Comments on: Gallup: Obama, McCain Tied At 45% http://donklephant.com/2008/08/25/gallup-obama-mccain-tied-at-45/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:22:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Doug Mataconis http://donklephant.com/2008/08/25/gallup-obama-mccain-tied-at-45/comment-page-1/#comment-414075 Doug Mataconis Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:49:12 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=7140#comment-414075 I read somewhere recently that there's a significant portion of the electorate that doesn't really begin to pay attention to the election until two weeks or so before Election Day. I read somewhere recently that there’s a significant portion of the electorate that doesn’t really begin to pay attention to the election until two weeks or so before Election Day.

]]> By: Rob in Denver http://donklephant.com/2008/08/25/gallup-obama-mccain-tied-at-45/comment-page-1/#comment-414074 Rob in Denver Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:42:09 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=7140#comment-414074 Doug wrote: "I’ve got to wonder how many average Americans, as opposed to political junkies such as you and I, are actually paying attention right now." That's the nut right there. Average Americans --- whatever that means --- probably won't start caring until after the first debate's in the can. Even then it might be iffy. Doug wrote:
“I’ve got to wonder how many average Americans, as opposed to political junkies such as you and I, are actually paying attention right now.”

That’s the nut right there. Average Americans — whatever that means — probably won’t start caring until after the first debate’s in the can. Even then it might be iffy.

]]> By: Doug Mataconis http://donklephant.com/2008/08/25/gallup-obama-mccain-tied-at-45/comment-page-1/#comment-414072 Doug Mataconis Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:28:06 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=7140#comment-414072 I think the odds of either candidate getting a significant convention bounce that actually lasts and changes the nature of the race are fairly slim. For one thing, the conventions are so close together this year that there won't be any time for an Obama convention bounce to even register in the polls before McCain names his VP running mate and, a few days later, the RNC begins. For another, both of these conventions are effectively sandwiching Labor Day Weekend, the end of summer, and back to school days. I've got to wonder how many average Americans, as opposed to political junkies such as you and I, are actually paying attention right now. I think the odds of either candidate getting a significant convention bounce that actually lasts and changes the nature of the race are fairly slim.

For one thing, the conventions are so close together this year that there won’t be any time for an Obama convention bounce to even register in the polls before McCain names his VP running mate and, a few days later, the RNC begins.

For another, both of these conventions are effectively sandwiching Labor Day Weekend, the end of summer, and back to school days. I’ve got to wonder how many average Americans, as opposed to political junkies such as you and I, are actually paying attention right now.

]]> By: Rob in Denver http://donklephant.com/2008/08/25/gallup-obama-mccain-tied-at-45/comment-page-1/#comment-414063 Rob in Denver Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:38:01 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=7140#comment-414063 Given the way the goal posts have gotten moved by the Clintons so often, I really don't think there was any way possible for Obama to appease Hillary's voters and still keep the nomination for himself. I don't believe that had Obama consulted with her on the VP choice --- as some are grousing about --- they'd have been happy if he didn't pick her. And if he'd picked her, they'd have complained it was because he was giving her the consolation prize and not because he actually wanted her. Given the way the goal posts have gotten moved by the Clintons so often, I really don’t think there was any way possible for Obama to appease Hillary’s voters and still keep the nomination for himself.

I don’t believe that had Obama consulted with her on the VP choice — as some are grousing about — they’d have been happy if he didn’t pick her. And if he’d picked her, they’d have complained it was because he was giving her the consolation prize and not because he actually wanted her.

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