Compared to previous presidential elections, this year's race was brimming with unpredictable factors beyond any candidate's control.
These uncertainties included: How much further would housing prices plummet? Would crude oil prices spike again? Would the violence in Iraq undo the gains from increased troop deployments? Would Israel launch military action against Iran? Would one of America's Big Three automakers go bankrupt? Which banks would shutter their doors? Would terrorists strike the U.S. again?
Martin laid out seven critical issues for Obama's team to focus on during the debates:
Could they lead America out of its economic quagmire?Hit hard on Palin's anti-abortion policies, which were starting to alienate moderate women voters.
Navigate the gender discrimination minefield with utmost caution when addressing Palin.
McCain was a debate master but prone to gaffes—exploit that weakness. Win over Hillary's base while leveraging her popularity among women voters.
Keep a tight leash on Reverend Wright, the Black pastor under fire from McCain's camp.
McCain's temper flared under pressure, especially when fatigued. Toward the end of debates, provocative language could push him to lose control.
These seven points left Obama's advisory team in awe—so precise, so meticulous.
"Mr. Meyers' seven points are incredibly useful," Obama's chief aide said. "Before the final debate, we can start strategizing around them."
"For instance, to rile up McCain, we could gradually ramp up the intensity of Obama's attacks, building McCain's frustration bit by bit."
Obama's campaign sprang into action.
The next day, Obama publicly lambasted McCain's economic policies. "McCain ignores the reality that investors, homebuyers, and workers are hurting," he declared. "His rhetoric is completely detached from the truth. If he can't even acknowledge that our economic system is starting to crumble, how can he possibly manage our economy?"
In Los Angeles, Martin echoed the attack. He even had Meyers' production company film a biting ad mocking McCain, using phrases like "Lehman Brothers' collapse" and "market chaos."
Shockingly, just two months after Martin's ad was filmed, on September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers, America's fourth-largest investment bank, declared bankruptcy.
The ad became known as the century's most chilling prophecy.
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McCain's campaign was caught off guard by the sudden offensive, scrambling to respond.
At 6 a.m. on a TV program, McCain tried to clarify: "What I meant was that the backbone of our economy is America's workers. They've just been betrayed by the greedy, corrupt sharks on Wall Street."
He called for a new commission, akin to the 9/11 investigation, to uncover the root causes of the economic crisis, blaming "Washington's cronyism and corruption" for the downturn and urging immediate reforms.
But Obama dismissed McCain's words as hollow, pointing out that over the past few months, McCain had repeatedly expressed rosy optimism about the economy in sixteen different speeches.
As the former chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, McCain had staunchly opposed government intervention in markets, arguing that Washington's economic oversight was meddling in things it shouldn't.
Obama's team, thanks to Martin's foresight, had been sounding the alarm about the looming financial crisis for two months, labeling it a "Global financial meltdown" in the making.
As time passed, mounting evidence proved Obama's camp right. Lehman Brothers collapsed. Merrill Lynch, the third-largest investment bank, was acquired by Bank of America. Within six months, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and Merrill Lynch were either bankrupt or bought out. Of America's five major investment banks, only Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley survived.
Obama's unexpected onslaught cost McCain his lead.
The election returned to the neck-and-neck heat of the pre-convention days. A CNN poll on September 16 showed McCain and Obama tied at 46%, with 8% of voters still undecided.
Worse for McCain, Obama was gaining traction in Hollywood. Stars who once backed Republicans, like Jack Nicholson, were switching sides. On August 16, with help from Hollywood's elite, Obama raised $20 million at a Beverly Hills fundraiser held at the Görres Tower in California. Tickets cost $28,500 per person.
The guest list included A-listers like Martin Meyers, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Wentworth Miller, Will Ferrell, Jodie Foster, Jamie Lee Curtis, and DreamWorks founders Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg—some 800 Hollywood heavyweights in all.
Obama attended in person, posing for photos with the stars and joking in his speech: "I may be skinny, but I'm tough." It was a jab at McCain's comments about his lean frame.
With that $20 million, Obama's August fundraising hit $76 million, shattering the record for a U.S. presidential candidate's monthly haul. McCain, trailing far behind, raised $47 million.
More money meant more speeches, more media appearances, and more high-impact events.
By late September, Obama's poll numbers overtook McCain's again. A Reuters/Zogby poll on September 17 showed Obama with 47% support to McCain's 45%, with 8% of voters still undecided.