| happens if Barack Obama doesn't win this election | | | | as "The Weather Underground". The events of |
| cycle? Look, I know everyone is saying this a given, | | | | 30-some-odd years ago are of less concern to the |
| but what if? He's been given more coverage than | | | | Obama campaign, than the fact that Ayers has |
| McCain, more positive coverage than McCain. Bastions | | | | embraced Hugo Chavez, and argues vehemently for |
| of our popular culture are Pro-Obama, from SNL to | | | | socialist ideas in his posittion as professor at the |
| US Weekly. Polls say people want Obama. | | | | University of Chicago. The crux of the matter is this: |
| Most Democrats have an unspoken fear that Obama | | | | Obama states that Ayers is merely someone who |
| will manage to blow it during the next few weeks. | | | | lives in his neighborhood, someone whom he has |
| There is still one final debate that will take place. Some | | | | served with on boards at educational institutions. |
| Dems worry that people have been deliberately lying | | | | Republicans(and Hillary Clinton) have tried to argue that |
| to pollsters, so as to skew results. Today's Gallup Poll | | | | it goes deeper. Evidently, when Obama launched his |
| shows Senator Obama ahead by 11 points, so there is | | | | State Senate campaign, the initial introduction to |
| little fear of that. With what seems like vast media, | | | | movers and shakers was done in the home of William |
| public, and even International support, what could stand | | | | Ayers. |
| in his way? | | | | Whether this is a valid point or not, these are facts that |
| Let's examine some of the problems that may be in | | | | Senator Obama does not fight. It remains to be seen if |
| the making for him: | | | | he will be able to keep it from having an effect. |
| It's the beginning of October, with less than a month to | | | | Another issue that Democrats are worried about is |
| go in the election. Most psychologists wholeheartedly | | | | overall turnout from the youth vote. While this is played |
| subscribe to what is known as the "Primacy and | | | | as a strength for the Obama campaign, the youth |
| Recency" effect. It simply states that the first and last | | | | vote has been extremely unreliable. It is very popular |
| impression you have of any person, or in this case, | | | | amongst 18-30 year olds to be Pro-Obama. Whether |
| candidate will have a great deal of effect. This is not | | | | this fad will translate into an increase into actual |
| so much in play with political partisans. Most of those | | | | Generation X/Y turnout has yet to be seen. 26 year |
| people knew who they were voting for before the | | | | old "Obama Girl", Amber Lee Ettinger, failed to vote at |
| general election started.Where it will have a great deal | | | | all in the primaries. This gives everyone a little "cause |
| of effect is with those who have declared themselves | | | | for pause". |
| "independent" or "undecided". | | | | There is also a "good" problem that has reared its |
| Now, as we stated earlier, there is still a single debate | | | | head in the past few days. Some polls are showing a |
| left. It is possible that it will be the most watched of the | | | | virtual landslide leading into November 4th. Will this kind |
| debates. It will be the time when those who missed the | | | | of projected win lull people into a sense of false |
| first two debates fell obligated to watch. Any flubs, | | | | security, and give us the kind of close election we saw |
| gotchas, or wins will be greatly magnified in the eyes | | | | between George Bush and Al Gore? Will people just |
| of these influential voters. Obama must play it safe, | | | | stay home, and assume Obama has the votes to lead |
| and make it through the debate unscathed. John | | | | him to victory? |
| McCain has stated that he believes the last 72 hours is | | | | I would not want to be in the position that the Obama |
| where the election is won. McCain will pull out all the | | | | campaign finds itself in currently. They are defending |
| stops. One only has to look back a short while, when | | | | an ever-widening lead. The problem with defense, is |
| George Bush was forced to confirm his DUI conviction, | | | | that you are not in a position to go on offense. McCain |
| on November 2nd 2000. Who knows what kind of | | | | Palin has nothing to lose, but the election. Obama is |
| impact this made? It surely cost Bush a few votes in a | | | | carrying "the hopes and dreams" of his constituents. |
| tight election. This is what is feared may happen again. | | | | That is a far heavier burden to bear. Time will tell |
| Then, there is the fear that Republicans will make the | | | | whether Obama can push through to the finish line |
| William Ayers connection stick. The Obama campaign | | | | without disaster. In the meantime, he must keep the |
| is doing their best to distance themselves from the | | | | fears of his colleagues from being realized, and their |
| former leader of the domestic terrorist group, known | | | | hopes from being dashed yet again. |