People don't vote on governance...they vote on personal likes and dislikes.

[dkf]

This is what McCain understood and why he was making inroads trashing Obama. If we take the high road and don't do anything on the low side, we are going to lose again.

Frankly, the best chance we have is the trashy tabloid stuff. Sad but true.

[geek tragedy]

1. At least call her a liar. n/t

[Marsala]

4. Obama is more likable than McCain

Palin may be likable, but she's a total fundie rightwing nutjob with scandals up the wazoo.

Finally, Bush is not liked at all. We still have the likeability edge, and a huge edge on issues.

[regnaD kciN]

6. I think Palin was "likable" until tonight...

...it's hard to think of a "pit bull" as likable.

[dkf]

14. I agree that it was a very very bad rollout.

But then again, when I read the commentary coming from the press I wonder if I was watching the same event that they were.

[regnaD kciN]

5. Better yet...

...have Hillary call her a liar. Watch the Republicans whine about how the attack is "sexist"...! :eyes:

[sandnsea]

2. They also vote on corruption and incompetence

Which is why Sarah's record in Alaska is the key to discrediting both her and McCain. The tabloid stuff gave us time to get the rest of the info together and has served its purpose. Time to get back to issues.

[FrenchieCat]

3. You are off on your analysis as you often are, I have noticed.

Please cease and decease with your "concern". The only person you are making happy are the freepers.

McCain/Palin are toast. Trust me.

[dkf]

10. I think they are toast only if we use everything at our disposal.

The polls initially started flipping to McCain with the "celebrity" ads. Then they started flipping to us over the "houses" thing which continued on until the convention. Then we peaked with the introduction of Sarah Palin, attractive unknown. Now I expect it will get very close again.

Its all personality driven, not governance/policy driven. Obama's positions are the same and yet he goes up and down and up and down based on the latest bit of drama to pop up. And nothing creates drama like scandal.

Too many American people simply don't have the attention span for issues of governance (boring). Even Obama's attraction is something that is in addition to his ability to govern. His record of being able to run the campaign and therefore govern is the foundation upon which you can indulge in your desire for the world he is helping us to envision. Early on, it was a bit of a leap of faith, but he has proven himself since, in debates and in results.

I see a circumstance where Palin will grow in popularity unless something blunts it. Frankly, I don't get the attraction at all, but I see that some women are going there.

Of course you will discount my views, but I've had a good gut regarding when the polls are turning.

[AndyTiedye]

19. We Trust You, But Not The MSM or the Voting Machinez!

[Life Long Dem]

7. "why he was making inroads"

:rofl:

[dkf]

13. You don't remember that McCain was up on Obama for a bit?

Until McCain stepped into the "houses" gaffe.

[Awsi Dooger]

8. In an open race, personal qualities are not as important

After 8 years of rule from one side, voters are looking at the course of the nation, not who they like. That's why Obama doesn't necessarily benefit from his charisma as much as he would against a failed incumbent. Obama would be an awesome choice against a pathetic incumbent. But in this case he's more or less leading based on situational advantage, a pro-Democratic terrain.

We'd be better served, or at least less vulnerable to collapse, with a nominee in an open race with no question about credentials. That's one reason I preferred Hillary above Obama.

Hillary is just the opposite of Obama. She would have almost no chance against an incumbent unless that incumbent was 40% approval or thereabouts, but she is ideally suited for an open race. I'm talking about general election, not primary. It was pure make believe blindfolded nonsense that Hillary would have been routinely dismissed in a general election, inspiring frenzied Republicans to vote against her. That's a type of lame first-glance analysis from inept handicappers, the same mindset that expected Sarah Palin to be yanked or drop out as VP.

[dkf]

12. I always questioned Hillary's credentials more than Obama's.

I feel quite confident in my assessment especially since his organization outshone hers significantly.

[npk]

9. Obama is leading McCain 50% to 43% in the latest polls

People like Obama and respect his high road approach.

[dkf]

11. I thought it closed to 49 - 44 today.

And I do like the high-road approach from the Candidate, and the low road approach from everyone else.

[npk]

15. I don't know if it has closed

The last I saw Obama was at 50% to McCains 43%. It may tighten a little over the next few days, but Obama has consistently been ahead.

[dkf]

16. Daily tracking has it at 49-43.

http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx

[npk]

17. Yeah that is to be expected.

Considering they are in the middle of their convention. Obama also saw a bounce during and after our convention. It will even out again once both conventions have faded.

[dkf]

18. Yes so McCain will go back up, largely because of Palin.

Everything else is old and tired.