23T16:38:45Z")
So, is he forked yet? -XT ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/569 "2008-09-23T16:44:08Z")
I think the man may be genuinely forkproof. He’s like one of those self-healing cutting mats. You guys are just aerating him. It is interesting though that some of those forks are starting to impend from the right side of the silverware drawer. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/570 "2008-09-23T16:44:08Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > So, is he forked yet? > > -XT IIRC the original “Fork Hillary” thread was started when she had a very small chance of winning the nomination, within those standards, MCain would be forked (if he is forked) on the night of November 4 if you see something like Ohio and Florida going Obama’s way. In the meanwhile and barring the PLBODG (Proverbial Live Boy or Dead Girl) this is thread is just “we sure hope he ends up forked”. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/571 "2008-09-23T16:47:00Z")
Ah…I see. Well, wasn’t going to slog through the whole thing so I thank you for the synopsis. 🙂 I agree…he won’t be forked until the results are in and he concedes to Obama. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/572 "2008-09-23T16:52:24Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Ah…I see. Well, wasn’t going to slog through the whole thing so I thank you for the synopsis. 🙂 I agree…he won’t be forked until the results are in and he concedes to Obama. > > -XT Not exactly, he wold be “Hillary-Style” forked if even with insurmountable Obama leads in Florida,Ohio, and the rest of the Kerry 2004 states he still insists in NOT conceding because “The electors have not voted yet” or some such. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/573 "2008-09-23T16:56:38Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > IIRC the original “Fork Hillary” thread was started when she had a very small chance of winning the nomination, ..". I don’t think so, I think it was right after Obama pulled ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/574 "2008-09-23T17:00:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I don’t think so, I think it was right after Obama pulled ahead. I think it was after “Big Tuesday” when Hillary’s bet of winning the primary on the strength of the states in play that day failed, just how “small” her chances where is up to debate, but i think they were lower than 50%. I think i exaggerated when i say “a very small chance”, it was more like “it wasnt very likely that she would win” ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/575 "2008-09-23T22:10:34Z")
I do believe McCain is on his way to being well and truly forked. > [@](#): > > [http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/23/shaken-and-stirred/](http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/23/shaken-and-stirred/) > > Latest LA Times/Bloomberg poll finds 55% of Americans don’t believe the government should be responsible for funding an economic bailout plan. > > When asked which candidate could do a better job of handling the financial crisis: > > **Obama 48, McCain 35** > > _79% of adults also say they think the country is “on the wrong track,” the highest ever recorded by the Times Poll._ ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/576 "2008-09-24T04:50:38Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I do believe McCain is on his way to being well and truly forked. the forking seems to be ongoing, albeit at an excruciatingly slow pace [Poll : Economic Discontent Boosts Barack Obama Over John McCain Democrat Takes 52-43 Lead Among Likely Voters, Erases Republican’s Post-Palin Pick Gains](http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=5866046&page=1) ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/577 "2008-09-24T04:55:17Z")
McCain won’t be forked until Nov. 5th, and maybe not even then. This race is going to be a grind to the finish. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/578 "2008-09-24T05:53:31Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Numbers. I take it by your ridiculously vague answers that you don’t have any intention of discussing this point? Perhaps I’m supposed to think it’s obvious that carrying a state which Gore and Kerry also carried would somehow guarantee Obama victory? Perhaps you have access to some super-secret poll that shows Obama already has 253 other electoral votes locked up? Perhaps I missed the announcement that the name of the forum has been changed to “Great unsupported proclamations”? ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/579 "2008-09-24T08:12:46Z")
Dude, chill. I took it to mean that once it was won or lost, the election would be over, 'cause, you know, everyone had voted. But I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/580 "2008-09-24T08:46:57Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > McCain won’t be forked until Nov. 5th, and maybe not even then. This race is going to be a grind to the finish. Indeed. In the words of the great Toby Ziegler, “You want to tempt the rath of the WHATEVER from high atop the THING?!?!?!?” 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604.md?page=30)