by Mark Silva
Just when the pundits say the race will be narrowing, the rock-steady Pew Research Center has rolled out some growing spreads today in the contest between Barack Obama and John McCain.
"Barack Obama's lead over John McCain has steadily increased since mid-September, when the race was essentially even,'' the Pew Center's Andrew Kohut reports.
Pew's newest national survey shows Obama favored over McCain among registered voters, at 52 percent to 38 percent. And among those most likely to vote: Obama 53, McCain 39 percent.
The televised debates may have played a certain role here: "Obama's strong showing in the current poll reflects greater confidence in the Democratic candidate personally,'' Kohut reports. "More voters see him as "well-qualified" and "down-to-earth" than did so a month ago.
The selection of Sarah Palin for the Republican ticket and McCain's attack tactics may also have played a role here: "Obama's gains notwithstanding, a widespread loss of confidence in McCain appears to be the most significant factor in the race at this point,'' Kohut writes. "Many more voters express doubts about McCain's judgment than about Obama's: 41 percent see McCain as "having poor judgment," while just 29 percent say that this trait describes Obama.''
The survey on Obama and McCain taken Oct. 16-19 among 2,599 registered voters also found:
"Sarah Palin appears to be a continuing - if not an increasing - drag on the GOP ticket. Palin's favorable ratings have declined sharply since mid-September, especially among women under 50; 60 percent now express an unfavorable view of Palin, up from 36 percent in mid-September.
"McCain's age also has become more of an issue for voters. Roughly a third (34 percent) now says that McCain is too old to be president. At this stage in the 1996 campaign, about as many voters (32 percent) said Republican candidate Bob Dole was too old to be president.
"The survey includes some signs of potential vulnerability for Obama. While somewhat more voters see Obama as well-qualified than did so in mid-September, only about half (53 percent) say this trait describes him; 72 percent say McCain is well-qualified.'' And, with "swing voters'' represengint nearly a quarter of the electorate, "swing voters are less likely than all voters to say that McCain would continue Bush's policies and more likely to express confidence in McCain than Obama to handle national security issues.''
Comments
Remember everyone that oil prices can only be brought down by more drilling according to McCain. Wait, what's that you say? Prices have been cut in half without any new drilling coming on line?
You can't beat economic judgement like John "The economy is fundementally strong, drill, baby Drill" McCain.
Posted by: McCain is a fool | October 21, 2008 3:52 PM
Behold, the best Daily Show episode ever!
Jon Stewart eviscerates the GOP's "real" America attacks, demolishing both Nancy Pfotenhauer ("real" Virginia) and Michele Bachmann (Bachmann Turncoat Overdrive) and offering audio of Sarah Palin's infamous "pro-America" areas of the country comment.
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http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=188635&title=pfriend-or-pfoe
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Posted by: John E | October 21, 2008 6:26 PM
Yes, and typically, the price of gas has not gone down as fast or as much as it went up.
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | October 21, 2008 6:28 PM
For sure mMcCain's judgement is not directed toward socialism--
Posted by: George | October 21, 2008 8:34 PM
Does anyone else find McSame(as the old boss)'s medical plan incoherent?
It makes no sense.
He's going to tax your company provided heath care, perhaps $12K added to your taxable, then give you 5K to buy private insurance. ??
Why would you buy private ins. if you have company ins.? How can $5k replace a $12k policy? Are you required to quit the company plan to get the $5k credit? What if you only pay $3k in taxes? What kind of plan does $3k buy?
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | October 21, 2008 8:55 PM
Does anyone else find McSame(as the old boss)'s medical plan incoherent?
It makes no sense.
He's going to tax your company provided heath care, perhaps $12K added to your taxable, then give you 5K to buy private insurance. ??
Why would you buy private ins. if you have company ins.? How can $5k replace a $12k policy? Are you required to quit the company plan to get the $5k credit? What if you only pay $3k in taxes? What kind of plan does $3k buy?
Posted by: C.Hussein.Morris | October 21, 2008 8:55 PM
For sure mMcCain's judgement is not directed toward socialism--
Posted by: George | October 21, 2008 8:34 PM
Well except for the minor matters of nationalizing everyone's mortgages and partially nationalizing the banks.
Posted by: McCain is a socialist! | October 21, 2008 11:09 PM
Where's Bruce to say that the Pew Center is liberal and biased towards Obama, and only he has another poll which chows McCain and Obama in a dead heat which The Swamp refuses to publicize?
I miss his arrogance.
Posted by: BC | October 22, 2008 10:47 AM