First thoughts: The map 50 days out

kayT, Orlando, FL — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:00:39 GMT

My biggest problem with Palin has nothing to do with experience but it has everything to do with her view on global warming and drill, baby drill attitude towards it. I truly believe if we put McCain/Palin in office we will be another four years farther from solving our energy dependency. This ticket has no incentive toward wind or clean alternative energy their allegiance is with big oil! We need to move into the 21st century this ticket would be a step backwards that I am not willing to take.

Obama/Biden 08

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Biased — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:00:49 GMT

Defenders of Wildlife is up with a vicious ad against Palin regarding aerial hunting, and something called BraveNewPac is up with a Swift Boat-like interview ad with a POW saying McCain's unfit to lead.

WHOO Wait a minite. only the nasty dirty republicans do this are you saying the democrats also do????
This is news.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Obama Is Best For America — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:01:21 GMT

McCain doesn't have a clue on the economy.

And ladies.....listen up.....McCain does not support equal pay for equal work !!!! That should be enough to get you to the polls NOW for Obama.

Obama and Biden are the ones to straighten out the mess.

VOTE ISSUES.....VOTE INTELLIGENCE....VOTE YOUR POCKETBOOK.........VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN '08

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Lisa in OakBrook — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:01:31 GMT

Northern Exposure - keep up the good work on exposing the hypocrisy and travesty of the Palin/McCain ticket - what a joke!

Palin is a liar about her resume. I would like to know why she went to so many colleges and why she would drop out and go to community college.

As a person who had to actually interview for jobs this kind of academic record (or lack there of) would have disqualified me for some of my first professional jobs in business.

Should we hold those running for office such as president and vice president to higher standards?
Should those in national politics be better educated than the rest of us?

Many of my professional peers have way better work experience and education than Palin.

Makes me wonder what kind of country this is....

Dumb and dummer...McCcain/Palin

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Greg, VT — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:02:00 GMT

I found your "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire" segment to be a bit too artificially neutral. Here's the bit that I take issue with:

But here's an important question to ask: Do campaigns that complain about tone win? Are those campaigns ahead when they complain about negativity?

Shouldn't there be a distinction between tone and facts here? I think there's a difference between complaining about tone, "I'm offended by the tenor of the campaign but I won't directly dispute the factual claims," and facts, "I'm offended by the campaign's disregard for the truth."

It is this bland equivocation that is contributing to the media's decline as an authority on facts! Unless your journalism actively seeks to referee the narrative, you will lose your credibility, without which you have nothing but talking heads. Use it or lose it!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Disappointed Youth, Fl — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:02:23 GMT

I can't wait until the next generation takes over. Our leaders and "Wisers" are clueless. All the greatness, and sacrifices of this Nation I read about in the History books seem so far fetched. Seems to me, and so many of my peers that we are a Nation of COWARDS. Where were our parents when we needed them? How selfish they were when they decided not to put of futures first. Well that future has become my present, and for the first time I'm able to vote, and I refuse to leave a future for my kids similar to the one my parent left for me. It doesn't take much to see through the fog. All you have to do is open your eyes.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Amy B Portland, ME — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:02:27 GMT

I just want to say, Chuck Todd is emerging as the best political journalist on TV we've had in a decade. I like him because he doesn't make me angry or anxious. He's a post-partisan journalist, and, I hope a sign of things to come, once we get the right wing-nuts out of the driver's seat of this country.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

The Rookie — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:02:39 GMT

All this money. All the major print press, cable news, network news in the Democrats and Obamas back pocket. All the yearning for so called "Change" in the country. All the fancy speeches given before adoring audiences. Ad to this the Republicans nominating an old man who selects a political rookie for his VP choice. All this, and Obama is losing. How bad of a candidate do you have to be to have this happen?

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Steven, Highlands Ranch, CO — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:03:04 GMT

Just out of curiosity, (I truly don't know), how can Palin do a fundraiser if the campaign is taking public finance? Is she fundraising for something else?

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Mary, Rockville, MD — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:04:02 GMT

I can't believe that you are warning about ads that complain about tone and negativity when it comes to Obama. For two weeks, the McCain campaign has been screaming at the press for respect and painting itself as the victim of sexism and elitism from both the press and the Obama campaign and you have been cheering them on as their numbers go up. How dare you.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Biased — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:04:56 GMT

Any hard hitting reports on this our does the press want to just go after the VP nominee for the GOP side?

WHILE campaigning in public for a speedy withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, Sen. Barack Obama has tried in private to persuade Iraqi leaders to delay an agreement on a draw-down of the American military presence.

According to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Obama made his demand for delay a key theme of his discussions with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad in July.

"He asked why we were not prepared to delay an agreement until after the US elections and the formation of a new administration in Washington," Zebari said in an interview.

Obama insisted that Congress should be involved in negotiations on the status of US troops - and that it was in the interests of both sides not to have an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration in its "state of weakness and political confusion."

"However, as an Iraqi, I prefer to have a security agreement that regulates the activities of foreign troops, rather than keeping the matter open." Zebari says.

Though Obama claims the US presence is "illegal," he suddenly remembered that Americans troops were in Iraq within the legal framework of a UN mandate. His advice was that, rather than reach an accord with the "weakened Bush administration," Iraq should seek an extension of the UN mandate.

While in Iraq, Obama also tried to persuade the US commanders, including Gen. David Petraeus, to suggest a "realistic withdrawal date." They declined.

Obama has made many contradictory statements with regard to Iraq. His latest position is that US combat troops should be out by 2010. Yet his effort to delay an agreement would make that withdrawal deadline impossible to meet.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Eric, Salinas, CA — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:05:10 GMT

Looks like the theme song of Wall Street is "Free Falling" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Lots of hearts being broken by the repugnant ones, hope they remember who is to blame - "Big Bank" McCain!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

John, OH — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:05:29 GMT

Gentlemen,
PLEASE STOP referring to national poll results.
What do they have to do with this presidential race?
With 50 days remaining, let us get more focused on facts and insight and less on presumptions like the "Palin bounce."
Spend more focus on the electoral map because that is all that matters. Take us inside the numbers in the key battleground states. Give us an indication of the impact of the ability of the polls to be representative of those that will vote. For example, explain how the younger voter, without a land line, is being included or excluded from the state by state results. Or what is the impact of the newly registered voters on the state by state poll results. Give us some insight into the projected impact of the weekend's negative portrayal of Sen. McCain's campaign.
How can we project the impact of debunking of Gov Palin will have on states that are very close?
Thank you

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Gail, Seattle Washington — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:06:48 GMT

And here comes a brand-new fact about "she sold the plane" Sarah Palin: she had a tanning booth installed in the Governor's Mansion:
http://narconews.com/Issue54/article3191.html
Question: was this at taxpayer's expense?!
I thought she and Bristol looked a little...orange!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Ryan, TN — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:07:54 GMT

Finally, we get the whole truth, this should be a big bold front pager.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:07:55 GMT

Keith O. and Chris Matthews have abandoned all pretense at objective reporting. NBC has long backed these partisan ravings and as a result loses credibility. Might as well come out of the closet and declare NBC for Obama. At least that would be the truth.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

BJ, CA — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:08:25 GMT

Banking and Economy problems you say...

Phil Gramm...McCain's main money man

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Class Warrior, D.C. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:09:42 GMT

Yes, Mcshame and the Lying Barracuda to whacked this weekend. It will only stick if voters are SERIOUS about getting back a government with integrity. Personally, I think it's all lip service on many voters' part. Better help is Obama's interventionist approach to the economy. With houses being foreclosed, jobs being lost and now the great financial institutions that have been pillars for a generation are falling like dominoes. If people wake up and realize they're about to be buried by an avalanche of fiscal mismanagement, then Obama's interventionism will look good. If people only want to dream of a nice woman with five kids who shoots woves from helicopters and brings home moose stew, then the Dems' moose is cooked.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

wishbone37, St. Louis, MO — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:10:07 GMT

I can't believe people are so dumb. Pretty soon, the soccer mom, hockey mom, bridge to nowhere, moose shooting rhetoric is going to get old with Palin. Her interview with Charlie was OK, she survived, no major gaffes, but it shows she is brutally weak when it comes to the economy and foreign policy. She survived because most of her answers were very scripted and you can tell. It wasn't natural at all, but again, she survived. I'll give her that.

When it comes to the debates, she and McCain better be ready because it will show tremendously how out of touch these people are and what a fake they are to try to present themselves and "mavericks." I can't wait for the debates!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Reality Check — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:10:12 GMT

FYI: none of the people who are going to swing this election care about what the NYT says. It's not a slam on them; they just choose not to read it. The only way McCain takes a hit is if Nightly News on ABC, NBC, and CBS all call him a liar

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Dirk, Brunswick, Georgias — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:12:09 GMT

Lo, you little McCainiacs out there, this is a close one that we're winning. Obama and Biden's whining makes them look more partisan..same ole, same ole.

Meanwhile, our man McCain talks preserving Medicare, doubling the child tax credit, real change for regular people.

McCain/Palin 2008/12 Hillary in 2016

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Josey — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:12:17 GMT

Obama down to 5 points in New York!!

http://www.siena.edu/level2col.aspx?menu_id=562&id=19322

It wasn't wise for Obama to smear the Clintons as racists - but it was the ONLY WAY Obama could get the AA vote - and the media assisted.

Dems for McCain/Palin!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Susan E. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:13:05 GMT

Why does MSNBC keep talking about the Lehman failure? ITs SOOOOO boring. Can't you find someone talking about lipstick on pigs? That was like, SO MUCH FUN!!!!Non-stop laughs for 48 hours. I bet Chris Matthews can do some in-depth analysis and find that someone else is talking about lipstick and pigs. I LOVE Sarah Palin, she wears neat glasses and hot shoes, and her main dude is like gorgeous. Stop covering all this Lehman stuff!!!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

William Combs — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:13:39 GMT

Chuck Todd, you're a lefty joke! You NBC liberals are such losers--3 out of 12 after this election! We laugh at your "independent analysis." LOL

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:13:41 GMT

McCain's campaign dragged this election through the gutter. It's like he doesn't even care that he's lying. People are believing him, so what difference does it make to him as long as he gets into the White House.

He'd really rather lose his integrity than lose an election.

Obama's really going to have to beat him like a drum during the debate.

Tina Fey really delivered on the SNL bit.

Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton: "I'm firmly against the Bush Doctrine."
Tina Fey as Sarah Palin: (laughing) "I have no idea what that is."
Clinton: "I believe in a strong, but fair foreign policy."
Palin: "I can see Russia from my house."

The map still looks good for Obama.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

John Adams — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:13:46 GMT

I see Mark. When McCain lies about Obama or lies about Palin's record and others attempt to set the record straight it becomes "complaining about negativity", not and truth telling. Wow is that ever warped.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:14:07 GMT

Here is your Map on Nov. 4:

For Obama:

Cal 55
NY 31
Ill 21
Ver 3
Mass 12
RI 4
Conn 7
MaryL 10
Del 3
NM 5
Wis 10
PA 21
NJ 15
Maine 4
Hawaii 4
Dist Col 3
Mich 17
Ohio 20

280

And perhaps one can add Colorado's 9 votes to that total as well.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Mary. Pittsburgh, PA — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:15:21 GMT

Will voters be as gullible this time as they were the last two elections? The same tactics used in the last two elections by the GOP are being used again and people are falling for it. When even Karl Rove says he has gone too far you know it's bad. Obviously John McCain would rather lose his integrity than lose an election. Pitiful. I do think, however, that the citizens of this great country will realize how much is at stake and make the right decision on Novemeber 4th.
Obama/Biden '08

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Patrick, Indianapolis — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:15:33 GMT

Did anybody hear "Mush-head" today? The fundamentals of our economy are strong he said. His oatmeal mush for brains (due to his advancing age) are working in overdrive today. Mush-head and Quaylin will still win the Presidency but this goes to show how little brain capacity the 300 year-old Mush-head has.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

beth, scranton pa — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:15:45 GMT

"Do campaigns that complain about tone win?"

Are you kidding me? They are not complaining about tone. They are pointing out that McCain and company are out-and-out lying. "Lying" is not a bad "tone." It's lying.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Harry Sutphin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:16:24 GMT

Can you really tell the difference in a republican or karl rove no difference in my mind they are both liars and will always be one . anything the republican party say's as a whole it is just the opposite lie lie lie one after the other like this supposeded evangelical base and how it goes for the republican base and how they were lied to in two different election cycles they don't care or are to stupid to remember what the republican party did to them or how in 1992 the hurricane that hit Texas was for the most part no different that the last one(IKE) the gas prices went through the roof before the damn thing even hit it is just one more way the present administration which is republican for those that can't remember or are in favor of such high prices because they don't bother them (gas prices that is) or a War that has cost my children trillions of dollars who cares. the republican sure as hell don't. Keep on voting republicans you morons and we can all go to the same bankruptsie cort together and that will for sure bring us all together. RED BLUE SCREWED.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

JJ, Virginia — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:16:39 GMT

You're right, McCain's campaign has reached its peak, but yet he is still only tied with Obama. If this is as good as it gets (which I think it is), Obama is gonna pull ahead in the end.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Nancy, Omaha NE — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:16:54 GMT

The primary focus on Palin shouldn't be on Palin as much as McCain's recklessness in choosing someone who is clearly in over her head as his possible replacement. Not because he's 72, but because he's already had the most deadly form of cancer a few times.
It's gut check time. McCain is a senior citizen who has lost his maverick appeal to many of us. He leaves us with the possible alternative of Bush in Lipstick as our replacement at a time when Afghanistan is revving up, Iraq is still a scary place and our economy is hitting rock bottom.
Obama has shown he can run a highly fiscally responsible campaign and still attract new donors in record numbers to give what they can to support him. He's chosen a highly competent steward in Joe Biden who can pinch hit for him.
I don't see how the case can be more clear.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Wally — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:17:38 GMT

It's not to late...let's impeach Bush for a cleaner America.Then send him the bill or forclose on his house.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

j smith, Fairfax, Va — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:18:09 GMT

Chuck, you are really starting to bore me. McCain's ads are so naughty... yada yada What about Obama's ads that claim McCain's plan is to give tax cuts to the rich? Utter nonsense. And here's a newsflash for you: raising capital gains taxes in a market crisis is exactly what Hoover did in 1929. Get off the Obama bandwagon my friend.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

JAB — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:18:57 GMT

I am amazed at how much America loves and admires liars (McCain/Bush), scammers (Wall Street/Rove), and lack of integrity (Republicans, Republicans, Republicans).

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

J.J., Maplewood, NJ — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:24 GMT

You wrote:
"Now the Obama camp is doubling down on this criticism with a new hard-hitting TV ad that questions McCain's honor and the conduct of his campaign ... But here's an important question to ask: Do campaigns that complain about tone win? Are those campaigns ahead when they complain about negativity?"

You are missing the point. Obama is not "complaining about tone."
He is condemning outright lies and false attacks on his character!

If someone ran TV ads saying that you were a pervert that wanted to teach kindergarteners about sex, would your response be "complaining about negativity"?

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

CB, Iowa City, Ia — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:46 GMT

Your 50 questions list is absolute crap.

You wonder if Sara Palin can look “engaged” and Joe Biden “not condescending.” You’ve set her bar really high there, First Read. Why don’t you try “Can Sara Palin look well-informed on foreign and domestic policy issues?” That might be a more accurate question in the mind’s of Americans.

Then you ask whether Biden will make the “game-changing gaffe” you’ve all been waiting or not waiting for. I know the narrative is that Biden often puts his foot in his mouth, but come on! Not a single negative word about what additional vetting might turn up on Palin in the next 2 months? No references to the results of the ongoing investigations about her Alaska dealings? It comes out over the weekend that she’s never been to Iraq as she’d claimed and you wonder when Biden’s gonna embarrass himself? I know the buzz about Palin is mostly good now, but that shouldn’t color the leanings of your list.

You owe it to your readers to be a lit more thorough. 50 questions may seem like a lot until you scratch the surface and realize that most questions surround areas where Obama’s team may not perform. You’re drinking the Kool-aid. No wonder democrats are wringing their hands—even MSNBC, criticized for its left-leaning anchors—comes up with biased, infuriating lists like that one. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Darla, Spokane, Washington — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:53 GMT

How is it even remotely possible that this country would vote another Republican sleazeball into office? Can they not read the headlines? Do they not listen to the news? McCain is lying, cheating and stealing this election, in true Bush fashion and we're going to let him?! America deserves what it gets if we allow another sleazy Republican into office.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Kobold — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:19:58 GMT

For those of us that are happy with the policies that are causing the taxpayer to bail out these private companies, Fannie/Freddie, included and like the fact that the richest among us will have their tax breaks made permanent, then by all means vote McCain/Palin.
For those that like secrecy in Government (Palin is already hiding emails,just like Bush/Cheney) then by all means, vote for McCain.
For those that like sending my kid to stupid war while you go shopping or slap a bumper sticker on your car, by all means, vote for McCain.
Me, ive had enough!

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

W.P.B., FL — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:22:11 GMT

Again, I'm writing to say I question these polling results. There's a article in the Palm Beach Post today saying the Democratic registration of Hispanic voters is up 30,000 over the Republican registrations. That's not counting people without land lines who I believe aren't being polled and the large increase in new registrations( I'm registering for the first time and have gotten 26 others to join me so far-all for Obama). Who Are they polling and how many people are polled to get these results?

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Olivia, Athens, Ga — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:23:10 GMT

I'm not sure if this means anything in the long run, but I will share anyways :)

This weekend was very encouraging to me... My dad, a staunch McCain supporter from day one, said over lunch on Sunday that he was no longer supporting McCain. I asked him what changed his mind and he said simply "Palin". At first my dad bought the myth they were selling, but after listening to the reports about her record and then watching her interview with Charlie Gibson he said he can't believe McCain would make such a horrible pick. It also had to do with all the out right LIES that McCain was pushing. My dad doesn't like the way McCain is treating an honorable man like Obama. For the record, my dad is a right leaning Independent.

Also, this weekend my elderly neighbor came and asked me if I knew where the Obama campaign office was in our town. She wanted to get involved and help out any way she could. All this time I suspected she was a McCain supporter, so I asked her why she was going to support Obama.. she had looked at both their websites to review their positions on the issues and came away with Obama being what the country needed. She also, doesn't like how McCain is disparaging a good man.

Like I said, I don't know if this means anything, but like Tim always says.. family and friends are your best and cheapest focus group. If this is happening in Georgia, certainly it is happening elsewhere.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

NY Analyst, NY, NY — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:25:23 GMT

Wow, you news media are really really trying to make controversy where there is none. I saw the change of title for this article, it went from "Obama ineffective at redrawing electoral map" to "Obama + Palin etc etc.". Good job manipulating the public and fanning the flames of your own profits. :0)

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Nobama — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:26:00 GMT

Looking at all the responses from the Democrats (leftist, Marx's liberals or what ever you want to call yourself) it's clear you all hate America. You want a person who wants to be president that has zero understanding on what it means to protect America let alone someone that couldn't even qualify to be a first line manger at Mc Donald's. My question to all you Democrats is, if Obama loves America why wasn't his wife at the 911 ceremonies? Oh I know he has fine examples to follow Pelosi, Reid, Dean, and the GREAT Joe Biden what a joke. Wake up America you need to ask questions on who best can server America.

First thoughts: The map 50 days out

Mary, Seattle — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:26:38 GMT

Obama has WA and OR. Here in WA in ferry lines or parking lots about every 10th car has an Obama bumper sticker (and I haven't seen any McCain stickers).... many don't usually put on bumper sticker but are doing it for Obama.

I often wear a fleece jacket with the Obama logo and many stop me to ask where they can get one and some even say they have always voted Republican but are voting for Obama.