Mac Is Back, With a Smaller Crowd Than Bush
COLUMBUS, OHIO--The McCain campaign brought all the pomp it could muster to its final rally here Friday: A Hank Williams Jr. warm up act, a fake barn backdrop, several crates of fresh apples for scenery, a "Victory in Ohio" sign that stretched at least 100 feet, a grand entrance on the Straight Talk Express, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who declared, "I only play an action hero in my movies, but John McCain is a real action hero."
But the people were missing. Not all the people, mind you. Many thousands did show, pumped with excitement, and pounding thundersticks in approval. But the Nationwide Arena, home to the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, was hardly full. About a third of the Arena, which fits 20,000 people, was draped off. And the upper decks of the remaining area were about half empty, as were the seats behind the faux-barn stage.
This was a notable fact for political historians, because on the Friday before Election day in 2004, Republican nominee George W. Bush sold out the entire arena, filling it with nearly 20,000 enthusiastic supporters and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Columbus Dispatch said the crowd greeted Bush "like a rock star."
On stage, McCain exhibited no sign that he recognized the contrast. As he enters the final days of the campaign, he carries with him as much fire and enthusiasm as he has ever shown on the campaign trail. On his fourth public event of the day, he boomed from the podium. "Arnold said it best, 'The Mac is back,' " McCain told the crowd, which cheered wildly, hanging on his every word. "I know a winning campaign when I see one. I know the momentum. I know the enthusiasm."
-
1
"he carries with him as much fire and enthusiasm as he has ever shown on the campaign trail."
-
You'd be psyched too if you just hit the early bird buffet at Shoney's.
-
2
What's up with McCain always saying he KNOWS this and that. It's such a weird tick. I'm sure he says it to sound assured and whatnot, but it just comes off as sort of pathetic.
-
3
McCain told the crowd, which cheered wildly, hanging on his every word. "I know a winning campaign when I see one. I know the momentum. I know the enthusiasm."
So was he watching Obama campaign on CNN?
-
4
Phew!
IE looks okay now.
-
5
Perfect. Schwarzenegger's Last Action Hero was named one of Greatest Box-Office Bom$s, Disasters and Flops of all-time. McCain's the sequel.
-
6
Jay are you ok?
-
7
"he carries with him as much fire and enthusiasm as he has ever shown on the campaign trail"
Is Joe here? (semi frantic look from side to side) I was told he was here (uncomfortable smile) You are all Joe the Plumbers!
-
8
Nixon was obsessive about making sure his events were SRO. His campaigns would distribute many more tickets than seats. It's just stupid to hold an event in a venue you're not gonna fill. Looks awful.
.
Has this campaign done one thing right? One?
.
Bueller? -
9
Earlier, Andy, the site had lost its columnar layout when viewed with internet explorer. (There are interesting font differences as well, comparing IE, the Chrome beta and Firefox.)
-
10
I'm using IE...no technical problems, only MS is making a cameo appearance. No job interview today, MS?
-
11
I just sent an angry email to the good Governor's official site registering my displeasure with his nasty and unecessary attack on Obama and support of McCain...any other Californian who listens to his speech should do the same...
"I just listened to your nasty and totally unecessary attack on a great American...the next president of the United States, Barack Obama. Any shred of respect I had left for you disappeared as I listened in disbelief to your unbelievable speech at a McCain rally.
Why in God's name did you feel you had to do this?
Does this have something to do with your hopes for the presidency? Don't hold your breath for the Dem congressional majority to change the rule to allow this!
Shame on you sir...you've disgraced your brand and your position as Governor of all the California people!"
-
12
So you don't think they're after you Jay, I had the same problem. All better now for me as well.
-
13
"I know a winning campaign when I see one. I know the momentum. I know the enthusiasm."
.
Well, after all, he does have Karl Rove's Math behind him.
.
BWAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AAAAAHAHAHAAHAHA! HOO HAH HOO HA HA HA! -
14
I've noticed many sites are going to blog through the weekend. How about the Swamplanders?
-
15
we'll be bloggin
-
16
we'll be postin
-
17
I'm not sure Swartzenegger made a wise decision here, he's not a popular figure in CA at the moment, approval in high 30's or low 40's, w/ that state suffering huge budget deficits. Actually, Arnold is probably more popular w/ Dems in CA at the moment....and I don't think they'll like him campaigning for McCain.
-
18
Where have all the McCainiacs in the comment section gone. Have they hunkered down in their bomb shelters awaiting the end of days or have they been sent to moderation? Can Kaybeel no longer bring herself to defend the indefensible?
-
19
The McCain Straight Talk Express, limping to the finish line on five cylinders and a flat tire. By the end of the weekend he'll be busing in flies just to fill the arenas. Gonna get lonlier and lonlier out on the campaign trail.
Now they call you Prince Charming
Can't speak a word when you're wife's full of 'ludes
Say you'll be all right come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds youOne little problem that confronts you
Got a monkey on your back
Just one more lie, Lord might do the trick
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds youShout out to Lynyrd Skynyrd, forgive me for the lyric changes.
-
20
As usual moderator will not allow me to really practice my first amendment rights.
The McCain Straight Talk Express, limping to the finish line on five cylinders and a flat tire. By the end of the weekend he'll be busing in flies just to fill the arenas. Gonna get lonlier and lonlier out on the campaign trail.
Followed by adapted lyrics to Oooh that Smell by L S Woudl have been good but moderator has to hold and smell it or something
-
21
So much for losing that "enthusiasm gap" that McCain sought to bridge with the Palin pick. Most folks know the end is near...
-
22
Is this some kind of appeal for sympathy? Because it feels like it.
-
23
cincinnatus...it wasn't just that Awnold campaigned for McCain...you have to listen to his whole speech to believe the level of nastiness and invective he wallowed in...
Hope he doesn't get laid by Maria for a week or so...that'll teach him!
-
24
The governator meets the, well, the snoozinator...
.
Hey! Mike!
.
There's always next year!
.
Oops, I forgot! This is a national election... -
25
Yeah, it was unnecessarily nasty...all that stuff about socialism from the son of an SS officer and backer of self-hating gay fascist Jorg Haider. Schwarzenegger would probably endorse Ernst Roehm if her were around. He'll still get laid by Maria, but the CA voters are gonna give him blue balls at the next election.
Most Popular »
- Sex and 'The Saboteur': Dev Talks Nudity in New Game
- CNN Poll: Man Made Global Warming Takes a Hit
- A Jobs Speech with Elbows
- My Life as a "Science Fetishist"
- Is the Public Option Dead? Plus, Amendments That Might Actually Matter
- Erdogan: Arab Hero?
- Best of the Decade: Sci-Fi Movies
- "How Will Dave Ever Make Fun of Sex Scandals Again?"
- The Top 10 Games of 2009
- War of the Supermen: Q&A With Matt Idelson
- The Truth Behind the Leaked Climate-Change E-Mails
- Mexico Witness Protection: Corrupt Program, New Killings
- Tiger Woods Must Face His Fans' Moral Outrage
- Helicopter Parents: The Backlash Against Overparenting
- Taiwan: World's Lowest Birthrate Could Affect Society
- How Strong Is the Evidence Against Amanda Knox?
- U.S. Doesn't Know Where bin Laden Is; Time to Let Go
- Creating Jobs: Can Obama Government Boost Employment?
- That Viral Thing: Facebook's Secret Code
- Humanure: Goodbye, Toilets. Hello, Extreme Composting














RSS