Three Out Of Four

Obama is now at or above 50% in three of the four tracking polls.

Hotline/Diageo has it at 48-42. Gallup has it as 50-42. Rasmussen has it as 51-45. And Daily Kos/R2000 shows the biggest lead of all: 52-40.

But with good news comes bad. Unless McCain decides to give up the campaign, he's going to go nook-yoo-ler. That will probably have a negative impact on Obama's poll numbers, and it might even dominate news coverage for a short period of time, because conflict is sexy.

The challenge for us, as supporters of Obama, is going to be simple: we can't overreact to McCain's coming attacks, and we need to see them for what they are: desperate attempts to distract attention away from the fundamental issue in this race, which is reversing course from the disastrous path charted George Bush and the GOP over the past eight years.

So even if the race gets a little closer, we can't freak out about it. The poll numbers aren't what matters. The bile behind John McCain's attacks aren't what matters. All that really matters is getting this country out of the rut that John McCain's policies has put it in. Everything else is background noise. And as long as we stay focused, we win.

Comments

[piper1233]

I'm hoping that McCain does go negative and in a big way, this will be the definitive test of the American People's want of change. If we succumb to these old tactics (not strategy) we are not ready for the change that we say they want.

[guntotinganglion]

One word to use to deflate Palin...witchcraft.

Two for Old Man McCain...Keating Five

[TheGeicoCaveman]

__THAT OCTOBER SURPRISE IS HERE!!!!

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[musselmanm]

I owe a special thanks to Buffalo Springfield for the special outlook on the McBush campaign.
Remember never ever repeat his running mate or the running mates' name!

[musselmanm]

Paranoia strikes deep! Into your life it will creep. It starts when you are always afraid, step out of line, the Man comes and takes you away!

Our new mantra until November 4th!

[drstrange2love]

Buffalo Springfield, I love it!!

[grantlingel]

All leads baby... All leads.
http://grantlingel.blogspot.com

[Frenchy9]

Good, prudent blog from Jed again. I start to like this guy, humble.
Perseverance.

I will be proud of Americans if this time around the attack smears campaign coming on Obama does not result in a loss in the polls. I mean, I hope the people with less education in rural areas can say: we are not going to be fooled all the time on all subjects.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

[lovethesinner]

The other distraction is Sarah Palin. Even if the media continually talk about her being unqualified without pointing out what that says about McCain, we are taking attention away from Obama's message of hope. Away from discussing the need for CHANGE.

We need to resist the urge to put her down. As Obama said, "we can't pull ourselves up, by dragging the other guy down."

HOPE AND CHANGE are what's needed in America. Not manufactured distractions.

[brief candle]

Telling the truth is not putting her down. She's unqualified and his judgement is seriously impaired.

[jiggystyles]

Great Post Jed.

That's why I'm leaving to work for 2 weeks in Indiana.

YES WE CAN

[JLee]

Bless you! I'm overseas but I'll be sending anything I can spare to support your efforts.

[chronic]

Yes, bless you!

Ive just signed up to volunteer and have been contacted by the Obama/Biden campaign to start Monday.

[Frenchy9]

Thank you!

[barkanomics]

Personally, I think McCain "taking off the gloves" is going to be utterly repugnant to the public. Watching him apparently "gloveless" talking to the Des Moines Register was like watching a horror movie. I didn't see "Silence of the Lambs," but that's the movie title that comes to mind. Let the debate begin, McPsycho.

[Peteyman]

When has McCain ever NOT taken off the gloves?

[JRambo]

People... Don't underestimate the power of the Republican machine. They may not like McCain, but they love Palin. Palin is Bush: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXPMn99a7nQ (I love the wink)

America, we have a problem. Expect voter fraud, manipulated machines, voter harassment, push polling, and swift boating.

I don't know that Obama can help us, but I know Palin/McCain will destroy us. More of the same is insane. If McCain wanted to be in the White House, he should have jumped parties in 2000. Perhaps he could be the VP pick of Obama today. Instead, he took the low road. We are going to see some nasty and ugly ads over the next four weeks. Likely, these ads will be even worse than the ads against the war hero John Kerry.

On a positive note, in my neighborhood, a conservative Minnesota town (fairly large), the one McCain sign came down last week, and I counted five Obama signs. Of course, there are a McCain signs in the town, but they are next to the Coleman signs. And Coleman is a loser. If Obama wins Minnesota, Franken wins Minnesota. He should. Coleman is running ads showing Franken getting pissed off and swearing. Doesn't he know that we elected Ventura, an all star wrestler?

Being from WI, and living in Minnesota for over a decade, I'm sure Obama has WI and MN locked up. But people need to get out and vote. That is the bottom line.

[lippy33]

I think Obama's been expecting this and will handle his business. I think we just need to not freak out.

I think Obama should continue to shove Mccain's tactics in his face. Mccain, believe it or not, still wants to be seen to honor. Obama, I am sure, see that is McCain's weak area. What he should do is continue to look above the fray--but keep jabbing Mccain under the radar like he's been doing.

In these scary times, the public has less of a stomach for these types of attacks. And really, Ayers, Wright, ,this is old stuff. This will end up backfiring on McCain.

[MarSox]

Subject: A Letter to Americans

Hello,

We are a Nation in crisis! Our Country is at a crossroads! The 527 groups are filling the airwaves with negative advertisements, yet again. This election is far too important for this type of politics. Partisan and divisive politics have no place in the voting booth. We need to vote not as Republicans, Democrats or Independents, but as Americans. For me the choice is clear. For some of you the decision is much more difficult for deeply personal reasons, some handed down from generation to generation. Everyone should focus solely on the question below when they step into the booth on November fourth. The choice will become clear if we do.
The only question we should be asking ourselves on November 4th when we step into the booth alone is this, "Are we and the Country better off now, then we were eight years ago?"

A No answer: Then Vote for Obama

A Yes answer: Then Vote for McCain

This election shouldn't be about sex, race, religion, he said, she said, I'm right or you're wrong. This election is about US as individual Americans and how we feel about our lives and the direction the Country has taken. This will be the most important vote of your life, so be honest with yourselves on voting day! It really is a simple yes or no answer.
Be heard! One person can make a difference! Vote on November 4th!!!!

MarSox

[grrrfren]

For my part, I'm writing another check to "Obama for America" right now. How 'bout everyone doing the same right now.

[21stCenturyMan]

Tell you what. Every time I see a McCain negative ad, I'll send another $25 online to Obama.

Anybody want to match that?

[mortrefuge]

Jeez! You must think I'm as rich as Cindy McCain! But I will do my best!

[OB08]

President Obama stay on the message economy etc. Let Biden, Moveon.Org, Unions, Women organisations and us the people do the work. For us ordinary folks volunteer, donate, phone bank, register voters, email the news media if the adds gets too out of hand (which it will) just stay positive, vigilant, strong and have a lot of patience and we will prevail.

God Bless President Obama and VP Biden and all of us while we head to the home stretch.

[MichaelKeffer]

I think Obama should spell out the types of character attacks he COULD use (keating 5 etc etc etc) but leave it at that. Everytime McCain tries character assassination, someone from the Obama campaign should remind the media of Obama's statement.

expose the hypocrisy, but don't lower yourself into it.