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."
I'm a North Carolinian and I'm ecstatic my state might actually go for the Dems this year. In my city, you see two Obama signs/stickers for every McCain. The majority of my neighbors either have Obama signs in their yard or stickers on their cars. It has me very optimistic and excited that my vote in this state might actually count for once.
The media is not telling the truth about Barack Hussein Obama, they have giving him favorable coverage while ignoring or diminishing John McCain. Obama's Church of 20 years supports Black Liberation Theology a radical type of Marxism that involves a Socialist take over of the US economy.
Too bad his defense is an underqualified woman who can only deliver when its scripted and rehearsed. I can't wait to see Obama crush McCain in this election. If you haven't already..wake UP Americans! McCain really is more of the same–look what it's gotten us into already. We can't afford anymore. Obama is the change we need.
". . . BUT IN THE UNLIKELY STORY THAT IS AMERICA, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING FALSE ABOUT HOPE."–Barack Obama
YES WE CAN!
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US SHALL PROSPER!
THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT *****US***** AND THE ONLY PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES AFFECTING US ARE:
BARACK OBAMA and JOE BIDEN.
YES WE CAN!
Her husband Todd (look it up)wanted to Succeed from the UNION which the current Leader of that group makes Pastor Wright seem like Gomer Pyle(USMC). She has a WITCH Chasing PASTOR which LAID ON HANDS to clear her political pathway of all WITCHES and WARLOCKS. Oh, Abuse of power probe that is headed by State Repubs. Can't answer a question without a TON of NOTES which seemed to get mixed up I think... ASK YOURSELF... Who is SARAH PALIN? GO TO FACT CHECK
McCain & Palin are Pathetic. LIES LIES LIES!!! America is not falling for it. He'll go to the old folks home & his BIMBO back to Alaska to Plan that shot gun wedding for her underaged daughter.....OBAMA 2008 .......McCain remember the Keating 5 stop telling Lies about OBAMA & he'll stop telling the truth about you.
if obama is elected, im outta this country,,, this place will be a terrorists wet dream..
if u wanted to see another 9/11.. just wait till obama is elected...
McCain has not shame and pride. He steeps as low as a bug, and he's less than a cockroach. At least the cockroach doesn't pretend to be something else than what it is. McCain has no morals and he's the one who lies and lies and lies, and now has his double, Palin, doing the same.
I honestly believe that Palin would be worse than Chaney as VP. He didn't even steep this low during the Bush/Cheney campaign.
PLEASE do not vote for McCain. He will pull us under so deep that we will not be able to get out.
We need Obama!
CNN has become a liberal haven. I see no balance here. Having advertised Obama's website for the past month is a sham. I'm done with you!
Mrs. Palin is not raising her kids, she's dragging them around with her while she tries to make a name for herself. No self respecting mother would haul their child around like that!! You know better her husband and the nanny are raising her kids. Call it like it is quit sugar coating every single thing this woman does. A single mother who works, takes care of her kids and worries that is a real mother not someone who is constantly handing their child off to someone else. Give me a break womens rights does not mean you support someone just because they are female. If they are stupid they are just that and you cant fix it!
Lu,
The entire goal of the terrorists was to destroy America by tying up our troops and bringing down our economy. What we have to fear is John McCain getting into office and further destroying the economy and showing such stubborness when it comes to foreign policy that he himself can't learn from history. Terrorism throughout history has never been defeated by military means and he is stuck in the cold war era. If you look at the recent economic news the terrorists are winning and we have much more to fear from another four years of failed economic policy that we do from Barack Obama's willingness to use diplomacy.
I respect what you are saying but it is a very shallow view of history.
John McCain and Sarah Palin should be ashamed of themseleves. Such grown up people, supposedly educated, behaving in a very childish manner. These are supposedly the people that we Americans are being urged to vote to lead our Great country. It will be a shame if we let these people to get elected to lead our country
If you want some good entertainment, just Google :
"SARAH PALIN LOVER REVEALED"
Nick
the pitbull in lipstick doesn't know what she is talking about. she can only said what she is told to say. her and old man mcsame have NO IDEAS ON HOW TO FIX THE ECONOMY. so they attack OBAMA. they are just out of gas, so maybe she should use the hot air to get back to alaska. she knows ABSOLUETLY NOTHING AND MCASAME IS TOTALLY OUT OF TOUCH.
Shannon, you're aware that Obama is carrying more than half of the female voters so far, right?
Charging raped women for the kits used to collect evidence in the emergency room? Anti-choice. Marriage if pregnant despite willingness. Yeah, Palin is really looking out for womens' issues.
The schedules and tactics from Palin/McCain also show desperation and a lack of ideas.
Obama/Biden are actually offering a positive direction for Americans with solutions for the issues we face.
Obama/Biden 2008
Governor Palin appears to be costing McCain the election. 79% of Americans believe Senator Biden is qualified to be president, only 37% think Palin is ready. palin is reinforcing the characterization of McCain as erratic and an unsafe choice. Ironically the very same things he is trying to pin on his opponent. Try as I might, I can't see a tactic that can save him at this point.
Our district will be blue this year.
Obama-biden 08
Palin will work her magic and salvage the election for McCain.
The end of your 8 year national nightmare is almost over. Get out and VOTE and take this country back.
Obama/Biden '08
Senator McCain and Governor Palin,
I've got some breaking news for you: If you perk your ears, you'll be able to hear what everyone else can hear, "The Fat Lady is doing gargles", for you of course !! Bye, bye.
OBAMA'S PLAN ALREADY TRIED
1932 increased the tax rate from 25% to 63% at the top of the scale.
The dramatic rise of income taxes in 1932 prolonged the depression. Also the sudden rise of global protectionism leading to the collapse of world trade.
These are both the ideals of the Democrat party of today who constantly spout raising tax on the rich and trade tariffs .
"Scared of Muslims", posted at 8:24pm, you're ignorant! Go educate yourself!
Wait till the drop on the 1st dude and Sarah's pastor affiliation with a bonafide cult group hits the scene...Palin is a serious fraud folks.
We'll see allright !
This thing might be getting out of hand. Some of McCain/Palin's supporters were heard to say "kill him" when they were speaking today about Obama. Isn't our country dealing with enough without this starting to happen. Are they stirring up hate? Does somebody have to get hurt to get someone elected? What happen to helping the country get back on their feet. This is starting to look like a bad B movie. Where are our leaders in getting a handle on this? This is starting to get scary. Stop this nonsense before someone gets hurt.