As for the polls, what looked like a boring night next tuesday, is shaping up to be a very interesting night. The polls are tightening in both the Presidential race, and many Congressional and Senatorial races, and next tuesday might be very interesting.
The polls aren't tightening as much as people are making it out. It's been more flat, especially in the "swing states." fivethirtyeight.com
Investor's Business Daily, who's daily tracking and final polling was the most accurate in the 2004 election, has been tracking a 3 to 4 point difference between the candidates...currently they are predicting Obama 47.7%, McCain 43.6%, Not Sure 8.7%.
The key in all polling is how you re-distribute and weigh the undercounts (i.e. first time voters, the youthful cell-phoners, the mature never-answers), and how you assign and allocate the non-confirmed (not sure's, undecided, won't say, minor party candidates). All the pollsters have different rules for assigning, distributing and classifying this third group, and that explains some of the pollster divergences.
Investor's Business Daily doesn't attempt to project or classify this late-decider group, who have a tendency to swing en masse in the final days (towards Vice-President Gore in 2000, for President Bush in 2004). The key poll, outside of Tuesday, will be the Monday poll which indicates how this 8.7% late-decider group has swung over the weekend. And there will be saturation advertising by both parties over the weekend to help guide these late deciders.
This election is much closer than the lazier-thinking amongst the bandwagon-riding media would have us all think. For instance, recent polls by different pollsters in Pennsylvania show a 12-14 widening point spread vs. a 3-4 tightening point spread.
The only thing I would safely project is that, sadly, Mr. Nader will not win any electoral votes...as he has done so many times over his distinguished career of public service, he shall have to settle for yet another moral victory.
I have enormous respect for people who walk the talk and do their civic duty in casting their secret ballot.
I have diminishing patience with those who endlessly complain, grandstand and pontificate, yet always have excuses and diversions when it comes to registering and/or bothering to cast a ballot. Remember, even a spoiled (a handwritten 'none of the above') or no-option-electronically-selected ballot is counted as a vote cast.
So make sure to vote. This election, all elections, are important.
I do agree that Obama has run a smart campaign -- it was one of my biggest gripes against Kerry and Gore (both of whom ran stupid campaigns).
And both of whom could have been good Presidents--but not exceptional ones, I am increasingly inclined to believe. Obama could be exceptional.
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And yes, I have personally argued in the past that how a candidate runs a campaign is a bellweather for their Presidency. So by that metric, yes, Obama is more qualified than McCain to be President (see? was that so hard?).
Personally, I thought that was too obvious to mention--sorry.
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My main problem with Obama is the fact that he's been running for President since he was elected to the Senate.
And my problem with Hillary is that she didn't run in 2004, when we could have used her. A long career in the Senate is the worst possible platform to base a Presidential campaign on. You have to make too many votes that can be used against you, and you lose touch with the rest of the country--McCain has suffered greatly from both these afflictions.
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That sort of blind ambition concerns me.
That sort of uninformed rhetoric bores me.
He RAN for the Presidency. He's just as qualified now as Lincoln was when he ran as a compromise candidate (and Lincoln fully admitted in his correspondence that he was ambitious, and wanted to be President). He didn't do what Sarah Palin did--she courted the rightwing to get in the running to be the VP of a 72 year old man. Obama put himself out there, made the arguments, proved his ability. And it's McCain's ambition that has proven to be blind--and all consuming. He forgot all about us. Picking Palin proves that.
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Michelle said in her convention speech that it has been a tough 'nineteen months'. NINETEEN MONTHS? He'd only been a Senator for 24 months before that! He doesn't even qualify for a pension.
So now a government pension is a qualification for the Presidency?
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8, maybe 12 years from now I wouldn't have had these concerns about Obama.
And Obama wouldn't have had a chance of winning then. Take a look at our past Presidents--look for the ones who got there without being someone's VP, or a governor, or Secretary of State. It basically comes down to JFK.
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But they are real and valid concerns for me today. I agree with Hillary on this issue.
But she doesn't agree with you. Not anymore. The Clintons are onboard. Feel free to join us.
I have diminishing patience with those who endlessly complain, grandstand and pontificate, yet always have excuses and diversions when it comes to registering and/or bothering to cast a ballot. Remember, even a spoiled (a handwritten 'none of the above') or no-option-electronically-selected ballot is counted as a vote cast.
So make sure to vote. This election, all elections, are important.
Dumont, do you think you could see your way clear to endorsing McCain?
Your country needs you, man. It needs your uncanny powers. Make the sacrifice.
Now, a new Daily Game for the upcoming November 2008 Sweeps!
Just guess one or more of your selected program's final 18-49 demographic before each night at 7:00 PM Eastern time. Also, you can play multiple nights so you won't have to miss any of the 28 nights of sweeps programming. And, it's just as simple as the regular PIFC Daily Game! Play right now! (click on the sweeps game logo on the left or below)
Let's see if not only can we get 30, but 40 players, for this game.
Walter, pisher, Milcus, ChrTh, GMYERS, spotupj, Jay, JimmyU, TVGroupie, tvismyjob, Bluelick, meggie, JoeM, SciFi Lover, trebek, channelserf, AL, mushu_jj, mik, Twins12, SW, Marc Berman, TV-Fanatic, Gleebo, Justin, Riff Rafferty, saraday, jolliese, himymfan22, patrick555, Tamaleobas, jasonj263, Jayhawk, RoyBoyCF, nyctvdramaqueen, brent88, Elvis Bus, gdfriends, Holly, Julie, Lost_Dom, mytwocents, robert, EvWill, TOTP, PennNova, A.C., weaklink75, DEMOS, American Gothic, tvratingsjunkie, VitorFernando, Shi Zamoria, College Basketball Fan, ragincajun, Cobo and some of the more common players, yankeesrj12, fangs1972, Obveeus, TV-aholic, tvfan300, WlcmLAPD, Zedman2, xwiseguyx, dumont, Ammit, MCMLXXIX, lopez, vlis, exmalibu, CaseyM, TVScott... and any other members that read this, PLAY the Game. Play the Games (just click any game logo in this post). Lets get those individual Market ratings for the past 3 weeks! (thanks, tvfan300!)
Which OVERRATED programs of 2009-10 will make up the Futile Four? Vote now! April 8, 2010 PIFC Daily Game features the return of Tiger Woods to PGA Golf! Play now!
Originally posted by Marc Berman: I like Old Christine...look forward to it every week.
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Originally posted by Riff Rafferty:
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Originally posted by WlcmLAPD: That's not true. But it's nice to know you spend time out of your day reading all my posts. I'm honored.
I read all the posts in the Last Night's Results forum. Of course, it's hard to miss yours, what, when you're responsible for every third one.
Changing the subject, how tacky of CBS to shove "Old Christine" into "Gary Unmarried's" time slot. If I wanted to watch "Christine," I think I was perfectly capable of waiting until next week for it. Even though I didn't want to watch it, I did watch 10 minutes of it -- more than enough to boldly declare that this is the most poorly-produced sitcom on network television. If the production values were any lower, they'd have to move it to the Disney Channel. The cinematography is BAD. Every shot is basked in white, ghosty haze. They had a scene at... I guess it was supposed to be a video store, and the set looked like it was made of cardboard and plastic. Is Julia's salary the entire budget for this show or what? And, more importantly, how is it a show in its fourth season can be this inept?
Obama should've waited a cuple more decades, right?
Back in 2004 those who understand a little of the political world pointed Obama as a possible candidate in 2008, they knew what they were talking about. I'm glad we'll finally have a president that comes form the senate and not another governor. Everyone is pointing fingers at the House and Senate, but trust me, the big corruption takes place in the state governing branch of power
Originally posted by yankeesrj12: Pushing Daisies numbers are almost similar to Eli Stone's numbers, and PD has no lead it. Perhaps ABC should give PD one shot behind DWTS. If it completley fails, I would shut up about it.
Or, they could/should cancel it. I gave the pilot a try and thought it was cheesy, pretentious fluff - a shame since I really do like Bryan Fuller's writing... his Heroes episode "Company Man" was my favorite of the series.
What's worse are its fans who bellow on about how "brilliant" it is- if it was so brilliant it would actually have ratings, and everyone would enjoy it.
I think PD is one of those shows where you either love it or you are put off by it - and judging from the ratings, most people are in the "put off" column. A new timeslot won't fix that. Wednesdays at 8 offer very little serious competition, so if it can't "win" there, I don't think it can make it anywhere.
All of this preaching about its wonderfulness and "I won't watch ABC again if it's canceled" etc. reminds me of Veronica Mars... yeah, because it was SO stupid for the CW to cancel a series that wasn't pulling 2 million viewers. *eyeroll*
PIFC Daily Game Final Results for Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The 426th Daily Game awarded Jason1977 a 3rd Gold Medal - in a 32 player field.
Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown drew 10.38 million viewers and a 3.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.
For complete Medal count and winners, visit the PIFC Daily Game Medal Site. There, you will view all-time winners, current medal standings and Daily Game milestones.
For complete Medal count and winners, visit the PIFC Daily Game Medal Site. There, you will view all-time winners, current medal standings and Daily Game milestones.
Dumont, not voting it's democratic political option. I didn't vote in 2004 cause both Bush and Kerry made me sick. I made a deliberate choice and i stand by it. So who thinks both McCain and Obama aren't good enough for the job is entitled to stay home, and yes to complain
It is amazing how no one won the $ 1 million for the first two or three seasons, and now they have given it away twice already in the beginning of this season.
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Originally posted by tvfan300: DOND has worn out its welcome. And now the fact that they are trying to give away the million just cheapens the show.
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Originally posted by Twins12: The reason DOND got a big boost in the last half hour was because someone won $ 1 million. It should have been much higher.
ANTM suffered, because lots of African Americans watched Obama instead of ANTM, which I believe skews to that demographic group.
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Originally posted by mushu_jj: Yeesh! Aside from Pushing Daisies, it looks like almost everything was down last night. CM and CSI:NY went tumbling. PP saw drops but at least still grew from lead in (and had one of its better episodes), Top Model was clearly hurt by Barack, DSM finished behind PD (blame Barack and baseball for that one), and Stylista is officially a bomb.
One should note the growth for DOND throughout its half hours though. Still, topping out at a 2.8 isn't all that impressive.
Originally posted by robert: Obama should've waited a cuple more decades, right?
Back in 2004 those who understand a little of the political world pointed Obama as a possible candidate in 2008, they knew what they were talking about. I'm glad we'll finally have a president that comes form the senate and not another governor. Everyone is pointing fingers at the House and Senate, but trust me, the big corruption takes place in the state governing branch of power
My problem with governors is that they're used to having all the power of government consolidated in the office. Then they get to the Presidency, and say, wait a second ... I had more power running a state! That can't be right! Expand my power! (This applies to both parties). So yes, agreed.
@pisher: re:Hillary: Obama doesn't have Hillary. He never had Hillary. Oh sure, she'll say the right things and look like she's supporting him, but right now, the biggest impediment to a second Clinton presidency isn't McCain, it's Obama.
Hillary and Bill are the savviest political couple of our generation. You think Hillary didn't know it'd become a general election issue when she made her comments about Obama's experience vis-a-vis McCain and herself? Yes, they'll stand up at the convention and pledge their support, and yes now and again they'll make an appearance for Obama.
But Hillary wants Obama to lose. McCain knows it, and Obama knows it. Now *that's* blind ambition.
... it's just a lot more fun when the Clintons are involved. As the bumper sticker says: I Miss Bill.
Posts: 249 | Location: High Point, NC | Registered: 21 April 2008
Originally posted by robert: Dumont, not voting it's democratic political option. I didn't vote in 2004 cause both Bush and Kerry made me sick. I made a deliberate choice and i stand by it. So who thinks both McCain and Obama aren't good enough for the job is entitled to stay home, and yes to complain
You never should stay home. Election day isn't just about the Presidency. It's about school board members and county commissioners and soil and water conservation officials (seems like that position is always up for election around here).
If you don't want to vote for the President, that's fine. But you have to vote for the officials that matter to your community. Otherwise, you're not a part of your community. And that's just wrong.
Posts: 249 | Location: High Point, NC | Registered: 21 April 2008
Originally posted by robert: Dumont, not voting it's democratic political option. I didn't vote in 2004 cause both Bush and Kerry made me sick. I made a deliberate choice and i stand by it. So who thinks both McCain and Obama aren't good enough for the job is entitled to stay home, and yes to complain
You never should stay home. Election day isn't just about the Presidency. It's about school board members and county commissioners and soil and water conservation officials (seems like that position is always up for election around here).
If you don't want to vote for the President, that's fine. But you have to vote for the officials that matter to your community. Otherwise, you're not a part of your community. And that's just wrong.
I was talking about the presidential election. And anyway staying home is just as legitamate for community elections as well. Not voting IS a democratic choice.
My problem with governors is that they're used to having all the power of government consolidated in the office. Then they get to the Presidency, and say, wait a second ... I had more power running a state! That can't be right! Expand my power! (This applies to both parties). So yes, agreed.
I don't agree--being a governor can be good or bad--it depends on the person. Being a Senator can be good or bad--ditto. Qualifications for a job only 43 people have held since 1789 are not easy to quantify. You want somebody who has some significant experience working with people in government, sure--a complete newbie is never a good idea. But some people learn faster than others, and some never really learn at all. Going by his resume, Lincoln should have been one of the most ineffective Presidents ever. He wasn't even a Senator--he lost to Stephen Douglas. But people looked at what he'd said in those debates, and there was just a vision there, a restless intelligence, a pragmatism mingled with deepset personal convictions. They took a chance--and here we are, all these years later, getting ready to elect a black man President, and the descendent of slaves First Lady. Change happens, man. You can't stop it--you can work with it.
Obama has shown a staggering learning curve--there are things that can't be taught. And there are things that can be learned outside of government--he learned as an activist and oragnizer that there was a limit to what activists and organizers could do, as long as their government was working AGAINST them, and FOR a handful of people with power and money.
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pisher: re:Hillary: Obama doesn't have Hillary. He never had Hillary. Oh sure, she'll say the right things and look like she's supporting him, but right now, the biggest impediment to a second Clinton presidency isn't McCain, it's Obama.
There is no second Clinton Presidency. That dream is gone. She knows that. There'll be a woman President, but it won't be her (and I don't think it'll be Palin either). She gave it her best, and Barack was better. She's not the right person for the job. She proved that when she blew all the immense advantages she had, going into this thing. If Chelsea wants to try in a few decades, I'll give her a look.
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Hillary and Bill are the savviest political couple of our generation.
Of their generation, maybe--but Barack and Michelle happen to be MY generation. I was born the same year as him.
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You think Hillary didn't know it'd become a general election issue when she made her comments about Obama's experience vis-a-vis McCain and herself? Yes, they'll stand up at the convention and pledge their support, and yes now and again they'll make an appearance for Obama.
They already have, PUMA-man. They are realists, and they have gotten over it. And we have forgiven them for lingering in the spotlight a mite too long.
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But Hillary wants Obama to lose. McCain knows it, and Obama knows it. Now *that's* blind ambition.
Okay, you're the same person who was just accusing me of making unsubstantiated statements?
Originally posted by lopez: Monday, December 8 8:00 PM A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS 9:00PM-11:00PM BOSTON LEGAL
Well at least the series finale will have a decent lead in. Hopefully it can pull 12 to 13 million and a decent demo too. This show deserves a nice send off. In fact, depending on whether or not new Housewives and Greys airs in December, it may be one of ABC's highest rated events for the whole month.
