What do Obama and McCain need to do to attract the middle?

Great Debates
21

He said he will stop replacing troops in Iraq until they run out. Then he will try to get the rest of the middle east to handle the mess.

I worry about this because when we left Afghanistan alone after the war with Russia that didn’t turn out to good. Anyone know what Obama has planned to prevent a radical religious regime (like the Taliban) from taking over in Iraq?

In any case I’m sure that both of them will end up making some serious mistakes with Iraq. I trust Obama to handle his mistakes a lot better than McCain will. So far I feel that McCain will just handle it the political way and pretend that he doesn’t make mistakes, like he now pretends that he is both a moderate and a conservative.

22

Bush got 30% of the Democratic voters in 2004! Was there an analysis on why they voted for Bush? Again those are likely the voting block I am talking about, what do Obama and/or McCain need to do to get those folks in their camp?

I would imagine it would be the economy. I have to say I have been a little surprised there hasn’t been more of a discussion on that issue yet. There has been some discussion but it seems to me a good area for Obama to really distance himself from McCain.

That middle block will vote their pocketbook won’t they? I am not worried about my pocketbook, but my job still depends upon a good economy and under McCain I see the same old as under the last administration. I can’t be unique in that viewpoint can I?

23

The Shiite militias will make short work of the Sunni insurgents as soon as we get out from between them. The Shiites hold political power in Iraq, and if we would let them actually have the democratically elected government they want, it will be a Islamic republic with Sharia law, like in Iran. Who are we to stand in the way of democracy?

Iran will fill the vacuum we created. We knocked off both of their sworn enemies; the Taliban in Afghanistan, and Saddam in Iraq. Should it come a a surprise that they are now the major power in the region?

24

You may be exceptional in your sense of financial security. Don’t know.

25

Our economy can not stand another 2 years of huge Iraqi spending. How deep a financial hole do we make ?I would try to turn it over to the UN. If they wont take it then negotiate with everyone around.

26

John McCain could make exactly the same commitment and not be one inch away from his previous statements on the matter. “As soon as practicable” could mean absolutely anything, since “practicable” can mean anything, and you’re free to move the goalposts later on.

There’s really no point in insisting on ANY specific promise with regards to this issue; I think you simply have to make an honest call on who you think will handle the entire mess from a philosophy that most closely matches your own.

27

Am I missing something at that link? I don’t see that there, I just see how most people want out and a timetable seems the right way to do it to the biggest bulk. Admittedly there are a lot of polls there, I could’ve missed something.

As to the op- both should just present their visions of America’s future and their veiw of how to get us there. We’ll see which one resonates.

What they shouldn’t do is pander to where they think the Middle is. Articulate why America should go that direction and in that manner. Do it well enough and the Middle will think they’ve always thought that too but you just said it better. The Middle responds well to a real leader.

28

It’s in the 3rd poll down, the CBS/NYT poll from April 25-29. The question was “Regardless of how you intend to vote, what would you prefer the next president do about the war in Iraq? Would you prefer the next president try to end the Iraq war within the next year or two, no matter what, or continue to fight the Iraq war as long as they felt it was necessary?”

29

Thank you. Sorry I doubted you.

30

Let’s define our terms reliably before proceeding. (Hint: “Middle America” is not the same thing as the political middle.) The Pew Political Typology, a scientific study first conducted in 1987 and updated three times since then, currently divides the American people, based on their political views, into nine groups – three “Left,” three “Right,” and three “Middle.” The “Middle” groups are the Upbeats, Disaffecteds, and Bystanders. Their characteristics are described here:

The Bystanders are electorally irrelevant unless you think one candidate or the other has what it takes to get them off their asses, this year, at long last.

The Disaffecteds might well vote for Obama just because he represents change and they don’t care what kind.

I’d say the Upbeats, who “support George W. Bush’s leadership in economic matters more than on moral or foreign policy issues,” will likely support McCain unless the economy is even more in the crapper by November, which it will be. Then it’s a tossup.

31

Very interesting! I would place myself in this description loosely. I am very satisfied with my financial situation, however I am NOT happy with the direction of the economy under Bush. However I do believe success is in your own hands. I do have favorable impressions of both government and business-they both need to be good to be successful in my opinion. I also am very pro immigrant. I am a minority and I believe it is one of the great things about this country, that anyone can succeed. I was not supportive of the war effort before the war started and I have not been happy with the continuation. I feel that money would have been better spent in this country.

Well here is to hoping more people like me support Obama! If Obama can pick up this 13% of the voters that would be a huge swing for him wouldn’t it? It appears Bush got 63% of this group in 2004.

I think he needs to really start focusing on the economy and portray himself as the leader to take us out of the current market funk we are in. That is a big negative for me for McCain, I feel he will continue the Bush approach. When McCain and Clinton came out in support of that lame ass gas tax rebate–they both lost huge credibility points with people like me.

32

The answer, if you’re talking about a newly elected first term president, is always “five years”. :slight_smile:

33

There is 0% probability of that happening. Zero. That’s not even what he is promising.