After viewing “Obama revealed” last night, I say yes! Mr. Obama’s journey has been very difficult. He is certainly no quitter and America will have missed a golden opportunity if they elect his opponent. How in heavens can anyone use the words elitist and Obama in the same sentence? This is about as good a man as there is.

McCain has caught Obama in the polls because everyone now is starting to see that Obama is all rhetoric with no substance to back it up. He can give great speeches but when it comes down to actually having to talk about the issues and what he’d do to combat the problems he comes off as clueless with no plans at all except old ones that have already been tried and have failed. That is the true reason Obama is faltering now. There is nothing that can be done to help him if he has no real plans or thoughts of his own on how to help this country. It’s like beating a dead horse…no matter how much you hit it or how hard it won’t get up and come back to life.

Cindy…Ga.

Obama needs to fight. It is predicted he will choose Hillary. Not one of the three men on all the networks. It is more important to win now than to worry about what this or that person did in the primaries. Time to bring out the Chicago politics that Obama knows how to win. With Hillary by his side he cannot lose. McSame may as well throw in the towel after the Clintons join up…………….yes both of them………

Its the olympics. Most of Obama’s supportes are athletic and they are glued to their TV’s and not taking polls. McCains older followers don’t care too much for sports and just seem o be out in fuller force.

On another note Hillary is actually looking Vice Presidential. She is actually out of the lime light and (who would have thought) keeping her mouth shut!!! She is not out doing her overshadowing thing. She may be a good VP choice after all.

I have no doubt that Obama will fight. Once he picks his VP & gets through the convention I think there will be attacks on McCain from all sides as well. Like everyone has said, the V.P is often the “attack dog” allowing the candidate to stay on message. Obama needs to focus on the economy & run ads showing McCain will continue with Bush’s failed policies. I also think the polls unlike other years are completely wrong due to the young voters. The Republicans are depending on the younger generation not to vote but I think all will be surprised at the turnout this year.

I would like to see O’bama show some of the Chicago style politics.
Give Mc Cain all he deserves . He is a slime ball hiding behind his war record.
I don’t see any hope for the poor or middle class with him.
Start listening to what O’bama says . He has good sense on
economy and world affairs.
Give them all you got O’bama.

Barclay,

I’ll be interested in what answers 360 comes up with for those questions. I think McCain can stay focused easier than Obama can be consistently tough; it just doesn’t seem to be in Obama’s character to be negative and that staying positive quality of his seems to be as inspiring as his rhetoric. As much as its said that negative ads work, I think Obama will do better with specifics on the issues - what does he intend to accomplish while he is president - what specifically is his vision. If Obama has specific plans on the issues that are do-able he should be able to regain his lead over McCain and hold it.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

McCain used to be a great politician…….20 yrs ago. What would happen if he did the game changer? Right before the election he does something incredibly stupid “on purpose” to effectly lose the election. We all know Obama is the superior candidate. And, that he should be elected President. McCain knows this too. McCain could lift Obama up and be the better person, thus showing he IS the man from 20 yrs ago…………Lol that would be funny GOP……..

Barclay, It is wise of Obama to conserve his energy and keep a low profile. The people who are answering polls this time of year are hot, settled, older, and cranky - they’ll also tune into the conventions and the debates and swivel their positions as buzz is created by talking heads. McCain has very little Up-Side… he can truly only make incrimental improvement without a big bump. So, when he starts to lose traction, he’ll do so in chunks. McCain and Biden are their own worse enemies and Obama would be wise to steer clear of his other esteemed Sr. Senator. What would be Earth-shattering is if Gore made a first term pledge to join Obama - because energy leadership is a global Security and Economic issue - the McCain crew would LIKE to bifurcate the two issues and make energy domestic and security a matter of foreign affairs (ie, all-defense and war-related). Bill Clinton’s first term success was etched in the combined efforts of himself, Robert Rubin and Ron Brown (with an assist by Greenspan), generating international credibility and economic presence. Obama needs to do the same, but with an emphasis on green initiatives, not just domestically, but globally. As Obama sets this course of action, he bright-lines the stark differences between the failed and antiquated GOP policy approach and highlights leadership, judgement and innovation, which are universal hallmarks of authentic American traits that will pull in the needed nonpartisan margin to win. Obama just needs the stamina to get traction, build momentum and take it across the finish line.

Good morning!

Obama is a person of integrity and honor, by reducing himself to the underhanded actions as those of the Karl Rove mercenaries does not look presidential to this country or any other.

When the VP is announced which I hope will be Biden, that is who will
be the attack dog. He is very good at calling people out on their actions and statements, just not that eloquently.

People are distracted right now with back to school and end of summer and election fatigue. The convention should hopefully let the party fight back for Obama and create a message that the nation is tired of the same old politics and we are NOT better off now than 8 years ago.

Stop the alarms. Wait a week. The outlook will be brighter!

Lorrie
Des Moines, Ia

Some of us are tired of your supposed efforts to ‘inform’ the voters regarding the elections. How can you inform the voters if you restrict your coverage to only a third if the presidential candidates?
For example, some people were very disappointed when Obama started second guessing withdrawing from Iraq, yet you failed to inform the voters that there are other presidential candidates that strongly support quick withdrawal.
Other people are disappointed about Obama’s new stance on off-shore drilling, and you fail to inform voters that there are other presidential candidates that still oppose it.
Some voters now say they will switch their vote from Obama to McCain because they think HRC was treated in a sexist manner, yet you fail to inform them that there is a female presidential candidate still running, and that she is probably more in their line of thought than McCain.
And so on…

How can you claim you are informing voters?
How can voters really make an informed decision in such an important issue (choosing the next president) when all the main media outlets (including CNN) cover only a third of the candidates?
If you really want to inform the voters you should discuss all candidates. At least show them in your polls so people are aware of them and can search for information about them on their own to make an informed decision in November.

I can’t help but be shocked and completely dismayed by these poll numbers. I don’t think Obama should have to fight. Any incumbent political party with such a horrible record on everything from environmental issues, to the economy, and education should be loosing by a landslide. If its the nature of our political system to need to fight dirty then he has no choice, but we all realize the Republican party will turn it against him.

McCain thinks being rich starts at $5 million - what does he think being middle class and poor is? What an out of touch elitist he is.

I’d rather have a man spewing rhetoric be our next president then another 4 years of McSame misery with the war and economic issues.

After one year plus of campaigning, we still know almost nothing about what McCain stands for beside war and drilling. This man has used the press and a rope a dope style to use and accuse his opponent on whatever he can to avoid answering questions that the American perple want to know.It seems that this country is on its way to another ignorant president. When you have two candidates that are so different in their ability to deal with thinking through problems rather then attacking them could be what decides this election. I hope that the press has a conscious and also wants to see what McCain stands for?

I really think McCain has already been well rewarded for his POW situation

He’s gained a lot of mileage from it - but thousands of other US citizens gave a lot more ( their lives) in the same war - they cant have 20 odd years in the Senate as compensation - nor can they run for president

McCain is pathetic when he talks about his stint - He is just not believable - But you cant really blame him - The rest of the US citizens bamboozled by his performance are the ones who will be complaining if he takes office

McCain was just asked the other day how many houses he and his wife own. He said he wasn’t sure. And he calls Obama an elitist? Maybe its time for some payback. Obama just paid back his college loans not all that long ago. He seems to know more about how the challenges the average American faces than McCain.

Obama is all talk. Check his record. Nothing much as a state senator, nothing as a US senator. The only thing so far is that he is good in giving speeches, that is it.

McCain a war hero.

Barclay; how can you say, “obama, is keeping a low profile?” He is in The News eveyday. People for the first time are starting to get a real good look at Obama, and they’re aren’t sure that they like what their seeing.

Quote from above: “I don’t see any hope for the poor or middle class with him.” (In reference to McCain)

Seriously?? What is the hope for the poor or the middle class? That Obama and the government will buy their food, pay for their housing, and provide world-class medical care for free?

Ask yourself - do you really think that the government can give away services and goods without taking things away from you, your family, and your friends that you have worked hard to achieve? Do you really want to live in a country where there is no difference between someone who has big dreams and works to achieve them and someone who doesn’t “feel” like working??

What happened to INSPIRATION in America? Ask any immigrant who owns their own business if they would be proud someday to own 7 businesses or 7 houses. They will tell you that this is the only country in the world where, if that is your dream, it is possible. Yet, Obama wants to ridicule John McCain for owning 7 houses.

Wake up people. This is the fundamental choice - you either think that people should dream, work hard, and be given the freedom to achieve, or you think that we need to have the government take it all away and do it for us. If you believe the latter, take a look at communist countries like China or the former Soviet Union. Are those condition under which you are willing to live??

One of the attributes I have always admired in Obama is his thoughtfulness before answering questions posed to him rather than reacting to a comment he takes his time in his answers…as opposed to McCain with his quick temper and not so funny remarks/comments. I often am amazed at the many comments of the bloggers in the US who are ‘reacting’ and to be quite honest I believe as many of the analysts that are being honest who have identified but few are to say out openly, that race has been playing a huge role in the polling….and of course really how accurate are these polls? I have been watching Obama since last summer and just have to say that your country is fortunate to be able to have such a potential LEADER dispite many of the negative comments from the public and analysts alike…I admire the likes of Bergen, Cafferty who are not afraid to tell it like it is!

Good Morning 360 staff
Mr. Obama’s pick for V.P. is geting down to the wire now and it’s scary how he’s slipping in the polls not too far behind McCain. He needs to focus on the economy issues and all of the policies that John McCain is putting in his campign that are so similar to Bush’s .
It will be intersting to see who it will be.All the build up now to the convention will get even more exciting.

See you on 360
michelle.

The reason for thedrop in the polls in not a curse, is the fact that now people are beginning to see the obvious weaknesses of Obama on several fronts and are very concerned about his lack of experience, character and overall lack of knowledge of how the washington machine works. Is not the same as making pretty speeches and bogus claims of wisdom and judgement.

Hillary was the only hope but the elitist and powerful media owners wanted a good story to push on the american people for at least the next few years; movie possibilities and countless books. The media has been selling us a black president for years now on TV shows (24) and movies like the Fifth Element. My quiestion is why not an Asian or a Latino. Blacks are not the only minority here.

Shameful, stupid and pathetic.

Living in Lynchburg, Va, surrounded by Liberty University, let me say that Obama,s visit showed that he is not afraid to be “in the lion’s den”.
Most all news, activities,etc. has an LU slant because of its feet in all aspects of the economic life of the city. Sort of like the middle east and oil and jobs and china…Falwellites are enmeshed in our economy. He was greeted not by hundreds, as reported, but several thousand..I was there. I heard his speech. He has ideas that can be implemented. He will bring America out of Iraq with dignity, work for all Americans and I would be proud to call him Mr. President.

The Democrats never miss an opportunuity to miss an opportunity; Hillary failed in her bid when she selected Terry McAuliffe (of $13 million in Global Crossing stock options fame) to lead her campaign.

The Democrats lost when they selected Howard Dean to run the DNC; footnote: Terry McAuliffe formerly ran the DNC (see a pattern)?

The reason Obama is sliding in the polls is due to the fact that what goes up must come down; he was propped up with no experience and no tangible accomplishments as Senator; his fall is predictable.

Michelle Obama has orchestrated her husband’s every move and has done a very credible job, however, hyperbole can only take someone so far.

The fact that the polls now show a 1% lead by Senator Obama over Senator McCain shouldn’t be a shocking surprise. It’s a reflection that the Democratic Party is a house divided. In my opinion, Senator Obama continues to suffer from the deep wounds inflicted by Senator Clinton during the primaries - and the huge divide it has caused within the Democratic Party. To the GOP’s credit, they have been executing an effective strategy to keep this chaos stagefront by continuing the same attacks against the Dems’ Nominee while the Democratic Party continues to flounder about trying to achieve party unity. If the Dems unite…this election will be a BLOW-OUT!!!

I think what the forum at the Saddleback Church showed everyone was that Obama is a great speaker when he speaks from a prepared speech. When he speaks freely he just isn’t able to communicate at all. He always struggles. He doesn’t look comfortable being himself. While Mccain communicates best not using a prepared speech. I have a real problem with someone who can’t communicate unless it’s on paper. Obama comes off as arrogant. McCain doesn’t. I think while Obama was on vacation McCain had a real opportunity to stand out and show he is prepared for the 3am phone call. In this case he personally knows the president of Georgia very well. He has been alive long enough to have lived during the times when we had the Cold War. Obama just read a speech that sounded like a shopping list. Not very convincing. The interesting thing your special on Obama revealed is he’s not a different politician, he just very under the table about his strategy. Instead of worrying about the voters in Chicago, he went to verify the signatures of his opponant. Very clever . He won the short way out. This time he focused on shmoozing every super delegate he could to his side knowing that they elect presidents not the people or the voters. While Clinton did it the old fashioned way. He is not a new way or a better way. He looks for the easiest way and cuts the other person right out. If this is his idea of politics and being new and change. It’s just fraud. I know why Obama is quiet and not being negative, he knows if he does, the McCain camp and the RNC is ready and waiting for him.

He is losing points because it’s now so obvious now that Obama is great when he “READS” from teleprompters, he is not impressive at all when he has to talk without a written script.

It’s gives an image that he is more a puppet than an independent thinker.

What it shows is that Obama, is starting to lose his prima-donna status. Everybody else is to blame for Obamas gaffes. Please give me a break, you can’t blame Sen. Clinton, for this mess. Put the blame, just where it belongs, on the shoulders of The Dnc, and The Obamas. Whats happening now, is exactly what The Clinton supporters,said all along he was and still is the weaker Democrat.

people are starting to wake up

Obama has been falling since about two thirds of the way through the primaries. Remember all the talk why he couldn’t close the deal. Well that’s because he couldn’t and can’t. McCain’s campaign almost collapsed but didn’t. It rose up and continues to rise, which it will all the way through the election. After watching Obama debate Clinton it is obvious McCain will win every debate they will have and go on to be our next president.

James………….spoken like a true Republican

People only want a chance at something. They want a more even playing field. Why do you think that college isn’t free in this country? The haves don’t want the have nots to understand that they can really have it all. It is about keeping the majority of the people down. Only 2% of the population is very rich. The middle class is almost nonexistant. It goes from rich to lower class now. Free Healthcare? Absolutely!

I like John McCain when he talks direct, w/o the canned speech. He makes sense and is perceived as sincere, but it’s clear he is lacking in educational clarity on critical topics. No one person can be expert on everything and successful leaders are the sum of their administrative and advisory support, so I don’t expect him to be expert. However, when a president speaks, he MUST know what he is talking about. McCain will never throw in the towel, but scares me with his knee-jerk tough-guy talk, especially as it pertains to world affairs.

I like Barack Obama’s intellectual and diplomatic approach. When he speaks, I am confident he knows what he is talking about, always. I prefer a leader who knows how to yield to his advisors and simply seeks the best solution. He is presidential in his actions, his demeanor, he’s fresh with a new perspective, and his stature is appropriate…visually and orally a far cry from George Bush (and the “internets”) who has permanently embarrased this nation for eight years, other than maybe the first 3-6 months of his tenure. I can certainly be proud of Obama, of that I’m sure.

The critical issues are foreign affairs/war and constitutional rights as they pertain to social issues. No, I don’t see the economy as a critical issue. The president has very little short-term lasting effect on Wall Street and world markets–Wall Street will always take care of itself. I’ll never understand how someone could be so dedicated to serving and defending my rights (the Constitution) yet so freely willing to trample my Constitutional rights. It sincerely makes me think McCain’s military career was a waste, as much as I hate to say that. But it IS about hate (as a learned religous behavior), isn’t it?

I am glued to what you reporters report on your shows. But I am also dismayed because none of you seem to get it. All of you appear to have more income than the majority of us will ever make yet we will be the majority at the voting polls.
Yeah! Obama needs to get some “nasty” in his campaigne. Also when McCain tries to back Obama against the wall with the Elite crap, Obama should point out how in touch he is with average America because he was still paying his college loan until he wrote a book that sold. Most of us that have college education are stil paying on our college loan. I believe I heard Barack was to, until he wrote a book that sold. Now that sounds like me. Ms average American. I don’t know who you are polling , but its not the me’s of the voting world.And get this ‘WE ALL’ have a shady personality in our lives, be it family or friend.

I think is definitly Hillary. There is no other way to win it. Since he’s getting two for the price of one with bill. In order to be victorious you have to dance with the wolf. Bill have proven to be sucessful
with any type of attack from the republican. We the american people can not take another republican adminitration they going to sink the country in a hole that we might not be able to come out of.

does john mccain have althiemers disease