Does Obama Help McCain in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire has an open primary. Independents are allowed to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primaries. Barack Obama benefited from independents in Iowa and he's expected to benefit again in New Hampshire. John McCain's victory in 2000 is attributed to his ability to attract independents then. McCain's opposition to Bush tax cuts, his support for campaign finance reform and his support for immigration reform all are more likely to appeal to independents than the Republican base. So, you'd think John McCain needs to compete with Barack Obama to get independents to vote in the Republican primary, not the Democratic primary, right?
Not if you listen to William McKenzie of The Dallas Morning News. If you can follow his logic, Obama helps McCain by drawing away independent voters, freeing McCain from the "burden" of having to attract independent voters. Does this make sense to anyone else? Does Romney really do better than McCain with independents? I don't see it myself.
Wingers' Dilemma
Tara Ross, regular winger contributor to Dallas Blog, reveals just how pitiful a fix Republicans find themselves in this year with their choice of Presidential candidates. She reviews each, finding fatal flaw after fatal flaw. Huckabee is an "unmitigated disaster." Romney can't be trusted as to who he really is. Thompson would have been the man if everyone else didn't find him to be "lazy." McCain is not a "true" conservative. Paul can't be taken seriously. That leaves a cross-dressing, gun controlling, sanctuary city mayor who doesn't share Texas' values but just might leave Texas alone. If only "his personal life were less of a mess."
Vote Rudy 2008. Because There's No Good, Viable Alternative.
Godtalk in Iowa
Jeffrey Weiss of The Dallas Morning News' religion blog noticed something missing from all the speeches after the Iowa caucuses -- namely, any God talk.
The explanation lies in the election calendar. The speeches were given AFTER the Iowa caucuses. They were directed at New Hampshire, not Iowa. Religion will be much less a factor in New Hampshire. And it was never a factor in the Democratic race anyway. In fact, only Mike Huckabee ever made religion a central focus of his campaign. And it's in Huckabee's interest to downplay religion for four or five days, until after the New Hampshire primary. He can go back to airing commercials with crosses in the background once he gets to South Carolina.
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