Obama Bump Real

25 June 2008 |permalink | email article

Dismiss skepticism by the chattering media class that a recent Newsweek poll showing Obama with a 15-point lead over McCain is an outlier.

A new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll shows that Obama has opened up a 12-point lead over McCain by 49% to 37% nationally.

On a four-man ballot, adding independent Ralph Nader and Libertarian Bob Barr, Obama’s lead increases to 15 points.

Obama’s advantage stems in large part from his positions on domestic issues. Democrats and independents say he would to a better job than McCain in handling the nation’s economic problems, the public’s top concern.

More signs are beginning to proliferate that the Republican brand is in trouble. Bush’s approval rating is a stunning 23%, a new low for the LAT/B survey.

McCain, the poll finds, has a major “enthusiasm gap,” notably among voters who describe themselves as conservatives. Only 58% say they will vote for McCain; 15% say they back Obama.

Among evangelicals and voters as part of the religious right, he is polling less than 60%.

Obama does well among a broad range of voters: Ahead among women, blacks and other minorities – and running roughly even among white voters and independents. Only 11% of Clinton voters have defected to McCain.

The poll’s suggestion is this is an election that is the Democrats’ to lose.

Quotes of the Day

*** “Accidentally speak a truth that many people on both sides of the aisle believe.” – Attributed to journalist Michael Kinsley and applicable to the classic Washington gaffe by McCain chief strategist Charlie Black in saying that a terrorist attack would be a ‘big advantage” for McCain, but disavowed by the candidate.

*** “Scratch any cynic and you will find a disappointed idealist.” – The late stand-up comedian and master of words George Carlin, who chafed at society, politics, religion, the media and conventional wisdom.

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