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McCain's faltering hopes rest on Arnie and Joe
Joe Murphy, Political Editor31 Oct 2008
Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger today embarked on a rescue mission to save real life war hero John McCain from defeat.
As Mr McCain won admiration for his defiant refusal to accept defeat, the Terminator star hit the campaign trail in Columbus, Ohio.
The backing of such a popular star was a much-needed chance to seize back the news agenda which has been dominated for two days by Barack Obama's 30-minute advert and his endorsement by Bill Clinton.
Mr McCain has also virtually made "Joe the Plumber" part of his ticket, using the Ohio man to represent workers with a middle-class dream of being their own boss but worried that Obama's tax plan would make it more difficult. Joe, real name Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, gained national attention three weeks ago when Mr Obama told him he wanted to "spread the wealth around".
The recruitment of Schwarzenegger gave the Republicans an opportunity to highlight Mr McCain's war record which they are increasingly citing to insist he is more ready to oversee national security or a crisis than his Democrat rival.
Mr Obama, who was campaigning with former vice-president and environmentalist Al Gore, used a speech early today to serve a warning that his presidency would be made "tough" by the economic crisis.
Official figures yesterday confirmed that the US economy is shrinking and Mr Obama announced he would begin a "line by line" search for spending cutbacks.
"The cost of this crisis, the cost of the war in Iraq, means we are going to have to cut down with some spending that we do not need," he told a rally in Missouri. "So, as president I'm going to go through the federal budget line by line, ending programmes we don't need and making the ones we do need work better and cost less."
In recent days the Obama team have admitted they are nervous that people will end up feeling disappointed by an Obama presidency because their expectations of what he can do are unrealistically high.
He appeared to seek to douse their expectations, saying: "This change I'm talking about won't be easy or quick. And I know that it's tough." But he promised: "There are better days ahead if we are willing to work for them."
Again branding his rival a clone of George W Bush, he said: "If you want to know where John McCain would drive the economy, look in the rear view mirror." Mr McCain chose a town called Defiance yesterday to begin his final push, with polls showing him trailing. His advisers say he is catching up slowly and claim that by Tuesday the race will be too close to call.
Over the weekend, the campaigns will work on getting voters to turn out.
Early voting has been far greater than in past elections and it is estimated that a third of voters will have cast their ballots before Tuesday indicating a very high turnout that analysts say would suggest a good result for Mr Obama. The Democrats have been highly successful at getting younger voters to register over the past year but there is no guarantee that their recruits will actually bother to vote on the day.
With just four days left, the latest national polls has Mr Obama ahead by six points but, more importantly, he has leads in almost all of the swing states whose results will decide the outcome.
Reader views (4)
The only way John McCaine can win is to follow the leader. (Steal the votes)
- Rebecca, London, 02/11/2008 23:08
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This would be Joe the plumber who is unlicensed, has no formal training and owes backtaxes would it? Yeah, that'd be someone you'd want backing you.
- Bob, Cheam, 31/10/2008 15:07
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Bye bye McCain and Palin, they both are finished after this election. He is too old and there-s too much hidden things about her background. The Question seems to be, well the one to be asked, Who is Palin?
- Jaberwokie3, switzerland, 31/10/2008 13:52
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Surely McCain needs George W Bush out campaigning with him to seal the deal with the electorate. He did win in 2000 and 2004.
- Tom Jefferson, hampshire England, 31/10/2008 13:31
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