With three-plus weeks to go, Barack Obama is working Ohio hard. And no wonder. Eking out a win there might seal the deal. Yesterday in Portsmouth, a folksy Obama (lapsing occasionally into his downhome accent — dropping “g’s” and all) tells a story about trying to convince the diehard Republican owner of a local diner to “give us a chance for four years, you might get more customers.”
Sound Bite: “I can take four more weeks of John McCain’s attacks but America can’t take four more years of John McCain’s-George Bush looklalike policies.”
Some years back, Michael Jordan was asked why he didn’t speak out publicly in support of Democratic candidates. Mr. Jordan replied (words to this effect): “Republicans buy Air Jordans too.” King James — arguably the heir to his Airness — doesn’t seem to care if Republicans buy his Nikes. Hip Hop pioneer Russell Simmons also urges Ohioans to get on board.
Obama campaign manager David Plouffe tells Ohioans to take advantage of early voting right away “so you’ll be freed up to help us win the election in those remaining weeks.” Ohio has also instituted “one-stop early voting” where you can register (up until October 6th) and vote at the same location. With more states instituting early voting this year, look for a lot of post-election analysis on how this new trend affects turnout, especially among target Democratic demographic groups.
Hillary Clinton gets all populist in this 30-second ad running in Ohio. She says she’ll be a president for the middle class and working people. “She’s going to bring jobs back here to Ohio,” says one lady. Yeah, sure. Go ahead and wait by that steel plant gate.
In this 30-second spot airing in Ohio, governor Ted Strickland says Hillary Clinton is a “fighter.” And “she’s got great plans to create new jobs in every part of Ohio.” Do Democratic voters actually believe a president “creates” jobs?
“Plan”
Barack Obama goes all John Edwards in this 30-second spot airing in Ohio: “The deck has been stacked against” most Americans in favor of “Wall Street.” But his economic plan will change all that.
“Oportunidad”
This spanish language ad airing in Texas highlights Obama’s college tuition plan.
With decades of experience dealing with pro-life protestors under your belt, you’d think — when challenged — that you’d deliver your stock position in a calm, collected, sensitive manner and then move on. If the protestors continue to shout and scream, you’d wait for order to be restored and then move on. You’d be seen as a reasonable leader; they’d be seen as irrational zealots. Makes sense, right? Naw, that’s too easy. Bill Clinton shows a better way to handle the situation at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio.
