The Note: Economy is Key as Message Battle Continues
EmailfABC News’ Rick Klein reports in Friday’s Note:
Six lessons of a tumultuous week in the presidential race:
1. The distance between John McCain’s short list and John McCain’s pink-slip list is sometimes short (and his desires may not have any relationship to actual presidential power).
2. The distance between Joe Biden’s brain and Joe Biden’s mouth is also sometimes short.
3. It’s always going to be about Bill Clinton, to some degree, stupid.
4. Palin power has its limits.
5. Pig futures and cosmetic prices don’t qualify as economic issues.
6. Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama got where he is because of the economy, but neither will either man get where he needs to go without it.
Read the rest of The Note — and get all the latest on the 2008 election, Congress, the White House and the wide world of politics every day — from Rick Klein by bookmarking this link.
There is exactly one issue that matters right now (which means only one way to make news before the first debate).
And on that issue, the candidates may be only minor players. Staying out of everyone’s way is the smart play at this moment — and that’s Obama’s policy as of Friday morning — and will soon be McCain’s, too.
Perhaps the most consequential political fallout of this week that brought us a new overriding subject (in a campaign that was desperate for one) is the way in which the candidates’ running room has narrowed.
Outside events — including fresh actions Friday from a we’re-still-here Bush administration and a we’re not-going-home-yet Congress — are reshaping the political field.
Continue reading today’s Note by clicking HERE.
ABC News’ Hope Ditto contributed to this report.
CPAC: Romney Struggles to Convince Voters 
Obama Backs Off Birth Control Battle?
McCain needs to tap Mitt Romney, maybe even announce prematurely that if elected Romney would have a prominent role in his administration.
Posted by: JA | September 19, 2008, 8:49 am 8:49 am
The conservative Wall Street Journal is even unhappy with Mccain’s handling of this situation stating:
“In a crisis, voters want steady, calm leadership, not easy, misleading answers that will do nothing to help. Mr. McCain is sounding like a candidate searching for a political foil rather than a genuine solution. He’ll never beat Mr. Obama by running as an angry populist like Al Gore, circa 2000.”
Posted by: Paige | September 19, 2008, 8:51 am 8:51 am
Well if the Wall Street Journal doesn’t like McCain, then you know he’s doing something right!
The government’s handling of this is just downright despicable. Paulson steps in when the company he was a former CEO of (Goldman Sachs) is in peril.
Government corruption at its worst. And McCain called it out.
Posted by: JA | September 19, 2008, 9:06 am 9:06 am
Republicans and Democrats: Neither McCain nor Obama caused this financial melt down. I don’t think either of them have the brains to do that. That being said lets really explore the two candidates to see which one can get us out of this dilema. Our future depends on it.
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am
The only political party who can get us out of this mess is the DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
Republicans don’t have a clue. McCain has blown it with his choice for VP. Palin has a lot of issues. And if you bloggers read, you will find out that her track record is not all that the Republicans want you to believe.
McCain is old school Bush Republican! We can’t afford to have another BUSH in the white house!
DON”T BELIEVE Republican HYPE!
Posted by: Shay | September 19, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am
The self-centered Donald Trump has endorsed mccain. I’m sure this is because Trump is worried about the increased taxes for people making over $250,000. This is reason enough for me to vote for Obama. The rich need to start paying their share. Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | September 19, 2008, 9:29 am 9:29 am
This is something that over the years no one has had the brains to do anyting about.They all padded their pockets and why dry up your money wagon….Now we the tax payer has to pick up the tab while all these GD ceos fill their pockets Time for CHANGE and it is NOT mC BUSH”S
Posted by: me | September 19, 2008, 9:33 am 9:33 am
pt get a life: When was the last time you were emoloyed by a poor man?
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 9:43 am 9:43 am
Vote out the incumbents NOW! They have failed you miserably! Don’t reward them for this.
Posted by: hmn | September 19, 2008, 9:51 am 9:51 am
01.20.09 The END of an ERROR…
Posted by: pt | September 19, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am
Lets see. mccain graduated 894th out of 898 in his class. palin can see Russia from her house. Yeah, this has a chance to work…NOT They are looking right now at a $1,000,000,000,000 recovery plan. What this country does not need is a bush-3 term. Obama/Biden 2008!!!
Posted by: pt | September 19, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am
pt: Stop plageurising the other blogers info. Be some what original. By the way Mr information, what was your class graduation # from the Naval Academy?
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am
PALIN BACKED RON PAUL DURING PRIMARY? http://www.veeppeek.com
MORE AND MORE KEEP COMING OUT ABOUT PALINS ALLEDGED AFFAIR. http://www.hotpres.com
Posted by: Janey | September 19, 2008, 10:33 am 10:33 am
mccain was asked “Do you wear boxers or briefs?”
answer: Depends
Posted by: pt | September 19, 2008, 10:34 am 10:34 am
I do not like Pelosi or Ried. I like McCain and especially Palin. I think Obama is not the right person for president.
Posted by: Cent | September 19, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Dear concerned citizens of America and Mass Media of the U.S.A.
As a concerned registered independent voter, forensic psychiatrist, disabled American I made my decision to vote after taking into consideration following joint tickets attributes and characteristics.
1. Has the ticket shown adequate calmness, coolness, and connectedness’s under pressure to lead our nation [Presidential Temperament]?
2. Has the ticket shown sustained sound “Judgment and Caliber”?
3. Has the ticket shown adequate understanding of depth and degree to address the crucial challenges in their their purpose, policies, and positions [ Honesty, integrity and sincerity]?
4. Has the ticket sufficient “understanding and knowledge” of inside Washington workings [Experience]“?
5. Has the ticket reservoir resilience, wisdom, and vigor to address the present and future f our beloved “Great-grand Nation”?
6. Has the ticket enough joint foreign policy experience and exposure based on ” Values, Virtues, Vastness, and ” [American moral soul]“?
7. Has their campaign talk, slogans, ads, plans, and programs based on facts and are they free of fear, fiction, frivolous labels, unfair attacks, negativity, and impulsively? [No "imminent danger to national
security and safety"].
8. Has the ticket genuinely kept on message of country first and politics last and avoided copying [Message change"]?
9.Has the ticket message stayed away from Culture divide and war[ Disaster prevention ]?
10. Has the ticket resisted being surrounded, supported and surrogate’s by divisiveness, distortion’s, and destructive characters, [ Real patriotism VS shiftiness and shameless parrot-ism]?
11. Has the ticket thoughtful, real non-partisan, & non-impulsive plans to address our current economic crisis or political tactics and temperamental statements.
I have personally and professionally concluded that OBAMA-BIDEN ticket will lift and inspire our greatgrand nation back to its greatness within and restore our global standing with the use of maximum, firm
international diplomacy and minimal force if and when indicated {” Peace thru Strenght “}.
Yours sincerely,
COL. A.M.Khajawall [Ret] MD.
Forensic psychiatrist, Disabled American Veteran and Iraq
Freedom team. Grass roots California leader per Senator McCain’s mailings.
Posted by: COL. A.M.Khajwall [Ret] | September 19, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am
“In a crisis, voters want steady, calm leadership, not easy, misleading answers that will do nothing to help. Mr. Obama is sounding like a candidate searching for a political foil rather than a genuine solution. He’ll never beat McCain by running as an angry populist like Al Gore, circa 2000.
He’ll end up like Gore and kerry!”
Posted by: Ed | September 19, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am
pt – comments like that show your not a true blue democrat, you liberal’s have hyjacked the democratic party! real democrats can fix the problem with the help of the republicans working together, but not the left-wing liberal self-centered nut’s, just as you just showed! GOD bless commonsense people with power like joe lieberman and donald trump!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
bombem – go get-em!!!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
pt – in your own liberal controlled congress’s word’s! nancy pelosi said
” don’t blame us” and harry reid said “we don’t know what to do”. bring the liberal leader’s comments together and you finally get the truth, “DON’T BLAME US, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!” what leadership you have in your hyjacked party!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
timmaaa7: you took the words right out of my mind, but you expressed it better. Don’t forget Dirty Harry’s other infamous remark, “WE LOST THIS WAR.” He’s a real American looking for change,huh. UGGH!
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
Col.A.M.Khajwall: Do Psychiatrists ever need a Psychiatrist or do they analize them selves? Maybe you should go lay down on a couch and talk to some one you pompous ass! And all this talk from you about tickets, let me buy you one to any where in the world you would like to go out side the US, I can afford it. Mind you fool that before you accept my offer know that it will be a one way only..
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
bombem – better yet, “the surge will not work”, “the surge is not working”, “listen, i bet in three weeks, we will have an different assessment, that the surge is not working”! thanks for your support of our armed forces obama! how many time’s do we have to listen to that, and not have people understand that he has no leadership skills or realistic idea’s! i really could care less how educated people think he is, he’s a liberal, that should tell you everything! and if he wants to be a leader, why won’t he even listen to our military leader’s without giving them his contempt!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
bombem – LOL! i’ll help pitch in, LOL!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
the main thing that i’m really noticing is that obama is running on the same idea’s of gore and kerry! blame everybody else and raise taxes. when is there going to be a real democrat(not liberal) run on idea’s other than higher taxes for more goverment program’s! also, chris dodd needs to be investigated on his connection to this economic crisis. i wonder if this was dodd’s and the liberal’s agenda to win the election by letting things go south, and then blame McCain for the problems because of how long he’s been there! if that’s the case, all liberal’s should be investigated who run commitee’s and their ties and beni’s recieved from these financial institutons before things get worse! and obama is not the one to do that because he is apart of the scam!
Posted by: timmaaa7 | September 19, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm
I am asking everyone to email a note to Senator Boxer who is the head of the Senate Ethics Committee to ask him to investigate Sen Obama breaking the Logan Act in his attempt to get Iraq to not withdrawl troops until he took office. This is a well known story with Iraqi saying he requested it. Here is the note I sent. you can put your name in place of mine at the bottom. Please make sure you include your name and state and county at the bottom. You can exclude pumapac if you desire. Please do a bcc or blind copy if you can to prowl@pumapac.org
The more people who do this the better chance we have of getting some action on this terrible act of treason and selfishness allowing people to maybe die in a war so he could be elected. Everyone is invited to come to blog.pumapac.org a place where the common person is trying to have his voice hear. A super friendly place. please pass this around to other blog sites that might attract people to join in this effort.
Senator@boxer.senate.gov
SUBJECT: Obama in violation of Logan Act!
9/19/08
PumaPac.org
Contact: Murphy@pumapac.org
Dear Member of the Senate Ethics Committee,
I am writing to request that you open an investigation into the actions of Senator Barack Obama with regard to his July visit to Iraq. News reports, as well as the statements from Senator Obama’s own campaign, confirm that Senator Obama attempted to negotiate a plan for troop withdrawals and a framework for the American presence in Iraq in such a way as to benefit him politically. This is clearly an unethical way for a member of the United States Senate to act, using his status and leverage as a Senator and prominent candidate to undermine the Administration and to benefit his own political career. It also appears to be a direct violation of the Logan Act.
From the Logan Act:
“Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”
I am a member of Puma PAC, People United Means Action (http://pumapac.org). We are the Voice of the Voters in the Democratic Party and we strongly oppose Senator Obama’s selection as our Party’s nominee. We believe he is an unethical politician, disloyal to the fundamental values of our democracy.
Thank you for your consideration and time.
Sincerely,
first initial and last name and county state
Puma PAC Democrat
Posted by: Democrat No More | September 19, 2008, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
Us rednecks in rural Missouri took a pole – we think that Obama fella is better for us. …………….
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/09/19/rednecks-for-obama/
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | September 19, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Come on you guys, your not rednecks. You did’nt miss spell any words. You’re really 3 piece elitist suits disguising your selves in blue jeans.
Posted by: bombem | September 19, 2008, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Shay: The only party that can get us out of the economy situation is not Obama. He wants to play big shot like he knows what to do. However, he needs about ten advisor’s to help him. And the economy is not as bad as stated. People make their own mistakes by biting off more than they can chew. Foreclosures are the fault of the banks and mortgage companies who give loans to people that don’t have money to put down on a home or condo but they get the loan anyway. Buyer’s should have at least 30 to 40% down and buy within their means. This is the same situation with the auto dealer’s. No money down or 5% down. Then the buyer can’t pay later. As far as Lehman Brother’s they are paying the price for their own mistakes. Executives salaries are out of control. Its the same at city hall in Chicago. At least 3000 enployee’s too many, the State of Illinois has about 5000 too many or more. People and companies are their own worst enemy. If the economy was that bad no one would be working. The country would be at a standstill.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | September 20, 2008, 8:57 am 8:57 am
Cent: You are so right. Obama is not the right person for the presidency or the job he has as senator. His plans were to become the president of this country but he wanted to be senator first so he could announce that he was running for it. He had this planned years ago. He read so many books on MLK that it went to his head. Obama is in this race to make history first and country second. Obama is a big fake and a sincere liar. His speeches are from the book of RFK. His words of hope and change are from that same book. I am surprised he graduated college or was he pushed thru. As far as a community organizer, he was a southside street organizer and I understand that he didn’t even have a desk at the campus. He did not do that job for four years. If he lasted one year he was lucky. Obama doesn’t want to work he wants to make money the easy way. And he doesn’t care who he doublecrosses to do it. I don’t know why Hillary is supporting him when Obama and Pelosi cornered the superdelegates to all vote Obama when they wanted to wait until the convention. He is underhanded and deceitful and if he is elected look for the depression of 1929.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | September 20, 2008, 9:08 am 9:08 am