An Update on Callan's journalistic endevours

This article was published in the 20 Oct 2008 edition of the Gaudie.

US ELECTION UPDATE
Callan Stout

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama met for the final Presidential debate on Wed 15 Oct at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, Bob Schieffer of CBS news moderating.

McCain vowed to step up his attack on Obama in the previous debate, but failed to keep his promise. This time McCain’s sword was ready from question one.

Obama responded to McCain’s jabs by explaining his policies. Obama’s economic plan focuses on job creation and tax breaks for companies who create U.S. jobs. McCain, preferring to criticize Obama than explain himself, pins his economic plan on baling out individual homeowner mortgages. Which Obama says will only dump more taxpayer money into failing banks.

Schieffer questioned the candidates about their negative attack ads. McCain sought sympathy by discussing the pain caused by negative remarks about him and vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin. McCain then accused Obama of spending more money on negative ads “than any political campaign in history”, but failed to cite any specific figures.

Obama argued 100 percent of McCain’s ads are negative character attacks. Obama hopes the campaign’s remaining two weeks will revolve around economic policy. The failing economy has given Obama’s poll numbers a boost.

In a 16 Oct poll on RealClearPolitics.com Obama had a 6.8 point lead over McCain. The average poll spread, based on multiple national polls, favours Obama by 5.2 points. In swing states (states not leaning either way) Obama is leading by 4 points on average.