Some straight talk -- McCain will probably gain some strength...

[brooklynite]

I'm not trying to be depressing, but just realistic, and am saying this to fortify people in the coming days. We've had a long run of good political news, and sudden shifts tend to generate reactions of disbelief, anger and frustration, so consider this.

McCain was tougher last night than in the previous debates, and showed a bit more crispness in his assertations than he usually does. As a result, I suspect he'll pick up 1-2 points in daily polling, largely as a result of disaffected conservatives coming home. This will in turn likely lead to a passel of commentators pointing to a tightening of the race, with conservative apologists again claiming Obama "can't close the deal".

My point in saying this is to prepare people to ride out the (probably mild) storm. The voting fundamentals are still in our favor; the dip in our numbers will probably be small, and the trend line will eventually shift back to the gradual gain we've been enjoying for two weeks now.

[Zynx]

1. 1-2 pts is not worth mentioning.

[JCMach1]

2. Yep, 1-2 base points... that's it...

and mostly a polling aberration.

[lamp_shade]

3. Yes... I agree. I expect that he'll pick up 1 or 2... maybe 3 points.

[Thrill]

4. Thats fine. Then people will see how important it is to get out the vote

[WeDidIt]

5. The undecideds will start to move

But the trendlines are clear and the current numbers have pretty much solidified. Though the overall difference will tighten, expecrt Obama to remain at least about where he is or 1 to 2 poibnts higher as the undecideds start deciding.

[mscuedawg]

6. I agree...last night, Obama won the debate...this morning, it has slid to McCain

...I just PRAY the election doesn't follow suit...

[Zynx]

7. That didn't make much sense.

[mscuedawg]

8. So you've noticed too?

Edited to add: I've become so cynical thru all this...sometimes I wonder if its just me!!!

[Zynx]

10. I meant your comment that "it slid to McCain". That didn't make any sense as in

it has no basis in fact unless you were being sarcastic.

[mscuedawg]

11. I guess you weren't watching Morning Joe...

I should have elaborated ... my apologies...

and I'll throw this in for clarification :sarcasm:

[book_worm]

13. I never watch Morning Joe--I'd expect him to shill for McCain.

[Virginia Dare]

16. They also sat around and talked about what a nice guy Dick Cheney was..

how he was the most respected man in Washington. Real political sages, that bunch.

[IsItJustMe]

22. Don't know what news you are watching. Must be Fox.

[nyccitizen]

9. Based on what? Press seems to be the same as last night to me...

[BumRushDaShow]

12. "Tougher" turned off all the focus groups

because the "toughness" didn't relate to the issues and takes on the appearance of a personal vendetta. In a chaotic world, being erratic and vindictive doesn't work. Calm and steady and reasoned is what people want.

McKKKlan's bringing up of Ayers solidified his negatives. The only people who will cheer are the bottom-feeder knuckle-draggers who are still clinging to his party, and they are a small percent... Every day, more and more repukes are jumping ship.

No need to hand-wring.

[alwysdrunk]

14. Close the deal? The election closes the deal

Please don't tell me people are still saying that BS line.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

18. Buchanan is

For all THAT is worth.:eyes:

[DainBramaged]

15. Among who? McPlumbers who live with their mothers?

People who didn't see McGrumpy's facial remarks? People who were bigots and just pretending in the polls? I don't buy it.

[Virginia Dare]

17. I think David Brooks said it best last night..

people have watched the three debates trying to decide which guy they want to see on their teevee for the next four years. Crazy ass erractic mean old man McCain, or calm cool collected and introspective Obama?

[LeftinOH]

19. Anyone who hasn't made up their mind by now is *certifiably* stupid...n/t

[WCGreen]

20. I think Palin brought home the disaffected conservatives a while ago...

They are fighting over the 5-10% who consider themselves "independent"...

[WinkyDink]

21. He was RUDE, CONDESCENDING, and GROTESQUE.

[last1standing]

23. "DUmmies Begin to Hunker Down (Full Panic Mode)"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107024/posts

Just thought everyone would like to see how this thread reads through the prism of diseased minds. :rofl:

[brooklynite]

25. Ooooh! I've been quoted in FR? I feel so honored!

[stevietheman]

24. Our side can easily spin 1-2 point changes as "natural poll fluctuations" during this mild storm....

if it happens.

Also take into account though that Obama may have moved a lot of independents and undecideds his way as well, perhaps enough to overtake any potential McCain gains from his base.