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Title: McCain takes 5-point lead over Obama-Reuters poll
Source:
Reuters
URL Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/poli ... /idUKN1948672420080820?sp=true
Published: Aug 20, 2008
Author: John Whitesides
Post Date: 2008-08-20 07:56:19 by Disgusted
Keywords: None
Views: 379
Comments: 32
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday. McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama's solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll. The reversal follows a month of attacks by McCain, who has questioned Obama's experience, criticized his opposition to most new offshore oil drilling and mocked his overseas trip. The poll was taken Thursday through Saturday as Obama wrapped up a weeklong vacation in Hawaii that ceded the political spotlight to McCain, who seized on Russia's invasion of Georgia to emphasize his foreign policy views. "There is no doubt the campaign to discredit Obama is paying off for McCain right now," pollster John Zogby said. "This is a significant ebb for Obama." McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy -- an issue nearly half of voters said was their top concern in the November 4 presidential election. That margin reversed Obama's 4-point edge last month on the economy over McCain, an Arizona senator and former Vietnam prisoner of war who has admitted a lack of economic expertise and shows far greater interest in foreign and military policy. McCain has been on the offensive against Obama during the last month over energy concerns, with polls showing strong majorities supporting his call for an expansion of offshore oil drilling as gasoline prices hover near $4 a gallon. Obama had opposed new offshore drilling, but said recently he would support a limited expansion as part of a comprehensive energy program. That was one of several recent policy shifts for Obama, as he positions himself for the general election battle. But Zogby said the changes could be taking a toll on Obama's support, particularly among Democrats and self-described liberals. "That hairline difference between nuance and what appears to be flip-flopping is hurting him with liberal voters," Zogby said. Obama's support among Democrats fell 9 percentage points this month to 74 percent, while McCain has the backing of 81 percent of Republicans. Support for Obama, an Illinois senator, fell 12 percentage points among liberals, with 10 percent of liberals still undecided compared to 9 percent of conservatives. OBAMA NEEDS TO WORK ON BASE "Conservatives were supposed to be the bigger problem for McCain," Zogby said. "Obama still has work to do on his base. At this point McCain seems to be doing a better job with his." The dip in support for Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, cut across demographic and ideological lines. He slipped among Catholics, born-again Christians, women, independents and younger voters. He retained the support of more than 90 percent of black voters. "There were no wild swings, there isn't one group that is radically different than last month or even two months ago. It was just a steady decline for Obama across the board," Zogby said. Obama's support among voters between the ages of 18 and 29, which had been one of his strengths, slipped 12 percentage points to 52 percent. McCain, who will turn 72 next week, was winning 40 percent of younger voters. "Those are not the numbers Obama needs to win," Zogby said about Americans under 30. The 47-year-old is counting on a strong turnout among young voters, a key bloc of support during his primary battle with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. It made little difference when independent candidate Ralph Nader and Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr, who are both trying to add their names to state ballots. McCain still held a 5-point edge over Obama, 44 percent to 39 percent, when all four names were included. Barr earned 3 percent and Nader 2 percent. Most national polls have given Obama a narrow lead over McCain throughout the summer. In the Reuters/Zogby poll, Obama had a 5-point lead in June, shortly after he clinched the Democratic nomination, and an 8-point lead on McCain in May. The telephone poll of 1,089 likely voters had a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The poll was taken as both candidates head into their nominating conventions and the announcements of their choices of vice presidential picks. The Democratic convention begins on Monday in Denver, with the Republican convention opening the next Monday, September 1, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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#1. To: Disgusted (#0)
All the 4um posters worrying about Obama need to "chill," it looks like. There was never a chance the U.S. voters would elect a "darkhorse" candidate and I think most of you who were exaggerating the "threat" knew that. The GOPers now have another dilemma, though — how to blame the depression of the next several to many years on the Dims while their own McHoover presides over it. Maybe all-out nuclear war with Russia IS McStrangelove's only way out here.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
So should we vote for Obama? What if we do and he wins. Then it is our fault. Or Vice versa. I'll just vote my conscience. Chuck Baldwin. Possibly Barr.
There is NO political solution to what awaits this country. We can either go down in a nuclear fireball or slowly waste away. I would imagine, if he can get some Slim Pickens-style commander to carry out the order (and the Air Force is FULL OF "Rapture-Ready" bombers), there WILL be an all-out strategic nuclear exchange in the not-too-distant future. Darth and Chimpy have already tried mightily to unleash tactical nukes on Iran, but so far the commanders have resisted.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
Obama did the classic "run to the center"... and ended up running away from his base on the left. Big mistake. He lost more in support from the left than he gained from the center. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the general election.
#2. To: Sam Houston (#1)
#3. To: Old Friend (#2)
#4. To: Disgusted (#0)
 | Gold and silver are REAL money, paper is but a promise. |
#5. To: Sam Houston (#3)
On January 17, 2007, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock two minutes closer to midnight. It is now 5 minutes to midnight. Reflecting global failures to solve the problems posed by nuclear weapons and the climate crisis, the decision by the Bulletin's Board of Directors was made in consultation with the Bulletin's Board of Sponsors, which includes 18 Nobel Laureates. In a statement supporting the decision to move the hand of the Doomsday Clock, the Bulletin Board focused on two major sources of catastrophe: the perils of 27,000 nuclear weapons, 2,000 of them ready to launch within minutes; and the destruction of human habitats from climate change. The Bulletin statement explains: "We stand at the brink of a second nuclear age. Not since the first atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki has the world faced such perilous choices. North Korea's recent test of a nuclear weapon, Iran's nuclear ambitions, a renewed emphasis on the military utility of nuclear weapons, the failure to adequately secure nuclear materials, and the continued presence of some 26,000 nuclear weapons in the United States and Russia are symptomatic of a failure to solve the problems posed by the most destructive technology on Earth." Evidently the smarty pants-types at the BAS have been too busy being foreclosed on to pay much attention to all that nookuulur stuff. You'd think that Georgia attacking Russia and the USI's hysterical wheezing about it would've gotten their attention.
"Doomsday Clock" Moves Two Minutes Closer To Midnight
#6. To: Disgusted (#0)
This can't be. Please try and be more accurate when posting material that isn't flattering to Mr. Hussein Obama. We've already had one forum fracture when a tiny band of True Believers got all huffy when His political positions were challenged.
#7. To: Jethro Tull (#6)
He doesn't seem to have any fixed political positions. Aside from the color of his skin, even if he WERE of the majority tribe, he is too Kerry-like. This is because the Dems get 90 percent of their money from the Ashkenazis on Wall Street. They can no more afford to side with the so-called "American people" than can the Top One Percent GOPers.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
#8. To: Disgusted (#0)
If people actually believe that McCain is a stronger manager of the economy (whatever that actually is), then the stupidity of the American people truly knows no bounds. People think that a guy who admits he has no idea how the economy works can somehow "manage" what he doesn't understand? The guy who launched into a list of people he knew when Ron Paul asked him about the Plunge Protection Team will be a stronger manager of the economy? Granted, there probably weren't all that many people watching the debate who had a clue what Ron Paul was talking about either, but McCain is obviously lacking in economics education. I think the extent of his economics education boils down to "We're in it to win it" and "Boots on the ground."
In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Rivers of blood were spilled out over land that, in normal times, not even the poorest Arab would have worried his head over." Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
#9. To: Sam Houston (#7)
What made him stand out was Iraq and that largely seems to be quite of late. When people began to actually listen to his plan to continue the Bush WOT in Afghanistan, his star began to fade. It lost more luster with his Berlin "Citizen of the Planet" tour. All in all, he's a slim version of Al Sharpton tethered to a nasty wife.
He doesn't seem to have any fixed political positions. Aside from the color of his skin, even if he WERE of the majority tribe, he is too Kerry-like.
#10. To: historian1944 (#8)
HOORAH!!!!
"We're in it to win it" and "Boots on the ground."
#11. To: Old Friend (#2)
I can't vote for Baldwin becasue he won't be on the ballot. I think I might for Barr as a protest vote.
So should we vote for Obama? What if we do and he wins. Then it is our fault. Or Vice versa. I'll just vote my conscience. Chuck Baldwin. Possibly Barr.
God is always good!
#12. To: Jethro Tull (#9)
You Sir, have a way with words. hehehehehe A++ first thing this morning. I love brevity with a punch to the solar plexus.
All in all, he's a slim version of Al Sharpton tethered to a nasty wife.
#13. To: Elliott Jackalope (#4)
Obama will say whatever he needs to say to whatever audience he is talking to at the time to get their support. As long as he reads his script from the teleprompter he won't have a problem swaying people, but if he gets off script or the teleprompter breaks he is toast.
Obama did the classic "run to the center"... and ended up running away from his base on the left. Big mistake. He lost more in support from the left than he gained from the center. Going to be interesting to see how this plays out in the general election.
God is always good!
#14. To: Jethro Tull (#9)
He's a darker version of Kerry. I see no resemblance to Sharpton. Sharpton ACTUALLY HAS some principles, like them or not. The fact of the matter is that no nominee of either "major" party can operate independently of the Ashkenazim. That's the only tribe that matters in the final analysis, unfortunately. Had Obama ever thrown down that gauntlet, he'd already be dead a la JFK. He certainly wouldn't be the presumptive nominee of the Ashkenazi-controlled party.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
#15. To: Cynicom (#12)
Good morning small town white trash. Lock and load.
#16. To: Sam Houston (#1)
i'm still betting "darkhorse" is the (s)election. on top of that, i believe it's the dems turn at bat. i'm also still of the opinion that our votes don't count and that all this polling data is a charade. it's manufactured to make "voters" think it's a close race.
There was never a chance the U.S. voters would elect a "darkhorse" candidate and I think most of you who were exaggerating the "threat" knew that.
Do You Know What Freedom Really Means? Freedom4um.com
#17. To: Cynicom, Jethro Tull (#12)
I was going to call him a hatey-hate-hater in a daring daylight attempt to make his internet browsing a less enjoyable experience.
You Sir, have a way with words.
#18. To: historian1944 (#8)
all the presidents are just figureheads/puppets, imo. i don't think they make any decision on any issue unilaterally.
Do You Know What Freedom Really Means? Freedom4um.com
#19. To: christine (#16)
Considering the two candidates it might very well be a close race for real.
i'm still betting "darkhorse" is the (s)election. on top of that, i believe it's the dems turn at bat. i'm also still of the opinion that our votes don't count and that all this polling data is a charade. it's manufactured to make "voters" think it's a close race.
God is always good!
#20. To: christine (#16)
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
i'm also still of the opinion that our votes don't count and that all this polling data is a charade. it's manufactured to make "voters" think it's a close race.
#21. To: Sam Houston (#14)
Good points. You've summed up our current political mess.
#22. To: Esso, christine, jethro tull (#17)
Esso... I am many things but one one thing I am proud of and that is rewarding aspiring wordsmiths that accomplish the art of "brevity" with one short blow that is a knockout punch. Sometimes Jethro gets rather wordy, not today.
#23. To: Esso (#17)
Posting more and enjoying it less? Try "The Blog" for a trip into the land of changing political values.
#24. To: christine (#18)
I would say the last one was JFK. And we know what happened to him. Sometime track down the audio tape of JFK and General Lemay, in the White House. Lemay insults JFK to his face but JFK kept his cool and did NOT go to war over Cuba as the military wanted.
i don't think they make any decision on any issue unilaterally.
#25. To: RickyJ (#19)
If the polls are accurate and McCain has surged ahead, there's only one reason for it - Obama has been yapping and revealing his empty suitness whereas McCain has kept his mouth shut and hidden his craziness. But now that McCain is ahead, no doubt this will empower his self-confidence and his handlers will not be able to keep a lid on his crazed yap. Then all bets are off. Crazy and empty will be neck and neck to the finish line.
Considering the two candidates it might very well be a close race for real.
#26. To: christine (#18)
You know, I'm still not firmly convinced that Hillary! is out of the picture yet. Still a lot of episodes to go before the exciting season finale.
#27. To: Esso (#26)
Still a lot of episodes to go before the exciting season finale. Thunder Thighs is looking better and better by comparison to Twiddle and Twaddle. Hillary is smarter than Obama and not crazy like McCain.
You know, I'm still not firmly convinced that Hillary! is out of the picture yet.
#28. To: scrapper2 (#27)
Twiddle, Twaddle and Twattle. Mmmmmm, some "choice."
Thunder Thighs is looking better and better by comparison to Twiddle and Twaddle.
#29. To: Sam Houston (#7)
The rich powerful pagan zionist Ashkenazim are the ones who control the Republican party and are responsible for most of the mess the U.S. is in. Irving, Wolfochitz, Feeeeth and the others. But then again, they do come from the Troskyite communist school of political theory. Remember that the Ashkenazim were the ones who executed the 1917 Russian Revolution and turned Russia into a communist state.
Ashkenazis
#30. To: scrapper2 (#27)
Hillary is smarter than Obama and not crazy like McCain. I can't say that I agree with you there. I always thought of Hillary as the candidate who combined the worst qualities of both McCain and Obama into a single package. With Hillary, we'd get the worst of BHO's welfare state excesses combined with the worst of Mad Mac's warmongering.
Thunder Thighs is looking better and better by comparison to Twiddle and Twaddle.
#31. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#30)
Okay I'm easy - you've succesfully disabused me of my momentary lapse in judgment. I've got my feet planted on terra firma now. You are absolutely right -Thunder Thighs is worse than Obummer/McCrazy for the good reasons you brought up. All 3 candidates stink to high heaven.
I can't say that I agree with you there. I always thought of Hillary as the candidate who combined the worst qualities of both McCain and Obama into a single package. With Hillary, we'd get the worst of BHO's welfare state excesses combined with the worst of Mad Mac's warmongering.
#32. To: Esso (#28)
too funny ;)
Twiddle, Twaddle and Twattle.
Do You Know What Freedom Really Means? Freedom4um.com
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