Is Barack Obama finally starting to pull away from John McCain? Is the Sarah Palin pick hurting McCain, even in the short run, let alone as more information comes out about her secessionist tendencies, her outside-the-mainstream views on social issues, her support for the "bridge to nowhere" (and earmarks out the wazoo for Wasilla), her complete lack of foreign OR national policy experience, etc., etc.? Is Barack Obama's inspirational message of progress and the common good, of the idea that "I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper," of the concept that "what has always made this country great is the understanding that we rise and fall as one nation," of the notion that "if there's a poor child out there, that's my child," catching on across America?
When "leaners" are included, it's Obama 51%, McCain 45%. This is the highest level of support enjoyed by Obama at any point in Election 2008.
Also, see the other polls listed above by RealClearPolitics. They're even better than Rasmussen!
There's a lot more work to do, and frankly I don't even understand why John McCain's getting 45% of the vote given that the vast majority of Americans say they don't like the direction of the country, and given that McCain promises essentially four more years of the same. Still, it's encouraging news as we've now passed Labor Day, the traditional kickoff to the presidential election. Go Obama!
Comments
The electoral college (Eric - 9/2/2008 11:34:24 AM)
doesn't look as promising. Very much a toss up. We need some positive movement in a couple states like Ohio or Florida. And of course Virginia.
States lag the national polls (Lowell - 9/2/2008 11:59:06 AM)
If the national numbers hold up, the states will follow...just give it a bit of time.
There's my 50% (Josh - 9/2/2008 11:50:36 AM)
I've been watching the polls, looking for Obama to break the 50% mark. This is the first time I've seen it, and I've got a feeling it won't be the last.
Someone other than the MSM media (the state Democratic Party) needs to be following Warner and interviewing why Warner supporters are, BUT more importantly, are NOT supporting Obama, and then passing this on to Obama's handlers for discussion with Obama.
Split-ticket possibility big in SW VA(and probably in other states) and sooner rather than later, once the Rove Machine finishes in the twin cities, Biden (no more joint mutual admiration society appearances)needs to get out into states beyond Delaware and Pennsylvania that have strong down-ticket federal candidates to get the indies and undecideds who have decided to vote D for Senate or House, NOT to vote for McCain. If they Can't vote for Obama for cultural or other reasons, would they at least not vote for McCain?
Clinton Supporters..... (Flipper - 9/2/2008 1:13:50 PM)
were apparently moved by the convention as well and can account for some of this bounce.
Hahahahahahaha. Sorry, but this is hilarious! (Lowell - 9/2/2008 2:18:12 PM)
Speaking of funny... (Eric - 9/2/2008 2:22:31 PM)
An "Unqualified Success" - that's one of Jon Stewart's lines heading into the convention tonight. Hahahahaha.
I can't wait for the Daily Show tonight.
Michelle Bachmann (Ron1 - 9/2/2008 2:30:13 PM)
is a lunatic. I would actually pay money to sit down to lunch with her and, say, Eric Cantor just for the sheer hilarity of the discourse. Of course, since these people are actually charged with writing the laws that govern this country, it's kinda not funny.
There's a chance she could be defeated in Minnesota this fall. Here's hoping.
Is that ridiculous smile (Eric - 9/2/2008 2:47:07 PM)
surgically attached to her face? Whenever she was on camera I couldn't get past that silly, phony, smirk/smile (or whatever that was).
I realize she was trying to present a positive look (as opposed to Carville's frown), but cmon, that look is just too phony.
That's the first thing I noticed (Lowell - 9/2/2008 3:56:03 PM)
It must be permanently botoxed into place. Why does anyone vote for people with completely unnatural facial expressions?
It's the staring eyes (Teddy - 9/2/2008 4:48:09 PM)
thaat go with the goofy smile... Downright creepy
Yeah, she's a freak. (Lowell - 9/2/2008 5:08:05 PM)
n/t
It's a good start (Pain - 9/2/2008 2:33:21 PM)
Now we just need more push back on the 'lie to nowhere' when ever these talking heads bring that up as a reason Palin is qualified.
It's Demeaning to Women?!?!?! (Clemgo3165 - 9/2/2008 3:45:21 PM)
Her selection is what's demeaning to women.
And can I PLEASE have some of the drugs Michelle Bachmann is using? I'd LOVE to be that happy.
keep nose to the grindstone (hereinva - 9/2/2008 3:12:28 PM)
Make the calls, canvass the neighborhoods, talk to your neighbors, write letters to the editor, call into your local newstalk station....keep punching away.
Polls are fun, polls are interesting, polls can be a distraction..its who shows up at the voting booth on November 4, 2008 that counts (only 63 days away).
(btw funny video)!
It must be because the campaign is NOT about issues (Lowell - 9/2/2008 4:13:48 PM)
Rick Davis, campaign manager for John McCain's presidential bid, insisted that the presidential race will be decided more over personalities than issues during an interview with Post editors this morning.
"This election is not about issues," said Davis. "This election is about a composite view of what people take away from these candidates."
Ahhhhhh, I seeeeeeeeeee.....
That Makes Things Too Easy... (norman swingvoter - 9/2/2008 4:58:42 PM)
If that's the only criteria, just keep putting up photos of mccain hugging bush and foaming at the mouth over him, photos of mccain stumbling and bumbling like bush, videos of mccain not knowing how many homes he owns or the price of gas, etc. Put up vidos of the AIP talking about pilan as a member.
