New L.A. Times/Bloomberg poll results released later today

(UPDATE: The actual new Times Poll is out and the results are available here.)

With precisely three weeks left in the lengthiest presidential campaign in U.S. history, John McCain is making no bones about the hole he finds himself in. A new L.A. Times/Bloomberg poll, due out later today, won't give him cause to doubt his underdog status, but it may illuminate some of the ways he potentially could close the gap against Barack Obama.

We can't reveal the matchup numbers quite yet; for that, check elsewhere on our Web site about 5 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. PDT). Along with the horserace numbers, the survey gauges voter perceptions about the two candidates' stengths and weaknesses.

The findings generally are favorable for Obama. But the poll underscores that should a foreign policy matter elbow its way alongside the economy as a major voter concern between now and election day, McCain is in position to benefit.

The survey also indicates that McCain, presumably to his detriment, has failed to clearly distance himself from the fellow Republican -- and unpopular incumbent -- he seeks to replace: President Bush. It will be worth watching how agressively he seeks to do that when he squares off Wednesday with Obama in the last of their debates.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[PNW Trojan]

And, again, we see the Repub McCain WORSHIPING capital ... M-O-N-E-Y! No taxes on the big investors, nor for Wall Street and bazillionaire CEOs...but for the working class, it's TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX TAX....voters, are you listening?... YOU have GREAT POWER on ONLY 1 day...Tuesday, November 4th....you sure, you ARE registered?

[Shelley Pate]

Here is a email that I received from a friend this morning. Very concerning questions for OBAMA!

So many things to consider. About a year ago I would have voted for Obama. I have changed my mind three times since than. I watch all the news channels, jumping from one to another. I must say this drives my husband crazy. But, I feel if you
view MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News, you might get some middle ground to work with. About six
months ago, I started thinking 'where did the money come from for Obama'. I have four daughters who went to College, and we were middle
class, and money was tight. We (including my girls) worked hard and there were lots of student loans.

I started looking into Obama's life.

Around 1979 Obama started college at Occidental in California . He is very
open about his two years at Occidental, he tried all kinds of drugs and was
wasting his time but, even though he had a brilliant mind, did not apply
himself to his studies. 'Barry' (that was the name he used all his life)
during this time had two roommates, Muhammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid,
both from Pakistan . During the summer of 1981, after his second year in
college, he made a 'round the world' trip. Stopping to see his mother in
Indonesia , next Hyderabad in India , three weeks in Karachi , Pakistan
where he stayed with his roommate's family, then off to Africa to visit his
father's family. My question - Where did he get the money for this trip?

Neither I, nor any one of my children would have had money
for a trip like this when they where in college.
When he came back he started school at Columbia University in New York . It is at this time he
wants everyone to call him Barack - not Barry. Do you know what the tuition is at Columbia ?
It's not cheap! to say the least. Where did he get money for tuition? Student Loans? Maybe. After Columbia , he went to Chicago
to work as a Community Organizer for $12,000. a year. Why Chicago ? Why not New York ? He was already living in New York .

By 'chance' he met Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, born in Aleppo Syria , and a real estate developer in Chicago . Rezko has been convicted of
fraud and bribery this year. Rezko, was named 'Entrepreneur of the Decade' by the
Arab-American Business and Professional Association'. About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School . Do you have any
idea what tuition is for Harvard Law School ? Where did he get the money for Law School ?
More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago . Rezko offered him a job, which he turned down. But, he did take
a job with Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland. Guess what? They represented 'Rezar' which is
Rezko's firm. Rezko was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago .
In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in
providing Obama with 'seed money' for his U.S. Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home
in Kenwoood District of Chicago for $1.65 million (less than asking price).

With ALL those Student Loans - Where did he get the money for the property?
On the same day Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining empty lot for
full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born
billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before Obama's new home
was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko.

Now, we have Obama running for President. Valerie Jarrett was Michele
Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief advisor and he does not make any
major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born?
Ready for this? Shiraz , Iran ! Do we see a pattern here?
Or am I going crazy?

On May 10, 2008 The Times reported, Robert Malley advisor to Obama was
'sacked' after the press found out he was having regular contacts with
'Hamas', which controls Gaza and is connected with Iran . This past week,
buried in the back part of the papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during
Obama's visit to Iraq , he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war
until after he is elected, and he will 'Take care of things'.

Oh, and by the way, remember the college roommates that where born in
Pakistan ? They are in charge of all those 'small' Internet campaign
contributions for Obama. Where is that money coming from? The poor and
middle class in this country? Or could it be from the Middle East ?

And the final bit of news. On September 7, 2008, The Washington Times
posted a verbal slip that was made on 'This Week' with George
Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, 'My Muslim
faith'. When questioned, 'he make a mistake'. Some mistake!

All of the above information I got on line. If you would like to check it -
Wikipedia, encyclopedia, Barack Obama; Tony Rezko; Valerie Jarrett: Daily
Times - Obama visited Pakistan in 1981; The Washington Times - September 7,
2008; The Times May 10, 2008.

Now the BIG question - If I found out all this information on my own, why
haven't all of our 'intelligent' members of the press been reporting this?

A phrase that keeps ringing in my ear - 'Beware of the enemy from within'!!!

[will moredock]

Don --

Have you seen the new book I’ll Be Sober in the Morning:
Great Political Comebacks, Putdowns and Ripostes?

It’s a lot more fun that watching the debates.

Here’s the one I liked best –

John Wilkes, a British reformer, was engaged in a nasty debate with his rival, who screamed at Wilkes – “You, sir, will either die on the gallows or venereal disease!” Wilkes then responds, “That depends, sir, on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress.”

[American Patriot]

Shelley Pate????

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!

What trash!

But great for a laugh!

Thanks!

[Rebecca]

"Beware of the enemy from within" - you mean you and your filthy mind Shelley Pate?

[UCLA Bruin Fan]

Remember this. Any promises made by the Republicans are made to get votes and not to be kept after in office. John McCain as been vascillating for weeks now attempting to find a message that would resonate with the voters. Now it is capital gain tax reductions and the removal of taxes on an early withdrawal of $10,000.00 from your retirement fund. Please dont believe any of this. His mind is so hazy, he might have issues recalling this promise by the debate tomorrow evening.

[Carol Anne]

Our neighbors to the north in Canada are voting today in a national election...after a five-week campaign. Would that we Americans could be so sensible, as to limit all this hullaballoo to such a short period.

[steve richards]

William Ayres – Launched Obama’s political career, not just “a guy who lives in my neighbourhood”, Mrs. Ayres was working at the same Law firm as Michelle, and she was “assisted” in getting that job due to her Weather Underground positions. They were/are friends, Bill Ayres saw something in Obama that he liked, so one of Obama’s first fundraisers was in Bill’s livingroom.

Tony Rezko (Syrian – not Italian) – Bought the lot beside a house that the Obama’s wanted to buy so that they could afford it. That makes the Obamas and Rezkos REALLY GOOD friends or Tony wanted something in return.

Rev. Wright – Obama spent 20+ years in his church. Oprah left after 1 year because of the hate sermons. But Obama stayed....for...the coffee socials?

Louis Farah..con – has called Barrack the Messiah, and his support for Obama is well known.

Germany/France had huge turnouts for Obama rallies – Germany and France have both hated America and Americans since WW2....hmmm makes you wonder why they like Obama...change indeed.

The “FRIENDS OF OBAMA” (Bill Ayres, Tony Rezko, Rev. Wright, Louis Farah..con, Germany and France all have two things in common...Barack Obama and an extreme hate for America and ALL it stands for. Wake up America.
America’s wake up call was on September 11, 2001...guess what?....you’ve fallen asleep again. The fact that Jewish people, union members, anyone over 30 is voting for Obama is just wierd. CNN is 100% behind Obama (No bias, No bull...really CNN...really) You guys are in for the most horrific 4 years of your lives that will change America forever. Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless

Disclaimer: My above remarks in no way state that Obama is a muslim or a terrorist, he is a great speaker. But he is deceiving you and other nations. "Deceiver of nations", sounds kinda familier. 2012...your choice...

[BJ]

The MSM is so in bed with Obama, that they still refuse to tie him in with ACORN. How many more affiliations and associations do they need to start reporting honestly? It's a fact that there IS VOTER fraud going on with this scumbag organization of community organizers... Obama's campaign boasts that they have registered more than 1 million new voters... HELLO!?! He gave them $800k, he was their lawyer at one point. WHY do they still keep giving Obama a free pass on this?

They say this election is not about "race"... well, how many of those 1 million new voters are black? Think about it!

[Ann]

No, Steve, the last 8 horrific years under Bush has changed America forever.

You anti-Obama conspiracy theorists really need to get a life.

I have been to many Muslim countries; does that make me a terrorist? Please, get a passport and see what life is like outside the United States.

[steve rodriguez]

Hey Steve Richards you're the man! I could agree with you more about Obama's associates!