I take comfort in these polling numbers - here's why.

[NRaleighLiberal]

Check this out - http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/obama_vs_romney_compared_to_obama_vs_mccain.html

Not the graph, but the data after the graph that shows Obama vs McCain 2008 vs Obama vs RMoney this year, weekly, since Feb. 8.

What strikes me is how steady/constant that they are, as well as how similarly this year's numbers track to the last election.

So - a few things: There is a ton of money coming from the Super Pacs - yet the lead seems to hold.
The big damp squib (love that Brit expression) that is Ryan didn't really move things at all.

As far as convention bumps - you can see that in the 2008 data - McCain's seems to be early Sept, Obama's a bit later -but it held steady right to the election.

What could be different this year? I think the debates are going to be a slight net negative for both Romney and Ryan (at least). We don't have McCain's gaffes during the financial crisis that occurred in 2008 that helped Obama come across as much more presidential.

But what else? I guess my biggest concern is the anecdotal data that the many people who are not likely to vote are overwhelmingly pro-Obama. So to me the solution is very simple - fight the current spade of voter ID issues in the battleground states, and GOTV across the country.

Mostly - the numbers I think show how utterly divided this country is, and how deeply embedded that division is.

[wilt the stilt]

1. I can't believe anyone(media) thought he would provide a bounce

the RW was totally motivated by their hatred of the dark skinned one and the darker skinned first lady. Oh yeah those dark skinned children too. They were voting no matter what.

[FBaggins]

2. Something else that's different.

He's the incumbent this time. Four years ago we could expect the undecideds to break comparatively evenly. That's less likely this time. We need to cement a 50%+ lead at the convention and hold it.

[TroyD]

3. Romney Has Fallen 5 Points In Conservative-Leaning Poll Since Ryan Announcement

Mitt Romney Has Actually Fallen 5 Points In This Conservative-Leaning Poll Since The Paul Ryan Announcement

http://www.businessinsider.com/romney-obama-poll-rasmussen-paul-ryan-vp-vice-president-2012-8

[demwing]

4. not exactly - Romney dropped 2 points, Obama up 3 points

The title makes it sound like Obama has stayed the same, and Romney lost 5 points.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. The gap is the key. I do think over the coming weeks we will see the gap increase.

There is no way romneyryan are NOT going to continue to self destruct - despite the best efforts of superpacs and the media to make it a horse race to get the eyeballs and ad dollars.

[Fine1]

6. No bounce but gallup has it closer

http://www.gallup.com/poll/156692/Romney-Sees-No-Immediate-Bounce-Ryan-Pick.aspx

[Herlong]

7. Welcome to DU

Hope your DU experience is a fine one!

[Fine1]

8. Enjoying it

Love reading these threads. Better than the latest news.
Thanks....

[livetohike]

9. Welcome to DU!

[Hog lover]

10. GOTV has to overcome voter suppression.

I have done some phone banking for the Obama campaign (calls to a swing state), and was hearing a lot of misinformation and big drop in enthusiasm. The Thuglican Party will blanket the airwaves with lies and racist dog-whistle ads to stir up their uneducated followers, and just for insurance, they will suppress as many Dem votes as possible. We can't forget that the Thugs own the voting machine companies, either.

I am in a red state that no amount of GOTV effort will help the President win here, but those of you in swing states need to do what you can to get voters registered and get them to the polls to vote, including early voting. Also remember that local and State races count; we are seeing the result of Thug efforts to take over local and State governments in the voter suppression laws. Support Dems in local and State races!