Zogby: Obama Now Leads By Only 3 Points And "The Deal is Far From Closed"

With the perfect storm that has hit the market over the past several days, one would expect the McCain-Palin ticket to be down by double digits to Obama and Biden, who can just smile at the stock ticker. But the latest poll numbers show that, in fact, the race has tightened up considerably.

Reuters reports:

Democrat Barack Obama has a narrow 3-point lead in the U.S. presidential race on Republican John McCain less than a month before the election, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Tuesday.

. . . .

"Obama is leading among the key target groups, but this race is nowhere close to over," pollster John Zogby said. "The deal is far from closed."

McCain and Palin are within striking distance, and a solid debate performance by McCain tonight might be all that is needed to erase Obama's remaining minuscule lead.

Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Today's and Tomorrow's 9/11 Events Will Test Obama Supporters' Ability To Hold Their Tongues

Politico reports that both Senator Obama and Senator McCain, along with a host of other dignitaries, are scheduled to appear at events to remember 9/11 in New York City today and tomorrow:

The two presidential candidates will call a truce in New York City on Thursday night for a conversation, on the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, about what their administrations would do to encourage public service.Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) are expected to shake hands onstage in between separate conversations co-moderated by Richard Stengel, managing editor of Time magazine, and Judy Woodruff, senior corresondent of PBS' "The NewsHour."

Several cable networks plan to cover the Nation of Service forum (8 p.m. Eastern), the centerpiece of a two-day ServiceNation Summit 2008, named for a non-profit group that encourages voluntary service and civic engagement. First Lady Laura Bush and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) will appear on Friday, along with a long list of other political luminaries that includes New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I), California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R).

However, in an ominous note, Politico adds that "[s]ome tickets to the forum have been given to Columbia University students who won a lottery, airing an unpredictable element to the event."

The Obama-Biden campaign had better hope that the Columbia students don't try to stage some sort of protest against McCain today or tomorrow. The two protesters at the RNC, before the largest television audience in history to watch a political convention, created a powerful image that the Obama-Biden ticket is supported by a bunch of leftist wackos who want to prevent Americans from hearing the McCain-Palin message. If the Columbia students who are at the events today and tomorrow -- many of whom, like the Columbia College Democrats discussed here and here, undoubtedly support Obama -- try a similar stunt, the impact on public opinion could be devastating for the Obama-Biden campaign.

Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Convention Propels McCain-Palin To Lead Over Obama-Biden

Realclearpolitics.com reports that the Gallup three-day tracking poll found that the McCain-Palin ticket has taken a three point lead over Obama-Biden. Last week's events in St. Paul completely erased Obama's bounce from the Democratic National Convention and then some. The lead will likely widen even further tomorrow, when the first Gallup tracking poll is released based on polling taken on the first three days after the Republican National Convention.

Update: The USA TODAY/Gallup poll released today shows McCain-Palin leading by four percentage points among registered voters (McCain 50% - Obama 46%) and by ten points among voters likely to vote (McCain 54% - Obama 44%) .