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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Battleground: Carolina in my mind…

Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:03 AM by Domenico Montanaro

ARIZONA: McCain leads by 10 points, 40%-30%, in his home state, according to an Arizona State University poll. Twenty-eight percent said they were undecided. The poll showed the same spread in June with more undecided then.

NORTH CAROLINA: "This was Obama's second post-primary stop in North Carolina. Both were in Raleigh, where Obama hopes to reach high-tech workers and transplants. Obama said the Bush administration has been ‘anti-science.’”

“Obama has also been reaching out to more rural voters, talking about McCain's opposition to the farm bill that recently passed Congress. Obama had hoped to make a bus tour of Eastern North Carolina on Tuesday, wending his way to Raleigh. But the plan was scratched when Obama's plane had difficulty leaving Orlando, Fla., because of Tropical Storm Fay."

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McCain only has 40 percent in his home state? Who outside Arizona saw that coming?

And nationally McCain is now leading in the Reuters/Zogby poll. Good. Now maybe the media will consider the possibility of McCain actually winning, and focus a little scrutiny his way.

He's not the same McCain; at least we don't think the before McCain was like the current McCain. In 2000, the Republicans seemed to know something, and maybe they were right. So let's see some analysis of all these dumb, kneejerk McCain statements from this year.
where Obama hopes to reach high-tech workers and transplants. Obama said the Bush administration has been ‘anti-science.’”

Since Obama is talking about raising taxes, it would not make sense for people who make a lot of money in high tech to vote for him.  

Since Obama is also talking about higher taxes on rich people, corn growers would be very wise to watch their bottom line, since any extra money they make will get them the same looks as Obama gives to big oil.
I know S.C. will do thier usual republican thing. We
live in a state eat up with poor and uneducated people
and they will surley vote against thier own intrest.
I could just cry as I see the young men in my neighborhood leave to go to the service because McDonalds just wont get it 6.35 hr. No such thing as
loans and grants for the poor. Although I come from a military familey seeing these young people being used
is not the America I know.
The corruption is rampant throughout our government
and without change very soon we are Rome waiting to happen.
Poor, Poor S.C.  Ignorance is a badge of honor here
I really hope to see some of the other southern states do better and vote for what is right for all of us. Hope Georgia will cover our sorry buts and go
democrat this year. N.C. too.

Obama/Biden
old white woman in s.c.
We are in a battle, so be it. America either wants a change for the better, or the same old pain.
Obama has to get tough with that sympathy seeking Mccain.  All Obama keeps saying about him is what a wonderful military man he was, how sad that he was a prisoner of war etc. "maybe it's sad, but he should'nt have got captured."  Being in the Military man does not make him the best candidate for president.  He doesn't deserve a free ride.  Obama better put that lying McBush in his place or he will lose the election.  McBush calls Obama a muslim & un patriotic & stupid Obama calls McBush a war hero,  just because he was a prisoner.  "Ha Ha if it wasn't so sad it it would be funny.
Ok Media, Play fair.  McCain is somehow now the front runner, so time to bash him and paint his every move in a negative light.
That must really hurt McCain that he only gets 40% from his home state.  I do say that he is 10 points above Obama on it, but that could change.  

As for Obama reaching out, this is a good thing.  From the notation that Obama is talking about Bush being anti-science, it is so true and needs to be talked about so much more.  That is what is going to hurt us in the future.  We must have schools that teach science that isn't tampered with by religion or politics (only funded by them).
Crazy that McCain can't even 'solid red' his own state. While a win in AZ is a bit of a stretch, Obama's not far away from a Southwest sweep.

Obama's middle class first message and his support of farm initiatives is going to really help in the more rural states, if nothing else, putting them into play.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com
Jerry -

You have been asked repeatedly to state WHY you are supporting McCain instead of always just bashing Obama.

We're still waiting.
MI Chick - Jerry won't talk positively about McCain, because unlike some Republicans Jerry understands how silly some of the things he says are. He knows McCain isn't the right candidate. I remember some of his posts from back in the nomination race.

I'd guess Jerry is a Republican because he's pro-defense and most likely favors smaller government. He knows the Republicans have fallen short on the smaller government side, but somewhere deep down, Jerry is holding out hope that some of that past talk was more than talk, and the Republicans might yet prove themselves to really be for smaller government.

But as to this year, if you really pinned Jerry down over a couple beers, my guess is you'd be very surprised at his true impressions of Obama and McCain. Maybe he won't actually bring himself to vote for the Democrat, but it might not be as outlandish a possibility as it seems.

Jerry, I've been reading your posts for a while. Sorry, but you are a more reasonable person that you like to portray here.
Jerry -

You have been asked repeatedly to state WHY you are supporting McCain instead of always just bashing Obama.

We're still waiting.

MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:51 AM)
*****************************************************

Thats the problem.  he can only spout the information he is spoon fed from his heroes: Rush and the Fox news people.  they can't see anything good in their candidate, so it is just one big badmouthing session like in 2004.  it would require the brain to be used in a manner that is unacceptable to the sheep who listen to propaganda, they can't come up with their own ideas, only spout out what they are told to say...

land of the fool, home of the hypocrite.
I would agree with MI Chick on this one. Jerry, I also would like an explanation. However, I don't want to know why you suport McCain. I know the answer to that one. Your obviously an idiot. But why the hatred for Obama? Has he done something that personally offends you?
The Bush Administration beng anti-science is putting it mildly, the Bush administration is anti-truth.
In science, medicine, the economy, the environment and the War, this administrtion has continually skirted the truth in favor Pollyanna like visions of republican paridise.
When they are finnally caught in their 'fabrication' they change the argument or ignore the truth in favor of attacking the messenger.
Jerry, is the water raising yet down there, I know you took on the job of disproving global warming, how's that going?
Thats the problem.  he can only spout the information he is spoon fed from his heroes: Rush and the Fox news people.  they can't see anything good in their candidate, so it is just one big badmouthing session like in 2004.  it would require the brain to be used in a manner that is unacceptable to the sheep who listen to propaganda, they can't come up with their own ideas, only spout out what they are told to say...
-----------------------------------------------------
And in what way that would be different from the propaganda spewed by Olbermann, Maddow, the rest of the liberal talking heads, and the hate filled rants of the posters here?   Funny, when liberals spout the same thing over and over, whether it's even close to accurate, it's due to your educated and informed opinions.  When someone represents an opposing point of view, it's because they are ignorant and they can't see anything good in their candidate.  
I know the media does not like it when we say any thing derogatory about John McCain, because he is a War Hero and a former POW.  He is also is honest and has great moral character, However this is something that should be talk about.

Some more news about McCain on the Rick Warren Show! Wow!
John McCain says he plans to consult with Democratic Rep. John Lewis when he's president. Someone should tell Lewis.
During Saturday's presidential forum at Rick Warren's California megachurch, John McCain was asked to name the "three wisest people" he would "rely heavily on" if elected president. He didn't cite close confidantes Phil Gramm and Randy Scheunemann, possibly because they have gotten McCain into trouble politically. Instead McCain chose Gen. David Petraeus; former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, one of his economic advisers; and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a leading figure in the civil rights movement

Rep. Lewis: McCain "Does Not Consult Me"

I am sorry if I hurt the media’s feelings


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