Anatomy of a Tight Race

The factors that could break the campaign wide open

By Eleanor Clift | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Aug 22, 2008 | Updated: 1:16  p.m. ET Aug 22, 2008

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  • Posted By: LudwigVanBeet @ 08/29/2008 6:02:01 PM

    Hello Pia, I missed you. Beethoven

  • Posted By: Ganpat @ 08/28/2008 12:23:44 PM

    If Obama has to fight so desperately against a wek candidate like Mccain, he's had it.

  • Posted By: loriw @ 08/23/2008 2:31:07 AM

    Based on Sen. Obama's opposition to the Born Alive Infants Protection Act , I cannot support him for POTUS.
    I will now be supporting the McCain campaign. My full statement is on the Decoding Neck-and -Neck article here on Newsweek.
    Ms. Clift you seem to be promoting Obama for POTUS so I challenge you to inform yourself on the Born Alive Infants act and Obama's position on it and then write an article on how you can support someone who thinkss it is OK to allow an infant to die after it survives abortion. That in my book is murder of a baby by withholding trwestment.

    • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 08/26/2008 1:05:27 AM

      Obama and 'Infanticide'
      August 25, 2008
      The facts about Obama's votes against 'Born Alive' bills in Illinois.
      Summary
      Anti-abortion activists accuse Obama of "supporting infanticide," and the National Right to Life Committee says he's conducted a "four-year effort to cover up his full role in killing legislation to protect born-alive survivors of abortions." Obama says they're "lying."

      At issue is Obama's opposition to Illinois legislation in 2001, 2002 and 2003 that would have defined any aborted fetus that showed signs of life as a "born alive infant" entitled to legal protection, even if doctors believe it could not survive.

      Obama opposed the 2001 and 2002 "born alive" bills as backdoor attacks on a woman's legal right to abortion, but he says he would have been "fully in support" of a similar federal bill that President Bush had signed in 2002, because it contained protections for Roe v. Wade.

      We find that, as the NRLC said in a recent statement, Obama voted in committee against the 2003 state bill that was nearly identical to the federal act he says he would have supported. Both contained identical clauses saying that nothing in the bills could be construed to affect legal rights of an unborn fetus, according to an undisputed summary written immediately after the committee's 2003 mark-up session.

      Whether opposing "born alive" legislation is the same as supporting "infanticide," however, is entirely a matter of interpretation. That could be true only for those, such as Obama's 2004 Republican opponent, Alan Keyes, who believe a fetus that doctors give no chance of surviving is an "infant." It is worth noting that Illinois law already provided that physicians must protect the life of a fetus when there is "a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support."


      • Posted By: Jose52 @ 08/28/2008 11:43:37 AM

        to mark/ Lori's right! Your answers are a smoke screen. Maybe your mother made a mistake having you. At least you had a opportunity to have life, grow up and live. Justifying Obama poor judgements, half-truths, and mistakes to be covered up by libs like you is sad. Life is life. Baby are innocents. May God forgive you libs for your decisions.

    • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 08/23/2008 10:28:43 AM

      Not that I needed another reason but yeah I agree....Obama still won't get my vote.

    • Posted By: loriw @ 08/23/2008 2:32:34 AM

      correction of typo...treatment.

  • Posted By: Young Hickory @ 08/26/2008 10:24:04 AM

    Anyone who thinks Republicans actually care about unborn fetuses is smoking crack. Ronald Reagan signed the bill allowing abortion in Calfiornia. Republicans have milked this issue for votes for years. The worst thing that could happen to Republicans is a repeal of Roe vs. Wade. It would not allow abortions but they would lose their hot button issue that they use to get low information voters to vote for them.

  • Posted By: PRAY7 @ 08/23/2008 7:46:26 AM

    HIS NAME IS OBAMA LET US SPELL IT TOGETHER O-B-A-M-A. VERY GOOD SINCE HE WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT, WE MUST BE CORRECT!

    • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 08/23/2008 10:28:05 AM

      Spell it out with me K-O-O-L A-I-D....very good.

      • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 08/26/2008 2:52:23 AM

        Is koolaid the only thing that you can say of enlightment, spell enlightment, very good. Now if you are going to dish it out, remember it will be dished out back to you. So spell the word enough, thats right, become more original than koolaid with your remarks. Koolaid is as old as my friends. I hope you own stock in the company that makes KoolAid. Good now relax, and try to be nicer to Pia.

      • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 08/23/2008 3:38:11 PM

        J-E-A-L-O-U-S. Obama and Biden=winning team!

    • Posted By: Pia1981 @ 08/23/2008 3:38:35 PM

      Double ditto!

    • Posted By: Groucho Marx CG @ 08/23/2008 8:50:56 AM

      He might be president of the NAACP or the Congressional Black Caucus. But unless America has an enormous epidemic of stupidity in November, Barack Hussein Obama Jr. won't be president of the United States. And yes, I agree: let's get his name absolutely correct. His middle name is "Hussein."

  • Posted By: loriw @ 08/23/2008 9:53:28 PM

    The tight race is about to become UN-Tied. People will question the Obama-Biden ticket. First you have the Pro-Abortion and Pro-Infanticide Presidential candidate who picks the Catholic VP candidate.
    No matter what terminology you want to use...If you have a baby born alive after a botched late term abortion and you make a decision not to give that infant medical care, it is infanticide. Obama stated that it is too burdensome to the mother and the abortionist to summon medical care for the baby. So according to Obama's lofty thinking...it must not be too burdensome to be a baby and have to die alone in a cold hospital or clinic's dirty utility room.

    • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 08/26/2008 2:48:59 AM

      You are a throwback to the 70's and early 80's. You are entitled to your opinion, however, I must agree with sparky716. There are many more issues that come to mind, healthcare, gasoline, quagmire, economy, just to name a few that affect the majority of us. If you think one issue is going to kill Obama's chances of winning the presidential race, your in for a rude awakening. And to keep repeating over and over again in every blog about the same thing, shows me that you are stuck on one issue, when there are a dozen more that will affect more people than just abortion. A woman has a right to choose what she wants to do with her body, including prevention.

    • Posted By: marksgershenson @ 08/26/2008 1:03:46 AM

      Obama and 'Infanticide'
      August 25, 2008
      The facts about Obama's votes against 'Born Alive' bills in Illinois.
      Summary
      Anti-abortion activists accuse Obama of "supporting infanticide," and the National Right to Life Committee says he's conducted a "four-year effort to cover up his full role in killing legislation to protect born-alive survivors of abortions." Obama says they're "lying."

      At issue is Obama's opposition to Illinois legislation in 2001, 2002 and 2003 that would have defined any aborted fetus that showed signs of life as a "born alive infant" entitled to legal protection, even if doctors believe it could not survive.

      Obama opposed the 2001 and 2002 "born alive" bills as backdoor attacks on a woman's legal right to abortion, but he says he would have been "fully in support" of a similar federal bill that President Bush had signed in 2002, because it contained protections for Roe v. Wade.

      We find that, as the NRLC said in a recent statement, Obama voted in committee against the 2003 state bill that was nearly identical to the federal act he says he would have supported. Both contained identical clauses saying that nothing in the bills could be construed to affect legal rights of an unborn fetus, according to an undisputed summary written immediately after the committee's 2003 mark-up session.

      Whether opposing "born alive" legislation is the same as supporting "infanticide," however, is entirely a matter of interpretation. That could be true only for those, such as Obama's 2004 Republican opponent, Alan Keyes, who believe a fetus that doctors give no chance of surviving is an "infant." It is worth noting that Illinois law already provided that physicians must protect the life of a fetus when there is "a reasonable likelihood of sustained survival of the fetus outside the womb, with or without artificial support."


  • Posted By: All4America @ 08/23/2008 2:45:59 AM

    The race is tight at this time. However, by October Obama will be trailing significantly and come November he will lose big time. The Dems made a terrible mistake in promoting the empty-suit-and-excess-baggage-laden Obama towards nomination. The political inneptitude of the DNC is beyond belief.

    • Posted By: simonanunhappydem @ 08/25/2008 3:33:13 AM

      Regretfully I have to agree with you. The DNC pushed for Obama from day one, because Dean hates the Clintons. So did Pelosi and the whole anti-Clinton wing of the democratic party. I am afraid that they will reap what the sowed, by picking Obama against the will of the majority of the democratic party, and we will end up with 8 more years of republican presidency . It will be a shame, we deserved a much better candidate

  • Posted By: sparky716 @ 08/24/2008 10:59:13 AM

    LORIW your living the past...people can control if they want a baby in this day and age...wake up...what do you think birth control pills are....Abortion !!!! this election is about the economy stupid and America is hurting at home ...your right wing party has just about distroyed America, both a home and abroad...by the way what are you going to do if McBush picks ridge as a vp...he is a republican who... is pro choise....who you going to vote for then ? this election is not about abortion....its about the future of America and America can't take 4 more years of bush3

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/23/2008 5:42:17 PM


    Do you think there might just be a connection here:

    Let's see, Bush Sr. in the 1980s brought us the huge Savings & Loan scandal, in which McCain and Neal Bush personally took part and likely stashed away some undeclared profits.

    Now we have had Bush Jr. ("W") in office these past eight years, culminating in - low and behold - a whopping Mortgage Crisis that impacts global banking systems and that is fast evolving into a huge credit crisis. We've sold our souls to China and have a symbiotic relationship with a "Communist" country (actually, it's evolving so fast into the United States of China, even modeling their own healthcare system after our broken one)... and we have McCain kow-towing the the Bushes in order to get elected by the neocon base that supported them.

    Fact is, McCain owes Bushes big-time - the old man Bush likely covered for him in the Keating Five scandal during his S&L days. So it's payback time, and McCain is singing from the same jailbait song sheet.

    Send all the CROOKS in the GOP to JAIL. Vote Obama-Biden this time and rescue the USA from the power of EEEVVVVIIIILLLLLL - the Axis of Evil is, in reality, the Bush-McCain-Romney trio of families --- THE MEGA-RICH RUINING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THEIR OWN POWER AND PROFIT.

    "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" - it's a TV show that should be revived as an expose of this crooked TRIO of Republicans. Tacky, criminal, ruthless. Watch out - don't criticize 'em too much or you might get AUDITED by the IRS -- or knocked off somehow.

    PS - Romney speaks FRENCH??? What a super-Elitist... Every possible privilege in his education and his connections. Mr. Perfect. I guess it's okay if a Republican politician speaks fluent French, but god forbid a Democrat should be allowed to be admired for it. I thought the GOP hated the French, the Europeans and everybody else in the world except Americans. What gives?

  • Posted By: Groucho Marx CG @ 08/22/2008 6:20:26 PM

    Compare the years of federal service of these two candidates:

    [McCain 54, Obama 3]

    Oh, all right, compare the total years of government service (including the state senate)

    [McCain 54, Obama 11]

    If that was the scoreboard at a football game and you were rooting for Obama, you'd be heading for your car before the third quarter was over. Obama has three years of Senate experience, eight years of State Senate experience, a big cheesy grin, a very slick speaking style, a magna *** laude degree from Harvard Law, a $1.6 million home, a closet full of $2000 suits, ZERO foreign policy experience, ZERO military experience, a wife who cannot hide her loathing for another race, a rabid preacher who cheerfully brags about his hatred for another race, a pair of unrepentant terrorists who launched his political career at a meet and greet in their living room, and a key fundraiser who was convicted on 16 felony counts related to political fuindraising. Let's be honest, Democrats. If the Republicans had nominated a candidate with that resume, you would never stop laughing. Daily Kos and Talking Points Memo would be on it like white on rice.

    • Posted By: raddave @ 08/22/2008 7:27:33 PM

      This isn't a game though. This is about our future, not our past. I am for Obama because he has not been in the government all of his life. You talk about Obama's expensive home and clothes, but ignore the fact that McCain and his wife are worth more than 10 time what Obama is. Michelle has never said anything that could be construed as racist, and neither did Rev. Wright. You also try to make it sound like a sin that Obama graduated Magna *** Laude (it is not a bad word, you can use it). when McCain graduated 5th from the bottom of his class at the Naval academy. As for the "unrepentant terorists crap. They were never even charged with a crime, much less convicted. And you keep bringing up Rezko, when McCain has associations to convicted felons too, Does the name Charles Keating ring a bell? So, comparing the two's resumes, I made a choice to go with the one I think would be the best leader of this country.

      • Posted By: Groucho Marx CG @ 08/23/2008 8:42:23 AM

        "They were never even charged with a crime, much less convicted." Incorrect, raddave. Bernardine Dohrn spent time in prison for refusing to testify against one of her co-conspirators. The only reason Ayers and Dohrn are not in prison right now is that an overzealous Justice Department botched the case against them. They brag about their crimes, and they're proud of the fact that they got away with their crimes. They set off bombs on American soil. They incited a riot in Chicago that left 63 people injured.

    • Posted By: THEBESTCANDIDATE @ 08/22/2008 11:19:18 PM

      Groucho Marx CG YOU ARE SOOO CORRECT!!! I HOPE ALL AMERICANS WHO WILL VOTE GET ALL YOUR VALID POINTS IN STRIDE!! WE NEED TO THINK. IF A CERTAIN GROUP OF PEOPLE VOTED OVER 90% FOR ONE CANDIDATE BECAUSE OF THE COLOR O HER OR HIS SKIN, THEY'D BE CALLED RACISTS!!! AMERICA WAKE UP AND VOTE FOR THE BEST QUALIFIED, NOT THE SLICK SMOOTH OPERATOR!!!

    • Posted By: neos @ 08/22/2008 9:36:58 PM

      When making a hiring choice one looks at experience and education.

      Education :
      Obama: Magna *** Laude
      McCain: 984th out of 989th

      Experience :
      McCain at 54 years is at the same level as Obama after 11, hmm....
      Remember that other Illinois politician with less experience than Obama. Hint - his first name was Abraham.

  • Posted By: obama stinks @ 08/23/2008 4:23:20 AM

    You liberals should wake up. As long as your attitude is let the "other guy" pay you will never get further than your 50k a year job and 40 hour work weeks. Punishing others for their accomplishments does not work. That's the basis of Osama's economic policy. It's not Osama's color, is that he is one serious loser who doesn't know what the hec he is doing. His Biden pick shows that he needs a good daddy to be by his side.

  • Posted By: obama stinks @ 08/23/2008 4:19:39 AM

    You retard obama liberals, will always just stay where you are making your 50k a year and working your ass off. The mindset of having the "other guy" pay for you just doesn't work. wake up.

  • Posted By: Artemis Greenwood @ 08/23/2008 1:51:40 AM

    A * WILD CARD * for McCain ,would be to completely surprisise,and actually WALK the WALK of the *MAVERICK * ,it would sure throw the U.S. in another excited frenzy,if he could a "organized,buiseness,diplomatic, **** WOMEN **** who can also feel right at home in a pair of * ARMY BOOTS * ! Talk about a MEDIA BLITZ,and all the high ratings due to all the contraversy,and the women voters feeling VINDICATED !

  • Posted By: THEBESTCANDIDATE @ 08/22/2008 11:08:52 PM

    The Best Candidate is Senator McCain Substance over Shallowness!! Lifetime Service over A Junior Senator with NO experience. Senator Biden said it BEST: THe Presidency is NOT on the job training!! He also said it Best...about Senator McCain, He is Proud to be his Friend, and He would Be Proud to run either against him or WITH SENATOR McCAIN!! GOD BLESS USA!!!

    • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 1:31:35 AM

      And john mccain got his experience as president, when, again?!

  • Posted By: notroubleatall1963 @ 08/23/2008 1:27:42 AM


    Here's some "perception" for y'all:

    Are you ready - for the Really-Really Rich REPUBLICANs ... AGAIN?

    McCain - Insanely Rich, yet still collecting Social Security.

    Out of touch, but not out of Ready Cash and Tons of Assets (some say 10, others say 8, Obama says 7 HOMES, just for starters).

    $600 Gucci tassled loafers with his silk-pocketed dockers to see the Dalai Lama -- Haute Couture of the Country Club Class.

    Bushes. The Final Frontier - To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before: Two serious BANKING SCANDALS in just three Administrations (12 years), HOW MANY CORPORATE SCANDALS (Enron alone permanently altered a whole trading industry, but then there was Worldcom, Tyco, so many others -- and so MANY PEOPLE, ORDINARY AMERICANS, WHOSE STOCKS BECAME WORTHLESS OVERNIGHT) "NO NEW TAXES" (AND WE ALL KNOW THAT STORY), THREE OR FOUR WARS (DON'T FORGET MOGADISHU) -- and still going strong in some pockets of this country. Unbelievable.

    Bushes - the sponsors of Hitler during WWII -- from Wall Street to HimmlerStrasse - mit Liebe.

    Mere "celebrities" like Obama and lesser mortals are apparently disdained, looked down upon, by these super-elitists like Bushes and McCains (and ROMNEYS -- also in this super-elitist class of Uber-Mensches) who are worth, individually, at least $100 million a year in personal wealth. But not social security from the Government - that is definitely worth pocketing - it's about milking the country for all it's worth.

    Are you ready for the ULTRA RICH Republicans? I sure hope not.

    Let's turn this tide in our favor - fight for the Democrats, Obama and Biden!

  • Posted By: andy492 @ 08/22/2008 5:27:08 PM

    I have voted Democratic all my life.........until this November.....no way i'll ever vote for Senator Obama.........FOR ANYTHING.

    • Posted By: josemarti @ 08/22/2008 6:59:19 PM

      Maybe this will change you mind. Ms. Pelosi (the Democratic Speaker of the House) said the other day that Senator Obama is a gift from God.

      • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 1:19:55 AM

        We all know by know that, when it comes to elections, TRUTH is not the strong point of you people. Just put anything out there, and hope that someone believes it. The same tactics that brought us bush!

      • Posted By: raddave @ 08/22/2008 7:40:57 PM

        She did not, stop spreading this bullshit

    • Posted By: neos @ 08/22/2008 9:42:03 PM

      So suddenly after all these years of supporting Democratic issues, you choose not to support the Democratic nominee. What is the one distinguishing factor that makes Sen. Obama so difficult for you to support? On the issues he is the same as the others. What could be that one thing that makes it difficult for you to accept him? Shame on you.

    • Posted By: shersh @ 08/22/2008 6:41:47 PM

      If you're voting McCain over Obama, then you're not really looking at the issues.

  • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 1:09:14 AM

    I cannot believe that these right wingers believe we will all fall for the cute little trick they use over and over and over again. You know, the old "I have been a Democrat for all of my many years, but I am voting for mccain this time" Oh yeah, we believe that's real. It sure made me change my mind! LOL

  • Posted By: benvictor @ 08/22/2008 5:38:11 PM

    Dreams on, sweet petunia. This party's nominee has no experience, no record of accomplishment, and lacks the trust of mainstream Americans. Potential VPs run from him to save their political careers. As a Hillary Democrat, I am appalled at the situation and lost opportunity for this party. Happily though, John McCain is what this country needs.

    • Posted By: raddave @ 08/22/2008 7:40:23 PM

      You are not a Hillary democrat, quit trying to convince people that you are. You are a McCain supporter who is trying to drive a wedge in the democratic party.

      • Posted By: Dennis in Denver @ 08/22/2008 11:06:25 PM

        Blah. Blah. Blah.

        • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 1:03:30 AM

          Spoken like a true bush/mccain man You learned the "Blah" by lisening to them too much

    • Posted By: dominicangman @ 08/22/2008 6:14:31 PM

      Yes go ahead and vote for Mcsame Bush. Hillary and him have so many of the same policy positions. Oh yeah Mcsame is going to give you universal health care, middle class tax cuts, end the Iraq war immediately. Yes all the issues Hillary championed Mcsame Bush is advocating, so please support John. Its exactly what Hillary wants. Dummy!

      • Posted By: cobalt6 @ 08/22/2008 6:32:42 PM

        Obama is not going to stop the Iraq war immediately either! The last I heard he was talking about at least 16 months!

        • Posted By: raddave @ 08/22/2008 7:38:38 PM

          The same timeline that Clinton was talking about. We currently have around 140,000 troops in Irag and there is no way you can immediately withdraw that many

      • Posted By: shersh @ 08/22/2008 6:40:24 PM

        As a Hillary Democrat, you are making a bad decision. Hillary and Obama's positions are quite similar, while McCain's policies contrast sharply from Clinton's. If your resentment is stopping you from voting on the issues, then you are not a real Democrat, just a sore loser.

    • Posted By: josemarti @ 08/22/2008 7:00:52 PM

      So you are gonna cut off your toe nails to spite your face. You better rethink what you are saying.

    • Posted By: Gobama! @ 08/22/2008 5:55:34 PM

      This country needs 4 more years of war first, diplomacy second? Or is it four more years of tax breaks for the wealthy? Obama has more than enough experience, the trust of millions of supporters, and a great record in both the U.S. Senate and in Illinois before that. No "Hillary Democrat" would ever vote for John McCain.

  • Posted By: rockies_2008 @ 08/22/2008 3:51:24 PM

    Obama in the house will bring this recession to a depression. His voting record speaks to itself. He is a nightmare.

    • Posted By: kas_wolf @ 08/22/2008 3:55:19 PM

      Too true Rockies!

      People, have you look at (in depth - and not an MSNBC story) Obama's tax away plan? Do you think Upper class starts at $63,000 for a couple? Obama does - because that is where the increases start.

      Do you think the lower 50% of income earners in the country should pay virtually nothing in taxes and that the upper 50% should pay 90%? Then, those who pay nothing get "rebates" (handouts) and the rest of us twist in the wind.

      • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 1:00:10 AM

        And why shouldn't the upper 50% pay 90%, when they get MORE than 90% of the income?????????????????????????????

      • Posted By: ihavehadit @ 08/22/2008 5:02:55 PM

        Mr. Obama has said on numerous ocassions that the taxes would be raised on individuals making 250,000 and above and to lie about it doesn't change the facts. If you want people to believe what you say, and take you seriously. Don't lie about something that can so easily be verified by a little research.

  • Posted By: Cam in Berkley @ 08/22/2008 4:46:08 PM

    Anyway you slice it, McLame is McRich and McOutofTouch. He can also be McConfused about geography which is might be problem if he McSaberRattles at the wrong McEnemy. He is also McGrumpy when you point out the many McInconsistancies between his McRhetoric and his McVotingRecord over the course of his nearly thirty year Washington political McCareer. Wake up middle class conservatives! you need to be making $ 5,000,000 a year to be McCain's McFriend. Do you think you can earn that after McCain reinstates the draft to keep you in Iraq (or maybe you'll have a chance to go to Georgia)?





    • Posted By: Rational Poster @ 08/22/2008 5:43:57 PM

      I see a consistent pattern on this board and other similar ones.

      Obama supporters use the space for name-calling and inuendo. Let's talk issues.

      • Posted By: lvbartman @ 08/23/2008 12:57:05 AM

        You have some missed all the cutesy names the mccain supporters come up with for Obama. Typical right wing tactic, though, engage in shameful behavior, then accuse the other side of doing it first. Let's get out of the schoolyard, and yes, let's talk issues. The more informed the voters are on the issues, the greater the chance of a big Obama win

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