Everyone has predicted that the race would "tighten" somewhat. Well it looks that that has begun, but we don't have to accept it...more below the fold.
538 is reporting
The central point is this: if McCain has gained ground -- and most likely he has -- then what he's done is reset the race to roughly where it was two weeks ago, when Obama also had roughly a 6-point national lead. Except, the two positions aren't entirely equal, since two weeks have run off McCain's clock. Roughly speaking -- and accounting for his inferior position in the electoral college -- McCain needs to gain about half a point per day every day between now and November 4 to become a favorite in the electoral college. That is not an easy task.
While not an easy task (and made far more difficult this year by efforts of Democratic activists and Kossacks, among others), any tightening is not inevitable tightening or good tightening. Let's not accept it but reverse it.
Our guy has run an amazing campaign and I am not concerned in the slightest, but I am also not ready to declare victory - no matter how certain that victory looks from here. Let's all seal the deal and then put the stamp on it such that there is no question about the will of the American people.
It is time to 1) work harder 2) donate a bit more and 3) talk to persuade those who can be persuaded as best we can. I am thrilled by the possibility of a strong finish - one that reverses the tightening and pushes us towards landslide.
If you haven't done so already, do something today and tomorrow and every day until the election to make a difference. Write or call someone you know in a battleground (or potential battleground) state, donate a few bucks to a campaign that needs it, volunteer at a phone bank, call in to talk show, put up a yardsign, volunteer to canvass, or put your suggestions of something to do below.
This online community is amazing. I have seen people support each other as well as the ideas they hold dear. I have seen people bare their hearts and have seen people respond with wisdom and compassion and focus and determination. For an online community, we are making a remarkable difference - this is a grassroots movement and we are, right now, making history. Let's keep going strong to the end.
In the comments below, add your suggestions or stories of what you are doing in the closing days of this historic compaign. What are you doing that you will be pround to share with your children and grandchildren? Tell us how much time you are spending - and better yet, put the minutes or hours in the re line added to the minutes or hours from the entry before - so that we can see, as a community, what is happening out there and what a difference we are making. Let's inspire one another. I look forward to seeing what all of us, as a community are doing.