The pundits are having trouble explaining why Barack Obama is only 5 points ahead in favorable ratings in the national polls when issues are broken down individually show Obama not only ahead by 10 to 20 points, but also with numbers favoring Democrats over Republicans even higher. So the question is why McCain is as close as he is.
One silly thing about these polls is Fox News.
The big polling places give Obama a +6 but Fox News gives him a +1. Which drops the average down to about +4. RCP Polling
There is something to the Fox News poll that the professional polling places are leaving out. The Bradley Effect which concerns how those questioned in polls lie about their racial tolerance. I would guess that difference would be at about 5%. The same number Fox News has come to terms with. After all, Fox marketing understands full well the racist nature and attitudes of their audience, which is the largest news audience in America.
So now we have further increased the disconnect! Oh no! Both party and issues put John McCain 20 points behind but now factoring in the Bradley Effect it’s a toss up.
So what is it?
Well, it is partly that flag waving lapel pin wearing jingoism, along with respect for tenure and age over the young whippersnapper and a bit of that Americana of liking hot headed cowboys as long as they are funny when they are shooting. But that’s not the problem in the here and now.
Remember we are dealing with the American voter. The only people who say they are intelligent are those looking for votes, those who are supported by advertising, or are the parachoial God fearing nitwits themselves. The rest of us understand full well this drawer for the dull knives and loaded guns are so easily manipulated by those with the most money that they will accept anything they WISH to believe. Remember, the majoirity of American voters believe in Creationism over Evolution. Democracy has been redefined as money driven media concensus.
In this case it is DRILLING! Just like when the peanuts stop arriving on monkey island, or the dinner bell rings in Pavlov’s lab, the numbers rolling up on that gas pump causes reason to wane and saliva to build.
Drill at South Beach!
Drill in the Hamptons!
Drill in Malibu!
Drill the Great Lakes!
Drill on top of Old Faithful!
Come on Barack! Come on Nancy! Come on Harry! Democrats! You are going to lose this election over this!
It has been embedded into us for a generation, it’s the key to the conservative propaganda machine since Rush Limbaugh appeared in 1988. This is the RNC and the GOP and the conservative movements’ WINNING ISSUE! Environmental Whackos who are green on the outside and red on the inside! East Coast Elitists and Hollywood Socialists! Liberals who are smarter, more educated and better looking than they are!
And what the Hell with smart people soon taking over, before the stupid people actually begin drilling in ten years, the problem will be solved and oil used use only in "Plastics" – as Ben was wisely advised.