# 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:** 41
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/801 "2008-10-01T22:54:07Z")
Indiana is now at 2.4 in favor of McCain whereas Bush carried it by 20 in 2004. There is a tie in North Carolina and Missouri for Og’s sakes. Right now he is spending most of his time defending Palin. It is turning out worst for McCain than I imagined. Excellent pick dude. It’s not looking good for soldier boy. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/802 "2008-10-01T23:23:34Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Rasmussen has TX as +9 McCain, and SUSA has GA as +8 McCain. Aren’t those supposed to be very reliably Republican states? The +9 in TX has been a very consistent number for Rasmussen and both the markets (Rasmussen and Intrade) consider it a solidly Red call as does 538. No one but Rasmussen has even bothered to poll there. I nevertheless remain steadfast in my belief that Texas may be a surprise Obama win. The large numbers of newly registered and newly energized Hispanic voters and young voters are not captured in Rasmussen’s nummbers. Those Hispanic number are potentially huge in Texas. Meanwhile McCain has been seriously dissing Bush and Palin is fizzing out some even in Texas. A fair number of the GOP faithful may not bother to come out come election day. A longshot perhaps but I will bet it will be closer than 9 anyway and will have the biggest “SEE!” you’ve ever heard if Obama wins Texas come election day! ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/803 "2008-10-01T23:27:43Z")
[Right on schedule…](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/01/new-ad-targeting-obama-features-connection-to-rev-wright/) ---
**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:** [October 2, 2008, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/804 "2008-10-02T00:42:50Z")
> [@Lakai](#): > > Indiana is now at 2.4 in favor of McCain whereas Bush carried it by 20 in 2004. > > There is a tie in North Carolina and Missouri for Og’s sakes. > > Right now he is spending most of his time defending Palin. It is turning out worst for McCain than I imagined. Excellent pick dude. > > It’s not looking good for\*\* soldier boy\*\*. Bolding mine. What does [he](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpocrqvP2Yg)have to do with anything? ---
**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:** [October 2, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/805 "2008-10-02T00:45:19Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > [Right on schedule…](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/10/01/new-ad-targeting-obama-features-connection-to-rev-wright/) Well. It’s starting to smell a little bit like desperation. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/806 "2008-10-02T00:50:48Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Well. It’s starting to smell a little bit like desperation. Ev’rywhere you go; Take a look in the five and ten glistening once again With candy canes and silver lanes aglow. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/807 "2008-10-02T00:58:17Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Associating Obama with the Weather Underground aims at exactly the same people that were still pissed at Kerry’s VVAW activities. These days, “[Weather Underground](http://www.wunderground.com/)” is a website about the weather. That Sixties shit was 40 years ago. Speaking of ancient shit, Steve Benen [posts the text](http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_10/014976.php) of a National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraising letter: > [@](#): > > ``` > Dear Fellow Conservative, > > You'd think it was the 1970s all over again. > > Liberals are resurrecting Jimmy Carter's failed tax, energy and economic plans. > > Iran is saber-rattling against the West. > > And Hanoi Jane Fonda is stumping for liberal Senate candidates. > > That's right, last Saturday night, Jane Fonda and all of her far-left Hollywood liberal friends raised $1 million for Democrat Senate candidates with one goal in mind -- to break our Senate firewall and seize total control of our government! [...] > > These Hollywood liberals understand the stakes.... Hollywood may not be on our side, but we have you! > > ``` No shit, here it is, 2008, in the midst of a serious economic crisis, and all sorts of other major issues to deal with - and they’re running against Hanoi Jane, Hollywood libruls, and Jimmy Carter. They’ve got nothin’. They’re trying to squeeze one last win out of cultural fears and resentments, but that tank’s down to its final fumes. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/808 "2008-10-02T01:05:57Z")
Hehe…as _Get Fuzzy_ noted in [today’s strip](http://www.overzealous.com/comics/view.jsp?comic=getfuzzy&date=20081001), they’re nothing but "Re’lic"s. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/809 "2008-10-02T01:59:43Z")
McCain met with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register today. I listened to most of it on the radio, and it was evident that he was trying to control his temper. [Link](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/01/mccain-gets-testy-with-de_n_130801.html) He didn’t respond well to the question about dishonesty in his campaign ads – doesn’t like his honor besmirched, I guess. We’re seeing one now where he uses a couple of Biden’s comments from the primaries. I think these are a waste of money, partly because when we see **the other guy** in the ad, by the time you figure out whose ad it is, it’s over. You’re sitting there going “WTF was that about?” I think when they go **too** negative, the most likely reaction is that it’s not true, because it’s so far out there. I hope that’s the case with the Wright-Rezko-Ayers ad. In contrast, the Obama ad we’re seeing (on health care) is clear, calm, short, and positive, and doesn’t mention McCain. If Obama has run any truly negative ads, I haven’t seen them. I hope he keeps it up, because I think it’s working. We’ve said for years that we’re sick of the slime in politics – if we respond favorably to it, then we’re hypocrites. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/810 "2008-10-02T02:21:00Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > In contrast, the Obama ad we’re seeing (on health care) is clear, calm, short, and positive, and doesn’t mention McCain. If Obama has run any truly negative ads, I haven’t seen them. I hope he keeps it up, because I think it’s working. We’ve said for years that we’re sick of the slime in politics – if we respond favorably to it, then we’re hypocrites. I’ve seen a few negative ones directed right at McCain. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/811 "2008-10-02T02:51:11Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > In contrast, the Obama ad we’re seeing (on health care) is clear, calm, short, and positive, and doesn’t mention McCain. If Obama has run any truly negative ads, I haven’t seen them. I hope he keeps it up, because I think it’s working. We’ve said for years that we’re sick of the slime in politics – if we respond favorably to it, then we’re hypocrites. He’s got a few. I didn’t see Obama go negative before McCain did however. Can’t blame him for bringing a gun to a gun fight. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/812 "2008-10-02T02:56:50Z")
Apparently McCain has given up trying to forge a positive narrative for himself over the bailout bill. [Adding Sweeteners, Senate Passes Bailout Plan](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/business/02bailout.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin) > [@](#): > > The presence in the Senate of both presidential candidates in the final weeks of the campaign gave weight to the moment. The political tension was clear as Senator Barack Obama walked to the Republican side of the aisle to greet John McCain, who offered a chilly look and a brief return handshake. > > Mr. McCain did not make remarks on the legislation. Mr. Obama, in his speech, said the bailout plan was regrettable but necessary and he referred to the stock market drop after the House vote. “While that decline was devastating, the consequences of the credit crisis that caused it will be even worse if we do not act now,” he said. Not even a two minute effort. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/813 "2008-10-02T02:57:48Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > One thing I’m really sick of among Republicans is the whining. For a bunch of tough guys, they sure do whine a lot. Oh, the press isn’t fair to us! Poor us! The polls are wrong, too! We must be doing better than that! Of course half the time what’s so unfair is the truth. The other half of the time it’s legitimate criticism. America badly needs a break from their relentless self-pity. [Like this?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpSfThUv_pc)😃 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/814 "2008-10-02T03:44:44Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I’ve seen a few negative ones directed right at McCain. Carry on. At McCain personally or at his policies? I’ve seen the Obama ads where he ties McCain to Bush, but nothing on the level of McCain’s looming shadow ad. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/815 "2008-10-02T04:42:24Z")
So McCain is getting desperate, he’s chasing his losses, and he’s getting increasingly testy at interviewers who have the audacity to even hint at the fact that he’s done some misleading negative advertising. He’s increasingly frustrated that he’s been crapping out on his rolls. Presidential debate two is an unscripted town hall style - questions from the audience (both present and via the internet) - 2 minute responses and 1 minute for the other guy to respond to the response. McCain thinks that this is his medium but his usual format is an exclusively friendly crowd without someone there to contradict him and challenge him. This is quite different and body language will be on full display. What do you think the odds are that he’ll show some real temper flares during that debate? I am really expecting to see some significant meltdown over these next few weeks. And nothing irks someone beginning to lose their cool more than the other guy staying very calm. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/816 "2008-10-02T05:44:38Z")
Obama has finally started getting significant leads in states like Florida and Virgina and it’s all looking rather desperate for McCain. He needs a strong performance by Palin to turn the momentum around before his own debate. He must be hoping that the less interactive format will help her and that the controversy over the Obama book will pressure Ifill into not asking tough follow-ups. If Palin doesn’t have to stray from her talking points she could do pretty well. However even if she does fantastically well and gives him a short-term boost I suspect it won’t help McCain much by election day. A strong performance will probably mean Palin is allowed to give more interviews and the gaffes and deer/headlight moments will return and be the dominant image of Palin again by election day. Of course if Palin does really badly McCain’s campaign could be effectively over by tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/817 "2008-10-02T06:50:22Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > Obama has finally started getting significant leads in states like Florida and Virgina and it’s all looking rather desperate for McCain. He needs a strong performance by Palin to turn the momentum around before his own debate. I actually don’t think that a strong performance by Palin will “turn around the momentum” in McCain’s favor. It might slow the hemorrhaging a bit, but that’s probably all. Also, the bar set by Republicans for what constitutes a “strong” performance will probably be set so low that only die-hard true believers will be convinced by it, i.e. those who least need convincing. A truly strong performance by any reasonable standard is simply not very likely. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/818 "2008-10-02T06:53:31Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Presidential debate two is an unscripted town hall style - questions from the audience (both present and via the internet) - 2 minute responses and 1 minute for the other guy to respond to the response. McCain thinks that this is his medium but his usual format is an exclusively friendly crowd without someone there to contradict him and challenge him. This is quite different and body language will be on full display. Be interesting to see whether he ever looks in Obama’s direction this time. If he just repeats the same nonverbal attitude he seemed to be adopting in the first debate, he might give the audience some definite “jerk” vibes. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/819 "2008-10-02T07:16:24Z")
McCain was a naval aviator, not a soldier. I am really wondering if the second amendment is going to come up at all in these debates. Specifically Biden/Palin. I wonder if Biden will own up to his support of the AWB and his very antigun views, or if he’ll weasel away from them if he’s questioned. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604/820 "2008-10-02T10:24:11Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I am really wondering if the second amendment is going to come up at all in these debates. Specifically Biden/Palin. I wonder if Biden will own up to his support of the AWB and his very antigun views, or if he’ll weasel away from them if he’s questioned. Why would it matter if it did? People that genuflect before the Second Half of the Second Amendment and are upset about the AWB wouldn’t vote Democratic in a million years anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604.md?page=42)