Hi Mike,

>I didn't know that was a Dem talking point but think it would be a good one. Can you name one way McCain wants to shift policy from what the Bush Administration has done? I haven't heard him mention any. He is for staying the course in Iraq (I actually give him credit for sticking to such an unpopular position), tax cuts, high spending on defense, low spending on social programs, conservative judges. Whatever it is he wants to do differently, I've missed it.

I think you have to wait until the general election campaign is underway. There are a number of issues that differs McCain from Bush. But you're right - he's very pro-defense and stalwart on Iraq.

>You mention McCain's experience. He has been in the Senate longer than Obama, true. And this prepares either of them to be chief executive exactly how? I am not saying either of them is incapable of growing into the role of President; I think they both are. It's just a completely different job than Senator and I don't see how being in the Senate longer prepares you for it more.

I think it's more life experience and not just the Senate. Can you imagine Obama going through was McCain did in Vietnam? I can't.

>I agree with your assessment of how the two campaigns will try to portray the other. We'll see.

Yes sir, it will be fun.

>
>>Third Bush term? Mike, you're reading from the Dem talking points. McCain is no Bush.
>>
>>My gut (and math logic) tells me that Obama is going to win the nomination but will have his butt handed to him in the general election. Obama is inexperienced and, I believe, seen as too elite and passive. I simply don't believe in polls since they're rarely on the mark.
>>
>>Then again, how each candidate conducts his (or her) campaign can make a huge difference to the outcome. I think the first Obama-McCain debate will be a stake in the ground as to how this will all turn out.
>>
>>All things being equal, McCain has loads more experience than Obama so Obama has to make him look like Bush-lite and old and out of touch. McCain has to "wimpify" Obama and make him look naive. Who will succeed?
>>
>>>I have never said the Democrats don't resort to shenanigans of their own, only that it isn't just Democrats who do it. IAC we are straying from the original point that it's the Republicans who are trying to block voters in targeted demographic groups.
>>>
>>>According to a new poll Obama now has a 46-40 lead over McCain. Of course it doesn't mean a lot now, half a year before the election, but it is a change from recent polls. I think (as a Democrat, of course) that with the focus shifting off the tussle for the Democratic nomination it is going to sink in that McCain is essentially running for a third Bush term.
>>>
>>>>I am reminded of the time a few years back when they were allowed, in violation of state election laws, to substitute a candidate for the US Senate.
>>>>
>>>>And it ain't Republicans trying to disrupt troop and material transports during war protests.
>>>>
>>>>Don't take it from me but listen to John Harvey's comments. He has been on the investigative front lines of this issue for some time.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Those dastardly Dems!
>>>>>
>>>>>>Yup, but remember, the Dems have a habit of ignoring laws when they think they're "in the right".
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Buying and/or selling votes in a federal election is a federal crime. I think it can incur a $10,000 fine and five years in jail. There have been previous incidents of vote selling on ebay or in the paper. They usually get prosecuted - I guess this guy didn't check the law?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Disturbing.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>http://cbs13.com/local/Superdelegate.Vote.Ybarra.2.718616.html
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Ok, I won't comment on the party...
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>In this tight battle for the Democratic nomination we've heard a lot about the candidates courting superdelegates.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>But, one superdelegate is courting the candidates. He says he'll sell his vote for a price. A very high price: $20 million.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Steven Ybarra of Sacramento says that eight-figure price is peanuts for the presidency
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Pay attention to how he came up with the amount of 20 million...