GOP frets about McCain in Fla

Republicans are increasingly worried about John McCain's prospects in must-win Florida. The McCain campaign spent most of the summer watching Barack Obama build a massive voter mobilization operation and flood Florida's TV airwaves with ads. For months, they scoffed at how little it did to boost Obama, but now the Democrat has opened up a steady lead in Florida polls and top Republicans are sounding uncharacteristically anxious that the campaign and state party are doing too little, too late.

"Obama obviously has spent a ton of dough, and the fact that we haven't spent a fraction of that has got people concerned. They see all these ads and very little response,'' said former Republican National Committee finance chairman Al Hoffman, a top McCain fundraiser in Florida. "We're three weeks away and have a lot of work to do. We can play Monday morning quarterback after the election."

Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Crist is fending off suggestions that he's distancing himself from the McCain-Palin ticket, while state GOP chairman Jim Greer made the unusual announcement Tuesday that he would be traveling the state to "assess campaign operations"

Story here.

Comments

[John Jay]

Say what you will about Charlie Crist, he is not a hater.

I suspect like so many people, republican, democrat, or independent, he is sick at heart at the nastiness being fielded by the “No Nothings:” Obama is an arab, is a moslem, pals around with terrorists, is a socialist, was not born in America, is not patriotic. We are the greatest country in the world, but the way ignorant people repeat these lies reflects the worst in America. More and more republicans are openly separating themselves from the lunatics who mistake these slurs for legitimate political debate.

Even John McCain is nervous and ill-at-ease about this part of his campaign. John McCain said about Barrack Obama in Minnesota on October 10, 2008: "I have to tell you. Sen. Obama is a decent person and a person you don't have to be scared of as president of the United States..... He's a decent family man and citizen." For the record Obama said the same of McCain.

Rather than character assassination and lies, why don’t we just stick to real issues, which concern whether McCain or Obama is better to lead America into the future? Until that happens, you cannot fault Crist for keeping a little distance.

Everybody is worried. Imagine the disaster if we elected a President who hates America, like Obama and all his friends.

It is not "charachter asasination" if it is the truth.

And the truth is Obama has TOO many shady associates for comfort.

The domestic terrorist Bill Ayers.
The America-hating "Christian" minister.
The convicted swindler.
The voter fraud peole at ACORN.
The wife who's never before her forties been proud of her country.

McCain needs to fire Arlene now!

[Tallytowngal]

John Jay, Well stated. I too believe part of the reason that McCain is doing so badly is the Wack Jobs in the extreme part of the GOP. That coupled with Sarah Palin and McCains age... are all factors. McCain should have picked a running mate that would appeal to more Independents and even some Democrats. Instead he let the the Bushies in his campaign cater to these Wackos and let them destroy any chances he may have once had.

We have enormous challenges we are facing as a Nation and the Ignorance, hatred and bigotry espoused by these nuts (that are pretty much running the McCain campaign) are the last thing Americans want or need to hear.

Please... tell all of your friends and family to VOTE EARLY in FL!

GulpidyGulpidy, gulpgulpgulp… What should my opinion be today Mr Hannity… GulpidyGulpidy, gulpgulpgulp… What should my opinion be today Mr Limbaugh… GulpidyGulpidy, gulpgulpgulp… mmmm this kool aid sure is yummy Mr Rove, may I have another?… GulpidyGulpidy, gulpgulpgulp…

… dopes

8:46 - that is so funny... I have never seen that before...

Lot of GM and Ford retirees here. Just need to remind everyone that it was the democrats who gave us NAFTA and GATT.

[Tom]

On the issue of Bill Ayers, not one person from the right has answered my question. Here it is one more time....

Obama and Ayers worked on the Annenberg Challenge together. Walter Annenberg ,a prominent republican philanthropist and close friends with Ronald Reagan, gave 49.2 million dollars to Ayers for this project.

Was Walter Annenberg a man who "palled with terrorists"? He directly hired Ayers.

Just something else for you to chew on right wingers. Mrs. Annenberg is one of the largest contributors to the McCain campaign.

[Crazy Ole McCain]

ACORN to McCain: Have You Lost That Loving Feeling?

Senator Allied with ACORN as Recently as 2006, Now Turns Cold Shoulder

October 13, 2008, Miami, FL - U.S. Senator John McCain's recent attacks on the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), are puzzling given his historic support for the organization and its efforts on behalf of immigrant Americans. As recently as February 20, 2006, Senator McCain was the keynote speaker at an ACORN-sponsored Immigration Rally in Miami, Florida at Miami Dade College - Wolfson Campus....

Bertha Lewis, Chief Organizer of ACORN, said, "It has deeply saddened us to see Senator McCain abandon his historic support for ACORN and our efforts to support the goals of low-income Americans. Maybe it is out of desperation that Senator McCain has forgotten that he was for ACORN before he was against ACORN; he was for immigration reform before he was against immigration reform; and he was a maverick before he became erratic. We were thrilled to partner with him to help reform the outdated immigration laws in this country, and were pleased to work closely with him on this issue." [Emphasis added.]

[Tallytowngal]

Tom you are correct!

Now ask the right wingers about:

McCain and the Iran Contra connection in the 80's.

And about the man he named to head his tranistion team, being a cohort of Saddam Hussein.

Or, his wife profiting from the Keating bank scandal, even after her husband was admonished by congress.

Oh yeah, and ask them about McCain being the keynote speaker at the 2006 ACORN convention.

Want more??? I can go on and on.

But, honestly the American people want to know how our next President is going to fix the massive problems we are facing as a nation, because of the current administrations lack of judgement and concern for the people they are suppose to represent.

NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT, NAFTA - GATT,

Democrat Bill Clinton rammed through NAFTA and GATT.
Democrat Nanci Pelosi rammed throug the $850 billion bailout/giveaway/fleecing.

[Tom]

Tallytowngal, you are very right.

The world has dramatically changed because of the actions of the Bush Administration. The impact that this president has made will haunt us for a generation. We need the leadership that take us in the right direction.

Obama has been right on every issue, including Iraq. If people would read the research speerheaded by UCLA, they would see that the surge success had much to do with the separation of Sunni and Shiite neighborhoods, not so much in troop surges.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080919074830.htm

Of course, more boots on the ground helps. But how many soldiers do we want dying there? How long can our government feed Iraq with US taxpayers money?

Barack Obama will take us in the right direction.

yesterday, when i last looked at the numbers to the right from real politics, it was +7.3 for barak...this a.m. it is +8.0...and we havent even had the debate where li'l johnnie mcAiNUS will disgrace hisse'f even more!!

buh-bye losers!!

The democrats are going to win. It is the beginning of a new world order!

How's that bailout working for you, Nancy? I see the dow is down another 237 points already this morning.

Tom, short answer, Walter Annenberg did not give Bill Ayers 49.2 million dollars or directly hire Ayers. Bill Ayers was one of three writers of the grant proposal that won the grant for the Chicago Annenberg Challenge. Barrak Obama joined the board and was subsequently elected Executive Director. Bill Ayers was never a member of the board of the CAC. An organization he headed was given money by the CAC. It could be said that Ayers was given money by Barrak Obama and worked for him. A report issued by the Consortium on Chicago School Research in 2003 found no difference in performance in schools that participated in the Annenberg Challenge and those that didn't. In other words, the organization led by Barak Obama wasted over 160 million in foundation, private and tax payer dollars. Barrak Obama's only experience in education was a very expensive failure.

How about spending a few minutes researching before blogging, or at least drink your cool aid out of a glass and not the pitcher.

[Andrew Allan]

You're not stuck with only Democrat or Republican. Tune in to the only true open debate - the only one that gives a voice to ALL the candidates on the ballot - this Sunday. Here's a brief story on it.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/newyorkmetro/30992944.html

Dear "Tom" you could be right about Annenberg. But that is irrelevant because he is not running for President, Barack Hussein Obama is. ANd it is HIS associations that are so worrisome.

He does "pal around" with domestic terrorist Ayers.
He did spend 20 years attending America hating Minister Wright's church. Even when they gave Louis Farrakran an award.

He is the one married to a women who, into her forties, has nly recently found cause for the first time to be proud of her country.

It is a patters of America-hating.

It is a pattern of negative associations.

10:03 that's exactly what the Germans called it too, when, desperate for "change" and dealing with a failed war and a terrible economy they democratically elected Hitler.

[Noneya Biz]

Give it up. The Republican Party is so corrupt, that the United States would be better served with the Mafia in the White House than the Neo-Con's we currently have running the Executive Branch!

To the lonley blogger on here (the same one over and over, trying to pretend he is more than one person) Wake up and smell the Coffee. The rest of the world has figured out that the GOP of today, are a bunch of inept clowns.

[The shadow of Hillary looms large...]

Hillraisers for McCain-Palin:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/clinton-supporters-aid-palin/

[Tom]

10:14, that was a nice Sean Hannity type attempt at a spin job.

You attack and lay blame on Barack Obama for working alongside Ayers and many many others in improving the public school system. Yet, you cannot even fathom to recognize that Ayers has equal ties to many republicans, including the Annenberg family, who are one of the largest contributors to the McCain campaign.

The kool aid runs through your veins.

[Tom]

10:26, the Annenberg family is one of the largest contributors to the McCain campaign. If you say that Obama "pals with terrorists", then you can say that the Annenberg family "pals with terrorists" also. Agreed? So how can McCain accept money from a family that "pals with terrorists", when he is blaming Obama? It makes no sense!

If you want to examine associations, why can't you examine McCain's associations like the Keating Five? That was an event that destroyed the lives of millions in their savings. Why do you give McCain a free pass on that one?

10:30 - Amen to that. Republican party is corrupt. And Democrats are just as corrupt. Time for real change - change away from the bailout-creating, NAFTA-backing, job-stealing, social-security-killing Republocrats.

Watch for the only true presidential debate - open to ALL Presidential candidates on the ballot. This Sunday at Columbia University. Wonder what network will have the ethics to cover it?

[Tallytowngal]

Hmmm I love that way that 10:26 uses the phrase "Pal around" with a domestic terrorist.

We all know that is a Palin "talking point". So, you are one of those whack jobs that is a laughing stock of the world. What a complete loser!

PS Ayers and Obama were on the Board of the Annenberg Challenge 13 years ago!!

But, by all means keep the attacks coming, every time one of you crazy's opens your hate filled mouths and spews your venom, McCain's numbers drop.

We the American people are sick and tired of the divisiveness of the GOP.

[Tom]

When Barack Obama becomes POTUS, I expect everyone on the right to support him. If not, you are a "Hate America" person. You are not allowed to criticize our president and government, just like you labeled liberals for doing the same thing for the past eight years.

Tom, I have two questions for you. First, how did Obama help the Chicago school system? Second, name the Republicans connected with Bill Ayers. Tallytowngal, please, Bill Ayers was never on the board of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.

What is there for the GOP to fret. There are going to be less republicans in office. The chamber of commerce and retail federation may have to start one uping each other as they seek to get a wink-nod kind of deal in legislation and tax reform but that will work itself out even if they may not be able to screw the average folks as much as in the past. One big plus for those scumbags is cheap illegal alien labor will be even more plentiful during an obama administration. Correction, there won't be illegal aliens anymore because they will all get amnesty and the welcome mat will be out. But of course everything has a down side and businesses will have to pay the social costs for that crowd.

Oh, if the part about higher taxes for those with the money gets to you just remember money doesn't mean that much because there is no greater country on earth. That is what the poor people have been getting by on the past few years so if it is good enough for them it should see you thru as well.

If that doesn't work for you then take solace in the fact that they can only take it away from you once. You know kind of like when you replace an American worker with an illegal alien, you only got to screw over your fellow citizen once but in return you got an anti-GOP vote for life.

Welcome to the other side of the tracks GOP sellouts!

All I know is that in 20 days Arlene will be out of a job and unable to get work, so all's not lost.

[Tom]

11:25, first off, Ayers does have ties to the Annenberg family, regardless of whether he was on the board. He helped get the 49.2 million dollars to support public schools from the Annenberg Foundation. How is that not a relationship? Didn't the Annenberg Foundation question who they are giving 49.2 million dollars to?

You are non-stop spin. You have a double standard that works for your attack machine.

GOP Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina worked with Ayers on worked together on projects for USC.

Arnold Weber, a republican and Assistant Secretary of Labor and Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Richard Nixon, was a board member of the Annenberg Challenge.

Get this, Weber is a donor to the McCain campaign.

So McCain accepts money from people who have ties to Ayers.

Spin that one like Bill O'Reilly.

[Tom]

I'm not suggesting that any of these people, nor the McCain campaign that accepts money from people who "pals with terrorists", are sympathetic to Ayers radical views.

It's just shows you how baseless your attacks on Obama really are. It just makes the radical right look like buffoons while making Obama look more and more Presidential every day.

Tom -

You're grasping at straws...Obama had a closer relationship to Ayers than he has led people to believe. We don't know enough about Obama, as he doesn't have much of a voting record, so much of what we have to go on are his associations.

Obama began his political career with the backing of Ayers, as Ayers was very influential in Chicago politics.

Obama went so far as to defend Ayers in one of the debates with Clinton, saying "this man is a respected Professor at the University of Chicago", as if that eclipses the fact that Ayers is, to this day, unrepentent for his role in the bombing of the US Capitol and the Pentagon.

If a Republican had this type of association, you guys would be going nuts...but since it is your Messiah, everything is OK.

[Tom]

12:25, Ayers does have ties to Republicans as I have pointed out to you. But you continue to turn your ears away from the facts. You just spin these stories to support your candidate.

[Tom]

Let's talk about Palin and her association with her radical church, can we? You know, the one that tries to convert homosexuals through prayer.

[The Republicans Own this Terrible Economy]

The Republicans Own this Terrible Economy.

Do NOT let them try to change the subject.

Voters are really hurting now. The stock market is crashing. Seniors life savings are evaporating before their eyes.

They will Remember it was the Republicans that caused this Economic calamity when it counts...at the voting booth in November. As such, they will vote for Obama in overwhelming numbers.

[THE FAILED REPUBLICAN ECONOMY!]

THE FAILED REPUBLICAN ECONOMY!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID!
THE FAILED REPUBLICAN ECONOMY!

In 1995, 13 years ago, Professor William Ayers was the chairperson and founder of the Chicago School Reform Collaborative… which elected the board of Directors for the Chicago Annenberg Challenge and nominated fellow Chicago Professor Barack Obama… Fair enough. They have had very little contact since then and certainly don’t “pal around”. Oh and another thing there were plenty of sixty’s anti-war radicals. Because they had a passion for peace, you and Palin would label them domestic terrorists???? Then you have to name Arnold R. Weber, former member of the Nixon Administration (Republican)the one as well.

Lets see who else was a Anti-War Activist???? Oh yeah, Charlton Heston… who by the way... also, supported President Johnson Gun Control Act. And he later became the spokesperson for the NRA.

I don’t know how old you are. But, I was around in the 60’s and it was a very volatile time in our history. People change over time and tend to mellow. Ayres was in college at the time and has since grown to regret the actions he as a member of the weather underground (a group of college students) took as a young man… but, not the message.

People change... some for the worse, like Heston (in my opinion.) Some for the better like Ayres.

[Tallytowngal]

PS... I forgot to sign my post at 1:02.

[Bree]

If McCain wanted to win he would've gone with a different VP choice. I'm not all pro-Obama, but I'm a Republican not voting for McCain.

"Let's talk about Palin and her association with her radical church, can we?"

Why? Did they bomb the Capitol too?

12:54 -

I guess the idea being that if you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth...

You Republicans sound nervous. Folks, John McCain has Obama exactly where he wants him. Right?

So why does John McCain want Obama to be president? Oh yeah, as the ad says below, Country First!

9:17

NAFTA and GATT didn't hurt GM and Ford.

Building crappy cars and succumbing to the demands of the UAW hurt GM and Ford.

Tallytowngal,

Don't try to play us for fools with your outright lies.

Ayers has never repudiated the actions of Weather Underground, and in his memoirs said they "didn't do enough."

[William Ayers]

Guilty as he||, free as a bird. What a great country!

Ain't that right, OJ?

[G Bush]

CHEAT CHEAT CHEAT! What's so hard to understand about CHEATING!

[Cheryl]

I'm so excited to cast my vote for Obama. I plan to vote 1st day early voting. The last time I was this excited, I was filling in an arrow on the side of Bill Clinton's name. Better days are coming, my friends. Better days!

Go OBAMA!

[Thomas]

Bree...so correct. I was hoping for Romney on his ticket, but then again, I was hoping for Romney as president.

Now, this Repub is voting for Obama. Bad choice on VP. In the end, they'll probably try to blame the loss on people's inability to accept a female VP. But, it was much more than that.