Second national survey says race closer

Foon, buddy, you can't possibly believe that ANYONE is going to change their vote because the RNC spent $150,000 on clothing for Palin.

The media is so retarded.

Isn't there a war or something that you could be reporting on?

This is called an 'outlier' which is a poll that can be more or less disregarded because it is so out of sync with all other polls.

I remember as a Kerry supporter clinging to polls like this in 2004, polls which gave some hope that he might have a chance. They were wrong then. All signs are that they will be wrong again.

I certainly hope so. I can't think of anything more devastating to our country than having Sarah Palin a hearts' beat away from the presidency.

http:\\sarahpalinwatch.blogspot.com

Thank you for this news. Much of the media piles on in its Oblahma love fest. There is much truth to tell, and if it is told to the American people John McCain and Sarah Palin would win.

Dontcha reckon that the people who are goin' to bail on Sarah have already done so? I'm ROFLOL at her Caribou Barbie Dream Wardrobe, but then again I counted her out weeks ago.

Here is data form RealClearPolitics.com. One must look at multiple polls to get the picture..

RCP Average 10/16 - 10/22 - 50.1 42.7 Obama +7.4
Rasmussen Reports 10/20 - 10/22 LV 52 45 Obama +7
Hotline/FD 10/20 - 10/22 769 LV 48 43 Obama +5
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby 10/20 - 10/22 LV 52 40 Obama +12
FOX News 10/20 - 10/21 LV 49 40 Obama +9
Gallup (Traditional)* 10/19 - 10/21 LV 50 45 Obama +5
Gallup (Expanded)* 10/19 - 10/21 LV 52 44 Obama +8
GWU/Battleground 10/16 - 10/22 LV 49 45 Obama +4
ABC News/Wash Post 10/18 - 10/ 22 LV 54 43 Obama +11
IBD/TIPP 10/17 - 10/21 1088 LV 3.0 46 42 Obama +4
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 10/17 - 10/20 1159 RV 2.9 52 42 Obama +10
Associated Press/GfK 10/16 - 10/20 800 LV 3.5 44 43 Obama +1
Ipsos/McClatchy 10/16 - 10/20 773 LV 3.5 50 42 Obama +8
CNN/Opinion Research 10/17 - 10/19 764 LV 3.5 51 46 Obama +5
Pew Research 10/16 - 10/19 2382 LV 2.5 53 39 Obama +14

I hope and pray to goodness that the American people are waking up to the fact that it would be a dire mistake to vote an individual into the Presidency with Obama lack of experience and his lack of patriotism for our country. He has repeatedly expressed in his speeches only what the people want to hear, nothing he says makes any common sense in our world today , facing the problems we as a nation face. He is a very charismatic person and quite frankly I don't care what color he is, he frightens me alot. He changes his "tale" quite convenienly over and over. He has attended a church that apparently has preached "Hate" for over 20 yrs. He just seems to say what people want to hear and I just can't believe people are so gullible that they don't recognize a "Politician" when they see and hear one. In my opinion, he is for change all right, but the change this man is talking about, I'm afraid will be disaster for our country!

What's more important? Turning this country over to Pelosi and Reid so that they can turn this country into another Europe? While socialist Europeans are slowly moving away from socialism due to detorioration of our country, we are being forced to move into that direction. Ayers may just well get his wish of turning our country into an anarchy. He trained Obama well.

I wonder who they surveyed in this poll. Was it a truly representative sample of the population or loaded with traditionally Republican voters, like the AP-GfK survey? That survey had a sample of 44% that consider themselves evangelical/born-agains, when the population of the country has only 23%. They might as well have said, "We asked 100 registered Republicans and 50 registered Democrats who they were going to vote for..."

It ain't over, "til it's over....with the unbalanced campaign funding for Obama and
the equally unbalanced coverage and bias for Obama by the liberal press and
networks you would think Obama would have at least a 25% lead over McCain.

What's wrong with this picture. Did I say Obama too many times. An interesting question, where is the DNC and the press hiding Mrs. Obama. An awfull lot of
shifty " tap dancing" going on around His Majesty Obama. With Biden safely
tucked away with a muzzle in place this appears to be a one man show.

The voting public may have seen enough of this overly confindent candidate re-
gardless of how compentent he sounds and appears. Too slick is too slick,
no matter how much make-up and powder you put on it.

My bet is a real surprise on Nov 4th. and I hope we can all handle
the results with calm and pull together to move our nation forward.

Too much at stake and we all loose if we do not get in back of either
candidate winning this election.
Concerned but hopeful...SJH / Miami

Man, the Globe comments are always full of far-right trolls who have taken leave of their senses. I really have to stop reading the comments.

Shame on you pollsters for giving these republicans false hope. They had already reached the blame stage of grief and were well on their way to the final stage, acceptance. Now you've gone and stirred them all up.

It ain't over, "til it's over....with the unbalanced campaign funding for Obama and
the equally unbalanced coverage and bias for Obama by the liberal press and
networks you would think Obama would have at least a 25% lead over McCain.

What's wrong with this picture. Did I say Obama too many times. An interesting question, where is the DNC and the press hiding Mrs. Obama. An awfull lot of
shifty " tap dancing" going on around His Majesty Obama. With Biden safely
tucked away with a muzzle in place this appears to be a one man show.

The voting public may have seen enough of this overly confindent candidate re-
gardless of how compentent he sounds and appears. Too slick is too slick,
no matter how much make-up and powder you put on it.

My bet is a real surprise on Nov 4th. and I hope we can all handle
the results with calm and pull together to move our nation forward.

Too much at stake and we all loose if we do not get in back of either
candidate winning this election.
Concerned but hopeful...SJH / Miami

The Globe reports the 2 (suspect) polls with the race close, but fails to report the other polls showing Obama's lead strong and even growing.

Go figure.

I completely agree with Pat Lynn, I couldn't have said it better myself.

AG, NOBAMA, and Pat, wake up and say something positive about McCain instead of bashing a good American. This election is making it clear how unintelligent and closed minded people are in our country. We need to stop funding Iraq and starting diverting the money to our school system.

Man, the Globe comments are always full of far-right trolls who have taken leave of their senses. I really have to stop reading the comments.

Right On!!!

Out come the Obama-tards... Never fails.

The only consistent hate I've heard has been from Palin's dangerous Wasilla Assembly of God church with its Jew-hating, Catholic-hating extremism and extraordinary hostility to science, post-medievalism, and rational thought.

If Palin is inexperienced, then is Biden’s tendency toward saying things he should not just as bad. Biden’s comment about Obama being tested by someone in his first 6 months (if elected) is almost an invite. At least Palin knows to keep her mouth shut. At least she knows not to exacerbate the situation with unjustified, volunteered comments; Biden does not seem to have a clue, or worse in that he does not seem to be able to help himself !!

Considering Obama’s inexperience and Biden’s gaffs, their dealings on the world stage will be very sub-par compared to McCain/Palin.

How much is Michelle spending to have a $1.6 million dollar home? What happens to the Millions upon Millions of Dollars Obama has collected. He hardly has time to spend it all...
Women in the media put down Palin. Especially now about her shopping spree, as it goes against ther grain by pure DNA.
America is getting crapped upon by the media and we are being forced to take it. Our work ethic is being destroyed in this country by the bleeding hearts that beat in the chests of those who want a free ride. Soon there will be no one left to pay for it.

And another vote for Pat Lynn!

Brian from Boston says Obama is a good American -- and he's telling Pat to wake up! Obama can't wait to change our country into the Socialist Republic of America.

Congratulations to Jeffiz for making a truly meaningful and elucidating comment. The two polls cited here are outliers. Most polls show Obama's lead at 6-7% and growing. Today's polls are moving into double-digits. I wish the Globe had mentioned the other polls--that would make the paper seem not only credible, but competent.

I am with you Brian. All the repubs are sounding more and more like "chicken little" THE SKY IS FALLING THE SKY IS FALLING IF OBAMA IS ELECTED THE SKY WILL FALL"
GOOD GRIEF
Give me a break.
TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES!! PLEASE!
The most important issues to me are the economy and the Iraq War.
I agree wholeheartedly with Obama on both these issues.
NO WAY NO HOW NO MCCAIN and certainly no PALIN

You know what I find humorous? When Obama supporters, particularly Globe readers, see something printed that can maybe perhaps be somewhat a little bit negative to Obama and they act like the media has a huge Republican bias. All the while they are unrelentlessly attacking Palin with false accusations about her personal life and rediculous articles about how much McCains shoes cost.

It is astounding to realize how ignorance plays into the hands of those who seek power. McCain had used so many half truths combined with fear that I would hate to see him president. That certainly is true of Palin. It is absolutely incredible that a person as unqualified as she is should be a VP. candidate. She may be popular but she is not at all the right person to be in a [position of power. The antics of how she "sways" the crowds is similar to running a high school popularity contest.
I do not care how pretty she is (or is not), nor do I care about her being a soccer mom (MANY women do what she does without all the "Wow" how amazing" comments. ) Dignity and leadership-that is what I look for.She will bring our country down

Pat Lynn's argument is, like most of those on the Right, FULL of facts and statistical back-up and merit. It never ceases to amaze me how people will take BAD experience, a BAD record, over someone who is new who has a positive record and shows soundd decision-making.

And McCain has the gall to bash Bush's record?! Correct me if I am wrong but didn't McCain himself say that he has backed the President more than 90% of the time? Are we to believe that suddenly, when it is POLITICALLY expedient for him, that the 10% of the record where he disagreed with Bush were on ALL the glaring failures he talked about (economy, war in Iraq, 410 Trillion debt, $500 Billion owed to China)?! Give me a break. How about some EVIDENCE as to why Obama would be bad instead of just rhetoric. A longer record of poor decisions and poorer policy is worse than no record at all.

What amazes me is that after 8 years of atrocities, abuses, and economic, social and military disasters brought about by the Republican administration, in 2008, we still have a tight race.

In Obama, the American people have a unique chance this autumn, yet, it is not sure that they will take it.

Dispite the $700,000,000Obamoron spent on trying to sell the American public his snake oil and the fact that virtually every media outlet is in the tank for him, he still can't put this one away.

Hmmm- just maybe it's his lack of a record, his clearly racist background or just maybe the FACT that he wants to give our wages to those too lazy to work.

It gives me hope that the American public (or at least half of them) are not as stupid as we are led to believe.

Why do these stories NEVER have anything on METHODOLOGY? I can give you a poll that shows a 1 point lead for Obama and one that shows a 14 point lead for Obama. Both are garbagio. Why? Because, as Dezz wrote, one sampled 44% evangelicals, The other, meanwhile is based on a HUGE turnout from a mythological homogeneous young and minority voter block.
Thus, this story is a huge disservice to your readers and does little but heighten the media's hopes for a horse race. With all respect, your readers deserve better. They deserve the whole story.

#15
The money we are spending on the war in Iraq is borrowed as necessary. There are no existing "budgets" for fighting the war, although taxpayers will ultimately be forced to pay the costs. It would be illegal to to divert any funds from their original intended objectives. If the war in Iraq were somehow concluded tomorrow, the funding for said war would also cease to exist, ergo no funds could or should be diverted. If Congress determines that increased spending on education is warranted, tax payers will see their taxes increased to accomodate these expenditures. The costs of an ongoing war only exascerbates the national debt that tax payers will be held accountable for, as would any tax increases to fund education.

America is gonna vote for the guy who won't trigger a major international crisis and then botch the response to that crisis resulting in plunging support. What does Biden know? Is Russia going to put missles in Venzuela? Will Iran hit Isreal? Is Obama's response going to be to sit on his hands? Sounds like it to me. Good job Biden.

The government's bailout of AIG etc is WAY closer to socialism that raising taxes on the richest 1% of the country. Don't be scared into believeing what the ultra-rich, true "elite" of the Right would have you think about what Socialism ACTUALLY means. Socialism is when the government owns the emans of production and the populus only benefits based on what the government gives them. Sort of like how our current President and VP have financial ties to all the military contractors who are raking in $ in Iraq and we, despite being forced to bear the burden of sending our sons and daughters over to die, don't get a sniff of that profit. The general public is forced to bear the financial burden of private companies' profit models - THAT is socialism. All they want is to scare the middle class into owning the burden of the taxes in this country which are so direly needed in order to restore a healthy economy. Bush's policy is closer to Socialism than NAYTHING Obama has ever enacted. Inform yourself and get a clue or we'll have another round of McCarthyism on our hands.

McCain 2008
McCain will tax the middle class more heavily compared to the wealthy. Nothing trickles down. Bush's dad called it VooDoo economics.
McCain will give $4 Billion in tax cuts to Big Oil
McCain voted to deregulate Wall St leading to the Crash
McCains managers were on the Fannie Mae payroll
McCain wants to reward lenders by paying full price for bad mortgages
McCain will cut Medicare forcing Seniors to pay for his health plan that rewards the insurance companies.
McCain has chosen a lightweight who doesn't know what the Vice President does as his running mate
McCain has run the dirtiest hate-filled campaign on record.
McCain invented Joe Plumber who is a fake
McCain is Bush warmed over - the nightmare continues
McCain has run a lousy campaign and can't run the country

Heckuva of a good choice if you have no common sense.

The Battleground poll is an outlier, along with the APGfK poll. About twenty other polls all put Obama at anywhere from +5 to +12, most leaning towards double digits.

One thing to remember is that "likely voter" polls use some statistically questionable methods to calculate who will vote.

Yes, Obama is truly a moron. Born to a poor family, graduated from two Ivy league schools at the top of his class despite having nothing handed to him - what a moron.

Unlike McCain, who grew up the son of a poerful military figure (see a pattern here with ties to military money - and we wonder why the Right bangs the war drum every time they get elected?) and had his way paved to Annapolis but still couldn't graduated above the bottom 5 in his class. And has been tied to the Keating 5, advocated much of the deregulation policy that led to the mortgage collapse, and has been an arden tsupporter of an unjust and wasteful war from day one. THAT is th ekind of leadership we need right now? Oh wait - it is exactly the kind of leadership we already have right now!

And I know how many lazy midwesterners there are who were too lazy to stop their company being sold and having their jobs shipped to China and India for a higher profit margin for their owners. Lazy bastards. And all those lazy Enron employees who lazily were forced to dump thier retirement money into company stock which was then manipulated and embezzled (by a close friend of Bush) so he could make off with millions in profit while the middle class employees who worked there lost ALL of their hard-earned retirement money. What a bunch of lazy losers.

What exactly is "snake oil" about Obama. Again, all the Right has is rhetoric and scare tactics, which is not surprising when the actual FACTS about a miserable 8 year failure on nearly EVERY level is laid bare every single day. Arun's statement is the most astoundingly simple truth in this whole forum - how is this even close? Because the Right has made "truth" and "facts" seem biased and as we have seen with Bush, Americans today would rather elect a Presdient who reminds them of themselves than someone who is capable of makign the sound decisions necessary to run the country.

Don't tell me what is wrong with Obama. Tell me what is right with McCain. Bet you can't do that. Your gonna loose, HA HA and I love seeing you sweat :):):)

I don't think the poll reflects the truth because Obama is way ahead in most polls. It made me anxious at first thinking about our new White House years, but now I can't wait until next year! Ayers posing sitting on the bed in the Lincoln bedroom with a Down With America sign, Rev. Wright blessing the White House, O finally going public with his heavy cigarette habit. This and many more stories coming our way (Putin having a victory party for O, Chavez waving the American flag with Sean Penn, etc, etc). People magazine will finally be rid of Britney, Angelina and Brad on their covers (maybe even in the magazine altogether). So, folks, lighten up! and enjoy this new century of history. Should be interesting.

I don’t buy this stuff about “Palin pushing Biden out of the media” because she is a rock star (at least to republicans). The liberal media is just trying to bash Palin as much as possible with every scandal they cam manufacture or exaggerate. The media likewise is going out of their way to avoid showing Biden’s gaffs. Just watch when something comes out about Palin (or supposedly comes out – or maybe just manufactured); it will stay in the news for at least a week (maybe two), and be reported repeatedly, sometimes ‘on the hour every hour’. When something comes out about Biden it might last a day, and be reported very sporadically at best. The media also goes back on Palin’s history as much as possible, but how much have we heard about Biden’s plagiarism, or embellishing his academic record. Some might throw in the excuse that those happened 15-20 years ago, however there are many young people who plan to vote this time (who never voted before) who do not know of Biden’s past. Should they not be informed as much about Biden’s past as Palin’s ?? (the media will go back in time 20 or even 50 years when it suites them). This type of ‘Repetition’ of Palin’s “supposed” past and hiding Biden’s is what the old Soviet Union used to do. It is called PROPOGANDIZING………………..

Also;

Biden seems slow, awkward, out of touch and confused when giving speeches (in addition to all the above examples & gaffs he thought FDR reign was during the television era). This totally undermines the Dem’s claims that that his experience shores up the experience question surrounding Obama. If Biden has to step into the presidency for some reason (if something happens to Obama) we have all his confusion & bewilderment to look forward to. So much for the Demo ticket being capable and experienced!! If McCain is trying to keep Palin away from the press, is Obama trying to do the same with Biden! Is the press helping Obama out with this effort as much as they can !!!

Also the libby media has apparently gone out of their way not to inform the public that Obama no longer plans to meet unconditionally with Iran’s ‘so called ‘ President. Also, Obama apparently now claims he will not allow Iran to become a tyrant nation with Nuclear Weapons. When McCain said the same he was called a war mongerer. So what is up: The media is playing their ‘usual games’, as usual !!

I can tell who was educated in public schools where American History has been re-written for a generation. It is now coming to roost. What has been produced by this coop of clackers is an Obama oil slick. The ultimate environment to land right on our rears.

Its going to hurt our pockets bad folks - forget al the philosophical junk. Ombambi will reach right in there with his cold black religion nose and take it and make you think it was Jesus walking on water. A LOT of blacks (the smart ones) see the light and are campaigning against him. I know it doesn't matter to some readers - but history will prove it as it has time and time again.
Hitler was perceived the same way....charistmatic and going to rid society of its ills - what was that funny smell, the citizens said. Now we have a proven Muslim rooted person with anti-Am. friends who trained him.... This is getting scary people. Wake up before the frog in the gradually heated water is...uh what is that funny smell?
You know what - I double dog dare people to read the real research info all you 70's college liberal educated peers - for themselves FOR A CHANGE. Or is there any brain left? Or is that all that is left....left , left, left >>>>>.... jk

---He is Tall, Elegant, Eloquent, and ‘Oh’ so much “Style over Substance”.

Do we need a “Style over Substance” President !!!

Then again he was not so Tall, Elegant, Eloquent in the first half of the Demi-Dem primary. When the Liberal Media was ‘Fawning’ over Hillary he was Angry, Accusational, Stumbling over his Words, and Brushing chips off his Shoulders. When the Media switched it’s “Fawning Gaze” to Obama he seemed Taller and his ‘Style over Substance’ clicked more. Was that because he knew the Media and Hollywood had his back !! Many would say it is easy to look Tall, Elegant & Eloquent when you know all of your mistakes will be explained away, ignored or covered up (he once said he had visited all 57 states). Anyone could look competent under that scenario………..

If as president he is in tough, ‘behind the scenes’ negotiations will “Style over Substance” cut it then. Will the media be able to help him out of a tough jam then !!! How will they rescue, or cover up for him then !!! Will he be able to stand on his own two feet then………….

Do we Want; Do we Need a ‘Style over Substance’, MEDIA INDUCED PRESIDENT

uhhhh ohhh...

Recently PA Gov. "Slick" Eddy Rendell wrote two memos to Berry's campaign asking him to return to PA in the final weeks of the campaign. I guess things are different on the ground than the Obama media is reporting!!!!

nothin' for nothin' kids, but try it on for size......i came into this electoral season without a dog in the hunt....neither candidate sent "a tingle up my leg", so i figured i had some homework to do......after watching the complete melt-down of our main stream media, as evidenced through their annihilation of mccain-palin, i'm going to be doing what a whole lot of people will be doing.....i'm going to vote for sen. mccain just to stick my finger in the eye of this absolutely corrupt media machine.....msnbc spends almost 1/2 of it's prime time line-up on gov. palin's wardrobe !?.....the complete bashing of mccain-palin and the near "ordination" of sen. obama may not be too scary, but it sure is "creepy"!.....American's are two things....we root for underdogs AND we can't stand "bullies"....the mainstream media are made up of corrupt bullies right now and they are going to be surprised nov. 5th...

THE CASE FOR SARAH PALIN

A lot has been made of Palin's readiness/inexperience, why she was selected by McCain, etc.

Put aside the fodder of her wardrobe and the overwhelming left media spin for a minute and consider the following:

1) As a mayor and a governor she has the most direct experience you can have. Unlike senators, military service men, law school professors or community organizers, governors have “executive” / management responsibility. They have to balance budgets, work with competing factions, and handle tough issues concerning the health and welfare of their state. It is telling to me that almost ˝ of our presidents were governors first (20). It is the truest training ground for high office-and they came from big and small states.

2) She is directly positioned to help address our biggest challenge and our biggest opportunity: Energy dependence and imbalance. Our foreign policy is affected by our overreliance on oil from foreigners and our economy suffers due to the void left as manufacturing (auto steel, textile) has been outsourced. Short term and long term energy development can fill this void-starting with oil and nuclear and then moving to more progressive alternatives. Who out of the four candidates is most entrenched and knowledgeable in this area? Who served directly on energy committees and negotiated with big oil for the benefit of her constituents? What state (aside from Texas) is directly tied into the energy equation??

3) She’s running for VP-not president. I disagree with Colin Powell (who I like) in one key respect-while it is true the VP’s role is to step in should the something happen-as a practical matter-it rarely happens (only 8 VP’s in our 232 year history assumed the highest office due to presidential death or assassination). The predominant and more likely role of the VP is to compliment the presidential candidate and address areas where the primary candidate may be weak. That is why Obama picked Biden-to address issues of experience and foreign policy.

4) Which brings me to the last point-If experience is a concern for a VP candidate-then I have to ask-what has Obama done? Where is his experience? How do you accept inexperience in the top position but hold it against a second chair?? Based on what criteria? A two minute interview on NBC or an examination of their actions while in an executive capacity? Assuming that inexperience exists on both tickets-which is the lesser of two evils?? Where is it less likely to be a factor?

Decide for yourself-and give the lady a fair shake.

That poll is nonsense.. 79% of respondents identified a religious affiliation, and a full 45% of that group self-identified as evangelicals. Its identical to that piece of junk that AP-GfK put out a day or so ago, with whacky internals. You'd do just as well with a Ouija Board. Don't you people do any independent research?

---Are we about to elect our first MEDIA INDUCED PRESIDENT!

The media has favored (fawned over) Obama to an unprecedented level:

-‘Skunk Man’ Jay Leno’s and ‘Snag Headed’ David Letterman’s non-stop jokes about McCain and few if any about Obama!! (I would tell Letterman where to go, Bluntly & Directly)

-The Saturday Night Live Crap-Crowd & Tina Feign’s non-stop incriminations (which poles have shown indoctrinate feeble minds).

-CNN and the rest of the liberal media ‘fawning’ over Obama in such blatant fashion.

-Hollywood entertainment type programs showing their bias for Obama, very blatantly.
(like: Ellen ‘Degenerate’ & Barbara WaWa on The ‘Bitch’ View)

-The Oliver Stone movie “W”. A genuine Docu-Drama (a license to Lie) from one of Hollywood’s most ‘Irresponsible’ directors.

- Matt the ‘bitch boy’ Damon & Keith ‘GoOfy’ Olbermannn !!

(Do we need any more proof of a Liberal, ‘Bigoted’ Media!!!)

ETC., ETC., ETC.

Is the Media Helping Obama to steal an election!!!

i'm really amazed at the childish comments on both sides of this. the facts speak for themselves. if mccain/palin were comfortable and expecting to win the smear campaign they are waging would not be necessary. wake up america..........

If the world is ‘so’ inclined to test Obama (as they did Kennedy) then are all those internationals who favor Obama just want a weak US (wake up Libby-0’Libs) !!!
Maybe so they can gain economic advantage themselves.

Since so many have compared Obama to Kennedy is this just a supposedly updated version of “Camelot” (and the fantasy that turned out to be !!). Does that mean young people just like a young president, and are in total denial of the inexperience question. He is young & cute and probably likes to party (or so they would like to think). We can have ourselves a, supposedly, young, hip party pres……………no matter the in-experience.

“Partea On”

notbandwagon
I can't believe you would want to vote for someone you relate to rather than someone who is, in your own words, "someone who is capable of makign the sound decisions necessary to run the country." That is the absolute scariest thing I have ever heard and believe you are not alone.
I don't want to give the keys to the free world to just anyone. I would want to make damn sure that they can make those sound decisions needed to run our Fantastic country.

It's refreshing to see Globe doing something other than performing journalistic fellatio on Senator Obama

Likely Voters (LV) results can be very misleading. The Likely Voter can be any group the pollster decides it to be. If they want to poll 68% of the respondents as married as in the AP poll then it will come up with more conservative results favoring McCain. But even in 2000 and 2004 Bush got only 57 and 58% married in the election. So they are 10% over without any real basis of using 68%.. They are polling 34% in the South, higher proportion than is the actual population. So the poll is slanted toward gettting a conservative or Republican bias. Zogby, Fox and Rasmussen have conservative sponsors but they are polling much higher in favor of Obama.

Anyone interested in thorough, comprehensively explained polling data should go to fivethirtyeight.com and realclearpolitics.com. 538 is considered left leaning, RCP is considered right leaning. BOTH confirm that Obama has an average lead nationally of approximately seven to eight points, which has been trending up in the last few days. The outliers flogged by the Globe yesterday and today employ demonstrably bogus Likely Voter identifiers and are not to be taken seriously.

#36... The issue is that many people voting for McCain arn't voting for McCain, they are Voting to not have Obama, therefore showing Obama's list of shortcomings IS warranted.

bvm.....here's 2, plus a bonus.....sen. mccain has voted with his republicans in the senate 80% of the time....at first, i thought that rather hi...then i looked up sen. obama's record; 96% of the time he's voted with his democratic partners....seems to me, in these troubled times, we need a president who can work across the isle....don't you agree?.....2) his RUNNING MATE, joe biden, said just 2 months ago that sen. obama was "not ready to be president"......if he were a republican, the media's question would be; 'were you lying then, or are you lying now"....of course, with our corrupt media in the tank for sen. obama, no questioning is forthcoming......and BONUS 3) the very same sen. biden just recently told us to "mark my words", that we'd have an international crisis within 6 months of "president" obama taking office......not the argument i was looking for in a president; almost promised doom......have a nice one!

I personally am not worried about the economy. Why? Because my only concern is that my family and I have a roof over our heads, food, on our table, and a warm bed to sleep in. No matter who is president, my family will be fine because I work hard to make sure of that. I do not rely on the government to take care of my family, because that is my job.

Obama wanting to spread the wealth around is un-American. It punishes people who work hard and sacrifice a high standard of living for a while to get to a position of wealth while benifiting people who are lazy, spend recklessly, are not motivated, or are to irresponsible to take care of themselves and their family.

This just in: People who make $250,000+ per year pay taxes. Taxing them more because they make too much is rediculous and un-American. If they want to spread the wealth around, they can (as many of them do) donate to charity. After all, it is their money... They earned it.

The Globe needs to make the race seem close to sell more papers and advertising. Ditto every media company. Their second worst nightmare is for no one to be watching TV, checking the web, listening to radio, or reading the paper from now through Nov 4. Number One, and far worse, is for the race to be perceived as over already, driving down advertising revenue faster than the price of gas.

The media is the best friend McCain has, and he knows it. It would be the same if Obama were behind. Free press my derriere; the press is a whore.

This is a misleading article, treating spot polls as through they could reveal trends. It smells just like the rotten garbage that media put out for stock market and weather predictions beyond two days. For the most thorough record of voter opinion trends that is currently available, see Rasmussen Reports at www.rasmussenreports.com/ public_content/ politics/ election_20082/ 2008_presidential_election/ general_election_match_up_history (remove spaces from this long URL).

Daily tracking since early June shows that support for Obama began to rise and for McCain began to fall about September 24, reaching fairly steady levels about a week later, with Obama rated at about 51% and McCain rated at about 45% for all of October so far. Variations have been 1 percentage point up or down and are not statistically significant. Still at issue is whether Rasmussen polling methods favor either candidate and whether the absolute results, not just the relative trends, are reliable.

Why in the world is the Boston Globe giving this headline so much attention? This poll is already being called into question and openly challenged by several national experts given 1) its incredibly skewed sample of 40% evangelicals, 2) the timing of its release by the already discredited Associated Press, not to mention 3)the principal writer of the AP release, Liz Sidoti who has a demonstrated Republican bias in her reporting. That this would be presented in any way as some impartial analysis for public view as such is quite damaging to the goals of impartial journalistic intent.

Gosh, so many right wing bottom feeders on here spouting hate for Obama and his "socialistic" ideas.... Guess they prefer Republican socialism for the Fortune 500? Get a grip trolls--your party has all but destroyed our great country. Let the grownups take over.... OBAMA/BIDEN 08/12!!!!

I love how this article implies that flap over a $150,000 clothing expenditure will impact the polls while completely ignoring the impact of Biden's comments regarding the imminent terrorist attack we will face upon Obama assuming office, and Obama's own "spread the wealth" comments.

"Would the last honest reporter please turn on the lights" - Orson Scott Card (D) 10/5/08

@Dantheman:

>> I personally am not worried about the economy. Why? Because my only concern is that my family and I have a roof over our heads, food, on our table, and a warm bed to sleep in.

OK... so when the economy gets worse, and you lose your job, how do you plan on paying your mortgage, buying food and heating your house so that the bed you sleep in is warm?

EricR11-

You know what I find humorous? When Obama supporters, particularly Globe readers, see something printed that can maybe perhaps be somewhat a little bit negative to Obama and they act like the media has a huge Republican bias. All the while they are unrelentlessly attacking Palin with false accusations about her personal life and rediculous articles about how much McCains shoes cost.

I think it is past the point of voting for a party. I have always considered myself a democrat but no way since this party seems to have moved completely to "socialism" and so far left that I have been left more or less in the middle. McCain has the experience and has fought for our country which none of you would be able to post on this or any other site if it were not for men like McCain who does believe in America and has been proud to be American and shown that by fighting for our country and suffering as a POW! Now, do I believe he is going to solve all of our problems, no way, but I do feel he has America at heart and will certainly understand and does understand what this war is all about. I also believe he will have to do his best and has the understanding on our economy. By the way, it seems no one wants to remember that the subprime rate did not start with President Bush but with President Clinton if I'm not mistaken and that was the start of this economic mess. There is not one party or one man that can solve the complete utter disastrous recession that we not face but we must choose someone who at least has had experience and someone who does love our country. NOT just a POLITICIAN that wants the #1 job and changes his story like a cameleon. Surely you people can see this and I certainly don't hate OBAMA, I just don't believe in him and I am scared to death to see what this man would lead our country in to!!!! By the way, I like you, have a right to voice my opinion, thanks to men like McCAIN!

National Polls don't matter. In a presidential race the only thing that matters is the electoral college and in most polls Obama has well over the 270 needed.
If you want to look at polls, look at the polls of individual states.

Perplexed,

If that were to happen to me, I guess I would have to get another job!

If I needed more money... I guess I would get a second job!

Finally, if it didn't all add up still... I guess I would have to decrease my standard of living a little! Maybe instead of putting new rims on my car, I would use that money pay my rent. I don't know thats just me.

McCain and Sarah - don't cha just luv 'em? If this is the best that the Republican Party can put forward in 2008 then something is terribly wrong with American politics.

Even Jerry Springer with Nancy Reagan as his running mate would make a better pair. (And that's Nancy with or without her broken pelvis).

Andy,
Your grown up has decided that 40 million people who pay no income tax and put nothing in the overall pot are now going to get free checks from those people who have been smart enough to have success. Steal from the pockets of those who worked hard to get where they are to give to people who have given nothing to this government. WOW..that is a grown up idea. Reward those who do not deserve. Let's forget the fact that the top 5% already give 60% of all the money taken from taxes.
Let's talk about the grown up idea of raising capital gains to 28% in a down economy, so businesses will have to raise prices or cut jobs. In 1999 Clinton lowered the Capital gains and the economy grew, average annual income grew, and the government brought in more money becuase of this. Bush did the same in 2002 and the result had the same positive effects.

So your grown up with no economic experience decides well we should still play robin hood economics because that is how i will the vote

Obama, if elected will go down in history as the next Jimmy Carter. Four wasted years of nothing but trying to redistribute the wealth. It was Carter who enacted the Urban Redevelopment Act in 1977 which was the foundation of the leading mess we are in now. Forcing banks to give loans to people who shouldn't have had them to begin with is absolutely horrific. But, for every administration since then to just sit by and let it happen is just as horrific. Obama's 4 years will be undoubtedly barren of Hope or Change. Every State of the Union he will do will be blaming the last 8 years on Bush. When he fails, which he will, he will fall back on his best talent which is pointing the finger at someone else. That is the Democrat way now isn't. I mean, look at the wonderful state of Massachusetts. We always want to blame someone else for the problems we allow to happen. Come on, you know deep down that you do. Just look at the news. Look in the mirror people. Honestly, it's our fault and no one elses. You all know this. And if you don't, you've proved my point.

Quesiton: How many of those decrying 'socialism' here could even define it without going to wikipedia or google???

@Dantheman,

Ok... your main argument is that you don't worry about the economy. Some people are having a hard enough time finding A job, where do you plan on finding 2 that would be sufficient enough to pay your mortgage et. al. But you seem to have it all planned out. No need to worry about the economy...

I love the left wingers here who immediately point to the sampling of the polls that show the race neck and neck and immediately dismiss them calling them outliners. Yet they have no issues with the methodology or sampling of the polls that show Obama leading by 14 points.

I'm even more frustrated with "media experts" who are now pushing the electoral college and state polls. State polls are even more unreliable than national polls because of their much smaller sample size and the fewer number of polls conducted. Each day at least three new national polls will be released. Battleground states are lucky if they get 3 per week. Sample sizes are around 3,000 with the good national polls, yet many state polls are as small as 500.

Next we'll get my favorite - exit polling. Because waiting 4 more hours for the real results is clearly much too long. Everyone needs to stop trying to predict and start encouraging all American to get out and vote. The only poll that matters is the one that actually counts real votes. To all the reporters trying to call this race and writing articles about the future - do us all a favor and shut up. The votes matter more than your egos. Let the American people create the future.

Ms Lynn, I believe your scared to death of change, any change. Have an OLD established politician in the WhiteHouse, nothing bad will happen. If you read his life history you'll find out that yes he is a hero, but not because he aspired to much, but because his father kicked and dragged and bought his way in. Sound familiar ... look at the idiot in office right now. While we should all be grateful for his service to this country and his sacrifice,(in another illegal war brought on by the OLD establishment) Lets not make Sen. McCain him into the second coming and Senator Obama into the antichrist. And I too am entitled to my opinions. My ancestors and many others helped with that. HE DIDN'T DO IT ALONE.

Ms Lynn, I believe your scared to death of change, any change. Have an OLD established politician in the WhiteHouse, nothing bad will happen. If you read his life history you'll find out that yes he is a hero, but not because he aspired to much, but because his father kicked and dragged and bought his way in. Sound familiar ... look at the idiot in office right now. While we should all be grateful for his service to this country and his sacrifice,(in another illegal war brought on by the OLD establishment) Lets not make Sen. McCain him into the second coming and Senator Obama into the antichrist. And I too am entitled to my opinions. My ancestors and many others helped with that. HE DIDN'T DO IT ALONE.

How could anyone vote for a Republican after the last eight years of treason? If anyone had read the constitution and took a look at the actions of our leader they would understand how poorly our country performed under the Republicans.

America as Greg Balast has presented from the BBC news,
"the 2004 election was an I.Q. test, and the American's flunked."

I'm sick to my stomach that anyone could vote for those crooks.

I currently work on the weekends as a youth ice hockey official... It pays $25-$35 a game, I do 6-10 games a week. Give me your e-mail if your interested I could help you get started. As for my day job... I probably make less than you but I am very careful with my spending and I am going to keep working hard until I am in a position of wealth.

Treason? Mr Holden? The only treason I've seen in a while would be Bill Clinton's fat friend removing documents from the national archives in his socks and underwear. Or how about Bill and his friends giving China the capability to launch rockets theat dont blow up before the first stage separates. Treason? Nuts.

THe race is tightening and if there's any sense left in America, we will NOT elect this unvetted fool, this potential sleeper agent, this communist to the White House.

Dear Pat Lynn,
Question, have you been hiding for the last eight years. Disaster, we all are living in a disaster, one created by George Bush and agreed upon by McCain 90% of the time. Did you hear that, yet I should not trust your party again. You know what I say, HELL NO. The party of the rich is about to be out of the oval office, start packing, you can now begin packing to shoot a moose. BYE BYE Pat, Sarah, and John, go cling to your guns.

Whats the most amusing of all this is that the New York Times co (that owns Boston Globe and thus, Boston.com) is an extremely conservative media outlet.

Bear Stern Securities, Brown Brothers Harriman, Charles Schwab, Citibank, Goldman, Sachs & Co., JP Morgan Chase Bank and Merill Lynch are or were MAJOR stockholders. If you werent aware, stockholders that have a majority stake in a corporation have an overarching say in the companies values and expressed beliefs, as they essentially own the company.

But yes, the Globe is a liberal "rag" ... this is almost as funny as Pat Lynns argument that McCain + Palin are true Americans. Palin belonged to the Alaskan Independence Party and McCain will further extend the socialist seeds that Bush has willingly planted and nurtured over the past 8 years through his scare tactics and drum banging over the "terrorists". Oh thats right, as notbandwagon pointed out, socialism has recently become a republican ideal, not a democratic one.

I am so disgusted with what is happening now in presidential campaign.
In short, the evil are persecuting the righteous. Sarah Palin and MaCain are true patriots and courageous leaders for the job of presidency.
In my view, Obama has no principle of his own. He only has a good brain and verbal skill. He has a so-called "presidential disease" for a long time. He wanted to become president of the US from his childhood as did many of Kennedy clans. That was why he began his career as a community organizer. He is also like John Kerry.
In general, persons with "presidential disease" are politically smart to advance themselves. In a critical situation they would do anything to achieve their goal.
The presidential disease is very harmfull not only to the person who has it but also to the nation. We should not elect such a person.
On the other hand, in my view, Sarah Pailin is a really admirable person who has courage and intelligence. How many of you liberals have courage and compassion to carry a disabled child to the full term like her? Those who ridicule her are people of no courage and no compassion. They are willing to discard their own handicaped children because they are too afraid to raise them.
Sarah did not have presidential disease. She was "called to serve" by those who saw in her a special quality of leadership, intelligence and integrity. She, as the governor of Alaska, let her only son (if we exclude her last son..) to Iraq fighting for his country, which she could easily prevent.
MaCain and his wife also should be commended for their humanitarian effort and courage in their raising up a poor handicaped child by adopting her into their family. I didn't see such a heroic life model in any liberal politicians. Their words and their actual life usually do not match. Liberal politicians' main focus seem to be on how to get more votes from people by promising a lot "politically correct plans." That is why they tend to raise taxes and spend as if the money is theirs.
I have not seen many liberal politicians who are truly patriotic and having integrity with moral principle.
That's why I bold declared in the beginning that the evil are persecuting the righteous! I think there are so many messed-up people in major media especially in CNN and MSNBC who have no principle and no future vision.

ything to ahieve

MOST REPUBLICANS I HAVE TALKED TO HAVE ADMITTED THEY DO NOT REALLY CARE FOR MCCAIN.. BUT THEY ARE SURE AS HELL NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THAT AMERICAN HATER, MUSLUM TO RUN THE COUNTRY..

GESSSSS.. I TRY TILL IM BLUE IN THE FACE TELLING THEM HE IS A CHRISTIAN AND 100% AMERICAN.. AND THEY THINK IM STUPID AS HELL.. ITS LIKE THIS REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA HAS GOTTEN SO VERY BAD, THAT THEY WOULD VOTE FOR SOMEONE FOR OUR OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES THAT ISNT EVEN QUALIFIED.. BASED ON LIES... GESSS.. I DONT GET IT AT ALL! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH HIM IN ONE OF HIS SPEECHES AND KNOW OBAMA IS FOR REAL..

AND ALL THOSE FAMILY,FRIENDS AND STRANGERS WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THIS REPUBLICAN PROPANGANDA, BUT WILL REFUSE TO LOOK AT ANY PROOF OR VIDEOS I HAVE PROVING THEM WRONG..

HOW C L O S E D M I N D E D !

I HOPE OBAMA WINS..i have never in my life been so excited about an election... I VOTE TODAY :) GESS ALMOST EVERYONE WOULD VOTE FOR HIM IF IT WERENT FOR ALL THAT PROPAGANDA.. AND FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS THEY ARE CHOOSING MCCAIN:(( sad day if mccain wins.. for all of us:(

Even sadder if Obama does win, McCain has created so much hate towards Obama, its scary.. there are people all over the blogs and forums saying the most horrid things about obama,, based on McCains smear campaign.. republicans are filled with so much hate towards Obama and its teaching republican kids to hate.. allot of kids go to these forums and express their hate and rage towards Obama based on what they hear form their parents.. I HATE TO THINK WHAT THE NEXT GENERATIONS ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE LIKE.. OMG.. CAN U IMAGINE:( its like mccain has started this avllanche with words.. that started with one word..terrorist and the McCain voters went from their and aaare saying some pretty scary things.. becuz mccain is spreading so much hate..

i cant believe people are considering voting in the same party that has ran this country into the ground when it comes to economics. Obama wants to end the war which will save money in its self for one, and no matter how many times obama says he is only going to raise the taxes on the rich Mccain turs around and says the opposite. Mccain voted with bush 91% of the time. He says he is not Bush but he wants to give tax breaks to the rich out of claim that it will creat more jobs which is what bush has been doing the last 8 yrs and obviously has not worked thus far. i agree that mccain/palin are dividing the country not bringing it together. there is much more to talk about but that would take all day Obama 08!

Obama can finish if he continues his truth that McCain voted just like the President wanted.He was more interested in serving the party than taking care of the American people.More important to support an unjust war than to see that ALL children gets a good education that would inspire more"Joe the Plumbers".We do not need to make up a lie for the truth tells us the entire story.

I love how everyone in here is talking about how "scared they are of Obama."
Why? Because he's black? Because he's muslim? What the fuck does it matter.
You racist fucking faggots, you'd rather elect a border-line senile and border-line retarded president and vice-president than a well trained and experienced combo of P and VP only simple because Obama is black?
Listen to me, really do. You people are the reason America gets made fun of.
Go fuck yourselves.

If the liberal media would just stop talking about the last 8 years maybe the Republicans would have a chance. The Repubs take zero responsibility, then cry that only they could get us out of this mess after they voted for GW over McCain in the first place. I think if they call Obama an arab terrorist a couple more times they might win.

Not sure who is getting poled and where but if you were at the Sarah Palin rally today in Springfield you would have seen that they are not polling here.

Even with the cold weather and the extremely long lines people turned out by the thousands. They are excited about McCain - PALIN and I stress PALIN.

When you look into the methodology, you can see that the main difference between the rest of the polls (+5-6% for Obama) and the two in question is the criteria for "likely voters" Likely voters in the two polls referenced in the article are defined more narrowly than the others....with a greater emphasis on whether the person interviewed voted in the last election.
It doesn't mean the group that comes in with a 5-6% advantage for Obama is right and the other two are wrong...they just are not easily compared due to the variance in methodology.

Nice hard hitting reporting Foon on that $150,000. Thank goodness you don't want to waste any time on any "spreading the wealth around" or "three lettered word...JOBS, J-O-B-S, Jobs". Or how Biden said that "Obama will be tested right after the election if he wins and you won't be happy with our response"....whatever THAT means. Nope, why cover anything at all that could even suggest you and the Globe aren't in the tank for The Chosen One.

No, I am not scared of Obama because he is black, or has muslim ties or whatever. Those things are not what "matters" - as a friend upline here has so eloquently stated it. Anyway, here is why I am greatly distressed.

What matters is who he is in relationship to personally, in business, socially and politically. His history is clear that those he chooses to relate to, be trained by, be close to and do business with, and/or receive money from do not have the best interests of the you's and me's at heart - the real America that just gets up every morning and goes to work and is responsible.

What do we all value? Freedom for one- we are doing it right now in these dialogues. People died for that and are still dying AS WE SPEAK. The guys who brought down the Towers hated us. Would you die to keep the right to speak your mind whenever you wanted to - AND use the words you wanted to? They believed their religion so much they did that. PLs don't forget why they did it and they are moving into our neighborhoods. As soon as there is a certain % of them their religion says they are allowed to declare jihad on whatever community they live in. There is an increasing number of mosques going up all over the US - Google it and research for yourself. Under an Obama administration they would not put any thing in place to stop it - see? He isn't "American" in the sense that we will be protected. I have Muslim friends - they re lovely people. But their leaders are not.

HIS historical INABILITY TO CHOOSE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF AMERICAN FREEDOM, and our protection from the enemies outside the borders is a serious problem. He can have whatever friends he wants in private - but when these people are his advisors and have their hands out for the favors they have given to get him where he is - "Houston, we have a problem"

I just can't vote for him based on his lack of integrity in leadership relationships.
hearmeout@usa.com

I want people who are thinking about not voting to realize you have other choices, it is your right to vote and you need to take that right. You can always vote indepentant or libertaian, BOB Burr so please get out and vote you can make a difference