What happened to John McCain's campaign? Someone please give it back! He is quickly running out of time and his star is fading. I think it started in the first presidential debate when he with -- vintage McCain stoicism -- refused to look his opponent in the eye. So this is what I'll be watching for in tomorrow's debate:
Can John McCain man-up enough to treat his opponent with the respect due. For many independents and ex-Republicans like me (we didn't leave the Party, the Party left us), this was a huge mistake and a telling sign of where his campaign was going. What is this Maverick afraid of?
Team Obama for their part have also run a terrible campaign but the bar isn't really that high for them. As long as the economy continues to tank, it is Obama's race to loose. And he isn't going to go out on the limb and if it was up to him, I am sure he'd be content to wrap this debate thing up tomorrow. But there are two more debates left -- the one tomorrow and the one on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Then, its pretty much over.
So what can McCain do to change the momentum? Well, he could call Obama a terrorist....oh wait, he did that today. Perhaps he can call him nothing but a no good lying liar....oh wait he did that today, too. What? Did they have to drink the kool-aid so soon. Memo to John Wayne McCain: Can you please get back on message! You once encouraged independents and young people to campaign for you. That wasn't too long ago.
This campaign, like my favorite living conservative in the world David Brooks has said -- this campaign is "mature." It is not emerging still, there is not great big reveal that will turn this boat around. People have seen these guys for over a year now, stumping, debating, politicking. Their minds are made up. There are only a handful of states where McCain can still campaign in and, with each passing week, it seems one of those toss up states turns to blue. McCain recently bowed out of Michigan and Ohio is not looking good in the latest polls.
So look for McCain to spend time exclusively in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida in the coming weeks. He has opened a slight lead over Obama in the Keystone State and Joe Lieberman has been busy on the Stump in the Sunshine State. Assuming McCain can hang on to the states W won in 2004, this may be enough for McCain to win. But that is a big IF and my money is not man enough to wager without someone giving me at least 15 electoral votes to start with.
So, a side note for us West Coasters -- we should know who the next Presidnet-Elect will be by 5 pm local time., on Election Day -- three hours before the polls close. That is why I am voting absentee -- because I hate it when my vote doesn't matter -- which is pretty much the case every election year 'cept this one time!
