Sunday Roundup
posted at 2008-10-26 11:51 | Last modified 2008-10-26 15:15
They’re ba-a-a-ack
This week's dance card is filling up fast:
- GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin is holding a rally in Asheville tonight.
- Her Dem counterpart Joe Biden is in Greenville and Greensboro tomorrow.
- John McCain comes to Fayetteville Tuesday.
- On Wednesday, Michelle Obama will hold a rally in Rocky Mount and deliver remarks to the state Baptist convention in Fayetteville.
- The AP says Barack Obama is expected back on Wednesday, too, but no location has been announced.
What, no Hank Jr?
Palin’s event in Asheville tonight will feature country star Gretchen Wilson, singing her hit “Redneck Woman.” Palin says she’s a big fan; Wilson’s been stumping with her for the last few days. You can watch the speech live on WRAL.com at 7:00pm.
Roguish
CNN and Politico are both reporting that unnamed campaign insiders say Palin’s “going rogue” – disregarding her handlers, going off-message, talking to the press without approval. Palin supporters tell Politico she’s been mishandled, but (unnamed) McCain staffers tell CNN Palin’s a “diva.”
Waterloo?
Sen. John McCain was on Meet the Press this morning in Waterloo, Iowa. It was his first appearance on the show in nine months, and it didn’t go too well. He argued with moderator Tom Brokaw over poll numbers, and got testy over old clips showing him touting his support for President Bush and agreeing with higher taxes on the rich.
To be fair, I thought Brokaw went too far at times, like when he asked McCain whether Sarah Palin’s 150K wardrobe “wasn’t…a colossal mistake on the part of the RNC?” But after McCain got flustered when he couldn’t remember which former Secretaries of State had endorsed him, Brokaw seemed to back off and the interview got more friendly. See clips and etc. here.
NC ink:
W-SJ’s James Romoser offers a nice analysis of the Gov’s race, nine days out.
GN-R’s Mark Binker had an excellent piece on rising emotions on the campaign trail. Related: The AP says an Obama canvasser was assaulted in Caledonia, WI yesterday. The man accused of hitting her said they got into an argument and she wouldn’t leave his property.
McClatchy’s Barb Barrett reports North Carolina has more women seeking and holding public office than any other southeastern state. It’s an interesting story – check it out.
The N&O's Rob Christensen writes about a new book that claims late night comedians are making young voters cynical about politics and undercutting their interest in the system.
I haven’t read the book, but I’m not sure I agree with the premise. Political satire was around long before late night TV. And with young voters registering and voting in record numbers this year, how cynical can they be?
Otherwise:
Ticket-splitters: The N&O backs Obama for Prez, but endorses Pat McCrory for governor. Meantime, Gov. Sarah Palin’s hometown paper of record endorses her opponent. Ouch.
Train wreck: In one of the most ridiculous interviews of the season, a TV anchor in Orlando asks Joe Biden how Barack Obama is “not being a Marxist.” Good grief. Maybe she’s hoping for a job at Fox. Watch it here.
Just for fun: Couldn’t we just settle all this on the dance floor?
Comments? Drop me a line.


