Reuters Poll: McCain Leads Obama by 5 Points
August 20th, 2008 at 07:50am Matt Margolis
Camp Obama can’t be happy about this.
In a sharp turnaround, Republican John McCain has opened a 5-point lead on Democrat Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential race and is seen as a stronger manager of the economy, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
McCain leads Obama among likely U.S. voters by 46 percent to 41 percent, wiping out Obama’s solid 7-point advantage in July and taking his first lead in the monthly Reuters/Zogby poll.
The reversal follows a month of attacks by McCain, who has questioned Obama’s experience, criticized his opposition to most new offshore oil drilling and mocked his overseas trip.
Bottom line: the more people learn about Obama, the less they like.
Another part of the poll that should concern Obama:
McCain now has a 9-point edge, 49 percent to 40 percent, over Obama on the critical question of who would be the best manager of the economy — an issue nearly half of voters said was their top concern in the November 4 presidential election.
Will this bring about another rightward shift for Obama? Will Hillary have a surprise showing in the roll call vote at the convention? It appears Obama’s best day is already behind him.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Republicans
36 Comments
1. hermie | August 20th, 2008 at 8:30 am
If Zogby, a Dem-leaning pollster, has McCain leading by 5, it must be even worse for the Obamamessiah.
2. SEW | August 20th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Worse yet, he still has to face off in three debates.
Barry, show us your silver tongue, please. Show us those marxist thoughts, the guys you hung with at Columbia. The uhs, uhs, yea, you knows.
No wonder he reniged on his anytime, anywhere debate challenge. Uh, uh, you know, cool.
3. Rasmus | August 20th, 2008 at 9:02 am
“I’m going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.”
John McCain
4. Reuters Poll: McCain Lead&hellip | August 20th, 2008 at 9:03 am
[...] Continue Reading [...]
5. Retired Spook | August 20th, 2008 at 9:30 am
“I’m going to be honest: I know a lot less about economics than I do about military and foreign policy issues. I still need to be educated.”
Rasmus, and yet McCain has a 9 point edge on the question of who would be the best manager of the economy. What does that tell you about Obama’s knowledge of economics? Sounds like a case of “dumb and dumber” to me. I suspect Obama’s statement that he wants to double the capital gains rate, not because it would be a positive economic move but because it would insert an element of “fairness”, is going to haunt him for the remainder of the campaign. Every time the guy opens his mouth he loses votes.
6. SEW | August 20th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Maybe Zogby cheated this time and ask 50% Republicans and 50% Democrats instead of a more accurate and less biased 40/60%?
7. SEW | August 20th, 2008 at 9:54 am
“Well, uh, you know, I think that whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or, uh, a scientific perspective, uh, answering that question with specificity, uh, you know, is, is, uh, above my pay grade.” - Sen. Barack Obama, on “When does a baby get human rights?”
Bring the debates on. Please, Dems, nominate Barry.
8. Rasmus | August 20th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Spook,
Let’s face it, a lot of voters don’t have a clue what either Obama or McCain stands for. They simply don’t take the time to read about the issues and probably get most of their knowledge from 30 second spots. These adds complement the average voters concentration span very well which in my opinion explains McCain’s recent surge in the polls. McCain started going very negative over the summer and that stuff simply works. People eat it up because they just don’t know any better.
So a majority now has more confidence in McCain when it comes to the economy. Why? He’s been a Bush cheerleader fairly consistently over the last 7-8 years. He supported a war that was unnecessary, stupid and has cost your country an obscure amount of money and directly and indirectly crippled your economy. He openly admitted that he didn’t know much about the economy and has then been denying it ever since, but he’s how the champion on the economy?
I can understand why rich people (more than 5 million a year!) would vote for McCain, but it amazes me why poor people or middle class people would vote for him. I think they are uninformed, scared and mislead.
Vote for Obama out of hope or vote for McCain out of fear.
9. CanadianObserver | August 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Sounds like a case of “dumb and dumber” to me.
5. Retired Spook | August 20th, 2008 at 9:30 am
———————————–
If this is actually the case, Retired Spook, and McCain & Obama are “dumb and dumber” then y’all have my condolences.
After 8 years of suffering the results from the actions of the inept individual occupying the Oval Office we would have hoped that the ‘greatest democracy the world has ever known’ could somehow move on up a notch in the choice for a leader and find a qualified person to take over the reins.
10. SEW | August 20th, 2008 at 10:25 am
CO, condolences not needed to us! Condolences to the parasitic countries, like Canada. Condolences to the countries surrounding Russia. Condolences to Israel and the Middle East. Unless another George W Bush or Ronald Reagan comes along to extend more welfare to you guys.
11. Rasmus | August 20th, 2008 at 10:42 am
SEW,
I believe Canadian is talking bad about your government but not your country. Here is a little funny thing for you. During the Bush era (may nothing like that ever happen again) more and more Americans traveling to Europe would say they were from Canada if anyone asked! Im not kidding SEW. Seems like they’d rather be from a “parasitic” country than a country with a moron as president.
12. hermie | August 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Yet, McCain is now ahead of Obama, without an explanation by the Obamamanias here. Instead, they once again try to divert attention from the main point.. That Obama has been revealed as just another Chicago politician, and his stumbles and bumbles have shown he is not POTUS material.
13. Rasmus | August 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Enjoy it while it lasts Hermie. What would you like us to say? That because McCain is ahead now (for 5 min.) it proves that he’s the better candidate? Ok, I will admit that McCain is the better candidate if you will agree to admit Obama is the better candidate if the polls should change again. Deal?
14. SEW | August 20th, 2008 at 11:18 am
“more and more Americans traveling to Europe would say they were from Canada if anyone asked! Im not kidding SEW.”
That’s because the Eurarabs are the morons. When they need real help, which they will, they will have Barry and a dismantled US military to turn to. At least Canada can keep inhaling marijuana. No more wine and cheese on their sidewalk cafe 2 hour lunch. Good riddance.
15. Bull | August 20th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Rasmus, i traveled to europe last year, with my usa hat and t-shirts. ( not to mention my steelers t-shirts as well).
never, one time did i get a dirty look, or did anyone treat me rudely. as i showed respect for the country and my ability to at least try the language when i knew full well that the people i was talking to spoke english.
it’s the true liberal idiots of this country who go overseas and say they are from canada. but they don’t need to. they just think they should.
the world hates the U.S. because of bush is just an out and out lie perpurtrated in the damn liberal media.
back on topic. if mccain is up 5 points in the polls. it really means he’s up 15 points in reality. kerry was up 10 points going into the election.
16. OhioOrrin | August 20th, 2008 at 11:38 am
CO - some of us voted 4 McCain in the Y2K GOP primary even tho he’d withdrawn before the scheduled state primary.
So some of us felt McCain was the better choice v bush.
Still do!
17. Rasmus | August 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Bull,
From 2005:
“China ‘is more popular’ than US - America’s image is still so tattered abroad after the Iraq war that China is viewed more favourably than the US in many countries, a global poll finds.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4124164.stm
and:
“Opinion towards America has become steadily more hostile throughout the presidency of George W Bush, with the Iraq war probably being the single most important factor.”
“Meanwhile, Mr Obama, the only consistent opponent of the Iraq war in the race for the presidency, commands a clear lead. He is especially popular in Italy, where a remarkable 70 per cent would vote for him if they could.
In France, historically the European country with the strongest anti-American sentiment, 65 per cent would back Mr Obama. In Germany, the Democratic Senator would get 67 per cent of the vote - while Mr McCain would receive a derisory six per cent. “
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/2049446/Barack-Obama-beats-John-McCain-in-European-vote-US-election-2008.html
Lots more where that came from Bull
Rasmus
18. '08ama | August 20th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
You righties spend all year mocking every poll that has been showing Obama in the lead, and now Sean Hannity’s butt boy Zogby comes out with a poll showing Mccain in the lead over Obama and you guys are going goo goo gaa gaa over it.
yes, when ARE those debates going to get going ?
we can hardly umm, err, ummm, oh, you know, WAIT !
Will Mccain be in the ‘cone of silence’ or is that just a myth ?
19. Retired Spook | August 20th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
“China ‘is more popular’ than US - America’s image is still so tattered abroad after the Iraq war that China is viewed more favourably than the US in many countries, a global poll finds.”
And yet millions of people are flocking (both legally and illegally) to America, sometimes risking their lives in the process. OTOH, net immigration figures for China are negative. How could that possibly be?
20. Rich | August 20th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
‘08ama- Its called a poll trend. Obama has been consistantly up in that poll. Now he is down for the first time. IKf you don’t believe it is a big deal go read some posts at Dailykos. The hand-wringing and bed wetting over there right now is priceless. Many are calling for Clinton to save the Boy Wonder.
21. js | August 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
obama is a lewzur
22. TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don't-mess | August 20th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
18. ‘08ama | August 20th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
You righties spend all year mocking every poll that has been showing Obama in the lead, and now Sean Hannity’s butt boy Zogby comes out with a poll showing Mccain in the lead over Obama and you guys are going goo goo gaa gaa over it.
yes, when ARE those debates going to get going ?
we can hardly umm, err, ummm, oh, you know, WAIT !
Will Mccain be in the ‘cone of silence’ or is that just a myth ?
08ama: I’m a lefty who supports Obama and I think you’ve got some errors here. Zogby is NOT a McCain buttboy. He’s got a show on Sheldon Drobny’s radio network for crying out loud!
Obama has only himself to blame for this state of nature in the polling. When Obama had a strong progressive message he was flying all polls.
No one put a gun to Obama’s head and forced him to be McCain Lite over the last two months. No one forced him to aliente the entire Democratic Party. No one forced him to become Mr White Southern Baptist and give up all his principles. No one forced him to stay vague on his best issues.
He accomplished all that all by himself. He sure did a thorough job of it. He gets credit for that. Any Black politician who can make Jesse Jackson Sr a beloved figure in White America by comparison is inept or throwing the election.
23. Thrower | August 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
This is an asymmetrical election and national polls are irrelevant. Ask Al Gore how important the gross national popular vote is. This is a state by state race and the Obama people are pros. They are making compelling local cases for Nevada and Ohio, for example, and they will have the money to hammer those messages home. Moreover they are forcing McCain to spend money to defend traditional Republican states like Florida.
How much of the erosion of Obama’s liberal support is in states he will carry in any case? Will Californians who hate Obama’s shift on offshore drilling vote for McCain (drill here, drill now!)? How do you measure the views of millions of voters who don’t have land lines and are therefore not factored into most polls? They tend to be younger, and more libertarian on the “values” issues that drive the right wing base. Moreover it is their generation that will be on the hook for the wasteful spending of the current political crowd. They will vote in great numbers for change.
Up to this point the campaign has been largely about Obama. His message has been positive, in part because the Rove/Bush experience has demonstrated that you can’t divide the electorate and then expect post-election support from people whose views you ridiculed. But the reality is that elections will be trash fests until voters reject personal destruction and vote on real issues. Believe me, Obama and his people get that.
Expect a change in emphasis and tactics beginning next week. Obama will be given a national stage on which to define himself next week. After that 527s will carry a Rove like attack on McCain. He has been a human gaffe fest and those mistakes will be on display for all to see. McCain will have an (R) after his name on the ballot and that will be hard to overcome.
24. js | August 20th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
tell us something, if the obama people are “pro’s” how did they make such a huge mistake picking a candidate that attended a black supremacist church for 20 years to nominate for POTUS….lol…porofessional my arse!!
25. TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don\'t-mess | August 20th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
23. Thrower | August 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I hope you’re right but electoral vote map has it as a tossup with Obama ONLY getting blue states, McCain getting all the reds and a few blues and 13 EVs in tossups.
Biden is almost as bad a gaffe machine as McCain is but Biden’s gaffes get wide play. McCain’s do not.
Obama has to fight dirty, as well as on issues. He has to make fun of McCain’s age, sanity and physical handicaps and afflictions. “The love child of Dr Strangelove and Dr No!”
26. Bull | August 20th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Rasmus,
BIG swing and a miss there buddy. way to not get my point. i don’t care how many useless articles you come up with from a liberally biased media source.
go back and re-read my post. i, as an american, was in europe. i didn’t hide the fact that i was an american. yet i had not one problem with anyone while i was there. hmmmmmm…..
27. Bull | August 20th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
P.S. rasmus, the U.S. doesn’t really care about what europe thinks when it comes to electing our leaders. obama is not running for president of europe. so your “vote” means about as much as what my dog did on the lawn today.
if we did care what you all thought, we’d be suffering under john frenchy kerry right now. guess what? we aren’t…and we’ll all better off for it. by the way, SO ARE YOU TOO!!!!!!!! whether you want to believe it or not.
28. CanadianObserver | August 20th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
we’d be suffering under john frenchy kerry right now. guess what? we aren’t…
27. Bull | August 20th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
————————————
That’s right, Bull, y’all are suffering under the ‘merican Bush right now. How’s that working for you? Not so good eh.
29. Herkimer X. Arbuthnot | August 20th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Thrower,
Yeah, younger voters that aren’t polled .. Youth Vote Escaping Obama’s Spell
Actually glad the Obama people will highlight McCain’s “gaffs”. Will they do that in all 57 states? Or is it 60 when you count Alaska, Hawaii and that other state Obama hasn’t been to?
But, I’m curious, if “up to this point the campaign has been largely about Obama” and his numbers are dropping like the autumn leaves, does that mean the more we know him the less we like him?
Odd strategy … if the democrats can just get Obama off the headlines completely from now until November he’ll win by a landslide, right?
30. Bull | August 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
C.O. the worst day in America is a hellava lot better than the best day in Canada.
cheers!
31. phnx | August 20th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
“He has to make fun of McCain’s age, sanity and physical handicaps and afflictions. “The love child of Dr Strangelove and Dr No!”
TampaBayRayz-4-evah-don\’t-mess
Yeah…that’s a brilliant strategy to lure all those thoughtful independents and moderates, go for it!
32. neocon | August 20th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
CO,
There’s a huge misconception about the “suffering” of Americans. While you read about it daily and it is a factor, only 5% of all mortgages nationwide are in default. 5%, that’s it. Now granted that’s still historically a large number in terms of individual people who need help and will receive help, but it’s still low percent. We have more than doubles our GDP in the last 7 years and exports hit all time highs this year, primarily due to the low value of the dollar, but still many business’s thrived.
You don’t understand the power of this country. We can work and pay our way out of this very easily in a short timeframe and McCain eliminating pork, demanding balanced budgets, and kepping investment taxes low is a great first step.
McCains up by five now. It’ll be 8-10 by October. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I guarantee a McCain win.
33. CanadianObserver | August 20th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
32. neocon | August 20th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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My hat will be off to McCain and the Republican party, neocon, if they can indeed work and pay their way out of the mess made by that other Republican during the last 8 years; and if, as you say, they can do this very easily in a short time frame, well that would be utterly fantastic.
34. neocon | August 20th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
CO,
From purely a business perspective, the waste and mindless spending in our federal budget is staggering, and I will agree with you that Republicans are to blame. But we are also the party to turn it around. While not a huge fan, I sincerely believe McCain will tighten the reins and eliminte the wasteful earmarks that have help explode our budgets. If he puts Romney on the ticket, it could be a landslide. Romney has the business experience and success to help growth, employment and revenues.
Never underestimate the USA, and people around the world know that we are still that shining city in the hill.
35. neocon | August 20th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
um…….on the hill
36. What? | August 22nd, 2008 at 2:46 am
Bull,
Let me get this straight. You will not accept news articles as evidence of the United States negative image of the world because of a percieved bias. Yet you will base your understanding of the entire continent’s opinion of our foreign policy on your visit even though you are clearly bias. Hmm, do you see any problems with that line of thinking?
Then there is this line:
“the U.S. doesn’t really care about what europe thinks when it comes to electing our leaders.”
I cannot argue the truth of this statement but I can argue the wisdom of such willful ignorance. Considering Russia’s recent advancements, the nature of the War on Terror, and our need to speak as a united front against Iran, is now really the time to ignore and insult our closest allies?
At the end of the day, our effectiveness in combating any of the above threats is dependent upon the support of Canada, Europe and our other allies.