Daily Archives: 08/19/2008

(Community Matters) “George Bush’s record as a student, military man, businessman and leader of the free world is one of constant failure. And the part that troubles me most is he seems content with himself. He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens’ faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been.

I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him,” – Jack Cafferty, CNN.

Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan

(Community Matters) After lamenting with a friend how someone we were discussing was, unfortunately, stingy sharing credit and agreeing how this was holding her back, in a later conversation I admitted to another friend that it’s easy to be generous with credit and praise when we ourselves feel appropriately acknowledged and appreciated. so, first revelation was, wow, she must not be feeling enough acknowledgment or credit. Then of course is the bad side, acknowledgment, appreciation and recognition are like sugar, they can become addictive and one’s appetite keeps increasing.

Completely different thought, nevertheless in line with my belief that a sense of power should be added to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: In trying to understand senseless violence and apparently random rudeness, I’ve come to see these acts within the context of understanding (no, not excusing) how some go to drastic lengths to feel some sense of power, especially in completely disempowering worlds.

(Community Matters) One reason we might be seeing a closing of the gaps in key state polls is McCain’s outspending of Obama in media buys. According to Greg Sargent at TPM:

Iowa: McCain has spent roughly $700,000 more than Obama.

Missouri: McCain has spent roughly half a million more than Obama.

Ohio: McCain has spent approximately one million more than Obama.

Pennsylvania: McCain has spent roughly a million and a half more than Obama.

New Hampshire: Spending is about even.

New Mexico: McCain has spent approximately $300,000 more, and has outspent Obama by roughly two to one.

Nevada: McCain has outspent Obama by $800,000, also roughly two to one.

Missouri: McCain has spent $500,000 more than Obama.

Virginia: Obama has spent a million more than McCain, largely because Obama is advertising statewide while McCain is only up in the northern part of the state.

Wisconsin: McCain has spent roughly a half million more than Obama.

North Dakota: Obama has outspent McCain by around $170,000.

Gotta remember that McCain must spend the rest of his primary money before being declared the nominee at GOP convention. Since Obama has opted out of public funding, he can continue to spend primary dollars during the general. Also, of course, Obama is running a 50 state campaign. Finally, it’s heartening to know that even with McCain so significantly outspending Obama in media buys, our field operation far surpasses theirs. I’m not sure if the numbers still hold but a month or so ago McCain had 6 paid field organizers on the ground in Michigan, we had over 300.