Tit for Tat: the papers are reporting that McCain is gaining ground on Obama in four key swing states including Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, where, just last month, Obama was up 17 point—now the gap is down to two, according to a Quinnipiac University’s presidential preference poll However, the two-point drop in Wisconsin is statistically insignificant: Obama’s still up by 11. The Detroit Free Press takes a closer look at the poll’s numbers and underscores a few revelations that might give Dems pause: Independents and men are leaning toward the GOP. [Sources: USA Today, Freep.com, Fox News].
OMG, HE’S HERE!: At the Drudge Report, giddy, breathless, nonstop coverage of Obama-mania: Starting with the Senator’s pre-dawn visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, (”Politics Hits the Wall,”) followed by a headline announcing the Senator’s Berlin speech: “Love Parade.” Another headline, “All Smiles: Obama Press,” links to a picture, with no accompanying article. Drudge seems to be enjoying and poking fun at the Obama-as-savior narrative, and loves pointing out what he sees as pro-liberal bias in the press at any chance.
Yoohoo! Look at me! McCain’s spent the last week trying to drum up some attention while all of it is seemingly focused on his star rival, by introducing several wag the dog stories. The first one, earlier this week, we’ll call “Boo-hoo, the Times editorial section rejected my story. Liberal bias!” The second one: was a leak of non-news claiming a VP pick would announced this week, the same week Obama-mania was in full effect. Still waiting for that pick. And, then we’ll call this one: Third Time’s The Charm: McCain’s meeting with the Dalai Lama. Let’s hope this plot works, because we’d hate to see the Senator resorting to stripping naked in public in a desperate bid for attention.
Jumping the Gun: Several papers are running with the news that Obama has reportedly started lining up his Presidential transition team. For Obama, who is often accused of arrogance and elitism, this could play negative with voters, who think he can come across as too smug. McCain’s team has wasted no time picking up that storyline.
“Before they’ve even crossed the 50-yard line, the Obama campaign is already dancing in the end zone with a new White House transition team,” McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said in a statement.