As we all know, I will not be voting for John McCain (though this does not mean that I will be voting for Obama). So it doesn't exactly please me to see the polls tightening. On the other hand, it doesn't exactly surprise me, either, what with cartoons like the one in the previous post. Obama's supporters are far too cocky right now. They're already celebrating their coming trampling of booboisie. And methinks that glee is not playing well in middle America. The reason people like my red-county aunt are thinking of voting Obama is that they find him inspiring. If this election turns into another round of "Whole Foods versus those obese louts at the Piggly Wiggly", people like her will hasten to vote against Whole Foods.
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
Megan,
I think you meant the title to this blog entry to read the other way.
Seconded
Megan:
If you are not voting for McCain, you will ve voting for Obama. Enjoy your tax increase.
....but given the fact that you live in DC, it really doesn't matter. Your electoral votes are going to be cast for Obama, regardless of whom you cast your vote for.
Isn't casting a vote on principle a wonderful feeling?
Do you have a way to fix titles? I too think you got it backward. Shall we call the roll?
I'm voting for Frank Zappa. He's been dead for years, but that still puts him ahead of McCain and Obama in terms of net positive accomplishments. :)
"Methinks that glee is not playing well in middle America."
Megan, you think middle America is paying attention to what Obama supporters are doing? Hell, you think Upper or Lower income America is?
It's hard enough for voters to consume basic facts about politicians. What their supporters do has about 0 chance of breaking through.
Besides, the vast majority of voters are actually mature enough to vote on the candidates, the issues and their impressions of them. "I don't like that snobby kid down the street and he's voting for Obama so I'm voting for McCain," isn't really a plausible scenario and it's offset equally by the other noise out there. "The moon full last week, I'm voting for Obama.
As an Obama supporter I enjoy telling people that Obama is going to destroy McCain so hard in the general election that he doesn't even need their vote. And then I tell them he wouldn't want it anyway.
One of the most overlooked things about our election process. For me, McCain is the lesser of the two evils. I'd rather vote for Ron Paul. Thankfully, in my state McCain is going to win by a landslide so I am safe in casting my vote for Ron Paul rather than being forced to vote for the lesser of two evils to keep the greater from taking office.
And yes, it is a good feeling to finally vote how I really want to vote (I previously lived in an often contested state).
They're already celebrating their coming trampling of booboisie.
They are? Can you point to some examples of this celebrating? Most Democrats I know are cautiously optimistic about our chances, but I don't know anybody who's counting pre-hatch chickens, or celebrating. I think most of us suspect it's going to be a hard and expensive fight.
I think what you are seeing is the most open and widespread support for the Democratic nominee in memory, and therefore this support is highly visible. I think this visibility is the calling card of an energetic and enthusiastic candidacy -- not a cocky one.
Not only that, the polls really aren't tightening. The 2 out so far to day, Quinnipiac and Wash Post confirm the 8-9 point lead Obama seems to have had since the end of the primary. We'll see what the nytimes poll says tonight...
Plus, you are entirely wrong about democratic cockiness - remember we won the vote and still lost the election only eight years ago. We aren't going to take anything for granted.
"remember we won the vote and still lost the election only eight years ago."
No need to go back eight years: Obama just did the same thing to Hillary in this year's primary that Bush did to Gore in the general in 2000. Not that any lefties were too concerned about the popular vote this time around, though.
Question for Obamatons:
How the f**k would a President Obama pay for free health care for everyone? Wait until the bond market starts demanding 6%+ yields for holding U.S. Treasuries (that'll happen within 2-3 years). Good luck expanding the deficit to give Canadian-style health care to slackers too lazy to work 20 hours a week at Starbucks for the health insurance.
My name is Fred and I'm an idiot.
Actually Fred, Obama only lost the popular vote if you exclude the states where he didn't campaign or wasn't on the ballot, and the caucus states. There's no question that the democratic primary system could be improved, but one of its faults of the system that all the candidates thought was fine before the primary started is exactly that because of the caucuses there is ultimately no clear "popular vote".
By the way, Obama will pay for healthcare the same way every other developed country pays for it - with taxes. Somehow those countries all manage to spend less of their dollars on healthcare as a percentage of GDP than in the US and still have populations that generally are at least as healthy as ours.
Dude:
No one in freakin' Middle America gives a rat's ass about what a bunch of anonymous idiots on DailyKos are saying about the election. Not one.
Somehow those countries all manage to spend less of their dollars on healthcare as a percentage of GDP than in the US and still have populations that generally are at least as healthy as ours.
Yawn. The overall health and average longevity of a population has little to do with "healthcare." It's more about lifestyle and socioeconomic factors like diet, exercise, smoking and crime.
There's plenty of evidence that health care in America is generally superior to health care in other countries, including ones with a higher average life expectancy.
How can someone as politically savvy as Megan be undecided about who she will vote for?
Obama's peaked too soon. If the election had been in March, he'd have been a shoo-in.
But now his challenge is to keep the religious frenzy going to November. By then, even his most committed acolytes will probably have tired of the vapid "hope" and "change" pablum ("Yeah, yeah, 'hope', 'change', right."). College students, in particular, are notoriously fickle, and so if Obama doesn't come up with another schtick, he is likely to be entering Ricky Martin country in a few months, because he'll be pretty shopworn by then.
That, plus to win he'll have to continue to tack to the center, which will (and has already begun to) alienate his most fervent supporters.
Last, the marketing campaign of the "new politician" may well wear off by then, to reveal...a grass green Chicago machine politician straight out of the "Tammany Hall Politics for Dummies" book.
So, direwolfc, God love you, keep working your magic.
Obama may well win in any case, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him blow up on the launch pad. He's grossly inexperienced, more than a little thin-skinned, he's going to be dead tired from campaigning so long, Michelle's yap/brain size ratio is large, and there's no telling what other nuggets will come out of Chicago, so other shoes may well drop. And that doesn't even touch the issue of potential rioting in Denver (the "Recreate 68" geniuses). I expect a fairly close election.
The concern is what happens if Obama loses. Another spasm of SDS/Weatherman style domestic terrorism is likely, as true believers give up on electoral politics.
MarkT wonders: "How can someone as politically savvy as Megan be undecided about who she will vote for?"
Self-preservation - I'm fairly sure she knows damn well who she'll be voting for. But once she makes up her mind it will be a constant topic here, one way or another, and she'd rather not risk pissing off one future employer or another by seeming to be too committed to the other side.
Occam's Dingleberry writes: "Obama may well win in any case, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him blow up on the launch pad. He's grossly inexperienced, more than a little thin-skinned, he's going to be dead tired from campaigning so long, Michelle's yap/brain size ratio is large, and there's no telling what other nuggets will come out of Chicago, so other shoes may well drop. And that doesn't even touch the issue of potential rioting in Denver (the "Recreate 68" geniuses). I expect a fairly close election."
On the other hand McCain is addled and nearing senility, and he has a lifelong problem with controlling his temper. He gets tired taking a shit on his bad days. Cindy is a homewrecking whore who should be good for a few slapped/punched/kicked household help stories between now and November. There's no telling how many other mistresses McCain has had, or when the sex tapes of Cindy and Fabio will surface. And that doesn't even touch the issue of potential nationwide vomiting when Dumbya takes the podium in St. Paul. I expect Obama to win fairly easily.
A presidential contest is like a heavyweight championship fight. The champ wins the draw; the challenger has to beat the champ. This metaphor is perhaps a little harder to apply than usual this year. Who is the champ? McCain; ever heard of Bush III; he is also the senior man in experience. The 'Champ' however starts out behind because of the low approval rating of the champion he is replacing, Bush. Nevertheless, Obama needs to beat the Champ on the latter's issue, military security. The Champ may also enfeeble the blows of the challenger if he can win the battle over 'change' and the economy, e.g. Free Trade as a first principle, fiscal restraint, contra crony capitalism as represented by the former Fannie Mae chariman and Obama's VP selection committe chairman Larry(?) Johnson.
Whichever candidate wins in November, he is going to face an unhappy electorate for at least his first couple of years in office. The economic woes facing this country took over a decade too develop, and they won't reverse themselves quickly. Obama would have a tougher time than McCain, if only because Obama has promised more. He won't be able to raise taxes much during the first too years, because the economy will still be weak, and he won't be able to borrow enough to implement any of his Santa Claus policies without weakening the dollar more, and thus making everyone's food and energy that much more expensive.
Megan:
A while back, there was a post at Half Sigma reluctantly endorsing McCain over Obama on the grounds that bad Democratic programs tend to live forever (The New Deal, Great Society, etc.), while the bad things Republicans do are usually temporary. What do you think of this?
Its about to get a lot meaner. This campaign is going to set new lows in American politics because this time the left has adopted the anything goes, whatever it takes strategy. They're well financed and are more pissed than I've seen in my lifetime. You are shocked by the precocious certainty. I suspect you shouldn't be the Democratic machine that has emerged is hell-bent on winning. They are not accepting any excuses and failure will result in serious "leadership shake-ups".
Bottom line unlike previous elections everyone will be fighting dirty, the Democrats will have more resources than Republicans, and the on the ground Democrat is very determined, and motivated to end Republican grip. The show has just started and you're already shocked? Then by the end I suspect outraged will be the correct word (even Ta-Nehisi Coates might use it).
Also to all those out there who think McCain will maintain Bush tax cuts. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA he made that promise to get votes, he'll never actually have to support, veto, or deal with legislation extending the tax cuts. That was the most calculated move he made this election, look at it, the Republicans would shock the US if they won Congress and the White House. If they don't win Congress the Tax Cuts won't see the light, McCain will be able to accuse them of raising taxes while using the new funds to ease deficit spending. My amusement never ceases: watching supply-side economists drinking this Kool-Aid like its the greatest thing ever. Ripe for disappointment!
Ben is correct- the Bush tax cuts will not be extended. McCain got a freebie on this promise.
As for the election, it will close. The polls now are meaningless. However, if Obama is not polling 5 or more points ahead come the weekend before the election, he will lose.
"I think what you are seeing is the most open and widespread support for the Democratic nominee in memory, and therefore this support is highly visible. I think this visibility is the calling card of an energetic and enthusiastic candidacy -- not a cocky one."
Posted by Jasper
This is not allowed. Democrats are supposed to grudgingly accept their nominee. Actually liking him is a tacit insult to all Republicans that crosses the line of electoral decency.
When I read posts like this, I remember that McArdle is a paid-up member of the MSM. Think Maureen Dowd, with a higher concentration of ill-digested economic theory, and a slightly lower concentration of wit.
The ah "married ladies" down the street that had Hillary signs all over the place here in Southwest Ohio now has McCain signs - although, not as many as they did for Hillary, and to be fair, it didnt help Hillary, although she did blow out Obama here in Ohio
Those who predict a Obama blowout, have been blowing something themselves - With the Economy and the war he should be up 25 points - the fact that he is tied with McCain and folks haven't even started paying attention ( like my in-laws) to who Obama really is ( die-hard leftist)
wait until i put my billboard on I-75 in middle of Ohio around Wright Pat AFB with a huge picture of Obama in his Muslim garb and a picture of the towers blowing up - that ought to get some attention and people will know it is true because, well, Billboards dont lie
Going to be an interesting election
So it doesn't exactly please me [Megan] to see the polls tightening.
Well, heckfire, the collective wit and wisdom of The Atlantic's blog-reading population can jump-start the process of humorizing Barack.
--------------------------
Knock Knock!
Who's there?
Barack Obama
Barack Obama who?
Barack Obama who wants to see that Hope is restored to America through Change, Change in our country's politics; Change in our Great Nation's Ability to Lead through Peace, and Change in the Eating Habits of Children, so that together we can face this Century with Hope. Hope brought through Change.
-------------------------
a boy, a girl, and Barack Obama walk into McDonald's. The boy says to the cashier "Thanks to the dietary advice from Senator Obama, I'd like a healthy salad and a water for lunch!" The girl says "I'd like the same and I'd also like to talk to the manager about how I can access employment opportunities."
--------------------------
Barack Obama is standing on stage at the Ivesco Center, he adjusts his tie and says to the audience "Take my wife, please ... She's an example of how America offers promise but fails to make that promise available to all. For too long people like my wife, Michelle, have had to work too hard to achieve for reasons that are historical, but that can change. Together, we can make a difference."
--------------------------
Barack Obama took his wife and children to see a talent show agent. The agent asked Senator Obama what the family act was.
Senator Obama explained that his family represented the opportunity for change, the ability of people to improve their lives through hardwork, that children can reach their potential even at the cost of ten to fifteen thousand dollars per year in music lessons and summer camps, that families can struggle to eat healthy foods, such as fresh fruit and leafy greens, and, that all this can happen despite being limited to speaking in one language.
The agent sat back, decided he would never smoke again, order healthier foods that contained zero transfats, begin saving a percentage of his income, donate to charity, and invest in that RosettaStone package he'd seen advertised on television, and asked Senator Obama what the name of his act was.
"The Aristocrats"
--------------------------------
(though this does not mean that I will be voting for Obama)
Bwahahaha. All her friends are voting for Obama; therefore, she'll be voting for Obama too.
Let's remember back in the day when Megan was interested in things like free trade. Ah, those were the days. These days, she apologizes for Obama threatening to pull out of NAFTA. So let's not kid ourselves about who she's voting for.
---- cont'd -------------------
So, my name is Barack Hussein Obama, Hussein. Yeah, I know. Hussein.
It's a common enough middle name where my father grew up, and it given to me by my father over forty years ago. It could have been worse, though.
If my father were from anywhere else, my middle name could have been 'Dubya'
--------------------------------
What's the difference between HUSSEIN Obama and Mohammed Atta?
Nothing.
What's the difference between HUSSEIN Obama and Mohammed Atta?
Nothing.
Obama has two deadly pieces of baggage, neither of which are really his individual fault.
1.) His creepy, cultish supporters. Anyone who's met an Obama fan knows this. They are a grassroots campaign to frighten and discourage anyone not already in their camp, especially by the implicit threat of reacting to any and all criticism by calling the critic a racist. Obama didn't ask for these people, but they're slowly killing him.
2.) Related, the general election could easily put a breaking strain on our racial taboos, especially if Obama keeps up his current humorless response to media mocking. Obama didn't make this environment, but he's between a rock and a hard place because of it. He doesn't have much room to accept teasing from nonblacks without being called an Uncle Tom, but just a few more incidents like the New Yorker cover cartoon will move his public image a long way into Jesse Jackson territory.
Why do so many mock the middle name of He Whose Middle Name Must Not Be Mentioned? Blasphemy!
--- continued -----
How many Barack Obamas does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. Barack simply hopes and the light bulb changes itself.
--------------------
-------- continued -----------
Why did the chicken cross the road?
Hope. And a desire for Change.
--------------------------------
Barack Obama, Maureen Dowd, and Bob Novak are standing at the Pearly Gates. Barack says to Maureen Dowd - "So, why should I let you in?"
------------------------------
---- continued -----
Barack Obama likes to shop at Whole Foods. He says that's where he buys his arugula.
Message to Senator Obama, half of America thinks that arugula is something in the back of your throat and the other half of America thinks that "Whole Foods" is a donut shop.
taptaptap
is this thing on?
----------------------
"No one in freakin' Middle America gives a rat's ass about what a bunch of anonymous idiots on DailyKos are saying about the election. Not one."
Ha! Hillary supporters are!
Posted by Passerby | July 16, 2008 11:50 AM
Good one. I actually chuckled at that one.
You must be a racist.
"Are Obama's supporters trying to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?"
Well, Democrats do have a reputation of trying to do that sort of thing.
Ms. McArdle: Any links for any of the assertions you make?
"Are Obama's supporters trying to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?"
Well, Democrats do have a reputation of trying to do that sort of thing.
I agree that the headline is backwards, but for some reason I read this comment "trying to snatch victory from the votes of the dead". And of course Chicago politicians do have a reputation for that sort of thing.
Er...not the Obamessiah, of course, he's pure as the driven snow. Sorry, sorry, he's not white, of course. So he's pure as...ah...coal dust? No, that's carbon...
Nvm.
Passerby, those are marvelous. They are going on my blog late tonight, and I hope to add a few more of my own. I'll give what identification I can, but if you want to come over and take credit, welcome.
On the other hand McCain is addled and nearing senility, and he has a lifelong problem with controlling his temper. He gets tired taking a shit on his bad days. Cindy is a homewrecking whore who should be good for a few slapped/punched/kicked household help stories between now and November. There's no telling how many other mistresses McCain has had, or when the sex tapes of Cindy and Fabio will surface. And that doesn't even touch the issue of potential nationwide vomiting when Dumbya takes the podium in St. Paul. I expect Obama to win fairly easily.
Moe: that is most pitch-perfect imitation of a Kos Kid posting that I've ever seen - childish, free of any factual content, and gratuitously vulgar. I congratulate you.
Shorter Megan: the electorate will cut off its nose to spite its face.
thanks, AVI, your standards are just low enough to match my abilities. :)
But seriously, folks ... as GK Chesterton pointed out the opposite of "funny" is not "serious" the opposite of funny is "not funny". As the comment Occams Dingleberry proves.
The true opposite of "funny" is GK Chesterton. Bill Hicks on a bad night eclipsed everything Chesty ever wrote.
----- continued, but in a McCain mode -----
News from around the world, recently, Manchuria announced a fund-raiser for their candidate, John McCain, would be held this coming Tuesday.
---------------------
How many John McCains does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
He can't change a lightbulb because he can't lift his arms above his shoulders. He was tortured in Vietnam in the Hanoi Hilton for over five years. God, you suck.
--------------------
What do you get when you cross a McCain with a Feingold?
It's an election year, we can't tell you.
--------------------
Which came first, the chicken or John McCain?
It's an election year, we can't tell you.
--------------------
As an Obama supporter I enjoy telling people that Obama is going to destroy McCain so hard in the general election that he doesn't even need their vote. And then I tell them he wouldn't want it anyway.
Ah yes, another acolyte of The Uniter reveals his true self.
Obama will lose because of his religion, Black Liberation Theology, which "craves love of a God that participates in the destruction of the White enemy" [Cone]. Anyone who whorshipped at that filthy racist altar for 20 years has no right to be POTUS.
"As an Obama supporter I enjoy telling people that Obama is going to destroy McCain so hard in the general election that he doesn't even need their vote. And then I tell them he wouldn't want it anyway."
Posted by direwolfc | July 15, 2008 5:24 PM
Ladies and gentlemen, we have here the very picture of an arrogant liberal snob.
I have no idea what made me read the comments for this thread....but Passerby, you are awesome.
A Christian, a Jew, and Barack Obama are in a life raft.
"But there are no Muslims in this joke!" says Barack Obama
Passerby,
The pearly gates joke was the best of the lot. You the original author?