McCain Up in Rasmussen for First Time when ‘Leaners’ Included
04 August 2008 10:09 am by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
–updated–
People want to know why I’ve been criticizing the Obama campaign relentlessly? It’s
because of what I’ve been sensing that has now shown up in Rasmussen.
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows the
race for the White House is tied with Barack Obama and John McCain each attracting
44% of the vote. However, when “leaners” are included, it’s
McCain 47% and Obama 46%.
The inevitability campaign the Obama team is running is failing.
John McCain’s negative attacks bent on defining Obama are working.
That’s because McCain did what Republicans always do to dismantle Democrats.
They turn into our candidate’s perceived strengths. They did that with John
Kerry, attacking his war record. They’re doing it to Barack Obama by attacking
his very persona and the reason almost 18 million people voted for him in the
primaries: his optimism and large scale appeal among voters who believe he stands
for something greater than politics.
Obama and his team sent a message to the McCain camp when they threw Wesley
Clark under a bus, when he did exactly what Republicans do all the time. Clark
turned his critique about McCain into his perceived strength, not his military
service or heroism, but the notion this makes him qualified for president.
The Obama camp also won’t do townhalls (with John McCain, not just talking to himself), which is a classic example of believing
they can hold on to their lead, instead of expanding it through mixing it up.
There’s only one problem, Obama’s lead is gone. If Obama’s team doesn’t start
treating this election like they’re the underdog, which includes a convention
that delineates differences and points out the record of John McCain, we’re
going to lose.
For the first time ever, with leaners, McCain is ahead by one point. It’s a warning.
Obama and his team need to quit measuring the White House drapes. He also needs to unleash the 527s from his highfalutin holding pen. Making them stand down is absolutely absurd, especially since Obama’s team doesn’t seem to have the stomach for this fight.
