To the Point
After the Conventions Are a Wrap, What's Next for the Campaigns?
John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin have used the convention spotlight to paint the GOP as the party most in sync with mainstream America. Can the party that's held the White House for eight years claim the mantle of change? Also, the jobless rate hits a new five-year high, and 12% to 15% of voters have yet to make up their minds. Which way will the Independents swing after these conventions? Judy Muller guest hosts.
By Judy Muller • • 1h 0m ListenJohn McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin have used their time in the convention spotlight to paint the GOP as the party most in sync with mainstream America and the Democrats as the party on the cultural fringe. But can the party that has held the White House for eight years claim the mantle of change? How can there be two opposition parties? Also, the jobless rate hits a new five-year high. On Reporter's Notebook, what's up with all those undecided voters, many of them self-described Independents? Have the conventions made a difference? Judy Muller guest hosts.
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In this episode
3 storiesJobless Rate Hits Five-Year High
The nation's unemployment rate has soared to a five-year high, as employers slashed 84,000 jobs in August. The jobless rate jumped from 5.7% in July to 6.1% in August.
Read the story6 minWhat's Next for the Presidential Campaigns?
John McCain had a high bar to reach last night with his acceptance speech at the GOP convention in St Paul. Not only was he following Barack Obama's historical performance in front of 80,000 Democrats the week before, he was also following the highly effective speech delivered the night before by his running mate Sarah Palin.
Read the story34 minThe Independent Factor
The speeches have ended, the confetti's dropped and the candidates are hoping to translate the enthusiasm of the conventioneers to the electorate at large, especially the estimated 15% of undecided voters, many of them Independents.
Read the story9 min
