by John McCormick
NASHVILLE - The media teams for Barack Obama and John McCain will be on cable television all afternoon and evening trying to set expectations for tonight's second presidential debate and then later spin the outcome.
The early view from the Obama camp was shared by David Axelrod, the campaign's top strategist, on a campaign charter flight here this afternoon.
"This is his preferred format," Axelrod started, referring to the town-hall style that has long been a favorite of the Republican nominee for campaign events.
"He wanted to do all these debates in a town hall format and we understand that," Axelrod said. "He's also signaled to his supporters that he's going to be very aggressive in this debate. He's going to take the gloves off and so on. I hope in the course of that he's also has time to speak to the state of our economy, which is in deep trouble right now...We're going to talk about that. We're going to talk about the issues that are important to the American people, but we're prepared for a very aggressive debate."
The top Obama spinner also tweaked the McCain campaign for its advertising, an Axelrod specialty.
"We're the campaign that is actually running positive ads," Axelrod said. "The McCain campaign doesn't even pretend to make a case for John McCain anymore. They're running all negative ads."
Axelrod said McCain is "desperately throwing lefts and rights, hoping to score a knockout because he thinks he's behind in the game."
But he said Obama and his campaign are not becoming overly confident because they are doing well in state and national polls.
"Obviously, we like the position that we're in, but we understand that we have to battle everyday," Axelrod said. "This is going to be a very, very pitched battle...If I took the polls to heart, I would have jumped off a tall building about a year ago when we were 30 points behind for the nomination."
And remember to buckle up your seat belt.
"It's going to be an active month and we're prepared for that," he said. "We're ready to deal with whatever comes."
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Comments
The Obama campaign has done a marvelous job of positioning themselves and striking the right notes with voters. In last week's vp debate Biden played it perfectly. He was respectful of Palin at all times and attacked McCain on his plans and let her words speak for themselves. I hope that tonight Obama speaks to the American people about the economy and what he proposes to do to get things going and to prevent another crisis, and that he vigorously defend himself against McCain's attacks.
Posted by: Quippy | October 7, 2008 3:52 PM
Whenever that sniveling little snake, Axelrod, pops up on my TV I'll be changing the channel. Every Illinoisan should remember that they're energy bills are more expensive today because of the lobbyist from ComEd/Exelon, David Axelrod.
Posted by: Jeff | October 7, 2008 3:56 PM
If Obama and the lobbyist, Axelrod, are so concerned about the economy then why, WHY won't Obama support an across-the-board spending freeze like McCain has?
Posted by: Jeff | October 7, 2008 3:58 PM
Every Illinoisan should remember that they're energy bills are more expensive today because of the lobbyist from ComEd/Exelon, David Axelrod.
Posted by: Jeff | October 7, 2008 3:56 PM
Is it mere coincidence that Bill Ayers' dad was CEO of ComEd/Exelon?
Posted by: Just Asking | October 7, 2008 4:13 PM
Again The Swamp just profiles the Obama camp.
Posted by: Shygirl | October 7, 2008 4:56 PM
Jeff, Where do you get your facts? McCain does not support an across the board freeze. He excluded the military, Social Security, Medicare and all other non-discretionary programs. His so called freeze would only affect less than 10% of government programs. You are wrong again.
Posted by: pd | October 7, 2008 5:58 PM
Posted by: Jeff | October 7, 2008 3:58 PM
Jeff, thanks for reminding us that Financial meltdown is due in part to Fannie Mae's chief lobbyist Rick Davis who is McCain's campaign manager. His company was taking money from them right up to the day Fannie Mae was bailed out.
BTW Jeff, Are McCain and the Fannie Mae lobbyist suggesting we should freeze unemployment spending at the same time unemployment is rising quickly? How about spending to aid the homeless at this time that homelessness is on the rise, is that being frozen?
"If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we're going to lose."
Posted by: K-Street | October 7, 2008 6:18 PM
The freeze wouldn't affect the entitlement programs and military spending. Everyone who doesn't understand that needs to read more. It would force our bloated government - and there's a LOT more than 10% left - to live within its means.
k, judging from McCain's warnings to stop Fannie and Freddie in 2005, Davis' business with them had absolutely zero effect on his public votes and attempts to rein in the GSEs. Judging by Obama's "present" vote and his public silence on Fannie and Freddie the more than $100,000 in campaign contributions that he PERSONALLY TOOK from Fannie and Freddie bought at least his silence.
p.s. Just like Axelrod, Davis is a full-time lobbyist when he's not running a campaign, what he does on his own time is not a reflection of McCain or his campaign. Unlike Obama, who personally took Fannie/Freddie campaign money.
Posted by: Jeff | October 8, 2008 12:41 PM