John McCain just ceded the field to Barack Obama and the largest GOTV effort ever undertaken in American politics. Budget Cuts Axed the GOTV budget and now they're begging, literally.
The decision to finance a final advertising push is forcing McCain to curtail spending on Election Day ground forces to help usher his supporters to the polls.
The vaunted, 72-hour plan that President Bush used to mobilize voters in 2000 and 2004 has been scaled back for McCain. He has spent half as much as Obama on staffing and has opened far fewer field offices. This week, a number of veteran GOP operatives who orchestrate door-to-door efforts to get voters to the polls were told they should not expect to receive plane tickets, rental cars or hotel rooms from the campaign.
"The desire for parity on television comes at the expense of investment in paid boots on the ground," said one top Republican strategist who has been privy to McCain's plans. "The folks who will oversee the volunteer operation have been told to get out into the field on their own nickel."
No word yet on Palin's kids' expenses...
This is really huge news. There is already only a tiny cadre of volunteers out there willing to even work for McCain (See 538.com's On the Road Series which is worth some sort of Blogger Pulitzer honestly). What small forces they have will be certainly discouraged now, on election weekend eve, and in many place if not most, they'll enter the field without the command structure. Now, before Obama came along, I experienced headless grass roots organizing, and while it was fun to participate, I can't say it accomplished jack shit.... To leave the entire field without a command structure, nationally, is beyond neglect. The RNC has got to be shamed by this.... What a difference four years makes eh?
Meanwhile, John McCain has a secret strategy to break in with the Kids.... Yup, SNL.
The McCain-Palin ticket just booked another trip to 30 Rock, according to sources on the inside.
This Saturday, Nov. 1, Senator John McCain is said to be making an appearance on the show, the last live episode before voters hit the voting booths. Earlier, it was rumored that Senator Barack Obama, McCain's rival, would be making a Nov. 1 appearance on “SNL.”
“It’s really his last chance to appeal to younger voters,” says a McCain source.
Now, they are doing all they can, admittedly, they're trying to do their best with what they have, but honestly at this point, it's pathetic. Do they think John has some sort of hypnotic power that will persuade young voters suddenly when they see him show up on their show? And how can SNL resist punking both sides of the ticket... you would think they'd learned the first time.
Memo to McCain, this is what the Young Voters were watching (to the tune of all time record viewership for TDS Last Night)
Now, the bad news... They're dumping the GOTV because they're going for total parity on air in the battlegrounds. Yes, swing voters will see much more McCain TV this weekend. And about that TV, they couldn't even afford a Spellcheck for their fear ad "Everbody" (see 12 seconds in)
This is why likely the Obama campaign has been urging donations. I've gotten 4 emails today. Now that we know this, its time for you to make your last contribution of the year. Please, step up and seal the deal.
Happy Halloween!!!
Today in Florida, Obama took time out to buy some pumpkins for the girls...
Obama found the Great Pumpkin... It brought him Tonight's PPP Poll from Colorado!!!
Barack Obama 54
John McCain 44
65% of the folks we surveyed said they had already voted, and among those respondents Obama is winning 58-41. Folks planning to vote on election day support John McCain 50-47, bringing Obama's overall lead down to ten points.
FOUR DAYS
UPDATE: As a Point of Comparison, I offer the Obama Campaign Bus Teams from Texas
The campaign wants committed Obama volunteers in Texas to vote early, and then sign up for one of a number of bus tours to other battleground states. All travel and lodging expenses are paid for.
Team Buckeye: Austin to Ohio -- 10/31 to 11/05
Team Simpson: Austin/Waco/Dallas to Missouri -- 10/31 to 11/05
Team Riverwalk: San Antonio/Austin to New Mexico -- 10/31 to 11/05
Team Longhorn: Austin to New Mexico -- 10/31 to 11/03
Team Bronco: Fort Worth to New Mexico -- 10/31 to 11/05
Team Gator: Houston to Florida -- 10/31 to 11/05
Team Cowboy: Houston to Ohio -- 10/31 to 11/05
it is NOT too late to sign up TEXAS, Fill up Those Buses TEXAS!!!
All travel and lodging expenses will be provided. Sign up using the form to the right and an organizer will be in touch with details about your trip.
Housing: We will arrange for housing for you during your stay either with supporters or in hotels with low group rates.
Transportation: We will arrange for transportation for volunteers to a swing state and within the community in which you are working. Transportation is limited, so please sign up to let us know if you prefer to drive on your own.
This is the Campaign you Own... We Own.... Please, one last time, one more treat for Obama and us all... Dig Deep, this is it ya'll...