tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post4644174510806935309..comments2023-10-17T06:12:08.745-04:00Comments on Dan Quayle's Potatoe: I'm AfraidSidecarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10892698757228271909noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-55285398957244161912008-10-31T16:02:00.000-04:002008-10-31T16:02:00.000-04:00I don't want to make it appear that a) this electi...I don't want to make it appear that a) this election trumps every other election in terms of historical significance (even though it does) or b) race is a be-all, end-all game-changer here where it never was before (say, in 2000). I just think with so much at stake PERSONALLY to these people on both sides of the aisle, the potential for a spark to turn into a conflagration has never been closer Pat Batemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12419648745977259149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-69330804302881465482008-10-31T15:11:00.000-04:002008-10-31T15:11:00.000-04:00It's my well-informed, and, dare I say, totally ri...It's my well-informed, and, dare I say, totally right opinion that race is a non-factor in this equation. I agree, given the intense polarization of the electorate, however, that violence is a real possibility. <BR/><BR/>This election has the lowest number of undecided voters in recent memory (despite that ridiculous poll today showing 14% remain undecided, when every other poll is showing Jack Knowledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06197943569032593292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-30458494645390699272008-10-31T14:41:00.000-04:002008-10-31T14:41:00.000-04:00There was also a lot at stake in 2000, when Gore a...There was also a lot at stake in 2000, when Gore and Bush "tied." There was no violence then (or at least none that I can recall at the moment, and certainly not widespread). Obviously, that election lacked the racial component that is in play here. However, I think it is still instructive to recall that a potential constitutional crisis passed without violence (however you ultimately felt mkitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07143003974783040240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-20784598409076062422008-10-31T14:31:00.000-04:002008-10-31T14:31:00.000-04:00No, Sam, clearly like I said - I don't see this co...No, Sam, clearly like I said - I don't see this collapsing into a race war nationwide. But I think there is a LOT invested on both sides of this, and no matter the outcome, it's going to be different than any other national election has ever been because no other race has ever pitted two men of different race against each other in this country. Agaain, I hope I'm wrong. We shall see.Pat Batemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12419648745977259149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-19849542791773118102008-10-31T14:26:00.000-04:002008-10-31T14:26:00.000-04:00He needs to win with a large enough electoral and ...He needs to win with a large enough electoral and popular margin to keep the gathering lawyers at bay. He needs to take enough battleground states to render the focus on an individual state moot.<BR/><BR/>4%, 5% would be enough nationally. It's all academic if Obama wins Virginia and PA and either Ohio or Florida.Warm Apple Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969961718578034655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-56814766410655668182008-10-31T14:11:00.000-04:002008-10-31T14:11:00.000-04:00i think you overestimate the possibility of violen...i think you overestimate the possibility of violence, or at least how ubiquitous it would be, following the election. yes, people are invested in the election. that's largely because for the first time in many presidential elections voters are inspired (okay, mainly obama supporters, but still) and the result of believing in your candidate rather than simply voting for the lesser of two evils damn samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287265158993282534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-76856301682317198512008-10-31T14:05:00.000-04:002008-10-31T14:05:00.000-04:00I think if you are right, WAP, then my fear is eve...I think if you are right, WAP, then my fear is even more justified. The closer the race (with either side winning), the more anger, bitterness and suspicion will be cast around by the losers. If Obama wins by 12% I would be far more comforted about the potential for violence than if he wins by 2%.Pat Batemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12419648745977259149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4619629054181832315.post-65308885241403614372008-10-31T13:59:00.000-04:002008-10-31T13:59:00.000-04:00You definitely are overestimating Obama's margin o...You definitely are overestimating Obama's margin of victory. Not a single credible poll shows double-digits anymore. However, yesterday's tracking show another uptick for Obama and his is in the 5 to 8 point range.<BR/><BR/>Really comes down to electoral math and it ain't on McCain's side right now, contrary to the Pollyannaish boasts of the excrementous Dick Morris.<BR/><BR/>I'm really Warm Apple Piehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00969961718578034655noreply@blogger.com