One of the great mysteries of the strange and bizarre McCain campaign is Sarah Palin and John McCain's omnipresence in New York City. As a resident of Manhattan for nearly 20 years, I can tell you that the McCain ticket will most likely fare worse in this Borough than even Bush did in '04 when he won 14% of the vote.
Last month Sarah Palin spent FOUR days in New York City on her crash course in world affairs, meeting with
Kissinger, Karzai and the rest. She even visited Ground Zero and ran around town like an awestruck tourist.
It was in New York that her disastrous Katie Couric interview took place.
Palin will be in New York City AGAIN tonite at a fundraiser with McCain at the Grand Hyatt Hotel
Subject: McCain - Palin New York City at Grand Hyatt Hotel Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The McCain - Palin ticket has burst forth from the convention with tremendous momentum. National polling indicates that Sen. McCain is now either even with or ahead of Sen. Obama. Having been a delegate to the convention, I can tell you that Gov. Palin has contributed greatly to the enthusiasm felt across the nation.
On Tuesday, October 14, 2008 there will be a final NYC fundraiser for the McCain-Palin ticket, with both candidates in attendance. General admission to the event is $1000. Attendance at private dinner with Sen. McCain is $25,000, including photo opportunity.
This is our final opportunity to help put the McCain-Palin ticket over the top. While there is no doubt the election will be close, I am feeling increasingly confident of victory. I will be contacting you in the next week or so to solicit your support. Please consider making a special effort to assist in this final effort.
http://www.observer.com/...
McCain meanwhile spent time here last month (remember when he blew off Letterman?), and will be in the area starting Tuesday evening for the Hyatt fundraiser and then Wednesday night's debate, but instead of leaving right after the debate he will be here until at least late Thursday night taping Letterman's show. Could it be the shopping? Does Cindy need another Valentino outfit or John scoping out a new pair of $500 shoes?
Palin meanwhile is at least leaving the city for some rallies in New Hampshire tomorrow. But there are
reports she will be back October 25 for Saturday Night Live.
The whole thing is quite strange. I can tell you one thing, Bush and Cheney were not running around Gotham four years ago in the last 50 days of the campaign. I understand that they have to be here for certain things but they really do linger unnecessarily longer than they need to. As an Obama supporter, I don't mind, but it is strange.
Good thing however, we do need the tourism dollars after the Wall Street meltdown.