Barack Obama under fire for ignoring advice on how to beat John McCain

Telegraph ^ | September 13, 2008 | Tim Shipman

[Schnucki]

Barack Obama and his senior advisers are under fire for ignoring the advice of Democratic senators and governors who are concerned that they do not know how to beat John McCain.

The Democratic presidential candidate's slump in the polls has sparked pointed private criticism that he is squandering a once-in-a-generation chance to win back the White House.

Party elders also believe the Obama camp is in denial about warnings from Democratic pollsters that his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters - something that would put him a long way behind Mr McCain.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned that senators, governors and union leaders who have experience of winning hard-fought races in swing states have been bombarding Obamas campaign headquarters with telephone calls offering advice. But many of those calls have not been returned.

A senior Democratic strategist, who has played a prominent role in two presidential campaigns, told The Sunday Telegraph: "These guys are on the verge of blowing the greatest gimme in the history of American politics. They're the most arrogant bunch Ive ever seen. They won't accept that they are losing and they won't listen."

After leading throughout the year, Mr Obama now trails Mr McCain by two to three points in national polls.

Party leaders and commentators say that the Democrat candidate spent too much of the summer enjoying his own popularity and not enough defining his positions on the economy - the number one issue for voters - or reaching out to those blue collar workers whose votes he needs if he is to beat Mr McCain.

Others concede that his trip to Europe was a distraction that enhanced his celebrity status rather than his electability on Main Street, USA.

[Ann Archy]

He’s as substantial as his STYROFOAM COLUMNS!!!

[nobama08]

The world is sad but Americans are thrilled!

[Jeff Chandler]

Here's a video of one of their mettings: Barack Obama and his senior advisers.

[Always Right]

Too many chiefs. Obama provides no leadership.

[jessduntno]

What’s the big deal? Johmn Kerry and AlGore ran as their own man - between them - and that turned out OK.

[goldstategop]

Heh. The Bradley Effect and intensifying panic among the Democrats the Messiah doesn't have a clue on how to lift them all up to victory! I'm just enjoying myself here. WE GO THE MOJO! WE GOT THE MOJO! WE GOT THE MOJO!

"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

[FlingWingFlyer]

Party leaders and commentators say that the Democrat candidate spent too much of the summer enjoying his own popularity...

The Greek temple thing at the football stadium was a nice touch though. "It's good to be the king!"

[maggief]

Stand up, Chuck!

[Prole]

"They're the most arrogant bunch I've ever seen."

Ooooh, so you met Obama and his democrat thugs, did you?

Brilliant deduction, professor!!!!

[angelsonmyside]

“The Greek temple thing at the football stadium was a nice touch though. “It’s good to be the king!”

Or Queen for the day ;)

[xuberalles]

Such as having class & tact? They are all pathetic!

[maggief]

"They're the most arrogant bunch I've ever seen."

[JaguarXKE]

his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters.

But Democrats can't be racists...only us Republicans! This must be a typo.

[skeeter]

Party elders also believe the Obama camp is in denial about warnings from Democratic pollsters that his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters - something that would put him a long way behind Mr McCain.

Sure, and it was racism that accounted for the variance between the polls and the final vote tally when Kerry ran.

And Gore. And Clinton. And Dukakis...

[GVnana]

It's a little too early for smug confidence,

but RCP Average = McCain +2.3.

BWAHAHAHAHA!

[goldstategop]

"Pride goeth before a fall." No - not yet. The dad gum smart aleck fella needs to be taught a lesson in humility. He needs to LOSE!

"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

[SeaHawkFan]

Party elders also believe the Obama camp is in denial about warnings from Democratic pollsters that his true standing is four to six points lower than that in published polls because of hidden racism from voters - something that would put him a long way behind Mr McCain.

I don't think it is racism as much as people not wanting to be perceived as being racist. If Democratic Pollsters are telling Obama that the real numbers are 4-6% worse, it has to be discouraging to Obama, Biden and the big-money Democrat fund raisers.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I just got off a phone conference where Plouffe called Harry Reid a **** for referring to McCain as president.

Reid replied back "at least it took the heat off all of your **** ups from the last 2 weeks for a moment."

or, was that just in my dream...?? :oP

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

But it is a measure of his plight that the man who derailed the ambitions of Mrs Clinton, the most powerful woman in Democratic politics, now needs help from her husband to overcome the popularity of another alpha female who may be an even greater risk to his White House ambitions.

Ouch! That's gonna leave a big mark!