Closer
McCain teams up with Sox starter Curt Schilling, another old guy who hung in when it mattered, to finish it. Boston Herald:
PETERBORO, N.H. - With Red Sox ace Curt Schilling as his wingman, GOP candidate John McCain made a heartfelt pitch for “one more mission” as he stares down the barrel of the second-hardest fight of his life.
“You cannot buy an election in the state of New Hampshire, my friends,” McCain said last night. “I really have a special feeling for this state and the people here, who take their responsibilities seriously. I’m asking you again to let me go on one more mission.”
The former fighter pilot and Vietnam POW took the stage at Peterboro Town Hall with the major league pitcher who will forever be remembered for his bloody-sock performance in enemy territory at Yankee Stadium in Game Six of the 2004 American League Championship Series. Like a bad pitch, Schilling shrugged off McCain’s lagging poll numbers and said Democrat Barack Obama’s deep pockets, just like New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner’s, can’t buy success.
“The size of the payroll has nothing to do with the heart and talent of the team,” Schilling told the Herald. “They’d have you believe that we’re down 3-0, but let me tell you I have a little bit of experience with that and it doesn’t mean anything.”
While Schilling said he believes Obama is well-intentioned - more of a Derek Jeter than an A-Rod - he questioned the Democrat’s judgment.
“I don’t think because he is linked to Bill Ayers that he’s a terrorist and I don’t think because of his connection to ACORN he’s solicited illegal votes, but they make me question his decision-making,” Schilling said, adding McCain’s selflessness as a prisoner of war - when he endured five years of torture - showed his ability to lead.
“I know who Sen. McCain is. I don’t know who Obama is,” the hurler said.
McCain, appearing with wife Cindy, thanked Schilling for his support while noting the pitcher’s star power overwhelmed the last New Hampshire town meeting they attended together.
“Guess who all the questions were directed to?” McCain joked. “After about an hour I wondered, ‘Does anyone have any questions for me?’ ”
In the political bullpen last night were U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) as McCain outlined his plans to keep New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary status along with keeping taxes low.
McCain fielded questions from Fenway faithful about the troubled economy and ensuring a tamper-free election. McCain’s final pitch in the ninth inning of the hourlong town hall meeting was simple.
“My friends, it’s time to stand up and fight for America,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bill Clinton put his best fast ball across the plate for the other team at an event in Manchester. Republican Sen. John Sununu’s seat is considered one of the most vulnerable, and he is in a tough rematch with former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen.
“If you’re going to vote for Barack Obama, you darn sure better vote for Jeanne Shaheen,” Clinton said. “It’d be terrible to have him in there and not be able to do what he intended to do.”
Meanwhile, back in Beantown, BPD commissioner Ed Davis says what me worry.
The most emotionally charged election in four decades has police departments in major cities across the country - Chicago, Detriot, Philadelphia and Oakland, Ca. - preparing for the potential of violence tomorrow night.
In Boston, police Commissioner Edward Davis said he and his top staff will be monitoring voting returns. But he said he has no plans to stage riot cops, and only the usual increase in patrols will be in place on Election Day. That’s because, Davis said, there’s no evidence to suggest angry or overly exuberant voters will take to the streets as rampaging sports fans have after recent championships.
“We give the community a lot of credit, and there’s no indication that there’s a specific need to worry in the city of Boston,” he said yesterday. “We’re always prepared for any type of emergency situation that may arise. We’re aware that this is an historic night.”
Davis stressed the BPD will monitor local and national intel, adjusting the plan as necessary. “Because of the polls, the media has set expectations that (Barack) Obama will win. We’re cognizant of that fact and that maybe if he doesn’t, there may be some upset over that,” he said, declining to say how that would change his ground game.
Last month, Democratic operative James Carville predicted widespread unrest if Obama loses, while others have suggested any hint of voter fraud would spark violence. Polls suggest a John McCain blowout is extremely unlikely. Any GOP victory would probably be by narrow margins, leaving the result uncertain until the wee hours leaving less time on the East Coast for mischief.
Detroit, Oakland, and Philadelphia - cities that have suffered riots before - are bracing for the worst, putting SWAT teams and tactical units on standby. In Chicago, where Obama’s rally is expected to draw up to 70,000 people, every city cop will be on duty and off-duty firefighters have been asked to keep their gear ready.
One unknown is the potential for provocation. Federal agents broke up a plot by two neo-Nazi skinheads who planned a mass killing and violent roadtrip to culminate with the assassination of Obama. Boston police acknowledge concerns about one local caller, who one source said “is trying to send a message” with a series of “weird” phone calls placed to an Obama campaign outpost in Charlestown. Officials confirmed that a series of crank calls - asking questions about the size of the office and the hours of operation - have prompted extra foot patrols in the area.
So even as Davis remains optimistic, he’s decided to limit his preparations to some extra manpower, and watchfulness. Let’s hope his assessment is the right one. City Councilor Steve Murphy, who chairs the public safety committee, is betting with Davis.
“Here we are trying to export democracy (in Iraq) and have others emulate a quiet transfer of power,” Murphy said. “It would really set us back if we go nuts - whether we don’t like the outcome, or do like the outcome.”
Because hanging around, twirling the billyclub on the streetcorner has worked so well for the BPD in the past. Everyone thinks black rage in the event of an Obama loss is a problem, and it could be, but as noted above, that depends on a clear decision. In Boston, most of the recent trouble has been college kids, of which we have many, when their side wins and they spill out of BU and Northeastern. Heads up for the Obama landslide exuberance, if that’s the way it breaks.
Davis’ insistence the riot cops aren’t on standby notwithstanding, I’m guessing everyone who has the training and the gear will be on duty and have the stuff in the trunk, and that the plan involves more than watching TV with the rest of us.
Topics: Boston, McCain, baseball, cops
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:49 am on Monday, November 3, 2008
3 Responses to “Closer”
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November 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Isn’t it racist to imply that a McCain win would mean riots? Are they saying that blacks are lawless, violent criminals?
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
It probably would be racist if partisans of the self-identified anti-racism party hadn’t already said much the same thing.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
[...] yes, for McCain this is the closer, what could be the topper to one hell of a life [...]