Obama leads in ND

[pmp6nl]

Obama leads in ND
Patrick Springer, The Forum
Published Monday, October 13, 2008

© Copyright 2008, The Forum

Barack Obama is shown with an edge against John McCain in a North Dakota presidential race that has narrowed to a statistical tie, according to a new Forum poll.

The survey shows Obama squeaking past McCain, 45 percent to 43 percent, a lead that falls within the poll’s margin of error and therefore indicates a dead heat, according to political analysts.

Still up for grabs: undecided voters, comprising 12 percent.

“It’s a statistical tossup,” said Jim Danielson, co-director of the Public Affairs Institute at Minnesota State University Moorhead, which conducted the statewide telephone survey for The Forum. Pollsters contacted 606 likely North Dakota voters by telephone Oct. 6-8.

The poll indicates McCain’s once-comfortable lead in North Dakota has melted away as Obama is the widely favored choice among voters who consider the economy the most pressing issue.

Read on at http://www.in-forum.com/articles/rss.cfm?id=218215

Wow, a poll showing Obama in the lead... impressive.  We will have to wait a few weeks to see how this actually pans out, but this is very interesting nevertheless.

[Sal Atticum]

Greg Ferch, Boise, Idaho, letter: Reject redistribution
Greg Ferch, Grand Forks Herald
Published Thursday, October 30, 2008
BOISE, Idaho — As a Kenmare (N.D.) High School and UND alumnus, I am concerned to see North Dakota may be tilting its support toward Barack Obama.

Obama said earlier that it takes a heavy hand of the government to distribute wealth more equitably. Recently, he told Joe the Plumber we all would do better if we spread the wealth around.

This isn’t a North Dakota philosophy I grew up with. It’s a philosophy espoused by Karl Marx when he popularized the phrase, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”

Obama’s own words and proposals demonstrate an unabashed support for redistribution of wealth.

How do we encourage today’s youth to study hard, work hard and give back, if Obama and company confiscate the fruits of those labors? Despite some flaws, the capitalist system offers real hope for those willing to make the right decisions and work. Before some suggest that free enterprise created the current mess, understand the facts. It was injecting distribution schemes and socialism into the system that brought us here.

Sure, it’s easy to vote for politicians who steal from others and redistribute with the promise of the American dream. However, is it honorable? How long will that continue before the successful get tired and stop playing sugar daddy?

Herald readers should step up to the personal responsibility plate and hit a home run. Let us not simply vote for what our country will do for us, but for what is truly fair and right for the country.

Redistribution schemes have quashed the hopes and dreams of millions while being a failure around the world for years. This election, let’s not compound the problem. Let’s just say NObama.

Greg Ferch

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=91310&section=Opinion

I had to laugh; "personal responsibility plate"?

I, for one, support Obama because he's not saying he's going to hand out money to you for free.  This is not socialism or communism.  Is McCain going to cut welfare, or unemployment?  Those are people who are getting money but aren't "earning" it.  Obama's message is "we are the people we've been waiting for," and although the grammar may be interesting, it recalls Kennedy saying "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." 

Let's face it, the only way we're going to improve the poor state of our infrastructure and higher education system is to invest heavily in those areas.  Under Obama, if you volunteer for the government, they'll pay you in college tuition.  Does that sound like a free ride to you?