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Stephanopoulos: Battleground Swing Sees Obama Within Reach of 270 Electoral Votes

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October 01, 2008 8:12 PM

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: Barack Obama is building a widening lead over John McCain in key battleground states including Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio, new polls revealed today.

Obama is enjoying a shift in support in key battleground states thanks in part to his handling of the financial crisis, his performance in the first presidential debate, and souring views of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Obama is likely ahead in enough states right now to get 270 electoral votes.

Obama is leading McCain 51-43 in Florida, 50-42 in Ohio, and 54-39 in Pennsylvania, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Other polls in Florida confirm a lead for Obama, including a Suffolk University poll of Florida voters showing Obama leading McCain 46-42.

Time/CNN has another poll out today that has Obama leading McCain 51-47 in Florida, 54 - 43 in Minnesota, 49 -48 in Missouri, 51-47 in Nevada, and a stunning nine percentage point lead in Virginia of 53 to 44.

However neither campaign believes that Obama has that kind of a lead in Virginia right now.
But both campaigns see a shift in these key battleground states toward Obama.

The number one issue for voters right now is the financial crisis, which has put the focus of this presidential election campaign on the economy and on President Bush.

There is some evidence that voters believe Obama has been a steadier hand in this crisis than McCain, including our latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, which found the Democratic presidential candidate has a 14-point lead over McCain in trust to handle the economy.

The second reason for Obama's lead is the first presidential debate held last Friday in Mississippi. Most polls show that Obama won the debate.

Finally, there is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who boosted McCain's poll numbers after her selection and during the Republican convention.

However she has suffered from series of media interviews where she gave muddled responses and Saturday Night Live skits that are making her into a punch line. The number of Americans questioning her qualifications for office is rising steadily.

Palin has become a bit of a drag on the Republican ticket so far, and voters are even questioning their commitment to McCain because of that.

McCain officials know that this puts so much more pressure on her at Thursday night's vice presidential debate in St. Louis to come through with no major gaffes.

October 1, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (320)

User Comments

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Everything that people say about Sarah Palin and her not being qualified for vice-president, you are saying the same about Obama.

Moreover, Obama states he would go into Pakistani territory without Pakistan's permission. I guess you missed that one. Obama has no military experience and does not want to be left out of any conversation for fear he will lose a voter. Obama is all wind that blows in all directions. Obama will do and say anything to try to be president.

There is no way to tell if any information gathered from whatever intelligence is accurate. Moreover, the Middle East conflict is not about bin Laden. The Middle East conflict is about OIL. America is killing its son for OIL. The people do not need another President Johnson to expand the Middle East conflict. It is time to get out of the Middle East. Vietnam was about the industrial-military complex and the Middle East conflict is about OIL

After a thorough investigation, there is no doubt in backing and voting for
Ralph Nader.

http://www.votenader.org/about/


No Votes For Obama. Obama failed our investigation. McCain has improved his position and is moving up for consideration in the presidential election.

This post is not paid for by any political party.

Posted by: Judge | Oct 1, 2008 8:28:53 PM

Surprise Obama; you may not be the first Afro-American president of the United States of America.

Link:
http://g33klite.com/index.php/facts/general/76-general/188-6-black-american-presidents

After a thorough investigation, there is no doubt in backing and voting for
Ralph Nader.
http://www.votenader.org/about/
No Votes For Obama. Obama failed our investigation. McCain has improved his position and is moving up for consideration in the presidential election.

This post is not paid for by any political party

Posted by: Judge | Oct 1, 2008 8:30:24 PM

The American people need a new voice and this is why I am voting Bob Barr.

Vote BARR!!
Let Third parties in the Debates!!!

www.bobbarr2008.com

Posted by: Jack .M | Oct 1, 2008 8:36:02 PM

Sorry niether candidate is going to get my vote, I am voting Bob Barr libertarian

Posted by: GMSilvia | Oct 1, 2008 8:38:11 PM

The American people are sick of the (D) and (R) controling Goverment. That is why I am Voteing BOB BARR!!

please vist www.bobbarr2008.com

Posted by: Nicholas | Oct 1, 2008 8:38:47 PM

Bob Barr is everything that is right in this country. People that are willing to move forward in getting another voice in the debates and the White House, please look into Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Many have said that a vote for Barr is a wasted vote, but this is just not true. If the Libertarians just get 5% of the vote, they will then receive millions of dollars in funding for 2012 (which only (R) and (D) get) and will also achieved ballot status in all 50 States! Now to me getting another voice in Government, other than the same-old out of tune voice, into office in 4 years is very important step to changing our government. Just remember there are more the two opinions out there in America and there are still only two political parties in power.

Posted by: Luis | Oct 1, 2008 8:38:52 PM

He nears having enough electorial votes?
We should then just stop the campaign , swear him in and have each candidate turn in their money.

Besides we the people look forward to having someone else to blame for everything that goes wrong these days, of course if Obama wins, everything will be peachy on January 21, all problems solved, hungry people fed and the sick cured.

Posted by: david | Oct 1, 2008 8:40:09 PM

It isn't just Palin pulling the McCain ticket down - it's McCain himself! I truly believe there's something very wrong with this man lately - he lies too much, people are now noticing those lies...no longer the man of honor he liked us to think of him as. So while part of the reason the McCain camp is losing ground is indeed Palin - the other half of the blame is on McCain.

Posted by: Nancy D | Oct 1, 2008 8:41:06 PM

The line between the dems and repubs is growing hazier. American is being had: we are like lambs to the slaughter. We are losing our civil liberties, our voice, and our freedoms, bit by bit. Please consider Bob Barr as a viable contender in this presidential election. Visit BobBarr2008 for a look at Barr's stance on the many issues that concern us, especially his stance on liberty, freedom and the Constitution.

Posted by: Traci | Oct 1, 2008 8:41:45 PM

The Constitution represents the people, the Libertarian Party represents the Constitution, Bob Barr represents the Libertarian Party. You do the math, they represent the banks, not us. Vote Barr give the country back to the people.

Posted by: GMSilvia | Oct 1, 2008 8:41:45 PM

I am against these bailouts.

BOB BARR is against these bailouts. We need a fiscally responsible candidate in the White House this year, not big spenders like McCain and Obama.

BOB BARR for president!

Posted by: Luis | Oct 1, 2008 8:41:53 PM

Why isn't the press raking McCain over the coals over his being a part of the Keating 5 scandal? Why isn't the press raking McCain/ "Mr.Straight Shooter" over the coals about the numerous times that he cheated on his first wife before and after Viet Nam including with current wife Cindy? How's that for character? If Obama had that kind of trash in his background, there would be constant reminders on the first page of the news. The press was all over Obama about what Rev. Wright, who is not running for President, said. What about what McCain, who is running for President,DID!!! The man lied to his family and now America. He doesn't deserve to be President.

Posted by: MY2cents | Oct 1, 2008 8:42:33 PM

I respect Nader and glade he is breaking the Matrixs but BARR is getting my vote! He is the only one that is for true Liberty and Free trade!

Vote BARR and Libertarian Party!!!

www.1p.org

Posted by: Mike J | Oct 1, 2008 8:42:35 PM

Get a grip Georgey boy, the American
people haven't even voted yet. So why
don't you just shut up until
election time...........
McCain/Palin 08!!!!!!!!!!!
Eat your heart out....

Posted by: Joey | Oct 1, 2008 8:43:12 PM

I will not vote for the lesser of two evils, back to basics, Bob Barr '08'

Posted by: GMSilvia | Oct 1, 2008 8:45:42 PM

We need to show the Goverment that we are not going to take it any more!!!

Vote Barr!!!

www.bobbarr2008.com

Posted by: Nicholas | Oct 1, 2008 8:46:01 PM

Voting Independent ticket puts Obama in office. He would get the majority. The others are too far behind in the polls to make a difference. Even McCain is failing partly because of that.

Posted by: carolyn | Oct 1, 2008 8:47:52 PM

Every US President and many vice-presidents had jokes about them and mocked since the invention of the media. It would appear that Stephanopoulos is unconscientiously promoting Sarah Palin. Maybe Stephanopoulos has a secret desire that he knows cannot come true.

After a thorough investigation, there is no doubt in backing and voting for
Ralph Nader.

http://www.votenader.org/about/

No Votes For Obama. Obama failed our investigation. McCain has improved his position and is moving up for consideration in the presidential election.

This post is not paid for by any political party.

Posted by: Judge | Oct 1, 2008 8:48:16 PM

“Controlling government spending is a necessary step to enact true tax reform, which will reduce the burden on all Americans and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money.” This is what a Bob Barr administration wants to do for you. Will you let them?

www.bobbarr200.com

Posted by: LibertyFighter | Oct 1, 2008 8:49:23 PM

"Controlling government spending is a necessary step to enact true tax reform, which will reduce the burden on all Americans and allow them to keep more of their hard-earned money." This is what a Bob Barr administration wants to do for you. Will you let them?

Posted by: Luis | Oct 1, 2008 8:50:15 PM

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