© Marvin Heiferman

© Jeff Mermelstein

© Mark Cohen

© Oliver Wasow

© Mel Rosenthal

© Marvin Heiferman, 2008

I know the map says North Carolina is leaning, but the only people I've heard say they are voting for Obama are black.  Most people I've talked to are definitely voting for McCain.  They think Obama is too risky and too inexperienced and don't want their taxes raised.

For McCain, he is respected and they want to know about Obama's past, but they want to know specifics not generics on what he will do for the economy.  Most seem to feel he will reach out to both parties and Obama will only deal with Democrats.

That's why I'm voting for McCain.

One thing I haven't seen coverage of (and that I have conspicuously noticed) is the relative numbers of Obama versus McCain ticket paraphernalia on display. In 2004, the prevalence of Kerry/Bush yard signage was absolutely choking here in Houston. However, this year I can go days without seeing a single expression of support for the McCain ticket - no yard signs, bumper stickers, nothing. In fact, it is exceedingly rare to see a McCain/Palin pronouncement. However, I see Obama merchandise everywhere.

I think there are two likely causes of this: One, the lack of a serious primary season for the republicans did not generate merchandise related to inter-party warfare. It was a foregone conclusion that McCain would be 'that one' for the republicans, so the base just didn't bother getting the brand out there.

Secondly, I feel that there is genuine embarrasment among the non-frothing members of the GOP regarding their candidates, particularly the vapid VP choice. Essentially, saying that you're for McCain/Palin is like saying that you're on your way to see Winger in concert. Putting up a M/P yard sign is like buying the Winger tour t-shirt and wearing it to work the next day.

In the end, Texas will go to the GOP for obvious reasons. But here in Houston, where Bush was very strongly represented (even in the liberal leaning area where I live) McCain is now nowhere to be seen. It can't just be confidence that they'll win Texas - they were confident of that in 2004, too, but I passed hundreds of ads on the way to work each day.

That's because signs and stickers are something that a voter has to do - the GOP and Dems can't just throw signs in yards or sticker cars. It requires that the voter get excited enough to take action on behalf of a party that they want to identify with. Seeing the poor performance of the McCain marketing machine, sales of the GOP product don't look so good for Q4 - I think that come the 4th of November there will be a significant reflection of that lack of interest at the polls.

As I have observed John McCain over the past several weeks, it occurs to me that he  looks increasingly  like a political Wizard of Oz.  Speaking for myself, I prefer Frank Morgan, the original Wizard, who had the good sense to stay behind the curtain and pretend to control the levers of power in the land of Oz before he was unmasked by Dorothy and her friends.  McCain, on the other hand, likes to make brief appearances in front of the curtain, utter some banalities, and disappear.  He is as vacuous as the Wizard, but at least Frank Morgan had a kind demeanor and a smile on his face.  Where is Dorothy when we need her?

This photograph was taken at an Artists Against the War rally. Protesters used banners from a 2004 event, stenciling the name, "McCain" over "Bush."

© Joyce Kozloff, 2008

As much as I would like to have seen Obama make a fool of himself, he did quite well and so did John McCain. No winner. No loser.

What lingers in my thoughts and feelings after the debate were not the words spoken but McCain's body language. I was extremely disturbed by the lack of eye and body contact by McCain toward Obama. It came across as hostile, rude, condescending, arrogant, and filled with contempt. McCain's rage was evident throughout, especially when he tried to conceal it in those mechanical smiles. This is a man who is seething with anger and is on the verge of losing control. Where will McCain's disdain lead? Do we want him making decisions as president? No.

I have been doing a little research into the effect, if any, that the candidacies of Nader and Barr are having on the Obama and McCain campaigns but haven't really been able to get a handle on it.  Today I noticed that the Wash Post/ABC news poll, factoring in the third part candidates, give Obama a slimmer lead than other national polls, only 3 over McCain.  Nader has 3 percent and Barr 2 in their poll. Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this?  Seems to me in an election that is, at this point anyway, still almost statistically a draw, these third party candidates could be a factor. Or perhaps they cancel each other out? Thoughts?