**Updated**
DAILY KOS gets Public Policy Polling to do the numbers. Markos does the analysis:
At a time when other polls are moving back in the president’s direction, our own weekly poll by Public Policy Polling saw the opposite—a two-point Romney gain. Per day:
Friday (38%) Obama 47, Romney 49
Saturday (39%) Obama 49, Romney 47
Sunday (24%) Obama 43, Romney 55[...] Finally, a demographic note—in this poll, 44 percent of respondents were conservative, compared to 16 percent who were liberal. In 2008, 34 percent were conservative, and 22 percent were liberal. Now this could point to a bad sample, or it could point to depressed enthusiasm among our base. Let’s really hope it’s the former.
In rural “swing counties, it’s a landslide for Romney, according to NPR.
It’s the Quinnipiac poll that is a stunner.
Gov. Mitt Romney has narrowed a 12-point gap with President Barack Obama and now trails the president 50 – 46 percent among Pennsylvania likely voters, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
No political analyst expects Romney to win in Pennsylvania, but it’s the movement that has to worry Team Obama.
There is simply too much evidence now to question whether or not the first debate caused a significant shift in the dynamics of the presidential race. It did.
But as I’ve written before, “volatility” is the name of this game. As fast as it swung Romney’s way, tonight’s Town Hall could produce another swing or even a solidifying behind Mitt Romney.
All President Obama can hope to do is stop the chatter, because the biggest thing hurting him right now is the feel of the race, which is seen to be moving in Romney’s direction.
It’s hard to underestimate the importance of tonight’s town hall, which actually isn’t conducive to either candidate getting a knock out blow.
However, since it’s Mitt Romney who is perceived as being so bad at relating to people, the format could actually play into what Romney needs to do.
If President Obama hangs Romney’s Etch-a-Sketch candidacy around his neck, he’d better do it with a smile and a very deft touch.
Frankly, I’d be a lot more depressed if the base were enthusiastic, because it would mean that the base was either
A) won over by the “my opponent hates women and babies” campaign that is pretty much the only thing Obama has going for him, or
B) has sold out and is now eager to get out and vote for the guy Slightly to the Left of the Extreme Right-Winger.
Interesting point, jjamele.
There are some progressives who simply aren’t involved in Obama’s reelection, for the exact reasons you mention, though they will obviously vote Democratic.
The man I saw in Denver lost the race as sure as anything, right there. Obviously had no wish to continue being President. Thinking of the “debate” tonight, I get so mad recalling that, that I could spit. I’ll certainly vote, but fully expect the dude will either lose or throw it into the courts.
As someone commented at Balloon Juice, the choice this time is between suffering a lot immediately or suffering less and over time. (There is no option not to suffer!) Meanwhile, the debates and press shenanigans this time have made me angrier than I have ever been at politicians & the chattering classes. No one dares to talk about the larger issues, and everything is broken. To save my life and sanity, I unfollowed @BarackObama this a.m. (“Don’t drone me, bro!”) I hope he wins, of course. I’m just not sure the reason why.
I hope he wins, of course. I’m just not sure the reason why.
Wow.
Yes, I thought that was a good line, too.
But I just watched the “town hall” debate. Much better, thank God, making me look awfully stupid. I don’t mind a bit!
The commenter below is correct, of course: the choice is an obvious no-brainer, and I was always going to vote. I was pretty depessed this morning, though. There was a wave of that going through the Intertubes—damn polls!—and I was vulnerable. If I could delete my original comment, I would, so as to not spread negativity and gloom. I’m old enough to know better, and if I can get pulled off center, anyone can. Sobering.
“I hope he wins, of course. I’m just not sure the reason why.”
Read a history book- the chapter entitled Bush/Cheney: 2000-2007. Check out the footnote on Sotomayor versus Alito.
When your done, pick up a basic economics book and see what it says about practicing austerity in a recession.
Then of course there’s always this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDwwAaVmnf4
I’m not a big Berry fan, but this election is a no brainer.
“pick up a basic economics book and see what it says about practicing austerity in a recession.”
Where? Certainly not at the White House, where they are a few months away from embracing austerity on steroids. You won’t find that textbook being read there.