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the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
lots of news coverage similar to
(snip)"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's highly anticipated speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night nearly matched the record-setting numbers of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Palin pulled in 37.2 million viewers across broadcast and cable networks, according to Nielsen Media Research.
That's 55% higher than Day 3 of the DNC, when her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, and President Clinton took the stage (24 million).
It's also up a sharp 99% from the Republican convention's third day in 2004 (18.7 million) and easily bests the numbers viewers attracted by George W. Bush when he accepted the nomination (27.6 million). In fact, it came close to upsetting Obama's historic address last Thursday -- the most-watched convention speech in history (38.4 million viewers).
Palin's viewership is up 73% from Tuesday's RNC tally, when 21.5 million tuned in to see President Bush and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman endorse nominee John McCain. The event also drew more female viewers than Hillary Clinton's speech last week. "(snip)
what the news coverage ISN'T saying is that Palin drew almost as many viewers as Obama in terms of total viewership. In point of fact she actually OUTDREW Obama on the networks that covered both speeches. But Obama's total viewership was higher because his speech was carried by several networks who decided NOT to also cover Palin's speech. Among these 'selective' networks were Black Entertainment Television, TeleMundo etc.
I wonder what the 'reinstate the fairness doctrine' Democrats would have to say ?
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
I listened to both speeches. I skipped Clinton/Biden and plan on skipping McCain's speech tonight.
Just like me, I'm sure everyone wanted to see how Palin would do in front of a national audience. I truly believe she has spoken to the base of evangelical christian conservative voters, where McCain has been struggling to gain ground.
But at the same time, she may have lost the moderates on the right. The speech touched on a lot of things, but there was no substance. She laid out a lot of plans for America under a McCain Presidency, but also promised tax cuts.
*She talked about victory in Iraq, instead of surrender. That's absurd. Bush will be removing troops (and has already begun withdrawal). All the next president needs to do is announce "Victory".
*She talked about developing energy independence from foreign sources, not just from more drilling but from alternative sources such as natural gas, wind, solar and bio fuels.
*Her comments on being against the "bridge to nowhere" are documented falsehoods. She not only wasn't against it, she worked with the lobbying groups to get MORE earmarks for her state, not less.
*As far as what she and McCain plan on actually doing? There was nothing in her speech about any action. Nothing. Not even a contract with America. No mention of a plan at all. Just vague references to cutting taxes and cleaning up Washington.
I know it was a speech designed to fire up the base. Due to the huge viewership, I think that her "pitbull with lipstick" attitude will do absolutely nothing to win over undecided voters. It would have been nice if she could have mentioned the health care crisis or the morgage crisis or the problem with inflation or unemployment or illegal immigration or the trade deficit or the problems with America's reputation internationally or the need for replenishing the military or the issues with medical care for veterens.
If the RNC is any indication, the only things that matter in America are Abortion, Gays, God, Guns, Tax cuts and War.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
I think that her "pitbull with lipstick" attitude will do absolutely nothing to win over undecided voters
in regard to undecided voters in Oregon, or in New York for that matter, she has absolutely nothing to lose since these states' electoral votes are already wrapped up for Obama. As to undecided voters in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico, where votes DO matter, time will tell.
Quote:
the only things that matter in America are Abortion, Gays, God, Guns, Tax cuts and War
again, such things may not matter much in Oregon or New York, but they may matter a great deal in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico.
You didn't comment about the 'editorial decisions' of Black Entertainment Network, TeleMundo etc. to carry Democratic convention coverage but NOT carry Republican campaign coverage, which was after all the main point of this thread ...
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
in regard to undecided voters in Oregon, or in New York for that matter, she has absolutely nothing to lose since these states' electoral votes are already wrapped up for Obama. As to undecided voters in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico, where votes DO matter, time will tell.
again, such things may not matter much in Oregon or New York, but they may matter a great deal in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico.
and so do middle-class, not on mention by Palin........thats just ignoring the those states....
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
You didn't comment about the 'editorial decisions' of Black Entertainment Network, TeleMundo etc. to carry Democratic convention coverage but NOT carry Republican campaign coverage, which was after all the main point of this thread ...
Sorry, I missed the point. BET.com has Palin's speech and RNC coverage featured on their homepage right now. Telemundo appears to be a soap opera station, but I don't speak spanish, so I'm not positive. There is nothing on their homepage that looks like news coverage.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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BET.com has Palin's speech and RNC coverage featured on their homepage right now
Yes I know. They are apparently trying to do 'damage control' after being 'outed' for failing to cover Palin's speech in real time as a result of the viewership statistics released earlier today. Better late than never I suppose ... but of limited pragmatic value since 95%+ of Black American voters are likely to pull the lever for Obama. But the spanish language networks are a different story.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
what the news coverage ISN'T saying is that Palin drew almost as many viewers as Obama in terms of total viewership. In point of fact she actually OUTDREW Obama on the networks that covered both speeches. But Obama's total viewership was higher because his speech was carried by several networks who decided NOT to also cover Palin's speech. Among these 'selective' networks were Black Entertainment Television, TeleMundo etc.
nice spin, but, as a PR/Comm guy I ain't buying, your point doesn't hold water.
Lets say the total audience was 10,000,000 for obama and 9,000,000 for palin. Just numbers.
Obama had 5 networks (just a number to rpove my point), and Palin only had 3 networks.
That means that Obama had 2,000,000 per station, while Palin would have 3,000,000.
If people wanted to see their speech, with 100,000 cable channels and streaming video, people would have watched.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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If people wanted to see their speech, with 100,000 cable channels and streaming video, people would have watched.
that's a speculative conclusion at best, and also technically wrong in the context of this thread since 99,000 tiny cable channels and streaming net videos do not contribute to the published viewership statistics cited by the news stories. The minor point which was NOT reported by mainstream media is that among viewers who chose to watch both conventions on CNN or Fox or MSNBC, Palin's speech outdrew Obama's speech in viewership, while mainstream news coverage reported that Obama outdrew Palin without explaining that a big asterisk should apply. But the major point was that several LARGE networks like BET and the spanish language networks took it upon themselves to cover Obama's speech but NOT to cover Palin's speech (at least not in real time) ... which smacks of a blatant political agenda on the part of the executives of those networks.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
and Fox news had no agenda??
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
You could legitimately argue that Fox has a political agenda if they had refused to broadcast Obama's speech while choosing to broadcast Palin's speech.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Melonie
You could legitimately argue that Fox has a political agenda if they had refused to broadcast Obama's speech while choosing to broadcast Palin's speech.
I'll agree with you Mel that there was an agenda with BET and telemuendo......but you have to say Fox News HAS a politican bias....
hell I was a kid and was republican and in highschool i knew Boston Glove = Liberal POV, Boston Herald = Conservative POV.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Melonie
You didn't comment about the 'editorial decisions' of Black Entertainment Network, TeleMundo etc. to carry Democratic convention coverage but NOT carry Republican campaign coverage, which was after all the main point of this thread ...
Actually that isn't true: http://blogs.bet.com/news/pamela/200...op-convention/
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
(ST.PAUL, MINN) Sept. 3, 2008 – Black Republicans are scarce on the opening day of the Republican National Convention, but those high profile members of the GOP are who in attendance are making the rounds and touting the virtues of the GOP for African Americans
Former Pittsburg Steelers wide-out, Lynn Swann, who ran for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006, told me, more Blacks would be Republican if they compared their conservative values to those of the GOP. He believes they haven’t examined what the party stands for and therefore aren’t giving the Grand Ole Party a chance.
“Who are you, what do believe in and how you act on that belief, if more Black Americans would ask those questions, they would find the answers in the Republican Party,” Swann said.
The convention this year has only 36 African American delegates, about two percent according to a study by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Research. That’s a mere 1.5 percent of the total 2,380 delegates on the convention floor. Here in St. Paul the party is witnessing a significant drop in Black delegates compared to 2004, when 167 of the delegates were African American.
David Bositis, a senior political analyst who keeps an eye on the political trends of African American voters, noted the minority delegate count for both conventions. In contrast, 24 percent of the delegates at the Democratic National Convention were African American, or 1,087 of the more than 4,500 delegates.
Ken Blackwell, former Secretary of State in Ohio, defends his party and his presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s outreach efforts to Black voters. “My impression and perception is John McCain has gone where others who have headed up the ticket have not,” he said.
Blackwell cited Sen. McCain’s appearance at the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., anniversary in Memphis and his speeches before the National Urban League and NAACP conventions as proof he was making an effort to reach out to African Americans. But McCain hasn’t been as available to Black media outlets.
BET News has had a request in for the senator since October 2007, for an interview. His press office has said his scheduled has not permitted time to make it happen. The request is re-introduced once every month or so, and the most recent e-mail response from Charles Adams, who is with the campaign, says; “Pamela, We will definitely keep you guys in the mix. Right now we don’t have any availability in the schedule but will certainly let you know if something opens up. Wish I could give you a better response but that’s where we stand. Thanks”
BET is covering the RNC, while other Black media outlets decided not to because access to top party leaders is limited and interest is slight from the Black community.
Very few African-American voters consider themselves Republican. “This low level of black attachment to the Republican Party is now almost five decades old,” Bositis said.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Melonie
again, such things may not matter much in Oregon or New York, but they may matter a great deal in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico.
Uhm, you might want to take back that New Mexico comment because Obama is up something like 13 points over McSame as of the last time I looked (which was late last week). We are even shown in solid blue on that map thing the news channels show. So I seriously doubt Palin's speech pulled too many voters from my area.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Melonie
You could legitimately argue that Fox has a political agenda if they had refused to broadcast Obama's speech while choosing to broadcast Palin's speech.
ROFLMAO. I can't believe you 'rereally trying to say that Fox has no political agenda. That has got to be hands down one of the funniest things I have read on this site yet!
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
there's a big difference between media bias (which Fox has, but arguably so does every other major network and newspaper), and media with an active political agenda i.e. an editorial policy which chooses to report news items with a certain political view while failing to report news items with an alternate political view entirely !
Quote:
BET News has had a request in for the senator since October 2007, for an interview. His press office has said his scheduled has not permitted time to make it happen.
requesting an exclusive interview and being denied is NOT the same as refusing to cover a 'news event'.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Zia_Abq
ROFLMAO. I can't believe you 'rereally trying to say that Fox has no political agenda. That has got to be hands down one of the funniest things I have read on this site yet!
As compared to MSNBC which has done nothing but cheer for Obama ?
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
lots of news coverage similar to
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/09/palin-ratings-s.html
(snip)"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's highly anticipated speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night nearly matched the record-setting numbers of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Palin pulled in 37.2 million viewers across broadcast and cable networks, according to Nielsen Media Research.
That's 55% higher than Day 3 of the DNC, when her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, and President Clinton took the stage (24 million).
It's also up a sharp 99% from the Republican convention's third day in 2004 (18.7 million) and easily bests the numbers viewers attracted by George W. Bush when he accepted the nomination (27.6 million). In fact, it came close to upsetting Obama's historic address last Thursday -- the most-watched convention speech in history (38.4 million viewers).
Palin's viewership is up 73% from Tuesday's RNC tally, when 21.5 million tuned in to see President Bush and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman endorse nominee John McCain. The event also drew more female viewers than Hillary Clinton's speech last week. "(snip)
what the news coverage ISN'T saying is that Palin drew almost as many viewers as Obama in terms of total viewership. In point of fact she actually OUTDREW Obama on the networks that covered both speeches. But Obama's total viewership was higher because his speech was carried by several networks who decided NOT to also cover Palin's speech. Among these 'selective' networks were Black Entertainment Television, TeleMundo etc.
I wonder what the 'reinstate the fairness doctrine' Democrats would have to say ?
And Oprah's producers are flipping out because she doesn't want Palin as a guest. It would conflict with her support of "The One".
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
^^^ yeah, the O is starting to take some serious heat over this issue i.e. that she is totally in the tank for Obama and in effect using her Chicago based podium as a source of 'free' campaign advertising ...
(snip)"Well, I suppose the big flap of the moment has to do with Oprah and Drudge; she claims some report he filed today is bogus, and even went so far as to issue a denial; it's no big deal, really, though Drudge (as usual) is pumping this for all it's worth. The post claim: that Oprah's staff is divided on whether she should have Sarah Palin as a guest, with Oprah insisting that she shouldn't come on.
O went so far as to issue a denial, and she does that very very rarely - in fact, I can't even remember an instance when she has. "The item in today's Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. At the beginning of this Presidential campaign when I decided that I was going to take my first public stance in support of a candidate, I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over."
Now, let me just give you the benefit of my expertise on Oprah: There's no such thing as a "divided" staff out there in Chicago. She is the Queen. They are her subjects. There are no disputes with the Queen, and that is that.
But Oprah's also in the bag for Obama and has made no secret of that either; said she, for example of his recent speech, "What I saw with Barack Obama was something that was transcendent and I felt transformational for me as a human being and for this country. And I only pray in the deepest part of my being that America will rise to this moment. And I feel that what he was able to offer us as individual citizens and as a united country was something that we have never seen before. I really, I think it's the most powerful thing I've ever experienced."
Fine, now, here are five reasons why O should have Palin on:
1.) To talk about motherhood, her family and Bristol; if you're really hung up on politics, O, then this doesn't have to be a "political" debriefing at all, per se, but a larger look at even more important issues, which your show claims to care about.
2.) It'd get a huge number. Hell yeah! Perhaps one of the biggest numbers in "O" history. This is a mercenary business, O, in case you've forgotten.
3.) It'd get the show back to that sweet spot of "relevance" and "news-worthiness." Wonderful to have all 150-or-so Olympians on Monday's season premiere, but the Olympics are old news; Palin is fresh news.
4.) Of course, it's O's right to support Obama in whatever forum she chooses, but she's simply too transcendent - her word - a cultural figure to pretend she's lil' ol' objective and non-political Oprah on her show, and yet Obama's most important supporter in the WORLD when she's not on screen. That's a silly artifice, transparent to all. Why not get Palin on and say, "OK, lady, I happen to think this guy walks on water. Now you tell me why he doesn't, and let's go at this." That would be great TV, and far better than a dreary debate between Palin and Joe Biden.
5.) O helped secure at least a million addition votes for Obama but probably lost hundreds of thousands of McCain supporter-viewers - if not more - to her show in the process. Here's her chance to say to everyone, "I have a right to support whomever I choose, and now to prove to you just how open-minded I am, here's the gun-toting mama from Alaska on the show." "(snip)
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
in regard to undecided voters in Oregon, or in New York for that matter, she has absolutely nothing to lose since these states' electoral votes are already wrapped up for Obama. As to undecided voters in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico, where votes DO matter, time will tell.
again, such things may not matter much in Oregon or New York, but they may matter a great deal in Pennsylvania or Ohio or New Mexico.
I live in Pennsylvania, and I think that she will do nothing to help McCain's cause here. I was an undecided voter who was actually leaning toward McCain until he chose her as his running mate. Even the slightest chance of having this woman lead our country is TERRIFYING to say the least. I guess I'll be voting for Obama now.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
based on today's numbers, it appears that TeleMundo and UniVision failed in their political agenda ...
(snip)"The Nielsen ratings showed that Palin attracted a huge female audience of 19.5 million women, nearly 5 million larger than the third day of the Democratic convention when Hillary Clinton spoke.
The third day of the GOP gathering also attracted more Hispanic viewers than the third day of the Democratic gathering -- 1.4 million to 1.2 million -- even though Univision and Telemundo [who DID carry the Obama speech - sic] did not carry the Palin speech."(snip)
from
the 'tin foil hat' crowd is of the opinion that hispanic voters may yet turn out to be the Republican secret weapon, given that they comprise a substantial percentage of voters in swing states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida etc.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
the 'tin foil hat' crowd is of the opinion that hispanic voters may yet turn out to be the Republican secret weapon, given that they comprise a substantial percentage of voters in swing states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida etc.
1) I know we've had this discussion before, Mel, but not many of us listen to the fringe, i.e., tin foil hat crowd, but 2) by that strategy, all McCain has to to is be quiet on immigration, and "more of the same" will carry over from Pres. Bush, who seems to be pro-immigration, the Great Wall of the Rio Grande notwithstanding, and then 3) at least in Colorado, they'll follow the lead of the Hispanic leaders of Sen. Ken Salazar or Rep. John Salazar or former Mayor Pena, all of whom.... oh. Are Democrats. Never mind.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
lots of news coverage similar to
http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/09/palin-ratings-s.html
(snip)"Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's highly anticipated speech at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night nearly matched the record-setting numbers of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Palin pulled in 37.2 million viewers across broadcast and cable networks, according to Nielsen Media Research.
That's 55% higher than Day 3 of the DNC, when her Democratic counterpart, Joe Biden, and President Clinton took the stage (24 million).
It's also up a sharp 99% from the Republican convention's third day in 2004 (18.7 million) and easily bests the numbers viewers attracted by George W. Bush when he accepted the nomination (27.6 million). In fact, it came close to upsetting Obama's historic address last Thursday -- the most-watched convention speech in history (38.4 million viewers).
Palin's viewership is up 73% from Tuesday's RNC tally, when 21.5 million tuned in to see President Bush and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman endorse nominee John McCain. The event also drew more female viewers than Hillary Clinton's speech last week. "(snip)
what the news coverage ISN'T saying is that Palin drew almost as many viewers as Obama in terms of total viewership. In point of fact she actually OUTDREW Obama on the networks that covered both speeches. But Obama's total viewership was higher because his speech was carried by several networks who decided NOT to also cover Palin's speech. Among these 'selective' networks were Black Entertainment Television, TeleMundo etc.
I wonder what the 'reinstate the fairness doctrine' Democrats would have to say ?
Of course she is going to draw a lot of viewers. She is new and people don't know about her. Not everyone watching those speeches is voting for McCain or impressed with what she said...they are simply listening to both sides.
I know plenty of Obama supporters that don't watch the conventions at all....only care about the debates or will just vote Obama.
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
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Originally Posted by
Pan Dah
I can't help but wonder though, how many of those viewers in any demographic were supporters and how many were of the "Who the hell is this woman?" variety...
Exactly :)
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
based on today's numbers, it appears that TeleMundo and UniVision failed in their political agenda ...
(snip)"The Nielsen ratings showed that Palin attracted a huge female audience of 19.5 million women, nearly 5 million larger than the third day of the Democratic convention when Hillary Clinton spoke.
The third day of the GOP gathering also attracted more Hispanic viewers than the third day of the Democratic gathering -- 1.4 million to 1.2 million -- even though Univision and Telemundo [who DID carry the Obama speech - sic] did not carry the Palin speech."(snip)
from
the 'tin foil hat' crowd is of the opinion that hispanic voters may yet turn out to be the Republican secret weapon, given that they comprise a substantial percentage of voters in swing states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida etc.
LMAO, Mel, your getting away from your OP........and you still haven't answered my question....
tin-foil hat crowd indeed.......least I don't have blinders and ear-plugs on ::)
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Re: the REAL news behind the news re Palin's TV audience
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
the 'tin foil hat' crowd is of the opinion that hispanic voters may yet turn out to be the Republican secret weapon, given that they comprise a substantial percentage of voters in swing states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Florida etc.
I doubt that very much. Not with all of the anti-immigrant sentiment in the Republican Party. This poll from July shows Obama 30 points ahead of McCain with the Hispanic vote:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/108532/Hi...ind-Obama.aspx