Bounce Over

In the wake of the CBS poll showing the presidential race has pulled back to even, the more reliable Rasmussen daily tracking poll reinforces that things are heading McCain's way.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows the beginning of John McCain’s convention bounce and the race is essentially back where it was before Obama now attracts 46% of the vote while McCain earns 45%. When "leaners" are included, it’s Obama 48%, McCain 46%.

Of the two tickets, guess which politician is the most popular, Barack or John McCain? Neither.

Both Obama and McCain are now viewed favorably by 57% of the nation’s voters. However, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is viewed favorably by 58%--a point more than either Presidential hopeful. Forty percent (40%) have a Very Favorable opinion of her.

Is Sarah finding acceptance?

Fifty-one percent (51%) of voters now believe that McCain made the right choice when he picked Palin to be his running mate while 32% disagree. By way of comparison, 47% said that Obama made the right choice by picking Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. 

Who is better prepared to be President - Barack, or Sarah? Despite two years of campaigning, Barack has only fooled half the people into thinking that he's as qualified as the unknown candidate, Palin.

Voters are evenly divided as to whether Palin or Obama has the better experience to be President.

Hey, Baby

The richness that Sarah Palin brings to our national political dialogue grows today with news that her daughter is pregnant.

Bristol Palin, the 17-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin, is pregnant and will keep the baby and marry the father, a senior aide to Sen. John McCain confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

Republican presidential candidate McCain was aware of Bristol Palin's pregnancy before he chose her mother for his running mate, the aide said.

I know it doesn't measure up to those who worship at the alter of Barack because he went to an Ivy League school and even lead the law review, but there is something inspiring about a conservative woman who can so effectively live the liberal ideal - survive in a man's world without having to wear pants, and dealing with things like teen pregnancy and down syndrome on the home front.

"Senator McCain knew this and felt in no way did it disqualify her from being vice president," said the aide. "Families have difficulties sometimes, and lucky for her she has a supportive family."

The 17-year-old, a senior in high school, is about five months along, in her second trimester, according to the aide.

I wonder if she took sex ed and is in possession of the free condoms and pregnancy counseling that is what passes for social studies in public high schools today.

The aide said it was decided the campaign would reveal this information now because of rampant Internet rumors that Sarah Palin's 4-month-old baby, who has Down syndrome, was actually Bristol's.

"In the course of correcting that, we needed to get the truth out," said the McCain aide.

Sarah and Todd Palin issued a statement saying they are "proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."

I know it's only life experience, the kind that would be viewed as heroic if it had happened to Hillary, but what exactly can Barack Obama point to that qualifies him to be President?

Sherlock Says....

Fox News is still talking about a small private plane that landed in Middletown, Ohio last night, perhaps carrying the Governor of Alaska and a child. But the story has expanded into a two plane scenario.

The first plane left Anchorage two days ago, landing in Flagstaff Arizona before proceeding to Ohio and landing around 7pm last night. A second private plane, now on the runway in Ohio, came in at 10pm after originating in Anchorage.

Romney and Pawlenty have said that they're not the guy. And Huckabee said this yesterday:

There are reports that I’m on my way to Dayton tonight. Not true. Wasn’t invited to be there and any reports that I’m going to be there are a big surprise to me. I have never been contacted by the McCain campaign at any point about the VP slot. I have never been asked for any information, background, etc., so as I have said repeatedly in interviews, I didn’t consider myself to be under any consideration.

Sarah Palin dramatically changes this race, and creates a new storyline that steals the spotlight from Barack. This is particulary important as McCain faces the real possibility that his convention week will be ruined by Hurricane Gustav.