Presidential Election Close Locally

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Posted: 8:17 PM Sep 4, 2008
Last Updated: 8:17 PM Sep 4, 2008
Reporter: Michael Wooten
Email Address: michael.wooten@wsaz.com

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Despite all the hoopla at the Democrat and Republican conventions, the presidential race really comes down to the math.

West Virginia, no doubt, is on Republican nominee John McCain's to do list. But Democratic nominee Barack Obama's state campaign director recently said West Virginia is now considered a battleground state.

As McCain prepares to address the convention and the nation, his campaign continues to watch the electoral map. Obama leads nationally -- leaving little doubt that McCain needs West Virginia's five electoral votes.

Likewise, recent poll results in Ohio reveal that Obama narrowly leads McCain – by only two percentage points.

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Posted by: BillB on Sep 14, 2008 at 04:07 PM
To the real Sara Palin on Sept 8 at 8:13am: What is your source of info from Google? I can go to Google and find that Obama is Muslim and not an Amercian. You can find anything you want on the internet.

Posted by: The real Sara Palin on Sep 8, 2008 at 08:13 AM
All of you who are seduced by this pretty lady should do a google search on her. She abused her power as mayor and governer, so what do you think she'll do if handed the power of VP? She talks a good game, but be careful. I was initially impressed by her speech, but after doing research on her record, there is no way I would vote for a ticket with her name on it.

Posted by: tiffany on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Democracy is great but it's sad when 51% of the people can take away the rights of the other 48% OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Posted by: Caligula on Sep 7, 2008 at 09:09 PM
I really wish McCain and Palin supporters were not spoon-fed their opinions. They latch on too quickly!It really is disgusting, you know? They look and sound like sheep/zombies.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:29 PM
You cannot argue fairness and equality to a conservative who doesn't know the true meaning behind the words. Have we forgotten about that poor woman who was arrested for wearing an anti-war shirt in front of the white house? Or how about the people being held at Guantanamo bay without being charged with anything, being beaten, and i without so much as a court appearance. Right now it's arabic people that our there, they are the "threat" to our nation. What happens when they are not the threat anymore, and everyday Americans who speak there mind are the threat. Maybe it will be gay people who are the threat, or black people. Either way, we are being led like sheep to a slaughter. Blind and ignorant to what is going on.

Posted by: To Dave on Sep 7, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Bush created the policies that allows houses to be sold more than what they are worth. What do you mean he made New Orleans sit on there butts and yell help. Bush knew that the levees would fail and he did nothing. I don't think you would be saying that if it was our city that was washed away by a flood. They couldn't even get FEMA down there to help. People were seperated from there children people still are homeless, but oh well, there on there own. I'm sick of republicans saying that all of us liberals just sit around and wait for the government to save us. At certain times you need a government. All the republicans are saying is "Your on your own". A hurricane tears apart your city, oh well your on your own. That's not a government for the people and by the people.

Posted by: KC on Sep 7, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Sarah Palin is so refresingly normal, down to earth, but tough and doesn't sit down to anyone. She has added such excitement to this election. I was a Hillary supporter but after Obama thru her under the bus by ditching her for VP, I'm voting for McCain/Palin

Posted by: i dont care on Sep 7, 2008 at 11:28 AM
i dont care if they are red,green purple,orange.cant read,write,hear,see.etc,my vote will be for obama.its all about change.OBAMA/BIDEN 2008

Posted by: Buckeye on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:48 AM
To anonymous at 6:44: Let's see Obama's father left around age two, his mother was on public assistance at one time, and his grandparents had to move to an apartment to afford to raise him when his mother was still living in Indonesia. Meanwhile, when McCain was a child, his parents at one time lived in Washington DC and hosted Senators at their house. So, I'm guessing that living in our region, you probably have known folks like Obama. It's so tragic that we have such an important election and voters are so misinformed.

Posted by: Buckeye on Sep 7, 2008 at 12:26 AM
To dave: Maybe if Bush's economy was as strong as the Clinton years people would be able to afford their houses, and no, Bush did not have a hurricane maker and make "New Orleans sit on their butts and yell HELP". He did however put an unqualified crony (Brownie you're doing a heck of a job) in charge of FEMA. He didn't fly planes into buildings either, but he did find a way to blame it on the wrong country (Iraq). And why should we worry about Russia? Bush has already looked into Putin's eyes and soul and found him to be trustworthy.

Posted by: Lori on Sep 6, 2008 at 10:23 PM
To Anonymous@6:44am. Obama was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. Not wealthy by any means. If you people want to make comments, I wish you would get your facts straight. The mess this economy is in is due to deregulation and the ENRON loophole that this administration provided. As for Palin, How does she feel about comprehensive sex education in schools. If people don't want their kids to have it, then sign a paper to keep them out of the class. When my daughter was in high school, one of the kids said you could get herpes from tanning beds. I was a nurse and my daughter knew better and set the kid straight. One in 3 teens have sexually transmitted diseases The issue is, knowledge is power. Another question I have of Palin is how does she feel about more support for families with kids with disabilities. The republicans have continually cut funding for assistance programs like this. She will be just a yes person for McBush. Lipstick on a pig, still a pig.

Posted by: Severus on Sep 6, 2008 at 05:07 PM
To "anonymous" at 6:44am.... And do you think McCain hasn't been handed everything on a silver platter? Son/grandson of admirals, married into a beer baroness' family...yeah, I bet he's struggled just as hard as we have. Double standards are fun, huh? OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

Posted by: Teddy's Friend on Sep 6, 2008 at 07:27 AM
Teddy Roosevelt said that when big business gets hold of our Federal Government that we'd not have a middle class. Now, think about who really controls our lives in the US? Is it us or our bosses and the CEOs of every company. Our government has slowly given our individual rights to the corporations. The corp. now have more power and ability to avoid lawsuits, prosecution from the law, and taxes than any other group in the US. Stand back and think about who you vote for in November. Our current president could have controlled oil prices by inundating the market with the US' reserves (just like B. Clinton did). But, that would have cost HIS family money. So, we are left suffering. I don't see the current Republican candidates doing anything more than letting the corporations get by with stealing our rights and money by getting their folks elected (think of D. Blankenship and the WV Supreme Court!!!). Take back our personal rights and vote for someone who supports the worker.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 06:44 AM
i've known folks all my life like obama. had every thing in life handed to them on a silver plater never known what a hard days work is like i know who my god is be who you are when no one els is watching

Posted by: dave on Sep 6, 2008 at 02:03 AM
You people are something else. Bush did not sell you a house that was 3 times more than what you could afford, Bush did not have a hurricane maker that destroyed New Orleans. Bush did not make New Orleans sit on their butts and yell HELP, Bush did not fly a plane into the twin towers. I just hope that when you all vote Obama Mesia in, that he can truly handle the Extremely tough decisions ahead. Remember that we can all argue right now, but after nov. 4, we are stuck with our decision. Please keep in mind that Russia is not playing around and neither are the terrorists. A vote of present is not going to work for Obama any more. Oh, by the way, on a happier note, GO BUCKEYES!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 11:28 PM
For all you people afraid that Obama is going to raise your taxes he is only raising taxes for those who make over 250,000 a year. The republicans tend to leave little details like that out. They think we're stupid and don't know how to look up a candidates policies.

Posted by: Wes on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Well, the conventions are over, and the Republicans made it clear that they think this election is about personality, not issues. If that doesn't show you how out of touch those on the right are, then you're blind. If anyone should vote on the issues, it's the people of WV. OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:49 PM
WHY DOES WV VOTE DEMOCRATIC ON SENATORS AND GOVERNORS BUT REPUBLICAN ON PRESIDENT?????? Somebody please tell me!! Oh I know....because the people voting that way are STUPID!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:38 PM
OBAMA/BIDEN 08 OBAMA/BIDEN08 OBAMA/BIDEN08 OBAMA/BIDEN 08 OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!!!!!!

Posted by: An on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:36 PM
Remember the inbred joke thats what the republicains think about wv.

Posted by: Addam on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:34 PM
!Palin is a joke. The GOP is desperate for votes and picked a gimmick. For people who watch the news, FOX news and the GOP commentators on all networks derided Obama for lack of experience, yet he has more experience in politics than Palin by years. Gov. Kaine of VA has more experience than Palin yet Karl Rove made fun of Kaine's experience as the mayor of Richmond, he called Richmond a small town (over 100,000 people), yet lauded Palin's accomplishments as mayor of "The second largest city in Alaska" (population 9,500). He also said had Obama picked Kaine, it would have been for political reasons only. Obama doesn't care about blue collar? He grew up blue collar. McCain's father was what an Admiral? Don't think that's blue collar. McCain and his seven house care about the poor? His own definition of middle class is having less than five million dollars! He's clueless! How anyone who works for a living could vote for someone who gives away tax breaks to the richest Americans is beyond!

Posted by: Thanks Dems on Sep 5, 2008 at 04:42 PM
You voted against your presidential candidate in the primaries. That's right, Hillary had a fighting chance. Now you have left the GOP in the perfect place. We have the only real presidential/vice presidential candidates left. Hop on board folks. Unless you really want socialism that bad...... GO MCCAIN/PALIN '08!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 03:19 PM
Palins speech was snide and condescending. She insulted ordinary everyday people. Anyone who supports McCain should ask themselves if they would want David Felinton being a heart beat away from running this country. She has just a little more experience than him. She was mayor of a town of 9000 people and left it in debt. She has been gov for twenty months and is already on investigation for abuse of power. She did not say anything that she would do to help this country she only made snide remarks about the opposite party. Obama/Biden 08

Posted by: TK on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Change? It will be more of the same with McCain. The rich getting richer and the poor and uninsured dying.

Posted by: McCan't on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Look into her record she spends tax dollars like she is shopping at the mall.

Posted by: To Richard on Sep 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM
So should Obama stay home and take care of his two daughters also. Kids need there father just as much as there mother. Think before you speak.

Posted by: Jon on Sep 5, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Change IS coming, and the change is going to be no more republican president and vice president. America is so sick of what has happened over the past 8 years, there is no WAY we can elect another 4 years of it. McCain spoke last night about how WRONG Bush did basically EVERYTHING, and he voted WITH Bush on basically EVERYTHING. Do the math folks.....

Posted by: Mark on Sep 5, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Just say no to Obama! Palin is the most qualified out of all four of them in my opinion.

Posted by: JIM on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Richard wake up....you're not in Kansas anymore. This is the 21st century. If his running mate were a young man with children I doubt you would be saying he should stay home a raise his kids.

Posted by: Eli on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Mccain is Bush's lapdog. "Change"? You gotta be kidding me. Mccain and the rest of the republican party are the ones that set the status-quo! Why did they work so hard to make it that way it is just to bring about all this change they promise. All the brainwashed bible thumpers need to quit voting against your own best intrests. Mccain wants to help the rich first, so that all thier money will eventually trickle down to the rest of us. Obama has a plan to help the middle class and working poor. Republicans will never outlaw abortion. They need to be able to rattle the pro-lifers cage every four years to get out the vote. Repub.'s have ran the show for 20 of the last 28 years, and last time I checked abortion is still legal. Obama will get us out of Iraq. That alone is enough reason to vote for him.

Posted by: Really!!!!!!!!! on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
what's the matter Richard Jealous? It's ok if a man is in the white house. No sexist comments there. We can be mothers, wives, friends, work jobs, take care of kids and our husbands all at the same time!!! I do it daily with no complaints!! Sorry if you have a problem multi tasking!! She will be wonderful as a vice president!! It's about time we see some change in the white house some REAL change. Don't be a Sexist!!!! Oh and by the way to all men who respond to this blog it doesn't matter go whine about a woman being in office to someone who cares!! Thought I would save you some time!!

Posted by: Stay Out of WV!!!! on Sep 5, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Obama has no business trying to ACT again I say ACT like he really cares about blue collar working middle class families!! He is not concerned in the least about WV!! He never has been and never will be!! I find it disturbing when you elect officials to office that do not stand behind the citizens of WV!! Mr Governor and others!! Hillary Clinton carried this state and you went against that!! Barack Obama has NO experience and has NO business ACTING like he is president already!! I hope that readers realize that this man is simply reading what his 300 foreign policy advisors want him to read. There is a difference in simply reading what someone writes for you and really having a life experience. John McCain has this experience. As has been said by Fred Thompson "being a POW doesn't qualify you for president but, it does show his character". Rudy Guiliani said that the white house does not have "on the job training".Don't worry about all the typos by the way. I have an opinion like you!!

Posted by: Sarah on Sep 5, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Sarah Palin has far less experience than Barack Obama. If you notice, they say EXECUTIVE experience every time. Executive experience is NOT the only kind of experience needed. I think that her rude comment about the lack of responsibilities community organizers have was insane. Without community organizers, even more people would be living distructive lives. 'change is coming' ? How can change be coming from a man who has voted with George W. Bush over 90% of the time and a woman who was only been in office for a year and a half and is already under investigation?

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 09:17 AM
if you vote for obama in wv dont cry about gas prices because he supportes a gov of this state that cares more about football then real matters and about fake dergess maybe that his why him and our gov so close because they are big fat fakes

Posted by: Double Standard Sarah on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Richard you are right she has already had 1 kid make a mistake while she was busy with other projects other than being a mother and this from a party that bases its issues on morality and christian values maybe she dont have the morals that are needed not teaching her daughter that it is a sin to have sex before you are married guess the abstinance plan that the republicans preach dont work,much like Bushes and McCains war plans.But then i guess their polices just apply to the poor not the rich republicans do i see a double standard here

Posted by: Joe on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:07 AM
Republicans will win WV. WV is a "cling to our guns and bible" state. I would have it no other way. What OBAMA is peddling is the end of a way of life. Tax corporations and pass out the money to the inner cities. Robin Hood or Robin "from the companies and giving to da" Hood. His pastor will be so proud if he can pull it off. Dont look into his eyes, I think he has people hypnotized. And Richard, I think it is "too" late. You might want to stay at home and brush up on your English.

Posted by: Mike on Sep 5, 2008 at 08:00 AM
McCain will win West Virginia. I haven't seen any poll numbers that even dispute that. As for Palin, all I heard was her taking pot shots at the democrats without any substance of how she will help our country. The same divisive politics that have us in our current mess, but some people never learn.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:35 AM
I'm old enough to vote just in time for this election. I can't wait to get out there and show my support for Obama. After all, he is obviously the only candidate who fully understands the constitution and cares about equal rights for everyone.

Posted by: A Working American on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:33 AM
You may not think it matters on who you vote for but take a closer look at McCain/Palin. Palin stands for a typical American mom from a typical American family who have their typical problems. Who out there, doesn't have family problems? Who are we to judge our candidates? If our candidates can do the job, let them. If their family problems, don't interfer, let them deal with it. I believe in what Palin stands for and I believe that McCain and Palin will make a great all around American team who will do a great job and who will NOT have any hidden agenda's. I want to continue to be A WORKING AMERICAN. Let's give our country back to the PEOPLE. This is what they both believe in.

Posted by: Mom on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:17 AM
Hiss Hiss Richard..You are sexist,and probably jealous.McCain and Palin 08

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 5, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Was Palin's entire speech in one sentence too?

Posted by: Richard on Sep 5, 2008 at 05:39 AM
Palin should stay home and be a mother to her kids before its to late

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:32 PM
palin stood up and told us what she will do to help our great country i thought she spoke with great spirit she sounds like a go getter she talks very well where you can understand her i really like what she stands for and as far as her daughter going to have a baby get real leave it be she will work hard in helping her mom as any good daughter would mccain knows what he is talking about he will make a great leader i loved every thing they had to say change is coming

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