Why is McCain continuing to gain in the polls?

Question

The Democratic National Convention has begun and the poll numbers are bouncing, but not in the direction that most people anticipated.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows Barack Obama attracting 44% of the vote while John McCain also earns 44%. When "leaners" are included, it’s still tied with Obama at 46% and McCain at 46%. Yesterday, with leaners, Obama had a three-point advantage over McCain.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

August 26, 2008

Gallup Poll Daily tracking interviewing from Saturday, Sunday, and Monday indicates that Barack Obama has received no bounce in voter support from his selection of Sen. Joe Biden to be his vice presidential running mate. The race remains virtually tied with John McCain now slightly ahead 46%-44%.

http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx

After last night's glitz and glamor, you'd think that Obama would be leading, wouldn't you? What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Biden proved he was an ultra liberal. The Glitz and Glamor turns most of middle America off. Most people don't like the pink haired dirty kooks who were at the convention. We think Delegates should have more decorum and decency.  

Answer 2

While I don't trust or rely on polls, it will be interesting to see what happened in these same polls after last night's love fest.  The party led by Howard Dean - Whoooooo HOOOOOOOOOOO! - heaven help us.

Answer 3

Because the the shine is off the rose...People are finding out about Barack Hussein Obama and his wife Michelle and they don't trust them.  McCain is now ahead and Obama did not get a bump choosing Biden and his wife's speech...because its all B.S...he is an empty suit with no experience or substance.  He has no moral code and will do anything to get elected...Dangerous to me.

Answer 4

3 Points or Zero points it is statistically insignificant. Both are within the margin of error.

Sorry cupcake, maths is maths.

Answer 5

Obama's choice for Vp, the Kennedy tribute (tribute to a murder) , Michelle's speech, the way he did Hillary, its a wonder Obama is still in the race

Answer 6

The 4 million votes Michelle's speech gave Obama are from people who aren't old enough to vote.

Answer 7

I really believe that the more people learn about Obama the less they'll like him. $893 Billion more in government progams to perpetuate the needy to keep them voting Democrat, things like that.

Once the independent ads get rolling and start showing Obama with Ayer, Wright, and getting more attention to trips to see Africa warlords and Libya's Khadafi, he'll be done.

McCain will crush him.

Answer 8

Sadly, the Republicans have been playing upon the fears of voters.  Propaganda has been advertised duping the fears of what Obama may offer or not offer.  It is somewhat strange Russia would have its conflict with Georgia prior to the election?  Or the Israel threatens to strike Iran if Obama is elected?  

Why do you play upon people's fears, instead of their hopes?  Because you know fear works more effectively to motivate them.

Answer 9

Polls go back and forth.

Remember that Kerry was leading in the polls and we all know how that turned out.

I'd wait for election day to see how things turn out.

Answer 10

Listen to Hilary......

Obama will bring a speach he gave in 2002.

Americans are given tons of glits and glam all the time.........look at the olympics. We need more facts....something the DNC has not offered.

Answer 11

the polls now show a tie

I think the real question is - why did they take so long to get the clear picture.

It's going to be another close election.

But this Democrat still thinks obama is going to lose.

Answer 12

What's the percentage for margin of error? LOL. JK!

I think they're pretty much neck and neck and will remain so thru out the election. I'm sure either McCain's and Obama's lead will fluctuate the next few months too....unless of course someone has a major f-up, which is entirely possible.

Answer 13

Because Obama cannot fool the other half of the people.

Answer 14

as more time goes by

more of the obama mystery unravels

the lower he will go in the polls

people are not confident in his ability

to do anything cept create a buzz

that doesnt mean he can lead a country

its looking more and more like he is in over his head

and would be better served stayin in the Senate and running in 2012

Answer 15

I suspect that people are starting to wake up from the their daydream to realize that Obama has:

* NO military experience

* NO foreign policy experience

* NO economic experience

* Only 143 days of federal gov't experience before running for office

* Picked a 35 year veteran of the Senate as a VP to initiate "change"

We Americans might be dumb but we ain't stupid.  

Answer 16

The media overdid their reporting and support of Obama. I assume by the end of the week Obama will get a little bump up, then it will fade.  

Answer 17

This is the most ironic years in Politics....

how the Dems fooled themselves (except me) in nominating a clown for President...

I'm a Democrat too....

Answer 18

Because he is a real leader, experienced, principled, and actually has ideas that will work for America.  

Answer 19

the polling was done before the convention so we dont know if it had an impact or not

EDIT : you should never trust polls.They are going to go back and frothe between Obama and Mcain until the election.This is a close race

Answer 20

Obama's rock star status is quickly degrading into "one hit wonder" territory.

People are beginning to see through the smiling demeanor and realizing there's NOTHING else.

Answer 21

He is gaining becuase his opponent is Barack Obama. Need I say more?

McCain is a leader who unites the Far right, right, centre-right, centrists, independents, centre-left (joe lieberman dems), and even now the left (clinton dems)

sorry but in the NEW America...the far lefties aka Obamas, kerrys, Gores, kennedys won't have a place!

Answer 22

Because Republicans are Pro-Military. The main event right now is Iraq and Afghanistan. Republican= more $ and improvements for our military. Democrats = Earlier military retirements, down sizing of our army, no money towards military. So if you support the military...Vote McBush Today! LOL

Answer 23

Obama is an empty suit when he doesn't have a teleprompter.

Answer 24

you're delusional

they both continue to run virtually neck and neck

within ten percentage points, but never more than that

where's his landslide?

I haven't seen it anywhere

nice wishful thinking though

but it won't cut the mustard with reality

Answer 25

Well, the convention isn't really factored into the polling yet.  Wait until 2 or 3 days afterwards to see whether Obama has gotten a bounce.

Still, I think over the last few weeks we've seen McCain strengthen in the polls simply because McCain has been the better candidate in that time.  He's been forceful.  He's been direct.  He's been clear.  He's been using humor to mock Obama as the chosen one.

Obama on the other hand has been absent during his vacation, done nothing special.  His Saddleback interview was lackluster. Obama's attacks have been weak, playing on class warfare.  His choice of VP was a CYA choice because his own resume is so d**n thin.  Simply put, Obama's done nothing bold or different in comparison to McCain.

Answer 26

Because Obama keeps letting Michelle and Nancy Pelosi speak for him.  If he spoke for himself, he'd cause McCain to take leaps by tens of points instead of just single points.

Answer 27

The truth about Obama is finally getting out there. Not with any help from the MSM. Obama's past associations are pretty scary.  

Answer 28

Maybe Michelle's speech will cost Obama 4 million votes rather than gain them for him, as some have claimed..

Answer 29

This is such a charade...

Doesn't everyone remember how Gallup supported George Bush through slanted results and push polling in 2004?

They choose questions to ask of their participants which ensure a Republican response...

And by the way, if "questionsURafraid2Ask" is a Democrat than I am the pope...

Answer 30

The only way McCain can win, is if he gets cross over votes. There are more democrats than republicans. People are starting to see the quality difference, and McCain will continue to gain popularity because of his service, honesty, and love for his country. What more does the American public need? He has proved himself. Obama has proved nothing excpt doubt.

Answer 31

One would normally expect a bump during their convention. Its not happening, I wonder if all the gold has turned to glitter. We will see next week, If McCain receives no bounce from his VP selection and the Republican convention then get ready for 2 months of down in the dirt fighting for every vote.