Sunday, November 2, 2008

McCain Suffering From "McGwire Effect" As Supporters Are Too Embarrassed To Tell Pollsters They'll Vote For Him

Senator John McCain today coined the expression "The McGwire Effect" to explain why his supporters were "embarrassed and ashamed" to tell pollsters they supported him.

"This election will be much closer than anyone thinks," McCain told a hastily assembled Richmond, Virginia news conference. "Watch for the McGwire Effect on Tuesday."

McCain was apparently referring to retired baseball slugger Mark McGwire, a white man, who was competing with Sammy Sosa in 1998 for the home run crown.

"People were afraid to come out and say they were rooting for McGwire," McCain told reporters. "They didn't want to appear racist. Similarly, people who are voting for me can't bring themselves to tell pollsters that fact. I guess they don't want to look stupid."

The McGwire Effect, McCain said, was the "reverse image" of the so-called Bradley Effect, named for Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, indicating that white voters told pollsters they were voting for Bradley but then voted against him and supported his white opponent.

"Big Mac McGwire beat Sammy Sosa," McCain told reporters. "And Big Mac McCain's gonna win on Tuesday. Even if half my voters are too ashamed to tell pollsters they're on my side."

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