McCain bounce, but split from Bush?

Posted: Monday, September 08, 2008 11:31 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The USA Today/Gallup poll, as we mentioned earlier, has some very good news for the McCain folks, as it shows the Republican nominee getting a sizable bounce.

But here's one fact from the poll that might give McCain some pause -- the Bush number is largely unchanged.

In this poll, 63% of voters expressed concern that that McCain would pursue policies that are too similar to what George W. Bush has pursued. In the previous survey, conducted from Aug. 30-31, 64% expressed that concern; in the Aug. 21-23 survey, 66% said so.

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BTW: Can we add to Palin's resume the INABILITY TO SEPARATE CHURCH FROM STATE FUNDS? Thanks.

Anchorage Daily News.
http://www.adn.com/sarah-palin/story/518522.html

Libratine (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:42 AM)

Johhn McCain keeps showing his mother as vibrant, but no mention of his dad who died at 70. Three years younger than McCain is now. That might be an important piece of info. I'd like to know.

RD, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:45 AM)

So what? I find it really hard to put much faith in The Polls. The reality is that Obama will lose.

Sick of Obama in MI (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:45 AM)

McCAIN = BUSH, BUSH = McCAIN... If it walks like a Bush and talks loike a Bush, it must be McCain.

Skip, NH (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:45 AM)

Its ALL OVER FOR OBAMA! The McCon-Job has won the perception game. Why? Because Repukes know how to win elections. Dems...only how to lose them. What's the def. of insanity? Trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results each time. The Dem. party has been resorting to the same old losing campaign strategy since Dukakis and lost each and every time [except Clinton who won only because of Perot]...thus, the Dem. party is insane...this time, thank to to the Obamabots.

Stay home Obamabots in 2012, and leave the nominee picking for the Dems to the more intelligent among us.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:47 AM)

ABC NEWS NEEDS TO CONTACTED BY EVERYONE ABOUT THE UP-COMING INTERVIEW WITH PALIN

I encourage all to contact ABC and tell them we won't stand for softballing this interview!

We need answers and strong, direct questions. Hold her feet to the fire just like anyother candidate.

After that last debate with Hillary and Obama ABC NEWS let the American people down. They owe it to the American people to ask tough questions.

She is not above the process!!!

Here is the link to copy and paste:

http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346&cat=World%20News%20with%20Charles%20Gibson

and my response:

great idea!!

and cc the email to others, so everyone knows the questions have been submitted and they can report on the response. Here are some other e-mail address.

jake.tapper@abc.com

netaudr@abc.com

abrams@msnbc.com

evening@cbsnews.com

Foxreport@foxnews.com

Joe@msnbc.com

joetalkshow@aol.com

letters@charleskrauthammer.com

me@glennbeck.com

race08@msnbc.com

a.latour@wsj.com, a.murray@wsj.com, darren.mcdermott@wsj.com, j.fry@wsj.com

Capt Smash Salt Lake City , Utah (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:47 AM)

I don’t know if this is a good thing or not, but I’m going to ignore the polls and concentrate on the EVs from this point on.

Chuck, Domenico & Mark are back to doing what they did best during the primaries:

Keeping everything in perspective for us regarding the polls and EVs.

Good luck Rachel Maddow. We are so looking forward to your new program tonight @ 9:00 PM, immediately following Countdown w/Keith @ 8:00 PM.

RIP: 2008 New England Patriots Season.
Be well Tom Brady.

Barack Obama, fight fight fight! We're almost there.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:49 AM)

I think this is called the 'dead cat' bounce. Remember, even if you drop a turd sandwich from high enough up it will bounce!
http://www.twocanpete.blogspot.com/

twocanpete (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:50 AM)

Its a wide known fact that 1. Not only is the republican party name tarnished by a failed bush administration but most old people are stubborn and Mr McSames maverick reputation prove it yet again by picking someone other than a better possible choice but 2. his own judgment is as simple as using a 2 sided coin to make important judgment calls. I am sorry i see nothing more than the same or some very similar variation of war and covered up courruption between BUSH/ROVE/PALIN/MCCAIN. Why else would you stand tall and vote 95% in agreement with Bush then try to claim the agent of change role. clearly this is another polical stunt to bliind the eyes of folks who simply wont vote democrat/ consider liberal views to extreme/ cant see past race/ still play the race card / cant identify with a situation they have never been faced with head on / or just simply live in a bubble.

a true reformer among many actors (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:51 AM)

So what does this say about the people polled, they would be stupid enough to vote for Bush again, as clearly these same people who align McCain with Bush (and rightly so) will still vote for him.

On a side note, using your baby to get votes is plain sick and wrong. I really hope the American people won't reward someone will to exploit their own children for political ambition.

Barb, LA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:51 AM)

These polling’s doesn't even make sense - the questions are evidently not presented in an unbiased fashion.

CW would ask - how would such a large margin of people compared John McCain's ideas to George Bush and then turn around and think he's a better or tie him with Barack Obama.

You Media guys are really doing more harm than good and are unconstitutionally interfering with our political process - with these non - sense and nonfactual polling processes.

There need to be a federal law that regulates this polling non - sense it is beginning to be a bit out of hand.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:51 AM)

If McCain/Palin ever start to talk about issues, those numbers will drop. She's just the latest shiny object - once voters come back to reality - mortgage bailout, gas prices, groceries, etc. the shine will have well worn off.

JB, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:52 AM)

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:52 AM)

Palin is to chicken to face the media she hides from her past. At least Obama, Hillary and other women can face there past. Pain is showing she is coward under media pressure, she is the most cowardly women ever on the political landscape!

Even when she hunts she shoots animals from the air, she not tough weak and affraid!

Capt Smash Salt Lake City , Utah (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:52 AM)

check this out please:
http://www.obamacrimes.com/

josh nails, ny, ny (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:53 AM)

THIS IS GOOD NEWS, it look like people are listioning to what barack has to say about john mccain!! and its has seem to have stuck to him. but these polls mean nothen to me, its the post debate numbers i want to see, joe biden will talk rings around saraha, barack will show the world that john mccain is just too old to be president!!!

Jeff D Evanston IL. (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:53 AM)

John McCain is, and always has been, his own man. His choice of Palin has turned the Democratic party and the liberals of this country on their collective ear. The American left cannot help itself to attack her, but yet, she's a woman, an affected class, and they don't know whether to love her or hater her. For now, the Left has decided to be hypocritical and hate her. By doing so, it only helps McCain and Palin in the eyes of the Independent voters. That is where McCains bounce in the polls is coming from. That is why McCain will win in November.

Stacy Clements, Columbus Ohio (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

I guess I just don't understand the American way of thinking. One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over and over again and expect a different result. Why do people think that McCain will be any different from the last eight years of Bush? Because he says he's a maverick? No, he's just another right-wing conservative republican with no economic policy that will alleviate the middle class struggles, a health care policy that's totally absurd and will cause even more people to fall through the cracks, and a cowboy mentality with a happy trigger finger. We are a laughingstock to the world. To me this is just the beginning of the end.

Brenna, Amherst MA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

And, for some of us, we're concerned that Barack Obama will bankrupt the country and send us into serious depression. There simply is not money to cover all the new programs and spending he proposes.

you say some are worried if McCain will continue Bush policies, voting with 90% of the time. Why, First Read, do you NEVER report that Obama, who CLAIMS he has been bi-partisan, voted with the Dems 97% of the time. Why do you NEVER report that some of the supposed bi-partisan legislation he worked on that he pulled out OR voted against what he takes credit for in the end?

Obama has promised change. He takes a running mate that has been in Washington almost 40 years. Obama has never produced any major change. McCain, on the other hand, has bucked his party at political risk many times, and has proposed much legislation that produced change. No doubt, Palin has demonstrated her ability to also buck her own party, clean up corruption and produce change. She lowered taxes by 15%. Their state now has a surplus under her tutelage. So, who do you think can really produce change? McCain-Palin 08

Real Change: McCain and Palin (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:55 AM)

The McCain campaign will not be concerned that people still view George Bush negatively. McCain is now running a Rove-style campaign,which is not about the issues, but about marketing. Losing Democratic party campaigns always seem to moan about how so many who vote Republican are voting against their interests, on the issues. But presidential politics hasn't been about issues for a long time.

Paula Hall, Brookline, Massachusetts (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

McCain isn't going to be able to split from Bush- his own record won't allow it. McCain votes along with Bush > 90% of the time, and he hires the Bush-Cheney-Rove team for all of his behind the scenes work. Then, he selects a far right-wing Governor from the reddest of the red states, (with a nicely corruption-heavy resume for such a short period of time)- and tries to steal the CHANGE theme from Obama. Are you kidding me?

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

Oprah has been a huge disappointment to women already. Now, she won't even interview Palin. Fine, Oprah. I don't have to watch your show, buy your mag or buy from your advertisers.

McCain-Palin 08

boycott Oprah (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

This bounce is a typical post-convention tick upward. The fact of the matter is, when it comes down to it, McCain CAN'T divorce Bush because the links between them are too strong to overcome.

McCain=Bush
Palin=Bush in a dress

Same ol', same ol'!

I can't believe the Dem panic mode here--people GET A HOLD OF YOURSELVES! Did you not learn from 2004? This is what the Repugnant ones want you to do! They thrive on panic/fear/lies BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING MORE TO OFFER. Now is not the time to give up, it's the time to press back harder, to work harder, and to debunk the lies with TRUTH.

Don't let a daily poll of a bit more than a thousand people after a convention get you spinning in an unproductive way. Focus your efforts toward getting Barack elected--phone bank, voter registration efforts, giving $$ to the campaign.

You are so fearful that you are not seeing the fact that we are supporting the SMART guy who was already battle tested in the primaries. He knew how to strategize then, and he knows now. It's a state by state battle, and in case you've lost sight of this fact...he IS ahead where it counts--the electoral count.

Bill Clinton knows this too. I'd love to be a fly on the wall during their Thursday lunch/strategy session.

PAMama4Obama (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

What 'concern' are you talking about? I am convinced that McCain will continue Bush's tax policy; that McCain will continue the Iraq policy, (he was the first one to call for the surge; and, you haven't noticed, but Anbar province was handed over to Iraqi control last week); and that McCain will continue to fight the war on terrorism. MY concern is that Obama will do NONE of these things. That he will raise taxes on individuals and corportations, thus exacerbating an economic slowdown; that he will try to appease terrorists, and open the door to more attacks; that he will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by abandoning Iraq. I know that he SAYS different things now that he is the candidate, but I must say, I have a hard time trusting his veracity on the above. Nice slant, though, First Read. Maybe you should talk to Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman-they've had a lot of success with their 'unbiased' coverage of this election.

it ain't workin, Monmouth County (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:56 AM)

I'm not worried. On Thursday, after Palin's speech Obama opened his LA regional office an RSVP invite to the opening. I went just because I was curious and a friend went with me. It was called for 6pm to 8pm and we got there at 4:30 out of curiosity. It was interesting that maybe 10 folks were there, no major speakers were announced and by 5pm about 50 people were there. I asked how many people RSVP'd and they said 150. By 6pm there were lines down the block with about 600 people. They had to move it outside to the parking lot and that was not big enough so the alley behind was overcrowded as well. By the time we left at 7:20 there were over 1000 people there with lines still outside all of the press trucks, helicopters and the like. I've never seen such a diverse crowd and never seen the kind of response since the 60's. He raised 10 million that day alone.

These polls do not reflect the youth vote most of whom only have cell phones and no land lines. The polls do not count first time registrants. You will be surprised in the end.

Bev, Los Angeles (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:57 AM)

You mean John Bush is still tied to George McSame - SHOCKING!!!

Kate, Atlanta (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:57 AM)

Americans are figuring out that the election isn't about Bush. It's about McCain and that looney kid from Chicago. Americans are now getting serious about this election, and their running to the serious candidate, and running away from the elitist celebrity.

Poll Watcher (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:57 AM)

Mcbush is more of the same. He only started talking change because Obama's message is what majority of the people really want. Why is it that some people cannot see through his lies? He is only more of the same.
I urge all to vote for Obama and Biden for real change.

Bill , San Antonio, TX (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:57 AM)

He argued with Bush on policies when ever one else was following Bush and supported policies of Bush when ever one else was jumping ship, McCain is his own man and I believe the american people will see that

Joshua Broaddus, Sterling, Colorado (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:58 AM)

Personally, I don't understand how 80+ percent of Americans told a recent poll that they believed our country was on the wrong path [alas the 20% approval for Bush's job approval]. And yet we now see that apparently some of these 80+ percent Americans think that just because McSame has choosen Palin [who totally lacks the necessary qualifications to run this country in the likely event McSame should die]have changed their minds and believe that McShame will lead this countty on a better path! How is this possible? How can they really believe that if the GOP win we would be better off since McCain [and Palin especially who's views are just like Bush's] would continue to lead us down this DANGEROUS DOWNFALL. How can these Americans be so ignorant? McFeeble's choice scares me crazy because the POTUS position needs to be filled by a person who has intelligence, judgment, and a cool head - McShame and Palin do not qualify in these regards. God will be the only one who can help us in the event they succeed.

FrightenedtoDeath, Alexandria,VA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 11:59 AM)

McCain's initial bounce will be high, like most balls that bounce the first time. Then the bounces become smaller and smaller and smaller . . . until they roll around until they find a spot to rest against.

Palin helped, but only to shore up the base and get dubious Republicans to fall in line.

Let's see how things are when Palin "talks" to Charley Gibson (Gibson better be throwing hardballs at her)

Obama's been campaigning for 19 months and as taken on all comers, media, press, talk shows (even Bill O'Reilly!!!!!!), debates . . . and BY HIMSELF.

Let's see what Palin's got when she's not reading from SOMEONE ELSE's script and without McCain holding her hand.

Tim Russert . . . your loss is not only a tragedy for your family . . . but could be a major loss for hard-hitting, but fair journalism.

Tom Kaye (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:01 PM)

A bounce? Really? From an empty pant suit under investigation for ethics and power abuse.

You just can't get to the bottom of the GOP barrel. Forget "yellow dog" democrats, we now have "violent drunk ape" republicans.

Citizen of Rome says: get your matches (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:01 PM)

The republicant base doesn't care if McCain splits from Bush or not in the end. They are so obstinate they can't recognize a vision of a better country or respect someone different that's asking them to be inclusive of those huge numbers of Americans that are different as well...the poor, people of color, the gay community, etc. It's imperative that Obama supporters show up on election day or the country will continue the fall of the last eight years.

bill, okla (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:01 PM)

All the "PR" about the Palin/McCain ticket isnt going to change the fact that this ticket isnt about "change" it is the same old same old! This ticket thought all women were going to vote for a Hockey Mom...just because she is a woman! Wrong! While the polls gave Palin/McCain a bounce....who are these people? are these the thousands of newly registered voters who have never voted? are these the people who wonder when God Forbid a Supreme Court Justice dies...we will go marching back to the alleys for choice? I saw a picture of Palin gutting some poor animal...if McCain should expire...who will she gut...the central issue is HOW STUPID DO THE PALIN/MCCAIN ticket think America is? if we are this stupid to believe all of this...than we do deserve 4 more years of the same...but if those thousands of new voters have anything to say...we will have REAL CHANGE...and not out of Karl Roves' playbook or Bush staffers writing every "new" word.

Janet B, San Francisco (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:01 PM)

let's face it - Palin was picked in large part to appease the conservatives. On the issues, she is Rush Limbaugh in a skirt. Not to mention her actions as mayor and governor which contradict her current tales of balancing the budget and blocking federal earmarks, and opposing abortion even in cases of incest and rape. Very scary for the rest of us! Add that to McCain's voting record of 90 percent for Bush policies, and we have no change, no 'maverick' on that ticket. Wake up America!

bernadette (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

How trustworthy are these polls anyway? I think too much is made of these polls. All it tells me is that the majority of those polled are too stupid to be allowed to vote!

I got a laugh out of MSNBC tv today putting on the news crawl that a Russian Battleship was going to the Carribean for naval excercises. MSNBC.com has the story correct that the ship is a missile cruiser, a heavy one but still a cruiser and not a battleship. Is MSNBC tv turning into Fox Lite?

What a bunch of whiners complaining about Mika on the Moronic Joe show. Just proves that a few RNC operatives are posting this garbage to sabotage the liberal media. Moronic Jow is the one who needs to go and MSNBC tv had better wake up and do it's job of exposing the Dumb and Dumber ticket for the liars and false agents of change before we liberals bail out on MSNBC. I can't wait for Countdown and Rachel Maddow's new show tonight for some real truthiness.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

So why are people still gonna vote for him? Maverick? Served the country? My A**! He and the Republicans are liars and they need to be exposed for who they really are. They don't give a damn about the "real" people in this country and the will continue with the same ole crap. Republicans are only after what they can get.

MIA in Miami (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

Unfortunately this will not have any bearing on the outcome of this race. Once again the we have allowed the Moveon.org/Keith Olbermann members of our Party take over our message and by doings so either scared off everyone other than the hardcore left or embarrassed us through their actions which has been the demise of this Party for the past eight years – now I believe it will be at least four more. When will we learn that the Democrat Party doesn’t need to be led by those who believe in themselves more than their country? I’ll stay home until our Party can get it together.

Discussed Dem (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:02 PM)

I can't believe that some Americans would vote for John McCain. He has been embracing George Bush and his policies since 2003 or earlier.

Of course I was amazed that George Bush (someone who avoided Vietnam) was elected over John Kerry (someone who actually served his country). That's the genius of Karl Rove & his divisive fear tactics at work.

Literally one week after the 2004 election my neighbor told me that she regretted voting for George Bush. Let's not go down this road again. Really think about your vote. Don't vote based on fear. Don't settle for the status quo. Vote for Barack Obama.

Indpendent Military Spouse (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:03 PM)

Yet, even with the FACTS of knowing mccain is just like Bush, a large number of voters still will buy the lies of the republicans. Truly amazing. I have made sure to check for rupert murdoch merchandise to see if I'm buying anything. Nope! If you support Senator Obama and have Direct TV, I would suggest changing it. It is time to boycott the media that strangles Americans with lies and deciet.
I will be boycotting gregory and have already axed joe s.

mccain is more of the same - only worse! (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:03 PM)

mccain is more of the same - only worse! (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

McBush
McCain
McPee
_________
McLoosers!!!!

The Real Truth!!! (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

Well there is hope for society yet...

Go to any individual bipartisan fact check site (for example: Factcheck.org) and the GOP is blatantly lying about just about every issue)

We got to get past the TMZ style politics, and start working for our country.

GP Chicago (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

Anybody who thinks that McCain is fresh and new about change and NOT BUSH is really deluding themselves.

Do not allow yourselves to be frightened by the McRove hate and fear machine. And please be aware that the CODE WORDS: ALL AMERICAN and AMERICA FIRST are code for anyone who is not white and republican.

That is UNAMERICAN thinking.

Wise-up Folks. You are being taken for a ride.

Andrea, New York City (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

That's going to change soon in favor of Obama.

What’s wrong with being a community organizer; isn’t that what we want is to help those who can’t help themselves? Really the lipstick pit- bull is not practicing Christianity. Obama didn’t leave a defeict in those communities. Instead of complaining we should do volunteer for Obama.
Palin reduced funding for Covenant House in Alaska by more than 20 percent, cutting funds from $5 million to $3.9 million. Covenant House is a mix of programs and shelters for troubled youths, including Passage House, which is a transitional home for teenage mothers. Sarah Palin you don't Know Obama. Unlike Obama he is more Christian and experienced as a community organizer than you were as mayor. Obama as a community organizer Obama qualitatively or quantitatively…
Obama worked with the poor in Chicago's housing projects.
2. Obama helped steel mill workers, who lost their jobs,
3. Obama was involved in removing (asbestos a carcinogen) agent from Chicago's housing projects.
Enough!
No way
No how
No McCain/Palin
Nobody but Obama/Biden

==========================
Mika, you’re getting more ditzy each day. There should be media black-out on Cheeto Joe and racist Pat B. MSNBC, why are you caving in to FOX? Keith and Chris are two very fine anchors. Dick Gregory IMHO is more FOX news.

David Schuster is another fine person whom should have given the position to, if you must, instead you gave us Dick Gregory. David Schuster is objective and not subjective. He’s not insulting. He gives the read meat to the issues. He’s calm, he evens out extreme bickering and can interview by eliciting clear pertinent answers if the guest doesn’t understand.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

Get over your love affair with Palin press. Stop pushing her down the throats of the American public.

American Voter (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 10:26 AM)

You mean like the press has done with Obama? If the Press can fawn all over Obama for 18 months, then I think it's about time they fawn all over someone else for a change.

Obama's an idiot (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

Lets not forget that we vote for president and not VP. Once the focus on the issues starts to crystalize with the public, undecided voters will have a serious choice to make....one that should not be difficult. The neo-con GOP base is certianly fired up over Palin. But once they start to think about what "maverick" Mccain's White House will look like with Democrates in the cabinet, that certianly will give some pause. What a load of political BS the Mccain camp has become. Can't wait for the debates (as long as they are about issues and policies).

P Ostrander Bristol TN (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:04 PM)

John McCain is married to trickle-down economics just as much as he is to Cindy. I think too many Americans have been trickled on already, and not with money. His economic policy proposals are vague, but such as they are they offer nothing different than the status quo, aside from a vow to end earmarks (a FRACTION OF ONE PERCENT of the total budget). I cannot understand why people continue to believe the myth that Republicans in Washington have any clue how to handle other people's money. I'd be interested to hear someone attempt to make a reasoned argument why the supposed party of small government (which has consistently grown government MORE than the Democrats) and balanced budgets (and has run up the biggest deficits in our nation's history) and national security expertise (Iraq...) should be given yet another chance to **** things up.

Michael Sheridan, Sacramento, California (Sent Monday, September 08, 2008 12:05 PM)

I just love the double standards of the Reps. they slam Barack as a celebrity,and Hollywood Dems as nuts, yet their most beloved President Reagan was a B actor in Hollywood, then you also have Arnold Swarzenegger Rep. Gov. of California another Hollywood movie star.At the Republican convention they put the few stars that attended on parade. But Dems.shouldn't.I say stand up to them and fight fire with fire. they've gotten a way with this sort of thing for far to long. Thank God for Keith Olberman and Chris Matthews men with back bones.

R.Hall, Mi. City,In. (Sent Tuesday, September 09, 2008 3:05 PM)

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