LA Times/Bloomberg: Obama's lead down

[Upton]

Barack Obama's public image has eroded this summer amid a daily onslaught of attacks from Republican rival John McCain, leaving the race for the White House statistically tied, according to a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll released today.

Far more voters say McCain has the right experience to be president, the poll found. More than a third have questions about Obama's patriotism.

The survey also illustrates some of the campaign's racial undercurrents as the Illinois senator strives to become the first African American president. Most voters say they know at least some people who feel uneasy about electing a black president; 17% say the country is not ready to do so.

Still, the poll found that McCain faces serious obstacles. Voters favor Obama on the economy, the issue they rank as most important. McCain's supporters remain less enthusiastic than those of his rival. And independents, a crucial swing bloc, are leaning toward Obama.

Also, the Republican Party's dismal standing under President Bush remains a drag on McCain's candidacy: 75% of voters say the country is seriously on the wrong track.

Overall, Obama holds a narrow edge over the Arizona senator, 45% to 43%, which falls within the poll's margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. In June, Obama was ahead by 12 points. Other polls at that time showed him with a narrower lead.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-poll20-2008aug20,0,5506138.story


I think the Obama campaign needs to go on the attack.

[geek tragedy]

1. Us stupid people on the Internet knew WEEKS ago

that Obama's campaign message was a complete disaster this summer.

But, no, we're told to clap louder as he does his Dukakis impersonation.

Kick him in the damn groin, Barack. The Politics of Hope is a slogan, not a path to victory.

[Upton]

4. All the recent polls are showing Obama fading

something needs to be done.

[Median Democrat]

5. Another Attack On Obama From Geek

Thanks for the concern once again!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5139247&mesg_id=5139247

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6583445&mesg_id=6583482

[geek tragedy]

20. It's extraordinary frustration to see a man I greatly

admire pursuing an idiotic, naive strategy based on a foolish preoccupation with idealism.

Fuck idealism.

Just win, baby.

[book_worm]

2. Yes! another thread on the same poll.

[Romulox]

3. It's not too late to craft a new economic plan and make it the center of the campaign

As it stands, this election is Obama's to lose. A revamped economic platform could seize the nation's attention and the White House.

As it stands, I am afraid the "stimulus II" plan coupled with status quo trade policies has failed to create much buzz.

[Andy823]

6. Never trust summer polls.

Most people haven't even started to check out the candidates, they are to busy going on vacations, trying to make ends meet, etc. Wait till the end of September into October, and I think things will change. Once people settle back into a routine that is less hectic, they will really start to pay attention, and when that happens I am sure that the majority will see that McCain is nothing more than Bush III, and that isn't going to do him well at all!

Yes, Obama needs to stand up to McCain and not take any crap about his patriotism, but I am sure that after the conventions that will be his plan.

[Upton]

9. I keep hearing he's got a plan

but this fading in the polls is extremely troubling. I hate to say it, but this is reminding me more and more of Kerry.

[cynatnite]

7. Damn, this is starting to look like a repeat of 2004...

Obama should be kicking ass by now. That idiotic christian forum sure didn't do him any favors. This campaign seems like it's stumbling along.

At least with Hillary we got someone who fought back and kicked ass. Obama was tough until he got the nomination. Now, he looks wimpy.

[FrenchieCat]

10. The only thing that is a repeat are the scary Dems that keep crying

and whining and not much else.


Here's the typical scary Dem conversation.....

He shouldn't pick this Veep, cause the Republicans can attack him.

We shouldn't pick this nominee, because he's Black and you know what the Republicans will do to him.

He should attack, because you know what the Republicans did the last time.

In other words, Dem Bloggers scared shitless 24/7 by the Republicans.

[Upton]

11. That's the way it looks to me too

[OmahaBlueDog]

16. The Europe/Mideast trip, followed by the HI vacation were a mistake

McSame used that time to focus his message and hit battleground states hard.

Obama is back on the road speaking, which will ultimately be a good thing, but (unlike 6 weeks ago) he's no longer fighting an opponent whose discourse wanders aimlessly. McSame has memorized his talking points, and is using them well.

Today being a case in point. NPR reported Obama at the VFW responding to McSame's attacke, while McSame was discussing drilling. Obama's job is now to get back on the offensive and start making McSame respond and defend. The Obama campaign needs to, once again, define McSame as an extension of the same corrupt and incompetent policy making that we've come to expect from the Bush WH.

[flamingdem]

8. OH blah, blah, blah, O is on track, if you aren't part of the solution u r part of the prob nt

[NancyG]

12. What part of 264 Obama delegates to 169 McCain don't they understand?

http://pollster.com/

Wouldn't McCain prefer to be in Obama's position right now?

[Upton]

14. The trends are all going in the wrong direction

Take a look here: http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Pres/Maps/Aug19.html

Obama was up over 300 just a couple weeks ago, he is losing ground in key states. If this continues we are not going to win.

[NancyG]

18. I'm still confident.

Everything goes up and down. Obama has consistently stayed on top for a long time now. We'll see after the conventions who's right with the trends.

Dirty tricks are my 'concern'. Other than that it's an Obama win.

[Bluebear]

13. 'More than 1/3 have questions about Obama's patriotism.' - yes, US Senators are usually unpatriotic

:eyes:

[Dinger]

15. It's Do DAMN Obvious,

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[wolverinez]

17. Gee wilkers the high road sure is purty!

nt

[Phoonzang]

19. Ug...he's a proving to be a weak candidate...

He's just sitting there. It's like a boxing match...he's trapped in a corner being hammered. He needs to clinch and start swinging hard.

We probably should have picked Hillary... And this is coming from someone who supported Obama from almost the beginning.

[NancyG]

21. We made the right choice.

Watch.

[Phoonzang]

22. I'll try to have faith.

I'll give him another 2 weeks before becoming truly despondent and depressed.