Unless the country has wised up, it looks like it will come down to Ohio and Florida

[still_one]

I still find it quite difficult that given the last 8 years, that the election is as close as it is

It is quite simple that mccain is an extension of bush, and a vote for mccain is a vote for more bush

[FreakinDJ]

1. Given Ohio has been decimated by “Off-shoring”

I find it difficult to believe it is a contest at all

What is the make up of Ohio's media. Is it 24/7 Rush Limpdick propaganda?

[still_one]

2. I will never understand why people vote against their own self-interest

There is no ambiguity between the candidates on the issues

Has bush really been that good for Ohio? mccbush will only continue those policies

[Romulox]

13. Both Obama and McCain are strong supporters of "free trade", so where is the stark distinction??? nt

[still_one]

16. Big difference, Obama said he would not give tax breaks to companies who offshore

In addition, that isn't the only issue

There is healthcare, social security, the Iraq war, education, the Supreme Court, and a heck of a lot of other issues

but of course I don't think for a moment that you believe there is no difference between the two

[Romulox]

18. It's a start, but it's not a huge distinction, imo.

Ohioans will still be picking from one of two dedicated free traders in Barack Obama and John McCain. Tax issues are not what are sending millions of rustbelt jobs overseas. It is a fundamentally unfair international trade system. Unfortunately, both candidates strongly support this system.

"There is healthcare, social security, the Iraq war, education, the Supreme Court, and a heck of a lot of other issues"

None of these is the number one issue in America and Ohio at the moment. The economy is. Why change the subject? :shrug:

[LiberalFighter]

6. There will be pockets of voting areas that will vote Republican no matter what.

Those areas need to be kept small.

[FreakinDJ]

9. Understood - but how did they get so STUPID

at some point you have got to wake up and smell the unemployment

I thought economic concerns would trump ideology at some point
1. When the factories moved off shore
2. When lending deregulation foreclosed record numbers of homes
3. When GAS topped $4.50 per gallon

Got to admit the behavior is not normal. At some point "Self-Preservation Instincts" have got to kick in

[LiberalFighter]

20. If they live in gate communities? Have tunnel vision? Pretend everything is fine?

[Romulox]

12. "I believe in the Free Market. I believe in Capitalism. I believe in Free Trade." - Barack Obama

[still_one]

17. so are you saying there is no difference between mccain and Obama?

[Romulox]

19. I'm saying both candidates support an economic ideology that is WILDLY UNPOPULAR in Ohio. nt

[KG]

3. i'll put on my asbestos suit now, but this wasn't the election for the dems to run

a black man with a arabic/muslim sounding name. and if people don't think that's a factor in this campaign, they're seriously deluding themselves.

the country may be ready for black president, but isn't really ready to elect one.

[Clovis Sangrail]

4. I agreed with you last summer

but I've been pleasantly surprised by people's reaction to Obama.
I initially thought that the deep seated racism in the country would prevent him from even being a viable contender but I was proven very wrong.

I think some of Obama's lead *will evaporate in the voting booth when people can be bigots in private but I think he's got enough support that he can absorb that and still win.

:shrug:

[FreakinDJ]

5. I'll agree in part

Yes it will be harder to get a black man elected to office - more so then a white man

BUT - Given the bleak employment conditions in Ohio, you would think they would welcome the change.

Not at all - it has merely solidified them in the hate speech and narrow mindedness. Talk about your "Cutting off your nose to spite your face" this is one of the best examples of "Voting against their own best interests" in the country.

So WHY - what is the cause for this? What has happened in Ohio to cause people to act that way?

[Romulox]

14. I think the race issue is becoming a convenient excuse at this point

for a campaign that has not otherwise been perfect.

The fact is, this election will be close because the Democrats have not seized on the economy as their signature issue.

[mainegreen]

7. I thought it was down to Illinois and Virginia?

:shrug:

[DU9598]

8. Not really

It would seem Iowa and New Mexico are pretty strong for Obama and if he wins those, plus NH and the Kerry states it is over. The electoral map looks horrid for the Reds.

[still_one]

11. I was looking at the RCP site, and it was much closer than I care to consider /nt

[Romulox]

15. This redrawing of the map is a fantasy. We won't win by ditching the rustbelt for the SouthWest. nt

[emulatorloo]

10. Media still covering for McCain, like they did for Bush in 2004

That is the only reason it is close -- McCain gets a free pass on TV.

Same way in 2004 -- the picked Kerry's worst sound bites and Bush's best sound bites to make Kerry look inarticulate and Bush articulate.