Party identification difference down to one point?
posted at 9:20 am on September 8, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Allahpundit flagged an interesting point in an updated version of the USA Today story on their latest polling in the presidential race. According to the internals of the Gallup survey, McCain’s ascension to the leadership of the GOP may have healed the brand. Democrats lead Republicans in party identification by a single point:
In the new survey, more voters call themselves Republicans. Now 48% say they’re Democrats or lean to the Democratic Party; 47% say they’re Republicans or lean to the GOP.
Not since February 2005, right after Bush’s second inauguration, have Republicans been within a single point of Democrats in party identification.
What’s more, voters by 48%-45% support the Democratic candidate in their congressional district, the party’s narrowest advantage this year.
Needless to say, this has huge implications for the election, and not just at the presidential level. Democrats had hoped to ride their large advantage to big gains in both the House and Senate this year. Voters have apparently begun realizing that Democrats controlled one of the most useless Congressional sessions in recent history, and the 9% approval ratings have finally taken their toll on Democratic leadership.
Energy policy is the likely locus for this sea change. Nancy Pelosi’s early adjournment without taking action to increase domestic production of oil — a policy favored by 70% of voters — undoubtedly damaged the party’s support, already weakening over the summer. Republicans have hammered Democrats for their refusal to create American jobs and keep American wealth at home, especially with the House Oil Party, and voters have begun to notice.
It also calls into question Obama’s coattails, and suggests much stronger coattails for McCain than anyone might have guessed. Of course, those coattails may belong to Sarah Palin, but regardless, the Republican ticket appears to have caught the nation’s attention, which apparently has begun fatiguing on Obamamania. Obama was supposed to redefine American politics with enthusiasm for Democrats, but now it looks like the opposite may be happening; Democratic identification has declined since the primaries, and Republicans have closed to a virtual dead heat. His uninspired choice of a Washington insider for a running mate on a ticket of “change” probably hasn’t helped much, either.
Hold on to those November narratives. Republicans may just pull a surprise in the House if these numbers continue to move in the GOP’s favor. They have the momentum now, and they need to keep pushing energy policy to fuel it.
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I have been sober for 8.5 years. Have not had a drop to drink. I may have to down a glass of well-deserved sangria if we manage to knock out Harry and/or Nancy as a survival measure.
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Either that or they over sampled Republicans in the latest survey.
dKap on September 8, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Not a surprise- I’m finding more and more that people identify themselves as, “independents” or “conservatives”. (and for sure no one wants to be identified with Harry and Nancy!)
anniekc on September 8, 2008 at 9:25 AM
The democrats blew this election the day they nominated Obama.
winemkr on September 8, 2008 at 9:26 AM
I completely agree. This is not going to be the blowout that Democrats thought it would be and at this point in time I would not be surprised if the Republicans actually GAIN seats in the House and Senate.
This is definitely going to be an election for the history books.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:26 AM
This is like watching our relay team close on the French.
TexasDan on September 8, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Energy policy is directly related to liberals’ two greatest weaknesses:
Obama & the Do-Nothing Congress are a threat to our economy and national security.
Loxodonta on September 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Don’t you dare. Strictly O’Douls for you, my friend.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM
:D agreed
YellowDawg on September 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM
What was Obama saying the other day about “snatching victory from the jaws of defeat”?
Waterboy on September 8, 2008 at 9:28 AM
I’ve been sober for almost a day, and this news makes me want to buy some champaigne and toast the McCain/Palin ticket!
lionheart on September 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Can you imagine the panic in the dems halls?
Everything they took for granted is becoming unraveled.
Here is one of the major implications…the money they (DNC) have reserved for the Presidential election, will now have to be used to hold onto Congressional seats. They don’t have enough money.
This is huge…
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Out of outrage at Republican spending, I changed my registration from R to Independent a couple of years ago. I switched it back to R this year. Apparently a lot of folks are joining me.
jgapinoy on September 8, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Go to MTV Labs Blog and look at the over 4700 comments by the youth disgusted by the MTV music awards last night.
I don’t believe the youth vote belongs to the Democrats anymore.
moonsbreath on September 8, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Right now, every Republican Senator running for office and Representative is re-writing their speeches to match what McCain/Palin is doing.
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Wow… did I slip into another dimension in the last few days or something? Or is Sarah Palin really such a mighty sorceress as that?
Lehosh on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
The Dump Biden movement begins in 5… 4… 3… 2…
Akzed on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
This is because the left, predictable in its arrogance, assumed that the McSame campaign would work until election day. Obama is much to blame for this breakdown in the democratic party because of his childish, foolish, and short-sighted handling of the Clintons. We can pretty much agree that McCain’s new found support comes from the conservative base and the disaffected Clinton supporters.
I’ve told my husband, since July, that Obama lost the election when he didn’t pay off Clinton’s campaign debt as a show of party solidarity, and to not allow her an excuse for not campaigning for him. He could have built up huge momentum going into his convention, as opposed to being in a statistical dead heat. Not to mention, the Obama campaign openly complaining about the Clintons not genuflecting to them couldn’t have helped.
Obama’s campaign has shown us all that Chicago (echo chamber) politicking doesn’t scale well at all.
bloghooligan on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
what is break down of poll? usually they over sample dems. but I wouldn’t put it past them to rig a big McCain lead and then let Obama recover for that narrative
jp on September 8, 2008 at 9:31 AM
if they lose its going to be funny as hell listening to the wailing and gnashing of teeth on the left…cries of RAAAAACISM and stealing the election it should make 2000 look like the little leagues.
losing power is the worst thing that can happen to those wacko democRATS.
right4life on September 8, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Ok, I’m assuming that when these surveys are performed, the party affiliations are asked in the survey questions. (never been a participant )
Having some knowledge of human survey techniques for other purposes (natural resource management), I know people have a tendency to provide screwy answers just for fun. How is that a reliable indicator of sample design accuracy?
(Reflects the supposed party demographics)
This is why I have a healthy skepticism of surveys.
Marine_Bio on September 8, 2008 at 9:32 AM
Those “radical” MTV kids have moms also…nobody disses a mom, and Palin comes across as a “mom I would like to have”.
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:33 AM
LoL thanks for that link. I particularly liked this part:
Lehosh on September 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM
With the clarion call out to Hillary, anyone seen Hillary around???
right2bright on September 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Not taking anything at all away from Palin, but…while I loved her speech and her, and think she is everything I hoped she was when I never believed McCain would have the stones to pick her, I do think this is as much about McCain as it is her.
If there’s one thing actually over and above all that’s troubled me about Barry, it’s been that he’s obviously a man who’s never had to face a real crisis and stare into the depths of himself top solve it.
If you’d be a leader, you have to have done that.
I think that even though it was initially panned by writers who have spent the entire cycle being wrong, McCain’s speech may just go down in history as one of the truly great American speeches.
“They broke me.”
And then he proceeded to say how love of this country had allowed him to remake himself.
I’ve been thinking since that night that what it boiled down to was that Palin lathered Barry up, and then McCain shaved him. With a smile, she finally exposed the emptiness of the suit, and then McCain with a clear and unwavering voice offered up himself in comparison.
Hell, I never liked McCain before, and even though I was going to vote for him, I was in reality going to vote against Barry.
But in that declaration, and then the words that followed it, I wanted this man as my President. For the first time ever.
Now they could still blow it, of course, but I don’t think so. This is now McCain’s election to lose.
Typhoon on September 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 9:23 AM
(25) years for me sven… Stick with it, life is to precious to waste away.
Liberals-Democrats have no message, no solutions, offer us a disguised plate full of socialism. Blaming America for the worlds problems is the dumbest approach ever created. How could Americans possibly support a party that declared our treasured soldiers cause a “defeat” all while our soldiers were fighting on foreign soil. If we were to reward such anti-American behavior, we would surely be heading for the end game.
Keemo on September 8, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Exactly, and thanks to Obama’s insistence on turning down public financing, they won’t get a lot of checks between now and election day. If Obama had taken the public money, he could have directed donors to give to the DNC and increased their ability to help downticket races.
If Obama loses and the GOP manages to hold on to the seats it holds in the Congress, the Democrat establishment is going to turn on Obama in a big way.
Slublog on September 8, 2008 at 9:35 AM
I am keeping my mouth shut and fingers crossed until after November 4th, not only because I don’t want to jinx anything but because I am surrounded by the Marxists. Then again, if I celebrate I may get the living sh*t kicked out of me by the peace-loving non-violent libs.
J.J. Sefton on September 8, 2008 at 9:36 AM
McCain just took the lead on Intrade. Incredible.
nickj116 on September 8, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Oh, the liberals have a message, it’s simply “contrary”. If you’re for it, they’re against it. If you like it, they hate it. They’re like 4 year olds stuck in adult bodies.
bloghooligan on September 8, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Will someone in the media(conservative)please start pointing out that not only McCain, but the entire Senate pretty much voted with Bush 90% of the time. I’m tired of hearing that crap coming from the left. And please expose Clinton’s deregulation of the loan industry to get as many non-qualifieds into home ownership as possible, showing once again that government playing with anything is destructive. I heard Hillary this morning calling Bush’s terms “The disaster of the last 8 years. Her husband had more to do with it than anyone else……
adamsmith on September 8, 2008 at 9:37 AM
As many here have said on numerous occasions, this has been the most entertaining election evah. And if we win big in November, it’ll be even better.
Bob's Kid on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
And if Biden is soon sleeping with the fishes in favor of Hellary, imagine what she will demand of Hussein in return for running. And the Demopanic Party will despertely demand that he give her whatever she wants.
I’m up on the tightwire
one side’s ice and one is fire
its a circus game with you and me
I’m up on the tightrope
one side’s hate and one is hope
but the tophat on my head is all you see
And the wire seems to be
the only place for me
a comedy of errors
and I’m falling
-Leon Russell
Akzed on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Yup…that must be it…like when the M$M extrapolates “women on Palin” from a smaple of what 3 gals in a Pennsylvania union town?
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I saw the beginning of the show – disgusting. At least the tepid reaction from the crowd was encouraging.
There’s video too
And on topic, my wife sent in her revised voter registration as an “R” on Thursday. Trouble is brewing for BO in flyover country.
forest on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I think, the democrats’ thumbing their noses at the American Public, and going on “vacation” was the last straw.
They were willing to undermine the American economy for their own political purposes.
These Rabid Dogs need to be…..oh wait…I can’t say that…nevermind.
franksalterego on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I was on here last week saying should buy him at 40 and sell this week for easy money. dang it! didn’t do it
jp on September 8, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Two things:
1. We all need a dose of Allahpundit pessimism to avoid getting carried away.
2. Every Republican House and Senate candidate ought to shouting that they are signing, in their own precious red bloood, the John McCain – Sarah Palin AntiPork – Earmark Veto – No More Bridge to Nowhere Ever Again – Pledge, and challenging their opponents to do likewise. (Now, quick, go invent the AntiPork Pledge and have McCain and Palin sell it.)
JudetheFossil on September 8, 2008 at 9:39 AM
As of the time of this post McCain is at 50 on Intrade, Obama at 49.9. That will change but wow! http://www.intrade.com/jsp/intrade/trading/t_index.jsp?selConID=409933
Mr. Joe on September 8, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Typhoon,
This about summs it up. This wasn’t the thumping of being a POW, it was the HUMILITY of a man who survived.
I also loved this speech, it showed the side of McCain that is much harder to pin down than the way he comes across when he works more easily with Democrats than fellow Republicans.
It shows his humanity, his faith and his desire to serve in the absolute terms that transcend party lines.
Great speech.
Marine_Bio on September 8, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Shirley Temples all round — I’m buying.
P.S. The coat tails do belong to Palin. Not only in her own right, but she seems to bring out something positive in him.
BigD on September 8, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Sorceress? No.
ARCTIC FOX? Most definitely.
ManlyRash on September 8, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Oh and Manly and Keemo…I was joking…
I am sober because I have no desire to raise myself in my son. Politics no matter how passionately fought doesn’t trump that oath. Congrats on your own strength.
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 9:43 AM
I know that New Hampshire hasn’t even had the Republican congressional primaries yet (they’re tomorrow), so there’s no single candidate for probably a lot of districts. It’ll be interesting once the local primaries are over to see if these numbers tighten up and the Dems once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
crazy_legs on September 8, 2008 at 9:44 AM
I’ve been sober for 11 years, and I wouldn’t want to mess it up now. The electorate doing something right is not a reason for me to do something wrong. I’ll pass on the drink and do a lot of whooping and hollering instead. :)
backwoods conservative on September 8, 2008 at 9:44 AM
No kidding. MTV and the circle of musicians/celebrities must think that the rest of young Americans are just as drug-fuelled and idiotic as they are. Classic projection.
As you point out, the average young MTV viewer has a mom who works hard at home and at work, picks up thier little brother/sister from school, etc. Young poeple know when they and thier world is being mocked, even if its only on a subconcious level.
I remember at the height of the Reagan-bashing Designing Woman era, popular culture called Reagan senite, old, etc but I don’t remember “mainstream” media (MTV is sadly mainstream) viciously mocking conservative young poeple to this degree. I guess the advertisers didn’t like to sh*t where they ate. So what are the MTV execs thinking these days: “We are so rich we can alienate ___% of our viewers?”
It’s there money I guess, and thier funeral.
Oh, and
Britanny Rules!!!!
Seriously! I admire her “fat, drunk and stupid” attitude and she’ll be damned if she changes…and as long as she sticks to the Starbucks and Drive-thru diet instead of the brown or meth, she’ll be (relatively) fine.
Waterboy on September 8, 2008 at 9:44 AM
I disagree they will continue in step playing the victim card, see it was middle America to blame for not seeing past Obama’s skin color, or the best one it was fear of the percieved(sp) muslim the people in small towns went into the voting booth clinging to their guns and their ten unaborted babies that have done him in. Or perhaps they will use that good ol hillbilly line that the small town folk are to uneducated to read whom they voted for like the rich folk in FL ya know the election was stolen votes were cast for the wrong person in error.
*Forgive my run on sentence, grammar is not my forte.
PiggieSez on September 8, 2008 at 9:45 AM
Do not, do not, do not get too excited by THAT poll.
It had a really, really small sample size. (started with 1000 adults, whittled that down to 900+ registered voters, and then down to an unknown number of likely voters)
Get excited about the Rasmussen Daily Tracking that has McCain up 1%. Get excited if the Gallup Daily Tracking continues to show McCain up when it comes out today.
Get excited by the surge on Intrade. But don’t panic when McCain drops again as people take their profits…
Don’t get (too) excited by one low-quality poll. Get excited by the continuing trend in the high-quality polls.
ClintACK on September 8, 2008 at 9:45 AM
14 months here…..easy does it sven, don’t let the ‘party’ atmosphere cloud your head! (but i sure understand how you are feeling :)
At this point I almost hope he does appeal to Hillary. Knowing of their past history that would be a proof positive example of his ambition over ruling everything. He actually does seem to really believe that HE IS THE ONE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR if only he can keep all these little minions in line. He’d use/abuse anyone, even the Clintons, to achieve HIS goals. Sorry sack of shit!
dustoffmom on September 8, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Let’s not forget that it was only when McCain stopped pissing off social conservatives and started healing a rift of his own making that his fortunes started to improve. If cranky old bastard makes amnesty or his global warming crap top priorities his numbers are going to fall far faster than it took them to rise to their current mediocre levels.
highhopes on September 8, 2008 at 9:47 AM
I’ve been sober since about breakfast (nothing like Cheerios floating in a bowl of bourbon) but I may need to have two bottles of Mad Dog for lunch to celebrate the increasing dysfunction of the DFL.
Obama is quickly being reduced to a pandering reactionary with his claims of having once considered the military and campaigning=executive experience. On the debate trail he will have to explain himself beyond ‘hopey audastic changeful hopeyness’ and whatever shine he has left will be gone.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Nice comparison.
Spirit of 1776 on September 8, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I’ll have a nice merlot, with the name “Three Blind Moose”!
Right_of_Attila on September 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Hey, Diet Coke works just as well to do that happy dance. Even Caffeine Free. :)
Bob's Kid on September 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Perfect ad,
“Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats are AWOL on energy. They’d rather go on vacation and book tours than reduce the price of gas you pay at the pump.”
Then the capo di tutti capi of energy exploration,
Sarah Palin, says a few words.
moxie_neanderthal on September 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
I agree, energy is still THE decisive issue. Haven’t heard enough from McCain about energy lately. Hoping the energy thrust will be reasserted soon when Palin comes to center stage.
petefrt on September 8, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Maybe. But what’s interesting is that Barry probably would have won this election if he’d chosen Hillary, if for no other reason than if he had, McCain most likely would have felt he couldn’t pick Palin.
To me, that speaks volumes about the two of them. In reality, Barry didn’t pick Hillary for one simple reason: Fear. Fear that he couldn’t control her; fear that he couldn’t control Bill; fear that his own light would be diminished by standing in hers.
Leaders with courage never, ever, show that fear. If you believe in yourself, you have no problem letting those around you shine, and picking people who shine to surround you.
So even if it is Palin, it’s still McCain.
He didn’t have to pick her. But he did.
Typhoon on September 8, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Is it possible that this poll is an outlier?
lodge on September 8, 2008 at 9:52 AM
“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for” Barach Obama
“My country saved me” John McCain
In a nutshell…
Oh, and I am drunk right now!(Just kidding folks). Good on the few posters on this thread…keep up the hard work.
Waterboy on September 8, 2008 at 9:52 AM
PiggieSez on September 8, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I hope and pray you are correct. The faux intellectuals would go batass crazy were Obama to lose, blaming everyone in sight with vicious tirades about racism, hillbillys and stupid white trash not knowing what’s good for them. They would marginalize themselves right off the map.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:52 AM
And just think back a few months,when it was
Obamamania,and now the tables have turned,and
so has the mood of the crew who sail on the
U.S.S Hot Air!!!!
Theres still 2 months to go,before the next
political port of call,election day!
canopfor on September 8, 2008 at 9:52 AM
I don’t think they’ll turn on Obama publicly. If he loses, though, expect to see a lot of stories citing ‘unnamed Democratic sources’ ripping apart every decision Obama made during the campaign.
Slublog on September 8, 2008 at 9:54 AM
RovePutin you magnificent bastard!Right_of_Attila on September 8, 2008 at 9:54 AM
According to the internals of the Gallup survey, McCain’s ascension to the leadership of the GOP may have healed the brand.
And all he had to do was throw us all under the bus on illegal immigration. Way to go, McAmnesty.
Spanglemaker on September 8, 2008 at 9:55 AM
That’s about the only hope you have left, isn’t it?
a capella on September 8, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Ed, ABSOLUTELY!
Sound the “drill now” mantra con moto perpetuo.
I noticed the HotAir merchandise could venture into this realm at least with yard signs and bumper stickers.
The 30-Year Democrat War Must End!
Bring home our own energy production now! This 30-year Democrat persistence in strangling America, passing legislation and executive orders, prevent our survival against the fittest energy opponents/competition that are confronting us; Russia, OPEC, Iran and terrorists who sabotage stability.
Morons, don’t tell me that Libya is playing nice for Condi. Qadaffi is for Libya, and Libya is NOT for the USA. Truce or treaty, you better have eyes in the back of your head with Qadaffi behind you.
maverick muse on September 8, 2008 at 9:56 AM
And now comes this for Obama, he is a fool overall but he was smart not to trust Hillary as his running mate.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24308598-5013948,00.html
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Energy has surely been a driving force here, but do not underestimate the turnaround in Iraq either. Republicans where I lived were demoralized by the war, by Katrina, by a series of things that made them question Republicans’ basic competence to run the government. John McCain is making himeslf into THE politician most identified with success in Iraq. The better response to this year’s hurricanes is helping restore Republicans’ confidence too. The few new corruption scandals seem to all be hitting Democrats (Bonusgate in PA, Kwame Kilpatrick, Charlie Rangel, the Countrywide Six, Chuck Schumer killing IndyMac Bank).
Then the Democrats went and nominated the #1 liberal in the Senate and he picked the #3 liberal as his running mate. And Nancy Pelosi shut down Congress and went on a book tour while millions of Americans canceled their summer vacations due to gas prices.
It’s a perfect s—storm for Democrats.
rockmom on September 8, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Most perfect political analogy evah.
EnglishMike on September 8, 2008 at 9:58 AM
You are right, and it is starting now they are setting it up in flippantly stating if Obama loses it will go back to the Bidien pick and not selecting Hillary.
PiggieSez on September 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM
He won’t be the comeback kid if he loses this one. He’ll be done forever. Her Majesty and Clenis will make sure of that. She underestimated him once and it won’t happen again.
a capella on September 8, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Opps soory wrong quote..
You are right, and it is starting now they are setting it up in flippantly stating if Obama loses it will go back to the Bidien pick and not selecting Hillary.
PiggieSez on September 8, 2008 at 10:01 AM
I agree. Everyone on this post reads and eats politics. Most of the public don’t. I suspect most of the public kind of knew about McCain’s POW story but had not really heard it told in full. McCain’s speech on Thursday night was for many, the first time they heard it. We all kind of shrugged a bit, because we know the story; but imagine if it was the first time you heard it. You would be blown away.
It appears to have made a huge impression on many viewers and highlighted the vapidity of the Obama candidacy. Obama’s self-serving revelation that he thought about joining the military, “once upon a time” only reinforces the impression that he is a man who hasn’t done much at all, but still wrote two memoirs about it.
PackerBronco on September 8, 2008 at 10:02 AM
No HILLARY! is smart for not tying herself to a longshot. I don’t think HILLARY! is all that smart but she has always been cagey and a survivor. This means her advisors told her she would damage herself with the PUMAs if she hurts Sarah.
That tells me the tidal wave is coming.
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Since O! became the nominee, and pulled the magical mystery tour and the address from Mount Obamus, voters have taken a more nuanced view on being members of the new Democratic Party…
RocketmanBob on September 8, 2008 at 10:02 AM
This is good news. Not enough, however.
For the next mind screw on BHO, have Palin accept his offer to shoot hoops. Put it in her interview on ABC. Give the proceeds to Salvation Army & Red Cross. If BHO is going into fitness overdrive, the McCain campaign is inside his OODA loop. If BHO says, “just kidding”, then he slams himself, again.
NaCly dog on September 8, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I do not identify myself as a Republican at all. I am a thoroughly independent voter. I am definitely a Conservative before I am a Republican and I promise that I will vote for a Conservative Independent candidate or Democrat a large majority of the time over a left leaning Republican. That is why McCain gives me some trouble and I think many others here feel the same about that.
Nevertheless, McCain is vastly more conservative than Obama so I will hold my nose and vote for him most likely. But I PROMISE that if this RINO crap keeps happening in the Republican party I will be actively looking for an alternative.
Hawthorne on September 8, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Huh… I wasn’t aware that Bush got to vote.
Immolate on September 8, 2008 at 10:03 AM
O! :
“Thanks Keefy, thanks Chris Tingle, your over the top efforts have FUBAR’d my elecoral aspirations !”
RocketmanBob on September 8, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Just think soon Congress will be back in session. Nancy and Harry will be inspiring the electorate to vote republican every time they open their mouths. They just can’t help it.
meci on September 8, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Mmmmmmmm! Three Blind Moose!!
crazy_legs on September 8, 2008 at 10:05 AM
What Obama/Biden cannot not fathom is something a combat pilot fully understands. Thinking effectively in three dimensions while in motion. Making decisons in three dimensions while in motion. Obama/Biden are still trapped in linear mode. Hope they stay there. Expect them to stay there.
McCain/Palin are taking advantage of Obama/Biden, as McCain/Palin drive home their desired points, define the campaign, set the agenda, control the message, own the tempo, deftly play with the timing…
In other words, they are changing the situation more rapidly than the other side can comprehend.
Read your Boyd. It is really pretty simple stuff.
coldwarrior on September 8, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Allah pessimism is deifinitely needed… The election is still two months away and the economy and Bush’s unpopularity work against the Republicans. This is nice news, but please don’t get carried away.
Also, the poll could be an oversample.
Illinidiva on September 8, 2008 at 10:07 AM
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Agreed. Obama was smart not to trust her and Hillary was smart not to trust him; it’s mutually assured destruction with Hillary having (at this point) one extra boomer sub creeping under the ice-pack.
Bishop on September 8, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Much of the money that Obama has been bringing in, is Democratic money that in more normal years would be given to downticket contests and to the DNC.
Obama is turning into a major headache for the Democratic side.
MarkTheGreat on September 8, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I’m guessing Obama’s recent desperation antics, and those of the media, mean these poll results are fairly accurate
jp on September 8, 2008 at 10:12 AM
The genius is using Uh Bam Uh and O-joe’s energy against themselves.
The economy is not as bad as the donks will make it out to be, and frankly John McCain’s energy policy is a proven job and wealth generator….
Barry’s tire gauges not so much.
sven10077 on September 8, 2008 at 10:12 AM
You need to look further ahead. Palin is a glimpse into the future. The present crop of establishment pubbies may be peering into the crystal ball and not liking what they see.
Lots of “ifs”, but I think McCain is using his centrist creds in order to get her reformist creds into place.
a capella on September 8, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Heh. Somebody’s been reading some Clancy.
fossten on September 8, 2008 at 10:15 AM
OT: Check out Drudge lead right now. A most befuddled looking ‘the one’ over the headline “Cruel September” leading to the RCP polls page. (And underneath two different pics of a smiling McC/P and P and family.) The Koskids have just got to be going insane over there!
dustoffmom on September 8, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Thanks Nancy! Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Yakko77 on September 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM
You and me both! Well, the jinxing thing, not the surrounded by Marxists part. I’m blessed to live in the state with currently the highest margin for McCain over Obama of all 50 states. Yay, for us! I wasn’t born in middle Tennessee, but I got here as fast as I could and I’m not planning on going anywhere.
If nothing goes wrong, and there is something to celebrate November 5th, it might be worth the beating. Just make sure you get it on video and you can post it on YouTube.
pannw on September 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM
If Barry loses they will scream racism. The problem is that most racists are democrats. When Barry chose Biden it made his Campaign of Change a lie.
volsense on September 8, 2008 at 10:21 AM
May be the best bellylaugh of the season.
Typhoon on September 8, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Ed, I’m highlighting your comments and featuring this story over at Libertarian Republican blog.
As far as I can tell, you are the first major political pundit to suggest the possibility of the GOP actually taking back the House. You’re sticking your neck out. If we do indeed accomplish that, the record shows that our buddy Ed was the VERY FIRST pundit to suggest this.
ericdondero on September 8, 2008 at 10:23 AM
For the nay-sayers who want to inject a little pessimism in an effort to “not get carried away”, I ask- why?
Why temper this momentum?
I would rather go down fighting on the side of the McCain/Palin ticket- than play it safe, to save face.
Win or lose- the Republican Party is being reborn with a re-energized conservative base. This no time to be shy in our support. We need to voice our support and be proud that we are conservative. The freaks have hijacked this country- let’s remind them that the silent majority is no longer silent.
FiveWays on September 8, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Democrats: The party for people who hate Downs children and heap abuse on mothers.
econavenger on September 8, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Rove you magnificent bastard!
exhelodrvr on September 8, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Ed, You aren’t the only one who’s noticed the D’s slippage. I wrote here that Willie Brown, one of the shrewdest politicians ever, noticed the slippage & potential danger to the Democrats.
I’ve said that this race was McCain’s to lose ever since he attached himself to the increasing domestic supplies of energy issue. It’s still possible for him to lose but it’s my opinion that the McCain-Palin ticket control their destiny.
LFRGary on September 8, 2008 at 10:28 AM
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