9/24/2008
The Washington Post and ABC News released poll results today showing Senator Obama ahead by 9 points. Is this an outlier or the current state of the presidential campaign?
My gut tells me that right now, while a bit high, these results are probably more true than false. Senator McCain and Governor Palin have been relentlessly attacked by the media in the past two weeks. Attacks have ranged from substantial to the very petty.
Meanwhile, there have been very few in-depth looks at the Obama Campaign. The fact that Senator Biden has several times contradicted Senator Obama, even speaking out against one of Obama’s attack ads. The fact that Senator Obama has received over $100,000 in donations from Freddie and Fannie, etc.
As usual, the media standard for Democratic candidates is different. Not only does the Obama Campaign have substantial resources for their own ads, but it seems to me, the full force of the mainstream media is now deployed on behalf of the Obama Campaign.
A case in point is Campbell Brown’s silly rant today that Senator McCain is guilty of sexism for, of all things, not allowing the media to hound Governor Palin while she is out campaigning for and with Senator McCain. Granted, Senator Biden talks to the press a bit more, but Senator Obama himself does not give the media all that much access for questions. Both campaigns are controlling media access right now because the race is close and no one wants an accidental slip that would generate negative media buzz.
But in terms of sexist behavior, why not mention all the sexist questions regarding Governor Palin’s “fitness” for the office of VP because she’s a Mom? And why not mention the hateful statements that have been directed at Govenor Palin, such as the comment from Sandra Bernard that she’d better not show up in Manhattan lest she be raped by some of her “Black brothers.” The Washington Post actually wrote a favorable review of Bernard’s performance!
The thing to remember here is that, despite the clear momentum the Obama Campaign has gained recently, this race is far from over. Momentum has shifted back and forth and it will continue to do so.
On Friday, Senator’s McCain and Obama will have their first official debate. There are still many who consider themselves undecided and many who could be persuaded. This debate is hugely important for both campaigns.
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