Most polls still have Obama in the lead, there is one out there that has it tied up. And Zogby has McCain now in the lead.
Here are a few polls:
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/po...ity%20poll.pdf
This one appears to be attempting to tell the blue team how they can make-up some ground on the national security issue. But what they say seems to be exactly what the blue team has already been doing, and they have been loosing ground.
From the linky:
Quote:
Which party will better handle National security:
Red team - 49
Blue team - 35
Which party will better handle combatting terrorism:
Red team - 48
Blue team - 33
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According to the poll the blue team was gaining ground on this issue from mid '03 all the way thru until around Oct '07 (they took a hit around Dec '06 but had been recovering). Ever since Oct '07 the blue team has been loosing ground on this issue.
From the linky:
Quote:
Which party do you associate more with the term "Too hesitant to use force"?
Likely voters:
Red team: 21
Blue team: 59
Undecideds:
Red team: 11
Blue team: 59
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The report in regard to the poll seems to count these numbers against the blue team. But I don't think it is bad for the leaders to be hesitant to use force.
A couple of quotes included in the report on the hesitancy to use force:
From a Democratic man, Virginia Beach:
Quote:
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Democrates don't want to win. They don't want to kick ass.
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From an Independent Woman, Virginia Beach:
Quote:
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If there was a bully in the play yard that's going to throw dirt in my face, I think the Democrats might let him go just to get along but the Republicans wouldn't and they'll standup for this country a little bit better than Democrats will.
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Quote:
Do you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job of ensuring a strong military?
Red team - 57
Blue team - 27
Both/Neither - 16
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The report indicates that most Americans feel the Democrats follow the polls, not their principles:
A quote from an independent man, Columbus:
Quote:
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You are on a teeter totter (with the Democrats0. Okay, today the wind is blowing this way so I'm going to be able to go here. Tomorrow, the wind will change direction and I'll go over here.
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This is another point where I am not so sure this is completely a negative. Will it is good for one to stand by their principles. There is also a point at which elected officials have to consider the feelings/ principles of those who have elected them as well. Not a clear picture either way because I think there certainly are situation where one should stand by their convitions come hell or high water, while there are others in which they should possibly conceed to the wishes of those that have elected them.
The main things those whole completed this report think need to be done for the blue team to take back ground on this issue are:
Quote:
Define the Republican approach as "reckless and out of touch"
Define the Democratic approach as "tough and smart"
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Which it seems to me have already been the points the blue team have been using all along - yet they still seem to be loosing ground.
A couple of more posts with polls to follow.