October 2, 2008
Posted: October 2nd, 2008 09:01 PM ET

From

(CNN) - On the heels of a string of new polls that suggest Barack Obama is gaining an edge in several key battleground states, John McCain’s campaign told reporters Thursday that the Democrat and his campaign were “frustrated” by their showing in recent surveys.

“I am sure Barack Obama and his campaign today are frustrated,” McCain senior advisor Greg Strimple told reporters on a pre-debate conference call. “Despite the negative campaign they have run for three weeks, despite the financial crisis, despite massive spending, they are having a hard time breaking 50.”

But Strimble and McCain-Palin political director Mike DuHaime described a political map that may not be ideal for the GOP either: the battleground states that both said would decide the election - Virginia, Florida, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina and Indiana - were all red in 2004.

North Carolina last voted for a Democrat in 1976, when Southerner Jimmy Carter was the party’s nominee; Indiana and Virginia’s last Democratic presidential pick was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.

The latest CNN Polls of polls in these “must-win” states have all found Barack Obama statistically tied or slightly ahead.

Strimple said the seemingly defensive position of the campaign in these former Republican presidential strongholds was an illusion; the McCain-Palin team, he said, had convinced Obama to spend money in states where they hadn’t laid out a dime.

"To say we are on defense is not true...We are aggressively using our resources in states where we have to win," said Strimple.

“One of the strategic decisions our campaign has made is to let Mr. Obama spend his resources until we got closer to the election,” he added.

Earlier Thursday, the McCain-Palin team confirmed that they had pulled campaign resources from Michigan, re-directing them to Pennsylvania and Ohio, and were planning to make a major push in Maine, which can split its 4 electoral votes between the presidential candidates, depending on voting results in the state’s congressional districts. Strimble and DuHaime also included Wisconsin, Nevada, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Colorado and New Mexico on their list of targets, and said they weren’t writing off Michigan entirely: “If we see a swing back in our favor, we’ll re-engage,” said DuHaime.

And some unequivocally good news for the campaign: the Republican National Committee pulled in a record-breaking monthly haul in September, pulling in almost $66 million. “We are very well funded, and we are looking at a very aggressive last 30 days,” Strimple said Thursday.

Filed under: Barack Obama • John McCain


Steve W   October 3rd, 2008 12:33 am ET

esmithling has just demonstrated a perfect example of conservative foreign policy. Thanks e.

yankeedoodie   October 3rd, 2008 12:20 am ET

I cannot believe that sooooo many people are falling for the cutesy,folksy, Joe six pack personality again! Do you not remember falling for that 8 years ago? Why is intelligence scorned and stupidity so admired?! And if Palin is such a breath of fresh air to come to Washington.....why does she resort to misleading information in her very rehearsed rhetoric. I thought she was different???? Check out the Fact Check and you can see that she resorts to the same political shenanigans. Not so fresh & not so smart!

Little John   October 3rd, 2008 12:04 am ET

In response to Carla. we can tell your jealous of Palin because she is honest and very cool and would make a great VP.

bobbie   October 2nd, 2008 11:55 pm ET

Way to go Palin! She did an excellent job for the Republicans. John McCain is the only way to save America! Obama will destroy this nation!!

casual observer   October 2nd, 2008 11:48 pm ET

Reponse to Jessica va you hit the nail on the head for sure.. OBAMA is the CNN candidfate..there is no two ways about it,, they jiggered the Hillary thing so he looked good,now they are jiggering you and others that comment favorably towards the two maverick republicans...

areyouserious?   October 2nd, 2008 11:41 pm ET

You really don't believe what you're saying, do you? Must be some kool aide you're drinking!

casual observer   October 2nd, 2008 11:40 pm ET

OOOPS Biden almost lost it , well it didn't work for Hillary, during her debate so probably wont work in this one...Palin won this hands down, kept her head and answered honestly as the day is long.

wake up   October 2nd, 2008 11:15 pm ET

How can anyone even think of voting for this guy he cant make up his mind on anything. I think so many people are favoring him just because they share some pigment with Obama. I am strongly against putting a communist in the white house and letting anyone be commander in chief over our troops that has never served. You cant vote present when your commander in chief. When you flip flop with the troops soldiers die. As far as handling the economy I would like to see the credit rating on Obama......its already be posted many times that the McCain house has a Centurian card (also know as the American Express Black card) which is reserved to only the highest credit ratings. How can you manage the country if you can manage your own. Theres a reason Obama supports the subprime borrowers and that is birds of a feather flock together. If I was Obama I would be frustrated too Palin supports more "change" than he does.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ   October 2nd, 2008 10:47 pm ET

I just wonder which polls they are looking at because I don't see that from all that are listed. Is it really going the way for McCain? I am less sure than ever before.

Linda in Michigan   October 2nd, 2008 10:14 pm ET

Watching the debatates I have noticed one thing that bothers me. why when the war is talked about why is the money and cost is mentioned first and the loss of life. Yes the money is part of the battle of the war but the loss of loss MUST me mentioned first.
Support the troops bring them home alive

esmithling   October 2nd, 2008 10:08 pm ET

Jasmine in Germany would not be welcome in MY house. As a matter of fact she is not welcome in the USA. She can stay in her third rate country and admire the USA from beyond and afar. And any other idiots like her, just keep you sorry butts in your lousy countries and be envious of America. When you need some life saving or life altering surgery, get it done in your own country, don't come to this "terrible" country for it. When you want to explore the heavens and the stars, do so from your own country, don't look for the USA to do it for you (the ONLY) country ever to land men on the moon! Don't look for the USA to give you handouts. You stay in your pathetic country and I will be glad to stay here in the greatest country ever on the face of the earth, the United States of America!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous   October 2nd, 2008 10:07 pm ET

mcCain or Obama I think would be better then Bush, what scares me is if Palin has to lead our nation. I could just see it falling in a ball of fire :(

matt   October 2nd, 2008 10:04 pm ET

please god help us our give us the witchcraft sermon as palin had in her church if this is gonna be our vice prez, i think tina fey is smarter, and who is joe six pack?

John   October 2nd, 2008 9:54 pm ET

I think the CNN graph below the screen says it all. Gov Palin is flat-lining.

JESSICA VA   October 2nd, 2008 9:41 pm ET

CNN THIS LIKE THE10 TH TIME YA"LL HAVE NOT PUT MY COMMENT UP

WHAT IS WRONG WITH OWNS GUNS NRA, VALUES , MORALS

MAYBE YOU WILL PUT THIS ONE UP/ I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT YOUR BOY OBAMA

MCCAIN 2008

Jim in CA   October 2nd, 2008 9:36 pm ET

Wow. There's spin and then there's SPIN. Unbelievable. If the election were held today McCain gets CRUSHED, all hope of a bounce falls on a shaky Palin, and barring a major terrorist attack or a videotape of Bin Laden tap-dancing on the star at midfield of Texas Stadium this race is just about over. Period. Obama has no reason to be frustrated right now – he just has to guard against early celebration.

nmartin MPLS   October 2nd, 2008 9:36 pm ET

sounds like she crammed for an SAT test over the last few days. Truth is, does she really know what she is talking about or is she just a puppet...

gabrielle   October 2nd, 2008 9:32 pm ET

Is she running for the vice presidency of Alaska or the US. She keeps referring everything to Alaska

Dan, IL   October 2nd, 2008 9:32 pm ET

If, "America wants change" then I'm wondering where all the people are. Obama should be so far ahead with his new message and fresh approach to politics. I can't blame Obama for being upset. His supporters are just not there for him. Why is it that the, "old politics," "McSame", "McBlame," and all the other silly little names that people use to refer to an outstanding citizen of this country aren't working? I've been quite amused at the creativity of Obamas folks.

Oh well, while they are busy running around calling people names and defacing yard signs, McCain will quietly win the election, take office in January, and protect our country. And while he's doing that he'll also fix the economic mess the democrats got us into.

Essa   October 2nd, 2008 9:30 pm ET

Palin is a joke, she is not qualified to be vice president of anything. Bottom line, Obama knows what's best for America.

Jasmine in Germany   October 2nd, 2008 9:29 pm ET

The Obamas and their supporters are welcome to my home and to a home-maded simple or gourmet meal anytime. I will never shake hands with G. W. B. or John McCain or welcome them to my home for tea, coffee, or a meal.

Mark   October 2nd, 2008 9:27 pm ET

Can someone please tell Palin to get her hair out of her eyes. She's blinkin like she's in a dry eyes commercial

Lisa Raye   October 2nd, 2008 9:27 pm ET

WOW, on the ticker earlier there was a stroy about Mr. McCain saying " Lifes not Fair". Now his Campaine is saying the Obama is frustrated?... I dont get it.

Nobama   October 2nd, 2008 9:25 pm ET

God help us if Obama wins.

Lynn X -Democrat now for McCain   October 2nd, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Wow how low can all those Obama hater supports?? Were so Sick of Obama we could Puke!!! Palin is kicking Biden's butt!! Go McCain !!!

JOHN   October 2nd, 2008 9:20 pm ET

At least Obama has a good excuse. He is in unchartered waters trying to do something no man with his background has even done. Of course he's done things differently.

What's McCains excuse? He has sold his sould to the devils and they have turned him into something he is not. He is proving that he cannot do it. He would have been better served by someone like Romney or Huckabee, be he pandered and selected the PTA woman.

The GOP and its cronies are counting on the voters to be stuck on stupid. I don't believe they are. I am confident that when the time comes, the right lever will be pulled. If not, we deserve what we get and we move on.

Cindy   October 2nd, 2008 9:19 pm ET

And this conclusion from the Repubs comes on the same day McCain whines, Obama is ahead because life is not fair?

They really need to get their act together. They sound really dumb when they do that.

Gerry   October 2nd, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Yes, Senator McCain, and Senator Obama will be 'frustrated' all the way to the White House, while you, Sir, will return to the Senate where you can continue to be a 'maverick', whatever that is.

How can this be?   October 2nd, 2008 9:19 pm ET

McCain frustrated, aides say. What a misleading title. Wow, CNN, you are doing such a fabulous job campaigning for your candidate, Obama. We live in a Communist country.

saint paul mn   October 2nd, 2008 9:18 pm ET

little old mcmouse
what is he tlaking about

he is so senile

Lissa   October 2nd, 2008 9:17 pm ET

Does McCain just make up stuff to throw it out in the public arena in hopes that we take the focus off of his poor choice of a VP.

Mary   October 2nd, 2008 9:16 pm ET

These Reps sure know how to spin.

Carla B   October 2nd, 2008 9:16 pm ET

John McCain showed what kind of President he would be by picking Sarah Palin. HE is the one who is going to be frustrated when he sees his last chance of being President go down the tubes because of his poor choice.

Rob   October 2nd, 2008 9:12 pm ET

I live in NC and none of my friends are voting for Obama, who are they polling?? maybe the people of the health care department on the other side of the city where a new registration office just opened?
i dont know. seriously. i am not a big friend of McCain neither but at least he supports me as a member of the armed service and my fellows.

Semper Fi

Dave from Toronto   October 2nd, 2008 9:11 pm ET

Check out the electoral predictions.. Obama isn't frustrated at all... he is fully aware of the lead he holds...

McCain is just chasing rainbows... and one way to feel brighter is to try to make Obama's skies darker...

Shame shame... John McCain

Christian, Tampa FL   October 2nd, 2008 9:11 pm ET

The McCain campaign is crazy. That's all I have to say.

Sean in DC   October 2nd, 2008 9:10 pm ET

yes, I'm sure Obama's campaign is terribly upset that they're leading in nearly every imaginable poll. I'm sure they don't give a toss if only 48% of voters vote for him- as long as only 42% vote for McCain.

And btw, have McCain's spinmeisters ever heard of this little thing called the electoral college?

Gee, I wonder if McCain's campaign would like to trade places with Obama's right about now.

Craig in Kansas   October 2nd, 2008 9:09 pm ET

Joe Biden is a statesman and a gentleman.

bobbi   October 2nd, 2008 9:09 pm ET

i think you are confused, mccain is the one who is frustrated, and in denial, poor soul.

voter   October 2nd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Obama has made over 50 in the battleground state polls that came out yesturday. Stop the nonsense McCain.

Christine, Michigan   October 2nd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

God help us if McSame gets in.

Rob Johnson   October 2nd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

Yes, I'm sure Obama is very frustrated that every major poll has shown a 10 point swing in his favor over the past two weeks.

Imagine how frustrated he'll be after he wins in a landslide in November! It will be all he can to drag himself out of his funk long enough to be sworn it at the inaugural.

Time to watch Palin's trainwreck in the VP debates, I'm sure Obama will be frustrated by that as well....

kimtravels   October 2nd, 2008 9:05 pm ET

The only frustrated person I see is McCain and his "life's not fair" campaign.

sandee in Portland   October 2nd, 2008 9:04 pm ET

Sure, all those wealthy Republicans donated big time this month because they see "their boy" losing.

mark   October 2nd, 2008 9:04 pm ET

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....yeah, Obama is upset about the news that he's ahead in every poll, yeah that's the kind of news that's really hard to take :)

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