Monthly Archives: October 2008

Many of you have asked, in various ways, whether this race is over, or whether McCain can mount a comeback. Four days ago I suggested that the almost month-long movement toward Obama in the national tracking polls precipitated by the … Continue reading →

Why hold debates at all?  Several students have asked me this in light of my gentle chiding of the pundits for their predilection to declare a victor in the debates on the basis of dubious evidence (see, for example, the … Continue reading →

In analyzing the presidential race to this point I have focused my attention primarily on national survey data.  As I noted in an earlier post, that survey data indicates that Obama increased his lead over McCain by approximately 6% in … Continue reading →

There is another reason that debates rarely shift voting coalitions, and that is the way the media covers them.  Last night’s debate is a perfect example.  John McCain made two significant and highly controversial policy proposals and both were buried … Continue reading →

Tonight’s bets: 1. Does McCain bring up Ayers and/or Wright? 2. If he does, does Obama respond with the Keating Five? 3. Will McCain say “middle class”?  Will Obama say “victory in Iraq”? 9:00  Remember – “uncommitted” voters are not … Continue reading →