So every day I check into fivethirtyeight.com and watch Obama's numbers go down...can't tell you how much I hate it. At the same time, I read DK a few times a day and see lots of diaries crowing about how bad things are for McCain and another large number of diaries proposing actions should Obama should take -- ads he should run, statements he should make, etc.
So I'm left with trying to figure out what I'm not seeing here. Why are Obama's numbers declining, steadily and rapidly enough to be observable on a daily basis? And how can people propose solutions without talking about the causes and conditions behind the decline in support?
I don't want to be part of the "Why isn't Obama doing better?" brigade and have never been a concern troll. But honestly, I am worried and a little depressed. (I'll be at the DNC, so I expect that will cheer me up.)
I'm surprised at the declining numbers. I expected that the Olympic ads would have a positive effect; although in California, I saw few ads from either candidate. Nevertheless, I am stunned that Obama's support, as reflected in polls, is going down at all. I look at and listen to Obama and compare him to the burned-out, burned-up, shell of a person named John McCain and cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone under 65 would vote for JM. I am shaking my head in disbelief as I write this!
I'm interested in getting your thoughts about what is causing the falling support? what can be done about it? and if you think there will be a convention/ post-convention bounce.
I think once I can get a handle on the cause of the problem, it will be easier to feel more optimistic and to imagine solutions, especially at the local level where I will be putting my efforts.
Thanks.