Inside the Numbers

If you want to understand what the campaigns are up to, you have to look inside the polls.

Did voters think McCain's ad with Paris and Britney was injecting race into the campaign?

Just 22% believe the ad was racist. But, most say Obama’s comment about not looking like other Presidents on the dollar bill was racist.

Why did Barack change his stand on offshore drilling and tapping into the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Forty-six percent (46%) of voters trust McCain more than Obama on energy issues while Obama is trusted more by 42%. Two months ago, Obama had a four point edge on the energy issue.

Don't all the analysts tell us this race is a fight over independent voters?

A week ago today, Obama had a three-percentage point lead and the candidates were even among unaffiliated voters. Today, McCain leads 52% to 37% among unaffiliateds.

Why does the media make it seem as if McCain is the one with the popularity problem when independent voters like McCain better by 14%?

Obama is viewed favorably by 83% of Democrats, 22% of Republicans, and 47% of unaffiliated voters. For McCain, the numbers are 87% favorable among Republicans, 26% among Democrats, and 61% among unaffiliated voters.

What was the effect of Barack's trip overseas?

McCain is currently viewed favorably by 55% of the nation’s voters, Obama by 51%. That is the lowest rating for Obama since he wrapped up the nomination.

What should have the Obama campaign most nervous?

Forty-six percent (46%) of voters nationwide now say that Obama views U.S. society as unfair and discriminatory. That’s up from 43% in July and 39% in June. By a three-to-one margin, American voters hold the opposite view and believe that our society is generally fair and decent.

That's why the Obama campaign feels the need to play the race card - they want concerns about Barack's views, his patriotism and his inexperience to be linked to racist attitudes so people will be afraid to use these rational criteria for judging Barack.