Ask Bryan: The News Edition

Way back in the olden days (i.e., two months ago), when I was the sports editor of this fine publication, I would periodically write a feature called, "Ask Bryan". It was an admittedly quirky, specious, talk radio-style column where I would answer sports questions from you, the beloved reader of the Kinston Daily Free Press.

There has been much clamoring (really?) for a news version of the "Ask Bryan" and I don't like to disappoint. Let's take our first question.

ALBERT FROM ALBRITTONS: Who is going to win the presidential election?

ASK BRYAN: A couple of months ago, I would've said John McCain, especially after his Democratic opponent, Barack Obama, passed over Hillary Rodham Clinton for the vice presidential pick.

However - and the national and North Carolina polls are bearing this out - Obama knew what he was doing. His safe choice of Joe Biden has paid dividends.

On top of that, Obama has spent - and is going to spend - his hundreds of millions of campaign dollars wisely. He's already bought a 30-minute spot in prime-time on CBS, Fox and NBC for Oct. 29, six days before the election.

While that will cost Obama $1 million for each network to secure that slot, that's just peanuts to what he's spending nationwide - an estimated $3 million a day in ads across the country. That's in comparison to McCain's $1.6 million a day for nationwide campaign ads.

But don't underestimate how much McCain has helped Obama's effort. The old senator from Arizona, whose performances in debates and at rallies has been simply painful to watch at times, is doing himself no favors with his campaign. He held off too long in "going negative" against Obama, then when he did, it's being deemed as a desperate act.

Albert, this one is over: chalk it up for Obama.

WOODY FROM WOODINGTON: What do you think of your reporter and your boss - Jon Dawson and Patrick Holmes - running for president and vice president?

AB: Despite the latest allegations from the McCain and Obama camps of chicken wrangling against Jon and steroids abuse against Patrick, I think they would make a fine team in ol' D.C.

Jon's platform of a free daily cupcake for everyone, combined with Patrick's demand of invading Cuba just for the cigars is a little wacky, but no worse than some of the things the "mainstream" candidates are proposing.

Besides, if Jon wins, I know there will be great music at his inauguration.

LARRY FROM LITTLEFIELD: What's the best part of your new job as Content Editor?

AB: Besides working with some great young reporters and editors like Dawson, Chris Lavender, David Anderson, Vanessa Shortley, Justin Schoenberger, Sarah Campbell and Ryan Herman, it's been the opportunity to meet some of the politicians who have come through town lately.

In the past two months, I've sat down with U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, who is governor. I've been in an arena with 8,000 screaming Palin-ites (doesn't that sound like some group from the Old Testament?) as they cheered on their candidate for Vice President in Greenville.

It's not quite the thrill of witnessing a breathtaking slam dunk by Kinston's Reggie Bullock, watching a last-second drive down the field by South Lenoir's football team or a home run at North Lenoir, but it's been fun so far.

IRVING FROM IRVING'S CROSSROADS: I've really enjoyed your new Eye Candy feature at your award-winning blog at http://bhanks.encblogs.com. Thank you for bringing a bit of enjoyment to my dreary life.

AB: Technically, that wasn't a question, but thanks for your kind words.

If you like the EC, wait ‘til you see what's in store for you on Monday. I'm combining the best of all worlds with a daily competition where you, the valued reader and bloggee, will determine who is the Eye Candy of the Day.

And don't forget that you can win two tickets to next Saturday's East Carolina-Memphis football game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on the blog this week.

Is that enough shameless plugging for one day?

Bryan C. Hanks' column appears every Sunday in The Free Press. You can reach him at (252) 559-1074 or at bhanks@freedomenc.com.