McCain and Obama campaigns grapple for 'change'
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By ANDREW TAYLOR / The Associated Press
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Invigorated by back-to-back political conventions, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama grappled for the mantle of change Friday as the fall race for the presidency took off in states teeming with the independent voters they needed to win.
Within hours of accepting the Republican nomination, McCain sent an e-mail appeal for donations arguing that he and running mate Sarah Palin stood for reform in Washington. He also denounced “Democratic operatives” whom he said “have stooped lower than anyone could have imagined.”
The dig appeared to be a reference to Palin’s announcement earlier this week that her 17-year-old unmarried daughter was five months’ pregnant. Alaska’s governor said Internet rumors about her family had led her to reveal her daughter’s pregnancy.
Palin, who has stayed out of reach of reporters, was expected to continue making joint appearances with McCain through Saturday before returning to Alaska for a short visit. She was expected to begin campaigning on her own Monday in Florida.
McCain’s selection of Palin as his running mate is drawing a mostly favorable though partisan response from the public, an ABC News poll said Friday. People also have substantial doubts about her experience, and her selection is having little impact on who they’re likely to support.
By 50 percent to 37 percent, they have a positive impression of her — less than their 54 percent to 30 percent favorable view of Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden. Eighty-five percent of Republicans, 24 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of independents have a positive opinion of Palin.
People say her choice makes them likelier to vote for the McCain ticket by a slender 25 percent to 19 percent — less than the 12-point margin by which Biden makes them likelier to support Obama. Just 42 percent say Palin has the experience necessary to serve as president.
Strategists for the campaigns argued Friday that McCain and Obama would be engaged in debate over new directions for public policy.
“John McCain has a record of fighting to change,” McCain strategist Steve Schmidt told “Today” on NBC. For Obama, he said, change is “a nice word, it’s a campaign tactic ... it’s nonsense.”
Obama strategist David Axelrod countered that McCain was offering the policies of the Bush administration. “Last night Sen. McCain used the word ’change,’ but the policies that he describes were very familiar,” Axelrod said on “The Early Show” on CBS. “This isn’t change, this is more of the same.”
Buoyed by a unifying GOP convention and Palin’s appeal to conservatives he had had trouble winning over, McCain vowed Thursday night to vanquish the “constant partisan rancor” he said was plaguing the nation.
“I will reach out my hand to anyone to help me get this country moving again,” he said.
McCain and Palin left Minnesota immediately after his speech, bound for Democratic-tilting Wisconsin. Obama planned campaign and fundraising events in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
In a convention speech lasting nearly an hour, McCain promised before a nationwide television audience to govern as a political maverick with a bipartisan bent. And he reminded voters of the 5 1/2 years he spent in a North Vietnamese prison.
“I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else’s,” he said. “I was never the same again. I wasn’t my own man anymore. I was my country’s.”
His speech capped the party convention, but Palin was arguably the star, electrifying Republicans Wednesday in a slashing speech against Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. She is the first female running mate in GOP history.
The 72-year-old McCain, campaigning to become the oldest first-term president in history, presented himself as a reformer willing to take on his fellow Republicans, including an unpopular President Bush. He chastised Republicans for falling prey to the temptations of power before voters deprived them of their majorities in the House and Senate two years ago.
“We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us,” McCain said. “We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans gave in to the temptations of corruption.”
McCain’s speech was largely devoid of the partisan edge that characterized Palin’s, which was aimed at solidifying conservative and evangelical voters behind the GOP ticket. Democrats countered that Palin was long on personal attacks and short on remedies for the nation’s troubles.
Palin, 44, has been under a media microscope since McCain tapped her last week, but she seems to have energized Republicans heading into the fall campaign. Virtually unknown nationally a week ago, Palin has faced heavy scrutiny relating to her tenure as mayor of tiny Wasilla, Alaska, and her 20 months as governor of the sparsely populated state.
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He voted for partial birth abortion.
He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government (quotas)
In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing as being too severe.
Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair.
Admitted his use of marijuana and cocaine in high school and in college.
His religious convictions are very murky.
He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim Nations Opposed the Patriot Act.
First bill he signed that was ever passed was campaign finance reform.
Voted to allow law suits against gun manufacturers.
Supports universal health-care.
Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.
Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.
Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.
Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.
Wants to make the minimum wage a 'living wage'.
Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes. (241 votes Demo, 10 votes Republican)
Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.
Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports
increasing the amount of tax paid into Soc. Sec. Tax Increase.
He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax which now hits middle income brackets.
He voted No on repealing the 'Death' Tax. Tax Increase.
He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax. Tax Increase.
Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded...which is not true.
He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.
That's change I can do without. "
Not impressed yet wrote on September 5, 2008 1:38 pm:
Given her "extensive" experience it's a wonder that an entire week has gone by and it will probably be at least another week before anyone gets to hear her talk and answer questions about who she is or what she believes. "
Rose wrote on September 5, 2008 1:53 pm:
SB wrote on September 5, 2008 2:08 pm:
1) Chose Bush over McCain just eight years ago while smearing McCain for everything he is now running for and they are cheering for and defending?
2) Has defended their party and presidential actions until last night when all of a sudden they admit we need to do a complete 180 from the current course?
3) Was excited when the current GOP president and VP couldn’t make their convention and disregarded their endorsement?
4) Have continually said ‘change’ and ‘hope’ are just intangible words until all of a sudden they start appearing in their own speeches?
5) Don’t see anything wrong with the American economy, but then say ‘change is coming’?
6) Has cried about inexperience and the ability of a woman to handle foreign affairs and then picks a young inexperienced woman to be VP (a purely political move that does not have the best interest of the country in mind)?
7) Only political point is a tear jerk story of McCain’s POW time that he has continually said he will not use as a crutch for his political career?
8) Who truly believes the US is safer now than before the Iraq invasion or will be even safer invading a Russia or an Iran?
9) Who thinks increasing the oil supply by 3% will do anything in terms of the global market or gasoline pump price (my favorite was using offshore drilling, nuclear energy, coal, and cleaner environment in the same sentence).?
10) Who tout small government and then trample the US constitution?
11) Who stand for military honor and then dishonor the Geneva Convention?
12) Who have belittled the word ‘patriot’ to mean a lapel pin or hand gesture?
If you can explain these I will vote McCain. "
Anyone wrote on September 5, 2008 2:16 pm:
JB wrote on September 5, 2008 2:25 pm:
Raymond wrote on September 5, 2008 3:21 pm:
Olivia wrote on September 5, 2008 4:19 pm:
When asked whether the company alarmed regarding Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia's independence, Malva said that ConocoPhillips has very serious projects, including financial efforts, in Russia. Therefore, the company's position is geared for the long-term.
ConocoPhillips owns a 20% stake in Lukoil and is jointly developing with the Russian company the Yuzhno-Khylchuyusk field, which is located in the Nenets Autonomous District. The field is being developed by Naryanmarneftegaz, in which Lukoil holds a 70% stake with ConocoPhillips owning the remaining 30%. ConocoPhillips also has held negotiations for the development of the Shtokman gas condensate field. However, Gazprom decided to bring in European partners for that project - Total and StatoilHydro. McCain, as expereienced as he says he is in foreign relations might not understand the role industry has in helping establish diplomatic relations. "
Just Wait wrote on September 5, 2008 4:42 pm:
To Change wrote on September 5, 2008 4:58 pm:
to change wrote on September 5, 2008 9:49 pm:
to change wrote on September 6, 2008 9:21 am:
Oh Um change wrote on September 6, 2008 9:25 am:
Change Constitution wrote on September 6, 2008 9:43 am:
Bush snapped "Stop throwing the Constitution in my face, It's just a G** D****d piece of paper. I am amazed that you find that hard to believe. "
Thanks Change wrote on September 6, 2008 9:46 am:
Still waiting wrote on September 6, 2008 3:04 pm: