Bob Barr vs. Ralph Nader debate

[Blue Velvet]

Begins at 4:30 EDT today

The Libertarian candidate for president will face off with the independent candidate for president today in Ohio in an encounter focused on the economy. Pastor Chuck Baldwin, the Constitution Party's candidate, plans to show up, too.

C-SPAN also is taping for later broadcast "the first independently-organized debate of the season to include all presidential candidates who have a mathematical chance to win the election,'' as Barr puts it.

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/10/barr_v_nader_debate_of_the_sea.html

You can watch it here. (http://fms.uakron.edu/applications/city_club_of_cleveland/live.htm)

[CalBoy]

I think that this could prove very interesting.

If Barr does a decent job, he might rob McCain of enough votes to nudge Ohio, Indiana, North Dakota, and Montana to Obama.

[Blue Velvet]

The McCain campaign are definitely concerned about Montana. Ad buys have gone in there in the last couple of days. And they're now spending money on robocalls in Arizona of all places, while the Obama campaign is:

now seriously examining a late surge into the state. That may include ramping up TV advertising, on-the-ground staff or even deploying the candidate to stop there. Obama is scheduled to make a Western swing late this week, making an Arizona visit possible.

http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/sprinttotheoval/archive/2008/10/29/raising-arizona.aspx

It's like leaks are springing out everywhere in the dam.

[iShater]

It should always happen in my opinion. Cause some day, an independent will win the presidential race. :cool:

[CalBoy]

It's like leaks are springing out everywhere in the dam.

Indeed. I think the McCain ship has long been sinking, but now the mast has fallen, the rudder has broken off (although with the way his campaign has been erratic for some time, it's hard to judge when that happened :p), and all hands are abandoning ship.

I'm finally going to feel vindicated after 8 years. :o

[abijnk]

I wish independents were included in the presidential debates.

[IJ Reilly]

The McCain campaign are definitely concerned about Montana. Ad buys have gone in there in the last couple of days. And they're now spending money on robocalls in Arizona of all places, while the Obama campaign is:

I was in Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and was surprised to see at least as many Obama as McCain signs and bumper stickers (by my reckoning). Not that I think Obama has any serious chance of winning Arizona, but it was interesting.

[leekohler]

I wish independents were included in the presidential debates.

I believe they are if they can get on the ballot in a certain number of states.

[Peace]

One can always write in a candidate. If enough people really wanted one of these guys that's what they would do.

[ZiggyPastorius]

What time is this debate in EST? I'd really like to say I support Bob Barr...but his voting record just puts me off so much.

[IJ Reilly]

What time is this debate in EST? I'd really like to say I support Bob Barr...but his voting record just puts me off so much.

So what you're saying is, you wish you agreed with him on the issues?

[rdowns]

I was in Arizona a couple of weeks ago, and was surprised to see at least as many Obama as McCain signs and bumper stickers (by my reckoning). Not that I think Obama has any serious chance of winning Arizona, but it was interesting.

Well, the McCain campaign is using robo-calls in Arizona. THey must think it's pretty close.

[it5five]

Believe the robo-calls here in Arizona. I get ~5 robo-calls a day now. Today I was told that Obama is the most liberal senator, and votes with the party some percent of the time. Never mind McCain voting with Bush 95% of the time.

[IJ Reilly]

Well, the McCain campaign is using robo-calls in Arizona. THey must think it's pretty close.

Maybe, but it may also be state party money at work.

[it5five]

I think my latest one said it was paid for by the RNC, but I'm not completely sure. I will report back later after I get another.

[zap2]

Aww, missed it...hopefully it will pop up on youtube...

[mrkramer]

I believe they are if they can get on the ballot in a certain number of states.

Unfortunately they aren't. there are two ways for them to get in one is for them to be invited by a major party candidate like Ross Perot was or they have to be polling 15% in national polls that don't include them.

[geese]

Maybe, but it may also be state party money at work.

I do like seeing the republians in damage control mode. Obamas strategy of stretching out the republicans thinly is very interesting.