So, about that nine-point spread...

Cara — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:49:42 GMT

I do not want a president whose team spends time holding conference calls about polls. There have been sketchy polls from all sectors. Some benefiting Obama, some McCain.

This is an absurd waste of time.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:51:17 GMT

Well, have to admit that's a good point by the McCain campaign. This in itself is newsworthy, as they don't often make good points.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Erik, Mechanicsburg, PA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:52:12 GMT

Typical of McCain so far...

If the media reports something good about him, the media's great.

If they report something negative about him, they can't be trusted.

I guess it's no different than the flip-flopping he does on everything else...

So, about that nine-point spread...

the Pajama Pundit — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:52:19 GMT

I think the take-away point here is that Obama is surging in the polls and McCain is floundering.

While other pollsters may have Obama up by four or five points, the trend is that Obama is the one who is rising in the polls.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

So, about that nine-point spread...

Tracy, Venice CA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:52:22 GMT

It's funny how they didn't complain after the RNC when many of the polls had them ahead for the same reason in reverse - the percentage of Republicans polled outweighed Dems.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Susie-St Louis Missouri — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:53:54 GMT

The McCain Camp has become a "Nation of Whiners". Cry about the media now cry about the polls.

Obama/Cool Joe 08

So, about that nine-point spread...

McRecount — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:54:52 GMT

“With good regard and respect for my fellow pollsters,” McInturff said, “this race is a margin of error race.”

I agree - the more errors that McCain makes, the larger Obama's margin grows.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Rolando, Chicago, IL — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:54:58 GMT

If the new registrations and those on cell phones get added to the mix, Obama is probably ahead by double digits. If I polled everybody I know, it's probably 80% Obama to 20% McSame.

So, about that nine-point spread...

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:55:21 GMT

So now every poll that shows Obama ahead is now suspect. Hmmm, and I suppose that he'd have no problem if the swing was in the other direction. Sounds like another distraction attempt by the McCain camp to me.

The point is, Democrats are enjoying increased registration this year. So it is likely that you are going to wind up polling more of them than Republicans. That being said, McInturff didn't seem to have this issue when McCain was enjoying 5 - 6 point leads after the KKK Rally...er..I mean Republican Convention when everyone was hopelessly enamored with Sarah Palin. The ratio of Dems to Repubs was pretty much the same then as well. Hmmm.

SURRENDER SARAH!

Obama/Biden '08!

So, about that nine-point spread...

Obama Is Best For America — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:55:48 GMT

The TRUTH hurts, doesn't it?

All you Republicans better head for Alaska and stay there.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

So, about that nine-point spread...

mexed, san antonio, texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:12:42 GMT

I don't understand why the lead isn't 20-30 percent. McCain ran a confused primary, continued lost during the long time that the Dems were fighting their battle, then picked Palin at the last minute, has clearly demostrated that he is lost, confused, and generaly not on target in interviews, has offered nothing but the same speeches over and over, ran a dirty personal attack campaign when he said he was honorable, has not kept control of his handlers. How could anyone want to vote for this man as president. He is clearly way over his head and so his his VP choice who is protected from the press. WHAT KIND OF A TEAM IS THAT? Not one I could ever vote for. I can only imagine that those who vote for him do so because 1) they really know nothing about the world and our present crisis 2) McCain's white and that makes him the better candidate 3)Palin is under the spell of her African preacher who casts out witches 4) they would vote for any Republican even if it was a dog dressed in a respectable republican coat.

So, about that nine-point spread...

McShame, Houston TX — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:13:11 GMT

Good lord, ENOUGH!!!!! We cannot not afford 4 more years!!!!!

So, about that nine-point spread...

John in VA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:13:33 GMT

Do these people ever stop whining and complaining?

Wah NY Times iz so unfair!!

Wah that poll has party ID wrong!

Where was the whining when Newsweek/LATimes released a poll with nearly identical party ID splits? Thew one that the media used to push the lie that Palin was such a game changer, when in fact, she is merely a novelty act.

So, about that nine-point spread...

JT, North Dakota — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:13:34 GMT

So....do these figures maybe point to the possibility that more people are now identifying themselves as Democrats than Republicans? If that is the case, then it is logical that the results of the poll really ARE indicative of the way the campaign is going.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Almost Over — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:14:05 GMT

"not a good day for Sen. McCain."

Now there's the words that make sense. When it starts hitting "everyone" in the pocket books, people finally wake up and start voting for real change ... with Obama/Biden.

Hiding Palin, and McCain shouting "Change, change is a comin" will never be enough to win.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Stella, Tucson — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:15:00 GMT

Truly, I can't believe any of the polls because I still can't figure out just who it is they're polling.

And further, all the polls in the world won't do any good if the GOP continues it's quest to "disqualify"
eligible and sham the system on election day, which they are already at full speed doing. They KNOW they cannot win this election honestly, so they will, once again, win it anyway they can. And if that means disenfranchising voters, so be it. Country First my butt. Palin/First Dude/McOld/Bush/Cheney/Rove are despicable.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Yiannis, Baltimore — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:15:31 GMT

The southwest electorate is "attention-naive" I bet you the like the attention Obama is paying them and will seize their opportunity to determine this election.

Nev-ay-da will be a prime example of this. Dems now have a >50000 registration advantage, when the lagged by 5000 4 years ago.

Bush won by 21,000 votes. Since then a lot of Californians have moved to the western counties. Obama simply needs to compete in Elko, Lyon and Douglas county (where he did fairly well in the caucuses) and he will win NV.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Polls Schmoles — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:16:19 GMT

Use absentee ballots folks if you feel you may have a problems on election day. Go on line and get your states application for one. McCain and the RNC won't be easy to beat. Don't accept being ahead in a poll here and there. Senator Obama needs a huge turnout to win. The republican disinformation and Lee Atwater/Rove tactics work on a lot of Americans. Vote Obama/Biden

So, about that nine-point spread...

Dan — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:16:39 GMT

The latest polls have Obama gaining in Colorado, having a huge lead in Oregon and erasing his deficit in Ohio. Full roundup: http://campaigndiaries.com/2008/09/23/poll-watch-obama-leads-big-in-colorado-oregon-tight-races-in-il-11-wi-08/

So, about that nine-point spread...

christine case — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:17:17 GMT

l i think the margin is alot higher. the polls only call land phones and most people i know have cells. i think the younger people are really involved this go around in light of how our country is going. does any one ever think what our country would have been like under the real president, al gore. please, folks wake up! Vote for our country being what it used to be, VOTE OBAMA!
An Old Smart Lady from lost in repub texas

So, about that nine-point spread...

John, Charlotte, NC — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:17:39 GMT

Come on - are you just going to sit here and just spew McCain talking points without some research?

Party ID from the poll was a somewhat Dem friendly, 38 Dem, 28 Rep, 29 Ind. The larger spread in party ID was due to the fact that this pollster actually pressed undecideds in the poll to tell them their current leaning (no other pollster does that). This poll simply did not use the "leaning" party id when tabulating the results, just the normal party ID shown above.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Rick, NC — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:17:50 GMT

Trust me on this one folks...if Mcnuts was up by 9 with a 100% republican sampling his mouthpiece would be trumpeting the lead...does this old man have nothing?

So, about that nine-point spread...

JTatEHT — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:18:27 GMT

The McCain campaign is showing desperation in attacking this poll rather than allowing it to be just one of many. Their problems are deeper than this one poll. If Obama does well in this week’s foreign policy debate, if he evens the polls on foreign policy expertise, he could put this election out of reach for McCain.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Terry, Great Plains — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:18:49 GMT

Guess who is making the errors to change the voters mind. Also these polls are tied to land lines and can not reflect new voters. All in all McCain is viewed as less competent on handling the economic crisis. It does not help him when his own campaign is knee deep in the crisis. Nor does it help that the conservative wing of the party are clamoring for no bailout, no regulation and more tax cuts ( for the rich) and stating the free market will handle the problem. Try convincing middle America the "fundamentals of our economy" is strong.

So, about that nine-point spread...

repubs are lame. — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:18:59 GMT

so when dems outnumber repubs, thats not an issue with the McCain campaign??? His response would have been different had McCain been the one up by 9.

So, about that nine-point spread...

claudia — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:19:03 GMT

did you expect them tro say the poles were right that would be totell the truth and oh ,thats not part of the mcCain campaign motto.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Bailey Quarters, Minneapolis, MN — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:19:18 GMT

The Repubs are looking very panicky when they're resorting to creative math for to downplay the numbers. Is this how McCain would handle the budget?

So, about that nine-point spread...

Ed, San Antonio — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:19:25 GMT

The Repukes have no grounds to complain about the polls since they have chosen to keep the VP in protective custody away from the very citizens that vote!

They can't and shouldn't have it both ways!

Play ball by the rules or get out of the game!

So, about that nine-point spread...

Quiet Man — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:22:09 GMT

Is it possible that the "Party ID" advantage for the Dems is indicative of the times? Maybe noone wishes to admit to being a Republican anymore!

So, about that nine-point spread...

Montana Military Wife — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:22:41 GMT

Get over it, and realize your man McCain is clearly flustered, ill-prepared and out of touch with people, and Americans are seeing that- WE CANT AFFORD FOUR MORE YEARS!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08!!

So, about that nine-point spread...

Elmer, Seattle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:23:26 GMT

Sameoh sameoh, if a poll is in your favor it is a great poll. If a poll is not in your favor it is a flawed poll. I am afraid the McCain campaign might as well get used to it. McCain goin down in flames again. Even if Bill Clinton is his new campaign manager.

So, about that nine-point spread...

voter — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:23:34 GMT

What about polls after the republican convention from Gallup and others who had more republicans than democrats. Those polls inaccurately showed a huge bounce for McCain. I didn't see the Obama or McCain camp complain. Get real. All McCain does is complain. If you can't take the heat then get out of the kitchen.

So, about that nine-point spread...

jim — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:25:26 GMT

As usual they are lying. It was a ten point spread between Dems and Reps and 29% Independents.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Michelle, Southeast Texas — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:25:50 GMT

Pathetic. Truly pathetic.

So, about that nine-point spread...

christine case — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:26:11 GMT

So, about that nine-point spread...

Anyone but Obama — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:26:12 GMT

The polls don't do a accurte job, they are always unbalanced, whether for Obama or McCain. They are no more than temporary feel good about your canidate.

You can bet this will be extremely close or a tie !

So, about that nine-point spread...

A. Realist, Washington, DC — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:26:25 GMT

You know what's funny. If the polls showed that the Republicans were up 9 this would not be an issue. It is so funny how the Republicans turn into "Whiny Babies" when things do not go there way.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Cole, Harrisburg, PA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:26:28 GMT

Spin, spin, spin.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:26:46 GMT

Now McCain has his people wining about poll results. What is important in any poll is the change. And clearly all polls are changing in Obama's direction. I didn't hear Obama's staff wining about the polls when they all shifted McCain's way for a week. Time will tell. The reason that McCain's people are saying this, is because they know that if Obama holds high leads in polls for the next couple of weeks, then this race is over. Unforunately, a lot of undecided people are affected by who they think is going to win. And these polls are going to affect enthusiasm and voter turnout. The media has been keeping this race close, but as everyone gets serious and makes up their mind, they are saying no way, no McCain.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Vote Obama!!! — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:27:46 GMT

SCCOORREEE BOARD!!!!

So, about that nine-point spread...

just the facts — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:28:01 GMT

sounds a little perturbed... or scared. McCain does too... his internal polls have the repugs shaking in their boots. For Schmidt to come out and blast the media is all the proof one needs to tell us their internal polls are starting to tilt towards Obama. Obama's cool, relaxed display... show's his data is promising.

So, about that nine-point spread...

cmac — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:29:20 GMT

Spin that spinny spinning McInturff. Even the hardcore conservatives in my office are abandoning McCain after his blunders last week. This poll movement is the beginning of a trend, not an outlier. The reason they had a 16% dem increase is because more people are identifying themselves ad Democrat and they can't find a sample without the extra party affiliation.

So, about that nine-point spread...

another mama for obama — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:30:18 GMT

How is it that everything that isn't good news for McCain is either an outlier or vast media plot against his campaign?

It's a lot like dealing with my 5 year old. I love my child, but he's not fit to be President right now, either.

So, about that nine-point spread...

joe Oklahoma city, OK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:30:19 GMT

yeah Right! spare me your poll spin the number are as they appear, and i think better in the so called swing states, even in Oklahoma no decent polls have been taken, but here on the ground its closer than he repub's think, America want change and Mccain in not chance

So, about that nine-point spread...

TRBoston — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:30:42 GMT

This needs an update since the abc polling team has rebuffed the claims of the McCain camp.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Mitchell Feldman, Vestal, NY — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:31:19 GMT

After Joe Biden's speech today, I think the ABC/Washington Post poll will become less of an outlier and more of a reality. The shameful audacity of John McCain picking Palin becomes more apparent when one listens to Joe Biden speak. Joe came through for Barack with a home run and clearly elucidated the difference between the failed Bush foreign policy (which McCain will essentially continue) and the foreign policy of Barack Obama which will provide the innovation necessary for success in the 21st century. There's just no comparison between these two tickets in terms of intelligence, temperament and leadership. And, if America can get beyond its lingering stain of racism, perhaps we will re-emerge as the natural leader of the world. This is truly a test for our great nation to see if we have been cleansed of our original sin.
Obama/Biden '08

So, about that nine-point spread...

Full Moon — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:31:49 GMT

So now we go from a 9-point lead to a margin-of-error race. Man, it would be nice if everybody wasn't trying to pull the wool.

THE RACE IS EVEN. Obama up in some states and McCain up in others.

I just listened to Biden give his speech live from Cincinnati's Union Terminal, which houses an Imax theater and The Natural History Museum and National Historical Society. A great landmark.

Biden kept calling this race between the "Bush/McCain" administration and the Obama/Biden ticket. Another screw-up for Biden.

While the speech was covered by Fox and other less credible news organizations because they pander to Obama, Biden was speaking to a small number of Obama supporters.

The locals in Cincinnati and especially the surrounding areas are clearly McCain supporters and to constantly beat the drum that Bush is associated with McCain is an act of desperation on Biden's part and people can easily see through that.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Give me a break, Acworth, GA — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:32:36 GMT

Blah, blah, blah, blah.

I'm surprised McShame's campaign doesn't whine about what color the sky is!! I mean come on people!!

So, about that nine-point spread...

Indie Woman in Denver — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:32:40 GMT

So now McCain's campaign is down to this -- when the polls go their way they say nothing, but when it goes the other way they argue with the pollsters? In the current political environment it's tough to give any poll total credence, but this is pathetic, and it won't change the outcome.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Insearchoftruth — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:33:03 GMT

Slice through the spin. Party ID favors democrats by about 10 points. Those estimating a lower spread 4-5 points are primarily republican pollsters. They hesitant to acknowledge the massive increase in registrations nationwide. They are also underpolling the youth and minorities. That is why he says they need a 8 point margin to have a chance on Nov 4. That is why a substantial part of their strategy is to suppress voter turnout in battleground states.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Ron Indiana — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:33:18 GMT

"I don't think the results are indicative of what is happening in the campaign."

BS. This economic mess is a nightmare for McCain. He been for deregulation for years and the conservative, deregulation, free-market approach will bite him in the end. McCain could find himself in a "Heads, you win, Tails, I lose" situation when a bail-out bill comes for a vote. Depending on the bill, a "Yes" vote could be a vote for Bush and Wall Street. A "No" vote could be against middle-class America. The devil will be in the details.

Actually the 9 point spread may be a little high, more like a 52-47 split with 1% going to Barr. Middle class baby boomers are keeping a close eye on their retirement and will vote their pocketbook before their party. You may see older Americans beginning to support Obama.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Eileen, Portland, Maine — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:34:04 GMT

Time will tell.
Why get all worked up into a lather over it anyway, when our whole country is in Katrina mode?

So, about that nine-point spread...

Betty Black, Arizona — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:35:21 GMT

I would love to know who these polsters are calling.I have never been asked my position. Are these people picked at random, or from a pool.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Midwest Mom — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:37:07 GMT

I wonder what effect Obama's numbers will have down-ballot, if any.

Likewise McCain. The bailout is giving legislative incumbents a real role to play prior to the election -- and their opponents must be able to come up with ideas of their own on these issues...

The polls I am interested in are the congressional battleground races...

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

So, about that nine-point spread...

Abby — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:37:42 GMT

Funny - when McCain is UP in the polls the obama gang cries Fraud - bad polls - BUT - when obama is up - Wow - he's so great!
The American people know who is the best to lead our country - obama is NOT qualified and will never be elected.

So, about that nine-point spread...

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:37:44 GMT

How much does this really affect the results? Really that many Democrats would skew the results? That is really hard to believe. You'd think they would tout that kind of results where not all Democrats are behind Obama. How large was the sampling size? That might need to be increased to work out problems like this.

So, about that nine-point spread...

Robert, Beckley, WV — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:37:49 GMT

Thanks, McCool... I get it now. The poll figures are meaningful when they support you but when they're tanking you, they're rigged.... As Sarah Lipstick might say, "Tanks but no tanks."

So, about that nine-point spread...

Dan Hopkins — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:38:07 GMT

The Republicans were crowing after the Palin bounce. Now that the numbers don't favor them they say the polls are skewed. You can't have it both ways losers.
I'm sure McCain has a lobbyist from the polling firms on his staff that will help him put a positive spin on this.
Liberal Dan