According to this article from Bloomberg.com, the latest polls show Obama up by 15 points over John McCain. The poll, which includes independent candidates Bob Barr and Ralph Nader (who combine for 7% of the vote) also gives Obama the advantage in voters minds on some of the most important issues; the economy, health care and taxes, though McCain is still believed to be the more experienced candidate to deal with the (never ending) “war on terror.”
McCain has also gotten a boost for his recent decision to support off shore oil drilling, which is not surprising. With has at $4+ a gallon for most people (it costs me more than $50 to fill my gas tank) anyone who wants to do something to help bring prices down is going to get votes. That said, I don’t believe this is a long term option and while it’s good pandering for John McCain, we need to focus on alternative energy sources for real, instead of hoping to find a bunch of oil lying around.
I did find this quote interesting, however:
On an optimistic note for both candidates, neither race nor age emerges as a significant factor.
The article doesn’t say how how they are measuring this, but surely they’re not just asking people whether McCain’s age or Obama’s race are an issue? Because, who, aside from the unabashedly racist are going to say that they wont vote for Obama because he is African American? Race is an issue among some people, whether they’ll admit it or not when the polling places call, so that should be taken into consideration.
There’s also the Newsweek poll showing Obama up 15. Both polls show many, many, many more voters identifying themselves as Democrats than as Republicans. With that kind of anti-Republican sentiment, it is very difficult to see how Obama loses.
It’s difficult to imagine, but I’m sure they’re cooking up some way to swift boat him before the election, or prey on stupid people’s fears of terrorism and non-white people.
Nice sample in the poll – 22% Republicans. I dont doubt Obama is up right now, but this poll is trash.