An underlying conflict that appears in polls is the disconnect between issue related preference and actual voting preference. Obama outperforms McCain on economic issues. The Iraq war continues to be unpopular. Generic Democrats beat generic Republicans. And yet, the race is and will probably remain extremely close.
Perhaps people would respond positively to a bold ad campaign reminding them that their vote will actually shape their future. The country is what it is today because George W. Bush was elected. Obama, the symbol is more polarizing than Obama, the Democrat. Obama will lose an election that is framed by identity. He will win an election framed by our future well being.