Post-debate change of focus

There's no doubt, after the DOW dropped hundreds of points and Congress pushed through a $700 billion bailout deal to take over Wall Street, that the economy is on the mind of America. How will it affect the campaigns of the presidential candidates? Already we've seen McCain suspend his campaign to return to Washington, in the hopes of gathering support for the bailout deal--only to be accused of pulling a political stunt by both Democrats and Republicans, and even lose ground in the polls when the deal was killed by his own party. Up until now, both candidates have been honing in on the economy for political leverage, but CNN reports that McCain is now changing directions.

The move isn't unexpected. Why linger on a topic that can only hurt your relationship with possible voters? McCain has now decided to focus instead on personally attacking Barack Obama in order to sway voters' minds. It was his running mate Sarah Palin who struck the first blow.

"We see America as the greatest force for good in this world," Palin said at a fund-raising event in Colorado, adding, "Our opponent though, is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country."

In this little speech, Palin refers to Obama's limited association with Bill Ayers, a "founder of the radical Weather Underground, which was involved in several bombings in the early 1970s, including the Pentagon and the Capitol." The article from CNN continues, briefly explaining the relationship between Ayers and Obama.

"Obama and Ayers, now a university professor, have met several times since 1995, when both worked with a non-profit group trying to raise funds for a school improvement project and a charitable foundation. CNN's review of project records found nothing to suggest anything inappropriate in the volunteer projects in which the two men were involved."

Palin says Obama has terrorist connections although Obama's relationship with Ayers lacks substance. If there was a truth to this story worth knowing, I think we would have heard about it already.

On the other side of the battleground, Obama has renewed his attacks on McCain's health care policies, calling them "cynical and deceitful."

"He will say anything to distract the American people away from his basic intention to force millions of Americans to accept government-run health care," the campaign said in a statement.

The messages in this case don't really matter. These candidates have bigger issues to address. McCain attempted to shift the focus from the economy to the personal qualities of his opponent--which, as illustrated by Obama's renewed attacks, seems to have succeeded. I'll be curious to see what the next four weeks will bring to this election.

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" Obama accuses McCain of looking for distractions." CNN.com. 5 Oct 2008. CNN. 5 Oct 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/05/campaign.wrap/index.html#cnnSTCText>.

" Obama campaign rejects Palin 'terrorist' gibe." CNN.com. 5 Oct 2008. CNN. 11pm, 5 Oct 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/05/palin.obama.terrorist.claim/index.html>.

Stewart, Martina. " Palin hits Obama for 'terrorist' connection." CNN.com. 5 Oct 2008. CNN. 11pm, 5 Oct 2008 <http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/04/palin.obama/index.html>.