Hello. Despite my screen name, I am best known as John Q. Bounce Voter. Some people think I'm Mr. Swing Voter, but I'm not so sure that's appropriate. In any event, fact, I'm having a bit of an identity crisis, and wonder if you guys can help.
You see, before the conventions, I was not paying too much attention to this election. I knew that McCain was a genuine war hero and that Obama was a black guy who could speak well: for those were the two things everyone seemed to agree upon. But that aside, I was mostly a blank slate. My guess was that McCain was kind of mavericky and I was a bit worried that Obama was not a true American. On the other hand, McCain sure looked old. That was about the extent of my information, though.
Join me below the fold if you're curious how the conventions changed my views.
Of the most recent general election polling, the only one not showing a decent lead for Obama is that CNN/Opinion Research poll which has him only up by 1 point, 49-48 and had the race tied at 47 the week before.
But that same poll also asked for impressions about the parties, and the results are much more encouraging:
"Next, we'd like to get your overall opinion of some people in the news. As I read each name, please say if you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of these people -- or if you have never heard of them. The Democratic Party."
Date
Favorable
Unfavorable
Never
Heard of
Unsure
Fav-Unfav
8/29-31/08
59
36
-
4
+23
8/23-24/08
52
40
1
7
+12
4/28-30/08
56
35
1
8
+21
Almost 60% of the country approves of the Democratic party. As I noted back in June, candidates should clearly and repeatedly embrace the "Democratic" label. It is a winner. For the good news on that other party's numbers, come inside:
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