This and that: Big Post-O'-Many-Stories!

By GottaLaff

I have to leave soon, so I'll throw a bunch of stories at you all in One Big Fat Post:

Adviser Says McCain Helped Create the BlackBerry

"Move over, Al Gore. You may lay claim to the Internet, but John McCain helped create the BlackBerry," the AP reports.

"At least that's the contention of a top McCain policy adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin. Waving his BlackBerry personal digital assistant and citing McCain's work as a senator."

Said Holtz-Eakin: "You're looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create."

Next:

Economist Poll: Obama Holds Small Lead Nationally

A new Economist/YouGov poll shows Sen. Barack Obama just edging Sen. John McCain nationally, 41% to 40%.

Next:

Outrage as a Campaign Tactic

Time uncovers the secret behind McCain strategist Steve Schmidt's use of outrage to dominate news cycles.

"In the heat of a campaign, Schmidt understood that outrage could cut through the news clutter like a buzz saw. It didn't matter much if the outrage was fueled by fact -- better if it was fueled by emotion, which would tweak the fury of his base, leading to exciting exchanges on cable television and fresh chatter around the watercooler. Unlike health care or foreign policy, the emotional charge of outrage has a magnetic effect; voters are forced to take sides and respond, shifting the debate."

Next:

Palin to Meet Foreign Leaders

Gov. Sarah Palin "will meet with foreign leaders next week at the United Nations, a move to boost her foreign-policy credentials," according to the Wall Street Journal.

Said a campaign strategist: "The meetings will give her some exposure and experience with foreign leaders. It's a great idea."

Again with the Cliff Notes. So, Palin's going to do a quick hi-and-'bye with a few foreign leaders, and that will magically qualify her for a major world-leader-role? I met, and even wrote for and worked with Dick Van Dyke. Does that make qualify me for an Emmy award? I met the CEO of a major company. Does that make me ready to run my own?

And last, but not least:

Quote of the Day

"It is a bad economy."

-- Sen. John McCain, quoted by Time, reversing himself after getting hammered yesterday for insisting the "fundamentals of our economy are strong."

One key reason: The latest Diageo/Hotline tracking poll finds Obama holds a solid 9-point lead over McCain among those who say that the economy is the top issue facing the country, 48% to 39%.

Read that last part again. It's the economy, stupid.