HALPERIN’S TAKE: The Five Best Things That Just Might Come Out Of St. Paul for John McCain

The Page ^ | Sept. 5, 2008 | Mark Halperin

[cdchik123]

1. Base and independent voter enthusiasm from Palin pick and media bashing locks up most or all of the Red states – allowing McCain to focus on Michigan.

2. The negative frame on Obama –- not-ready elitist hippie –- was burned in –- or, at least, a significant foundation was laid down.

3. Donors and grassroots activists have permanently put aside their doubts about whether McCain can win –- at least through Election Day.

4. Questions about Palin’s vetting or qualifications for the job of vice president will be drowned out by the debates, etc.

5. The national press will cast the race for the foreseeable future as a virtual tie –- not Obama’s to lose.

[lookout88]

Just what we wanted

[goldstategop]

The GOP ticket can go into blue states like New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Play offense in the Democrats' bailiwick. The left liberal Democratic ticket will need to try to get Florida AND Ohio because without them, there is no combination of votes that gets them to 270.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[CatOwner]

Here it is, a Friday, and the main news items on ABCNews.com, CBSnews.com, CNN.com Yahoo, and Google are McCain, Palin, Hillary (to campaign against McCain and not Palin), and US-Libya relations (only MSNBC.com mention Obama as of this post).

Sounds like the mainstream media is trying to spare Obama a few days of negative press.

[Navy Patriot]

Halperin’s too smart by half, there's more than five, and one of the best is how Time and the MSM/DBM are going to continually shoot themselves and Obambi in the foot.

[Danae]

Game Set and Match - McCain

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Meanwhile, Barry will have to stretch out to the left in order to keep his base happy and enthused. But by doing so, he loses the swing states.

Meanwhile, McCain, by cutting ties to the GOP establishment without abandoning the base, can run as an outsider.

[Luke21]

The media got a black eye this week. They are on the defensive, as is their candidate. We are in good shape.

[Paleo Conservative]

The GOP ticket can go into blue states like New Hampshire, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Play offense in the Democrats' bailiwick. The left liberal Democratic ticket will need to try to get Florida AND Ohio because without them, there is no combination of votes that gets them to 270.

I was noticing Palin's accent during her acceptance speech. It should help her gain votes in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

[MNJohnnie]

Questions about Palin’s vetting

No one outside the DNC directed Media took this smear attack seriously. Despite the Establishment Media's daily hystericly desperate smear jobs, Palin's approval numbers went UP this week.

So as usual, the DNC Media has vastly overrated it's influence and importance. We remember you Marky, you are the clown who told the ABC staff they did not have to be balanced in how they reported Kerry Vrs Bush in 2004. We have seen how you Establishement media clowns cordinate your coverage with the DNC. We are not fooled.

[Cyber Liberty]

Yeah, I noticed that. Sounds almost like some of those Ice Road Truckers....

[stripes1776]

Meanwhile, McCain, by cutting ties to the GOP establishment without abandoning the base, can run as an outsider.

Brilliant. And just a few days ago that GOP establishment was complaining that McCain had exercised bad judgment in picking Palin. We see now who has the bad judgment and has exercising that bad judgment for the past 8 years.

[goldstategop]

The Nicholas Sarkozy strategery.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[bigbob]

They missed the biggest one IMHO - that Sarah Palin gives the GOP some hope for 2012 and beyond. Our bench was pretty much empty.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Well, actually she was even more specific than that:

Obviously, by talking “hockey mom” instead of the stereotyped “soccer mom” she pulled every hockey fan across the north, and tripped up the media in every other state. (Hockey is going to pull at least a few Pittsburgh fans in a way that “soccer mom” never could.) This change alone forces the talking heads to think and talk at the same time. Almost impossible.

Likewise with the “snowmachine” designation: This gets the ice fishing crowd by being specific about winter sports, NASCAR (racing) and their world - without bringing up “elite” toys like their private floatplane.

Her other examples (by state name) included Pennsylvania, Ohio (three times), Wisconsin, and Michigan. WV?

As a Texan and Georgian, I'm irritated she didn't pander to the southern states.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Base and independent voter enthusiasm from Palin pick and media bashing locks up most or all of the Red states – allowing McCain to focus on Michigan.

I wouldn't be so quick to say that. NM, NH, VA are trouble spots, though I think VA will tip our way.

I disagree about MI too. Too many normal people have left. The only ones who stay are the entrenched Dems. PA is the sweet spot. Go PAlin Go!! :D

[loungeSerf]

I agree. Sarah Palin, even if we lose (God forbid), sets us up to win in 2012. And I must not forget Bobby Jindal.

[SaxxonWoods]

6. When you open a can of whoop-a$$, Sarah Palin jumps out.

7. Sarah Palin could have made Liberace straight.

[chris_bdba]

Only problem there is that those us us in the swing states have access to YOUtube now and we get to see what he’s already said to the loons! ;)

[Paleo Conservative]

I agree. Sarah Palin, even if we lose (God forbid), sets us up to win in 2012. And I must not forget Bobby Jindal.

Unless BHO gets the Constitution changed to make him President for Live like his friend Hugo.