John McCain, closing his Florida campaign today in bellwether Tampa -- in the county that has voted the way Florida has voted in every presidential election since the 1960s -- in a state which polls today call a toss-up. (AP photo by Chris O'Meara)
by Frank James
Adam Smith, the political editor for the St. Petersburg Times, was at a Sen. John McCain rally this morning in Tampa which he said was very poorly attended compared with a rally for President Bush four years ago.
"Maybe it's because it's Monday," he said on the Diane Rheem public-radio show this morning on his cell phone from the rally site. He said the McCain rally had about a thousand people while the Bush rally four years ago had about 15,000 people.
He hastened to add that he's not saying it's predictive of what the vote in the Tampa Bay area will be tomorrow. But it could be indicate a lack of excitement on the Republican side that could eat into Republican turnout tomorrow. Here's a posting he had up before the rally's start.
Comments
McCain excites racists and xenophobes. That's his base!
Posted by: McCain's Fanbase | November 3, 2008 11:40 AM
Given the fact that many of the McCain rallies today are at airports, this may turn out to be one of his bigger crowds.
Posted by: Karl | November 3, 2008 11:41 AM
Sometimes less, is more.
Posted by: vla | November 3, 2008 11:47 AM
"Sometimes less, is more"??? You’ve got to be kidding! Less, is not more when talking about the Electoral College.
Posted by: MMR | November 3, 2008 11:59 AM
Is this an example of the "Momentum" McCain claims to know all about? Unfortunately for McCain, when it comes to votes, quantity is MUCH more important than quallity.
Posted by: Op109 | November 3, 2008 12:11 PM
That's because they're all in line to vote for him.
Posted by: Ilfa | November 3, 2008 12:13 PM
Here's one for political junkies who are also sports nuts. In 17 of past 18 presidential races, the incumbent party retains the White House when the Redskins win their final home game before the election. Monday Night Football tonight is Steelers at Redskins. Who are you rooting for? And don't forget Chris Berman is supposed to interview the candidates tonight on ESPN. Maybe he will drop a nickname: www.sportsfanlive.com
Posted by: Calcat | November 3, 2008 6:43 PM
Looks like you "Got us right where you want us," Senator McCain.
Ilfa,
Early voting ended Sunday in Florida.
Posted by: Vegas | November 3, 2008 7:24 PM