Um, what?

The other thing I noticed is that through three debates, Obama's position on the issues always seemed consistent and clear. McCain's haven't seemed that way...

I can't speak for all the networks, but I watched CNN for every debate. After every single one of them, the pundits would basically say it was a draw - except for the few that blantantly support one candidate. I always wondered if they watched the same debate that I did... and then the poll numbers would come out, and I'd realize that THEY were the crazy ones, and I had scored it the right way. I should be a pundit!

And for some reason, the Republican base cares only about Ayers. They are the most out of touch of them all. They actually believed that encouraging McCain to be MORE negative, more angry, and more bitter was going to turn this thing around for him.

One of the candidates he eliminated, long-shot contender Gha-is Askia, now says that Obama's petition challenges belied his image as a champion of the little guy and crusader for voter rights.

"Why say you're for a new tomorrow, then do old-style Chicago politics to remove legitimate candidates?" Askia said. "He talks about honor and democracy, but what honor is there in getting rid of every other candidate so you can run scot-free? Why not let the people decide?"

I think McCain won.
- Joe the Plumber

Yeah, I listen to Fox Radio quite a bit and all of those blowhards - Limbaugh, Hannity, Laura Ingrahm, etc.. - have been begging McCain to go with the Ayers line since day 1. They said that Ayers was an issue that the mainstream media was suppressing, but if McCain wasn't such a wuss, and would just sock Obama on this, it would bring his campaign down... they were sure of it!

I guess I can see McCain trying it in desperation, but what I can't figure out is that it CLEARLY didn't work at all. A brain damaged drunken monkey could see that a week ago. So, why in hell is his campaign still going down that road? I can't for the life of me figure out what's going on with the McCain campaign.

Out of touch. From The Corner:

[Kathryn Jean Lopez]
I just don't get any of the insta polls, which seem to give it to Obama.

I finally agree with K.Lo on something. She doesn't get it.

mccain looked something was getting inserted into his asshole

Unfortunately, the national media has had a field day with Joe, almost universally reporting that he is an uncommitted voter, even though he doesn't make the same claim. He certainly is a nice little story for them, but it's a story they might want to ask some questions about, especially now that they've invited a relative unknown to appear on the morning shows.

For starters, according to Ben Smith, he's not registered to vote. It's hard to believe that this could be the case; it seems likely that there is some sort of clerical error. For example, his name could be mispelled as Worzelbacher instead of Wurzelbacher in the Lucas County file. (Update: Ben Smith notes that appears to be exactly what happened. 'Joe' appears to be a registered Republican under the name of Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher. Also, earlier today at a press conference, Wurzelbacher said he originally registered with the Natural Law Party.)

It also seems odd that he just happens to be buying a business that would earn exactly the amount of money that would qualify it to be a McCain campaign talking point -- $250,000. Even more intriguing, McCain-land said they had never spoken with Joe before, but also made the following statement to Ben, the McCain campaign says they never contacted Joe the Plumber...but they also had his phone number. Now it's very possible someone in the media gave them his phone number, but if you can find any listing for Joe Wurzelbacher in Holland, Ohio, you're more industrious than I am.

The last thing that struck me as odd was that when talking with Katie Couric, Joe was totally on message for McCain (except the part where he said that he had already made up his mind on who he was voting for).

Bottom-line: it's not entirely clear what the real story of Joe The Plumber is. But it is entirely clear that he's not just some undecided voter. He supports McCain, and the McCain campaign sure seems to support him.

This wouldn't be a story worth mentioning if the media wasn't so excited to put him on all the morning shows, but since they are, they have a responsibility to get the story right. So far, there's little indication that they will.

I can't speak for all the networks, but I watched CNN for every debate. After every single one of them, the pundits would basically say it was a draw - except for the few that blantantly support one candidate. I always wondered if they watched the same debate that I did... and then the poll numbers would come out, and I'd realize that THEY were the crazy ones, and I had scored it the right way. I should be a pundit!