Palin schedule shows McCain on the defensive?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/06/art.palinnc.ap.jpg caption="Palin will go to Greenville, North Carolina Tuesday."](CNN) - The McCain campaign announced Sarah Palin is set to make a stop in North Carolina Tuesday night, two days after the Republican VP candidate stumped in Nebraska - two reliably red states that haven't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in at least three decades.
Palin's most recent travel schedule is the latest indication Barack Obama and the nation's ailing economy have put John McCain on the defensive, even in states where the prospect of a Democratic win was unthinkable only four years ago.
Palin's visit to North Carolina comes as most recent polls of the state show Obama and McCain essentially in a dead heat there. A CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation poll of North Carolina last month showed the candidates dead even, while some recent polls have even suggested a slight Democratic lead. CNN/Time Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation will release a new North Carolina poll Tuesday morning.
Election Center: Check out the latest state polls
Then there’s the unknown variable of an anticipated rise in turnout in the African-American community. In 2006 that voting bloc made up 26 percent of North Carolina's electorate, with 85 percent voting for Sen. John Kerry. Obama is expected to win an even higher percentage of the black vote this cycle, with a higher expected turnout as well.
"The North Carolina of today is far more diverse than the North Carolina of twenty or even ten years ago," CNN Senior Political Researcher Alan Silverleib said. "The state’s changing economy has attracted thousands of new voters willing to pull the lever for a Democratic nominee. Second, the state’s sizable African-American voting bloc is extremely energized by Obama’s candidacy. Third, the economic downturn has made Tar Heel voters — just like voters in the rest of the country — much more receptive to the Democratic message of change."
Palin's appearance in the state comes more than five months after McCain held his last public event there, delivering a speech in early May at Wake Forest on his vision for judicial appointments. The event came the same day as Indiana and North Carolina's Democratic primaries and was largely overshadowed by the still-ongoing battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
McCain-Palin spokesman Ben Porritt said Monday the campaign remains confident the Republican ticket will carry the state.
"This is a state that Barack Obama has put millions of dollars into," he said. "This is an opportunity to speak to our supporters there and makes sure they turn out."
Porritt also declined to say whether McCain has any plans to visit North Carolina before Election Day.
The North Carolina visit comes after Palin traveled to Nebraska's Second Congressional District Sunday, prompting pundits to speculate the McCain campaign is worried the Obama could peel off an electoral vote there. Nebraska, like Maine, awards its electoral votes by the winner of each congressional district, and the second district - which includes Omaha and its surrounding areas - is the most Democratic.
But Palin told Nebraska voters Sunday she was not visiting the state because the campaign was worried about a possible loss there.
“The pundits today on TV—one of them was saying, check out the vice president’s schedule, check out where she’s going—she’s going to Nebraska,” she said. “But the pundit was saying the only reason she’d be going there is ‘cause they’re scared, so they got to go there and shore up votes. And I wanted to reach into that TV and say no, I’m going to Nebraska because I want to go to Nebraska."
Palin has comvinced the Republican faithful (clueless evangelicals who would vote for crooks, provided they are pro-life) who were already voting McCain anyway.
Smart choice, John.
Unfortunately, Palin does nothing to convince the all-important swing voter, the middle-of-the-road person who thinks carefully about the election.
Palin sends the wrong message – that McCain is reckless and beholden to fringe interests. And McCain's increasingly desperate attacks are ot helping, either.
Latinos for Hispanics –
I hope you're just some white republican nut, because what you wrote makes no sense what so ever. Have you ever listened to republican policies regarding Hispanics, especially Mexicans? They don't want you here. They look at you as criminals, uneducated, and illegal. So you are not going to vote for Obama because he is black and will only help blacks? What about an old white guy – he's going to be your savior? Doesn't it seem that a black minority, that had to work his way to the top, would respect the hard work of Hispanics in this country and work to help them out vs. the old rich white guy that only knows Hispanics that work in his yard? Come on – you have to be either a right wing nut trying to stir something up, or a ten year old kid on mom's computer.
Dios Mio
Erika and Combat Vet....I can see why you are voting for McCain. Your posts offer nothing of value. Boo Hoo.
I ADMIT it to the RNC and the McCain/Palin camp!! Most of Obama's supporters give Obama money... 10, 15, 20 at a time!!! We are giving him his money and will keep right on giving because this is ONE investment we want to pay off in BIG dividends!!
Obama/Biden 08
Sad. McCain needs a woman to do his dirty work.
And what descent woman would agree to sling mud if she was not already knee deep in it.
Republicans screw up the economy. Democrats fix it.
Prosperity again for majority of people not just the wealthy.
Learn your lessons people.
Look at history.
1920's depression – Republican President
1980's recession – Republican President
2000's recession – Republican President
All fixed by a Democratic President
OBAMA '08 '12
Palin told us what she is at the Republican convention; a pitbull with lipstick. That would be a female dog...right!
Unfortunately the worst is yet to come for the McCain campaign as both his past and Palin's past will be totally aired and when fact checked will reveal some very disturbing facts to the public.
John's tactic of lying and slander have left him open to Obama's campaign exposing their past histories which will likely result in their total destruction. When these facts come out they will be proven true as most informed people already know but will surely influence a large number of undecided people who don't keep up to date on daily events.
This is beginning to look very funny but more sad; this white woman following this black man around... trying to prevoke him.
This Sarah gal is downright nasty and a lying witch. I know that she had a minister cast out her witches at her church recently but, I think he missed some.
This McCain/Palin campaign is pathetic and one has to wonder if the republicans want to lose this thing so they can have their depression and blame it on the democrats?
The only other explanation could be that "Old John" is finally losing it under pressure. That would sure explain the fits and starts, the flips and flops and the overall confusion. That sure would be a shame for a guy that served his country but, once the mind starts going, it's no time to make him President.
Gov. Palin should help turn North Carolina blue.
Hi, I support Obama, but I don't know why.....
Sarah Palin the Witch ......Let me get this Straight you can Attack Mr Obama .....If he or Joe Biden Attack you it is Sexist ......Well I'm going to do it for them ......You are such a Bit_h ........Now go face Troopergate
and your abuse of Power ......Wink! Wink!.....By the way I watch part of your interview with Thumb Sucking Sean Hannity and he told you bring up Ayers ....well he talk about Ayers and Rev Wright for 6 months
to no avail .......These attacks will come back to haunt you and your WitchCRAFT .......What you are doing now is another bridge to no Where.....Sarah get your head out of your A_S
The Repuglicans foolishly thought Obama would self destruct without a teleprompter to read from at the debate. Instead, he showed the world how prepared he is, and what an orator he is -and he whipped McCain's inane story-telling butt.
Now that Obama's ahead in the polls, the lying Repuglicans have nothing left but to launch their sleaze campaign -Karl Rove style.
Less than a month left until the election and all we hear from Gov. Palin are attack stump speeches, even at the VP debate, (where she read from crib notes and hardly answered any questions). Voters who can, should attend her rallies and demand she answer their questions. Here are some of mine: Why are Gov. Palin's tax records incomplete, (per diems)? Where is her medical clearance – how do we know she doesn't have a history of mental problems without verification? Why is she and her husband defying their subpoenas in the Troopergate investigation? Can she explain how involved she and her husband were with the Alaskan Independence Party and did Mr. Palin ever renounce his membership? We voters have a right to ask these and other questions and if Gov. Palin comes to my area, I want answers.
while your in north Carolina tell the about your affair with your husbands business partner they like juicy stories like that also they are a bunch of back stabbing people that will love you and the troopergate thing ,and admire you using your political power to excuse yourself after all Jesse Helms did it for years.and they think he's god and when they die they will all go to Raleigh. do well Sarah they are your kind of people
Why doesn't Sarah answer questions on what are going to do on the economy instead of spending all of her time trying to downgrade Obama's creditials.I thought she was a least bit intelligent.I had a little respect for her before but every time she opens her mouth nothing positive comes out.Bad move John.Stop using "Six-Pack".It is getting boring .Is that what her vocabulary consists of.Come on John she is killing you.Rein her in.
Hey thats great. Send her hateful mouth to N. Carolina so they can see what a lier she is. Does Mcbush really think sending her ANYWHERE will up his ratings? Doesn't he know she is a liability to his campaign? Evidently not. He needs to send her back to Alaska so she can go to jail for influance peddling.
Palin has pretty much cost mccain the race. People other than the extremist GOPer's really don't like her. And the CNN poll shows it today. She has emasculated mccain, given the finger to Alaska, and pretty much ripped apart any credibility the GOP had.
Hope Mccain sincerely thanks the folks who made him pick her, and also the ones giving him all of this bizarre campaign advice.
You should be worried. You people are nothing but a bunch of liars.
The country is in crisis people are worried about their survival. We know that doesn't bother you McCain. You are rich, not everyone can adopt your policy who ditched his wife to marry a rich young trophy wife.
If you start attacking Obama you and your dumb VP will be exposed infront of the entire world.
I have been fooled by the republican once, shame on me. But fool me twice, shame on you (republicans)! I will NOT be fooled by the republicans again. I am tired of watching negative ads by the republicans while I am losing my house and my husband already lost his job. The negative ad attack did NOT work for Hillary Clinton, and now McCain thinks that will work for him. BIG MISTAKE, McCain! I am voting for OBAMA!
Gary's Comment is:
The Mc Cain camp is in trouble and they know it, they are ready to
take the gloves off and get down and dirty now, finding any little back
water item they can dig up to hurt Sen. Obama any way they can.
It sounds like rats on a sinking ship. The best think Sen. Obama can
do is stay on message and appear Presidential at all times. We need
a leader now in this country, people are hurting and there is no time for school yard games and barbs back and forth between the two men
running for President of the United States.
Let see: Senator Obama is a terrorist and a U.S. Senator at the same time. Right.
Senator Obama is a terrorist because he served on a political board with William Ayers in Chicago while serving as a state senator. Right
Senator Obama is both a Christian and a Muslim at the same time because John McCain says so. Right
Keep going for the racist and/or super wealthy vote John. Ewwww (in the words of Katic Couric).
All I have to say is that the McCain/Palin is killing itself. A spokesman for the campaign admits that if they talk about the economy, McCain will lose. Why doesn't the whole crew just give up and go home. Palin has VERY little room to talk about anyone and who they pal around with. McCain thinks that Americans are dumb enough to fall for the same ROVE Tactics that attacked him 2000. We have real issues and ALL THE CANDIDATES need to stick to telling us what they plan on doing to fix them.
P.S I have had some 20 months to get to know Obama...someone tell me who this Palin chic really is? Who is the real Sarah Palin? A SNL caricature or some lipsticked pitmoose from the Alaska backwoods. 😉
Sarah Palin sends checks every year to Alaskans in amounts ranging from $ 3,000 to $ 19,000. Where does this money come from? She took it from the big oil companies.
Also if you live in Sarah's state, you pay no sales tax and no state income tax.
Could this be why she has the highest approval rating of any Governor in the U.S.? 70%.
What's your Governor doing for YOU????