.....

^^^Its a local clan issue adeer. Anyhow this is the very argument of why we need a stronger central government. These clan ****** will turn the country into 1991 turf war..

Lifelong conservative Republican Ken Adelman to vote for Obama, blasts McCain and Palin John Aravosis (DC) · 10/20/2008 04:30:00 PM ET · This one hurts. Why so, since my views align a lot more with McCain’s than with Obama’s? And since I truly dread the notion of a Democratic president, Democratic House, and hugely Democratic Senate? Primarily for two reasons, those of temperament and of judgment. When the economic crisis broke, I found John McCain bouncing all over the place. In those first few crisis days, he was impetuous, inconsistent, and imprudent; ending up just plain weird. Having worked with Ronald Reagan for seven years, and been with him in his critical three summits with Gorbachev, I’ve concluded that that’s no way a president can act under pressure. Second is judgment. The most important decision John McCain made in his long campaign was deciding on a running mate. That decision showed appalling lack of judgment. Not only is Sarah Palin not close to being acceptable in high office—I would not have hired her for even a mid-level post in the arms-control agency. But that selection contradicted McCain’s main two, and best two, themes for his campaign—Country First, and experience counts. Neither can he credibly claim, post-Palin pick.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann *** Two weeks out: There are no significant changes to this week’s NBC electoral map. Obama continues to hold a 264-163 lead over McCain, which is unchanged from last week. The slight changes: We moved Georgia, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District from Likely McCain to Lean McCain. Also, we almost moved McCain’s home state of Arizona to the Lean column; the state would have been a battleground had McCain not been on the ticket. And keep an eye on South Carolina -- yes, South Carolina. The historic African-American turnout appears to be happening and could make it a single-digit race there. In sum, the political winds are still at Obama’s back. As for the Toss-up states and any that are teetering toward Obama: Colorado, Florida, and Virginia all seem to tilting the Democrat's way, but we haven't moved them yet because all three states have histories of Republican candidates over-performing polls. Unlike other maps, ours is not poll-driven. Polls are only a part of how we make our decisions on our map.

Hassan adeer why are they fighting each other in Balcad over road blocks? The fakery of your whole agenda is evident these "islamic" warriors are no more than the same clan militias who used to fight over these things these past 17 years.. lol

Al-Shabaab iyo Maxkamadaha oo dagaalamay Muqdisho, Somaliya (Calanka.com) 19-Oktober-08 Waxaa maanta degmada Balcad ka dhacay dagaalkii ugu horeeyay ee si toos ah u dhex mara garabyada Al-Shabaab iyo Maxkamdaha, kuwaasoo iska dilay inta la og yahay 2-ruux halka ey dhaawecuna kor u dhaafayo sida la sheegay toban ruux. Warar ku dhow-dhow oo aanu ka heleyno mid ka mid ah garabyadan ayaa inoo xaqiijiyay in dagaalkii maanta dhacay uu ahaa mid aad u kululaa islamarkaana ku bilowday si kadis ah. Dagaalkan ayaa yimid kadib markii maleeshiyaad hubeysan oo loo badinayo in ey ahaayeen kuwa ka tirsan Al-shabaab ey soo galeen deegaankaasi iyadoo aan laga war qabin islamarkaana dagaalku sidaasi ku bilowday. Ma cada ilaa iyo iminka cida looga awood roonaaday dagaalkii maanta, waxaana wararkii ugu dambeeyay sheegayaan in uu dagaalku iminka qaboobay islamarkaana kooxdii horay u joogtay deegaankaasi ey wali baaqi ku yihiin. Si kastaba ha ahaatee dagaalkan u dhexeeya labadan kooxood ayaa kusoo aaday xilli ey mudooyinkan dambe ey isdhaafsanayeen weeraro xaga saxaafadda ah, mana jiraan ilaa iyo iminka masuuliyiin ka tirsan labadan garab oo ka hadlay dagaalkii maanta dhexmaray.

Obama's perfect weekend: Ahead in polls, record fundraising - and Colin Powell tooDan Glaister The Guardian, Monday October 20 2008 Article history Powell on Obama: 'He is a transformational figure' Link to this video Colin Powell, George Bush's former secretary of state, yesterday dealt his own party a major blow when he threw his weight behind Barack Obama's bid to become the next president of the United States. The retired four-star general spurned his good friend, the Republican John McCain, to heap praise on the "transformational figure" of Obama, the Democratic party candidate, saying America needed a "generational change". In a swipe at both Bush and McCain, he added: "I firmly believe that at this point in America's history, we need a president who will not just continue, even with a new face and with the changes and with some maverick aspects, who will not just continue basically the policies that we have been following in recent years." Dan Glaister on Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama: 'This will sting McCain' Link to this audio Coming 15 days before the US presidential election, Powell's endorsement was the second important boost to Obama yesterday. The other was the news that his campaign had raised a record $150m (£86m) in September, dwarfing his previous monthly high of $65m in August, and bringing the total raised to $605m. At the weekend, Obama also attracted his biggest US audience of the campaign, when 100,000 people attended a rally in St Louis, Missouri. On Saturday evening, 75,000 people attended an Obama rally in Kansas City. The huge turnouts came as the latest national polls showed the presidential race essentially static, with Obama maintaining a lead of 4%-7%. Speaking on the TV programme Meet the Press, Powell, 71, offered an impassioned endorsement of Obama, and a harsh repudiation of the McCain campaign. "It was not easy for me to disappoint Senator McCain in the way that I have done this morning," Powell said. "We need a transformational figure, a president who is a generational change, That is why I'm supporting Barack Obama. "Because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities - and you have to take that into account - he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president." He said race was not a factor in his decision, but added: "It will be an historic event for an African-American to become president, and, if that happens, all Americans should be proud." Powell, who said he had made up his mind over the last two months, was damning about McCain's response to the economic crisis, about what he described as the Republican party's drift further to the right during the campaign, and the attack politics of recent weeks. He also had harsh words for McCain's selection of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as running mate. "He [McCain] was a little unsure about how to deal with the economic problems," Powell said. "That concerned me. I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin ... I don't believe she's ready to be vice-president of the United States. That raises some questions ... about the judgment Senator McCain made." He also criticised the McCain campaign for focusing on Obama's alleged ties to the 1960s radical William Ayers. "Why do we keep talking about him and why do we have these robocalls going on?" he asked. "This goes too far ... it's not what the American people are looking for. The party has moved even further to the right ... The approach of the Republican party and Mr McCain has become narrower and narrower. Obama has been more inclusive," Powell said. Obama said he was "beyond honoured and deeply humbled" by Powell's support. At a rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, he said: "[Powell] knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we need to come together as one nation - young and old, rich and poor, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Republican and Democrat." Addressing a crowd of 10,000, Obama added: "He reminded us that at this defining moment we don't have the luxury of relying on the same political games, the same political tactics that have been used in so many elections to divide us from one another and make us afraid of one another." McCain said he was not surprised by the endorsement. He was pleased he had the backing of four other former secretaries of state and many military leaders. Speaking on Fox television, he said: "We're very happy with the way the campaign is going. I've been on enough campaigns, my friend, to sense enthusiasm and momentum, and we've got it." Despite Obama's lead in both poll ratings and fundraising, McCain said he could sense "things are heading our way." "I love being the underdog. You know every time that I've gotten ahead, somehow I've messed it up," McCain said. Powell's endorsement should aid Obama in foreign policy and national security, areas in which he is thought to be weaker. Powell served as national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan, was appointed chairman of the joint chiefs of staff by the first President George Bush, and was secretary of state during the current president's first term. While his endorsement carries great weight with Republicans, his standing among liberals was knocked following his speech to the UN before the invasion of Iraq. His enthusiastic support for Obama's "steadiness" and "intellectual vigour", however, will reassure many Democrats. The money raised in September enables Obama to push his campaign into Republican areas, forcing the McCain campaign to spend money to shore up support in what should be safe states. The Obama campaign said the average donation was less than $100. September brought 632,000 new donors, bringing the total number during the campaign to 3.1 million. The Democratic national committee also raised $49.9m in September. McCain chose to accept public funding of his campaign, which limits the amount he can spend in September and October to $84m. The Republican National Committee raised $66m in September. Much of Obama's financial advantage can be seen on the country's TV screens, where Democrat campaign commercials outplay McCain by three or four to one. The Obama campaign has even purchased a half

With two weeks to go Barack Obama is still ahead in the popular vote and the key battleground states.. Election 2008 Obama McCain RCP Average National 49.3 44.0 Obama +5.3 Battlegrounds Obama McCain RCP Average Florida 49.2 46.0 Obama +3.2 Ohio 48.8 45.5 Obama +3.3 North Carolina 47.3 46.0 Obama +1.3 Virginia 53.3 44.7 Obama +8.6 Colorado 50.6 44.6 Obama +6.0 Battleground States | Latest Polls | RCP Electoral Map RealClearPolitics produces a comprehensive average of recent presidential election polls.

Emperor thanks for the update old man. Let me brief you on this side of the pond. Nurridin's MPLS meeting was a success the people welcomed and listened to what he had to say and the majority specially the young liked his rehtoric and the substance. I agree with many who say he does not have "much experince" but what is the experince that the current leaders have? And how successfull has their experince been for us? The man is young and will bring new ideas to the table. He has lived in the diapora for many years was educated in Pakistan, lived and worked in London. Thus his age and his experince will help Puntland. I hope he is one of the winners, because he is one of the few running with Gen Jamac and Pro Farjac who can bring a posative change to the people of Puntland.. So far his campaign is well executed and soon he needs to tour the heartlands of Puntland and gain the support of the elders.. Good on ya..

Somalia’s Islamist guerrillas battle each other, two killed 20 Oct 20, 2008 - 10:07:13 AM BAL'AD, Somalia Oct 20 (Garowe Online) - Islamist rebels fighting against Somalia's interim government battled each other Sunday in the town of Bal'ad, which is located 30km north of the national capital Mogadishu, Puntland-based Radio Garowe reported. The violence erupted in the western outskirts of Bal'ad town where the Islamic Courts militia set up a security checkpoint earlier in the day. Local residents told Radio Garowe that a band of guerrillas loyal to Islamist opposition group al Shabaab attacked the checkpoint, sparking a bloody battle that killed at least two fighters and wounded eight people including civilians. The Islamic Courts fighters withdrew only to return during the evening, when a second round of fighting over control of the checkpoint erupted and al Shabaab guerrillas withdrew. "Gunmen shot directly at a vehicle transporting al Shabaab last night," said a witness in Bal’ad who did not want his name in print, saying most businesses were closed due to the violence. The situation was reportedly calm but tense Monday, as Islamic clerics and traditional elders sought to diffuse the potentially dangerous state of affairs. Bal'ad, and all of Middle Shabelle region near Mogadishu, has been under the control of Islamist armed groups since April. Islamist insurgents have largely fractured since being ousted from power in December 2006 by Ethiopian-backed government troops, with a pro-peace faction led by Islamic Courts executive head Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed based in Djibouti. Other militant groups, like al Shabaab, have rejected the peace process and refused to recognize the UN-endorsed transitional government in Mogadishu. Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the Somali insurgency so far, according to local human rights groups. Source: Garowe Online

Balcad: Faahfaahin ku saabsan dagaalkii Balcad & Xaalada oo degan maanta. 20. oktober 2008 Balcad(AllPuntland)- Shalay galinkii dambe dagaal xoog leh ayaa ka dhex qarxay Ururka Al- Shabaab & Maxkamadaha oo labaduba ka soo horjeeda dawladda faderaalka ee Soomaaliya, wuxuuna dagaalkaasi ka bilowday degmada Balcad ee gobalka Sh/dhexe oo ujirta Magaalada Muqdishio 30KM. Dagaalkaasi ayaa cida qaaday aan wali laheyn balse Ururka Al- Shabaab ayaa lasheegay in ay galinkii hore ee shalay magaaladaasi ka wadeen dhaqdhaqaaqyo ciidan, kuwasoo umuuqanaya Kuwa ka soo horjeeda dhinac kale. Dhaqdhaqaaqyadaasi ayaa ugu dambeyntii keenay in uu qarxo dagaal qaraar oo labada dhinac dhexmara, waxaana dagaalkaasi ku dhintey Labada dhinac 11 qof, waxaana ku dhaawacmay in ka badan intaasi inkastoo ay jiraan warar intaasi ka badanaya khasaaraha kala gaaray labada dhinac. Ogaanshaha xaqiiqada dhabta ah ee khasaaraha ayaa ah mid adag oo aan cidna sheegi karin, taasoo sabab u ah dhinacyada dagaalamay oo aan qiran waxyaabaha kala gaaray & Ururadan oo aan looga baran sheegida khasaaraha dhinacyadooda gaara markii uu dagaal dhaco. Goobjooge ku sugan degmada Balcad ayaa sheegaya in uu indhihiisa saaray baabuur ciidan oo ay leeyihiin Maxkamadaha oo soo gaartay degmada Balcad, kuwasoo umuuqday kuwa hiilo ah ama Gurmad waxaana ay gacansiiyeen Maleeshiyaadkii ka soo horjeeda Al- Shabaab. Warar hoose oo soo baxaya ayaa sheegaya in sidoo kale Ururka Al- Shabaab ay gurmad udireen degmada Balcad, si ay uadkeeyaan difaacooda hadii markale laysku dayo dagaal ka yimaada dhinac ka soo horjeeda ama dagaalada oo qarxa. Xaalada saaka ee degmada Balcad ayaa degan waxaana Magaaladaasi laga dareemayaa in uu dib ufurmay dhaqdhaqaaqii ganacsiga sida ay ku waramayaan Wararka laga helayo Magaalada Balcad, inkastoo ay wali jiraan xiisado dagaal oo laga cabsi qabo. F. C. Geylan AllPuntland

[balcad: Ciidamada Al- Shabaab & Maxkamadaha oo dagaal toos ah ka dhex bilowday. 19. oktober 2008 Balcad(AllPuntland)- War deg deg ah oo AllPuntland ka soo gaaraya degmada Balcad ayaa sheegaya in dagaal uu dhexmaray goor dhaw oo uu hada ka dhex socdo dhinacyada ka soo horjeeda dawladda Faderaalka ee Soomaaliya, wuxuuna dagaalkaasi ka socdaa degmada Balcad. Ururka Al- Shabaab ayaa lasheegay in ay saakadii hore dhaqdhaqaaqyo ciidan ku bilaabeen degmada Balcad ayna talaabadaasi ka biyo diideen Maxkamadaha ayaguna la dagaalama dawladda Faderaalka ee Soomaaliya, ayagoo ay dagaaladaasi geysteen khasaare dhimasho & dhaawacba oo kala gaaray dhinacyada ay dagaaladu udhaxeeyeen. Hadal hayeen uhadlay ururka Al- Shabaab ayaa sheegay in dagaalka lugu soo qaaday dhinacooda ayna iska difaaceen dagaaladaasi, wuxuuna sheegay in ay ururkoodu mudo badan ka gaabgaabsanayeen dagaalada & hadalada qalafsan ee uga imaanayay dhinaca Maxkamadaha. Afhayeenkam wuxuu sheegay in uu hada dagaalkaasi meel xun marayo, wuxuuna sheegay in aysan ayagu marna raali ka aheyn dagaalada lugu soo qaado ururkooda, wuxuuna sheegay in ay mudo dheer ka soo horjeesteen dagaalo ka dhex bilowda dhinacyada ka soo horjeeda dawladda Faderaalka ee Soomaaliya. Warar faahfaahsan oo ku saabsan dagaaladan goor dhaw ka filo www.AllPuntland.com F. C. Geylan AllPuntland

Yusuf oo saxafada la hadley 14 Oct 14, 2008 - 5:34:27 AM Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyada Somalia C/llaahi Yuusuf Axmed ayaa maanta soo saaray warsaxaafadeed uu kaga hadlay waxqabadka xukuumadiisa afartii sano ee ay jirtay. Warsaxaafadeedka Madaxweyne Yuusuf ayaa lagu sheegay in DF ay wax la taaban karo qabtay tan iyo markii la magacaabay [Oct 12, 2004], kadib shir lagu qabtay dalka Kenya. Qoraalka uu Madaxweyne Yuusuf soo saaray ayaa waxaa saxaafada u aqriyay Afhayeenkiisa Xuseen Max'ed Max'ud [Xuubsireed] isagoo sheegay in Madaxweynuhu uu salaan u dirayo dhamaan shacabka Soomaaliyeed. "Kuwa shidada kawada dalka waxaan ugu baaqayaa inay dagaalada joojiyaan oo ay nabada qaataan, hadii ay sidaa yeeli waayaan ha ******** in DF ay mas'uul ka tahay shacabka Soomaaliyeed oo dhan ayna difaaci doonto" ayuu Madaxweyne Yuusuf ku yiri qoraalka uu soo saaray. Xuubsireed ayaa saxafiyiinta u sheegay in Madaxweyne Yuusuf uu shir la galay Ra'iisul wasaaraha Somalia Nuur Cadde sidaa daraadeedna uu isaga saxaafada u aqrinayo qoraalka uu soo saaray Madaxweynuhu. Warsaxaafadeedka Madaxweynaha Somalia ayaa lagu sheegay in Maxkamada sare ee dalka ay go'aan ku gaartay in wasiiradii iyo wasiir ku xigeenadii horay isku casilay ay shaqeynayaan, codeyntii baarlamaanka ay tahay mid aan jirin. "Maxkamada sare markii ay daraasad sameysay ayay go'aan ku gaartay in wasiiradii DF ay shaqeeyaan maadaama go'aankii baarlamaanku uu noqday mid aysan waxba ka jirin" ayuu Madaxweyne Yuusuf ku yiri qoraalkiisa. Madaxweyne Yuusuf ayaa ugu baaqay shacabka Soomaaliyeed inay gacan siiyaan xukuumada, ayna ka shaqeeyaan nabada iyo xasiloonida dalka. Garowe Online, Muqdisho

War deg deg ah:Ciidamda Puntland oo gacanta ku soo dhigay Markabkii shirkada Wararka ka imaanaya degmada Bandar Bayla ee Gobolka Karkaar ayaa sheegaya in ciidamada Puntland ay ku guuleysteen inay gacanta ku soo dhigaan Markabkii shirkada Barwaaqo ee ay haysteen kooxaha burcad badeeda. Warka ayaa wuxuu intaasi ku darayaa in markabkaasi lagu qabtey biyaha badweynta hindiya oo ku beegan degmada Bandar Bayla, ka dib markii iska horimaad xoogan uu dhxmarey ciidamada Puntland iyo kooxaha bucad badeeda, iyadoo weerarkasi la sheegay in uu sababay khasaare ilaa iyo iminka aan na soo gaarin. Wasiirka xiriirka caalamiga ah ee Puntland Cali Cabdi Awaare oo goor dhaweyd u waramayey SBC International ayaa sheegay in ciidamada Puntland ay ku guuleysteen markabka Wail ee shirkada Barwaaqo oo sida 70 kun oo tan oo ah shamiinto ku soo socotey dekada magaalada Boosaaso. Wasiirku wuxuu sheegay inay bixin doonaan faahfaahin dheeraad ah saacadaha soo socda, isla markaana markabka hada loo soo wado dekada magaalada Boosaso. SBC International News Desk

Ciidamada Ammaanka oo gacanta ku soo dhigey Markabkii Barwaaqo iyo Burcadii heysatey Cabdalle Axmed Muumin Horseed Media Monitoring BOSASSO (HR Media)- Ciidamada ammaanka ee maamul goboleedka Puntland ayaa goor dhoweyd gacanta ku soo dhigey markabkii shirkada Barwaaqo iyo kooxdii burcad badeeda ahayd ee afduubatey. Soo qabashada markabka iyo burcad badeeda waxaa Horseed Media u xaqiijiyey wasiirka ganacsiga ee Puntland C/samad Yuusuf Maxamed (Abwaan) oo isagoo Boosaaso ku sugan aanu goor dhoweyd ka wareysaney arimahaasi. Wasiirka waxaa uu Horseed Media u sheegay in markabka iyo burcad badeeda la soo qabtey ay hadda ku soo jeedaan dekeda Boosaaso. Soo qabashada markabka ayaa timid kadib dagaal aad u kulul oo shaley iyo maanta ku dhex marey ciidamada ammaanka iyo kooxda burcad badeeda, kaasi oo ka dhacay degaan ku dhow Hurdiya oo dhinaca badweynta Hindiya. waxaana dagaalkaasi uu sababey dhimasho iyo dhaawac wararkan oo faahfaasan kala soco Horseed Media goor dhow.

Wafdi Carbeed oo booqasho gaaban ku yimid Boosaaso C/qaadir Nuunow, Boosaaso Waxaa maanta magaaladan Boosaaso ee xarunta gobolka bari soo gaaray wafdi ka kala socda qaar ka mid ah dalalka Khaliijka. Wafdigan oo tiradoodu ay ahayd 9 waxay ka kala yimaadeen dalalka Qadar, Kuweyt, Imaaraadka Carabta, Baxreyn iyo Cummaan. Waxaana ay u yimaadeen inay ka qeybgalaan xafladda furitaanka Maxjarka xoolaha ee laga dhisay magaaladan Boosaaso. Maxjarkaasi waxaa maalgeliyay Suleymaan al-Jaabiri oo ah ganacsade Sacuudiyaan ah waxaana kala shaqeeyey mashruucaaasi Shirkadda xoolo dhoofinta Soomaaliyeed ee Ex al-Furqaan iyo maamul goboleedka Puntland oo tallaabadaasi gacamo furan ku soo dhoweeyay. Xaflad ballaaran ayaa lagu qabtay Maxjarka oo xariga uu ka jaray madaxweynaha maamul goboleedka Puntland Jeneraal Cadde Muuse Xirsi. Madaxweyne Cadde ayaa soo dhoweeyay maxjarkaasi wuxuuna sheegay inuu wax weyn u tari doono guud ahaan ummada Soomaaliyeed gaar ahaan shacabka ku dhaqan gobollada Puntland. Waa mashruucii ugu ballaarnaa ee ka hirgala deegaanada Puntland.

The Shabaabs are targeting Ahmed Diriye now and thats bad. Those who were quite when they were killing men outside Mosques and bombing cleaning ladies should not be crying now. The Al Shabaab are the militias who grew up on the 17 years of loot, killing and raping now they have in their mind a religious excuse to do what they have been doing before.. Its a shame an elder an innocent man who was helping his community must be gunned down by these clowns.

The airport is not closed, its a threat to close it that has cost many civilain lives and business. The Al Shabaab are now at war with various clans that helped them before..

Allaha ha u naxaristo.

Maliishiyooynkii maxkamadaha oo isaga baxay magaalada Beled weyn kadib markii ay shacab careysani dhagxaan ku weerareen. Natiijada ka dhalatay dilkii maanta magaalada Beledweyn loogu geystay Alle ha u naxariistee guddoomiyihii golaha dhaqanka ee gobalka Hiiraan ay noqotay in shacab careysani ay dhagxaan ku weeraraan fariisimadii Maliishiyada maxaakimta taasoo keentay in ay magaalada isaga baxaan. War goor dhweyto nagasoo gaadheya magaalada Beledweyn ayaa sheegaya kacdoon shacab uu ka biloowday magaalada Balad weyn iyadoo shacabku ay weerareen xarunta gobalka,saldhiga booliska iyo fariisimo kale oo maliishiyada maxaakimtu daganaayeen, waxaana ay taasi ku qasabtay in ay magaalada ka baxaan iyagoo dagay duleedka magaalada gaar ahaana deegaanka Janto Kundishe. Wixii warar ah ee kusoo kordha kala soco carmooyin saacad kasta.

McCain forced to defend North Carolina By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN & RICHARD T. CULLEN | 10/6/08 3:15 PM EDT Text Size: ASHEVILLE, N.C.—For the third weekend in a row, Barack Obama campaigned in North Carolina as part of the most vigorous Democratic effort since at least 1992 to win this reliably Republican state. At a surprise stop Saturday night at a North Carolina Democratic Party dinner and again a rally here Sunday in the state’s conservative western edge, Obama sounded a confident note: “Despite the pundits, despite the prognosticators, despite the cynicism,” Obama said at the dinner, “we are right here in the hunt in North Carolina. We can win at the top of the ballot in North Carolina. And we win at the bottom of the ballot in North Carolina. We can win in the eastern part of the state and in the western part. We can elect a new Democratic governor here in North Carolina and we can elect a new U.S. senator here in North Carolina.” To the dismay of North Carolina Republicans, Obama may not be overstating matters. Aides to John McCain consider North Carolina a must-win state and expressed optimism last week about their chances here, but there are signs of concern: Vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin this week will make the Republican ticket’s first visit to the state since June, and the first public appearance since a McCain speech at Wake Forest University during the primaries in May. “They’re having to defend their turf—Republicans—in a way that they haven’t had to since 1992,” said Ferrel Guillory, director of the Program on Southern Politics, Media and Public Life at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “And so, even if Obama doesn’t win the electoral votes here, McCain can’t take the state for granted.” The turmoil on Wall Street and the economic downturn have helped turn North Carolina into more fertile ground for Obama, who took his first lead over John McCain in the Real Clear Politics average of state polls a week ago. As a national leader in the banking industry, the state suffered more bad news last week as it faces the loss of thousands of high-paying bank jobs—and a blow to its state pride—when Charlotte-based Wachovia Corp. put itself up for sale last week. Similar to its flood-the-zone strategy in Virginia, which is experiencing its first competitive presidential race in decades, the Obama campaign has been aggressive in its pursuit of North Carolina. Obama chose this city in the Blue Ridge Mountains to prepare for Tuesday’s presidential debate with the state's 15 electoral votes in mind. It’s his fifth visit since clinching the Democratic nomination in June, while vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden has made two stops and Michelle Obama traveled to Charlotte and Greensboro last month, and returns again Tuesday. Obama is also dominating the airwaves, running about three TV ads for every one from McCain, according to North Carolina political experts. The prospect of North Carolina as a battleground has put the McCain campaign in a bind, stirring a debate on how much time and resources it should devote to a state that has voted for Republican presidential nominees since 1976. “Obama has basically gotten a free ride,” said a North Carolina Republican strategist who asked to remain anonymous so that he could talk candidly about the race. “He is killing McCain on the air, even running two-minute ads and new radio ads. Meanwhile, most of what we have seen from McCain has come from national cable buys. That is not a recipe for success in a state that no one thought we’d be talking about this late.” McCain has not visited the state since June, when he met privately with evangelists Billy and Franklin Graham. There are no immediate plans for McCain to return to North Carolina, according to Brent Woodcox, a spokesman for the state Republican Party.

Obama taked lead in VA: This is amazing... As McCain's Lead Among White Virginians Shrinks, So Too His Chances of Holding The State's 13 Electoral Votes: 29 days until votes are counted in Virginia, Democrat Barack Obama is ahead 53% to 43%, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, WJLA-TV in Washington DC, WTVR-TV in Richmond, and WJHL-TV in the Tri-Cities. In 4 tracking polls conducted since the Republican Convention, McCain has gone from up by 2 to down by 10.

Ayrs Vs Keiting............. Tasked with defending John McCain's past involvement in the "Keating Five" scandal, the Senator's legal representative tried to dismiss the entire significance of what occurred some two decades ago. Speaking to reporters on a conference call, John Dowd, a partner at the powerhouse lobbying/consulting firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, painted the Keating investigation as a "political smear job" led by Democrats who needed to make the issue a bipartisan embarrassment rather than own it themselves. "He was the only Republican in that hearing and so it had some political overtones given that Democrats were in deep trouble," said Dowd. "John was the only senator who essentially threw Charles Keating out of his office and he did that before there were any allegations of impropriety." As John Aravosis and Ben Smith both noted, in making such an assertion, Dowd is contradicting none other than McCain himself. The Senator has previously called the Keating scandal "the worst moment in my life," implicitly acknowledging that while his activities may not have been criminal, they were unacceptable. "The appearance of it was wrong," McCain declared in retrospect. "It's a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do."

Breaking News the Dow is down more than 500 points today...Its the economy, economy, economy people... Mccain camp... "If We Keep Talking About The Economic Crisis, We're Going To Lose" McCain's course correction reflects a growing case of nerves within his high command as the electoral map has shifted significantly in Obama's favor in the past two weeks. "It's a dangerous road, but we have no choice," a top McCain strategist told the Daily News. "If we keep talking about the economic crisis, we're going to lose." huffingtonpost.com