Two Good 8/8 News Articles
Race Is In Holding Pattern For Now
But After the Games Come the Conventions
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, August 10, 2008; Page A06
The opening round of the general-election campaign between Barack Obama and John McCain has produced memorable images, negative ads, snarling e-mails and pointed exchanges over war, the economy and energy. What it has not done is begin to resolve questions among voters that both candidates must address to win in November.
Amid a profusion of polls and a war of words and television commercials, the underlying dynamics of the election appear little changed in the two months since the primaries ended. Democrat Obama still faces reservations among voters about his background and readiness. Republican McCain still faces questions about whether he has a governing vision that represents a clear break from the policies of President Bush.
With the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday, the campaign has entered a two-week doldrums. But once the Beijing Games are over, Obama and McCain will retake center stage. In rapid succession, they will announce running mates, choreograph their nominating conventions and deliver acceptance speeches to what are likely to be the largest audiences they will reach until the fall debates.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/09/AR2008080900801.html
McCain, Obama Florida machines get cranking
By Adam C. Smith,
Times Political Editor
In print: Sunday, August 10, 2008
LARGO — Unemployed Palm Harbor resident George Riley may be among the most important and overlooked political figures in Florida these days.
“Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the Florida Republican Party and John McCain,'' the 27-year-old said, hunched over a stack of papers one night last week with a cell phone pressed to his cheek.
"Currently in the race for president, do you support John McCain, Barack Obama, or are you undecided? John McCain? Okay.''
He filled in a bubble on a pre-printed sheet and prepared to dial again. In the mid-Pinellas office with seven other phone bank volunteers, Riley is volunteering at least 20 hours a week to help McCain mobilize Florida voters.
It's a good thing too, because a lot of Republicans have been getting antsy. Amid the growing visibility of a huge Obama campaign under way in this must-win state for McCain, loyal Republicans have been waiting for signs of life on their side.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article764880.ece
But After the Games Come the Conventions
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, August 10, 2008; Page A06
The opening round of the general-election campaign between Barack Obama and John McCain has produced memorable images, negative ads, snarling e-mails and pointed exchanges over war, the economy and energy. What it has not done is begin to resolve questions among voters that both candidates must address to win in November.
Amid a profusion of polls and a war of words and television commercials, the underlying dynamics of the election appear little changed in the two months since the primaries ended. Democrat Obama still faces reservations among voters about his background and readiness. Republican McCain still faces questions about whether he has a governing vision that represents a clear break from the policies of President Bush.
With the opening of the Olympic Games on Friday, the campaign has entered a two-week doldrums. But once the Beijing Games are over, Obama and McCain will retake center stage. In rapid succession, they will announce running mates, choreograph their nominating conventions and deliver acceptance speeches to what are likely to be the largest audiences they will reach until the fall debates.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/09/AR2008080900801.html
McCain, Obama Florida machines get cranking
By Adam C. Smith,
Times Political Editor
In print: Sunday, August 10, 2008
LARGO — Unemployed Palm Harbor resident George Riley may be among the most important and overlooked political figures in Florida these days.
“Hi, I'm calling on behalf of the Florida Republican Party and John McCain,'' the 27-year-old said, hunched over a stack of papers one night last week with a cell phone pressed to his cheek.
"Currently in the race for president, do you support John McCain, Barack Obama, or are you undecided? John McCain? Okay.''
He filled in a bubble on a pre-printed sheet and prepared to dial again. In the mid-Pinellas office with seven other phone bank volunteers, Riley is volunteering at least 20 hours a week to help McCain mobilize Florida voters.
It's a good thing too, because a lot of Republicans have been getting antsy. Amid the growing visibility of a huge Obama campaign under way in this must-win state for McCain, loyal Republicans have been waiting for signs of life on their side.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article764880.ece
