Obama Jumps Ahead In Missouri, North Dakota

Two new polls show the breadth of Barack Obama's recent surge of support in traditionally red states.

SurveyUSA finds Obama approaching a double-digit lead in Missouri, where McCain has held a solid advantage for much of the campaign. According to today's poll, Obama leads 51 percent to 43 percent, with a 4.3 percent margin of error. McCain led 48-46 in the previous SUSA poll from late September.

Meanwhile, in North Dakota, the Public Affairs Institute finds Obama slightly edging out McCain 45 percent to 43 percent.

Among voters who rank the economy as their top concern, 49 percent favor Obama, while 38 percent back McCain. The economy was far and away the most important national issue among voters, according to the poll, even though a majority regarded their own economic situation as "better off" or the "same" compared to a year ago.

Another troubling sign in the poll for McCain, who has styled himself as a maverick who is not a clone of President Bush: McCain has failed to solidify his hold on the GOP base in North Dakota, where he has the support of just 73 percent of voters identifying themselves as strong Republicans.

Kos has some additional North Dakota analysis here.

In other battleground news, the latest Marist polls show Obama leading in Pennsylvania (53-41) and Ohio (49-44) -- both of those leads are about double the size of the Marist polls taken last month.

Comments

[LisaO8]

I just got goose bumps - literally! This is so exciting - Ed Schulz will be ecstatic!

[Merersu]

So would Tim Russert!

[LisaO8]

I know, I miss him - Meet the Press just isn't the same and this election year, of all election years, would be up there with Buffalo winning the Super Bowl and Bruce Springsteen playing in his backyard:)

[PlantGod72]

In the inimitable words of Peter Boyle.....­Ray Romano's 'dad': HOLY CRAP!

LOL

[luvobama]

Boy are my ra cist relatives who live in Missouri going to be mad. My hubby's relatives in NC will hopefully be next.

[IRepTheKing]

North Carolina is working on it. I plan to early vote Thursday.

[JiminNC]

Me too! And my daughter ;))

[oldugly]

Dean Smith came out strong for Obama, that can't hurt in NC. I wonder what names McCain and palin will try to call him if they dare.

[musselmanm]

Just another terrorist in the eyes of McPailin.

[wazzucoug]

Before this is over McCain will be back in Arizona trying to protect his home turf!!!

[OneAngryDwarf]

Actually AZ is far more blue than say UT. My bet is that he's heading of UT or Idaho as we speak, just to shore up the base.

[IRepTheKing]

Which home??

[NamelessGenXer]

LOL !

[rubyrube]

Arizona-
near last in health care and public education- sound familar?

26 years as Arizona politicain yet never once voted for legislation for the science and implementaion of sustainable energies even though Arizona has more sunshine than
any other state in the union!

Mccain was with Bush to take our social security and invest it in wallstreet!
Enough is enough!

[MaryanneAZ]

McCain has his Phoenix mansion up for sale. I wonder if he plans to pull up stakes from this State entirely if he loses the election. He cannot seriously believe that he has a future here. There is an awful lot of Obama/Biden merchandise visible on cars, lawns, lapels, etc. We also have 750k of our voters who identify themselves as "other" with a Republican advantage by party identification. I'm holding out hope for the votes of the "other" voters. I still believe...­.

[DiBaskin]

LMBO! That would be the death of the McCain campaign. McCain is looking very lost right now.

[PT6]

Americans be Ready for TRICKS!

Remember GREENSPAN FOSTERED Americans' Trust and then CRUSHED US!

FIVE STEPS GREENSPAN did to STEAL 2000 and 2004 Elections!

1. Raised Interest Rates in 1999 and spurred a DOWNTURN during ELECTION so Bush was Elected
2. In 2000 Began Reducing Interest Rates to Lowest in History to spur Bush Economy
3. Pumped largest amount of funds into the economy in History to Spur Innovative CORRUPTION
4. Didn’t write Mortgage Regulations assigned to write
5. Encouraged Derivatives that Magically converted HIGH RISK to LOW RISK PAPER

Greenspan is # 1 reason Gore lost in 2000! Mind Blowing! Doing the unthinkable in 1999 election he RAISING INTEREST RATES, opposite HISTORICAL behavior, and slowed down the economy to INSURE BUSH VICTORY. This “TRICK” also fostered the recession in the early 2000's, but “PUT BUSH” into OFFICE.

THEN After election Greenspan began lowering interest rates to LOWEST IN OUR HISTORY FEEDING this CRISIS, but helped Bush out of the Economic Crisis Greenspan helped CREATE and helped BUSH beat Kerry in 2004.

We can NOT underestimate the Damage this man has done to AMERICA in coordination with Bush Administration!

He "SAT-ON-HIS-HANDS" ignoring assigned duty of writing "Mortgage Regulations" that lead directly to practices that caused the Sub-Prime CRISIS.

Greenspans STRONG ADVOCACY of Derivatives that combined these HIGH RISK LOANS into "FAKE ‘AAA’ Rated PAPER” was "GREENSPAN's MAGIC TRICK."

Converted "High Risk mortgages to Desired Low Risk Paper" was A MAJOR STEP in this CRISIS.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Greenspan is the person most responsible for this disastrous economy.

His fiscal policies to favor Bush and ignore the hard realities did most to get us into his mess. Greenspan first opposed the Bush tax cuts but then backed them not because he thought they were fiscally responsible but because Greenspan is a Republican.

[Diplomacy]

WOW! Way to go North Dakota!

I'm sure the influence to the North (Canada) has some influence! You can see a prosperous economy, stable banks, Health Care for all, the people of Williston & Fargo will come through!

It's time U.S. citizens recognized there is an alternative, a government "FOR the PEOPLE".

[PT6]

Thank you Midwest states! It is time for you to persue your own best interests and Obama has them firmly in HIS MIND!

Thank Europe for the Boost Today! US BAILOUT is one Obama helped Design!

If Market Rebounds which it should do now that the WORLD HAS BAILED OUT ALL THE CORRUPT BANKS Obama should Benefit!

Repubs think this Market Rally is the "October Surprise" as Repubs always "jack up" the market during voting season to give themselves a boost!

Certainly, we must make the Point that "MASSIVE COSTS” for this BOOST IS BORN BY THE TAXPAYER and MIDDLE CLASS!

Demos must "take full credit for improvements in the market" as we supported the Bailout at a much higher percentage than Repubs. We must be sure it continues as America needs its Strength.

A sustained Market Run is a benefit for Democrats more than Repubs. Democrats want Wall and Main Street to achieve!

We must point out that just because Wall Street may be happy that does not translate to Main Street and McCain is NOT TRYING any more than BUSH to help Middle Class America.

Reform of Washington and Wall Street can not be left in the Hands of the people WHO COST Americans Trillions of dollars for a "FAKE WAR" and a "FINANCIAL CRISIS" like the Great Depression.

Americans lost $2000/yr under Repubs while gaining $7,500 under Democrats.

Wall Street does better under Democrats than Repubs.

[dakotaharp]

lets keep the faith....w­e haven`t won yet....sta­y in focus.....­these folk`s will do anything to keep their power.

[SEQUOIABISON]

Well, I am glad the McCain folks have us exactly where they want us, because I am very happy where they want us, in the lead going into the home stretch.

I see the fat lady in the wings clearing her throat and getting ready to sing Happy Days are Here Again.

But I am not counting my chickens yet, we still have 3 weeks to go and they have Bush in the white house who can invade a country or cause a military incident that might make the voters think we need the old POW in charge of our security?? "My fellow prisoners", beware of Rove and the October surprise?

Obama/Biden

[MaryanneAZ]

I think that the fat lady has made her hair appointment and she has picked out her dress, but it's still a little premature for the throat clearing. It sure sounds more possible every day. I encourage everyone to vote early if possible and vote paper if possible (it also won't hurt anything to take a photo of your ballot before you return it). Things could get a little a testy on election day in some places.

[oafishcad]

A lot can happen in 2 weeks. Look at the last 2 weeks. And Republicans will do ANYTHING to win. Ask Al Gore. Do not count out the GOP and their Slime and Crime machine. It's pretty clear the Democratic message is winning the country. The GOP will do what they can to distort that message. By the way, ain't it odd how the price of gasoline is dropping so much right before the election? Duh.

[Chibikim]

NORTH DAKOTA!? I must be dreaming! SOMEONE PINCH ME!

[teron678]

Don't believe Obama wil win ND ...

Both we can still hope ....

[JJeff88]

It's more enjoyable to have an isolated polling result from other than an conventionally accepted source show favorable numbers for your candidate than is to have them show otherwise.

When I see 3 or 4 other poll results in SD and Mizzou that confirm those most recent polling numbers...­I'll believe it.

[Bluejay00234]

Clearly all these polls are in the tank for O.

[teron678]

LOL

[IRepTheKing]

When he wins, will you say that America is "in the tank" for Obama...? Well that's called democracy. That's called an election..­.. and Obama will be called Mr President.

[LisaO8]

Clearly you are living in denial - what is that I hear?! Taps being played at the McCain campaign?!

[dsmyre]

Joplin, Missouri..­. are you listening? LOL!

[aubrey8]

California Mo....fire­d up ! and ready to go?

[Jenababy]

A big thanks to the Metro St. Louis area, my childhood home. Way to go! The GOP must of forgotten the "Show Me State"waits till they are sure who is truthful. Keep up the great work. I was so proud of the men from Missouri the night of the debate with their "Rednecks for Obama" sign.

[Dystopic]

Branson, Missouri..­. are you listening?

[Cooper1608]

St. Louis County, Mo, are you listening?

[iPolitics]

A new SurveyUSA poll in Georgia finds Sen. John McCain ahead of Sen. Barack Obama by eight points, 51% to 43%.

Interesting: "Early and absentee voting began in Georgia on 09/22/08. Among the 18% of Georgia voters who tell SurveyUSA they have already voted, Obama leads by 6 points; among those who have not yet voted, McCain leads by 11."

[nian]

that shows you the enthusiasm gap. Obama supporters can NOT WAIT to vote for him, and McCain voters are biding their time, hoping for a better reason to vote for him. I don't think Obama has a prayer in GA, but its interesting to see. Make sure we keep the enthusiasm going. Unless we vote in Obama by a HUGE margin, Repubs will say it was stolen, rigged, etc... Make sure you get to all your friends and family!!

Lets do this!

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I stood in line for about 1.5 hours here in Ga. last week to vote. I was one of only about five white folk in the line. (Of course, probably the ONLY one who voted for Obama). The attitude was joyful and elated. 99.9% voted for Obama. It was like a big party!!!