New CBS Poll: Obama Has Significant Lead

New York Times:

With the first presidential debate completed and both candidates grappling with the turmoil on Wall Street in Washington, Senator Barack Obama is showing signs of gaining significant support among voters with less than five weeks left until Election Day, while Senator John McCain's image has been damaged by his response to the economic meltdown.

A CBS News poll released Wednesday found that Mr. Obama's favorability rating, at 48 percent, is the highest it has ever been in polls conducted by CBS and The New York Times. At the same time, the number of voters who hold an unfavorable view of Mr. McCain -- 42 percent -- is as high as it has been since CBS News and The Times began asking the question about Mr. McCain in 1999, the first time he ran for president.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[WAWTU31]

The other 4 people need to have there heads checked

[PacoPup]

And the other 4 of 10 haven't been paying attention!

[mergina]

If a poll like this were truly accurate, there would still be that 4 in 10 who think she is just fine for the job. Does that scare you? Oh well, it is scary season October. Woooooohhhhhhhh!

[Academic]

You were slow in getting to this point Americans but I have faith in the old adage: "You can fool some of the people all of the time but not all the people all of the time." Maybe US voters are finally beginning to get the relevant dose of harsh reality that's needed to shake them out of their highly obsessive and ill-thought out flirtation with this highly dangerous woman - in terms of what is actually good, as apart from what is racially expedient, for the United States and, additionally, the rest of the world. Lets hope so.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore
London, England.

[steeler5]

When you can't give a good endorsement for Obama just go after the number two on the opposing ticket. I have faith in the old adage: better to be an American with good choices and bad choices than to be in London, England dishing out advice on the internet.

[Rog49Thomas]

The change in the polls is primarily due to a judgment on the head of the RP ticket.

While the VP may be unable, the head of the ticket is unstable.

[Rog49Thomas]

Part 1

The more apt formulation is that you only have to fool enough of the people every four years.

That of course is not a fair statement.

For many in our country the most important issues are cultural/social and reflect a natural reaction to the perceived threats of change.

New groups are emerging in our country and the very fact of their emergence threatens the existing position of old groups. This process began in the 60's (to use a convenient date) with the civil rights movement, it was followed later by the women's movement, then gays. The rules of the game were being changed. Many who had played by the old rules felt that their hard won gains would be lost. Even more distressing was the thought that these new entrants would be advantaged under the new rules, e.g., affirmative action.

WIth the clear defeat in the Viet Nam war the limits of American power became obvious. Doubly distressing was the identity of the victor - non European.

As we moved forward in time, the limits of our economic power began to be displayed. Again non Europeans were the threat - first the Japanese, then the Chinese.

[Rog49Thomas]

Part 2

The natural reaction was to grab fast on to sacred talismans (the flag, the Bible, the imagined halcyon days of the nuclear family) to hold back the tide as if chanting we're number one could some alter reality.

Given our national myth that we are indeed God's chosen people (apologies to Tel Aviv), all these calamities were a sign of our the Divinity's displeasure. The old time religion was turned to to turn away His disfavor.

Virtues of a distinctly pale hue were seen as a way of keeping those more swarthy in their place. And if that could not be achieved, then at least in defeat one could be secure in the knowledge that one was on the side of right – to be vindicated in the Kingdom to come.

Like other people were have a powerful current of racism in our political heritage. And for all our braggadocio a profound underlying fear. A French pied noir I knew from Algeria said that the colonist never shakes off his fears. The fear of those who have stolen something being called to retribution. The fear of those in a strange land – where just beyond the borders of the colonist civilization another world exists – unknown, primeval where powerful untamed natural forces live. With strong savages who may raid and carry off the women. And where the women may find the more “hardy” savages physical profess preferable to theirs.

[FightForJustice]

I challenge each of you to a drinking game for tonight’s VP debate…drink water, not wine, tequila, or beer…and send that ten to twenty dollars you saved to Vote Today Ohio. For those of you who may not be aware this is what is called Golden Week in Ohio, when a person can register and vote on the same day. Vote Today Ohio is a grassroots organization that takes every dollar you send and uses it Right Now, this week, for one thing only getting voters to the polls. Your money will help rent a van, buy gasoline, or print a sign. They thought they had the budget for the week, but the response has been so great that they are asking people to help sponsor more vans.

http://www.actblue.com/page/votetodayohio

So I challenge you to a new drinking game…every time Palin says something that enrages you tonight or Biden says something that makes you proud…take a sip of your water and say, I am so damned proud that instead of sitting here drinking a beer, I gave that money today to Vote Today Ohio to get real people on the ground to the polls to vote for Obama/Biden.

[newshawk14]

I'm, only surprised that the number isn't higher.

[Hedonist88]

The economy is now severely threatened by the credit crisis. A severe and deep recession is staring us in the face as a result of this mess.

The credit crisis was precipitated by the massive writedowns and losses rippling through the banking sector leading to the rapid demise of many top-tier institutions.

The banks got themselves in this mess, largely as a result of deregulation which resulted in them taking on excessive risk. A normal correction in home prices resulted in shocking losses due to the incredible leverage these banks employed on their balance sheets.

Deregulation is therefore a major culprit in this quagmire we find ourselves in.

Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee and so called "maverick" was one of the strongest and most vocal proponents of deregulation of the banking and financial sector. He shares a major part of the blame for the crisis we are all in now.

It's unfathomable that he could now actually be running for president.

[stayinsouth1981]

So, I am planning my winter vegetables. Carrots will go in first so they will be nice and sweet this spring. I am in the mood for leeks and onions. I might put in some garlic. The salad greens are already started. That means I will at least be eating spinach along with all the tomatoes I put up in the freezer.

During WWII, Americans grew 40% of their vegetables in their home gardens. We may need to learn to do that again. Bless your hearts.

[TRichards]

So, 4 in 10 are paying no attention whatsoever -- or getting their "news" from Fox and Limbaugh, which comes to the same thing.

[RStone]

Obama has played it perfectly. Peaking just at the right time.

http://www.boppoll.com

Bop McSame! He and Palin need to go back to there same old jobs.

Obama '08

[whizkid]

Obama is like the 1939 World Fair.
Even if he is elected, little will become true.

[TrueIndy08]

oh well, keep making up excuses!!! He will win, McCain will prove to be the biggest, failed panderer in modern times... and people like you, will hopefully save the rest of us from the likes of you by quietly disposing of yourselves!!

[whizkid]

To you, anyone who runs against Obama is a hydra-like creature.
You could help by making sense though.

[stayinsouth1981]

Funny, my father went to it in NYC. He was not quite ten. His sister and 15 year old brother rode to the city, stayed in a little hotel and walked through the exhibits. TV was one thing he remembers seeing demonstrated. He has named other things that have been developed like the radar he worked on during Korea. I trust his views since he spent 26 years as a Naval officer, went to war college and has studied history his entire life.

He think John Sidney McCain is dangerous and should not get any closer to sitting in the Oval Office than standing behind the barriers.

[Punkynsnow]

read the article about McCain in Rolling Stone. Then tell me if you think he's fit to be commander in chief.

[swift goat pet for truth]

It ain't over til its over.

And I will be THRILLED with 270 EV.

[whizkid]

For October first its insignificant.

[TrueIndy08]

everyday you are insignificant

[Lotus19]

i was watching CNN and they were asking Bay (can't remember last night), a McCain supporter, what debate advice she would have for the VP candidates. She said that Palin should be her 'usual' charming and happy self (huh...i saw nasty and sarcastic during the convention) but that she shouldn't try to act sophisticated or get caught up in facts and figures 'which we all know she doesn't have". ROFL. And yet, Bay thinks she is more than qualified.

[Lotus19]

'(can't remember last name)...not night

[dejtemper]

6 out of 10? Who are the 4 idiots who think she is qualified for anything?

[TrueIndy08]

I actually know a couple... they are real pieces of work!

[Lotus19]

And are they saying that Palin governed a 'microcosm' of America and commanded the national guard during a time of war.

i heard one supporter say that she didn't know that Palin was pro-life. Another idiot.

[MrBadger]

Yeah, that's what I was wondering! It's amazing that there are actually 40% who still think she might be qualified. Amazing.

[swift goat pet for truth]

Well, Bush has a 30% approval rating.

Or is it less now? It is so hard to keep up with the inconsequential.

[Ramirez]

Obama's score is just under 5 out of 5.

[Punkynsnow]

Many people don't bother with research or facts. They make 'gut' decisions based on their reaction to someone's looks and public persona.

Kinda like Dubya looking into Putin's eyes....

[08Voter]

Here is a pdf of the poll internals:

http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1074a3PalinBiden.pdf

Palin is a major liability to McCain at this point!

[pjburns11]

A HUGE surge after that first debate and here is why:

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/09/27/a-generational-debate/