- Washington State Primary Turnout Worse in 2008 than in 2004 (Ballot Access News)
- New poll won't sway GOP on top two (Politicker WA) The Olympian reports that the Elway poll found 76 percent of respondents approved of the new system
- Washington State Elections Division poll on Top Two (The Olympian) 76% like it
- Top-two primary voting worked well (Daily Astorian) Real choice consists of voting for whomever you like, without the parties avidly pulling the strings. This system does that.
- Constitution Party activist points to Democratic and Republican cooperation to limit democracy (Independent Political Report (Austin Cassidy's blog)
CAMPAIGN
- A party united-Galvanized by Palin pick, GOP's conservative base ready to fight (Boston Globe) But Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic strategist in Boston, said Palin will not appeal to moderate and independent voters, and said she is almost purely as an instrument "to fire up the base" of the Republican Party.
- Will GOP Ticket’s ‘Values’ Appeal Reach Swing Voters? (CQ Politics) “It’s a conundrum.”
- McCain Is Everyone's Maverick -- For Now (by Ronald Brownstein, National Journal) But through this campaign McCain has transformed into a more conventional Republican.
- Hillsman Gives Mixed Review to Republican Efforts-But Adman Says Obama Won't Convince Independents That McCain Is Just Like Bush (AdAge) The job that has to be done for Obama to win ... is to convince independents that this John McCain is a hell of a lot different from the John McCain in 2000."
- Poll: Palin's Speech Reassured Independents About Her (Talking Points Memo) A solid 57% of independents give her speech an "A" grade, and 56% say she is an asset to the campaign while only 27% call her a liability.
- Will Palin's tough talk win over undecideds? (CNN) John Avlon says: Instead of running a "NoBama" campaign, McCain and Palin need to remind independents why they liked McCain so much during his 2000 presidential run.
- Political Theater (By Political Realm (on Donklephant) Great description of the GOP convention
- What McCain Must Do Tonight (Taegan Goddard, CQ Politics/Political Insider) If he cannot connect with independents on the key issues -- in particular, the economy and health care -- it doesn't matter how good Sarah Palin was last night.
- The Morning After Palin (Taegan Goddard's Political Wire)
- Free Press voter panel reacts to Palin's speech (Detroit Free Press) Independents completely underwhelmed.
- Second Night of the Republican Convention (Taegan Goddard's Political Wire) relentless mocking of Democrats will not appeal to moderates and independents
- The woman from nowhere (The Economist) John McCain’s choice of running-mate raises serious questions about his judgment
- It's all about the independents, GOP pollster says (The Birmingham News)
- Does Palin Have Independent Appeal? (RealClearPolitics) Richard Viguerie declared "Sarah Palin is the next Ronald Reagan."
LAST WORD
Alaska: the Un-American State (Huffington Post/Billy Kimball) When asked by her constituents, "Can I have my allowance early, Mom?" Sarah Palin has always answered yes and thus became the most popular mom in America.
