Two quick observations from today, from someone (me!) living in a heavily Republican county in PA.
One- We walk our dogs for miles in our middle-class neighborhood, and I have seen only ONE Romney/Ryan sign, and virtually no Romney bumper stickers. Even more telling perhaps, a string of houses we fondly call "Freeper Ridge" not only has no signs for Romney, but they have taken down their little tea party emblems, e.g. the "Don't tread on me flags." These houses are populated by a mix of retirees with pathologically neat lawns, and others who from prior signs are clearly right leaning. Now.... nothing in sight.
Have seen only one sign for Obama in the neighborhood, but compared to the last election the visual support for the Republican candidate seems minimal, too. We will be putting up an Obama sign when I can get one; for now just have my car magnet.
Two- the hardworking woman in her 70's who cleans our house once a week responded vehemently when I jokingly asked her if she was a moocher. Let's call her Lucy. Lucy and I have a long and friendly relationship, so she knew where I was coming from when I asked this. She does not make enough to pay federal income tax, nor does her grand-daughter who lives with her and waits tables, nor her son who is disabled from a stroke.
Lucy launched into a tirade that showed she was very informed about the latest Romney spouting, detailed her long work history, and continued by telling me what she thought of Ann Romney's tales of hard work. While I don't have evidence that Mrs. Romney has relied entirely on nannies and help, our hard-working friend clearly thinks that was the case, and I am guessing she might be representative of many in the so-called 47%. Lucy, who by the way is white, then sang the praises of Michelle Obama for helping to improve the lunches at her great-grandaughter's school.
So based entirely on today's anecdotal evidence, I declare Mitt to be toast. I will close by promoting my husband's favorite phrase from the last month as a bumper sticker:
Keep talking Mitt....keep talking.