Florida's Undecided Voters Now Leaning to Obama

The St. Petersburg Times reports that its focus group of undecided Florida voters has shifted dramatically towards Barack Obama in the past two months. Interviews conducted with these voters in late August found them "decidedly antagonistic" towards the Illinois Senator, with a number of them leaning towards voting for Republican John McCain. Now, however, nine of the carefully selected undecideds are planning to vote for Obama, while one remains "torn" and only one is supporting McCain. 

What has pushed these voters into the Obama camp? In two words: Sarah Palin. Many in the focus group view the Alaska Governor as "unqualified", "divisive" and "grating". Also figuring prominently in these voters'  decision to vote for Obama was a dramatic change in their perceptions of his character, integrity and willingness to seek advice from all quarters, even from those who might disagree with some of his policy positions.

Citing his observations of the two Presidential candidates over the past two months, one previously undecided voter who is now going to vote for Obama, said, "I was looking at their character... watching them, their movements, hand gestures, faces... you can tell."  

Who Is Georgia's Saxby Chambliss Really Helping?

Here is a great example of political creativity by a progressive blogger with a bias for action. Incumbent Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss is being challenged by Democrat Jim Martin in Georgia's US Senate race. 

Waging a vigorous campaign over the past couple of months, Martin has closed the gap and now has Chambliss in a race too close to call. All Democrats who recall the vicious smear campaign Chambliss conducted against former Senator (and Vietnam war hero) Max Cleland in 2002 will want to help Martin retire the Georgia Republican for good. 

Please visit the Martin website and make a donation to Martin's campaign today.

h/t: OpenLeft

New Obama Ad: McCain Is Not On Your Side

A sizzling new television spot from the Obama campaign:

It's scheduled to begin running in a number of battleground and swing states as early as this evening.

Today's Tracking Polls: Wiggle, Wobble

Here are the tracking poll results for today, October 21st.

Gallup Daily Tracking:  Obama 52%, McCain 42%

Rasmussen Daily Tracking:  Obama 50%, McCain 46%

Diageo/Hotline Daily Tracking:  Obama 47%, McCain 41%  

Research 2000 Daily Tracking:  Obama 50%, McCain 42%

GA Senate: Chambliss In Big Trouble

A seat in the US Senate with Saxby Chambliss' name on it is no longer safe. The Washington Post this morning has a write-up about Democrat Jim Martin and his sudden surge in polls. Exposing Chambliss as being at the "root of the problem," Martin continues to hammer away at his opponent's poor economic track record.

Martin has a clear momentum advantage and plenty enough time to make up what little margin he's behind. ElectBlue currently projects the race to be leaning Republican for the moment. Pollster.com projects the race as too close to call (chart below). Click here for Washington Times story.

Is Your State Ready For November 4th ?

With a growing concern of a total meltdown of the election system this year, we will be releasing specific details of what we find in our State Election Readiness Survey.

We begin our research today in Nevada. After speaking to a public official from the Nevada Secretary of State office today, we find that Nevada has taken steps to increase the numbers of voting machines and polling places in the state's two largest counties.

Here are the details of those changes as outlined by the Nevada Secretary of State:

Anticipating record turnout, Nevada has increased the number of polling places and voting machines in its two population centers, and has increased opportunitiesfor early voting throughout the state, increasing voter accessibility.

More Polling Locations
Clark County:
2008: 339 Polling Locations
2004: 329 Polling Locations

Washoe County:
2008:  99 Polling Locations
2004:  92 Polling Locations

More Voting Machines
Clark County:
2008:  4,041 Machines
       807,721 Registered Voters
      199 Voters per Machine
2004:  2,895 Machines
      684,313 Registered Voters
     236 Voters per Machine

Washoe County:
2008:  1,327 Machines
      231,470 Registered Voters
      174 Voters per machine
2004:  1,117 Machines
      233,095 Registered Voters
      209 Voters per Machine

Statewide the number of voting machines has increased from 4,913 in the 2004 election to 6,888 for the 2008 election. The increase in machines has reduced the number of voters per machine statewide from 218 voters per machine in 2004
to 174 voters per machine in 2008.

The Brennan Center of Justice, in a state-by-state survey of their own, found that Nevada does need improvement in their preparedness as it relates to contingency plans in the event of an emergency. There is no state mandate requiring counties in Nevada to use emergency paper ballots in the case of machine failure.

The report gave Nevada generally good marks in other areas such as ballot reconciliation and post-election audits. For full details of the Brennan Center of Justice report, click here.

McCain Campaign Bails On Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa

CNN's John King is reporting that the McCain-Palin campaign is throwing in the towel on three key battleground states: Colorado, New Mexico and Iowa. In order to reach an electoral vote majority of 270, the Republican ticket is now going all-out for victories in Florida, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada and a very long shot come-back in Pennsylvania. 

Only by winning all six of these states does McCain have a chance at garnering the necessary electoral votes to secure the Presidency on November 4th. Talk about a 'Hail Mary' pass!   

h/p: Taegan Goddard

7-11 Election Spirit - Hail To the Beans!

They successfully predicted the outcome of the 2000 and 2004 elections.  7-11 began its 7-Election campaign in 2000 when their candidate cup sales showed very similar results to final vote totals between Gore and Bush.  In 2004, Bush cups outsold Kerry's by 2%.

One cup sold equals one vote. Results are published weekly in the USA Today and can also be found here.  Currently, Obama leads McCain 60-40 nationally. We hope they're right again.  Drink up!

Obama Signs Draped Over Dead Bear in NC

The Asheville Citizen-Times is reporting that a bear cub was found dead with two Obama signs draped over it. The bear was found on the campus of Western Carolina University. 

An official with the WCU Police Department could not immediately comment on the investigation or say whether or not the identity of the person responsible was known. The same official however did offer this formal response.

"Western Carolina University deplores the inappropriate behavior that has led to this troubling incident. We cannot speculate on the motives of the people involved or who those people might be."

The statement further acknowledged that campus police are cooperating with other law enforcement authorities.

Full story here.

Obama Opens Up With Both Barrels On McCain's Sleazy Tactics

Campaigning in Florida this morning, Barack Obama demonstrated he can give as good as he gets. Watch this video clip (courtesy of TPM):

 

Video: Moose Ad From MoveOn

Latest from MoveOn hits Palin's experience

Breaking News: Bill Clinton to Campaign for Lunsford in KY

In a press release issued just minutes ago, the US Senate campaign of Bruce Lunsford announced that former President Bill Clinton will be stumping for the Bluegrass Democrat this Friday, October 24th. Lunsford is in a tight race to unseat incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell who is also the Senate Minority Leader.

Current plans are for the former President to make campaign appearances with Lunsford at two western Kentucky rallies, one in Paducah and another in Bowling Green. Additional details about the Clinton-Lunsford campaign events are expected later today.

Last month, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) also campaigned for Lunsford, holding rallies in Lexington and Pikeville.

Rasmussen: Obama +10 in VA

Obama needs 18 electoral votes beyond the 2004 Kerry states to get to 270.  He's built a firewall in VA (13) and IA (7) where McCain has fallen way behind.  Obama is also currently leading by strong margins in Colorado (9).

Here's today's Rasmussen poll in Virginia.

Today's Tracking Polls: Up a Point Here, Down a Point There

Here are the tracking poll results for today, October 20th.

Gallup Daily Tracking:  Obama 52%, McCain 41%

Rasmussen Daily Tracking:  Obama 50%, McCain 46%

Diageo/Hotline Daily Tracking:  Obama 47%, McCain 42%  

Research 2000 Daily Tracking:  Obama 50%, McCain 42%

Newspaper Endorsements Score: 115 - 38

Barack Obama now has a total of 115 newspaper endorsements according to the journal, Editor & Publisher. John McCain has received endorsements from just 38.

Other scores...

Presidential Debates:  

Obama 3  McCain 0

Fundraising:   

Obama  >$600 million    McCain $85 million (taxpayer funded)

Daily Tracking Polls:

Obama 8   McCain 0  

 

Pictures with your tongue sticking out:  

Obama 0    McCain  at least one

h/t: Taegan Goddard