the Truman show: how McCain can pull off a final-week upset

[franksolich]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10252008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_truman_show_135232.htm?page=0

Oh, I dunno.

We'll figure it out when it's all over.

The most reliable surveys put McCain five to seven points behind Obama as we enter the last week of this interminable campaign. But in a race that will be famous for years afterwards for its volatility, it is not too late for the Republican to pull out a victory.

For Harry Truman in 1948, the presidential race shifted dramatically in the final week, and it's happened three more times in the past 30 years. In 1980, Reagan came from eight points behind to a solid victory by winning his sole debate with Carter in the last week of October. In 1992, Clinton, who had fallen behind in the polls because of the pounding he was taking over his liberalism and propensity to raise taxes, surged ahead of Bush when Special Prosecutor Lawrence Walsh announced that he was indicting Defense Secretary Casper (Cap) Weinberger, an indication of Bush's possible complicity in the Iran-Contra scandal. And in 2000, Bush's three-to-four point lead in the polls was erased over the final weekend when reports surfaced that he had been cited for DWI 20 years before and had not revealed the fact to the public. Bush still won the election, of course, but Gore won the popular vote by half a point.

What does McCain have to do to pull off a similar shift this time?

The columnist, Dick Morris, suggests:

1. Use the stock market crash to highlight the tax issue.

2. Bring back Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

3. Warn voters of impending socialism in America.

Now, I'm aware that Dick Morris has a mixed reputation, especially on his predictions, but these are food for thought.

But as mentioned earlier, we'll figure it out when it's over.

[Airwolf]

One thing is certain though. Morris has been more right then wrong on political issues and he has no love for either the Clintons or Obama.

[Schadenfreude]

I will never understand why McCain went on record as saying Wright would not be part of the equation.... I think if Wright is put back in, it will make McCain look like he is not a man of his word. If Palin starts talking about him, it will make her look like a rogue VP. I don't see how he can slide Wright back in at this point, perhaps I am wrong.

[djones520]

I don't see a plus in bringing Wright back up now.  It would just show desperation on McCains part since he has already said he'd leave it alone, and because it really hasn't been touched in so long.

[Hawkgirl]

Wright has already been used and played.  Focus now should be on the economy, the results of CRA the democrats championed, Taxes and Socialism.  Throw in a little foreign policy as well.

[DixieBelle]

The economic/socialism angle is what's important at this stage.

[NHSparky]

Problem is, there's no debate this week.  If there were, maybe McCain might be willing to nut the **** up and pull the kid gloves off.

Oh, who am I kiddin?

[EaglesWings]

I think McCain needs to pound on the economy and use Barney Frank's own words for ads and run them in all the swing states.  Now is when the RNC needs to step up to the plate and spend some money and inundate the airwaves with the plans the 3 amigos have for our nation....taxes, taxes, taxes, and spending.  They need to hit on the fact that Frank wants to cut the military by 25% and how that will leave us vulnerable to any nutcase who wants to test Obama in the first 6 months of his presidency (God forbid he gets elected)! 

[Schadenfreude]

I like the idea of having average Americans question The One.

I think some of the new ads are effective because they have "Joe the Plumber" ask the questions that should be asked. In my opinion, John McCain is not a compelling or effective speaker for the homestretch.... he would be better served to let the citizens do the talking.

[youtube=425,350]lgulGI1IWZc[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]0X2uCNIq0dI[/youtube]

[EaglesWings]

Those are excellent ads!  They do say what needs to be said.  I hope they run these and more like them....America needs to wake up!!!!

[DixieBelle]

excellent ads indeed!