Ask Chuck Todd

Posted: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 3:28 PM by Domenico Montanaro

Join Chuck Todd, NBC's Political Director for this week's discussion about the presidential election on Newsvine. Feel free to post your questions here in advance.

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Honest questions need Honest Answers!!
After my 7 yr old watched clips of Palin and her smears attacks where one of the supporters yelled kill him, he asked me if Obama will be killed like Martin L Kink Jr. What I would like to ask someone from the McCain camp is.."Is this the direction you want to take the country in?" Lets rile up the white people fill them with fear and hate and turn them loose if Obama wins? Racism in this country still exists: remember The Jena 6? Please ask them what exactly are their intentions when they are out on the stump?
As a Black Woman: Mother of 2 black sons, I am not sure that we are safe in a McCain/Palin world.

Rhan - NY (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:52 PM)

Chuck,
My husband and I really enjoy watching you.
My question that I have asked several people now and no one can give me an answer on, is what happens if one of the candidates God forbid had an accident or untimely death at this time? How is this dealt with this close to an election?

Holly (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:54 PM)

As american with the concerne about the future of this country witch candidate you believe have what it takes to be president Obama or Mccain and are you voting for the one you really feel going to change the direction of this country?

Adel (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:55 PM)

Chuck, as a registered democrat in a republican dominated county, I have really come to respect Richard Lugar over the years, but he has been notably silent this election season. He seems to have alot of pull here in Indiana. Has he voiced his support for John McCain?

Justin, Warsaw Indiana (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:56 PM)

Chuck,

Are you anticipating an October surprise from the McCain campaign?

Eric, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 4:57 PM)

Chuck, I admire and enjoy your level-headed, thoughtful, fair approach -- thanks for that!

An important potential aspect of the Palin pick that I never hear discussed, but think is valid, is that for many, she negates the possibility of voting for McCain strictly out of safety. Had he gone with Ridge, Romney, etc., those that liked, but were uncomfortable with Obama, could have simply placed a "safe" vote for McCain...but not with Palin there. So, this could not only force people to vote Obama by elimiating the safe McCain option, but also, frustrate people and keep people at home. Do you agree?

Bill Brooksher, Seattle, Wa (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:00 PM)

Who do you think is going to win?

OREGON (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:01 PM)

Chuck, Does the DNC pay you or are they just keeping it secret that you might switch hit.

NOBama (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:01 PM)

Why is McCain allowed to control the media? Until Palin does interviews or any of the Sunday morning shows, I don't think the media needs to give ANY press to the McCain camp. When I see her come on the TV doing her comedy sketch, I change the channel. I won't listen to her canned speeches any more. She needs to come out of hiding. How can she even be considered a viable candidate if she won't answer questions.

Diane (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:01 PM)

Hey Up-Chuck,

Why not have Barack Obama’s Inauguration day after tomorrow?

Scott Moore (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:05 PM)

I wonder if when Chuck says put your questions "here" that he is not literally refering to this First Read discussion but rather the hyperlink you get when you click on "here" which goes to newsvine.

wonder boy (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:06 PM)

What is the role of the media during a political campaign? How do you balanced being 'fair' and what that means in various contexts?

And do you think it is fair to suggest that the Obama camp was trying to make something of him being called 'that one'... because what I have witnessed was that until I heard Joe Biden explain that this was McCain's way of distancing himself from others when he 'goes on attack' I was very upset and confused by Senator McCain using that phrase. I felt very uncomfortable with it and others where I tend to blog were writing about it as well.

I am hearing too many things being attributed to the Obama camp that did not 'actually' originate from the Obama camp and I think it is important to be clear about the distinction.

I saw an Obama campaign representative get asked about the 'that one' comment but that is not the same as them rushing out to spin that as you suggested today.

ldb, boulder, CO (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:07 PM)

The media seems to be confused as to whether McCain was a bomber pilot or a fighter pilot. They NYT recently issued a correction to their previous 20 years of reporting saying that he was a bomber pilot not a fighter pilot as they had been reporting.

The McCain surrogates continue to refer to him as a fighter pilot which on the observation that they are pathological liars must mean the opposite. If your mission is to fly over cities and drop bombs isn't that a pretty darn good case that your are a bomber pilot?

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:12 PM)

Chuck, why does the press continually show these incendiary attacks on Obama? In my mind they are not just ugly but dangerous. Hopefully nothing will happen to Obama but if it does, will the press also be ready to blame the McCain team for the fire they lit. I find this whole campaign anti-American.

Sharon, Rockford, Il (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:13 PM)

John McCain is not able to look Obama in the eye and show him the respect he deserves as a fellow American and fellow Senator. How will he treat world leaders who he thinks are beneath him?

Mary, Playa Vista, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:18 PM)

Chuck, why do you and the other pundits ignore the fact that Missouri could very well go blue in this election? Why does the MSNBC map still show it as a light red when the last two credible polls put Obama ahead by 1-3 points? St. Louis is one of the most heavily Democratic cities in the nation and it is reporting record-breaking voter registrations this year. At this point, there is a better chance of Missouri going blue than Indiana, according to recent polling. Why don't you guys care about the ultimate bellwhether state anymore?

Rita Mongold (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:19 PM)

Chuck,
Why aren't you listing the internal changes for polls such as hotline (who shifted to 40% dem vs 38% repub) and thus, shows a narrow poll to keep the election "tv" interesting? Internals are important and either provide, or remove credibility. Please discuss these as they are very telling and polls, without knowing the internals, are quite misleading no matter what their slant is.

Also, will you all finally stop covering Palin's rallies (since she won't take questions) once one of her supporters accosts or assaults the media? There should be no case where it is ok for a politician here in the US to incite their crowds to chants of "kill him" with NO response whatsoever denouncing this by said politician. In fact, she clearly encourages this. I find McCain/Palin BOTH appalling.

cyndi, castle rock, CO (Sent Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:19 PM)

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