That advertisement will be shown in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia (all Republican states in 2004 that Mr. Obama is contesting aggressively this time) and Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, (Democratic states four years ago that Mr. McCain is trying to win over).

Notably absent from that list: Indiana, Montana, North Dakota. Looks like the Republicans are pretty confident about holding those states. Let's hope they're over-confident.

Can't remember the PBS commentator who said it after the RNC convention, "Obama is in the fight of his life." And no one should doubt it. Reps been selling us on the benefits of helping the rich for thirty years, while dumping security programs, and they've gotten elected on that platform. They must know what they're doing.

For what it's worth...I'm in Duval county, Fl and folks it doesn't get any redder that it does here.  To date I have yet to see any McCain yard signs when traditionally they are out by mid August and I have not seen the first McCain bumper sticker when in 04 easily 7 out of 10 cars had at least a "W" sticker.  The only thing I have seen is one "No Obama in 08" bumper sticker.  That's it. And during the last two weeks I've purposly taken extra time to drive through the parking lots and check the cars.

I've quizzed my children and some friends who all commute into different areas of town and they have seen a couple of Obama stickers, but no one has seen a single McCain sticker or yard sign.

My husband is retired Navy and I've checked cars on base as well as in the off base Exchange and Commissary parking lots!  Nada.  

Additionaly, in the Times Union I'm seeing a 50/50 split on letters to the editor.  I've lived here 28 years and usually see only two or three left leaning letters per month during a national election.  

I know it's unofficial, but it's awfully hard for me not to get a little giddy...

So when can we run the "Celebrity" ad and substitute Palin for Obama?

Thousands of enthusiastic supporters greeted them at an airport rally in Colorado Springs, where the crowd waved a sea of flags and chanted "Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.

Whoever heard of a candidate riding his VP's coattails to victory?  Seriously, has that ever happened before?

Saw the ad during Meet The Press. My how these people disgust me. Says that the Dems will cause "painful" tax increases, soaring deficits (oh yeah - guess who brought us those) and ends with a picture of McCain that only a person kneeling at his feet and looking up would see!

We always forget how easily they lie.

The same old red-meat ads, the same base rally.

I said, the moment they nominated her, for the base, it WOULD be the Sarah Palin crusade.

This is NO LONGER about McCain for any of them.

A REAL Religious Right ideoluge instead of fake one like Bush.

See, just when you think it can't, things CAN get worse.

The greatest sin at that moment is the arrogance of the Republics in hiding Ms Palin out to shield her from the press.

Is the press going to call them out on it?

Or continue to hail her "as a masterful choice" for the Republics?

McCain is historically very popular here and I see many more McCain signs than Obama signs. I think that not only does McCain have a good chance here, but I'm also concerned with Paul Hodes house seat. Much work to do here! I hope Obama isn't taking NH for granted.

ads should be aired by Democrats to highlight the fraud of Republican fiscal policies.  They should be held accountable for running government with borrowed money while proclaiming how they can do it without raising taxes.  Funding public sector goods and services requires paying for them with either tax revenues or borrowed money.  Republicans chose the latter to trumpet their disdain for the former.  Obama should frame it as a tax on the future while lying about their fiscal abilities.  Borrow and squander should be one of the main points that Democrats make to replace Republicans.

If you look at this map:

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2004/Pr es/Maps/Sep07.html

you will see that in 2004 we were contesting the same states Obama is now contesting- AND we were ahead in Tennessee and almost tied in Arkansas.  The only difference is that now Obama is more solid in many many states (thank God)- including Penn, MN,WI, and IA.  Kerry was more solid in NV (although he wound up losing that one!).  What I'm saying is that the swing states were the same (with the addition of a couple Kerry had in play that Obama does not). The only new states possibly put "in play" (MT, ND) are offset by the LACK of MS, ARK, and TN.  Again, we're talking about "at this time" in 2004- not what ultimately happened. Obama is just further ahead right now than Kerry was at the same time.

I just don't buy this argument that the "map is different".  It sounds good- but the facts don't back it up.

Sorry.

I live in VA. I was fortunate to vote for Mark Warner when he ran for governor in 2001. I also voted for Kaine, Webb, and Obama in the primaries. I sure hope that the base gets fired up and voters in Northern VA turn out in large numbers to vote for Obama. McCain can probably count on the military vote even though many in the military are cautious about his plans to be in Iraq for the next 100 years. I hope all those people who pull the lever for Warner also pull the lever for Obama.

For the forces of evil, this may actually be a wise strategic move if it helps shore up the McCain/Palin ticket in national polls.  Sure, the winner is selection by the Electoral College, but those activist and fundraisers who obsess over the daily polls (such as me and many of you) live and die with each rise and fall of the standing of their candidate.  In 2000, George Bush purchased national advertising which many considered to be wasteful and non-strategic, but it pulled him closer to Al Gore and created momentum for his campaign.  With this in mind, it is could be wise for a candidate to invest a little in their base states to pump up their national numbers in order to gain or maintain national momentum.  It won't be known until after the election, when we can retroactively analyze each strategic, operational and tactical move, whether this expenditure decision was wise.

Barr threatening "serious legal consequences" about ballot in TX-

Someone may have to Pen in TEXAS... as a write in play!!!!!!!!!!

Although I'm not voting for Barr he appears to be on SOLID ground with the Texas law

http://campaign.blog.bobbarr2008.com/200 8/09/04/in-texas-the-evidence-is-clear

It's going to be a traditional race, with the GOP focusing on its red-state base and hitting hard in the swing states.

Obama shouldn't focus much time or effort in trying to "convert" red states.  Its a strategy best left to a re-election campaign when Dems are dealing from a position of strength and success.

Focus on shoring up the blue state base and winning the swing states.