In a post yesterday, I argued that the current economic crisis is a result of the implementation of the Republican ideology of getting the government out of the markets and out of the economy. I questioned if Republicans would oppose government intervention and help. I argued that if Republicans were true to their ideology, they would argue that the current Wall Street meltdown is merely a function of the market at work and that the weeding of inefficiency through the failure of companies like Lehman Brothers and AIG would make us stronger. I must give the John McCain campaign credit. They are running an ad that argues against government. More . . .

Obama ad:

By Big Tent Democrat

Via Laura Thorne at daily kos:

By Big Tent Tent Democrat

Perhaps the effects of the 50 State Strategy elixir have worn off because Chris Bowers states the obvious today - Colorado is the bellwether for this election:

The path to victory goes through Colorado. I have a hard time seeing any realistic scenario where the candidate who loses Colorado wins the election (I know it is possible--I just think it is highly unlikely). I mean, given all of the advantages we have in that state, how can we expect Obama to win Ohio or Virginia if he doesn't win Colorado? As such, Colorado is the 2008 equivalent of Ohio 2004 and Florida 2000.

This was hashed out during the Democratic primary - Democrats picked the Obama electoral map -with its Western possibilities (Colorado (9 EVs), New Mexico (5 EVs) and Nevada (5 EVs)) + Iowa (7 EVs) + the Kerry states over the Clinton electoral map - 0hio (20 EVs) + Florida (27 EVs) + Arkansas (6 EVs) + the Kerry states. Of course Obama CAN win Ohio (imo, Obama WILL win Ohio), Florida and Virginia (13 EVs) (Clinton had no chance in Virginia.) But Clinton would have won Ohio, Florida and Arkansas. BTW, I believe an Obama/Clinton or a Clinton/Obama ticket would have won them all. But that is water under the bridge.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

Great line from Kevin Drum. And it gets to a larger point of the discussion of Drudge World - the political Media, by and large, is not only largely incompetent, they are incredibly behind the times.

I betcha if you gave the Right bloggers some truth serum, they would admit Drudge is ridiculous and well, so 5 years ago. Pajamas Media and their group of bloggers are much more interesting to read for what is happening on the Right. The Corner is much more interesting. Drum compares Drudge to the Enquirer, in terms of whether it is interesting. I think that gets it right. But it is a reflection on how, in essence, out of touch the political Media largely is. Of course there are important exceptions, like Ron Brownstein who, whether you agree with him or not, generally brings something intelligent, original and interesting to the table almost every time. Sort of the anti-Politico.

Speaking for me only

The Presidential race may be on the brink of breaking open. Along with CBS NYTimes poll (9/12-16) which has Obama up 5, a new Q poll (9/11-16) has Obama up 4, 49-45, and the Dkos/R2000 tracker (9/15-17) now has Obama up by 6, 49-43. Ras has it tied, 48-48, McCain down 1. Gallup, Obama by 4, 48-44, a 2 point bump for Obama.

After yesterday's Wall Street meltdown, the economy will again dominate the talk of the Nation. That the economy will be the main topic of discussion is good for Democrats and good for Obama, though the events that have made this so are awful for the country (and will present great challenges to a potential Obama Administration.) McCain is being viewed as running for Bush's Third Term. The Palinpalooza is basically over, despite the attempts of some to keep it going.

In 8 days, Obama and McCain meet for the first Presidential debate. It may be make or break for McCain by then.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

As Big Tent Democrat wrote here, the New York Times/CBS poll shows Obama regaining the momentum in the presidential race and leading John McCain.

It's not just the economy. It's also McCain's opportunistic pick of Gov. Sarah Palin for Vice President. A majority of those polled (pdf)find her unqualified and 3/4 of them believe she was selected primarily to help McCain win.

More than half of registered voters do not think she is prepared for the job of Vice President, and a majority express concern about Palin being able to take over the presidency, if necessary. Even supporters of John McCain cite “inexperience” as what they like least about her. Palin’s unfavorable rating is also up eight points from last week.

More...

NYTimes poll, Obama 48, McCain 43:

Despite an intense effort to distance himself from the way his party has done business in Washington, Senator John McCain . . . is widely viewed as a “typical Republican” who would continue or expand President Bush’s policies, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.

. . . The poll was taken during a period of extraordinary turmoil on Wall Street. By overwhelming numbers, Americans said the economy was the top issue affecting their vote decision, and they continued to express deep pessimism about the nation’s economic future. They continued to express greater confidence in Mr. Obama’s ability to manage the economy, even as Mr. McCain has aggressively sought to raise doubts about it.

McCain needs a new game changer. Right now, "it's the economy, stupid." If that does not change by Election Day, this election is over.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

A Survey USA Today poll of New Mexico voters released today finds Sen. Barack Obama ahead of John McCain by 8 points:

In an election for President of the United States in New Mexico today, 09/17/08, Democrat Barack Obama defeats Republican John McCain by 8 points, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KOB-TV in Albuquerque. Today, it's Obama 52%, McCain 44%.

McCain leads by 11 among whites; Obama leads by 41 among Hispanics. Obama leads by 12 among voters younger than Obama. McCain leads by 10 among voters older than McCain. Half of voters say the economy is most important. Among those voters, Obama leads 3:2. Obama leads among the more educated. McCain leads among the less educated. Obama leads among the less affluent. McCain leads among the more affluent.

The Washington Post gives four Pinocchios to Gov. Sarah Palin for her claim that as Governor of Alaska, she oversees 20% of the U.S. oil and gas supply. First, the claims:

Gov. Sarah Palin "knows more about energy than probably anyone in the United States of America." (Sen. John McCain, NBC interview, Sept. 10)

"My job has been to oversee nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of oil and gas." (Gov. Sarah Palin, Golden, Colo., Sept. 15 )

The truth: [More...]

Well I used to be disgusted

Now I try to be amused

That's my reaction to Gov. Sarah Palin's offer in Michigan to have voters play "Stump the Candidate."

This is an open thread.

The Reuters/Zogby poll released today has Sen. Barack Obama leading John McCain by 2 points, wiping out McCain's pre-convention lead.

Obama leads McCain among likely voters by 47 percent to 45 percent, within the poll's 3.1 percent margin of error. He gained ground in the last month among independent and women voters and on the question of who could best manage the faltering U.S. economy.

Obama wiped out McCain's 5-point edge in a Reuters/Zogby poll taken in August before the nominating conventions, a sign the Arizona senator could be drifting back to earth from what other opinion polls showed was a post-convention surge.

Sarah Palin isn't helping McCain with anyone except his core base. [More...]