News Cut: October 7, 2008 Archive

What's News Cut up to?

Posted at 5:22 AM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (9 Comments)

I'll be live blogging tonight's debate between Barack Obama and John McCain from Nashville. Tom Brokaw is moderating so perhaps we'll see a moderator this election season who doesn't miss obvious follow-up questions. The debate starts at 8 p.m. so I'll hope you join me here and take part in the discussion.

I'm working on a couple of projects relating to the economy. I'm planning on traveling to several college campuses in the state to talk about how students are feeling about their future. If you'd like me to hit your campus -- and you'd like to pull a few folks together to chat -- please use the contact form.

Similarly, I'm looking for people who are within a few years of retiring to tell me their stories of approaching the great unknown. If you are one, contact me.

I'm hoping to put together a new News Cut feature -- "The Coffee Shop Chronicles" -- by setting up shop at coffee shops around the state and playing "Give me 6 questions." I believe I can find something interesting about you that others will find interesting (and newsworthy) in 6 questions or fewer. If I fail, I give you a quarter.

A guy can only take so much politics. I'm looking for information on the people you know who are doing interesting things. Sure, we're not talking front-page stuff, by what does it have to be?

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Polls adding to voter confusion

Posted at 9:12 AM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (15 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

At some point, someone has to ask: What purpose do political polls serve other than getting the name of the sponsoring news organization onto competitors' pages or newscasts?

Over the weekend, of course, two polls for the U.S. Senate race showed Al Franken well in front in one race, well behind in another. Net effect? Useless information.

Today, Minnesota Public Radio is out with a poll showing Barack Obama "surging ahead" of John McCain in Minnesota. It mirrors to a degree the Star Tribune poll two days ago that shows roughly the same thing.

"As they tune in and as they are concerned about the economy, they're asking the question 'Which candidate is better able to handle the economy going forward and to get us out of this economic mess?'" Obama Minnesota campaign boss Jeff Blodgett said. "And overwhelmingly, we are finding that voters are coming toward Barack Obama."

Meanwhile, a National Journal poll shows McCain closing the gap nationally and pulling within the margin of error, apparently because of the economy. On the question of who is best to handle the economy, the poll said, Obama's lead has evaporated.

Two other polls show Obama widening his lead over McCain nationally.

So let's sort this out. Obama is extending his lead, McCain is closing the gap, the economy is responsible for the shift to Obama, and the economy is responsible for the shift to McCain.

We've got plenty of polls; we have precious little clarity.

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Live-blogging the Obama-McCain debate (pre-game)

Posted at 12:15 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (3 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

Again, as with the Super Bowl, we're starting the pre-game show hours early, passing along factoids and various elements surrounding the debate you may find useful.

12:16 p.m. NPR is going to try to use Twitter tonight for "dial testing." They're also going to "fact check" on the VoxPolitics blog. Their idea is for those of you using Twitter to score an answer and add the hashtag #dialtest to your message. Then you could follow the results here. Why it won't work: As near as I can tell Twitter users are predominantly Democrats. I actually have no idea if this theory is true, and it is only anecdotal. But Twitter's Election 2008 section doesn't come across as entirely balanced. But it's still a cool idea.

12:41 pm. Here are your Bingo possibilities for tonight. If you've got a bunch of Obama supporters, and you've each got laptops, you can use this online game. There are four Obama cards here, but they're mostly geared to the primaries. A more recent board is here. McCaniacs can find boards here. Andy Carvin's stump-speech bingo is also suitable.

1:49 p.m. - It'll be interesting to see if the two candidates will be direct with the allegatons they're raising in their ads right now. Or whether they'll try to come off as genial gents and just let their surrogates handle the shiv.

3:24 p.m. - By way of NewsHour, here's a way to waste some time while waiting for the debate. Google map's Journey of Life for John McCain. It's sort of a "6 Degrees of John McCain." St. Paul, you're on there, of course. Lenox, Mass., however is not. It's where I met McCain in the late '70s. He was still in the Navy and was speaking about his time as a POW.

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Survey: American couples argue more

Posted at 1:01 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (1 Comments)
Filed under: Surveys and trivia

The Oxford Internet Institute is out today with a survey that shows a wide disparity in couples depending on where they live.

"Britons are the least likely to complain if modern life leaves their partners too tired for sex. Australians are less worried by their spouse being less affectionate and Americans argue more," says the BBC.

The survey was put together for the online dating site, eHarmony, and appears to be part of a massive year-long project to explore the Internet and dating. Serious stuff.

Couples in the U.S. experience a dip in "marital satisfaction" around the birth of their first child, something that may be surprising to anyone who hasn't had a kid yet.

But wait, there's more in the survey!

In the US, couples put more focus on the interpersonal facets of their relationships, reporting that they laugh together, exchange ideas, kiss, and confide in each other more often. However, they also have more arguments and are more likely to report that their partners annoy them.

There's something you can discuss with your spouse this evening. Let me know how that goes. And spare no details.

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Tough times for coffee

Posted at 3:35 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)
Filed under: Economy

Minneapolis-based Caribou Coffee today Caribou Coffee announced that comparable coffeehouse net sales decreased 4.7% for the last 13 weeks.

Michael Tattersfield, President and new CEO and Timothy Hennessy, CFO are holding a conference call now, which I'm monitoring and will pass any pearls along. They say they won't be talking about the financial picture, however, and these days, what else is there?

Is the bloom off the coffee rose?

A recent survey of coffee shops in Red Wing, for example, seemed to mirror Caribou's results; fewer people are stopping in for the high-priced blend. "Coffee depends on people having money in their pockets," one coffee shop owner said. And apparently, they don't these days.

That didn't stop Caribou, however, from raising prices 2.5% last month. The company has been in a decline for a few years.

Perhaps it's only coincidence, but the decline in the coffee house business seemed to mirror the end of the Friends TV show.

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No pets allowed

Posted at 3:58 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (6 Comments)

Soldiers in Iraq have been befriending puppies during their deployments and an agency has sprung up to help "repatriate" the critters here at home. Baghdad Pups has helped soldiers cut through some red tape to help them get their animal friends sent home when they are.

It doesn't always work out. Last week, the New York Times reported, one of the animals sent home turned out to be rabid, but more often than not the effort results in a happy ending.

Not for a Minneapolis woman, according to a release from the SPCA, however.

Sgt. Gwen Beberg has been in Iraq 15 months longer than her original commitment, it said, where she befriended a dog named Ratchet.

Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East befriend animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The dog was heading for Baghdad airport last week to be delivered to Sgt. Beberg's parents in Minneapolis when military officers confiscated the dog. It's illegal for military personnel to befriend pets, apparently.

"This year has been extremely difficult on my daughter and her family. It has been a year of disappointments, loneliness, and fear because of all the sacrifices the army has required of Gwen. Ratchet was the savior of her sanity. Now they have cruelly ripped Ratchet away from her and sentenced him to death. I don't know how my daughter will cope. Ratchet has been her lifeline," explains Sgt. Beberg's mother, Patricia Beberg, told the SPCA.

The group has urged a phone-calling campaign to Minnesota politicians in Congress. Given the worldwide attention from this article, Ratchet will probably be fine.

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Rainbow logic

Posted at 6:57 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (2 Comments)
Filed under: Life

I'm not much of a photographer, but even if I were, I have a rinky-dink camera that doesn't take much of a picture. But if you live in the Twin Cities, the chances are pretty good you saw it: One of the most vibrant rainbows anyone has ever seen. It went from horizon to horizon (this picture was just outside the door of the world headquarters of News Cut).

No, there's no pot of gold to be found. But, you know, the market had another bad day today, the economy is in complete shambles, and many of our workplaces and families are being (or about to be) decimated by layoffs.

What do you say that just for now, we believe that it really is a sign?

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The McCain-Obama debate - Nashville

Posted at 7:28 PM on October 7, 2008 by Bob Collins (38 Comments)
Filed under: Politics

Welcome to tonight's News Cut "debate party." We're live-blogging the debate between John McCain and Barack Obama from Nashville. Please take party by posting your (substantive) comments and analysis .

8 pm We're about to get underway. One of the first things we'll watch is whether John McCain will look at Barack Obama. Interesting reading: A May 2008 Time article about the 7 ways John McCain can beat Obama.

8:02 p.m. This is the format -- the town hall format -- that supposedly favors McCain. Originally, McCain proposed several "town hall" forums with Sen. Obama. He got one. Candidates have just been introduced.

Q: Alan Schaeffer asks: What's the fastest, most positive solution to bail retirees out?

Obama: Acknowledges people are worried about pension and retirement accounts. Says it's a final verdict on the failed economic policies of the Bush administration. (Yes, I'm waiting for an answer, too). Step 1: Rescue package from last week. Crack down on CEOs to make sure they're not getting payments. Step 2: Tax cut for middle class and public works projects. Step 3: Fix health care system and energy system. Basically, the answer is his entire stump speech.

McCain: MccCain is working the room the way he does with town forums. Says we have to keep taxes low. "Let's not raise taxes on anybody." Says we have to "do something" about home values. He says he'd order Secretary of the Treasury to buy up bad home loans and renegotiate and allow renegotiation with the feds over payments.

Discussion: Brokaw asks who they have in mind to be Treasury Secretary. Warren Buffett, Meg Whitman (former eBay boss), McCain says.

Obama says Warren Buffett. (Does Warren Buffet need the work?) Obama goes into his stump speech.

Twitterer says: "I'm an Obama supporter, but it looks like he's avoiding the questions now too."

Q: Oliver Clark: What is it that's going to help people with bailout bill?

McCain: It's a rescue bill. Goes back into story of leaving campaign trail to go back to Washington. Recounts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac problems, and lays them on "Sen. Obama and his cronies." Here we go. Repeats call for buying up bad loans. "Some of us stood up against it; others took a hike."

Twitterer says:

McCain to black man in audience: "I've bet you'd never even heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before this crisis."

Obama: Explains freezing of the credit markets. Says biggest problem was deregulation of financial markets and says McCain bragged as recently as March about deregulation. Says McCain's campaign manager was a lobbyist for Fannie Mae.

Discussion: Is the economy going to get worse? "No," Obama says. "But we're going to have to have some leadership from Washington." He's the first guy I've heard in recent days say the economy wasn't going to get worse. What do you think. Comment below.

McCain says the question depends on what we do. "If we stabilize the housing market and get rid of cronyism....." OK, none of that is going to happen before the layoff notices go out in American tomorrow

Q: Teresa Fitch: How can we trust either of you with our money since both parties got us into this crisis?

Obama: "I understand your frustration and cynicism." Says "there's a lot of blame to go around," and notes there was a surplus when George Bush came into office. (Fact check: Many economists believe the recession was underway in March 2001, just two months after Bush took office)

McCain: The situation calls for bipartisanship and says Obama has never taken on the leaders of his party. McCain plays the maverick card. Says of Obama: "it's the most liberal spending record in the United States Senate." Wait, isn't that what they said about John Kerry, too? The playbook , if not the torch, is passed.

Discussion: What are your priorities. McCain says you can work on all three at once. Obama says "we have to prioritize." Lists energy first, then health care and education.

8:25 p.m. Quick update from locals on Twitter:

RickM This debate is like a good infomercial gone bad.

petron These guys really think they can fix the economy - what the hell is wrong with these guys? - it's global issue now!!

MNHeadhunter Great question, how can we trust either guy/party?

sloped I'm really liking this format, forces them to speak to real people.

Tom Brokaw keeps saying "I'm going by the rules you all agreed to" because the candidates are going too long during the "discussion." It might help if he just says "time's up."

Q: From Internet and a Gt. Depression survivor: What sacrifices will you ask America to make? (Wonderful question)

McCain: There are some programs we may have to eliminate. Lists defense spending, earmarks Recommends spending freeze, but then says defense spending would be subject to the freeze. Huh? But he doesn't say what sacrifices Americans will be asked to make. Cutting a tank program isn't a sacrifice for Americans.

Obama: Talks about 9/11 and how Americans pulled together. Says Americans are hungry for leadership and he absolutely does not answer the question other than to say there's a need for us "to think about how we use energy." That's our sacrifice? We have to think? You couldn't even say something like 'drive 55?'

Discussion:: Brokaw asks how to break American of the habit of spending and easy credit? Obama says it starts with Washington. "All of us are going to have to sacrifice," he says.

McCain brings up the allegation of Obama's raising taxes X number of times. Talks again about the importance of small business.

Obama asks to respond. Brokaw says 'no.' But you know whatever the next question is, Obama will respond.

Bottom line: Tonight, we're not going to hear anything about the responsibilities of the American people to pull together, sacrifice, and get things back on track. Too bad, because that would be a great discussion. Oh, and my kingdom for someone, anyone, in this business who's say 'you didn't answer my question.'

Q: Would you give Congress a date certain to reform Social Security, because that's the big ticking time bomb?

Obama: We're not going to solve Social Security and Medicare unless we understand tax policy. Responds to previous question, saying he wants to pass a tax cut for 95% of Americans. Let the record show: He didn't answer the question.

McCain: Social Security isn't that tough. "We've got to sit down across the table." Says that's his forte. Recommends something like the base-closing commission format: An 'up or down' vote. But let the record show: He didn't answer the question.

My new definition of 'maverick': A politician who answers the question people ask him.

Q: Ingrid Jackson: Congress moved fast in wake of economic crisis. What would you do to make Congress move fast on climate change and green jobs?

McCain: We're in tough economic times. Restates that the environmnt is in endangered. Says the best way to fix it is nuclear power. Let the record show: He didn't answer the question. It wasn't "what do you want to do" it was "how will you get Congress to do it on a fast track."

Obama: We can create 5 million new jobs with green technology. We can do it but we're going to have to make an investment. We can't simply drill our way out of the problem. Didn't answer the question that the woman asked.

Discussion: Brokaw again whining about staying with time. If only he were as concerned about not answering the question. Asks should we create a "Manhattan Project" for new energy or fund "100,000 garages like what led to Silicon Valley." McCain says R&D funding first, then turn it over to private sector.

Brokaw didn't give Obama a chance to answer his question.

Do you believe health care should be treated as a commodity?

Obama: Restates problem of paying for health insurance. Talks about McCain's $5,000 tax credit for health care and says what he doesn't tell you is he's going to tax your health care.

McCain says Obama will fine parents who don't buy health insurance and will fine businesses which don't provide health insurance.

Obama says health care should be a right. Says small businesses won't have a mandate but they'll be a 50-percent tax credit for those who need it. Children are cheap to insure and we don't want them going to the emergency room for treatment of asthma. Says McCain voted against the expansion of the Children's Health Program.

Observation: Jesse Ventura would be a good addition to this debate. Dems and GOP made him out to be a goof. And he was at times. But he won his election the moment he was included in the debate in Brainer in 1999. People didn't even care they disagreed with him, he sounded like he respected the audience enough to give honest answers. If you have RealPlayer, take a trip down memory lane.

8:58 p.m. Twitterer asks: "Does Obama have to refute everything McCain says? I'm not entirely sure."

Q: Phil McCain: How will economic woes affect our ability to ask as peacemaker in the world?

McCain: America is the greatest force for good in the history of the world . Says the challenge is to know when the U.S. can beneficially affect the outcome. Says that question can be answered by someone with experience. He didn't answer the question that was asked.

Obama: Says Sen. McCain has shown poor judgment on Iraq. Says Iraq has put an enormous strain on our troops, but it's also put an enormous strain on his budget. We've spent $700 billion and it's going to go over $1 trillion if we stay on the same path. We need that money here.

Discussion: On the use of combat forces for humanitarian purposes (i.e. Congo, Somalia).

Obama: We may not always have national security at stake but we have moral issues. If we could've intervened in the Holocaust, who among us would say we didn't have a moral obligation to go in? We have to consider as part of our national interests, intervening where possible but we can't be everywhere all the time. That's why we have to work with our allies.

McCain: If we had done what Sen. Obama wanted done in Iraq (a date for withdrawal), we would've had a wider war and Iranian influence would've been increased. We must do whatever we can to prevent genocide. But it has to be tempered with our ability to beneficially influence the outcome.

Q: Should the U.S. not respect Pakistani sovereignty in pursuit of al Qaeda?

Obama: We go distracted, diverted resources and bin Laden escaped (Aside: did you see the 60 Minutes piece on Sunday?)

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. We have to change policies with Pakistan. We can't coddle dictator. We should encourage democracy, expand non-miltary aid, and insist they go after militants and if "we have bin Laden in our sights, we should take him out."

McCain: Says we have to get Pakistan's support and use the same strategy of Iraq. We need to get the support of the people and turn them against the Taliban, not threatening to attack them. I think that's a "no"

Followup: "I'm just the hired help here," Brokaw says. Yeah, no kidding. He makes Gwen Ifill looks good.

Obama says we have to take "bin Laden out" because he's threatening to kill Americans. Acknowledges that McCain says he's "green behind the ears," "But this is the guy who sang 'Bomb Bomb Iran' and called for the annihilation of North Korea so I don't think he's speaking softly." Obama lands the hardest punch of the night.

McCain says he was joking with an old veteran when he sang the Beach Boys Barbara Ann to "bomb Iran" He says he'll "get Osama." This is incorrect. It was at a Town Meeting and he was asked a serious question.

Q: How do you reorganize the strategy in Afghan

Obama: Remove troops from Iraq and send to Afghanistan.

McCain: Double the size of the Afghan army. Work more closely with the Pakistanis. "We have to use the same strategy that Sen. Obama won't admits worked in Iraq."

Q: How can we apply pressure to Russia on humanitarian issues without starting another Cold War?

McCain: We're not going to have another Cold War with Russia. Talks about his warnings about Putin. Says we should "watch Ukraine." He says we should advocate for the Ukraine's membership in NATO and "make Putin understand there are penalties for this behavior."

Obama: We can't just provide moral support. We rushed into Iraq and that has cost us dearly. We have to be much more strategic. Energy is key in dealing with Russia. If we reduce our energy consumption, that will reduce Russian influence. (Perhaps we should be asked to sacrifice to do that?)

Q: Would you commit troops to support Israel if it's attacked by Iran? Or would you wait for the U.N. Security Council?

McCain: Would not wait. China and Russia would pose obstacles at the U.N. Says Obama would sit down with Iranian leaders without preconditions (Please don't mention the name Henry Kissinger.)

Obama: We cannot allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. We will never take military options off the table. It is important to use all the tools at our disposal to prevent the scenario where we have to make these choices. If we can work more effectively to tighten sanctions, reduce our energy consumption (Did I hear "sacrifice?" No.), that starts changing cost-benefit analysis. We need to talk with our enemies that if they don't change behavior, there will be dire consequences. It may not work, but when we take that approach, we have a better chance at better outcomes.

Q: What don't you know, and how will you learn it?
( Psst: How to answer a question? How to have a good, honest debate by not pandering to us?)

Obama: it's never the challenges you expect, it's the challenges you don't that end up consuming your time. "I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't that the country gave me opportunity." Makes the "dream" stump speech.

McCain: What I don't know is what all of us don't know: What's going to happen here at home and abroad. The challenges are unprecedented. Makes his stump speech.

What a terrible debate! I wrote extensively here when Tim Russert died with some concern that he was being overly glorified. My goodness, though, if these last three debates haven't shown us the value of Tim Russert, nothing ever will. Let's hope Bob Schieffer comes through for us when he moderates the next debate.

Both candidates clearly are not interested in telling the American people anything they don't want to hear. And maybe that's our fault (and Walter Mondale's). We're supposed to feel better because neither candidate would acknowledge that the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. But I can't say I do. I feel bad because either (a) the candidates don't think we can stand hearing honesty or (b) the candidates have no grasp of the most important issue facing working America today.

Your thoughts?

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