Flip-flopper was a charge that worked effectively against John Kerry in 2004 and it's because it was true. People don't like politicians who go back and forth on issues, especially when it's because of political expediency and not a real change in values. Barack is rocking back and forth more than a ship riding out a hurricane. McCain's folks have decided to look at his flips on Iraq from a documentary point of view:

It's all about the money, the money they spend that is. The youth vote is not driven as much by taxes, social security, or welfare, but rather by gas prices and finding a job. I have a slightly different take on the youth vote than most. A lot of folks, including some of my allies on the right side of the aisle, think John McCain has a unique advantage over most Republicans because he cares about global warming. I think he has an advantage, but rather because of his stances on drilling and the economy. Let's take a look at my top issues:

Number one is gas prices. The pain at the pump affects 18-25 year olds even more than it affects the average working American, because cash is short to begin with and kids drive around visiting friends, going to movies, and spending nights out on the town. If John McCain can turn the hatred of the oil companies into hatred of the liberal do-nothings who won't let us drill, he's golden. Issue two is jobs, which is slightly more specific than the economy. John McCain has to spin small-government economics to the youth in a way they can understand. Consider it a challenge.

Sell the surge. John McCain's legacy over the past few years, aside from antagonizing Conservatives, has been his support of the Petraeus strategy. Third party ads in support of the surge should help, but expect a great deal of anti-war ads helping Obama too. It's popular to be anti-war when you're in High School and College, so it needs combated.

Climate change has to be next, right? Wrong. America's religious Conservatives do have children, who grow up and carry with them the same values as their parents. Barack Obama should suffer a huge weakness with this bloc, so marriage and abortion are very key issues, even with the youth vote. Still, polls show youth are more open to homosexuality, so push it too far and you'll lose their support. McCain should play to his strength and support traditional marriage with a bit of "straight talk."

Global warming is sixth, followed closely by the border because teens care about a secure nation. Barack Obama would be upset to find out that hope & change don't do too well on my list. The youth vote is about the green, but it's money more than nature politics.

John Boccieri's campaign has taken a few hits lately, such as during his presser about gas prices. The Democrats in the district are trying to spin Youngstown John as the hometown boy with the plan, but he has neither the plan or the hometown name. The Schuring campaign is cautiously optimistic about the polling results coming out recently, and my sources say Youngstown John's internals aren't looking any better. From the Schuring release:

(CANTON) - Sen. Kirk Schuring's 16th Congressional District campaign is in a strong position heading toward the fall, leading Youngstown Democrat John Boccieri by six points, a new Tarrance Group poll shows.

"I'm very pleased to see our campaign's strength in the 16th Congressional District," Sen. Kirk Schuring said. "The people of this district know that Washington is broken and that's why our common sense conservative message is beginning to resonate throughout this district. Voters want a Congressman who is from the district, who understands the 16th District, who is a problem solver and who knows that to affect real change to our pocketbooks we need to drill for oil, create jobs and make healthcare more affordable. My opponent refuses to allow Americans to drill for oil so that we can pay lower prices at the gas pump. Today's poll is evidence that the people here in the 16th Congressional District want someone to represent them who will stand up for their concerns and work to fix the crucial problems we face."