Decaturight

Host a Cynthia McKinney viewing party

News from the Green Party:

"Friends! We have a unique opportunity to grow our Green Presidential campaign exponentially! On Sept. 7th at 6:30 PM EDT, Cynthia McKinney will be interviewed on C-SPAN. This is a fabulous opportunity for us to gather collectively to listen to our candidate in prime time on TV. What we in the Outreach Committee ask of you is to watch this historic campaign event with family and friends--invited  specifically for that purpose.

You can go towww.gp.org/houseparties for downloadable templates and ideas for getting the party started.

Poll shows signficant improvement in perception of McCain

Today’s numbers show a one-point improvement for McCain, but Obama still leads 47% to 44%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 49%, McCain 46% (see recent daily results). Obama is now viewed favorably by 57% of the nation’s voters, McCain by 56%. Tracking Polls are released at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time each day.

There have been significant changes in perception of John McCain in the two days of polling since he named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Since then, 49% of Republicans voice a Very Favorable opinion of McCain. That’s up six percentage points from 43% just before the announcement. Also, 64% of unaffiliated voters now give positive reviews to McCain, up ten points since naming his running mate.

There has been little change in perceptions of Obama since his Thursday night speech and the Palin announcement (see trends and other recent demographic observations).

Rasmussen

Gallop shows Obama up by 6. A better poll should be out Monday.

Obama's convention bounce should get wiped out durng the RNC this week.

Don't worry. If Obama makes a mistake, it will be his staff's fault

See this article in Politico.

Will it make any difference who's fault it was if and when he makes a mistake as our president?

Adam Brickley's website pushing Palin

Adam Brickley has been pushing Sarah Palin for some time now.

Politcal Pistachio

Obama apologizes for "hair-trigger" response to Palin

Barack Obama's spokesman fired off a fast criticism of Republican John McCain's new running mate Friday, but the Democratic candidate himself quickly stepped in to offer her congratulations and praise.

Obama, who is eager to win over female voters who backed his rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in the primaries, blamed the mixed messages about McCain's choice, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, on campaign aides with a "hair trigger."

He and his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, followed up with congratulatory phone calls to Palin.

AP

Thank goodness he wasn't the President, receiving a phone call at 3AM, and taking advice from the same "hair-trigger" assistants. A "hair-trigger" response to that news might not be reversible.

Here come the Republicans!

Boston.com

Obama got 4% bounce, even after Palin announcement

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday is the first to include reaction to both Barack Obama’s acceptance speech and John McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin to be his running mate. The numbers are little changed since yesterday and show Barack Obama attracting 47% of the vote nationwide while John McCain earns 43%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 49% and McCain 45% (see recent daily results).

Obama currently leads by thirteen points among women while McCain leads by six among men. Among white women, the candidates are essentially even while McCain holds a substantial lead among white men (see other recent demographic observations).

The Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator currently shows Obama leading in states with 193 Electoral College votes while McCain leads in states with 183 votes (see Quick Campaign Overview). When leaners are included, it’s Obama 264, McCain 247 (see 50-State Summary).

Rasmussen

Poll shows Palin has been well received

Sarah Palin has made a good first impression. Before being named as John McCain’s running mate, 67% of voters didn’t know enough about the Alaska governor to have an opinion. After her debut in Dayton and a rush of media coverage, a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 53% now have a favorable opinion of Palin while just 26% offer a less flattering assessment.

Palin earns positive reviews from 78% of Republicans, 26% of Democrats and 63% of unaffiliated voters. Obviously, these numbers will be subject to change as voters learn more about her in the coming weeks. Among all voters, 29% have a Very Favorable opinion of Palin while 9% hold a Very Unfavorable view.

By way of comparison, on the day he was selected as Barack Obama’s running mate, Delaware Senator Joseph Biden was viewed favorably by 43% of voters.

Rasmussen

The biggest positive impact Sarah may have is with undecided voters, upon which this election will likely swing.

How many women think like Gladys?

A comment to a Taylor Marsh post by Gladys at 3:30PM:

"... calling us stupid if we decide to consider Palin is not  going to work.
Palin is not be Hillary, but her selection by the GOP shows that Republicans will give women
a chance. Obama looked over the #2 votegetter to pick Biden.
...
I really thought Obama would realize that 18 million of us supported a change.

"Change" is not Biden, who has been in the Senate for 36 years. Obama did not have to pick Biden. Obama's decision means that women like me--and I am not alone-- will drop out or move over. We have worked for, canvassed for, done mailings for and voted for dozens and dozens of men over our voting lives.

I'll not miss the chance to vote for a woman even if for the first time in my life I vote
for a Republican."

The Obama campaign has to wondering how many other women are thinking like this?

Guess the polls over the next few days will tell.

Obama campaign office opens just outside Decatur

If you'd like to buy (nothing's free) some Obama gear (yard signs, bumper stickers, or buttons) or volunteer to make phone calls, head out Ponce from Decatur, past the MARTA station, across Arcadia at Sam's Crossing, and down the hill about a block, just before you get to Pin Ups.  Turn in at 2752 and drive to near the back. They're open 9 to 9 on weekdays and 2 to 6 on Sundays.

You'll be wasting your time and money, if you ask this blogger, because McCain/Palin will beat Obama/Biden in Georgia; but energetic political activity is key to this nation's vitality. If you're so inclined, go for it!

The McCain Campaign doesn't feel it needs an office in/near Decatur, but an informal office (paid for directly by local supporters) might be opened next month.