Obama had to confirm to the nation that he is ready for any crisis, especially a terrorist one that may loom in the horizon and land within six months of the new presidency. Of course, Joe Biden is the one that re-opened the cloud of doubt regarding Obama’s readiness with his comment. However, Obama rectified by saying that regardless who the new president he will be tested.

McCain seized the opportunity to alert voters that “we don’t want a president who invites testing by the world. Americans are already fighting in two wars, my friends.” He continued by reminding them that he has been already tested over and over again and not only does he have the experience but our enemies know him enough to think twice before launching an attack of any sort.

In Richmond, VA., Obama, with 15 of his defense and foreign policy advisors behind him, reassured voters of his readiness. Reagan wasn’t prepared either, but he was smart to surround himself with experienced advisors. Some of Obama’s advisors are pillars of Washington’s military and foreign policy departments; these include Sen. Sam Nunn, former U.N Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Dennis Ross, a Middle East advisor to three presidents.

He repeated his goals of starting with “a responsible end to the war in Iraq,” rebuilding foreign alliances and getting rid of the Taliban in Afghanistan as well as coordinating a global effort to resolve the world economic crisis.

WHO WILL BE READY FOR A CRISIS IN 2009?
By Mark Barabak and Bob Drogin (LA Times 10/23/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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According to an A.P.-GfK poll, McCain and Obama are basically running even among likely voters. After the last presidential debate many voters decided to go back home to their own party, raising McCain’s percentage and even out the previous number chasm. Some GOP pundits admit that “Joe the Plumber” did strike a chord with many whites and voters earning less than $50,000.

Some voters rallied back to McCain because of his experience, others behind Obama because of the “lying ads” and his choice of running mate. Bottom line: the contest is still very close and bound to fluctuate as we’re approaching November 4th.

Why are the polls so changeable, one might ask? As per Charles Franklin, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin and a polling authority, “If they all agree, somebody would be doing something terribly wrong.” Some of the reasons are the wording of the questions, the voter’s interpretation and the margin of error.

Starting with the day after the last debate, it shows that McCain’s increase was due to his strong debate performance and putting Obama on the defensive and a strike of genius by mentioning “Joe the Plumber.”

Because voters are still vacillating, we’ll just have to wait and see till the last count of all the ballots who is the real winner.

POLLS VARIATION INDICATES TIGHT RACE
By Liz Sidoti (A.P 10/23/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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Incredible? Yet true! Sen. Biden was explaining to the crowd that should Obama win the presidency, he will be tested by the terrorists in order to evaluate his readiness. “Thanks for the warning, Joe,” said Palin at her 2,500 supporters at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Nevada.

McCain added: “We don’t want a president who invites testing from the world at a time when our economy is in crisis and Americans are already fighting in two wars,” in Harrisburg, Pa.

Additionally, Palin went on to state that the “crisis” Biden was alluding to would be the direct result of Obama willingness to sit down with the “world’s worst dictators,” and his intention to send US troops into Pakistan despite its government disapproval.

On the economic front, McCain made some advance in using Joe the Plumber as the symbol of middle-class America and how Obama’s tax plan would impede any working man or woman to build his/her own business for fear of being taxed for their success. McCain mentioned that it has all the makings of socialism. When someone – Obama – plans to penalize successful businesses by taking their profits and distributing them around, that someone is a socialist at heart. One of the tenets of socialism (not to mention communism) is to take from some one his money and give it to others.

One caveat that Obama’s supporters seem to overlook is to claim victory before victory exists. And, more than one of them seems to put his foot in his mouth and deliver another stance of attack to McCain right on a silver platter.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha made a big blunder when he called his constituents “racist” and then tried to apologize but handing out another faux-pas by calling them “rednecks.”
“Senator Barack Obama has brought change all right. He’s the first person since Watergate to reject public financing, raise $600 million,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, said at a rally Tuesday in Bensalem, Pa. “That’s the kind of change that going to ruin America. Don’t reward that guy. Tell him you’re not going to buy Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is not for sale.”

Biden’s response and advice to the Republicans is to stop focusing on Obama’s character and focus on the issue at hand, which is economy. “If it’s about the economy, talk about the economy, not about Barack Obama’s heritage,” he thundered to a crowd at the University of Northern Colorado.

JOE BIDEN GIVES MCCAIN AMMUNITION AGAINST OBAMA
By FOXNews 7 A.P. (10/21/08)
Abstract by Johana Nadler

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