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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Obama: Here comes the bounce?

Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 9:35 AM by Domenico Montanaro

A new USA Today/Gallup poll shows Obama with a 50%-43% lead “among registered voters. In the USA TODAY Poll taken Aug. 21-23, the Illinois senator held a 4-percentage-point lead.” More: “Obama eliminated McCain's advantage as ‘a strong and decisive leader.’ By 46%-44%, those surveyed says that characteristic applies more to Obama than McCain. Before the convention, McCain held an 8-point advantage. Obama has a 13-point advantage as someone who ‘shares your values,’ almost double the edge he held before. He has an 8-point advantage as someone who is ‘honest and trustworthy’; pre-convention, they were equal.”

Also: “McCain's favorable-unfavorable rating was 54%-38%, a healthy mark but his highest unfavorable this year. Obama's rating was 61%-32%.”

Meanwhile, a new CBS poll has Obama up eight points, 48%-40%. 

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expect a huge bounce after the geezer picked gidget for his vp.
You forgot rasmussen daily poll 51%-45% ... BOUNCE BABY
How many Americans tuned into Obama's speech Thursday?  How many of us decided we saw the next Pres?  How many of us want our country to rebound?  How many are not going to put up with 4 more years?  Need I say more?
Obama/Biden 08'
Bump-schmump.  It's going to be close all the way to November 4th.  Unless of course, Governor Palin becomes the GOP nominee at the convention.

THAT would make for some good TV...

http://thepajamapundit.com/
Wow. This is impressive. I hope this story gets some airtime. Obama supporters have endured MONTHS of speculation and suspicion about why his numbers weren't higher. These numbers are GREAT, and I hope pundits discuss them.

I also hope this boost doesn't drive McCain's base--the MSM--into attack mode again. I, for one, was tired of the nonstop negative press on Obama, even when he did something good.
8 is ENOUGH!
No Way
No How
No McCain
Thank you to MSNBC for realizing that a lead is a lead and not spinning it into somethng more than it is. Your candidate (McSurge) made the wrong move and he will pay dearly as most conservativos are pissed at his decision.
Obama proved himself as one who is not interested in our differences with one another, but our similarities that make us appreciate one another more. It was great to hear the points he made in his last speech that won the hearts of many people who listened on.
As people begin to realize the poor judgement McCain showed by giving into the the extreme right and picking Palin thinkgs will get worse.  Palin is the most right wing candidate the GOP has ever put forward, that plus her inexperience and baggage will show McCain to be a rash and poor decision maker.

Palin
Little Experience / Lots of Baggage
[[Maybe you should go to Georgia and hang out with Stalin.
eric jacobson, vienna, virginia (Sent Tuesday, September 02, 2008 1:19 AM)]]

Dude, are you INSANE or just clueless?  Georgia is a fledgling DEMOCRACY.  It's Russia you are referring to, idjet.
Just usual convention stuff. I'd love for those numbers to be real, because I'll be pulling the lever for Obama in a couple months, but we've all seen how conventions have a noticeable but temporary effect on poll numbers.

Let's get through this week, with the bizarre GOP convention and the media inquiries into Palin, give it a few more days, and then by mid-September start to take the numbers we have then a little more seriously.
This has been a surreal week. I watched all four nights of the Dem convention in a state of high anxiety. There is no other word to describe it. Was Michelle going to hold up under scrutiny? Was Hillary going to convincingly endorse Obama? Was Bill going to fire up the base? Would Obama pull off his much hyped acceptance speech? Yes, yes, YES and yes! And THEN the shocker: McCain chooses a former beauty queen as his VP. My head has been reeling. Making it even stranger was seeing it all through the eyes of a close relative with Libertarian views. Naturally, he thinks Palin is hot. Strange times we live in!
Let's see... a rousing call to action vs a sub-par and quite dangerously underqualified VP choice that has revealed herself to be another Alaskan earmark hound.

Gee... Is anyone surprised?

The fact that the GOP is after 3 days having to 'push back' talk about Palin removing herself has to be a warning sign for the viability of this candidate.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com
Hmmmm...intersting CNN is the only outfit that always comes up with a tied poll everytime Obama opens up a lead.  I am glad he broke the 50% barrier...now he can only do better...and this is not counting 1st time voters and younger people who are always ignored.

I am determined to campaign door to door and will continue to donate very paycheck...no way I would let McCain win...it is too dangerous for this country.

Try to picture this government if McCain wins, Joe Liebermann, Lindsey Graham, Palin, McCain, what kind of collective judgement would we have here???

I am tired of hearing about McCain's experience, what exactly is McCain's experience?  His judgement has been wrong on everything...even the most racist white would not have opposed a Martin Luther King Holiday, yet McCain did...that is the kind of judgement you can expect.

When asked about Iran...bomb bomb bomb Iran...We are all Georgian's (demanded by his lobbyst advisor), expell Russia and let's get on with World War III or resume the cold war...Who voted against veteran benefits and still wants to be a commander in chief?

No matter how much money McCain raises...he should loose this election...we already suffered 7 years of poor judgment, we don't need more.

No way, No how No McCain.  ENOUGH!!!!!!
Media folk need to work but if the truth were to be told, this election is a done deal.  

The Democrats are united and a big thank you can go out to McCain for the help he provided to the process by selecting Palin as his running mate.  

Listening to the Republican spin as they explain how Palin is prepared to be the POTUS one has to wonder just who is not qualified to be the president....
Should be called "The Shootdown of McCain"...self infliction..byline...The GOP in dropping bombs on themselves...This is a loser strategic defense program..No military to help this situation..
I'm ashamed to call myself a Republican these days..
It's was more like a THUD!
The Bad Judgment Express.  

I like the dilemma McCain and his lightweight political team have created for themselves:  Cashier Palin early a la Harriet Miers/Eagleton or stick with her a la Quayle.  Enjoy the choice, lil' fellers!
Could this mean America is finally accepting the reality that a McCain presidency would be an utter nightmare, especially with that nitwit Palin as his VP? I hope so.
Finally, OBAMA at 50% and the ce;; phopne kids yet to be heard from. I am feeling better.
Sen. McCain choice for VP was a knee-jerk reaction. It was "change" for "change" sake. And women, particularily Sen. Clinton supporters are smarter than Sen. McCain thought... Most Sen. Clinton Supporters are insulted by his decision. Gov. Palin is the complete opposite of Sen. Clinton, especially on issues affecting women...

This bounce that Sen. Obama is seeing will continue, especially after Sen. Clinton response to her supporters about different these two people are...
Hey First Read...what's a person have to do to have their comments about the P(athetic) O(ld) W(armonger) posted? Vote Republican...LOL!!!
Good news- plus one addition.  Today's new Rasmussen poll shows Obama getting 51% when leaners are factored in.  Obama is starting to crack the magic 50% line in more than one place.  Trends are looking good, indeed.

How's that PUMA-poaching working out for you, Senator McCain?
This is not the bounce that will put barack over, the bounce that will do it is the debates bounce!!!
once john mccain get up there and has to answer question, real questions then the nation will see this man's time has passed to be president, also the VP debates are going to be very instersting!!!
i can't wait to see joe biden cornner that unperpared, no experinced, not vetted, gun toten, governer of a state where she was a member of a group that wanted to susceed from the rest of the united states!!!! bridge to know where, as will as 36million in ear marks for her local town of 9000!!

i must tape that for future generations!!!!
The nation is finally starting to see the wisdom in Obama picking the most qualified candidate to advise him.  In contrast of course to the runner up beauty-queen who can't tell her behind from her elbow.  

Obama Biden 08!
I love it!  McCain camp is "crying foul" that the media is focusing on Palin!  They call it "offensive"..Are you FREAKING kidding me?  Offensive?  This woman was hardly vetted as all the reports are telling us.  We know nothing of the person who is a breath (and with McCain's age could very well be just that) away from the Presidency!  

We have the RIGHT to know everything about this person, the good, bad and the UGLY!!!

What they continue to do (all the lies) etc., to Obama and his wife Michelle Obama was disgusting! But that didn't stop them!

Bunch of WHINERS!!!!

GET OVER IT RETHUGS!
John McCain's VP pick of Sarah Palin shows his true character, judgment and long range vision.

Obama/Biden 08
I found this on the net...pass it around...it's soooo true. "Only in Republican America would a black man with a law degree from Harvard, 12 years in politics, four years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and manager of one of the most impressively flawless and forward thinking presidential campaigns ever not be ready for the presidency while a white female evangelical with 19 months in national politics and a bachelors in journalism is considered "ready on day one." so true.
On Palin:
The point here for you conservatives is that to really support life is to think about the children already born. How many of you will adopt a child? How many of you will support young women who decide to keep their child with job training and education? How many of you conservatives will teach sex education in the schools to keep our children from disease and unwanted pregnacies. What hypocracy from these folks who claim to love America but clearly hate Americans. ENOUGH!
Hopefully as people come to know who Sarah Palin is,and questions are raised about her positions as well as the political questions surrounding the earmarks for Wasilla and firing the Public Safety Director many more people will question the judgement of John McCain. He made his first "presidential" decision in apparent haste with total disregard for the safety and security of America, maybe then Obama will get a second bounce
McBlinky is a careless old man willing to jeopardize the nations' security in order to win.  This election has become even more important with Blinky's vp choice added to his temperament and age.  Should the war mongering old man stroke or die a red-neck hockey mom would be between our national security and a lot of bad people that would love nothing better than to give her a little test.  John Blinky McCain is not fit to be president.  This white, catholic, veteran is voting for Obama.
Thanks Gov. Palin!
As an Obama supporter, I have to be heartened by this news, following other polls, which seemed to have the race much closer. Still the Republican Convention has not yet really started, and we still have two months before the election. However, as more information comes out about the faulty VP vetting process done by McCain’s organization, it is difficult to see how McCain’s competency to be President is going to be enhanced.
YEAH!
Obama only needs to stand back while McCain and Palin self-destruct in one scandal after another. http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Senator McCain has shown poor judgement in his choice of Palin. In pandering to women, he has insulted half of the population and mocked Senator Clinton.
THe more people see of Obama, the more they like and trust him.  I think that most feel like they already know John McCain.  They admire him, but he's an Establishment Republican, people just aren't impressed with the GOP and what they have to offer.  Furthermore, his pick of Sarah Palin does not look like the selection of a man who would provide a steady hand on the tiller. I think he's going to have a very difficult time catching up.
This election would be a blow out if the media would scrutinize the candidates the same.  One candidate is constantly making mistakes and lying.  However its not reported with the same zeal.  America can't change with the good old boys playing musical chair with the presidency.  America wants a new direction.  

You must kill hope in order to defeat it!!!
Yes, it would seem the bounce is here but is it only the convention or some results of the Palin selection.   I'm guessing she energizes the base which were for McCain anyway but has really turned off the independents.
Rasmussen has Obama at 51%vs 43% for McCain.  First poll showing over 50% for Obama.
drip, drip, drip)))))))))))))

When does McCain dump Palin???

This is getting UGLY

I am an Independent Dem who LOVED mcCain in 2000 and was hopeful he would have teamed up with Kerry in 2004.
NOW, i see McCain as very dangerous. He makes reckless decisions without real thought of how This country would react. Its all about him and winning.

So now we see.
McCain is McCain first. If he were country frist he would have picked someone much more qualified. Even a woman like Snow or Hutchinson who offer ALOT.
Palin was picked so Mccain can feel like the Boss.
lets be real here people

ALSO, Palin is a disaster pick.
And after the "revelations" about Palin (and who knows what other "secrets" she has) Obama's bounce will grow higher as McCain continues to dig himself a hole . . . with many now questioning his judgement in picking a VP candidate with "issues", let alone any type of national/world-wide experience.

McCain said he knew about Palin . . . but I have to wonder. He's been around long enough to know if something like this came out there would be questions, many questions. And the scrutiny will become even more intense on Palin.

Something smells in Alaska and it ain't dead fish!
As time goes on, Barack Obama will continue to
increrase his lead, that is, if we pay no
attention to CNN polls.
Mccains totally irresponsible, dangerous pick
of vp has shown the voters that he is a man
who will pander, make rash decisions just to
get a vote. Our country cannot afford to have
a man such as this running our country.
And, heaven forbid, the vp.
ENOUGH!!
This is the result of a clean, honest campaign so far by Sen. Obama and Joe  Biden and their vision for America. McCain was and is still short sighted,look at his pick thrust on the public seen without been vetted to be in line for commander in chief. Just imagine a Democrat doing something so bone headed every talking head including Chuck Todd and Mark Murray would be putting out headline after headline decying bad judgement and lack of respect for the American people. So guys let see where you stand  on this reckless move by John McCain to hoodwink us in the face what he was preaching on the campaign trails and i quote"I WANT AN EXPERIENCE LEADER WITH FOREIGN AFFAIRS CREDENTIALS TO BE MY RUNNING MATE WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ASSUME THE WHITE HOUSE  AT A MOMENT NOTICE". End of quote. So tell me America does Sarah Palin fit this  requrirement. If not it was never about America it was ALL  about John McCain and his thirst for power comes what may.For month I watched John McCain harp about the surge, surge, not one time did I hear him say to the mothers and fathers who lost all those 4,000 plus sons and daughters that there lost was a reslut of very bad judgement by the  Bush Administration .You see, It was never about the lives of  these enlisted men and women after all they were all sacrifice for the greater good, more power  for the rich and more oil wealth for the big oil company.
I am sure that statisticians cringe every time polling results come out.  With the vast number of polls and polling samples coming out everyday, it is impossible to obtain an accurate "prediction" of how the country will vote.  But if we must continue with the polling reporting, a better measure would be the state-by-state polls vs. national polls.  As we've seen in recent elections, the popular vote can be split 50-50 but still result in a winner/loser based on electoral votes.
McCain's campaign is about to implode. His decision-making, especially picking Palin, is undermining his Maverick image by making him look like a hasty, reckless decision maker.
Obama just needs to keep letting McCain hang himself with his "brilliant" decisions such as putting Sarah Palin on the GOP ticket! Show what kind of judgment McCain has and how he would make important decisions. McCain is a fool. He acts disgusted to even be on the same stage as Palin; I'm SURE he would look to her for advise and opinons on major topics.....NOT! This pick is a joke.   Obama/Biden '08!
Between this and the Palin debacle, I'm sure Michelle must be calling up decorators for the White House now.

Obama/Biden '08!
On Real Clear:
Tuesday, September 02
Race Poll Results Spread

National Rasmussen Tracking Obama 51, McCain 45 Obama +6
National USA Today/Gallup* Obama 50, McCain 43 Obama +7
National Hotline/FD Obama 48, McCain 39 Obama +9
National CBS News Obama 48, McCain 40 Obama +8

'nuff said
My guess is that the bad job of vetting done by the McCluless campaign will negate any Anti-Obama-bounce that his VP choice might have given him
I gotta say this. I have four daughters and three grand daughters. If one of them became pregnant my focus would be on supporting that child. Not accepting the second highest position in the land there-by thrusting her into the lime light. What was Sarah Palin thinking?
PLEASE POST............

Tuesday, September 02
Race Poll Results Spread
National Rasmussen Tracking Obama 51, McCain 45 Obama +6
National USA Today/Gallup* Obama 50, McCain 43 Obama +7
National Hotline/FD Obama 48, McCain 39 Obama +9
National CBS News Obama 48, McCain 40 Obama +8
Monday, September 01
Race Poll Results Spread
National CNN Obama 49, McCain 48 Obama +1
National Gallup Tracking Obama 49, McCain 43 Obama +6


Go Obama/Biden 08
Huh. What big bounce are you talking about. About a week before the convention Obama was on average up by about 3. Now he's up by about 6 .If my math is right thats a 3 point jump. Not much to speak of and the repubs have not even begun thei campaign


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