A bi-monthly New Mexico paper has taken a leap of faith to move past a conservative endorsement of a presidential candidate and declare a winner one week ahead of the election.
In its latest edition that covers the election, the editors decided to print a huge banner headline that reads: "Obama Wins!"
As reported by CNN Chief National Correspondent John King on the blog politicalticker..., the liberal leaning alternative newspaper ended by imploring its readers to get out and vote, “even if we did spoil the ending for you.”
"When it comes to calling the winner of a presidential election, everyone wants to be first. The New Mexico Sun News hereby claims that achievement," said the paper's editors.
The result may either be the scoop of the century or an authentic piece of U.S. political history that joins the ranks of the "Dewey Beats Truman" papers.
10.28.2008
Newspaper Says 'Obama Wins' One Week Early
10.24.2008
Interactive Video Pushes Reasons to Get Out the Vote
The folks at MoveOn.org have found a unique way to motivate voters through a customizable video. Their adjunct Web site promotes a news video inside the shell of a pseudo-news site called cnnbcvideo that looks and feels like a real news site. (Watch video)
Adverstised as a fun and memorable way to show others what might happen if they don't vote, the technology plugs their name into a formatted video that contains a riveting message. It's only through the customized video that the PAC makes their point.
When the message arrives in the inbox, or junk mail filter, the message is even stronger: "Hey, looks like you're in this video. Crazy. Check it out."
Lastly, they swear to not share your e-mail, or those of your friends, with any third-party sources but one has to wonder if their name will appear on the group's mailing list. Only time will tell.
10.23.2008
McCain Targets 'Joe' in an Effort to Close Gap in Battleground States
The McCain campaign has gone on the offensive in hopes of slimming down the gap in three key battlegrounds. Hoping for a strong start, the McCain-Palin released their latest Web ad, entitled "I am Joe," to launch the share-the-wealth tour with stops in Florida, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The RCP index shows Ohio as a toss up but it is currently leaning towards the Obama camp. Since the original "Joe" hails from Ohio, it becomes obvious that Senator McCain is reaching out at a pure and focused grass-roots level.
Video: I Am Joe
The ad features Americans who submitted homemade videos to the McCain—Palin campaign, describing how much in common they have with the orginial "Joe the Plumber." The Republican message is simple and clear-cut: no tax increases but spread the wealth.
John McCain will return to Pennsylvania during the final full week of the presidential race, starting with a rally Monday in Pottsville. The event brings the GOP presidential candidate back to the state for the fourth straight week as he fights to keep Pennsylvania competitive. GOP officials say it won't be his last stop, with events in the works in Hershey and Latrobe on Tuesday.
10.19.2008
Photo of the Day: Lake County Colorado
This photo of the Clinton Reservoir and surrounding area was taken on highway 91, between Leadville and Copper Mountain.
Walking in the Clouds
10.16.2008
Hey, Joe, Heard You Won the Debate Last Night
One man dominated Wednesday's 90-minute encounter between John McCain and Barack Obama Hofstra University. While the conclusion of the final debate marks the start of the sprint to Election Day, many Americans are left wondering who is Joe the Plumber.
Well, his name is Joe Wurzelbacher and his name was mentioned 26 times during the 90-minute debate by Obama and McCain. While most voters would have expected to hear more about the economy and other domestic issues, the word "economy" came up nearly half as much and Iraq was was even more sparse. McCain also seemed to cling to Joe more than Obama although he never met him.
Wurzelbacher spoke to Katie Couric after the debate in an exclusive Web cast on CBSnews.com. Joe The Plumber's Chat With Couric is an interesting glimpse into a new personality that reminds everyone of themselves.
One quote stands out in this interview, a statement that implies that the average Joe is sick of all the talk.
"One thing I noticed that seemed like Obama changed his mind on offshore drilling, which I thought was a good move. I don't know how much he wants to do of it, I'd like to talk to - hear more about that. McCain I - made a solid - you know, McCain was solid in his performance.
"Obama speaks well, but the one thing that's really important, that everyone in America really need to know is, you know, talk is talk. You know, he can speak pretty, but, you know, there's got to be action behind it. We've seen McCain, we know his actions. Even if you disagree with him, at least you know where he stands. McCain - or Obama, we're not sure where he stands yet, even after his debates. Like I said, he speaks eloquently, better than I do, but I honestly, I still don't know where he stands. He's said a lot, but none of his experience has backed it up. You know, the only experience I've seen or his actions are raising our taxes, so, you know, I'm middle class. I can't have my taxes raised anymore."
The full transcript is available at CBSNews.com. Sphere: Related Content
10.15.2008
Video Webcast of the Third Presidential Debate
Watch Barack Obama and John McCain Square off at the CBS News Debate Webcast in the third and final debate hosted by Bob Schieffer, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent, and Host, Face the Nation, at Hofstra University.
Vote for what you think will be the top domestic issue in tonight's debate at Elections 2008 Examiner Poll.
CBSNews.com and CNET.com are partnering to bring voters live, exclusive Web coverage of the presidential and vice presidential debates from Katie Couric and the CBS News Political Team.
At the conclusion of live network coverage of the debates at 11 p.m. ET, Couric will host a Web-only show where she'll talk with special guests, undecided voters, and the CBS News political team will answer your questions.
Obama, McCain to Debate Economy but Domestic AIDS Prevention Remains a Question
John McCain and Barack Obama plan to take on the issue of domestic policy in tonight's third and final presidential debate at Hofstra University in New York. While the economic situation continues to be the dominant issue, Americans remain increasingly concerned about health care.
In a September CBS News/New York Times survey, 50 percent of voters polled said that there are some good things in the health care system, but fundamental changes are necessary to make it work better. In contrast, 35 percent said the U.S. health care system has so much wrong with it that the governement needs to focus on a complete overhaul. And, only 14 percent agree that minor changes are needed to make it work better.
While Obama and McCain bounce back and forth on the issue of health care, HIV and AIDS prevention hasn't been addressed recently. Overall, both candidates support President Bush's global AIDS initiative. While Bush received much bi-partisan praise for PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the amount reserved to combat the epidemic in the U.S. is lacking. Washington has spent nearly $10 billion per year to fund the fight overseas but less than 10 percent of that amount has been spent at home.
Has the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic been mostly forgotten by the mainstream? A closer look into the finer points of each candidate's strategy shows some distinct differences.
Barack Obama's campaign is proposing a plan that "strengthens employer coverage, makes insurance companies accountable and ensures patient choice of doctor and care without government interference." This statement is meant to counter fears about government-run health care with higher taxes or letting the insurance companies operate without rules.
Obama on HIV/AIDS in America
- Implement a National HIV/AIDS Strategy
- Fix the Nation’s Health Care System
- Bring Medicaid Coverage to Low-Income, HIV-Positive Americans
- Fight Disparities in Minority Communities
- Improve Quality of Life for Those Living with HIV/AIDS
- Promote AIDS Prevention
- Assure Adequate and Safe Housing for Those Living With HIV
- Expand Funding for Research
- Expand Access to HIV/AIDS Testing for Pregnant Women
John McCain remains a bit more ambiguous about a plan to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS in America. In fact, it's very difficult to find any facts on the McCain—Palin campaign Web site at www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/. Instead, the Republicans approach the issue of health care as a matter of reforming the rising cost of U.S. health care. According to the campaign, the plan to bring costs under control as "the only way to stop the erosion of affordable health insurance, save Medicare and Medicaid, protect private health benefits for retirees, and allow our companies to effectively compete around the world."
McCain on AIDS in America
- Supports abstinence programs to prevent the spread of HIV.
- Wants guaranteed access health plans for those with re-existing conditions.
- Supports greater competition for among drug companies to reduce consumer costs.
- His plan would provide a $2,500 tax credit for individuals to purchase health care.
Tuesday's CBS Evening News coverage of "How the candidates' proposals would affect your community" takes a closer look into the personal struglle of one woman who is HIV positive and how current policy affects her life.
Video: America's Forgotten Epidemic — CBS Evening News
The CDC estimates that one in 20 people living in Washington, D.C., is HIV positive. Astoundingly, in the capital of the world's wealthiest country, the incidence of HIV/AIDS is two-and-a-half times that of Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, according to CBS News. Sphere: Related Content
10.13.2008
For Obama and McCain, Nov. 4 May Come Down to Electoral College
With 22 days until the 2008 elections, there are nearly 100 electoral votes up for grabs in the presidential race. A look through all of the latest polls will show that things will be tight for both Barack Obama and John McCain on November 4. It still remains possible that one candidate could win the popular vote while another could win the majority of the electoral college.
This map uses historical data from past presidential races and current poll information from major news outlets like CNN, Real Clear Politics and The New York Times, to name a few.
For more elections coverage, visit the National Elections 2008 Examiner at www.examiner.com/x-1216-Elections-2008-Examiner for political coverage by local experts in their regions.
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